Hump-Day Hallucinations

Not much to report this hump day - so I'll leave you with this ensemble, which I'm wearing in my daydream (doesn't everybody dream in outfits?). Allow me to paint a picture of said daydream: I'm sitting under the bamboo canopy at Le Club 55 on Pampelonne Beach, channeling my inner Bridge Bardot (we all have one of those if you look hard enough - or if you're delusional enough like moi), allowing the breeze to just-so-slightly ruffle my tassel earrings; I appear as cool as the cucumber cocktail my post-ocean-dip salty lips are sippin' on, but underneath my chunky white sunnies I'm a celeb spottin' son of a gun. 

And just like that - it's officially time for my lunchtime eye appointment in the tunnels of downtown Houston (just livin' la vida loca over here, folks). Wednesday takeaway: my eyesight is getting worse, as are my delusions of grandeur. 

Sunglasses - Illesteva// Crop Top - Zara// Shorts - Red Valentino// Earrings - Hart// Raffia Bag - Zara// Black Sandals - Tory Burch// Lipstick - YSL// Nail Polish - Essie (Peak Show)

Double the Fun: Genie Mack & Baanou

While most of my shopping is done from my computer and/or phone (addicted to online shopping? me? nooo), when time permits it's nice to break up the routine, get behind the wheel, hit the open road, and explore the great, big world of Houston retail (adventure awaits!). I had such an escapade last week, when I wandered lonely as a cloud Wordsworth style to two local boutiques: Renovate and Baanou. Fortunately for you, I live to tell the tale (retail therapy never did betray the heart that loved her). 

Each store has good finds that coincidentally work well together, so I'm doubling up today. And we begin with Genie Mack's tassel earrings: colorful, happy, surprisingly light on the earlobes, and oh-so affordable ($50 or less, people). Genie's a native Houstonian who makes fun jewelry and paints pet portraits. While her earrings aren't for sale online yet, they are available at Renovate or you can email her and get some customized to the colors of your liking. 

And if you're the kind of gal who doesn't just want a party on the top, business on the bottom - then Baanou is where I'll direct you. Located at River Oaks District, this boutique has brought some of my favorite Australian labels (Thurley, Alice McCall, C/Meo Collective, Keepsake) to my hood - which helps me save on shipping costs, and helps all of us look more fly. My advice: don't go in if you're "just looking" - we both know that's too dangerous a game to play. 

Add Genie Mack's tassels above to some of Baanou's pieces below and (ladies is pimps, too) dust those exposed shoulders off. 

Shorts - Thurley// Chambray Jumpsuit - Karina Grimaldi (in store or shop online here)// Striped Romper - Lovers & Friends// Red Dress - Alice McCall// Red Off the Shoulder Top - Keepsake// Red Pants - Keepsake

Dressing for Success: Behold the Power of the Power Suit

Last week I attended the Models of Success event at the Dress for Success Houston headquarters with my firm - it was my first and only front row runway seat experience (shocking, I know), but I don't think I'll ever enjoy another fashion show more than this one. The models (all current or prior clients of the organization) spoke of their personal and professional triumphs, which are not your run-of-the-mill on-the-job stories. These women - mothers, veterans, and survivors in every sense of the word - talked about their promotions, career highs and lows, marathons, and family lives and attributed all their accomplishments to Dress for Success and the resources it provides them. The phrase I continued to hear throughout the evening was "it's more than just a suit," which got me thinking about the way a work outfit can open doors, change your outlook, and (on a less monumental note) make or break your mood.

My approach to work-wear is pretty straightforward: I don't like to be cold, I don't like when my feet hurt, and I don't like being caught in a post-work activity looking like a total dweeb (although sometimes I just embrace that look when its too hard to shake off). So dollars to donuts, you'll find me wearing pants (let's be real - nobody got time for a daily shave) and flats. Upon entering the grind of the work force a young maiden quickly learns while it's not necessarily fun to buy office-friendly clothes, the sad reality is she will spend most of her time in them (womp womp). So investing in some pieces that are on trend and that make it easy to transition from work time to free time (lolz wut is that?) will help put some pep in your step during your 9 to 5 (I for one do a little shimmy when I nail the "don't look like a librarian today" challenge). 

Oh - and PSA of the week: buy the black pants from Cos (link below). I paid a visit to River Oaks District yesterday (Sunday Funday, amiright?) and finally got to see what all the Cos fuss is about. The brand sits on very top of the H&M brand totem pole and is all about a chic, minimalist aesthetic - think beautiful cuts, solid colors, and work-appropriate silhouettes. I would liken their pieces to what Theory and Vince have to offer, except with a much better price point (most items are around $100). But back to these pantaloons - I've tried all the black pants under the Tuscan sun and these officially rank numero uno. They have a side zipper/button system and are made out of good, thick material that suck you in (supa flattering) while still being stretchy enough to be comfortable (my tip - go up one size) - total game changers.

