Christmas Comes Early to French Pharmacie

I had one of those moments today where you feel like the Fashion Gods are looking out for you. I decided to head to French Pharmacie today for a last-minute Christmas gift (no, not for myself), and as I walked in, my favorite salesperson Jessica was just getting off the phone with owner Stacy Kosene. Stacy had called to say that all the fall and winter clothing and shoes was now 50% off. That's right, 50%.

So run, don't walk to FP while the selection is still good. I picked up three fabulous dresses, pretty much for the price of one (yay), and the most incredible boots EVER.

I nearly passed on the boots because I got stuck in them in the store - thanks, Jessica, for helping me yank them off - but after a quick consultation with a shoe repair, I think they can be stretched just slightly to accomodate my slightly pudgy calves. And, serious diet season starts in one week, so hopefully my calves will be the first spot to slim down. Unlikely, but you never know. One fashion prayer was answered today; maybe a second one will be, too.

Seriously. Stop reading and go to FP. Now. You'll thank me.

Jonesing for New Shoes

Ah, December. The time of year when thoughts turn to...no, not mistletoe and holly and all that holiday stuff...but spring fashion.

I guess technically it's resort, but savvy fashionistas shop early before the hottest styles sell out. I don't know why, but I tend to get more jazzed about resort wear than the spring collections when they make their appearance in a few months.

This season, I'm particularly lusting after some new shoes. Prada's new heel - that's sculpted like a flower - is unbelievably gorgeous. I mean, really spectacular. And I also love YSL's decidedly non-hippie take on the platform sandal. These remind me of the cork platforms I had in grade school, but in a much cooler and more sophisticated form.

I'm headed to Chicago for the Christmas holiday, so will be able to scope both of these glorious shoes out in person, on Michigan Ave. Now if Santa will just stuff my stocking with cash...

French Pharmacie Blog

French Pharmacie and its owner Stacy Kosene have started a blog - www.AreYouChicEnough.com.

Check it out! It's very fun - write ups on French Pharmacie events, along with photos and descriptions of Stacy's favorite things.

Almost as good as IndyStyle...

Being Indypendent

So, I see lots of cars driving around all the time with those bumper stickers that say, "Be Indypendent. Buy Indy art." And I have to say, I'm really impressed with the art scene here in town. There are lots of interesting places in town to go see, buy and even make art, and I continue to be amazed at the affordable prices.

This past Friday was another "First Friday," when many of the galleries in town host opening events. While living in Chicago, I attended a few gallery walks in River North (I used to live in the neighborhood), but was always really discouraged by how pricey everything was. Yes, I saw lots of pieces I loved, but never for less than like 5 large...which can be a little tough to stomach, particularly on a PR-girl's salary.

So imagine my glee at discovering The Harrison Center, where the majority of works at every show are under $1,000 - typically WAY under. If you've not attended any Harrison Center openings, I highly recommend it. Last Friday's was just how you want it to be - a big crowd of interesting people, with music, art and free wine. Yay!

From there, I headed down to Fountain Square. I hit Big Car Gallery, which is always interesting (and makes me feel very hip just for knowing how to find it on the second floor of the Murphy building) as well as Alchemy. Alchemy is cool - a combo salon and art gallery. I never see a lot of people in there getting haircuts, but the art hanging in there is worth a look. Alchemy was hosting a silent auction of works donated by local artists to benefit the First Friday opening events. I guess the money made pays for the cheese trays or something. Anyway, I felt a little guilty getting away with a giant and very cool painting for $250 - after all, these are starving artists, right? But hey, it was for a good cause. Now I just need to figure out how to get it home...

Fun Night at French Pharmacie

French Pharmacie hosted a holiday open house last night, which was of course fabulous. Even though I didn't win any of the door prizes (like a Balanciaga wallet or a cute fur hat), I drank plenty of champagne and made new friends with some fellow fashionistas.

FP has started to receive some resort wear, and it's very cute. Lots of Tory Burch and 3.1 Philip Lim. I purchased a very cute Philip Lim dress that I can wear now with a black turtleneck underneath and some black tights (thanks to Stacy Kosene for that great suggestion), and then pull it out for parties in spring/summer on its own. I think it would be perfect for, say, a wedding on the beach in Naples, FL - should such an event crop up on my social calendar in '08 (fingers crossed).

There's also some GREAT stuff on sale at FP right now, including a ton of jewelry marked down 50%. That's right, 50%. So of course I couldn't resist snapping up a ring I've had my eye on essentially since I moved back here in April. Merry Christmas to me! And it looks great with my new dress.

So if you've still got a little money rattling around in your pocket after your holiday shopping, head to FP and buy yourself something shiny to put in your stocking.

Tonight is First Friday, so I'll be attending the opening of the Indianapolis Art Center show at Barnes & Thornberg (11 S. Meridian), followed by the Harrison Center and possibly Big Car in Fountain Square. Should be fun!

Project Runway Dress is at Steve and Barry's

And guess what - it's cute. Especially for $19.98. There's nothing else in the Bitten line right now worth a second glance, sadly, but the winning Project Runway dress is worth snatching up. Even just as a pop culture collectible it's worth $20.

Other than that, Bitten is a disappointment right now. There were a couple of jackets that looked like they had a cute cut, but the fabric is super cheap. I know, I know...what do you expect for $19.98? But I'd rather spend a little bit more for better fabric.

All in all, I had some good luck this weekend. Saks has started its designer sale, and the "premier" designer shoes (Prada, Manolo, Chanel, etc.) have been marked down 30%. Also, J. Crew has some cute stuff in the store right now - I fell for a bright orange wool blazer that's very reminiscent of the prepster stuff that Balenciaga had in the fall line. Definitely worth a look.

Don't feel like it's an emergency to trek to Lafayette Square to pick up your Project Runway dress. Steve and Barry's had a ton of them (thank you, Steve and Barry's for actually making enough of what's sure to be a hot item) in all sizes.

Happy shopping!

Upcoming Events

Hi, all. I thought I'd let you all know about a couple of important events coming up next week.

On Thursday, December 6, French Pharmacie will be hosting a holiday open house from 4-8 p.m. In addition to a jewelry trunk show, I understand that there will be music and other fun things - perhaps even some discounts...which could add up at FP! Another new development at my favorite local store - there is now a manicurist in-house so you can squeeze in a mani/pedi next time you're out shopping. Genius!

Next Friday is another First Friday in Indy, so the Harrison Center will be hosting another of their quirky yet fabulous opening nights. December's exhibit is titled "What You Crave" - a play on White Christmas/White Castle (one of the sponsors), so I've got to believe there could be some slyders served. At any rate, the show is a group show of Harrison Center artists, many of whom will also be opening their studios. The event runs from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Big Car also has a First Friday event. Their December show is "Under the Weather: Paintings and Other Things by Alfred Eaker, Bill Ross, Keith Banner and Joe Griffith." I'm not familiar with the artists, but the show looks interesting (at least from the postcard). Big Car's opening night goes from 6 p.m. - midnight, with live music happening at 10 p.m.

