Black and White feels so Right!

Black and white is everywhere for spring.  It's so classy and chic and so easy to do.  Everyone has black clothes in their closet already and the white lightens it up for the much anticipated warm weather coming in the next few months.  The fun of this trend is you can make it happen however you want, the possibilities are endless.  Wether its all black with white jewelry or all white with black jewelry or two tone shoes (stay tuned for more on that), accessories or prints.  Black and white just feels soooo right because it is!  It can be flattering and edgy at the same time.  Sassy and oh so classy.  Layered or basic, this is a trend EVERYONE should be trying in some way this Spring and in my personal opinion forever and ever.  This trend stands the test of time and you will never look outdated doing this so any pieces you invest in with clean lines and good quality can be brought back again and again.  Currently at Next Door we have scarves, clothing, bags, and jewelry and fabulous shoes at Williams Shoes the Walking Spirit that can help you add the finishing touches or start from scratch and put it all together.  Come in as soon as you can to find your personal take on this easy chic way to feel great!

The Music You Get Ready To

A few weeks ago I woke up and walked to my closet.  I blankly stared at the clothes wondering what to put on. After thumbing through the usuals I was not feeling inspired.  I decided to brush my teeth and do my makeup and then come back to the closet to see if I would find something new.  I put on a song that had just popped into my head that I wanted to hear.  Click here to hear, "Suavamente" by Elvis Crespo.  That song really effected what I ended up putting on.  It is a song with so much energy and life and is just so sassy.  I put on some black leather pants and a black mesh blouse with leather boots with a gold zipper going up the middle.  I have often said all black can look great if you just play with the textures so it's not surprising that in this outfit I played with the textures here with black leather and a mesh top.

If you do not know what to wear or you just need to feel energized in the morning or at any point in the day play this song or something else that gets you moving and see what outfit you end up in!

Get Nude

So I know this trend is not exactly breaking news but I personally do not yet own a pair of nude flats and/or pumps and recently realized I want them!  They go with pretty much anything and are a kind of quiet accessory.  They work as a neutral and are great with so many different things from patterns to solids.  I have seen this around in full force for about a year now but recently attended a wedding and my cousin wore nude heels with a brown skirt and cream sweater.  She looked amazing.  I then also saw a picture of my friend on new years wearing nude pumps with a kind of brown sparkly sweater dress.  She also looked polished and perfect.  Check out some pics below of various celebrities out and about in nude pumps or flats.  They each put their own personal touch to it which makes this a do-able and functional trend.  We currently have the heel and flat from Kenneth Cole Reaction.  What do you think?  Do you need need a nude shoe in your life?

(all photos courtesy of www.usmagazine.com and www.people.com)

WHY I DO WHAT I DO

As the new year starts and I renew my dedication to my business (and this blog),  I have also been reflecting.  With a continued desire to become better, more consistent, and creative with Williams Next Door as well as Williams Shoes I also took a look back as to why I chose to do what I am doing and how I really feel about it.

Part I: The Journey to Retail

In college I majored in Human Services (a major designed around non-profit work) and minored in Sociology.  I gained valuable insight into society and people and learned much about myself as well.  I realized however after a four year private university education....this was not what I wanted to do.  Oops.

I then tried my hand at finding a job in DC where I had gone to school.  The city quickly started to feel overly familiar to me and no amazing jobs were turning up so I decided to move back to Chicago to save money to eventually move to Argentina.  Why Argentina I'm not sure, but it was calling me.

Once back in Chicago, I worked at a market research firm in the loop in a extremely cutthroat sales environment and somehow managed to get out of there alive with my integrity still in tact.  I only cried  occasionally during my lunch breaks

I moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina for a year fell in love, became fluent in Spanish and worked for a pharmaceutical company.  Got my heart broken and moved back to Chicago, ready to return to my roots of a small, independently owned business.

Part II:  The Family business

Some of my earliest memories are playing in the basement of the shoe store, the smell of leather shoes when you open the boxes and the excitement to see new arrivals.  For a while I fought the idea of working in a family business.  However, I realized I wanted to be part of a process from A-Z.  I no longer wanted to feel disconnected to what I was doing.   I have always loved fashion and for how it can speak for you without you ever having to open your mouth.  I have never considered myself to be the most fashionable person or one to follow each new trend but I have always appreciated the creativity, art, expression and opportunity for new beginnings that fashions allows.  Each new season is a new opportunity to try again, try something new, transform yourself, channel an inspiration and present yourself to the world they way you perceive yourself and the way you want to be perceived.  A new opportunity to mix your old favorite pieces and continue to evolve them with a new one.  On a deeper level,  fashion can be a sign of the times.  So much of fashion reflects what's happening politically, economically and socially.  I like being part of that.  I want to be part of that.

From the business side I like making decisions.  I like that I can not only think of myself.  I need to think of my clients, the amazing women I have met and what will make them feel great.  What will they find new and exciting and fun to wear.  How much will they want to spend? I truly believe feeling good about what you are wearing and how you look can greatly impact your life.  Your attitude and the energy you give off can change your day, week, month and year.  While this can not solely be achieved by outward appearance alone,  it is an important component.  Someone who puts thought into how they look (not necessarily spending hours getting ready, but being presentable and with a point of view) also says they are confident and know who they are and how you should see them!  I want to help the women who come into my shop find things that will make them feel great and comfortable in their own skin.  To be the best versions of themselves.  Too often women think of themselves last.  They give to everyone and put themselves on the burners behind the back-burners.  I hope when they come into Next Door or Williams Shoes they will find something, a treasure big or small, that inspires them to treat themselves and view themselves in a positive light.  I also hope to provide a positive energy and experience to leave them walking out of the door with a good feeling.

