Skip Covets Dior Couture

While I have no delusions about my future with regard to Couture clothing (namely, I have no future with regard to Couture clothing), a girl can still dream.

And, how lovely that the Spring 2009 Christian Dior Couture show (with the masterful John Galliano) conveys just that idea...of dream-like, optimistic 1950's silhouettes created with crinolined fabrics but with shockingly gossamer transparency and lightness.

I'm going to channel these looks for my Spring/Summer wedding circuit.

Skip's Tip Top Hat Hunt

In order to glamorously convey my British-ness, I have decided that I will be wearing a hat (or fascinator) to the myriad of weddings RTT and I are attending this Spring/Summer. Of course, this requires me to find the perfect hat first...While, in an ideal world I would fly to London to visit the ancestral home and meet with my milliner, alas I am rather confined to searching on the world wide web for now.

Thus, my new favorite website is the quaint, curious site of Samuel's Hats, based in downtown New York City, selling insanely beautiful hats by Anna Rizzo, Herald & Heart and Philip Treacy, to name a few. It is a bit of a cumbersome site, but with some dedicated searching, I have found more than a few hats that I am lusting after...less Isabella Blow and more Renee Perle, I hope.

Of course, the hat is dependent on what my couturier designs for my dress...

Skip Lives in the Arctic

I have determined that there is really only way to survive Winter in Boston...and that is with a glamorous Dr. Zhivago-inspired fur hat.

Shockingly, the fabulous fur hat market is relatively devoid of stylish options (and normal head models) but I have narrowed it down to a Black Fox Pill Box style and a Silver Fox Zhivago Hat.

This is a matter of life and unfashionably freezing to death.

Last Minute Gift List Update

For those of you desperately looking for some last minute Holiday gifts (Mummy, this one is for you) allow me to update my ever-expanding, never-necessary list of gift must-haves.

(1) A Letterpress Calendar. While I am thoroughly enjoying the time management function on my iPhone, Victory, I find there is always a need for month-at-a-glance calendar viewing at work. What prettier way to fulfill this function that with an artistic and original letterpress calendar! I love the hand drawn feather version at The Wild Unknown.

(2) Crafty Teapot Cozy. For a house to be considered truly English, it absolutely must include a biscuit tin for biscuits and a biscuit tin for tea bags (as advised by my father), a plethora of dish cloths, a teapot (obviously), ample tea mugs (again, courtesy of my Daddy) and, of course, a tea cozy. While RTT and I have a cutesy cupcake version from my Mummy, I do so love this flouncy crochet kind from Eden & Eden.

(3) Dyptique Fragrance. I am sure it's been made abundantly clear that I am a fragrance freak. RTT can attest to the overflowing tray of perfume bottles on our dresser each of which I labeled with appropriate moods and feelings imparted by the smell contained within. Is that crazy? Yes. Do I care? No. I even want more, like this divine fig-scented bouquet from Dyptique, Philosykos. It is described as a "fig tree and white cedar on a hot summer day in Greece." Yes, please!

(4) Fancy Gladiator Sandals. I fulfilled my fashion need for flat gladiator sandals last Summer with an adorable, gold pair from Matt Bernson. But this Spring, I really want to glam it up on the gladiator front. This fab python pair from Coach will be the perfect match for my incredibly stylish, yet-to-be-discovered cocktail dresses at all the weddings we have to attend this year.

(5) Personalized Stationery. More, you ask? Again, you say? Well, what would a Wish List be without a stationery line item? And, clearly my dreams have yet to come true in this department otherwise I wouldn't keep including them! My new favorite is this uber-chic vintage wallpaper version from Linda & Harriet. Of course, $490 for a set of 50 is a tad-bit excessive, but...why not just make sure everyone is at least aware of my amazing taste?

Only 4 more shopping days until Christmas, folks!

Skip Hits the Birthday Jackpot

Check out the fantabulous bag RTT gave me for my birthday!

It's absolutely perfect; lady-like yet hipster edgy, brown-ish yet black-ish, cavernous yet small....In other words, if Skip were a handbag!

Er, I wish.

Team Work

Yet another reason to love my marvelous new employer? Their continuing collaboration with the hipster men's brand Band of Outsiders!

RTT will have a pair before the year is out!

Now to get them working on a Women's equivalent...

Skip's Wish List; Part II

As much as I hate to admit it, I am getting older. Indeed, my 29th birthday (twentyfine) is rapidly approaching. Yipes.

However, a little list making always lifts my spirits! Thus, I'm officially beginning my Birthday/Christmas list here and now...

(1) David Yurman Perfume. No one can resist the winter-y aroma of this luxurious new scent. I am obsessed with it!

(2) Custom Calendar Charm. What better way to celebrate my glorious entrance into this world than with jewelry that reminds me of me?!?! Or rather, my wedding day?!?! I would like this calendar charm from Charm Co. marked with a sparkling May 9th, 2008...

(3) Lomographer's Diana F+ Camera. I'm going retro this season (think 70's Sloane Rangers) both in form and function. I desperately need this hip, old-school camera to unleash my inner artiste. The Diana F+ Starter Kit and the Diana+ 35mm Back Kit, please.

