The holidays aren’t all about presents. But … they do play a big part. Here’s my wish list of what I’d like to see under the proverbial tree* come Christmas morning. (*There’s no actual tannenbaum gracing my living room, as I don’t have a car, axe, or the motivation to make that happen at this point in my life.)
Ibex Shak Freestar Zip Up
I’m a carless commuter, which means that there are times during the winter when I have to just hop on the trusty, old bike and suck it up. So, having good gear is a must. This (soft!) wool zip-up from Vermont-based Ibex is a perfect mid layer: it’s thin, warm, has thumb holes, and is machine washable. I want it! $155, Ibex, 303 Newbury St., Boston, 857-277-1932, ibexwear.com. READ MORE
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Crowds of stylish Bostonians filled the Cyclorama last Saturday night for a cure from the post-fashion-week blues. The treatment? A Betsey Johnson runway show, presented by the cart-wheeling designer herself, in order to raise money for the South End Community Health Center. Johnson’s prêt-a-porter line stayed true to her playful roots, including chunky necklaces, cheetah prints, skulls, and out-of-the-box silhouettes. Our favorite item? The pink “We Can Do It” graphic tee with Betsey posing as Rosie the Riveter in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month. In case you missed out, check out photos of the show:
 All photos courtesy of Justin McCallum/Tufts Daily READ MORE
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 Photo by Ashley Wood
On their way to pay homage to Miu Miu’s glittery holiday heels, Jimmy Choo’s patent leather stilettos, or the colorful array of Tory Burch flats, visitors to the Bloomingdale’s Chestnut Hill location will be happy to find a pleasant, albeit subtle, addition to the shoe section. Thanks to a new display from Historic New England, shoppers will not only get to ogle the usual lot of Stuart Weitzmans and Ferragamos, they’ll also be able to learn about the designs that pre-dated them. READ MORE
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It’s not often that Boston gets a big designer name walking its streets. The fact is, New York is the apple of every designer’s eye, and Boston is usually the place they visit for a decent bowl of chowder.
But this week, two popular clothing designers are in town with their covetable goods. While Christian Siriano, the memorable winner of the fourth season of Project Runway, is busy showcasing his 2011 Resort collection at Neiman Marcus in Copley Plaza today and tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the forever-youthful Betsey Johnson is doing us one better. A full-fledged fashion show is scheduled to go off on Saturday at the South End’s Cyclorama. READ MORE
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 Photograph courtesy of Beyond Boston Chic Back in 2008, Martini Severin set out to document the unique style she witnessed on the streets of Boston with her blog, Beyond Boston Chic. In just three years, the blog’s popularity has skyrocketed — so much that she landed her own photography exhibit at City Hall, which opened this week. We chatted with Severin about her inspiration, putting together her first exhibit, and the best places to go in Boston for a heaping dose of chic.
What inspired you to create a street fashion blog?
I’ve always had an interest in fashion. I remember growing up and seeing how wonderful my mom and my aunts looked when they dressed up. And when I got older and lived in France, my interest in fashion really elevated because I realized I couldn’t just walk out of the house in pajama pants. I spent more time on my appearance. Then when I came back to Boston, I just kept looking for something else — something that wasn’t just magazines. I thought, well, I’m going to take inspiration from Bostonians, and I decided to just start taking photos of people. It’s been a really wonderful way for me to get to know the people in this city and talk to them about why they’re wearing what they’re wearing. READ MORE
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 Image courtesy of Fashion's Night Out. What are you doing tomorrow night? If you like fashion, music, complimentary cocktails, and dazzle galore, the answer should be “Heading to Fashion’s Night Out.” This year marks the first-ever full-blown FNO event in our city, which is finally joining the club of cities in 17 countries across the globe. (For more history on the organizers, check out Christopher Muther’s piece on Boston.com.)
In previous years, select retailers have opted to host parties or offer special deals, but organizers struggled to find willing participants. This year, though, FNO is exploding throughout neighborhoods from the North End to the South End, JP to Copley. Newbury Street will be closed to vehicles, giving style-hungry shoppers unfettered access to the one-night-only frenzy happening at their favorite boutiques. Check out the list below for a few of what we predict for the highlights, then tell us in the comments: What are you most stoked for? READ MORE
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 Photograph courtesy of Aubrey Elizabeth Apothecary Aubrey Elizabeth Stephens’s soap-making hobby began the way so many great endeavors do: on the advice of her mother.
“My mom always said, ‘A homemade gift is better,’” she says. Stephens started crafting adorable handmade soaps — shaped and scented like s’mores, waffles, and fresh-baked bread — as presents for family and friends, who encouraged her to try making some cash with her suds.
