The Classic Woman

Getting Your Red, White and Blue On

Sharon — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:00:09 +0000

I have always enjoyed dressing for the holidays, whether it be in a rich green velvet for Christmas or a pastel pink for Easter. Naturally, with the season of patriotic holidays upon us, my thoughts turn to wearing red, white and blue. The only problem is I do not want to look like a walking billboard for Uncle Sam. I want something classic, something dignified, something that won’t make my kids cringe when I walk out of the house So, I do what I do best, I look to contemporary classic women to see how they mastered the feat of looking patriotic without evoking patriotic comparisons to dreadful Christmas sweaters.

If anyone could pull off the red, white and blue look with class it had to be Jackie Kennedy Onassis. Here she is seen with a simple navy and white striped shirt, white jeans, the American Flag watch she designed, and, of course, those famous glasses.

If there is a current celebrity with the fashion sense that Jackie had, it most likely would be the Duchess of Cambridge, the former Kate Middleton. She has shown herself to be both fashion and budget conscious. Last summer during the London Olympics, she delighted the “royal watchers” over and over again with her ability to mix-and-match the blue and white color scheme, making each outfit look new and fresh. She certainly got her money’s worth from her Smythe blazer, J Brands jeans, and Stuart Weitzman “Corkswoon” style wedges.

Political wives in the United States must, of course, master the red, white and blue ensemble. Michele Obama wore the red and blue sleeveless top with a white skirt on July 4, 2012. The double blue belt adds a nice, contemporary touch as do the bold stripes in the top. The combination creates a comfortable summery patriotic look.

Katie Holmes adds her own spin to the red, white and blue look by pairing her red-and-navy striped top with white skinny jeans.

If there is one take-away from these four women and their red, white and blue looks, it would be the striped top. Worn with a pair of blue or white jeans or a white skirt, you have the perfect look that will carry you through the summer season. Add a blazer and you’re ready for the cooler evenings while never missing a “style” beat.

V-Neck Pocket Tee in Stripe

Stripeblock Tee

Hooded Lace-Up Tee

Boatneck Stripe Top

Short-Sleeve Lace-Up Top

Crew Neck with Button Shoulder

Red, White and Blue Entertaining

Sharon — Mon, 20 May 2013 08:19:29 +0000

Wasn’t it only a few weeks ago I was reaching for my winter coat and warm boots before venturing outside? When did the month of May get here and where did it go? Suddenly, the weather is picture perfect and plans can be made without prefacing commitments with “as long we don’t get much ice, we’ll be there” Yes, it is true (I say, as I pinch myself) … Memorial Day is almost here and with it the beginning of the summer entertaining season.

I love holidays like Memorial Day and the 4th of July. They already have built in themes and color schemes and everyone is okay with that. In fact, I think if there was not an over abundance of red, white, and blue some people would be sorely disappointed. The trick, then, is how to put everything together in a new and fresh way so that your guests still utter that undeniable compliment in the form of a big “wow” when they see what you have put together.

IDEA #1

Just because the color scheme is red, white and blue, the pattern does not have to be stars and stripes forever. Let a bold graphic design in either red or blue be the focal point and accent with solid colors or smaller prints.

source : http://chetpourciaudesign.blogspot.com

source: http://kimberlyschlegelwhitman.blogspot.com

source: http://chinoiseriechic.blogspot.com

source: http://www.stonegableblog.com

Idea #2

Do the expected in an anything but expected way. For example, with so many food allergies, it is a good idea to label the food you are serving. However, no one said you have to use index cards …

source: http://kimberlyschlegelwhitman.blogspot.com

source: http://www.projectwedding.com

Remember, anyone can put flowers on the table, but not everyone thinks to add a few drops of blue food coloring to the water to give it a bit of extra “pop” on the table.

source: http://ciaonewportbeach.blogspot.com

Idea #3

It is almost assumed there will be some sort of red, white and blue dessert on the table, but how about adding a few more appropriately colored edible delights?

recipe at http://www.bigbearswife.com

By mixing three beverages together, the one with the highest sugar content stays on the bottom creating, in this case, a red, white and blue drink.

Chicken-Apple Hot Dogs with Blueberry Ketchup

Blue Nachos with Strawberry-Tomato Salsa

And when it comes to the desserts, a hidden surprise ….

recipe at http://pumpercake.com

recipe at http://www.cookingwithsugar.com

recipe at http://realmomkitchen.com

Interested in more ideas for Patriotic Themed Parties? Download my party planning book “Party Like a Patriot”.

Are you tired of stressing out every time you plan a party? The “Party Like a Patriot” party planning guide will help reduce the stress by giving you a plan and helping you stay organized… less time stressing and more time enjoying.

The planner includes a party planning timetable and checklist, menu ideas, recipes (both colonial and new), ideas for executing your colonial theme and lists to organize your guests, vendors, and shopping.

