Gifts for the Girls

By Lauren and Julie

Listed clockwise

The enormous tree at Rockefeller Center is about to be lit with its annual star-studded celebration; the ultra-sexy Victoria's Secret fashion show airs tonight and the department store windows along Madison Avenue have begun to resemble Candy Land.  These occurrences can only mean one thing...the holiday season is upon us!

With Hanukkah starting tomorrow, and Christmas right around the corner, it's about that time to start buying gifts for all your loved ones.This is the first in a series of three posts that will help you purchase gifts for the men, women, and holiday hosts in your life.

We have searched high and low for some of the best (moderately priced) gifts for any lucky lady you know and we have come up with this list of covetable goodies.


1. Candace Ang T-Rex Pendant $110
2. MayBags handmade purse at Barney $450.
3. Kiva gift certificate - Give the gift that keeps giving, literally. At Kiva.org you can help alleviate poverty by giving the gift of independence.  You can donate to a number of entrepreneurs all over the world, giving them the ability to care for themselves, and you the ability to significantly make a difference with just a click of a mouse.
4.Kindle cover by DVF $85
5. Red Chronograph Watch by Michael Kors $195
6. Arty Oval Ring by YSL $195
7. Gap's cozy plaid scarf $29.50
8. Faux fur leopard hat by Kate Spade $195
9.Pink keyboard skin by Sony at B&H Photo $15.99
10. The ultimate combination of our two favorite makeup colors! Nars set of Laguna bronzer and Orgasm blush with the perfect lipgloss sold at Sephora $30

Happy Holidays

Fashionable Friendships

By Lauren and Julie



Some of our favorite fashionable best friends



                            

Fashion and friendship go hand in hand. If there were amazing trends but no besties, who would tell you what outfit flatters your figure and who would lend you designer duds for that big event? 

Your BFF, that's who!

Friends are the constant accessory in the ever-changing world of fashion, keeping you grounded in reality, ensuring that you know your Lanvin flats do not replace sneakers.

Lauren: I call Julie my "nice police" or my "fashion conscience" always there with a dose of honesty to rein me in when I'm about to make a passionate, but irresponsible purchase.

Julie: Lauren's fun-loving spirit and spontaneity always encourages me to continue to up-the-ante when it comes to risk-taking fashion choices.

We both believe fashion is way more pleasurable when you have someone fun to experiment with. Here at Born and Bread, we hope to be your friends in fashion, making trends accessible, telling you our honest opinions, and inspiring you every step of the way.

XOXO,

Lauren and Julie

On the Mend in NYC

By Lauren and Julie

We are always searching for the best repair places at the worst possible times - when our favorite Current Elliots have ripped in the butt or when our Loubs that match every outfit have worn away at the sole. For that reason, we have compiled our list of favorite repair places around the city so that you are better equipped for a real fashion emergency!

Best Bag Repair: Art Bag - 1130 Madison Avenue and 84th Street
(212)744-2720 - artbag.com. Many luxury brands send their customers here for any leather fixes and it's been an UES secret for over 75 years, so it's definitely worth trying.

Best Tailor: Custom L&S Tailors - 138 East 61st Street
(212)752-1638 - lstailors.com. This is our favorite tailor, recommended to us by the saleswoman at Herver Leger.

Best Shoe Repair: Leather Spa - 10 West 55th Street
(212)262-4823 - leatherspa.com. Manolo Blahnik tells their clients to repair all their shoes at this amazing place. Don't let the name fool you, they fixed our non-leather Uggs that were ruined from countless winter morning commutes.

Best Dry Cleaners: Meurice Garment Care - 31 University Place or 245 East 57th Street (212)475-2778 - garmentcare.com. Nothing is worse than a stain on your favorite dress during the holiday season, but keep this number in your blackberry and you will never freak out at a red-wine-drinking party goer again.

Best Jean Repair: Denim Therapy - 555 8th Avenue near 38th Street, suite 901
(347)471-0785 - denimtherapy.com. A rip in your ass is also a huge pain in the ass. But not to worry, this place repairs any hole in your favorite denim for only $7 per inch and they don't do it with any weird patches either.