Don't say I didn't warn you.

Penguin Project a Smashing Success!

Wow, so much to catch up on after a week's vacation. I'll just go quickly, and a little bit randomly.

First off - the Penguin Project has worked out far better than I ever expected. When I returned home from vacation on Saturday night, I had two rather large packages waiting for me - a box of two smallish plastic penguins, and another with a 4-ft plastic reindeer inside. As I had some free time yesterday, I went to Michael's and picked up the special Krylon Fusion spray paint, made specially for plastic. I painted the penguins yesterday afternoon, and they turned out fantastically well! Not exactly like Cracking Art's "Red Penguin," mostly because they are much smaller, but a nice homage, if I do say so myself. Hopefully my landlord won't notice/mind the flecks of red spray paint left when I did a little touch up in my breezeway...I'll be painting my reindeer black this weekend.

Second - I finally caught up on the first two episodes of "Project Runway." I think it's true that this season will be better than ever. Spoiler alert - on the second episode, the challenge is to design an outfit for SJP's Bitten line, to be sold at Steve & Barry's. I've not yet gone to Steve & Barry's to see the winning design in person, but a trip is in order this weekend, I think.

Finally - I'm normally not the biggest fan of outlet malls, but I had some good success on vacation at Sawgrass, which is in Florida outside of Ft. Lauderdale. I picked up some cashmere sweaters at the J. Crew outlet for $65 each, which was my best find. If you're down there, it's worth a trip. I will say, however, that I was VERY disappointed in the restrooms there - there weren't enough of them, and they were filthy. Not at all what you'd expect from a mall with a St. John outlet, alongside Valentino, Barney's, Saks Off Fifth, a Neiman's Last Call...you get the pictures. Simon brothers, if you are listening/reading - an upgrade is sorely needed.

Online Art Explosion

Ok, so maybe it's because I just spent a weekend at 21c being inspired, or maybe it's because I've been feeling a little fat lately so not so into the clothes thing, but I've been semi-obsessed lately with art. Hence all the postings about red penguins and such.

Well, my art obsession led to the discovery of a really great website - www.etsy.com. Technically devoted to crafts, the site also has quite a bit of art for sale, and all at very reasonable prices. I think the most expensive thing I've seen on the site has been $700, and that was a very large and elaborate quilt.

From glass to jewelry to needlework to oil paintings, collage and sculpture, you'll find it on Etsy. And if you have arts or crafts you'd like to sell, Etsy's the place to do that, too.

Good news on "Project Penguin" and the obsession with large plastic animals that has spawned - I won the white, light up reindeer on Ebay. It will soon be taking up residence in my home as a lighting fixture. Yay!

Won't Be Purchasing Any Red Penguins

Ok, so I have found a gallery in Belgium, called Artiscope, that has three of Cracking Art's Red Penguins still available for sale, for the low low price of 3000Euro. That's right - that translates to $4,300. Add in shipping from Belgium for the 5-foot tall penguin, and I'm sure you're up to five large.

So needless to say, I will not be purchasing a Red Penguin, much as I want to. Even for me, it's tough to justify $5,000 for a large plastic penguin.

However, where there's a will, there's a way, so an experiment is underway. I found two plastic penguins on Ebay - no, not quite like the big red one, but perhaps close? They're a bit shorter, only about 2 ft tall, and painted black and white. But I've found some spray paint, Krylon Fusion, that supposedly bonds to plastic with no primer. So I'm going to paint my own plastic penguins, just to see if maybe - maybe - they'll be some sort of reasonable facsimile of the famous Red Penguins???

I'll let you know how it goes.

Obsessing Over Penguins

Just returned from a wonderful weekend in Louisville, an unexpectedly hip town, I must say. You've got to love a city whose motto is, "Keep Louisville Weird."

I stayed at 21c Museum Hotel, and loved it. The concept behind the hotel is just what its name states - it's a combo contemporary art museum and hotel. The whole lobby is filled with art, as is the downstairs gallery. Very cool. There's also supposedly art in the rooms, although not a lot.

My favorite thing about the hotel was its signature Red Penguins, created by Cracking Art from Italy. While the penguins are very whimsical (and fun to taunt your friends with after a few drinks), they actually have a deeper purpose. Cracking Art has done several installations of plastic penguins, turtles and other endangered animals "invading" populated parts of Europe. Check out the video and photos of their work on their website, www.crackingart.com.

I only wish I could take one of the Red Penguins home, but, sadly, they're not for sale. You'd think they'd be selling replicas in the hotel shop, but apparently there's some copyright issue. We discussed several options for absconding with a penguin, but all had their flaws. We were concerned that the penguins were too large to wrap in a coat and smuggle out, and we considered tossing one out of the window to be caught and shoved into a waiting car below, but that seemed tricky to pull off, too. As I didn't want to go to jail for penguin stealing, I'll be pursuing other options. Have no fear, emails have been sent to both Cracking Art and their primary gallery in Belgium...

In the meantime, inspired by Cracking Art, I've bid on a big white plastic deer on Ebay, that even lights up. Fun! Just don't outbid me, please.

The Woods Trunk Show Follow Up

Thanks to a faithful reader, it was brought to my attention that I never really followed up on my preview post about trunk show of The Woods jewelry held at French Pharmacie a couple of weeks ago. It was pretty fab, I have to say. This line features a lot of lovely old rose cut diamonds, set into interesting new settings. Considering that diamonds are involved, the prices are pretty reasonable, too. Well, aside from the unbelievable bangle bracelet that's $8,000+, but it has a ton of diamonds in it. I had some birthday money burning a hole in my pocket (thanks, Mom), and I was able to pick up both a necklace and a pair of earrings, with only a small added contribution on my part.

In addition to the rose cut diamonds, the other pieces I thought were really cool involved black or brown diamonds pave set into black metal...very dark yet sparkly.

While the trunk show was a two-day affair, French Pharmacie always has some pieces from this line in the case, so you can check it out at any point. And hopefully they'll be doing another trunk show again. That is, if the nice sisters who design this line are willing to return to Indianapolis. Apparently there was some fiasco where their prepaid hotel room at the Westin was given away to some of the Future Farmers of America in town for the big convention. They ended up staying at some flea bag motel out by the airport where the doors opened straight to the outside, "sleeping" with their jewels clutched to their chests. Welcome to the Fashion Capital of the Midwest! Maybe that's why H&M shafted us on the Cavalli.

