Friday, October 29, 2010

for all hallow's eve



I thought it would help to share a few inspiring images after my last post. I absolutely love these displays. The tangled wire and floating figures really capture the ambiance of an enchanted forest on all hallow's eve. The navy and gold ensembles are also spot on.

I'll tell you what I'm NOT being for Halloween...

Thinking of wearing black and orange in celebration of Halloween this weekend? Don't. There is nothing less clever than wearing two colors which, when worn together, signfiy nothing beyond a second grader's ability to decipher.


It should be noted that it never interested me to coincide my outfit with a holiday's theme. I distinctly remember not selecting pink, red, or white on any Valentine's Day since the third grade. I even remember commanding my freshman year roommate to never consider decorating our 12 x 12 dorm room for the holidays. Sorry about that Jamie, I guess you showed me who's boss when a pink, glistening Christmas tree showed up after Thanksgiving break. But then again, I did have fun throwing the ornaments out our fourth floor window after wine night at The Clybourne. What's that game called again? Will it bounce or will it break?


This orange and black Halloween ensemble is too predictable and plain boring to look at. It will most likely be worn by people who are into face painting at a sports eventHawaiian t-shirts and/or Crocs. I know my mom and most of the high school staff members she works with are going to have a blast wearing their orange cardigans with a pendant of some sort (probably a goblin, witch on a broomstick, pumpkin, or a Frankenstein with blinking lights). There will be a black turtleneck underneath the cardigan with levi jeans and white gym shoes on the bottom. The creepy male in the group will most likely wear their Scream mask from 1996.


Let's get one thing straight though, my mom would never wear Crocs. I would call her out so fast and then team up with my sister until she understood we do not put our name in vain like that. My sister and I teaming up together makes Freddy Krueger have nightmares (insert painfully corny Halloween joke); I'll share our sisterhood stories later. To elaborate a little further on my genes, I emailed my mom the link to my very first blog the other day and this was her response:
I don't know what is this? You have to explain to me.... Have a nice dinner with Dad and wish Happy Birthday to Niko for tomorrow from me... 
Filakia
MOM
For those of you who know me, I know you read the email above once and kinda struggled and then reread it again but this time with a Greek accent, it then made perfect sense. For those of you who do not know me, both of my parents are FOBs (Fresh Off the Boat). Both Anna and Gus mean the world to me and I am so grateful to have parents who work so hard and would give up anything for their family. I just wish my siblings would stop telling me I'm adopted.


So I leave you with this, be the cool kid this weekend... rebel and don't wear crocs. Looks like Chicago weather will remain around the mid-50's which gives us lots of options with what to wear. We could make some use out of those trendy military jackets we all were suckered into before the weather begins plummeting to low-30's and 20's. Whether you are out trick or treating or last minute shopping for your Halloween costume, here's a tasteful outfit you can feel proud of while commemorating All Hallow's Eve.

The watch and messenger bag are essential here. You need to keep track of the time so you are not late to the Halloween party and you need a quick place to store candy while taking your nephew trick or treating.

Fab Racerback Tank by Forever21
Anle 'Jaime' Skinny Stretch Jeans available at Nordstrom
MICHELE 'Tahitian Jelly Bean' 40mm Watch available at Nordstrom
Central Park West Silk Blouse available at Aritzia
Sam Edelman Effie Bootie available at Piperlime
Deena & Ozy Eternity Scarf available at Urban Outfitters
Messenger Bag by Zara
Warehouse Jersey Lined Parka available at asos


Wednesday, October 27, 2010

NIKE COMMERCIAL - LEBRON RISE



I think you should give me back the time I wasted watching "The Decision".

Chicago Cyclone

Alright, let's do this. I love all the wonderful sites out there which I have bookmarked under my Daily Reads, Fashion, Shopping, and  Inspiration folders. They truly help when I am trying to visualize what to wear the next day. As I lay in bed and begin to drift off, I can't help but to begin justifying Derek Lam's faux fur vest I was taunted with on style.com. I mean, it looks practical, I'll totally wear it when... when it's too warm for a coat but cold enough for a furry vest?


However, as a young savvy professional living in this Windy City, I cannot wear the whimsical DVF dress featured in September's Vogue or those new knee high boots I overnight shipped from Piperlime today. I had planned to wear something of this sort in my mind but I'm sorry, there are hurricane winds and rain storms on the way and I will need to dress appropriately.


Out come the Hunter rain boots (ok, ok I was dying to wear them anyway), the Anne Klein tote my mother oh-so-generously bestowed upon me in recognition of how necessary an organized yet very accommodating bag would be, and the pants. Which pants? I'm not sure yet. While visualizing my outfits I did not envision a possible cyclone which could elevate my skirt to embarrassing levels as I walk from the State/Monroe Red Line to the office on Franklin.


Here are a few statements I feel are fair enough to publish:

  • Chicago weather is unpredictable. 
  • You check the weather app upon waking up, before you leave la casa, perhaps around/during lunchtime, at the end of your work day, and before setting the alarm for tomorrow morning.
  • Chicago fashion is not as outlandish as New York's or um... "liberal" as California's. I'd say it is a good mix, not ultra conservative but if you think skipping the classy factor in your outfit today is ok... think again.
  • Over the Knee boots are a great statement. But you don't want that kind of statement in the office so let's put them away until Hub51 this weekend.



Let's put together a quick outfit I can hop over puddles with, look presentable in my 10am meeting, and something which will allow me to sit Indian Style at my desk (because we all know this is the true comfort of pants). We must select an outfit consisting of pants which can be tucked into boots for the commute, layers on top for the cold wind and humid, a big bag to carry your work shoes and what nots (perhaps your 401K forms you forgot to bring yesterday), and of course warm and happy accessories because this is going to be a gloomy one.


Taa-daa! Chicago Cyclone Inspired Outfit for the commute...



Hair up! The wind and rain can create a Medusa hairdo within seconds.

Necklace by Me and Ro
Ring by Anthropologie
Cardigan, Tee, and Moto Pants by JCrew
Hunter Boots available at Piperlime
Badgley Mischka 'Kelly' Studded Leather Tote available at Nordstrom