Midwest Designer to Watch: Suitor

Here at To Each Their Own, we firmly believe that there are several things that never go out of style: a Chanel suit, the perfect fit little black dress, pearls, rich red lipstick and a well-written thank you note. And just to be clear– we don’t mean a thank you email. We love the thoughtfulness of a good thank you note, the feeling of appreciation that you feel when you receive one, the excitement of getting a non-bill in the mail, the way that a well-chosen card can expertly convey your sentiment and how it can reinforce a beautiful connection between the sender and the recipient.

(Side note: We owe our thank you note appreciation to our Mom. Thanks, Mom, for all the times you made us sit down and write Christmas thank you notes when we wanted to be outside ice skating with our friends.)

Which is why we’re utterly smitten by Suitor, a Chicago-based line of stationery that is chic, sophisticated and adorably clever. Created by Jessica Murnane (one of the kindest and classiest people in Chicago), the collection sees simple phrases pressed onto thick, luxe paper. The weight-y stock paper feels gorgeous in the hand and the simplicity of the design allows your words to stand out. The stylin’ envelopes are a beautiful touch, as well.

Here are a few of our faves:

We love how one word says it all:

Image courtesy of Suitorlife.com

We love the playfulness of the phrasing here:

Image courtesy of Suitorlife.com

Perfect for reaching out when it’s been a while:

Image courtesy of Suitorlife.com

A great note to thank a host/hostess for a lovely visit:

Image courtesy of Suitorlife.com

And finally, one that’s just plain adorable:

Image courtesy of Suitorlife.com

Looking for something with more of a personal touch? Suitor also prints custom cards (including business cards), and with 8 simple fonts to pick from, it’s easy to find a look that radiates your personal vibe.

Visit Suitor to find locations or to order online, then reach out and drop a little dose of happiness into the mail for someone you love! We’re quite positive that you’ll make their day, and who doesn’t love that?

–Molly

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Our Obsession: Polyvore.com

As you know, here at TETOS we love all things fashion, whether it’s fashion mags, fellow blogs or any other style-obsessed dialog. So, it was with great delight that we stumbled across our newest fashion website obsession…polyvore.com.

Polyvore’s mission is to, “redefine how people around the world experience, create and shop for fashion on the Internet.” And they are succeeding with flying colors. Their virtual style boards allow users to create their own looks, mixing and matching pieces from all over the internet and create their own inspiration collections. Users can pick their looks for evening, weekends, upcoming vacations or even just play around to get the creative juices flowing.

One of the best parts about Polyvore is they let you truly make your style boards a personal expression by creating backgrounds, uploading text and pictures, and even putting your style boards to music. (Think Michael Buble providing the soundtrack for a sweet, romantic pearl-and-peep-toe-look). You can also email your style boards to your friends (perfect for weddings!), post it on a blog or put it on the Polyvore main page to get feedback from fellow users. Bonus? Each board has direct links to where you can purchase the items. Love it!

To show you Polyvore in action, here are a few style boards I created for some upcoming trips/events:

The first board I created was for my upcoming NYC trip with my husband. Our first night there is going to be spent at a Pearl Jam concert, so I wanted something a little casual, a little alternative, yet still trendy. A maxi dress and gladiator sandals will do the trick!
Madison Square Concert
The second board I created was for our Broadway night out. We are going to see the show “American Idiot,” and since this show is the new “it” show, I wanted to really look my best. So I chose a classic navy dress with some Chanel no. 5 and gold peep toes.
Broadway Show!
Soon after we are headed to Laguna Beach with some of our best friends.  For me, you can’t have a beach bag big enough, and a cover up for some late afternoon shopping is a must. And of course, no sunny day would be complete without a classic pair of aviators, like the ones below.
laguna beach day
Finally, the style board below is for our nights out in Laguna. On the agenda, we have sushi and drinks by the beach one night, a fiesta and bottle service another and poker and champagne for the last night. I put the three looks below together to give me an idea of what outfits I can be putting together prior to the trip.
laguna evening
So if you have a few minutes to spare, we really encourage you to check this site out. It will really get you thinking of ways you can truly express yourself through style,and in the end, it can really be a great packing organizer as well.
Happy Creating!
-Kate

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Coming Soon: Sex and the City 2

Four words: Sex and the City. Simply put, the show is iconic.

