Doing the math.....(GASP!!!)

I want to start off by saying that I absolutely love me some Glamourai!  Seriously, she always looks effortless and gorgeous and seems like the nicest girl!

That being said....

As I was reading her post today, I scrolled down to the outfit credits and clicked on every link, curious as to the cost of the individual pieces and therefore, the entire outfit.  Here's what I came up with:

Timo Weiland Jacket:  $275 (on sale from $915)
White + Warren Sweater:  $295
Vince t-shirt:  $60
Rebecca Taylor Pants:  $395
Gucci Bag:  $3,950
Jimmy Choo Boots:  $1,395

GRAND TOTAL:  $6,370

Now it's absolutely no business of mine how much ANYONE spends on clothes.  And it's possible that these companies loaned Kelly these clothes to get exposure.   But whatever the case, all I'm saying is that this isn't the planet I live on and I totally can't relate.  In fact, thousands of dollars on a single outfit is, in my very humble opinion, bordering on obscene.

Or maybe I'm just turning into a communist....(shaking head and TOTALLY kidding!)

What say you?  Can you relate?  Are blogs like Kelly's completely aspirational and not intended to be reality based?  Is this what being a "top tier" blogger means nowadays?

Woman of Signature Style: SADE

This week, Patti has been discussing "Signature Style".  It's a topic that's fascinated me for a while now.  I wrote about my own search for a signature style here.  And while I find experimentation to be a necessary ingredient for creativity, I realize that there are common elements that define our style.   Really, don't we ALL have a signature style, whether we realize it or not?  For me this issue has been cultivating that style and asking myself, "Does my style truly express who I am or is it basically an easy default?"  For creative types, like myself, style is almost a personal artistic expression.  Just like there are many types of art:  cubism, surrealism, impressionism, modern, abstract, etc...all of them being just an expression of emotion or personal aesthetics, there are many types of style.  While abstract art may seem to take less talent than impressionism, the truth is that they are both valid expressions of a similar desire.

There are several women whose signature style, I really relate to.  Today, I wanted to highlight one of my all time favorite singers AND style icons, Sade!

• Sade almost makes a uniform of black and white and yet, always looking different and striking!  Her long hair and minimalist style have remained, save for a few occasional experimental digressions, a constant through her long career.

Via

• She also has a way of taking functional jeans and making them seem somewhat elegant!  In this photo, the cowboy boots, the jeans, the white tunic.....all add up for a look that is NEVER outdated and seems more feminine than the utilitarian nature of the pieces would suggest.

Via

• Okay, this right here pretty much sums up Sade's style in a nutshell.  The slicked back pony tail.  The red lip.  The hoop earrings.  The black palette.  This is all her signature style components in one AND it just all works!  It's classy.  It's easy.  

Via

• Here we are with the denim again.  Only this time it's denim on denim.  Again, it just works!   Add to that the signature braid, hoops and emphasized lips and all of a sudden those jeans, look  inordinately classy!  As a side note, how about that fabulous bracelet?  See, I think that's one of the things I can relate to about Sade.  Like her, there's nothing subtle about my features.  Good or bad, they are pretty much in your face.  So delicate earrings or barely there necklaces, just. won't. do.

Via

• Black and white perfection.  Notice the hoops.  Again with the pony tail.   It's such a great look that it makes me wonder, "How does she pull off these same components without looking like she's just stuck in a rut?!"  Ownership maybe?  She knows what she likes and unapologetically moves forward with it.

Via

• A short lived foray into the bangs arena, but her signature is still in bold!  The black and white uniform looks sexy, appropriate and still a bit edgy.

Via

She has a video that I've ALWAYS loved, a lot for the song, but actually, more for her style.  The jeans and jacket she wear in this video are so simple, yet so perfect!  Her style, like her music, is comfortable, easy, bold and sexy.  There's a bit of rawness to it, that's difficult to mesh with elegance, but she does it seemingly effortlessly!

I send you off to your weekend with my favorite Sade song and look.

EB: What I'm Loving In My Store Now

Vintage Oxblood Sweater

This sweater just makes my heart happy!  It's vintage and in oxblood, the fab color of the season right now!   The embroidery is just magnificent and what can I say?  It was love at first sight!   By the way, check out Bella in her oxbloody fabulousness!

Seychelles Booties

Well Helllllloooooo Lovah!  I just ADORE these booties!!!  And truth be told, they'd be in my closet to stay if they weren't just a tad too big.  I imagine them paired with tights and worn with EVERYTHING!!  You know who does the bootie thang better than anyone I know?  Patti!!!  Check out her bootie-liciousness here, here, and here!

 Sweet Vintage 80s Pastel Blouse

Oh the sweetness!  When I came across this blouse, I just knew I had to get it.  The pastel like colors, the double breasted look, the virginal collar......it all just WORKS!  I imagine styling it with a pair of wide leg jeans.  Or maybe a pair of dark gray cigarette pants and some pointy toe heels.  I also envision skinny jeans and boots and a leather jacket to toughen it up a bit...like a good girl gone bad!  You know who I think of when I see this?  Shey!  Shey has a way of doing  sweet and still keeping it grown up looking....even.....dare I say SEXY?    That's what I see in this blouse:  girl and woman combined!

I'll share more of my other favorites soon, but in the meantime, feel free to check out my store.  I'm running a sale right now, and I also offer a best offer option on all my listings!  

