Weekend Boss

I've come to terms with the fact that my seven year old is more "Boss" than I am.  Of course I tell him when it's time to go to bed, when he has to do his homework and to scrub behind his ears better in the tub, but it never fails, going outside and playing basketball always trumps a load of laundry.  He wins every time!  We go to Target and I have a list of ten things I need.  We spend five minutes running through the store grabbing the things I need, then spend 30 minutes in the toy isle.  He's just Boss.

To keep up with the Boss, I tend to keep my weekend attire comfortable and casual.  Sneakers are almost essential in keeping up with an active seven year old boy.  He's so fast.  Like, super fast.  He wants to play basketball, then he wants to ride bikes, then he wants to go to the playground and play with friends, etc.  All of this happens before 10am, mind you.  If I was wearing heels, I'd never be able to do all those things.  I can be active and comfortable in sneakers. 



Skinny jeans aren't for everyone, and I get that.  I wear all styles, but I can be my most active and comfortable in my super soft jeggings.  Jeans will never go out of style, as long as you follow the jean-paring-number-one-rule: Balance.  When I wear skinny jeans, I balance my form fitting bottom with a more loose top.  A tight, revealing top with super skinny jeans is out of style.  To compliment a wide-leg or flare jean, a more fitted top or a top with a revealing accent (such as cold shoulders, low cut tops, sheer accents, cropped tops, etc.) is the perfect compliment for a balanced look.



And of course my weekend look isn't complete without my (hat) "reminder to self", who the BOSS really is...  Mike.  Yup, he's still Boss.  Whether you have kids or not, remember to keep your weekend look functional, comfortable and casual.  Your productivity rate goes up when you look and feel good.  Have a great day!

Hat: Some shop in MIAMI
Top: Boutique of Molly
Jeggings: Express
Sneakers: Nike



A Method to the Shopping Madness

You walk into a store for one of two reasons: 1) The name of the store is something you like/recognize, or 2) You like what you see.  I have walked into countless stores that have displays that are inconsistent with their merchandise available.  It's a bit of false advertising if you ask me.  That's why I like to stick to retailers that give you exactly what you see. 

Take this display (above) at H&M, for example.  Even seen from outside the store, front and center are three mannequins tastefully wearing their featured Spring pieces.  If these looks don't make you want to shop at H&M, then nothing will.  They're also smart that they display this line of Spring fashion and then directly behind the display is the merchandise available for sale all on one or two racks.  There's no guessing game.  You like the blouse with the shorts, they're right there... on the same rack.  There is a method to retailers madness.

Not all retailers are as dialed in as H&M, but most of them do have sales associates that can help you find the displayed merchandise you're looking for.  Actually, that's usually why a sales associate is working in retail.  They enjoy helping customers put looks together.  You won't get the personal attention or knowledge of a Personal Shopper, but they will have knowledge of what's in stock and where it's located.

 

Despite the feeling of defeat when you walk out of a store empty handed, the retailer did not intend that.  I always encourage Clients to look up.  Look at the mannequins, look at the merchandise hanging on the walls, look at one section at a time.  The front of the store is going to have the newest featured items.  If there are multiple rooms to the store, each room usually has a fashion theme.  One room will feature contemporary clothing, one room will have casual and the sale or clearance items are usually in the back. 

 

Focus on a room or rack that speaks to you.  When I walk into H&M, I scroll through the front, but usually walk pretty quickly to the back room to their DIVIDED collection.  I would describe it as their "juniors" department, but what it really is, is their more trendy pieces for a fraction of the price of all the featured pieces in the front.  Just a little secret to my followers.  You're welcome.

 

Don't fight the mannequins in stores.  They're just trying to tell you what is new and available inside.  If they speak to you (figuratively I mean.  If they're speaking to you literally, then you're reading the wrong blog), check out the racks around the display.  You may just find an entire adorable outfit all on one rack!  That's shopping success.  If you feel overwhelmed just thinking about it, call me and I'm happy to help you through the shopping madness.  





Nobody's Business Romper

 

It's no secret that I LOVE rompers.  I wear them for almost everything.  High school reunions, weddings, a night out on the town, lunch with the girls... You name it and I've probably done it in a romper.  I mean, let's get real.  Rompers are kind of like a dress, but better.  I love the idea of going into your closet, pulling one piece out and knowing that there's no confusion of whether your pieces coordinate.  I also love that you can run, jump, swing and do a cartwheel in a romper.  You can't do that in a dress.

 

Until now, I would have said that rompers are too playful for work.  A work picnic, maybe, but to actually have a business meeting in a romper?  Traditionally, I would say no.  Well people, I have made a fashion discovery that will change romper limits forever.  It took a boutique called Stay Fierce to show me the error in my ways.  This romper is all business and I felt confident wearing it to a meeting with an executive.

 



 

A few things to keep in mind when shopping for a business romper.  1.) The hem length should be appropriate for an office.  To be honest, the length of the shorts on this romper appear to be a bit short on me, but it's only an optical illusion.  The inseam is at least three inches, but my insanely long legs make it appear to be on the short side.  2.) Your romper should have at least 3/4 sleeves.  If your business romper is sleeveless or short sleeved, wear a blazer or cardigan to cover your shoulders and arms.  3.) Lastly, steer clear of floral print, ruffles or an obnoxious color like bright yellow on a business romper.  Which ironically, is exactly what you SHOULD look for in a weekend romper.