Tragic Day for Indy Fashionistas

As all of you know, IndyStyle has been eagerly anticipating today's arrival of the Roberto Cavalli collection at H&M. Well, imagine my disappointment after I trekked over to Circle Center for an early lunch to check it out...only to find that our H&M will not be carrying the collection. The closest store to us to have it is the Michigan Ave. store in Chicago, which I'm sure is an absolute madhouse today and will be sold out of the best pieces of the collection by the weekend, if not sooner.

What gives, H&M? Do you not think we Hoosiers are cool enough for Roberto? That we hicks won't "get" the collection? Or is the concern that the price points - some even up to $300 - are a little to rich for our hillbilly blood?

I'll tell you, I've gone from disappointment to anger at being excluded from the A-list markets that are enjoying some bargain Cavalli as we speak. Perhaps these are the natural phases of fashion mourning - disbelief turns to disappointment which morphs into madness.

Well, I've sent a somewhat strongly worded email to the H&M media department, demanding an answer to why we won't have Cavalli in our town. I will, of course, let you know.

One positive development - the Taco Bell is now open at Circle Center, so lunch wasn't a complete loss. At least I was able to drown my sartorial sorrows in a burrito supreme.

Bargain Cavalli Tomorrow

That's right, tomorrow is the day that Roberto Cavalli's fashions arrive at H&M stores around the country, including our very own Indy outpost at Circle Center Mall. From everything I've seen, we can expect plenty of Roberto's signature animal prints; I only hope that somehow they've managed to translate his phenomenal leathers at a more reasonable price point.

I'm going out on a limb. If the Roberto for H&M stuff disappoints, I might just have to admit that this whole designer/discounter partnership trend has jumped the shark. (I know, I know...saying "jumped the shark" has probably jumped the shark). But I digress. I have high hopes for this collection, since the price points are actually quite high for H&M. From what I understand, several of the pieces are well into the three figures - not exactly the $29.99 - $49.99 H&M sweet spot. But that's a good thing, IMHO. My problem with these partnerships lately has been that the quality/detailing of a designer line just doesn't translate to really cheap prices. Part of the joy of buying a designer something is that there is some luxury involved - good fabrics, nice details, quality workmanship. You just can't get that for under a hundred bucks, no matter how many little Chinese kids you've got sweating for you in the factory.

So it is with high hopes that I will trek to Circle Center tomorrow at lunchtime. Of course, I'll keep you posted...

P.S. Early warning on an upcoming Indianapolis Art Center benefit: On Friday, November 16, the Art Center will be hosting "Fiesta Friday" at Adobo Grill, starting at 10 p.m. It promises to be a very spicy evening, with salsa dancing lessons from 10 - 10:30 p.m., followed by an open floor for more salsa. So go get your mambo on - if Jane Seymour and Marie Osmond can do it, you know you can, too.

"Danke Schoen" at the Harrison Center

As I've written before here in this space, Kyle Ragsdale is just about my favorite local Indy artist that I've discovered so far. His paintings are beautiful, and fashionable - many of them incorporate images of women in evening gowns.

I highly recommend a visit to the Harrison Center for the Arts to see his solo show, Danke Schoen, hanging through the end of the month. I missed the opening last Friday evening, but I understand it was quite an event - apparently the cops even showed up and busted the Harrison Center for illegally operating a dance hall when several polka dancers took the stage.

Even without the hoopla - and free wine - of the opening, the show is worth a visit. Lots of the works have sold, so hurry if you'd like to add to your collection.

Rocky Mountain High Fashion

I was just in Bachelor Gulch, Colorado, for a lovely weekend at the Ritz Club. Bachelor Gulch is right outside of Beaver Creek, which is very close to Vail. While it seems like early November would be an off time to go - and it is - I found that is actually an advantage; meals and spa treatments were discounted, and many of the stores in Vail were having sales.

While I didn't buy anything except for a candle, I can definitely get into the whole Western/Nordic vibe they've got working out there. If you go, a visit to Gorsuch is a must. They also have a website that's worth a look, www.gorsuchltd.com. Just keep in mind that you'll pay top dollar for their stuff; if you want the Germanic Gorsuch look for less, check out www.mydirndl.com. It's not the easiest site to navigate, but you'll save $1,000 - $1,500 on a traditional German/Austrian "trokken" (leather or suede jacket). But forgo the matching liederhosen...

Big Weekend Coming Up

Ok, so I know it's only Wednesday, but I'm getting very excited for the weekend. Which sorta, kinda starts tomorrow, with a fab trunk show at French Pharmacie. All day Thursday and Friday, 10/25 and 26, the Colorado sisters who design The Woods jewelry line will be at French Pharmacie showing their stuff. You might remember the rough cut diamond bracelet I've been lusting after at FP? Available for a mere $8 large or so? Yeah, that's The Woods. But I've been assured that not everything in the line is so pricy - apparently prices start around $250 or so. I do have that birthday coming up...

Saturday's a big day, as well. I'm planning to check out the Indieana Craft show at the Irving Theater during the day. You read that right; it's "Indieana." Apparently this craft show won't feature the usual country crap, crocheted potholders and doilies - it's a little edgier than that. As it's styled after the Renegade Craft Shows held in various major markets across the country, I think it will be cool. Plus, I'm a bit of a knitter myself, so I enjoy communing with fellow crafters.

Saturday night is "Strange Fruit," at the Wheeler Art Center. This should be a very cool event, with tons of artists' work on display, and a wearable art fashion show. I also think the crowd will be fun, with some interesting ensembles, I'm sure, the Saturday before Halloween. There's an after party at Radio Radio, so the whole thing sounds right up my alley.

I just need to decide what to wear...

Genius Jeans!

As a shorty (I'm only 5'3"), I'm used to having nearly everything shortened - particularly jeans. And I understand it - after all, it's at least doable to shorten jeans (even if it means having the original hem reattached, an absolute must with jeans unless you want to look like a geek who's hemmed their jeans), but if the jeans are too short on the tall girls, there's clearly nothing to be done.

But over the weekend I discovered Joe's Jeans "Provocateur" fit - designed for us shorties! That's right, no hemming required. Supposedly, more than just the length is designed for pipsqueaks - something about the knee break at a different spot and special fading to lengthen the leg. Not sure I buy all of that, but I'm happy to save the $15 alteration fee.

I found these particularly Joe's Jeans at Von Maur at Castleton Square Mall, but Joe's Jeans are available all over the place - Nordstrom's, Saks, probably Frankey's, and a million places on line.

Sort of Over the Designer/Discount Retailer Partnership Trend

I'm starting to feel like the whole super high-end designer creates a watered-down collection on the cheap for a discount retailer trend needs to go away. I'll admit, I've been sucked in by some of the Isaac Mizrahi for Target stuff, and I liked a few of the Libertine pieces for Target this summer, as well. Oh, and there's the Behnaz Sarafpour for Target stuff I bought last year and have never worn. Ditto the two pairs of Abaete for Payless shoes - I needed both colors, after all - that gave me blisters just walking around the house.

