The Future Is Here & The Time Is Now

2016 is here and officially upon us.  It took me a little time to figure out what I wanted to write and set my intention for the year but it has finally arrived. Funny, because really it was there all along. Forest through the trees type thing I suppose.

It was sometime in the early fall, when one of my clients came in wearing a pink pin that said "Be Kind" on it.  As it turns out, she has them custom made and gives them to people when she feels so inclined.  I was lucky enough to then become a recipient of one of these little treasures after our discussion about how frustrated she became with everyone saying "be nice." "What we really need is people to be kind, the two sentiments are not one and the same," she waxed philosophical.

Fast forward to December 2015 and some of my oldest and dearest friends decided to have a house party for New Years. It was the first time I would be celebrating in a house in a long time.  I was really excited to be with all of my childhood friends so I suggested that we turn it into a costume party to really get things festive (and a little crazy).  As I wasn't the host I could not strictly enforce my costume idea so I encouraged my friend who was, to do just that.

Long story short, in the end my costume enthusiasm was not matched by the masses and I had to make my peace with the fact that the Party Gods were not ruling in my favor on this one.  In all honesty, I was oddly attached to the idea and was a bit bummed that not everyone felt the same.  After pouting for a few minutes about not getting my way, I realized I was being ridiculous and decided to move forward with my plan with or without the rest of the party. I decided to have the best time with some of the most beautiful people I know.  Friends who have loved me in whatever I'm wearing since the time I was 14 years old.

As I started to formulate my idea for what I wanted to wear, I decided my theme would be
"Future Space Cool."  I went to Beatnix on Halsted which has amazing wigs, make-up, costumes and all sorts of funky items to have fun with.  I settled on the look you see featured.


I arrived at the party with my Polaroid camera in hand, along with my catch phrase, "The future is here and the time is now." On occasion, at apropos moments, I would point to my pin and say "In the future we're kind to each other."

In the end, it was one of the best New Years I've ever had and everyone loved and adored my look.  It was a great reminder to do my own thing no matter what and let everyone else do theirs. I also realized that in doing so I had stayed true to my style philosophy which is; dress for the part, dress in what makes you feel good and dress with intention.  I have set the tone for the year for myself and hopefully in writing this can inspire you as well.

There is no waiting, the time is now.  Start where you are and do what you can. I stumbled across this quote today by Martin Luther King Jr. and I think it sums it up quite nicely:

If you can't fly - run
If you can't run- walk
If you can't walk - crawl
But whatever you do
You have to keep moving forward

This year my goal is to move forward NOW. It's easy to get stuck focusing on all the times you f*cked up. Redirect that conversation with yourself and get started.  Let's freaking crawl if we have to and let's do it in style!

What do you think?  Did you set any goals for 2016? I would love to hear.

P.S. more on the blog name change and other exciting news to come!

Subtly Sexy

In our fast paced world of instant gratification, gratuitous nudity, overt ostentation and generally over processed everything, one can easily become bored and nauseated simultaneously.  Subtlety is a dying art and one which I thoroughly enjoy utilizing.  It's not always the obvious or expected route but it leads the mind there in its own clever way.  I think a relatively straight forward and simple example of this is the classic black sheer hosiery with the line that goes up the back, which we currently have at RELISH (see image to the left) which also happen to be great for a holiday party!  Done obviously these tights could be paired with a mini skirt and a revealing top showing ample decolletage.  There is nothing wrong with this and someone wearing this could look great, but there are times when you want to be sexy but in a more sophisticated and understated way.  What I like to see these tights with, is flat shoes (or low heel just for a little elongation of the legs), ankle booties would be nice.  A skirt or dress that hits at or just above the knee leaving the viewer to imagine just where the extension of that line goes.  For the top I would put a chunky black sweater or something with an asymetrical hem could be nice to offset the vertical lines of the tights.  As always jewelry and a scarf to pull the look together.  An interesting hat could also be a nice touch.

The point is, when a viewer sees this outfit they take in multiple ideas at the same time creating a more complex whole concept.  Sure the tights are sexy but paired with lower shoes and a chunky sweater they become a wink and a nod to sexuality, the idea of possibility as opposed to directly spoon feeding straight sex to whomever has eyeballs. In many ways this is taking back control of dressing from the perspective of the hegemonic "male gaze" and truly a subversive thing to do.  It makes someone ask, "Who IS she?"  Which is simply, very intriguing and very sexy.

