♥ ready to pop!

photos by lei ann

this past saturday, i met with my oldest and dearest blogger friends to

celebrate my burgeoning baby bump over endless rounds of dessert

at the langham hotel's chocolate bar! it was super delicious and such 

a treat to spend time with my favorite ladies.

at 38 weeks, my bump is on and poppin' and i have fully embraced
my round shape! this forever 21 dress is from my last pregnancy with henry,
and i was so glad to have an occasion to wear it again :)

i updated it with my favorite new kitty bag from aldo (similar!) as well as some
fabulous pink accessories: my faux gucci slides and quay sunnies!
my necklaces are a mashup old f jcrew cuts rhinestone collars as
well as a big heart from betsey johnson. all in all, i felt festive
and totally ready to taste all the yummy treats without
constriction! check out my instagram post
featuring what i ate and saw at
cafe fleuri!
xo

♥ new year, new dress.

happy 2017, darlings!!

i have been in total hibernation mode since last month, and have not found any suitable

 daylight in which to take pictures, or anything of note to write about, and so i have

not bothered to post at all. 

luckily, blogs are marvelous things that float around on the internet somewhere 

and wait for your blessed return, to pick right up where you left off, 

whenever you want.

last year, one of the resolutions i actually stuck with, was to be more

committed to my blog. after giving birth to henry, my free time has minimized,

but my blog wife, lei ann, and i did a pretty good job attending events and photographing

 of our always oddly-matching-yet-never-planned-outfits!

this year, i am aiming to continue with our efforts, 

but mostly, i would like to be more kind. the dalai lama once said,

"i'd rather be kind than right. you can always be kind." 

my bratty personality would always rather be right- so i am hoping this year

to curtail that fiery need to have the last word and remember to choose kindness first.

 

today, lei ann and i mustered up a little resolve, scouted out a tiny patch of sunlight,

and i dialed into a little bit of denial (winter's over--right??), to get a photo of me

in my latest, favorite party look. (technically, i was at work, but you get me.)

audrey hepburn style a-line dress with pockets c/o eshakti

 + 

hot pink gucci-inspired shoes by asos!

+

pink metallic wallet by kate spade!

+

 cat ears by aldo

 =

 love!

♥ 99.9% happy.

ever since i bought this patch-covered sunset + spring faux leather jacket, 

i've been on the lookout for a backdrop worthy of it. when i scouted out artist, curtis kulig's

 99.9% happy wall at the street chestnut hill, i knew that i could look no further!

wearing: 

shirt: target

skirt: tobi

boots: guess

bandana: michael's for $1!

sunnies: quay australia

photos by: lei ann

♥ art meets fashion at liquid art house.

last weekend, i stepped out of suburban life and into the city, where it seems, all of boston's 

most fashionable people were gathering at the liquid art house to preview the 

"work in progress" of many talented designers and artists.

i was really excited to meet graciela rivas, a local designer that i had the opportunity to interview

a few months ago, but hadn't met in person! she was fabulous- and her next collection is full of

dresses that are perfect in color and design for the upcoming a/w 2016 season.

the lighting was a little tough in the space, so my pictures came out a bit blurry,

 but definitely check out her new collection on ninteenth amendment, where everything 

is now available!

another person i was excited to meet was artist, ian lantz, who hails from los angeles, 

but has since moved to the southside of chicago, where he is revitalizing the city

 with his community-building, wildly-colorful murals. i was so inspired!

 for the evening, i wore a great slip dress that i snagged at the boston fashion week style swap!

layered with a william rast for target bomber jacket. my necklace and veiled beanie are

 betsey johnson and my booties are ralph lauren. 

pictures of me by: lei ann 

♥ what i wore to the BFW STYLE SWAP!

i had an entirely different outfit picked out for the night of tricia cromwell's style swap,

but when the time came- i decided that i wanted something a little more layered (it's cold out!),

and threw this outfit together in less than five minutes. i know that coco chanel once said that

before leaving the house, one should look in the mirror and remove one accessory,

but my philosophy is quite the opposite (like this kitty!),  i tend to pile on

accessories until the outfit feels complete.  

outfit details:

dress, cat ear headband, boots: forever 21

faux leather jacket: sunset and spring

cocktail ring: j crew 

bag: omg, i can't remember the brand!

photos by: lei ann <3 p="">

♥ an interview with stylist, tricia cromwell & style swap details!

it has been years (!!) since i have participated in a fashion swap,

but the good memories and amazing fashion finds have lasted forever-

which is why i had to share an upcoming opportunity for you

readers living near boston!

what: a clothing swap event that allows women to update their wardrobe, donate to a

 great cause and help empower those less fortunate. this year will mark the 5th annual 

boston fashion week style swap!

who: tricia cromwell, wardrobe consultant/founder of trust in tricia, is hosting the swap event

to benefit project hope.

when: tuesday, september 27th, 2016

5:30-9:30 pm

dropoff: 5:30-7pm

swap boutique: 8 pm

where: the greatest bar

262 friend street

boston, ma

i had a chance to ask local stylist, tricia cromwell a few questions about the history of 

her fashion swaps, the charity element that empowers women (through the power of fashion!) 

and what we can expect this time around!

