The Not So Neutral - fashion a la mode

For most of us, the winter season is that time of year where we go nuts for neutral colored pieces. Beige, grey, black, cream, you name it. In my case, I think I even go a bit overboard when stocking up on these wardrobe "staples". But March arrives tomorrow (for me spring is nothing but a dream in my far future, hello Minnesota snowstorm!) so as you can imagine, I am longing for some color to spice up my life and take me to that imaginary beach that I won¹t be going to...yet at least.  Just our luck and thank goodness- these days, stores are bursting with rainbows of color, so much so that it literally lifts my spirits walking in a store. (Unfortunately, this is not an exaggeration, poor passersby probably think I'm nuts.) Some of this season¹s hottest colors are absolutely gorgeous- bright tangerine, solar-power yellow, bright, cabaret pink, soft teal, and cobalt blue.  No matter where you reside or what the temperature is outside, there is no need to wait to experiment with these eye pleasing colors. Don¹t just let your eyes feast on the bright colors in the store front windows and mannequins! Invest in a few eye catching brights to liven up that monotone closet and perhaps, melt away those winter blues (and this snow?) If you have a tan sweater, throw on a tangerine scarf, belt or what the heck, tangerine pants! Don¹t hesitate to try a new color you have never worn before,you never know, rocking bold colors might even renew your optimism and energy in your life!
 

Here's to hoping.
-R

Wednesday a la Mode (Round 2)

Mondays. Monday. Mondays. Literally the bane of most of our existence. But not this Monday. Why you must ask are we this positive in a time where pessimism usually reigns? Well my friends, Randi and I are back. We are going to start out by saying that we let you down with that last pitiful attempt at a blog which most of our friends raved about. Life got in the way, or maybe we just got lazy… (I can safely assume on my end, the lazy factor had a big part). But we are back and promising that this will be an upstanding page to check weekly with our insight into fashion, music and entertainment. I mean lets face it; we’re both in the real world now… I think we have a little more insight (and a little more income to further that insight) than we did before. PLUS, we swore on my iPhone’s Bible app that we would bring you at least a few blogs a week, so you know we can’t be going against our omniscient Father... As we were discussing our new and improved Wednesday a la Mode over some fantastic Pei Wei (which if you haven’t been- you’re an idiot, go NOW) we came up with some pretty fantastic ideas and are really excited about this new chapter in our online ventures, as well as our lives.

Upon finishing our meals, we read our fortune cookies, after finishing the cookie of course (old traditions die hard), and the fortunes definitely rang true to our new goals: “Success is a journey not a destination”, and “An exciting opportunity lies ahead”. If those don’t say “get this started” I don’t know what does.

So bring it on Blogger, the Jersey Queen and I are back to stay, and we’re looking to take over this damn site. (I may be a bit excited but bear with me…. As y’all know, I’m overly excited, not witty, so this is all I had to offer you).

Peace and Blessings, and we’ll see you on Wednesday. I mean this is called Wednesday a la Mode isn’t it? ~N 

winter a la mode

Winter is here. Snow is not.  Regardless, we press onward into the holiday season, dreaming of cable knit sweaters, delicious warm beverages, and a stroll through our (imaginary) winter wonderland.  Dream on, my friends. If your a sucker for all things cozy like me,  here's some festive imagery to inspire you this Christmas.

fringe on- fashion a la mode

Ah, so blogging has come to a stand still for a solid week.  The leave of absence, however, didn’t mean our wheels have not been spinning.  What initiated this recent exploration into the world of “fringe” was my landlord’s jacket that has been hanging in the garage since we moved into our humble abode (pictured below).  This white, somewhat hilarious, fringed jacket often has me wondering, could one of us actually rock this? Well, it may be a stretch (It does belong to a male) but it was the muse that had me looking into different ways fringe is being worn in spring 2011.

Fringe is being featured this spring 2011 and being worn in a sleek and smooth form (sorry for those of us like me who love flappers, the roaring 20’s and literature like the Great Gatsby.)  But no worries, fringe is being displayed through jewelry, shoes, purses, shoes and other forms so feel free to get creative in your selection process.

Nate's Jacket he left in our garage.

topshop

urban outfitters

urban outfitters

topshop

topshop

urban outfitters

Roses Are Red, Unless They Are Gold- fashion a la mode

Every season we are left playing the same game we played the season before. Guessing which of the metals we will be wearing. I was told a couple years back, while on a shopping trip in Nordstrom, that silver was not my metal. Mind you, I was wearing silver rings, earrings and a watch. Ouch. Every since that fateful day, I have tossed all of my silver to the side for the other metal, gold. I wear my great-grandmother’s gold ring on my right hand ring finger every day, and resort to gold necklaces, charm bracelets and earrings when I wear jewelry out. A lot of my friends will comment and say that I am one of the only people that wear gold, it’s an “old” thing… whatever that means. Well- listen up friends. Gold is in and it is big. Ha.

Tiffany&Co.