I've seen it done well - I'm thinking particularly of the Gap DIFFA collection, with different designer takes on the classic white shirt. It's no wonder that stuff literally flew off the shelves at Gap stores around the country; everytime I've worn the Claire McArdell-esque whith shirtdress from that collection I've gotten loads of compliments. I'm also due for another trek to Lafayette Square to see what SJP's done for her Bitten line for Fall (I know, I know - she's not exactly a designer, but she is a fashion icon, IMHO).

But overall lately I've not been impressed with what's come out of these collaborations. I previously posted about my disappointment in Simply Vera - I'm still holding out hope for this one, as it's a long-term partnership and not just a one-off, and I'm a Vera fan. The latest Target partnerships, though, just aren't working for me. Temperley has a collection for the "GO" line in stores right now, and I've not seen anything I liked. I've not yet seen the Hollywould shoes for Target in person, but the pictures look fairly dreadful. Ditto the handbags that Devi Kroell did for Target this summer.

Here's the issue. The beauty of Temperley's "real" stuff is in the details - elaborate beading and embroidery that you just can't duplicate on the cheap. Same with Devi Kroell. It's not that her designs are so spectacular; it's the materials she uses - exquisite skins and leathers. In vinyl, that just doesn't translate. Now, Hollywould has fallen into the same trap. Hollywould designs done in lovely leathers with quality beading and fabrics = great; similar, cutesy designs executed in cheapy materials = not so great.

I'm still holding out some hope for Roberto Cavalli for H&M, due in stores on November 8 (don't worry; I'm planning a lunch excursion to Circle Center on that day to check it out). I know what you're thinking - Cavalli is all about the extravagant, from beads to feathers to insanely expensive materials; how can H&M do anything close to that inexpensively? Well, I think what just might save this one is that it isn't all that cheap. I think some of the pieces are going to top out well over $200. Expensive for H&M, yes, but add a zero plus some more to get into "real" Cavalli land.

Anyway, I think it's worth a look...I'll let you know.

Credit Where it's Due

I'll admit I'm not much of a Mary-Kate and Ashley fan. At 38, I'm a little old to really appreciate their acting oeuvre. I hated "Full House," and have never had the pleasure of watching any of their straight-to-video movies or the aptly titled "New York Minute," which I think was gone from theaters in a New York minute...

Frankly, I've also never been very impressed with their senses of style. Ashley tends to look better than M-K, in my opinion, but I've always thought for two pretty, skinny girls with all the money in the world they rock a better look than the homeless granny thing they've been doing for the past few years (M-K, anyway).

But I've got to hand it to them, I'm liking their new Elizabeth & James line. Cute dresses and jackets, and I'm also liking the skinny leggings and stirrups - although I think we need to set a weight limit for those. Unless you only outweigh M-K by about 10 lbs. or so, those aren't for you. Needless to say, I'll be taking a pass. But seriously, a lot of the pieces in the line are very cute. There's a silk trapeze top with a bow at the neck that's lovely, and I'm loving the "glam jacket" - just ignore the fact that it's made of goat fur. Not that I'm opposed to fur - I'm certainly a fan - it's just the "goat" part that seems a little ghetto. But whatever. It looks great.

So far, it looks like Elizabeth & James is only carried at Neiman-Marcus and Intermix - including on their websites. I've not seen it anywhere in town, but maybe Saks - or my friends at French Pharmacie - will come through for me. I'll keep you posted.

Herschel's Shoes Reincarnated?!

My special shopping issue of Indianapolis Monthly arrived over the weekend, so of course I immediately began poring over it to see what shops the IM editors recommend. Overall, I'd say there were very few, if any, surprises in there - all the usual haunts you see regularly referenced in this blog were spotlighted. French Pharmacie, Frankey's, Saks, Nordstrom - pretty much what you would expect to see.

However, as I was reading the "Shoes" section, one entry jumped out at me - Tooflee By Herschel's. Yes, Herschel's...as in Herschel Cohen's old place at KatC that continues to occupy a special place in my heart. I still remember some favorite Herschel's purchases - particularly some black Kenneth Cole loafers with a pointy toe and some silver doodads on them, bought as "school shoes" my junior year in high school and worn literally to death. There was also a pair of Kenneth Cole boots I loved, black bottoms with blue sweater tops that scrunched around the ankles. I know, I know, both of those sound pretty dreadful but it was the 80s and they were cool, I promise.

Anyway, needless to say I was absolutely thrilled to see that maybe Herschel's lives again, this time at 86th and Ditch. As I found out about this new store on Saturday late in the day, my only option was to put it on my Sunday "errand" (read: shopping) list. I remembered from my youth that the old Herschel's was always closed on Sundays, but I thought maybe its new incarnation had dropped that rather antiquated practice.

So I trekked out to 86th and Ditch on Sunday, only to find that yes, Tooflee by Herschel's is also closed on Sundays and - yikes! - the store appears to be getting ready to close for good. There are lots of "store closing - everything on sale" signs in the window, so I guess my only hope is to swing by there this Saturday for perhaps one last vestige of the old Herschel's. From my digging around about the store, I've gathered that it's actually Herschel's son who opened it with his wife, and their wares look to be heavier on comfort than style. But we shall see...Maybe I'll add a Collection 94 stop to my list on Saturday and make it a real blast-from-the-past day.

Another Great Art Center Party!

I of course attended the Amuse Bouche fete last night for the Indianapolis Art Center, and had a fabulous time. The food was great - particularly the little crepes filled with smoked salmon, cream cheese, capers and red onions - but that's to be expected as Petite Chou did the catering. And, there was plenty of champagne, which is probably the fastest way to IndyStyle's heart.

Perhaps because French Pharmacie was a sponsor - and stayed open late to accomodate partygoers with a fashion jones - the party attracted a fashionable crowd of people who seemed happy to be finally busting out the fall finery.

As always, I loved what I saw at FP. One particular Thread Social dress jumped out at me - I would probably own it today if they had it in a size larger than a 2! I know that line runs large, but seriously...Actually, it's probably for the best because I've decided that French Pharmacie's strongest suit is its jewelry selection. I'm a sucker for great baubles, and FP's got them. As I mentioned in a previous entry, I treated myself to a really cool tiger's eye ring from FP not that long ago. Well, last night I did it again (Yes, my name is Cathy and I'm a jewel-a-holic), and picked up another - totally different - cocktail ring. In my defense, this one was actually kind of a steal. I know, I know - "steal" and "French Pharmacie" don't exactly go hand-in-hand. But seriously, for the size of this ring and the materials (read: real gems), I truly expected to see a four-figure pricetag. Anyway, I snapped it up. I also tried on an absolutely lovely rose-cut diamond bangle bracelet that shames the standard tennis bracelet. Unfortunately, that was $8000 - a bit out-of-reach for my budget. But my birthday's coming if you're looking for ideas...

