Friend Friday: Fall Fashion

I recently discovered a community of bloggers, organized by Katy at Modly Chic, that dedicate a post every Friday to a series of questions.  So far the questions have covered a wide range of issues that all women face - but this week's is nice and light, and a good place to start.

1. What new fashion trend are you looking forward to sporting this fall?

Trends are always cyclical, and there are a few things that are guaranteed to show up season after season.  For instance, I know in the spring I'm choosing between florals and whimsy, and in the fall I'll enjoy darker tones, luxe knits and wovens and boots, boots, boots!  A trend that I am excited about for this fall is the military trend that's been popping up for a little ago.  I am not interested in the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club/Michael Jackson/Balmain style military - I want utilitarian, a little slouchy, but slim cut so I'm not drowning military jacket.

Jackets by Anthropologie
Jackets by Burberry

2. Which item in your closet is most likely to be your go-to transition piece?

Scarves!  If I wouldn't look crazy in 90 degree weather, I would wear scarves all year long.  My wardrobe trends towards a muted palette and a scarf is an instant source for color, sparkle or flair.  Plus, it's an easy and often inexpensive item that can completely change the look of an outfit.

Scarves & Wraps by Free People
Scarves & Wraps by Tolani

3. What item from last year are you looking forward to reinventing this fall? 

Boots.  For a few years when the weather has turned I live in a flat boot that is sort of the love child of a motorcycle boot and a riding boot.  The shape is lean enough so that it's not overly bulky, but tough enough that I wear it with dresses and skirts for an instant edge.

Boots by Banana Republic
Boots by Kelly & Katie

4. What is your favorite part about this time of the year?

There is so much to love about fall, in no particular order, here is my list: Football season, leaves, apples and honey, apple pie, hot chocolate, tail gates, apple cider, Halloween, my anniversary (my husband and I met on Halloween), Thanksgiving, my birthday, family, friends, sweaters, fireplaces, color, cinnamon, escaping to Florida to beat the chill.
 

5. Will you be attending any fashion events this fall? 

In my former job as a creative director for a fashion e-retailer I went to the trade shows every fall.  It is a flurry of fashion and a lot of fun, but for now I'll keep up with the runway reports online and in the magazines.

Going Bananas for Plantains

I love bananas for breakfast, it's what I ate for breakfast this morning.  Plantains on the other hand are not for breakfast, but equally (if not more delicious).  I am not a food scientist a la Alton Brown but I did a little research so I'll pass it on so we'll all know how bananas and plantains are different fruits.  

Plantains are in a green, thick skin, they can't be eaten raw and are starchy and used as a vegetable, whereas bananas, well you know, yellow, think skin, sweet, good in cereal!

When we had our Latin fiesta night in addition to the watermelon, salsa and Mexican inspired s'mores we also served tostones, or plantain fritters.

Tostones Ingredients:

3 Large Plantains (party of 8)

Vegetable Oil of some variety, we used Canola

Kosher Salt

Open the tostones, you'll probably need a knife as they don't break open as easily as a banana.  Cut slices that are about 1 inch long. 

Put oil in a large pan (about an 1/3 inch high) over heat over a medium/high flame.  When the oil is hot enough, not burning or bubbling, but hot enough to react if you flicked some water from your finger tips into the oil, place plantains in slice side down.

Cook plantains for about 2  minutes on each side. 

This is a sensitive time, you'll want to keep an eye out so you can get a nice rich caramel color on the fried side.  Too light and thetostones will be too starchy, too dark, they might taste like burned sugar.

Set up all of the fried tostones on layers of paper towel to absorb any of the oil that is being released, just like latkes, onion rings, or anything fried you'll want to mop up the extra oil so you can get right to the flavors of the food.  Stop!  Do not discard the extra oil!

Time to smash!  I suppose if you had kids, which I don't, this could be a fun thing for them to do with supervision. (This was also a great thing for Mark to do, that's him!)  Set up a cutting board and grab a can from the cupboard.  Smash!  Smashing the plantains to about a 1/2 inch will be perfect.

The smashed plantains go back in the oil for about 20-30 seconds on each side just to crisp up the sides, and then back on new paper towels.

This is delicious now, and ready to eat.  But to maximize that salty-sweet combination that is so hard to beat grab that Kosher salt and lightly sprinkle over the tostones, then just try not to eat all of them!

Fall in Love

All of a sudden the weather has turned.  I want slouchy boots, cashmere sweaters, a cup of hot chocolate, and an autumn wedding.  Did you want those same things, too?  I'll share with you my picks for boots and sweaters soon, but this wedding inspiration board just could not wait.  It's rustic, warm, earthy, highlighted in gold and sophisticated.

Who wouldn't want to fall in love with this?

Fall In Love by dailybatch featuring louis mariette hair accessories

Feeling the Blues...

As I have mentioned before (here, here, and here) my working life started in denim, and while my career has changed my love for it has not.  I live in jeans and in my experience selling, writing about and modeling them  I have learned a few things along the way.  

Britney and Justin: I did not learn this, this should be immediately unlearned

Let me get this out of the way right now, I know premium denim is expensive.  I did not grow up buying them, or having them bought for me.  Getting a pair was truly a special occasion. In college, or the lull between retail experiences, I did not buy premium denim.  I went to the GAP.  Post college when I was modeling denim, I was paid in jeans and so the hurt of the premium price tag was avoided.  

This weekend I fell back into the GAP. I admit I was lured in by their 1969 promotion of buy 1 pair, get the 2nd pair for $20.  I haven't purchased jeans for a long time, but I have a pretty specific idea of what I like.  My tips for tackling a wall of denim:

• If you're unsure about the fit, which I was - as a I know they have been updated overtime, start with the wash.  What often separates the premium from the basic is the quality and color of the wash.  You'll see the difference in the details and the finishes.  Well done GAP so far we're off to a great start.

• Next, look for the fit.  I know the fits that I like and I gravitate towards a skinny jean for everyday wear and bit of a retro flared look for night and the fall.  

Real Straight

Long & Lean Boot Cut

• Remember sizes vary by brand and by store.  In most premium brands I am a size 27, some brands run slightly smaller, and some practice vanity sizing (ie: call a size 6 a 4 and everyone feels good, win-win).  At the GAP they seem to practice vanity size.  Try multiple sizes to find the right fit.

• Denim is made from cotton and it stretches.  If the size six is comfortable in the store, please, please, please try on the size 4.  It might feel a little snug at first and you have to do the denim dance to wiggle in, but when you buy jeans they should feel snug, and should fit your body.  They will give to your curves, I promise.

• When you find the right pair, don't let it go.  Similar to the perfect bra or swimsuit, finding a great fitting pair of jeans can be a struggle, so if you find a pair you love and your body loves, buy it twice.  Maybe in different washes, maybe one pair you hem for flats and other you leave long for heels.

Long live denim, that's how I'll be living.  And to my new GAP jeans, please make friends with J and Paige, and Earnest in the back - they've been go to me, too!

P.s. wondering why so expensive?  It's because when they came on the scene (7 for All Mankind was first) they used Italian and Japanese woven fabrics, the cuts are often better, but not always, and the fabric is treated, typically by hand, for that perfectly sleek/perfectly vintage/perfectly rugged/etc look.