Why Hello, Anna

Any guesses as to who I was just feet away from at the J. Mendel show yesterday afternoon?

Anna Wintour.

THE Anna Wintour.

Editor-in-Chief at Vogue.

I have a week's worth of posts, videos, photos, and stories from this trip to New York... and I'll get to that in the coming days. Don't you worry, dolls. ;) But for now, I'll just say that yesterday was quite possibly one of the most magical, memorable days of my life thus far. Karen and I were whisked past the lines and security at Lincoln Center, our security guard taking us through a private glass tunnel to escort us to the front. The velvet rope was literally lifted for us at the J. Mendel, Milly, Whitney Eve, and Anna Sui shows... it felt like something straight out of a movie. I felt every bit like Cinderella; although trade the glass slipper for a pair of camel-colored 100mm Loubs. Heh.

Second Row at Whitney Eve

I am still amazed... and excited... and inspired.

My Fashion Picks for Oscars 2012

 

Milla Jovovich in Elie Saab

This was Jovovich's first time at the Academy Awards, and she said in an interview that she wanted to go with something simple and classic. That she did... and it's exactly why it's my favorite look of the event. She epitomizes old Hollywood glamour in a modern aesthetic, without being too costume-y or done up. Elie Saab has absolutely become my favorite designer as of late- he just never fails to produce stunning, feminine designs.

Cameron Diaz in Gucci

Cameron always looks phenomenal and effortlessly chic, but this is probably the best I think we've seen her look. The simple silhouette and cut fits her body perfectly, and the nude color is stunning. The golden sequin and ruffle detail are the perfect accents, neither distracting nor over the top. I also like how the hair, makeup, and jewelry were kept to a minimum. Love this dress!

2-28-12 Edit: A few more favorites to add from the Vanity Fair party!

Selena Gomez in Dolce & Gabbana with a Judith Leiber clutch

Olivia Wilde in Gucci

Gerard Butler in Gucci. Swoon.

And, of course, the Beckhams. Victoria Beckham in her own design. Stunning!

Jason Wu for Target

Ohhh, Target... my darling, brightly lit superstore.

I feel like most people are surprised when they find out about my secret love affair with Target, but it's true. I really, really like Target... and you might even find me there every other week. I wouldn't call myself a bargain shopper (I've stepped foot in a Walmart all of three times), but I definitely embrace Target's marketing and general appreciation for design. I love their designer collaborations (Missoni at 6 AM, anyone? ha), and will stand by my convictions that Sonia Kashuk's makeup brushes rival those of MAC any day. The fact that they now also sell Essie doesn't help, since I'm pretty much hoarding every pretty neutral-toned polish I find. I digress...

Jason Wu brings his capsule collection to Target on February 5th, bringing along his classic design sensibilities to the masses. (Er, extremely limited masses, if Missoni is any indication of how these designer forays go. Ughh.) I'm definitely getting a Blair Waldorf a la Gossip Girl '09 feel, but that's more than acceptable in my book. With shortened hemlines and feminine silhouettes, I'm definitely planning on purchasing a few of Wu's dresses. While I don't think Wu will have the same demand that the Gaultier or McQueen collections had, it's still worth checking out.

(Photo Source: Huffington Post)


Looking at these photos, all I can think of is how I'm going to style the dresses. Paired with black patent Loubs and a little black J. Crew clutch, I'll be all set for spring. I'm all about mixing high and low pieces, although this collection might keep people guessing. :)

xx

Music Monday: Victoria Beckham

For today's Music Monday post, I decided to go with a throwback Victoria Beckham track (circa 2003). While few Americans know that VB had post-Posh music career, she released music in Europe that was really fun and sexy. In true Posh style, the video for "Let Your Head Go" is totally cheeky and high fashion... definitely note the whole "Mommie Dearest" nod.

Hmm, I kinda prefer nice wooden hangers in my own closet. ;) Uh oh.

Of course, Victoria has long traded in her music career for designing... and her pieces are just as fabulous as you'd expect. Love the following dresses from her S/S 2012 collection. Fantastic silhouettes in classic nudes and blacks. Gorg.

 

 

 

(Photo Source: VictoriaBeckham.com)

xx

What I'm Loving Right Now...

Now that truly chilly weather has crept its way into December, I love breaking in all of my favorite loungewear. I've been pairing skinny leggings or yoga pants (Aerie makes my favorites) with my favorite James Perse tanks and Splendid tunics. Paired with some H&M knee-highs, it's a cozy look that's easily layerable.

Dior's Addict Lipstick in Tulle (#214) absolutely changed my mind about lipstick with its glossy finish. While Dior describes it as a light beige, I think a nude salmon is a bit more accurate... nevertheless, it's so naturally gorgeous. (Side note: who wouldn't love reaching for this pretty iridescent tube out of their bag?)

xx

Spotlight on Elie Saab

Elie Saab's collections encompass the ultimate in femininity and beauty, which is why he's become my favorite designer as of late. What else is there to say? The man is incredible.