Frankey's vs. French Pharmacie

So, in my 6 months or so here in Indianapolis, many people have recommended a visit to Frankey's - apparently the cognoscenti view Frankey's as sort of THE boutique in town. I must say, I've resisted a bit - I was a little turned off by the strip mall location.

Over the weekend, I finally paid Frankey's a visit. It was way bigger than I'd anticipated, and frankly more upscale. I'd heard that it was a good place to go for jeans, but didn't realize just how much other stuff - and fancy stuff - they had.

While I appreciate the lines they carry - Diane Von Furstenburg, See by Chloe, Vince, Elijah...and many more, plus some cool shoes - I found the whole experience not quite up-to-snuff for the price points. Merchandise is pretty crammed into every nook and cranny, making it very difficult to see what's what.

I much prefer the French Pharmacie experience. One of the reasons I like to shop in boutiques vs. department stores (although for my money the Saks here is a better, less overwhelming shopping experience than Frankey's) is that I appreciate the editing that a good boutique owner does. French Pharmacie rocks because Stacy Kosene is a great editor. And, as a result, the fab finds in there have room to breathe - and shine. Call me crazy, but I prefer to leisurely peruse more sparsely populated racks, particularly when I'm prepared to drop several Benjamins on something special.

The great experience at French Pharmacie brings back fond memories of shopping with my mom at Davidson's, when it was located at its original Glendale location, not the later incarnation at KatC. Aside from the creepy mannequins in the window that hadn't been updated since the 60s, longtime Indy residents will recall that Davidson's was once the ONLY place in town - besides maybe Ayres' Crystal Room - where you could buy designer clothes. They carried St. John, Louis Feraud, and other high-end designers, along with their own private label which was pretty great back-in-the-day. And it was a terrific shopping experience, once you passed by the weird mannequins. The shop floor felt almost empty - yes, there were racks on the floor, but they were far apart and hung with just enough choices. And there were always other "special things" in the back that the sales people would pull out for select customers. Once a year I'd go with my father to pick out a Christmas gift for my mom, and then the sales ladies would parade in front of us with options they thought my mom would like, while he sipped a glass of wine and I had a Sprite. Now that's shopping!

But that's what you expect from a great boutique. Calls when new merchandise arrives. A sense for what each of their customers like. Just great customer service.

So I bought nothing at Frankey's. I'm saving my money to do some shopping at French Pharmacie, during the upcoming "Amuse Bouche" event to benefit the Art Center. Join me, si vous plait!

The Most Stylish New Show on TV

Without a doubt, "Gossip Girl" is the most stylish new TV show this season. I had high hopes for the show from the moment I heard about it, as I am a fan of the Gossip Girl book series. Yes, I know they're a little young for me, but I enjoy some teen fiction as much as the next girl does. Or at least as much as my 16-year-old niece does. Plus the clothes HAD to be good - after all, the series centers around a group of filthy rich private schoolers in Manhattan - Upper West and Upper East sides, to be exact, so how can you go wrong?

The show has lived up to all of my expectations. I was thrilled to see that Serena sported the gold sequined Tory Burch tank dress on her big date in episode 1 (I'm happy to report it is the very same frock that IndyStyle busted out at Artsparkle a few weeks ago).

The website is also fab - I know this isn't a new thing, but I still think it's absolutely genius when a show website allows you to get the deets on the stuff the characters wear, with a link through to buy online. This area of the site could be more robust, but I'm hoping as the season goes on that will happen. I'm convinced this is the way we'll all shop sooner or later - see it on the air, click it, buy it, done. Amazing! I also enjoy that you can get all of the music on the show. Of course, in my compulsiveness, that wasn't quite enough for me, so I had to click over to iTunes to download the full CDs by Rooney, Ferraby Lionheart, Gym Class Heroes and The Bravery. I know, I know - let's all just take a moment to bask in the coolness...

Check out Gossip Girl on Wednesday nights on the CW. I believe it's on at 8 or 9, but you'll just Tivo it (trust me, get the season pass) so it really doesn't matter.

Supporting the Indy Art Scene

Last night IndyStyle hit the closing reception for "The Curious City" art exhibit at the Harrison Center. For those of you who've not been to an event at the Harrison Center, you have to check it out. It's a very cool place - particularly when the artists there have their studios open, as they typically do on an IDADA First Friday, for example.

My favorite Harrison Center artist is Kyle Ragsdale, and last night I'm pleased to say I purchased one of his paintings. It was inspired by the Burger Chef murders, which longtime Indy residents will recall happened in the late '70s and have never been solved. I know it sounds very dark, but, trust me, it isn't.

Apparently in November Kyle will have his own solo show at the Harrison Center, in the main gallery. I encourage everyone to check it out. Unfortunately, I'll be out of town for the First Friday opening; however, I'm going to be sure to get there soon after, so please don't buy everything on the first night!

To Knockoff, or Not to Knockoff

Long ago, I left knockoffs behind. Yes, there was a time when I could be tempted by a faux Louis Vuitton or other designer impostor from Canal Street, but - at least for fashion items - those days are long gone. Especially after reading about fashion fakes possibly funding terrorist activities, I vowed, "never again."

But what about furniture? As a lover of mid-century Modernism, must I hold out for the Knoll, Vitra or Herman Miller versions of classic pieces, or might a well-done "interpretation" be ok?

I ask this because for years I have lusted after the Eames "La Chaise." A classic piece of design, this lounge was first designed in the late 40s, I believe, but was never produced because even back then it was just too expensive. However, right around 1990 Vitra finally made it in limited quantities, but it's still quite pricey - north of $8,000, to be exact.

I've recently entered into a purchase agreement for an adorable home here in Indy, and there is a nook that would be literally the perfect spot for "La Chaise." But I can't justify $8,000 for one chair - even IndyStyle has her limits. Just ask the credit card companies.

So, after some digging - otherwise known as "googling" - I found a well-done knockoff of "La Chaise." It's still not cheap, but it's much cheaper than the real McCoy. More than $6,000 cheaper, in fact. The question is, is this completely wrong? Or more importantly, will I forever look at my fake "La Chaise," and think, "What a poser you are." Hmmmm. I'm putting up both pictures; you be the judge.

Awesome New Shoe Designer

First off, I just have to give some props to Saks Fifth Avenue. There was a time, in the not-so-distant past, when I frankly had a slightly stodgy view of Saks. Yes, there was some lovely designer fashion available there, but they just weren't holding a candle to Neiman-Marcus.



I don't know if they had a change in leadership or something, but they are now doing just about everything right, in my opinion. Their website is well-done, with instantaneous runway reports from Fashion Week, spot-on interpretations of the key trends of the season, and a plethora of up-and-comers.



