Shorts aren't just for days at the park any more....
May 17, 2013
Tailored shorts are all the rage this spring. Ranging in fabrics from leather to embellished silk to lace, shorts have been revolutionized and are now totally appropriate for date nights out. The key to getting it right is the length — not too short but not too long — to show off the right amount of leg. Add to that the golden rule of balance. When wearing this season’s mid-thigh shorts, don’t go skimpy on top too. Paired with a tank and blazer, linen sweater or my go-to, a denim shirt, shorts can be a chic, sophisticated look with flats or wedges.
Here are a few of my top pics this spring. These are not your mama’s shorts…
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The thrill of the hunt and bargain prices!
May 14, 2013
The momma of all tag sales, The Brimfield Antique Show, is May 14 to 19 and although Sturbridge, Massachusetts isn’t that far from here, I sadly won’t be making the trip. (Wee Westchester’s Brooke Foster goes every year!)
However, Westchester has a few big tag sales, over the next few weeks. So, mark your calendars and bring cash!
Annual Tag Sale to Benefit the Hudson Chorale
When: May 17 & 18, 9am – 4pm. Early birds may shop from 8am – 9am for $10. Rain or shine.
Where: 107 Bedford Road, Pleasantville (corner of Manville Road & Route 117).
What: Come find treasures in a variety of categories, like antiques, collectibles, jewelry, small appliances, housewares, CDs, DVDs, books, toys, sports equipment, gently used clothing and accessories, decorative art. [...]
Find this cool summer trend at local stores.
May 13, 2013
Beading, vibrant hues, tribal prints, carefree shapes — One of the hottest trends of the moment could be described in one word. Boho. Actually, two words: Luxe Boho. We’re seeing this global-influenced style all over the pages of magazines like the May Harper’s Bazaar, and blogged about by the best style blogs (Check out the story at Elements of Style). So we shopped this cool summer style locally. Thanks to all the amazing Westchester shops, here is our shopping list…
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Jene Luciani, Westchester mom and renowned bra expert, will find you the perfect fit.
May 11, 2013
Can anyone remember when they bought their first training bra? For me, it was a rainy Memorial Day when I was 12. My cousin took me to Bloomingdale’s and I can recall being on top of the world when we left the store, a white cotton snap-front in hand. As grown women, especially after having children, our relationship with our boobs may be a little more complicated. And let’s face it, buying a bra as an adult is way more challenging than it was in our Sweet Valley High/Babysitter’s Club adolesence.
So we’d like you to meet style expert and author of The Bra Book Jené Luciani, although you may already know her from her regular appearances on shows like Today, Access Hollywood, and Dr. Oz. We asked her to give her best bra buying advice (what size is right for me? How many bras should I own?), as well as the most legit local shops for where to buy them. Here’s what she has to say: [...]
Our Favorite Style Ideas from the past 365.
May 10, 2013
While strolling the streets of Soho and 5th Ave are no longer a fixture on our weekend agendas, we aren’t willing to sacrifice style. Luckily, we’ve found a world of beautiful new shops and boutiques in Westchester. Coupled with our love of all things pretty, we’re committed to taking care of ourselves — okay, the weekly manicure appointment isn’t exactly weekly any more — but health & fitness remains a priority. We owe it ourselves and our families. Here’s our favorite Style Ideas for us(!), our family & homes, and our well-being.
Thank you to our featured sponsors who we love for fabulous handbags, accessories, refreshment and indulgences!
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Posted by Elizabeth D. tagged as beauty, fashion, Health & Fitness, home and garden, shop, style in beauty,fashion,health & fitness,home & garden,shop,style
When you join a CSA, you support local farmers -- and share in summer's bounty.
April 30, 2013
There’s nothing better than a summer tomato. Or freshly-picked baby lettuces. I’ve been known to nibble an ear of white corn raw, especially if it came from a local farm stand.
So I’ve been looking to buy shares in an upstate CSA, or a community supported agriculture farm share program, like the one offered by Stoneledge Farm (shown above). Here’s how most CSAs work: You pay a farmer a flat fee at the beginning of the growing season, and in return, the farmer will deliver freshly picked fruits and veggies to you weekly. In essence, you’re buying a share of the farm’s harvest. In June, you might get pints of sweet strawberries and bunches of fragrant garlic scapes. In August comes a box of so many zucchinis, you’ll be making zucchini fritters, zucchini breads, zucchini salads and just about any other zucchini-inspired recipe you come across for days. [...]
Go to One Hanson Place for shopping, then lunch.
February 24, 2013
Last weekend we were feeling a little stir crazy in the house, so we hopped in the car and drove to the Brooklyn Flea at One Hanson Place in Brooklyn. Located in a spectacularly restored bank, we brought the stroller and wandered through with our little one. It gets a little busy, so get ready for the crowds. But it’s worth navigating since there’s so much good stuff to check out.
