Memo 024: New You Everyday (NYE)

To: All

From: Me

Date: December 28, 2012

Subject: Resolution Smezulotion!

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Right about now, resolution thinking and writing swings into full affect. Now, I, for one, am all about a plan. However, some where between now and February the excitement of learning a new language, losing weight, taking cooking classes, etc. dies down. The gym classes are being attended less frequently, the Rosetta Stone has been boxed up and placed on the shelf, and ordering take out is now in.

Listen up, don't throw out the plan! You can start everyday with new goals. You didn't follow through today. Well, guess what? You can try again tomorrow. You don't have to wait until the new year to have a new you!

In the midst of those elaborate resolution plans, here's some inspiration for your New Year's Eve celebration. If you haven't noticed, I LOVED the Maison Martin Margiela for H&M Collection. I actually loved that this dress wasn't made with real sequins. It only looks like it. The length and how it hangs, it's H&M perfection.

So, what are you wearing for NYE? Short or long? Feathers or fur? Real sequins or faux sequins?

Dress: Maison Martin Margiela for H&M

Necklace: Maison Martin Margiela for H&M, Shoes: Jimmy Choo, Ring: Forever 21, Clutch: ASOS, Belt: Maison Martin Margiela for H&M

Memo 023: Candy Coated Dreams

To: All

From: Me

Date: December 26, 2012

Subject: Cobalt Blue and Circles, My True Loves.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Two words: COBALT. BLUE!

If you follow me on Instagram (@thewerkplace), you'll see that I've recently become obsessed with this color blue. It like tickles my insides a little when I see it.

And now added to my obsession list is CIRCLES! I just thought that is was a mere coincidence that I had a few circle inspired pieces in my closet here but no I'm clinically obsessed with them!

Here's what you get when my two obsessions procreate and give birth:

Coat: H&M, Top: Madewell, Skirt: French Connection

Bag: Gucci, Shoes: Kate Spade, Necklace: ASOS

Memo 022: Tonight is the Night!

To: All

From: Me

Date: December 24, 2012

Subject: Merry Christmas Eve!

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Christmas Eve used to be my favorite day right there next to my birthday. It was the excitement of it all. You couldn't tell me that right around 9PM every Christmas Eve I didn't hear the faint sound of Santa's sleigh bells. I not only went but I FLEW into that bed for fear that he would skip over our house because I was still awake!

Oh, to be young and to believe again...

Here's my final ode to the Christmas holiday season and what better way than to pay homage in green! It is after all the "it" color of the season.

Remember the reason for the season (I love cliches...*insert sarcastic tone here*), be a gift to someone else and remember to tap into that younger you that used to believe.

Merry Christmas to you all and to all a good night!

Coat: H&M

Sweater: H&M, Skirt: ASOS

Belt: Banana Republic, Shoes: YSL, Clutch: BCBG, Necklace: H&M for Marni, Bracelet: Dillard's

Memo 021: Do You See What I See?

To: All

From: Me

Date: December 20, 2012

Subject: A Case of Non-buyer's Remorse

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Have you ever seen a piece that you might have liked/loved and left it at the store? Yeah, me either.

I actually do this more often than I'd like to admit and it pisses me off. Then when I make my mad dash back to try to get said piece it is no longer there! 

Well luckily that wasn't the case with this Vera Wang dress. I came, I saw, I left it, I came back to get it, and I conquered!

Coat: French Connection, Dress: Lavender Label Vera Wang, Belt: BCBG

Shoes: Stuart Weitzman, Clutch: ASOS, Ring: Mango

Memo 020: Tis the Season!

To: All

From: Me

Date: December 18, 2012

Subject: Christmas, Is That You?!

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Christmas is literally less than a week away. Excuse me?! Like, I can't even handle what's going on in my life right now. Who authorized time to go by so fast?! It seems like I was just bringing in 2012. I can't with this...

So, I'll be spreading some fashion Christmas cheer over the next week. I'll start by sprinkling a little gold brocade here, some faux fur there and it's a recipe for holiday success!