Thanksgiving Weekend Ali Macgraw Style

By Lauren and Julie

As we prepare to leave each other, and Manhattan for the holiday weekend, we would like to give thanks for the amazing style icon, Ali Macgraw.  Lauren is off to the Hamptons while Julie flies to Glencoe, but no matter where Thanksgiving takes you this weekend, we urge you to find inspiration from the images below while you pack your bags.  We know we definitely did.

Since we will be on a slight posting hiatus we thought we would give you your fix of "Fashion Finds Friday" on Wednesday.  Once we have stuffed our tummies with delicious turkey and gooey mashed potatoes, we will need to burn off all those calories by stuffing our shopping bags while zigzagging through the crowds on Black Friday! Be on the lookout for some of these amazing additions to any wardrobe in the spirit of Thanksgiving and Ali Mcgraw.  Happy Turkey Day to you all...see you next week!

1. A chunky sweater this one is from LL Bean $119

2. Any knit bag, this wool one is by Dolce and Gabbana $1,695

3. Ribbed glovettes by JCrew $23

4. Cozy fur scarf this one by Glamourpuss sold at Kirnazabete $495

5. Camel Coat from Gap $118

6. Leather and suede top by H&M $99

7. Fox fur earmuffs by Eugenia Kim at Shopbop $188

8. Boots with shearling accents, this pair from Michael by Michael Kors $295

9. Wide leg jeans, this pair from JBrand named after todays inspiration, the Love Story Jean $179

10. Chunky gold jewelry, this cuff by YSL $590

11. A short knit skirt, this one by Eternal Sunshine Creations at Shopbop $187

Bows-Arts

By Julie

Club Monaco bow headband and American Apparel Bow Hair Clip

I'm certainly not shy about admitting my obsession with bows. Historically thought of as prim and proper, I think they should be nothing short of flirty and fun! As you can see, I often like to wear them in my hair.

Marc Jacobs blouse, TopShop leather jacket, Michael Kors trousers and Fendi heels

American Apparel bra

Or on my blouse.

Here I've styled Lauren in my Phillip Lim skirt and a Just a Cheap Shirt. I love the combination of feminine tailoring and boyfriend flannel. Crisp, classic and casually chic. I might just be packing this look for my Thanksgiving day fetes!

Just a Cheap Shirt flannel, Phillip Lim bow skirt, Fendi platforms

What will you be wearing this Thanksgiving?

Red Haute

By Julie

I've gone ga-ga for this Moschino ad. There's nothing I j'adore more than vintage gold baubles, bold nautical stripes, fancy felt hats and Alessandra Ambrosio! All things chic. This is an edgy interpretation of a classic french look with the over-sized western hat and tassle details- an early sign of a strong Spring 11 trend. I see her traipsing around Marbella, but these are some easy additions to any woman's wardrobe. We urge you to step outside the box a la Moschino and send us some of your modern takes on classic looks. Be playful and have fun!

1. A classic nautical tee, Madewell, $45.

2. A statement necklace- this one features rolled leather flowers and brass chains from Phillip Lim, $275.

3. Fallon Tassle Earrings, $250.

4. Set of gold bangles, Jennifer Miller, $175.

5. Leather driving gloves, Zara, $59.

6. A mix of glamour and edge, a multi-chain spike bracelet by Candace Ang, $145. 

7. Jungle Red Nars Lipstick, $24.

8. Oliver Peoples Isobel sunglass, $280.

9. Large Brim Hat, Moschino, $315. 

Fashion Finds Friday

By Lauren

As the weekend approaches, nothing gets me more excited than imminent shopping excursions.  Inspiration for what I like to call "closet expansion" can come from anywhere: an amazing magazine shoot, a week night dinner with friends, even those annoying yet hard to resist promotional emails from your favorite stores.  Whatever sparked that shopping devil inside of you this week, it's time to let it free - in moderation of course! 

This weekend I'll have my eye out for:

1. A sheepskin vest - this one is from Topshop $125

2. A slouchy school bag - I'm dying for this Proenza Schouler PS1 bag from Barney's $1,995

3. An oxford bootie in suede - this one is Prada from Barney's $895

4. A long floral dress (to keep a little bit of spring with you in the winter) - this one is from Zara $79.90

Happy Shopping!

