Tag Archives: gryson

gift guide: joy gryson’s finds for the SMC girl

{Editor’s Note: This year, I’ve asked a few of the people whose style I spend all year admiring to share their holiday wish lists. Stay tuned – we’ll have a new expert every day for the next two weeks!} fashion gift guide

I’ve been a fan (bordering on a groupie) of Joy Gryson‘s since she debuted her very first collection…even her very first bag. In fact, I still have my original Skye bag, and I still get stopped on the street every time I carry it. Joy started out designing for big names like Coach and Calvin Klein, and was the Director of Design at Marc Jacobs (where she designed most of their now-iconic styles) before she left to found her own brand in 2006. Since then, Gryson has grown incredibly, but that impeccable quality and thoughtful attention to detail hasn’t changed a bit. What I love most about Joy – besides the fact that she’s a superstar designer who is so friendly and down-to-earth that she still answers my emails personally! – is her ability to seamlessly blend an uptown aesthetic with downtown hip.

Just as I’d hoped, Joy’s wish list is packed with picks that would be just the thing for a girl whose style is classic with a touch of edge…in other words, you and me! I don’t know about you, but this is the list I’ll be forwarding directly to Santa.

fashion gift guide, joy gryson gift guide, style gift guide, designer gift guide, expert gift guide, luxe gift guide, luxury gift guide

Read on

Share 'gift guide: joy gryson’s finds for the SMC girl' on Facebook Share 'gift guide: joy gryson’s finds for the SMC girl' on Google+ Share 'gift guide: joy gryson’s finds for the SMC girl' on Pinterest Share 'gift guide: joy gryson’s finds for the SMC girl' on Twitter Share 'gift guide: joy gryson’s finds for the SMC girl' on Email

currently coveting: the perfect red bag

Every girl needs one, right? A gorgeous little splash of red for those days when you just need a little something to pull a dreary ensemble together. It’s a wardrobe staple if ever there was one, and a completely perfect summer-to-fall transition piece. At least, that’s what I’m telling myself. But I’m pretty sure I’m right about this…I mean, just look at these ladies:  Read on

Share 'currently coveting: the perfect red bag' on Facebook Share 'currently coveting: the perfect red bag' on Google+ Share 'currently coveting: the perfect red bag' on Pinterest Share 'currently coveting: the perfect red bag' on Twitter Share 'currently coveting: the perfect red bag' on Email

am i blue?

Most of you probably don’t know this, but one of the reasons I started SMC back in my wee baby blogging days was that I’m a chronic overshopper. Give me a task, a specific piece to search for, and I’m like an obsessive-compulsive dog with a bone – I simply cannot stop until I’ve unearthed every possible option, in every possible shape and at every possible price. With a blog as an outlet, that pesky little personality flaw just turns into “content research.” This is why we all need jobs doing what we love.

Case in point: now that blue is the bag color this season, I’m finally ready to take the plunge. Mind you, I’m no fair weather convert to cobalt. I’ve been eyeing those baby blues for at least three years now. But this year, I think I’ve finally got it. My elusive white whale (well, it’s a blue whale I suppose, really) is right here:

Read on

Share 'am i blue?' on Facebook Share 'am i blue?' on Google+ Share 'am i blue?' on Pinterest Share 'am i blue?' on Twitter Share 'am i blue?' on Email

my big fat birthday list

Friends, it’s my birthday week! (Yes, I get a whole week – I’m that girl, and I’m not even sorry.) This is a milestone birthday for me, and it’s the first one that’s made me squirm in my seat a little bit. Do I dare even tell you my age? Let’s just say I’m switching boxes on the ol’ “how old are you” survey question, and I am not at all happy about my new box.

Shoving aside the thoughts of impending age, a birthday is still big news in my house, and I’ll take any excuse to make a wishlist. Sure, it’s 90% pure fantasy, but you’ve got to dream big to win big, am I right?

For my bod: Printed pants are falling all over themselves to get into my closet, but I love that these Rag & Bone Raja jeans are a bit different than the standard-issue fare. I think they’ll last a bit longer, and be more wearable too. And it’s no big surprise that a Vince cardi would make its way onto my list, but this especially splurge-y, leather-trimmed version is making me so happy this fall. There are actually two styles floating around out there (here’s the second), and I’m torn. What’s your fave?

