09

Jan

Where Y’at?!

Aiiiieee!  My family’s most memorable trip to NOLA has to be the weekend our vehicle was stolen while we shopped in the French Market (we can laugh about it now).  The seductive City That Care Forgot with its beignets, bounce music and bon temps beckons like a long-lost love every time I visit and like the tourism ad promises, I’m just different there.   If you’re in the Crescent City for the mother of all rematches between Alabama and LSU today, hopefully you have accessorized your team apparel with beads, a go cup, and a second line parasol.  To maximize your fun, here are some of my favorite places to eat, shop, stay and play in the Big Easy. 

EAT:  New Orleans is a foodie’s gastronomic paradise.  Stop by Central Grocery  for its lipsmacking-good, authentic muffulettas.  Deanie’s is known for its generous, mouth-watering servings of Gulf seafood goodness.  Dooky Chase – the New Orleans bastion of Creole food run by Queen of Creole Cuisine Leah Chase – is a must-do.  For pricier fare, try Commander’s Palace or Mr. B’s Bistro.  Visit legendary Cafe du Monde and bite into a delicious, piping hot Creole doughnut covered in powdered sugar…chase it with a swallow of cafe au lait (go on, make a mess!).  Want a burger?  Head over to Port of Call.  And it’s King Cake season, so head over to Manny Randazzo’s for one (plain or filled with a variety of tasty fillings).  Eschew dry grocery store brands and have a real slice of heaven!  Versions from Gambino’s will do just as well.

SHOP: Although Fleurty Girl is definitely biased toward purple and gold, the shop has cute apparel, accessories and home decor for  Southern belles and Saints fans alike.  Be sure to check out Hazelnut, an eclectic gift and home decor boutique owned by NOLA native Bryan Batt, of Mad Men fame.

STAY:  Surely you didn’t come to New Orleans to sleep!  But hands down, I recommend the W (French Quarter or Poydras locations). Period. 

PLAY:  NOMA is closed on Monday, but drop by Tuesday in Tide or Tigers regalia and receive 1/2 off admission. Or catch the St. Charles streetcar and ride it to the very end to view the lovely Garden District.   After hours, the W Hotel’s super-chic Whiskey Blue bar (on Poydras) is THE place to post up and people watch.  Or make your way to The Howlin’ Wolf to catch Rebirth Brass Band on January 9th.  No trip is complete without a New Orleans Original Daiquiri (CRAWGATOR.  Enough said.).  The more adventurous imbibers should sample a sazerac at The Roosevelt or dash into the Old Absinthe House for a cocktail.

A final word of advice?  Don’t pet the nutrias…or the honey badgers!

Images via Google and The Knot

14 years ago Short URL Comments

C'est Si Bon

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06

Jan

Calling All Target Shoppers: Jason Wu Collection Launches February 5

Let's Get Ready to Rummmmble!

Jason Wu, whose cutting edge (pun intended!) designs and the inaugural gown he designed for FLOTUS Michelle Obama have made him a darling of the runways, recently announced plans to release an apparel and handbag collection via Tarjhay.  If the haute mess that was the Missoni for Target release is still fresh in your mind and you are dead set on owning a piece without spending your 401K with Ebay carpetbaggers (I rebuke you, hot pink Versace for H&M dress!), you have one month to make like the Christmas Champ and appropriately plan vacation time, map out your plan of attack for storming the store, practice your best shopping cart drive-by, and plot your chic sleepover in the store parking lot (just kidding; I’m sure the po-po will relieve you of that notion).  For more images, click here.

Jason Wu

Pieces range from $19.99 to $59.99 and Target has graced us with this teaser:

Images via ology.com and Target

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14 years ago Short URL 1 Comment

Shopping is My Cardio/The Look

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05

Jan

Caped Crusaders

Plaid "Sophie" Cape by Kate Spade

Snuggie and Forever Lazy wearers take note: this is the hautest way to keep warm!  Wrap up in a super cute cape and add a touch of drama to your looks for work  or play.  Layer it over a long sleeved blouse or tee and skinny jeans or cigarette pants plus your flat boots, loafers or ballet flats  to pull off this polished look.  I have a feeling this camel version by J. Crew will make its way into my closet.

Images courtesy of Kate Spade, Net-a-Porter and Snuggie Humor

14 years ago Short URL Comments

Love That!/Random Acts of Fashion/Shopping is My Cardio/The Look

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04

Jan

Bebe Goes Bridal

In “Not Sure How We Feel About This Information” news, Bebe  is going the way of J. Crew, Anthropologie, Ann Taylor and is expanding its designs to include bridal wear.  According to NY Magazine  and Women’s Wear Daily,  the line – known for mostly club tops, body conscious dresses, terry tracksuits, eponymous tees and impossible platform heels – is planning to feature more office-appropriate separates and bridal wear.  Before images of My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding-style dresses run rampant in your head, what’s exciting about this news is that Rami Kashou, Project Runway IV runner up and perfector of the draped Grecian gown, is heading the line, set to debut in March. 

Prices range from $950-$2500, far more than its standard separates cost, and you can view a few of the bridesmaids options here.   I find the line kind of ho hum and would pass.  Would you rock Bebe down the aisle?

