Mix and Match

There are certain foods to which we're addicted, and of which we simply cannot get enough. Tomato soup is definitely up there for me. And I love that Crema in Harvard Square has such tasty soups in general because whenever I go there, I end up running into someone whose picture I take for the blog.

We took this picture on the one warm day we had last week. When Emma walked in, I was waiting for my soup. I could see the skirt peeking out from under her coat. Emma ended up sitting outside, and I was so happy to see her with her coat off.

I do hope Emma inspires you to mix patterns. I'm already thinking of how I can spice up my uniform!

The sweater and skirt are from Anthropologie.

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.

Sneakers and Bodega: Cambridge

Meet Oliver of Bodega. Last year I bought a pair of skateboarding sneakers. Oh, how I love 'em. I'll say that I rocked them but apparently it has all been in my mind. You see, each time my sister sees me in them she either says or gives me the look that means: those kicks just don't work.

Sometimes she's right other times I don't listen. The other day, I was trying to create a laid back "I'm not trying, but don't I look great outfit" when she stopped me.

"Those sneakers don't work on you! You need to give it up already."

Mind you, she wasn't exasperated, but firm. I concede her point on that outfit. The problem is that I'm not a quitter. I refuse to give up on my beloved sneakers, even if I have to squirrel them away and wait until I'm 72 to make them work. I'm no quitter!

What about you, have you ever worn something you were convinced was spot on, when in reality, it was just off?

Harvard Law School: Cambridge

Thanks to all of you who contacted me about participating in a style round up of the schools in the Boston area. From here on, I'll do a once a month spotlight on a school. We're starting with the Harvard Law School. If you'd like to have me come down to your school, holla at me (martiniATbeyondbostonchic.com).

So, meet Jess and Cole. They are both finishing up law school this semester. Both very awesome, down-to-earth and funny. I gotta say, I have the best job, I get to go around taking pictures of cool people. And in turn they never fail to amuse me.

Young and free: Cambridge

I had the opportunity to go to Project East this past weekend. As one would expect, the audience was made up of smartly dressed Harvies and BU students.

Back in my salad days I remember the excitement of going to fashion shows. This time around, a thought popped into my head that hadn't occurred to me before.  The models were young girls. Some tall, coltish, with legs to their armpits others, as Ms. Banks would say, were petite models.  As these young women sauntered past my seat, a thought crystallized in my mind:  Oh, to be young with no cellulite!

Don't you know the next day I headed off to the gym.  My, ah, glutes have never hurt so good.

In living color: Cambridge

I was rushing to an appointment when I caught these two colors in my periphery. I can only imagine what someone who was watching me thought.  There I was half running when I halted to a stop half a block after passing this young woman. I quickly turn back to fully take in what captured my attention.  I thought to myself, of course, makes complete sense. 

I love these two colors together.  Just the day before I took this picture, someone asked me, how do you know what colors go together? I was wearing a salmon sweater, a hot pink tank top and orange and blue bangles. Sounds weird as I described it, but it worked. I responded, well, if it works in nature, it'll work in life.  I told her to think of a sunset, or of the brilliant colored fish in the movie Finding Nemo or to think of her favorite flowers...I don't know if she bought my response, as she looked very skeptical.  In any case, I'm really digging the purple and yellow together.

Falling in love

We have our favorite pieces of clothing. We love them but sometimes we forget how much we love them. The same goes for friends. Sometimes as I’m hanging out with friends, I fall in love all over again.

I first met A. (not in the above picture) in our first-year writing class in college. That was the only class we would take together; we would go on to have different friends. Fast forward and we end up in grad school together. We become very good friends.  We have tea, we have walks, she fattens me up, we swap men troubles, and we cry over heart-aches.

A. is the best! She’s smart, funny like all hell, gorgeous, and would put Martha Stewart to shame with her cooking. Last Friday, we hang out, and as we’re having dinner, I realize, this is one woman who is just fab-u-lous! She’s wonderful, and I love her to pieces. And you know what, she thinks I’m just as awesome. Men will frustrate us, life will have us by the horns, but with A., I’ll never have to doubt that she’s just as crazy about me as I am about her.

Reluctant Rosie: Cambridge

Minutes after Rosie and her mom entered Darwin's on Cambridge Street, I approached her mom, to ask if I could take a picture. Although Rosie said yes at first, there was a problem.  I don't blame her, she didn't know me, but there I was wanting a picture.  The one below is the first frame.

Why force the talent to do what she doesn’t want to do? So I say, it’s ok, Rosie. If you don’t want to have your picture taken, no problem!

Her mom asked a minute later. But nope. No, way Jose. So back I go to my readings. 10 minutes later, I’m told that mademoiselle has changed her mind.

Slow to warm up, but then I got the smile.

Isn't she adorable?

We talked about her boo-boo.  I showed her mine.  Ouch!, she says.  I fell down the stairs, I tell her. Are you ok?  I assured her that I was. She flashed me another smile that just warmed my heart.

Then she went to mom, who kissed the boo-boo.

Student life in Boston

I ran into Jaime after rushing into Crema in Harvard Square for a bit of their delicious tomato soup. You see, Jaime is a student at Harvard College. Isn't he darling. As I was snapping away at him, I had a thought.  There are 60 colleges and universities in the greater Boston area. Why not do a style round up at a few schools?

So, for those of you who are in school (grad and undergrad) in the BOS area, hollah at me. Have been meaning to go to Western Mass and to the North Shore, so if I you are out there, let me know. Would love to take pics of you and some friends or just to get a tour of your school.

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?

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.

Real Love for the 80s

The 80s are back. No big surprise there; we've known this for a while. It certainly was fun to seeing these guys at the Cambridge Carnival. If Heavy D. or Jodeci were playing in the background, I would have been sure that I stepped into a time warp.

In interpreting a style, I don't think we always need to be very literal, as in this case, but it was nice to see these guys having so much fun. Looking at their young faces, they probably were born in 90s...Boy, do I feel old.

A short story

I felt like being a couch potato today, but on a 70 degree day in September one must put aside laziness to take advantage of the sun. For as we know, shorter days, frost and eventually knee-deep snow, black-ice and freezing rain loom ahead. *Long sigh*

After brunch (which turned out to be an inadvertent session of sunbathing--I love the sun, but not to worry, I have sunscreen in my moisturizer)--at D Bar's patio, I boarded the Red Line into Cambridge. I was doing a bit of reading at the Harvest Cafe when Alia walked in. What a simple outfit, but one that is difficult to get right because the layers have to hit your one's body at just the right points in order not to make you look too short waisted.

As we got to talking, I found out that Alia is a member of the band, Blood Ceremony.

Cambridge Carnival 2009

I never know who I'll run into at the Cambridge Carnival. There were my neighbors who moved away when I entered high school, there were the acquaintances whose name I could not remember, so then I had to rely on the oldie, but goodie, "hey girl!" (works every time). Then there was the ex. I always tell people to leave the house as if they're going to meet their ex. Glad I sorta took my own advice that day.

More pictures to come.

Collegiate: Harvard Square

I was on my way to the library when I ran into Grisel, as student at UMass, on Brattle Street in Harvard Square. I love the energy she conveys in this very age appropriate outfit, which by the by, is from Forever21.

Plaid: Served two ways

Danielle on Palmer Street: Cambridge

In plaid: Brattle Street, Cambridge

Back to school

The students are back. Rachel is at the Harvard School of Education.