Remember going to a formal in high-school? You probably wore some version of a strapless taffeta number with satin pumps that were dyed to match your dress. Your date brought you a corsage, which you were hoping was for your wrist so it didn’t interfere with the look of your dress. Inevitably, the dance was a bore and you couldn’t wait to go the after-party. High-school parties were usually in someone’s basement or in the middle of an obscure field. Which usually meant it was going to be cold! The best part of the night was when your date noticed you shivering, took off his jacket and put it on your shoulders. SWOON!
That’s basically the feeling you want to recreate, but in a more sophisticated way. The Boyfriend jacket is not fitted, it hangs longer, and more loosely. Balance it out with more fitted pieces underneath.

1.The Boyfriend with Jeans

Balance it out with more fitted pieces underneath. Straight jeans with a classic tank, and stillettos.

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2. The Boyfriend with a dress

It’s perfect over a slim-lines dress. When wearing a boyfriend jacket with a dress, the dress should peak out at the bottom.

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For a mother there are few things harder than watching your child suffer, be sick, or be in pain. As I sit in my son’s hospital room watching him finally fall off to sleep after a long day, I start to daydream. I drift to a time when all of this is behind us. I dream of a place where we can all relax together, enjoy each other, and have fun. All it takes is a loud groan to bring me right back down to reality. He starts to squirm in pain, and I rush over to comfort him.
“Close your eyes sweet boy… in only a few weeks we’ll be in St. Barts. You can play in the pool, snorkel in the bright blue sea, eat incredible food, and rest.”
“Can we eat my favorite pizza there?”
“Of course!” I said with a giggle. I instantly felt a lump in my throat as the question “what if ?” crept into my mind. I fought back tears as I silently thanked God.
Have you ever asked yourself “what if”?
What if things were different?
What if things didn’t end well?
What if…?
Well, today I’ve managed to escape my “what if” nightmare. I’ve never been happier to watch Star Wars Clone Wars in my entire life.

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Splurge vs. Steal
There are plenty of Harem pants to choose from, and the prices are all over the map. We’ve narrowed it down to 3 expensive, and 3 that are more reasonably priced.

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Spring
Trench: For Spring, a trench is a great investment piece. It goes over everything from dresses and skirts to jeans and slacks. A trench is also a classic piece that will never go out of style. For the plus size woman, choose one that hits just below the hip. You don’t want it to be too long, because it will lose its versatility.
Color: Spring is time to bring out color. For Spring we like green, orange, and yellow. These colors work well together, and you will be able to mix and match.
Accessories: Choose a tote with neutrals tones like tan, brown, yellow, and orange. That way, it will blend with your entire wardrobe. Accessories in yellow work really well as a neutral for Spring. It goes with most colors, and you can pair it with green, orange, pink, blue, and purple.

Plus size picks in this observation:

Marie-Lise Lachapelle’s jewelry line echoes some of the most beautiful elements of nature. She captures the intricate details of the orchid, and the rose. She’s able to add depth and texture to the leaves in her collection, making them come to life. You can see passion in her craft. It’s more than jewelry, it’s a sculpture that you get to wear and appreciate everyday. Given her background, it’s understandable where her artistic ability comes from. Her father is a talented sculptor, and her mother is a painter. I’m guessing growing up in that environment, she was encouraged to go beyond a box of crayons to express herself.
With Spring around the corner, Marie-Lise Lachapelle’s jewelry seems the perfect accessory. A beautiful orchid around your neck is sure to lift and lighten not only your spirits but your face as well. I’m eyeing a pink orchid necklace for Spring. It’s refreshing, feminine, and different … I love that!
Check out Marie-Lise Lachapelle Jewelry Collection

London Fashion week is known as the edgy side of fashion. It’s more wild, more extreme, and more risky. I would love to experience London Fashion Week, but unfortunately a girl can only dream … for now!
What would I wear if I were able to attend the ultra-fabulous? I imagine I would try to go modern and sleek on my outfit, and more radical on my hair and make-up. It would be the perfect time to absorb the fashions that others put together. When I see a new style that I like, it doesn’t take me long to make it work in my own way. It’s one of my favorite things to do, see new and different ways of wearing clothing. Most of the time I see a style that I really appreciate, but can’t pull off. If you could try any style or outfit you wanted, what would it be? What style do you love, but don’t think you can wear?

