Style Dilemma: Black Champagne

Sequins and Sparkle by dcceline

Funny things happen on Twitter. You share things and thoughts you wouldn't tell close friends. You "meet" people. You learn about celebrity deaths before anyone else. You put a number sign before a string of words that would normally be a sentence and confuse the heck out of non-Twitter-users but makes you LOL.

You plan fake funerals with vats and vats of champagne and black sequined dresses.

True story.

So a few of us are going to have a Black Champagne party. We'll drink bubbly, eat salty, and probably talk salty, too (a few of us have been known to make a sailor blush once in a while). And we'll wear sequins. Because we can.

It's supposed to be black sequins, but when I went looking, the sequin selector on the Nordstrom site (seriously, they have "sequins" as a filter option on dresses, which. just. rocks) pulled up a few other colors, like gold and silver. So I included them. Then there's the deep blue "cold shoulder" mini I obsessed over last Friday (the charcoal/black version is the first one in the second row), but refused to try on because I was on a Bra Mission.

The silouhettes range from fitted to forgiving, with room for only bubbly or room for a whole tin of gift popcorn. Since I've only met literally one of the 7-8 women who will be at our Black Champagne party, I have no idea what might suit them.

But it's sequins. So a girl just can't go wrong.

If you want to find out more about the Ladies of the Sequins (because we're a fascinating bunch), watch for the #BlackChampagne hashtag on Twitter.

The Bean Takes New York: The Plan

I couldn't be more excited. And I might or might not be using my coffee and lunch breaks to plot - ahem - plan our weekend.

I'm taking The Bean to New York City Friday.

She's excited, too. She's asked me every night, "Mama, are we going to New York tonight?" and "Are we going to stay in a hotel?"

Not yet, darling, and nope, with a friend in Brooklyn. She's an artist, like you.

It's hard to plan a trip for a 4-year-old. She is, in her own way, incredibly sophisticated. But she's also 4. And 4-year-olds only have so much capacity and patience for anything, even things they love and about which they're incredibly excited. So with the help of H and my friend TheArtist (our hostess), we've devised a Fashiony-Christmasy-Pizza-Filled-Take-on-New-York.

Here's our plan. We obviously reserve the right to amend it based on whim and whining.

Friday morning train, on which we'll study a map of the city and maybe pictures of the things we'll see. We will also have sketchbooks and colored pencils, cameras, and a lunchbox full of lunch.



After a subway ride over to Brooklyn to say a long-overdue hello to TheArtist and her family and deposit our things, we'll hop back on the subway to Chelsea for Daphne Guinness at The Museum at FIT. We will sketch and take notes and drool and ooh and ahh.

Then I think we'll wander the neighborhood a bit, stopping where we like, and absolutely finding a place for a treat or an early dinner - or both. The Doughnut Plant, though fairly far down, is a tempting option. If I hear back from my hometown friend, who happens to be the Godfather of Hipsters (so says the Times), we may try the original Somer outpost, Freemans. Or pizza. She loves pizza.

After our night in Brooklyn (yes, I've already started playing the Beastie Boys' anthem for her) during which I expect lots of Catching Up After 15 Years Gabbing and much wine, we'll hop back on the subway and do Midtown. We'll go to Rockefeller Center for the tree, and skate, if we can. We'll see the Saks and Bergdorf Goodman and Barney's Christmas windows. We'll lunch at one of the Fancy Restaurants in the Fancy Stores. We'll go to The Met to see their Christmas tree and creche, and maybe another exhibit, if we can manage it.

Subway back to Brooklyn.

TheArtist promises a top secret pizza place in her hood for dinner. Which we will gleefully do, and have the lovely warm craziness that comes from 2 little ones at a restaurant. We parents will have wine.

Sunday, TheArtist suggested a lovely, lovely plan. Brunch or lunch in their 'hood, then Brooklyn Bridge Park. Views (for my budding photographer and her very own camera) and running around in easy Sunday morning fashion. We may sneak in a trip to TheArtist's studio for The Bean, if there's time.

And from there, we'll have to subway back to Penn Station to come home. And we will be sad. But we will have pictures - lots and lots of pictures. And we will go again. Soon. Grandmom and I are already plotting our trip to The Met's Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada exhibit in 2012.

If you follow DC Celine on twitter, I will be tweeting throughout the weekend, hashtag #BeanintheBigApple

Style Dilemma: 20th Reunion Advance Work - Putting it all out there. Really

Alright, folks. You asked. Well, kinda.

Last night, a few of us had a little twitter fashion show with the options. All of them. I tried on both the 3 pretty dresses from my zappos shopping spree, but also, at H's request, pulled out some old (and newer) favorites that might work. I have the twitterverse's opinions.

Not that this is entirely a democratic process, because in the end, I'll select what I feel suits me best and the dress in which I feel the best, but in the name of good cross-media coverage, I've posted multiple views of the options in my closet on the DC Celine facebook page. Go. Look. Share your opinion.

For those of you who really need all the details to consider, this is, obviously, my 20th high school reunion. All 183 of us grew up in a small, at-the-time mostly rural Pennsylvania community that even now toys with the idea of being suburban. We have malls and such, and sometimes act as a bedroom community to Philly, but really, we still have a Community Fair. There are cows. And silage.


So some of us from the class of 1991 will gather at a reasonably nice hotel ballroom this Saturday night. While the original inn is "all historic and stuff" like a lot of our area, the owners have added on. Unless our esteemed class president (thanks, Tom!) has something up his sleeve, this is your fairly standard hotel cocktail reception.

