My Not-So Nautical Life

Meredith Nelson Photography

Shorts J.Crew (old) * Shoes J.Crew (old) * Bracelet DIY project (I will feature it soon!)

I grew up in a breathtaking and picturesque boating town....sans boat. Well, I'm back and still no boat. And I'm really fine with that for a couple of reasons. Don't get me wrong, I love a beautiful sunset booze cruise (when land can be seen) and there really is nothing better than a catamaran snorkeling trip in tropical ocean waters (when land can be seen). So why will you never see me with my boater's license? For one, I am incredibly prone to sea sickness. I recently visited the Frying Pan in New York with my husband and friends and had drinks at the bar next to the ship. Within about a half hour I started to feel queasy and asked if anyone else felt the bar rocking. Unbeknownst to me, the bar was not on land but on a barge. Keep in mind this is a fairly sizable barge and is anchored in the Hudson River, not the Atlantic. I quickly forced everyone to abandon ship....that's right, I bring the fun. Reason number two, the movie Open Water has had a profound and chilling effect on me. I really don't want to tread water for days while sharks encircle me and I battle severe dehydration. And finally, I can barely keep my house clean, I can't imagine the upkeep of a boat.

This outfit is my way to live the nautical life while my feet stay firmly planted on land. This is a great outfit to take from day to night....flip-flops for the pool (or boat if you're so daring), heels for the bar. Add some jewels, paired with the natural glow from a day outside and some tousled beach hair....gorgeous!

Florals

Meredith Nelson Photography
Shirt Gap * Skirt J.Crew * Necklace Kate Spade

I have never been big into florals when it comes to clothing. I have always resisted the "daintiness" associated with them since I'm not exactly the most dainty person around. Take one look at my childhood dance recital videos or my ejection from the Senior Powder Puff football game and you will agree. What I love about this skirt is that it has a floral pattern with an edge. It's name says it all....Punk Floral. I love the fullness of the skirt and the pockets....big into pockets right now. And something else that I am loving is that the shirt knot is back! Yes, I do feel like I am back in 8th grade, and yes, I do need to make sure my stomach (which does NOT look like it did in 8th grade) is covered. Usually a tank top underneath does the trick. For this outfit the skirt sits high enough on my waist that I am protected or, should I say, anyone who sees me is protected from my post-child belly. I have been using the knot a lot lately. I can't seem to pull off the half tuck and sometimes fully tucked just doesn't work. The knot is a good alternative.

Funny story, I wore this outfit on Father's Day and my son ended up getting stung by a bee...in the mouth...and threw up all over me and my skirt. The good news....he was totally fine other than his Exorcist moment (I have never seen anything like it before) and my skirt washed well even though it is Dry Clean. It is pretty much as good as new. Got to roll with the punches!

Red, White and Blue

 

Meredith Nelson Photography

 

Happy 4th of July!! Have fun wearing your red, white and blue!

 

Black and White

Meredith Nelson Photography

Blazer J.Crew (sold out but love this one) * Tank Old Navy * Shorts Vince Camuto * Shoes Ivanka Trump 

I have a whole new respect for professional models. There is definitely an art to posing so that clothes lay just right, without twisting, drooping, riding up, or bunching in a way that makes me look 

like I have an additional "appendage". I definitely don't have the modeling gene. My husband confirmed it this morning when he told me, "You excel at certain things, modeling is not one of them." Hence the reason for my headless shot...both J and my father-in-law told me to work on my smile. If anyone has any tips, I'm listening. Please!

I have a lot of fun wearing colors. Bright, pastel, neon, primary....I love how an outfit with colors can instantly lift your spirits on a gloomy day. Specific colors and color trends come and go. Black and white, however, are classic and timeless. They are sophisticated and polished yet easy to wear (well, black is at least!) I love this outfit for a few reasons. One, I love how white helps to "summer-ize" black. Two, I am a big fan of the blazer and shorts combo. It is a nice change from a skirt or dress for evening. And finally, this is an easy outfit to transition from day to night. Tank top, shorts and sandals during the day, add blazer, jewelry and heels at night. Just work on your smile and don't stand around with your hand on your hip and you should be all good!

On Trend: Neon

Meredith Nelson Photography

Blazer Forever 21 * Top Banana Republic * Pants J.Crew * Scarf J.Crew

Let's hear it for Summer and the start of camp! I had big ambitions to spend some quality time with K since he finished school last week however I quickly realized that he wanted to be in camp as much as I wanted him to be in camp so I signed him up to start a week early. I don't think he could get there fast enough this morning. And now I have some time to sit down and work on Feathers, Leather & Sequins!

