Weekend Update

1. Hello! I hope that you all are having a wonderful holiday season. We had our Christmas here at home in California. It was baby’s first Christmas and we had a wonderful time with him. I felt so bad as we were all eating our holiday feasts in front of him (he’s still only having milk), but by next year he’ll be able to eat some, too!

I know I’ve been yapping on and on about all the great holiday sales this year – well here’s some more, as I’m still partaking. These are all classic outerwear pieces/coats below, at 40-60% off below.

From left to right:

Fabiana Filippi Suede Trim Wool Blend Coat, 60% off/$1050. I love this draped coat, and I’ve always thought an ivory/white coat in the winter is so beautiful. Super luxe and I love how it looks great both open or closed with the little leather tab.

Akris Punto Reversible Double Face Wool Coat, 60% off/$760. Beautiful fabric, a classic draped silhouette…oh, and it’s fully reversible, with navy and gray options. What more could you ask for? And it’s from Akris, one of the best names in outerwear and fantastic fabric.

Tod’s Shearling Coat, 50% off/$1500. A beautiful classic coat, and I love the combination of the gray with the white shearling collar. So pretty and easy to wear casually.

Burberry Sandringham Slim Cashmere Trench Coat, 40% off/$1550. A classic silhouette from Burberry in a fresh color that can take you to spring. There’s also a white option, and a navy version as well, also 40% off.

 

2. Owning a piece of Wallace Chan jewelry is one of my little dreams (in the meantime, I’ve satisfied myself with pre-ordering his illustrated book). He creates such absolutely beautiful pieces. This feature on Chan and his design process is a great little peek into the mind and work of a true artist.

3. Not fashion related, but I found this article, via The NY Times, about the risks of working for a so called “unicorn” fascinating. Living in the Bay Area, one can definitely find themselves in the throes of FOMO – everybody around you will join some kind of beef jerky of the month club and hit it big time, and all your friends will be off shopping for yachts while you slave away at your corporate cubicle. The NY Times article is a reminder of the, less glamorous side of startups, complete with disappointing exits.

4. Here’s a good fashion roundup for the year, via the WSJ – Top 10 Fashion Moments of 2015. Do you agree with Amal Clooney being one (above)? For me, I’d also add the fact that 2015 seemed to be the year when luxury finally seemed to slow – of no more price increases, or even some price decreases, from even the top luxury brands.

5. This week, I thought I’d share some of my favorite books of the year. My very top pick? The Cartel, from Don Winslow. I loved this book so much that I read it twice this year – once in July, and the second time just this month. I also went back and read The Power of the Dog, which takes place in the years prior to The Cartel (but it isn’t necessary to read one to understand the other).

Another favorite – Gods and Kings: The Rise and Fall of Alexander McQueen and John Galliano, by Dana Thomas. A fascinating look into the lives of these two incredible designers, who saw both incredible success and tragedy in their lives and careers. A must read for anyone interested in the fashion industry.

And last but not least, The Orphan Master’s Son, by Adam Johnson. One of those rarer books in my experience which combine literary acclaim (like the Pulitzer Prize) with a fascinating, epic story. A fiction set in North Korea, with a lot of imagination, tragedy, and humor. I thought it was wonderful.

What were some of your favorite books of the year?