weekend reflections – a recent visit to parc boutique plus notes on special non-profit, just ’cause

November 26th, 2009 § 2 Comments

Dislcaimer: Acutally wrote this post on Mon night, but, as so often happens during the holiday season, time escapes me and here we are on what is….. NOT Monday!

Blogging from the friendly skies tonight! American Airlines flight 1167 to Dallas! As I sit in seat 19b, I am reflecting on a fantastic weekend filled with family, love, laughter, and LOTS of shopping!

I was suuuuuper excited to have my sister in town this past weekend to accompany me to the Northeast Holiday Boutique Crawl. Also known as the Mallaiah-wich, which consists of one part Lisa, one part Cher! Its kinda like a buy one get one free kind of deal. We are soul sisters! And even though the dreaded statements “can we go home….my feet hurt…i’m tired” always rear their ugly heads, I still consider her my shopping partner in crime.

One of the shops participating in the crawl, Parc boutique, has been on my radar for some time now. I have read lots of raving reviews, so my visit was long overdue. I share with you because after just one visit, it is quickly moving up on my fashion hitlist and if you are in Minneapolis, you must visit. Let me just say that I am hooked!

At most everything under $100, Parc Boutique nixes that “boutiques are all expensive” perception. I can definitely get with that! Parc boutique is stacked with quality basics great for layering and a great mix of fashion-forward, under-the-radar brands that will keep your wardrobe looking original and in the now.

I was able to briefly chat about fall trends with owner, Thao Bui, who let me just say is super cute and fashionable. I was eyeing her lace-up booties :-) . Thao is excited about chunky knits, scarves, and leggings for fall. And if you are looking to update your fall wardrobe without breaking the bank, Thao suggests investing in jewelry. You can style the same piece of jewelry with different outfits time and again without looking like a repeat offender.

My picks:

* Stylish silky blousy tops to pair with leggings or pencil skirts and tunics that can double as dresses from environmentally friendly brand, Trinity.

  • * Girly, ruffly, frilly, romantic dresses from stand-out contemporary brand, Ark & Co

* Basics from LA Made

* J BRAND Jeans!!! – my personal favorite go-to brand for flawlessly fitting jeans. Parc boutique had a hot selection of J Brand black leggings and pencil jeans.

* Unique selection of statement making handmade and local jewelry

At the risk of looking self indulgent (I promise I am NOT!), I am also going to share a few pics from the dressing room to give you a little taste of what Parc has to offer…brought to you by my iphone:

Ark & Co dress..PS- I will be back for you as soon as I am back in town!

Trinity tunic that I will be wearing 2 ways: dress in the summer and long tunic over leggings or tights for winter

Pretty flower ring (can not recall designer) my sis copped. Would make a great xmas present and at $20-something dollars it's a steal

A look inside Parc Boutique…

And on another note but equally as noteworthy, here are a few items that deserve our attention:

  • Just ‘Cause Non-Profit Organization: Because it it fashionable to give back, I would like to shine the spotlight on a non-profit organization founded by my very fashionable wedding planner and friend, Lisa Konecny of E Events. Here are more details from Lisa K: “Just ‘Cause is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting and giving back to the Central Florida community in way of school dance dresses for underprivileged young teenage girls…..Our grassroots effort in making the young girls in our community feel beautiful, despite their financial means, via stylish and designer bridesmaid dresses….” If you have any formal dresses or bridesmaid dresses that you would like to donate and live in the Orlando area, please visit the Just Cause Blog for more information on drop-off points OR if you are not in the Orlando area and would like to partake, please contact me (myinnerfashionlogue@gmail.com) and I will coordinate and get the dress to the Just Cause team. Tell your friends to tell their friends!
  • I also want to give a shot out to my weekly read, live the fancy life blog, by my friend, Jessica, who writes about how to live life fancy on a budget. Jessica says it best on her site: “I truly believe that it is possible to live a fancy life no matter what city you live in, how much money you make or who your friends are. My goal is to post stories, photos and ideas that excite and inspire you to live a fancy life.” Make sure to check out the post fancy dates on the cheap…..Check it out often for a dose of fancy!

In close, there is a lot to be thankful for and clothes or not, that is fashionable! It truly is the little things in life…..

“Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and
realize they were the big things.”
Author Unknown

Happy Thanksgiving. Happy Day. Here’s to a great rest of the week, living in the now, and consciously appreciating and embracing the “little things” that make your world go round.

xoxo Lisa

BOOTIE-LICIOUS!

November 20th, 2009 § 7 Comments

I think I just fell in love all over again. Ok, not really…I just have one main squeeze, but I occasionally dabble in side love affairs with shiny, new shoes, clothes, and accessories to keep it new and exciting. Don’t you go through phases with that “fav” food, song, or perhaps that boot of the moment? And you just keep going back for more until, well, you just can’t anymore. I find that one item that moves me and wear it like it’s going out of style. Is it just me? I know I am not alone here.

