the directrice 
Sometimes the allure of a print is too powerful for me to resist. Apparently, the earliest Vlisco fabrics were printed more cheaply than traditional batik (roller printed instead of block-printed) and were intended to be an affordable alternative for Indonesians. The Indonesians literally weren’t buying it; they did not care for the Dutch innovation/intervention … Read more
Surprise! I am posting a day early. In case you are wondering, this post is not about the live-action Beauty and the Beast, which I must admit I am having some difficulty getting my mind around. I did, however, like the animated Beauty and the Beast and the live-action Enchanted, so this new … Read more
I wore this outfit during the last week of October. Lesson No. 2: A distinctive blouse with a pair of old khakis and smart flats is a chic outfit. Isn’t that good to know? Blouse: Vanessa Bruno; Khakis: Ann Taylor; Bag: Car Shoe; Shoes: Coach; Jacket: Anthropologie
As I mentioned on Monday, I went to New Hampshire for the days before the election to help the NH Democratic Party get the vote out. Sigh. We will get through this. Take the weekend to rest, process. Next week we start moving forward again.
The return of sweater weather! My favorite time of year! You’re going to have to come very close to see what makes it remarkable. SEQuiNS!!! Sweater: JCrew Herringbone Sweater with Floral Patches; Jersey: White + Warren; Jeans: JCrew; Bag: Coach; Shoes; Coach
When I have previously asked for feedback on this blog, some of you expressed a desire for more Casual Friday ensembles. This dress looks like a heavy satin (though it is 100% NYLON) and features a full skirt. The skirt, when I bought it, was even fuller and overwhelmed me, so I asked my … Read more
I seem to remember, somewhere deep in the past, reading a harsh critique of short-sleeved jackets . . . but I think that they are ingenious layering pieces.
Do you remember the rule about mixing similar prints? Blouse: Anthropologie; Scarf: Tory Burch: Khakis: Ann Taylor; Shoes: Coach; Bag: Coach * The best line of The Tale of Two Bad Mice — after they realize all the food is fake and before they trash the house — is “Then there was no … Read more
Before I dive in (metaphorically speaking) . . . Did one of you see me downtown last Friday? I was standing at the corner of 9th and H, trying to decide which side of the street would provide more shade on my way back to the office, and a woman (a well-dressed woman!) … Read more
All the suits can’t be Best Suit. If they could, “Best” would be rendered meaningless. Some suits are, and should be, sort of ordinary. We’ve discussed this before. The workaday suit is a form of camouflage. Office Camouflage is distinguished by its utter failure to stand out in any way: a traditional silhouette, … Read more