Brandon and I had such a fun time at the Rag & Bone event this past week…Thank you Intermix!  Thank you Elle!  We had a lovely time meeting the founders/designers of Rag & Bone, chatting it up about the next big things with Intermix owner Haro Keledjian (genius I tell you!!), “tucking in” some champagne as Marcus Wainwright from Rag & Bone had described it and to top it off, we even had our picture taken  All in all a very fun night!  I have and wore that evening this cool piece from Rag & Bone, a classic blue/white seersucker blazer.  I love it, I love the way it fits & feels on and I love a classic seersucker.  You can throw on something completely wacky and a cute seersucker blazer can balance it all out…shocking, but true.   My outfit that evening (inspired the very next day’s outfit and possibly, maybe, also the compliment David Nevill paid Brandon & I on our style that evening  Yep, that might be it)

Brandon (Sophomore Tee, Rag & Bone white blazer, Marcus Wainwright of Rag & Bone, me (Rachel Comey top, Rag & Bone seersucker blazer, David Neville of Rag & Bone

the next day inspired a white oversized tee, Nobody Rue Jean, Mason white blazer, Chloe bowed pumps.

funny thing...I actually got a compliment on my hubby's tee! It's got this great stretched out neckline.

Intermix owner, Haro Keledjian, Model Dana Taylor, David Neville, Model Amelia Poole, Intermix owner Khajak Keledjian, Model Cecily Rodriquez, Marcus Wainwright

last image via ChicagoNow.com

A couple of weeks of summer & sunshine and one day of amusement at Six Flags, had me surfing like a madwoman for some ideas of summer dressing to share.   Here are a some really great choices to try if you want to don on something aside from the basic shorts.  I can see any of these fabulous looks on those days at the beach, to the street festivals to the roller coasters!

It's amazing what a great hat can do for your outfit

I love a little mini/skort....especially if you have the legs! Look how cute it is paired back to just a basic tee.

My favorite summer look, a pretty sundress & sandals...comfy & pretty.

Love her denim shorts! Especially paired back to her red cork sandals!

images via Jak&Jil, All the Pretty Birds, Vanessa Jackman

So a few nights ago I was at a trunk show (for fabulous up-and-coming designer, Marisa Swystun — find her at Koros). It was a very interesting chain of connections that had brought me there and I was grateful that fate had worked its magic. Marisa is a smart and talented designer. She understands design, she understands the market, she has great taste, and she’s realistic, hard-working and determined. I was very impressed. 

Anyway, as I was browsing through a rack, I found myself chatting with a woman from my neighborhood, a stranger to me before this evening. We continued to browse the rack together and came upon a gorgeous little black dress. It was a basic shift with long sleeves and was made of this beautiful silk satin cutout fabric. I said something about wearing it during the day and my new acquaintance looked at me with — not surprise, not curiosity, not confusion… it was a look that was something akin to disgust. When she finally found a way to speak, she blurted, “But it’s shiny. And black.” It was clear that the idea was preposterous and I was off my rocker. 

Well I don’t think I was off my rocker. I would wear a shiny black dress during the day. If I were in a corporate environment, I’d toss a blazer over it with some opaque tights and a heel; if I were running errands, I’d throw on some faded or light wash jeans, a distressed leather belt, and some wedges. Improbable? Maybe. Impossible? Certainly not.

Here’s a few shots of other “improbable” day pairings. Lace, sequins, crystals, lamé… Rules be damned!

Is black and shiny for day so preposterous? Fashion is about self-expression and feeling good about yourself and having fun, right?? Am I off my rocker????

images via jakandjil and the sartorialist

Over the winter is the first time I ran into Delaina & Isoledad.  Kit, my daughter, and I were walking to our neighborhood diner.  We’ve lived in our neighborhood well over a decade so we know everyone!  So here comes the most adorable girl in a vintage pink wool toggle coat and boots walking her dog with matching bows!  Of course, I immediately ask Kit “who is she…and did you see how adorable she is and her dog??”   I’ve seen her a couple of other times as well, each time incredibly stylish with her own adorable spin and each time vowing I am going to take her picture!  Then one day a couple weekends ago…she’s standing right outside my house!  Threw the battery in my camera, ran outside and rudely (sorry!  But Delaina had me on a mission) interrupted her conversation with my neighbor  I loved how she described her style….”my sisters always teased me when I was little because I would do things like layer my socks and/or tights, then they borrowed all my clothes when we were teenagers and now they ask ‘how do you do it??’ ” Ms Delaina..

and Isoledad!! Imagine him fluffier with bows! Such a cute pair!

