She She Me Sponsor: William Rast

The 10 Things You Can't Live Without This Winter

Well, I did it! I finally dropped that pesky ten (closer to fifteen, actually) pounds that I have been hauling around since last Christmas! (Which makes Girly absolutely ecstatic, since she no longer has to clear a path for me with a "Wide Load" sign.) And while I am thrilled beyond belief to be able to fit into my gorgeous designer denim (again), I am also in mourning for the loss of cleavage which invariably accompanies my celebrated booty shrinkage. Isn't that just typical? You finally get the rear view looking nice and perky and the girls deflate and head south…Oh well, nothing that Victoria can't fix, right?

Anyhoo, it seems I have dieted (kind of) and exercised (occasionally) myself silly for 3/4 of a year, and I find myself right back at the starting point: Halloween — the launching point of the entire over-indulgence-fest which continues virtually non-stop for the next 3 months. It then culminates in an entire week (Dec 24 — Dec 31) where all available surfaces in my home are covered in gifts of yummy home-baked goodies, at which point I lose what little self-control I once possessed and consume every morsel, resulting in significant weight gain, extreme discomfort, split trouser seams, hideous remorse, and the same resolution I start every New Year with: to lose 10 pounds. And yet, somehow I find comfort in the consistency and predictability of my life. But I digress…

1. Gorgeous Coat. Obviously. You aren't going to get far in the icy wind, pouring rain and swirling snow without a great coat. And there are so many fabulous choices for fall and winter! For work, I would go with a basic trench — choose wisely! A good quality trench coat in a classic style can carry you through many, many cold winters without looking dated. For casual, this season I am going with an edgy double breasted peacoat in a semi military style. Looks equally great with a sweater and long tweedy skirt, or jeans and a thermal tee. And for evenings out, there is nothing quite as elegant as a rich wool, graceful jacquard or sumptuous satin evening coat, or a great faux fur. Once again, if you choose a classic style it can last for years.
2. Riding Boots. I've said it before and I'll say it again — riding boots are the ultimate investment in chic because they will never go out of style. Buy the best quality boot that your budget can afford. As I mentioned, this truly is an investment because you can wear them for years. This classic style boot looks as fabulous with an edgy sweater dress and tights as it does with jeans and a bomber jacket.
3. Sweater Dress. Truly one of the season's most functional as well as fashionable styles. I tend to go with lighter-weight knits, because they are more easily layered to accommodate the change from the brisk outdoors to the often over-heated indoors. Wear with opaque tights and your riding boots (didn't I tell you they were versatile?) or a pair of great pumps. Shorter sweater dresses also look great layered of skinny jeans and paired with boots.
4. Stylish Tee. I don't know about you dearest girls, but I am heartily tired of the bouncing, jiggling slogans plastered across the boobs of America. It's time to ditch the walking billboard and embrace the chic and classic style of a really fabulous tee. I have found exactly this at Tea Stain Clothing. Gorgeous stylish tee shirts, long sleeve tees, hoodies, wraps, even hats and bags! Fabulous detail in design and graphics, but without the garish bling and neon.
5. Denim to Die For. For the true fashionista, a change in seasons means new designer jeans. (And die-hard fashionistas like Shop Girl will actually travel back and forth across the equator to squeeze in a couple of extra seasons!) With so many great denim designers out there you can pick up a pair to flatter your shape in every price range. My personal choice for fall is the Stella Boot Cut from William Rast. It comes in several different shades and washes (I like the darker wash for casual Fridays) and I love the way they perk up my rear view!
6. Great White Shirt. Another one of those classics, girls! Opt for either a 3/4 length sleeve or a long sleeve for layering with your winter sweaters and jackets. A great choice for the season: this shape flattering fitted white cotton by William Rast. So absolutely gorgeous and the flirty little peplum hem makes my waist look as small as Scarlett O'Hara's!
7. Leather Saddle-Bag Style Handbag. When I was a little girl, my grandpa had a pair of extremely old distressed leather saddle bags in his tack room that his grandfather had given him. They were real, honest-to-goodness-slap-across-the-back-of-a-horse-saddle bags, and they smelled like leather, horses and the old West. So now, every time I see a really gorgeous saddle style handbag I think of my grandpa! So I am thrilled that this season the saddle bag has made a fashion comeback in a big way, and in a great variety of styles and price ranges. And you don't even need a horse!
8. Cable Knit Sweater. Another of the season's functional/fashionable styles. I just love being able to snuggle up in a toasty warm fisherman's sweater and a pair of jeans. So casual yet incredibly chic — I feel like a preppy poster girl! Beware of too much bulk if you have muscular arms or a larger upper body. In that case, choose a more light-weight cable knit.
9. An A-list LBD. While I would absolutely adore acquiring a new LBD for each season and/or month of the year, when it comes right down to it you can make do with two! (No, not per month.) A more dignified and sedate dress for those occasions that call for dignified and sedate (bar mitzvah's, graduations, memorial services, etc.) and a killer LBD for the times you really need to knock 'em dead (high school/college reunion, ex-boyfriend's wedding, New Year's Eve.)
10. Performance Pumps. No, not to run the New York Marathon in, but a great pair of gorgeous pumps that can get you through a ten-hour work day in comfort and style. For fall I am going for this gorgeous pair of suede platform Mary Janes. So elegant, and the heel height is perfect for a long workday, while the platform gives me that added illusory height. However, one rainy afternoon or one misstep into a mud puddle and these gorgeous numbers are a goner. Once the weather gets wet, I will go with these great patent pumps. (It goes without saying that I'll still avoid mud puddles!)

Well, dearest girls, that should give you a weekend's worth of fashion reconnaissance. There is nothing like a little fashion search and rescue to put a girl in a great mood - especially if she can score some of these items on sale, no?

Happy shopping darling girls!

xoxo,

She She Me

P.S. Be sure to check out the Home Page for updates from She She Me. Also, check out our all new Hot Products in the She She Mall. We are also adding New Stores each week so check back often for updates and fantastic savings! Also, don't miss the great girly merchandise in our Chic Shop.

She She Me Sponsor:
William Rast

William Rast is the vision of music icon Justin Timberlake and his best friend Trace Ayala, bringing Southern hospitality and Hollywood glamour into every pair of jeans. It's not just the clothes…it's the way you wear them. It's all in the attitude! So take a walk with a pair of jeans from the William Rast collection. Look stylish and understated, confident and cool. Wherever you go this season, you'll develop a following of your own.

She She Me Pick of the Week:
Tea Stain Clothing

Girls, you have got to check out Tea Stain Clothing — the chic and stylish tee shirt line devoted to fashionistas who want to dress with classic, yet trendy, style. At Tea Stain Clothing you will find the perfect tee shirts to express your individual style, without looking like a walking billboard.

The savvy designers at Tea Stain Clothing believe that clothing should not distract from what is most important…the person who is wearing it. In ancient times tea staining was a method of bringing subtle color change to garments. Tea Stain Clothing uses the same subtle approach to design. They design each style with this mission in mind: ensure that the clothes are fun, comfortable and fashionable.

And for She She Girls, Tea Stain Clothing is offering 20% off your order through November 30th, 2008. Use code shesheme at checkout.

(Be sure to check out the great selection of mens tee for the guy in your life too!)