and the winner was...

Thanks for the help! So this is what I finally went with... the navy jacket and I added a gray sweater since I can't seem to go anywhere with less than 3 layers. (It's sad but true!)

Overall, it went over quite well... tho my co-workers stuck to basics (boring!). ince many of other attendees got all dressed up I didn't feel too out of place. And I must say, there were a number of bow ties there that night.... but mine was the biggest.

a little help, please?

The mall I work at is opening a department store this week. It's very exciting and something we've all been looking forward to and working towards for over a year. And to help kick the whole thing off and celebrate being worked like a dog for the past few weeks, there's a gala being held in a couple of day. As such I need and outfit and am having a little difficulty in picking one out...

I was digging through my closet and stumbled upon a few items that have never been worn with tags still on (it's a thing I do. I buy things and never wear them. I'm not proud, but whatever. that's a whole 'nutha post). I found a bow-tie that I though could be fun, but is it too much? Since it is a work event, it'll most likely be just a bunch of boring old suits. However, at the same time it is a department store so I think those who are not in boring old suits will be dressing it up... And there in lies my problem - how to walk this line. I don't want to over do it, but I can't dress it too far down either since all my big bosses will be there. (In other words, I need to wear a tie, bow or otherwise. I was thinking jeans, not tie and a white tux jacket would be perfect, but the whole work related thing killed that idea.)

I can not buy something new. CAN NOT. So, I continued the digging and pulled out two potentials. Which do you prefer? Let me know your thoughts, then read on for some commentary on both:

Jacket 1 and Jacket 2 - the same, but different

Jacket 1. I like it. Both the jacket and pants are brand new so it is like I just went shopping. The jacket is a navy tux jacket (Versace) and the bottoms are charcoal tux pants (Lanvin) with a black stripe down the side. I feel that the jacket is too long and perhaps dated since things now days are a bit cropped. And there is a bit of a sheen to it as well. I'm also too fat for the pants that are meant to be a little tapered. The bow tie, I feel is huge... clown like even! I bought it (at Zara $9.99!) since I thought it'd be floppy and boyish, but I'm not so sure now that I see it on.

Jacket 2. I like it as well. Same pants , but this jacket is cropped (which I'm more comfortable with... H&M, baby!) a there is a gray check pattern in it. Too matchy-matchy with the pants? I also have black tux pants that I could wear but I have already worn them with this jacket to another work event (minus the tie) and therefore feel I can not re-wear since the jacket is too memorable.

Which do you prefer?

And what do you think of the clown tie. Is it big and sloppy or Lanvin-floppy (more of what I had hoped to achieve here

the two best purchases I have made for fall

Purple Target tights = $5
Payless black suede booties = $50
(not pictured, Agnes B grey turtleneck, Old Navy kids black cotton dress with pleated skirt)

AM I AWESOME OR WHAT WITH THE BARGAIN SHOPPING? This winter, I will probably be living in cheap Target tights, oversized sweaters/tunics, boots. To that end, man, those equestrian style boots would sure come in handy.

Got the Boot?

One of the best things about fall is trouncing around in some tall flat boots, into which your jeans are tucked. I have recently bought the "generic" heeled black knee highs ($80 ish at zappos), and I also have the $40 Payless brand black suede booties. But, to round out the boot collection, I'm looking at a pair of flat "weekend" boots. Something more sophisticated than Uggs, but not something with a heel. The only problem? These boots are expensive!

These Frye Veronica Slouch Boots are $304 on Zappos:



These Loeffler Randall Matildes (in a gorgeous wine/brown) are $695.00 on Singer22:


Hmm, maybe I should hit up Nordstrom Rack and/or the Zappos kid section to see if I can score something under $50. I remain on the lookout and will keep you posted if I find something.

OMG me too!

Some may say it's sick while other may just pass it off as being friends for so long... or maybe its just that taste and style are our middle names? Either way, I TOO have just bought black boots on zappos! (I swear that we never discussed it until after we had both done so).