What do you find sexy? How do you dress to express this?  Do you agree or disagree with this post?  I would love to hear!

The Best Present

There is a certain phenomenon that seems to have pervaded the Midwest.  I've seen it enough times to even go so far as to call it somewhat of a trend. I hesitate to speak on it but it must be said and please know, I say it with love.  Sometimes I have clients who come in looking for a few things to snazz up their wardrobe before they go on a trip like many of us do when we head off on an adventure.  I have noticed these trips usually tend to be either to New York or Europe (specifically Paris).  In hushed tones of respect they mention they want to up their game a bit because they want to look more put together since Parisian (or New York) women are so fashionable and they don't want to be embarrassed by their usual, daily style fare.

So, here's the thing, while I also celebrate and admire my stylish sistren inhabiting the East Coast and gay Paris and love getting inspiration from them, I don't understand waiting to jooj up your style until you go on a trip for 3-7 days out of your year where no one you even know will see you. What are we, your most immediate Chicago style sisters?! Chopped liver?!  We wanna see you looking sassy too!  I think it's important to take pride in your appearance on a daily basis.  It's a form of being present in the here and now and not waiting for the future or a few days of your life where you are on vacation (read fantasy) to present your best self.  It's harder to maintain something long term as opposed to a few days where you have no strict schedule but that's precisely why it's important.

There is lots of talk floating around about being mindful and to me that doesn't just magically happen, it's comprised of lots of little pieces.  It's engaging in your community, not always multitasking with technology while walking, it's slowing down and enjoying your food and it's looking and feeling good about yourself TODAY because who knows what tomorrow will bring.

What do you think?  Do you or someone you know wait to go on a trip to pull yourself together? I would love to hear!

A Wink And A Nod

They say there is nothing new under the Sun and this seems to be quite true.  There is, however, evolution.  The same thing taking on new shape or applied in a different way.  This concept is one of my favorite ways to dress and also the path to originality.  I love to take inspiration from my favorite artists and rework it.  It's less of a direct copy and more of a wink and a nod to those who have come before me.

 I love Sophia Loren and Bruce Lee.  I'm not going to head out of my house wearing the exact martial arts attire Bruce donned in one of my favorite Kung Fu movies, "Enter the Dragon" and I'm not going to head out of my house trying to turn myself into Sophia; there was only one, and to try and replicate her exactly would not only be futile but also a bit outdated. What I would do is pay homage.  I might put my looser black pants with an ankle band which allude to the idea of a ninja/samurai/eastern warrior and I might pair that with a dramatic cat eye, faux fur hat (currently at RELISH) and pearls.  Voila! Just like that we have taken two things and paired them to create an evolved and hybrid original idea.  It's personal and shows what inspires me.  While not everyone is going to see what you have done they will viscerally understand its authenticity.

You will never be able to explain to people fully who you are but you can give them a glimpse by giving them a glimpse into your mind and what you are drawn to and what speaks to you.  If you love Frida Kahlo and Tupac maybe a poncho and a white bandana can be your wink and a nod. Whatever it is, expressing yourself and finding ways to incorporate art on a daily basis are good for the soul and good for the soul of all who catch you crossing the street, buying a coffee or stepping onto the train.  Perhaps Picasso said it best with the phrase, "Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." Let's get to dedusting shall we!?

What do you think?  Do your favorite artists influence how you dress?  I would love to hear!

Transitions! Transitions!

As the leaves start to turn, the temperatures cool down and that feeling of Fall is in the air I usually tend to get a tad emo (emotional).  I am always sad to see Summer go and always begin to brace my mind and gird my loins for the stretch of brutality ahead.  That being said, I also love the change of seasons because it's always a chance for a fresh start; A chance to try again, do better, and reinvent.  RELISH is stocked and chocked (full) of gorgeous new sweaters, pants, scarves, handbags, and accessories.  We worked really hard to put together a cohesive collection of sophisticated, classy, fun and wearable items.  Even if you are not doing a full wardrobe revamp adding a few choice pieces can really refresh what you have and make you feel energized.  Here are my top picks for Fall transition.





Scarf:  A new scarf can always freshen things up.  You can never have too many because there are so many beautiful prints and textures to play with.  Scarves are often the finishing touch an outfit needs for drama, flair and to feel complete.  Winter can feel heavy and dark with the darker colors we tend to wear so I love this dip dyed silk and cashmere scarf.  It feels fun and classy at the same time and easily goes with almost anything making it a worthwhile investment. 

