Anthropologie Goes Bridal? True Story.

Today was not just an ordinary day in the world of retail - that's for sure. Announced in an all too standard Anthropologie fashion, loyal customers received an e-mail with the big news.

Email subject: "What if Anthropologie did weddings?"

Needless to say, my heart almost stopped. What? Anthro? Weddings?
Is this too good to be true?

Well friends, it's not. In fact, it's probably every bride's and bride-to-be's dream come true. Heck, you don't even have to be a bride-to-be to get jacked for this announcement. It's magical.

Check out the Anthropologie Bridal BHLDN website for yourself.

It's got the classic Anthro look. Great photos. A great color palette. And a perfect song, which everyone wants to know who sings.

So what do we know about it? Well not too much. And we will have to wait until February 14th to learn more. But here's what we do know.

Based on the one-page flash website Anthropolgie built,
they will offer the full array of bridal must-haves.

Dresses.

Jewelry.

Shoes.

Accessories.


And there's even a hint of possible bridesmaid dresses.

The countdown to February 14th is going to surely be brutal.

The plan is to do a bit more research - digging around - to find out what I can before February 14th. But all I know for sure is this: Watch out
JCrew Wedding.

- LRN

Shining at 30.

My sister's birthday was at the end of last month and she turned the Big 3-0!

Now Stephanie has always looked young for her age and around her early teens was always assumed to be the youngest in the family. (PS She's two years older than me.) And while she still doesn't look old enough to buy booze, I have had the pleasure of watching my sister grow into
an amazing woman.

She was my first friend and will always be my life companion. And in honor of her 30th birthday I wanted to show her how beautiful I think she really is. So I dressed her up, gave her a fantastic bracelet and sparkle ball earrings and told her that her 30s is her time to SHINE!

Happy 30th Birthday Stephanie!
I will love you forever.

-LRN

[Items featured in this post: Anthropologie faux-fur cropped coat, Ann Taylor LOFT ball earrings and gold chain bracelet, As You Wish red strapless dress from Nordstrom]

New Year. New Resolutions.

Happy New Year!
It is my favorite holiday.

Call me crazy, but I find it incredibly exciting to close out a year, which was full of ups and downs, and start all over again. It's refreshing.

And because New Years is my favorite holiday, you can bet that I also love to make New Years Resolutions. Some are standard from year to year (Ei. Attend more yoga classes) and sometimes they tend to be a little out there. (Ei. Be more vintage?)

But instead of sharing my laundry list of resolutions that have about a 30 percent chance of being fulfilled, I will share the ones that interest you. Resolutions that you will see me fulfill first hand - on the thread. So here we go...

1. Blog More!
OK, I know it's been almost a year since my last post - but after a crazy year of changing careers and figuring out what the hell I am suppose to do now from 9 to 5 - I think I have enough ducks in a row to actually get this thing moving. (Not to mention, a good friend bought me an official URL for the thread.) So stay tuned for man-on-the-street photos posts, Chicago boutique sales and reviews and other features sprinkled in between!

2. Be more vintage.
I love vintage clothing - and to the gals who can rock it, I applaud you. So 2011 will be more about finding myself, my vintage self. I will hunt down the vintage stores and dive head first into the racks trying to find pieces that I too can rock and pass along to others.

3. Learn to sew.
As you all know, last year I took a sewing class at The Needle Shop and the result was a pillow. Well, I had a ton of fun learning what I consider a lost art and decided that my next steps will be to invest in a sewing machine and start to see where my creativity takes me. I will post a weekly update on my progress. However, my plan it to start small. I will make a few more pillows in order to master sewing in a straight line and then move onto actual items I can wear.

4. Be more visual!
What's the single most important thing I have learned about what makes a successful blog? Make it visually interesting. So in 2011 I will make sure to give my readers more to look at!

5. Engage my readers.
And lastly, what's the point of a blog if it can't engage readers in some type of conversation? It's pretty bland in my opinion. Therefore, my goal will be to close each post in a way that entices my readers to add their two cents. Whether it's a compliment or not - it doesn't really matter - as long as the thread can not only be used as an place for fashion inspiration, but also a vehicle to share ideas and thoughts about what fashion means to you, that's what matters most.

And that's it. My top five New Years Resolutions for 2011.

So what's on your NY resolution fashion list this year? Do tell...

- LRN

A day in the life of a seamstress

For my birthday this year I told my parents I wanted two things.

1. A sewing class
2. Dishes

The first one I thought would make a great blog post — hence this one — and could also save me some money on clothes in these "tough economic times." And the other was an after thought since I soon will be moving into my own apartment and might have to eat off napkins and/or paper plates because my dining collection is next to nil.

So I hit up The Needle Shop, a local sewing/fabric store in Bucktown, on Tuesday night and learned the lost art of sewing. But this wasn't my first time. No, that was back in sixth grade at Fegely Middle School in Portage, Indiana. We had two options of taking shop class or home economics (sewing and cooking.) Of course, I took them both.

After that semester I could operate a hacksaw better than a sewing machine. But after 15 years, I thought I would take another stab at it. And I am pleasantly surprised how the final product, a pillow, turned out. It is perfect.

The class normally only has four students, but this night two students bailed, so my classmate Bree (a graphic designer at Chicago Magazine) and I pretty much had a private lesson. It was awesome. Our instructor was patient and relaxed. We learned how to turn on our machine, thread the needle and our bobbin, sew in a zipper and make a pillow. The three of us also discussed other important issues like what the heck this season of Lost is all about and our thoughts on Match.com.

And I decided with this post to get even more high-tech. I posted the photos of my sewing class on Flickr. Check out how serious I can be in my Sewing101 photo essay.

