Re: Talbots

Oh my gosh! It's so funny to me that you mentioned Talbots...we are seriously on the same brain wave. A few weeks ago I was leaving the mall and passed Talbots on my way out and saw display photos in the windows and wanted to go in and have a peek. It was like Betty Draper but with a modern twist: polished and elegant, but still youthful and...edgy? Maybe not edgy, but definitely not what I associated with Talbots before: stuffy, boxy, boring. I went in there once when I was looking for something to wear to some event - maybe a wedding? - and left the store running. The stuff wasn't terrible, but it wasn't youthful and it wasn't me. So are we totally dating ourselves with liking Talbots? Have they changed or have we? I like to think they have changed!

So then, fast forward to last week when I was reading Jordan Ferney's blog and she mentioned Talbots too. And now you bring it up. So apparently lots of people are noticing the new direction they're going in. I looked around their website some after Jordan talked about it and could not believe how stunning Julianne Moore looked. She is gorgeous! This picture, though, caused me to do a double-take:

Um, is that Julianne Moore...or Lindsay Lohan??? And I don't know who this is better for: Julianne, because she looks so young, or Lindsay because she will look like Julianne one day (which, actually, is kind of an improvement). I think Lindsay is the real winner here.

So anyway, thanks for reminding me about this place! Speaking of fashion and clothes, we are going to my sister-in-law's 30th birthday party on Friday night and we're supposed to dress in black and white. Ahh! I can't decide if I love or hate the limitations. It's kind of nice because it really narrows down my wardrobe, but then the rebel in me wants to do a splash of pink somewhere. I haven't decided what to wear yet, but I just got these shoes in black:

From where? Um, Payless. Yes, I know. Crazy. So now I'm loving the idea of wearing them with some cropped white jeans and my black swing jacket and maybe even a black-and-white striped top. I actually only own the jacket, but I'm sure I can find what I'm looking for somewhere. Plus, it just seems like a great summer ensemble. Of course JCrew has the jeans and the top:

With a pair of chandelier earrings and maybe a chunky silver bracelet. Yum. So, we'll see what I actually end up wearing, but who isn't ready for spring???

Happy shopping,

Kara

Subject: Talbots

Helloooooo

Wondering if this post is happening because I am closer to 30 than 20, or because the company I'm about to brag about has a new creative designer??  Have you seen the new collection at Talbots??  I actually looked up the store when someone was put in the dress below on the Today Show's makeover segment.



via Petite Mom

Come to find out the new face of the company is Julianne Moore, and she looks FAB in their Spring campaign.  It's kind of JCrew but grown up.  Or was JCrew already grown up??  Can't wait to hear what you think.

Re: The Perfect Shoe

Happy Cyber Monday!  (I couldn't resist.)  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the shoes.  They are the perfect dress up/dress down kind of pair.  I don't know how you didn't already scoop them up.  I think it must be because you have better self control than I do.  

I myself, with my lacking self-control, picked up a few things on Friday from one of our very favorite stores, JCrew.  I couldn't resist the 25% off they were offering and I was in dire need of some new work from home clothes.  Since we moved, I've been on a mission to wake up, get dressed, put on a little make up and work from the home office.  This is a huge departure from my old routine...wake up, stay in pajamas and work from the couch.  So far, minus today, I've been able to stay on track.  With the temperature dropping, I have been on the hunt for some "work appropriate" sweats.  Now, I didn't want to get the type of sweatpants you could buy in Target.  I have been looking for something a little more fitted, that I could wear in public and that Stacey and Clinton would hopefully approve of.  

Here are my Black Friday Purchases...

JCrew Skinny Ultra Lounge Pant

JCrew Ultra-Knit Un-Sweatpant

I also picked up a pair of the Signature Black Leggings and the Dream Zip Henley in black.  I figured the sweater can go with all my pants purchases!  Everything will be here on Wednesday, which should be fun since I ordered the Ultra Lounge Pants in two different colors and all the pants in two sizes!  Once they start throwing XXS and XS into the mix I always think it affects the other sizes which leaves be to wonder what size I would take.  Let's just say Wednesday will definitely be, "Fashion show, fashion show, fashion show at lunch!"

I have so many other things to share.  On the list is Beatty's Chocolate Cake, our dining room, Anthropologie + shower curtain love, a collage of pictures and overall home wall decor.  I will blog back soon to fill you in on all the wonderful details and my Thanksgiving weekend house progress.

xxx,

Mel

Subject: The Perfect Shoe

Hello and happy Black Friday!

To go along with this National Day of Shopping, I thought I would send something completely frivolous and fun. Now that I am home full-time, I have been thinking through my new wardrobe for this new role. Obviously it needs to be washable (soooo washable) and not overly dressy, but I don't want to fall into the habit of schlepping around in sweats with my hair in a greasy ponytail. (That's apparently an easy trap to fall into. Otherwise shows like What Not to Wear would not be in business!)

So, I'm now investing in pieces that can be dressed up or down depending on the accessories and the occasion. I have also realized that during these childbearing years I am going to be, like, 14 different sizes. (So far I have experienced pre-pregnancy, early pregnancy, maternity size, post-pregnancy when nothing fit, post-pregnancy when some early pregnancy pieces fit, post pregnancy when everything fits except for my tops - thanks nursing! - and then I guess I'll eventually get back to pre-pregnancy when I stop nursing.) So maybe what I should really be concentrating on is quality, timeless accessories. To whit: Aren't they fabulous? They are Michael Kors and I found them on Zappos. I feel like they would be perfect with skirts or dresses, Bermuda shorts, and maybe even jeans. The only season they wouldn't work is the dead of winter (however, I do live in Florida, so maybe?) and I think they are a nice alternative to flipflops/sandals in the summer. Not sure if I will be making them mine anytime soon, but I think I will be in the market for more pieces like this.

What about you? What have you been stocking your wardrobe with, since you are home now too? Did you pick up any steals today???

The Holidays are officially upon us - yikes!
Kara