The City Sage

How To: Dress Like a French Child (Plus a Discount!)

Blogland abounds with theories about the elusive je ne sais quoi of French style (see here, here and here). I don't claim to know the secret, but I'd like to propose my own hypothesis: behind every impeccably dressed French woman is an impeccably dressed French child. Case in point? Smallable, your one stop shop for utter French perfection.

I nearly expired of adorable-induced apoplexy while assembling these mood boards. Every teeny tiny dress, sweater and tee shirt registers eight-point-Capucine on the cuteness scale. As might be expected, the palettes are muted, the silhouettes are haute boho, and there are enough stripes to outfit an entire crew of French sailors.

The best part? Readers of the City Sage get an exclusive 15% discount on all fashion items from Smallable! Until March 16, you can shop designers like Isabel Marant, Imps & Elfs, and Oona l'Ourse, then enter THECITYSAGE at checkout. And when your little one grows up to possess that undefinable French elan, you can thank me :)

His 'n' Hers: Elizabeth and James

If there's one label I can wear day in and day out, never tire of, and always receive complements on, it's Elizabeth and James. Last summer their oversized button down shirts were my breezy staple in warm weather. So I was beyond thrilled when I learned that they've released an expansive men's line. I love to dress up the Huz like my personal Ken doll!

Don't be fooled by the badass, cooler-than-thou models on the Elizabeth and James website; the entire collection is actually extremely wearable. Comprised of comfortable, high quality basics, each piece feels like an updated, slightly edgier version of your old favorites. A blazer features cropped sleeves; a pencil skirt boasts subtle leather trim; a striped shirt droops ever so slightly off the shoulders. I can hear the Huz starting to sweat--he knows a shopping trip is in his near future!

Admire it on the Elizabeth and James website; buy it at Saks. Shopping guide: Blazer, skirt, lace-up wedges, pins and ring, women's handbag, plaid shirt, trousers, tie, briefcase, watch, Kindle cover, sunglasses, boots.

Outfit to Room: Toast Spring/Summer 2010

The new Toast catalogue has me dreaming of long, lazy holidays on distant isles, strolls through sun-drenched market squares, and gauzy skirts that ruffle in the breeze. Alas, no vaycay looms on my horizon, so a little Outfit to Room will have to do.

Fiery orange explodes against dark, mysterious grays, browns and blues. Teamed up with a slouchy fit and a relaxed vibe, the hue looks very stylish indeed.

The same shade feels positively alive when contrasted with deep purple. I am reminded of a spice stall in a Moroccan bazaar, the heady scents of saffron, lavender, and incense.

A ladylike silhouette take on a modern sensibility in graphic plaid, while a tiled Spanish floor and marble mantlepiece provide a chic backdrop for contemporary furnishings. Proof that pleasure ensues when we embrace the unexpected!

Borrow your fella's softest tee shirt and wear it with a patterned sarong. You won't be disappointed with the easy, exotic mood you create. Taxidermy bird completely optional, of course.

What to wear on a pony ride? Those age-old favorites: chambray, denim, canvas and leather! The interiors equivalent is less hokey cowgirl and more laid-back casa, with crisp walls, rugged wood finishes, and cozy textiles throughout.

  

Finally, what better way to end the week than with visions in white and turquoise? A bright, clean room perched high on a cliff above the sparkling sea is just the antidote I need to this foggy San Francisco Friday. Have a gorgeous weekend everyone!

Fashion Images: Toast Spring/Summer 2010. Interiors Images: 1-3, 5, 6. Interiores 4. Neuvo Estilo

Inspired By: Burberry Prorsum Spring 2010

When the March mags hit the newsstands, I flip past the fashion spreads and head straight to the ads. I have a huge appreciation for the creativity and hard work required to produce the campaigns, so I thought I'd highlight a few of my favorites from this season. Topping the list? Burberry Prorsum: shot by Mario Testino and starring Emma Watson, these images have me salivating!

The Burberry website features a 'making of' video for the campaign. After viewing it I knew I had three choices: (1) Magically transform into a gamine British model/actress (2) Thaw my Visa from its block of ice and go on a Burberry spree, thereby guaranteeing divorce papers from the Huz (3) Make a series of inspiration boards based on the haute ethereal vibe of these ads. It was a surprisingly hard decision.