We know that as the movie release date grows closer, the blogs will be a-buzzin’ with coverage. But while we want to avoid being just one of the crowd, the bottom line is that SATC fans are waiting with bated breath for the movie, and we’d be doing a disservice not to acknowledge it. But rather than plot speculation or character analysis, we’re a style site, so it’s our job to dig into the fashion institution that is SATC. So here, we offer a tag-team style retrospective of our favorite looks from Sex and the City, excitedly knowing there’s more to come.

Kate: One that I absolutely LOVE was when the ladies visited the Playboy mansion while in LA. Carrie rocked a sheer, floor length cover up with a classic black bikini underneath. Sleek yet playful, it was amazing. This is the outfit I think of when driving to yoga, or saying no to a second cupcake.

Image courtesy of Counterfeit Chic.com

Molly: If I looked like Sarah Jessica Parker (read: stick-thin and tan with blond hair), I would wear this dress every single day. I could say it’s because of the innovative design, or because I love the way it wraps about the body like an ace bandage. But let’s be honest: I’d wear it every single day because of the perfectly placed, eye-catching sparkles.

Kate:  I am obsessed with this next Carrie look.  After this episode aired, Gucci fanny packs became a hot trend, and with this ensemble it’s easy to see why.  The striped skit is a perfect fit on Carrie, and the true focal point of the outfit.  With her solid half top (wowza, ridiculous abs) and nude shoes, she looks impeccable.

Image courtesy of wornthrough.com

Molly: This next look is MY TOTAL FAVE. Of all six seasons, plus the movie, hands down. Something about the boldness of these colors together just rocks my world. (Side note: I always thought this was a top/skirt but recently read it is actually a dress.) I love the way the white shoes work in conjunction with the outfit, but not distracting from it at all. The simplicity of the solid colors just screams for a killer accessory, and the big ol’ heart-shaped necklace does the trick.

Kate: I would do anything for this outfit, and I think this could be my #1 Carrie outfits. The Bradshaw Burberry Prorsum fur coat and matching fedora are gorgeous.  The belt cinches it all together, and the over the knee boots is the icing on the cake for this ensemble. She is sleek and truly show-stopping.

Image courtesy of asiancajuns.com

Molly: I realize that the traditional Burberry pattern has been a bit played out, but it’s still a classic, and it still makes me weak in the knees. In this shot, I love how Charlotte uses it as her statement piece here, keeping everything else black– including her purse.

Kate: Charlotte York rocks this dress. While seeing the SATC movie, I know the draw was supposed to be Carrie’s Vivenne Westwood wedding gown, but I couldn’t take my eyes off of the black Zac Posen that Charlotte was wearing. The neckline is traditionally beautiful, but the mermaid bottom and back ruffling made my jaw drop.  It shows her penchant for classic elegance, but kicks it up a notch with a dose of modern fun.

Image courtesy of elanimagemanagement.com

Molly: A vintage tee under a blazer? Adorable. Playful yet polished, it’s a fabulous laid-back look. Plus, I love vintage tees because they can be a great reflection of your personality. One of my personal faves is my vintage-inspired Minnesota North Stars tee, which I love to wear under my black Rag & Bone blazer, thanks to Carrie’s inspiration.

Kate: Carrie’s Season 5 wardrobe was easily one of my faves. In this season, Sarah Jessica Parker debuted a new short bob, and also worked with Pat Fields to cover up her baby bump.  (Throughout this season, Carrie rocks more loose-fitting short dresses, accenting her legs and arms while shying away from her growing belly. In my opinion, the best of the bunch were the looks below: the black sparkly frock and the flowered Marni dress with the white blazer. I also dug the green Juicy Couture dress she wore while in the park with Stanford. That dress started the Juicy Couture terry cloth phenomenon and from that point on, you would see women wearing them everywhere.

