The CDFA's: You Can Watch It If You Missed It!

I am a little behind when it comes to the latest fashion updates, but it is partly due to the new job and partly because I have been spending a lot of time in the garage on a new DIY undertaking. I hope to complete that project in the next week or so and will share it as soon as I am done!

In the meanwhile, I am catching up on the fashion scene and was pleasantly surprised that the CDFA fashion awards program is available for viewing on style.com! I looked at Tommy Ton's photos of the designers and other notables arriving at the awards, check out two of the snaps:

Ashley Olsen in The Row (natch)). I love the color.

Karen Elson and Tabitha Simmons, both in Proenza Schouler, with Arizona Muse, in Diane von Furstenberg. Is it just me or is Arizona Muse so cool? I don't want to like her because everyone else does, but I can't help it! ;)

There are more pictures here, too! Have you already watched the awards and/or checked out the pictures? Are you ecstatic or outraged that the Olsens are rocking at life even more these days? ;)

Mid-Week Pondering: The Rashida Factor

I don't "get" Rashida Jones. I understand who she is, I have seen her act, but I just don't understand the appeal, you know? I have nothing against her and Parks and Rec has made her solidly likeable (to me personally), but everyone talks about her like she's the coolest, indie-est, hippest gal around...Some people have a level of adoration that makes me wonder if they've secretly constructed some sort of shrine to her featuring an eternal flame and a napkin she used at a restaurant that they had to dig out of dumpster....?


But I have been looking at celeb/street style photos today and there are two, that's right, two photos of her outfits that I immediately liked! Very fresh and girly, but still cool, check them out:

 

I think she looks adorable and definitely gets props for going out of her way to embrace spring. I can't wait to wear a blazer with bright shorts...where is my warm weather?!?!Anyway, what do you think of her style as of late? Maybe you can clue me in to what is so magnetizing about Jones' aura? And then we can bottle it and make billions!!! (insert a bellowing "Bwah ha ha!" here) Or maybe I will simply become another casualty of the "Rashida Factor" and construct my own creepy napkin shrine, who knows?

I'm a Leap Year Sale Sucker!

I love a good sale and retailers know this, so they invent random sales to entice me to buy things... And it works because I was checking my email over breakfast and got completely distracted by a sale email from Urban Outfitters. In honor of the 29 days of the leap year, they have a few hundred goodies marked 29% off for today only. Now my breakfast is cold and my browser has 10 tabs of Urban merchandise open....

Here are my favorites:

1. COPE Striped Slit Back Top. This top would be great to wear layered now and on its own when (if) spring rolls around. And there are three different color combos to choose from-- all of them are good!
2. Herringbone Duvet Cover. This also comes in a variety of colors and I love that it is a simple, repeating pattern but very graphic and bold. Your bed is usually your largest piece of furniture to decorate with, so it's fun to make a statement with it (and textiles are easy to switch out, so it's low risk, too!)
3. Marquee Alphabet Light. Art piece + ambient lighting is a win-win! I have featured Z because of my last name, but they have every alphabet letter and E,F,M and N are my favorites in this typeface.
4. Boo: The Life of the World's Cutest Dog By J.H. Lee. Please don't question my sanity or intelligence but I am a sucker for this dog! He looks like some sort of mutated walking teddy bear and I love it. I think I even follow Boo on facebook...!
5. Pantone 100 Postcards. My sister got me this set (she is awesome, I know) and rather than use them as postcards I have been using them to create mock-ups of decor vignettes and envision wedding colors. Pantone colors are standardized so it is easier to find the color I am looking for than if I use paint swatches from home improvement stores (can't have my greens too yellow, etc)


Any other leap year sales I should(n't) know about? And am I alone in thinking Boo is hilariously cute?

Not-So-Intellectual Pursuits...?

Did anyone read the article, Art Snobs Divided Over Whether Fashion Exhibits Belong in Museums (here) on The Cut? Though the article is centered around the upcoming annual Costume Institute Gala at the Met, it was surprisingly relevant for me because last week a good friend of mine suggested we see the Fashion Independent exhibit at the Phoenix Art Museum and after the visit, I was truly inspired.

Fashion Independent: The Original Style of Ann Bonfoey Taylor is not only a fantastic collection of haute couture, (Taylor had buckets of Balenciaga, Madame Gres, Charles James, Givenchy and other greats of her time and all time), but it was also a great reminder to be true to your style and tastes, no matter what is "in" at the moment. I wish I could have met Taylor because she seems insanely cool, (an Olympic skier/WWII flight instructor/fashion designer/world traveler is probably not a boring person), and because I would have loved to delve into her closets when she was present to explain her tastes in person.