Clutch: This zipper pouch made from recycled plastic is only $10 and I love to use it as a clutch when I go out to hear jazz or for dinner (really anything where I'm not standing all night so I can set it down).  Its fun and playful and I like the juxtaposition of something inexpensive with some of my nicer sweaters and scarves. 










Booties: A good ankle boot is essential for transition into Fall.  I got this style from our shoe store, Williams Shoes, and have barely taken them off since.  They are a nice height because you can't see the hem of any of my skinny jeans but they're not too high either.  A tall leather boot this early in the season feels too heavy but it IS getting chilly so these are a nice in between look, not to mention they go well with pretty much everything!




Sweater and Knit Ponte Pant:  A classic lightweight sweater with an interesting detail (in this case the diagonal hem) is a great new piece that's also functional.  Because we do hard Winter living here making sure your sweaters are in good condition is important.  Things that look pilly and old should be removed from your closet so you won't be tempted to wear them.  Look good, feel good as we always say.  The ponte pants featured are a navy and we also have them available in plum and charcoal as well as black.  I love pants in a color because it's something a little different.  The weight of these is a nice thicker knit so they block the wind pretty well and hold up to chunkier knits as well as dressy or casual tops.  The rich navy and plum also look fabulous with jewel tones giving you full on color from head to toe while still being seasonally apropos.  These pants are a client favorite and look great on many different body types.





So what do you think?  What are your favorite ways to freshen your wardrobe for Fall?  I would love to hear!

Freak What You Feel

I can't remember exactly where I first heard the phrase, "Freak What You Feel."   I think it was a quote from an article interviewing different creatives.  It jumped out from the page at me and seems to have stuck in my brain because I say it to myself relatively often now.  It's got swagger, alliteration, truth and rebellion, all wrapped up in 4 little words.  The picture featured is a photo of me freaking what I feel.  In the spirit of the 4th of July and independence, RELISH in your self expression, enjoy the time you have with the people you choose and lastly, Freak On.



P.S.  If you feel so inclined, send me a pic of you freaking what you feel with your style to RELISH706@GMAIL.COM and I will post it to our fb page.  I think it will be amazing to see what everyone sends in.   

Little Suzie

Little Suzie gets up one hour and forty minutes before she needs to leave for work.  She spends 10 minutes making coffee, 45 minutes drinking it and reading the news, 20 minutes to shower and put on makeup and 15 minutes stretching: 


 Q1: How much time does little Suzie have left to get dressed?  

A: 10 minutes
B: Assuming she can find the top she wanted to wear, just enough time
C: She still has to gather her stuff and put on her shoes so really only 7
D: If she hates the first outfit she thought she would like and has to try on 2 more, not enough time.
E: All of the above


Before we get to the answer I have another question.

Q2: What is time and does it even exist? 

A: Yes it does, it's broken down into past, present and future, seconds, minutes, hours and days.
B: It's a social construct and is just a figment of our imagination
C: Your boss doesn't give a shit about these types of philosophical questions and your ass will be fired if you're not at your desk on time.
D: All of the above

ANSWER KEY: 

Q1: E
Q2: D

So at some point or another you may have known a "friend" just like little Suzie.  On any given day depending on circumstances she may or may not be running a few minutes late and rarely is she not rushing.  Full disclosure, I myself, have on occasion, been a "Little Suzie."  I have always struggled with mornings.  Staying up late has come easily to me but mornings, however, are a different story.  Mornings and I have been battling since I was a child, and after thirty years I am waving my white flag.  There were just a few too many mornings that I felt rushed or something popped up that made me wish I had just another 10 minutes.  I started getting up earlier, stretching for longer, and getting ready at a slower and steadier pace.  My days have become more peaceful, and I have found my mornings to be much more enjoyable.  It's not always easy but committing to giving myself enough time has also improved my style.  I waste less time, and make better decisions.  I also did a SERIOUS closet clean out and got rid of anything and everything that didn't make me feel good or had seen its day.  Eliminating the clutter and unwanted excess in my closet has significantly upgraded what I put together and allowed me to express myself in a way I am enjoying even more. 

So what do you think?  Do you give yourself enough time to put together an outfit you feel great in?  Is your closet in proper condition to allow optimum outfit coordination?  Have you ever finally changed a habit you previously couldn't break?  How did you do it?  I would love to hear!

