ECC Style: Part 1

One of my favorite questions to ask people whether conducting a job interview, doing an interview for the blog, or just passing the time is: tell me something about yourself I would not know just from first meeting you.

The answers vary. I'm double jointed in my shoulders. I can pickles in my spare time or I'm a qualified skydiver.  And this one from a 56 year old professor of physics, I went to a Justin Timberlake concert and loved it!

What does the bright lining of a suit or jacket say about you? Shawn (above) and Jeff (below) of ECC Life & Style would know a thing or two about letting your clothes say a little sumthin sumthin about you.  They are the brains behind the Boston based company that designs custom menswear.

I'd love to hear one thing about you, dear reader, that people can't tell from meeting you the first time.  I'll start, I took fencing lessons for several years. En garde!

A little peek a boo: Cambridge

There's something to be said about a good bra.  Funny enough, I noticed Jaimie's bra as I was reviewing this picture. 

My sister and I met up for drinks one day, and she exclaimed happily, I got a new bra.  She then leaned over low enough for me to take a peek at her bosom.  Ooooh!  I exclaimed!  They look soo good!

I know!  she says.   Her boobies looked perky happy.  And the bra itself was lacy, so pretty and supportive.  I had that same experience not too long ago when my friend Claire fitted me.  There's something really magical about moving beyond the ho-hum bras to ones that are fun yet will support the girls. 

I was taught to not let my bra show, but now, I'm completely moving beyond that adage.  What are your thoughts?

Running with heels

There was a shoot going on on Newbury yesterday.  I spied three photographers with three different models.  I don't quite know what shoot it's for. anyone?  And are you seeing the height of those heels?  The poor girl had to run across the street as the photographer chased the light (at this time it was getting close to 5:30), pose, and then run to avoid uncoming cars.  She looked very chic, and ran in those heels with a smile. She deserved props for running in those heels.

Double plaid: Boston

I was happily delayed having brunch with my cousins on Sunday, so I didn't go out style hunting until much later than usual.  The light was fading very quickly by 5ish and I was blissfully talking to a friend, having given up on shooting anyone that day, when I ran into Sam.  Thankfully, we were able to find this light that was just perfect.

Callan awash in light: Dorchester

The day after I took this picture of the darling Callan it rained furiously the next morning. By the time the afternoon rolled around it started snowing. Yes, that's right, snow in October. *Long tortured sigh*

I know it's coming, but did winter have to send its Save the Date card so soon?!

Anna and Elsa in Harvard Square

Someone recently asked me to describe style as it relates to Harvard Square. So many people go through Harvard Square. You have the students, tourists, professors, locals, and those who come into the Square for work. I wouldn't say there is one particular note to describe style there. Every day, every year, it changes with the influx of new visitors. Half the time as I'm running errands or heading home, I wish I had my camera with me since I often run into interesting people. On this occasion, I ran into Anna and Elsa as I was grabbing lunch on Church Street. The two lovelies are visiting from Sweden.

Splashes of red in Salem

It's Christine of Modern Millie! Her whole ensemble is from her store.

Up until Tuesday, I'd never been to Salem. Well, there was that one time I went for a housewarming party. But since that incident happened at night and I got lost, I'm not considering that....ummm, I digress. So, yes, I've never been to Salem. On Tuesday, I went to check out the Iris Apfel exhibit (more on that later) at the Peabody Essex Museum. Lovely town and museum.

I have friends who live in Marblehead, so I plan on taking a weekend to see them and to capture the style of the North Shore. If you live over yonder and are fabulous, witty, and stylish drop me a line: martiniATbeyondbostonchic.com

L'Aroma style: Clarendon Street, Boston

Hands down L'Aroma Cafe is one of my favorite cafes in the city. The coffee is good, the pastries are delicious, and when I'm hosting a brunch, their quiches have always made me into the hostess with the mostess.

When it comes to style-hunting for the blog, boy, does L'Aroma make my life easier. All I have to do is walk in, place my order, and sit back to read my book or paper. Sure enough, within 1 to 2 hours, I'll get at least a few pictures of patrons.

I've started to wonder, though. Do I love L'Aroma because it makes life so easy? After all, there is no walking up and down the streets to "actively" style-hunt. All I have to do is sit there and wait.

Or do I love L'Aroma because it's such a great place to study or read? I've pondered this a bit, and honestly, I'll never know.

As an FYI, Katie in the top picture works at Intermix and is in Stella McCartney (dress and sweater). Thomas's tie and sweater are Ralph Lauren.

Lizzie with wit and vivacity: Charlestown

The lovely Lizzie is a student at Brookline High. This is the next to last picture from Boston Fashion Week. This one is from the couture show put on by the Fashion Expose. There is one more picture to come, but I'll incorporate it in a profile of a dear friend.

Back to Fashion Expose: Charlestown

It's Italo of [ URBAN + TAKE(ØUT)].

As I took pictures of Italo, I kept embarrassing myself by gushing over his smile. There was one point where I looked through the viewfinder and then looked up and said: You have a beautiful smile. He looked embarrassed, and then I, not always knowing when to say mum, repeated the sentiment. If I blushed, my face would have been the color of beets.

Anyhoo, I very much appreciate the simplicity of this look. It's the type of look that can be interpreted in a myriad of ways--both with high end and low end pieces.

Bicycle envy: Malborough Street

Now for a break from cheating. I had just stopped taking pictures of Michael when I spotted Kristina on her bike. I hurried to get in the car and sped down Malborough Street after the mysterious girl with the blond hair.

Thankfully, there was a stop sign at Clarendon Street, where I pulled over, rolled down the window and leaned over the passenger seat to ask Kristina if I could take her picture. Definitely, not my smoothest way to ask permission. However, in true Boston style, I double parked and spent a few minutes snapping away.

Ernest and Dapper: Charlestown

I went to the couture show hosted by the Fashion Expose last Saturday in Charlestown. Nice show, sadly not so much couture though.

The posts this week, except for Monday's, have been all of people who attended the show. I prefer to take pictures of people on the street. Pictures of people who don't got nowhere to go, but who are fab-u-lous nonetheless. So...here's to cheating. Hope you'll forgive me.

Stylish friends: Charlestown

When I saw Germaine (left) and Alex, I smiled at their very different styles. Even in with different styles, their clothes (Alex's light plaid trousers and Germaine's tweed jacket) mirror each other.

In this picture as they are posing for another photographer, you can see Alex's serpent bracelet.

Girls in heels: Charlestown

It was great to shoot these ladies. They're gorgeous and what's more, they wore wonderful shoes to Boston Fashion Week. I couldn't help but be just a little bit---ok, very---envious of their shoes. I haven't been able to wear heels due to a running injury for months now. When I do, as I did last week for about 35 minutes, the pain lasts days later, (I can feel my IT band tightening up as I type this post) and it's just not worth it.

Never thought, I'd say it, but my heels aren't worth the pain. Lawd! Who have I become! A friend said: why don't you put them on eBay? I was so flabbergasted by her question, that I simply couldn't answer. The nerve!

Casual Cool on Malborough Street

He's a bit dreamy, no?

Sweater time

That's right! It's that time of the year. The leaves are becoming saffron hued and the days are getting shorter. It's time to bring out the sweaters. Especially the Cliff Huxtable sweaters. I was in Davis Square the other day and noticed a girl wearing a sweater so awful, that it could only be genius...sadly, I didn't have my camera with me.