Birthday Wishes

Dress: Nanette Lepore

Shoes: Kate Spade New York

November Sunshine

It's a beautiful day here in Atlanta, and I'm dreading the next few days when the temperature is supposed to drop. Stay warm!

Outfit Details:

Dress: Nanette Lepore

Shoes; Kate Spade New York

Cohesive

Dress: Nanette Lepore

Shoes: Prada Booties

Rose Gold Accents

I'm thinking of my sisters today, Gail in Chicago and Laura here in Georgia, so I wanted to wear the Gorjana necklace they gave me a few years ago. The necklace has three circles entwined, as in three sisters. I love these girls so much!

The necklace is made of rose gold, just like these Kate Spade New York pumps. I wasn't sure about pairing a blue dress with black and rose gold shoes, but I think it works. Do you agree?

Dress: Nanette Lepore Chase Me Dress in Azul

The dress is on sale at NanetteLepore.com, but it's also available at the following retailers:

• Amazon
• Cusp
• Neiman Marcus
• Revolve Clothing (in Ivory)
• Zappos (in Ivory)

I love the vibrant sapphire jewel tone of the dress, combined with the sexy but still professional silhouette. Nanette Lepore is one of my favorite designers; I love her feminine style.

Shoes: Kate Spade New York Piazza Spectator Pumps (on sale)

Homegrown Fashion

Wearing the Nanette Lepore Cosmic Crepe Dress

The fashion world is definitely not without its controversies. One major topic that seems at the top of everyone's lists this summer is over high-end, American fashion designers outsourcing their clothing manufacturing, resulting in lost American jobs and revenue. Made in the U.S.A.? Made in China is more like it.

Even the Ralph Lauren-designed Team USA Summer 2012 Olympic uniforms turned out to be produced overseas. While that fact certainly did not cast a pallor over the Olympic Games -- though, it seems to me, that if any one item of clothing is made here, the Team USA Olympic uniform should be it -- it did turn up the heat on American designers who choose profit over patriotism.

It also got me thinking about my own closet, and what items gracing my shelves are made more cost efficiently outside the United States. It turns out... a lot.

Of course, a few of those labels make a point to produce as much clothing as possible in the United States, in areas like New York City's famed Garment District. Nanette Lepore is one of the most outspoken designers on her stance to keep her clothing made in the U.S.A. She appeared on an episode of Project Runway All-Stars, and part of the challenge for the designers involved factoring in the cost of American production when making their creations. She also talked to CNN earlier this summer about her outrage over the Team USA Olympic uniforms:




My friend, Taryn, actually brought this issue to my attention a few years ago, when we bonded over our love of Nanette Lepore clothing. She told me that she purchased a top, knowing full well that Nanette Lepore's clothes were made in NYC, and discovered later that the label read "Made in China." She was outraged, and wrote a letter to the company to tell them so. What is shocking is that she actually received a reply. The truth was, they told her, if her top had been produced here, then it would have cost so much money most people would not have been able to afford it. That broke my heart.

A recent article in the NY Daily News highlighted the issue of American clothing manufacturing as well, showing that Nanette Lepore isn't the only designer who is making an effort to bring clothing manufacturing back to the United States. Shoshanna, another of my favorite designers, also produces some of her clothing here. It's not a giant leap, but it's at least a first step.

Nanette Lepre Cio Cio San Dress with BCBGMaxAxria Sandals

I've highlighted just two of the Nanette Lepore dresses in my closet on this post. If you're interested in shopping for Nanette Lepore clothing, shop her website, NanetteLepore.com. Each product page, like this one, shows where the item was made, and most of them proudly boast, "Made in New York City."

A Relaxing Week in Puerto Rico...

Sipping a Coconut in the Rainforest

This October, Chapin and I took a much needed vacation, visiting Puerto Rico for the first time. The Caribbean sun, short (and very reasonably priced) flight and the fact that we wouldn't need to go through customs made Puerto Rico a perfect destination for us.

Chapin and I have both been working extremely hard lately, and we saw this time away as an opportunity to reconnect with each other, as well as to rest, relax and replenish our energies for the busy winter months ahead.

We picked a great day to leave Atlanta, as the temperature started to dramatically drop right as we touched down in Puerto Rico. Our flight did not take off until noon, so by the time we made it to our hotel, the La Concha Renaissance San Juan Resort, we were ready for dinner. 

