Hair Tamers

Either through laziness or a latent desire to look like Rapunzel, my hair is halfway down my back. When I was younger, my long hair was my signature. People would compliment me on it and complain that I didn't wear it out enough. Before my move to New York-- fearful that I would be an easy target in the big, bad city with ponytails and buns-- I cut it off. Short curls reigned for a number of years, but in the last year and a half what was once just in between hair cuts is now my hair style. I'm back to some ponytails and buns. It is summer after all and what feels like a sweater on your neck isn't so welcome. What other ways to tame my mane? Headbands comes back the resounding answer this season, and I wholeheartedly agree.












None online anymore, but my friendly local J. Crew still had lots to tempt me.














For days when I'm too lazy to actually tie a scarf, this has elastic. But please don't call it a doo rag like the site does. Please.













Or for pure retro appeal, head to Target, CVS, Duane Reade for the New Yorkers and pick up all the Goody hair accessories you can get your hands on. In packs of 3 and 6 even!

Style from Across the Pond

I think I'm officially an Anglophile. From the tube to Borough market to the use of "pardon," London was definitely calling me. British women are particularly infatuated with the '80s and I still have mixed feelings about leggings (I don't really envision them on me and only occasionally like them on other women). With oft threatened rain, something those Brit girls do exceedingly well are jackets. In the behemoth that is Topshop, I found a jacket to bring out the British in me (although even cuter in the kelly green I bought):

A trip to Europe not in the budget for this year? The States still has style. Brilliant!

Sexy Secretary

I've been on a serious vintage kick in the last year, partially propelled by a vintage store in my neighborhood that I love. Nearly without fail, I find something to buy in there every time I visit. Golden leather purses, white 3 1/2 inch pumps with ankle straps, and a navy ribbed dress with neck ties have all managed to follow me home. Neck ties are the epitome of sexy secretary, and even if you can't find room in your heart for vintage (an allergy to polyester or a deep fear of "other people's clothes") someone may still ask you to take dictation in one of these:


















The job description for this dress may include a salute:

Flowers, ruffles, and a neck tie...so conservative. Ah, but then there's that all leg.

Suzy Homemaker

Sometimes, I think I was meant to be a 1950s housewife. Not the casserole making kind, but a woman fully invested in her kitchen. I love cooking, but I also love cooking implements. Zesters and strainers and ramekins excite me. I'm all for dressing up my closet but I also love dressing up my cupboard. The bright orange of a Le Creuset dish or the azur of an Emile Henry pasta bowl feels aspirational, but it's style that's attainable and built to last. They are two of the design powerhouses, probably the Yves Saint Laurent and Chanel of cookware (and just as French!). French and cooking, mais oui! But other Europeans (Scandinavians and Italians) catch my eye too. These make Suzy Homemaker want to have a dinner party.

What Does $125 Get You? -- Target Edition

I love Target. I know, you think, who wouldn't ? Rafe and Proenza Schouler abound, but it isn't just the biggest, newest designers that get me excited to go to the store or browse the website. It really is design for less. I've fallen hook, line, and sinker for their tag line. (Someone give that Target account manager at FILL IN THE BLANK advertising agency a raise!). So, how much could $125 get me at Target? Quite a few things. How could any style loving woman not get excited in the face of these?

Enough patent to satisfy the trend, not so much to make me ashamed if I use this next spring:














Knockoffs of the Christian Louboutin wedges abound and Target's are some of the cutest:

And if you're loving yellow for the spring:
















If ever there was a bag to haul to the beach, this would be it:















Maybe for work... definitely for fun:

The Woman I Am Meant to Be

Ever feel like the way you're dressing isn't living up to how phenomenal you are? Every morning, you stand in front of the closet trying to decide between the black pants and the black skirt. And will it be the purple v-neck, the gray v-neck, or the white v-neck? It can be hard to stay creative, and to express who you are in every outfit. Some days you hit it just right, that necklace is from that cute boutique you love and the dress is from that vintage shop where you always find something unique. I've looked through my closet to discover that I've bought pieces solely for what will work at the office rather than things that I really love. I wan to comb through my closet and take those things out, so that I'm me 24/7. When I free up that room, I'd love for these to fill the void.

A Kept Woman

Dear Mom,
I love you. You encouraged me to be strong, smart, and to take little to no mess. You can definitely bring home the bacon and fry it up in the pan. I aspire to be like you, hope to be as amazing as you are when I "grow up."

But what if maybe for a bit of time while I'm finding myself, I let some of that "I am woman, hear me roar" go? What if instead I allowed myself to be a trophy piece, arm decoration to some nice man? This man would, in exchange for witnessing my beauty (No, Mom not THAT beauty!), buy me nice dinners, take me to fancy places, and buy me one of these Goldenbleu bags:




































And Mom, the new Spring/Resort collection on the website is even better:
http://goldenbleu.com/collection.html

Love,
Me

P.S. Maybe I can even get him to buy me two, and you could have one.