Styled one of my younger clients in a long white high low dress with of the moment, ankle-wrap, mid-heel, faux snake skin sandals, finished off with private collection clutch.

Not really a mall shopper, went anyways and we wrapped it up in less than two hours. She needed to be dressed that night for a black and white semi-formal, 7 pm. Like all of us, had plenty of appropriate black in her closet. After this long winter, she wanted to feel fresh and wear something new. Knew what I was doing, had been down this road many times. She was hesitant, thought the high low hem has been overplayed, every day dress had her try other options, and at the end it was back to the first pick: BCBG white dress and Michael Kors Open-Toe Sandal. She needed assurance, offered plenty, thanked me often, and after the party reported she felt great and most importantly had a great time. The clothes you wear do make a difference.

Even if you’re a classic dresser, sometimes you’ve just got to get out there and have a little fun. It’s only a dress. Wear it, own it, dance all night, and when you’re done with it, it’s okay.

Mixing up a little high low, even when you’re classic, can make for a good night. Every day dress.

Aiyana Bustier Wrap-Skirt Dress | BCBG

Open-Toe Sandal | like shown | MICHAEL KORS

Clutch | privately owned | Worth New York

 

 

 

Here’s a few pics from the west coast, San Francisco, CA, of second son Maxwell doing what he does well, happy.

Sister needed a DJ for what she makes happen, events extraordinaire, and east coast Maxwell made good.

She’s head of Radeff Design Studios, and you can find him at www.maxyny.com.

First photo, from sister Tracy’s iPhone. When she sent me that via text message at 2 am east coast time, I thought, wow, that stage is huge…

photos | Drew Altizer Photography

Every day dress, well done Maxwell.

Inspired by a woman met while working on the road in Rochester, NY, decided to pink it up. You know those first impressions? She walked in wearing a bright pink Donna Karan New York coat over her mostly black outfit. She had on heels, smiled brightly, and oozed good energy. Her look still makes me think about her today. As good energy begets good energy, I followed suit.

Wild Rose jacket, picked up at a sample sale as it’s not the usual pick, white silk blouse, black leather and ponte pant, flat boots. Couldn’t do the heels as it was moving and packing day, and 73 mile drive each way. Yes, very spoiled by short commutes here in Buffalo.

Wearing color needs and shows a little confidence, maybe that’s why so many of us wear the non-colors. Color is  memorable, and also takes thought. Bought a leather jacket in this exact Wild Rose and have yet to wear it, not sure what the wait’s for, it was fun to wear something bright. If you too are a little color shy, let’s join together, fake it till we make it with the confidence thing, and pink it up. They’re only clothes, and we can change.

Thanks, Stacey, absolutely loved your look and your energy.

Clothing | Worth New York

Boot | Chanel

Bag | Rebecca Minkoff

 

 

When the keeper of the house and all things food is down and out for a few days, it’s a good thing to rely on your local Co-operative Market for soup and sandwiches. You can make it special by adding cloth napkins, candles, and pink tulips. Sometimes you have to just rely on others for the cooking.

Worked a solid morning and had to lay down for the afternoon. Best I could do fashion wise was last year’s Chanel sneakers and some grey skinnies for the ‘what’s for dinner’ run to the market.

Tying this in every day fashion wise absolutely love that Karl showed sneaker clad women in the aisles of a sprawling supermarket for the Chanel 2014/15 Fall-Winter Ready-To-Wear collection. What modern women doesn’t honestly spend a good part of the day  down low on her feet and out at the market? Click here for your view: www.chanel.com.

Photo by Oliver Saillant

Sneakers were the footwear of choice for Karl Lagerfeld’s most recent collection in Paris. Feeling so on trend here in upstate New York. 🙂

Every day dress, down and out and relying on takeout, last year’s Chanel sneakers putting Spring in my step. Can’t wait to feel better and get to the big city to see what’s new.

As the streets were dry and the sun was out pulled on white jeans and open toe leopard flats, grey cashmere tee and black jacket finished the look. Good wardrobe basics make it easier to pull your look together, especially in between seasons. This outfit felt optimistic and right.

To make a quick comforting dinner before heading out for the night pulled two organic chickens, stuffed them with lemon, thyme, salt and pepper, and surrounded them with sliced onions and carrots. Butter on top, more salt and pepper, and in the oven at 425° for about an hour and a half. The prep time was quick, while they roasted got some fresh air and exercise by shoveling all the snow off the back porch.

Thinking I’m quite passionate about good clothes and good food. Love that the work I do helps other women feel good and look good in their clothes. Love that I love to cook for family and friends. Read something on LinkedIn that really hit home:  it’s easier to do something every day than once in a while.

Every day dress.

