Monday, February 7, 2011

I Am Back and I Need Your Help (Urgently!)

Hi everybody! You have probably figured out from my absence last week that we made it to our vacation in the Bahamas (BTW, thank you for all the warm wishes, apparently it worked). It wasn't the most relaxing vacation ever as my daughter was still sick when we left and started to get really better towards the end of it, but at least we were out in the sun and not freezing and snowed in in NY. Not that it was THAT warm, especially the first days (in the high 60s) but I managed to get a nice tan and read two books, which is a big achievement for me as of late.
So I will try to post a few pics of our vacation (we didn't take many pics though) another time but now I need your help to help me decide what I am going to wear tonight.

Tonight is the night of my daughter's nursery school annual benefit, the biggest fundraising event of the year. A lot of effort has been put in organizing the event at the Central Park Boathouse and the theme of the evening is flamenco. Now, when I first heard of the event I thought that it would be a good excuse to buy a Ralph Lauren bolero-style cashmere jacket that I was eyeing and is now sold-out but then I realized that I have too many jackets and I would probably only wear it a handful of times, so instead of the jacket I bought a very cheap accessory at H&M that is going to give my outfit a flamenco flair (hopefully). Here it is, my secret weapon:



This fabric flower has a safety pin and also a hair clip in the back, so it can be used both as a hair ornament and a clothes pin (and it costed $3. Gotta love H&M).
Now with the help of my flower I came up with a few options with the clothes that are in my closet. The goal is to play the game and have fun, not to be the best dressed (that I won't be in any case because I am sure that there will be ladies who have splurged and bought or rented a real flamenco dress or costume). On the other hand I don't want to look like I am wearing a bad Halloween costume, so I will show you my options and you will tell me which one looks the best and more flamenco-y. Ready? I don't have much time as I have to be ready at 6 pm, so if you have a little time this morning or early afternoon I appreciate it!

Option #1. Loft chiffon ruffle tee, curator pants and velveteen bolero from Uniqlo:



If I am going to go with this outfit, I will wear the flower pin as a hair clip, like this:



Option #2. Same tee and pants, but worn with my BR velvet blazer and the flower pin placed on the blazer as a brooch. I have the choice between a red "rosette" clutch and the same in black (another H&M find) and I am leaning towards the black one:




Option #3. Same tee and pants and the jardin jacket, which always struck me as something that a torero would wear in a bullfight (corrida). I think this option would work with a specific hat (that I don't have and I don't have the time to buy today unless it materializes in one of the boutiques between my place and the school). I am going to show it to you anyway even if I don't think that I am going to wear it like this (on the plus side, it is an occasion to wear this beautiful jacket and bring down its cost per wear):



Option #4. This is the only dress/skirt option that I have, with the flannel Heidi dress (as a matter of fact the only black dress that I own) and it is more elegant than the previous options (even if less flamenco-y). I picked up this dress a few weeks ago for a ridicolous price (something like $20). It is incredibly flattering on my figure and I can't wait to wear it somewhere. It is a little bit low-cut and I think this is the reason why it didn't sell well:



But with my flower pin to the rescue, it becomes perfectly appropriate (in the first picture I put the pin strategically in the cleavage, while in the second one I use it to close the bolero):





That's it, I am going to go with one of these options. Which one do you prefer or you find the most appropriate for the event? Thanks for your help!

22 comments:

  1. Hi Ema,
    The jardin jacket is beautiful. My husband also calls it the "matador" jacket. I think if you wear it with minnie pants (or any other tight pants), you would get the matador look. I also liked the bolero from pic 1.

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  2. Although my first choice is the dress and the strategically placed corsage-over-the-cleavage, it seems a bit uncovered for an event in February, so my vote is for the jacket, corsage, black pants and black clutch.
    Have fun!

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  3. I love the last look with the dress and bolero. I think it looks classy but still have a bit of whimsy flair with the flower!

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  4. I like either the dress or the first option. The red clutch is great too!

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  6. Ema this is a tough choice because everything looks great on you!
    I love the first outfit, black and red seem so flamenco to me, but I also agree that the Jardin looks very Matador and it is just so beautiful I would be tempted to wear that one. You could carry the black clutch with that.
    Oh and I think the Curator pants are perfect for the outfit, again a Matador feeling to those somehow. (I know the pants well because I have them too!)
    Let us know what you decide!
    I am happy you are home safe and that your daughter is well again.

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  7. I like option #2 the best. The jardin jacket is gorgeous, too! What a tough choice. Good luck and have fun!

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  8. Welcome home!

    A flamenco party this time of year would be wonderful. Will they feature a dance demonstration? I so love to watch the interplay between the women and the men, and the women with each other.

    I would choose outfit #1. You look sleek and strong, with a dash of alluring red. Or #4 (?) with the Jardin jacket. It does remind me of the vibrant matador jackets.

    As an aside, the Heidi dress looks wonderful on you.

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  9. I love outfit #2 with the red clutch. Have fun, that's such a beautiful spot. I'd love to have my wedding there, but we want the restaurant space, not the event space all the way on the right.

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  10. I actually really really like option #3 (jardin jacket) - but I understand if that's not the look you're going for. The flower is definitely very much in the theme. I like the dress option as well. Have fun at the event! Can't wait to hear what you end up picking!

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  11. Wow!! What an amazing/fun event to go to---that being said, option #1 for me, with red flower in hair, as hairclip, and then option #3..?? with jardine jacket, as my second choice! Have fun!
    p.s. dress looks amazing --where is it from??

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  12. Love Option 2. The BR Blazer. Looks great!!1.

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  13. I like #1 with flower in your hair and #3 Jardin jacket. Very chic! Have a fun time with your daughter!

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  14. Ema, it's a tough choice, they all look great. I like No 3-love the jardin jacket.

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  15. The Jardin jacket, without a doubt! It's definitely the most festive and dressiest option.

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  16. Ema, all are party-suitable, but my picks are no. 1 because of shape of jacket and flower in hair (offbeat.) I would go with the red clutch as a party punctuation mark tho'. Or the fab Jardin jacket which is stunning and gives you a rare occasion to wear. Whichever makes you feel prettiest and most confident... Enjoy your fundraising fete (great spot) and let us know the final select.

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  17. My favorite look is the last one with the flower pinning closed the bolero. Have a wonderful time! :)

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  18. The first look is very pretty and I love the flower in the hair, BUT I think my vote is for the jacket with the rose pinned to it (#2?), you look super chic in that one.

    Have fun!

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  19. I like option No. 1 and No. 4. Definitely wear the flower!

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  20. I missed the vote! Looking forward to seeing what you wore.

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  21. Any of options 2, 3 or 4 would be just fine, but if I REALLY had to make a choice, I would go for the Jardin jacket.

    Have fun!

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  22. I think option 3 is the most unique and original and I vote for it!

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