Saturday, January 8, 2011

The Fabulous Outfit That I Didn't Wear and (Broken) New Year Resolutions

I can't believe we are January the 8th already, please accept my belated Happy New Year wishes! Not to justify myself but this post is cursed. I started it on Monday, then I was victim of BWB (blog writer's block) and when the inspiration came back yesterday and I was finally ready to publish it after spending more than two hours on it, blogger froze and I lost almost everything. So I am going to cut it short and move on to other posts.
In any case, if anyone still cares, our romantic gateway in the city was FANTASTIC. Why didn't we do this before? (Wait, I know why: we have a daughter and no family here to take care of her if we decide to disappear for a day). But the decision has been made: we'll do it at least once a year, when my MIL is here on vacation (can't wait, can't wait).

Now, after checking in at the hotel we went out for drinks and we found by chance the most amazing place in the entire city, at the top of the Standard hotel (in fact it is called "Top of the Standard"). It's not a secret address for people who go out and apparently every celebrity has been spotted there in 2010 (when it was called the Boom Boom Room, as I learned afterward) but I had never heard of it (I know, I know, I don't go out enough) and as soon as I pushed the (heavy) door I was transported in another era. The design (apparently inspired by the interior of a Bentley) is fabulous (think jazz-age with a touch of modern: creamy leather seats, glass and laqued wood) and the view is simply breathtaking.
I wish I was wearing this:




I couldn't possibly have worn the moonbeam sequined jacket that day for the simple reason that I bought it two days ago for a third of its original price but I did have the beaded-ribbon top and the silver shoes ... in my suitcase. Yeah, I had left the top at the hotel because it was still early when we left and the plan was to get changed before going out to dinner (which never happened because we ended up staying there until dinner time). So instead I was wearing the Bal d'hiver tee, a pair of cargo and Chalet boots (sigh!) Truth to be told a lot of people were wearing "ski" attire because of the recent snow, so I didn't feel like I was the only one not dressed appropriately. However, when the waitresses are wearing this kind of outfit (how fabulous is this uniform?):



you can't help regretting not wearing your best clothes. In any case I hope that I will have a second change to wear this pair soon, because I am seriously in love with this jacket. It is actually a good thing that I admired it since it came out but I never dared trying it on when it was FP because I would have succumbed to its beauty, probably. I love how the metallic sequins (from the family-owned, Barcelona-based Gratacos mill, as the product description tells us. Who knew that there are mills specialized in sequins?) are securely attached and how fluid it is (I am wearing my regular size 0). Isn't it the perfect companion for the beaded-ribbon top (that still ranks in first position as my favorite "going out in a fancy place" top?):



A per my New Year's resolutions, I think that I set a record because a few days into the New Year I have already broke most (if not all) of them. Let's see:

1) Shed off those few extra pounds that I put on between the summer and the holidays by eating healthier meals. I would say that eating Panettone for breakfast every day is not a good way to start a diet or a healthy regimen.

2) Start a regular exercise routine (complement to resolution number 1). Just three words to describe this: not started yet.

3) Buy less, wear more. What can I say? In eight days I have already wiped half of my spring budget, so much for this resolution.

4) Don't buy. Any. More. Striped. Top (because I have a gazillion). OK but I HAD to have this striped hoodie from the Loft. I had tried it on before Xmas and the plan was to wait for a promotion, but when I came back there was only one left in my size and had to buy fp (still less expensive than the crazily priced similar Jcrew Drapey striped pullover hoodie, which is simply a tee in case you haven't seen it IRL):



Note that scarves don't count (especially when they cost $6 with the current 40% off. This is the jersey Jcrew one that was originally priced at $39.50):



However, the only resolution that I feel like I keeping am so far is one that is very important to me: take a better care of my family (especially my husband, who often complains that he comes in third position after my daughter and my shopping obsession). I'm making efforts in that department and I hope that the result is a happier couple life and happier life in general.

How about you? Any broken new year resolution already?

19 comments:

  1. I love your blog and have relied on your reviews on several purchases I have made in the past. I've never left any comments but I had to this time. I absolutely love the way you styled the Moonbean jacket! It looks gorgeous on you. I'm also on a shopping ban but after seeing the jacket on you I have to have it. Keep up the good work and thanks for all the styling tips! Also, what are your thought on the Moonbeam jacket in Cobblestone?

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  2. Gina, thank you for the compliments and for following the blog. I absolutely love the moonbeam jacket in cobblestone and would probably have bought it if I had the choice (My store only had this one left and I didn"t want to miss on the 40% off). However keep in mind that it is more sparkly than the dark charcoal (or is it pewter?) that I am wearing here and a little bit more difficult to pair IMO. If you wear a lot of black I would go with the dark one, otherwise the cobblestone should look better with lighter-colored pants and skirts. HTH!