I only found two little pictures of her collection online to share....
...but check out the short video (here) for more images (and to see Hamish Bowles' mustache dance when he talks). If you live anywhere near Phoenix, you need to see the exhibit. We're talking cherry red Mongolian sheepskin coats, a vintage collection of LV monogrammed luggage, and exquisite couture that is a statement of its time, but still relevant for a modern fashion enthusiast. Oh, and Hermes scarves-- Sigh. If you aren't near Phx, but live in a metropolitan area, keep an eye out because I am sure the collection will be traveling to fashion-friendly areas ;)

Anyway, do you think it is acceptable for fashion to be displayed in museums or should display space in our cultural showcases be reserved for more traditional, scholarly works of art?

Spring RTW 2011-- Lanvin

I am a sucker for draping and pleats (as I have mentioned before here). As this is one of the things Lanvin's Alber Elbaz does best, it's pretty safe to say that I like the creations he churns out season after season. This season was not much different, but I appreciated his use of color, the addition of texture and prints and a little sparkle. Nothing was outrageously inspiring, but I figure that if Elbaz can maintain a signature style for the house, tweaking it slightly each season to keep it fresh, and make them tons of money, he's probably doing something right ;)
Here are some of my fav's:

I love the yellow and grey combo and the fitted top VS flowing skirt contrast.

Flattering draping + nature-y prints = every woman will want one to take her from poolside to party when the weather warms up...

Texture on both top and bottom! Sparkles! Exclamation points! :)

Have a great Monday, everyone!

(All images from style.com, where you can see the full collection)

Getting "the skinny" on trend pants.......

Admittedly, I am a late adopter of the skinny cargo pant trend. A pant that adds bulk to my hips and tapers to a skinny leg that will no doubt be too short for my excessive inseam needs? No thank you! But I started reading reviews that skinny cargos are flattering, comfortable, go from day-to-night easily and increase your IQ (well, not that part) and my firm stance began to waver. The icing on the cake occurred when my stylish friend (read her great blog here) walked into my house with her olive JBrand "Houlihan" pants paired with a black, drapey top, mixed chain necklace and flat sandals. The proverbial light bulb went on and now I am on the hunt for my own pair of fantastic-ness. Here are three options:


JBrand "Houlihan" cargo skinny jeans at shopbop.com, $238
This pant is quickly becoming the hallmark of the trend, which is not hard to believe when you factor in the flattering fit and comfortable design and brand reputation. Rather than the traditional green, I gravitate towards darker washes and grey. Be sure to check out nordstrom.com for brand new colors!


7 For All Mankind "Skinny Cargo," $169
It would definitely be worth it to try the trend from a company that makes incredibly comfortable denim. The simple design is a plus for those hardware-minimalists who tend to shy away from over-exposed trendiness.

Express "Cargo Skinny Pant," $59.90
These are a simple take on the trend and a great price for the budget-conscious or someone who only spends mad dough on the classics. Available in a range of colors, this pant seems like a great choice, but after reading the reviews (most of which are quite positive), I will leave you with a warning: "the fit and style are so unmistakeably express!"......Meaning, I would probably try these bad boys on before purchasing...

Any new trends you love or love to hate? What are you wearing with your skinny cargo pants?

Glittering Anticipation....

I have never been much of a "sequin" person-- they usually remind me of aging film stars or stereotypically hideous Christmas sweaters. However, I decided to take the plunge, and in a big way:

Robert Rodriguez Sequined Cardigan

The green is beautifully dark and the sequins are more matte than in the picture-- and combined with the black grosgrain trim, I couldn't resist. My friend at work found it in my size at a store in Maryland, (staunch dedication on her part), and it is en route to my house right now...! I don't know if I will wear it buttoned and belted, un-belted and open, with dresses or with skinny jeans, but I can't wait to experiment!



Neiman Marcus' website has more photos of styling options-- very fun!




Is there a trend you are hesitant to try? Or one you are dying to wear out and about?

Resort Love

I love reading The Cut for fashion coverage that has a sarcastic undertone from time to time. (I appreciate fashion, but seriously, sometimes it is just insane and you need to take a step back and chuckle). I was checking out some of the resort collections they have posted recently and fell in love with the Giambattista Valli collection!

I love the use of animal prints, but not too much animal- restraint is key! If you know me, you know this outfit is basically what I wear to work everyday, but a million times more awesome! Giraffe print is my favorite so this abstract take is a no-brainer.


