Fashion BS Radio

Meet James Cornwell and Elaine Mensah, two of DC's most stylish fashionistas. If you haven't checked out DC's hottest fashion radio show, Fashion BS, it's time to tune in. And what better excuse than to hear yours truly in a 'sneak attack' interview at the Current Boutique opening in Old Town a couple of weeks ago. Enjoy!

Click here for podcast FBS 022: LIVE at Current Boutique! Listen to the whole show for some great fashion entertainment or tune in around minute 14:20 to hear my short cameo.

Thank Yous

I owe a couple of thank yous to the fabulous 3 Penny Princess and Hazel Brutsche Of All the Beads.

Thank you to the 3 Penny Princess for featuring my online holiday gift guide on her blog. Read the full post here.

And thank you Hazel for featuring my article on Of All the Beads' newsletter this month. See the full article below and sign up for Of All the Beads' newsletter, here.

Jewelry Essentials

by Cathy Phillips

Your jewelry collection is an essential part of your wardrobe that should be ready to accessorize any outfit. Of course, most of us have much more jewelry that we’ve collected, but with the following essentials, you’ll not only be ready for anything, but will look and feel fabulous while you’re doing it.

Bangles: Sometimes a gal needs to announce her arrival and what better way to do that than the clinking of bangles? Go with a uniform pile of thin silver or gold, or mix and match to create a group in different thicknesses and colors.

Brooches: From Jackie O to Michelle O and Madeleine Albright to your grandmother, it’s a chic classic. Keep one on the collar of your favorite wool coat or add one to a blazer or jacket to jazz up a work outfit. To make the look modern, group several together.

Charm Bracelet: From the one you created as a little girl to a gorgeous version from Tiffany, nothing is more meaningful. It’s a stand-out piece that’s a conversation starter.

Chandelier Earrings: They add glamor to any outfit. Perfect for a party or date night, wear them during the day for unexpected drama.

Cocktail Ring: A bold ring is great for taking an outfit from day to night, or making an outfit instantly party-ready; although you can wear yours to breakfast just because you’re that fabulous.

Cuff Bracelet: It’s is a great statement piece when your neckline is too busy for a necklace. Choose one that suits you, from sleek and simple to colorful and ornate.

Diamond Studs: They are your on-call choice for days when you just need a little bling. They go with everything so wear then with any outfit and don’t worry about coordinating. Diamonds don’t have to be real; go with a big over-the-top pair of costume earrings or more subtle ones that you can easily pull off as the real deal.

Hoop earrings: Hoops wane and gain popularity at times but are always in style. A basic pair in gold or silver, the thinner the better, will get you through many an outfit and event.

Pearls: A classic necklace that every woman should own. Try wearing your pearls in unexpected ways, such as with a basic tee and jeans or a funky dress.

Statement Necklace: This is the piece that literally makes an outfit. Throw on a basic black tee and jeans, and by adding a statement necklace, create an outfit that stands out in the crowd.

Watch: The most functional of all your jewelry, choose one that doesn’t look that way: form over function in this case. From $10 to $10,000, there is a watch in everyone’s price range and style. Find the size and shape that works best for you.

Signature Jewelry: Finally, every woman should have at least one piece of signature jewelry that she is known for wearing, and more importantly, has meaning for her. Whether it’s your grandmother’s necklace, the ring you picked up on a trip, or the gift you got on your sixteenth birthday, use this as a means to tell the story of who you are and what’s important to you.

Outfit Inspiration: The Usual

This is one of my easy outfits for winter: a dress, cardy and boots. Top it off with a belt, hosiery and fab jewelry for a stylish and easy outfit.

-BCBG dress

-BCBGeneration cardy

-Thrifted belt

-Nordstrom hosiery

-Steve Madden boots

Destination Shopping: Greenville, SC

I love shopping around in the cities I visit. I always end up discovering a new store, line or one of a kind item that I can't find at home. I spent Thanksgiving in Greenville, SC, which totally surprised me with an adorable downtown area with great shopping. At a store called Monkees, I noticed a new (to me) line that called Karlie. Monkees is a cute boutique, with chains across the south (it looks like a franchise if you're interested in opening your own boutique :). The boutique itself was stylish with great brands but overall, it was pretty typical with pieces and brands I see in many other stores. But I was drawn to the pieces by Karlie because they fit in perfectly on the rack with Tory Burch, Elie Tahari, Milly, Shoshanna, etc. but seemed to be about a third of the price. The $90 Karlie dress caught my attention more than the $400 dress hanging next to it. Naturally, I did a little research on the line when I got home and learned that it's based out of Dallas, Texas, which made me love it even more, being a Texas gal and all. You can't buy the line directly from the website, but I found a few online stores that sell some pieces. I'm still trying to find out if it's sold anywhere in the DC area. Here are some of my favorite pieces that I found browsing around online. All of these pieces came from Geneaology, Luna and Monkees. Enjoy!