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  3. Wow! That Moonbeam jacket is one of those pieces that I wouldn't think would work IRL but you're totally rocking it. Love how you've styled it. I am not in the habit of making resolutions, but I am trying to eat healthier, exercise more and don't buy anything I don't absolutely love. So far so good since Jan. 1. Good luck with your resolutions!

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  4. Glad you had such a great time. That's awesome. I love stripes, too. I have to try to refrain from buying another one. Surely I have like 10 between tanks, short & long sleeve.

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  5. GLad to see a post from you, happy new year Em!! Love the striped hoodie, I have a similar one from jcrew that i got maybe 3, 4 years ago and i cannot believe it looks like the EXACT one they have out now!! Love the one you got from LOFT! Can't wait to wear some COLOR, I am already sick of winter and we have a ways to go, lol!!

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  6. LOVE that Loft hoodie!

    I don't do any resolutions, but loved to read about yours regarding taking better care of family. That is the most important, in my opinion. After having come back from a vacation with family in Europe I just realize how much I miss them.

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  7. Happy New Year Ema!
    I bought a Together bag form the ThursdayFriday site this morning after reading about it in the NY Times Style Section. Haven't bought anything for my wardrobe in a month so that spell is broken!
    I think your resolution to take care of hub/family is the best one anyway. Those husbands do need extra attention, don't they?
    Love the moonbeam on you. Now I regret returning that silver bow top last year!

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  8. Hi Ema!!

    Did you like the Standard? I like the one in LA but haven't made it to the one here. Sometimes those places in NYC are so uptight and have crazy cover charges, so I just get lazy and go somewhere more casual. Was it really uptight or more laid back? The funny thing was that the first time I went to the LA one in 2009 I was wearing super casual jeans and uggs (I know gross) because I was just checking out the rooftop and planned to change for dinner. No one said anything when we ended up staying the night there. I wasn't sure if it was a Standard thing or an LA thing.

    Do you know if any of the local J Crews have that stripey scarf still available with the 40%? At only $6 I'm dying to grab one, but I have SO many stripes I shouldn't pay anything more. That being said I'm obsessed with your Loft hoodie!!! You know I'm pretty sure I saw something like that at Target recently! I never get out there so I'll probably just miss out. Is your Loft hoodie warm?

    Happy New Year!

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  9. Dominique, welcome back! I wanted to tell you quickly that the Madison Avenue store had several jersey striped scarves as of yesterday but not this one. You could give it a try though. I have a feeling that the 40% off might be gone tomorrow.
    Will comment on the Standard later.

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  10. Ok, I need that jacket!! Is Jcrew still running 40% off sale?? And if so, how can I find one in size 0?! Help!!

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  11. Helen, I saw a few of them yesterday at the Madison Avenue store in NYC but I didn't check the sizes. You can call them tomorrow morning and ask if they will honor the 40%. If not your best bet is probably to wait for a popback on the website during the next 30% off promo.
    HTH!

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  12. Thought you were still holed up in that hotel room!
    That bar sounds like my kind of place, I hate feeling out of sorts about my clothes in places like that, it always puts me on a downer.

    Oh I've been having toasted panettone everyday for breakfast too - I can't stop.

    I haven't bought anything since before October - works been few and far between. Sigh.

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  13. Thanks for your response - I went to the jcrew @ Columbus Circle and picked up one of those marled thick scarves for $18 including tax. My husband (who hates jcrew and says I shop there too often, etc etc) picked it out and told me to buy it. I love it and it really kept me warm today as I trekked to work!! They had a couple more in stock.

    Also - I went to a New Jersey GAP randomly in November (long story) and found a pair of those camel flats! I had to pay full price but since they were the last ones in stock I snapped them up. I actually wear them all the time in the winter since I wear uggs or seriously gross hiking boots to work, then I change into those flats at work (I bring them with me to work). They work great!!

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  14. Ema, thank you for the post. I've been curious about this jacket. What is the lining like? Can you post close ups of the exterior and lining? Thinking about ordering it. Thx!

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  15. CMG, it is lined in black silk (like crepe de chine, not shiny), the same fabric that is used for the exterior. The sequins don't overlap and are not they same color (there are black and metallic)). The effect is similar to that of little studs (like the silvana cardigan). I will try to take a pic and update the post tomorrow. HTH!

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  16. Hi Ema,
    My 16 year old daughter and I simply adore your blog. We love the clothes, your description of life in NYC and your honest musings about your life. Whenever we are in New York, we keep our eyes open for you in JCrew!
    Happy New Year and good luck with those resolutions!

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  17. Came back to say that the moonbeam is beautiful :-)

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  18. Loved your review! Just snagged the cobblestone moonbeam on today's extended 40% off promo :) You mentioned it may be harder to style - any tips for cobblestone color?

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  19. Kathryn, I posted a pic of the cobblestone in this post. I didn't style it and only tried it on with my colors of the day. However, the navy top I have on might give you a clue of wear to start. Navy looks good w/so many things & is a great alt to black :-)

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