I am loving the neon trend right now. It brings me right back to my Madonna days when I would blare Like a Virgin from my Boombox (having absolutely no idea what the song was actually about) while stacking my wrists with neon slinky and rubber bracelets. Neon is bold and fun, an instant eye-catcher. I love to wear neon as an accent piece, balanced out with neutral pieces. Please do me a favor and pretend that the scarf does not exist in the full body shot. One day I'll figure out how to Photoshop out my style gaffes. For the time being, I'll leave it there as a style DON'T. I threw the scarf on last minute thinking that since there is a bit of the same neon green color from the pants in the floral pattern of the scarf, it would be a great addition to the outfit. Had I looked in the mirror, I hopefully would have noticed that the two greens do not pair well, okay, outright clash. Clearly I could have used a little reminder from Coco Chanel, "When accessorizing, always take off the last thing you put on." It is a great reminder that less is more, especially when it comes to neon.

These earrings (here and here) are a great way to work a little neon into your wardrobe along with this clutch, this top, these pants (here and here) and these shoes (pricey but fun!)

My New Skirt

Meredith Nelson Photography

Skirt J.Crew (old...formerly pants) * Top J.Crew (25% off right now!) * Shoes Toms

I'm back! Didn't mean to take such a long break but life got in the way....end of school activities, husband took four day golf trip, had slight panic attack over condition of skin (turning 36 has brought on a whole new set of wrinkles), and went through bit of styling slump. But I'm back...and I used my scissors again. The skirt above used to be a pair of beautiful yet unflattering pants. I bought them last year from J.Crew after falling in love with them and waiting (patiently, I might add) for them to go on sale. When they arrived, the fabric, a gorgeous coral, gold and white floral jacquard, did not disappoint. The fit, however, left much to be desired. Because it is a thick fabric and I tend to be a little thick in the saddlebag area, the pants just did not work with my legs. Since they were final sale and could not be returned (and I am not patient enough to be an Ebay seller), they were mine for the keeping so I was determined to figure out how to make them work. I tried pairing the pants with sweaters, t-shirts, sweatshirts; coral, white, chambray; tucking in, tying, layering. Nothing worked, at least not enough to make me smile, and therefore I never felt totally comfortable wearing them. I finally decided to take them to a tailor to see about having them turned into a skirt. I was promptly laughed at and told it couldn't be done by two different tailors. As a little side-note, if you ever want to get me to do something just tell me it can't be done. And I wonder where my kids get their defiant attitudes from...nah, I'll still blame J. I came home that night, took out my pair of scissors and did something that I have never done with scissors before....I actually thought very carefully through how I was going to cut rather than holding my breath and cutting with fingers crossed. I carefully removed stitches rather than ripping seams apart. Once the cuts were made, I sewed the hems by hand (sewing machines intimidate me) and added a little triangular patch to the front to join the two seams. Another scissor success! I put on the skirt and smiled! I think I might be paying the two tailors a visit very soon.

I Do....Again!

Poolside Paillette ~ Dress Calypso * Shoes Tory Burch
VaVa Vegas ~ Dress Parker * Shoes Sergio Rossi (Very, very expensive but couldn't resist adding them for fun!)
Courthouse Chic ~ Dress Shoshanna * Shoes J.Crew * Earrings BaubleBar
Beach Beauty ~ Dress Calypso * Bracelet JewelMint

It is officially wedding season and therefore anniversary season for many of us. This post is dedicated to and inspired by my college roommate who got married last weekend....congratulations C and A! And since I just celebrated 10 years of marriage to J, I think it's a good time to start planning my outfit for if/when we renew our vows. I love that all of these dresses can be worn again...unlike my wedding dress that is boxed up in the back of my parent's closet. I'm leaning towards Poolside Paillette...the sequins make my heart flutter! But those VaVa Vegas shoes...I'm in love!

Bringing Classic Back

Outfit 1 Dress/Shoes/Earrings
Outfit 2 Dress/Shoes/Necklace
Outfit 3 Dress/Shoes/Ring/Clutch

In one of my former lives, I know I was having a good time in the 1920s, enjoying an era of "unapologetic decadence." My sister-in-law got to live a bit of that life last night when she went to HMF at the Breakers Palm Beach. HMF, a social eating and drinking establishment and ode to golden era Palm Beach, espouses the following mottos: Luxury is Back, Glamour is Back, Sophistication is Back, Classic Cocktail Culture is Back. Yes, yes, yes and hell yes! My first question, how soon can I go? Second question, do I go with outfit number 1, 2 or 3???

