What Do You Think of Gwyn P’s Matching Travel Bags?

Love Gwyneth’s whole airport ensemble — ‘cept for her matchy-match black-and-white bags. As someone who never seems to have enough room for all her carry-on crap, I’m all for doubling up on bags — just not sure if I’m into the whole matching bags thing.

But maybe I’d look a lot more put together if I coordinated my travel gear.

What do you think of Paltrow’s matching purses?

 

Words to Live By: Shine

How Come I Don’t Look This Chic in Sweats?

Um, if sweatpants were in style (like to wear in public, when not on the way to the gym), I’d be the happiest person alive. As much as I LOVE fashion, I live to be comfy.

So how jealous was I when I saw Emily Blunt looking beyond chic in her airport-appropriate sweats?

The keys to pulling it off: The look is far from sloppy. Blunt sticks to fitted black sweats paired with a fitted striped sweater and cute moccasin booties and polished extras.

All in the Family: I’m Liking the Obama’s Color-Coordinated Coats

Normally I’d say kids and parents matching is never okay, even if said kids are pre-K. But I’m loving the Obama ladies color-coordinated inaugural ensembles from today. Maybe it’s because if Michelle Obama were my mom, I’d want to dress like her too.

The Obama’s color theme for this year’s inaugural festivities? Shades of blue and purple, with Obama leading the way in dark blues and her daughters lightening things up in shades of purple.

 

At Sunday’s swearing-in ceremony, the First Lady donned a cobalt Reed Krakoff ensemble, Malia wore a dark purple sweater dress and Sasha wore a plum lace dress (belted — just like mom).

 

Then today, the First Lady went with another dark blue look in a navy Thomas Browne printed coat, while the First Daughters witched up their purples, with Sasha in a violet Kate Spade coat and Malia in a more magenta-purple J.Crew coat.

 

 

Anyway, I thought all three ladies looked so modern yet appropriate — and though I’ve never been a fan of purple, the fashionable First Family just might make me one.

I mean, could these two be any cuter?

 

 

And the outfits the Obama ladies wore under their coats were just as chic — and color-coordinated. Go figure!

 

What do you think of the Obama inaugural color coordination?

Sweet Dreams: Inspiration for Our Bedroom Makeover

I’ve been in nesting mode lately (perhaps it’s the idea that we’re going to get to register now that we’re engaged), so I’ve been thinking of new ways to freshen up our space, starting with our bedroom.

I haven’t decided which direction I want to go in, but our current direction (bachelor pad bedroom furniture from Andy’s single days mixed with slight feminine touches from my single days), which is the opposite of chic.

Though the full-on redecoration will have to wait until funds are a bit bigger (and we utilize that registry!), but I’m already starting on the fun part — gathering inspiration.  (I know, I know — these bedrooms are all over the place. I haven’t even begun narrowing down my bedroom makeover to a single aesthetic.)

So without further adieu, here are some bedrooms I’ve been loving recently.

Office Inspiration

To do my best work, I need a work space that’s inspiring as the eye candy I surround myself with all day. I’m slowly working on revamping the desk area in our apartment.

Here are some office spaces that are inspiring me.

Words to Live By: Embrace Your Fears

Our fears are an amazing gift of the imagination … a way of glimpsing what might be the future when there’s still time to influence how that future will play out.”

— Karen Thompson Walker

Would You Wear a Bow in Your Hair Past the Age of 8?

Okay, so let me preface this by saying, I’m a huge Kerry Washington fan. Though I have yet to see Scandal (but only due to the fact we still don’t have our cable hooked up — I don’t know what’s worse, no TV or wasting a day waiting for Time Warner to come hook up the cable, but I digress….), if she’s as good in it as she is in Django Unchained — which by all accounts, she is — then I’d certainly be a fan. Point being: I like her as an actress.

But what really made me a Washington fan, is her polished but never boring style, which she always pairs with a flawless, natural face and a chic ‘do. And while she’s been on a stylish streak recently while promoting Django, her latest look at the film’s Berlin premiere left me thinking, what the wha?!?! (See above image of her look, or more specifically, her headpiece, and tell me you weren’t thinking the same.)

Washington looked like she was channeling Minnie Mouse with the oversized bow headband decorating her poufed-up half-up ‘do. Though I loved the rest of her outfit — a long-sleeve checkered midi dress and bright white pumps — it was nearly impossible to get past the grade school throwback sticking off of her head. It may have just been a hair accessory, but it was a big enough curve ball (and not in a good way) to overshadow her modern and elegant ensemble.

I’m not really sure what Washington going for with that bow, but my take on hair accessories is, handle with care — especially with headbands that can easily veer into dated preppy or overly-cutesy. And when it comes to bows, I’m of the school that they are absolutely not okay to wear in your hair past the age of five … er, make that three.

Granted, I’m allergic to all things girly and cutesy, but I’m also a proponent of dressing your age and hair bows have “little girl” written all over them. And really, when do you ever want to give that impression?

Bottom line: If you’re going to do the headband thing, you gotta make it look modern and sleek. See Exihibit A: Michelle Williams.

In any event, I don’t know what Washington was going for with that bow, but if it was cute and quirky, not even quirky queen Zoey Deschanel could pull that off. If it was ironic, the irony was lost on me. And if it was feminine, better to achieve that vibe with a floral print or with subtle accessories (like the ladylike bag she carried) than with a Minnie Mouse-inspired headband taken from an ’80s Laura Ashley ad.

Okay, that’s my rant.

What do you think? Am I letting my cutesy-girly allergy cause me to be overly harsh — or do you agree that bows are best left to the under-ten set?

What’s your take on bows and headbands?

Monogram Madness

I’m a huge fan of monograms, so I’m excited that they’re en vogue right now for more than just preppies. I loved this personalized inspiration from Glitter Guide.

Weekend Wardrobe: I’m Kinda Having a J.Crew Moment…

J.Crew may already be rolling out their spring stuff already, but I’m inspired by some of their more wintry looks, especially considering I’m still a long way away from packing away my winter wardrobe here in chilly NYC.

Here’s some cozy looks from the preppy superstore that I’m coveting right now.

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