My favorite thing that Saks is doing is the "Fashion Incubator." Periodically on the site, they are featuring new designers, often people I've not even heard of yet. Right now, check out the shoes from this awesome new designer, Jonathan Kelsey. How cool will you feel if he turns out to be the next Manolo Blahnik, and you can say, "I knew him when..."

FAB Party Coming Up

Mark your calendars, fashionistas. On Thursday, October 11, the Indianapolis Art Center hosts "Amuse Bouche: An outdoor affair of French Food, Fine Wine and Fun," featuring the latest in fall fashions from IndyStyle's fave haunt, French Pharmacie. Held in the little courtyard in front of French Pharmacie and Petite Chou, the party will feature a tasting menu from Petite Chou and rare French wines from National Wine and Spirits. Wine, food...fashion - all of IndyStyle's favorite things together in a single event! Trust me, after a few glasses of wine, it's a lot easier to write the check for a fabulous frock from French Pharmacie.

The event runs from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.; tickets are $75/person, available online at indplsartcenter.org. You can also call Tammy Bowman at 317-255-2464. Come early, wear something great...I'll be there checking everyone out and reporting on the best dressed.

I Have a Secret

I'm addicted to home shopping. I know what you're thinking - what could POSSIBLY be available on television for a fashion-lover like me? Well, you'd be amazed. Yes, there are some horrible novelty themed sweaters out there in TV land that will make you gag, but I swear there's some good stuff, too.

Here's what I've found appealing:
- Some of the leathers from the Pamela McCoy collection, available on ShopNBC. Just some of them work, not all. I've occasionally been seduced by one or two "miscues" here, but the losers are easy to send back. I particularly love one black lamb jacket with ruffles around the bottom and sleeves; I spotted Emily sporting this jacket on "As the World Turns" one day, so clearly I'm not 100% crazy.
- Some of the jeans from the DG2 collection, available on HSN. Again, you have to weed through. Avoid the overly embellished options and the "themed jeans" (yes, there's a Vegas-themed jean that's tacky as can be, as well as one with the NY skyline on the legs that should be avoided at all costs). But the colored jeans are cute, I swear. I got the overdyed jeans in ruby, and they work. They also fit well and stretch, so you can feel thin when your "skinny size" fits. I've also now ordered them in a metallic bronze (hey, for 2 easy payments of $29.99, how can you go wrong?); I'll let you know.
- SCOOP on HSN. That's right, SCOOP, the NY boutique, has brought a selection of goodies to HSN. It's not cheap, but where else can you score black sequined Alice & Olivia leggings? Nowhere...they're an exclusive.

Trust me; check it out. Just be careful. There is some baaaaad stuff there, too.

All About the Dress

I have to say I'm totally loving the dress trend. Such an easy way to throw yourself together in the morning! And now that the weather is turning cooler, I can't wait to bust out my tights and leggings to "winterize" my dresses.

Also, the A-line/full dress trend just works for me. It's comfortable, and hides the 8 lbs. I somehow managed to gain this summer after too much booze and too many brats. Totally flattering, even if you're not a skinny mini.

My new fave is a little Marc by Marc Jacobs silk number, in mostly black but with a big, mod-ish print. I'll be wearing this one with my chunky heeled Tory Burch pumps and opaque tights, for full effect. It's available at Saks.com, and - who knows - maybe the Saks store at KatC, if we're lucky.

The Perfect Colts Sweater

Indy fashionistas - just so nobody thinks I'm a Colts-hater, following my post about the inappropriateness of Colts jerseys at work - I've unearthed the perfect Colts sweater for you.

J. Crew has a lovely striped cashmere sweater with a grey horseshoe on the front. No, it's not an "officially licensed NFL product" (I'll probably get a cease and desist letter from the NFL just for using the league name without their express, written consent), but it is luxe, subtle and has just the right amount of prepster cool.

I'll be wearing mine with the lovely wool Lexington jacket, also from J. Crew, as soon as we get a game day that's cool enough. I might also even sport it at the office on the next "blue Friday."

I can't promise that our J. Crew outpost has the sweater or the jacket in-stock - the last time I was in there I saw the Lexington jacket, but only in very small sizes. But both are available at jcrew.com.

Once again, go Colts!

Off the Beaten Path - Landwerlen Leather

As you know, the primary mission of this blog is to alert fellow Indy-ites to pockets of fashion and style, including the "off the beaten path" stuff. In that spirit, I have quite a find for you - Landwerlen Leather.

Longtime readers of this blog (well, all three weeks or so of its existence) will know that I have a love of mid-century Modern design. Believe it or not, Landwerlen is a find for mod lovers. You'd never notice by the look of the place - stuff is literally crammed into every nook and cranny.

I discovered Landwerlen on a quest to have a belt strap made. Landwerlen is primarily a supply store for leather workers, but they will make custom belt straps should you need any. While I was there picking out my strap, out of the corner of my eye I spotted several full cowhides, exactly like the ones sold as rugs by Design Within Reach, the phenomenal bastion of mid-century Modernism.

Here's the greatest part. While DWR sells cowhide rugs for $750, you can get a full hide at Landwerlen for about $250 or so. Prices vary depending on the size and condition of the hide, but they are roughly a third to a half of what you'd pay at DWR.

Of course, I snapped one up. Yee-ha!

Singing the Praises of Fountain Square

So, IndyStyle is considering where to put down more permanent roots, as in buying a house in the spring. I've been literally all over the map - do I want a mid-century modern abode over by Cathedral? Should I stay in a cute bungalow in my current 'hood, Meridian Kessler? Or, should I try to do a little more urban pioneering, and look for something a bit more on the fringe?

After my latest visit to Fountain Square, I'm leaning toward the fringe. If you haven't visited Fountain Square in a while, you really should. There are some fun antique malls that are always worth a look, and the gallery scene is interesting, as well. I need to spend more time perusing the galleries, but Excellent Virtu is an intriguing mix of sort of Goth-inspired art meets Disney villains and scented candles. I also have to do more exploring of the restaurant scene, but Deano's Vino looks like just my type of place.

I just love the vibe of this neighborhood. It feels to me like Bucktown (in Chicago) was about 15 years ago, before the yuppies moved in and MTV completely ruined it by stationing a "Real World" house there. You know, back when artists could still afford to live there and facades still had a bit of grit on them.

I'll be headed to Fountain Square next Saturday, 9/22, for two events happening in the 'hood - Fab for Le$$, which appears to be about how to transform one of the cool old homes down there for not a lot of cash, and the Fountain Square Art Fair. You can be sure I'll give a full report!

In the meantime, check it out for yourselves.

"Simply Vera" Simply Boring

Since one of the services I hope to provide for my readers is weeding through the best and worst of fashion available here in our great city of Indy, yesterday I went on a Kohl's excursion to check out the new "Simply Vera" line by Vera Wang, which arrived on the floor yesterday. Purely for research and reader service, you know.