 

For more on rompers, read any of these previous posts (yes, I have seriously blogged about rompers this many times in the past six months):

Is Romper Season Over?

Lace Romper

Evening Romper Look

Reunion Romper

Romper Season

 

A huge thank you to Stay Fierce Boutique for breaking my glass ceiling romper boundaries.  Check out all their amazing pieces at affordable prices HERE.  Use promo code: CHELSEAKRAY for 15% OFF your entire order!  I look forward to many more business and non-business meetings in this awesome romper.

 

Sunglasses: Ray Ban

Romper: Stay Fierce Boutique

Heels: Nine West

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





ZARA High

 



I will admit... When I score an amazing deal, I get a little high.  A little pep in my step.  A little tingly excitement.  I'm then faced with the decision, do I (A) keep my little secret to myself or (B) share my secret with the world.  As a Fashion Blogger, I feel as though I have an obligation to share.  There's no way I can keep my ZARA shopping experience a secret. 

Here's what happened.  I'm in Miami vacationing with my family and my husband must have been in a generous mood (or just sick of the same 2 dresses I was rotating every night) and said, "Honey, you go into ZARA and pick yourself out a fabulous dress for tonight".  I know exactly what that means... Translation: "Chelsea, go in the store that you've been talking about all week and I'll watch the kids, but you only have ten minutes, so hurry"! 

I burst into ZARA with more excitement than I could contain.  I skipped from one rack to another touching everything in my path.  Do I want something suede?  Do I want a boho feel?  Ooooo... I see sparkle.  Ohmigosh, is that a jumpsuit?  All of a sudden I feel completely overwhelmed and look down at my watch.  I have three minutes left.  Three minutes!  I knew that if I took this opportunity to shop for granted, the opportunity wouldn't be granted again.  So, I had to just grab something and hope it wasn't over my (self-set) $100 budget. 

There it was.  An off-white leather detail trimmed short dress.  It was perfect.  Only one?!  And there's no tag?!  Come on.  I don't have time to try it on and I have no idea how much it costs, but my watch and my instincts said, "buy it".  I walked up to the registers and told the sales associate there was no tag on the dress.  He gave me a funny look and asked where I found it.  I told him it was randomly on a rack and asked if it was for sale.  He told me that they got a whole shipment of these highly sought after dresses and they were ALL (or at least he thought) damaged.

His exact words were, "GIIIIRRRRLLLL, I don't know where you found this dress, but it's your lucky day.  I've had women coming in here for a week looking for this exact dress and you're about to get the only one we have for... $12.00".  My jaw dropped.  I tinkled in my pants a little, slammed $12 down on the counter and skipped out of the store.  My husband was impressed that I was within my allotted ten minute window and asked what I got.  I pulled the dress out and he immediately asks, "How much did that cost?  It looks expensive".

It is expensive!  Or at least it was expensive.  I don't know how the heck I scored that dress.  Maybe the shopping Gods were on my side that day.  Maybe all that goodness I put out in the world everyday was paying me back.  Maybe ZARA just made a mistake, but whatever the reason, I got the biggest shopping high that day and I knew I had to share it with the world.

Dress: ZARA
Heels: Steve madden

Customer Service & A Crop Top

I've worked in many aspects of customer service.  It's a thankless job, really. But if you care, the customer will sense and appreciate that.  The more I get bad customer service, the more I appreciate when a retailer goes out of their way to make me happy.  I recently had a slight meltdown over a crop top and was saved by a very calm and kind boutique owner with incredible customer service. 

Boutique of Molly, a boutique that I shop frequently for "of the moment" fashion pieces, tracked down the crop top for me after I had missed the delivery.  I panicked when the delivery driver didn't leave a note telling me which company I needed to request redelivery with.  Boutique of Molly (from overseas, mind you) was able to find my package and tell me exactly where to find it.  I fetched that highly anticipated pink shiny package and as always, Boutique of Molly didn't disappoint. 

Although, I could have been disappointed if I hadn't been contacted by Boutique of Molly after placing my order to inform me that the top I just ordered runs small.  They asked my US size and determined that one size larger than I ordered would probably fit better.  They happily adjusted my order.  I've never experienced a retailer that truly cares more about their customer's satisfaction more than Boutique of Molly.   

 

The said crop top is definitely going to be a wardrobe staple in my closet all Spring and Summer.  Just like Boutique of Molly said, a size up was perfect.  One thing about highly revealing clothes is that if you're showing lots of skin (especially your midriff), you don't want it to be tight, as well.  Crop tops are all about balance and this one has exactly that.   

 



 

When sporting a crop top, one of the most important things to keep in mind is that you will be baring your belly.  The best way to show off your new Spring abs is by pairing your crop top with bottoms that don't pinch, bunch or roll.  A high waisted pair of denim cut offs, a pair of black jeans with some stretch, a shirred maxi skirt are all perfect compliments to a crop top.  Don't forget something to layer over your top when you walk into a nice restaurant, the library, school, etc.  Basically anywhere that you don't want to reveal too much.  Dressing respectfully in certain establishments is essential.

