How would you wear these boots?

Okay, it's officially fall now -- the mornings are getting darker, the weather is getting colder, and I'm pulling my boots out of the closet.

Last fall, I found a pair of Frye Sunny multi-strap boots at TJ Maxx -- they're navy, they're flat, and they go perfectly over jeans. The only problem is... they're navy. And while I'm in the "navy is a neutral" camp most of the time, it's hard to pair up navy when it's a boot, don't you think? Plus, somehow in the past couple of skinny-jeans-years, I've managed to clear out pretty much every single pair of bootcut jeans from my closet.

And while part of me is thinking maybe I give them to someone who will appreciate them more, at the same time, they're still really fricking nice boots. And I should wear them more! (Along with my other boots!)

Thus, to help me figure out what I'm doing with them, I put together a Polyvore with three different outfit options! (Of course I did!)

The first outfit is the one I'd be most likely to wear -- dark denim skinnies, boots over, basic solid-color top and cardigan. I'm worried about the denim and navy being so close that they clash, though?

The second outfit actually incorporates a piece I have, which is the Aeropostale long stripy tunic sweater. (Outlet shopping, holla!) I paired it with black corduroy in the Polyvore, but I also just bought some skinny black jeans in New York, so they could work there too. If we're cool with pairing navy boots with skinny black pants, that is.

Finally, I've paired black tights and a grey skirt and a raspberry long-sleeved top. This is something I'd wear with black boots, so why not swap out with the navy boots?

What do you think -- do these outfits work? (Do I need to take actual pictures for everyone?) Do you have any suggestions for how to incorporate these boots into my everyday wardrobe? Do you have any particularly difficult pieces in your collection, and how have you managed to work 'em in?

images from thefryecompany.com and polyvore.com

Science Fair for September 21st - 27th

It's been a busy week of getting back to normalcy -- sorry for the delay in this week's Science Fair!

- Check out My Vintage Vogue for excellent old fashion editorials and advertisements from the 1920s to the 1960s. (Yes, this was in Periodicals.)

- Have you read the BlogHer Food 09 liveblogs? I live-blogged the Vocation track, which was full of fascinating information that any blogger can use across the board. For even more info, you have to read How to Maintain A Good Blog. Excellent, excellent information for all of us. (I'm working on it, I swear!)

- Were you at the IFB Dress-Up Soiree in New York? Definitely look at the official IFB round-up post for gorgeous photos (seriously, I just bought a new camera last fall and I want a better one) and links a-go-go. (Related, I've been using the phrase "a-go-go" for everything lately, and I'm not sure why.)

- Karen of the Makeup and Beauty Blog addresses the MAC Style Black Mineralize Eyeshadows -- how to use 'em, how to love 'em. I'm on a beauty product diet (waaaah) until my budget returns to normal after the NYFW trip, le sigh, but it's free to look! (Waaah!)

Have a great week, everyone!

NYFW iPhone Photo Drop - The Finale!

I got home from New York on Saturday, it's now Wednesday, and I'm running out of excuses! Jet lag only works for so long...

After indulging my inner Blair Waldorf, I went and indulged my inner Liz Lemon. Because I have both an inner Blair and an inner Liz.


After all of my time standing and sitting around in the tents, I kept seeing blown-out bobs left and right... but only once was it The Bob:


(Yes, I still need to go see the September Issue, but I will probably go see Fame and Whip It first, because FAME. And ROLLER DERBY.)


Finally, on my last day, before I dragged my luggage from the UWS to JFK, I went wandering out to Central Park, and my entry point was Strawberry Fields. I've always wanted to go, and in a quiet moment, without tourists kneeling all over it, I took a picture of the famous "Imagine" mural. I wish I'd brought my real camera with me, but it turned out pretty nicely for an iPhone photo. It's a lovely little part of Central Park.

I'm hoping to get back into the groove in the next day or two, but until then, you can read the rest of my Fashion Week coverage at BlogHer:

- Independent Fashion Bloggers and Evolving Influence
- Isaac Mizrahi Spring/Summer 2010
- The Fashion Insider Scoop for Fall

images from periodicstyle.blogspot.com

NYFW iPhone Photo Drop - Day Five

Tuesday in the tents and around town...

I caught up with Michelle of All Lacquered Up behind the tents, where we spotted a certain make-up artist chilling with her crew before the Tibi show. Michelle was also kind enough to let me swatch the new Lancome Pout-a-Porter lipstick, Chris & Tell. As someone who has three of the four previous P-a-P lipsticks (only missing Behnaz Red, of course), I had to try it and see if I need it...