I'm not typically a Kohl's fan; I'm much more of a Target girl, myself. To me, Kohl's has always felt like L.S. Ayres after they closed the Crystal Room - too much Monet and Liz Claiborne, not enough luxury, edge or style. Plus you can't pick up any cleaning supplies, food, or a flat-screen TV while you're there.

But I was eager to see the much-hyped Simply Vera collection for myself. I've got to tell you, I was utterly underwhelmed. Everything seemed drab and very sack-ish - big, shapeless shifts in tones of grey and muddy purple tones; a short-sleeved car coat that could have been cute if it came with a quality belt or sash besides the strange elastic band; a brocade bubble skirt (at least one nod to a current trend) that hit at just the wrong spot - right under the knee. Bubble skirts need to be short to work.

I also checked out the Simply Vera home stuff, which for now at least appears to just be bedding. That looked pretty cute from afar, but as I got up close and touched it, the material seemed cheap. And the price tag wasn't - I think it was like $350 for Queen bedding. Certainly, Frette it's not; but for that price you could buy multiple Isaac Mizrahi or Simply Shabby Chic ensembles at Target.

Don't worry - intrepid IndyStyle also checked out the Vera jewelry. Again, I recommend taking a pass. It looked to me like the line focused mainly on big, semi-precious stones (like amethyst and blue topaz) set in silver or vermeil, antique-y looking settings. Ok. But again, expensive I thought for what they are - price points in the hundreds for stuff that looks lifted from the QVC TV screen. Disappointing.

It's just the first season, so maybe Simply Vera will hit its stride in future collections. For now, I eagerly await Temperley for Target and - my most anticipated - Roberto Cavalli for H&M.

In Support of Stylists

I've not usually been a fan of stylists. I always thought if I ever become a hot, filthy rich starlet I'd never hire a stylist. The process of shopping and putting together outfits is just too enjoyable for me. I thought stars relying on stylists were taking the lazy way out.

And then I watched last night's VMAs. Britney Spears' fired stylist must be having the last laugh this morning. Sure, lots of bloggers are focusing on her sleepwalking performance and 10 extra lbs...but what about that outfit? The truth is, if we saw Britney on the street, I'm sure she'd look thin. The camera adds weight, she's held to impossibly high Hollywood standards, etc. That we all get. But Britney - please take a cue from Alicia Keys or Beyonce. Neither of those two are stick thin, yet they usually manage to look great. Accentuate the positives, hide the negatives.

A stylist could have told Brit what she clearly didn't see when she looked in the mirror - you're just not quite ready for the hot pants and bra yet. A few more situps, a few less beers - then fine, bust it out. But not yet...

Was anyone else reminded of Elvis's final performance in a much-too-revealing jumpsuit? Let's remember, that happened right here in Indianapolis at our very own Market Square Arena.

Here's hoping that we don't find Brit dead on the toilet following a drug binge anytime soon.

Britney has left the building...

Back and Better Than Ever!

Sorry IndyStyle's been MIA the last few days. But I'm back, and hopefully soon to be better than ever. A note on future direction for the blog - soon, IndyStyle will begin taking to the streets, including shots here and there of particularly well-dressed Indy residents. So keep that in mind as you get dressed in the a.m. - IndyStyle might be watching! But only positives will go up here, no negatives.

It's a little past-due given that the Colts' home opener was last Thursday, but I thought it important to address some burning issues around the wearing of Colts jerseys and other paraphernalia. Apparently, there's some mayoral proclamation declaring "Blue Thursday" (before this game) and "Blue Friday" (before typical Colts Sunday games) - literally a plea from the mayor to sport your Colts gear, or at least some blue, on those days. My take on that is, blue is fine; full-on Colts regalia is not. I just can't imagine a scenario - a return trip to the Super Bowl included - where I will ever believe that is acceptable to sport a Colts jersey, or an athletic jersey of any sort, in an office setting. Go ahead, wear your jerseys to the game, pep rally or free Colts concert; wear them with glee all you want around your house...just, please, for God's sake, don't wear them to the office. Or out to dinner. Or to a bar/club. Please.

Along this same line of discussion - and I know I've promised to use my blogging powers for good rather than evil and stay positive here, but this must be said - under no circumstances is the pink, "girlie" jersey acceptable. No, no, no. Jerseys may be worn only in official team colors. The pink horseshoe should be reserved for some sort of women's health or women's rights statement. Perhaps the pink horseshoe could come to symbolize the fact that you've joined the fight against hoof and mouth disease in women. Or maybe it could become a symbol of "good luck for women" or something, but it should never, ever be used to show girlie pride for the Colts.

'Nuff said. Go Colts!

Eye of the Tiger

So I completely broke down and splurged on a beautiful tiger's eye ring from French Pharmacie. I know, I know - tiger's eye? you're thinking...that tacky brown stone with the stripes? But seriously, this is cool. Big, chunky, interesting stone and the color of the season - brown.

It seems that tiger's eye might be part of a fall trend. As I was purusing Vivre catalog yesterday, I saw more tiger's eye - this time in the form of a very cool cuff bracelet with a giant tiger's eye stone.

Hmmmm. I might need that one, too. My birthday's coming soon-ish, after all.

Summer's Done

Hi, all. IndyStyle took the weekend off to enjoy some relaxing time in Culver, IN, with a couple of days by the lake - Heavenly! While style was not a main focus of the weekend, I did enjoy both the Vanity Fair "Best Dressed" issue, and the September issue of Vogue - supposedly the biggest ever.

So Summer '07 is officially over. Now we enter what is, in my opinion, the most challenging time of year, fashion-wise. It's September 4, but the forecast calls for 94 degrees today. We're all dying to pull out the fall clothes, but it's just too darn hot.

I think the rule for transitional dressing is that summer shapes are ok, just make sure that the color palette is on the darker side. Think black shift dresses, neutral khakis and browns...sandals are still ok, just keep them black, brown or bronze rather than white or brights.

And don't worry - this transitional period won't last for long.

Stay cool!

Philosophical Dilemma Resolved

First off, I apologize for having no photos on this blog. I tried to upload some photos of the objects of desire I referenced in my last post, but they came out very pixilated. I'll have to get some tech help, but my goal is to get pics up soon.

So, I took a lap through the Fashion Mall last night, and soon realized that, at least for the moment until my fashion exploration of the city is more complete, I'll likely have to supplement my Indianapolis shopping with online. Until Saks beefs up its contemporary offerings and adds lines like Tory Burch, Alice & Olivia, Thread Social and Philip Lim, I just don't think it's going to be able to be my "one-stop shop" department store. And French Pharmacie is great, but by its very nature a boutique. Yes, it's well-edited, but by its very nature not a broad enough selection to meet all my needs.