(4) Custom Stationery. While I'm fairly sure I've already made clear my utmost desires for personalized, married-gal stationery, I'll just reiterate my need here. I'm leaning towards the violet lady silhouette, FYI.

(5) Morning Hat. As I will no doubt be waking up at the crack of dawn to walk my precious pup, my not-so-precious bed head will need to be covered up in a cute cap. I've decided the Grey Wool Maude hat from Coach is my best bet. I look good in hats.

(6) Winter Handbag. While at the Coach website, why not make me that much happier with the fabulous Hamptons bobo hobo bag in glossy grey that will perfectly compliment my bleak-is-chic winter wardrobe.

(7) Owl Umbrella Stand. Once a Chi Omega, always a Chi Omega....or something like that. I need this umbrella stand. That's all I can say.

Skip Loves Bags; Part II

Hello, Pretty. I am most definitely using my one-Anya-Hindmarch-bag-per-year addicti...er, I mean, allowance, in the Fall to buy this ravishing leather and suede tote!

Or perhaps my loving family will bestow it upon me for my birthday...?

Skip is a Retro Romantic

Perhaps it's because I recently returned from my Italian honeymoon that I am now drawn to these gorgeously, romantic clothes by the designer Heidi Merrick because in reality they aren't totally my style.

But, for whatever reason, I completely see myself back in Capri, roaming the tiny streets and luxurious stores wearing her ensembles (with some vintage luggage lazily resting next to me when I stop for a Limoncello), effortlessly, elegantly and about 50 lbs. lighter...

Skip's Shoe

She has arrived!

While at BR in the fabulous footwear division, I was inspired by a lovely little flat and named her Abby, after my wonderous sister.

I know it is shocking that my sky-high heel wearing kin should spark the sentimentality of a ballet flat, but it just spoke to me. Demure, metallic, chic, versatile, fashionable and still so very now. But, of course! Fabs.

At Banana Republic right this very moment.

Boston Ski-Bunny

Once upon a time, I lived amongst the glorious, utopian weather that consumes San Francisco with 'Groundhog Day-' predicability. In those days, I couldn't imagine a climate that would require anymore fur than supplied in the infamous J.Crew Puffer Vest.

Now that my world has been shattered and the injustices of a continental climate begin to hint at the cold to come, I have realized that (1) I require an entirely new wardrobe that preferably includes the Miu Miu Gathered Tote in Smoke Grey and (2) I clearly need to upgrade my Ski-Bunny attire to include both more sleeves and more fur. Lucky for me, my talented sister, Fabs, works at Cole Haan and I can score this divine down jacket in Winter White with fur collar for 50%-off! I am certain to stop traffic when I cruise into the Talbots car park in this coat. Oh, yeah.

It makes me want to welcome winter with open arms!

At Cole Haan.

Jewelry Takes Time

Forgive me, dear readers! I have not been neglecting my blog without a good excuse. While it has been a good while, I've been very busy not planning my wedding, not saving money, and not going to the gym (that is literally one block away).

Rather, I've been very busy slaving away at Talbots, my new employer, as the Buyer for Fashion Accessories, Legwear and Jewelry. I have two lovely little minions to do my Fashion Accessories and Legwear bidding, but it's a one-woman show when it comes to the Jewelry. Where it took 9 people at Banana Republic to operate a $40M annual Jewelry business, at Talbots, it's yours truly who is running the $38M show. Yipes!

It's been quite an empowering, stressful, exciting and daunting month. The beauty of this whole arrangement, however, is that as the president-CEO-Chairwoman-Commander-Fascist-Leader of the Talbots Jewelry World, anything I see that I want to develop, design or make I simply make a few phone calls and voila!

This particular perk came in very handy, in fact, when I discovered the designs of a one Kep New York, the sole jewelry designer for Lilly Pulitzer who also has her own line. I was madly in love with the gloriously delicious Chrysophase and Pearl Necklace and the Tumbling Turquoise earrings, so I simply sent them to the vendor.

Just 2 weeks and my craving will be satiated! In the meantime, the rest of the world can buy the pieces from Kep's fab website.

Skip Heads Back

...to blond, that is. I was so over being the smartest chicky in Cambridge, especially since all those morons from Harvard and MIT have left town for the summer, that I had to go back to blond. It was a painful procedure and is still in progress, but I feel so much lighter...so much more airy. Hmmm...

Skip's Current Loves

When you are unemployed, as I am, there develops large expanses of time that need to be filled with activity or thought or accomplishment. I suppose I could just sleep all day (and believe me, I've tried) but then what would I look forward to at night?

Rather, being marginally OCD, I obsess about certain things that I would otherwise completely overlook or lack the time to devote to the cause. So, I figured, why not let my dear readers in on my deepest thoughts, again...

(1) I could literally listen to Chris O'Brien's song Lighthouse on repeat. Oh wait, I did. His voice is so calming yet slickly smooth. Yum. Should I be surprised that he lives in Boston?

