NouveauImage Blog

1) The little black dress

2) Easy, breezy crinkle skirt

3) Surprisingly spiffy black

4) A Kimono-inspired top

5) Article: Gift Shops aren’t just for gifts anymore.

There were a couple of interesting comments last week. . .

1) What she’s wearing: a Super Hero T

2) What she’s wearing: Rock ‘n roll, baby!

What she’s wearing: color

What she’s wearing: not sweatpants

New What She’s Wearing posts at Crosscut.com:

http://crosscut.com/blog/lifestyle-leisure/14961/What+she%27s+wearing%3A+yellow+duck+boots/

http://crosscut.com/blog/#14969

I am always on the search for shorts for “grown ups.” It is great to have a pair of shorts that aren’t too dressy or too “work outy” (that is a fancy fashion term I just made up). I have found these Martin and Osa shorts to work great for men and women.

Men

The Martin Cargo Short, $43.20 sale, martinandosa.com

These cargo shorts are a great length and are cut somewhat narrow, so they don’t look puffy on. I also like that there are simple pockets. Some of the cargo shorts I’ve seen have three or four cargo pockets and just seem a little ridiculous to me.

Women

The Osa Bermuda Short, $46.40 sale, martinandosa.com

These Bermuda shorts fall at a very flattering length right above the knee. They have a little stretch in them and are therefore pretty low maintenance (who wants to iron shorts?). I find that they look great with a t-shirt and sneakers or a cute blouse and sandals.

When getting wardrobe-ready for spring/summer, I find it best to take a hard look at t-shirts from last year to make sure they aren’t looking too tired. White t-shirts should look crisp, clean, and fitted (most likely the white t-shirt from last season needs to be replaced).

For women, my favorite t-shirts for spring/summer are J Crew’s Perfect Fit Tees. They come in v-neck and crewneck and a rainbow of fabulous colors. I’ve been very pleased with how they hold up in the wash. They are just thick enough to hide some minor lumps, but still feel cool and soft. You can find them in the stores and online for 2 for $30. They are also available in different colors at the JCrew outlet in Marysville for two for $20. Pick up at least a black and a white and then two more that will add a splash of color to a simple pair of chinos or shorts.

For men, my favorite t-shirts for spring/summer are Club Monaco’s cotton t-shirts. They come in v-neck or crew, solids or stripes. Their particular cut is ample, but narrow enough so that it doesn’t look too boxy. These t-shirts also wash and dry incredibly well. You can find them only at Club Monaco in Pacific Place downtown Seattle for $22 each. (Sorry, no photos available online.)

Funny Fashion Glossary

Occasionally, while doing research for my business (a.k.a. reading fashion rags), I come across fashion terms that make me laugh/snort/chuckle. I love fashion and have spent a lifetime appreciating and deprecating trends accordingly, but even I can find the humor in fashion. Not only is it fun to see the outrageous fashions that come down the runway, it’s also entertaining to see the fashion industry try to coin terminology that is descriptive, yet enticing to the consumer. Here are some of my favorite current fashion terms that fell a little short in the enticement area:

Banana Heel: The heel of a women’s shoe that angles from the back forward.

If the Marx Brothers are any indication, it seems like a generally bad idea to incorporate anything banana into footwear.

Bubble Skirt: A voluminous skirt that’s hem is tucked back under to create a “bubble effect” at the bottom.

Question: Do women really want to wear a piece of clothing that covers their derriere and has the word “bubble” in the name? Answer: Not so much.

Flip Flop: A beach sandal with a thong between the big and second toe.

Also, the actual sound you hear if someone tries to run down the stairs while wearing a pair of these; usually followed by a thud.

Kitten Heels: Women’s shoes with a small, approximately one-inch, heel made popular by style icon Audrey Hepburn in the 1950‘s.

“Kitten heel” just sounds mean. . .poor kitty.

Shelf Bra: A piece of material with elastic along the bottom sewn inside a top to add (mostly theoretical) support.

“So that’s where I left my breasts! I never would have thought to look on that shelf down there.”

Skort: This is a short skirt that has shorts “hidden” underneath.

Perfect for the playground, but sounds too much like it’s dorky portmanteau word cousin, “spork,” to be taken seriously.

Trapeze Top: A top that is fitted at the shoulders and much fuller at the bottom.

I would say that the low probability of this being a flattering style, leaves most people swinging in the fashion circus without a net - splat.

Finding gifts for kids can be tricky. Seemingly all the “cool” gifts cost upwards of $50 and when you are buying for your kids, your nieces and nephews, your kids’ friends, your friends’ kids and more it can add up to some serious moolah. Here are some suggestions of gifts for kids, costing under $15, that will most likely be appreciated by all the recipients (and their parents).

