DIY

I am a firm believer that to get things done right, its best to do it yourself. This applies to most aspects of daily life, from cleaning the baby's bottles to making the bed, to the perfect accessory. I've always marveled at the DIY shows on Sunday mornings, where a husband and wife team up with a visionary kitchen designer and tackle their ugly counter tops and cabinets, revealing a state of the art new product. (Where they get the money, gorgeous marble, and equally gorgeous construction expert is all conveniently left out of the episodes of course.)

Recently I've been searching for the perfect infinity scarf (akin to this one at left from J.Crew, but in lighter fabric). Those long, dangling scarf ends are just not practical with a teething infant, cups of coffee, or (unfortunately) toilet bowls. A little bit of vision (imagine the ends of an ordinary scarf tied together) and some time after baby is in bed, and you have my first DIY project. I'm not handy, but I am good with needle and thread. So my favorite printed Ann scarf is now the best infinity scarf I've seen! This inspires me to make more custom pieces from existing articles in my wardrobe (anyone remember the Bedazzler? I loved being 10 years old in the early 90's). Elbow patches would look great on my navy gold button blazer.....

Heading for the Hills

My husband watches intellectually stimulating programs such as CSPAN and and BookTv, while I prefer the emotionally rousing Real Housewives and MTV (the latter not as much as of late, but it can still be found on the TV when I'm in control). One show I really have to say I miss is The Hills (and spin off The City). What ever happened to adorable California girl trying to make it in the big city working for Kelly Cutrone, aka Whitney? It seems shes been hard at work since the cameras wrapped several season ago- her first fashion show debuts in Lincoln Center for NYC Fashion Week on Feb 15th. I've lost all access to the shows in my new life, but I'll look forward to reading about it like everyone else.

I remember short skirts, frills balanced by leather jackets and double breasted blazers, and plays with proportions from her line Whitney Eve. The new looks featured by Fashionista seem to be a departure from my memory, but fun nonetheless (a tribal print frock won't cut it an evening Board meeting with Long Island conservatives, but maybe at Saturday cocktails). Kind of makes me want to abandon all rational justifications for working a steady, predictable job and try my hand at the fanciful while I'm still in the tail ens of my 20's!

photo credit NYmag.com

The Facebook Effect

It happens to even those with the largest closets- standing, staring at all the options, unable to pick anything to wear. One fairly basic black and white silk Calvin Klein Collection top seems good enough, so I throw it on, pick a pair of gold hoops, and feel satisfied. Then I think: when did I wear this last? And more importantly, were pictures taken and posted on Facebook? Answering this in the affirmative, I head back into the closet abyss for another 15 minutes until something else, equally as basic, but not recently tagged on the Internet, suffices.

The old technique of dividing the purchase price by number of wears to help ease the sticker shock goes out the window when you fear being seen in the same thing at numerous events, forever memorialized on the Internet (along with those shots from college you didn't even know existed until an email notification alerts you to their resurrection when a friend discovers some old candids). But since I used this formula to justify buying many items that now, with a baby, I'd never be able to talk myself into, I can't stomach not wearing them again simply because everyone knows the last time I did so. What's a girl to do? Balance confidence against insecurity and wear what makes you happy? Probably. Or delete Facebook account? Not likely.

New Year, New ____

All cliches exist for a reason- they are true. I have made some resolutions for 2012, and upon examination, each is its own cliche. (Use the gym at least 3 times a week - In preparation I even bought new pants and tops that will help enhance the experience, as an outfit does for any occasion. Eat better- I often substitute cereal for dinner when taking care of an infant and a small household after a full day of work overcome me. Be more patient- less eye rolling when husband cant immediately read my mind.) Yawn, yawn, yawn.

