Maxi Skirt, Mega Fun

Correct me if I'm wrong, but this perfectly pleated, versatile maxi skirt might be just the perfect thing to wear to, well, just about anywhere.

Less than a week until we reveal this whole line! Do you think we can wait that long?

Ladies Who Brunch

Brunch is basically one of the best meals ever, am I right?

And while a leisurely summer brunch al fresco is certainly a delight, a cozy indoor winter brunch is pretty lovely, too. Especially since you can have a hot chocolate on the side and not look like a total weirdo.

I hosted a bridal shower brunch a couple of weeks ago and tried out a bunch of new recipes that were, well, delicious. If I do say so myself. And they made up one of the best looking brunches I have ever seen.

Wouldn't you agree?

So, because I am just this nice, here are some new brunch recipes to spice up your winter mornings (or early afternoons).

There are these to-die-for orange scones from The Pastry Affair.

Plus this herbed quiche with blue cheese from Martha Stewart.

And you might as well throw in her home fries as well.

But the real winners are these baked cinnamon sugar donuts from Brown Eyed Baker.

For firsts, they're yummy. And for seconds, since they're baked, you can eat as many as you want.

How about you, ladies? (And maybe a few gentlemen.) What do you think of weekend brunch? And what are your favorite brunch stand-bys?

Oscar Watch

The Oscar nominations were announced today and frankly, I didn't find them very exciting.

But, I'm also not one for movies where the main character is a horse. Sorry, but it's true.

I am one for red carpet fashion, though, and the Oscars never disappoint for that. So, until we have a fresh batch of dresses to covet, hate and analyze, here is a recap of some of the hottest Oscar trends of 2011.

There were red hot dresses; I loved Sandra Bullock's neckline and Anne Hathaway's hemline.

There were sparkling nudes; I cannot get enough of those illusion necklines.

There were column gowns; Scarlett Johansson's might have been my all-time favorite of the whole night. The lace! The color! I adored it.

There were purple dresses: done classic and traditional, avant garde and envelope-pushing, lavendar, eggplant or somewhere in between, you can't go wrong with this regal color.

I think 2011 was a pretty good year for the Oscars red carpet, don't you?

What do you think (or hope) 2012 will bring?

Alice In Wonder-Lace

Are you ready for another Thursday treat? And by Thursday treat, I mean another sneak peek at our new Alice In Wonderland-inspired line, launching February 1st.

You are ready, you say?

Well, get ready to count the days, minutes and seconds until you can own this perfectly pretty and proper lace concoction. I know am. I couldn't love it more.

I am already brainstorming places I would wear this divine dress, with a hot date with my husband at the top of the list.

And I bet you are getting the idea that there is a lot more where this came from, so just do your thing and stay tuned. There is even more fabulous coming your way.

She and That Dress

I usually love Zooey Deschanel's flirty, fresh-faced vintage style (see Exhibits A, B, and C)...

... but she went a different kind of retro for this year's Golden Globes and, after an initial double-take, I think I'm digging it.

She definitely has the frame to pull off such a slender silhouette, and I like how even though it was out of her ruffled-and-full-skirted-norm, her bouffant hair and vamp make-up and the mod geometric detailing were still a little bit of a throwback. Plus, it all made her look like a for real, grown-up movie star, which was kind of nice, too.

I think I'd be disappointed if this became her norm, but for now it was a refreshing change of pace.

Or so say I. What do you think?

Patch Job

I am on the lookout for a sweater with elbow patches.

I decided that I wanted one so now I am going to find one and that will be that and I can move on with my life. I sort of like the idea of a solid sweater with a patterned patch, though a patterned sweater with a solid patch would be all right, I suppose, if I found the right one.

I found a whole slew of options through ShopStyle, some favorites of which include:

This simple (and cheap!) elbow patch cardigan from Forever 21...

This slightly utilitarian worker cardigan with matching blue elbow patches...

And this cinched at the waist cardigan with contrasting pockets and elbow patches... (though I would probably never pay that much for a sweater)...

There is also always the blazer route, like this one from Esprit via Overstock.com, but I am never sure whether or not I am a person who can pull of a blazer with jeans or a casual skirt as a weekend outfit. Maybe I can make a new year's resolution to find out?

What about you, fashionistas? What do you think of the elbow patch trend, and do you have any patchy favorites?

Thursday Tea... For Two?

Thursdays can be a bit of a bummer, no? So close to the weekend and yet so far, with all the days that have come before weighing you down.

I feel you.

Which is why I decided to spice up your Thursday with this little treat. I won't say much, but I will say that Shabby Apple is launching a new line in the neighborhood of February 1st and it's going to look something like this.

Thursday doesn't seem so bad anymore, eh?

Stay tuned for more!

These Boots Were Made For Walking

Winter is boot season and that is all there is to it.

But it can be hard to build up a good boot collection because they are usually so expensive. So every winter I find myself really excited to break out my stored boots, only to be sick of them a few months (OK, weeks) later.

(Have we talked about this before?)

So, imagine my delight when, while perusing on Pinterest (I am figuring that thing out. Sort of) I came across this link to UrbanOG, a purveyor of stylish and ridiculously inexpensive boots! A winter dream come true!

(Just for the record, they have lots of other cool things, too. But for today we are talking about boots. My blog, my rules.)

These red riding boots are pretty snazzy, if I do say so myself.

But there are also plenty of more traditional (not to mention versatile) options.

These black knotted slouchy boots seem like a good option for going from work to play.

These tan wedge boots seem like a classy and comfy option.

And there is something really appealing and edgy-slash-sweet about these gray oxford lace-up boots.

You can even get a pair of actually stylish snow boots!

Are you just swimming in the possibilities? What is your must-have boot? And what new must-haves did you find here?

Risky Business

Are you still looking for something to spice up your new year? Maybe something to work up to as the months go on?

Well, look no further than these Five Fun Fashion Risks for 2012.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Right?

These all seem tame enough that you won't feel like a total outsider rocking them in every day life, but edgy enough that the every day won't seem so ordinary anymore.

Here is a quick synopsis:

1. Anything tangerine. It's the Pantone color of the year after all.

2. The assymetric skirt. I still think it looks a little strange, but it might grow on us.

3. Artisan necklaces. Like the bib, only better.

4. Colored lace. By far my favorite of all the options.

5. Printed pants. Not much more to say about it than that, I think.

Whatever you fancy, there's certainly something there to get everyone started on a little wardrobe adventure for 2012. So tell us, what trend can't you wait to try out this year?

House of Windsor

As you might recall, I have a strict no coveting resolution. So I won't be tempting myself by checking back daily to see what gems there are at Windsor, but you might consider it.

I mean, you'll consider it if you love adorable clothes for really unbelievable prices.

And I don't see why you wouldn't.

I mean, I can't imagine that you wouldn't be tempted by a cozy, cable knit sweater for under $20.

Or a versatile black-and-white striped pencil skirt (and that waistband!) for under $30.

And surely you wouldn't say no to a pair of sensible and stylish buckle boots for a mere $32.90.

With this much style for so little money, even a sworn non-coveter like me might make a few purchases with a clear conscience. Either way, I really can't get enough of this new find!

What do you think of Windsor? Any favorites among the mix?