JUST A SHORT ONE...

Hello, Hello! Just wanted to remind you that with there only being 2 days left in 2010, you know I have to put together a Best/ Worst Celeb list along with delicious pics. I might even throw in a few regular badly dressed people who offend us too. So on New Years Day when you're recovering from the dirty deeds from the night before, do check in with me for the 1st Annual Chic Girl Best/ Worst Dressed of 2010 Smackdown. It's sure to be almost as fun as ringing in 2011. Hugs and Kisses in the New Year!



YAY 2011!

 -CHIC GIRL

PEOPLE WATCHING & THE GAME



Sorry. I just couldn't help myself. 



Once a week I get out of my cozy bed, pull on my faux Uggs, and schlep over to my neighborhood Starbucks for coffee, people watching, and of course to write this blog. Now in sitting here, I realize that in my faux Uggs and  an outfit that is barely an upgrade from pjs, I still look better than almost every single person that walks in here! The really bad thing is that most of these people are in the midst of their work day! Which means they deliberately left their houses looking like a hot mess. I'm sorry but I'm appalled. But I'm also glad for the fodder it provides me with to play my favorite game, Makeover in My Head. As Sophia on the Golden Girls would say, "Picture it", a plus size woman in her approx. mid 30's just walked in wearing washed out black cargo pants, a turquoise cotton tank w/ lace trim peeking out from underneath a horribly ugly black and white flowered tunic that unfortunately is too short and too tight. To top it all off... Barney purple Birkenstocks. 3 words. WRONG, WRONG , AND WRONG. The outfit  not my Golden Girls reference. 

Anyway I digress, this is such an easy makeover I have to restrain myself from running over to share it with her. First I would switch out her once black cargos ( they rarely a good look for anyone) for a pair of jet black jeans or leggings. Both would elongate her. Second, a lightweight hip- length tunic  (looks good on everyone) in a pattern or jewel tone. Third, a  jacket or vest to add some texture to. Finish her with a funky accessory (like the earrings below), an ankle boot and a big fabulous bag. See the pieces I picked below that scream  "FASHION IS FOR EVERYONE"!

So that's the Makeover in My Head game ("we need to find a better name for it"). It's fun and everybody wins. She gets a new look and I once again get to defy the odds and transform the fashion clueless... at least in my head.

Tunic
LaneBryant.com $54.50






Donna Karan Ankle Boot
(Price Unavailable) 

                                                                      


  


Funky Pyramid Earrings
By Noir (Price Unavailable)



Fab Fur Vest $50
Ideeli.com

 

I Heart this Bag!
Hype Christie Bag (Price Unavailable)

                                                                                                            

      

Knit Jean

DKNY for Lane Bryant $59

Haven't Been Around in a While But With Good Reason...

MY CURRENT INSPIRATION...

So life has a funny way of working out. I was blessed with a new job a few weeks ago that doesn't require that I sacrafice my personal style or my soul. I'm now working for a little denim company called Joe's Jeans. Those of you in the know, know that Joe's is the answer for "denimheads" who have grown beyond Trues and Sevens. With a clean, classic vibe combined with the best feeling denim on earth, at least in my opinion, you can't help becoming a fan. What is a fact is that they really do have a style for every bodytype and a wash for any and every occasion. I guess you could say that I've become a convert. My co-workers have become my friends and my inspiration. These people have some of the best damn style! Check out the pic.While being individualists they get "it". And since you're here reading this, you clearly get "it" too!

My own style has been allowed to run rampant as well. Since my only work dress code requirement is that I wear their jeans, I can be whoever I want to be daily. I get to release my inner hippie, nerdy collegiate girl or whatever. There are elements of these characters to my everyday outfits that make getting dressed much more interesting. I guess you could say that I'm enjoying my return to the working world. 

SHE SO CHIC HITS THE NET!!!

"A Girl Should be 2 Things: Classy and Fabulous"
- Coco Chanel

SHE SO CHIC is for that self- professed Fashion Whore. That girl who dreams up outfits to go to the grocery store! Visions of  Barneys Warehouse Sales, the latest Alexander Wang, and the perfect vintage Halston dancing in our sleeping heads.

You can call me SheChic. Think of me as the Coco to your Chanel. Chicness is not just about the label or the price tag. It's the excitement of  finding Donna Karen Couture studded peep toe cha- cha heels for $50 in the most unlikely of places.  Slipping them on with your comfiest beat up jeans and a wife beater...I'm getting all warm and fuzzy just thinking about it! I know all you like- minded fashionistas are thinking you've hit the Motherload. This is a two- way street. I want to know what does and doesn't work for you. Have an incredible find that no one else could possibly appreciate? I wanna know about it! Here's one for you.

