Monday Mood Lifter: Hot Pink

Reed Krakoff mini standard shoulder bag

Dries Van Noten S/S 2013

We think hot pink visually triggers serotonin, that feel-good brain chemical. How else to explain why the pretty, punchy hue energizes and elevates the mood and makes our outlook a little rosier? And so, it is a worthy mood lifter to kick off the week!

(images top to bottom:  farfetch, chanel, jak and jil and vogue)

Style Salute: The Army Jacket

An "army" of girls via jak and jil

The army jacket  (either surplus or inspired) is a cool, slouchy alternative to the classic jean jacket, and it definitely gets a lot of play in our (especially Kristin's) wardrobe. Although it is essentially a tomboy-ish/garçonne look, you can 'femme' it up with the right accessories and clothes -- including a bright red or orange lip!

Here, we present a few options:

Style Staple: The Blazer

(From left to right: Martin Margiela, Isabel Marant, Ann Demeulemeester)

Speaking of Patti Smith, you'll seldom see her without a blazer (that goes double for Lee Ann). We've read that Patti favors those from Ann Demeulemeester – the coveted prototypes for that borrowed-from-the-boys look. They are slouchy but flattering = perfect! Kristin found one on eBay. Also check out Yoox.


As much as we love blazers, here in California, people don't wear them much (and regard them as ‘office wear’). However, one photo of Vogue Paris editor Emmanuelle Alt will snap anyone out of that misconception. Voilà! She shows you how it's done, without looking uptight or conservative (it's no secret that Parisian girls always get it right).

Cool with a t-shirt, white button down, or cashmere sweater – and we think best with jeans – a blazer can make you look effortlessly chic and perpetually pulled together.

Emmanuelle again via stockholm street style

Emmanuelle via jak and jil

Brace-let's!

jak and jil

Lee Ann's bracelet mix, "This is for when I'm feeling adventurous."
(from bottom to top: Cartier Panthère, Shourouk, Aurélie Bidermann, Federica  Salvatori Franchi, vintage citrine paste)

Kristin's bracelet mix, "I like to wear jewelry in odd numbers!"
(from left to right: crystal thread, Sydney Evan evil eye, Cartier Panthère, silver ID, Shourouk, vintage Fiorucci rubber bracelet, Aurélie Bidermann

So, how do you layer your jewelry?