reLYME

Getting Chunky!

reLYME — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 06:07:55 EST

Check out these three warm and comfy options:

If you fancy vintage designs and muted earth tones, Nordstrom's Waffle Weave Throw is a necessity. These are the very definition of warm and the detailing is perfection. Really, you have to see them in person!

Pottery Barn makes adorable cable knits and these richly colorful throws are no exception. The fibers are oh-so-soft, but still tough enough to keep out the chills.

This throw from West Elm is at the top of my wish list this year. Actually, I've been eyeing it for far too long to not have broken down and bought it already. It is warm enough to throw on top of your comforter in bed, but pretty enough to throw over the arm of your couch when you it's time for holiday entertaining.

With the weather starting to cool down, yes, even in my native state of Florida, there's sometimes nothing I want more than to curl up on the couch with some HuluPlus and a soft, comfy blanket. Add a big mug of cocoa to it, and you might find I'm hibernating for the rest of winter. At any rate, a big chunky knit throw is just what the doctor ordered.

Nordstrom Waffle Weave Throw $78 - Nordstrom

Chunky Hand-Knit Throw $79 - Pottery Barn

Chunky Tassel Throw $69 - west elm

No Excuses: Where in the World is Beka from reLYME

reLYME — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 05:50:34 EST

If you've read reLYME.com before, it should come as no surprise to you that I, yet again, have claimed that I would relaunch my blog, only to let this fervor die just shy of a week. I have also written posts in penance for my failure to post. So, I will do neither right now. All I will say is that my reLYME.com domain is finally mine and I will offer what I have been up to lately:

1. Work and grad school--my schedule is busier now so finding time in between grading papers or writing them for class, is tricky. Sometimes, when I have free time, the last thing I want to do is anything that feels like work. And for a while there, that's exactly what blogging felt like to me. I lost the fun of it, but now, I miss it...

2. Traveling to Africa--I spent part of my summer in Africa, Malawi to be exact, working in villages, offering professional development to teachers at a school, and even teaching a high school class. Needless to say, there are no words for what I saw, what I lived. Nothing else could quite compare. But, it was wonderful, and I can't wait to go back.

3. General business--sewing, reading, writing, farmers' market visiting, trying to enjoy life and enjoy people as much as possible. Forming and forging new relationships and building new opportunities.

I have made a lot of decisions in the last 3.5 years since I started this blog. Some were good, some were terribly bad, and some were horrendously ugly. I want to enjoy blogging again. Not for the purpose of raising my fashion street cred (because you would not believe the looks of shock I get when someone hears I used to run "a little fashion blog"), nor for the feeling of gravitas that comes with saying, "I have to blog about this later...oh yes, I run a blog." If nobody ever reads this, it's fine. I am going to post about whatever I post about whenever I feel like it. And that's pretty much where this stands.

Blake Lively Pegged as New Chanel Ambassador

reLYME — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 10:31:04 EST

I was half-tempted to begin this post with, What the..., but decided against it.

Gossip Girl's favorite blonde, Blake Lively, was selected by Karl Lagerfeld to be the ambassador for Chanel's new Mademoiselle handbag line. The campaign ads, photographed by Lagerfeld, should make their rounds in April.

Now, of course, Lively would not be someone that I would've guessed to fill this role, but Lagerfeld does indeed always have a vision. He is quoted as saying of the actress, “She’s a kind of American dream girl...She’s full of life.”

Surprisingly enough, I am looking forward to peeping the ads when they're available. Lively is a different face than we've seen in the past, but for Chanel, who constantly tugs at this girl's heart strings, can I handle different?

What are your thoughts on Blake Lively as the face of Mademoiselle?

*Photo credit: Courtesy Photo

Fashion Resolutions: 2011 Spring Must-Haves

reLYME — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 16:13:59 EST

The following post was masterminded by Heather, reLYME's new and adorable fashion-obsessed contributor:

_____________________________

New Years Day resolutions have always been my Achilles heel. I absolutely refuse to make them anymore since, without fail, I will either ignore them or feel guilty for my self-improvement incompetence.

However, January fashion resolutions are another story. This is the month I purge my closet of things of which I need to let go (I only wish purging my life of bad relationships was as easy!) and look to the future. What looks good on me? Honestly? And what is merely wishful thinking (black leather jeggings, anyone? Let those garbage bags go, my friends. Let them be free in their native habitat. The landfill).

