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September’s Limited Edition—The Katy is Back!

08.28.2018 by Catherine Jane //

Fall is always a wonderful season—the weather cools down a bit and colors are richer. As we tuck away our Summer linens and cottons we begin to think about adding something new to our wardrobe. . . .something just as rich and wonderful as the season that will take us through the next months ahead.

The Katy is timeless. The sculpted torso creates a lean silhouette, the extended shoulder adds an ease to the design, and the pencil line skirt is a classic! The Katy is made in a Rayon/Lycra so there is just the right amount of stretch to make it comfortable to wear. It is lined in the torso and skirt and is wrinkle resistant.

The colors of grey, fawn, and peach are soft and look stunning against most complexions. The V-neckline is a favorite and works nicely with a simple necklace that sits along the collarbone. However, the print might just have you forgoing a necklace for a simple pair of earrings or maybe just a bracelet.

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The Katy pairs beautifully with a kitten heel or even a flat. If you are looking for a classic pair of heels have a look at these.

Eat well. laugh a lot, and be chic!

Trend Alert—Designers Compete for The Ugliest Shoe Award

08.24.2018 by Catherine Jane //

The ugly shoe trend has been around for awhile. However, lately it’s seems as though designers are in a highly charged contest to produce the ugliest of them all. From platformed embellished Crocs to Dad Trainers, there are so many to choose from these days which are considered the hottest of haute couture.

Some fashion influencers wearing these gruesome atrocities have become a symbol of status and raw guts. . . status because in order to assault your feet with these fleeting symbols of chic you need to spend a great deal of your hard earned cash. And guts because truthfully, and I am being honest here, one must really be emboldened and fearless to don such masterpieces of awfulness on their feet.

Was it simply a matter of irony that compelled designers to try and create something bold like these brazen toe toppers or was it just fashion’s revolt of the glamorous high-heeled trend from years past? I get it—we were wearing heels with everything and to everywhere and it was exhausting. We had calluses on our callouses and our feet were constantly throbbing so it is no surprise that when the shoe trend flipped from high to low we were more than happy to slip our feet into anything comfortable. Suddenly a Converse, Van or Superga was the perfect footwear to make your outfit cool. But why must they now be so ugly?

The sneaker trend was a welcomed one. Suddenly they were anointed “chic” by stylists from all corners of the globe and we could literally kick off our heels, slip on a pair of sneakers and feel stylish. As the sneaker trend became more popular suddenly we had more choices in the category of flat dressy shoes too. So why was it that fashion couldn’t leave well enough alone?

I recently read that the ugly shoe movement is a result of the MeToo Movement which is an insult to the MeToo Movement. Wearing ugly shoes no more empowers women than wearing a man-bun empowers men—it’s a trend that like most trends will become passé.

Shoes have always been considered status symbols. This time around the shoes that are grabbing the most attention are the ones which push the envelope on ugly. The “In” crowd is garnering all kinds of stares but are these glances of jealousy or are we merely holding our noses until it’s over?

Eat well, laugh a lot, and be chic!

New York—The Last Days of Summer

08.17.2018 by Catherine Jane //

August can be a wonderful time to visit New York. Sure, it’s hot and humid but it still has a lot to offer if you’re dressed for it! Fall collections are available everywhere. And since it’s hot there is something appealing about window shopping for the autumn season. Those fantastical displays in the store windows on 5th Avenue remind me that in the near future I will be throwing on a luxurious sweater to keep me warm instead of throwing cold water on my face for a quick cool down.

However, the Labor Day weekend in New York was anything but usual! While the West Coast was baking at an uncomfortable 100 degrees plus New York was experiencing a few cold rainy days. My golden rule for travel is no matter the temperatures always take a scarf with you because you just never know when a low pressure system is looming.

Eating is one of my favorite sports while traveling and New York never disappoints! This trip we tried two new restaurants on the Upper West Side, Olma Restaurant and Bar and Crave Fishbar both located on Amsterdam at West 80th Street. Olma is for caviar lovers who are looking for something light. Crave Fishbar is for the rest of us who want it all! Check out their happy hour menu from 3-7 for $1 oysters. If oysters aren’t your thing then try their octopus, tuna or any number of other delicious choices.

But my favorite dining experience was located in midtown at the Greek restaurant Souvlaki Gr. Dining at Souvlaki Gr was like being transported into any number of restaurants in Myconos. The whitewashed walls, rustic setting and large open windows combined with the wonderful service and lively Mediterranean music made our dining experience exceptional! There was plenty on the menu for vegetarians, pescatarians and carnivores. As if that was not enough Souvlaki Gr did not have us choking on your hummus when we got our tab.

There is plenty to do during the summer months in New York and some of my favorite activities are free. Central Park never fails to offer up plenty to see and do.

You won’t have to look to hard for every kind of entertainment from singers to dancers and occasional theatre groups performing. I especially love visiting the Bethesda Terrace and Fountain. The acoustics inside the terrace are brilliant! And because of the incredible echoes in the tunnel nearby there are always singers and musicians entertaining the crowds that walk, skate and bicycle through.
This year I made a special visit to Lincoln Center where we sat outside in the courtyard and listened to opera. Unfortunately, the particular opera that evening did not grab us but the negroni at Bar Boulud located nearby did! With drink in hand the musical notes came together if only as a backdrop to the wonderful summer evening.

Eat well, laugh a lot, and travel chic!

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