Match Made In Heaven

(image courtesy of www.sortuv.com)

My friend S asks me how I get word of so many deals in the city. While my research and sources are secrets, I'm willing to share information. Today's bargain Boston event? Match Burgers & Martinis on the corner of Mass Ave & Newbury Street in the Back Bay. Thursday nights from 5-10pm. $5 entrees for women. Yes, $5 entrees. Be prepared to wait for a table or make a reservation in advance - Boston fashionistas are slowly hearing about this event and not saying no, with good reason. Take a peek at their menu and you'll see their normal mini burgers around $5-$7 each normally, but Match Thursdays mean $5 entrees. Filet mignon. Lobster pasta dishes. Grilled rosemary chicken. Delicious. S and I each ordered the filet mignon (for $5, as if anyone can say no) and washed it down with fabulous cocktails. At $12 each, the signature martinis are steep, but when the food is so cheap, allowing one is doable. My favorite pick: their Pop Culture martini. It's no surprise that I chose it by name alone. Rimmed with strawberry Pop Rocks, the super sweet martini tastes like candy with coconut Bacardi and various juices. I love.

-M

The Perfect Tote

(image courtesy of kaboodle.com)

Spotted: A Kate Spade “Coal” bag on my walk to work this morning. Black and white with the front saying "downtown" with surrounding NYC subway line numeral symbols. I'm obsessed.

I received my first Kate Spade “Coal” bag 2.5 years ago. A part of my 21st birthday gift, my then-boyfriend listened to my gift requests and took note of the Kate spade website page left open on his laptop screen when I left for classes, meals and outings. I still use the bag today (thanks to P's judgment and her saving it from being a breakup victim en route to the trash or bonfire). Tried and true, it’s the ultimate handbag, one of my must-haves. Small enough to use everyday. Space enough to squish in a day planner, beach towel, flip flops, notebook, issues of vogue and necessary keys and iPhone. Given todays’ sighting, I might need to start expanding my collection asap!

-M

Signature Scent

(image courtesy of: http://johnniecraig.files.wordpress.com)

My friend J.D. lamented the loss of her Dolce & Gabbana perfume this weekend. A casualty in the 4th of July weekend, its whereabouts are unknown after a BBQ and one too many glasses of summer ale. I first didn't grasp the severity of the situation (didn’t I see three other sprays in her room?!) until I realized the importance of a woman's signature scent.

Everyone remembers the scene in 'How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days' when Andie's crazy friend's boyfriend of a nanosecond comes crawling back. He realized he missed her when the scent of her perfume wore off his pillow. Although cheesy (and okay, cute, because I doubt any guy would ever say that), it’s true. Scents link memories past to the present. My mother wears Anice Anice - and the mere name brings me back as a five year old watching her apply her perfume in the small, blue bathroom adjacent to her and my father's bedroom. I sat, hoping to steal a smear of her Cover Girl foundation - nevermind the fact that we're two completely different skin tones. The scent of cucumber melon from Bath & Body Works takes me to high school era joyrides (and covering up the scent of teenage rebellion). Juicy Couture's signature perfume sends me to my 4th floor dorm room, eating take out, drinking wine and watching Sex & The City or The Hills with P and our friend and T.

As I fully emerge (and ok, finally accept) myself as a full fledged adult, career-working, no-longer-a-child woman, I think its time for a true signature scent for myself. My almost final decision? Delices de Cartier by Cartier.

-M

Who Doesn't Need A New Necklace?

(image courtesy of thebudgetfashionista.com)

Color me excited. August 31st. Pencil, circle or highlight your day planners and save your pennies. Anna Sheffield’s line for Target debuts. In this recession, who can afford whole new outfits (without racking up your Amex bill)? Tis the year for accessorizing on a budget. Sheffield’s sterling silver and rose gold-plated chains, bracelets and necklaces are perfect centerpieces for any blazer, sweater or tunic. Pieces range from $20-$80. Can't. Hardly. Wait.

-M

Obsession Alert

(image courtesy of polyvore.com)

Ahhh. It's the best time of the month. New magazine week. While flipping through the August issue of Harper's Bazaar, I find larger than life images of beautiful, gorgeous, opulent Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co bracelets. Silver. Gold. Black. Obsessed.

-M

Required Shopping

(image courtesy of: http://thisislavie.com/)

Nina Garcia is quickly filling my bookcase shelves. On a whim of luck, I found "The One Hundred" on sale at Urban Outfitters in the Fanueil Hall Marketplace. I devoured the book in a day and a half and feel inspired by Garcia's list of must-haves for every fashionable woman. I agree with many of her picks and have a few of my own. As Garcia writes, "It is important for everyone who reads this book to know that I have adapted and edited each item on this list to suit my style, my body, my personality. I should hope you will do the same." That being said, here are just a few of my personal must haves for every fashionista.

-Boston Red Sox Baseball Cap.

A must have for every New England girl. I've owned one for as long as I've been alive. A fashion statement in itself, it shows your regional allegiance, pride for Boston, and the belief that, yes, the Yankees suck. It also doubles as a great cover for the days you sleep through your alarm and lose precious hair straightening minutes. Available in a myriad of colors, but let's face it, the only one that matters is the ever-classic red and blue. Whatever you do, don’t be accused of being a pink hat fan!

-Tiara.

No I'm not talking about a five dollar at Claires kind of tiara. A real tiara, a la Princess Diana. Not recommended for everyday office wear (but who am i to judge?), Everyone can channel their inner princess on their birthday, holiday or any day while lounging in a silk robe. Swarovski makes some great options.

-Denim.