Right now I am playing out Chipotle Steak Tacos (don’t judge!), Rihanna’s Run This Town (“Feel it coming in the air hear the screams from everywhere……heeeeeeeeey heeeeeeay heeeeeeeeey heeeeeeay”), and my Steve Madden Cuddless Booties (I have come to terms with reality and accepted that this is as close to bootylicious as I’ll ever get).

You’ve probably guessed my current obsession or love affair, if you will, are BOOTIES! My weekend uniform for the past year consists of booties with black leggings, long tunic or casual frock, scarf, and cardigan. I have also paired them with leggings, jeans, pencil skirt, bandage skirt, tulip skirt, ankle pant, cocktail dress….I wear them all the time!

My advice is simple- find a pair that you love and experiment with different ensembles, casual to dressy, whatever makes your heart flutter. Personalize it. Have fun with it.  I rounded up loads of inspiration, bohemian to glam, to help rev your creativity.

This makes me tick. I just can’t get enough. Eyes Wide. Happy. Excited. Makes me wanna dance.

This post is rather long so I will be posting in smaller installments. Today, we begin our bootie-licious journey with classics with a bit of a twist. But stay tuned, because there is still LOTS more to come. Next up- rockin frocks, shiny metallic frocks, Rock-chic looks, and last but not least, a splash of COLOR.

Prepare for sensory overload. One time for your mind!

CASUAL. COOL. LAID-BACK LUXE. CLASSIC WITH AN EDGY TWIST.

Image Source: Kristen Bell and Rachel Bilson, Just Jared; Vogue, Latin America; Reese Witherspoon, Instyle Nov 09

Image Source: shopbop; j.crew; marc jacobs, style.com; rag and bone, shopbop

image source: netaporter, shopbop, lucky magazine

image source: madewell1937.com, netaporter, bcbg, madewell1937.com

Here are a few of my picks (click to view):
Cuddless by Steve Madden, $129.95
Simply Vera Vera Wang Solombo Ankle Boots, kohls.com, $39.99
Colin Stuart Cut-Out Lace Up Bootie, victoriassecret.com, $65
Scarlett, bakersshoes.com, $59.99 (free ground shipping for a limited time)
Michael Antonio McKey Boot, endless.com, $54.95
Vince Camuto Ankle Boot, nordstrom.com, $168.95
Seychelles Dos I Do Bootie, endless.com, $109.95
Buttons, bakersshoes.com, $49.95
Bree Peep Toe Bootie, forever21.com, $24.80
Genna, rachelroy.com, $129 (free shipping on all orders through dec 31st)
ABI, ninewest.com, $99 (30% off and free standard shipping for a limited time)
Luxury Rebel Jolie Booties, shopbop.com, $175
Sleakk by Steve Madden, $76.97
Moschino Cheap & Chic Patent Bootie, nordstrom.com, $216.90
Dolce Vita Suede Lace-Up Booties, neimanmarcus.com, $245
Witness by Steve Madden, $149.95
Pour La Victoire Angelique Platform Booties, shopbop.com, $348
Madewell Lace- up Booties, shopbop.com, $198

Share your bootie-licious stylings with us by sending pics to myinnerfashionlogue@gmail.com!
Send us your favorite pair!

xo Lisa

WAKE UP, WAKE UP, WAKE UP….

November 14th, 2009 § 2 Comments

Good day bloghearts, I found this great beauty tip on glamour.com that I had to share. It is simple and best of all – FREE!

From Glamour.com written by Andrea Pomerantz Lustig:

How to Look More Awake in the Morning
“I can’t imagine that Rachel Bilson ever has to deal with puffy or splotchy skin, but I couldn’t resist sharing the surprising beauty tip I got from Bilson’s makeup artist, Darrell Redleaf: “When I work on movie or TV sets, call times are often very early in the morning, and it’s our job to make the actors and actresses look awake. I get a large bowl and fill it with water and ice and have them take a quick dunk.” Believe it or not, Redleaf says that this helps “deflate the puffiness which can come from a long night out or eating too much salt the day before.” So if you stay out too late one night and aren’t feeling–or looking–all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed the next morning, try his trick and quickly dunk your face into a bowl of super-cold water. If that sounds too traumatizing, try a cold compress or a cooling KohGenDo face mask–another easy look-awake beauty trick Redleaf swears by.”

I am definitely adding this to my quick-fix list! Just wishing I would have known about it sooner….I can think of a time or two (OK- maybe more) that this would have come in handy.

Do you have a beauty quick-fix up your sleeve? Share you secrets by commenting below!

