Designer Spotlight-Liz Claiborne

Posted on November 23, 2011 by Grace

This blouse is a hand-me-down and one that I have always kept and never given up.  Maybe because it’s silk and flowy, or maybe because I wore it on one of my first trips with my husband (then-boyfriend), but either way, I really love this blouse.  When I recently looked at the tag again and saw it was Liz Claiborne, I was surprised.  Remembering back when I was younger, Liz Claiborne seemed like the IT designer, but I rarely hear much about her anymore.  So I decided to do a little research and feature her in today’s Designer Spotlight post.

Liz Claiborne started her career in design as a sketch artist working in the Garment District in NYC.  Frustrated because companies weren’t providing working clothes for women, she started her own design company in 1976.  Liz Claiborne Inc. was an immediate success going public in 1981 and making the Fortune 500 list in 1986.  Today, the Liz Claiborne Inc. portfolio of brands includes Liz Claiborne New York, Mexx, Juicy Couture, Kate Spade, Jack Spade and Lucky Brand Jeans.  While having such a diverse portfolio, it’s unfortunate the Liz Claiborne web site no longer allows for online purchases.  However, you can visit your local JCPenney store to purchase Liz clothing, as JCPenney became the exclusive retailer for the Liz Claiborne brand in 2009.  So while Liz Claiborne may not be at the forefront of fashion, as it was in the 80s, her women’s work style remains timeless.

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Fun Fact:  Liz Claiborne was the first designer to insist that her collection be mixed together on the department store floor, instead of being placed in separate clothing categories.  This way women could shop for a blouse right next to a pair of pants in order to coordinate, mix and match and style their outfits.  “This revolutionized the way department stores arranged clothing for sale and created the role of fashion merchandising as we know it today.”  For more information, click here to visit Wikipedia – Liz Claiborne, fashion designer.

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Another Fun Fact:  Liz Claiborne would sometimes pose as a saleswoman to see what average women thought of her clothes.

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Ironing Out the Details:

Blouse – Vintage LIZ CLAIBORNE striped silk blouse; Similar blouse here and here
Pants – MODCLOTH Rouge on Your Radar Pants
Blazer – Vintage; Similar blazer
LAST SEEN HERE
Necklace – Gold Chunky Necklace from CHARMING CHARLIE
Earrings – Gold Earrings (matching set with Necklace) from CHARMING CHARLIE (see above)
Watch – MICHAEL KORS 
SPOTLIGHTED HERE
Shoes –  DIANE VON FURSTENBERG Krista printed leather sandals (no longer available); Similar pair here, here and here
SPOTLIGHTED HERE
Bag – MICHAEL KORS Leather Tote (mine is Patent Leather)

Posted in Clothing, Designer Spotlight, Style, Work Style | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Gobble Gobble

Posted on November 22, 2011 by Grace

Last year was the first year I celebrated Thanksgiving outside of the U.S.  Of course I was missing family, but I decided to perk up and take the opportunity to host my first Thanksgiving dinner cooking for three other couples also missing home.  I have to say it was a ton of work and stress to make sure everything came out as perfect as I had always imagined my first Thanksgiving dinner away from home would be.  The number of calls I made to my mom and dad that day was crazy, ha!  But after all was said and done, the night was a success and everyone was full and happy.  Looking back, it’s funny how much work I put into decorating my Thanksgiving table for dinner.  It almost became more important than the dinner menu!  Months before the big day I went online and ordered a new tablecloth, Thanksgiving place mats, napkins, napkin rings and even a cute apron to match!  Luckily everything arrived on time…gotta love Bed, Bath and Beyond! Then days before Thanksgiving, I stayed up late each night perfecting the centerpiece and table settings, right down to the formal placement of the silverware and hand-making name cards.  Everything had to be special for my guests, after all it was my first time hosting Thanksgiving!

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Our Menu Items:  TURKEY, Slow-Roasted Pork with Rosemary and Balsamic, Green Beans, Corn, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, my Auntie Grace’s Macaroni and Cheese, Fresh Hot Corn Bread, Sweet Potatoes stuffed inside an orange peel covered with Rice Krispy Treats and Marshmallows, and of course Stuffing.  Oh and Apple Pie for dessert.  YUM!

This year, we are still baking most of the same menu items, however, it’s just me and my husband.  No worries about the table setting since I’m pretty sure we will be eating at the coffee table while watching T.V., ha!

Posted in Family, Food and Sweets, Living in KL | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Clouds Rolling In

Posted on November 21, 2011 by Grace

Every afternoon the sky grows dark, thunder is heard brewing in the distance and the storms come rolling into Kuala Lumpur.  KL has a tropical rainforest climate which is warm and sunny all year round, but the warm climate also brings the abundant rainfall, especially during the months of October through March…the Monsoon season.  So since we are actually in the midst of this season, my rain boots frequently come in handy.  This weekend I headed out to run some errands and right on schedule, the clouds began rolling in during the late afternoon.  So although I ended up getting caught outside in the rainstorm (these pictures are only the beginning), I was able to make it back inside for the huge downpour.  Tomorrow, I will share some pictures of the weather here in the midst of a famous KL tropical rainstorm.

DAY

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Ironing Out the Details:

Blouse – UNIQLO
Shorts – URBAN OUTFITTER Kimchi Blue Cummerbund Short
Last seen here
Trench – URBAN OUTFITTERS Staring at Stars Sleeveless Trenchcoat (no longer available); Similar trench here and here
Last seen here
Belt – TOPSHOP heart belt (no longer available); Similar belt     
Last seen here
Earrings – Vintage; Similar here
Headband – Gifted; Similar here
Knee-Highs – FREE PEOPLE Petticoat tall socks (no longer available); Similar here
Boots – TORY BURCH (color no longer available); Similar pair

I hope you had a great weekend.  Happy Monday!

Posted in Day Style, Living in KL, Style | Tagged , , , , , | 16 Comments