A Glimpse of Glamour: How long have you been a style consultant? What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Tricia Cromwell:  I have been styling almost since I started working in retail when I was 16, but I officially began doing it independently and launched Trust in Tricia in 2008. The most rewarding part is helping a client get their confidence back. The look on their face when you see the break through has been made and have their "fashion mojo" back. Being confident helps people be better parents, better employees, better friends. And being able to help my clients achieve this through fashion, while ensuring they look their best, is a win/win for both of us.

AGOG: Tell me why Project Hope is a charity that strikes a chord with the work you do? Have you partnered with any other charities over the years?

TC: I have partnered with several other amazing charities and women's shelters in the past, but when I met with Project Hope we just clicked. I can relate to so many of the women's struggles, they provide programs similar to those that helped me when I was growing up, and the fact that the organization was so hands on captivated me. I am able to work directly with the women that my fashion workshops and Style Swaps are benefiting, I get to know them individually and it really makes the entire process that much more heartfelt.

AGOG: What is the best and most unexpected outcome of your Style swaps?

TC: How much the swappers help each other! My goal was to bring strangers together to swap clothes, and I have the events at night in upscale venues to promote respectful behavior instead of crazy fights over the goods. But to see the comradery that is formed at the swaps, when strangers help each other find their sizes and items that would be good for them, or when swappers share their unused swap tickets with others so they can take more, impresses me every time! 

AGOG:  Tell me how the Style Swaps have evolved over the past five years?

TC: I think the Style Swaps have helped to break sterotypes of typical clothing swaps. New attendees are always pleasantly surprised to find the other activities that have been planned for the night, the involvement of Project Hope and the difference they are making, as well as the networking opportunities with other fashionistas and professionals. The Style Swaps prove that clothing swaps can be done in upscale locations with women sipping wine and swapping in heels, and that the entire night as a whole is just as beneficial as the actual swap. 

 AGOG: What can we expect to see at the Style Swap this year?

TC: Many returning veteran swappers that always bring the party as well as new swappers. Jewelinga, lead by Boston jewelry designer Inga Puzikov is the event's sponsor and will have a table of her beautiful jewelry set up. We will have an interactive raffle to benefit Project Hope and someone from the charity will speak about their specific experiences and triumphs.

AGOG:  Tell me about the event you have after the Swap to benefit Project Hope!

 TC:  This is my favorite part! I save everything that is left over after a year's worth of Style Swaps (which are typically spring and fall swaps) and then set up a charity pop up shop at Project Hope. I host a Professional Dress workshop for the charity's Speakers Bureau (comprised of women who share their success stories from Project Hope) a couple weeks before the pop up shop. Then at the pop up, which is open to the Speaker's Bureau, anyone enrolled in a service from the charity and those living in their shelter, I style the women and help them "shop". So even items that a swapper brings to the event aren't taken they still go to an awesome new owner!

AGOG:  What's your favorite item garnered from one of your Swaps?

TC: These laser cut Calvin Klein booties that I cant even tell you how often I wear! I rarely have time to "swap" myself but I had eyed those beauties at one of the Swaps and knew I had to have them! 

i ♥ tobi.

don't let the hot weather fool you, folks!

 summer is practically over, and fall is in full swing-

if you live in the retail world like i do, you would know that

 winter is well on it's way! (yikes!) 

what a better way to beat the heat, then to completely skip to the next season-

which is what i am doing in these photos, with the help of a few *new* pieces

from the online boutique, tobi. 

did you know that new customers can get 50% off their first order??!!

 this tobi love bandit draped jacket is the perfect outerwear piece for this transitional period

between summer and fall. i needed a new olive jacket in my life and love this departure

from the typical cargo jacket. i can imagine pairing this over everything from a black dress, 

to a plaid shirt, to a t-shirt and jeans, like i am wearing today!

the free spirit fringe maxi skirt is a great way to keep the bohemian summer vibes alive--

even in the fall. i trimmed it down myself because it was way too long on me, but i love 

that the stretchy knit was forgiving enough for me to tailor it to my own height!

the tightness of this skirt requires a flowier top, but i also love the unexpected look 

of a tie-front chambray shirt paired with it. this skirt is meant for twirling!

the lock it down moto vest is another amazing layering piece for that
transitional phase between seasons when it's too warm to wear a full coat

and too chilly to wear nothing. it's very oversized, which makes it fun to pair
with thin lace dresses, like the one i am wearing, but i can also imagine it would be
 awesome with a faux leather skirt or jeans! stay tuned; i have a feeling this
vest will be on heavy rotation in the coming months :)