I love that Delaina had a story about each of the pieces she had on. She made the earrings she has on many years ago, the scarf was dry clean only but was accidentally washed, her cute cotton/crochet tank is vintage.

Those are tiny little flowers in her hair...adorable, right??

see you around the neighborhood!

Happy June everyone!  Hope you all had a great holiday!  The long weekend started for us with a photo shoot in the morning then Kuma’s Corner for some gigantic burgers in the afternoon.  It was a great day.  Perfect sunny weather, the energy of the city was filled with Cubbie fans and Obama (along with his five double helicopters…always exciting when those buzz by!) AND we had the pleasure of meeting & working with FORD hair/makeup artist, Maggie Kerr.  From the minute Maggie walked into our studio, we were smitten…Brandon declared girl crush within the first half hour!  Aside from her fabulous style & great eye, she has an incredible wealth of knowledge about this industry and utterly utterly sweet.

Gorgeous souvenir her boyfriend brought back from Japan. Maggie looped a chain through and wears the ancient piece as a necklace.

another n.d.c fan! Maggie says her n.d.c's are the only mocs she's found that "feel" pretty. All else are too "boxy". Maggie also says her n.d.c's only come off for yoga, bed or shower. My fav's are the Lou's in white :)

I wish I had a back shot of her dress. Soooo cute. You can see a bit of it....same colorul fabric in back too. Something she picked up, I want to say, while in Spain last year?? Much like us, Maggie shops her closet and incorporates newer items like her n.d.c's to keep her current.

Maggie and Brandon

maggie's tools

I love sunglasses, they’re such a great accessory….so many styles and colors to have fun with.  I love them, but they just don’t love me back!  I’m asian, my chubby cheeks and small bridge nose just can’t handle all that fashion on my face.  It’s a serious business!  Tom Ford and Karen Walker develop styles specifically for the asian market….it’s easier to find a new pair of jeans or a swimsuit than a pair of sunglasses for me!  Oh, but if I could……

oooo.....goooood wayfarer

WAIT! Is she asian??

images via Easy Fashion, Vanessa Jackman & Jak & Jill

WOW.  What a really amazing evening of fashion at this year’s Annual School of the Art Institute NightWalk 2010 benefit.  It was a gorgeous evening, a gorgeous event and everyone in attendance came out in full force to support the school.  Another big WOW for the all amazing streetstyle that night.  That was by far what made the evening so fun for me, next to meeting Gary Graham  Everywhere I turned was another fantastic look!  With 76 years of fashion, art & design education and with alumnus such as Halston, Matthew Ames, Cynthia Rowley & Gary Graham to just name a few, no surprise that the Fashion Department at the School of the Art Institute Chicago could gather so many lovers of fashion & art into one room.  I’ve already marked my calendar for next year’s event!

Always lots of fun running into Ms Candace Jordan at these events.

Too cute. Glasses and nose ring never looked better together!

This year's event was held in Renzo-Piano-designed Griffin Court of the Art Institute's amazing new Modern Wing

Here we are both in our pieces by Gary Graham. A little homage to this year's SAIC Legend of Fashion Honoree.

This woman's dress was one of my favorites. I loved it paired back to her flat lace up boots.

I just loved this woman jacket...look at the great knit insets under the arms.

Me, Gary Graham, Eliane from Gary Graham, Brandon & Amanda of SassafrasChic.blogspot

This is Kristin, an adorable nanny with some really great style.  As some of us know, it can be a challenge w/a number of kids in tow.  Kristin clearly knows what she’s doing….layered comfy knits, flats and fantastic fedora.  Her gorgeous hair had caught my eye before and this time around I was not going to let her by without snapping her picture

Thanks Kristin!

We played around with more outfits last week.  One of my favorite items this spring (aside from every piece of Rachel Comey!) is the classic shirtdress.

I remember when the shirtdress popped up on my radar.  It was this image from a few years back of Giovanna Battaglia that turned me into both a Giovanna fan and a big fan of the shirtdress.  I just loved the way the great Giovanna layered her shirtdress under a crewneck sweater.  For a dress, you really can’t find an easier shape and the hemline makes it so pretty & flirty.  Needless to say, I have been on the hunt since then!

I honestly could not of been more thrilled when Rogan created his version for S10…

The hunt is finally over!

I wish you all could feel this dress...super soft cotton voile and also LINED with super soft cotton voile! Just a dream!

Check it out at The Shop!

Giovanna Battaglia image via The Sartorialist