Tag: Fashion

Wish list 2021

~ cdelacuadra ~ Leave a comment

Welcome to December, land of colder weather, warmer sweaters, and visions of sugarplums. Here is my wish list for this year – lovely items to give that special someone on your list, or maybe even yourself! After all, YOU are definitely a special someone.

Coach”s new Studio bag in green is everything I’ve been craving – an evergreen shade that takes me right back to the 90s (in the best way) paired with a sleek shape and classic brass hardware. Love love love.

Speaking of love, Pamela Love’s designs hit just the right sweet spot between edgy and classic, with an undertone of mythos I adore. My favorites are these pomegranate studs and heart-in-hand huggies, each sold singly. They’d be the perfect additions to my earring mix right now, plus they are made from recycled (and recyclable) materials. Style AND substance!

And speaking of the 90s, I am fully on board with the the chunky loafer resurgence. These are well-priced, beautiful, and this Alpine green shade would go with just about anything.

If you have someone in your life you’d like to spoil with incredible sleep, may I suggest one of these gorgeous velvet weighted blankets from Bearaby? Their eco-velvet is 100% upcycled, GRS-, STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® and Fairtrade International certified, perfectly cozy, and oh-so-soothing to sleep under. Trust.

I couldn’t possibly do a December gift post without including my favorite winter candle of all time. This gilded white ceramic iteration of my beloved Frasier Fir candle is calling my name.

At the top of my list are gifts that do good, and you can’t go wrong with any of the gift items featured in the ACLU’s shop. My personal picks are this excellent civil rights calendar and this minty soft reproduction rights tee. Every purchase made supports the ACLU and allows the fight for our civil liberties to continue.

For the beauty lover in your life, a clean beauty set like this one from Ilia is oh-so-nice. I can’t get enough of their Balmy Tint hydrating lip balm these days, and this pretty set will have your mom or bestie looking glowy and holiday-festive in a flash.

Ideal as a stocking stuffer, cool-aunt gift for a teen (hello!), or hostess gift, these super-stylish bubble candles are scented with grapefruit – if you can bear to light them.

And finally, for the chocoholic in your life, this tasting set from San Francisco small-batch maker Dandelion Chocolate is everything. They visit each origin, work closely with their cocoa producers, and use only ethically sourced beans and organic cane sugar to make their confections. Indulgent deliciousness, beautifully packaged and ready for gifting.

Feelin’ myself

~ cdelacuadra ~ Leave a comment

I’m really feeling good today, plus this weekend marks the unofficial start of summer! It’s been a while since we had a style post, so here is the uniform I’ll have on repeat for the holiday weekend (and the rest of the summer, tbh). Easy, stylish, comfy, and cute — what more could you ask for?

Marine Layer swing tees are my favorite, and this cherry red number is perfection. All their tees are absurdly soft, always a deal at 3 for $99, and they are building their brand to be as ethical and sustainable as possible. Yes, yes, and yes.

A teeny tiny pendant to sit right at the hollow of your throat all summer long, for a touch of glam and a little luck. Handcrafted with love in Los Angeles.

Distressed boyfriend jeans are a forever-classic. Plus get 40% off this weekend with code SUMMERREADY.

Clare V. nailed it with this chic little backpack. Love the stripes, love the leather that just gets better with age, love the grab-and-go ease. Fits everything you need for your summer adventures!

Block Shop has not only restocked their beautiful cotton and linen robes, but they have expanded their sizing and I couldn’t be happier! If you need me, I’ll be lounging in my new Alma robe whenever real clothes are not required. PLUS 20% of all sales will be donated to COVID-19 relief in India while this crisis continues. As if there wasn’t already enough to love about Block Shop!

Speaking of classics, Birkenstocks aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. I’m on my second pair of these rose gold beauties, they are THAT good.

Of course, Memorial Day is a time remember all those service men and women who have lost their lives defending our liberty. Consider donating a bit of the $$ you save on all the great sales this weekend to help veterans in need. Homes for Our Troops, the Wounded Warrior Project (and their Women Warriors Initiative), and the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society are good places to get started.

