THE RED PANDA PURVEYOR

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Fashion Craving: Leather

Burberry

Lately, I have been absolutely craving leather. I know it sounds crazy, because the term is usually associated with food, but I feel that craving is definitely the way to describe it. The cooler fall temperatures have caused me to long for soft and supple leather, leather that has just the right amount of wear, in the way that I long for donuts. I don't always want them, but when I do its intense and I must get my hands on some or I won't stop thinking about them. While I like all shades of leather, I am particularly enamored with the various shades of brown leather right now, from rich caramel to a deep expresso. My body simply needs to be wrapped in the sweet embrace a perfectly broken in jacket, carefully cradled in a luxurious leather chair, or carried away in beautiful leather shoes. Unfortunately, my budget doesn't allow me to go out and indulge my cravings so for now I must feast with my eyes.

Burberry

Tory Burch Jess Boot

Sperry Top-Sider Seabourn Platform Wedges
I really really love these

Cece leather flat

Kate Spade

Linda Farrow

Daniel Wellngton

Monday, October 7, 2013

Cool and Crisp

What could be better than the tart fruitiness of strawberries, the sweet delight of sugar, and the cool refreshing taste of cucumbers? If they were combined to create a crisp and tasty cocktail that is perfect for tailgating, patio sipping, and parties with friends.

I made this cocktail this weekend for tailgating at Keeneland. I did my best to recreate a drink I had at the Jefferson Davis Inn in Lexington (www.jeffersondavisinn.com). It was definitely a hit and I won't think twice about making it again.

Ingredients

1/2 qt strawberries

1/2 cucumber (you really just want a slice or two for each glass)

1/3 cup of sugar

1 bottle of gin

seltzer/club soda

Preparation

Clean and cut the top off the strawberries. Muddle til there are no visible chunks of strawberries. Transfer the berries into a sealable container.

Sprinkle the sugar over the berries and let sit in the fridge overnight. This will draw the juice out of the strawberries and will create a syrup.

(I muddled the strawberries in the container I was going to serve the cocktail from for less dishes to clean).

When ready to serve, transfer into your serving container of choice, pour the gin over the strawberry mixture and stir.

When pouring each drink leave 1/4 to 1/2 of the glass empty (depending on how strong you want it to be) and fill the rest of the glass with club

soda or seltzer, whichever you prefer.

Sit back, sip, enjoy!

You are invited to the no pants party!

While most people look forward to fall and fall fashion, not me. While I do like the little bit of weight leeway that big sweaters and layers allows I don't like having to dress for the cooler temperatures. So when most of my friends are celebrating the start to "boot season" I am left trying to cling to summer styles. Its not that I hate sweaters and boots, in fact I'm the opposite, I love them. What I have a problem with, is well, pants. Dresses are so easy. You only have to choose basically one article of clothing and maybe some layers according to the weather. Dresses are freeing. Nothing wrapped tight around each leg.

Now I do realize that pants do have one leg up on dresses (pun intended). They are warmer than dresses and with the cooler temperatures that comes with fall I might be tempted to overcome my dislike and don a pair of trousers. Fortunately, I am saved from that necessity by one of the best articles of clothing: leggings. Thank you Olsen twins for letting us know non-black girls could wear them. As for the ongoing debate as to whether leggings can be considered and worn appropriately as pants, I will get contract momentary amnesia, and will say that they are pants. (What else would I wear in the winter to the gym/doing errands/ everyday life?)

Regardless of whether I am pro pants or not, I know that it is socially unacceptable to walk around in public not wearing pants. As you will have noticed, you probably have seen signs that state that you must have on a shirt and shoes to enter into whatever establishment that it is posted outside of. Likewise, you probably have never seen a sign addressing the need for pants to enter the premise. Thats because its so out of the social norm to not wear pants that they do not feel the need to make sure if everyone has pants on or not. Fashion designers do not always seem to be aware of this and put pantless looks down the runway all the time. While I don't think these looks are going to catch on anytime soon, I appreciate the designers' attempt to "revolt against the tyranny of pants."*

*quote from super underrated movie Bachelorette

DSquared2 Spring 2014

Dolce and Gabbana SS 2014

Chanel

John Richmond Spring 2013

Jason Wu

Keeneland

Keeneland by theredpandapurveyor featuring Lilly Pulitzer

Lilly Pulitzer dress / Tory Burch boots, $690 / Tory Burch flat, $335 / Sperry Top-Sider leather deck shoes / Vineyard Vines canvas tote / Handbag, $84 / Lilly Pulitzer necklace / Mimco drop earrings, $75 / Maya Brenner 14k yellow gold necklace / Lilly Pulitzer tech accessory / Belt / Lilly Pulitzer sunglasses / Ray-Ban wayfarer sunglasses / Social Primer Reversible Bow Tie: Split Awning Stripe and Brooks...

Its that time of year again! This weekend was the opening weekend for the Keeneland Racecourse in Lexington, KY. If you have been, you know how much fun it is. If you haven't, you need to go. Kentucky horse racing and the culture that surrounds it is something that everyone should experience once in their life.

While many people "go to bet on the ponies," I, myself and many others I would imagine, go for the people watching, fashion, and tailgating.

My favorite part is seeing everyones outfits. Technically you can wear whatever you want but most people dress up. I recently had a conversation with a friendly server at Jimmy John's who said that he had never went to Keeneland. Upon my asking why, he replied, "I don't have the clothes for it." If you are reading this, Jimmy John's guy, I would gladly help you shop for something to wear.

Honestly, its pretty easy. Just wear a few of the following words and you will fit in.

Girls: dresses, Lilly Pulitzer, croakies, sunglasses, boots, flats, Tory Burch, Longchamp, Vineyard Vines, hats, fascinators, pearls

Guys: bow ties, Polo, Southern Proper, Vineyard Vines, khakis, Sperry, croakies, sunglasses, Ray Ban