Rules Of Style – Tory Burch

Named after her mother, Tory Burch’s Reva ballet flats are one of my favorite staples when it comes to stylish comfort. Having launched her label in 2004, Tory has quickly risen to the top of the list when it comes to fabulous women’s sportswear. With creative prints and engaging colors, Tory continues to impress those in the fashion world and in the real world. (To read an interview with her mother on style and family, click here.) And due to this, I had to dive into what makes her such a stylish modern lady.

Lovely Necklaces

Tory knows how to wear an oversized or long necklace better than any other designer in recent memory.  On the cover of Town & Country’s September 2010 , Tory demonstrated that with any piece of clothing a grand necklace is never too much. By simply adding a necklace, your entire wardrobe sings. An oversized necklace brings the attention to the face and the beautiful design of the piece of jewelry, so you don’t have to necessarily match it perfectly to your ensemble. As long as it can tie in with just one basic element, you are good to go.

Stylish Abodes

With an eye for beautiful style and know-how for what patterns, textures and styles go well together, Tory reveals that her fashion sense can easily carry over to her home decor. In both her Manhattan apartment (another view) as well as her Southampton estate, she clearly has talent. For example, each of her stores exhibits a bit of decor style seen in her very own homes (read Wall Street Journal article here.)

Stylish Denim

Denim is a must in any woman’s wardrobe, and it can be worn in so many ways. Tory shares her thoughts on denim on her blog, and it’s clear she knows how to style it in such a way as to make it appear as if they aren’t just any pair of jeans. With a well-made bootie, gorgeous pair of sandals or even a classic nude flat or pump, denim can be stylish and comfortable all at the same time.

Own Prints

A lovely print dress, blouse or jacket reveals a bit of your personality. Make sure that it accentuates and doesn’t exploit your best features as you want to highlight your beauty. Whether it is just a touch of a print as in the black and white dress above or is an entire gown, less jewelry is needed because the visual of the design is doing much of the talking.

Color

Bright solid colors are sure to get you noticed as so many people choose to play it safe and wear black. The key to pulling off this look is to make certain it is tailored well so that you are comfortable.  Pair with gorgeous chandelier earrings and be prepared to stand in the spotlight.

Creatively Designed Solids

Sticking with classically dark colors is always a safe bet, but in order to bring more individuality to the look, purchase a piece that is creatively designed.  This will not only add intrigue, but will have people impressed with your sense of style and confidence.

A Perfect Balance

A harmonious way to incorporate prints, classics and your own individuality is to follow Tory’s example above. Choose to wear a solid piece around your hips and thighs so as to slim the area and place the print closer to your face where you want to bring attention. Pair this outfit with fabulous shoes and a unique and personal clutch and viola, a stylish maven has been created!

If you would like to receive a daily dose of Tory Burch style, stop by her blog, Tory’s Blog, where she posts on entertaining, how to make the most of trends, ideas of inspiration and so much more.

 

Images: (2)   Source (3,4,5) Source (6) Source (7) Source (8) Everything Fabulous (last photo) Source All other images: Style.com

Why Not . . . Pamper Yourself?

Rewards tend to be one of the best ways to pat ourselves on the back without tooting our own horn on a job well done.  No one needs to know why we are pampering ourselves, maybe it’s simply because we made it through the holidays without having one confrontation with any of our relatives, and isn’t everyone kind of expecting us to do this anyway?  No matter how small the victory, a necessity I believe we should always include in our day-to-day lives is a moment, an afternoon, a day, a weekend or maybe even a week, of pampering.

If you are a planner, planning a reward at the end of your week or your busy season at work, will be something to set your sites on while you are toiling away.  Often times the anticipation of a luxurious evening of pampering is just as uplifting as the pampering itself . . . well, almost.

For example, I was well aware that this past April was going to be a month without a moment to pop my head up above water in order to have some time to myself.  Mind you, I was busy most of the time being involved in some of my favorite social gatherings, but none-the-less, no down time.  I crave my down time; it is like water to me, my necessary sustenance, and my best friends and family are well aware of this.   Being the planner that I am, back in February, I scheduled my seasonal facial to fall during the week after things had finally ceased to be as demanding.  I cannot tell you how many times, I have thought of this hour of serenity and quiet.  It has kept me zen during some stressful times.

While some of you may already know exactly how you want to pamper yourself, let me share with you a handful of ways to consider on your quest to take some time for yourself.  I’ll start with rewards for the simple victory of making it through the week and work my way up to – “just passed the bar exam”, or “finished my first grueling, yet rewarding year as a professional in my field”.

Update Your Reading List

During the beginning of my career, I became quite the regular at my public library.  After all, I wanted to read the ubiquitous new titles that were being released and a slew of the magazines as well, but my budget just wouldn’t allow it, so to the library I went. I try to always keep this time of my life in mind when I’m purchasing a couple of the most recent hardback titles at Amazon or in my local bookstore.  In being continually reflective on this time of my life, I find myself feeling as though it is a bit of a reward to purchase a new book without having to finish reading it in a certain amount of time. While this may seem a bit of a minor reward, consider treating yourself to your favorite item on the bookshelves or a handful of magazines that allow you to dream and be inspired.

Pedicure

For so many women, a pedicure is a necessity, and while I wholeheartedly agree, sometimes providing your own pedicure has to make do during those times when you just can’t fit a professional pedi in.  So for a bit of a pampering, reserve an hour at the end of a long work day and head on down to your favorite salon to soak your piggies while someone else does the work.