Fauxtography Credit: Monique Hayes

Faux Fur Vest: Rebecca Taylor, Brocade Blazer: H&M, T-Shirt: Ghetto, Trousers: Rachel Roy
Fauxtography Credit: Monique Hayes

Fauxtography Credit: Monique Hayes

Shoes: Chanel, Clutch: Kenneth Cole, Necklace: Melody Ehsani
Fauxtography Credit: Monique Hayes  

Fauxtography Credit: Monique Hayes

Memo 019: Decisions, Decisions...

To: All

From: Me

Date: December 14, 2012

Subject: Let Them Clothes Fight!

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Same pants, jacket and shoes.
Different top, accessories and lip color. 

It's the battle of the Armani Exchange hoodie versus the Gap sweater.

What say you?

Blazer: Tibi, Hoodie: Armani Exchange, Pants: Maison Martin Margiela for H&M, Sunglasses: Marni for H&M

Do the Naomi Campbell walk, Naomi Campbell walk
Walk across the room like Naomi Campbell...

Clutch: Maison Martin Margiela for H&M, Gloves: Zara, Necklace: Tiffany & Co., Shoes: YSL

Necklace: Ben Amun, Belt: H&M, Bracelets: CC Skye, ASOS, Watch: Kenneth Cole

Memo 018: Settling

To: All

From: Me

Date: December 12, 2012

Subject: Searching for Butterflies

_____________________________________________________________________________________
Happy 12.12.12!! I have no idea what this means but the people seem to think it's special.

So, I was watching an episode of Sex and the City a couple of nights ago (yes I will watch every SATC rerun alive...do not judge me!). It was an episode where the girls attend a wedding to witness Carrie's supposedly gay male friend marry a woman. It talks about him maybe not finding the right guy and settling for a woman instead...and so on and so forth.

Anyway, she ends the episode with this quote: "Some people are settling down. Some people are settling. And some people refuse to settle for anything less than butterflies."

Of course this applies to relationships but today I'm using it in reference to clothes. A piece should speak to you. It should yell for you to buy it. You should get down right indignant and disrespectful. You might even start talking to yourself and needing to know names. 

"Who made this ol' disrespectful, fabulous, stupid, brilliant, funky blouse?! Who authorized the production of this?! Who is in charge here?! WHO?!"  

If not, literally, don't buy it. Anything less is uncivilized!

Blouse: H&M, Leather Skirt: ASOS, Tights: Forever 21

Shoes: YSL, Clutch: BCBG, Necklace: Leslie Danzis, Belt: Maison Martin Margiela for H&M, Bracelets/Cuff: Mango, Consignment Shop Find and Dillard's

Coat: Zara

Memo 017: With the Cinch of a Waist

To: All

From: Me

Date: December 10, 2012

Subject: The Cinched Waist

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Ok, as you can tell from this blog, I’m pretty ritualistic and consistent with the things that I like to do.  I WEAR top knots, I’m dedicated to spending a large portion of my paycheck with ASOS, Zara and H&M, and I like to make to-do lists and check things off (random fact but now you know). So, here’s one more to add to the list of things that I like to do and do often…

I cinch waists!

If I’m wearing a blazer, I cinch the waist

A dress? Yup, you’ve got it. I cinch the waist.

If I wake up one morning with the urge to wear a brown paper bag…I’M CINCHING THE WAIST!

A cinched waist is the ultimate accessory in achieving femininity in any outfit.

The cinch can be achieved with a belt, rope, scarf, chain…basically anything that will make it’s way around your waist. You’ve got the keys to cinching success.

Now getsta cinching (Martin voice)!

Coat: Andre Badi (Consignment Store Find), Dress: Zara, Cardigan: Zara, Shoes: Charles Jourdan

Clutch: BCBG, Ring: ASOS, Cuff: Armani Exchange

Memo 016: I'm Neutral on the Subject

To: All

From: Me

Date: December 7, 2012

Subject: The Natural Neutral

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Random side note: I think I single handedly keep ASOS, Zara, and H&M in business. I mean, I knew I liked these retailers but I do believe that I am independently keeping them thriving and profitable. 

My daily routine is wake-up, check ASOS "New In: Clothing" and "New In: Shoes & Accs", check my saved items to see if anything is either "Low in Stock" or on sale, peruse Zara online for anything that is "New This Week", then get out of the bed, do a few little personal morning rituals and contemplate stopping at the mall to see if I "need" anything from H&M. I am crazy with this! I need help...

