90s revival

90s revival by eterlak

What goes around comes around, they say.  And this spring, I don't think it could be more true.  Like waiting for a batch of popcorn kernels to start popping, the first few pops come as a surprise.  They are random and shocking.  And so I saw bits of 90s revival, one shocking pop at a time.  It stirred within me a longing and nostalgia for the simplicity of my youth: my shiny black mini-backpack with the smilies, my white Easter sandals with the chunky heel, the flippy miniskirts and the cartoonish flowers that adorned everything.  Daisygirl137 was my very first screen name.

I have decided to embrace this revival, but with some care.  The moment I saw these French Connection sandals, I knew that an outfit was born.  I glanced over to Forever 21 to see if they had, too, embraced the mini floral miniskirts of days long gone, and what to my eyes did I see a plethora!  I actually had to choose from the masses!  Pairing a top is where this can get tricky.  It's easy to throw on a matching periwinkle cardigan and call it Easter 1997, but I chose to cheekily pull a nod to my favorite 90s sweatshirts with this fabulous Rebecca Taylor number.  Vintage in shape, but modern and luxe in its fabrication (and attention to detail, thanks to Rebecca).  A quick search for a mini backpack brought me plenty of options, but for this look, I wanted to keep it sophisticated.  This nude leather option from Kara still feels nostalgic yet keeps it current.  I was all ready to finish, but then I realized I was missing the one detail every 90s outfit needs: a daisy detail.  These adorable Marc Jacobs studs did just the trick.

Are you ready to dust off your 90s gems?  Are your old closets at your parents' still available for scouring? 

Pink-spiration

Nicholas pumps (see more pointy toe pumps)

Caramel Tones (clipped to polyvore.com)

Rebecca Taylor dress (see more rebecca taylors)

Joie blouse (see more joies)

Theodora Callum top (see more theodora callums)

Yesterday, I was really in the mood for a pick-me-up... I tried napping, but my brain wouldn't turn off.  I tried deep breathing (borrowed from yoga class) and I couldn't stop thinking.  I tried talking it out.  Then, I tried pink.  It worked!  Sometimes, rather than expecting my worries to go away, I let them take the backseat to something happier and more "me."  Looking back over some things I had clipped over the past week, I noticed a (not so surprising) trend.  Pink!  I love that it's coming back with the promise of spring ahead.  Isn't the pink lipstick in the second photo amazing? 

What do you do to take yourself back to a happy place? 

Boutique of the Week: Handle With Care

Handle With Care

1706 North Wells Street

Chicago, IL 60614

(312) 751-2929

handlewithcarechicago.com

Earlier this month, EmilyAnneStyle went urban.  I took the train downtown to meet with Alexis Vallortigara, manager of Handle With Care.  After having visited there, I was drawn to it.  Not only is it in one of my favorite parts of the city, Old Town, but it's just so well put-together and chock-full of the most amazing designers.  

When I sat down to talk to Alexis, it became clear to me that she's passionate about what she does.  The proof is in the pudding -- the store is doing great.  "I love merchandising.  I redo the racks once a week to switch up the color stories," says Alexis.  Each rack is like its own mini-store.  Alexis has everything lined up so that you can mix and match the pieces to make several different outfits.  Genius for the quick shopper.

After an impromptu lesson on visual merchandising, Alexis told me about the roots of the store.  Amazingly, Handle With Care has been around for 35 years.  The current owner, Brinton Coxe, has had it under her wing for four years.  Since the store has been in several owners' hands, no one really knows where the name comes from.  All they know is that they're coming back to shop.  Alexis explains, "People like coming here because they see our faces, they know who we are."  On the weekends you can expect to see a fun crowd, upbeat music, and maybe even a glass of wine.  During the week, shop along to rock 'n roll and the aroma of autumn themed candles.

Most people enter a boutique expecting to see big price tags.  While it's true that HWC carries some big names like Rebecca Taylor, Tibi, Shoshanna, and Paige, they've dedicated an entire half of the store for shopping at an affordable price-point.  You'll see dresses for $60 or earrings for $20.

