What to Wear for Mother’s Day

Ann,

Happy Almost Mother’s Day!  I hope your family is planning a fun and relaxing day for you.  I’m hoping my children will plant all the Spring flowers in the garden for me — too much to ask?!

This year, you and I have THE answer to the question “What to Wear”  on Mother’s Day for brunch or dinner. That’s right – you guessed it – our first dress design of the Julia Farr Collection.

The Sheridan Dress by Julia Farr and Ann Prochnow, $320 at Julia Farr

It’s a beautiful shade of pale coral and ivory with a silvery shimmer.  Made of viscose, it is lightweight with a fitted upper waist, a slide slit that is not too high and a beautiful neckline.  And to wear with it, a cute clutch and great jewelry from Kara Ross, of course!

Kara Ross Passion papaya python clutch ($955) & cuff ($290), Pink resin earrings ($145) and Pink sugarloaf ring ($170) at Julia Farr

Bravo, Ann, for being a great mother to your two fabulous children — and for designing a dress for all the other marvelous mothers to wear this Sunday!  (And if all your friends in town need the Sheridan dress by Saturday, call the boutique at 202-364-3277 and we will ship it out for Saturday delivery.)

–Julie

Jewelry Fit for a Queen

Julie,

Thank you for sharing the most recent issue of Capitol File with me, including the profile of our friend and Georgetown classmate, jewelry designer, Kara Ross.

Although we both know all about Kara’s exquisite fine jewelry collection, as well as her Kara by Kara Ross line of jewelry , belts and handbags (carried at Julia Farr),

I was thrilled to learn about her recent commission by the White House Office of Protocol.

The White House asked her to create a shirt cuff bracelet using the fallen limbs from a famous magnolia tree on the White House grounds that was planted by Andrew Jackson as a tribute to his wife.  Kara used this combination of history and nature to create an elegant, modern piece.

What a tribute it is to Kara, that the White House specifically sought her out, as an American jewelry artist to create unique gifts to give to heads of state and departing staff members.

Now, if I can just finagle a visit to the Oval Office, maybe I could snag one of those bracelets for myself!

Ann

All images from Capitol File, except handbag, which is from Kara Ross.

I’ll Have Another! Back to Market We Go!

Happy Monday, Ann!

Thanks for your Derby Day Prep! How about those hats?  It seems bigger IS better at Churchill Downs.  I thought the grand hats were like works of art with frill on top. We celebrated the Kentucky Derby – as Farrs do – with the Dent family recipe Mint Juleps and a friendly family pool.  I continued my non-winning streak, while my sister, Stephanie, took home the money.  Here we are (Stephanie, Dad, me, George) kicking off the festivities:

And since we focus on fashion, I am wearing a Catherine Malandrino striped silk tunic ($275)

and Joe’s Honey Booty Cut White Jeans ($170). Both available at Julia Farr.

Today, I’m headed to New York for the Intermezzo market at the Piers to view Holiday 2012.  There seems to be a “market” every six weeks.  Just as soon as you finish submitting all your Fall orders, it begins again. Here’s my lineup for today:  Alice + Olivia, Milly, Kara Ross, R.U. Swanky Belts and Joe’s Jeans.  Tomorrow, I’ll see, among others, Milly Handbags and Halston Heritage.  I’ll visit a few other designers that I don’t currently carry to see if they are a good fit for Julia Farr.

The Halston showroom on Spring Street in SoHo is by far the coolest place we go.  The space has recently been remodeled to reflect the new creative direction of the company. It harkens back to the iconic Halston days of the 1970′s – yet the collection is current and chic.  My boutique will welcome several Halston Heritage styles this Fall that are both essential and elegant.  Some are even enlightened.

I’ll send photos from the Halston showroom and give the wrap up on Holiday ’12 later this week.  And don’t you know it, I’ll be back at market in June for Pre-Spring 2013!

–Julie

Off and Running

Julie,

The greatest two minutes in sports, the Kentucky Derby, is on Saturday.

The first time I watched the Kentucky Derby was with you!  We were seniors in college and had gone down to your family beach house in Maryland with a group of friends.  Like a good Southern gal, you made us all get dressed up, and fixed everyone a mint julep before we sat down to watch the race.