This is also the time to be informed of next season’s trends and start deciding which ones your body type can pull off. A number of other fashion blogs have covered (extremely well!) the 2011 spring trends, so I won’t go over everything again. I’m sure as informed fashionistas you know the drill for next season: elevator flats, high wasted voluminous trousers, and clean crisp lines a la Chloe or Miu Miu’s last collections (or what A Dubs calls “Neo-Minimalism” in this month’s Vogue). If it has a frill, toss it. Get out your neon yellows, oranges and greens. Platforms, platforms, platforms (think space age, not the 70’s). And how could I forget the huge patterns that almost look like abstract art? In short--get ready to get modern.

Instead of going over every trend in detail, here are a few practical ways you can integrate them into your wardrobe. These are all steals in my opinion, so there really is no excuse for procrastination.

So, here it is, for your viewing (and purchasing!) pleasure: reLYME's MUST HAVE list for Spring 2011! And all six are under $300! Honestly, does it really get any better than that?

1) Manicure: Chanel nail polish in Black Pearl, $25.

This stuff might seem a bit on the pricey side for nail polish, however, it is seriously worth every penny. This is the nail color for spring.

2) Trouser: Alice + Olivia Linen Eric Pant, $264.

High wasted and wide-legged without swallowing your figure whole, these pants are easy to walk in and also cut the dramatic line that will be necessary come spring. Available in black and white.

3) Blouse: Vince Cowl Neck Satin Blouse, $220.

Angular but feminine, this blouse is classic with a twist. I love the dramatic drape effect.

4) Blazer: T by Alexander Wang, $175.

Once again, love the angles! The back makes this piece interesting, but the front is fitted and modern as well.

5) Shoe: Sam Edelman Wynn, $180.

The curve of the platform, as well as the asymmetrical design, gives this boot a modern feel while the black zipper detail gives it an edgy punch.

6) Bag: Urban Outfitters Cambridge Satchel Company Briefcase Bag, $158.

For real leather this is a steal. Briefcase bags and men’s wear accessories will be huge in the spring, and this bag gets you down to business in style.

And that, ladies and gentleman, are our six must-haves. Do you agree with the list? Have any additions I missed? Let us know! Also, as a side note, Net-A-Porter is having a massive sale right now. And I don’t care how low your bank account is-that’s why God invented VISA (that’s what I tell myself, anyway!).

Happy shopping!

Primed For Battle: Too Faced Primed and Poreless Face Primer

reLYME — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 16:17:29 EST

In between the moments where I am blissfully applying my makeup in the morning (yes, blissfully...it's like art to me!) and the time I hop in my car to unwind from a long workday, something happens. I can't explain it really. I leave the house feeling ready to face the day with a faceful (tastefully applied, mind you) of makeup and I return looking like Grendel's mother, makeup disintegrated, smudged, non-existent. Maybe it's because I jokingly refer to myself as a "Greasy Italian," but it all starts with the canvas. My foundation fails and the rest of my makeup is doomed. So I started experimenting with face primers until I found the diamond in the rough.

Enter, Too Faced Primed and Poreless Face Primer.

I don't know what it it is about this wonderstuff, but I can't get enough of it. With long-lasting coverage, this stuff not only tells my foundation who's boss, it also makes my skin feel super silky--not slick! And with its heavenly formula, a little goes a long way. And I even gave it a whirl over the weekend, wearing it alone and my skin still looked as precious as it did when I was younger.

So now, I apply my makeup in the morning and 8+ hours later, my foundation, she's a-staying!

If you're looking for a fantastic primer--and really, we all should be--I highly recommended this one from Too Face!

ULTA, $30

Sugarcoated: Sweet Coats for a Chilly Winter

reLYME — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 17:10:17 EST

I remember last winter, cropped coats were everywhere, and I shuffled through the bitter chill in my long coat. I refused to buy a new shorter coat since mine was warm, however. Then, mine was 'accidentally' thrown into the wash and, long story short, it's now a cropped coat.

Bottom line is this: long overcoats are back as evidenced by celebs like Halle Berry and Stella McCartney:

To face the colder months ahead, I'm weighing my options for a heavy coat. Here are a few of my faves:

French Connection, $300

Banana Republic, $211

J.Crew, $150

*Celebrity photos courtesy of Getty Images.

Ann Taylor Spring 2011 Lookbook

reLYME — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 16:45:18 EDT

Ann Taylor recently previewed the Spring 2011 collection at the Gramercy Park Hotel Rooftop in New York City, a lookbook that I just can't get enough of.

