Beyond Boston Chic

A friend and I were having a respite from the heat at Burdick’s in Cambridge today when the topic of how to infuse color in her wardrobe this winter….yes, I know, it’s a bit early to talk about winter, but she and I are like-minded planners.  We plan for everything!

Back to the story,  I have to admit my friend can be a color-phobe when in winter.  She’s fine in the summer, but there seems to be something about winter that stumps her (gray skies maybe? or maybe the small hills of snow that linger for months on the ground?).

This will be the year for color for me, she exclaimed.  She loves red and has plans for red wool trousers.  I have plans for a mustard yellow skirt.  She has plans for a few scarves to act as a pick me up.  And I enthusiastically vowed to be there for her in the case of a relapse.

As we walked down Church Street later, we ran into this lovely lady who sported an array of colors.  I myself am a color addict in the winter, because how else is a good West Indian girl supposed to weather the weather?  This is all to say that come winter, I will be re-introducing mango, avocado, papaya, eggplant, and sapphire blue–the color of the Caribbean Sea–into my wardrobe.  And my friend, E. will be doing the same right along with me.

The early morning is my favorite time of the day.  There’s a quietness and easiness that seems to radiate from the promise of all that is good.   Then there’s the early morning light, which is something to behold in itself.  The light is soft and slightly hazy without the harshness of the midday sun.  Here, I love the way it bathes Howie’s face.

I’ve gotten into the habit of bringing my camera with me everywhere.  I seem to be particularly lucky running into people when I go and come back from a yoga class.  I didn’t have my camera with me last week, and wouldn’t you know I spied several people looking just….well, bloggable.

On one yoga day, I ran into Rachel.

And here is a picture I took of her about two years ago.

It’s Leighann again. Some people look good sometime, Leighann’s been well dressed each and every time I’ve seen her, and I’ve been running into her since last year.

As you will remember, she was spotlighted on BBC last Friday. She very kindly answered some questions about her favorite tailors, cobbler and favorite shops in Boston. And she would know where to go, she’s the marketing director at Yelp Boston.

Leighann Farrelly is the Marketing Director at Yelp Boston. She’s awesome, funny, kind and a kindred spirit. I’ve always admired her sense of style, so it’s always a pleasure to run into her.

She was kind enough to share what inspires her sense of style.

What inspires your choice of outfits?
Inspiration can really be drawn from every corner of everyday life. An interior design article in a magazine. A window display at a vintage boutique. Song lyrics. The weather. What I leave the house wearing is often a mix of things I’ve read or seen recently, people I’ve talked to and the event or place I am headed. Keeping up with Apartment Therapy, Beyond Boston Chic, New Brahmin, Cheryl Shops and Dreamecho always me provide new ideas!

Favorite places to shop?
Poor Little Rich Girl, Artifaktori, GALVIN-ized Headwear, Pinkyotto, Betsy Johnson, H&M.

Do you have a cobbler? tailor? If so, please share their names and location.
Cobbler: Cambridge Instant Shoe Repair
Tailor: Newbury Tailoring Co

What are your favorite items from your mom’s wardrobe (either when you were growing up or now)?
I actually am in possession of my favorite object from my mother’s wardrobe: a pair of black leather knee-high biker-esque boots, straight out of the early ’80s. You can wear them folded down, so they touch just below the knee, or you can fold them up, so they cover the knee. There are straps at the ankles with metals buckles and studs.

What item in your closet that you can’t do without?
Hats. I have a bit of hat collection, from driving caps and bowlers, to berets, fedoras, vintage demi hats accented with netting, big sun hats and feathered headbands.

Do you have a style philosophy?
Style is something you must create, not something you can buy.

Who says you have to wear a bow-tie with a button down shirt?  It’s so nice to run into folks who have been on BBC before (here and here).  I’m always curious to know how people’s tastes have changed.  These two gentlemen have recently been featured in the Boston Globe for starting their own line of bow-ties on the site Robot&Brucling.   They are awesome guys, funny, polite, creative and just plain fun.  They remind me of my little brother…maybe that’s why I’m so fond of them.

I’m heading to NYC next weekend where they now live and hope to meet up with them in person (they are BOS natives).  Hope to have more pictures of them for you.

I spent my Saturday at Savers pulling looks for a fashion show for the opening of the Framingham store on July 7.  While I was very successful in getting the looks together, I had to stop myself from trying on a pair of white patent leather Tod’s driving shoes, the Gucci sandals (which I’ll end up using in the show and which were in my size, btw) and the Max Mara suit (which unfortunately didn’t fit my model but may end up fitting me…let’s hope).

Boy, do I love shopping while not having to break the bank!  Gotta love thrift stores! And since I’ve been given free range of the Framingham store, I can tell you, there are wonderful goodies there.  I’m off there today to finish the looks, so I’ll take some pictures to share with you.

If you’re in the area on Wednesday, please stop by to say hello!