Nice and Easy

Meredith Nelson Photography

Blazer J.Crew * Scarf J.Crew (similar) * Bracelet J.Crew * Clutch Gap (similar)

The majority of my mornings go like this....I wake up after way too little sleep, drink a cup of coffee that my body has become immune to, feed my beautiful little angels who have been yelling at each other and me since 6:00AM, realize that I have less than 15 minutes until morning bell rings at school, rush to my closet and....my mind shuts down. Sometimes it's exhaustion, sometimes it's frustration from my children fighting over cereal bowls, but most of the time it's because I am always running 10 minutes late. On mornings like this, I need an easy outfit, one that is comfortable yet still polished. This is one of my favorites. Everyone has a white t-shirt and a pair of jeans. By adding just a few more pieces you can have a great looking outfit. Add a blazer, scarf or necklace, cute flats or wedges and you will look like you actually had a full night's sleep!

J.Crew is having a great sale right now (today is last day) with code SHOPNOW. The blazer and bracelet shown above are still available....go ahead, treat yourself!

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!!

Clutch Me

Flowers, Hummingbird and Lux Blue Q
daVinci Eyes Amazon.com

Let me digress for a moment to say that the Great Gatsby soundtrack is amazing! I have had it on repeat all week. It makes me want to break out my sequins and feathers, hit the dance floor and then cozy up next to Leo my husband with a martini....it's that good!

I love a good clutch. I have never been much into purses but lately I am a bit clutch obsessed, passing up larger bags for their petite counterpart. The small size of a clutch forces me to limit what I carry to absolute essentials. Since I am a bit of a hoarder when it comes to keeping receipts and empty tubes of lip gloss, small is good as it makes me do routine purges of unnecessary items. I also find a clutch easier to carry than a larger sized purse. Just tuck under my arm and go. And while I love my "splurge" clutches for going out at night, when it comes to an everyday purse I need something that is stylish yet inexpensive and that can stand up to the abuse I inflict on my bags. I was first introduced to the Blue Q zipper pouch a few years ago and still use the same one today as a makeup/travel bag. When my clutch affair began last year, I realized that the zipper pouch was perfectly sized to be used as a clutch and exactly what I was seeking in an everyday bag. Made from 95% post-consumer material, the zipper pouch is durable, water repellent (enough to handle my iced coffee drips) and comes in a variety of designs to suit your style/mood. And did I mention they are priced at $5.99! At that price it's okay to change out your style as often as you desire! The flower style is a great way to add florals into your outfit without looking like you are off to a garden party. Although I could go for a Gatsby garden party right now....I digress.

Shiny Happy Sequins

Meredith Nelson Photography

Blazer Forever 21 * Shoes Zara

First Feathers. Then Leather. And finally Sequins. I am a bit like a barracuda...I like shiny things. I went through a bit of a sequin craze over the past year and have recently banned myself from buying any new pieces. I am a believer that sequins are not just for evening and can be worn tastefully during the day (gasp!) so plan on seeing sequins in many of my outfit choices. I chose this dress as the final outfit to introduce my blog for two reasons. First, I love the turquoise color and the way the dress fits. Second, and most important, it is my Senior prom dress. I thought it only appropriate to show that I have clearly always had a thing for sequins. And I love that I can still wear it 18 years later, paired with a white blazer and metallic heels. I have been on the hunt for a white blazer and have found many beautiful (and pricey) options. Since white doesn't stay white for long in the presence of two young children, I want a blazer that I can wear and not worry about, especially as my son comes at me with mud and dead ant carcasses on his hands. I found this one at Forever 21 and it is perfect for what I am looking for. I especially love the tuxedo lapels!

So dig out your prom dresses ladies! Maybe they too can have a second life!

