Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Winter Fashion!

Hi bloggie babies!  So I'm sure by now you're ready for me to do something a little 'lighter', yes?  I am too, you know I have a 3 to 1 fun vs. serious ratio (on a good day) ;)

As winter is starting to relentlessly bear down on us all, I thought it would be helpful to y'all (and myself!) to explore some more stylish day-to-day fashion options.  As tempting as it is to throw on a tee, oversized long-sleeve, sweatshirt and those old Fugs...none of which match worth a darn...let's not let the fridgid temps ruin our sterling image my little style icons!

Vogue magazine does a Top Ten (best dressed) of the week, which inspired me to do the same.  I am, however, pooling from ALL those who inspire me stylistically :)  First, I will borrow from V and Marie-Claire's featurette on the youngest Olsen sister, because I am a sucker for everything linked to MK 'n A.

Look #1:
Miranda Kerr in NYC.  She is adorable--watched her on Chelsea Lately last night.  You done good, Orlando.  Tailored jackets, contrary to popular belief, can keep you just as warm as sweatshirts and are MUCH easier to layer and work with.  The puffing in this leather number gives it an added feminine touch.  The pants are a versatile color without being boring or predictable, and again very tailored and chic.  Opting for a longer shirt also adds an era of uniqueness...if you must wear leggings as pants please follow suit!  Topping the look off with buckled boots for edge, an oversized bag and sunglasses tie the pieces together.  *I wear my sunglasses in snow.  Cause I'm hot, cause I'm hott.*

Look #2:
 
Monique Pean in NYC.  Okay, so I have no idea who this is, but nice pairing girlfriend.  This is a prime example of taking summer and fall looks into winter without looking like a bone head.  Simply gather up your cutest LONGER, at least knee-length dresses in dark and light prints--depending on the occasion and other key components, and a full-sleeved oversized cardigan--embellishments encouraged!  The floral and sequins combo work wonders for that feminine pizazz.  Adding a conversation necklace and unique ankle booties makes the look all her own, so go crazy!

Looks #3 and 4:
Elizabeth Olsen, you are a doll.  I foresee big things, one of them being fashion mogul status.  This day-to-night set of winter creations is oh so easy, but oh so polished!  A few highlights:  the matched bag and belt in a sharp contrast shade from the rest of the ensemble; the collared shirt under sweater--sucker for the classic; and neutral stage shoes to add a high brow touch to the monochromatic girly top and skirt.

Now for a few of my friends' chic winter looks!  Bekah and I:  Basic with a splash of COLOR!
  Devin and I:  How to LAYER over a sleeveless dress!


Adrianne and I: Sweaters & Boots!


Oh, and the guys from Burried Life!
  
For purse inspiration, check out the Kate Spade Sample sale with 75% off selected items...extended until midnight tonite!  SALE

My personal favorite is the Windsor Square Gabrielle, made with Ostrich embossed leather.  So sophisticated!

Much Love,
xo-Carli-xo
Originally $500!:

Look #1:

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Love of the Game?


Hey everyone!  After a very hectic 4 weeks, I'm baaaack ;)  Cheers to a fabulous Thanksgiving weekend--I had a fairly eventful last several days, with my aunt and uncle in town, shopping, cooking and running 5ks...woo!  I would really love if you, my loyal and beloved followers, could send me feedback regarding posts as well as topics you would like to see explored in the future :D Sound good? Oh yay!

Early this morning and end to the NBA lockout was officially negotiated.  (As if we didn't see this one coming...)  The $4-billion-a-year business will now begin its season on Christmas day.  A 66 game season is the second shortest in the league's history, due to player strikes.  Players were the party making the largest concessions, including a reduction of up to $300 million year in salaries.  With reduction figures this large, one must question the legitimacy of beginning and current salaries paid to NBA stars, as well as all professional athletes.  

The recent dealings seem to be a slight step in the right direction--likely an indirect response to the current outrage over amassing corporate greed.  These player and team owner 'sacrifices'  include shorter contracts, fewer and less extensive raises and higher taxation to better control and limit waste in the top-spending teams.  December 25 is planned to still host the triple-header scheduled pre-strike: the Boston Celtics at the Knicks, followed by the Miami Heat at the Dallas Mavericks and the Chicago Bulls at the Los Angeles Lakers.  A new line-up for the remainder of the season will be drafted in the time between now and then.  As was done to accommodate the shortened 1999 season, teams will likely play a compressed schedule, and regular season games will be played through to the end of April.  