I also had to get a New York cupcake, which I picked up at Crumbs, conveeeeniently located across the street from Bryant Park. Let me just say -- I tried to put up a valiant battle, but I was a. without a napkin and b. that cupcake is actually pretty giant. It defeated me.


After attempting to stand-by for the Tibi show, I had some time to kill before I needed to be at the Chictopia party. And so I listened to my inner Blair Waldorf and went to Henri Bendel.


While I was there, I managed to find B.'s favorite part of the store... the headband section.


I'm taking it easy today -- tomorrow's going to be the craziest day of NYFW for me!

images from periodicstyle.blogspot.com

NYFW iPhone Photo Drop - Day Four

Yesterday was Monday, and so I was back in the tents!

First, a glimpse into the make-up kit I brought to New York:


My essentials are right on the top: MAC eyeshadow in "Sugarshot", MAC "Just a Pinch" gel cheek tint, the Bobbi Brown Nude shimmerbrick, and Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer with SPF. Everything else is kind of jumbled in there. (I never said I was organized.)

At the Independent Fashion Bloggers dress-up soiree, I snagged a top hat and a not-so-great picture:


I think it might have to be incorporated into my wardrobe more often for that street urchin-chic look, y/n? The Artful Dodger indeed!

Finally, if you sit around in the tents long enough, eventually you will see a famous person, and the famous person I saw is Coco Rocha (!!):


I did not yell "I LOVE YOUR BLOG, COCO" or "I FOLLOW YOU ON TWITTER, COCO" but I was super-stoked. She's absolutely stunning and has legs for miles (as you can see). Gossip Girl cell phone paparazzi skills for the win.

(I would also like to take the moment to shout out to Eddie, who stood in line with me for the tonycohen show last night. Thanks for the support, Eddie! Sorry we got split up!)

Also, don't forget to check my New York Fashion Week coverage at BlogHer BeautyHacks -- I've already covered Francis Night Out and my snazzy new Calgel manicure, and there'll be more posts to come!

xoxo!

images from periodicstyle.blogspot.com

NYFW iPhone Photo Drop - Day Three

Today Ms. S and I went venturing out to Soho, where we immediately went to Topshop first. The last time I was in New York (which was last fall), Topshop had yet to open. But now it is, and so in we went!


I did visit Topshop in London when I went, but I wasn't really sure how I'd wear it, and if I wanted to spend the pounds (which was, at that point, at a $2-to-the-pound conversion rate). I wound up just buying jewelry for Kati, but this time, I actually tried something on -- the purple lattice-back bodycon dress.


It actually fit really well, despite the quality of my photos, and I kind of like it, as I've been wanting a bandage dress for a while, but holy moly, am I ever going to wear something like this? It's a whole lot of back, which means a whole lack of bra. Should I go back and get it? (It's out of stock on Topshop.com, so that tells you something...)

Tonight I'm taking off to the UWS, the original home of the Humphrey clan in Gossip Girl, and there will be more from me tomorrow!

images from periodicstyle.blogspot.com

Feedback Form: Born "Kelle" Boots

Instead of heading to the tents today, I went a-stomping around Williamsburg with Ms. S, and of course she not only took me to Brooklyn Industries, but to Shoe Market as well. Dangerous times, friends.

And because I love me some heeled boots, and Karen and I have been going crazy over "old timey girl" lace-up boots lately... I spotted the Kelle boots by Born. They're pretty much perfect -- real leather, up to the calf, zipper up the sides, great heel (since I'm picky about heel shapes), and they're Born, so they're totally comfortable.

The issue is, would I wear them? I don't often wear tights and skirts (I happen to be doing so today, hooray), but if I did have these boots, wouldn't I wear tights and skirts (and thus the boots) more often? I think I might.

Ms. S and I felt this was a bit of a conundrum, which is why I've decided to ask for more opinions. Should I think more solidly about the boots? I do think they're a little high, since they hit me right at the meatiest part of my calf, but they really are cute and comfortable.

So, let's hear the feedback -- what do you think? Yes? No? Spend some more time thinking about 'em?

image from bornshoes.com

NYFW iPhone Photo Drop - Day One

I'm in New York, chilling at the Brooklyn pad of my hostess, Ms. S, and so I'm dropping some mad iPhone photos on everyone. (Yes, I am taking official real-camera photos, too -- some of those will be coming up in my BeautyHacks coverage.)

But because I managed to fail to send these to Twitpic, I'm uploading some of 'em here for your enjoyment! (Click for bigger if you're so inclined.)


