His & Hers Inspiration - A Single Man

The {His} and I have put our extra hours of holiday leisure to good use reading our favorite books and watching our favorite films.  One such film is Tom Ford's A Single Man.  Although a rather dark story, it's directed by a fashion god and set in the early 60's, making it a gorgeously costumed filmed.  The 60's are by far my favorite fashion era {as I'm sure you know from my obsession with Andy & Edie and the costumery in Mad Men}.  I still wish everyone dressed as they did in the 60's. 

His & Hers Looks - Christmas Coziness & Leisure

Nothing compares to this time of year.  So much happiness and joy from being surrounded by family and the refreshing opportunity to enjoy the coziness and leisure of the holiday season.  The {His} and I have taken full advantage of this all too rare time to slow down and just be...

{ M is for Merry... }

{ my gorgeous mum } 

{ His } 

Button Down: Rag & Bone

Jeans: Diesel

Boots: Hush Puppies

Laces: J. Crew

Book: Ernest Hemingway's For Whom The Bell Tolls

{ Hers }

Earrings: Sandy Hyun

Blouse: ModCloth

Tights: F21

Flats: Ann Taylor Loft

His & Hers Wishes for a Merry & White Christmas

I couldn't get enough of a White Christmas this holiday season.  Such a classic film with the merriest of holiday cheer ~ singing, dancing, and ornate costume.  I couldn't help but share my favorite stills with you on this very festive day...  

{ We're sending you the very best of wishes for a Merry and White Christmas!! }

His - Calm Before The Storm

Last weekend was full of holiday celebrations with friends, which included delicious dinners and drinks at two of my new favorite supper spots in the city, Longman & Eagle and Chicago Q.  It was a pleasant calm before the holiday storm...

{ image on the wall at Longman & Eagle }

{ His }

Coat: Andrew Marc

Tweed Blazer: Gant by Michael Bastian

Button Down: Gitman Bros. for Haberdash Chicago

Pants: Gardeur

Boots: Hush Puppies

Laces: J. Crew

{ more images from Longman & Eagle }

His & Hers Picks - Guided Gifting for the Host

Christmas is only days away, which means it's crunch time for those searching for any last-minute gifts.  In our fourth, and final, guided gifting post {see previous posts here, here & here}, we'd like to focus on the most important recipient of them all ~ the host and/or hostess.  Nay it matter if the gift be big or small, it's the thought and gratitude shown to those who wine and dine us that truly counts.  So, we're here to help with some ideas to make merry...

{ His & Hers Picks }

1. Hammered Entertaining Serveware via West Elm

2. Arden Candleholders via Crate & Barrel

3. Four-Some Bud Vase via CB2

4. Peppermint Bark via Williams-Sonoma

5. Swoon Carafe via Crate & Barrel

6. Fred Cool Jewels Ice Cube Trays via Amazon.com

His & Hers Inspiration - Love

It's officially Christmas week and the countdown is on to the big day!!  I'm brimming with excitement to see my family and celebrate in just a few days, as I'm sure many of you are as well.  So, I couldn't think of a better way to kick-off this festive time than with a little inspiration based on love.  

Last week at work, we co-hosted an event with Club Monaco.  While there, I noticed a quote on their wall by Goethe that I'd never noticed before... 

{ "We are shaped and fashioned by what we love." }

This couldn't be more true.  We are who we are because of what we love.  It's what makes us unique, shaping and fashioning our personal style.  And, there's really no better time of year than the present to celebrate those things that we love.  So, here's to a festive week full of much love and happiness.

Hers - Among The Twinkle Lights

Last night, on our way to meet dear friends for a delicious dinner and drinks at Longman & Eagle, I had to stop to savor the twinkling splendor of our building's entrance courtyard.  I just love the way the city looks this time of year ~ full of twinkle lights and holiday cheer.  I wish the tinsel and twinkle of this season could stay year-round.   

{ Hers }

Sequined Beanie: Nordstrom

Earrings: F21

Coat: Miss Sixty

Fur Vest: Norstrom

Dress: Von Maur

Stripped Long Sleeve T: H&M

Leggings: American Apparel

Boots: United Colors of Benetton

Leather Gloves: Club Monaco

Ring: The Glamourai

Bag: Coach

Feathery Puff: J. Crew

His - The Perfect Tweed

As you know from Monday's post, the {His} found the perfect tweed blazer last weekend.  He admittedly felt guilty finding something for himself so close to the holidays, but we made a little compromise to make it his Christmas gift, gifted early.  I couldn't resist letting him wear it, especially with it's burgundy elbow pads, which will look perfectly polished paired with his plaid button down for holiday parties.    

{ His }

Blazer: Gant by Michael Bastian

Button Down: Rag & Bone

Jeans: Diesel

Boots: Vasque

Laces: J. Crew

His & Hers Picks - Guided Gifting

Can you believe there are only 10 more days until Christmas?!  With all the hustle and bustle this time of year, it's hard to keep up with everything on the to-do list.  At least there's one list we can do our best to help you with ~ holiday shopping.  After last week's posts {seen here & here }, we thought we'd provide a full gifting post on books alone.  We love collecting cool and interesting coffee table books, as they not only make a great addition to home decor, but can also be great conversation starters.  Here are just a few of our picks for that bookworm on your holiday shopping list...