The Shake-Up

When I was 12 years old I woke up and decided to cut off all my hair (1 inch long all around).  After a healthy dose of regret and a river of tears, it grew back along with a strong desire never to cut my hair again.  I have also worn glasses since I was about 10 years old but had never found a pair I felt was stylish or gave me the look I was going for, so I have always worn contacts outside of the house and worn my glasses while I am at home.  As I approach 30 this summer, I just felt I needed a shake-up.  It's not that I haven't been doing what I want or like I just needed to inject a little something new into my reality. 

Sometimes, people move to a different city, make the decision to end a long-term relationship or leave their career as a way to get a fresh start.  All is well and good with these dramatic changes, yet there are times we want something that will be less life-altering but still get that feeling of exciting and new.  A great way to do this is through style.

I woke up not to long ago and realized I had, had the same hair cut/length for almost 15 years.  I thought about it and was unimpressed with my attachment to my long hair so I cut it.  I also have found my eyes becoming more fatigued throughout the day from wearing contacts for so many years. I knew I needed to get a pair of glasses I liked enough and felt good enough wearing to rock outside my house.  I decided to drop the cash on a pair that I really loved and that felt great (read: properly fit my face and not heavy).  I wanted a "look" but also something that went with the clothes and jewelry I like to wear.  I didn't want my glasses or my hair to be an after thought to me and my style I wanted them be synergistic components.

I have loved these small but significant shake-ups and they have given me a lot of fun new ways to play.  What do you think?  Have you made some "shake-up" decisions lately that have kept you on your toes?  I would love to hear about it!

Relish Goes To Florida

I recently met up with my beautiful-in-every-way sister in Florida to visit my Grandmother and soak up some much needed Vitamin D.  It's been slow to warm up in Chicago so I couldn't wait to wear some of my favorite new pieces from the RELISH Spring collection.  As the trip came to an end it brilliantly dawned on us to do a quick impromptu photo shoot.  Obviously, all these pieces can be styled in so many different ways which is what we love to find; versatile and comfortable items you can wear in a variety of locations and scenarios.  Come in soon to see and play with our beautiful Spring selection.  As always, we are here to help you put together a style that looks and feels like the best version of YOU!

Our easy printed dress paired with our reversible bucket hat

We paired this pink leather jacket with sneakers and jeans but it can easily be paired with something dressier!

These lightweight floral pants are sooo comfortable and double lined so they aren't see-through!  We paired it with our striped cap-sleeved top and beaded necklace

My favorite new Spring sweater paired with jean shorts and open choker.  This sweater is lightweight and with just a little something interesting with the various size stripes. 

Printed leggings with one of our Italian scarves we wrapped as a top and super comfortable woven raffia hat from Colombia.

All My (Neglected) Children

On this episode of, All My (Neglected) Children, I present to you one of my babies.  She's beautiful and has great flow.  She exudes a feminine, goddess-like quality.  I like to think of her as harmonious.  She's bigger but still delicate.  She has a heavier, rich tone but lightweight as well; strong but also soft, piecey yet cohesive. If you haven't noticed, I think she's synergetic greatness, which is why I am here to announce that she deserves more love and attention! 

My baby, the necklace I'm wearing to the left, is something that I really loved right away when I saw it.  Fair-trade and hand-made in Guatemala (read: made with good vibez), it seemed like a piece that could make a beautiful style statement but still be comfortable and easy to wear. At $36 she's super chill and modest, who wouldn't want a gal like that around?

Imagine my surprise when she and her siblings arrived at RELISH and so few people seemed to be relishing her.  I looked at her and like most women seem to know their children, I realized she has been misunderstood and simply needed better representation.  So ladies, take a second look at my neglected baby.  What do you think, does Mother know best?  Does she deserve another shot?


Thank you and I rest my case.

If You Were A Yak

If you were a yak you would laugh at 0 degrees Fahrenheit.  If you were a yak you would toss back your head covered in long shaggy yak wool and laugh with your yak friends before heading out for an afternoon frolic in the frigid temperatures that felt like no more than a delightful breeze whispering sweet nothings against your plush, dense coat.  Unfortunately, since you are a human, more than 3 minutes outside in 0 degrees Fahrenheit feels like a hearty thrashing from a cat o' nine tails in the hand of Captain Bligh himself.

 Luckily for you, while we can not turn you into a yak we can get you as close as possible to being a yak while still remaining human with our yak wool pashminas. These scarves, literally brought to us directly from Nepal are the warmest things since baked bread, freshly sliced.  I have taken to wearing mine over my coat for added warmth and style as well as around the house.  Men and women alike have become hooked to these scarves because they soothe and comfort in a vast tundra of chill and despair.  Anyway, come check these out for yourself.  If you are feeling that Winter lack, just come get the yak!

