Archives for March 2015

California Dreaming

March 31, 2015 By Chandra Bonine Leave a Comment

The style of this French Connection dress is “California Dreaming.” I may be a Texas girl through and through, but I sure love spending time in Southern California. The ubiquitous sunshine and mild Pacific temps are good for the soul, and I am always inspired by the ever-stylish SoCal girls with their beachy waves and polished bohemian vibe — I’m looking at you, Gwen Stefani and Jessica Alba!

I bought this dress last summer for a beach trip. We decided to have family photos taken while on vacation, and this dress fit the bill perfectly. I loved it so much, and when summer was over, I really missed it! I was determined to figure out a way to continue wearing it in the cooler months without looking like a complete fashion failure. A quick closet search revealed a no-brainer solution. By pairing it with my go-to black blazer and a favorite pair of cage booties, I was able to tone down the seaside vibe of the dress and make it a year-round wardrobe staple! I have also worn it with my black leather jacket for a slightly edgier look that I also love.

The beading on this dress is stunning, but the silhouette is relaxed enough that it can work for day or night, depending on how it is styled. Even though I got this last summer, it is somehow still available and at a greatly reduced price! There are so many similar options that will be super fun for summer and music festival season — or with a favorite moto jacket or blazer year round!

Photos: Kelli Elizabeth Photography

Dress: French Connection ON SALE! (also on sale here, similar here and here) | Blazer: Theory (less expensive options here) and here) | Booties: Zara, sold out (similar and ON SALE here and here) | Beaded Clutch: Aspiga, sold out (here, here, and here for similar) | Earrings: Banana Republic, sold out (here, here, here, and here for similar) | Silver Bangle Cuff: here for similar | Silver Bangles: here for similar | Silver and Leather Bracelet: here for similar | Ring: here for similar | Sunglasses: Ray Ban Wayfarers | Lipstick: Bobbi Brown

Check it Out – Gingham Has Grown Up

March 30, 2015 By Chastiti Horne Leave a Comment

You cannot flip through a fashion magazine without spying gingham in full bloom this Spring. Everything from shoes to jackets to skirts and more are covered in that fabulous vichy pattern that has withstood the test of time. The Spring 2015 runways were chock-full of the fun and flirty fabric with designers such as Oscar de la Renta, Diane Von Furstenberg and Michael Kors each putting their own twist on this closet classic. Wearing gingham is no longer relegated to Easter Sunday or the demure Southern lady. Gingham is currently ruling the fashion scene and styles in this fabric encompass pieces that can be worn to a business lunch or the symphony. Designer Proenza Schouler brought an edgy feel with his very grown up spin on gingham – and I love it! I have always thought gingham was a true Southern fabric that needed proper credit and the runways got that message, thank goodness. Gingham is clearly one of the biggest trends for Spring. I am totally enamored with this pairing of a blue gingham shirt and this perforated leather midi skirt (this skirt is one of my favorite finds for the versatility).

This particular outfit took me to the office, to a little league game (swapped the shoes first!), and then to dinner (cute shoes back on!). This shirt seriously is one of the softest, but stays crisp, shirts I have ever worn. It was like I had on a pajama top all day and fooled everyone. Adding the leather midi skirt kept the ensemble from looking too cutesy. The blue gingham against the white skirt also added a delicious pop and really made me feel like I was traipsing in the south of France and not in mid-town Houston, Texas! This skirt has such feminine lines but once you get close, your eyes are drawn to the perforations for an entirely different look. Accessorizing was so much fun! Adding a belt dresses it up, a bold clutch makes it pop and pairing it with cork wedge sandals creates a polished look.

My affinity for Elaine Turner is apparent. Her clutches and bags have given many an outfit of mine just the right panache needed. I am obsessed with this yellow-hued clutch (the Drew Marigold Clutch) from her collection. It added a burst of color and lots of personality! I can see this clutch getting miles of use this season. The same is true for these cork wedge sandals that not only add height to my look, but also a fun texture to add to the mix. These sandals are surprisingly comfortable and the nude color makes my legs looks leaner and longer (total win for short girls everywhere). I bought these shoes during an Elaine Turner shopping party where 20% of the proceeds from the evening went to charity. Meaning, all of us shopped, sipped champagne and enjoyed lite bites and knew that a portion of every dollar we spent was going back to a cause we all championed. I love that she is focused on giving back to our community, particularly with local schools. The Elaine Turner partnership with many deserving charities continues to put money back into our community and help support those in need. So, my shoe and purse obsession can have a dual purpose!

