Inspired By...

Mais oui, it's another outfit photo. You're all going to get tired of my mug pretty soon. Between work, getting ready for our yearly ski trip and working on an alternative school placement for jeune homme, I've barely been able to complete a sentence, let alone a post. But I do have a lot of fun stuff in the works for next month including a giveaway, so please don't give up on me yet.

I was inspired yesterday by Tish's post at A Femme d'un Certain Age about blouses and statement necklaces, and decided to try layering up à la Loulou de la Falaise.

Unfortunately, I don't have the kind of Loulou-esque statement necklaces in my collection to really pull off this slightly bohemian Rive Gauche look, so think my effort fell somewhat short.

Meh.

I did like the blue and white shirt with the black pieces though, and think I deserve some YSL brownie points for that. :-) Jewelry-wise, I felt the effect was more Madame Bijoux than Loulou.

Jacket: Eileen Fisher, 2010. Similar.
Blouse: J.Crew, here.
Pants: Eileen Fisher, here.
Necklaces: Short - J.Crew, here. Long - J.Crew and Ann Taylor, both at least a year old. similar.
Bracelet: Ann Taylor, few years old, similar.
Boots: Stuart Weitzman, six years old and counting, similar.

Have you been inspired to try any new styles or combinations lately?  How did it work out?

Linking up with Patti's Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style, here.

Disclosure: actions taken from some hyperlinks in this post may generate commissions for www.unefemme.net.
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Monday's Scarf Lesson

Spokesmodel hands!

I promised a while back I'd show you another tie for a large scarf. This one, the "Animal Spirit" stole from L'affaire cashmere is one of my very favorites. It's super soft, extremely light, and I've been wearing it several times a week. Right now, L'affaire cashmere is offering 12% off of all products listed on the website, and gift of a pure silk scarf as well with any purchase. Just use code vd14. This offer is valid until February 10. Shipping is always free, worldwide.

As I've mentioned before, I've come to believe that wearing scarves and keeping my neck warm in chilly weather helps to ward off illness. But I also have an aversion to anything that feels too bulky or confining around my neck, so have learned several ties that accommodate this preference. While the resulting tie may look like a lot of bulk around the neck, I hardly notice that I'm wearing a scarf at all.

Begin by draping the scarf around the neck with one end quite short. Twisting the scarf a few times as you go (this helps reduce volume) wrap loosely once...

...then twice around the neck.

Both ends will now be short.

Grab one of the loops, and pass one of the ends down through that loop only.

Then grab the other loop, and pass the other end downward through that one.

Adjust as needed.

Et voilà!  This will be included in your final exam.

Happy Monday!

Disclosure: actions taken from hyperlinks in this post may generate commissions for www.unefemme.net.
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Neutral Zone

Some shopping trips you just get lucky. I'd set out last weekend to replace my black pencil skirt, and hit the jackpot on the first try. This season's Eileen Fisher ponte knit pencil skirt hits all the right notes: simple, knee length, and in a nice substantial fabric that doesn't wrinkle (even after sitting at my desk all day, as it turns out). And at the same time, I spotted this cardigan which nicely fills the role of a non-black neutral "third piece" to lighten and add interest to my black basics, an item I've been searching for for ages. It's a linen/wool blend which will be wearable 9 months out of the year here, drapes beautifully, and the black and ivory weave satisfies my Need For Tweed.

This was one of those instances where it paid to shop in person rather than online. Had I seen and ordered this sweater online, I would have gone with the Petite version. But when I tried it on in the store, the Sales Associate thought the proportions weren't quite right, and convinced me to try the corresponding size in Misses. She was right, and the longer length worked better.

Yes, you CAN wear a pinky ring without looking like a Mob Boss!

Is this gold vintage fleur-de-lis pinky ring not gorgeous?? It's from Beladora 2, and one I've had my eye on for a while. I was inspired by Belle's post on BHB modeling several different styles of pinky rings. If you have thick fingers like I do, wearing a smaller piece on the pinky keeps it from looking too diminutive. Again, proportion is everything.

Cardigan: Eileen Fisher, here.
Sweater: J.Crew Tippi, here.
Skirt: Eileen Fisher, here.
Boots: purchased in 2008, similar.
Scarf: Eileen Fisher, similar.
Tights: DKNY, here.
Earrings: Majorica, here.
Pinky Ring: gifted, from Beladora 2. More gorgeous vintage rings here, and here.

The scarf tie above is a slightly sloppy version of one I'll show you on Monday.

Bon weekend!

Do you wear pinky rings?

Linking up with Patti's Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style!

Disclosure: actions taken from some hyperlinks in this post may generate commissions for www.unefemme.net.
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What Season Are You?

Paris, May 2012

I'm not talking about Seasonal Color Analysis, which is supposed to help us determine which colors will be most flattering, but about our seasonal wardrobes. I think we each have a particular style season we gravitate to, whether due to taste or climate where we live or overall mood of the collections.