Along with pay cuts and seasonal parameters, a myriad of other issues arise under the complete reconstruction of collective bargaining regulation--drug testing, the minimum age and the use of the Development League, and ratification by a simple majority of the 30 teams and a simple majority of the 430-plus players.  In the meantime, two pending lawsuits must be thrown out and the players' union reconvened.  

An area of key concern regarding all of these negotiations, however, is how truly collaborative they are at this level and point in time.  From even a complete outsider's perspective, it seems as though the current decision points were more of a last-stitch shuffle to pacify the public than anything else.  Player representatives appeared less than thrilled with the new developments at the press conference this morning, officials refused to answer any detailed inquiries, and the deal had not yet been shared with key committees.  What baffles a majority of average class citizens is that so much struggle and bad feeling can be precipitated over a difference of 7% in player share of the NBA's profits when the pool of earnings is such an immensely massive sum.  Profit margins may be down to approximately 5%, but the dollar amount still exceeds $183 million.  

Because player greed is a fairly clear incentive to striking, it would seem a positive development if the changes specified will indeed come to fruition.  The NBA's primary goals:  reduced overall spending and promotion of a competitive league-wide balance, have more noble roots than the desire of rich teams to recruit, trade and tax consumers however they may please.  If anyone questioned the bottom-line mentality or purely commercial nature of the NBA before the lock-out and negotiations, let us hope that these few do not still maintain the naive belief that there is more to the organization.

Okay, your turn!  Tell me what you think, and we can really get the ball rolling...Have a fun-filled Saturday night :)  I'm going bowling with some friends (flashback!) and then maybe out for a drink, good way to wrap up a Holiday break.  Here's a Pinterest present that I'm granting to you, readers:  Look for a hilarious/ inspiring/ just plain adorable clip in all of my posts leading up to Christmas!  



Love to you all,
Carli













Tuesday, November 1, 2011

The South Will Bow Again, and Again If You Ask Nicely…


Southern Culture: Outdated or Classic?

Many believe, and have long felt, that manners and etiquette are dying art forms and only relevant in the pages of history books.  However, if you asked someone living in the south, especially the rural south, the general sentiment would likely be quite different.  After all, the notion of 'ma'am' and 'sir' were practically born in the region, and tradition is not only important to the elderly but ladies and gentleman of all ages, one might say.  Yet, even in the part of America most hell bent on keeping sentimentality and values alive, few can deny the decline of 'politeness'.  

Perhaps this downward trend, as many men and women who remember simpler times have offered, is a direct result of the modern family.  Without home-cooked meals and a steady dose of parental discipline and guidance, children are instead being raised by televisions and on a diet of greasy fast food.  On the other hand, is it truly accurate to attribute these current social problems as a direct factor leading to the detriment of common manners?  Such is the debate.

A significant number of adults in the country think that using the titles of sir and ma'am is derogatory or condescending.  Therefore, their children's behavior is not due to neglect but instead very active parenting.  It would also seem somewhat obvious, but worth mentioning, that not everyone outside of the southern states has an aversion to an Emily Post lifestyle.  Cotillions and debutantes are not obsolete in the North, just less of a mindset and more of a hobby.  In that same vein, it becomes questionable whether stringent manners are built conscientiously or fostered by habit.

Some have made the argument that such strict and formulaic social guideposts are merely a tool by which to sugar coat distasteful opinion.  While this is likely true in certain situations, not everyone who swears by please and thank-you has a hidden agenda.  Repetition, environment, and choice (imagine that) are all reasons aside from the negative assumptions, why people young and old insist on holding doors and never forgetting to send out monogrammed thank you notes.  Perhaps instead of embracing change, we should instead embrace our differences--as it is those individual quirks which are the basis of American culture. 

For more on this topic, see the following article:

I would love feedback, as I know this is an argument which many of you have strong opinions on!  Happy November--hope everyone had an frightfully good Halloween ;)  In honor of the new month, I would like to take the opportunity to quote Wikipedia:

"It is quite common for some males in Australia, (especially in the city of Melbourne) New Zealand, and New Orleans to sport a moustache during the month of November [...] In the United States, it has recently become known as No-Shave November with growing participation from men and women alike to raise awareness of a variety of charities..."

Highlighted are some of the more humorous portions.  Also, Georgina wants to say hi: 

Xoxo,
CARLI