We went right to Dan’s Parents House to let our son pick out a vintage toy; he loved the View Master ($15) and we picked up a few inserts for him to click through, which bought us shopping time. There’s lots to see from there: Vintage maps, succulents planted into bricks ($45), cool art, hipster glasses, even tea towels by Claudia Pearson. There are over 100 vendors. But honestly, we were happy just to be out of the house. [...]
Look what we found on Etsy. So cute!
January 27, 2013
Not to be a downer, but Valentine’s Day was always my least favorite holiday of the year. Then I had kids. Now I’m all for sugary sweet Valentine’s Days. Last night, I found so many cute Valentines on Etsy, I had to share. Check out these cutie pie items.
I’m loving this handmade typographical Valentine’s Day card for my husband. You can’t get better than telling your partner you’re falling in love with him all over again. $3. OR, this hilarious card referring to a “DILF” rather than a “MILF,” for $5. You know you’ll get a laugh out of that one!
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This Mount Kisco shop is high on modern style -- and locally-sourced items.
December 15, 2012
Beehive Designer Collective, a shop that features lots of cool handcrafted stuff made by artisans around the region, is like Westchester’s very own Brooklyn Flea. It’s much smaller, of course, occupying one large storefront on Main Street in Mount Kisco, but it’s well-curated with lots of handmade modern design items. Think: tea towels in yellow chevron, handbags designed from men’s suits, necklaces made by a paper artist (that are simultaneously elegant and funky).
Every shelf or corner of the Beehive Designer Collective is rented out to a different artisan or designer, so expect a little bit of everything. You can buy a bag of eco-friendly soap nuts to wash your clothes with, a delicate blouse with a Peter Pan collar, or a hand carved cherry wood bowl. There are homemade children’s clothes, all with a hipster slant (think: black T-shirt with robots painted on), and one-of-a-kind locally made toys, like a DIY superhero cape kit. Nothing sold at Beehive is used, unless it’s been upcycled into something cooler, like wine bottles that have been pressed into glass cutting boards.
Take a look at some of our favorite finds at the shop. If you’re looking for a unique place to pick up a gift, head to the Beehive. Not only are you supporting local designers — 60 percent of the shop is sourced locally — but you’re supporting two local moms who run the collective. (One of the owners, Margaret Mullen, makes those really cool hand towels as part of her Flow line, shown above, $17 each.) [...]
One mother's over-the-top hunt for baby's first holiday dress.
December 5, 2012
Christmas has always been a big deal to me. I have as many Nutcracker’s as my age (33), I got engaged under the tree at Rockefeller Center followed by a literal white wedding in December the day after a blizzard, and we always have our tree up the weekend after Thanksgiving. So it’s only natural that my first Christmas as a mom would call for all of the usual pomp and circumstance that I place on this magical time of year. My little muffin Caroline was born in August, and I have been admittedly on the hunt for her Christmas dress since then. I am a traditionalist in many ways, and especially I have found, when it comes to children’s clothing. I love smocked dresses, Peter Pan collars and classic Mary Jane’s.
My search for a proper Christmas dress for Caroline was conducted with extreme precision, with more attention to detail paid than when I was selecting my own wedding dress. In addition to extensive online searches, I browsed a handful of boutiques and the major department stores throughout the area, but was sadly disappointed with the options. It made me realize that most of the children’s clothing available nowadays basically just looks like adult styles made for little bodies.
I spent weeks searching and overanalyzing and had gotten nowhere. Since I couldn’t find what I was looking for, I became irrationally stressed out. One evening while I was preparing Caroline’s bottles, I lost it…and my poor, innocent husband, became the victim of my Christmas dress mania. “What’s wrong,” he said. After a few sobs and some deep breaths, I replied “I will tell you, but please don’t judge me.” [...]
Spruce up your home for fall at this new store in Bronxville.
September 26, 2012
Spruce Home and Garden is a feast for the eyes. With garden accents like lanterns and urns that are nice enough to keep indoors, you won’t leave without ogling something at this new Bronxville home store. I was taken with the original artwork, throw pillows and large scale furniture like rattan benches and occasional chairs.
Here’s the really exciting part: Spruce manufactures its own line of accessories and furniture so they cut out the middle man — and as a result, charge less.
Think of Spruce as Anthropologie meets Restoration Hardware meets a small boutique, but everything is a lot less pricey and most everything at Spruce can only be found there. Here are a few items that caught my eye… [...]
We've got the scoop on what products are flying off the shelves.
September 25, 2012
Lush, a cosmetics company based in Dorset, England, opened its doors at The Westchester Mall in late August. If you’re unfamiliar with this fun and vibrant company, think cruelty-free “naked” bath, body and hair products with cheeky names and actually effective ingredients. Plus, it’s British, so cool by default.
Lush prides itself on their products, which are all handmade using fresh fruits and vegetables, ethically sourced essential oils and are never tested on animals. The 824-square-foot space is a cosmetic market where products are showcased in the same fashion as your favorite wholesome grocery store. Soaps are piled high like exotic cheeses, bath bombs stacked like ripe apples and face masks served from ice-chilled fridges. [...]