 

The next time you find yourself in Chicago, Handle With Care is a must-visit. You'll be impressed with the clothes, smitten with the staff, and eager to find something for yourself from this treasure trove. 

Boutique of the Week: Fuschia

Fuschia

538 Duane St.

Glen Ellyn, IL 60137

(630) 469-7465

shopfuschia.com

Located right in downtown Glen Ellyn, Fuschia offers an impressive variety of high-end labels, bringing city fashion to the suburbs.  Owner Ashlee Rooney sat down with me to offer a peek into her world.  Fuschia has become quite a staple in the area, claiming its stake since 2004.  Ashlee explains why she opened: "I moved from the city and there was nowhere to shop."  Coming from a place where there are boutiques at every turn, a move to the suburbs was a shock to the system for Ashlee.  "There must be other people, too," she thought.  Thus, Fuschia was born.

The look is sharp and sophisticated.  Even a little Alice in Wonderland when it comes to the checkerboard floor.  Don't be fooled, though, the sleek environment comes with a warm and inviting atmosphere.  "People come here and hang out all day.  We want people to just come in and feel like they don't even have to shop," says Ashlee.  And, it's true.  Our conversation was littered with jokes and laughter.  Ashlee takes fashion seriously in that she respects the FUN of it!

She has had so much success with the Glen Ellyn location, she opened up a second store in Geneva.  Better yet, though the two stores share the same name, everything is different between the two.  "Rebecca Taylor here is different there," explains Ashlee.  Even better?  If you see something in Geneva, and you're going to Glen Ellyn, Ashlee will arrange for it to be brought over for you!  "We are like a caravan every day."  Speaking of Rebecca Taylor.... recognize the blouse from this post?  I had to stop and catch my breath when I saw it!  :)

 

If you're just as floored by the variety of pieces available as I was, it's all due to Ashlee's serious love of fashion.  "I just have a sickness and I love clothes," Ashlee explains with a certain air of melodrama.  In all seriousness, though, every single item that I saw, I wanted.  The place is packed, floor to ceiling, with the hottest labels like Milly, Rebecca Taylor, Tibi, Michael Stars, and more.  The best part is that she only orders a certain amount of pieces in each style, giving the store a whole lot of variety.  "Things come into the store every day.  It's like Christmas every day.  Our UPS man is Santa." 

Go to shop, go to hang out, go to laugh along with Ashlee, just go.  And mention that you read this blog post and get 10% off.

Rebecca Taylor spins fall trends just right

One of my absolute favorite designers EVER is Rebecca Taylor.  I love everything that she creates with a serious passion.  Everything invokes individuality and femininity, yet is backed by a smoldering, nearly massive sense of style and profoundness.  She masterfully mixes ideas in fashion, creating real pieces for the modern woman.  I bow my head to thee, Rebecca.

While I'm over here having a complete and total fit, check out some of the pieces from her fall collection.

Rebecca Taylor top (see more peplum tops)

Gown (clipped to polyvore.com)

Rebecca Taylor top (see more satin tops)

Legging (clipped to polyvore.com)

Rebecca Taylor dress (see more tee dresses)

Rebecca Taylor blouse (see more chiffon blouses)

Rebecca Taylor dress (see more shift dresses)

Rebecca Taylor jacket (see more rebecca taylors)

Rebecca Taylor t shirt (see more rebecca taylors)

Wide Leg Pants | Rebecca Taylor (clipped to polyvore.com)

I find each and every one of these pieces to be incredibly wearable, yet remarkably on trend.  That is one seriously fine line to be walking.  Any of these pieces could be paired with a trusty basic, say, jeans or a black tee.  I love how she touches on several trends happening currently: the snakeskin print on the pants and the tunic, the suggested lace on the white/grey blouse, the peplum silhouettes, the moto-inspired tough look, leather, and assorted hemlines.  It's a serious gold mine of fashion.  Who's with me?!?