Theorizing

Chic, streamlined, consistent, and slightly edgy, Theory has all the components of a good fit and a sophisticated look. New for spring are colorblock tops and dresses in white, black, and slate that mix and match with all the other Theory pieces in your closet like, well...Garanimals. I love the fact that Theory moves from season to season, adjusting their color palette a hue or two so those brand-spanking-new pants you JUST bought will still match whatever arrives in stores for Spring 2008.

On another note, does anyone else think it is amazing that the weather here this time of year is amazing!? I just moved here from a place where I was told upon my first week: "There's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing" (meaning rainpants and rubber Hunter boots). Hence, I sold my Patagonia down jacket our first (but not last) yard sale. I'm simply having difficulty believing that it is FEBRUARY and I am wearing a sleeveless top (by Beth Bowley by the way - a cute silk number we just received yesterday). I do realize it has been raining, but honestly, it didn't rain once from June to December in the East Bay.

Cherry Picking

Not only have cherry blossoms arrived in Washington DC, they have made their way to iniam, in form of a silk dress byBeth Bowley. The dress (pictured on the left), is a sublime cherry red silk and a very flattering neckline - not too low, not too high. neck. Also in the box was a strappy silk dress (not pictured) in a zig zag pattern (well, more like a lightening bolt pattern) in a light green, pink, and cherry. To top it off (like a cherry - no pun intended), a cherry red cotton cardigan which can cover your shoulders for the still cooler parts of the day.

Which, by the way, makes me hungry. Here is a recipe from one of my favorite cooks, Alton Browne (courtesy Food Network)

Stacked Puff Pastry with Cherries

2 sheets puff pastry, thawed
1 egg beaten with 2 tablespoons water
1 can pie cherries, drained
1/2 cup bread or cake crumbsPreheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Cut 4 "walls" of puff pastry by cutting approximately 1-inch wide strips along each side of a sheet of puff pastry. Set "walls" aside. Poke the remaining "floor" of puff pastry with a fork to provide an escape for steam.

Lightly apply the egg wash just inside the cut edges of the "floor". Stack "wall" pieces on top of "floor" piece placing the cut edge of the "walls" on the outside edge. Dab ends of "walls" with egg wash and fold long pieces over to form a square.

Cut a 7 by 7-inch square out of the second sheet of puff pastry. Fold it in half and cut vents for steam along the fold.

Shake bread or cake crumbs on drained cherries and let sit for 10 minutes. Spoon cherry mixture onto pastry "floor", using more than you may think necessary to compensate for the pastry puffing. Apply egg wash on "walls" avoiding the very edge.

Lay vented "top" piece on top. Brush with egg wash.

Bake in oven for 30 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350 degrees F and bake for another 30 minutes.

Teed Off

A fresh crop of James Perse tees and tops arrived yesterday and just in time because we were running out! It seems to be the time of year people are rejuvenating their Tee drawer; maybe yours have dimmed in color, or shrunk, or look like something you should just simply walk the dog in...whatever reason, James Perse is flying out of here as fast as a sneeze. at iniam we have the long sleeve vintage tee, the short sleeve vintage tee in some flattering colors; a shawl collar hoody in black AND white (not together, separately); and more of the contrast panel button up favorite (but now in khaki) pictured here.

(Photos borrowed lovingly from James Perse)

Spring is just around the corner...

Last week iniam received some Trina Turk items to add to the ever-growing inventory of early Spring wearables. The pants, as usual, are well-fitting and of a lightweight denim that works for the changing weather. The dress, in avocado, is a workhorse of a dress - good for work, play, or a dinner date (see photo). We also have on tap a black sleeveless top that seems appropriate for almost anything.

Today new Hanky Panky thongs (lowrise and original) and boyshorts arrived; the thongs in bright jelly bean colors and the boyshorts in black and white, of which one can never have enough!

James Perse also sent us a shipment of v-neck long sleeve tees, some button up soft casual shirts, and a wonderful drape neck hooded cotton cover up which can be used with a dress or with your favorite pair of jeans, but don't wait long because the tees are almost gone!

A New Twist

Philip Lim has graced us with the most gorgeous chalk white sleeveless dress (forgive the color tone of the photo - it was taken in his studio under unforgiving lighting). The best part of this playful twist on the basic shift dress (no pun intended) is that it's comfortable and durable...I mean, it feels like you could go running in it, though you probably shouldn't because you will look like Britney Spears running from the most recent insane asylum. The dress is made of 80% cotton and 20% rayon - the cotton gives it the comfort and the rayon gives it the wrinkle-free comfort and it falls just above the knee. Pair it with some new Chie Mihara shoes from Deliciouz in Walnut Creek, and you are ready to meet your publisher in New York City (you know who you are!). We also received from Philip Lim a crisp white cotton blouse with the same twist on the front, a sassy Mrs. Robinson-type raincoat in chalk (it's in our window right now) and a denim skirt that makes me think of happy Spring days and wearing sandals.

Vote

iniam doesn't unilaterally support any particular presidential candidate (although I certainly have some very strong opinions on who or who should NOT be the president of the USA - just ask me) but at the store, we wholeheartedly support the democratic process. With that in mind, we'd love to know from you, our good readers, what you would like to see at iniam (i.e. more dresses? different designers? more gifts? better customer service?) and encourage you to comment on our humble Blog at any time (your identity will remain a secret unless you deem otherwise). Or just stop by the store and fill my ear with your opinions; it's very helpful to know how we can help you.

In other news, we have a crop of new James Perse scoop neck tees that are as soft as all the rest, in teal, black, light blue, white, and light coral, just the thing to wear on a cool but sunny California day such as this. Also arriving in that shipment, a black shawl collar, one button, cotton hoodie that looks darling over dresses or with denim.