Who said bridesmaid dresses are for one time use?

A few months ago I attended a friend's wedding in Barbados. She had the novel idea of custom made silk dupioni corseted tops, pencil skirts and banded belts.

Honestly, at first I didn't get it. When I got to BIM( as Barbados is called) I was pleasantly surprised. Not only was her selection, a rich fabric in an amazing colour, but her design was carefully executed by Caribbean Icon Award Fashion Designer Pat Brathwaite. (See her work here and here and here)

Wasn't Les the most beautiful bride?

My friend Les, heard me plotting on the many ways I'd wear the outfit again...even before her wedding was over. I still havent done the crisp button down white shirt, tons of Channel-esque pearls and nude pumps just yet.

I had shown only a peek of the dress here. Here's how I've worn pieces of the bridal attire...countless times.

Above, the entire outfit, in my friend's bridal party, Barbados.

With a nude pocketed dress and gold hoops, out to drinks with friends in Kingston.

With dark denim, a metallic top and wedges, out for drink with friends in Waltham, Ma.

With a button down pin stripe shirt and white boot leg pants, presenting at a conference in Jamaica.

With a off white 3/4 sleeve tank , orange bib necklace and purple velvet flats, today at work in St. Lucia.

be good. do better. look your best.

Claat .....

I used to accompany my mother( a reluctant seamstress) in Kingston, Jamaica, to the fabric(claat in Jamaican creole) store. I took the opportunity to accompany an older co-worker, also a seamstress here in St. Lucia to the fabric store for the heck of it.

All the memories came rushing back, Indian silks, British cottons, post- colonial madras plaids.

I picked up a few pieces. Now I'm looking for a tailor/seamstress to make a few pieces while I'm here.

And the winner is...

Dominique Alexander!! She gets a scented 6 oz candle from Starfish Oils in Jamaica.

I'm loving the spirals in her hair.....and that smile. Congrats!!

be good. do better. look your best!

Blogger Style

Since my attempt at blogging, I have been introduced either through links, comments, blog rolls etc to a plethora of wonderful bloggers and sites.

One day. One day soon with no obligatory date I will make a comprehensive list. Until then here is one new ( new to me) blog I am loving and some of the vintage items on Etsy.

Introducing ......Sally Jane Vintage (all images are from the site)

I absolutely love how every item is set against this red brick wall. The prices are decent considering other sites ridiculous prices for vintage. Read more about choosing vintage here.

I am not sure if I absolutely love this dress. It's very Easter Sunday -ish. But something about it gets it a second look. Yeah? Nay?

I see me, this romper, and a pair of sandals, somewhere in the Caribbean. Sometime soon

Pintuck is quite popular again. I used to hate how long it took for my mother to do this style on my little outfits.

This red skirt reminds me of my "button down dream skirt' and would be super chic for a workshop, conference or meeting. Me gusta.

I decided to start featuring other blogs here, let me know what you think or send me a link to your blog. Have you found any good sites recently? Care to share?

be good. do better. look your best.

Mamma's Style

Today is my mother’s 50th birthday! She is my hero, friend, biggest supporter and style icon. She taught me to never carry large totes and handbags to evening occasions. Hence my obsession with the clutch! To wear what I had with my biggest smile and to look my best since you never know what the day will bring. She balanced style with comfort and was always creative on a 'third world economy' sized budget. 

With three growing girls and a father who thought clothing was only needed to cover the body, she made fashionable outfits from the scraps of her clients (she was a reluctant seamstress) and ‘remixed’ our clothes by adding patches, laces, buttons and miscellaneous things for a new look.

Since I cannot be in Jamaica with her today, I am wearing a cardigan that originally belonged to her. Both my sisters and I have owned this cardigan at some point.  The cardigan is imitation Calvin Klein, bought in downtown Kingston and commonly found in 'third world countries'.:)

I love you Mommy!

Cardigan-  imitation CK ( originally my mother's circ 1995)

Skirt - F21 (thrifted)

T-shirt - F21

Scarf - H&M

be good. do better. look your best.

tammyanka

Til the cows come home

Property Description 658 acres

Established in 1638 as a land grant to Samuel Appleton, Appleton Farms is one of the oldest continuously operating farms in the United States. Scenic views of rolling grasslands, grazing livestock, ancient stone walls, tree-lined carriage paths, and historic farm buildings are all part of the legacy of nine generations of Appleton family members kept alive through the work of The Trustees of Reservations.

Blazer: TrinTurk

Scarf: H&M

Denim: DKNY

T- Shirt: Lacoste (thrifted)

Sneakers:Coach