Eileen Fisher for Fall, Beautiful, Comfortable and Always Sustainable...

There many reasons to love Eileen Fisher.  The superficial reasons being that the colors are sumptuous and feel amazing on your body.  And I must admit that I thought for a long time that Eileen Fisher was for a much older set of women, but the truth is, her garments are ultra-flattering on every body type and can go through a casual weekend to a night on the town.

The bigger and more important reasons to love EF are the fact that her products and practices work toward sustaining the environment.  Eileen Fisher also supports women through "social initiatives that address their well-being".  They also have a set of business practices that act responsibly with regard for human rights.  That being said, I guess I've grown up too, because these are things that really do matter and if I can support the world while supporting the clothes on my back, then I also become part of this positive change.

Each Fall, I love to feature some of the beautiful clothes that are coming in online and in stores such as Nordstrom and Saks.  I've recently dropped a healthy chunk of change for some amazing pieces that will extend from season to season.

With colors like Storm, Sienna, Cranberry, Cinnabar, African Violet and Dark Blueberry, it is hard not to completely succumb to Fall.  The beautiful thing about all the pieces from EF is that they are interchangeable and perfect for layering.  Eileen Fisher's design values connect through:  "Simple. Sensual. Beautiful. Timeless. and Functional."  I couldn't have said it better myself (hee!).

Here are a few of my favorites:

Fold-over maxi skirt

Drape neck slouchy top

1.  The drape neck slouchy top in fine gauge cashmere (favorite color, Sienna)
2.  The Fold-over maxi skirt in Viscose Jersey (favorite color, Olive)
3.  The Scoop neck shirred dress in cotton steel stretch (favorite color, Cranberry)
4.  The Fair Trade poncho wrap in organic cotton links (color, Ash)
5.  The Long Cocoon cardigan in royal alpaca (favorite color, Greengold)

Fair trade poncho wrap

Scoop neck shirred dress

I could go on and on.  The pieces are expensive, but worth every penny once you understand the principles that the Company follows and the design aesthetic that clearly makes you feel like a woman no matter what your age or what your body type is.  I'm hooked and after this weekend can honestly say that I am a cult follower (or at least my pocket book shows it!).

Long cocoon cardigan

Happy Fall and let me know if you have favorite Eileen Fisher pieces.

Cheers.

J. Crew's Runway Debut at NYFW...vogue.com!

 "J.Crew has gone from being a preppy brand with a beautifully shot catalogue to a quirkily preppy brand with a beautifully shot catalogue and a significant voice in the conversation on American style . Sure, it might not be pushing capital-F fashion forward, but it is influencing and, one could argue, changing the way real women dress. So why not show in Lincoln Center during New York Fashion Week?"

Photograph by J. Crew

Photograph by J. Crew

Photograph by J. Crew

Need I say more?  Absolutely beautiful J. Crew's 2012 Spring Preview from vogue.com by Emily Holt.  Marissa Webb (now the former head of women's design) describes this as nautical with "crisp greens and blues perhaps inspired by the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas she sailed during a recent holiday."  "Reds and oranges are thrown in the mix too, as is Françoise Hardy, for her feminine-slash-tomboy aesthetic."


Webb also describes two evolutions 1) of the "dorky mid-calf skirt lengths and 2) "sequins in saturated brights for spring, as opposed to the sophisticated, if not muted metallics of late."

September 13, 2011 3:28 a.m

For me it is just as much about the styling and accessories as it is the beautiful clothes.  It could be a lovely scarf or bright bangle  which can stand alone just as beautiful or be layered up for a more eclectic feel.  I like the obvious print mixing whether it is polka dots over a plaid print and also color blocking, one of my favorites for this season.  I am really excited about Spring 2012 (could we just fast forward through Winter?).  Seriously!

I also like the subtle sophistication of some of the Collection pieces too.  It makes me feel like J. Crew as I remember the brand (too long ago I'm afraid), has grown up and has landed in so many of our closets like a crazy cult favorite.  A woman can never have enough pencil skirts and lollipop colored cashmere.

So, I am glad that J. Crew made it to FW.  As the article described, "J. Crew may not be pushing capital F-fashion forward", but they are definitely "influencing".  I don't know about you, but I would consider myself a modern woman and my closet is filled with plenty-o-pieces from J. Crew.  Are you a loyal follower?  Cheers.

Fresh Faces for Fall...

I am inspired again, not from fashion week's clothing (well that too!), but also from the fresh faces that continue to be a trend including those makeup tricks from J. Crew and showcased on the blog J. Crew}770 Behind the Line.

In addition to the bright pops of color which we seeing from many designers, the clean color palette is just breathtaking.  J. Crew describes the need for a fresh, "blank" palette using in foundation that covers the skin but allows each model's real skin shine through.  J. Crew uses Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer to accomplish this with a touch of luminizer on the cheekbones and "bow of the lips".