Have a great weekend everybody!
XOXO-L

Objects of Desire

November 9th, 2009 § 1 Comment

As I was “surfing the net” this morning, I had to pause for a moment to appreciate these beauties. For me, inspiration comes from everywhere: family, friends, travel, music, people-watching, fashion magazines, movies, architecture, design, artwork, and photographs just to name a few :-) .

Today my source of creative inspiration are these Christian Louboutin pumps.  And although I may not purchase these exact beauties, I will most certainly add them to my treasured file; the file of all things that inspire me and to that “maybe one day” file. A girl can dream, right?!?!

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. A moment of silence for these show-stopping works of art…. 

Christian Louboutin Platform Pumps

Christian Louboutin Platform Pumps, saks.com

Christian Louboutin, netaporter.com

Christian Louboutin, netaporter.com

Christian Louboutin, saks.com

Christian Louboutin, saks.com

Christian Louboutin, barneys.com

Christian Louboutin, barneys.com

And last but certainly not least, see what inspires the designer himself. I found this video at neimanmarcus.com.  In one word- GENIUS.

What inspires you?

XOXO- L

Weekend Inspiration

November 6th, 2009 § 3 Comments

“You alone are the judge of your worth & your goal is to discover infinite worth in yourself, no matter what anyone else thinks.”
 -Deepak Chopra

Have a great weekend everybody!
XX-Lisa

Make a Statement!

November 2nd, 2009 § 4 Comments

Statement Jewelry is an easy way to “style-up” an outfit any day of the week, whether a holiday party, girls night, date night, work, or even an afternoon errand-run. The brilliance is in how simple this bold accessory adds style  and edge to any outfit– rock ‘n roll to classic.  All the accessories can be dressed up or down. 

Dress down with jeans and a plain white v-neck tee or dress up with a simple sheath or cocktail dress. This timeless trend is here to stay! Add it to your repertoire. Make it your own!

And now for the inspiration….I focused on more wearable pieces for everyday edgy style. The contrast creates unexpected glamour. Don’t miss the ”sweet deals” section below for fantastic, budget-friendly alternatives.

Make a Statement!

Image source: jcrew.com, shopbop.com, bananarepublic.com, anntaylor.com

1. Crystal Symphony Necklace,  jcrew.com, $98
  
2. Tuleste layered ball & chain necklace, shopbop.com, $150
    
3. Pearl Braid Necklace, bananarepublic.com, $52
         
4. Antique gold manor necklace, marked down to $49.99 from $128
     Majesty stone necklace, jcrew.com, $115

5. Smoky Pearl and Ribbon Torsade Necklace, anntaylor.com, $65
     Pearl and Pavé Cluster Bracelet, anntaylor.com, $60
     Smoky Pearl and Ribbon Bracelet, anntaylor.com, $40

6. Twisted Chain/Pearl Bracelet, bananarepublic.com, $50

7. Fiona Paxton Lane necklace, shopbop.com, marked down from $280 from $400

Because I can’t help myself…..
Other “swoon-worthy” alternatives (not pictured):

Chamomile Necklace, anthropologie.com, $48
City Sparkle Necklace, bananarepublic.com, $50
Golden Fringe Necklace, jcrew.com, marked down to $29.99 from $78
House of Harlow Large Gold Sunburst Necklace, shopkitson.com, $58
Stack for high impact!: House of Harlow Aztec Bangle ($75) and Palladium Thick Stacking Bangle ($52) (also available in gold), both available at shopbop.com

Sweet Deals (not pictured):
Pearl Casted Satrburst Necklace, jcpenney.com, $19.99
Simply Vera Vera Wang Jet-Tone Crystal Necklace, kohls.com, $28.80
Flower gemstone bib necklace, fredflare.com, $26
Layered Chain Bead Necklace, forever21.com, $9.80
Silver Metal Clear Crystal Elastic Bracelet, zadwholesalejewelry.com, $18 (also in black)
Lucky Draped Necklace
, forever21.com, $9.80
Petite Rope Chain Necklace, forever21.com, $7.80
Looped Fringe Necklace, forever21.com, $6.80
9 Piece Hematite Bangle Set, jcpenney.com, $15.99
Mixit® Red Gemstone Stretch Bracelet, jcpenney.com, $15.99
Clear Stone Stretch Bracelet, jcpenney.com, $15.99
Worthington Red Oval Stretch, jcpenney.com, $15.99
Mixit Tri-Tone Multistrand Necklace, jcpenney.com, $18.99
Mixit Topax Rosary Necklace, jcpenney.com, $18.99
Mixit Chain and Pearl Necklace, jcpenney.com, $18.99

Share your show-stopping statement making outfits by commenting below or send pics to myinnerfashionlogue@gmail.com and you may be featured!

Happy Shopping!
XOXO-L

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