On a side note, it's 11/11/11... time to make a wish. ;)

xx

Artist: Cate Parr

I absolutely adore the watercolor illustrations of Etsy artist Cate Parr, so much so that one piece has  been the background of my Macbook for the past month. I love how the tonal watercolors are paired with bold, high-fashion silhouettes, giving the pieces a distinctive free-spirited quality. Although I love them all, I'm attempting to narrow down two of my favorites to purchase so I can mat and frame them side-by-side. Such a difficult decision, they're all gorg!

Spring 2012 Forecast

It's not even fall yet (officially, anyway), and I'm already looking forward to next spring. Helppppppp.

(Neon collection by Nanette Lepore, neutrals by Calvin Klein)

xx

The Great Gatsby: Ralph Lauren, Spring 2012

The Great Gatsby is my favorite book of all time; I really can't think of a piece that I've ever loved reading more. The novel captures so much glamour and excessive indulgence in such an interesting, historical time in our country. I was in an advanced lit class back in high school when I read it for the first time, where my teacher had us watch the Mia Farrow and Robert Redford movie. I even fell in love with the film, despite its glowy, overly dramatic 70's cinematic style. Ralph Lauren actually designed the costumes for that film in his early days of his career, and is again paying tribute to the Roaring Twenties and The Great Gatsby with his Spring 2012 collection. Pair its pearl-adorned, heavily-beaded, pastel-colored satin glory with the nostalgia I have for Gatsby, and you've got my adoration for a collection filled with the epitome of classic, timeless femininity.

"He smiled understandingly- much more than understandingly. It was one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life. It faced--or seemed to face--the whole external world for an instant, and then concentrated on you with an irresistible prejudice in your favor. It understood you just as far as you wanted to be understood, believed in you as you would like to believe in yourself."
- F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby, Ch. 3

xx

Carrie Bradshaw: Style Inspiration

Absof-inglutely.

xx

Shut Up and Rescue Me

I'm a huge animal lover, and animal rescues have only pulled at my heartstrings more since becoming vegetarian four years ago. My four-pound Chihuahua-Yorkie, Hunter, brings me so much happiness, and I can't imagine life without his fierce little spirit. My best friend been involved with Junk Food's "Shut Up and Rescue Me" project, which benefits the Take Me Home Animal Rescue Charity. Maria Menounous was spotted wearing her charity tee recently, paired with an adorable pair of striped lace-up espadrilles. Such a great rescue organization, and so cool that my BFF had the opportunity to be a part of it.

Please take a moment to look at these staggering, saddening statistics from the ASPCA:
"Approximately 5 million to 7 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year, and approximately 3 million to 4 million are euthanized (60 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats)."
  -
"According to the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy (NCPPSP), less than 2 percent of cats and only 15 to 20 percent of dogs are returned to their owners. Most of these were identified with tags, tattoos or microchips."
 -
"Five out of ten dogs in shelters and seven out of ten cats in shelters are destroyed simply because there is no one to adopt them."

I think Gandhi said it best: 
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."
Just some food for thought.
xx

Grandfatherly Gentility

"A great architect is not made by way of a brain nearly so much as he is made by way of a cultivated, enriched heart." -Frank Lloyd Wright

My grandfather was the epitome of an old-school gentleman; well-dressed, well-spoken, the first to rush to open a door. Despite coming from an affluent background, he came to the United States entirely on his own, building a name for himself as a successful architect. My grandfather did not rely on his family's wealth or name, but rather viewed work ethic and education as a means to success. He was an incredible man with a gentle spirit, and the way he treated my grandmother certainly set the stage for what I would eventually expect from the man in my life. Chivalry is far undervalued in today's society, which makes the gentlemen stand out by leaps and bounds. Chivalry is not entirely dead, and I love that.

This menswear look (via The Style Blogger) absolutely encompasses my grandfather's style, even down to the woven Guatemalan belt. Ah, the sweetness of nostalgia.

Te amo, Papa.

xx

Look Book: Late Summer 2011

"So we're living life like a video
Where the sun is always out and you never get old
And the champagne’s always cold, and the music's always good
Just a picture perfect day to last a whole lifetime
And it never ends, 'cause all we have to do is hit rewind"

xx

Victoria Beckham: Style Inspiration

I remember the first time I saw a photo of Victoria Beckham. It was within the Spice Girls' debut album, Spice, and from that moment on, I aspired to emulate her style. As an adult, I now look back on her 90's fashions and laugh, but I can definitely see how Beckham influenced my love of fashion at an early age. (My favorite line in Spice World: The Movie: "It must be really hard for you, Victoria. Trying to decide between the little Gucci dress, the little Gucci dress, or the little Gucci dress!") Of course, her style has since evolved into something much more refined and edgy, and I still find myself in awe of her fashion sense.

With Roberto Cavalli at his flagship store on Avenue Montaigne, Paris (wearing Cavalli).

“Kendall” shift dress by Goat, Zenith ankle strap pumps by Brian Atwood,

Himalayan Birkin bag by Hermés.

 Grill aviators by Victoria Beckham Collection, 

Alta Bouton ankle peep-toe booties by Christian Louboutin, overnight bag by Goyard. 

Destroyed boyfriend jeans by DVB, black tank by James Perse.