And because the end result turned out so well, I have decided to take the next step in my new-found hobby and invest in a sewing machine. Also I realized that I will never have to buy another pillow from a store again! Nor will anyone in my family. And I hate to spoil it, but everyone next Christmas is getting a pillow. Like it or not.

- Nimms

On the sidelines at Fashion Week.

What were you doing the second week of February when you were a teenager?

Wherever you were, I will venture to guess it wasn't sitting in between the likes of Heidi Klum, Anna Wintour, Rachel Zoe or the Olsen twins. But this week in Bryant Park, several young faces will sit in the crowd and report back to us "old gals" what will be haute next fall.

So I am just going to come out and say it — I'm jealous. When I was a teenager the Internet was dial-up and my time online was spent faux fighting with complete strangers in chat rooms. We didn't have Rock Band, we had Sega. Blogging wasn't invented yet. And no one really cared about aspiring young designers, bickering housewives, lonely bachelors searching for love or weekend fights at the Jersey shore. I guess you could say my life as a teenager was pretty normal.

Now things are different. And as if I don't put enough pressure on myself to be in the 40 Under 40, here come a handful of bloggers who are celebrating success right around their sweet sixteen birthday.

But in all fairness, well done ladies, er girls. I can't imagine what it would be like to have my presence requested at Fashion Week at the age of 27, let alone 12. So I'd like to feature a few of these young fashionistas who have perked my interest and, I must admit, have me perusing their blogs several times a week. And you can bet I will be checking in this week to learn their thoughts about what went on in the tents this year.

Tavi Gevinson, 13
Style Rookie
Probably hands down one of the youngest and most talented fashion bloggers to grace the World Wide Web. Sure her taste is a bit extreme for me — and frankly a style I think only a 12-year-old can pull off — but I admire her passion and creative eye.














Jane Aldridge, 17
Sea of Shoes
Pair this 16-year-old's eye for style with her mother's amazing ability with a camera and you have quite a knockout fashion duo. While Jane's true love is shoes, she's not so bad at putting some great outfits together that I find suitable for women of all ages.















Camille R., 17
Childhood Flames
I just recently stumbled upon Childhood Flames, so I don't know too much about this 17-year-old blogger. But from what I have seen her style is vintage and involves tons of black, so she's got my attention.

















Karla Deras, 21
Karla's Closet
While this jem of a blogger won't be at Fashion Week this year due to school and other obligations — good for you Karla — she is still a girl with a great eye for fashion that I think you should give some attention too. Her style is fun, flirty and feminine. What's not to love?!? And on a side note, Karla rocks a wicked short styled cut, and any girl that can pull that off has definitely got my attention.












Stefanie, 18
Factory Girl
OK so I am pretty sure Stefanie won't be attending any events at Fashion Week, but she is definitely someone to keep your eye on for the future. I see potential in this girl's photography, Internet fashion research skills are above average and most importantly she's got passion. If Stefanie keeps up the hard work, I think she's a gal we'll be seeing a lot more of in the future.

As for me? Who knows! I got a plan that leads me to attending Fashion Week in the future, but for right now baby steps. However, while I hate to admit it, many of these girls have already made their mark (or at least are on their way) so it would be wise to follow closely and learn as much as I can from them. Hopefully, one day I can join the ranks... or at least retire before they do.

Holler back if you've got any young fashionistas on your radar. I would love to add to my collection to make me feel even more of an underachiever. No just kidding. But really, pass along any jems I missed.

- Nimms

Give me your thoughts!

Hey all. Change is in the air for the thread this year.

I have plenty of plans, but I want to know what you think! So here is where I am asking for your feedback.

Give it to me straight! Positive. Negative. Indifferent. I want it all! Tell me your thoughts on how I am doing thus far? What you want more of. What you want less of. And anything idea that strikes you as great.

I'm all ears.

Happy New Year!

— Nimms

Ten trends in 2010.

OK so you officially have forty-eight hours until 2010. And while you are still trying to solidify plans as to where you will be counting down the New Year, allow me to give you a little sneak peek to some trends you will fall head over heels with in the year of the Tiger. (And I don't mean Woods, let's hope his year is a little less... public.)

So in case you've forgotten all the post Fashion Week analysis from last February, we'll recap the top ten.

1 Slouchy pants
Not to be confused with the dropped crotch harem pants of two springs ago, these beauties have more fabric in the hips, which means they complement all shapes and sizes. Just be sure to pair it with a slim top to avoid frumpiness.

2 Layers, layers, layers
This is a trend we are seeing stick from season to season, but remember it should be used in moderation. (Seriously, it will save you from constantly doing laundry.)

3 Top colors for spring
Pantone, the official voice on color, awarded turquoise the prize for the color this spring, but other hues to keep in mind are tomato puree (reddish pink), fusion coral (coral) and violet.

4 Abstract prints
If the fashion trends for spring are any indication to when this recession will pass, it looks like we are almost out of the woods. The once black-dominated seasons are gone, and now it’s time to sport some wild styles.

5 Asymmetrical lines
Look for unusual cutouts and one-shoulder styles this spring. You might be exposing some skin that hasn’t seen the light of day in quite a long time.

6 Romance and poetry
Evening wear takes on a softer side this season with mainly neutral colors and styles that move and flow with your night.

7 Sexy hair
Stick straight is out. And curls can take a hike. This season is sexy, tossed waves. And, of course, big hair is still — always — in.

8 Texture
That’s right, friends, no joke. Whether it’s feathers or faux fur, add some 3-D styles to your wardrobe.

9 Leisure dressing
If this spring season boasts anything, it’s to dress with comfort and style.

10 Metallic
If you’ve planned a “girl’s night out,” be sure to pick up a top that’s got some shine and is rather reminiscent of the ’80s. Note: Just one or two pieces like this is advised. Don’t go nuts.