Stephens opened her Etsy shop in November and now spends 10 to 15 hours a week churning out customizable soaps, scrubs (like the sugar lip scrub pictured at right), and creams, which she packages by hand, decorates with labels of her own design, and ships to locations as distant as Australia and China. In between, the Connecticut native runs a real estate company out of her Watertown home, which works out well for her: “I can make soap and answer the phone at the same time,” she jokes.
Stephens hopes to turn the Etsy shop into a full-time business at some point — but even though it’s currently a part-time gig, she admits that in her house, “soap stuff is everywhere; my boyfriend is about to flip out.” On weekends, she hits the SoWa market to sell her wares and brainstorm ideas for new products. Her favorite finds? “I usually get excited about holiday stuff, since I’m a holiday junkie,” she says. To that end, she recently debuted several Halloween-appropriate soaps shaped (though thankfully not scented) like severed fingers.
Snag Aubrey Elizabeth Apothecary goods at the SoWa market, Sundays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through October, 460 Harrison Ave., Boston, sowaopenmarket.com; or on Etsy at etsy.com/shop/aubreyeapothecary.
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 This past Sunday I visited the first installation of the Port Davis vintage fair at the George Dilboy DFW Post in Somerville. Walking in was like being transported to a chic mid-century modern garage sale, complete with a Mad Men–style cash bar. Because who doesn’t like a little martini therapy while channeling their inner Joan Holloway?
Although I opted to forgo the cocktails — seeing as it was only 10:30 a.m. — the soundtrack of classic hits from the ‘60s and ‘70s piped through the loudspeakers overhead kept me in the spirit as I perused the 10 vendor stands awash in shades of orange, olive green, and brown. I strolled past a variety of shag rugs, bulbous ceramic table lamps, crates of vinyl records, and a hot dog sofa playfully dubbed the “wiener couch” (a nod to a certain present-day political scandal?) before spotting a rack of clothing that looked like it was wheeled in straight from Betty Draper’s closet. Jackpot.
Among the nearly mint-condition duds — all from the same estate and dating back to the ’50s and ’60s — were an elegant off-white Anne Fogarty tea-length dress for $175, a structured tangerine-and-teal linen dress by Bonwit Teller for $75, and a precious peach cardigan with a matching white polka-dot belt for $35. Not only were the clothes in great shape, but they also came in sizes made for the 5’3” and under crowd — a rarity, I’ve found, in the world of vintage clothing. I walked away with a lovely $38 navy and white striped bolero. Not bad. Best of all, the fair’s vendors accept credit cards. At the next table, statement-making costume jewelry (think vintage Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent necklaces) flashed and twinkled. A thick blue Larry Vrba necklace, made from re-purposed mid-century baubles, was on sale with a pair of matching earrings for a mere $950. Hmm, maybe I could use a drink, after all. Luckily the fair offered a variety of items priced to fit any budget, including furniture, kitchenware, books, handbags, artwork, and collectibles.
If you missed the fair this past weekend, don’t fret. The Port Davis Vintage Fair promises to return the second and fourth Sunday of each month this summer through September at the same location. But a word to the wise: Get there early to avoid the devastation of seeing a ”sold” sign on, say, your favorite Ballpark frank–inspired davenport.
Every second and fourth Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; 371 Summer St. (VFW Post 529), Somerville, 617-304-4978.
Stephanie Horst contributes to Boston‘s online fashion and lifestyle coverage.
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By: Sarah Burns
Rag & Bone is bringing its laid-back, hipper-than-thou style to The Tannery’s Boston outpost for a shopping event that rocks. This Thursday, April 7, from 5 to 8 p.m., stylists from the brand ― along with a specialist on all things denim ― will be on deck to create cool spring looks for men and women. The Upper Crust and Narragansett will provide pizza and beer to fuel your spree while DJ 7L of the Bladerunners spins sweet tunes. Get there early and score a free scarf with purchase (while supplies last).
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Don your most dashing cocktail outfit this Saturday, March 12, for the 20th annual Casino Royale event to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Sponsored in part by the Boston Bruins Foundation, the bash will include hors d’oeuvres, live music by The Pulse of Boston, and a silent auction offering goods such as weekend getaways and Celtics tickets ― and, of course, Vegas-style gambling.
Don’t like to chance it with your cash? Don’t stress: CFF has been lauded as a charity that “won’t waste your money” by SmartMoney Magazine. A percentage of your ticket price is tax deductible, and proceeds from the event will fund research and clinical trials to help find a cure for the disease, which affects 30,000 children and adults in the U.S.
General admission tickets are $70 in advance and $75 at the door. If you’re feeling extra ritzy, the $150 VIP party pass includes entry to a private reception and casino, chow from assorted food stations, and complimentary beer and wine throughout the night. A good cause, a great time, and a chance to break out your favorite LBD? That’s a deal we’ll take. Because no matter what Bond says, you only live once.
8 p.m.–1 a.m., Seaport Hotel, 200 Seaport Blvd., Boston, 617-385-4212, cff.org.
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