Happy long weekend!

Retro

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This week I’ve had retro TV on the brain, thanks to two things in particular: Disney’s new show WandaVision, and the quirky-fun Fall 2021 fashion show, Coach Forever Season Two. I find it fascinating that entities as different as Marvel Studios and Coach Leatherware captured the same sort of zeitgeist at the same time, with retro television projects that feel somehow fresh and thoroughly nostalgic at the same time.

WandaVision, if you haven’t watched it (yet?), is a Marvel series about Avengers Scarlet Witch/Wanda Maximoff and Vision living a perfect suburban life in Westview, NJ. It picks up directly after the events of the movie Avengers: Endgame. Each episode features sitcom conventions of a different decade, mimicking shows like I Love Lucy, Bewitched, and Full House to fantastic effect. The sense of familiarity and nostalgia make for a clever, intriguing way to explore fresh storytelling, and to provide a foil for the growing sense of unease that things are not quite what they seem.

Coach, under the stewardship of Stuart Vevers, has run with similar themes of retro nostalgia with their 2021 collection. Continuing the “Coach Forever” theme from Spring/Summer 2021, their CoachTV presentation of the Fall 2021 collection, “Coach Forever Season Two,” combines a quirky fashion show presentation of video vignettes with old-school home shopping channel-style segments, music videos, and TV show bits in a fun and fresh way. “Shaft” reference? Check! Early aughts teen movie riff? Check! Beautiful clothes and handbags? Check check check! It felt like a complete world despite being less than 12 minutes of content, with a cohesive design story and an aesthetic that felt deeply heritage Coach with a twist. Juergen Teller and Stuart Vevers are again a great match here.

So what do these similar-but-different evocations of retro nostalgia tell us? With the uncertainties of the past year still looming large, creating something fresh that also has a reassuring familiarity is a brilliant way to go. People crave security in times of uncertainty. Fashion and TV are not only indulgences, but also highly evocative cultural touchstones, so what better way to tie it all together? Wanda and Vision’s sartorial choices tell us everything we need to know in an instant about the era of each episode. We feel a deep sense of familiarity watching their banter and mannerisms, even though we are watching something brand new. We want new ways to escape, but we also want comfort, and WandaVision manages to deliver exactly that. And Vevers, with his deliberate use of designs and motifs from not only decades of Coach archives, but his own collections from the past few years, is deftly and boldly addressing our current moment without saying a word. People are buying less right now, and that’s okay! Pull out your sweater from three, four, six years ago and enjoy it! Wear vintage and look fab! His aesthetic for the collection is both comfortingly retro and of-the-next-moment, and he shows us how to do it, too. Not only that, but he encourages us to have fun with our clothes, which is oh-so-welcome in an industry that sometimes takes itself a touch too seriously. I think we can all use a bit of comfort and fun these days, no?

Bonus: What every WandaVision theme song has in common — so fascinating!

Five fun things: treat yo’ self edition

~ cdelacuadra ~ 2 Comments

Thanks to COVID-19 and perpetual working-from-home-in-sweats days, it’s been a hot minute since we talked about, well, wearing real clothes. Nordstrom Rack is having their Clear the Rack sale this weekend, though, so I decided perhaps enough was enough. (Not a sponsored post, I just love a deal.) Here are a few excellently-priced pieces to get the ideas flowing if you, too, think maybe real clothes on occasion might be a fun change of pace. I’m not talking about too high a bar — just some easy pieces that might be a tiny step up from a sweatshirt. And if you decide to wear any or all of these with sweatpants? Zero judgement here! Lunar New Year or Valentine’s Day make fine excuses reasons to treat yourself.

This sweet short-sleeved sweater looks as easy as a tee, but with just a little something extra. I went with the “marled oreo” grey, but this oatmeal-ish olive is just as cute.

Also super easy: this striped crewneck sweater has a classic shape, and the heathered stripes give just enough visual interest. Also, stripes, so I had to!