In the past, "pre-fall" has been the clothing season that most often rings my chimes, and where I've spent the lion's share of my clothing dollars. The colors offered (usually a bit more subdued than Spring and Summer brights) appeal to me and the weight of fabrics tends to work well almost year round here in Southern California. There's a bit more "back to business" seriousness about the styles that works for the office. And there's the lingering emotional tie to that time of year, when the a new school year meant new clothing and a fresh start.

Up until recently, I've generally tended to tune out of fashion for Spring and Summer. Brighter colors, skimpier styles, and designs that felt more appropriate for beach than boardroom tend to dominate the racks, and leave those of us who need warm weather working wardrobes grubbing around the edges for crumbs. So it's been no surprise that I always feel as though my summer work wardrobe is a bit lacking in substance.

But things might be changing. This year I've been noticing more offerings in the way of lighter weight and knit jackets, neutral separates, and easy-fitting but somewhat structured pieces in some retailers "pre-spring/resort" collections. And sleeves. Yes, even in the summer I want 3/4 sleeves (or the ability to roll up a full sleeve).

I find that lightweight jackets are indispensable for the office in warmer months. Throw on a jacket over a tee and simple pair of cotton pants and you're meeting-ready. Office air conditioner on overdrive? A cotton or silk knit jacket is just enough to balance outdoor and indoor temperatures. But those lightweight knit jackets have been elusive creatures in past seasons, especially in colors other than black, so I've been thrilled to see more offerings with this year's Resort and Spring collections.

Eileen Fisher

It was the frayed edges on this one that first caught my eye, sort of an edgy Chanel vibe. But then I saw that it was Cotton! Knit! and knew I'd have to track it down. Will report back once I have my mitts on one.

Theory

This cotton/polyester jacket from Theory is lined, so may be too warm for the height of summer but the slightly angled stripes are fun and a nice change from a solid blazer. It looks to be a bit shaped as well, more flattering for many of us than very boxy styles.

Nic & Zoe

Looks like a jacket, feels like a sweater. The "tipped" look with the contrast piping seems to be very on-trend right now. Not my thing, but I really appreciate the longer length of this "swacket", and that it's available in multiple color combos.

Eileen Fisher

This unstructured linen jacket is a bit more casual, but the graphite color is a nice alternative to black and for those whose workplace allows some creative latitude, might be a good summer option.

Classiques Entier

If the winter doldrums have you craving a bit of color for spring, this jacket might scratch that itch nicely. Classiques Entier is one of the Nordstrom in-house brands, and in my past experience the quality and fit were quite good. Unfortunately they seem to have all but eliminated the Petite line.

Ann Taylor

If your taste runs toward the more traditional, this tweed jacket with subtle gold threads is a nice option. Love the bracelet sleeves!

What season usually grabs your attention (and wallet)? Do you find some seasons difficult to dress for?

Disclosure: actions taken from some hyperlinks in this post may result in commissions for www.unefemme.net.
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What To Do With Leftover Tomato Paste

Call it a quirk, but food waste drives me crazy.  If you do any cooking that calls for tomato paste, so often the required amount is only a fraction of even one of these little cans*. I don't do the kind of Advanced Level Meal Planning that would use up the entire can within a few days and it pains me to throw the majority of the container away, so here's what I do:

Grab a small plastic ice cube tray.

Figure out what measurement will fill each of the "cubes." This tray holds a perfect 2 teaspoons. Using a spoon and a small rubber spatula, scoop out the remaining tomato paste and fill as many cubes as you have paste.

Pop in the freezer and freeze overnight.

When cubes are frozen solid, pop out of the tray and into a freezer bag. Store in the freezer and use individual cubes as needed.

*I know you can buy tomato paste in tubes, but none of our local markets seem to carry it.

Do you have any handy tips for leftover ingredients?
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Nautical Interlude

Kayakers near Naples area of Long Beach. One doesn't often see those distant mountains or skies this blue.

Our weather pendulum has swung again, from an extended cold snap to the kind of delightful conditions that make people in Michigan say, "shovel out the car honey, we're moving to Southern California!"

It's been a busy weekend packed with family events: a cousin's post-wedding reception/party (the ceremony itself, held on a beach in October, was small and private), entertaining relatives from out of town here for the event, and seeing off BIL (Uncle B) and his wife, who are leaving today for home...home being their boat in the South Pacific. Sunday afternoon we borrowed a friend's Boston Whaler and went cruising through Alamitos Bay, with a stop for lunch along the way.

We couldn't have asked for a nicer day.

Duffys and Dingys and Yachts, oh my!

Guarding the entrance to the Naples canals

Jeune homme's feet are now bigger than mine!

Such a vintage beauty, but oh what work to keep all of that wood ship-shape!

Silly after lunch. Only had one beer, honest!

The day was perfect for a marinière and light cotton sweater and scarf.

Today is a holiday from work and school, but after the busy weekend I need it for a "catch up" day. Do you ever have times where you feel as though you need a weekend from your weekend??
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Over there...

Casual vendredi by unefemme featuring a zippered tote bag

Let's pretend it's not quite so cold in Paris right now.  We'll go shop les soldes and then stop for un petit verre du vin and compare purchases.