 

 

 

It’s official, fully committed to start wearing Spring clothing now, regardless of the wind chill. There is power in the new, and even if it’s still denim, boots, and black skinny turtleneck, the white leather dress coat made its debut.

Worked for work, and tomorrow night it will be fully buttoned up and see sandals and bare legs for daughter’s school auction.

Love buying great separates that can be worn different ways. Sometimes you just can’t wait.

White Leather Dress Coat | Worth New York Spring 2014

 

Just had to switch it up: Navy.

Every day dress working Spring 2014 on the road in upstate New York. Cold and snowy, what else is new?

It’s still sweater weather and probably will be for a while. Had to have something new so ordered the every day outfit all in navy. So close to the comfort of black but gives you hope. Navy ponte skinny, navy pocket tunic, (great for the cell phone), navy cardigan. The short over long makes it feel fresh.

New shoes can do the trick too. These here purchased in Tampa FL at Nordstrom’s and did the favorite charge send. Chunky heel, think ankle strap, white and navy, from London.

Are you in the mood for something new too? Message me, 716-445-3033, dreams of new clothes do come true.

Every day dress and it’s (still) sweater weather. I’ll be on the road until March 11th. Stay warm, drive safe, still. Spring is coming. Try Navy.

All photos iPhone.

Sandal | Kurt Geiger London

Decided to just take the chance and threw the leather and ponte pant in the front load machine on cold. The upside totally outweighed the risk. Have been wearing these things way too often, have had leather cleaned professionally and have been less than thrilled with the results, so in the wash they went.

Risk? Losing a pair of pants that have been a wardrobe workhouse. Plenty of more pants out there. 🙂

Out they came, simply hand-blocked them flat, and when dry they were just like new. Ponte back in shape and clean, leather soft and supple.

Every day dress decided to just take the chance on DIY leather pant cleaning. Outcome? Great.

Machine wash cold, (front load only, less agitation) Woolite for Darks, no softener, lay flat to dry.

Kind of like this photo as it has focus and blur. Life is so much of both, take the chance.

For a friend, in good times or bad, a batch of homemade muffins for the morning and then the freezer, is an easy kind of thing to bring. Cookies, yes, always welcome, these however can serve as breakfast in a pinch with a cup of coffee or tea.

Subscribed to Gourmet magazine ever since I was a kid, and have missed that monthly issue for years now. The Gourmet Cookbook, by Ruth Reichl, that big fat yellow one, has plenty of excellent recipes, and serves as a go-to.

One in particular that I can count on for giving is from the Morning Glory Café, on Nantucket. Recipe says it yields 30, I like to heavily butter the muffin tins and get only 24. Always love a good muffin top. haha. If you have the book it’s on page 642 and a little on 643. Here it is if you don’t, these little carrot cakes with apples, coconut, and pecans can help comfort and soothe, good times or bad.

Put a rack in middle of oven and preheat oven to 350°F. Generously butter 30, or 24 🙂 muffin cups.

4 cups all purpose flour, I use King Arthur. 2 1/4 cups sugar, 4 teaspoons baking soda, 4 teaspoons cinnamon, 2 teaspoons salt. Whisk together in a large bowl.

Stir in: 12 carrots, coarsely grated in food processor of with box grater, I never peel them, just grate. 1 cup raisins, 1 cup chopped pecans, 1 cup sweetened flaked coconut, 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and coarsely grated with box grater.

Whisk together: 6 eggs, 2 cups vegetable oil, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract in another bowl, then add to flour mixture and stir until just combined.

Spoon batter into muffin cups, filling them to the top. I take a butter knife and smooth them off flat. Bake muffins, in batches if necessary, until springy to the touch, about 30 minutes per batch. Cool in pans for 5 or 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack and cool to warm or room temperature.

Morning glory, good or bad, getting through the day. Every day dress.

Your day adds up. Whether you do yoga poses when you can or walk into town to fetch The New York Times because you’re away for the weekend, if you’re on the move it all adds up.

Husband bought this fitbit thing when we were at the mall with our two Costa Rica exchange students. Not really being a mall girl but not wanting to feel left out, bought one too.

He keeps track of his activity, food, and sleep, I kind of just let it happen. A bit of fit is a very good thing. Walking the dogs, skiing with two youngest daughters, washing the windows, doing the laundry, fitbit keeps track. Love when the wrist band vibrates and tells you you’ve done 10,000 steps. Bonus when you’re the overachiever, haha, and the thing registers 20,000 steps.

Whatever, stay active. Movement of any kind is a very good thing.

Every day dress staying active in Ellicottville NY for the weekend. Love your body.

Fitbit| Measures Steps, Cals, Sleep