Bahhhhhston...

During my east coast vacation I'm spending some days in my former home: my beloved Boston!

I had to visit my "go to" shops and tour my favorite neighborhoods to see what's new on the style scene. The Boston culture is a great mix of brains, history and innovative thinking but clothing trends aren't as fast moving as NYC. I love to check out the sartorial contrasts between the biz peeps in the Financial District, the students walking Newbury Street and the international crowd shopping at Copley Place & the Pru.



Louis Vuitton windows in Copley are always inspiring and creative.  I would love to have a life sized version of that boat...what a beauty!

Club Monaco had a lovely mix of textures and colors...a bit of sparkle and sheen with military inspired twill pants and jackets. I have pieces already in my closet I can use to replicate some of these looks.

Wagamama for lunch...one of my favorites from studying in London many moons ago...



...and Pinkberry for an après lunch treat. Their little lounge is super cute!




Vineyard Vines is such a fun store for a dash of preppy chic...just a dash though!  I can't bare to drink the kool-aid and go "full Vines" as it's just a little too pretentious for my taste...I fell in love with this men's belt.



I shopped the giant Sephora store but I can't even begin to go into what I saw/wanted/inevitably bought so I'll move right along to the flower vendor in the Pru.  The blooms are always very fresh and they have such a great selection of exotic varieties...




Had a quick visit to Gretta Luxe to check out their dizzying array of handbags that I can't afford.  The Chloe clutches were particularly calling to me...huu huu huu...



Of course I love shopping Marc by Marc Jacobs for many reasons ($5 rubber rat key chains, anyone?) but I particularly love seeing the selection of fashion, art and style books they offer.  I saw so many titles I have to save them for a different post...



Kate Spade is a brand I really adore due to the whimsical twists they add to each and every product.  I love stopping in to their Newbury Street shop to see how they've merchandised for the season.  I fell in love with the dressing room, clad in fresh green palm leaves and a bright red chair.




Boston girls REALLY love Longchamp Le Pliage nylon totes.  You literally see them everywhere...I was pleasantly surprised to see the more stylized version below.


 
Boston based New Balance recently rolled out the Hubway system of bike sharing (no doubt inspired by another local company Zip Car).  It's a brilliant concept for a city that really embraces this form of transportation.  I'd like to see this pop up in other cities across the country.




Jack Wills is kind of like the British equivalent of Abercrombie & Fitch - but without the overwhelming stank of cologne and overly sexualized catalogs.  Although, this prepster brand is more refined than A&F and is, of course, "fabulously British."  Outside their store on Newbury Street were extremely charming branded bicycles...they look perfectly at home on the tree lined street.




Newbury Street has a ton more to see, do and eat.  To learn more about all the stores, salons and spas and resto's click here.

baby bag roundup...

So, nearly everyone NWS adores is pregs (nearly) and the issue of which baby bag to buy is DAUNTING!  Will it hold the necessities?  Will I be able to easily carry it when stuffed to the gills?  Will it make me feel like I've lost all panache?  These are questions we hear a lot these days...

First off - avoid anything with children's characters emblazoned on the bag...no Tweety, no Pooh (classic or otherwise) no Minnie and/or Mickey Mouse.  Just avoid cartoons...and that's just good, general style advice.

You might not find the one all purpose bag.  You might find that one works for playdates, another for quick trips to the market and another for all day jaunts.  Do you drive most places?  Will you need to constantly hang the bag on your stroller?  Can you move your arms, carry a child and the bag whilst grasping your phone and your precious, precious cappuccino?  All great questions...some options below:

* the diaper pod - use this inside your fave BIG handbag or attach to a stroller or car seat while mobile.  It will easily hold diapers, wipes and the included changing pad...you may be able to stuff a spare onesie in there too...


* the clutch - kind of like the diaper pod and virtually useless as a baby bag except for when you only really need a few itty bitty essentials for a trip to the park...in other words, if you have money to burn buy this instead and then don't feel terrible when you've only used it once...



* messenger style - crossbody is essential for heavy loads...the best messenger style bags are made for "dudes" but if plain black, brown or camo (!) nylon is fine by you go for it...they are utilitarian in form and very efficient in function...



* totes - if you decide a tote is for you (eh, can easily slide off your shoulder) why not forgo the designated baby tote and go right for the classic canvas boat tote from L.L.Bean or Land's End.  There are color and personalization options, are a fraction of the price of a more "designer-y" tote and can be used well beyond the baby days if you so choose...

* is it a handbag or a baby bag? bag - we get that sometimes you don't want your baby bag to scream baby bag...whether or not these could pass for your handbag is up to you but they are indeed valid options...


* Kate Spade baby bags - these bags are the go to for yuppie mums and while they are a bit pricier they are a lot more stylish...options abound...

change your bag...

For crying out loud change your handbag if attending a wedding! Especially if you're in it!

If you can go grocery shopping with your handbag it does not belong at a wedding or other similar social gathering.


MAKE THE EFFORT!


- posted on the move!

bag inside a bag...

Our modern handbags have become so large and heavy most women are Sherpas in platform heels. We all carry the basics: wallet, phone, keys, lip product du jour. But what about the sippy cups, sunscreen, reusable grocery sacks, notebook/iPad, phone chargers, handsfree device, umbrella, snacks, hand sanitizer, bottled water, random toy for emergency tantrum, and let's be honest here, more than one lip product.

The best system NWS has found is the bag inside a bag concept. Are we the first to suggest this? Why no, thank you for asking.

Divide and conquer your clutter by separating your daily must haves into smaller, brightly colored and easily spotted compartments.




All lip products, spare hair bands/clips, perfume, emergency tampons, blotting papers, tweezers, hand sanitizer and the like get a stylish bag.








A zip pouch holds receipts, a small pen and notebook, business cards (yours and others) and random bits of life's detritus.




Foldable, reusable shopping bags are lightweight and don't take up a ton of space.




A foldover clutch corrals tech gear like the handsfree device of choice, spare batteries, headphones, chargers. This handy piece also doubles as your evening appropriate, mustgrabadrinkatthebarafterwork (or MGADATBAW) bag.










- posted on the move!