Mint Julep Recipe

10 mint leaves, plus a sprig for garnish
1 1/2 teaspoons superfine sugar
Seltzer water
Crushed ice
2 1/2 ounces Kentucky bourbon whiskey

Place the mint leaves in the bottom of an old-fashioned glass and top with the sugar. Muddle these together until the leaves begin to break down. Add a splash of seltzer water, fill the glass 3/4 full with crushed ice, and add the bourbon. Top with another splash of seltzer, stir, and garnish with a sprig of mint. Serve immediately.

Although I love sports, and drinking cocktails, the big fun of the Kentucky Derby is seeing all the fabulous hats that Derby-goers are famous for.  Here a few snapshots of some stellar hats from Derby days gone by.

Obviously, bigger IS better at the Kentucky Derby.

We always have an informal bet (i.e. no cash passes hands) at our house.  This year, my money is on Bodemeister.  Is it because he won the Arkansas Derby and is being ridden by jockey Mike Smith, who won the Derby in 2005?  Nope.

It’s because he is named BODEmeister, after our own adorable Bode.

I always bet with my heart!

And they’re off!

Ann

What to Wear Poolside in Palm Springs ca 1960

Julie,

You know how much I LOVE Kate Spade.  Not only are her designs elegant and ladylike, with a specific retro aesthetic, but she is from my hometown, Kansas City.

She has just debuted a line of fabulous swimwear.  Bikinis (love the high-waist bottom!),

One-piece,

And a pareo,

Her signature retro styling is evident here, as is her sunny, happy prints.  The swimwear line was developed with Malia Mills.  Mills, who has designed swimwear for over 25 years, is well-known for her flattering designs and fit.

You have to go to her blog and watch this video.

It’s an interactive experience, where you chose the action and the music. You’ll want to join the Kate Spade world after watching it.  It’ll make you excited for summer and thirsty for a Red Stripe beer (watch it and you’ll see…).

Ann

White House Correspondents’ Dinner 2012

Jennifer Tapper and Elizabeth Banks at the 2011 WHCD

Dear Ann,

This is a big weekend in Washington! Often, life here in the Nation’s Capitol (not mine) centers around policy and politics – except for this weekend! The White House Correspondents’ Dinner — which acknowledges journalists for excellence in deadline reporting, journalistic excellence and excellence in national or regional reporting — is Saturday night.  Dating back to 1920, this DC “prom” is honored by the presence of the President and First Lady, as well as of hundreds of Washington political luminaries.

You could say that Hollywood has its Academy Awards and Washington has the WHCD. This is as glamorous as Washington gets with several days of inside DC luncheons, brunches and cocktail parties that bring in fabulous politically minded celebrities to laud the dedicated correspondents.   I’ve had the great fun of dressing several stunning Washington women for the last two years for the events of the weekend, most notably the Saturday night big show.

Last year, Kate Bennett, former Editor in Chief of Capitol File and current Fashion Editor of Washingtonian, wore a long linen gown from my boutique by Or by Angela Chen.  And Jennifer Tapper, wife of ABC White House Correspondent Jake Tapper, was just beautiful in a navy gown by Robin Brouillette (above with actress Elizabeth Banks).  (Jake continues his winning streak this year receiving the Merriman Smith award for “excellence in presidential coverage under pressure” in the broadcasting category.)

This year, I have several women wearing designs from my boutique — stunning gowns  from Ports 1961 and Robin Brouillette.  Stay tuned for the photos next week! And, just for the record, if any of our celebrity guests are in a pinch (Reese, Viola and Sofia); I would be delighted to pitch in! Of course, if Daniel Day Lewis needs a date – well, say no more.

–Julie

Photo courtesy of WireImage

Printed Pants

Julie,

I have been searching for a nude pump for the past two months – I love that look.  Think I’ll try those Stuart Weitzman peep toe.  Pretty!

You know how much I love the printed pant/denim trend this spring.  Then, last Tuesday, up pops a nice note from Net-A-Porter, with another look at the printed pants , and how to wear them.

Some of their suggestions are a bit out there for me, like pairing the pants with a leather jacket,

or, most challenging of all, print on print.

I tend to take a more conservative approach to this bold look, by shopping for printed pants at one of the low-cost retailers.  In fact, these slim,cropped capris, from H&M, are my “buy” of the spring.

I wear them with a simple, white blouse and black flats.  And, at $14.95, it’s an easy way to test drive the trend (so I can save up for the Stuart Weitzman pumps!).

Ann

Images: top two: Net-A-Porter, bottom, H&M.