For a nice little Valentine for yourself, you could definitely do worse than this ridiculously well-priced diamond eternity band. It would be lovey balanced out with a chunky, slightly tough-girl curb chain bracelet like this one.

I’ve been dying over these ultra-cool loafers by Freda Salvador for ages, so imagine my delight at finding them on sale! Slip on and go, but you know, in a stylish look-how-I-great-I-look-with-zero real effort kind of way.

Five fun things: stripes edition

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Striped boatneck tee

There is very little I find easier or more chic than a perfectly Parisian striped shirt. Black and white stripes are graphic, sophisticated, fun, and besides being easy to wear, they are an excellent pattern for layering with your home decor to get that certain je ne sais quoi. Even a small pop of black and white stripes can bring the most considered interior to the next level. With that in mind, here are five fun ways to incorporate stripes into your home inspired by my favorite basic, the striped Breton shirt.

I haven’t been able to get this beautiful inlay side table out of my head for months. It would be a great punch of pattern in an otherwise minimal room, or equally good layered into a more maximal design, with some jewel-toned velvets and bold florals. Yes, please!

For a similar look with way less commitment, this just-funky-enough graphic pillow cover by Margo Selby is a real winner — and it’s on sale!

I love the subtle narrow stripes on this beautiful handmade box. Use it to stow keepsakes or photos within easy reach on your bookshelf, and stack it on top of a few art books. (May I suggest this and this?) Boom! Functional, easy AND stylish.

These classic serving bowls by Danish design duo Stilleben are just perfection. Inspired by a talented woman painter? Check! Free carbon offsetting on all deliveries? Check! On sale for a whopping 50% off? Check! Are they on their way to my house as we speak? Ummm…. check! Mix and match these with your existing dinnerware for an “oh, I just threw this together, *wink wink*” level of sophistication.

Last but not least, this cotton and chenille throw blanket is gorgeous. Lightweight enough to use year-round, neutral yet graphic, with cute chunky tassels to make you smile. I’d drape this over the end of my couch and cozy up with it every evening.

Casual Friday: Voter Edition

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Today my sartorial choices are skewing slightly fall-ish and decidedly voter-ish.

A printed dress is still easier than easy for pandemic staying-at-home working and lounging — while still looking polished if you venture out.

This snappy tote and black and white I Am A Voter strap make for a stylish and comfortable way to schlep your ballot to the nearest polling station or post office.

Don’t forget to wear your mask when you go! Stripes with a heart are as cheery as can be.

Pink ankle socks paired with a classic flat loafer are a fun nod to fall while still being comfy to wear, just in case there is a line at the voting booth.

A beautiful pen makes filling out your mail-in ballot a pleasure. Plus it is refillable, so you can use it for years to come.

This terracotta-meets-poppy nail polish feels perfect for early autumn — and the name Yes, I Can(yon) is just the inspiration we need to carry us through this election.

For voting resources, visit I Will Vote.com. Let’s make our voices heard!

Best of: Makers I ❤️

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Some of the makers I love have been up to fun new somethings, and I just had to share!

Block Shop is offering a free VOTE pin with every order shipped from their studio this month, and it is seriously the cutest version of this hugely important message I have seen so far. Also, if their Instagram is any indication, they will have masks back in stock next week! All mask profits go directly to support meals for garment workers in LA, plus they are super stylish and adorable. Win-win.

Heath Ceramics just debuted their 2020 Winter Seasonal Collection, and I couldn’t love it more. Dubbed “The Season of Hope & Love,” it is full of stunning icy whites and greys along with the happiest buttery yellows and a hint of wildflower purple. Gradations in glazes are meant to signify transition, which I find beautifully poetic for this tumultuous time. I think we can all use some hope and love right about now, and the gradient yellow trays and vases in particular are perfectly sunny and delightful.

Finally, Baleen Jewelry has some beautiful new arrivals to peruse. I am in love with the organic simplicity of the pebble necklace, and want to add the sweet little XYZ studs to my rotation immediately. As always, all of their pieces are sustainably handmade in the USA, with zero-waste manufacturing and recycled materials.

