ROYAL BLUE

Dress, boots - H&M / Glitter tights - Gap (2 years old) / Necklace - Forever 21

I may have committed a bit of a Christmas-time faux pas in buying this dress for myself. In my defense, I made a point to buy or make gifts for everyone else before I decided to treat myself. Well, I guess that's almost entirely true, as long as I continue to ignore the still unfinished photo album laying on my desk with its various disassembled components scattered about in a messy pile. Oh, and I still have to wrap all of my gifts. And design and make everyone's cards. Did I mention it's Christmas Eve? I hope no one will mind and/or notice if my gift presentation is a bit lacking this year. Perhaps my sparkly tights will distract them.

US*U.S. Boutique

On a beautiful day earlier this week, when the weather felt nothing like it should in early December, I made my way down the Philadelphia-based designer co-op US*U.S. Boutique. Located on North 4th Street next to a firehouse (and a very distinctive bust of Benjamin Franklin), US*U.S. houses the work of eight Philadelphia designers. All of the original pieces shown in-store are for sale, but most of the designers work with customers to produce one-a-kind couture garments. A majority of the work is done on site or within the city, with delicate or specialized garments such an knitwear being shipped out. One of the designers, who was in the process of drafting a pattern and fitting a sample when I stopped by, was kind enough to take me down to the sewing room in the basement level of the store. The name of this co-op is meant to illustrate its goal of supporting locally based designers. The pieces you'll find are made in America, from conceptualization to creation.

Read more about US*U.S. Boutique in this week's issue of The Triangle

Linear

Striped shirt - J. Crew via Net-A-Porter; Teal skirt - Urban Outfitters; Tote - H&M; Scarf - vintage Bill Blass; Patent ballet flats - Target; Gold necklace - Forever 21

One would think that finding a red striped shirt would be a rather simple feat, right? Six months ago when I initiated my hunt for a red and white Breton-striped top I would have agreed with the previously stated question, but such a top has proven to be quite an elusive creature. When I did find a shirt I liked it was usually out of my price range, because apparently there's a market for $100 t-shirts. I found this precious gem of a garment while browsing Net-a-Porter with no intention of purchasing a thing but instead weeping softly over the beautiful designer clothing that will sit in my virtual shopping bag and never be actually purchased. I think I've worn it every single week since I've received it, so even if I did pay over $100 for it I would have gotten my money's worth within a few months.

If you're an avid (or occasional) reader of East coast-based blogs, you're probably well aware of the heat wave we've been subjected to over the past month. I made the poor choice of donning this shirt to an outdoor barbecue on the fourth of July and within minutes of stepping out the door I ran back and changed into a sleeveless top I had stowed away in my suitcase. I used to think I was a Summer person, but I've developed a new appreciation for Fall as I've found myself longing to layer tights and sweaters and blouses and shirts under dresses and the list goes on and on.