Tweed Jacket - Rebecca Taylor// Sweater - Lingua Franca// Tan Blazer - J. Crew// White Top - Alice & Olivia// Blue Top - Vivetta// Black Top - Cos// Glitter Glasses - Gucci// Black Pants - Cos// Wool Loafers - Stubbs & Wootton// Cat Bag - Paul & Joe Sister// Scarf - Tuckernuck// Gold Earrings - Asha// Hard Stuff Bottle - Shopbop// Patent Loafers - Chatelles// 
Green Suede Bag - Mansur Gavriel

A little Folky, A little Funky: Ukrainian Embroidery

As promised, the second deal-n-steal of the weekend: hand-embroidered Ukrainian pieces that you can actually afford (Google translate says ัะน! is Ukrainian for yay! - so we're going with that).

These traditional Ukrainian embroidered items entered the scene not so long ago (based on my shop-while-I-stalk tendencies, I remember Anna Dello Russo, Giovanna Battaglia, and Leandra Medine (aka the powers that be) were amongst the first to rock 'em).

From the second I laid my eyes on those colorful balloon sleeves and rich embroidered patterns I was a big (YUGE) fan. The research that ensued enlightened me to some valuable info, summarized as follows:

  1. Embroidery is an integral part of Ukrainian culture (who knew) - the country regards it as more than an art form and traces the practice back to BC times.
  2. There are different patterns and styles identified with the different regions of Ukraine, and each piece carries symbolic significance. For example, the blouse (known as a Vyshyvanka - va va voom), is believed to be a talisman that protects the one who wears it and the actual embroidery is purposely placed over parts of the body that are believed to be susceptible to penetration by evil spirits (neckline, cuff, shoulders). So so weird, but so so good. 
  3. The lines that brought these pieces into the fashion limelight are quite lux - aka quite expensive. These are a few off the tippy-top of my head: Vita Kin, March 11, and Yuliya Magdych. 
  4. Saving the best for last - I found other options that are so affordable, so customizable, and SO authentic (you know its the real deal when the packing slip says Tsekhop Lutsk as place of origin) - read all 'bout my experience below.

I was particularly fond of the skirt - so you can imagine my delight when I found Kate Veremchuk's Etsy store Smerichka (can't help but think she's lol-ing at us Shmericans). Her listing for the skirt advertised that it was totally customizable and only $150. Since I wasn't in the business (yet) of reinventing this color wheel, I sent her my measurements and a photo of a Vita Kin skirt for color choice inspo.

Bada bing, bada boom - about a month later, I can officially sit at the cool girls table with my skirt (pictured below) that cost me li-ter-a-lly 10% of what the lux brand costs, looks exactly the same, and is made by hand. 

Kate's store isn't the only affordable option out there - here are some other Etsy shops that sell similar (and really beautiful) Ukrainian fashion: FashionFromUkraine, FashionbyJulia, UkrNational, and EmbroideredFantasy.

I wore mine to the Rodeo yesterday - and felt like the real dealio. Here I am at the King Ranch Saddle Shop booth with Jerry Mejia, a craftsman whose been perfecting his skills for 13+ years. 

So while we're on the topic of how anything hecho-a-mano is that much more especial, I'll end the post with a shout out to Jerry. He makes saddles, leather sheathes, custom belts, and dabbles with floral and basket weave tooling - and his fingers got the battle wounds to prove it. Go check him out! 

Pro Tip: Milan Blocks

This weekend I'm bringing you two of my latest and greatest deals-n'-steals. We'll start with Milan Blocks: a company that creates customizable acrylic clutches of all shapes, sizes and designs - all for less than or around $100. Truth be told I found them while on one of my Insta blackhole deep dives (a nightly ritual) and didn't know whether to believe it or not. But believe it I did and believe it you shall - I present you with the play by play below. 

Toucan Clutch// Star Clutch// Confetti Clutch// Cactus Clutch// Heart Clutch// Personalized Clutch// Mondrian Clutch// Pineapple Clutch

My husband gifted me with this Edie Parker clutch for my birthday in 2015 in anticipation of our upcoming nuptials (I know - serious brownie points for Mr. Steen). But with that price point, its obvious this bad boy is a once-in-a-closet opportunity. So when I saw the special edition Lone Star clutch at the Webster, I found myself in quite the conundrum to say the least. 

Photo by KT Merry

Photo by KT Merry

Enter Milan Blocks: I reached out to their email contact explaining my concept: Texas flag on one side, Cuban flag on the other (aka the Natalie clutch - they of course didn't name or showcase this brilliant idea of mine, so I'm taking the liberty of oh-so-humbly doing that leg work). These are the to-know deets: $110, 4 weeks, ships from China. To say I was very impressed that the clutch was exactly what I envisioned (or that it even arrived) would be an understatement. 

Of course, there are discernible differences between my two acrylic clutches: gold hardware, weight of material, and emotional attachment would probably be top 3. But for a price tag that is pretty much 94% discounted, you get what you pay for and what you get is GOOD. Consider y'allselves informed.