Ciblek Mania

Fall fashion is in full force and I've been having so much fun checking out your wish lists and swooning over the fabulous items you've been thinking about.  The other day Alicia at Cheetah is the New Black caused my eyes to well up when she wore her fabulous fur vest.  I haven't compiled an entire wish list for fall because, well, I don't really have to.  Fur is basically it.  All of it.  Yes, the entire list.  Faux fur is the way I go and not just because of budget...it all stems back to the time I rescued a rabbit from a daycare and it became my pet for reals (but that's another story for another time).  Last year I picked up an adorable fur vest and jacket from Juicy Couture, and then it rained so much in Southern California I couldn't even wear them (suffice it to say soggy faux fur is not the new black).  In hindsight I'm kind of grateful because I feel like I've got a bit of a headstart in the fur department for this season.  There's so much out there to choose from I thought I'd pick some of my latest favorites and share them with you.  One thing is for certain - fur is a major part of this fall's top picks.  I found it on handbags, boots, collars, entire coats, gloves, hats, and the list goes on.  I even found this Cat in the Hood Hat over at Modcloth - um, kinda want it.  Badly.

How are you feeling about the fur/faux fur trend?  Are you planning on incorporating it, or simply admiring it from afar? Perhaps you even dislike it *say it isn't so!*


Starting in upper left corner and moving clockwise:  Halston Heritage - Faux Fur Vest, Guess - Bountiful Ankle Boot, Rebecca Taylor - Faux Fur Cheetah Coat, Alexander Wang - Polina Fur Ankle Boot, Anna Sui - Faux Fur Cropped Jacket, BB Dakota - Janika Faux Fur Vest, Topshop - Leopard Vintage Faux Fur Coat, Jeffrey Campbell - Dana 2, (center) Loeffler Randall - Faux Fur Military Jacket

I'm not exactly sure belts ever left, but for several years now they have definitely taken the back seat in my closet.  When I was finishing up University I had the pleasure of working for Gap International as it expanded into Canada.  Those were some of the most fun years of my early career because of the intense entrepreneurial and creative environment.  Once finished school, I accepted a full-time position with the company that ultimately launched my career into Retail, Fashion and, ultimately, Corporate Consulting.  The  years I spent with Gap are synonymous with the phrase "cinch it!".  That was only funny for so long...subconsciously I think it whispered "death to belts" for me.  Once everyone is doing or wearing something - I just don't want to anymore.  I guess it's the free bird in me.

In the past year or so belts have been catching my eye again.  They seem so much more interesting and, as a result, can really be statement pieces in any outfit.  Whether skinny or wide, embellished or plain - belts seem to once more be a great finishing touch, and have taken on a whole new and fresh appeal - at least to me anyway!


I can't polyvore worth a hoot, but these belts most definitely encompass some of my favorite styles.  They can be worn over dresses, rompers or jumpsuits - some even with denim or a wide-leg trouser.   I tried to include a mix of prices to show that retailers and wholesalers, as well as designers, are doing their best to provide a little something for all of us.  

Are you incorporating belts into your wardrobe?  Have you noticed the rebirth of the belt?

Line 1 (top L-R):  Urban Outfitters - Double Strap Stud Belt, Linea Pelle - Split Belt with Studs
Line 2:  ASOS - Super Wide Elastic Belt, Topshop - Lace Detail Elastic Belt
Line 3:  Topshop - Multi Strand and Stud Belt, All Saints - Cassandra Wide Waisted Belt
Line 4  Vionnet - Leather Self-Tie Belt, Mango - Leather Obi Belt

With Memorial Day weekend officially marking the beginning of summer comes the grim reality that it's time to start thinking about the swimsuit.  This time the actual bikini is not what's getting me down (thankfully the painful process of finding a couple happened late in the season last year - she types while wiping sweat from brow), but rather getting myself from home to beach or poolside and everywhere in between suitably clothed.  I'm just not that girl who strolls the streets and shops of my beachtown in only the bikini, and you won't find me riding a beach cruiser in one either.  So, like clockwork, every year around this time I begin to visualize a classy, fun and simple beach cover-up that will take me from home to watery tanning destination.  While combing through sites last night in search of "the one", I realized why my cover-up tends to almost always consist of a t-shirt and cut-offs...


...a lot of chic numbers that slide over swimsuits are pretty pricey!  Despite that, I did select some classic shapes we could all live with and now just have to go comb Gap, Old Navy, Target and the like to find their less expensive cousins :)  If you have found a great cover-up or two please feel free to share the details.  This is one journey I'd like to cut back on!! (but will probably fall slightly off the wallet for anyway, knowing me)

There is one word to describe the current weather in Southern California:  damp.  When weather conditions are overcast and cool my mind immediately goes to impeccable outerwear because there are few things I hate worse than being cold and bundling up in bulky layers.  Ugh.  One of my favorite pieces of outerwear is a Club Monaco trench coat I bought a few years back.  It cuts the cold and allows me to dress simply and comfortably while still keeping warm.  This afternoon when I pulled it out of the closet to wear on an errand it got me wondering what's currently out there in Trench.

After pouring over sites here are some of my favorites.  It's great to see the classics as well as the patterns, prints and hardware that make each piece unique.  Of course Burberry is still out there killing it, but I actually tried on the Gryphon Chain Trench yesterday and, despite a bit of weight around the neck, it is amazing.  If I found $700 worth of change in the couch cushions it is exactly what I would be spending it on.  How about you?