To a happy, healthy and prosperous 2013!

Channeling yourself!

Where better to take inspiration from this holiday season than yourself....as a child!  Remember when colors ruled your world, sparkles rocked your world and all things kooky were the cat's pajamas?  Most of us have toned things down a bit since those days of rainbow colored knee socks paired with the corduroy skirt with the skateboarding squirrels print...man how I loved that ensemble.  We have opted for sophistication, maturity, class and in the process perhaps lost some of the magic.  So this holiday season let's channel our inner child.  I don't think any of us is ready to completely abandon our current selves in favor of donning a tutu and wings to the grocery store a la our old-selves but I think we can take inspiration from our carefree and creative days.  Wear the LBD (little black dress) that fits your womanly curves like a glove but layer on the sparkles with crystal necklaces.  Abandon the bib that used to accompany your onesies and instead opt for the bib necklace!  We particularly love this one which is like a princess party on steroids.  If the subtle homage to yourself feels too...subtle, consider trying this Gucci inspired studded dress.  A funky little clutch like our blueQ zipper pouches can inject some whimsy into your outfit.  One of my favorite pieces I got this season is a snake ring layered with crystals (see pic above).  It's big and obnoxious and so much fun!  The holidays can be stressful so remember to not take yourself too seriously and don't be afraid to try something a little more creative, colorful, sparkly, or outrageous because the holidays are supposed to be festive.  It's time to be a little extra nice, or naughty or fashionable!  Whatever you choose to wear this holiday season we wish you health, happiness and lots of joy all while looking and feeling fabulous!

Dressing for Thanksgiving

So Thanksgiving is right around the corner and the turkey is not the only thing that will need to be dressed. Now it may come as no surprise that you can not show up to Thanksgiving dinner naked and you will have to put on some clothes but what you choose to dress yourself in is the question here.  Thanksgiving for my family has always been our biggest holiday.  Lots of family comes in from out of town and we do a kind of classy buffet style potluck dinner.  We have our typical  Thanksgiving dishes and the ones that are probably a little different like the little tiny hotdogs in jam sauce or the marinated shrimp and onions.  We evaluate which dish came out a little dry or which dishes we love or hate (I am not a fan of the jello fruit compote thing that almost everyone else seems to love). Half way through our first serving we start giving each other tips of which thing to get seconds of and what was so delicious it doesn't matter the calories, just enjoy it because we won't eat that until next year again.  So everyone knows that food is the star of Thanksgiving but in my family we also always dress up for the occasion.  Nothing fancy or over the top but everyone puts thought into what they wear (even the guys) and all try and look nice and festive.   I think it's our way of saying we love each other in a way.  Plus, in the wise words of my mother, "Look good, feel good." We take time to look good for work or parties or presentations so why shouldn't we look good for our dearest friends and family?   I always try and find the balance between comfort and style because Lord knows this is not the holiday to be wearing all sorts of restricting items.  Leggings or stretchy jeans, boots and a loose-ish sweater in a beautiful jewel tone I think is going to be my outfit of choice this season.  To accessorize and draw the eye up towards my face (and away from the belly full of sweet potatoes with melted marshmallows, yumm!) a dramatic pair of earrings and  layering necklaces will stylize and brighten this casual yet chic outfit.  What do you ladies like to wear to Thanksgiving?  How does your family typically do it?  From casual to dressy to somewhere in the middle come in and we would love to help you feel like the best you for your loved ones and to celebrate in style all the things we have to be thankful for!

Winter White Done Right!

White after labor day has been generally accepted in the fashion world for years now and I think most women feel fine about wearing it once the weather begins to turn frosty.  In fact, it even reflects the kind of cozy luxury so many of us associate with a winter wonderland.  Recently Gwyneth Paltrow wore an all white outfit to her 40th birthday to much applause from around the web.  A while back I wrote about taking your white summer pieces into fall by putting them with fall-ish items.  Well now that the cold is setting in, its time for Winter white which is different.  Winter white seems to work best when worn in fabrics that fit the weather.  Think chunky knits, wool, and heavier materials.  A cream or off white also known as winter white also ends up being less stark and breezy feeling.  I know this color can be a little more work and you will  have to dry clean it more often than your other things but it is worth it.  I personally prefer a winter white top as opposed to pants or skirts simply because I find those get dirtier.  For those with a lighter complexion, sometimes in winter we lose a bit of the natural glow from the sun so remember to dab on a bit of lipstick or tinted chapstick and add a drop of dewy blush to ensure you don't look washed out (even though we don't specialize in make-up stop by Next Door if you want to compare notes, I have tried quite a few things in my day and have found my tried and true make-up staples).  The winter white look with a bright bracelet or necklace is a great look for a party where you want to be comfortable, cozy yet classy.  To channel your real inner snow queen, crystal jewelry such as our beautiful new crystal and silver earrings will really get you icy :)  Stop in soon to do your version of winter white juuuust right!