With my love for old movies and vintage clothing, I would be remiss in not acknowledging some of the all-time favorite gingham looks of the past. Mary Ann from Gilligan’s Island – who else could rock that red gingham shirt tied at the waist and look so good stranded? Brigette Bardot and her pink gingham wedding dress in 1959 caused a major fashion stir and allegedly a shortage of pink gingham fabric. Bardot made gingham sweet and sexy at the same time (but who am I kidding – she could make a paper sack look fabulous). Who can forget the iconic blue gingham dress worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz? (Movie trivia: the dress sold at an auction a few years ago for $480,000.) She paired it with ruby slippers and adorable braids. Today’s checked patterns can be complimented with so many types of accessories for many different looks. I added these gold wire beaded earrings and an Aztec-inspired turquoise beaded cuff to add some unexpected pizzazz. Since we are not in Kansas anymore, pull out those classic gingham pieces or snag a look straight off the runway for a chic, effortless style.

Shirt: J. Crew (here for less expensive version) | Skirt: ASTR (on sale now!) | Wedge Sandals: Elaine Turner (here and here for similar) | Clutch: Elaine Turner (here and here for similar splurge) | Earrings: Calypso, old (here and here for similar) | Cuff: Whole Earth, old (here and here for similar) | Bracelet: John Hardy (here for less expensive option)

Classic Pieces

March 27, 2015 By Chandra Bonine Leave a Comment

How many times do you look back at old photos and cringe at your choice of attire? Something you thought was SO cool and “in” at the time often ends up looking more and more silly as the years go by. Although I love fashion and am all about embracing my favorite trends, I try to mostly fill my closet with basics, as well as classic pieces that won’t look dated five years from now. This lace top is one of my favorites, and it has stood the test of time — I bought it over seven years ago! I love it because it is such an understated piece and, with the simple and fitted silhouette and basic color, it will never go out of style. Plus, the delicate lace work is truly exquisite and makes it feel really special. It also doesn’t hurt that it is probably the best deal on clothing I’ve ever gotten! It’s Ralph Lauren Black Label and was originally priced at multiple hundreds of dollars. I got it during Tootsie’s huge winter sale, and I think I paid about $70. That almost qualifies as a Black Friday doorbuster, no?!

I have worn this top with everything from jeans to high-waisted trousers, but this beautiful weather has me thinking skirts. For the first time in months, I skipped the black tights, but I’m still chilled enough to want something on my legs. Over-the-knee boots are the perfect solution. Although I questioned the over-the-knee style several years back when we first started seeing it, this is definitely a look that is here to stay. I have already worn this pair for about two years, and I can foresee them getting a lot more wear for years to come. These are the classic Stuart Weitzman 5050 style, which is easily the most favorite and comfortable pair of boots I’ve ever worn. Luckily, the popularity of over-the-knee boots has continued to rise, and there are so many great options available now to fit every budget.

Investment handbags are always a great topic of discussion. If you are going to part with such a significant amount of money, you want to make sure you are getting something that is well made, versatile, and timeless. Of course, there are so very many bags that fall into this category, and you can never go wrong with black. My sweet husband gifted me with this Chanel flap bag for my birthday a few years back, and it has proven to be my most favorite birthday gift ever. Not to mention the fact that it is probably my only possession that has retained its value through the years! Although it is not the classic quilted flap bag, it certainly echos that style with both the size and shape, as well as the chain strap. The caviar leather is a little sturdier than the softer lambskin, which makes it a safer bet for moms like me. There are so many great bags that are similarly designed, and I think this classic style is a wonderful investment. Stay tuned for more of my favorite classic pieces!

Lace top: Ralph Lauren Black Label, old (here and here for similar) | Skirt: J. Crew, sold out (J. Crew Factory version here and similar here) | Boots: Stuart Weitzman (less expensive option here) | Bag: Chanel (less expensive option here and here) | Earrings: Anthropologie | Sunglasses: Ray Ban Wayfarer | Nail Polish: Essie Chinchilly

Just a Small Town Girl

March 25, 2015 By Chandra Bonine 8 Comments

Chas and I grew up in a very small East Texas town. By small town, I mean one red light (now there are two!) and not even a Dairy Queen. I graduated with just over 50 kids, and when I sat in my first engineering lecture at Texas A&M, I realized there were more people in that one class than my entire school of K—12. It was an idyllic place to grow up, and I loved everything about it!

A tiny blip on the map, my hometown is straight out of central casting for “Friday Night Lights.” I’m pretty sure I never missed a Friday night football game from the time I started kindergarten until I graduated. Not many people did. I was a cheerleader every year beginning in fourth grade for Pee Wee Football and finishing up my senior year for varsity. We wore mums as big as our heads at homecoming, and in October, everyone still gets out of school for a day to celebrate the Yamboree. Yes, there is a sweet potato festival in East Texas, complete with a carnival, parade, and barn dance! And of course a coronation ceremony for the incoming Yam Queen!