The collection is luxurious, romantic, and feminine and features yummy pieces in neutrals and nauticals. I am especially digging the jackets.

You can check out the rest of the Ann Taylor Spring 2011 lookbook below:

[gallery=38]

Dive into Scuba by LOFT

reLYME — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 02:33:24 EDT

As a woman in the workforce--that's right...I am one of those!--I am expected to handle an immense workload, balance an organized schedule, and remain the consummate professional, all the while looking the part. Looking tailored and stylish is not always easy to do when you sometimes work 14 hour days. Shirts get wrinkled, hair flattens, and by the end of the day, my makeup doesn't looks so fresh.

Fortunately, I discovered, and have fallen in love with, the most comfy trousers from LOFT, their new Scuba line. The name sounds a little funny, but man are these lovelies slimming! They do flatten and their ultra stretchy, while still maintaining their shape. And I know I already made a nod to their comfort, but I can't emphasize it enough.

In classic LOFT tradition, they come in two fits, the Marissa or the Julie (pictured above), as well as a lean trouser.

At $79.50 a pop, these are CERTAINLY a worthy investment and have kept me looking chic from morning 'til night!!!

reLYME Turns Two or Why I'm Not Really a Webutante

reLYME — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 01:22:21 EDT

Glancing at the calendar today, I was stunned to discover that yesterday marked reLYME's 2nd birthday, and I had failed to notice.

But that only makes sense considering reLYME has become like a stray doggy left by the side of the road since August. Sure, I've posted from time-to-time, but not enough to score a following--or any readers for that matter. And why should I?

I wanted to talk about the 10-month sabbatical I've taken from the Internetz. If you've visited this site at all before now, or if you follow me on Twitter, you might have noticed my absence. It's quite simple: I'm super busy! Well, that's the generic answer. It's more than that. Allow me to explain.

Since I was a little girl, I've always wanted one thing: to live in New York City. Well sure, my life's ambition has since childhood been to become a novelist, but I had hoped to accomplish this feat in the Big Apple. So, when I arrived, my life felt complete. I had an amazing circle of friends who made me laugh and encouraged me to strive for more than complacency. Plus, they took me on trips to Pinkberry or to Forever 21 for accessories! I also had a job that I loved, where I experienced a learning curve, but I loved the challenge. And, this was taking place from my apartment in the East Village. Life was good.

Until it wasn't.

Things started falling apart. My personal life was falling apart. It didn't seem fair. I had everything I'd ever wanted and yet felt like I had nothing that I needed. Personal health and family issues which I have never disclosed forced me to move home. And what choice did I have but to return to business as usual. I accepted a position in education, spent much-needed time with my family, worked on ME for once, bought a townhouse, and settled down with my dog, just us two.

Life is quieter now. There's absolutely no sound anywhere. Sounds peaceful?

How's a writer supposed to write without any inspiration? How's the creativity supposed to burn intently with such a silent spark? I haven't had a lot of time to shop, to spend on the web, to dilly dally in personal projects. But now, life is settling. Everything's settling.

I'm realizing what's important, what I care about, what matters. Are there more important issues in my life than the perfect shoe? Heck yeah, but that doesn't mean I will ever stop my quest for the perfect shoe...if such a mystic wonder exists. (Oh, please let their be a perfect shoe...two perfect shoes!)

So this summer is providing me with time to write, time to decorate my very own house. (And time to get my butt in shape, as it IS swimsuit season. Well, in Florida, it's ALWAYS swimsuit season.)

If I never gain another reader, fine. If I've already worn out my welcome, that's OK, too. All I know is that I have LOVED blogging here and I have loved the wonderful friendships I've made as a result of reLYME, even if we've lost touch over time. reLYME reminds me of happier times--of calling out people who don't quite know the purpose for Twitter or for taking photos every morning on daily booth, of writing all about a coveted piece of jewelry or pressing the 'Publish' button on a post I'd spent hours on.

And there it is in black and white. My lame excuse. If you stick with me, friends, I'm trying my best to make it up to you, as best as can be done from a very quiet, very simple Floridian location. xo!

Behind-the-Scenes with Bluefly & Project Runway

reLYME — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 04:33:52 EST

If you're like me, you look forward to Thursday evenings for one reason and one reason only: Project Runway! And like me, maybe you've wondered just how the contestants pick out the perfect accessories to pair with their challenge looks.

Well, now Bluefly is giving us a behind-the-scenes look at Project Runway contestants selecting the perfect duds for the runway from the Bluefly Accessory Wall. Check it out: