Weekend Update

1. I haven’t had time to take photos of this on yet, but before it gets too warm I wanted to share my favorite new little black jacket, via Helmut Lang, that I purchased as a comfortable but still dressy alternative to the classic black blazer for work.

Helmut Lang “Sonar” Jacket, $380

I love my Helmut Lang “Villous” sweatshirt that I’ve now had for close to two years, but a sweatshirt is a sweatshirt, and the material is undeniably in the hoodie family.

I didn’t expect this Helmut Lang “Sonar” blazer to be almost as comfortable – but it is! The fabric is a super soft wool, very cozy – yet the jacket is still fully lined, with functioning buttons at the wrists. It’s dressy enough to take formal meetings in, and you can drape it multiple ways.

I adore this blazer and it’s one of those really comfortable, easy pieces that you can wear to work and also throw on over a dress. One of my favorite Helmut Lang purchases to date.

2. Last week I shared a very long Vanity Fair article about the Murdoch/Deng scandal, and this week I’m back with yet another Vanity Fair gossipy and long read – this time about the Sergey Brin/Google Glass affair mess. An interesting read on several levels (romance! our mortality!) and one that’s set in my own backyard… though the most exciting scandal going on in my life right now is a defection from my former favorite beef noodle soup house after a change of chefs.

J.Crew, $30

3. I’ve been asked a few times about my favorite t-shirts brands. I am a t-shirt maniac and re-stock on my favorite whites and stripes every year (I don’t count white plain t-shirt replacements in my 25 a year goal…is that cheating?).

I am partial to v-necks as that is what works best for me – with that in mind, my two favorite t-shirt brands are J.Crew, and Splendid.

J.Crew is my #1 pick because each season they typically offer a few classic t’s, in various weights and fabrics. The one I like usually ends up being a little more expensive – I like softer cotton and/or cotton and linen blends. This season, I like the vintage cotton v-neck – a mainstay they usually have each year.

For long sleeves, I haven’t been able to find one I like at the usual suspects – instead, my favorites are usually from Splendid or James Perse. This year, I love this little scoop neck from Splendid – a very nice weight for layering in winter, but still light enough for spring/summer.

Please share your favorite t-shirt brands, by the way!

4. I recently re-read an old favorite of mine – Gunn’s Golden Rules, by Project Runway’s Tim Gunn.

This is a delightful little book full of funny and gossipy anecdotes about the fashion industry (Anna Wintour being carried down the stairs! J.Crew gives lifetime discount cards out!). Besides all the good gossip however, the book is also incredibly easy to read, and well written, with plenty of good advice for “making it work” in life. I would highly recommend this for any fan of fashion, Tim Gunn, or both.