Swing Your Braided Mane!

 As the last day of the year arrives at least a bit of reflection seems creepingly inevitable.  I got to thinking about what I could say in my final writings of 2014 and quite obviously,  a "Thank You" seems in order.  Through out the year your support, kind words, good vibes, laughs and style have inspired us and made what we do, all worth it.  We are truly grateful that you chose to shop at Relish and Williams Shoes and can't wait to show you what is in store for Spring.  Next, the usual suspects; Love, Health and Success, come to mind, all of which we wish you oodles of in 2015.

Lastly, I would like to leave you with something else.  Something to counterbalance the classic undertones of shame and inadequacy that conventional resolutions of dieting and gym attendance seem to bear.

Several months ago on the Main St. El platform I discovered a piece of artwork which immediately delighted me and I have come to love more and more as the days go by.  It appears to be the work of a genius and insightful child.  Full of humor, sophistication, honesty, simplicity and that certain je ne sais quoi in all things cool. I present to you, Stumpy.

Whatever the next year may have in store for us may we face it with the same style and panache as Stumpy.  Let's live it boldly, beautifully and confidently, unapologetically ourselves and RELISH in the joys of being alive. Stumpy has led me to my battle cry for 2015:

GO FORTH AND SWING YOUR BRAIDED MANE!

A Little Bit Of Beauty

"If you care for a thing enough, it takes on a life of its own doesn't it?  And isn't the whole point of things -beautiful things- that they connect you to some larger beauty?"  -The Goldfinch

I recently finished The Goldfinch, which I highly recommend.  It was a great story and also really well written, a combination not as easy to come by as one might think.  I particularly enjoyed the way the author describes emotions.  A friend and I have often talked about how discussing emotions is the final frontier in any language.  Even in your native language talking or explaining the nuances of feelings accurately can seem close to impossible.

Anyway, since I was a child I have always loved to see, touch and experience beautiful things (yes, I know, who doesn't).  One of my early memories is standing behind my grandmother in her fur coat and my sister and I ever so gently touching the luxuriously thick yet soft pelt so she wouldn't feel it and drinking in the rich mahogany hue with our little 4 and 6 year old eyes.  When I came across this quote in The Goldfinch I immediately identified with it and felt like this explains in better words than I could have put myself, why I enjoy what I do so much and the search to bring beautiful, fun and wearable things to the store every season.

I relish the thought of a gift bringing moments of beauty to our friends and family throughout the year so here is my top gift picks to do just that!

These silk and cashmere scarves from Chan Luu never get old.  Their light weave and large size make them gauzy and ethereal.  They bring comfort and warmth on bleak grey days when you need a bit of luxury and levity to remind you that Spring will, eventually, come again.  Having one of these scarves wrapped around your neck is truly one of life's small pleasures.  Warning:  Whomever you give this to will become hooked and no other scarves they own will compare (I have testimonies).

You know the feeling when you walk in from being out in the cold, dark winter night to the warmth and safety of someones house and you are greeted with rich winter hues, earthy spicy piney scents, dim softer lighting and you feel that cozy holiday feeling?  Our candles from Voluspa are all wonderful but I love the Golden Cypress this time of year in particular.  They describe it as, "The heart of a green velvet floored forest mid winter. The clean sugary balsam of a snapped cypress needle." Normally I would laugh and roll my eyes about a description like that but seriously, it's that good.  The beautiful red glass jar for this particular scent is also part if its beauty.  When lit it casts a sultry, moody red glow.

There is nothing quite like the smell and feel of Italian leather.  This leather line, MyWalit, makes wallets and bags in bright colors that really pop and are as soft as butter.  I like the thought of pulling one of these beauties out of your purse and giving a burst of color to all around.






Women (and men) have been adorning themselves with beautiful baubles since they figured out how to string together stones, bones, quills and feathers.  I just never tire of beautifully crafted jewels and think of them as wearable art.  My favorite piece in the store currently is this long strand of grey fresh water pearls mixed with faceted labradorite stones.  Perfect to wear from casual to cocktail.

Lastly, no amount of beautiful things will ever be as beautiful as the beautiful memories you create with the beautiful people you love and cherish so this holiday season we have carefully crafted a wonderfully edited playlist of music to put on while cooking, relaxing, hosting a dinner party or simply hanging out with friends and family.  Our "Relish Your Life - Good Times Mix" is the soundtrack to great moments to come in 2015.  Music to your ears, literally. 