Image courtesy of Hbo.com

Image courtesy of tbs.com

Molly: Carrie’s entire season six wardrobe was basically my dream come true. The silhouettes were ultra-feminine and insanely flattering, combining tightly fit bodices with wide skirts, complete with crinolines tucked underneath to make them poof out slightly. Simply gorgeous! Plus, her hair rocked in this season, too.

Molly: Along those same lines, here’s the the “un mille feuilles” dress she was wearing in France when Petrovsky stood her up. Soft, lovely, romantic and UNBELIEVABLE!

Kate: This last outfit is a random choice, but I heart it.  (Please excuse the pics, it was a hard one to find!) In the movie, when the ladies visit New York Fashion Week, Charlotte is super pregnant– but, her outfit is still straight off the runway. Her Valentino jacket, her Gianfranco Ferre dress and Chanel brooch are stunning, but the showstopper for me is the Fendi bag.  Wowza! It far outshines any thoughts of traditional maternity wear. Plus, the bag’s big size provides a nice balance with her tummy!

Molly: Finally, in this look from the movie, I totally dig the clash-y yet complementary patterns of her dress and coat. Plus, the contrast of the feminine floral prints with a small dose of punk rock, thanks to the rough and tough studded belt and dominatrix-esque shoes, is a perfect balance. The leather and studs balance out an overly floral look, and in just accessorizing with a black belt and shoes, it still allows the look to radiate femininity.

What are your favorite looks from the show? Why did you like them? Tell us in the comments! We’re excited to hear your thoughts!

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Our Obsession: Kiehl’s Line-Reducing Eye-Brightening Concentrate

I don’t know about you guys, but I usually get my beauty products from friend recommendations.

“OMG, Molls, you HAVE to try X/Y/Z. I did, and I’m obsessed with it,” says Sis, or Kristen, or Sharon.

I’ll usually try it, and I’ll usually love it. Such was the case with Frederic Fekkai shampoo and conditioner, NARS lipsticks, Jo Malone perfumes and MAC eyeshadows.

I rely on the a-okay from a close, style-savvy friend, and it’s very rare that I walk into a store, try a sample, and absolutely-positively-must-have-it. But that’s exactly what happened during a recent visit to New York.

My friend Begum brought me to the original Kiehl’s store– you know, the one that’s been there since like, the 1800s– knowing that I’m a Kiehl’s lover. With a half an hour to kill before our dinner plans, we meandered around the store, putting lotions on our palms, tinted moisturizers on the backs of our hands and marveling over their extensive collection. At one point, I grabbed a sample tube of Line-Reducing Eye-Brightening Concentrate.

Image courtesy of Nordstrom

I dabbed it gently under my eyes and– Voila! Honestly, it was almost that instantaneous. One moment I was looking at my tired face in the mirror, staring at the tiny lines that accumulated under and around my eyes, and hating the dark circles under my eyes. But one application of the Line-Reducing Eye-Brightening Concentrate and I felt like that was all vanished. My fine lines were less noticeable, the dark circles were nearly vanished and I don’t know how or why, but I felt that my eyes popped. They seemed bigger, more lively, and a richer color of brown.

“Begum, get over here. You have to try this.” She never believed that it would happen so quickly, but after one application she was a total convert. I was too. We stared in the circular mirror for several minutes, marveling at the magic of this new product.

Though we’d both vowed to head inside Kiehl’s just to look, we practically raced to the register to scoop up our new favorite product. I’ve used it at home since, and I can promise you, it wasn’t just trick lighting at Kiehl’s– the cream works just as well at home, underneath my bathroom lights.

Kiehl’s Line-Reducing Eye-Brightening Concentrate, $40.