Say it Ain't So!

By Julie


As if the sound of my alarm at 6:45 this morning wasn't scary enough, my WWD Morning Report just about put me over the edge. The headline read, 'Wang to Exit Bridesmaid Business'. Bridesmaid blasphemy! My matrimonial dreams of feathered tulle and embroidered bodices just shattered.

Monday was the very last day that Vera Wang boutiques would accept orders for bridesmaid dresses and the stores will only continue to honor orders already placed. The designer plans on closing her directly operated bridesmaid business while partnering with wholesale distributer David's Bridal to develop a less-expensive bridal collection in order to expand to a broader market share.

Sigh... Vera, couldn't you have at least waited until Lauren and I had our chance to walk down the aisle?

From Top Left: My very own Vera Wang bridesmaids dress from my sisters wedding last year, the purple versions that Khloe Kardashians bridesmaids wore at her impromptu wedding, the one and only Vera, the neutral colors Jamie Presley chose for her wedding.

It appears an opportunity has emerged for a new up and coming designer to pick up where Vera left off in the luxury market... who would be your pick?

Major Medleys

By Julie


This past week's Glee episode was as charming as ever.


Kurt's Teenage Dream and the mash-up themed show quickly turned my mind to a place of fashion and a few of the season's hottest partnerships.


This month marks the launch of a few collaborations that are leaving fashionistas frothing at the mouth. One that tops our list at B&B is Lanvin for H&M. Alber Elbaz's highly anticipated designs are sure to make the masses line up around the block November 20th when it hits select stores. These are a few of my top picks:

Kate Moss's second collaboration for Parisian fashion house, Longchamp, is another high-fashion collaboration worthy of critical acclaim. I am lusting over the Zebra Gloucester Travel Bag- what a perfect weekender fit for fashion and function!

Kate's partnership with the family-owned company began over eight seasons ago when she was first featured as the face of the brand. Working as the model and muse, however, just wasn't enough for this fashion maven! Kate's line proves, once again, that her skills as a designer are as equally exquisite as the model herself. Kate has drawn inspiration for this collection from her real life experiences from catwalks, red carpets, and traveling around the world. Her assortment of vintage-esque handbags, jeweled clutches and rocker-chic carry-alls have catapulted the brand to a whole new level. The Kate Moss for Longchamp Collection is available online and in stores now.

Last, but certainly not least, I cannot ignore the ever-present Kardashian family as they have now officially taken over my neighborhood in Tribeca (not that I mind)! The girls may be in town to film their new reality show, but they've also made time to open their new Soho boutique, shoot beauty campaigns and top the charts as three of the industries most popular trend-setters. Kim, Kourtney and Khloe officially launch the 3rd Kardashians for Bebe Collection on Friday, November 19th. They've created some glamorous looks in klassic Kardashian style... Take a look at these sneak peeks!

Whew! Two major designer mash-ups back to back... now that is what I would call a Teenage Dream- come true! 

Lines We Love: Maglia

By Lauren

This weekend I couldn't wait to wear my new plaid vest and though it's not necessarily considered outerwear, vests over jackets are my favorite thing this season! My good friend Nicole, and her BFF Ali started Maglia, a line of luscious vests that drape perfectly over anything.  I bought this green and black plaid version, but see below for more looks from their line and checkout their website Magliany.com

Leather Jacket: Michael Kors, Plaid Vest: Maglia, Jeans: JBrand Love Story,
 Sunglasses: Michael by Micheal  Kors

   

Vest in Show

By Lauren 

 Apparently, blogging isn't the only thing we do together.  This past Saturday we both showed up to dinner wearing different almost identical fur vests accidentally.  Julie got hers as an insert in her new favorite fall jacket from Otte boutique.  Mine is an amazing rabbit fur version from Michael by Michael Kors (of course). It's the season to grab whatever vest you have out of your closet and make those "almost weather inappropriate" fall jackets last a little longer into winter with some added warmth.