Eye-4-Style

I’m a curious person and like to know what people think and what their habits are. I find it interesting that shoppers can be very rigid in their shopping habits; they may never set foot in Saks Fifth Avenue or Neiman Marcus. They don’t buy from catalogs because of returns. They only shop at certain retailers because they think they can’t afford or won’t find anything in a boutique or higher-end store. I say, don’t limit your choices. There are possibilities everywhere!

I like seeing clothing on models as it’s easy to visualize the outfit on my body, so catalog or on-line shopping is good for that. The larger retailers have made returning items very easy. You usually have a return label and an amount is deducted from your credit. When I calculate time and gas, the amount to return the item is less than what I’d spend on the streets. Just be sure to try on the items right away, keep the original packaging, carefully repackage the item and return as quickly as possible if it doesn’t work.  It is worth it to me when the stores I’m ordering from are further away or “on-line” has sales.

I enjoy going to the boutiques on Oak Street in Chicago.  They are fun to visit and there’s a limited amount of square footage, but you’ll find items there you won’t find elsewhere. If your time is limited, I’d go to Nordstrom or Saks, Macy’s, Bloomingdales. They have your favorite designers under one roof. When visiting Chicago, I plan my time carefully with boutiques and department store shopping. While some labels are out of reach for the average consumer, it’s an adventure to touch and see the fabrics and designs. Believe me, you will see that filter down to your price level in a different fabric, but it makes you aware of what is out there and a better-informed consumer. Try on different brands and designers to find what works for your body type.   Also watch for the “clear it out” sales – I’ve made great purchases at 75% off!

Michael Kors watches

From $180 to $495. Great choices for function and style.

Double-Knit Felt Jacket, Jersey Long-Sleeve Top & Ponte Boot-Cut Pants

Eileen Fisher – great outfit for gal on the go

Faux-Fur-Lined Nylon Wedge Boot $170

Juicy Couture spells fun with these nylon and suede boots

‘The simple elegance of the link bracelet enhanced by the signature stylish logo engraving of MARC by Marc Jacobs.’

At $98, you can order one each silver or gold

We attended a VIP Grammy party hosted by the Louisiana Visitor and Convention Bureau at the year-old Grammy Museum by the the Staples Center, NOKIA Plaza, LA Live, etc. It’s a happenin’ area!

From the rooftop terrace at the Grammy Museum

I wore my tried-and-true Laundry dress, Juicy stockings and Dior shoes. It was a perfect dress to wear as it was cool on the rooftop for cocktails.

We were treated to a mini-concert with the Magnolia Sisters followed by Zachary Richard .                        

During intermission, we toured part of the museum. I could have spent hours there!  Visit the Grammy Museum next time you’re in LA!

A few costumes from Michael Jackson’s collection.

MJ’s famous gloves

A terrific evening!

I’ve decided on the outfit for this party. Worn it before and lots of compliments and it’s funky but not overdone.  At the top of my Blog page, left click on About.  There’s a picture of me wearing the outfit.  You can also click on Contact if you have any questions or comments. More later ……….!

I started on a project today and Grammy fever took over. Two hours later, I have outfits together, but my bedroom and dressing area look like I was hit by a hurricane!

The dress I’m wearing for Grammy night is from alice + olivia. Stacey Bendet started a great line and I find myself purchasing more and more of this NY native’s designs when I’m looking for something fun. I’ll wear this glamorous little black dress with sheer dot stockings by BCBG and Dior high heels.  Accessories: Lori Bonn earrings; bracelets-one being a purple enameled cuff by Kara Ross; eggplant headband with a big rhinestone in the middle of 5” feathers; purple Prada evening bag. Nars makeup and Estee Lauder Black Amethyst nail polish will complete the outfit.

For the flight to LA and a lunch on Saturday, I’m wearing a fuchsia DVF dress with Stuart Weitzman bone heels. I’ll use the same shoes with a black sexy number from INC for Saturday night. Friday night I have a dress from Free People, wearing with patterned tights from Juicy Couture and Michael by Michael Kors Beverly Sandals in genuine snake. Earrings and bracelets by John Hardy.

I’ll be adding to the pile as I think of things the next few days. I’m determined to have one medium size bag. We’ll see!

Meanwhile, it’s stopped raining in Los Angeles.  Let’s hope we have dry weather for the Red Carpet!

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I’ve wanted to blog about this night and maybe this is in time for your New Year’s Eve plans. I was invited to the Nordstrom Christmas Party at Waterside Shops in Naples, Florida, where we were met with champagne, wine and delicious hors’oeuvres . I was able tackle my shopping list and had a grand time while doing so! Anyway, what to wear to this event? I went digging in the closet. Sometimes you hold on to a dress because it’s easy to wear, easy to launder and feels great. I brought out a Laundry by Shelli Segal dress that I’ve had for …well…, let’s just say it’s been a while.  I’d been to Chicago 10 days before the party and at Nordstrom bought a great pair of black Christian Dior heels that are fabulous as well as comfortable.  Juicy by Juicy Couture on Oak Street had fun stockings and leggings and I paired these new purchases with my “back of the closet” dress. The John Hardy earrings and bracelet didn’t overwhelm the look and the little eggplant Prada purse added a nice touch. The whole outfit was a big hit and compliments confirmed I did a good job. So if you haven’t picked up a new outfit for your New Year’s Eve party, maybe it’s time to go shopping in your closet!