Fashion

My New “IT” Bag!

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So, ever since I joined the corporate world almost ten years ago, I have been on an exhausting (insert exaggeration) mission to find the perfect…drum roll please…laptop bag! I know that sounds pretty lame and boring. You probably thought I was going to say the perfect Chanel bag. Don’t fret! A beautiful, vintage handbag from the House of Chanel is definitely on my list, but for once in my life I’ve been pining after something a bit more practical.

You’re probably wondering why it’s taken so long for me to find a simple laptop bag. Anyone can walk down the back aisle of the nearest Office Depot or Staples and find a bag suitable enough to chuck a laptop into. If it isn’t blatantly obvious, I’m rather picky when it comes to fashion, even for something as mundane as a laptop bag. I didn’t want the traditional bulky, black bag with vinyl material and a trolley strap.

Well, I’m happy to report that after tirelessly (more exaggeration) searching for almost a decade, I am FINALLY the super proud owner of the perfect laptop bag! Take a look.

Fossil Sydney Work Bag
Fossil Sydney Work Bag

 

Isn’t she stunning?!? It’s the Sydney Work Bag made by Fossil. I’m so in love with the rich camel color. I’m also over-the-moon because it’s not the traditional stiff and boxy laptop bag. There is a lot of storage space, extra pockets and zipped enclosures to hide supplies like a portable mouse, charger cord, pens, business cards, etc. It’s absolutely perfect! I received this bag as a Christmas gift (thanks to my hubby) and even though I was on vacation during the holidays, every day I would look at the bag in my closet and slightly (I mean, minuscule) wish that I was scheduled to work just so I could introduce my new bag to my old laptop.

Christmas was several weeks ago and I’m still really infatuated with this bag. If only I could find a way to wear it on the weekends without looking like I’m heading to the office. Please send me your tips!

Now that I’ve FINALLY checked laptop bag off my list, I’m setting my sights on Coco Chanel! I’m setting up my GoFundMe site as I type this (I kid).

Have a great week!

xoxo,
shannon b.

P.S. Check out this super cute Day Designer daily planner I just started using. I love it almost as much as my new bag.

P.S.S. I feel like this post reveals my inner-nerd and over-zealousness for all things office supplies. Please don’t judge me!

 

Finding New Balance

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You probably can’t tell from my current wardrobe, but tennis shoes (or sneakers depending on what region you live in) used to be a MAJOR staple in my closet during my high school and early college years. It wasn’t uncommon to see several boxes of Air Jordan’s stacked on the floor of my closet. I was also very fond of New Balance tennis shoes, which have recently made a reappearance in my life and I’m loving all of the new styles.

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These are the latest pair of New Balance shoes I snagged last summer. Aren’t the colors so much fun? They’re also extremely versatile. I love that you can wear them while you’re out running errands or heading to the gym in stretch pants and a tee or meeting girlfriends for lunch in some skinny jeans and a blazer. What’s even more validation for the awesomeness of New Balance is that they’re sold at my favorite store…J. Crew.  I’m totally obsessed with these tennys and can’t wait to add a couple more to my collection.

If there is a tennis shoe fairy that would like to gift me with a few (or five) more pairs, I’ve included pics of some of the styles I’ve had my eye on, below. 

New Balance 420 Sneakers
New Balance 620 Sneakers
New Balance 696 Sneakers
New Balance 696 Sneakers

What do you think? Are you sold? Let me know which tennis shoes you love to rock!

XOXO,
shannon b.

Fall Wish List

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The fall season is the perfect time to introduce new staple pieces to your wardrobe…a new coat, a shiny pair of boots or a fabulous handbag. Although my husband took a look at my closet this morning and said (literally) “you don’t need another thing,” a girl can always dream…right!?!?

So, if by chance he’s reading this post or any of my amazing readers are feeling generous, here goes!

1. Mary Janes
I’ve been pining after this classic shoe for the past few weeks. I don’t know if it’s the cross straps or the fact that I can’t wait to pair them with knee high dress socks or tights, but this ode to traditional style is definitely on my must have list for the fall season. I love Miu Miu’s updated look of this timeless shoe.


2. Pussy Bow Blouses
I am absolutely adoring the trend of these beautiful silk blouses with the large bow embellishment. I can imagine wearing this with a tweed pencil skirt and a pair of back seam stockings. This blouse would look equally as stylish with a pair of wide leg trousers. This Valentino Red blouse is so yummy!

3. Faux Fur Collars
Okay, so not quite sure where I will wear this trend just yet, but it’s still on my list of items to have for the  season. Even though I’m in to taking risks in fashion, I’m not quite sure I can pull this look off at work. I’m sure it will cause many stares and not the good kind. Anyway, I am so in love with how the fur collar on this Joules Larkworth blazer takes it to epic style proportions! What do you think?


