We’re coming up on two years here at every day dress, thank you for stopping by, reading regularly, liking or not liking. Used to be a long distance runner, miles and time have worn out the feet so writing here has provided many of the same soulful benefits, thank you.

If one thought were to come from this blog of mine, it would be to live each day with intent. Whatever your passion, whatever your choice, make an effort, make a difference.

To lighten things up, here’s some fashion notes from photos taken last weekend in Naples FL while thinking things through: black v neck sweater, you’ve seen it before, love the length, long under a short jacket. Jacket was worn on the plane with blue jeans, gray tee and fancy sneakers, here you see it dressed up with white denim and nude suede heels. Carried only one bag for four days, the camel vintage Hermès. Used to pack way too much stuff, it’s so much easier when you take less.

Every day dress thinking things through. Thank you, 90,000 site views. Not bad for a kitchen table cottage industry.

clothing | Worth New York

bag | Heritage Auctions

shoes | Aquazurra

 

 

We all kind of know there’s nothing out there that’s easier than a dress, and when its white leather and not super-fitted, probably a home run.

Have been in the market for a leather dress for some time now. Didn’t want to do black, or dark, or fitted, especially headed towards fifty. Couldn’t do a color, way too color shy, so when this style hit, pulled the trigger.

An investment, for sure. Doubles up as a coat, over jeans and a sweater. Wore this exact look to fourth daughter’s catholic school auction. Felt modern, stylish: a little conservative all buttoned up, a little sexy as it’s a little short in length, but most of all felt great because of the shape, fit, color, and cut. A white dress in leather had the feeling of not trying too hard.

As time moves forward, and that’s a good thing, our clothing choices invoke a mood, tell a story, create a feeling.

Every day dress, a white dress in leather.

White Leather Dress Coat | Worth New York

Not a romantic weekend, but satisfyingly productive. Carine Roitfeld advises a woman should go through and edit her closet every five years. With husband out-of-town and only the youngest daughter at home, did just that over the course of two days and two nights.

Took everything out and with a bucket washed the whole thing down. Organized by item and color. Yes, there is a sea of black. Put the colored things together as they make me nervous, they might have to go but for now they stay.

To create a feeling of calm and order, have all your hangers match. Does wonders no matter what size closet you have to work with. These here are the same make and brand I use for trunk shows and I simply buy them by the box full and they’re delivered straight to the door. Sure beats TJ’s.

When you collect clothes over a decade or so it can seem overwhelming to get the lot in order. Two days and two nights, along with two bottles of wine, and this DIY project is done and over for a while.

Every day dress does a bit of spring cleaning in the closet. Like a workout, feels so good once you get started.

clear hangers | Firefly Store Solutions

 

 

 

Usually cook for a cast of many, therefore the buffet. Right now, for a few days, there’s just the three of us. Plated dinner it is. When you’re kind of wondering what to serve and you really don’t know what time it will happen, a relaxed tuna nicoise plated dinner can fill a Thursday night dinner quite nicely.

Stop in at your local market and when the fresh tuna looks good, go for it. Pick up some watercress, green beans, your kind of black olives, maybe some market made potato salad, boil up some eggs, make a champagne vinegar, dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and olive oil vinaigrette, a loaf or two of fresh bread, a  little wine, sear the tuna on a hot grill quickly and you are all set.

Every day dress does a plated dinner, on an every day Thursday.

Today was one of those days when it was an effort to get dressed. As I really needed to leave the house, blue jeans, bare feet, and a hoodie just wouldn’t do.

Thankfully, the company I recruit for makes some pretty amazing separates. Separates that create countless outfits, across multiple seasons.

Today’s outfit inspired by the absolutely exquisite Valentino Spring Summer 14 ad campaign and runway. I looked, and reworked what I had, to get out the door. Kept the hair simple and jewelry minimal. Missed the fringed handbag, did a small tailored bag that’s at least a decade old, can’t remember.

every day dress | Worth New York

runway image | Valentino

 

 

Remember when it was Spring and time for a new pair of patent leather Mary Jane’s? As the streets were dry, still cold out, couldn’t resist pulling out the patent Rockstuds. Instead of the shoe with the white ankle socks, wish I had those so Chanel, paired these with dark navy denim rolled at the cuff, white silk blouse, and new Navy Iridescent Satin Sashed Coat. Patent up, indeed, we’ve all been waiting.

