Banana Republic Mad Men Collection Is Back!

Banana Republic announced today that they are bringing their Mad Men Collection back on March 1st.  According to them, it will be a 40-piece "country club-inspired" collection. Sounds like it will be 60s preppy. I was overjoyed by at the thought of the Mad Men Collection that was rolled out last fall, but not as many of the pieces worked for me as I thought they would.  I like the idea of the Mad Men Collection, because so many of the dresses are designed to look great on curvy shapes. However, in execution many of the dresses just didn't fit into my wardrobe, as I'm not really a floral-pattern-person.  Nevertheless, I'm still excited to see what Banana Republic rolls out for spring 2012, and to see how they interpret the "country club-inspired" theme.  And I think the teaser dress above would be great for summer!

J. Crew Hot Mess: Nili Lotan® Striped Bias-fly Jean

Phoro Courtesy of J.Crew.com

Sometimes trends come along that just leave you utterly puzzled.  The "bias-fly" trend is one of those.  I just have to ask....what kind of body would make this trend look good?  No matter your shape, the baggy drop-crotch draws attention where you don't want or need attention, and makes a person look like either a baseball player from the 1930s, or a colonial person wearing knickers.  You might as well accessorize these pants with a baseball glove and a bag of chew, or a tri-corner hat and buckled shoes.  Yes, ladies, all this can be yours for $235.00.  Buy them here.

Apparently I am not the only one skeptical of the "drop-crotch" trend -- apparently they make the rest of us look like we are wearing adult diapers.

And if you want to look like you decided to wear adult diapers and wander through Sherwood Forest, feel free to wear them in green:

Striped Dresses Fit Lab - J. Crew Edition

Striped Dresses Fit Lab - J. Crew Edition by nycandparis featuring sporty dresses

J Crew sporty dress
$198 - jcrew.com

J Crew sporty dress
$88 - jcrew.com

J Crew striped cotton dress
$88 - net-a-porter.com

Color Blocking Fit Lab

Color Blocking Fit Lab by nycandparis featuring a block dress

Ann Taylor block dress
$158 - anntaylor.com

Ann Taylor Spring 2012

Because let's face it...finding a chic AND comfy work outfit is sometimes REALLY hard to find.  Both of these dresses are chic and comfortable, and the color-blocked dress in particular is extremely slimming. Pair both dresses with black tights, for a winter-appropriate look, and heels, and prepare to fend off the compliments!

Ann Taylor color block dress
$128 - anntaylor.com

Ann Taylor sleeveless vest
$98 - anntaylor.com

Merino Wool Striped 3/4 Sleeve Sweater Dress
$128 - anntaylor.com

Spring Into Stripes

Spring Into Stripes by nycandparis featuring black evening dresses

Kelly Ewing black evening dress
$125 - coggles.com

Dorothy perkin
$27 - dorothyperkins.com

Clutch handbag
£8 - peacocks.co.uk

What's Up With J. Crew? Santa's Elves called and they want their clothes back...

Photo Source: J.Crew Catalog, page 005

I have to admit...I'm not really sure what is up with J. Crew. J.Crew absolutely used to be my go to for basics and cute but chic workwear. And then something happened last spring, and hemlines rose so high, the skirts barely covered my bum, and the clothes just got so out there, I never would have pictured myself wearing anything. Then, after losing a whole bunch of money, I was reading that beginning with the Fall of 2011, J. Crew was going back to its roots.  Well, if this is J. Crew's roots, maybe they should aim somewhere else. I am starting to see the preppiness J. Crew was so known for, but the color combos and prints are just off so far. 

As far as the picture above, I can't even tell you how much I wish they used the navy striped sweater instead of the red one...the red and green just seems too Christmas-y, and the tight green jeans scream "Santa's Elf."  Even the weird t-straps on her flats scream "overly fussy" rather than the laid-back chic J. Crew was once known for.

I guess some of us are still waiting for the old J. Crew to come back...in the meantime, I'm happy to save the money I used to spend on J. Crew clothes.

My New Favorite Lipstick/LipGloss: Fresh Sugar Honey Tinted Lip Treatment

Source: Sephora.com

Way back here I touted the Fresh Sugar Plum Tinted Lip Treatment, but since then, Fresh came out with a new shade: Honey.  If I thought beating Sugar Plum would be impossible, Fresh went ahead and did it.  The color is gives you that perfect tint of healthy youthfulness to your lips -- it is so subtle, it almost looks like you aren't wearing lipstick, just that your lips are healthy and glowy.  If you are like me, and you like to wear make-up in such a way that it doesn't look like you are wearing much -- just that you look fresh, and well, a better version of yourself, then give this one a try.  With spring coming, this one is the perfect shade to brighten up your face. As I mentioned before, at $22.50, it isn't a bargain, but this is a lipstick/lipgloss that you will actually use.