Moving on, this neutral collaboration is a great option for upcoming holiday parties. Wear head-to-toe neutrals with a pop of color, add a show stopping maxi skirt and you're the bell of the ball. Please note, this outfit is sexy and stylish with little to no exposed skin. Yes, it can be done folks...

Blazer: Maison Martin Margiela for H&M, Sweater: H&M, Skirt: ASOS

Clutch: BCBG, Necklace: ASOS, Belt: J. Crew

Memo 015: Funny Faces

To: All

From: Me

Date: December 4, 2012

Subject: Having a Little Fun with Prints and Faces

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Anyone who knows me knows that I may or may not be a little silly. What they may not know is that even as silly, funny, charming, and debonair as I am, I can sometimes take myself a little too seriously.

I'm serious about my dreams, my feelings, and my thoughts. Making a joke or laughing out loud all day long (because my number one goal in life is to laugh all day long) doesn't mean that I'm not serious, I just have the ability to take a serious thought or situation and make it silly and fun. However, it doesn't change the fact that the thought or situation is in fact serious.

This often time carries over into my outfit selections. I can go from classic funk cutie to mixed print maven at the drop of a credit card on Black Friday. That versatility in outfits is often reflective of the mood that I am in at the moment of conception. I'm serious, silly, fun, happy, sad, funny, sarcastic and a whole gamut of emotions but mostly silly and fun! My clothes reflect that.

So, on this day and forever from now, I will continue to keep it silly and fun. Why not? Life is a little too short (and serious) to not have a little fun, play with prints, and make some silly faces.

Sweater: J. Crew, Shorts: Burberry

A little rag doll for the people...
Fauxtography Credit: Natesha Sanchez

Shoes: Miu Miu, Necklaces: ASOS, Bracelets: Dillard's and Angie Gooderham, Clutch: Kenneth Cole, Ring: Forever 21
Fauxtography Credit: Natesha Sanchez

Lip: Dior Mysterious Mauve w/ MAC Date Night Dazzleglass
Fauxtography Credit: Natesha Sanchez

Memo 014: Standing at the Bus Stop Sucking on a Lollipop...

To: All

From: Me

Date: November 30, 2012

Subject: You Need Gloves

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Nope, no lollipop. I know, I know. It's pretty disappointing. I just had to make the LL reference since I was in fact at a bus stop.

Moving on...

Let's talk about gloves. Wanna know why gloves are so awesome? Why they can be everything to an ensemble? Why YOU should own a pair?

Chipped nail polish.

Yes ma'am! I said it. It needed to be said. These winter months make it hard on a manicure. "I mean she's fly but did you see her nails?!" Who wants to be this girl?! Not me.

Glove that shameful nail and head straight to your favorite nail salon. 

Fur Vest: Rebecca Taylor, Sweater: Hanii Y, Turtleneck: Zara, Skirt: ASOS, Belt: BCBG

Boots: Sam Edelman, Gloves: H&M, Bracelets: Dillard's, Lip: MAC Cyber lipstick w/MAC Date Night Dazzleglass

Memo 013: Riding in Coach

To: All

From: Me

Date: November 28, 2012

Subject: Back to the Beloved Coach Bag

_____________________________________________________________________________________

"Pink gators, my Detroit Players..." - Notorious B.I.G.

Just so that we are clear, I'm not from Detroit. I'm from Michigan. But I do know a thing or two about Detroit fashion.

Detroiters like to coordinate. Coach bag, matched the Coach belt, matched the Cartier glasses, matched the Guess jeans, matched the Coogi dress, matched the gators. I can't make this up.

I was a player in this fashion game.

All I wanted for my birthday was a big new Coach bag! That was no less than 15 years ago (Jesus, help me, I just said 15 years ago). Since then, I have retired the Coach bag for a few other bags...rhymes with Schucci and Pouie Baton.

However, a couple of years ago, on one of many shopping trips, I spotted this little beauty in the window. It called my name and I answered.

Hello, new Coach bag!

Coat: Zara, Blouse: Meadow Rue (Anthropologie), Pants: Mango

Shoes: Charlotte Olympia, Necklace: H&M, Cuffs: Oregon Boutique, Bag: Coach, Rings: Banana Republic, Lip: Dior Blazing Red