I did have some success at Saks, in the shoe department. Their shoe department truly is great. No, it's not large enough to have its own zip code like the NY Saks, but it'll certainly do. I picked up the chunky heeled Tory Burch pumps, in both black and brown. At first it felt excessive to get both colors, but I know come fall I'll be very happy I did. And, they were reasonably priced, so 2 pairs of the Tory pumps was like 1 pair of Jimmy Choos. At least that's how I justified it.

Happy Labor Day! No more white pants or shoes, or Lilly Pulitzer. Put it away, now.

Fall Wishlist

Ok, so I'm totally lusting after a few key items for fall.

1) This amazing ring I saw at French Pharmacie - a big, pink stone set in rose gold. Very minimalist, but makes a statement.

2) Black sequined Tory Burch sheath. Somehow I think I would wear the black version more than I've worn my gold one. I can see it for a "regular" night out with boots. Can you tell I'm rationalizing? Seriously, I don't think it has to be super dressy.

3) Black patent chunky heeled Tory Burch pumps. Very Mary Tyler Moore...

4) Very cute Alice and Olivia dress with brown turtleneck top and slightly sparkly, poofy skirt. I believe I could sport this one to work. Also very MTM (sensing a theme here).

5) Brown Tory Burch leather coat with gold buttons. Gorgeous - with jeans, or dressy.

Now I have a philosophical decision to make. If I'm going to be all about IndyStyle, does that mean I can only shop in Indy? I'm thinking that before I take the plunge and purchase any of these objects of desire, I should at least thoroughly exhaust what's here...hmmmmmmm. At least a trip to French Pharmacie is in order, I think.

Yesterday - A Strike Out

Yesterday found me taking two fashion excursions. I popped into the Circle Centre Mall at lunch time, where a quick swing through left me underwhelmed. Even Nordstrom, usually a good bet for something interesting, left me cold.

Post-work, I decided to make the trek to Lafayette Mall - yes, Lafayette Mall...sometimes you have to scrounge a little for fashionable finds - for a visit to Steve & Barry's to see if anything fun from Sarah Jessica Parker's Bitten line had arrived yet for fall. I love the Bitten concept - nothing's over like $30, and there are some cute pieces in the line. I've found the fit can be a bit funny, but I did buy a very 60s-influenced little jacket for spring/summer that I'm quite happy with. I've seen editorial coverage of a mod-ish coat for fall that also looks pretty cute.

Anyway, my recommendation if you head to Lafayette Square is to make it a surgical strike. There's nothing else in this mall worth a look, unless you want a grill. For your teeth, that is. Park by the Food Court entrance, and make a beeline right for Steve & Barry's.

But don't go yet. None of the good SJP stuff for fall has arrived yet. I'll keep checking, though.

Chic-o-phobia Strikes

The September issue of Vogue spends a lot of time examining a phenomena called "chic-o-phobia" - women afraid to be too chic, for fear of overdressing or looking like they are trying too hard.

I soon realized, I've become a victim. Since I've moved to Indianapolis, a lot of my chicest clothes have stayed in the closet, because my life is just more casual. I have one jacket, purchased just before I left Chi-town, that I haven't even worn yet. Thank God for Artsparkle - I finally got to wear my Tory Burch sequined sheath. I felt slightly overdressed, but it was ArtSPARKLE, after all.

I won't let myself fall victim to chic-o-phobia. I'm going to bust out the good stuff; life's too short to leave it in the closet.

So if you see someone, say, sitting outside the Brew Pub wildly overdressed - it will probably be me.

Artsparkle a Fashionable Fete

If you missed Saturday night's Artsparkle party at the Indianapolis Art Center, you missed a good one. The crowd was great, the weather was gorgeous, and the IAC staff did an amazing job transforming the grounds of the Art Center into a delightful "lover's lane," lined with luminarias and festooned with lights.

The food was fantastic, as well - my faves were the Asian-inspired pork tenderloin served over seaweed salad, provided by R Bistro, and the mini tenderloin sandwiches from Sullivan's.

I'm still slightly sad that the lovely fox fur coat was quickly bid up above my budget, but at least all the money went to a good cause.

And if you haven't been to the Art Center in a while - I hadn't been in there in years - it's worth a visit. It's much more like an art museum than I remember - although much less stuffy - and, I believe, all the art on the walls is for sale! That's always been a gripe of mine about museums. Yes, it's fun to look at all of the art, but if you can't buy it, what's the point? Yes, I know I could never afford, say, a Picasso, but it would be nice to know what it would cost, if you could buy it.

Anyway, check it out!

Mid-Century Modernism Found in Indy!

Who knew there are enclaves of mid-century modernism to be found in Indianapolis? Well, now you do.

I must thank a woman whose name escapes me, whom I met at a cocktail party a couple of weeks ago. After telling her that my dream is to find a groovy mid-century modern home here in Indy, she told me about a whole neighborhood of them up in Carmel.

Well, thanks to the miracle of Google, I located the neighborhood and discovered that the architect behind all of the cool houses was a woman named Avriel Shull. The Carmel homes were built on some land that her family owned, and as I dug in further, I found that she also is responsible for an entire mid-century modern development off of Emerson Ave. called Ladywood Estates. Wow! A gold strike here in Indy. And how cool that they were designed by a woman.

Fashion Found in Indy

As a fashion-obsessed teen in Indy, I prided myself on ferreting out the most fabulous fashion the city had to offer. From vintage clothing stores to upscale boutiques, I considered myself on expert on Indy style. Some of my old haunts that longtime Indy residents will remember include:

- Herschel's Shoes - definitely the hottest shoe store at Keystone at the Crossing, back when you used to have to choose either the Fashion Mall side or the Bazaar
- Modern Times - the biggest/best vintage store back in the day. I still miss it.
- Marblehead - I'm putting this one in because I worked there in high school; thanks to Marblehead, I had an unparalelled collection of Ton Sur Ton
- Gidding-Jenny - a Cincinnati transplant that, for a time, was THE place to get your high fashion fix
- Jacobson's - a little "old lady," but they brought Chanel to Indy
- Dinwiddie's - for the "alterna-teen" in all of us. Miracle of miracles, it's still here!

Well, I've just moved back from a 14-year stint in Chicago, and I'm thrilled to say there is more than corn in Indiana, there's style, too.

Case in point: French Pharmacie. Can I just tell you that I was SO thrilled to discover this place a few weeks ago. Expensive, but worth it, with can't-miss lines like 3.1 Philip Lim and my new fave jeans, Acne. I just met the owner, Stacy Kosene, over the weekend (she was wearing a fabulous Alice and Olivia dress, by the way) and I'm happy to report that she is as nice as her store is cool. I know where I'm doing my fall shopping in Indy!