To see more pictures of fabulous gift ideas please click here

 

Fake It 'Til You Make It

Cardigan-Cowgirl

My sister and I went out over the Thanksgiving weekend and she wore a very sassy outfit, a vintage wool striped jacket, a navy felt fedora type hat and a red lightweight scarf.  We caught a glimpse of our reflection in a window and she said, "Oh my God, I look like Woody from Toy Story!" "Yeah but you look like the most stylish Woody that every lived," I said, "Just rock it. Don't ever let 'em see you sweat."

Fast forward to two weeks later and I found myself having left the house in a scramble and a haste and looking like what my sister and I (after texting her a pic of my fashion faux pas) dubbed "cardigan-cowgirl gone wrong."  I got off the train and was hoping I wouldn't see anyone I knew.  "No," I told myself, "you got this.  Just act like you have the best outfit you ever wore on right now."  "Fake it til you make it" as they say.

Woody and I

With the holidays coming up a lot of feelings of anxiety can surface about what family and friends may think of our appearances, "successes" and "failures" over the past year and general judgements. Sometimes in fashion and in life, you just have to have a chin-up, fighting spirit (and a laugh here and there) and make the best of your decisions while hoping you live another day to give it another go.  Today you might have to fake it but tomorrow you may make it. 

What do you think?  Have you ever done or worn something you regret?  What do you do?

The Things You Remember

Working here at the shop I get to hear stories and anecdotes from women of various backgrounds, professions and interests.  As many of you know, being the sociology minor that I am, I never tire of hearing these small threads that make up the fabric of peoples lives.  One story I was recently told I want to publish because it is about a women who was ahead of her time, stylish, and left a lasting impression (just my kind of gal).

It was about 5:00 p.m. on a Friday, I was straightening up and winding down the day.  In walked a woman who knew exactly what she wanted.  She had come in to treat herself to one of our faux leather totes she had seen in our window (she had assumed it was going to be a a couple hundred bucks instead of $65 and had set a date to come in and splurge on herself).

As we got to talking she began to explain to me why she had waited to come and why she likes to treat herself on Fridays.  As a young girl she had attended boarding school and been close with a girl there who's mother left a lasting impression on her. This woman was a southern belle who had gotten pregnant at 16.  Her family had given her the ultimatum to either get rid of the baby or be disowned.  She chose the latter and got on a bus to Washington D.C. and became a secretary.  She managed to establish a life there and make enough to support herself and her baby, a somewhat unusual accomplishment for a woman/mother to be self-made and single back in the 60's. On Fridays if she had a hot date she would leave work a little early, go get a manicure and pedicure and a new outfit or something to snazz up her wardrobe.  This ritual of her friends mom treating HERSELF left a lasting impression on this woman and to this day she makes it a point to do the same for herself on occasion. 

I have written in the past about sometimes giving yourself a treat and finding it empowering to get something new that you feel expresses who you are and makes you feel good.  What do you think? Do you agree?  Is there a woman you remember from your childhood that left a lasting impression? I would love to hear about it!

My Golden Moment

I had gotten it into my mind that I was definitively a "silver gal."  Like many a woman who has come before me, I love jewelry and think it's not only one of the best ways to jazz up an outfit but also can be one of the most personal and artistic ways to express oneself through fashion.  I always liked the look of gold but thought it was something best left up to women less fair (read: not ghostly).  A few things happened recently which have changed my mind entirely and thrust me into my golden moment.  The first situation was the brutal, bone-chilling, prove-what-your-made-of, epically long, insanely cold Winter we had.  After that I was ready to channel sun in any form I could get my hands on and to me gold feels like warmth and being tan and just generally Greek goddess-ish.  The second thing was I have received some very special jewelry from my Grandmother and my Mother which happened to be gold.  I love wearing these items because I feel like I have a little bit of my Gramms and my mom with me wherever I go and this also has kicked off adding a few more pieces to wear along with these things.  I picked up a brass ring (brass is awesome because you still get the gold tones without the price tag and it won't tarnish!) from our new collection of jewelry brought to us by an amazing couple who travel the world working with local artisans to find unique and special pieces at fair and affordable prices! I also needed a pair of gold earrings.  As much as I love all kinds of earrings I usually end up wearing hoops.  Our Viv&Ingrid hoops are lightweight and a classic size that are big enough to be seen but still classy and timeless so I've been rocking those daily as well.  Lastly I wanted a layered necklace look so I added a gold Chan Luu evil eye necklace to the necklace my mom gave me.  For those unfamiliar, Evil Eyes are popular in the Middle East and parts of Asia and are a symbol of protection from harm and ill-will.  I may go back to strictly silver when the weather cools off again but for now I am loving the laid back summer feeling I am getting from my golden moment!