Today I'm guest posting over at Already Pretty! Click ici!
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Input Requested

I've been noticing an uptick in spam comments since I turned off word verification a few weeks ago, though few of them actually get posted; most are caught by the spam filter and only seen by those who are subscribing to any comment thread. I'll confess, they make me nuts. They're the blogging equivalent of robo-call telemarketers.

I've turned on moderation for posts older than a few days, though I am loathe to moderate all comments (as I love the "flow" of conversation that sometimes happens in comment threads) and am reluctant to turn the word verification back on, as some have complained about that. I tried dis-allowing anonymous comments, but some regular readers comment that way and I don't want to exclude them.

I'm assuming that you're all a pretty savvy bunch, and ignore any comments that seem mostly non-sensical, ending with something to the effect "look at my website CHEAP sunglasses". Still, let me know whether you'd prefer that I a) leave things as they are, b) turn comment moderation on for all comments, or c) turn word verification back on.

Your feedback is appreciated! More than anything I want to create and maintain a good experience for readers of this blog.
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Jump Start: A Little Elegance

Paris, 2007. Somewhere in the Louvre (I think). Napoleon's apartment
in the Louvre. (Thank you, Faux Fuchsia!)

Between our child and dogs and a small house in various stages of dilapidation, our daily life is fairly rough-and-tumble. Nothing fancy, anything breakable up high and everything else frequently under a light dusting of dog hair. And between home and a strictly utilitarian office environment, there isn't much inherent elegance in my daily life.

But elegance, even the simplest kind, is soothing, nurturing and restorative. A little beauty incorporated into daily life is good for the soul. Elegance and beauty in our environment remind us to stop, pay attention, sit up a bit straighter. So one of my Jump Starts has been to find small ways to add a bit of elegance to the quotidien.

1. Buy a small bouquet of flowers weekly for my office. Even just bunch of daisies from the supermarket adds such a nice touch.

2. Arrange fruit in a pretty bowl. Whether my grand-mère's antique crystal compote (above) or just a bright ceramic bowl from TJ Maxx, it brings some life to a room.

3. Light a scented candle at bedtime. (But be sure and blow it out before you go to sleep!)

How have you found ways to incorporate a little elegance into your daily routine?
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A Little Bit Classic(al), A Little Bit Rock-And-Roll

Saturday night was Symphony Night. My in-laws had been long-time subscribers and supporters of the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra and, while they were both with us, would sometimes invite us to attend a concert with them. After my father-in-law passed away in 2006, we began attending regularly with my mother-in-law. Then after she passed away in 2011, we decided to continue renewing our season passes for the Classical series, as it's an opportunity to see and stay in touch with family friends who are also LBSO "regulars." Plus, we really enjoy the concerts!

We've been having an extended cold snap here in Southern California, so staying warm was a primary consideration. I layered it up but good. Keeping in mind the necessity of my leather overcoat, I went for warmth without the bulk. Here's one of the reasons I'll always be a fan of black: it's easy to dress up simple pieces in a pinch.

Sweater: Eileen Fisher, a couple of years old. Similar shape.
Turtleneck: Silk, Ann Taylor, at least 6 years old.  Similar. (This is another of those items I wish I'd bought in multiples when it was available.)
Tank (underneath turtleneck, for warmth): Eileen Fisher.
Pants: Eileen Fisher "Rock Star"ponte knit jeans. (Available in Plus and Petite too.)
Boots: Stuart Weitzman, about 6 years old. Similar.
Necklaces: Chanel, 2 or 3 years old. Similar. Pearls from Beladora II.  More gorgeous vintage pearl necklaces here.
Bracelets: Stella and Dot.  Here, and here.

But this (above) wasn't the first version of my concert-going ensemble.  I'd promised Adrienne at The Rich Life (on a budget) that I'd show how I style my NYDJ Coated Sheri jeans. I hadn't worn these for a few weeks, and when I put them on, something just wasn't right. I kept trying different tops/jackets, and snapped a few outfit shots. After glancing at the results, it became clear....

Yoiks! Pants. Too. Big.

So Adrienne, this is how I *would* have styled them for a night out at the symphony. :-)  I realized I've dropped close to ten pounds since I purchased them in the fall. Guess they'll be added to the donation pile. (I don't know if these are even alterable, and even if so aren't worth the investment it would take.)

I switched over to my Eileen Fisher ponte knit jeans. By the time I got my outfit settled, I was close to losing the light.

The bag is my trusty Wallet on a Chain (Chanel).  Because of the long necklaces, I didn't want to wear it cross-body or even on the shoulder, so triple looped the chain and carried in hand.

I find that Classic looks can easily veer toward Stodgy (at least on me), so try to balance out those pieces with some that are more edgy/current.

Baby, it was cold outside! I needed that leather jacket. By the time the concert let out, it was close to freezing.

Shivering in front of the fountain.

Still, I made le monsieur stop long enough snap a quick phone pic in front of the pretty fountain outside.

Hope your week is off to a great start! I'm linking up with Patti's Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style.

Do you like to mix different styles (Classic/Trendy/Bohemian/Edgy) or do you prefer to keep it consistent?

Disclosure: actions taken from some hyperlinks in this post may generate commissions for www.unefemme.net.
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