(2) As I think about how to decorate our new Biscuit apartment (with limited input from RTT because his vote only counts 1/8) my mind fills with different personalities that might apply to the design scheme. I haven't gotten very far because, clearly, I have a lot of facets to my personality (thankyouverymuch) and my dearest Yip isn't here for guidance. I have however determined that, if possible, I would like to marry these cowhide chairs by Corbusier.

(3) While I have somewhat intentionally removed myself from the wedding planning for now (my planner, Fabs 'Mindy Weiss' Harding, is dealing with all that nonsense) as I concentrate on finding a job, I have had some time to peruse the dress options out there. First of all, THEY ARE SO EXPENSIVE! Is that a joke? $8,000 for a dress? You wear it once! Secondly, they all look the same. I got bored really quickly. I did however find one designer, Saeyoung Vu whom I love. Her dresses are ethereal and muted without being fragile or trite. I like Celosia and Lotus. To-do: lose 100 pounds and try on Saeyoung dresses when next in New York.

(4) I miss my friends. As much fun as it can be to surf the world wide web and troll for music and miscellaneous furniture, I dearly wish I could have the company of my gal pals from San Francisco. With any luck, divine inspiration will make up my mind about the 3 job offers I have and I can start work soon. Hopefully, there will be some friends for me at my new company...not that anyone could hold a candle to my lovelies in California.

Skip Loves a Discount

Well, I'm pretty sure no one ever made millions working in retail...until they were almost dead. No one is in this business for the money, ask my bank account. It's the passion for product, the desire to guide the ever-fickle, ever-ignorant consumer, the glamour, the parties (um, ok, not really) and mainly, it's the discounts! Perks are what motivate people to work in retail. There are no two ways about it.

Being unemployed myself (though hot on the trail of several jobs in the Boston area, finger's crossed), I no longer am afforded the benefit of hefty 50% discounts at Gap Inc. brands, but my savvy sister, the always fabulous Fabs, has joined a company that is ripe with discounts, not only for her but for her family too! Now, that is why we work in retail. Families of Cole Haan employees get a 50% discount at Cole Haan stores and now online at Nike too! I can run in my oppressive, expansive spare time with lovely new shoes and matchy outfits!

Finally, perks for being related to Abby.

Skip Goes Brown

While sitting at my cube in my New York office this week, it struck me that I needed a new haircolor for my new homebase. Not that there are too many other color choices, but brown seems a perfect fit for Boston. Red brick homes, cobbled streets, conservative attire...bimbo blonde just felt old. I am over it.

And, guess what? I love the new 'do. I feel smarter already.

Skip's Deepest Thoughts

Granted I've been inconspicuously absent these past few weeks, but I have not been idle. My mind is often riddled with thoughts related to world events, politics, humantarian objectives of peace, etc., etc....but, let's be honest, these are all to be drowned out by my less altruistic, more domineering obsessions; people, products and places.

Here are just a few of my most recent fixations;

(1) Tom Ford; how I love thee, creator of my sunglasses and Black Orchid fragrance!

(2) Baume & Mercier; finally the classic silver watch I have been searching for!

(3) After dining at Commander's Palace in New Orleans, RTT and I have become enthralled with the Whiskey Smash.

(4) Moving. New York, Boston, London...each city seems like a new adventure full of restaurants, shops, people, jobs and apartments that are all calling my name.

(5) Secret Bars; after sending in the jesters to test the spot, I've decided that I must go to the latest underground hot-spot (speakeasy) in San Francisco, Bourbon & Branch...it's feeds my BYT (bright young thing) desperation.

(6) Cav; all things wine and different. I love it.

(7) Britney; what is it about a train wreck that keeps you looking at the pathos and sadness?

(8) Butterfly Boucher; her latest release 'Bitter Song' feels like sadness coursing through my veins. It's brilliant.

(9) Super Nintendo; now that my neighbor Jason has joined the retro-video game addiction, we can start a help hotline. I even dream of Yoshi.

(10) Patrick Watson; HOW did I miss this guy until now?!?!

Skip Loves Bags; Part I

As if a girl really needs an excuse to want another bag. I'm not even going to bother trying to justify this one...I just love it and it's my birthday soon so I'm allowed.

Rebecca Minkoff 'Morning After' bag.

Let the Christmas List Begin

For some inexplicable reason, my sense of self has become more clear in recent weeks (if I do say so myself). I truly feel that I am finally beginning to come into my own with renewed confidence, poise and focus...and most importantly, clear style direction. I keep happening upon these items in my everyday online browsing that simply scream Skip. What's a girl to do other than blog about it? Some may say it's a product placement initiative, but I say this blog is the world's best gifting reference.

Either way, my new fascination has befallen Page Sargisson jewelry, specifically her Amalia collection. I don't know what it is about the medallions, the etchings and the precious stones...I just feel they would be at home with me.

The Perfect Clutch

I am literally obsessed with this clutch. To me it is the perfect manifestation of the organic-boho-classy-timelessness of style I attempt to personify. Er, or something.

At Begeren.