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I’ve missed you.

See you soon!

xo,

coco

via FGR & Fashionista

New Year, new series!

I’m always inspired by women who have managed to create their own style and have been curious to know more about how to be effortlessly stylish. Our new series ‘Women of Style’ will look into the minds, closets and nightstands of a variety of women with different points of view.

If you know any women of style we should feature, leave a comment! Bisous, Winy

Alexandra Bottrie

Alexandra Bottrie

Age: 45

Occupation: Mother, Philanthropist, Hand In Hand for Haiti www.handinhandforhaiti.com 

Alex, as she is affectionately known, has always had a passion for Fashion.  Born and raised in Haiti, she credits her grand-mother -who was a seamstress- and her mother, who had all of her dresses handmade, as her key influences for her sense of style. Growing up in Haiti and reading the pages of French Vogue and Officiel magazines, she was inspired by the careers of Beverly Johnson and Iman and subsequently, modeled for 7 years.

10 years ago, love brought her to New York City where she lives with her French husband and their two beautiful children.

1) Alex, how would you describe your style? 

Comfortable elegance. My style has evolved with my travels and moving from Haiti, then Miami and finally New York City with frequent trips to France where my husband is from.

2) What are your go-to brands and why?

My go-to brands vary, it all depends on the occasion. I’m a mother and I travel a lot, therefore, I have to feel at ease and be comfortable while being polished. I wear a lot of J Crew, Alexander Wang and 3.1 Philip Lim on a day to day basis.   I also love Chanel and Tods flats.

I’m faithful to my brands so I always find something I love at Lanvin or Marni.  My favourite trousers / pants are from Dries Van Noten (I love their fit and their prints).  For my “Rock Mom Attitude”, a little Zadig et Voltaire mixed with Rick Owens will do it.

3) What are your favourite wardrobe pieces and why?

My chocolate Silk Lanvin dress was the first Lanvin dress I bought in 2010 when I co-chaired the Lycée Français de New York’s Gala at the New York Armor, it was like magic.

I also cherish all my Lanvin necklaces (I think I can say I collect them now, they are so unique, season after season).

And finally, my first designer bag, a Birkin, holds a very special place in my heart. It was given to me by my husband on our wedding day.

4) The beauty product you can’t live without and why?

La Mer gel wash and La Mer facial cream because it is a miracle cream and I believe in prevention not intervention.
5) A beauty secret your mom or grand-mother told you that you use?

My grand-mother was beautiful and she never left the house without lipstick or earrings.  But the best advice she gave me “Never go to bed with makeup.”  I always wash my face before bedtime and hydrate.  I lived on an island under the sun for many years and it was necessary to hydrate.  I swear by Nivea Body lotion, I’ve been using it since I was 17 and it has been my ritual morning and night ever since, especially during the winter months here in New York.

6) Your Spring / Summer 2012 must haves

I don’t have “must haves”, I don’t follow trends even thought I love fashion. I make my own purchase decisions but one thing is for sure, I will not miss the Marni for H&M coming this March!

In today’s edition of ‘kinda nuts, but kinda rad’ (this is the first edition, btw…) I give you the Jimmy Choo ‘Rika Leather Coffee Cup Sleeve’

I say rad because it’s a cute way to not waste trees, but nuts because, well, it’s pretty clear….

This item could have also been filed under the heading, ‘Buy This If You Have Too Much Money’ or ‘Where Going Green, Goes Wrong’

xo,

coco

There’s this saying (or idea) that goes a little something like this,

Women don’t dress for men, they dress for other women.

This usually comes up when women wear of the moment trends that are risky, physically unflattering and scream; I know more than you do about fashion and don’t give an eff what you think about it.  Let’s face it, we ladies got SATC and what Patricia Fields was trying to do, but our man-friends certainly did not.

Being a leo who considers herself quite interested in fashion, I always just thought that I dressed for me.  But with the explosion of fashion bloggers like Man Repeller boasting (if not by name alone) that they are fine with the fact that their fashion choices, well, repel men, I got to thinking about my own decisions in the fashion department.

Take my Mongolian wool fur vest for example:

I put this (above) on last Saturday and literally shrieked with excitement.  I strutted into my living room, ready to hit the road with the Mr and he looked at me with a look I could only explain as disgust.  Followed by a comment that went something like “you’re not wearing that, are you?”.  Defeated and deflated, I slumped back into my bedroom and changed into something a little more streamlined and huffed for the rest of the day.

I think I was most distraught with myself, to be honest.  Because this would mark the first time that I’ve actually realized that I may not in fact dress for myself, or for the appreciation of other women, but for my HUSBAND?!?!? Whaaaa?  I always had a sinking feeling that all of those Women’s Studies classes were a slight waste of my time, but this was like a slap in the face of feminism. (I don’t really mean it Mrs Mamareo…)

I thought back to all of those evenings that I waited to see if he liked what I was wearing.  The numerous times I’ve resisted pulling on my snuggly UGGs or Minnetonkas and the many, many shameful times that I’ve become that typical girl (satirized forever on TV and in romantic comedies) that asks “Does this make me look fat” hoping beyond hope that he would lie to me.

Now to be fair, the Mr never tells me I’m fat and the fur vest was a rare case of him not liking what I chose.  But I am also hyper aware and observant so knowing what he likes and now looking at my closet, I do think it’s safe to say that I lean towards dressing in a way that he would like – with a huge caveat being that I would never wear anything that I didn’t love as well.

The rarer the occasions of me going out on the town become, I have to admit that I see far more women dressing not for the sartorial applause of the fashion savvy or for the appreciation of their bloke, but rather some strange twisted nod to The Jersey Shore….

So I’m confused.  Ladies, help me out.  I wanna hear from you.  Who do you dress for?  Or better yet, what inspires your fashion choices for a typical night out?  Is it the envy and appreciation of women, the approval of men or just what makes you feel good?  Do you feel pressure to dress like you’re going out on The Shore or do you not care all together?

Leave a comment, shed some light.

xo,

coco

p.s. check out what these fab ladies have to say on the topic:

stylishthought.com

www.dailymail.co.uk

Last Thursday I hosted my first dinner party in my new condo.  I’m not finished adding all of the little decorative design elements yet because I think you need to live in a space before you know exactly what it needs.  With that being said, after the dinner party, a bar cart is on the top of my list of needed items.   Especially after watching the finale of Boardwalk Empire, knowing I will have to wait an entire year for more has inspired me to have a little nod to the ’20′s in my own home.

RIP Jimmy Darmody…

I think the furniture world picked up on the nostalgia trend as well because there are quite a few options in the bar cart department.

to left: 1. The Double 2. The Sedgewick 3. Kailua Bamboo Tray 4. Kourtney High-Low Cocktail Bar

Although I love the way the traditional carts look, to fit with the aesthetic of my place, I’m in the market for a current take on the old classic.

Gorge!

And don’t even get me started on the glassware… That’s a whole other post….

That I can’t wait to work on!

xo,

coco

p.s. Bar Carts don’t only have to be used for your booze, they can double as sweet side tables and cute storage.

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