Wednesday's Look For Less: Baseball Tees

via Oscar de la Renta

via Washingtonian

via Glitter Guide

via Atlantic-Pacific

If you take a fashion girl out to the ball game, you know she's going to make that baseball tee look damn good. The raglan top is as synonymous with sporty American style as the bat is to baseball. But forget haphazardly throwing it on with a pair of jean shorts and a cap in the summer. The baseball tee has gained newfound respect among the ranks of the stylish and balances out your fanciest skirt or glitziest pants.

The high fashion world embraces the baseball tee but it comes with a high fashion price tag. Luckily, the staple can be found in your nearest mall for much, much less. Take a look at the two options below and guess which costs more...

The top on the right is the high-end heavy hitter by Rebecca Taylor. It rings up at a whopping $225. That's a lot of Cracker Jacks. The tee on the left from American Apparel costs $200 less. It's $28 and a dead ringer. In fact, it's the exact top that Blair Eadie wears above with her leather Tibi skirt and heels. Perfection! 

Next time you want to take sporty chic to the next level, think about implementing a color blocked raglan into your otherwise fanciest wardrobe pieces. You'll strike a high-low mix that will make others nostalgic for the greatest American sport and you'll have hit a fashion home run.

Zebrine Daydream

via Domino

via Pinterest

via Lonny

via Robin Bell Interiors

via Megan Winters Design

If you were an avid reader of Domino before the great publication elimination of the late 2000s, then you instantly recognize the first picture in this post. It's the home of designer Ashley Whittaker with her hallway decked out in Rose Cumming's Zebrine wallpaper. This image has been engraved in my brain- as well as a few other ladies', I'm sure- ever since it was first published in 2007. When you still obsess over it nearly seven years later, then you know you really love something.

The Zebrine paper is no doubt a busy print but it's also a classic. Cumming's unexpected twist on the zebra print by replacing black with navy feels thoroughly modern today even though this paper is by no means new. I find that I'm most attracted to its use in small doses, such as in a hallway or powder room, and also in a larger room's small slices, as Megan Winters Design used it above the wainscoting in the last photo. 

I finally met this lively pattern in person on Friday after a sample arrived at my doorstep. Now my hopes have lifted way way up...

Does it belong in my funky little hallway? It's an odd shaped room with diagonal walls, chair rail moulding on three of four walls (why??) and an exposed brick chimney. Can I make this fabulous paper work in such a funky space? 

Wallpaper/ Pendant/ Ginger jars (here, here and here)/ Bookshelf/ Barnacle Cluster/ Table/ Rug

What's your vote? Put this filly to pasture or go for a horse of a different color? 

For the time being, I've got to put this issue on the back burner. It's time to paint the kitchen...finally...hooray! 

More on all of these to follow...

Over-Zella-ous

As promised in this post, I'd like to start your week on a positive note by reporting my enthusiastic findings on the newfound- at least to me- Zella leggings. 

Let me just go ahead and say hallelujah. These pants are awesome and significantly less expensive than their Lululemon counterparts. I picked up a pair from Nordstrom after stalking approaching a fellow Pure Barre-er about her workout wear. I was impressed by the quality of the fabric and the fit and purchased them on the spot. Ever since that fateful day, I've worn them around the house, walking dogs, under dresses and, yes, to barre class. They were comfortable, stayed in place and are not the least bit sheer. After washing them, I can say that the leggings have retained their shape and stretch. I would absolutely buy another pair and now I'm curious about Zella's other products. 

Dancer's Tee

Booty Pants

Z4 Tee

I still love my Lululemon tops but all of that may change. On the Look For Less post featuring the Zella leggings, one reader commented that Lululemon makes Zella exclusively for Nordstrom. Who knew?! So, as it turns out, Zella is Lululemon. Einhorn is Finkle. Finkle is Einhorn! 

Conclusion: You can't go wrong with this brand. If you've tried any of their other products and feel otherwise, please let me know!

A Horror Story

I don't know what's wrong with me. Something really scary has been happening. But my spring wardrobe is crying out for two incredibly nerdy and totally un-chic pieces...

a fanny pack and elastic waistband pants.

I'm so ashamed.

I feel like I just said...

via Tumblr

Yes, I admit it. I want these things and, what's worse, I know I would use them daily. They suit my casual-with-a-side-of-edgy-glam lifestyle. Rock a fanny pack while walking the dogs? Heck yes. Be the most productive I've ever been during my 12 hour work day because my pants are comfortable? You betcha. Before you judge me, take an objective look at these lust-worthy bits.