However, unlike Jessica, I'm totally new to boots. I've always thought to add them to my wardrobe, but have never actually done so. But I finally took the plunge! And they arrived a few days ago (2 day free shipping! love zapppos!), in time for Halloween. (My costume was other reason that pushed me to get them.) But I'm torn... I ordered 2 pairs that I liked thinking that I would send the less desirable one back. Both are the same, but different... and I've ended up liking them both! what to do?!

Both pairs are comfortable, surprisingly light, and can be worn to work. The ones on the right are Steve Madden and under $100 and have a cap toe that I'm digging. I like the little strip thing on it too... but perhaps it makes them too casual? The others are Kenneth Cole, little higher, chunkier, and combat-like, but have a zipper that makes for easy on & off. Although they are just over $100, I'm leaning towards keeping them because of the ease of the zipper. Also I think that I can find more stylish lower boots that I'd be willing to pay more for, maybe? What are your thoughts?

The basic black boot

Now that the weather has turned colder, I have been sporting the knee high basic black boot from last year several times a week. However, these boots have been through the wringer - I've had the heels replaced on them several times, they are scuffed and they just generally seem run-down. So I've just ordered these from Zappos - they are cheap (less than $100) so that I don't feel bad about using and abusing them if they don't last past this season. I'll let you know how confortable they are (they have a platform, so they should be.

Deconstructing the RZP: Wherein I disgress and harangue about leather jackets, among other things

RZP Season 2, Episode 3.

Oh Tay. I know that all of your bitching and moaning is really just wrongly-placed insecurity over not being the only "styling assistant" in Rach's newly growing business. But you know what happens when you grumble too much? Brad gets put in charge of dressing Annie for the Oscars, including getting her changed into the surprise performance piece, and he totally kills it! He shuts it down!

Not to mention, although Tay had to help Rach pull the outfits for Liv's wardrobe, Brad was the one that got to be there when Liv came to try everything on. Because he's not such a Debbie Downer. And Rach's clients all seem to love to work with him. Did you hear how he says that he's "partied with Liv" on several occasions? Has Tay ever "partied with Liv"? And, what is Liv doing out partying? Doesn't she have a son she's supposed to be raising?

Aside from saying that every girl should have a killer pair of red heels (check), Rach also gives us this bon mot about how essential a leather jacket is: “Throw a leather jacket over a ballgown. Throw it over a romper. Throw it over anything and everything. It’s the quickest way to get that edgy, cool, I-didn’t-try-too-hard look.” Now, I can see what she's saying (conceptually), but I don't think I will be taking this piece of advice to heart because I am just not a leather jacket girl. Even those new shrunken ones that are more like bomber jackets.

Don't leather jackets remind you of the '90s? I remember my first year in Philly, everyone was wearing those ugly leather jackets in the winter that looked something like an unfortunate combination of a blazer and a peacoat.


(Maxwell Spense Leather Blazer from Wilson's Leather.)

These days, the leather jackets are cuter, I admit.


(Jacket from ShopBop, Mike and Chris "Janus" leather jacket.) (Also, as a side note, my mom would DIE for me to have this model's hair.)

But, I dunno, there is still something...icky to me about wearing an entire jacket made out of leather. If you get even just a little hot (or go to some restaurant with a pervasive food smell), can you just imagine what that thing would smell like?? It is a good thing I live in LA where it rarely is cold enough to justify leather so I can continue to ignore this fashion trend.

However, because I am full of contradiction, I am totally digging the trend of the leather (looking) legging, notably Sass & Bide's Black Rats.


From Net-A-Porter, which notes, "Pair these ruched wet-look leggings with a tunic or oversized tee for a directional day-to-evening style. Shown here with a McQ blazer, a Rick Owens Lilies top, Christian Louboutin shoes, a Philippe Audibert bracelet and a Chloé clutch."

This leggings-and-a-boyfriend-blazer-with-cuffed-sleeves look is ubiquitous now. Am I too short to pull it off? Also, I don't know about the whole wearing blazers outside of work thing. I mean, I have to wear a suit most days, and the last thing I want to wear "out" is part of a work suit (or at least something that looks like it is part of my work suit). I also feel like girls that wear blazers out to social events look like they take themselves too seriously. True? What do you think?