I certainly don't have flawless skin, but now that I am a bit older, I would rather focus on good cleansing and moisturizing instead of covering it up with foundation and powders.  I have posted before on my favorite skincare regimen and it starts with Clarins.  The products that I use continually include:  Gentle Foaming Cleanser with Cottonseed, Bright Plus HP Brightening Hydration Day Lotion with 20 SPF and Bright Plus HP Brightening Repairing Night Cream.  And of course I use just about every other product from Clarins including the marvelous toners, serums and body oils and moisturizers.  I never used to be a one product brand woman, but I am very hooked on this line.  And the products smell absolutely feminine and beautiful.

Another trick of the trade from J. Crew includes pulling the hair tight into a sleek ponytail.  This is also a favorite trick of mine because it lifts your face and really allows for your best features to shine through whether that is your cheekbones, nose and/or eyes as examples.  I love to use the Goody hairbands in natural color to match my hair.  And then as J. Crew also illustrates, use the Elnett hairspray.  In my opinion, there is no better hairspray and I use "Extra Hold".  The beauty of this hairspray is that it makes your hairstyle look natural and not too product heavy and it is easy enough to brush through if you need to re-style.

Over at racked.com, they share this trend from Herve Leger showing the fresh faces and slicked back and smooth ponytails.  While these designers are showing this for Spring, I love it for F/W as well because it gets us out of the "covering up" and again, allows for best features to shine-through.

Blog.Temptu.com shows that featuring eyes with a subtle face turns out to be a beautiful option for Fall/Winter makeup.  Trends here illustrate using a strong liner or an unusual color such as "pumpkin" or what they are featuring as "spider eyes".  With this trend, they suggest throwing out and perception of "good" mascara, but rather use multiple layers for a "thicker, more intense" look for Fall/Winter.

I personally love this because it really plays up the eyes and then I follow with very minimalistic makeup for the cheeks and lips.  I use more of a nude look for those features.

Photo Credit: Sean Cunningham

From Harper's BAZAAR "Sitting Pretty:  Checkout Fall's Best Beauty Trends" we see similar trends including the slicked back ponytail, a metallic eye or a "towering undo", all trends which really showcase the face.

I hope this gave you some ideas for Fall and Winter right around the corner.  I really loved how so many of the designers showcased a more natural palette and less about trends makeup and hair.  With these trends, I feel like it allows for each of us to play up our best features.  Do you have any favorite makeup or beauty regimens you would like to share?  Happy Fall.
Cheers.

Trends Im Loving.

Trends Im Loving. by crewcat featuring a plum handbag

J crew

J crew (clipped to polyvore.com)

Kate Spade's Blog, Behind the Curtain - Bring On September!

If you haven't been here (although surely you must have), check out Kate Spade's Blog Behind the Curtain.

Each month a beautiful color is featured and I love September's as Ruby.  Check out five ways to wear Ruby.  I love the cooper square kaley in the prettiest, shiny ruby which is one shoulder bag that could carry you right through the holidays (love, love).

Kate's blog is one of my absolute favorites with bright beautiful colors that represent true charm and sophistication.  It is truly a joy to both "Shop" and "Play" which the site coins so cheerily.  While I am a Kate Spade loyal, this site brings plenty of interest from fashion to favorite travel spots.

Speaking of charm, could this shoe named Linette be any more beautiful (right)!  I seriously wish I had somewhere to wear these little beauties!  Not quite ruby, but described as amethyst suede -- I'll take it!

Make a visit, it will brighten your day and see if you can go without purchasing even a little note card!

Cheers.

Life Is An Adventure

Life Is An Adventure by crewcat featuring short sleeve t shirts

Beautiful Classic, Chanel No. 5...

Timeless, feminine, beautiful, elegant, sensual ...need I say more.  If you are a fan of Chanel No. 5, then you also likely know that it comes in a fabulous purse spray which in my case I recently picked up at Nordys.  This has seriously become my favorite "pick-me-up" and has the most smashing, sleek spray along with two companion refills.

If you have not tried No. 5, I recommend that you do.  I have always loved "Coco" which has a always reminded me of Fall and I wear right through Winter.  No. 5 was a favorite only most recently and I adore.

How about a fun fact.  One bottle of Chanel No. 5 is sold every thirty seconds and is the number one selling fragrance in the world.*  It was created for Coco herself in 1921 by Ernest Beaux.  The scent composition is*:

• Top note – Ylang-Ylang and Neroli
• Heart note – Grasse Jasmine and May Rose
• Base note – Sandalwood and Vanilla

*Facts from Beauty Suite 101 written by Dulcinea Norton Smith.