Anything we can resolve to do that does not evoke a been there, done that, how many days will this last, mentality? Tucker has resolved to take fewer naps as evidenced by his refusal to close his eyes once since he woke 7 hours ago today. My husband seems to have resolved to spend more time using his new iPad since his gaze hasn't strayed from the device much since he woke also 7 hours ago. I'd suggest no more sweatpants to those I see in the suburban grocery stores, but that would be a failed attempt. Wear more color? Less flats, more heels? No more ponytails? Weak. Perhaps the best strategy is to the make the most of what is already around (clothing, job, waistline) and not set ourselves up with a list of unfulfilled resolutions to dampen the start of a new year. I resolve not to resolve, how about that?

Where have all the basics gone?

I love newness as much as the next person- I am guilty of abandoning perfectly good items because they lose their luster simply by virtue of how long they have lived in my closet. I rip the tags off as soon as I get a new article home, and plan the next day's outfit around wearing it, no matter what it is. A recently purchased plain jersey top is inherently chosen over its 9-18 month old cousin.

But I do not covet newness at the expense of basics. 'New' to me sometimes refers to cut/color/trim, but often just purchase date. I avoid pieces that show their age in terms of the aforementioned characteristics, because I am not trendy, 17, nor of unlimited means to purchase each season's it-list in toto. Right now, after post-Christmas binge shopping, I am in desperate need of a cream colored turtle neck sweater. The proud owner of last week's fabulous cobalt blue Ann pants, and now a glen plaid Jcrew pair, plus black wide leg Theory trousers with lime green pinstripes, among other winter pencil skirts, I'm craving a cream topper. But the retailers are so caught up in holiday cheer they have neglected the basics. Out I go again, one last time, in search the missing top. Wish me luck!

Bright Blue

My girlfriend Rebecca came over today for our annual clothing exchange (more of a giveaway, since it involves me handing over bags of things I no longer wear, but need to see live on with a dear, fashionable friend). The more sparse racks in my closet were calling desperately for something new. So to the stores I went.

Among more practical items, this pair of cobalt blue ankle pants from Ann are my single favorite purchase of 2011 (yes, the entire year). Though the color seems vibrant, it actually pairs with a lot of basic tops and shoes (think sumptuous grey cashmere and black platform Michael Kors pumps). Closing the year on a bold, yet responsible note (pants purchased at 50% off) sets a good stage for things to come.

Buyer's Remorse

Despite my keen eye and critical mind, I fell victim to fabulous marketing and fashion photography this past weekend. For a few months now, I have fixated on owning a cozy, over sized, tunic length winter sweater. Those chunky sweaters with dolman sleeves that drape so effortless over the lithe arm of an amazon-esqe model are rather enticing in Harpers and Vogue. So off I went, in search of the perfect cape/poncho/tunic to pair with slim jeans (still no leggings here now that all forms of pregnancy are past).

In the Miracle Mile Ann Taylor (where everything seems affordable due to its placement adjacent to Prada, Escada, and St. John) I honed in on a light grey sweater fitting all criteria- loose cut, kimono sleeve, mid-hip length. My spirits soared when I saw a small white sign announcing 40% off of the $168 price tag. I snatched it off the rack before any of those milling around me could get a hand near it. Too excited to bother with the fitting room (and rushing to get home before Tucker was due to have some organic sweet potato puree-made from scratch!) I headed straight for the register.

Since my work is technically closed for the next 2 weeks (though my particular office remains open) I can dress more casual chic than business casual. Finding this the perfect chance to don my new sweater, I happily thew it over my head this morning. Fixing my hair in the mirror I was horrified at what I saw. More akin to bag lady or potato sack than chic poncho, the sweater swallowed me and spit me out. I adjusted the shoulders, added a scarf, tried a belt, nothing helped. I thought I was being too critical- it looked so great in the magazines. I must give it a try. Off to the kitchen to prepare Tucker's breakfast. The large sleeve knocked over a filled bottled and then dragged the liquid across the counter. Tucker won't fit on my hip, which has been replaced by an expanse of wool. My coat won't fit over the chic dolman sleeve, and its too cold to go without. In my haste to tidy up, I threw out the bag and the receipt, and already clipped the tag so I am stuck with the amorphous rag. Anybody interested in a post-holiday bad decision swap?