How cute is this little dress? Love the draping and the minimal, non-glaring use of print (again, yea for editing!). I know it's resort, but I think it would definitely transition into fall with tights/leggings or a blazer.


I am a sucker for draping. That's all I have to say about this Grecian-inspired number with great lines and elegant-yet-easy shape. And who wouldn't look awesome in it?!


Any favorite resort collections? Or are you looking forward to fall?

(Photos are from thecut, but most of the collections are also available for viewing on style.com)

Barneys!!!! (...NY, not the dinosaur...)

Barneys New York has excellent buyers. They pick great bags, shoes, etc, etc, but my favorite part of a Barneys visit is the jewelry department. On a recent shopping trip with a good friend, a friend with great taste who loves jewelry as much as I do if not more, we had to go in and have a look!

I love both bold and intricate styles, so my panoramic appreciation, (or stubborn lack of refinement of my taste and style), means that I have to look at EVERYTHING :) I love Cathy Waterman's tiny rings with organic shapes, the way Lucifer Vir Honestus' pieces are wildly twisted and daring, (the linked ring reminds me of tiny mushrooms), and they way Sandra Dini balances both rapid movement of vine-like metal with the serenity of a tranquil slab of opal in her ring. For earrings, I love Sharon Khazzam's gold pair with chunky diamond slices. I would love to have that style of stone for an engagement ring because it is so unusual and so simple at the same time. Another simple-yet-stunning pair comes from Dean Harris. I love the stone color and the delicate setting. Judy Geib, (a favorite for obvious reasons), also makes delicate creations out of fun and funky shapes.

In the Co-Op section, I love Etten Eller's use of bolts and other little, chunky materials mixed with delicate chains. The necklaces with tiny webs of watch gears have since disappeared, but I am determined to make my own verison once I find a watch that A) doesn't mind getting busted open and B) isn't digital, so it actually contains watch gears.

More on my visit later, but now I need to hurry up and daydream about what I damage I would do if I win the lottery today........
What is your favorite place to shop? Is your weakness shoes? Jewelry? Bags?

It's a Cinch!

It's getting warmer...ok, let's be honest- it's getting darn hot and being hot gets me cranky! Instead of dwelling on the rising temperatures, I will focus on the fun summer clothing and accessory options that this type of weather will allow. On my mind...belts! Over a boyfriend tee or a summer dress, the right belt can finish an outfit and since they can be mixed and matched with many outfits, the versatility is endless! Here are some of my favorites to define your waist:

Looping Lanes Belt at Anthropologie, $44

I loved braided leather and the unusual interlacing.

Skinny Leather Belt at J.Crew, $32.50

Love the sweet, punchy color with light neutrals as well as black.

Wrap Belt by ADA, $75

This is an uber-flattering, classic available in a ton of colors.

I also love the Ecote Studded Belt at Urban Outfitters, but the computer wouldn't allow me to post the image, but it is a cute take on a rock 'n' roll style worth checking out!

Any recent belt purchases you love? Other summer accessories you are excited about?

Seeing Clearly...

...is something I take for granted that could be considered a luxury in some parts of the world, as well as here in the US. I am a contact/glasses wearer and am fortunate enough to afford quality eye care with insurance, but not everyone is so lucky. I love the benevolent business concept of the Tom's shoe company, (charitable donations funded by a sustainable business model = genius!), and the same concept is at the core of the Warby Parker mission statement. A group of friends decided to make a company that sells low-cost, fashionable eye wear and donate a pair of glasses to the needy with every purchase. The glasses are so cute and really reasonably priced, so my next pair will definitely be coming from their website. I am in love with the Light Tortoise and Sandalwood colors and lots of the frames.

Here is the Roark style:


And the Finn style:


Just two great options- I can't decide! Which are your fav's? Know any companies with a heart of gold? Give a shout-out! :)

New Year's Resolution....it's a little late.

Dec '09 dialogue with myself: "I need to do a little more writing every day and get a little more tech-savvy. I think a blog will incorporate both of those things and would be fun. That's what I will do starting Jan 1st, 2010"...........

.....Don't know if you noticed, but it's MARCH and I have finally started on that resolution. Not the greatest of starts, but since I am the queen of procrastination and forgetfulness, it is practically early for me, right? Right?!

I wanted a blog initially just to showcase fashion finds and collections that rock, but I appreciate how art, music, visuals in surrounding environments, travels, and everything else that can be seen and experienced plays into how to construct your image. Usually the process is subconscious, but I think documenting it would help me discover my sources of derived-inspiration. And it's just plain fun.