London Fashion Week Outfit:

Can you remember the day, in your childhood, when you lost the ability to play? The day it hit you that Huggums was just a doll, and that she didn’t actually have the ability to feel. That’s sort of what happened to me with regards to Valentine’s Day. One day, a couple of years ago, I woke up and that was it.
It’s funny, I used to be a hopeless romantic! I would wake up on Valentine’s Day with butterflies in my stomach. Like many girls, I really wanted my boyfriend to send me red carnations during homeroom. It was a public declaration of his love for me, and I loved it every time. I looked forward to being swept off my feet, and treated like a princess. I wanted the candlelit dinner, the heart-shaped pendant, the sexy lingerie, I longed for it All. Here’s the thing though, I’m a purist. I don’t want it, unless he wants to give it to me. I don’t want the obligatory flowers, or the forced sentiments written on an old card. I don’t want a last minute gift that was a pressure purchase. I’m over it, in the best way possible. These days, the perfect night for me would be ordering chinese, watching TV with my family, sipping a Latte, and enjoying the 2 Godiva chocolates that I bought for myself. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a Valentine hater. I’ve just lost the ability to appreciate it. If you still have it, you should enjoy every minute of it! Believe me, nothing made me more sad than the day when Huggums became “just a doll”. Once upon a time, she was as real to me as the love and passion expressed on Valentine’s day. Now, stop your crying and go out and enjoy your youth… before you become one of the desensitized women who walk the earth in sweats on Valentine’s day.


Dinner Date for February 14th

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A.M. Schedule
6:46 – Wake to the howling pack of hungry dogs.
7:00 – Sleepy children enter the kitchen craving warm cinnamon buns.
7:10 – “Boys, stop fighting”
7:15 – Feed boys warm cinnamon buns – feel like Martha Stewart.
7:20 – “Stop yelling at him, and don’t even think of throwing that”
7:25 – Make lunches.
7:30 – Get kids dressed & ready for school.
7:40 – Run around looking for lost library book.
7:50 – “Don’t hit him”
8:00 – choke down first cup of coffee as fast as I can.
8:20 – Pull boys apart.
8:25 – Boys leave for school.
8:30 – Rush to get ready for the train.
8:32 – Trying to figure out what to wear.
8:35 – Put on black slacks with patent pumps, blouse, necklace.
8:37 – Remember I’m going to have to walk all over the city.
8:39 – Throw on jeans with high-heeled boots, cashmere sweater.
8:40 – Think my heels are too high for walking around the city all day.
8:41 – “Ugh” Change again
8:45 – Switch jeans to pair that can accommodate flat boots.
8:50 – Grab coat, bag, power bar, and phone.
9:00 – Run out the door to the train.

Haven’t we all had a morning schedule that is similarly chaotic? To avoid the 20 minutes of indecisive closet time, try to plan it out the night before. I know, I know, it’s not always that simple. So, consider the day you have ahead. Nobody loves pumps as much as I do, but they’re not always the best choice. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve worn uncomfortable shoes to the city, only to regret it 40 minutes into my day. If you need pumps once you get to work or a meeting, pop a pair into your tote – change right before you walk in. NOTE: This is NOT an invitation to wear your sport sneakers with your fabulous outfit. Wear black flats, or something of the like. The best way to pull a casual business look together, wear a well tailored coat. A trench is a perfect style. It wraps the package beautifully. It’s also a look that works as well with denim as it does with trousers, or a skirt. So, it’s a good investment piece. Oh… and don’t forget your shades, because sometimes you just don’t want to make eye contact with the millions of strangers you’ll, no doubt, bump into. At the end of the day you’ll collapse onto your couch, relieved the day is over. Suddenly you remember, you get to do it all over again tomorrow. Just Breathe! C’est La Vie...

Illustration by Sophie Griotto

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A fresh way to wear gladiators this year is with a romper. The romper is going to be everywhere this summer, and it will make even last seasons gladiators look new. If you want to cover up, go with a long cardigan. It’s a look that plays with balance and proportion = sophisticated.

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Treat snakeskin like a neutral. It’s basically a nude with texture. We like it best in a shoe, skinny belt, or clutch. It looks great with basic black, white, as well as brilliant colors.

Some of our favorite snakeskin items: