Me, the Short Story

Blog Founded: 2009, Dallas, TX

Born: Burke, VA (that’s Northern VA, to you)

Designer/blogger: Sara

Philosophy: I love fashion. I love it. I love colors, textures and most especially patterns. I in no way think claim to be the best dressed in the room, but I enjoy fashion and the creativity I pour into what I choose to buy and choose to wear. I believe in quality over quantity. I believe you can have quality pieces but almost never pay full price for them. I love finding deals, the little steal of a bracelet or pair of shoes from a sale, boutique or a vintage shop. I believe in 10 essential wardrobe pieces….but endless possibilities when it comes to shoes. I believe less is more. I think a women should be classy and fabulous in the way she dresses and carries herself and that means modesty. Not dull or boring, mind you, but like a lady. Period. My dream job? Personal shopper. (it’s a gift)

The Early Days: Catholic prep school, with lots of maroon and grey plaid…the jumper version, then the skirt. Off to high school and the crest emblazoned blazer. Typically east coast, really. Rugby shirts, pinch-rolled jeans, lots of things from Britches… loafers, top siders, etc. Repurposing lots of hand-me-downs from the older sisters, whose items were always much cooler than anything I had. My penchant for khaki and button-down preppyness earned me the moniker ‘Gap girl’ from my two younger sisters in my junior high days. I think the Gap was cooler back then…or I wasn’t, who knows?  I wasn’t as adventurous in regards to fashion as I am now, but I’ve always been a clotheshorse. A few high school friends  all decided to wear my clothes and have a ‘Carpoli Trunk Show’ strictly out of my closet.

The Influence: I’d call myself Preppy Femme, I suppose. I love classic, vintage, timeless items…but worn in a manner with just enough detail to make it interesting and unique. I’m addicted to navy, oxford shirts, and have a penchant for all things nautical. As much as I used to try to fight my girlyness, I always end up with something ruffled, pleated or patterned.

The On-Screen Influence: I love the always-refined Hitchcock-ian women. Icons like Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, CZ Guest, (obviously) Jackie O. and her cardigans plus a little modernity like Anne Hathaway in the Devil Wears Prada….who doesn’t love the clothes in that film?

The soundtrack: I love music, all kinds save country (Johnny Cash and Loretta Lynn classic country being the exception). Moods drive my choices when it comes to music, so each day has it’s own soundtrack: Indie, alternative, folk, indie rock, blues, classical. Sometimes I want a full power-ballad anthem; sometimes I just want Beethoven. I love discovering new music and will give just about anything a listen. I’m amazed by the power of music to inspire and elevate and without it, my world would be rather empty.

Every woman should have: Pearls, a navy blazer, a signature perfume and shoes that make her feel unstoppable.

Every (brave) woman should also have: Animal print. But not an entire ensemble of it. That would be ridiculous.

“A woman should be two things: Classy and Fabulous.” ~Coco Chanel