By the way, please be sure to check out Terri's listings !  This BCBG cardigan dress/duster is heavenly!  I can see it with a great slip underneath and belted or even worn open over jeans and boots and a tee!  Or what about these Betancourt flats?!  LOVE them with a pair of cigarette pants or a pencil skirt and sweater!  Completely classic!

You can also check out Ms Bella!  She's letting go some of her fabulous finds, and how great are these platform sandals?  I think these would be so cool with sweater tights and a midi skirt!  

Big love and hugs to you all!

Those Marants will make you happy....

But will they leave you content?

This morning I wrote a post on my other blog, Candy Bars from God.  It's on contentment and why it's so allusive.  I think it's a topic apropos for the fashion and style blogosphere also.

By nature of what we write about, we're always looking for the "next thing".  The Rebecca Minkoff bag high lasts just until her next bag comes out and then we need our next fix.

No finger pointing here!  I'm number one at this....I can talk a good game, but so often I find myself REALLY wanting some gorgeous wardrobes I come across online.  But anyway, that's what my post is on my other blog.  It was cathartic for me to write it and it was a realization.  If it resonates with anyone else, that's a bonus!  Hugs to you all!

NUETP: The Black Pointy Toe Pump

Never Underestimate the Power of a great pair of black pointy toe heels!

Silk Blouse:  Thrifted, Leather Skirt:  Vintage Thrifted, Black Heels:  Nine West Thrifted

Patti did a great post yesterday on "Out with the drab.  In with the fab!"  in which she explores finding ways to build on great basics to start adding fun to her wardrobe....

    "One definite spicy seasoning for me is The Shoe.  And that's fairly recent in my life.  For many decades I stuck with safe choices.  In my corporate years, the nice stacked pump or sling-back.  Simple flats or brown sandals made do for casual hours." 

I think my friend is dead on!  And, in my most humble opinion, where better to start than a black pointy toe pump!  There are so many variations of this, with the upside being that you can choose your heel height for maximum comfort.

The black pointy toe is classic, reminiscent of Chanel, and just about goes with EVERYTHING!  When I put on this outfit, I originally had a different shoe....a platform strappy heel that looked great but a bit too va va voom for church!  So I grabbed my standby and POW!  What could easily look a bit funky (and there ain't a THANG wrong with funky!!), went straight to classy.

The beauty of a black pointy toe is that it can be worn with jeans, slacks, skirts, bright prints, white, longer shorts (I'm not really a fan of heals with short shorts), cropped pants.....just about everything!  And it just makes everything look GREAT!

If I had to go on a trip and take only ONE pair of shoes with me, I think it would be these.  I really think it's one shoe that would be at home in any woman's wardrobe!

Take a look a these celebrities and their pointy toe heel looks.  And while you're looking around, head on over to Patti's Visible Monday and take a peek at some gorgeous ladies sporting their very visible looks!
   

Scarves of all sizes....in my store

Scarves seem to be very popular among my store clients, so I've found that now I'm constantly on the lookout for interesting or simply beautiful ones! Below is my scarf inventory as of today. To be honest, there are quite a few that I listed that I was soooooooo tempted to keep. But I'll never stay in business that way, eh? Enjoy!

~Serene

Getting back to yourself.....

Recently, I was reading a post by Reva in which she talked about her blogging history.

    Since beginning this blog, I have found myself trying new looks, and at times, wearing stuff just for the sake of a good post. Those days have long passed, thank goodness. 

I immediately related to that statement!  When I look back on early posts of mine, I see that I've done the exact same thing.  Let's face it.  Our everyday wear really isn't all that exciting.  And to be honest, some of my most over the top outfits got the most comments.  What more encouragement did I need?

But after a couple of years of pretty consistent blogging, I've gotten back to what I feel is more me.....streamlined, if you will.   I love style and fashion more than ever, and while I still enjoy getting out of my comfort zone; I'm less likely to wear something for the sake of the blog.

Top:  Thrifted   Skirt:  J Crew Thrifted  Shoes:  Franco Sarto via TJ Maxx  Necklaces and bracelet:  Thrifted, but the stone one was given to me by my mom.

And STILL working the red nails!!  LOVE them!

This outfit is pretty close to quintessential me.  Clean lines.  Layered necklaces.  Organic jewelry of which I'm a HUGE fan of right now.  I've done pretty well at keeping my closet pared down to only the pieces that I LOVE and love wearing.  This skirt has made it through several cuts....I just can't seem to part with it because it's so versatile!!

I'm tickled to death to FINALLY have made it back to another Visible Monday and thank you Patti for having started it to begin with!  Also, PLEASE go check out Pam's blog for a wonderful Visible Monday explanation.  The blogosphere tends to have cliques and "in groups" like any other social gathering.  Sometimes over 40 bloggers can get pigeonholed into the category of basically Stellas trying to get our groove back!  And while there certainly isn't a thing wrong with that, I think most of the 40+ bloggers that I know have a pertinent and valuable perspective on fashion and style.  We're savvy shoppers who don't jump to the latest trends and if it's not too self serving to say so, I actually think we bring a lot of wisdom and perspective to the fashion blogging community which can get a bit advertorial heavy at times.  So check Pam out and be sure to give her a cyber hug!!