Image courtesy of Bebe

14 years ago Short URL Comments

Shopping is My Cardio

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03

Jan

Best of the Web: Real Simple

Are you stuck in a style rut? Or have you been warned that you might be a strong contender for What Not to Wear?  If one of your goals for 2012 is to update your look (or FIND a look), then Real Simple is ready to help you Find Your Style Inspiration or  Reenergize Your Signature Style .

If the looks in the articles are not your cup of tea, keep in mind their basic principles: minor tweaks can have a major impact.  Look to icons whose fashion you are drawn to (it helps if they have a similar body type, but if not you can still incorporate aspects of their style that work for your physique or coloring.).  Or try your “opposite”: if you always wear your hair curly, try a sleek blowout.  If you opt for natural makeup, try a bold lip or smoky eye.  If you lean to skirts, try slacks; or slip on kitten heels or slippers instead of towering stilettos.  It’s a new year; try a new YOU!

**And congratulations to S. Curry for winning SCDD’s Commander in Chic  giveaway!**

Image courtesy of Real Simple

14 years ago Short URL 2 Comments

Haute off the Press/The Look

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02

Jan

Amber Rose, Get Your Life

Girl, bye.

You know the situation is dire when I’m quoting Tamar. BOOM!

Amber Rose rang in the new year in what amounts to sheer bedazzled Spanx and support pantyhose.  With a jacket. Why? I don’t know. But I had a strong feeling that when Beyonce brought back leotards some of you were going to take it way, way too far.

Newsflash:  If it’s chilly enough for a jacket, then some type of actual bottom is also in order.  Matter of fact, bottoms are ALWAYS in order.

This is one look that did not need to come into 2012 with us.

Image by Jesse Grant/Bryan Schnitzer/WENN/NPLG Images via YB

14 years ago Short URL Comments

Learn From My Mistakes!

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30

Dec

We Like to Partyyyy

If you’re a bad girl and your friends bad too, you’ll appreciate the party dresses in this post.  Spotted by effortlessly chic SCDD reader J.T. Coates, we recommend you scoop a sparkly mini for this season’s swankiest mixers and cocktail parties.   Check out these versions by French Connection that we adore; the line can be found at Belk/The Summit and at Dillard’s. 

Not sure about baring your legs in nippy temps?  Put on a pair of jet black opaque tights and black bejewelled or satin pumps to keep your gams warm.  The tights  add a monochromatic touch that can soften the flashiness of the dress, plus they lengthen the look of your legs!  Also, because these dresses often have a lot going on, balance your hairstyle, makeup and accessories so you don’t look like a streetwalker.  An oversized bun, a slick ponytail or tousled curls look lovely; add a vampy nail lacquer like this classic from Chanel, nude lips and a smoky eye, and you’re ready to party!

Image courtesy of Google

Don’t forget to enter SCDD’s chic giveaway by 12/31! Comment on 12/21’s post and you could win a copy of Commander in Chic!

14 years ago Short URL Comments

Love That!/Random Acts of Fashion/The Look

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29

Dec

That’s (Not) a Louis Vuitton

I don’t personally condone carrying knockoffs, but if you do, that’s your business. (Here’s how to spot a fake.) I just found it hilarious that Louis Vuitton is suing the makers of the Hangover 2 because of this scene.

14 years ago Short URL Comments

Random Acts of Fashion

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28

Dec

Pack Light

I have a confession to make: I am a bag lady.

A fab one, mind you, but a bag lady nonetheless.  See, I carry my life around in my handbag, and it’s literally weighing me down. (Even Anna Wintour – the editor of Vogue – knows this, per Robin Givhan.)  And I realized recently that all those “what ifs” I was planning for by packing so much unnecessary baggage (sumdgy receipts! socks! reading material! condiments! emergency hair and makeup tools!) never actually happened.  I don’t make resolutions, but I have a definite goal for 2012: free myself, stop the madness and drop all dead weight.  Literally. 

While I love toting a good Speedy or duffel, I’m downsizing to something that will only carry the absolute essentials: this vermillion Coach Classic leather shoulder purse.

Image courtesy of Coach

Don’t forget to enter SCDD’s chic giveaway! Comment on 12/21’s post and you could win a copy of Commander in Chic!

14 years ago Short URL Comments

Shopping is My Cardio

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27

Dec

This is, quite simply, perfection…

This song – sung by the incomparable Sarah Vaughn – is one my grandmother used to sing to me, and it has always reminded me to dream BIG, but to remember that realizing our dreams is often easier than we  imagine.  Sometimes our “castles in the air” are really right under our noses the whole time, waiting for us to step out on faith and grab them.  Sometimes we go around the world in search of something we’ve had all along; launching Same Chic Different Day has brought that home for me. 

As I celebrate SCDD’s 100th post today (!), I want to thank you for reading, for inspiring me and supporting my dream…you all are absolutely fabulous!  It’s been a whirlwind three months, and as SCDD grows I hope it continues to brighten your days with something a little different, a little lagniappe – and a little something chic.

XOXO Alexis

Don’t forget to enter SCDD’s chic giveaway! Comment on 12/21’s post and you could win a copy of Commander in Chic!

14 years ago Short URL 2 Comments

C'est Si Bon/First Person Fabulous

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