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Heels—Not Always The Height Of Fashion

10.13.2017 by Catherine Jane //

I have always delighted in shopping for heels. Jokingly, I would tell myself that if I could not “run for my life” while wearing them then I would not buy them. The truth is I love the way heels make my legs look so my criteria for buying heels simply came down to this; if I could walk at a respectable pace without lurching awkwardly forward with no apparent friction on my feet then those shoes were mine. The fact is heels are seen as sensual and suggestive of authority which is so compelling. However, the reality is high heels are inconvenient in so many ways. And as sexy as Blahniks, Choo’s and Louboutin’s are they certainly require a lot of effort to wear than a pair of Vans. But comfort was never the point of heels.

I still wear heels though just not as often as I used to. These days when I shop for heels I pay particular attention to the heel height because after years of being attracted to slim, sculpted and high stilettos I know just how much more energy I need to exert in order to get through my day. This assessment comes with wisdom. But wisdom also informs me that some day I will no longer care to place my feet in anything other than canvas shoes. For now I still happily wear them but with much more vetting. Today, my choices are no longer based on a superficial assessment but rather a soulful evaluation of many attributes. Today I consider the following;

~How long will I be wearing them?
~How far I do I have to walk in them before reaching my destination?
~Is dancing involved?

In addition I don’t wear heels as often because my lifestyle is different. Today I work where I must climb a handful of hills and then several flights of stairs before I start my day. This trek is definitely not conducive to a 4” stiletto or any number of 4” heeled shoes, chunky or otherwise. However, if you asked out to dinner I will happily wear them.

For everyone who opposes the very idea of wearing a high heel there is good news–flats have become uber popular! It is now considered quite fashionable to wear shoes without the ubiquitous stiletto heel. Hooray!! This season there are some wonderful styles that are less about heel height and more about wearability while still being quite chic!

Malena Embellished Flats by Badgley Mischka $225

‘Romy’ Pointy Toe Flat by Jimmy Choo $550

Eat well, laugh a lot and, be chic!

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Wrapping Up Your Fall–The Best Shawls This Winter

10.05.2017 by Catherine Jane //

A large cashmere shawl is indispensable during the fall & winter months. Have a look at my selection of favorites. Don’t get caught in the cold without one!

Do you remember when pashminas (those large, colorful and luxurious shawls) were a thing? Overnight pashminas became the must have accessory to own sometime around the 90s. I can’t put my finger on the exact year and neither can Google so I am going with a broad stroke. Sometime in the 90s large pashmina scarves were so popular everyone had several in different colors. Real pashminas are made from the hair of the changra goats which comes from the Himalayan Mountains. The hair from these goats produces the most luxurious and lightweight scarves. They also have a price tag that reflects the extravagance of this fiber.

However, because of the huge and sudden demand the market was flooded with cheap imitations. The sudden popularity for any type of pashmina scarf lasted quite sometime. But when this trend was over it was over. After its rapid fall from grace rarely did I get requests for those colorful wraps. All of that said I hope you didn’t throw your pashminas away to make room for the more popular capes and ponchos.

A large cashmere or cashmere blend scarf is timeless and classic. We all have days were we struggle to find the perfect piece of outerwear to complete an outfit. In times like this a large luxurious wrap can easily do the trick! A large wrap comes in handy on so many occasions. For example, on those long flights where the AC is cranked up who doesn’t want a large scarf to wrap themselves in? The cashmere scarf is an investment piece and owning a few in different colors comes in handy. In addition, they never go out of style and there will always be a time when you need one

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But not all cashmere is created equal. I am always suspicious of clothing made in 100% cashmere with a price tag that reflects the price of dinner for 2 at the Cheese Cake Factory. You want your clothes to last for years so be aware that good quality cashmere is not inexpensive. If you are in the market for a great wrap here are a few that are worth the investment.

White & Warren Travel Wrap $298 available in over 2 dozen colors

Sophia Featherweight Cashmere Wrap $195 available in several colors

Portolano Cashmere Wrap on sale $240 (regularly$300) available in 3 colors

Bloomingdales Cashmere Wraps $198 available in 10 colors

Eat well, laugh a lot, and be chic!

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October’s Limited Edition—The Tamara Dress

09.28.2017 by Catherine Jane //

This fall’s Limited Edition, the Tamara dress, will be your go-to dress for just about every occasion!

When I first spotted this print it was the colors that caught my eye. The black background sprinkled with the warm tones of fall set in an abstract print caught my attention and perhaps that is what grabs you when you feast your eyes on the Tamara. The light netting is layered over a sleek rayon/lycra fabric to give this style body. It slips easily over the head and falls close to the body leaving the wearer feeling incredibly comfortable. Tamara’s crew neckline and long sleeves are perfect for the cooler months ahead. But it is the detail of the pleating in the skirt that will have you choosing this silhouette as it adds a simple flare to the Tamara. It is easy to care for (simply hand wash in cold) and easy to pack. There are so many stunning colors in this pattern I am sure you already have the shoes to match. Get your Tamara today online!

Eat well, laugh a lot and be chic!

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