This Mariott hotel (thank you, Mariott reward points) was probably one of the nicest hotels we have ever stayed in, not including the Four Seasons Atlanta Hotel we stayed in on our wedding night, and the Rihga Royal Hotel we stayed in one time when Chapin accompanied me to New York for a movie junket. Since our room wasn't quite ready when we arrived, we walked from the hotel to a nearby restaurant that the hotel recommended: Casa Lola.

As we were browsing the menu, we realized that a popular fish in Puerto Rico shares its name with my husband. After that, whenever someone asked Chapin his name, he would say, "like the fish!" It was very cute.

After dinner, we headed back to the hotel to change and hang out at the bar in the hotel lobby. We had a few drinks but did not stay too long since we were so exhausted from our travels. The next morning, it was so amazing to wake up to the sound of the waves on the beach. I could definitely get used to that.

The amazing view from our room in Puerto Rico

Our first full day in Puerto Rico, we decided to just relax and enjoy ourselves. We switched back and forth between the beach and the "adults only" infinity pool. I didn't check my work email, either. I just read my Kindle, drank frothy, calorific drinks and napped in the sun. It was heavenly.

That evening, we decided to walk to a restaurant that was about a mile away. Chapin assured me that the walk would be worth it, so I put on my new MICHAEL Michael Kors Halter Maxi Dress that I had bought especially for the trip -- with Chapin's blessing -- and we headed out.

We walked and walked, from the hotel through suburban Puerto Rican neighborhoods, where we saw nannies with young children and people out walking their dogs after the end of the workday. Finally, we reached our destination... which turned out to be more of a grocery store/ deli than a restaurant. We looked at each other and decided to head back. We would not be eating there after all.


We had passed a Mexican restaurant on the way, so that's where we ended up about 20 minutes later. We ordered margaritas and browsed the menu. Chapin wasn't impressed, so we left after our drinks... which were literally the strongest margaritas I had ever had in my life. After finishing mine on an empty stomach, I was DRUNK. We went back to the hotel and ended up eating a very nice meal in the pricey hotel restaurant. I had seafood. That's about all I remember.

The rest of the trip, we decided to do at least one activity before heading to the pool and/or beach to relax the afternoon away.

We visited the Bacardi Rum Distillery on our second day there, where we got two free drinks and learned about the history of the famed brand in Puerto Rico. (The tour was free.) It was so much fun to be drinking before noon on a weekday! We also picked up some special aged run for Chapin's father (and Chapin), and I got the cutest hoodie for myself. I did not bring any long sleeved shirts with me, and I wanted something casual I could put over my bathing suit when the sun would start to set.

After our tour, we headed back to the hotel, where we immediately went to the beach. Since the beach was man made, the waves were very rough, and I lost my Fendi sunglasses that I'd had for years in the surf. Chapin told me he was actually very glad, because he hated those sunglasses. It was nice to know that after I'd been wearing them for years! I got some new sunglasses in Old San Juan: the Christian Dior Lady Dior Sunglasses. I cringe to see how discounted they are, because I had to pay full price in Puerto Rico. Argh!

That night, we decided to try a restaurant in town that we had read about online: Jose Enrique. This time, we made sure it was a real restaurant... and it was. There was a long wait, so we decided to get a drink, and ended up across the street in an area of town called "Taberna Los Vazquez-la Placita." We got some strange looks, and after speaking to a "local" who spoke English, realized that it wasn't a place very many tourists frequented. That made it all the more authentic for us - a real Puerto Rican experience. And the wait was worth it... the food at Jose Enrique was one of the most delicious meals I have ever had the pleasure of eating. (And I like to eat!)

The next day, we decided to visit Old San Juan.

We walked around for several hours and treated ourselves to some chocolate ice cream. The views were amazing. Here I am in my new Dior sunglasses and a Juicy Couture strapless polka dot terry cloth sundress. It's the most comfortable little dress for outings on a hot day!

We ate at an Italian restaurant called Vittorino that night, which was in the same area of town as Jose Enrique. We actually weren't sure the restaurant was even open, but then we saw what we thought was a patron walk in. It turned out to be the owner of the restaurant, and even though it was only 8:30 p.m., the restaurant was, in fact, closed. An upscale place, and very small, Vittorino has to limit the number of people who can get a table. We were fortunate enough to get one, because it was our second best meal in Puerto Rico. Our waiter also looked like Johnny Depp, which helped make the overall experience even better.