All of my teachers taught my sister before me, and there were always comparisons. Fortunately, aside from cheerleading, our interests were different, so I didn’t have to worry too much about living up to her! While Chas was into theater and performing, I was the shy and reserved younger sister competing on the debate and math teams. That’s right, I was a MATHLETE, and I loved it! (I’m the mom who secretly can’t wait until my kids are old enough for algebra homework!) Funny story to go along with that fact: I still have the calculator I used in my high school math competitions – it still works like a charm and I have never changed the battery!

It wouldn’t be a complete country song without mentioning dogs. My parents both have a huge soft spot for any and all animals, and not a stray comes by that doesn’t get a food and water bowl at their house. This inevitably turns into a new “pet,” and at times, there have been almost too many dogs to count hanging around the yard. Once when I was in middle school, a group of my friends came back from lunch doubled over laughing because they had just seen my dad at the (one) red light with a truck full of dogs. He had about five hounds in the back of his pickup, and I think he sat through a couple of cycles of the light just to give everyone a little howling show! I adore this story now, but just imagine my horror at age thirteen! I have just one dog, but he has the personality of about three. Casey turned eleven in December, and I barely remember life before him!

My hometown has a most special place in my heart. My parents still live in the same house, and I look forward to each visit home. I am still close to many of my high school friends, and when I get to hang out with them, it’s like no time has passed. The sounds and smells of the country remain the same, and we can sit on the porch all night long laughing at old stories like it all happened yesterday. It’s true you can take the girl out of the country, but a large part of the country will always stay with me!

When I spotted this Sol Angeles sweatshirt featuring the classic Journey lyrics, I knew it would become a staple in my wardrobe. If you, however, were reared in a city with multiple traffic lights and fast food establishments, this label has several other options that are just as cute!

Sweatshirt: Sol Angeles, sold out (love the Nirvana lyrics here, other similar shirts here and here) | Jeans: Rebecca Minkoff | Boots: Vintage (here for similar) | Earrings: ASOS, sold out (here, here, and here for similar and here for super cool splurge) | Bracelet: From Mexico (here and here for similar) | Ring: here for similar

The Changing of the Guard- Spring Has Arrived With Stripes and Floral Print!

March 24, 2015 By Chastiti Horne 4 Comments

Like many of you, I just returned from Spring Break with the family and just cannot shake the fun carefree vibe you get from a great vacation (more about beautiful Seaside, Florida, to come)! Getting back to work was tough, and I just did not want to slip back into my winter suit phase with this gorgeous Houston weather that followed me back from Florida! So off to my closet I went in search of something that shouted Spring, but was also appropriate for work (why oh why can’t palazzo pants, tanks and sandals be deemed business attire?!). I was immediately drawn to this cheerful mixed print dress — it just makes me smile. However, since I do work in a busy law office, I paired it with one of my favorite tailored black jackets and a multi-strand beaded necklace to make it more “corporate” friendly.

During the working hours, I usually have to keep my fashion fairly conservative, yet stylish! I can’t teeter into the courtroom with my sky high heels or fun and flirty dresses. So when the chance arises to mix it up, I adore throwing on color and patterns. Mixing stripes and floral is not a new trend, but it has worked well for years and never gets boring.

I love this sleeveless striped tank dress with a bold floral pop — it makes me feel like a walking piece of art. I like how the stripes tone down the pops of crazy color, and with this super cute open style jacket, I can even wear this to Sunday brunch or a Springtime wedding shower. Take off the jacket and change up the jewelry, and this would be a fabulous outfit for an al fresco dinner date or girl’s night out. This dress is truly versatile, and I am smitten with the hidden side pockets in the skirt.

The on-trend Vince booties (which, by the way, are so incredibly comfortable!) give the dress a little edge, but sandals and and a ponytail would be the perfect accessories to take this look to an outdoor barbeque or yacht party! Re-purposing an outfit has become de rigueur – Kate Middleton has become the queen (no pun intended) at re-inventing her to-die-for wardrobe. This stylish dress can give you many looks this spring and summer without even trying too hard. Delight everyone around you in this ensemble.

Dress: Nordstrom (also here) | Jacket: TopShop (also here) | Booties: Vince (also here) | Clutch: Similar here (more fun clutches here, beautiful splurge here, and here) | Necklace: Similar here (also here, here, here, and here for similar) | Bracelet: John Hardy (without diamonds here)