Winter uniform

With all the mild weather, I haven’t had to bust out my winter uniform. Our last mini snow storm has made me hurry a slight bit. By February, I am low on inspiration and have little creativity for cool outfits. This is why I rely on tried and true favorites---uniforms if you will---that always work and always lift my spirits. In some ways all these photos follow my uniform.

Great boots. I have the following pairs in rotation: Wellies (for the snow), black riding boots, brown boots, and a pair in bubble gum pink. A new pair might be in my future come sale season. Perhaps grey? Purple? Cranberry?

Mix patterns. This one is from Ms. dreamecho.
 
Accessorize. In my book, my coat counts as an accessory. So do my scarves, a headband/scarf, a significant other, lipstick, hats, gloves...

Back to black: Cambridge and Boston

I first realized that I wore too much black when an aunt took me aside to say, "Cherie, it's been three years since grandma died. You no longer have to be in mourning."

The second time was when a cousin was looking through my closet and said, "Damn, Tini. Why do you have so many black clothes? Ever heard of color?"

So since then, I've diversified my wardrobe a bit. I made tentative steps, and included grey, blue, brown and even camel in my wardrobe.  Then ruby, salmon, emerald, raspberry, turquoise, chartreuse....I loooove color now and tend to mix them liberally--jewel tones in particular. Despite my love of color, though, I tend to default to black and white at times...sometimes, the simplicity of those colors call to me.

Jackets required: Boston

I'm digging Scout's gray jacket. Sometimes they make all the difference.

Lunch with the girls: Beacon Hill, Boston

I ran into Katherine on a Saturday morning after getting a quick bite to eat at Panaficio on Charles Street. After a bit of talking she revealed that this is an outfit she wore to have breakfast with the girls.

It's decided, my girl friends need to experience my most fierce, classy and just plain ole fabulous outfit next time we all meet up for brunch!

Bomber jacket: Boston

Last time I was in Florence, a friend and I found a perfect leather jacket in a little shop. It was perfect on him.  Whenever he shrugged into the jacket he was immediately transformed into Wolverine...well, not exactly Wolverine, but it was one of those bad-ass jackets. He looked so dashing and would strut his stuff whenever he wore it. A month later, after a delicious dinner at Sibling Rivalry, he left it on the Red Line. Can you believe it? It's too bad really.

The spice of life: Boston

Variety is the spice of life, right?  Take Lyndon here.  You first met him, last spring when he wore his colorful trousers that he got in Thailand. 

Before taking the above picture, I had seen Lyndon around Harvard Square. The problem was I never had my camera with me, so I had to settle with giving him a flirty smile each time (how could I not, he's so handsome!). Each time I did see Lyndon, he was always in professor mode (as in below).  So, when I first took the above picture, I had no idea that the colorful Lyndon was the same as the bow-tie and suspenders Lyndon.  How cool is that!  AND, on top of it all, he's so cool.

Silent connections

I spent the weekend in Woodstock,Vermont.  I came down for dinner, and a guest of my friends (let's call her B.) commented me on my chartreuse corduroys. I said thank you, and explained that their bright color perks me right up each and every time I wear them.  After a scrumptious dinner that I tried to figure out how to recreate, B complemented me again. I pointed to my corduroys and said, JCrew then pointed to my sweater and said, Madewell.

No!  She said.

Yes, I said conspiratorially.  I exclaimed how I always hit up those stores for basics especially before traveling.

Your scarf then, it's Madewell!?  Nope, the bright plaid scarf was from Denmark.

I went on and waxed about the two brands (no, they are not paying me for this post :-) and talked excitedly about having met Gigi (left) and Elise of Lucky Magazine at a Madewell event in September.

No!  she said.  My daughter, A., works for JCrew and knows Gigi well. Then of course I gushed about meeting Gigi (I remember her work when she was at Lucky Magazine) and Elise.  I remember my interaction with the lovely Gigi and Elise with such color. 

We talked of B.'s daughter and the more we talked, the more I wondered about the people we know in common.  Granted, I met Gigi and Elise once, but doesn't it make you wonder, as you're standing in line at the coffee shop or on a plane how you and the seemingly (and often strange) strangers are connected?

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

Michelle on Exeter: Boston

Michelle works at Intermix on Newbury.

A short story, take two

Loved Morgan's simple dress shirt..or is it a plain shirt. Regardless, she was a sight to see on an early Saturday morning.

Plaid: Served two ways

Tracy: Newbury Street, Boston

Tracy's outfit is from Intermix on Newbury Street.

A stroll through the park: Boston

A few stylish ladies walking through the Boston Common.

Bruce on Dartmouth: Boston

Some days I wake up with a need to dress with attitude. I have a statement to make, not to the world, but more of an expression of how I’m feeling. When I wake up feeling repressed (usually a result of feeling overwhelmed by a busy work/school schedule). What follows is usually an outfit that’s very close to what my 5th grade teacher, Sister O. would wear. I usually wear inimal jewelry, nude make-up, glasses, a messy Afro, and killer shoes that maybe a nun with racy extracurricular activities would wear. Then there are days where my love of the outdoors inspires me to integrate cargo pants or my Birkenstocks for a fashion-forward look.

And sometimes, I wake up feeling like a rebel. Usually that’s when my studded accessories and leather come out to be integrated in (I hope) unexpected ways.

Looking at this picture of the very handsome Bruce has my mind spinning. His use of accessories have a high impact, are well selected and minimal. Then there are the studs. So glad they are all over the place this season since I love studs, especially paired with my "repressed" outfits.

Bruce has me thinking that my rebel looks needs to include driving gloves. Green driving gloves, as I recently found at Salmagundi, in JP. I can see that look now, loose black jeans, my checkered vans, a slouchy white t-shirt, my red studded leather bracelet, combined perhaps with vintage jewelry (maybe something with metal flowers), and green driving gloves!

I’m so inspired! Thanks, Bruce!