I didn’t attend Fashion Week on our last day in NYC because I spent most of it catching up and shopping with a friend. That friend was veteran forum member and writer, Chicago Laura, who has written guest posts on YLF about her fabulous Mom on the Go looks.
We met late morning at Macy’s Herald Square, the largest department store in the world, and instantly yakked up a storm right in the middle of the handbag department. Clearly, the handbags could wait because we had lots to catch up on. There is much to adore about warm, friendly, stylish and lady-like Laura. I am amazed that she can wear her hair any colour. I’ve seen it dark brown, platinum blonde, and now she’s a feisty redhead, which I think I like best! Laura was blessed with beautiful big blue eyes that open up wide when she speaks to you. I love how her new red hair brings out her gorgeous eyes.
Laura is our Captain of Team Dress, so of course she wore a fabulous frock that day. Coincidently, it was the Eliza J Ponte Knit Shift Dress that made my top picks list this week. She also paired it with two items that I have featured on YLF, namely the Bandolino ballet flats in black, and London Fog Lilly cross body bag in red. I was very touched to see Laura wear my suggestions, and wear them so beautifully. She looked hip, polished and radiant. Perfectly turned out for a day of walking and shopping in NYC, which meant walking many, many blocks at a fast pace with yours truly.
Because our time was limited, I asked Laura about her shopping priorities beforehand. “Easy!” said, Laura, who wanted help with midi dresses for her petite height. Off we went to the dress department at Macy’s and within an hour we had two killer midis, the Jones New York Short Sleeve Leaf Printed Dress, and the Ralph Lauren V-neck Sweater Dress (Laura models the Jones dress below). The key to making a midi work on petites is twofold. One, keep the length either just over the knee or a few inches below it, and no longer. Two, keep the style fairly form fitting and not too voluminous. The Jones New York dress is form fitting from top to knee, so the extra length does not swallow up our lovely Laura. The Ralph Lauren dress is form fitting on top, and although the skirt portion is flared, it’s streamlined. The cut and length of these midis were so spot on that they also looked good with Laura’s ballet flats!
After a lovely lunch with forum member Maya, who lives in NYC, Laura asked me to help her choose her first designer bag. So we trotted off to Bloomingdales for some bag therapy. We decided that Laura needed a smallish, light neutral handbag with silver hardware to contrast with the charcoals, dark blues and black that she frequently wears in Autumn and Winter. We also opted for maximum versatility by going for a semi-structured shape with a detachable cross-body strap. As soon as we saw the patent stone Exploded Dot Lock Petite Rue Satchel by Marc Jacobs, we knew it was the one! It wasn’t too bulky and the clasp makes for easy access. Laura can comfortably wear it across her body over her coats, or carry it by the handle for a daintier effect.
Laura bats for Team Wear so she transferred the contents of her old bag straight into the new one. Love it! By that stage we had accomplished Laura’s shopping goals and headed off to the first floor of Bloomies where we tried on a few more things just for fun. I unexpectedly bought a fabulous printed midi dress from Reiss, which was very fitting for the shopping occasion with Captain Dress. Now we both have frocks to commemorate the occasion, just like we did the last time we shopped in NYC together.
Our day was sadly drawing to a close. But before it did, Greg joined us to say hi to Laura and snap a few photos. We were NOT going to let the rain get us down (that’s why we carry umbrellas, after all). But sugar levels were low, so we stopped at quirky Serendipity where we had frozen chocolate, a shake and a BLT.
What a brilliant day! Thanks for flying in to meet with me on your way to Maine, Laura. And for being a superb fit model and loyal YLF supporter. Our day was a very welcome break from the mayhem of Fashion Week. It just goes to show that food and fashion with a friend is hard to beat.
