Extra! Extra!

While my day job in the newspaper business can sometimes be rather gloomy and doomy, especially in the wake of the unprecedented challenges facing the industry, I can't help but feel a twinge of optimism when I picture this dress from ModCloth with some classic black pumps and pearls (think Joan Harris on Mad Men).  It takes me back to that "golden age" of newspapers- when reporters wore chic trench coats and suave hats and marketing managers had sweet offices and not tiny cubicles.  Ahhh... those were the days.

Also, a tearful adieu to Editor & Publisher, which was shuttered by parent company Nielsen during the last few days of 2009.  For the sake of the newspaper industry, I can only hope that a buyer comes forward to continue E&P, which has served as a beacon for papers for over 100 years-  online, if not in print.  A truly sad loss.

J is for Joy

When I was once a wee one, I would eagerly await the arrival of the JC Penny Christmas catalog every year. Once that magical tome arrived in my mailbox, I spent hour upon hour poring over the endless possibilities. Now that I'm a bit older, I await my monthly J.Crew catalog with nearly the same enthusiasm. Seriously though, what's not to love about this iconic brand? The perfect preppy ensembles. Jenna's Picks. The approachable prices. The fact that our amazing First Lady is fan! I could live in this look from the new Jan 2010 catalog:

Sadists and Masochists

Check out a recent post from Style.com blog Style File here.

And the corresponding NYT article here.

As signaled by the SS10 runways, fashion's recent obsession with disheveled and distressed looks may finally be coming to an end. I'm talking here about the resurgence of 90's grunge (think flannel shirts, Doc Martens), leather and studs (they've been EVERYWHERE), and androgynous boy blazers and models (Agyness Deyn!). Personally, I'm ready to see it go. It's not that I haven't bought into it, but I think it's surely reached its saturation. When you begin see it at Wal-Mart (Miley and Max- I'm looking at you), it's got to be on it's way out. Honestly, I'm ready for a more cheerful outlook. As we begin to see glimmers of hope in the economy, so will we begin to see the tough-girl facade fade. It's so interesting to see cultural zeitgeist relate to fashion so closely. So come spring, get ready to feel a bit more jadedly optimistic. A couple "wearable" looks I'm looking forward to wearing:

Burberry Prorsum SS10

Comme des Garcons SS10

It don't matter...

At Chanel SS10, Lagerfeld's healthy obsession with black and white continued- even against the unlikely backdrop of a barnyard. This dress is pure Parisian perfection, but I'll take the inspired BR top at $89.

Chanel SS10

Banana Republic