Outfit Inspiration: Different Shades of Blue

-Banana Republic dress

-Jacket bought at Nordstrom Rack (the label says True Meaning)

-Thrifted belt from Goodwill

-Textured nude hose from Nordstrom

-Steve Madden Boots

-Ring from Gossip

-Earrings from Francesca's (a gift from my lovely sister)

Washington Life Magazine November Issue

I'm very excited to share the fashion spread I styled for Washington Life Magazine's November issue. I was inspired by going to the theater and hope it inspires you on your next evening out as well. I'm loving the bold colors and artsy prints. I would love to hear your reactions and be sure to pick up an issue of the magazine to see the real deal.

Bryn Keith Custom Clothiers Celebrates Fourth Anniversary

More great events going on this week. My favorite custom clothier, Bryn Keith is having a week long celebration for their fourth anniversary. Check out all the fabulous events!

4 Years of Bryn Keith
Where: Bryn Keith Clothing- 2428 26^th Rd S, Arlington, VA 22206
What: Two Nights and One day to join us in celebrating 4 years of prayers, patience, and persistence.

Tuesday, November 17^th (5-8pm)
Evening of Cocktails

Thursday, November 19^th (5-8pm)
Champagne and Strawberries

Saturday, November 21^st (10-2pm)
Mimosas

Throughout this week, take advantage of:
- Holiday Gift Certificates
- Free Fittings
- In store Appointments (before the holiday rush)
- Appointments for (FREE) home visits for VIP Customers
- Schedule Personal Style consultations

Please email us at Events@brynkeith.com or call (703) 373.4131, if you have questions.

Of All the Beads

You're invited to experience the unique jewelry from Of All the Beads by Hazel Brutsche! Hazel is a local jewelry designer with a passion for beautiful stones, beads and jewelry. She's also one of a kind at repairing or reconstructing the jewelry you already have. She's currently repairing some of my most precious pieces bought in my travels and inherited from my grandmothers that most jewelry repair shops would turn away. The trunk show is a great time to get a good deal on some unique holiday gifts!

	Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow at our Second Anniversary Trunk Show! Saturday, November 14th 2 PM to 6 PM
	Enjoy a 20% discount on the entire inventory while you sip some wine and nibble on hors d’œuvres.

Come and visit, see the latest designs, and shop for gifts. To celebrate our anniversary you'll receive a free pair of earrings with your purchase! Friends are welcome. Bring your broken jewelry for repair estimates. At the home of Hazel Brutsché 502 Great Falls St. Falls Church VA, 22046 (703) 901-3738 view map

Shoe Basics

Hello everyone! Please forgive my blogging absence. I've just been busy and didn't realize how long it had been since I posted something. I need another intern!

So, when Nordstrom's sale started last week, of course I had to take a look at the shoes. I'm always in need of new shoes because I don't get quite as excited about shoes as I do about clothes and jewelry for some reason so I never have enough shoes. And then when I do buys shoes, I always want them in bold colors with bows and rhinestones, etc. and then I find myself without a basic black heel or neutral flat when I need it (I do the same thing with clothes too actually). So, I've vowed not to buy another bold shoe until I conquer a couple of basics. One thing I need is a black heel for winter that I can wear with hose. I have a pair of black patent pumps but when I wear them with hosiery, they slip off my feet so I've been looking for a pair with a strap. I love this Steven by Steve Madden pair that's on sale for $98.90.

I also love sandals and boots more than little flats so I'm lacking in footwear when the weather is in between. This pair by Cole Haan would go with anything and looks super comfy too. I'm a big fan of Cole Haan shoes, you usually get both style and comfort, which can be a rare find. And these are on sale for only $99.90.

I'm a size 5.5 if anyone wants to buy me a Christmas present. :)

Outfit Inspiration: Belted Cardigan

-BCBGeneration dress

-BP cardy

-Belt from Annie Creamcheese (local vintage store)

-Random silver cuff

-Steve Madden boots

Outfit Inspiration: Mini

I wore this out to dinner with friends on a surprisingly warm Friday night.

-Frenchi dress

-Random silver cuff

-Bandolino wedges

The dress and shoes pretty much speak for themselves; an outfit like this doesn't require much else.