Rose gold jewelry has taken the Spring 2011 jewelry scene by storm, leaving all the silver to sit in your jewelry boxes and tarnish for now. More exotic and feminine than the usual yellow gold we are all used to seeing, rose gold comes in style in big statement pieces. Heavy necklaces, huge watches and hefty earrings in the classy shade of gold are everywhere. Urban Outfitters, Bloomingdales, J. Crew and Tiffany’s are among the stores carrying these must-have accessories. Michael Kors’ rose-gold Glitz Watch is stunning, if you can only buy one piece, try and find that or something similar.

Michael Kors

Forever 21

I am left smiling really big over this, I am finally able to wear all of my “old” gold jewelry and blend right in with the spring trends that I am hoping carries over to summer, fall, winter…

Taking Charge of the City- fashion a la mode

Olivia Palermo, famous for being American socialite, model, and cast member of the reality television show, The City, has recently been named one of the 50 most stylish New Yorkers on stylecaster.com.  After stumbling across this article, I proceeded to search the web to get a peek at what she has been wearing in 2011.  (I mean, is she worth all the hype?)  Ah, what I found out is that she is indeed a fashion icon and worthy of recognition.  She seems to be right on board with the new fashion trend of pretty feminine things and such including high-waisted skirts (long and short), fun floral prints and flouncy sleeves (and look at her in those maxis). You name it, she is debuting on the streets of the big apple.  Check out some of these recent snapshots of Olivia and you too might be convinced.  

50 Most Stylish New Yorkers

So yeah, most of us don't all get the paycheck that socialites and MTV star's receive, however with a little guidance from our ever so helpful blog, we too can take charge of our city (watch out Arden Hills!...I mean that's a city too.)

 

Better With Age- music a la mode

Tuesdays. Tuesdays are so good for us music lovers. The coveted “Free on iTunes” from Starbucks comes out every Tuesday and you better believe I am not going through the drive-through to get my Americano these days. Also on Tuesdays, new music is released on iTunes itself. This past Tuesday, famed English songwriter Adele, released her new album “21” and I am impressed.

In 2007, we were introduced to the bluesy sound of “Hometown Glory”, Adele’s first single. Instantly, people were hooked by the then 19 year old who seemed to come out of nowhere. In 2008, she released her creatively titled “19”. This album, and her appearance on SNL later that year, lead to her winning the coveted Best New Artist and Female Vocalist of the Year awards at the Grammy’s in 2009. Some of us still haven’t gotten “Chasing Pavements” out of our heads…

“21” is a little bit different than “19”, think classical meets country meets contemporary roots meets blues (the country came from her touring in the American south where she blames Rascal Flatts and chain smoking to her new country addiction). But the CD still has all the punch the first album had. She has a breakup under her belt, and has kicked her drinking habit that went along with this boy. Her first single “Rolling in the Deep” already made VH1’s Top 20, at number one, in the beginning of this month. And “Someone Like You” has been climbing those UK charts furiously and fast. According to the Official Charts Company (I didn’t know there was such a thing) Adele is the first artist, since the Beatles in 1964, to have two top five hits at the same time in both the Singles and Albums categories.

Wow. Looks like she does get better with age. This self-proclaimed “heartbroken soul” singer, certainly shouldn’t have a broken heart after learning that. 

Outside the Lulu Box- fashion a la mode

While in yoga this morning, I was really struggling with focus. It could have been that I hardly got any sleep last night so I was tired or the fact that I could hear tons of cars whooshing past the windows outside. Whatever it was, I found myself not focusing on the music, my breathing techniques or my vinyasa poses, but focusing on the other people in the class, and their clothes…

Now usually, I would sit here and preach about how wonderful Lululemon is. They are, seriously. They can turn boring black pants into a fashion statement and make you look good while you sweat in a room that is 98 degrees. I will admit I am a little biased and usually choose that brand before looking at anything else when at the Corepower Yoga Studios, or I scoot over to West End and go to their big shop. But today, I saw a lot of really great stuff that didn’t have the beloved stylized ‘A’ embroidered on the side.  So after class, there I was, the girl in the locker room asking all these strangers who were trying to get ready and get out of there, what they were wearing. (Imagine how uncomfortable they must have felt as I was approaching them while undressing and trying to dry off from our Hot Yoga Fusion class- my apologies but HEY it’s all for the blog!) The majority of women I asked (unfortunately I couldn’t go into the men’s locker room and ask them) said they were wearing a brand called prAna. Instantly I came back to my apartment and began some online shopping. I went to their website and the first thing I see is a picture of someone rock climbing with a quote saying, “Tell me, what it is you plan to do with your one wild and precious life”. I actually might use this quote in the future.

prAna has good stuff. From yoga clothes to other active lifestyle clothing, they seem to have everything a man, woman and child could want. Cool colors and patterns and all fairly well priced, it’s a yogi’s dream website! I realized that I even own some of their ‘Burnout’ headbands, without even knowing it was this brand. (The headbands, by the way are a great purchase. My unruly, sweaty hair is kept in place my whole practice with these.)

prAna is an ancient Sanskrit word that means vitality of the spirit, life and breath, and all of their clothes are organic and fair-trade. Makes you feel good while looking good while doing something good for your body. prAna is an all around good brand that I am happy I looked into, even if I did ruffle a few feathers while finding it.