A Little Bit Of Leather

Top J.Crew (last season) * Skirt Gap (VERY old) * Shoe Matt Bernson (last season)

Photos by Meredith Nelson Photography

Full disclosure, the first leather outfit I put together was a major fail. Not good at all! I have an idea how to fix it and will feature the "before" and "after" in a later post. So this is Leather v.2. I bought this Gap leather skirt back in 2000. I recently pulled it out of storage and realized that the original length, below the knee, was not working for me. Too impatient to take it to a tailor, I got out my scissors and cut the skirt, shortening it to mid-thigh. As a sidebar, I should not be allowed to use scissors unsupervised. I always think I can improve something with a snip here or there but inevitably it ends up in the trash. I even gave myself bangs after my daughter was born because I was too impatient (notice a theme) to make a hair appointment. The outcome was really, really bad. With my leather skirt, however, I had success! Because the original hem was a raw edge, I was able to take off a few inches and have the hem look exactly the same as before. I love how the skirt looks and feels now, lighter and more feminine. Since the skirt sits on my hips rather than at my waist and because I have a long torso, I wanted a top that would help make my legs look longer and my torso look shorter. This peplum top does just the trick, giving the illusion that my waistline is actually higher than it really is. And finally onto the shoes. These are one of my favorite pairs, a constant go-to. The solid stacked wooden heel makes them sturdy and easy to walk in. I have fully embraced leopard as a neutral...not sure I completely understand why it is considered a neutral but I will totally go with it!

So the lesson here, don't discard an item you love because it doesn't fit properly. Take it to a professional tailor. They can work wonders updating an item and making it work for your current shape/taste. Or you can bring it to me and let me have a go at it!

Up next....Sequins!

Welcome to Feathers, Leather and Sequins!

Welcome to Feathers, Leather and Sequins, my personal fashion blog that chronicles my love of beautiful clothing and accessories and all other things that make me smile! This is primarily a fun and creative escape from my day-to-day life as a stay-at-home mom. And after 7 years of full time motherhood, I need an escape! Recently I have had a few people ask me for outfit ideas and tips, which has been one of my motivations for starting FLS. I hope this blog might help someone, when she is standing in front of her closet trying to figure out what to wear, narrow in on an outfit before feeling totally defeated. I myself have been inspired by so many other blogs (which I will highlight in a later post.) I have been trying to think back to when my love of fashion started and I realized that I have always had a passion for it. I remember as a 7 year old saving up my allowance to buy

this hot plaid number from Marshalls and then making my Dad take shots of me modeling it. Trust me, my ability to pose has not gotten any better. I also remember NEEDING a pair of tassel loafers when I was even younger, because my Aunt had a pair, and they were simply amazing. Fast forward through school years and college and work. I miss going to work because I used to dress up for it! Before kids, I worked in Atlanta and Boston and dressed the part. Even when I was pregnant with my children, I took pride in the maternity clothes I wore. Then, during a period of time after each child was born, I kind of let things slide. I shudder at the thought of some of the things I wore, not because I am shallow but because I know I was sleep deprived, not feeling great about myself and grabbing anything that fit me out of my closet. Once I knew I was done having kids, I got back into shape and decided to start dressing for myself again. At first I got a lot of comments, wondering where I work, was I off to a meeting, what was the special occasion etc. Nope, I explain, just my usual run to Whole Foods or school pickup. But I feel so much better and walk a little straighter when I wear an outfit that makes me smile. And born is my very short and simple fashion credo....wear what makes you smile. And go about your day!

Thank you to all my friends and family who have listened to me talk about FLS and been so encouraging! I would not have had the confidence to move forward if it weren't for your motivation. And a special thank you to the person who has helped make it all possible and has the talent to make me willing to post pics of myself online.....Meredith Nelson of Meredith Nelson Photography! We have been life-long friends, been through thick and thin, even share the same birthday and now I assist her with her photography business (scheduling and singing....yes, I sing to make the children smile during her sessions!) Meredith is entering her busy season yet she didn't even hesitate when I asked if she would be willing to take pictures for FLS. Thank you, Meredith, for your talent and patience with me as I figure this out! Please check out her web site! She is beyond talented.

To introduce my blog, I thought it only appropriate to do so by its name. We start with Feathers.........

When I told my friend about opening my blog with a feather outfit, she couldn't believe that I actually own a feather skirt. I LOVE this skirt. I bought it around the holidays and have had so much fun wearing it. One thing I like to do with my outfits is to pair opposites. I love the edginess and femininity of the feathers paired with the classic and casual feel of a white button down shirt. It helps to balance out an outfit, allowing you to add a certain style element to your wardrobe without going all the way. Add jewelry and some beautiful heels...and go have fun!

Shirt J.Crew * Skirt Club Monaco * Heels Sam Edelman * Necklace Etsy * Bracelet J.Crew (similar here) * Earrings J.Crew Factory