It's my press pass! I'm bo-na-fide.


The big logo of the tent. Last year it was all passport-y, this year it's luggage.


Finally, my most favorite swag so far -- the Tim Gunn Iron Man comic. I will admit that I took three (one for me, one for Ms. S, and one for L.), and may go back for more. I think The Bloggess might need one.

Be sure to check out Jennine's excellent post about last night's festivities at the Francis by Christian Francis Roth studio.

Catch you later!

images from periodicstyle.blogspot.com

Jetsetting Jeanne!

My suitcases are just about packed, my shuttle to the airport is scheduled, and my alarm goes off innnnn... two and a half hours! (Oh god, I will never sleep tonight.)

So where am I heading off to this time? Is it the beach again? Nope, no more beach.

I'm heading off to New York Fashion Week again! This time, I'll be writing here and at BeautyHacks about my New York adventures.

If you're not already following me on Twitter, I'm @msjeanneb -- I'm going to be working on my Gossip Girl-style phone camera skillz, so keep an eye on my Twitter for Twitpic-y goodness. I'm also taking the Flip (yay, the Flip!) so there may be some first-ever PeriodicStyle videos up in here. For real. It's not just sleep-deprivation talking.

I'm looking forward to hanging with a whole bunch of rad blogging ladies (and gents), and definitely anticipating some awesome new things for spring! Plus, hey, New York adventures and friends = excellent, always.

My only regret is that I probably won't be able to make all of the Fashion's Night Out extravaganzas -- I'll be landing late, which means no sleep til Brooklyn. But who knows! I'm kind of hoping I catch a second (or third) wind.

Still, I'm excited and it's going to be great! I'm stoked, and as soon as I finish packing (!), I'll be ready to go...!

Science Fair for August 31st - September 6th

Yes, it's been a while since we've done a Science Fair -- sorry! I hope you missed them, at least?

Anyway, Karen and I are technically out on the beach right now (woohoo!), but here is a very blogger-happy Science Fair for your perusal!

- Need some packing tips? Fashion for Nerds is off to Argentina, and she's sharing her packing tips for beauty products and clothing. I love peeking in other people's suitcases!

- Going to be in NYC on September 10th? Check out the Fashion's Night Out events at j'adore couture. Man!

- Are you looking forward to Where the Wild Things Are? Check out the awesome blog/dramaturgy (filmaturgy?) they're keeping to track their inspirations (and show some behind the scenes magic) at weloveyouso.com. I seriously spent a good hour or two just clicking through and absorbing it. Awesome.

- Some gorgeous and, yes, creepy autochromes at LiebeMarlene for you.

- If you haven't heard Winona's Big News, go check it out! Yay, Winona!

- Finally, if you're planning on coming to San Francisco (we've finally got nice weather!), here are some places to eat via the NYTimes. Some PeriodicStyle favorites from the article: Humphry Slocombe, Miette, Bi-Rite Creamery -- are you seeing a pattern here? (But definitely do go to the Academy of Sciences -- it is AWESOME.)

Hope you're enjoying your final summer weekend! I know we are!

Winter coat makeover - complete!

Here's what you've all been waiting for: the refreshed winter coat!

After clicking through various Yelp reviews and trying to determine which tailor to trust my coat with (with various considerations of location, price, cash-only, etc.), I picked a hidden gem on Market Street -- it's tucked away on the eighth floor of an office building wedged between Old Navy and the mall. The price was right, the timing was excellent (one-week turnaround, and they're open on Saturdays!), so Saturday I went to pick it up! As you can see, I had three alterations done, but not the three I'd originally planned!



The first, and probably most subtle, is that I had the lapels sized down. I wasn't really sure I was going to do it until I was standing in front of the mirrors and I said "and actually, can we take the lapels in".



I also had the sleeve cuffs removed and the sleeves hemmed to the wrist. You can also see that I left the pockets as-is -- the girl who helped me said that it'd be a big job to rework the pockets completely, so the cute details of the pockets stayed.



Finally, the biggest, of course, was that the coat was shortened to my desired length, just under the bottom of the pockets. Underneath the coat, I'm wearing the Modcloth Stormy Weather Dress, to give you an idea of the length.

It was probably in the neighborhood of 80 degrees when I took these photos (aiyee!), which is why I'm all bare-legged/footed. Not exactly ideal coat weather, but that's why we plan ahead...!

I'm so excited that the coat is all spiffed up and ready for cooler weather! Have you started thinking about your fall wardrobe? Is there something in your closet that you think might need some extra help before the seasons change?

images from periodicstyle.blogspot.com