Enjoy!

Casual Friday – WFH edition

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Why yes, it is awfully difficult to tell what day it is anymore.  Friday?  It is?  Oh good!

Not that I have ever been hugely willing to sacrifice comfort for fashion, but working from home for six weeks has brought on a whole new level of expectations.  Tight waistband digging in?  No thanks!  Shoes that require anything more than nudging my feet forward to put them on?  Nah.  That being said, I do still have video chat meetings to attend and fellow Target shoppers to stay 6 feet away from, and there is no rule that says comfy can’t also be pretty.  Besides, I feel so much better when I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror on my bazillionth trip to the kitchen for quarantine snacks more water if I wear an “outfit.”   It feels like a nice little treat for myself to wear something I’ve chosen, rather than whatever sweatpants are closest to my hand when I get out of bed (although there are also certainly those days, too!).

Here are the makings for a hugely comfy, very casual work-from-home Friday:

This sweet onyx heart necklace would make me smile every time I put it on.

A cozy sweatshirt with nice clean lines will last you forever.

This soft cheetah skirt feels (but doesn’t look) like pajamas.

Copper Birkenstocks for comfort with a touch of glam.

This Oscar Wilde candle by Paddywax is just as good during a workday as it is while you unwind in the evenings.  You know, when you have moved from your table to your couch.

A pair of nicely marked-down rose gold headphones (cute!) with excellent noise-cancellation (essential!) for all of those Zoom meetings.

A beautiful handblown glass pitcher and a pair of Deco-ish tumblers to keep you hydrated at your desk.  Also perfect for post-work margaritas to ease you into the weekend.

I ❤️ For Days

~ cdelacuadra ~ 1 Comment

fordays_striped_tee

Sustainable, zero waste, closed loop — plus stylish and oh-so-comfy?  Please meet For Days, a clothing company I love for their excellent basics as much as their vision and ethos.

For Days offers a line up of tees, tanks, sweats, pants, and dresses that are all 100% recyclable, made in a closed-loop system, recycled with a waterless chemical-free process, shipped in recycled and recyclable packaging, and 100% of their transportation is carbon-neutral.  Oh, and their clothes?  They are fantastic.

Have you ever been on the hunt for the perfect tee?  Soft and easy, fitted but not too tight, good drape but not see-through?  For Days has a great selection of fits, and you can try several of them at the same time to see what works for you.  I found my tee holy grail in their Daily Crew, and my husband is wearing his Light Crew tees on repeat — they are just that comfortable.

Wear them so much you’ve worn them out?  Or suddenly hate the color you’ve chosen after wearing it incessantly?  No problem!  Send back your worn out tees to be recycled, and you get a discounted swap price on your replacement.  Planning a serious closet clean-out while stuck at home?  They have a solution for that, too!  Fill their Take Back Bag with clean old clothing (of any brand) to be recycled, and you get the swap price on new items you choose to purchase.

fordays_how-it-works

As if that wasn’t enough amazingness for one company, they are making masks under their For Healthier Days initiative.  You can buy 5 for yourself and donate 5, buy 5 for a loved one and donate 5, or just donate 10 outright for only $25.

fordays_masks

I feel good every time I wear my For Days tee shirts.  They are soft and I always feel like I look good.  Doing good while I look good shouldn’t be quite so revolutionary, but I love this company for  it, and I hope you do, too!

Tiny but mighty

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Easy neutrals to ease into spring, including the sweetest little mini bag and cheetah mules to give a little zhuzh to classic stripes, denim, and pearls?  Yes, please!

I thought I would be the last person on Earth to buy into the mini bag trend, but I am obsessed with my new Coach Originals half moon coin case.  It’s 4 inches wide!  Tiny but mighty!  A few cards and my ID, keys, lip balm, and then I slip my phone in my pocket.  Perfectly light and easy, it’s both on-trend and a true classic.

striped linen sweater  denim jacket  skinny jeans  cheetah mules  mini crossbody  pearl hoop earrings