Shopping Anthropologie: Shoes

I was just looking through Anthropologie's October book and and absolutely fell in love with some of the shoes featured in it! I cannot get over these vintage inspired shoes with rosettes, bows, muted colors and perfect heels. I. Must. Buy. Shoes.

Wish List: Cape

A cape was on my wish list last year but I never did get one. And this year they're all over the place. I love this one from Ann Taylor LOFT (currently on sale for $49.50!) that just popped up in my inbox. Very casual chic.

Get your fashion questions answered

For the next few months, I will be partnering up with the Little Black Dress Club to answer all of your fashion, shopping and style questions!

Log on to LBDCLub.com to post a question in the fashion forum and then check back in for a response from me as well as insight from each other. We will also be featuring answers to selected questions in the LBD Club monthly newsletter as well as in the Cathy Phillips Fashion e-newsletter.

Anyone who posts a question from now until February will be entered to win one of two prizes: a closet consultation with me (for those in the DC area) and a $50 gift card (for those outside of DC). During the closet consultation, we will go through your wardrobe piece by piece, figure out what's working, what's not and why. We'll talk about body type and what styles work best for you and come up with a list of things you need to round out your wardrobe.

So, log in to LBDClub.com to post your questions and enter the contest and visit my blog at cathyphillipsfashion.com for more fashion advice. And don't forget to sign up for the LBD Club newsletter on their website and the Cathy Phillips Fashion newsletter on my blog (to your right) to see selected questions and answers featured. I look forward to chatting with you on the fashion forum!

About The Little Black Dress Club
The Little Black Dress Club is a community of interesting and adventurous women who enjoy a variety of activities. Our members host events from casual happy hours and gourmet dinners to rock climbing and SCUBA diving. Our mission is to create a worldwide community so as women move or travel, there will always be a friend to share an occasion. We are currently supporting clubs in the metro areas of Nashville, Minneapolis, Detroit, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Miami, Naples, and our home base, Washington, DC. Visit our Web site at www.lbdclub.com.

Join the Little Black Dress Club and post your question to our Fashion Forum at www.lbdclub.com!

To cover or participate in this promotion, please contact Christine Zellers at christine@lbdclub.com.

Outfit Inspiration: Forever21

This is the sweater I posted about the other day. I love the bow, it feels like something Marc Jacobs would do. Pink, purple and a big bow? What can I say? I'm a girly girl.

-Forever21 sweater

-Marc Jacobs top

-Purple jeans from Forever21

-Nine West shoes

The jeans aren't cropped, I rolled them up. When trying this at home, keep the rolls somewhat casual and imperfect and small rather than big folds so it cuts right around your ankle, which will make your legs look skinnier.

Outfit Inspiration: White Jeans (take two)

I've posted these jeans before. Here's how I styled them up today.

-Old Navy top

-BCBG cardigan

-Martin+Osa jeans

-Bandolino shoes

-Gold cuff bought in London

Shopping for Sweaters

I've been craving some fabulous sweaters for fall, onces with great shapes and details. I have plenty of basic sweaters but really wanted something to jazz up my fall outfits. I found these two at Forever21 today, both for under $25! I'll wear the long one with skinny jeans or leggings for a casual, comfortable and cozy look and throw on the one with the bow when I'm in a Mad Men mood.

Anthropologie is also a wonderful source for sweaters with fun details. I've been eyeing all of these for about a month but they're a bit pricier than my F21 versions.

Lusting for luxury

I've been craving a statement watch for fall and, while they might be out of my price range, I can't help but ogle these gorgeous Michele Watches.

Apparently, I'm especially attracted to these white ones that would totally glam up jeans and a sweater in the fall.

And how can you not love this colorful snake skin band? Pair it with a simple face and you've got such a fun watch.

This zebra print one caught my eye as well. There's also a leopard print one. Very on trend for fall!

Outfit Inspiration: White Jeans

I wore this outfit to speak at a Junior League event on Saturday as well as to date night with the bf later that evening.

-Top from Marshall's

-Martin+Osa jeans

-Earrings from Eclectic Threads

-Ring from Gossip

-Bandolino wedges

Outfit Inspiration: Boots

The first wearing of the boots this season. Still loving the Steve Madden boots that I lived in last fall. I wore this outfit all over town and it was super comfortable for working and errands yet stylish enough for meetings and dinner out. Also a great example of transitioning summer pieces to fall. I've been wearing the dress and belt as an easy throw on outfit on a weekend or evening in the summer. Now I added tights and boots and voila!

-Dress bought at Marshall's

-Thrifted belt

-Earrings from Eclectic Threads

-Ring from Gossip

-Tights from Nordstrom

-Steve Madden boots