Recently I had an interview at a very well known fashion house. It's always hard to know what to wear for an interview but this was particularly tough. I scoured all of my usual haunts with no luck. I was looking to channel a little 80's Ralph Lauren in the Hamptons look. A light weight summer pant suit. Seems simple enough. Not so much. Everywhere I looked there was a sea of black. It seems as though designers think black is always best in these matters. Not so. Throw on some white or cream . Make a statement! I digress, 1 day before the interview I found myself standing in front of NY&Co. Typically known as a "mall store" along the lines of the Limited. When I entered, there was a wealth of non- black suiting available. After finding a "perfect" cement colored silk combo with a longer 3 button jacket I thought I had struck gold. Unfortunately, the pant pulled across the front doing no justice to the carefully constructed pleating. Never one to be discouraged when it comes to shopping, I soldiered on. The sales associate then pointed out a rack of 50% off  pieces. There I discovered a poplin 2 button blazer with a blue and white seersucker lining and matching pant. Score! Needless to say it was perfect and at half off I payed $35 for both. See you just never know. Paired with a $12 navy ,cotton/ silk tank from Banana Republic and brown wooden Kenneth Cole heels it all came together seamlessly (pun intended). Sadly I didn't get the job but Damn I looked good!

WHAT'S AN UNEMPLOYED FASHIONISTA TO DO???

When all was right with the world and I had a fabulous job, I shopped daily. But now, in these somewhat bleak times that seems ostentatious and well a little bit ridiculous. What's a girl to do when she's more fabulous than the contents of her wallet?

First you have to get your mind right. It's hard when you come to the realization that $200 leather leggings are not an option if you also want to have roof over your head! Even the wealthy consider it tacky to spend $1650 on the latest Balenciaga bag in this economic climate. The point being that everyone is downsizing and it happens in our closets as well. I decided to embrace it.

I find solace and inspiration in my favorite free activity, window shopping. What can I say it gives me a natural high. Combing the racks looking at all the pretty things. But I'm not just looking. I'm making a mental note of items I know I can probably find cheaper elsewhere or that I can revisit come sale time. There is nothing better than buying something that I waited for months to go on sale. I feel like I appreciate it more. I feel victorious.

Another underrated resource is the thrift store. I grew up going to places like Opportunity Village and Goodwill with my mom and aunts. Here one person's trash is definitely another's treasure. It requires that you roll up your sleeves and dig but the rewards are endless. You're even doing a good deed because most of these places are charitable organizations.  I own a seriously fierce checkered tweed trench coat that I bought at Savers for $7 dollars. You can't beat that with a bat!

Most of us shop because we're in search of something. Be it the perfect handbag or the elusive skinny jean that actually makes you feel skinny. But the magic really happens when you find that it's also not going to break the bank. 

SO MUCH TO LOOK FORWARD TO...

Ophelia Sandal
Allsaints.co.uk

My horoscope today says not to fret over every small detail. Like whether anyone is actually reading this and just write.

I know that it's barely August but myself and the other slaves to fashion are already looking forward to the unveiling of this fall's collections. I literally had a dream last nite of being able to rework my favorite vintage over sized Dior sweater into a fabulous ensemble that included patent leather camel and black 4''spectator pumps and pearls. The image was so fab it didn't even matter that there were no pants or skirt. It was empowering and a little bit naughty.

I will be equally as naughty when I attempt to get into MAGIC 2010. Notoriously difficult to attend if you are not privileged enough to be a buyer or vendor. This convention is held twice a year for buyers to peruse the upcoming seasonal offerings. To my knowledge it is the largest convention of its kind despite its exclusivity.  Passes to this event go for upwards of $250 and is not open to the public. That means me. My plan is to work my connections and land either a pass or an internship working for a vendor as my ticket in.
If you're asking why would I go to all this trouble, then you haven't been paying attention. 2 words, Fall Preview. Not to mention all the free stuff companies and designers give away. And as with all events, a chance to network with industry people. Provided I can pull this off and not get arrested I will have some interesting things to share. Tho I guess a jail story would be pretty good too.

A couple of other exciting fashion coming attractions to look forward to. Of course the opening of the flagship H&M store @ Forum Shops. I can't wait. This location should be getting the limited edition collections that were only exclusive to the New York and LA stores. Also premiering in Las Vegas soon is a cool label from London called All Saints. They feature laid back funky pieces for men and women that won't kill my already strained wallet. I'm already having a love affair the open toe leather cage sandals shown above. Check out these shoes and more @ Allsaints.co.uk.  The location and opening date are still pending but when I know you'll know.

I was watching Sex and the City movie today.  I still foam at the mouth over the clothes and I still laugh till I almost pee. They just take me to my happy place.