–Molly

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Celebrity Breakdown: Lea Michele

I need to start by saying that I am not just writing this because I am obsessed with Glee, and the second season just so happens to be starting on Wednesday–it’s truly a coincidence!  I chose to write about Broadway beauty and star of “Glee” Lea Michele, because throughout the Hollywood award season, well, this girl came to play.

For all you “Glee” fans out there, you may not know that  before belting her nerdy heart out on TV, Michele was a Broadway baby.  But since appearing on one of the most popular shows on television, she has been thrust into the spotlight in a completely new way– and we are loving it! From The Golden Globes to the SAG awards, Michele’s red carpet style is young, classic, and truly breathtaking. She adds a youthful touch to her classic styles and abides by the mantra less is more.

Below are some of her looks that have stopped us in our tracks:

Nothing says Hollywood glamor like an Oscar de la Renta gown, which Michele wore flawlessly. She expertly balanced out the heavily detailed bottom with minimal accessories, and let the dress speak for itself.

Image courtesy of buzznet.com

Her next gem was another Oscar de la Renta gown worn to the 2010 Elton John Aids Foundation Oscar viewing party.  Again, Michele lets the dress speak for itself.  Her pulled back ‘do lets the innovative shape and dimension of the dress take center stage. Flawless.

Image courtesy of Fabsugar.com

Michele wore this young, fun Ramona Keveza to the 2010 Grammy awards and again nailed it with not only the accessories, but with minimal makeup, letting the feathered skirt have the spotlight.

Image courtesy of styleaficinado.com

If you know anything about me and my sister you know that Molls rocks darling patterns and amazing colors while I am obsessed with bold solid colors, and a majority of the time I dress like a Sicilian Widow (black from head to toe).  So this next choice not only excited me because it was a bold, green pattern-less piece, but because it wasn’t black. It’s quickly become my personal favorite Lea Michele red carpet dress to date.

She rocked this Catherine Malandrino gown at the 2010 SAG awards.  With the subtle makeup and bouncing natural curls, she turned heads and was voted one of the evening’s best dressed.

Image courtesy of chicfashionfiles.wordpress.com

So ladies, if you find yourself loving the dresses that Michele has worn well get excited. Because just like her hit show Glee, well, I don’t think Lea Michele is going anywhere.

-Kate

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Midwest Bound: Marc Jacobs Collection

Ladies, it’s arrived. After months and months of whispers along Chicago streets, and after repeated stalking excursions to check out construction progress, I’m thrilled, ecstatic, overjoyed to announce that finally, the Midwest has it’s very first Marc Jacobs Collection store!

(Side note: Chicago has proven a worthy home for this top tier designer, as a phenom Marc by Marc Jacobs store opened in Bucktown in 2008 and has been on the must-shop list for playful stylistas ever since.)

Perfectly positioned in the swank Gold Coast and set in the stunning new Elysian hotel, the 3,000 square-foot space houses sophisticated yet cutting edge clothing, accessories and shoes from the Marc Jacobs Collection. The boutique is sleek and modern while still retaining an intimate charm– kind of like Jacobs’ clothing, when you think about it.

Here are a few shots of the store:

Gals, I’m telling you. If you live in Chicago, make your way down to the Gold Coast immediately, and if you dwell in another city, plan your Windy City road trip STAT.  The  store is so worth a visit, sure to inspire gasps of awe from Marc devotees and novices alike.

Visit the Marc Jacobs Collection store at 11 E. Walton St.

–Molly

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Be Still My Heart: YSL Tribute Denim Platform Sandal

I know…I am so lame.  But, after writing the post on “Denim, Denim, and More Denim” I just couldn’t get the YSL Sandals out of my head!   I absolutely love them.  So, now I just need to find $900 and I should be all set.

Can you stand how cute these are?  Anyone know of any cute knock-offs?

I am obsessed!

Image courtesy of Neiman Marcus

 

-Kate

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