Buy it here at Sephora.com.

The Banana Republic Kate Dress = Shameless Copy of Kate Middleton's Beige Reiss Shola Dress?

 Photo Courtesy of: Toby Melville/Getty; Courtesy of Reiss

Photo Courtesy of BananaRepublic.com

Hidden amongst the gems in Banana Republic's Spring 2012 line, is the Kate Dress, not-so-subtly hinting at the beige Reiss Shola dress made popular by Kate Middleton when she wore it to meet President Obama and the First Lady in May 2011. Although the Banana Republic version is missing the pleating detailing through the thighs, from the waist up it is a pretty good copy.  Clearly, Banana Republic is banking on a sell-out by piggy-backing on the publicity Reiss achieved. And the Reiss dress retailed for $340, while the Banana Republic version currently retails for more than $200 less at $340.

Interestingly, this isn't the first copy of the Reiss Shola dress. The U.K. retailer Tesco also retailed a version for only £30. See the article here.

Banana Republic Scores With Spring 2012

All pictures courtesy of BananaRepublic.com

It has been a very warm winter here in on the East Coast, such that it hardly feels like winter was here (until today when turned bone-chilling cold). But the recent styles hitting stores are a reminder that spring isn't that far off, and although I usually relish sweater and coat weather, spring fashion definitely has me looking forward to warmer temperatures. I am absolutely adoring the nautical stripes, the preppy splashes of navy, green and white, and the geometric prints in bold colors. In this vein, Banana Republic has finally scored a hit.  It almost seeems as though they are striving to fill the gap left by J. Crew when J. Crew decided to go too trendy.  Here are my top five picks:

1. Dot V-Neck Dress (Pictured in Pictures #1 and #4 above)

2. Large Polka Dot Dress (Pictured in Picture #2 above)

3. Gold Button Sweater Jacket (Pictured in Pictures #1 and #2 above)

4. Laurel Color-Block Pumps (Pictured in Pictures #4 and #5)

5. Color-Block Tee (Pictured in the last picture above)

Best Affordable Christmas Wine for $8.99



I don't blog about wine often, but I just had to share this delicious, affordable find.  Cupcake Vineyards Red Velvet wine is available virtually everywhere (I picked up mine for $8.99 on sale at Target not too long ago), and it is absolutely delicious and very, very drinkable.  It pairs well with everything from turkey and ham to veggies and dip.  Its a blend of Zinfandel, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon -- the Italians love red wine blends, and this wine is definitely a reason why.  Serve this at your next party, and let your friends complement your excellent palate.

The winemaker's notes say this wine shows an incredible nose of chocolate, deep rich blackberries, red fruits and a creamy mocha finish that is unmistakable in its intensity and length, and that it's reminiscent of a blackberry chocolate cupcake with a mocha coulis.  All I know, is that it tastes yummy, and you should try it.



The Dos and Don'ts of Maxi Skirts: J. Crew Edition

Okay, I really actually do adore the J. Crew Summer Stock Maxi Skirt pictured above .  But first, let's talk proportion. The poor chick frankly looks like a bag lady that happend upon a quality sweater in the trash bin.  If you go long and drapey on the bottom, then you need a more form-fitting top to show your shape.  If you pair baggy with baggy, you just look like a bag lady, and nobody wants that.  Now, this doesn't mean that you need something super-tight a la skank city.  Take the J. Crew Floral Chiffon Maxiskirt  pictued below.  The top is a bit more form fitting, allowing you to actually see more of the model's shape.  I probably would have gone even a tad bit more form fitting, but you get the point.  Now, don't even get me started on the color combo....

Seriously? J. Crew Denim Jumpsuit

Photo Source: J. Crew.com

I am pretty much speechless on this one. This J. Crew denim jumpsuit isn't even flattering on the model. I have no idea how on what planet J. Crew thinks this jumpsuit looks chic...and at $298 bucks, I have no idea who is lining up to fork out so much cash for one of these.  Granted, it's only $300 for an entire outfit...if you are trying to look like a clown or a prison inmate.  Yes, there is such a thing as too much denim...and this is an example.

Love: Chanel Wedges...eBay Find of the Week

So cute and perfect for spring, not to mention iconic. Buy them here if you are a size 41/11 and have $600 to spare:

http://cgi.ebay.com/CHANEL-08P-BLACK-CAMELLIA-OFF-WHITE-WEDGE-SHOES-41-11-/130489369846?pt=US_Women_s_Shoes&hash=item1e61c5c4f6

Happy Valentine's Day

Orvieto, Italy - mid-September 2010

Happy Valentine's Day! Spend some time with your loved ones, even if they aren't the traditional "loved ones" -- friends, family, and co-workers that have your back.