Fashion for the “Golden” Girls

Boy, I really can’t help myself. Since I work with fashion, I find myself critiquing what people wear, no matter where I see them. And that includes the 2010 Olympic games.

What was the deal with the ski outfits that the female freestyle skiers wore in their events? Guess they must have lost the coin toss with the Alpine skiers. That cute Hannah Kearney (didn’t she look adorable with her pigtails!) looked like she was wearing a pair of baggy old pajamas while Lindsey Vonn and her teammates looked all sleek and glammed up in their skiwear.

Does anyone know how the USA team picks their gear? And if there’s some reason why the Alpine skiers got the better part of the fashion deal? Are they dressed for speed and the free-stylers dressed for protection? Not that it seemed to matter, both women won GOLD even if one of them, in my opinion, didn’t hit the jackpot style-wise!

By AEL

Dress for work success

When we go out what we wear tells the world who we are!
Today the trend is towards a more relaxed atmosphere in the workplace giving us more options about what to wear. Since our choice of clothing has an impact on our personal reputation, we need to be careful not to be too free when it comes to our work attire even when we have the option to be very relaxed. This can leave room for a misstep.

For example on an episode of "How Do I Look?" the other evening, the
mid-twenties woman was wearing things she had since age 4.
She was a graphic artist, and the host presented her work to a group of
Industry professionals. They loved it. However, when they met her, she
was dressed in her typical child's clothing and had cat ears in her hair.
They immediately discounted her as a potential candidate.

Though we are dressing for comfort we can still be very stylish. We can assert a little bit of individuality and personal style while at the same time staying one step ahead of the expected. It’s ok to throw in some fun, unexpected pieces. Know the trends. Keep an eye out for the special trend that is just right for you. This can boost our confidence.

“While clothes may not make the woman, they certainly have a strong effect on her self-confidence - which, I believe, does make the woman.”Mary Kay Ashe

I thought the styles below would be a great choice for a graphic artist.

By JAM

Fashion Week (weak for fashion!)

Right now in the Creative Department, where we design the catalogs & emails you receive (and also where I work), we are just wrapping up all of the summer books and starting to come up with ideas, or as we call them internally, concepts, for fall. And let me tell you… there is some good, no GREAT, stuff coming your way! Because we work ahead of the actual calendar, I often find myself brainstorming about swimwear stories during Christmas and writing about holiday gifts in mid July. It is a funny way to work that does take some getting used to, but once you do, it is a blast!

So I guess, In my mind I’m right in line with the Fall 2010 Fashion Shows that have been showing in NYC and London these past two weeks. I already have a mental list of my must-haves for this coming fall & winter (a shearling jacket!). Like this one, on sale now at Chadwicks






But before I get too ahead of myself I am going to enjoy the warm weather and work on my spring shopping (getting the items I’ve been scouting since last September…finally)! And first on my list: this fun Python-Print Dress, it's a sophisticated way to embrace the safari/tribal trend and lucky for me it's also on SALE... let the spring shopping begin!

Shoes, shoes, shoes...

I only own 5 pairs of shoes, some dress shoes, casual shoes, sandals and sneakers. My wife on the other hand, has more than I can count. Shoes in the kitchen closet, shoes in the bedroom closet, shoes in bins stored in the basement. I understand the argument (well, maybe I just accept the argument), that she needs multiple options depending on her mood and outfit styling- but when do you reach the limit of options. At some point, she just starts re-buying the same type of shoe that is only slightly different from another pair she owns.

Meanwhile, I wear the same shoes until they no longer function- then I’m forced to go out and replace them. My shoes get years of use, hers get maybe 6 months before they are put away.

It’s great that Chadwicks has such a wide variation of shoes for her to browse. She can even find style of shoes she doesn’t already own.

Reunion Outfit

My 8^th aunt called me the other night for a family reunion that will take place in this coming summer in Toronto. In my memory, a family reunion is usually a serious event in which we all have to dress up 80% formally and 20% casually. Since I will be representing my parents, who are only willing to take flight within 2-hr distance, I’d better start thinking about what I am gonna wear for the family reunion.

According to my mom’s rules, I should wear dress/skirt that can cover my knee during the family reunion. No jeans, no pants, no sleeveless top & no open-toe heels.

Here's my outfit plan:

Skirt Suit: Even though those flower sandals look amazing with the skirt suit, I will have to pick other heels this time :(

Here are the heels that I am thinking about....

Name Your Color

Ever wonder how retailers determine the names of the season’s colors? I know I have! The name can tell so much about the product. Daffodil is one of our new spring colors, and it just screams SPRING IS AROUND THE CORNER! The color Palm reminds of a beach with swaying palm trees, very far away from Boston. Clover makes me think of green grass and Red Pepper sounds spicy! All of these are so appropriate whether it’s for new spring styles or sassy sweater dresses.

A Weekend of Celebrating and Loving You

A major event this weekend is Valentine's Day. So it gets me thinking, even though it's not as important of a holiday as the other one's, it's about the celebration of love and all of it's variations. We are not just celebrating our relationships with our boyfriends or husbands, but sisters, girlfriends, cousins or whoever we provide caring, love and support for all year long. (Our parents already have designated holidays so that's why they're not listed and everyday seems like a holiday for our children so they do not count.) What about loving yourself? I mean really, who provides love and support to you more than yourself?-YOU! All too often we get caught up caring for others and not ourselves. It is not selfish to recognize our own self worth once and a while and to celebrate it, indulge a little!

To pay homage to loving myself, I will have a weekend of "Loving Me" and treat myself to a few things I've been wanting for a while now and just haven't had the excuse to indulge. Of coarse I will have a few little surprises for some loved ones this weekend but I will spoil myself a little this weekend as well. I think you and I both deserve a little me time once in a while and this Valentines Day is the perfect occasion! So let's celebrate. I cheated and started early this morning on my first self indulgent treat. I made myself a red velvet Valentines Day cake!! Since no one in my family likes this cake I made it for me and me only! The cake is quite easy to make and the recipe and directions are as follows:

Ingredients:

• 1 yellow cake mix
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup oil
• 1 Tbsp. white vinegar
• 2 oz. red food coloring (2 large bottles -- yes, the whole bottle)
• 8 oz. cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 cup frozen whipped topping (such as Cool Whip), thawed
• 2-4 Tbsp. water
• Valentines day sprinkles
  

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray two 9-inch round cake pans or a 9 x 13 pan with cooking spray.
2. With an electric mixer, beat cake mix, eggs, sour cream, buttermilk, oil, vinegar and food coloring together on high for two minutes.
3. Pour batter into prepared cake pan(s). Bake 28 to 32 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
4. Let cool completely, then frost.
   

For Frosting:

1. Beat cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth.
2. Beat in powdered sugar. Stir in whipped topping.
3. Add just enough water to make icing spreadable.
   

This is I certainly did enjoy eating this cake!

My second gift to myself will be purchasing a new outfit or two! It's been to long time since I've indulged on new clothing and I can really use a new spring wardrobe. Chadwick's has just released their New Spring Collection featuring over 150 NEW STYLES and you can bet today is going to be one of those carefree easy stay at home shopping days! The New Collection can be seen here. Happy Valentines Day ladies! Enjoy and indulge a little, you are worth it!

I would love to hear ideas of things you do to celebrate you.