What do you think?  Are you strictly a silver or gold person?  Will you mix and match?  Do you just wear certain metals during certain seasons?  I would love to hear your thoughts! 

Our BIG Announcement!

So the day is finally here!  After over 2 1/2 years of sitting on the fence, should we should we not change the name of our store we are finally doing it and the sign was installed TODAY!  Ladies and gentleman we present to you our newly renamed store: RELISH!

Relish is a name dear to our hearts and something we have wanted to do for a long time.  We held off because of fear of confusion the rebranding would cause as well as paralyzing fear of getting the new sign just perfect.  After finally giving ourselves the proverbial kick in the tush and telling ourselves "nothing will ever be perfect, just do it!" We did it!

About once or twice a day people come in and say "Wow, I love this store how long have you been here?" they are shocked when we say 7 years and have no idea how they missed it.  Because we are set back a bit from the street we can be easy to miss and truthfully the name, Williams Next Door is a bit forgetable.  When we originally opened as the higher end side to Williams and carried shoes it made sense.  Now as we have grown to have our own identity we want our name to reflect that.

So how did we decide on the name Relish you ask? It originally comes from a nickname for my sister, Ariel.  My sister is very stylish and can always put together pieces in an interesting and unexpected way.  She is confident in her style and likes to have fun with fashion and express herself through her wardrobe.  If you have followed my blog over the past 3 years you know this way of thinking about style is a huge part of why we love fashion as well and what we try and bring to the table at our boutique.  Secondly, relish is an amazing condiment and like any condiment can be just the touch needed to complete the dish.  We hope that we can provide those amazing pieces, whether it be jewelry, handbags, gifts or clothes that add just that perfect touch to your wardrobe, and bring some flavor to your fashion life.  Lastly, to relish something is to enjoy and take delight in it.  We always strive to find unique and special pieces that you will love and have fun wearing.  We hope that you relish not only the things you get at our store but also the life you are living while wearing them!

RELISH the change! 

To Be Or Not To Be (Stylish)

A friend recently sent me this article about novelist, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.  In short, she tells how she always loved to watch her mother dress with style and color and she herself loved fashion until she started to become more recognized for her writing.  She felt she would not be taken seriously if she wore too much color or looked like she cared too much about style and fashion.  At 36 years old she says she finally stopped pretending she doesn't care about her appearance and her love for beautiful prints, textures and expressing herself through her style.    

I loved this article and Chimamanda's style journey for several reasons.  She is someone who is well respected for her work, extremely intelligent and yet she has insecurities and felt the need to cater to others and societies parameters of what an intellectual and "serious" woman is.  Haven't we all been there?  Haven't we all at some point conformed or dimmed our shine in fear that people may be intimidated, judgmental or percieve us in a way we don't perviece ourselves?  The thing I think she realized is you can't control what everyone is going to say or think about you so the best possible option is to just be ourselves and follow the old adage "the ones that matter don't mind and the ones that mind don't matter."  Of course you want to dress appropriately depending on the occasion but that doesn't mean that having style and enjoying the beauty and expression that style and fashion allow is a bad thing.  

To me the latest wave of feminism is just this.  It's that as women we can decide for ourselves exactly what we want to do.  If we want to have kids and stay home to raise them we can! If we want to never have kids thats fine too.  We can be smart AND beautiful.  We can be fun AND serious.  We can be whatever we damn well please and if someone has something to say about it that is their problem not ours because we are deciding what we like not only as women but also simply as humans beings.

Talking to so many of my clients at the store I get to hear various musings from women about themselves, their daughters, their mothers and friends.  So many women are so hard on themselves and so critical of even the slightest flaws.  I think that one of the best things we can do for each other and ourselves and the younger girls coming up is to find our confidence and embrace who we are.  What could be more of a middle finger to all the mysogony we are surrounded by than to love ourselves as women and as people and express that through all that we do including how we dress! It's much more than just the clothes you wear but feeling good can make a big difference.  You know when you put on that dress you just feel so sassy in or see a beautiful colorful scarf that makes you swoon.  The earrings that frame your face perfectly or the pants that make your tush look great.  While I can't tell you exactly how to love yourself and find your confidence I can help in the style department.  We are all on a journey and that includes the store!  Every season we learn more and more about what makes women feel good, colors that flatter and a balance of sensibility and fun so come in and we will help you find an outfit that feels like you!