Quick plug: Take the time to wander your neighborhood toy and book stores. Seattle has a veritable buffet of awesome toy and book stores with educational and fun toys and books for all ages. Talk to the owners/sales staff and tell them what your budget is. They will surely have some great suggestions that didn’t make this list.

1) Tamagotchi, $14.99 (at Target stores or eToys.com)

This is one toy I have yet to find at a neighborhood retailer, but since it was originally released in 1997, it has a decidedly retro feel (think Pac Man), and thus is cool enough to warrant a trip to a megastore. A Tamagotchi is a small electronic game that has a little character your child raises after it hatches. It has a very basic screen and graphics (think old Atari). The owner is responsible for the life of the Tamagotchi. And like a real child, it lets you know when it needs to eat, sleep and play so that you can keep it happy. The owner even gets to virtually clean up its poop. (The idea of which is gross enough to keep the kids interested.) Because navigating the menu can have a steep learning curve, I recommend this toy for no less than a five-year old. If there are two kids in the family, they can even grow their own Tamagotchis into adulthood, mate them and they can make babies. Our neighbors did this which was all great fun until I called their mom “Grandma” –she was not amused. I found this to be a great value for my daughter and her friends and really quite engaging. There is even a website called Tamatown where you can enter the serial number of the child’s toy and child can earn points by playing games and go online shopping for the Tamagotchi.

2) Classic Book, $6.95 - $14.99 (Support your neighborhood bookstore!)

Never underestimate the lure of a truly great book. Titles such as Treasure Island, A Wrinkle in Time, The Night Before Christmas (illustrated by the late Ted Rand of Mercer Island), Ender’s Game (for teenagers) and The Secret Garden are all fine choices.

3) Doodles to Go Book, $12.95 (MoMA Store online or your neighborhood bookstore)

This is a classic book that is sturdy enough to travel with the kids. It can be really empowering to learn how to draw the basic shapes of everyday items and animals. There are also a variety of great How to Draw Animals books at most bookstores.

4) Automoblox Minis, splurge at $8.00 each (Tottini Children’s store in Seattle or sensoryedge.com)

These are beautifully made and designed cars that families will keep forever. The reason I consider these a splurge, is because the exciting part about these cars is they come apart and the pieces are interchangeable to make new car designs. In order to appreciate that great feature, a kid really needs to have more than one.

5) Free to Be You and Me, CD $10.99 / book $10.36 (amazon.com or your neighborhood book/toy store)

This great book and album (remember those?) were released in the 70’s by Marlo Thomas. This book and CD is full of great songs, stories, and poems that touch on gender equality, individuality, and acceptance of oneself and others. I love reading my own tattered copy to my kids. The sketches really get them thinking and they actually laugh out loud. They also want me to sing the accompanying songs and I am amazed at how many I can remember from my youth. They will be getting a copy of the CD for Christmas this year which should be easier on their ears.

6) Jar of Marbles, $12.95 (your neighborhood toy store or RestorationHardware.com)

I know that some folks will call me crazy, but good old fashioned marbles get a lot of play at my house. I have learned that they roll down ramps made from couch cushions, race car tracks, and even socks (?). They make great noises in cans. Even the patterned rug is a great staging area as one kid has to hit the other kid’s marble off the green or purple flower (different points for different flowers). Just make sure the gift of marbles goes to houses with no toddlers.

7) Great Card Game by Ceacos, $9.99 - $11.99 (Izilla Toys in Seattle or eToys.com)

Ceacos has a great collection of card games that come in nice sturdy boxes so that the cards don’t get lost. Their games are all somewhat educational and the rules can be adapted to appeal to all age levels.

Travel Watercolor Kit , $12.00 (Tottini in Seattle)

This set is great for budding artists. It’s compact enough at 3″ x 6″ to easily fit in a pocket or backpack.

9) Moon Jar, $6.95 (Moon Jar HQ in Seattle or MoonJar.com)

This is essentially a piggy bank with a conscience. These sturdy cardboard banks have three sections marked Spend, Save, and Share. There are instructions on how to talk about money with a child and a passbook to record deposits and withdrawals. Add a few dollars to this gift to distribute as the recipient sees fit.

10) Snowball or Brick Maker, $7.95-$8.96 (Land of Nod store or landofnod.com)

These quirky toys will be tons of fun in the snow this winter. There is a Sno-baller that boasts perfect 3″ snowballs or a snow brick maker for structures. Maybe parents can use the Sno-baller as a melon baller the rest of the year — could be handy.

Ready to explore the Great North? Well, this Saturday, consider a day trip to Everett.