Specifically, jeans. I’m positive that my jean obsession started with my no-jeans-allowed prep school dress code. Much like relationships, you don’t know what you have until it’s gone – or in this case, not allowed. Garcia writes as a fun fact that the average person owns 8.3 pairs of jeans. I counted. I own 40. That are currently clean in my closet. So, let’s say 50 when taking dirty laundry into thought. It’s a lot of denim, but I have no buyers remorse. Skinny leg. Bootcut. Wide leg. Destroyed. Boyfriend fit. Dark wash. Light wash. A lot of options becomes a lot of shopping. One note with jeans: it’s great to discount shop, but I never suggest doing so with denim. Quality denim feels great, fits great and, most importantly, doesn’t stretch out. A co-worker of mine had an unfortunate jean find last week at Urban Outfitters where the denim just didn’t sit well and stretched out after one day. Forever 21 jeans are also infamous to stretch after one wear. Keep the bargains for tops, and try on pairs by Seven for all Mankind, Citizens for Humanity, J Brand, Paper Denim & Cloth and Earnest Sewn. Your legs will thank you.

-Lip gloss.

The one cosmetic necessity for every woman. I don’t care if it’s Cherry Chapstick, Chanel, Stila or anything inbetween. Lips get chapped and uncomfortable. Lips are a visual focal point during conversation. Make them look as good as the rest of you!

-Black turtleneck.

A la Audrey Hepburn. One in cashmere is a winter necessity. It screams classic, classy and professional. Always flattering and slimming, it somehow always hugs in the right places. Consider it a new best friend.

-M

R.I.P.

(image courtesy of: http://newsroom-magazine.com)

Walter Cronkite passed away this evening at the age of 92. As a former journalism student with a B.A. in journalism, Cronkite was a frequent topic in classes and seen as a true icon. He covered historic moments including Neil Armstrong walking on the moon, John F. Kennedy's assassination. He was the anchorman that inspired - and will continue to inspire - journalism students. The media industry would be vastly different without him, his legacy and impact.

RIP.

-M

I’d Rather Wear Shoeboxes On My Feet

(image courtesy of listentoleon.net)

I distain Crocs. When they first appeared on my friends’ feet, they claimed that they were comfortable. My friend C said they were the best shoes to have when she crewed during college. “They’re light and feel like nothing on your feet!” I maintained that they look like gardening shoes, that only my mom (who I love, but only recently tuned herself into the world of trendy fashion) would wear in her tomato patch on summer days. Crocs are best paired with graying hair and tacky rubber gloves. Not designer handbags and daisy duke shorts.

I gave in a year ago when I found a pair of Boston Red Sox themed Crocs in a random boutique on Washington Street. I had on the most uncomfortable pair of ballet flats and my feet were screaming for anything that wouldn’t pinch or blister. I paid the inflated twenty-something dollars for the two red and blue pieces of rubber in hopes of comfort. I soon learned that every single one of my friends that said they wore them for comfort lied. The footbed is prickly, the holes give an unnecessary draft into my foot and they’re cut so wide that a shoebox would be more comfortable. My pair of Crocs had a lifespan of 30 minutes that day, was worn once during Opening Day 2009 at Fenway Park and now collects dust underneath my bed.

Today, good news out of the Washington Post for myself and fellow anti-Croc fashionistas. The trend is over. Tired. Dead. And the company is broke. Long live the standby flip-flop as the summer shoe of choice.

-M

Mischa Barton: Art Imitates Life?

(image courtesy of www.people.com)

File this one under unfortunate irony. Mischa Barton, The O.C.’s golden girl, is reportedly in a psychiatric unit under observation. This only a week after some rather embarrassing photos surfaced onto the interwebs. Did I bring her bad luck by finally mentioning her in yesterday’s Missoni post? Either way, send good thoughts and vibes to her.

And although it might be inappropriate, does anyone else find this the slightest bit odd? Is Barton playing out her Marissa Cooper alter-ego? Not to add to the negativity of the situation, but I’m just saying, I don’t think this would happen to the ever-perfect (and stylish) Rachel Bilson-slash-Summer Roberts. Hrm?

-M

Even the recession can be trendy

(image courtesy of: http://www.feltclubboston.com)

Living in the city isn’t easy on a budget – and believe me, I know this fact firsthand. I’m known to break my budget on a twice-a-day basis. On the upside of the current dreary American economy are food specials. I live in a city that doesn’t allow happy hour (literally, legally, it’s a Blue Book law), but this doesn’t prevent food specials. Thankfully.

While I’ve scoped out several deals in the city (10 cent wings at the Asgard on Mondays, one dollar tacos at La Verdad on Tuesdays), my personal favorite weekly event is Recessionista Wednesdays at Felt on Washington Street. My three childhood best friends, K, C, L and I attended a few weeks in a row and left both times impressed, with full stomachs and wallets. The special $3 menu features appetizers such as garlicky shrimp and entrees like chicken picatta and mini chesse or veggie burgers. Desserts include apple crisp in martini glasses. Surprisingly enough, the menu as a whole was inexpensive with a half-order of lobster risotto costing a mere $8. Drinks range from about $6 to $10, so choose wisely and have only one or two. We all seem to approve of the red or white sangria (and, let’s face it, when isn’t sangria a good choice?).

Best yet, Felt sets a theme to each Recessionista Wednesday. Two weeks ago it was a chocolate theme – complete with chocolate fountain, dessert samples from a local bakery and celebrity trivia. Future themes include the Boston Red Sox, celebrities and country (as in country music). Count me in and remind me to look photo ready.

-M