“Party Like a Patriot” is not only a great resource for patriotic celebrations like Memorial Day and The 4th of July, but it also can be used for good-bye parties or welcome home parties for soldiers, adult birthday parties, family reunions, and colonial-themed weddings.

As a Hurray, Summer is Finally Here Gift, until June 18, 2013, enter Coupon Code LV39B
and you can download your copy of “Party Like a Patriot” (which normally sells for $4.99) for only $1.00. We’ve waited a long time for summer, let’s party and enjoy it!

Great Gatsby Inspiration — Part III

Sharon — Sat, 18 May 2013 00:37:25 +0000

Fashionistas everywhere are all a-buzz about the costumes and hair accessories in The Great Gatsby. Although there is plenty of glitz and glamour in the movie, I suspect there is more to our fascination with the Roaring 20s than just the clothes. Without a doubt, there is no other time in recent history that is so closely associated with pure optimism and the sheer joy of living. With a booming economy and the horrors of World War I replaced by “living for the moment”, the younger generation in the 20s played with their new gadgets and focused on enjoying the good life. Today, we hang on to the hope that the economy is indeed rebounding and that the horrors of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will soon be behind us. We hope for such things, but deep down inside there is a cautious optimism. Perhaps The Great Gatsby is a visual reminder of that hope — that good times will once again abound and that the glitz and the glamour of days gone by will return.

Although life in the movies is just that — life in the movies, not real everyday life — by taking a fashion cue here and there from the big screen we can, in fact, enjoy the moment and bring a bit of that crazy optimism and unbridled joy into our lives. After all, adding a dash of fun to life always helps the “hoping”.

THE HEADPIECES

Okay, the beautiful headband is definitely the pièce de résistance when it comes to the jewelry worn in The Great Gatsby. Fortunately, the piece is available to purchase from Tiffany. Unfortunately, it comes with a price tag of $200,000.

However, do not despair if the Tiffany headband is beyond what you want to spend for this latest Gatsby trend. There is a rather fetching alternative:

Sparkling Swarovski & Rhinestone Headband

If a headband is a bit too much, what about a pretty barrette or two? Definitely more my price range and still a great deal of fun to wear

KARINA 2 Piece Sparkle Barrettes

Finally, a silk scarf is a wonderful way to add some Gatsby-style to your summer look while keeping your hair perfectly in place.

(To wear a scarf like Daisy Buchanan, simply fold the scarf diagonally, wrap around your head and secure at the nape of your neck in a knot. Bobby pin in place to secure.)

Club Monaco Gabrielle Head Scarf

Great Gatsby Inspiration — Part II

Sharon — Mon, 13 May 2013 08:55:52 +0000

Art deco jewelry, cloche hats, hair pins … it’s not hard to find Gatsby-inspired accessories if you are willing to spend a couple hundred dollars or more. The real challenge for me is finding accessories reminiscent of the twenties at an affordable price. Unless the piece is one that I could comfortably wear for the rest of my life, I do not want to spend a great deal of money on it. (Any of The Great Gatsby pieces from Tiffany would certainly fall into the “I could wear forever” category.) However, what I really want are accessories that give my current wardrobe that fun “Gatsby” feel, without the huge investment. Yes, I want it all, the Gatsby inspiration and money left in my checking account.

THE JEWELRY

Crystal and Pearl Necklace

Metal Beaded Row Necklace

Statement Platelet Bracelet

Vintage Look Multi-Row Necklace

Emerald Iced Bangle

Onyx Spike Chandelier

Flower Stone Earrings

Faceted Spike Drop Earring

Gold and Pink Art Deco Earrings

Gold and Pink Art Deco Ring

Gold and Turquoise Art Deco Ring

Inessa’s Art Deco Style Ring

Art Deco Earrings

Art Deco Ring

Great Gatsby Inspiration — Part I

Sharon — Fri, 10 May 2013 13:18:13 +0000

Every so often a movie comes around that propels fashion in a new or perhaps more accurately, as in the case of The Great Gatsby, an old direction. Although the fashions in the movie are not historically accurate, they do evoke all the romance and decadence associated with the roaring ’20s. Period pieces by nature are fun to wear, it’s like going back in time without sacrificing being totally modern. Daisy Buchanan opens the door to a style from long ago that will be anything but forgotten.

GATSBY BY DAY

Drop Waist Dress in Trellis Stripe

MUSE Pleated Neck V Back Dress

MUSE Vee Tie Back Drop Waist Sheath

TOPSHOP Pleated Midi Dress

Green Peter Pan Collar Dress

EDITH BLOSSOM Collar Dress

GATSBY BY NIGHT

PISARRO NIGHTS Embellished V-Neck Dress

PISARRO NIGHTS Illusion Yoke Beaded Cocktail Dress

TADASHI Cap-Sleeve Sequin Gown

KM Collections Necklace Gown

JS COLLECTIONS Long Art Deco Beaded Gown

ADRIANNA PAPELL Beaded One Shoulder Gown