Is it creepy of me to say that 18-year-old Emma looks beyond sexy in these photos? 'Cause she does, in a nubile, inbred aristocrat kind of way. It doesn't hurt that she's surrounded by a passel of oddly cute British boys, just the sort that make me feel like a lewd American cougar. And less importantly, aren't these posh feminine interiors lovely as well?

P.S. On an unrelated note, remember when I swooned over Sine NY? They're offering readers of The City Sage a 20% discount--just head to their website and enter the code Spring20 at checkout! Methinks 'tis time to pop that frozen Visa in the microwave...

Image Credits: 1, 5, 9. Mario Testino for Burberry 2, 7. Melanie Acevedo 4, 10. Homes and Gardens 3. Yospyn 6. James Merrell 8. Karen Wise 11. House to Home 12. Saipua

A Little Obsessed: Smythe Spring 2010

Confession: I am addicted to jackets. Bombers, peplums, capes: you name it, and I have lusted after it. Lately my heart belongs to the long boyfriend blazer---and no one does it better than Smythe. Wouldn't this heathery gray one pair perfectly with an understated sweater dress and spring's softest pastels?

If I still worked in an office, this black tux-y piece and feminine shorts would be my new uniform. Cobalt contrasted with black feels fresh and unexpected. Add a fun fringed scarf, then keep it classy with low black pumps.

I firmly believe that you can never have too many leather jackets; I'm at five and counting, and this cropped bad boy would make a darling #6. Channel biker granny with a mix of tough and sweet, and revisit a blast from the past with a bucket bag---this season's hottest handbag silhouette.

 

The best news? Smythe has branched out beyond jackets and now makes a tasty array of blouses and button-downs. Preppy stripes get hip when mixed with polka dots in the same palette. Complete the rockabilly vibe with a swipe of NARS pencil in Cruella and gloss in Bloodwork; it's my patented combo for spring's perfect red lip!

Shopping Guide: Outfit One 1. Sweater Dress 2. Liberty Print Headband 3. Suede Sandals 4. Mint Shoulder Bag Outfit Two 1. Shorts 2. Scarf 3. Glasses 4. Ballerina Pumps 5. Satchel Outfit Three 1. Floral Smock Dress 2. Leather Cuff 3. Lightning Necklace 4. Lace-up Granny Boots 5. Bucket Bag Outfit Four 1. Polka Dot Skirt 2. Tattoo Tote 3. Tusk Pendant 4. Apple Pendant 5. Saddle Oxfords 6. Lip pencil 7. Lipgloss

Girls' V-Day Out Starring Hayden-Harnett Spring 2010

New York: Join Jo, Abbey and Stephanie for brunch at the Clinton Street Baking Company. Gorge ourselves on banana walnut pancakes and the best biscuits east of the Hudson River. Follow with a gewgaw shopping spree at ABC Carpet and Home.

Miami: Beach time with Ms. Jenn! Lounge on the sand and make eyes at hunky, musclebound boys. Sip Jarritos through a straw, stroll along the boardwalk, then get gussied up for a night of salsa dancing!

Austin: Lunch with Kathryn--at Torchy's! Dig through the best vintage shops Texas has to offer, then sport new finds while eating a triple-decker cone from Amy's. With a cherry on top, of course!

Los Angeles: Urth Caffe with Emily and Rachel. Drink extra foamy latte and keep eyes peeled for future husband. Sweaty class at Yogaworks and a detour to Brooke's shop for gossip and Swedish grey!

Portland: Hang with my gal Miss Fuss; of course Cass and Erin would drive down for the occasion. Pop into Ink and Peat for inspiration, then gather spring blossoms and flowering branches for a girls-night-in wine and floral arranging sesh.

Whadya think, girls? Maybe next year? Happy Valentines Day to all my lovely ladies around the world! And if you're looking for something to do this weekend, why not bake cupcakes, print out lace notecards, and get romantic at the table? xo

Shopping Credits: 1. Dress, Shoes, Necklace, Bag 2. Bathing Suit, Sunglasses, Bag, Sandals. 3. Dress, Shoes, Earrings, Hat 4.   Dress, Bag, Shoes, Watch, Sunglasses. 5. Bag, Dress, Shoes, Ring, Scarf.

How To Wear It Valentine's Day Edition: Kate Spade Spring 2010

The Look: Punchy Galoshes The Occasion: Turning a rained-out picnic into a puddle hopping party.
The Look: Tied with a Bow The Occasion: Smuggling caramel marshmallows into the cineplex.