For my jewelry box: My earring collection has stagnated in a big way. I need some color in my life! Okay, these Pade Vavra druzy studs aren’t technically color, but I think sparkle should count, don’t you? If not, these sweet little gold-dipped studs from A Merry Mishap are an easy bargain and

For my arm: A major item on my list is a new bag for fall. Don’t get me wrong, I swoon for my Chanel. But she’s not exactly an everyday bag. I’m thinking either navy or grey for my fall addition. Dream version? Lanvin’s For Me, a navy/black combo I’ve been swooning over for months. Reality version? I’m still dreaming about Gryson’s Ruby satchel, and crossing my fingers a navy version will appear.

For my toes: Still stewing over the latest from Pied Juste (a new line by the ousted Sigerson & Morrison) – just can’t decide where to start. Oh-so-on-trend ankle strap oxblood flats, or a cutout suede mini-wedge? Decisions, decisions.

For my belly: What girl doesn’t want candy for her birthday? Vosges is so my jam when it comes to splurging on sweets – I’ll take a box of caramel marshmallows and one of their new Wink of the Rabbit caramels, please.

Happy (almost) birthday to me!

Share 'my big fat birthday list' on Facebook Share 'my big fat birthday list' on Google+ Share 'my big fat birthday list' on Pinterest Share 'my big fat birthday list' on Twitter Share 'my big fat birthday list' on Email

cheap thrills: botkier for target

first things first, don’t forget to enter this week’s fabulous giveaway, sponsored by your conscience!  seriously, people…free stuff!  when do we not love free stuff??  plus, it’s a good opportunity to introduce youself…internet anonymity is so last season!

 

the latest designer collection arrived at target.com this morning, and you’re in luck…it’s not terrible!  the new line from botkier actually appears to have some hits…naturally, mixed in with the predictably bad misses.  this collection is actually the closest any have come to echoing the deisgner’s full-priced wares, in my opinion…with gryson’s target collection running a close second.

i’m surprisingly very tempted to pick up the fuschia hobo above – i’m thinking it will be the perfect pop of color during the rainy weather ahead this winter (because, face it – these babies aren’t leather).  it reminds me strikingly of the isis hobo from botkier’s spring line that i came dangerously close to buying several times…but if i buy this one, i won’t feel bad about tiring of the color in 3 months.

that grey python satchel above is one i’m optimistic about, but would have to see in person.  the styling is right in like with botkier’s classic bianca satchel, with a little bit of their nomad collection thrown in for good measure.  i actually love the styling, and do like that they’ve gone for simulated exotics, rather than the predictable patent everyone heads for when using faux leather.  the exotic embossing could be a great trick to disguise the vinyl.  i just worry it’s going to look a little too urban outfitters for my taste.  but seeing is believing.

i’m a little more skeptical of the less-structured bags.  for one thing, botkier just isn’t as familiar with the style – they’re known for structure.  and for another, the thing that saves non-structured bags is the way the leather drapes and puddles…and these just aren’t going to have that quality.  but i like the distressed color of the silver, and again, i think it was an interesting way to disguize vinyl.  so, i’ll be really interested to see if that silver hobo above is fug or fab, but i have much higher hopes for it than for the gold hobo, which i think is just a little too gold, and the bronze tote, which just looks all wrong somehow – like a cheap diaper bag gone awry.  but i do think the white clutch above (also available in that fantastic fuschia color) is a safe bet – the stud detailing just screams botkier, and this one is much more in line with the designer’s signature styles.  i just wish more of the target designers would stop trying to get overly creative with these collections…there’s a reason it’s a signature design, people!

as you all trickle in to target over the next few days, i’d love to hear some more reviews!

Share 'cheap thrills:  botkier for target' on Facebook Share 'cheap thrills:  botkier for target' on Google+ Share 'cheap thrills:  botkier for target' on Pinterest Share 'cheap thrills:  botkier for target' on Twitter Share 'cheap thrills:  botkier for target' on Email