What do you think?  I know this was a long one but I had a lot of thoughts and would love to hear yours! 

Spring Is 4 Trying Nu Things

Spring is all about fresh starts and new growth.  As tons of new things roll in I just love coming to work.  I am surrounded by new and exciting things and tons of color.  In retail and in fashion, every new season is a chance to try and do better, be more adventurous and keep evolving.  With all the new warm weather items coming in to the store I have been slowly collecting things to bust out the second it gets warm.  A few of these items I have been collecting are our awesome new skirts, a creamy beige faux leather crossbody bag ( easy to wear with everything!), lighter, springier scented candles for my house, a new throw blanket for my couch, of course scarves, lightweight sweaters and more.  I have also been trying new things!  Here are a few of the new things I have tried.

This is me wearing my new lavender eye shadow and purple lipstick with one of our new silk scarves from Italy.  I have been wearing some version of red lipstick and black or grey eye liner forever. I just needed to try something new.  Being a big color for Spring I decided that purple was what I needed. This also led me to try lip primer for the first time ever (lip primer is a base you put on your lips to make your lipstick last longer and stay on evenly) which I can't believe I never used before!  In general the purple lipstick has been a bit polarizing.  Some people seem to think it's amazing and others feel it's a little scary to see me in purple lipstick.  I however, LOVE IT, so it's here to stay.

My second new "Try" for Spring is a double whammy.  I had seen several things about Ramen (a Japanese noodle soup dish, nothing like the instant soup you eat in college but a highly complex and delicious meal) over the past year from various sources but had never actually tried it so it was on my list.  On my day off I went to Wicker Park to walk around and take pictures and get some fresh air.  I passed a Ramen place I had heard about just by chance.  I decided it was meant to be so I went in.  Now a big part of my first ramen experience is that it was also my first time eating at a restaurant alone. This may be shocking to some, but it's true.  I knew I would be able to do it but I never thought it would be so enjoyable.  I absolutely loved having lunch by myself, writing,  looking out the window, and trying a new dish.  I will be doing this a lot more from now on. 

My last new try (so far) this Spring is the braid/bun.  My mom wanted to braid my hair in two braids like I used to wear every day between the ages of 6 and 12.  After one braid I decided I had, had enough of walking down memory lane and just put the other half up in a bun.  This was how the braid/bun hairstyle was born.  It's something totally new for me and the only thing I can say about it is: WHY NOT?!











Have you tried something new lately?  I would love to hear about it.  Come in soon to check out all the new amazing goodies and push your personal Spring fashion envelope just a bit!

The Splurge

Most people would like to eat a brownie and buy fabulous expensive fashion every day but neither our waistlines nor our pocket books would appreciate that.  This is why I propose splurging in moderation! Everyone has categories they favor over others.  Some people go nuts over jewelry.  Some people get going over a pair of amazing designer jeans.  Some ladies love a handbag.  Others find a new pair of shoes  simply irresistible.  Whatever your weak spot is I think that on occasion you should make a calculated splurge on something you love that makes you feel amazing.  Just like anything in life you need to know when to keep your nose to the grindstone and say no and when to throw caution to the wind and say yes!  I love great jewelry and a good pair of shoes that make an outfit.  In the past this is where I have invested in better quality items.  In general I am just as happy in reasonably priced clothes especially since I find that even great quality clothes if you wear them often enough only last so long.    Imagine my surprise when I came across a new kind of love.  It was handbag love and I fell hard.  A bag I just couldn't resist that was slightly (plus a little bit) out of my price range.  I normally will move on but I felt that this would be a game changer.  It is a black leather tote with a bumpy texture and something I think is classic yet interesting and a bag I will have for a long time.  It won't go out of style and will be something my grandkids will think is so cool when they raid my closet.  When I wear this bag I instantly feel like my whole outfit looks awesome.  It gives me a "look."  Whatever your splurge item ends up being, anticipate.  Put away a little money every month because these finds always pop up when you are not looking.  It should not be something you kind of want, it should be something you love. You may not even need it but you know you will use it and wear it.  Invest in a piece that just feels right and will become an old dear friend over time.

What do you think?  Have you ever splurged on an item and been so happy you did?