Special Family Brunch

My Dad and I are baptized Serbian Orthodox. We are not a religious family, but we like to do something special for Orthodox Christmas (meal, gifts) to celebrate our cultural heritage. Today (even though Orthodox Christmas falls on a  Monday, January 7th this year) we went out to our local Czech restaurant for brunch. I argued that the Greek restaurant would be more appropriate since Greeks are also Orthodox, while Czechs are Catholic, but I was overruled on the basis that Czech food is more similar to Serbian food. I digress. I used this occasion to wear my grandmother's gold cross. I also am debuting my new faux leopard coat. Despite the objections of my best friend, I decided to keep it. It is really soft and quite warm. I was inspired by all the fun ways Jessica at What I Wore has styled hers. I look forward to the challenge of creating more outfits around such a statement piece!

Target Dress w/ belt / ASOS Faux Fur Coat / Torrid Leggings / Nordstrom Boots / Kate Spade Purse  

Grandmother's Orthodox Cross / Gold Hoops from France

A Walk On The Wild Side

ASOS Curve Dress (last season), Gap Tank, Gomax Sandals (last season, via Piperlime)

Banana Republic's Mad Men Collection

Last season, Banana Republic did a promotional campaign featuring Mad Men. This season, they are taking it a step further and  collaborating with costume designer Janie Bryant to release a limited edition collection inspired by the show. The collection will be in stores and online in August.  Here are some of my favorite pieces, head over to NY Mag's "The Cut" Blog for the full slideshow.

 

I really like the collection. I've seen some comment that it is a little boring, but it's not supposed to be a literal interpretation of the most dramatic looks from the show show. The point is to incorporate some of the vintage style into a modern work and evening wardrobe. Of course, if you're the type that wears full vintage head to toe, this may not be  the collection for you. But for the regular BR customer,  it is a  change of pace without deviating too far from their tried and true work staples. If I were small enough to fit into Banana clothing (size 16 is still a little ways off for me), I would definitely wear some of these pieces in my upcoming life as a teacher. 

Musings: Celeb Bikini Styles

So it might not yet be summer for many of us, but it is the season of celebrity beach pictures.  Here are a few looks I like plus some less expensive re-creations.

CIA.MARITIMA bikini /Crystal Jin tunic (GSI Images)

Tribal Print Bikini

  

Old Navy Embroidered Gauze Cover-up

L*Space Leopard Bikini (Pacific Coast News)

Leopard Print Bikini

Jack by BB Dakota Maxi Skirt

Forever 21

Rhianna in 2008

Old Navy Zebra Print Bikini

J. Crew: Glamour Girl Bikini Bottom

Forever 21+

A bold animal print, for day and night

A new discovery I'm really excited about is the British site ASOS. Their Curve plus size line is so stylish!

Styled for day:

ASOS Curve Leopard Print Wrap Dress 

Vintage handbag, Nuggard Designs chain necklace (from Piperlime)