So, most of you who follow this blog are undoubtedly familiar with the uber-stylish Jane of Sea of Shoes. We love Jane, but after reading Jane’s blog for some time, we have really become taken with Jane’s mom, Judy Aldridge. Judy should be the poster child (woman?) for twentythirtyforty.net. She wears what she loves and loves what she wears. She is not afraid to take risks and clearly dresses solely for herself. She rocks out every single outfit she dons with the utmost confidence and commitment. Just look at her in this shirtdress with piles and piles of accessories and good old-fashioned geek glasses.

Good, no? Judy has a long and prestigious history in the world of fashion (former model & boutique owner, now online purveyor of style), so it’s no surprise that she’s such a style maven. You’ll definitely want to check out her online vintage shop, Atlantis Vintage, as well as her fantastic blog, Atlantis Home(where she always posts about newly added shop items). Judy loves her some vintage shopping and she has a very keen eye, so things in her shop move quickly. Don’t wait too long or that YSL silk shift will be gone like McQueen on Gilt Groupe! 

It’s difficult as a woman over 40 to stay hip, stylish, current and age-appropriate. Somehow, Judy Aldridge always seems to get it right. She’s just down with who she is and that’s reflected in her impeccable personal style. I think what always gets us about her is how completely effortless and cool she always looks. We love those Olsen twins (haven’t talked about that much, but we do), but THIS is the style icon that we aspire to be.

Gotta love a woman who understands the power of a great shoe and some fabulous accessories…

And Judy’s style isn’t just about Judy: check out the skirt she made for daughter, Carol (this one bakes, by the way. such a creative and talented group of ladies!)

Thank you, Judy, for inspiring us all to take some risks, wear what we love, and embrace who we are.

more fashion, more Giovanna…

What can I possibly add??  That is some serious style.

Many thanks to Garance Dore, The Sartorialist, Allure Allure, jak & jil 

My sister-in-law and her new husband just got back from an 8 month trip to India.  From the few stories I have heard and the beautiful gifts they brought back, I can’t wait to hear every little detail of this unimaginable trip.  My gift??  A scarf!!   To me, a scarf is the perfect gift.  To me, a scarf transcends…every season and almost any outfit from effort to effortless.  Scarves not only make me cozy and happy, but this particular scarf seems to also have the power to put me in front of the camera…yikes!   Yes, I am the terribly-camera-shy-other-half of twentythirtyforty.net.  Hi!  I’m Arlene.  I’m also terribly short on words, so to describe it would not give it any justice..I have to show you.

Thanks Tessie & Johnathan, I looove it!!

For the last few days I have been in Northern Wisconsin sans internet, phone, email, text….just some good family fun  So needless to say, I couldn’t wait to lay my eyes on some fashion!  First day back and nothing could make me happier than a great new fashion blog and a good dose of inspiration.  Check out this FANTASTIC blog Brandon happened upon and a new favorite of mine….EXTRASKINNY.com

I love a woman that understands the power of some solid basics and rocking out those favorite pieces in more ways than one…. great ideas here.

So, when Arlene and I launched this website we pretty much did it all by ourselves. Just the 2 of us — buying, styling, shooting, writing, selling, marketing, accounting, shipping, cleaning.  You get the point. Luckily, we came across this fantastic, sassy little sprite named Amanda (that’s the lovely Amanda, on the right)…

She was a recent performing arts grad from Loyola University and had decided to throw away the life of an actor and march forward toward a fabulous life and career in fashion journalism. She was dying to do anything in fashion and when we met it was clearly a match made in Heaven.  Amanda is a gifted and talented (and super-stylish, of course!) writer who has been a contributor on TWENTYTHIRTYFORTY.net since its launch.  Amanda is all grown up now and has spread her wings and started her own blog — sassafras (with Amanda, it’s all about the sass).  It’s a great blog.  And I say that with the utmost objectivity!  Here’s some random pics from her site…

Fabulous, no?  The girl knows her fashion.  And since she’s really a writer, her blog is thoroughly entertaining.  Very refreshing in the blogoshpere!  Get to know her a little better here.

all photos lovingly borrowed from sassafras

Recently, I stumbled upon a blog called Public Personæ and I discovered the creative, stylish and gutsy Sarah X.

