style – Tack and Tweed Equestrian: The Love of Horses

Life after Lame

I’m sure many of us have been there. You’re riding and something feels wrong. Are you pulling on the reins too much? Is your seat not right? Are you out of balance? I naturally go to what I’m doing wrong (which is the usual suspect), but this time, it was Chance’s leg that gave out.

Chance is my steady Eddie…the Golden Retriever of horses; forever an ambassador for the equine species to kids and adult beginners and husbands alike. To see him out of action breaks my heart. His gait was never completely even, but this seems different, like we won’t ever do that training level dressage class we were working towards.

Chance has a bad stifle (the rescue where I adopted him said it was because of an injury as a colt…we’ll never know for sure). There seems to be quite a bit of arthritis in the joint, and it’s basically taken all summer to for him to feel up to trotting at a good clip for more than 20 minutes; we’ve yet to canter.

I’m left wondering if he’ll ever be back to normal, but then I think will I? My back and neck have arthritis and hurt every other day. I’ve been feeling carpal tunnel start in my wrists of late, and I have to struggle to keep off that last 5 pounds these last few years. As we age together, I’m happy to fight for every canter, trot and trail ride we have left. With enough Advil for me and bute for him, there is definitely life after lame!

Back to School Back Bags

Backpacks are trending hard this fall. My daughter is starting preschool Monday, so I’m investing in a super cute new back pack for her, as well as for my son, who’s entering the 2nd grade. I thought I may pick up one for myself while I’m at it. I totally forgot how comfortable it can be to schlep my goods on my back. Carrying everything in my super-huge mom bag on my left shoulder has left me somewhat lopsided. Check out the cute back-bags below – most of which can be carried by modern mommies and fashionable teens.

Lazy Oaf Batman – $85

Burberry Check School Backpack – $175

Herschel Supply Company Heritage Plus Backpack

Lazy Oaf Black Bear Necessities – $70

Green Herschel Supply Coreg Survey Backpack – $55

Marc by Marc Jacobs Preppy Nylon Backpack – $248

Pierre Hardy Gold Suede Backpack – $1775

Better hurry – I’m ordering that elephant backpack asap!

Well Red

Fall this year is filled with red. I’m really feeling this trend because just about everyone looks amazing draped in this color. Valentino, Dior, Nina Ricci and Dolce and Gabbana all have fabulous frocks in crimson this fall, but who can afford such glamor? Not I, so I’ve been searching for items that are more affordable or perhaps just one featured red statement piece to carry me through the season. One beautiful red piece worn correctly will turn heads.

Dolce and Gabbana Fall 2013 Runway

Christian Dior Fall 2013

Antonio Marras Red Wine Riding Hat – $160

Banana Republic Graphic Stone Necklace – $79

Gap Cinnabar Red Leather Bag – $98

Hunter Red Bradwell Rubber Short Boots – $115

JCrew Cabernet Minni Pant – $118

Michael by Michael Kors Red Cowl Neck Dress

Red Ray Ban Aviators – $160

RGB Nail Polish in Classic Red – $18

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Toms Pink Seasonal Slip Ons – $63

Uniqlo Natural Cella Birtwell T-Long Sleeve – $19

Styling note:

I still prefer mixing red with grey and camel colors, not necessarily black. You have to be quite careful mixing those two bold colors, done the wrong way, it’s just plain cheesy.

Also, pay attention to the undertones of the red you choose – some have more blue and some have more orange. Choose the wrong red undertones and you may wind up clashing with your skin tones. This is especially true for lipstick. For example, when I pick a more orangy-red, my teeth wind up looking more yellow. Ick.

Dress My Anatomie Please!

Anatomie City Slick Jacket — The City Slick Jacket – Long: $345

At this past week’s Hampton Classic, I stumbled upon a wonderful designer sportswear line by the charismatic and gorgeous Kate and Shawn Boyer: Anatomie. I was pulled in by the delicious Italian and French fabrics and sleek lines. Kate and Shawn successfully married high-performance workout wear with modern designer clothing for a fashionable, functional and fun look.

This is exactly what many of the competitive riders must have thought, as their beautifully crafted items were selling like hot-cakes. The equestrian-set favored the City Slick Long Jacket (also comes shorter for ease in the saddle), and the iPod athletic shirt (sorry, I’m waiting for a pic of this – trust me, it’s perfect for riding – bikes or horses). Most of their clothes include silky soft stretch panels that breathe and move with your body, perfect for anyone on the move (yes, you too busy mommies).

The best is all these garments are created to travel well. In fact, Anatomie offers a travel packing guide on their web site as well as a packing service with everyone’s favorite, NetJets airline. All savvy society types need to do is consult with Anatomie before their trip, and all the styling and packing is done for them. Travelers just arrive at their NetJet and travel in fashionable comfort (pretty cool, no?).

For myself, a mere mortal, I’ll settle with wearing the comfy and modern Shelly Long Sweater in my coach seats, sticky with spilled juice boxes on long flights to Grandma’s.

Fia Quilted Bubble Long Jacket – $525

Heather Leather Pant -$235

Aida Legging Pant – $199

Shelly Long Seater with Hood – $215

Copenhagen’s Clothes Considers Kids

Okay, I just couldn’t help myself. CIFF Kids creates the most amazing children’s clothes and the boys are just as fashionable as the girls. CIFF Kids is the children’s division of the Copenhagen International Fashion Fair. I can’t get enough of these Danes. Even their kid’s clothes have a street chic, high quality and limitless cool. Also, it’s nice to see kid’s clothes appropriate for children. I’m so tired of seeing muffin tops, bellies and bra straps. I can totally imagine these duds on Suri or Viv. Now to find them in the US; I cannot afford tickets to Copenhagen right now.

If you have 10 minutes, take look at their fashion show F/W 2013 below. It’s killer adorable.