Head to Renee’s Contemporary Clothing for a free brunch and fashion show this Saturday, October 20th. This boutique has a great selection of quality brands and styles appropriate for women between the ages of 20 and 100. Renee’s carries some lovely classic brands as well as more cutting edge European lines. The fashion show begins at 10:30AM. Have some snacks, enjoy fall fashions, and meet the ever gracious Renee in person. RSVP to renee@reneesclothing.com or (425) 252-2230. I’ll be there (hopefully to take advantage of her great sale rack in the back after the show). http://www.reneesclothing.com/

A block or so away, you can stop for a bite at Pavé Bakery. Perfect for a fall day, they have fab soups and sandwiches made with fresh baked bread. http://www.pavebakery.com/

Next door to Pavé Bakery is J. Matheson, a great home/kitchen/gift store. http://www.jmatheson.com/

On the same block as Pavé Bakery is another fun boutique called Burkett’s. I find there stuff to be a little trendy and pricey, but the quality is excellent and they do have a nice selection of merchandise.

If you are already that far, why not head north a little further to peruse the Seattle Premium Outlets (located in Marysville/Tulalip, approx. 15 minutes drive from downtown Everett). There aren’t any major mall-wide sales this weekend, but they do have some nice high-end outlets (Cole Haan, Burberry, Coach, Michael Kors, etc). If you are in the market for furniture, the Restoration Hardware Outlet often has some screaming deals.

Happy fall to all.

The stores have been full of fall merchandise for weeks now, and try as we might to pretend that summer will never end, it is time to face the cold, hard truth: fall is coming faster than you can say “Brrrr, I thought it was supposed to be sunny today.” So, as you look to add to your fall wardrobe, keep in mind 10 of my favorite fall trends for women:

1) It’s Raining Menswear -
Glenn Plaid Vest $48, www.urbanoutfitters.com

This trend spans from trousers to shoes. I especially like the fabrics that come into play here, including tartan plaid, houndstooth, glenn plaid, and tweed. While you add a touch of masculinity, remember you are all woman, so look for these fabrics in feminine cuts.

2) Take a Shine to Patent -

Black Patent Trench Coat $278, www.cache.com

Let’s not gloss things over here — patent leather is a great way to mix it up and stay classy. In patent the trench coat is snazzy, the purse is charming, the shoes are spiffy. Pick something with a classic cut and allow one patent piece per outfit. Too much of either has a decidedly red light/dominatrix vibe.

3) Gray Should be on Your Anatomy -

Classic 3-button Wool Blazer $118, www.gap.com

This cool classic is a great neutral for fall. Look for deep charcoal pieces to really show off saturated autumn colors.

4) Purple Reigns (Again) -

Short Shift $49.98, www.kennethcole.com

There are lots of shades of pretty purple out there again this season. Try both the cool and warm tones to see which works best for you. A spot of purple makes a royal statement when paired with a classic fabric like tweed or leather. Keep the color to one piece like a top, shoes, or jewelry, otherwise your punch of purple may leave you looking bruised.

5) Follow Your Animal Instinct -

Dolce & Gabbana Skirt $995, www.bergdorfgoodman.com

Not for the fashion faint-of-heart, animal prints offer a dash of drama for fall. These prints always look best when applied with restraint (think classy scarf or shoes vs. head-to-toe ensemble).

6) Do Try to Skirt the Issue -

Floral Print Tie-Neck Dress $128, www.bananarepublic.com

Skirts and dresses with tights are feminine and offer warmth and coverage for fall. Match either the tights to the skirt/dress or the shoes for the most flattering look. Finish off with flats, heels, or boots for an easy, polished look.

7) Leather, Studs and Rock ‘n Roll -

Guess? Patent Lambskin Bomber $288, www.nordstrom.com

Walk on your wild side with a fab new leather jacket. Keep it fairly simple with minimal zippers and studs so that it can be worn with slacks, skirts, or jeans.

Ride High with Tall Boots -

Dolce Vita Berlin-1 Boot $220, www.swayandcake.com

While my black leather riding boots are a personal favorite, some people put on this style and feel like they should be calling for the hounds. If a flat boot doesn’t appeal to you, there are some great boots with a heel that look quite foxy with a dress or skirt.

9) Cozy up to Chunky Knits -

Juicy Couture Chunky Sweater $298, www.nordstrom.com

They keep you warm and require no ironing, so, what’s not to love about the new crop of chunky sweaters? I’ll tell you — they can look as if they add a few pounds. Just keep an eye out for narrow lines and flattering cuts.

10) What a Croc -

S.O.A.P. Snake Mini $29, www.wilsonsleather.com

Animal skin bags in a classic style will forever be in style in my book. The market is swamped this season with faux croc and snakeskin bags that won’t take a bite out of your wallet.