Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 2:22PM I love this sweater, and I've long been a fan of Nili Lotan (and it goes without saying, J. Crew), but this is not exactly a J. Crew price point. Back in the day, one shopped at J. Crew in the hopes of finding something designer-comparable at prices the populace could afford. Where to now?
J. Crew| Nili Lotan 
Monday, February 20, 2012 at 5:00PM It's easy to get lost in such a sea of stunning neutrals. Catch a glimpse of Diane von Furstenberg's spring 2012 collection and prepare to be swept away. Her dresses are infinitely wearable, decidedly feminine and often, something to covet. Yet, they are also accessible, which makes purchasing one not only a necesary indulgence, but a wise investment. If the concept of eye catching and head turning appeal to you, be it for the office, cocktails at eight or an impromptu island getaway, perfection is just a dress away. 
The Maizah Dress by Diane von Furstenberg, $398
The Sarita Tulle Lace Dress by Diane von Furstenberg, $465
The Nula Dress by Diane von Furstenberg, $398
The Arlene Dress by Diane von Furstenberg, $468
The Kinaya Wrap Dress by Diane von Furstenberg, $425
Sunday, November 20, 2011 at 9:47PM 
What a little hipstamatic snowbird my girl is going to be on the slopes this winter. These funky snowpants from Hanna Andersson are just what the proverbial snow doctor ordered. Enough of the solid color bib overall blues with those (yawn) "fast" flames that seem to epitomize edgy in kids' outerwear these days. Whether your little darling is skiing, building a snowlady or sliding down snowbanks, who says she can't make a little fashion statement while doing it?
The snowboarder pants from Hanna Andersson are water repellant and insulated with Thermolite. The cool, bootcut style gives some extra flair and room to move, while the reflective detail covers all the most important bases for safety-conscious moms. I first spotted them in the Hanna Andersson holiday catalog that just arrived, where they listed for $68. Fortunately for me, I happened to be in the Kittery Hanna Andersson outlet today and there they were, just as cute as ever, for the most adorable price of $27 on sale.
Lest we forget the boys, a rad plaid. Righteous!
Photos courtesy of Hannaandersson.com
Thursday, November 17, 2011 at 5:27PM I love a cozy sweater. Perhaps it comes from having grown up in a state like Maine. It's chilly for much of the year, and one is always in need of an extra layer or two. Of course, there is nothing quite like cashmere to make one's day more comfortable. Especially in its most basic form.
My earliest memories of appreciating the feel of cashmere didn't come from my mother, interestingly enough. It was my father who loved his cashmere sweaters and wore them, often with a shirt and tie, to work, and of course on the weekends. Cranberry, gun metal gray, Bermuda blue, soft yellow and the loveliest shades of teal, my father always had an enviable collection. V-necks and cardigans. His five daughters would beg for his castoffs, to no avail. He kept them in clear plastic boxes and stored them on the top shelf of his closet. I used to gaze up at them as a little girl, admiring all of the colors and counting them as if to keep track.
I associate cashmere with comfort in the literal sense because of my father. I used to amble up on his lap as he read the Wall Street Journal in his den after dinner. It was my chance to have some time with my dad. We very rarely said anything. He was serious about reading his papers, but I would nestle myself in there and just listen. To the Henry Mancini in the background. To the turning pages. To the distant sound of my mother, cleaning up the kitchen. And I will never forget how soft his sweaters were...
Maybe because of his inspiration, I have always gravitated toward the more polished, yet comfortable men's styles when it comes to wearing sweaters ~ v-necks, boxy turtlenecks, roomy cardigans. There is something infinitely richer and more stylish to me when a sweater with a little weight to it is worn with casual ease. Elegant even.
That's an extremely tall order in the contemporary women's market today. Everything is over styled and under fitted, if you will. There is nothing worse to me than the indulgence of cashmere in a fitted, trendy piece. It's just not for me.
J. Crew, bless its heart, has finally answered my clarion call. The cashmere Boyfriend Sweater is a v-neck with a roomy cut. In other words, room to breathe and room to move. I love it ~ it's so much less uptight than its traditional counterpart, with a deep neckline that is wonderfully flattering and feminine. Available in basic colors like black, heather gray and camel, it's also available in great bursts of color like deep poppy and heather emerald, for $228.
Photo compliments of JCrew.com
Another delightful option is J. Crew's cashmere Isabel Sweatshirt. This is casual at its most deluxe, but with such yummy fabric and wonderful drape, it can jazz up any ensemble with ease. Available in an eclectic array of colors like caramel, dark poppy, navy, classic pine and heather nordic blue, it retails for $248.
Sweatshirt? Says who....
Photo compliments of JCrew.com
