October 2015 | the crystal press fashion blog

Belle & James is Open in Richmond

Richmond has become the ultimate foodie city over the past couple of years and we are excited to tell you that yet another remarkable restaurant has opened in Richmond, Va called Belle & James. We had a chance to try the menu before it opened to the public earlier this week and let it be known that we had a wonderful evening full of yummy libations and delectable food. Belle & James is a French-American restaurant with enticing creations that sat nicely on our palate such as Pimento Cheese Beignets & lavender infused cocktails. Not only do we love the juxtaposition between the feminine and masculine names used in this restaurant’s title (think Belle Isle & James River), but we also enjoy how the interior decor will make you want to stay awhile.

Check out Belle & James this weekend between all of your Halloween fun for a meal before the festivities or a cocktail at their instagrammable bar. Thank you Belle & James for a wonderful evening, we can’t wait for many more!

P.S If you ever get lonely, you can always go visit Brigitte Bardot while enjoying a glass of champagne at Belle & James.

Lookbook

Big Magic

What was the last book you read and truly savored? (You know, one that you never wanted to finish because you enjoyed the process of reading it more than you cared about knowing the end.) Up until about a week ago, my answer to this question was “40 Rules of Love” by Elif Shafak. When I finished “40 Rules of Love,” I thought about it for days and days and days. I envied people who hadn’t read it yet because they got to read “40 Rules of Love” in all of it’s wonder for the first time. Over this past week I found myself savoring “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert as much as I did Shafak’s novel.

I have had “Big Magic” for 7 days and am only on page 25. This is unusual for moi considering I tend to speed read through books that I’m excited about. So far, I can’t tell you what it is exactly about this book that is causing me to put my speed reading habits aside except for the fact that the message is beautifully empowering. I’ll figure out in detail why it resonates with me so much one of these days but for now, if you are in need of some shiny new inspiration – check Elizabeth Gilbert’s new book out.

PS: I am wearing this HM top.

Posted while listening to: 10,000 Emerald Pools by BORNS

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Lifestyle

Step Into Fall with DSW

*This post is sponsored by DSW Shoes, but all thoughts and opinions are our own

As we mentioned the other day, fall is here and so are our favorite black outfits and new boots. We are back in black, so to speak. However, with this black outfit we decided to pair our new favorite Steve Madden Fame Combat Boots for an edgier, I-just-hopped-off-my-Motorcycle look. These boots are perfect for walking around on a Saturday between fall festivals when you’re going to be on your feet all day and want to prevent the next-day raw-foot situation. (Not that we didn’t change into a heeled bootie later in the night, of course.) Not to mention, the combat boot is a style that truly stays in fashion, in our humble opinion.

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Lifestyle Lookbook

Halloween Costume: Brandon Flowers

Disclaimer: this post reveals a Nordstrom giveaway at the very end!Halloween is hands down my all time favorite holiday. Ever since I was little, deciding what I was going to be for Halloween was always a decision I took very seriously and seemed to make way earlier than other kids. Yes, I was the girl asking what my friends were going to be for Halloween seven months in advance. From a 50s girl, to Chipper Jones (tomboy phase, don’t ask), to Mary Kate Olsen, I’d like to think I was a pretty well rounded (prepared) Halloween dresser upper.

The unforgettable person that inspired my love of Halloween (and fashion, for that matter) was my Aunt Mary. If there was ever a queen of Halloween, she was it. She always helped me with my costume growing up and sent me Halloween care packages when I was away at college. My aunt made Halloween care packages a thing.. a very much anticipated thing at that. She loved the idea of dressing up in costume and her Halloween spirit was infectious. She passed away a couple of years ago, and to this day – I get a little more outrageous on Halloween in her honor.

I decided to dress up as the lead singer of The Killers, Brandon Flowers. Rebecca and I saw him in concert this summer and I pretty much fell head over heels for him (don’t judge until you see him live.) Anyways, Brandon’s thing was feather epaulettes and lets be real, who turns down an excuse to unapologetically wear feather epaulettes? When I went down one of my I’m-obsessed-with-Brandon-Flowers rabbit holes via google, I found this quote in regards to his feelings on his signature feathery Dior blazer:

“The feather epaulettes were my most fabulous style statement. When I get into the jacket I feel good and very triumphant. It’s the old cliche of putting the mask on. I don’t know if I could get up in front of 70,000 people at festivals without my feathers on.”

Brandon, if you’re reading this – I feel pretty triumphant in my blazer adorned with feather epaulettes too and don’t mind switching out your festival-ocassion for my Halloween celebration. Thanks for the inspo, bud.