{ Vogue Living: Houses, Gardens, People // 100 Years of Fashion Illustration }

{ Drinkology: The Art & Science of the Cocktail // ABC of Men's Fashion }

{ 1000 Record Covers // Andy Warhol Screen Tests } 

His & Hers Picks - Gant by Michael Bastian

This past weekend was full of quality family time and loads, and loads, of Christmas shopping.  It was such a great weekend and incredibly productive.  In the midst of our weekend-long shopping spree, the {His} stumbled upon the perfect tweed blazer, which he's actually spent months searching for.  A Gant by Michael Bastian gray tweed sport coat, with rich, burgundy-colored corduroy elbow patches and a fit that seems to be made for the {His}, was love at first sight!!  

"The corduroy elbow pads are actually designed like athletic padding. I wanted to work a sports theme into the tailored clothing, too." 

~ Michael Bastian ~

{ image and quote via GQ.com }

His & Hers Inspiration - Holiday Party

Looking for a little inspiration for an upcoming holiday party, or NYE perhaps?!  Vogue Turkey is to the rescue!!  I fell in love with this spread on FashionGoneRogue.com while pulling inspiration for work and was instantly in the mood to get all dolled up.  There's really no better season to layer on the sparkles, fur, satin, and sheer!!   

{ all images via FashionGoneRogue.com for Vogue Turkey }

Hers - Christmas Plaid

Everywhere I go I see red and green these days.  Even in the freight elevator lobby of our apartment building...  

Since the outfit I pulled together yesterday felt rather Christmasy, I had to stop to have the {His} snap a few quick pics.  Even more so because I was wearing a sweet birthday gift from my parents ~ a blackwatch plaid taffeta skirt.  It's a little hard to see in the snaps we took, but you can see a clear picture of it on the Talbots website.  It's so lovely and reminiscent of the blackwatch plaid the {His} and I used as an accent in our wedding decor.

{ Hers }

Jacket: BB Dakota

Turtleneck: H&M

Plaid Taffeta Skirt: Talbots 

Tights: Hue

Booties: Steve Madden

Earrings & Rings: Sandy Hyun

Watch: Michael Kors

Her Picks - Guided Gifting

As I mentioned in Monday's post, we're going to do our best to help you with your holiday shopping this season.  The {His} provided his first handful of picks for the boys, so now it's my turn.  My selection of guided gifting picks will add a touch of glam to any girl's life ~ what girl doesn't love a little glam?!  With a range of price points, I hope I've helped you shop for at least one lucky girl in your life. 

{ Her Picks }

1. Asos Fantasy Fur Cossack Hat

2. Club Monaco Ostrich Feather Clutch via shopbop.com

3. The Limited Bow Back Statement Chain Necklace

4. Chanel Fragrance Wardrobe 2010 Gift Set

5. Tinley Road Cozy Scarf with Sequins

6. Clothbound Penguin Classics via Anthropologie

His - Oldies But Goodies

I read an interesting quote in Scott Schuman's book, The Sartorialist {a collection of work from his ubber famous blog}.  He said: "...women always want to show you their newest purchase and men want to show you their oldest."  That really couldn't be more true.  While I love wearing the newest items in my closet, the {His} would prefer to stand by those sturdy classics.  His red-laced boots are quickly proving this point.  In the {His'} eyes, most items get better with age.  

{ His }

Coat: Andrew Marc

Cardigan: J. Crew

Button Down: Theory

Pants: Gardeur

Boots: Hush Puppies

Shoe Laces: J. Crew

His Picks - Guided Gifting

This time of year we're all on the hunt for the perfect gifts.  It can be challenging, especially for those hard to shop for loved ones.  So, we've vowed to do our best to help with your holiday gift giving this season.  We'll be providing our favorite gifting ideas over the next couple weeks.  'Tis the season to shop!! 

{ His Picks }

1. Original Penguin Flask

2. Crystal Head Vodka 

3. Sephora Favorites Fragrance Sampler for Him

4. The Man's Book by Thomas Fink

5. J. Crew Pocket Squares

6. All Saints Woodsman Bowtie

His & Hers Nest - Home for the Holidays

The {His} and I spent last night readying our nest for the holidays.  It's turned into a tradition to dedicate one evening to all things Christmas to get us in the spirit.  So, after grabbing a bite of dinner, we trekked over to our neighborhood garden center, Old Town Gardens, to purchase our tree along with extra pine and holly branches for decorating.  Our cozy nest has transformed into a festive spot and just in time for the first blanket of snow, which arrived this morning.  Happy holidays!!

{ our tree } 

{ she received a bit of bling from the little red ornaments I added to her pearls }

{ our itty-bitty Charlie Brown tree ~ he was just too cute to leave behind } 

 

{ an arrangement I created out of fresh pine and holly } 

{ first snow }

His - Once Upon A Stay-Cation

A couple weeks ago the {His} treated me to a birthday weekend at The Wit Hotel, accompanied by an evening at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.  It was an incredibly fun and inspiring stay-cation.  In fact, I was mostly inspired by the wildly chic decor at The Wit.  It's full of beautiful demask mirrored walls and carpets, and killer art galore.  I was in heaven! ! I had to make the {His} standstill for at least a couple captures... 

{ His }

Sunglasses: Ray-Ban

Blazer: Theory

Button Down: Steven Alan

Jeans: Diesel

Boots: Hush Puppies {seen here & here}