Facial

As I have mentioned before, planning a bit of a motivator to make it through the week, month or season, depending on your situation, is a helpful way to add something uplifting or positive in your mind to focus on while you are making it through your many obligations at work.  This past year, I was finally able to take myself up on a promise I made more than five or so years ago, to have regularly scheduled seasonal facials.  I can’t tell you enough, how I treasure this quiet time to let someone else pamper me.

Massage

Instead of just letting your face have the TLC you crave, why not allow your entire body in on the pampering.  A massage at the end of a busy month would be a fantastic way to bring closure to each of the twelve calendar pages.  Whether you are taxed and physically needing one or not, this treat is a time to bring calm to not only your sinewy body, but your overworked mind.

Retail Shopping

Who wouldn’t love some retail therapy?  Can’t find the time to stop by your favorite boutique?  Why not do a little perusing on the internet?  Or better yet, go ahead and purchase those pair of Tory Burch Miller Thongs you’ve had your eye on for the summer months.  Allowing yourself to buy just one item when you usually don’t purchase any, or a handful, if you usually purchase one, will most definitely serve as a treat. If you hurry, Shop Bop is having a 15% off sale that ends after today (May 5th).  Simply enter the code INTHEFAMILY15‏, and you’ve not only purchased an item you’ve had your eye on, but you’ve found yourself a bargain!

Hire a Stylist

Okay, here is the biggie.  The one you’ve earned through months or may a handful of years of hard work, blood, sweat and tears.  Why not hire yourself a stylist to help put together a wardrobe for the next upcoming season? While Rachel Zoe mostly likely wouldn’t be in most people’s budgets, there are many stylists in your area that can do a wonderful job.  Inspire Style, for example, is a style coaching business located in Portland, Oregon, Minnesota and Washington, that strives to help you find your very own personal style, and even specializes according to your career, if you’d like.  You may schedule a closet review, style profile, partner shopping, make-up lesson, hair session – anything that will better create the outer image you desire.  I learned about Jandi Chanel Girard, the founder, last year in The Oregonian, and she has since expanded her business dramatically.  I, personally, can’t wait to schedule an appointment!

All right, so you’ve seen my list.  Out of curiosity, what would be some other ways you might want to pamper yourself?  I’m all ears!  One can never have enough ideas for pampering in their arsenal. Have a lovely Wednesday and hopefully some time to plan your next bit of pampering.

Images: (1) We Heart It (2) Source (3) Salon La Kenona (4) Hill Grove Hotel (5) Wedding Mapper (6) Obsession MIA (7) The Insider

Never Too Early

My fall shopping list has begun!  An overall theme seemed to emerge during New York’s Fashion Week, and it was wholeheartedly appreciated by someone (me) who wants to be fashionable, yet is sometimes perplexed by what is worn on the runways.  This season did not have that problem what so ever!  Femininity is still going strong, and I adore this trend – skinny belts and sheath dresses (Victoria Beckham).  Grays, browns, with shades of pinks, reds and oranges showed off their allure, and, I was uber-thrilled by this one, scarves!  Ginormous scarves appear to be something to look for in the fall.  I couldn’t be happier.
So, prompted by a suggestion from Harper’s Bazaar, I decided to make a visual wish list of what my fall closet might look like (that is if I had a magic genie in a bottle, but I looked and she’s not in there gosh darn it!). Regardless, I’ve included my favorites from this past Fashion Week. 

Out of curiosity, what were some of the trends that piqued your interest and how are you most likely to incorporate them into your wardrobe?  Hope you are just about to embark on a fantastic weekend romp, whatever it may be, and if it’s shopping maybe this will rev your engine up even more!  Cheers!

Love the layering Tory Burch has done and especially like the capped sleeved coat.  Always keep in mind, sequins are not just for an evening out ladies!

A consistent trend in Diane von Furstenberg’s Fall 2010 line were skirts or cocktail length dresses worn with a sweater-like cardigan or jacket.  I love this idea to dress down a rather fancy dress or to add texture.

 
Michael Kors’ mix of neutrals, gray, brown and khaki, work well together and, as always, the belt pulls it all into something fabulous and draws your eye in to a beautiful narrow waist.

I had to include one more of Michael Kors’ collection.  This simple black dress, the V-neck and again, loving the belt!  Classy monochromatic outfit that screams simplicity, yet drama at the same time.

Elie Tahari is one of the many designers I, admittedly, just found out about, but at least I did because I thoroughly saw myself feeling comfortable, yet put together in many of his designs.  The sweater cardigan layered underneath the coat, all wrapped up in a belt is stunning. And the camisole peeking out from underneath, that is definitely something I would feel comfortable wearing.

ADAM by Adam Lippes displayed he could design with an upper class flair.  There were a handful of items I liked in his collection and one among them was this sweater dress cinched in with a simple large black belt.

Victoria Beckham, I believed, stunned quite a few with her collection.  All I can say is that femininity seemed to be the utmost priority when these designs were crafted.  The dresses were fitted, yet not too revealing, reminding us all of what makes a woman’s figure sexy.

Jason Wu’s collection was absolutely fabulous, but I couldn’t help but show one of the many photos of the oversized scarves that seemed to be just about everywhere.  I, personally, am a huge fan as everyone already knows.

I am in need of more winter coats, and the neckline of Elie Tahari’s black wool piece immediately caught my attention. Beautiful.

Now, I must update my wardrobe for evenings out, and while simple, Lela Rose’s cocktail dress in navy would fit right in with my tastes.

For a splash of color Tory Burch incorporates sequins again while also adding the ever popular accessory – the belt.  Creative and something I need to try. 

And I couldn’t end without including another item from Jason Wu’s 2010 Ready-to-Wear collection.  A woman’s shoulders, after all, are always sexy, so why not show them off this a halter dress that will be the talk of the evening for all the right reasons.

All images courtesy of Style.com