The Look: Slim and Spotted The Occasion: Location scouting for completion of college tradition #3.*
The Look: Stripes on the Horizon The Occasion: Playing hopeless tourist to his hunky, knowing local.

The Look: Miss Hoodie The Occasion: Beating his pants off--literally--in a game of strip ping-pong.
The Look: Cuff 'Em The Occasion: 'Accidentally' crossing paths in every aisle of the grocery store.

The Look: Pinwheel Tweed The Occasion: Revealing your un-granniest granny panties.
The Look: Grape Arm Candy The Occasion: Stealing his heart by route through his stomach.

The Look: Cardigan Shenanigan The Occasion: Making casual/calculated eye contact on the Q train.
The Look: Sunny Ruffles The Occasion: Sneaking into his backyard after gleaning his address from a United Way fundraising list (not that I know anyone who's engaged in such heinous behavior!)

*When asked if he partook of traditions 1 and 2 during his oat-sowing years, Huz scoffs and replies, 'Multiple times.' We never had the courage for number 3.

All images courtesy of Kate Spade.

Giveaway: $50 Gift Certificate from PONO Jewelry!

What? Another giveaway this week? Maybe I'm feeling generous--or maybe I'm trying to compensate for the Valentine's Day gifts that I won't be receiving. Whatever the reason, I'm thrilled to offer one lucky reader a $50 gift certificate from PONO Annex! My favorite resource for statement jewelry, PONO has mastered a tough luxe sensibility that completes the ladylike punk vibe I'm coveting for spring.

How to enter the giveaway for a $50 PONO gift certificate? Just pop over to the PONO Annex store and tell me what you'd buy if you win! For an extra entries, become a fan of PONO on Facebook and/or tweet the giveaway. Then raid your closet for the perfect outfit to wear with your new bling!

P.S. Don't despair if you don't win; PONO is offering an additional 10 percent off their already 75 percent below retail prices!

Shopping Guide Top: 1. PONO 2. Loeffler Randall 3. VIvienne Westwood Anglomania 4. Preen 5. Topshop 6. D&G 7. Shu Uemura Bottom: 1. PONO 2. See by Chloe 3. Topshop 4. Topshop 5. Miu Miu 6. Hayden Harnett 7. Stella McCartney

Acquired: Giant Nerd Glasses!

Remember a few weeks ago when I was on the hunt for a pair of big nerdy glasses? Well after much tomfoolery and ballyhoo, I finally decided on a pair. They're ultra huge and ultra geeky, and they're exactly what I was hoping for!

Today we finally had some respite from the rain, so I got gussied up and dragged the huz out for a photo shoot. I even wore my most stylish heels and got two comments from random strangers! One woman deemed them timeless; another declared they were 'too f**king loud'. Yikes!

The frames are from Oliver Peoples-- the product of a recent collaboration they did with Nom de Guerre. New glasses, a sunny day in San Francisco's Mission District...what more could a girl want?

P.S. I case you want more of my grinning mug, catch Maggie's Alt Style Report!

On the Hunt: Baggy Boy Khakis

It has been ages since I looked at women's khakis with anything other than a sneer. But never let it be said that I'm not open-minded, because lately I'm totally jonesing for a pair of slouchy tan trousers. I think the key is that these aren't women's khakis--not really, anyway. This style is taken straight from the fellas and made just right for us gals.

I'm hopelessly drawn to the versatility of this look. Team these trousers with a blazer and sneakers for a casual weekend brunch, or wear them with heels and a ladylike jacket at the office. Most often I've seen them cuffed, but find the right fit and you can definitely sport them full-length and flowing.

If you're resourceful you'll buy them secondhand or 'borrow' them from your significant other. If you're lazy like me, you'll go to your nearest mall and do the butt check in the mirror until you track down 'The Ones'. I'm especially loving the uber-affordable iterations from Urban Outfitters and Gap. And yes, I did just use the words 'love' and 'Gap' in the same sentence. See how open-minded I am?!

P.S. Get your girly fix over at Project Wedding with the final inspiration board in my Vintage Romance series!

Fashion credits: The Sartorialist Shopping credits: 1. J. Brand 2. Joie 3. Gap 4. C&C California 5. Lark & Wolff by Steven Alan 6. J. Crew