4. Felt Hat
Okay, so I’m not quite convinced I can pull of this hat because I have really short hair. I’m not willing to grow my hair out just yet, but I still think it’s worthy of being on this list. Adding this Emilio Pucci Woven-Leather Felt Hat or something similar to your ensemble will definitely complete your look and can make you look so polished. Who wouldn’t want that?

Putting this list together made me realize that there are a lot of items on my fall wish list that I wasn’t able to include. A second post may be warranted. Stay tuned!

P.S. – What wardrobe investment pieces are you hoping to add to your closet this season? I’d love to hear!

XOXO,
shannon b.  

DC Fashion Week? 

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Yes, you read the title of this post correctly…it’s DC Fashion Week! I know you’re probably thinking…

“What fashion contributions has our nation’s capital made to society?”

You’re not alone. I started to think the same thing. So, I jogged my memory and thought about all of the wardrobe pieces that have taken residence in my closet that have been influenced by Washington, DC culture (WARNING: If you didn’t grow up in the Washington, DC area in the 90s and early 2000s, this walk down memory lane will not resonate with you, sorry). I admit, my mind took me directly back to high school when anything with a Warner Brothers logo or character meant you were a fashion God…think Tweety Bird covered socks and hoodies (I know, don’t judge me). I thought about the various pairs of Parasuco, Sergio or Princess stretch jeans that I petitioned my parents for so that I could fit in with the other girls in high school. Or the early Saturday morning trips to the mall to purchase the latest pair of Air Jordans…luckily I never had to wait in line at Kid’s Foot Locker (having small feet gave me an advantage). I know it’s probably hard to imagine my closet filled with all of these items, but it’s true. I’m happy to report that 90 percent of those dated fashions were served eviction notices long ago, save for a few pairs of Jordans. Anywho, that trip through my fashion history was fun and painful all at the same time. So, how is the District of Columbia influencing fashion culture now?

1. Blazers

When people think about Washington, DC, they immediately equate it to the place where laws are created and where our President lives…in other words, politics. Politics to me means conservative, safe and quite frankly, snore city. Think gray and blue power suits and basic black pumps galore. Blah! Washingtonians have definitely taken an essential component of a traditional suit — the blazer — and made it fun…often pairing it with tailored jeans, fun skirts and colorful scarves. The blazer has definitely been revived and it’s fun to see the different ways they can be paired besides with its usual matrimony partner…a basic, conservative pant or skirt.

 

2. Fitted jeans

So, I already divulged the fact that my closet was full of stretch jeans when I was in high school. While I have no facts or statistics that this comfortable jean style originated in DC, I’m going to go out on a limb and say we were one of the first cities to adopt the trend. I mean, do you know how long ago I was in high school (don’t answer that)? Another embarrassing fact…I used to wear stretch pants UNDER my stretch jeans to make them even tighter. Thanks mom for my chicken legs gene! Anyway, for about as long as I can remember stretch or fitted jeans have been a staple here and not just for the ladies. It wasn’t uncommon to see a young man walking through Georgetown wearing tighter fitting jeans. Now, skinny jeans are a wardrobe staple for the younger generation of women and men all around the world.

 

3. Michelle Obama

Okay, okay, our fabulous First Lady has mentioned on multiple occassions that she’s from the south side of Chicago, which is hundreds of miles away from the nation’s capital. I’m including her in this list, because I think she represents the new wave of style many working women (including me) in the Washington, DC area have embraced since she took residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. I think she is the anti-suit, which I absolutely love! Her preference for J. Crew cardigans over structured suit jackets and her penchant to wear a trendy A-line dress with kitten heels is so refreshing and really welcomed. Thank you FLOTUS for your influence on DC fashion!

So, there you have it. My thoughts on Washington, DC’s influence on fashion. Oh, and if you’re interested in attending any DC Fashion Week events, check out this link for additional information.

Have a great week!

XOXO,
shannon b.

P.S. – If you grew up in the Washington, DC area, comment on this post and let me know which trends you most remember that were influenced by life in DC. 

The First Step to Defining Your Style

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“How would you describe your style?”

That’s typically the first question I ask a new client during our initial consultation and in most instances, the response includes a lot of hemming, hawing, gasps, long breaths, forehead scratches, sighs and finally…

“I don’t really have a style.”

With so many style choices and options available for us to choose from, no wonder it can sometimes be overwhelming to choose just one. But do you really have to? Do you have to pick one style?

Well, depending on who you ask, you’ll get a different answer. I’m under the mindset that you can have more than one style. My style personality fluctuates from time to time and that’s perfectly fine with me.

So, with all of the various styles out in the world — preppy, bohemian, grunge, goth, hipster, girly, conservative, etc. — how do you even begin to define your style?

I think there are a few of questions you can ask yourself (it’s perfectly fine to talk to yourself, I do it all of the time) to help put you on the golden brick road to owning your style. Let’s start with the first one today. I’ll save question two for next week.