ANYWAY, back to the liquid leggings. Currently, ShopBop is selling grey "Black Rats" for $176. But! Last weekend I found a pair of shiny leather-esque leggings at Target for $12.99! (They also had lace leggings and side zipper leggings!)



Once my shopping hiatus ends (and the trend is totally played out) I can buy these leggings and rock them all over town!

early street trend for spring 2010 - the snuggie?

and you thought that this couldn't get any better... just you wait!

So you know that we know that you secretly want one, but just don't want to admit it. A friend of ours is learning to sew and when asked what she'd like, Jessica exclaimed "A snuggie!" (but one with 4 arm holes so she and HVSGF can share one... note to you snuggie, product diversification!) The snuggie is brilliant for a lazy day of catching up on your full DVR. Or perfect for curling up on your couch on a chilly evening with cup of cocoa and Twilight. Well, maybe not right now as we are enjoying hopefully summer's last heat wave, but very soon you'll be googling it to see how to get one.

But it seems that the good people at snuggie want you to take comfort to the next level by wearing your snuggie out in public.

One of my favorite look-busy-at-work-by-reading-things-off-the-internet blogs, The Cut from NY Mag, posted today that they had received a fashion week invite from snuggie!

Amid the glitz and glamour of New York Fashion Week, Snuggie™ will host a runway show of its own, taking center stage to showcase the latest colors, fabrics and patterns. Celebrity host Ross “The Intern” Mathews will dish about the sexiest looks in blanket-wear and adult, kid and even canine models will hit the runway.

Image via nymag.com

Well, shoulders and nipped waists are in this fall... so I guess the trend continues next spring. Just roll of your couch and you're out the door. But don't forget to grab a belt and cinch it!

pretty in pink or meat-fest 2009

Jessica's birthday is our annual pilgrimage to the House of Mastro's where we create outfits in which to worship large cuts of meat, cure our ailments with stiff drinks and order enough side dishes to atone our sins (and that's a lot of sides. right Hon?). And to commemorate the occasion, we take a multitude of photographs while waiting for the valet.

Dinner was delicious - mountains of meat! and thankfully, they had not run out of the prime rib.

But on to the outfits... We totally didn't plan to be matchy, even though it's one of our things, but you know, sometimes these things just happen - Jess was channeling her inner Rachel Zoe and I was doing my best 80's.

Unfortunately Jess and I are bad people since we need to actually see Pretty In Pink (I KNOW!). Other than us knowing that Molly Ringwald was in it, we can't really tell you any more about it... and as such I can't really make any clever references to it in this post other than the fact that we were both totally pretty in pink!

what to do with a Nordstrom's gift card?

I received a gift certificate from my friend, MJ,as an early birthday present. With the gift certificate burning a hole in my inbox (it was sent to be by email), I could not help but do some online browsing. Ultimately, I settled on the Brass Plum shoes above, because they were very affordable, and my current black patent leather wedges are looking a little beat up, so it was a good alternative.

I had also looked at some highlighted fall trends to see if there were other things I could spend the gift certificate on. Did you know there is a whole section on "fancy" leggings (priced at about $200, which is absolutely ridiculous) that have zippers and buttons, and actually look like real pants (but they are leggings)? The mind reels. I also checked out some boyfriend blazers, but didn't trust the fit online - because I'm so short, an oversize boyfriend blazer could end up looking like a Slanket on me. Even the jumpsuit/rompers were absurdly expensive! In the end, I decided to go with the shoes, and I can't be more excited! Thank you MJ for the fabulous birthday present.

a smile indeed

black pants just do not photograph well! and I'm not about to post a pic of my ass in them... (but that doesn't mean I didn't try taking some!)

oh Barneys, what was wrong with Santa Monica? Sigh! You may have read from Jess or our previous post that the Warehouse Sale was moved to a new locale. So we hauled our asses all the way to the convention center on Saturday for a day of retail therapy.

