simplepretty

Wow. Fall is h-e-r-e. It’s in the 40s this morning …. gives a freshness to the air that’s been missing. Not ready to turn on the heat quite yet, though, so I hope that the sun takes care of warming the house today. I took a yoga class yesterday – the first in a while, and really enjoyed it – and I’m feeling it this morning, in a good way, the way that says “these muscles weren’t getting used or stretched with running and Pilates, so keep it up.” Guess I’m going next week, too.In the afternoon, I curled up with a pile of magazines and started marking pages. I think I need to go to Charleston soon. The latest issue has a gorgeous house on Rainbow Row, beautifully photographed by Brie Williams (and by the way, I’m really looking forward to the FlowerSchool book that she photographed) that inspires me to spruce up our own, as well as lots of ads for shops that I’m missing. One shop I really miss is Worthwhile. Their ad featured an intriguing sequined dress (found it!) and while I was searching their site I saw lots and lots of things that I might want …. but I’d like to try them on first. Then, I could tour some houses via the Preservation Society, and have a nice dinner at 39 Rue de Jean. When the heat leaves Chicago, I don’t mind chasing down a little warmth, you know? Gotta keep winter at bay.

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Thank you, Barney’s. Without your “Obsessions” email this morning, I never would have known that I needed the following Lanvin accessories: (ah, the glory of computers)

1. Lanvin Fabric and Pearl Choker, $525

I love this choker, for the simply because it would look good with so many things, from a little black dress, to a tee shirt and jeans. Very French; very classic.

2. Lanvin Black Patent Ballet Flat, $525

Let me first state that I have a long-standing obsession with flat shoes. Pointy toes, jeweled, funky, whatever. If it’s a flat, I’m going to consider it. I’m 5’5″, so I don’t know exactly why I’m obsessed with flats, but it is what it is. Why these flats? Just because. They’re so simple, and yet seem luxe. Probably better with jeans than the lbd, but that’s okay – I wear jeans more often.

Lanvin photos courtesy of Barneys

3. Lutz & Patmos Everyday Cardigan, $475

This last obsession I cannot blame on Barney’s. But once again, I have a problem when it comes to cashmere cardigans. (How many can a girl need? A lot, it seems) This one appeals because of its color (gray! so versatile), the long sleeves that seem extra-cozy, and because it was styled after Julianne Moore’s favorite cardigan. I like her off-screen fashion style. $30 from the purchase goes to the TS Alliance to find a cure for tuberous sclerosis. Which still makes the sweater quite pricey, but hey, if it were cheap, I wouldn’t be obsessing, I’d be buying!

Photo courtesy of Jake

Fashion Week update: Love, love, love Carolina Herrera’s collection. So pretty, so wearable! And I was happy to see that the NYTimes’ Cathy Horyn agreed with my “review” of Narciso! I’m off to check out Chris Benz …. and Oscar …. and Marc ….

This morning feels very much like the start of fall. The air is cool and damp, the mood is calm and still (my son’s allergies are awful!) Over the weekend, I replaced the morning glory plant by our back door with the everlasting (fake) wreath above. I have a hard time leaving summer behind. Not because of fall, which I love, but because of winter, which I endure.

Last weekend, if you remember, we were full of activity. This weekend, not so much. My son’s soccer team won its game on Saturday, and on Sunday, we finished painting his room, but otherwise, not a lot was accomplished. I made a nice re-discovery while online, though, which led to more. Lunalux is a darling small letterpress shop in Minneapolis (by Loring Park). I was at the shop last summer, on our tour of Minneapolis shops that are not closed over the 4th of July holiday. It’s a cool little store. They offer custom letterpress printing services – some of their posters are displayed on the walls. You can buy their work at the shop along with some other lines. On Sunday morning, I caught up on reading their blog, and loved seeing some recent work. I was also quite excited to learn that there is an Eat.Shop.TwinCities book available now! Minneapolis is one of my favorite cities for the simple fact that there are so many fabulous, non-chain options for eating and shopping while you’re there. So, I’m eager to see which shops made it into the book. I’m placing my Amazon order this morning. (and I’m betting that Lunalux made it – actually, I know that they did)

And as for fashion week, I was getting quite depressed, because I’d seen very little that excited me about Spring 2008. This morning, my faith has been restored, thanks to Narciso Rodriguez (especially look #14) and 3.1 Phillip Lim (#13 is quite adorable and yet chic). And the blues and greens at Derek Lam are gorgeous!

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It’s Friday. Time to make plans for the weekend. There will be soccer (of course), and hopefully a little shopping, a little resting, a little reading. I’m ready to start planning, so here are the Five:

1. acorns
2. apple
3. It’s been photographed before…..
4. classic beauty
5. cool cricket cola cap

thanks, Shari, for capturing signs of fall so well! Don’t forget – Fashion Week rolls on. I really liked Lela Rose’s Spring collection, especially looks 4, 7, and 28, and can’t wait to see Proenza Schouler and Vera Wang over the weekend. See you Monday!

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Did you hear that sound? That’s right, it was the sound of my two-month-old iPhone becoming obsolete. As of yesterday, there will be no more 4G iPhones produced. I knew the day would come, just not so soon. I haven’t even picked out a storage case for it yet! I have it narrowed down to two options: (Perhaps one of them will work for your cheaper 8G iPhone, or your new iPod Touch.)

1. Red Maloo’s felt iPhone sleeve. Color preference? Orange or magenta …. leaning toward magenta because it has the nifty orange elastic accent. They also make a ultra-hip felt laptop wrap, but I am waiting for Apple to come out with new laptops before I commit to that system ….
2. Etcetera Media’s felt iPod case in olive. If I go this route, I think I’ll wait a bit to see if they rejigger the lineup to accomodate the iPhone. It’s just a little too tall for the case right now, but the price certainly is right. (and love the colors!) I had planned to check these out in Boston, but Urban Living Studio is closed on Monday. Not happening.

Do you have a favorite? Anything from Apple tempting you from yesterday’s announcement? My head is turned by those cute new Nanos. Love the boxy shape, and the colors …. it’ll be hard to wait …. not to mention the new Wi-Fi iTunes options. All sounds great! Now, just come out with that ultra-thin cool laptop, please.Happy looking! And to my husband, Happy Birthday!