 

 

A huge thank you to Boutique of Molly for understanding that customer service absolutely matters.  I have been a loyal customer of theirs for a few years and will stay that way.  Their pieces are well made, always fit perfectly (thanks to their attention to detail) and are always fashionably on point.  I highly suggest visiting their site HERE for all their incredible pieces at reasonable prices.  I also want to thank Heather Reed for modeling the crop top for me on a freezing cold day in Maine.  The girl never complained once as I dragged her to all the fun graffiti spots in 30 degrees.

 

Heather is wearing:

Crop Top: Boutique of Molly

Duster Sweater: Urban Outfitters

Black Jeans: American Eagle

Sneakers: Nike

Sunglasses: Sunglass Hut

 







Little White Dress

We've all heard of the little black dress (LBD).  Every woman should own one.  It's their go-to dress when you get that last minute call that your friend needs a plus one... tonight!  You throw it on and know your look is on point.  Personally, I own at least three little black dresses.  All with different variations, depending on the occasion and my mood.  If you don't own at least one little black dress, call me and I'll help you find the perfect one.

Although black is universally flattering, a little white dress is going to turn heads...  And I've found the perfect one.  It's from ASPIRA CLOTHING and it's going to be a staple in my closet this spring and summer.  This dress fit perfectly.  There are two features to this dress that make it completely unique to anything you'll find at your local boutiques.  For starters, the long sleeves give the fitted short dress balance.  Short sleeves or a sleeveless look would make this dress too revealing.  To add an element of fun and excitement, the inverted triangle cut out is everything. 



ASPIRA CLOTHING not only has an incredible selection of fashionable apparel, but they also have a full selection of accessories to complete your look.  The owner got wind that I was a Fashion Blogger and sent a few accessories along with my order (check out those white cat eye sunglasses), all wrapped in beautiful gold packaging.  I will be ordering from ASPIRA CLOTHING regularly, and can't wait to feature each piece as they arrive. 

Here are a few things to keep in mind when purchasing a little white dress.  If it's above the knee, make sure the dress has a sleeve for balance so it's not too revealing.  Make sure the dress is lined (this dress from ASPIRA is made from a high quality material and was lined in all the necessary places).  The last thing you want is any body part, scar, tattoo, etc. peaking through.  Let's keep a little to the imagination.  Lastly, consider an embellishment, a cut out, a ruffle, something to make your little white dress a unique conversation piece.

You're going to turn heads this spring in a little white dress.  Find your perfect style and wear it all season.  Don't forget to check out ASPIRA CLOTHING to score my little white dress and many more fresh styles.



Bag Obsession: STEFKA

I'm rough on bags.  There's no two ways about it.  I'm always on the go and a flimsy purse just won't cut it.  So I'm always looking for something with structure, strength and of course it has to be fashionable.  I have found a line of bags that not only meet all my requirements, they absolutely exceed.  Call it a "Bag Obsession: STEFKA Bags". 

 

STEFKA Bags are designed and handmade in the USA.  To us Americans, that means everything.  STEFKA has cross body bags, hand bags, mini totes, etc. and they're all incredible.  I know I could throw everything I need into a STEFKA Bag and be hands free for the rest of the day.  The quality and design are incredible and every bag transitions perfectly from your day to night look.  I want one in every color and design. 

 

Right now, you can pre-order your STEFKA Bag on their site.  They're affordably priced and in production as we speak right in New York City.  Read more about STEFKA Bags and their designer:

 

Stefka handbags are meticulously designed with attention to every detail. 

Stephanie's inspiration from structure and modern architecture is obvious. 

Our customers are women who appreciate clean, modern lines and a timeless look. 

However each bag features an intricate detail to set Stefka apart from the rest.

Previously hand-making all of her pieces, she decided it was time to take Stefka to 

the next level and set out to find a manufacturer. In keeping a promise to herself she 

wanted to keep manufacturing in America, even better, in NYC.

Stephanie has deep roots in New York City, her grandmother and mother were born and 

raised in Manhattan. Needless to say, a love of fashion, architecture, and design have been 

ever present in her life. Learning to sew at a very young age, watching her mother design 

clothing, drawing, painting and being creative all her life has played a very important part 

in bringing Stefka to be.

Inspiration for the collection comes mostly from a love of structure and organized clean lines. 

Wanting the bags to be timeless and something you can grab from your closet for years and 

years. However Stephanie likes to keep things interesting and more importantly, original by 

adding little details that are unexpected, be it the way the straps are connected or the 

silhouette of the bag itself.

Stefka handbags are made using a heavy weight leather, that will hold up the structure 

commanded by each design. The type of leather used is mostly vegetable tanned leather 

which only gets better with age.

Stefka is a new brand formed from a love of design and well made products. Stephanie's 

mission is to use American manufacturers, and to continue to produce classic pieces 

that can be used everyday, be it the beach, travel, shopping, brunch, date night etc etc.