Some say the Rockstud has come and gone, no way here at every day dress. If it’s a shoe with a heel that you can walk city blocks and drive 150 miles without a blink, wardrobe classic for sure. 

Patent up everyone. It’s time. Hibernation has to be over, right?

Makeup and nail note: have been pretty focused on the work thing and couldn’t manage the eyeliner and manicure and get out of the house on time all at once. Went for the Jenna Lyons clean face bright lip with a flick of mascara, husband told me it looked pretty darn good. Happy.

‘Rockstud’ Pump | Valentino | at Nordstrom

all clothing | Worth New York

bright lip | Chanel Rouge Allure 136 | Mélodieuse

liner | Chanel Aqua Crayon 18 | Vivid Rose

While it would be seriously seductive to have a linen closet full of Frette and Porthault, it’s just not that easy to put that stuff in the every day rotation. To quickly dress the bed, shopped the department store.

As the wardrobe is mostly black, and white, with a bit of color here and there, went the same way with the sheeting. It’s Spring, really, and have an urge to clean and spruce things up. It’s still mighty cold to wear the new white anorak so decided to just dress the bed.

Side note, twenty-one year old daughter that still can’t find the dishwasher when at home messaged me this photo late this afternoon: She calls it ‘treat yourself Mondays :)’ Every Monday she buys herself fresh flowers and wine for the week. Said that I blogged about the idea that keeping fresh flowers around helps your mood. She agrees, even if they are simply from CVS. Booie, inspiration goes two ways, and you helped my mood today, thank you. xoxo

Oh, and work colleague wanted to know what was for dinner tonight: if you have a lean protein, green vegetable, a good carb, salad greens, parmesan cheese, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, kosher salt and pepper, dinner’s done. Balsamic and rosemary chicken, roasted broccoli, wild rice, caesar salad.

Linens | Macy’s

 

This one’s for the fit, size 2 or 12 and beyond. You might be CEO of the big corporation and managing many or CEO of the home front and mentoring those you hold close, yoga teacher or yoga student. If you’re day is non-stop here’s a good capsule:

• black dolman sleeve sweater, zips asymmetrically to expose or not.
• black harley pant, not you’re yoga pants, actually a pant, with zip pockets.
• black bandeau, a little foundation underneath it all.
• black push-up sleeves jacket.

Every woman out there should have something like 3 of these 4 pieces, we’ll let the bandeau top slide.

Add a low heeled boot and mid-heel slightly sexy sandal and you are all set.

Sun up to sun down and sun salutations between. Have actually slept in the first two, the sweater and the pant, on separate and more than one occasion(s), without regret. Machine wash on cold lay flat to dry. They keep on looking great. Photos taken late Thursday night in home office after a non-stop day.

Every day dress loves a good capsule.

a good capsule | Worth New York

low heeled boot | Chanel | at Neiman Marcus

mid-heel sandal | Aquazzura | at Barneys New York

Last spring was all about dress as coat. This season it’s been dress as shirt. Sleeves are rolled up, been working like crazy. Crazy good. 🙂

Wore this silk dress over dark denim at a marketing event two weeks ago. Felt great even with all other women dressed in ski clothes. A silk dress as shirt over dark denim can take you pretty much anywhere.

Every day dress, dress as shirt.

The best things sometimes take place when nobody’s looking. Last night, home alone with just the husband, cooked steak and greens and served it in the dining room. Sonos system played Pandora Van Morrison, candles lit, wine poured, and life is good. We could have skipped it, mid-March slump, but made the effort, showed intent, totally worth it.

Know that what you do day-to-day is noticed by those around you. Second daughter messaged this via iPhone, Sunday night, in her Boston MA apartment with the caption ‘dinner for one LOL’. Steak and greens, all around. Doesn’t need to be fancy.

Every day dress, make the effort, live with intent. Love you Booie.