A Girl Can Dream…

Bag Lady Edition: Like it. Love it. Buying it.

A few things are happening that are leading me to the conclusion that I’d like to treat myself to something special. Whether these are valid reasons for my purchasing a little something special, I don’t pretend to know (or care), but they do sound good:

  1. Fall is coming here and my summer bag is waiting patiently to go into hibernation.
  2. There are some really, really fabulous bags out there that need a new home.
  3. I am running a marathon on Sunday (yikes!). I think 26.2 miles warrants something special besides the foil blanket and finisher medal, as fab as they are.

Some of the bags I have my eye on for my weekly edition of like it, love it, buying it:

Like it.

Coach is introducing some fresh new shapes to their collection this fall, as well as some classic throwbacks. This one can work as a cross body or a tote. It comes in gray, yellow, navy, green and pink (pictured below) and is a great size for carrying the essentials and not everything but the kitchen sink.

Coach Leather Colorblock New Willis | $298

Love it.

There are just so many things to heart about this tote. The hunter green, the black accents, the ladylike shape coupled with some edgy hardware. Sigh, perfection. I’m jonesing for some hunter green and oxblood colored pieces in my fall wardrobe and this little lady just might meet the mark!

Kate Spade Post Street Little Nadine | $428

Buying it.

OK, let’s get real. I’m not actually buying this, unless I happen to win some prize money from this marathon, considering it’s a hefty pricetag, but I couldn’t resist sharing it with all of you. I’m a Marc by Marc Jacobs girl at heart. How gorgeous and perfect for Fall/Winter?

Marc by Marc Jacobs Flipping Out Colorblocked Top Handle | $528
 

Just plain pretty bridesmaids gifts

Oh, how I adore Wedding Wednesday! This week, I thought I’d focus on the bridesmaids! Choosing the perfect bridesmaids gifts is no easy task. I spent months going back and forth between different ideas, unsure of whether or not they would be well received. I ended up going the traditional route of earrings, bracelets, jewelry cases and treating to the makeup. I wanted to make it a bit more special by giving each of the girls a different bracelet, depending on their own personal style. They all appreciated the gifts, as I’ve seen them wear their jewelry since, which is a sure sign that it was a good gift, but I still to this day wished I had come up with something a bit more creative.

When perusing wedding websites (I am not afraid to admit my addiction to Style Me Pretty) prior to my big day, I came across some darling shots of a bride and her bridesmaids getting ready in coordinating silk bathrobes and immediately fell in love. I searched high and low for these robes, but couldn’t find anything that came close to the adorably chic, classy ones I’d seen…until now!

Darling Jardin Bleu, Knee Length | $65 (image courtesy of Plum Pretty Sugar)

Finally, I stumbled across the perfection that is Plum Pretty Sugar. The colors, the prints, the feminine details; I am just gushing over it all! Can’t you just imagine your nerves calming when you slip one of these stunners on your big day? You and your bridesmaids will look gorgeous while getting gorgeous.

The line offers beautiful printed robes in both silk and cotton voile. You can choose from five different prints and the robes come in sizes XS, S, M, L and XL. The knee length silk options are $124 while the same length cotton robes are $65. Pick one print for all of your bridesmaids or a few different ones to outfit them in coordinating styles. Robes can be purchased individually, or in sets ranging from 2-10 robes.

Pink Love Poppy, Knee Length | $65 (image courtesy of Plum Pretty Sugar)

Robes just aren’t your thing? Plum Pretty Sugar also offers what they’ve dubbed the “Lil’ Dress” which is an adorable strapless dress, with pockets (yay!), an elastic waist and a step-into style to protect your up-do, in coordinating prints. Wear it to get ready for your big day and then let it make an encore performance as a cover-up on your honeymoon.

The Lil’ Getting Ready Dress | $62

Both options are just plain pretty, or, I guess we’ll say just plum pretty, sugar!

Which is your favorite print? Did you and your bridesmaids wear coordinating looks when getting ready?

 

Olympic Memories

As I sit here flipping through the television channels, lamenting the lack of athletics available to me on my regularly scheduled TV programs, I contemplate watching YouTube videos of the Fab Fierce Five and the US Swim Team. Yes, I fully admit, I am going through Olympic withdrawal, which is no surprise considering my previous confessions of Olympics addiction. I quietly shed a tear as I watched the Closing Ceremonies on Sunday, mentally setting the countdown for Rio.

As I reminisce of my favorite memories from the Olympics, I can’t help but share a few of my thoughts:

  • Team Fencing would be way cooler if it was just one massive sword fight. Whoever is left standing wins gold.
  • I never thought the words badminton and scandal would make it into the same sentence. As if they didn’t have enough work to do defending the sport.
  • The number of US swimmers and gymnasts who won medals and are still in high school is awe-inspiring, yet slightly depressing for the rest of us. They’ve accomplished more before graduation than the rest of us will accomplish in our entire lives, but McKayla Maroney is still not impressed.

  • Oh, and the Spice Girls are like a fine wine. They’ve only gotten better with age (…and botox, breast implants, nose jobs and other assorted plastic surgeries).
  • And speaking of the closing ceremonies, the irony of Jesse J cruising around in back of a Bentley singing “Wanna make the world dance. Forget about the price tag.” is not lost on us, London. I’d want to forget a $14.5 billion price tag, too.
  • Kerri Strug, you’ve been one-upped. Sure you vaulted with an injured ankle, that takes some determination. Manteo Mitchell ran 200 meters with a broken leg. Sorry, Kerri, your reign as the best broken-limbed Olympic athlete is over.
  • Sanya Richards-Ross is a woman after my own heart. I consider anyone who can win gold while wearing Chanel a role model.
  • And, while we’re on running. Oscar Pistorius is without a doubt the most inspirational athlete that ever was.
  • Who run the world? GIRLS. The United States women won 29 gold medals; the United States men won 17. Womp, womp.
  • And, last but not least, Nathan Adrian, where have you been all my life?

I’ll leave you with that closing thought as we all wait for Rio – and perhaps another dose of Nathan.

 

Gold Medal Fashion: Olympic Style

I love the Olympics. I love the Olympics more than most people I know although I am proud to call some of my close friends members of the obsessive Olympic contingent. On the excitement meter, the Olympics are right up there with Chanel purses, Ryan Gosling and, dare I say, Christmas.

During the games, there are usually a fair amount of parties held to cheer on and admire the athleticism of Team USA, usually through the consumption of beer or any other alcoholic beverage of choice. Hey, we all have our strengths! With the mention of any party, my mind immediately drifts to…”gosh, what am I going to wear?”

So, I thought I’d throw together an imaginary outfit to rock, if I had unlimited funds of course. Unfortunately, all I want to do is shop for said clothing now – and here’s why:

Gold Medal Fashion: Olympic Style
Gold Medal Fashion: Olympic Style by kerrychannon featuring long sleeve button down shirts

Just the perfect amount of patriotism without looking like you belong on stage at a Fourth of July event. The J Crew pencil skirt can be worn a million ways for work or play. Pair it with a vintage Olympic or USA tank to support our athletes. Cover it with a white blazer or chambray shirt if you want to make the look work appropriate. Finish the look off with some metallic jewelry, after all, we’re going for the gold here, and some fun, sporty kicks and you are ready to go! Even budding fashion designer Ryan Lochte would be proud. Looking for more inspiration? Check out some more Fourth of July inspired fashion.

And, in case you need an excuse to shop, it is TAX FREE WEEKEND in Virginia. Take advantage!