Due diligence warning, now: H took the pics on his camera phone, which isn't as good as mine. Mine is on the fritz. I don't have hair, makeup, accessories, the correct undergarments, or a clean bedroom. You've been warned.

But the one non-negotiable piece of my ensemble, absolutely unanimously, and even if it weren't, I'd override everyone: The Shoes.

Style Dilemma: Solving a Style Ethics Question

On Monday, I shared a crazy story from a friend. Short version? She found what looks to be like an Hermés scarf for sale at Target. For $14.99. So what does she do? I asked Malena Martinez, of Malena's vintage boutique, for her thoughts on the matter. I forwarded my friend's story, and here's what Malena had to say.

Well that is very strange.  It seems like we have two issues here.  . How did it get there, does she keep it, and 2. Is it real.  

I think her explanation of how it got priced at Target is likely. Maybe to quell her conscience she should go back to that target and ask if anyone reported a missing Hermés scarf. If so, find the right owner,  if not. Take good care of that and appreciate it as a special gift from the fairy fashion godmother.  

As for the authenticity there are a few points to consider...fakes generally do not have the same exact print as the real ones. For instance, I have an Hermés scarf with keys, the real one has 72, the fakes out there only have 46 keys. So explorer the photos here and see if her scarf has the right amount of bugs, monkeys, mermaids, etc.  

This scarf also has the artists name hidden in the print. Not all real scarves have this, but it is one more point to look for. Hermés Paris should also be printed, some times twice, on every scarf. The appearance of the accent over the e, and the copyright symbol can also have date the piece. And lastly, the white corner hang tag. These have been known to fall off, but if it is there, and if it says some thing other than may add to the authenticity of it. I recently had a 1977 Hermés scarf in the store that had a Neiman Marcus tag attached next to the white Hermés one, another variation on what to look for depending on the age.

So now we have an expert opinion. Change your mind from Monday? Would you keep the scarf you bought for $14.99? Would you check in with the store? Would you even have bought it in the first place?

Style Dilemma: 20th Reunion Advance Work

20th Reunion Advance Work by dcceline

T-minus 13 days til the reunion.

Law & Order on TV. Fingers flying on the keyboard. Scrolling through rows and rows of Zappos.com options. Because of their amazing (still the best in the business) 365 return policy. Hopefully, I'll be able to try them on with my black patent and natural straw version of these Oscar de la Renta sandals (with a sexy red insole) this weekend.

We've got Calvin, always a winner. Draping + red should be flattering and showstopping. The main thing that concerns me? Bra. I think - but am not sure - I have a convertible bra in my drawer somewhere. Braless is not an option.

Then Jessica Simpson. Seriously. This blousy top with fitted skirt might strike the perfect blend of relaxed and still sexy. I'll even forgive the black for the cool, interesting slitted sleeves.

Last up? Juicy Couture. Again, surprised me when I clicked. I do well in the sexy structure of a 60s-style shift minidress. I've got legs, know how to use them, but the 3/4 sleeves and covered up demure lace might balance the über-sexy ankle straps on my beloved Oscars. Granted, they might not work, but then again, they might.

Style Dilemma: Ethical Conundrum or Fashion Question?

A friend wrote me the other day with the strangest story. Read on. Unedited.

I'm strolling along in Target today, looking at the scarves.  THIS scarf catches my eye.  I see that it says Hermes.  I think to myself:  "Hmmm...did Hermes make a collection for Target, like Missoni?"  The tag says it is silk, and there aren't any other scarves like it on the display.  The scarf itself doesn't have a price tag, but it's on a plastic ring, so that it can hang on the display hooks, and the plastic ring has a price tag attached:  $14.99.  Well, this scarf clearly has no business being for sale in Target.

I can only assume that some poor shopper must have lost it while at Target, and a sales associate picked it up and put it with the other scarves.  So, I put it in my cart while I do some soul-searching.  If I put it back, someone else will just pick it up and buy it later, right?  I could take it up to Customer Service, and assume they will put it in the Lost & Found box, if one exists (or will someone behind the counter just keep it?).  I think:  "am I on Candid Camera?" 

 

Well, I decided to buy it.  So, now, I wonder if maybe it's a fake,  That would certainly make me feel better, knowing that someone just lost their fake $20 Hermes, and not their genuine $400 Hermes.  A quick Google search rules out the most obvious indicators that it is a fake, so it could be real. 

 

What do you make of this?  I guess I want confirmation that I didn't essentially steal this.  Do I take it as a gift from the Couture gods?  Or did I just fail an ethical test?  Arggggg!

So. What do you think? What would you have done?

I've asked my "Dealer," Malena (she of The Bag fame), of the eponymous vintage boutique in West Chester, PA, her thoughts on the matter. Check back soon to see what she has to say on the scarf's authenticity and what she might do.

Style Dilemma: 20th Reunion, and No Time to Shop

Yes, this is for me.

My 20th high school reunion is less than 2 weeks away, and I haven't even thought about a dress. Well, at least not since August, when I said I was going to get ready, and then thought briefly about options.

Well, I suppose I could check out any of the three I posted about, and see if they're still available. They might require a fitter me than I am, though. So I'm sending out a plea: Help a time-starved fashionista out!

20 years. Need to kick style ass. No time to shop (read: order online), and a Germanic figure.

And I might really really really want to wear my Oscars. Really.