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The big move

Blogger has been BBC's home for almost two years now.  All good things come to an end and all that jazz...We've decided to move to WordPress in order to bring you more fabulous posts: http://www.beyondbostonchic.com/

Sadly, there will no longer be posts on Blogger from here on, so if you're a subscriber, would you be a dear and resubcribe: http://www.beyondbostonchic.com/?feed=rss2

See you on the other side!

Photo source: Etsy

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.

Jackets required: Boston

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

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?

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!

A Milestone

For my American readers, Happy Thanksgiving.  It's my favorite holiday hands down; spending time with family, and eating good food.

So this is my 500th post! Whoohoo!  I was trying to figure out what I would do for this milestone, when the idea popped into my head after getting a visit from my aunt. Here's how it went down.

When the Boston Globe feature came out, in my excitement, I called my aunt and left her a rambling message. I thought for sure that she would call me right back, but nope. Nothing.

She came over for lunch the following Saturday. I kept waiting for her to say something but nothing. After 1.5 hours, I cracked.

"Did you see it?"

"See what?" She responded in Haitian Creole.

"The Globe feature!"

"I saw it." Please note there was very little affect in her voice at this point.

"And," I prodded.

"It was nice". Her voice did not reflect my enthusiasm.

"Nice?"

She paused dramatically.  I waited, because I knew it would come.  And what would come would not be congratulations, but full-on censure. Then she said, "Why is it you go around taking pictures of perfect strangers and never take pictures of me?! I'm always well dressed."

My mouth flopped open and closed like a gully. "Well," I explained, "I'm looking for something very specific in the picture I feature on the blog."

Then she went on and on. But here's the gist of it.  The family is well dressed (very true) and I'm a bad niece, sister, daughter etc... for not featuring them.

So, though the thought may have entered your mind, dear reader, this post is not cheating!  This post is to share with you that my interest in fashion and style go back to my home in Haiti.

It was fun to flip through the family albums to see how hip the aunt and aunties looked in these pictures.  Since we'll be visiting more aunties over the holidays, I'm hoping I can find more pictures to share with you.

In the top picture, the woman between the two guys is my momma.  The other pictures are of my aunties, or taties as we call them.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

25 Most Stylish Bostonians

Very quick post before I head off to the office.  Guess what?!  Wait for it....I was nominated by the Boston Globe as one of the "25 Most Stylish Bostonians of 2009."

Yippee...Is it too early for a celebratory drink?...probably not a good idea since I've got to be at my desk in less than an hour.

Big ole shout out to my friend Kristina who put up with me as I was trying to decide that to wear, to Christine who nonimated me and to Jeannie Vincent who did my make-up.  Off to take the train.

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.

Bundled up: Woodstock, VT

I spent a relaxing weekend in Woodstock, Vermont last weekend. It was the perfect weekend to bundle up (as Suchin is here in this picture) and enjoy the now before winter sets in. The weather was crisp.  Afternoon hikes were followed by evenings of drinking hot cider in front of the fire.  To top it off there were even walks under covered bridges. Wondeful weekend indeed.

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!

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.