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Iconic Fashion Moment: Dress like Carrie

Whether you grew up anxiously waiting for the latest episode of Sex and the City to air or have only seen the Sex and the City movie in passing, it is hard to not fall completely in love with the legendary character of Carrie Bradshaw. With Halloween two weeks away & film festival season in full force, we teamed up with Farfetch to put a wish list together inspired by one of fashion’s great characters, Carrie Bradshaw.

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Lifestyle

Fall Veggie Favorites

Check out some of our favorite oven roasted fall veggies to change up your dinner plans!

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Newbury

The cold is creeping up on us more quickly than I would like so I had to take one last opportunity to step out in my trusty-old rag & bone jorts. That being said, I’m super excited to pull out the sweaters, leggings & jeans that have been in hiding all summer. Plus, I just copped these rag & bone Newbury booties and Eliz & James Crossbody bag to kick off the season right because who doesn’t like starting off the season with a new pair of classic boots & a badass handbag? Shocker, all black. Be prepared to see lots of black coming up on TCP, seeing as no matter what we do, we end up gravitating to sleek monotone get-ups! Happy Fall, Y’all!

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Dancing on My Own

In the spirit of Halloween being in the October air, let’s start with a question about silly fear. What do you do that scares you or that causes you to step outside your comfort zone?

“Do one thing a day that scares you” can be found amongst numerous self help articles, books, and well…the Lululemon manifesto. Basically, it’s everywhere. I have come to reference this sound advice often, even in important situations like when debating dancing/singing to Shania Twain by myself in my car sans tinted windows. Why yes, this is my little way of scaring myself once a day: dancing and singing loudly while driving (hands on the wheel, obvi) when others can clearly see me. Do they care? No. Does it scare me still? Eh, kinda.

Confession: I consider what strangers around me think and I scare myself out of it by dancing obnoxiously in my car anyway. Ridiculous as it may seem, what I’m trying to say is I’m not one for facing my fear by sky diving or haunted hay rides or bungee jumping or roller coasters or anything the average joe would consider scary or at the very least, an adrenaline rush. I stare my fear right in the face by dancing visibly in my car by myself to super-dee-duper fun pop music in plain sight. We all have to start somewhere as the self-help gurus also say and at this rate…maybe I’ll watch a scary movie by the time I’m 50.

Posted while listening to: “Dancing on My Own” by Robyn

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Lifestyle

LET’S PLAID OUT

This post was sponsored by Target but all opinions are our own. For our first official look book post of fall, it seemed more than appropriate for us to bring the plaid out. While we both have differing facets to our personal style, we do both tend to incorporate classic fashions, especially when layers are appropriate. And when layers are appropriate, why not go with the classic yet sometimes rebellious plaid? With the cooler weather rapidly approaching, plaid not only makes us feel cozy but is oh-so-stylish at the same time. When we pulled out our favorite fall staples, our plaid pieces were worn out. Needless to say, we were excited when we heard that Target was collaborating with Adam Lippes and doing a storewide plaid campaign. From the plaid Frederik Fekkai hair care kit to this versatile red & black plaid poncho, there is something for everyone.

While first browsing the collection after it launched at the end of September, we got so many Ralph Lauren vibes. Adam Lippes started with Polo in the 90s before working for Oscar de la Renta, so it was no surprise the quality and style of this collection is timeless yet bold. Reb scooped this must-have Adam Lippes for Target shirt dress in painterly plaid and has worn it a number ways since. When we stepped out to the new Quirk Hotel in Richmond, she paired it unexpectedly (but perfectly) with plaid flannel lined boyfriend jeans for a refined yet tomboy look. Some say contrasting plaids are not to be worn together and we say bring on the duality. As for this shirt dress, whether you want to play by the rules and wear it buttoned up or wear it open like Reb did here – this Adam Lippes plaid piece is good for any day of the week.

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Lifestyle

Reb’s Wedding

If you’ve been following along with us for the past few months it comes as no surprise to you that I (Rebecca) got married in July. We have finally received the most gorgeous photos from J&D Photography and wanted to share some of them with you! It was so must fun having Cath along for the ride with me from the beginning. She helped me articulate my vision for the perfect day and helped to make that vision a reality.

I wore the dress that my mother and grandmother both wore and had it restored by our family friend, Jahee Kwon. She did the most fantastic job. I could go on and on about all of the details but I will let the photos speak for themselves and share some tidbits when I think necessary 🙂
The bridesmaids got ready in a little Ralph Lauren Number, I wore the Wildfox Couture Bride Robe (which I still wear on the reg) and of course we drank Veuve Clicquot.