  1. What do I gravitate towards?

Do you have a closet full of white collar shirts or casual blazers? Do you tend to buy the same type of wardrobe piece over and over again? There is no wrong answer. If your answer is yes, that is totally fine. It just shows that you know what you like, but dig a little deeper. Why do you like that one item so much? What is it about that item that makes you keep going back? For example, if you have 17 casual blazers in your closet, (meaning you wear them outside of work) is it because you think it makes you look polished? Does it cover up body parts that you’d prefer to deflect attention from? Do you like the flexibility of blazers? You can pair them with jeans, a tutu, a dress or pencil skirt…that’s a lot of flexibility! After you interview yourself about why you gravitate towards certain wardrobe items, write down a list of adjectives that describe that item. Hold on to the list and I’ll tell you what to do with it next week…that’s called a teaser! Oh, and if you don’t tend to gravitate towards one (or more) specific items, next Monday’s post is for you too…that’s called a double teaser!

Here’s to starting this style identity journey together.

See you next week! 

xoxo,
shannon b. 

 

Fashionably Fly and Not Breaking the Bank…How?

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So how do you do it? How do you keep up with the latest fashion trends without maxing out your credit cards or dipping into your kiddos college fund? Keep reading and I’ll share a few tips that have worked for me over the last several years.

  1. DON’T chase trends

Chasing all of the latest fashion trends and crazes will surely put you on the next bus to the poor house. I wish I had a jaw-dropping statistic to share with you about the trappings of basing your whole wardrobe around trendy pieces. Instead of spending your hard-earned dollars on that pair of floral print Birkenstocks, (come on, will you really wear them 12 months from now?) invest your money in classic, staple pieces that you are prone to wear more frequently, i.e. a coat, handbag or shoes. Classic pieces are usually of good quality and can be worn season after season, which means you save money.

2. Shop off-season

I might need to make a category on this blog for “things my mom told me”. She taught me at a young age that shopping off-season is a great way to save money. For example, that Burberry puffer coat that you’ve been stalking all winter…okay, that I’ve been stalking all winter long, would definitely cause your bank account to go into cardiac arrest if you were to purchase it right in the midst of winter. The best time to get an expensive item like the puffer coat is at the very beginning of the spring season, when the stores push all of the new seasons fashions to the front and cram all of the winter items to the back on a crowded rack. That cramped rack is your gold mine where you can find items from last season at a heavily discounted price. Try your luck!

    3. Outlet malls are NOT a fashion faux-pas

Some people think that outlet malls are where once “in-season” clothes go to die. I don’t buy into that theory and have actually found some great pieces at the outlet mall. Maybe it’s because I don’t subscribe to the idea that wardrobe pieces go out of season. Just to clarify, I don’t mean that I would wear a pair of shorts and open toe shoes in the winter. I’m referring to style seasons. For example, two springs/summers ago, neon was everywhere. Now, pastel colors are popular. Does that mean I still don’t break out my neon J. Crew clutch? Absolutely not!I buy items that complete my look and that I won’t mind  wearing no matter the style season.

I hope these tips will help and not hurt your bank account the next time you go shopping!

XOXO,
shannon b.

Kick rocks, winter!

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This winter season brought great, new wardrobe pieces to my closet, like my over-the-knee black, suede boots by Sam Edelman and my sandy-colored J.Crew winter coat that I wore practically everyday, BUT, spring can’t come soon enough and this Friday is officially the first day of the new season!

Good riddance to my stockings, tights, coats, gloves and heavy scarves. Am I being a bit harsh? Probably, but I’ve never loved the winter season. Even though I’m a December baby, in my heart I was born right in the midst of the spring season when the tulips and cherry blossoms are in full bloom, the sun stays out longer and the atmosphere is covered with a thick coat of pollen (sorry, I’m one of the rare breeds that doesn’t have allergies).

Okay, now that I’ve gotten all of the negativity out of the way (cold weather makes me say mean things), let’s talk about some of the awesome items I’m looking forward to this spring.

White spring coats
So, I might have become a bit obsessed with white spring coats. Just earlier this week, I had two of them in my closet. I am happy to report that I returned one. Having two white coats is a bit much, unless I’m a doctor. Here are a few that I really like.


Spring dresses
I love wearing dresses all year-round, but there’s something magical about wearing them in the spring, when your bare arms and legs finally get to feel the warmth of the sun after winter’s cold grip. I can imagine myself wearing one of the following dresses while there’s a subtle breeze and the bottom of my dress sways with the wind.


Wooden platform wedges
Full disclosure…in my mind, I’m tall and statuesque like a giraffe, but in reality I am short, petite and stand five feet tall. I totally love and accept my actual height, but I’m definitely looking forward to breaking out my wooden platform sandals this spring. They elongate my profile and I love the way they look with a sundress or a pair of white or flared jeans.


XOXO,
shannon b.