When I stumbled upon her, Sarah had just challenged herself — publicly — to come up with 30 days’ worth of original outfits (The 30 Day Challenge). She re-uses some basics, but the ensembles are all distinctly different. 

What I really love about Sarah — aside from the fact that she has the balls to put herself out there like that — is that she is a master at mixing high and low and at accessorizing. Her closet of accessories is, I’m sure, the size of King Tut’s tomb (packed with just as much finery). Sarah really knows how to dress and shop during a depressed economy without skimping on style. She frequently wears Topshop, Forever 21, H & M, Zara, American Apparel, Urban Outfitters. But paired with these items, she will throw in some pretty hot designers, like Boy by Band of Outsiders, Jeffrey Campbell, Bliss Lau, and DKNY. 

I think that Sarah’s 30-day challenge is the definition of “shopping your closet.” She is a master at maximizing her wardrobe and wearing what you love. If you love it, buy it, and WEAR IT. I think she reminds us that it’s okay to spend your hard-earned bucks on things that you love as long as you spend wisely. Why not take a page from her book and challenge yourself to break out of your own style rut? It’s always a good time to try and inject some creativity into your wardrobe. And when you can’t afford anything new, your closet is the only store you’ll be shopping!

Only 3 more days of the challenge left, but definitely tune in to see how she pulls it all off — publicpersonae.com/blog/

Queen Michelle, Kingdom of Style

So, I am not Susie Bubble or Jane Aldridge; I am not The Sartorialist or Garance Doré; I am not Carine Roitfeld or Giovanna Battaglia. I am just an aging party girl who has always loved to play dress-up.

It is exciting yet terrifying to me that blogging has become a part of my life. Terrifying because I am terrified of my own personal take on fashion and the things that inspire me. When I look at Sea of Shoes and I see this young, barely 17-year old confidently discussing — and wearing! — Ann Demeulemeester and Margiela, it just absolutely blows my mind. And then I flip over to the UK and I see the self-proclaimed Queens of Style, Marie and Michelle of Kingdom of Style, blogging about obscure lines like Mother of London and — again, confidently — wearing robin’s egg blue tights with feathered headdresses. I think to myself, what the HELL am I doing in company such as this? What do I know about fashion?

I guess the answer and the thing that keeps me going is that what I know about fashion is that I love it. I definitely know enough to know what I like, what looks good on me and what is age-appropriate. Susie Bubble always refers to herself as a “fashion outsider.” I guess you could probably say that about most, if not all, of us. Those of us who love fashion are willing to take risks, to be different, to draw attention to ourselves. I’m really not afraid to have people look at me a little cock-eyed. Scary, yes, but also intensely gratifying. 

These are just a few of my favorite fearless, blogging, trendsetting fashionistas…

Camille, Childhood Flames

Jane, Sea of Shoes

Alix, the cherry blossom girl

Susie Bubble, Style Bubble

Rumi, fashiontoast

Sarah X, Public Personae

Arabelle, Fashion Pirates

And I have to mention a new favorite of ours, Amanda of Sassafras.

A very special thanks to all these ladies for the images and for sharing themselves with us. Keep on rocking that fashion, y’all!

Have you SEEN the fashion in Helsinki?  Yes or no, grab your favorite libation(s) and flip through here, Hel Looks.…loootts of fun.

It’s no secret to those who know me, I’m all about menswear.  I love a good tux for evening and my Steven Alan shirts & skinny’s during the day.  At this stage in my life, I know what looks good on me and I know what I love….THANK gawd, otherwise things could get UGGleee..

photos from my favorite street style photographer, Garance Dore

and also jak & jil

I recently received a leather portfolio as a gift. It is perfect for my laptop and for all my orders and it feels so great to carry.  I love it.  Anyway, I came walking in this morning with it and Arlene looked at me and immediately showed me this on Garance Doré…

What do you know? I tripped and fell into some fashion! I just love it when that happens!