** this is a sponsored post provided by Tobi; all opinions are my own**

♥ an interview with patricia gucci.

less than two weeks ago, in the name of gucci hit bookstores everywhere,

sharing the story of patricia gucci, granddaughter of guccio gucci- the brand's namesake,

and lovechild of aldo gucci, the mythic man who built the name and brought the love

for all things 'made in italty' to the states.  for all my love of gucci these days-

i have to admit that i know very little about the famous label's history, and was all 

too willing to dive into the intrigue-filled, highly readable memoir of patricia gucci. 

not only does it fill you in on the company's humble beginnings, but it also takes you 

on the emotional rollercoaster that was her life! i was given the opportunity

to ask the new author a few questions about her book and here is what

she had to say:

1) Gucci is a very well-known brand, but there is very little known about its history- how did the idea of writing a memoir come to life and how long did it take to research for the book?

For 10 years I was under a gag order from the buyers of the Gucci business. During that time I felt that the new owners had swept my father’s legacy under the rug, which was deeply upsetting for me. In books and editorials published after his death, he was described in a way that left me feeling very uncomfortable-- not only because he wasn’t getting the recognition I felt he deserved, but because he was portrayed in a manner that was altogether different from the man my mother and I knew.
In the years after my father died, I started a family and life took me in different directions. Once my daughters were grown up and left home, I had time to dedicate to my own projects and, first and foremost, this book. When I told my mother about the book she gave me dozens of love letters that my
father had written to her during their courtship in the 1950s. They helped me fill the gaps of the years leading up to my birth and my early childhood, which remain a mystery for so many of us. Not all parents take the time to tell their children how things came together before they were born. It was a discovery process that not only led to an understanding of who I was, but also gave me insight into my mother’s psyche and how she developed as a person.

2) Anais Nin once said, "we write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect." what valuable lessons did you take away from re-living your family's legendary story?

The importance of family. My father wasn’t a Brady Bunch-type dad, but he was a family man at heart, and ensured that my mother and I were always looked after. Aldo Gucci was a patriarch and also a peacemaker in what had always been a highly litigious family. He inspired perfection and excellence and those who lived up to his standards were rewarded with recognition and approval. He worked his entire life to build a business that his children and grandchildren could be a part of so that his father’s legacy would continue for generations to come.

3) Thanks to Alessandro Michele's breath of fresh life into the brand, Gucci is the name on every fashionista's lips these days. Is it strange not to be a part of the excitement in the same way you once were?

The Gucci family itself doesn’t play into the brand today per se, but the heritage and legacy remain.

4) Do you like Michele's nod to the past with his revival of the brand's signature details: horse bits, interlocking G's, stripes, etc? How do you think your father would feel about the decision to have one women/men's show combined per season?

To see his heritage live on like this, with the rhombi design, interlocking Gs and the Gucci loafer still going strong, would undoubtedly have made him happy.     

5) Would you ever like to see the Gucci story told on the big screen? Who would you want to play you?

I would love to see the story on the big screen, of course, and there are ongoing conversations about this. As far as who is like to play me?

♥ when life hands you lemons..

... take photos in the lobby!

vintage dress, forever 21 bow, h&m belt, vince camuto shoes
photo by lei ann :)

on sunday, i fought through terrible boston traffic, hunted for a parking spot

in the city, and walked/ran fifteen straight minutes (in heels!) only to sit through a

disappointingly un-diverse (is that even a word?) event that felt like it was catering only

to one sort of woman ((i.e.white/ affluent/ yoga-loving/ champagne-drinking/

organic-makeup-wearing.) i know that pretty much sums up a large group 

of bloggers and women out there, but still- NOT EVERYONE can relate...

on the one hand, i appreciated that the women on this panel (which will remain nameless)

were all there to celebrate the beauty of living a healthful lifestyle for mind-body and spirit

and the importance of educating oneself on what goes into the makeup products we use daily, 

but when i sit in an audience of well-coiffed, impeccably dressed women of all nationalities, 

it is hard to look upon a panel of all white women of similar status and feel like they are 

speaking on my behalf.

i think it is important to remember that not everyone has such a privileged lifestyle.

not everyone has a "career," some people are lucky to just have a job or two and make

it work, some people get to visit a spa only for a special occasion if at all, not everyone has 

access or agency to buy healthier food/ healthier makeup/ etc, some people just have to take 

what they can get, or what is on sale that week. not everyone has time to put themselves first-

some people are just trying to make it through life with a shred of happiness and dignity

and panels like the one i went to on sunday need to acknowledge that. 

♥ i got my love to keep me warm.

this fall, the one major thing on my wish list is a shaggy fur coat.

throw one on over any outfit and the "effortlessly chic" vibe is almost immediate.

i am in love with these neutral (and pricey- might i add!) toppers from

  elizabeth and james, 

..but i could also be happy with this one from urban outfitters 

or this ivory beauty from  h & m!

what fall trend are you most looking forward to wearing?