Which, was not all bad. Actually, once there, it was quite fantastic - as you see Jess scored a fabulous pair of Lanvin's! and I, with my pant-obsession, got a new black pair with an odd seam on the backside. (well, I guess noting that they're Comme des Garcon, we can agree that the seam-thing is really not that odd at all... side note - the pants have reinspired a vision for myself for fall... now I need a work appropriate boot to go with!) I oddly only have 1 other pair of black pants that are work appropriate, but I've taken those out of my rotation ever since my boss slapped my ass and uttered a lewd remark the last time I wore them. My other black pants are tux pants (fyi - I love tux pants).

Anyhow here's the good and bad of this summer's Barneys sale:

Bad
1) New location is far, inconvenient, and trafficy
2) Parking! $12 to park in the convention center lot and about $10 or so for the shady street lots. So I WON'T be doing "my usual" aka going like every other day on scouting missions. (I even rescheduled a Dr's appointment for Tuesday so I'd have reason to be in LA during the sale! But with the parking cost and the traffic headache of getting there, I will most likely not be going again until the final weekend)
3) I agree with Jess, the prices seemed high and not as clearance as I remember them
4) Less people and lost of foreigners (less people is not really a bad thing, I guess)

Good
1) More space
2) More merchandise (surprisingly! I thought that department stores were buying 30% less that in years pass due to the recession? perhaps this is due more so to the fact of greater numbers of people not buying?)
3) DRESSING ROOMS! yes! not really rooms, but a couple of large curtained off areas with mirrors. (without which I would not have bought the pants that I did for fear of the seams... and I would have ended up, most likely, with 2 others - one D&G in chocolate brown that I loved but were too big... and the other John Varvatos black tux pant with double stripes down the side, that only when tried on revealed a strange puckering around the pockets making the wearer look HIPPY.)
4) Clean bathrooms
5) Starbucks right outside

Well, good and bad... nothing is ever perfect. But I still say we write out local congressman, the mayor and Simon Doonan requesting the sale's return to the Barker Hanger!

paper towels, 409, febreeze and rodarte all in one place

Rodarte Fall 2009

Image via laceandtea.blogspot.com

I know, I know... It's not breaking news at this point. But it is so worth repeating. Rodarte for Target! This is why we lovet Target so. And love the Mulleavy gals and hope that they'll do a men line one day. But is middle-America ready for fur, thigh high boots, super hero mini-dresses and fantastically layered deconstruction? We'll find out on December 20th!

bootie - licious

Since earlier this year, I have been in the market for a fabulous ankle bootie that I could wear with leggings or skirts. However, all the ones I found were either too expensive, or too strange looking, and I'm sorry, but I can't bring myself to pay upwards of $200+ for a trend that I may or may not love. But tonight, my quest is over, because I found these fun ankle booties for less than $50! From Payless.com!

They aren't exactly what I wanted (ideally, I'd like a higher platform heel and maybe some well-placed cut-outs), but I just can't beat the price. AND they also come in an awesome electric purple, which I will totally also buy if it turns out that I love these black/grey ones. Yay! I will post a picture as soon as I get them!

jigga what? the convention center?

Image via barneys.com

It's the most wonderful time of year people! Time for the Barney's Warehouse sale!!! Although I'm a bigger fan of the winter clearance, it still looks like I'm going to be up in LA a couple err, a few err, multiple times before the 23rd. (I know. It's a sick addiction...)

But note, fellow Angelenos, we can no longer call it the "hanger sale"... Barker Hanger no more!(as in airplane "hanger" at the Santa Monica Airport for those non-southern californians out there) It's been moved down town to the Convention Center! huh? (in the Scooby Doo voice) So does that mean the dollars saved on clothes will be spent on parking? It'll be interesting... We'll keep you posted!

80s redux V2

So, inspired by my last attempt to bring the 80's to my office, I told myself that I'd continue to do so at least once a week. Well, it's been more than 2 weeks and I haven't been able to get it together again.

Bah! I'm not a morning person. After hitting the snooze, I end up racing the clock and grabbing the clothes in combinations that I've been wearing for years... But with a little bit of pre-planning, I came up with this little ditty. It may not be the whole flock of seagulls, but it's at least a bird or 2, right?

Shirt - Banana Republic $20 (sale!)

Jacket - H&M $50 (same one!)

Tie - Club Monaco $24 (gift!)

Pants - Theory, Bloomingdale's $60 (sale!)

What should I wear?

I'm going to a wedding this weekend and I'm choosing between three drastically different dresses to wear. After the jump, I video blog my choices.

What do I wear to this wedding? from Lil' Bit on Vimeo.

What do you think I should wear? Comment, email, or twitter us!

seriously?

So yesterday the good people at The Cut previewed the new Lily Allen for Chanel handbags campaign, shot by Karl Lagerfeld himself. Lily Allen? Really?! Ugh!

Image via nymag.com

But all my loathing of her aside, she does look good for her. And we know to not question Karl's visions. But to add insult to injury she's attended the fall/winter 2009 show dressed and bagged in Chanel. She's CRAZY and a mess and so undeserving! Karl totally should have chosen our very own Jessica to star in the ads! If it was indeed a Breakfast at Tiffany's look he was going for, Jessica's old nail lady did once say that she had an "Audrey Hepburn neck..."

daily look

072709 by Lil' Bit featuring Oscar de la Renta

I thought the Tahari skirt suit I wore today would be good for an LA summer day.Which it was, because the skirt part was So. Short. I mean, ridiculously short, even for me. It made me wonder who in the world Tahari thought they were selling these suits to because if the skirt is too short even for five foot negative nothing me, it's got to be obscene on someone average sized. The jacket part of the suit was a cropped motorcycle style jacket, which was a fun twist. I wore a longish black shirt under the jacket and let the edge peep out to break up the beige of the suit. (They say that you shouldn't do that because it makes you look shorter, but in this case, I think it worked.) I paired it with some black and tan heels (ideally, it would have been these funky Loubs), and I was ready to conquer Monday. Mental note: Unless Ally McBeal style short skirt suits come back in style, I should probably not wear this suit again to work. Oooh, unless it is in the winter, and I wear it with some opaque black tights? Hmmm, now THERE'S an idea!

equality for all - update!

Images via men.style.com

Alexander Wang's T for Men

Earlier, I posted about the very exciting soon-to-be mens line from Alexander Wang. And now there are pictures available previewing the line! And surprisingly, it seems very wearable - no sheer tanks or tunic tops. But best of all, it doesn't look like I'm going to have to crash diet to wear any of it!


Pictures and articles at Refinery 29 & men.style.com

grandpa's givenchy

So one of the last times I was at my brother's (my grandparent's old house) and handed me a ziplock bag of my grandpa's old ties that he had found in the back of one of the closets. Such a gift! I'm forced to wear one daily to work, where he can wear shorts but is now on a 3 month PAID break called summer. Teachers; I tell you! Anyway, the whole thing was funny since I'd never Grandpa T ever wear at tie... well, maybe once or twice when he was forced to for a family portrait. I think he had sport coat, maybe? He grewing up po' in Hawaii making 10 cents a week as a construction worker... and from the stories, a bad-ass one at that. (I believe he was best known on the construction site for a short temper, dropping the F-bomb and a knock-out, right-hook) I didn't think he ever owned a tie.

My guess is that the ties are from mid-sixties since they were all "skinny" ish with a-symmetrical striped patterns (so Mad Men! see "loves" once the show starts up again) or in plaids. Like the ones that were so just in the last fall (there was one that was gray wool with a black plaid ala Burberry or like the J. Crew one that I totally just bought last November!). Some of the ties even had tags on them that ranging in price from $2.50 to $11.00 from stores that are sadly no longer in existence. So nostalgic! So fantastic!

One of the treasures in the bag was this burgundy Givenchy. Which I assume is real and is totally Decades-worthy-vintage! (right?) I hope I'm doing it justice as I sit at my computer all day in my office with no windows located between the pizza stand in the mall food court and the bathroom. But either way, I love wearing it since I feel like I'm totally channeling Don Draper and my Grandpa - and that's one bad-ass-Mad-man!