I wore this magenta Shoshanna Faille Seamed Bodice Tank Dress to dinner. I think the pink hue helped highlight my burgeoning tan. This dress was also spotted on E! News anchor Ashlan Gorse.

On one of our final days in Puerto Rico, we decided to tour the El Yunque Tropical Rainforest. It was a long drive, but we saw some amazing feats of nature, including the world's smallest orchid. Chapin managed to get some great shots of the little orchid, like this one. The little red bud is the orchid!

There are so many favorite photos from the rainforest tour -- the waterfall, the view, the huge spider web! -- but I think this one is my favorite:

Our last night in Puerto Rico, we decided to go back to Jose Enrique, because the food was just that good. I wore this gorgeous Nanette Lepore Silver Blaze Cami Dress.
 

The food was just as good as we remembered!

Our last morning in Puerto Rico, we got up early and spent the morning swimming and lounging at the pool. All too soon, it was time to pack up for our return trip to Atlanta. I was excited to see my family and George, but going back home after a vacation is always bittersweet.

Sale Alert

It's finally Friday, and there are some amazing sales going on this weekend that I want to bring to your attention:

Nanette Lepore: Friends and Family Sale

October 7 - 10, 2011
Enter Code FFF11 at Checkout for 20% Off Your Order!
Code will not work on sale items.

Tory Burch: Friends and Family Sale

October 7 - 10, 2011
Enter Code FRIENDS2011 at Checkout for 25% Off Your Order!
Code will not work on specific items like the Reva Ballet Flats, but will work on sale merchandise!

Several retail sites are also marking down Summer items as we go deeper into the Fall season, including:

ShopBop.com
Featured Pick:
Shoshanna Sweetheart Strapless Dress
Was: $385
Now: $115

EvesApple.com
Featured Pick:
Tracy Reese Contrast Dress
Was:  $257.40
Now: $  77.22

Dillards.com
Featured Pick:
Max & Cleo Sleeveless Tucked Dress
Was:  $148.00
Now: $  51.80

Happy Columbus Day Shopping!

Hazy Shade of Winter

I love a fabulous print, and the green and navy tartan pattern on today's dress is no exception. I bought the Nanette Lepore Pretty Plaid Dress back in 2009, so it's no longer available for purchase, but you can find other fabulous plaid prints from the designer online, including the Nanette Lepore On the Beat Plaid Dress.

There are a myriad of reasons why this dress is both flattering and chic:

- The cap sleeves are endearing and help slim the arm. If you're self conscious about your arms, a cap or puff sleeve is always going to be your best bet. It cuts off to help make the arms look thinner.

- The silhouette defines the waist, yet doesn't hug the hips to make you look bulky.

- It's made with 100% wool, so it's quite warm for a cold day like today, but it's lined inside so the wool doesn't touch the skin directly. (I have very sensitive skin, so this feature is a major plus!)

As for accessories, I went pretty light today, since the decorative buttons on the dress are enough to grab the eye (so no necklace needed). I am wearing my sapphire and diamond earrings and using my Michele black purse. The shoes are the Black Suede Braid Elisha T-Strap Pumps from Modern Vintage. I could only find them on eBay; I bought these shoes over a year ago.

I also thought today's picture looks pretty cool. We own a loft, so from first glance it looks like the wall above me just kind of ends... but we painted part of the upper wall and ceiling dark green to get that cool visual effect. I think the photo captures it just right.

Black Velvet

Although it's still cold outside, today I decided to abandon tights and just brave the temperatures in my bare legs. I am wearing a plain Cynthia Steffe LBD today - something all girls should have in their closets - and I didn't feel like going with an all-black ensemble from head to toe. At least the bare legs help break up the black a little bit. By the way, LBD = Little Black Dress for those not hip to fashion lingo.

The official name of this dress is the Cynthia Steffe Holly Chain Dress, and unfortantely I could not find it available for purchase online. You can't really see it in the picture, but the dress has some subtle gold chain detailing that I just love. It runs up the sides of the dress and on part of the sleeve.

I like today's picture because you can see my shoes really well. These Nanette Lepore Dotty Peep-Toe Pumps are among my favorites, and I don't get to wear them that often.

On a side note, Chapin and I actually went to Nordstrom last night to look at Michele watches. Some of them look really big on my tiny wrist. I have insanely small wrists for my frame, so even a normal looking watch can look huge. We will probably try to go to another store over the weekend to see if they have a larger selection.