Clare Vivier Fannypack

Rachel Zoe belt bag

Clare Vivier Fannypack

J. Crew Pants

Diane von Furstenberg Pants

Topshop Joggers

If I promised not to wear the fanny pack with the elasticized pants, would you still be my friend? Or if you saw me walking toward you with a belt bag, would you turn the other direction? 

Is it super high fashion to dress un-chic? That is the question.

Derby Day Essentials

Some say summer officially kicks off with Memorial Day. To me, summer begins on Derby Day when I pull on a bright sundress, hold a mint julep in one hand and fist pump for my favorite filly with the other.

This Saturday, racehorses and jockeys will take their posts at the Kentucky Derby. Every year, our Junior League hosts the Mint Julep Jubilee in honor of the Run for the Roses. Of course this year, I have to work. No fun dress for me, no big hat, no betting on the race...maybe still a mint julep though...it's a tradition, as you can see.

2012

 2011

2010

That was fun. (You asked for more street style pics!)

By now, you may have picked out your favorite dress and horse but what about the rest? Check out a few essentials you don't want to forget.

Vineyard Vines tie/ Mint julep kit/ Mint julep cups/ J. Crew hat

Having fun on Derby Day is all about being functional while still fashionable. You may think a hat looks silly on your head but when you're standing in the bright afternoon sun for four hours, you're going to be glad you have one. (I speak from my feather headband experience.) A mint julep is a festive cocktail but make sure you have it in a glass that can handle the bulky mix of ice and mint. No puny wine or martini glass can help you today. Finally, while this day feels like a fashion event to me, the guys consider it a sporting event. Make sure they are up to snuff with a colorful tie.

Have a fabulous time this weekend!

What I Wore: Charleston Edition

How do you feel about street style pics? I enjoy seeing the different ways people interpret fashion or a particular stylish piece but I feel like a damn fool posing for a picture by myself. Am I the only one who feels that way? 

Street style self-portrait (in my comfort zone)

I certainly don't think of myself as a model or even photogenic but I do likes my stylin'. I've decided to suck it up for the good of the cause and bring you What I Wore: Charleston Edition. 

Day 1, Part 1: Touristy sightseeing and shopping 

Key: Feeling comfortable whilst looking impossibly fresh and fabulous

Hindsight: Wish I had gotten a spray tan. 

J. Crew jacket/ J. Crew tee (similar)/ J. Crew shorts (similar)/ 3.1 Phillip Lim handbag (gifted)/ Sperry Topsiders (gifted)/ Stella & Dot Renegade bracelets with vintage bracelet and gifted scarf

Day 1, Part 2: Fancy and fun dinner and drinks at Fulton Five and Market Pavilion

Key: Looking cute without trying too hard

Hindsight: I wanted to wear wedges but wish I had brought a slightly less tall and dressy pair. (Maybe these.)

Troubadour dress and jacket/ Tory Burch wedges

Day 2: More sightseeing, shopping and eating

Key: Being comfortable even though I just ate my weight in delicious Southern food

Hindsight: My white jeans are way too long for flats.

Tory Burch top/ Joe's Jeans/ Sperry Topsiders/ 3.1 Phillip Lim handbag

Okay, enough about me and more about Charleston! What a gorgeous place. Every turn you take in downtown Charleston grants a chance for a photo opp. I did my best to edit my photos and then edit, edit, edit some more. Here is some Southern eye candy.

Along the battery

Fabulous door of Charleston

Most amazing burnt orange color

Pale pink + brick red + rust = new favorite color combo

 Fierce feline doorknocker juxtaposed with sweet, scrolly ironwork

Deco dimensional letters

Scalloped windows

Rainbow Row

I want to go back! What a beautiful place rich in history. My beau and I had a hard time leaving on Sunday but duty calls. A big thanks to my friends- bloggy and reality- who offered me suggestions and pointed me in the best directions. The trip wouldn't have been the same with your awesome tips! 

Now, how do you really feel about street style pics on this blog? 

Musings

Has anyone else felt super ADD this week? I cannot concentrate at all! Even if I take a few minutes at work to do a little web surfing, I can't finish reading the article, writing the email or checking out whatever the heck it is I've checked out. I've even gone to write a blog post several time this week and ended up publishing one. What gives?

Maybe it's best if I just put some of my random musings onto one page and then get back at it! Here are some goodies that have been taking up space in my mind and quite possibly contributing to my lack of...what's the word...concentration.

D.Ra Striped Dress/Jonathan Adler Chandelier/Balenciaga Bag/Serena & Lily Bar Car/ Valentino Heels/Land of Nod Lamp

Part of this problem could be attributed to the fact that I turn 30 on Monday. When people see the candles on my cake this year, they'll be like...

Hope you have a great weekend!