Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Perfectly Imperfect. Teeth (and Vanessa Paradis)


Virtually my whole life, I had huge gaps in my teeth.  In college, and a drunken friend jokingly exclaimed, "You know what I love about you? Every tooth in your mouth is its own entity!"  It was never really something that bothered me, and I owned it.  It was a trademark.  Then, after some dental issues, and my upcoming wedding, I was persuaded to fix "the problem."  A problem that I never really thought was "a problem."  Anyway, after two years of invisalign, my teeth are now nearly perfect, and people who knew me before compliment me on how great my teeth look.  But wouldn't you know, just as I get my teeth fixed, the gapped tooth thing comes back into style.  And perfectly imperfect has become the order of the day.  But in my mind, we are all perfectly imperfect....even when we fix our so-called imperfections.

Friday, February 17, 2012

Fantasy Friday: Springtime in London


I don't know what it is about me and Fridays and balloons, but this editorial makes me want to hop on a plane come March (or maybe April) and stroll in Green Park.  And yes, I would take the oversized bouquet of balloons with me...

Editorial from:
Glamour UK February 2012
Photographer: David Oldham
Stylist: Sophie Cooper
Hair: Lisa Eastwood
Make-up: Lisa Eldridge
Model: Clemence Poesy

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Looking Forward to Spring: Spring Trenches



One of my favorite parts of spring is that you can literally wear any basics that you want, and if you top it off with a chic trench coat it will always look chic.  I saw the Ann Taylor Graphic Topper in a magazine a couple of months ago, and I couldn't wait for it to come out.  It is the perfect item to add interest to spring bright basics.  But of course, every wardrobe needs a basic khaki trench, and the Afternoon Topper hits the mark with its bracelet sleeves and emphasized collar (when worn open). And remember, spring showers, brings May flowers (and an opportunity to wear chic trench/rain coats....)

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Love Letter To A Dress: J. Crew Blouson Dress In Stripe

Source: jcrew.com via Nicole on Pinterest
Source: jcrew.com via Nicole on Pinterest
Source: jcrew.com via Nicole on Pinterest

For a Valentine's Day present to myself, I picked up the J. Crew Blouson Dress in Stripe, and I have to say that I adore it -- and I can't wait for spring to come so I can wear it! The dress is a bit loose, as the "blouson" title implies...so size down if you want it more fitted, or buy it in your size if want to wear it a bit loose.  The dress is elasticized right at the smallest part of your waist, so if you pair it with a belt, it is super flattering, and covers up a tummy or thighs. The fabric is 100% silk, and it is quality silk -- it doesn't look cheap. I'm looking forward to styling it exactly like they have styled it in the first picture above, but you could literally style it any way you wish, and the stripes are right on trend.  I honestly would never have thought to style it with a leopard print belt as in the last picture, but I suppose it works. I think I'll go sans hat, though (a la picture number two).

And while I was at it, I should have picked up those bracelets...they are super-cute!

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Happy Valentine's Day: Over The Top Valentine's Dress



And if you have somewhere fabulous to go, by all means...go over-the-top...

Happy Valentine's Lovelies! Super-Easy, Chic and Sexy Non-Cheey Valentine's Day To Evening Outfit

Super-Easy, Chic and Sexy Non-Cheey Valentine's Day To Evening Outfit


A super-easy day to night Valentine's option is as easy as four key pieces -- a bright dress that plays well with red, a red clutch, red lipstick and some neutral shoes. I absolutely adore the yellow and red combination, which is what is inspiring me for spring.  Grab a yellow dress, any yellow dress, and play it up with red lips and a red bag (red shoes would be too matchy-matchy).  It is the perfect way to incorporate red into your outfit for Valentine's Day without looking too cheesy, while also looking festive, bright and happy.  A tailored sheath dress transitions well from work to evening, too.  Happy Valentine's Day!


Moschino Cheap Chic dress
$695 - net-a-porter.com

Casadei stiletto high heels
$485 - stylebop.com

Hunting Season Python Red clutch
$895 - intermixonline.com

Monday, February 13, 2012

Kate Spade Does Prints: Kate Spade Spring 2012



I have to admit, that I have never really associated Kate Spade with prints. Solids in bright colors, an occasional polka dot or stripe here and there, sure -- but not prints. I have to admit that the combination of black and white with the solid pops of color looks gorgeous. The above pics were taken behind the scenes of Kate Spade's spring ad campaign, and I am intrigued...I can't wait to see more of what is to come...

Friday, February 10, 2012

Fantasy Friday



 It may still be winter here on the East Coast, but in my heart spring has sprung. I'm not one for openly sporting monograms or labels, but there is something so happy about these Louis Vuitton patterned balloons.  I think its the colors...I wouldn't be beneath grabbing a few of these and walking as much as possible through the park.  Perfect fashion inspiration for an end-of-winter Friday...

Thursday, February 9, 2012

The Messy Up-Knot




Source: piccsy.com via Nicole on Pinterest


There is just something so effortlessly chic about tying your hair up in a messy knot.  I have always wished that I could be one of those women who can just throw her hair up in messy knot and look fabulous without really trying.  I wish I could tell you how to master any of the above . . . but unfortunately, I'm still trying...

Monday, February 6, 2012

It's Almost Valentine's Day...Do You Have A Cute Card?







For those of you who haven't yet discovered Mr. Boddington's Studio, you simply must check out the adorable cards, especially the Valentine's.  Whenever I am in a bind, and simply can't find the perfect card, I always turn to Mr. Boddington's to find cards the delight the receiver.  The above cards are the ones that I will be handing out to various people come Valentine's Day, but there are certainly plenty to choose from.  With cards like these, I wish I had more reasons to give cards...

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Jason Wu For Target: Coming to a Target Near Your Tomorrow!


Jason Wu for Target hits Target stores tomorrow.  The big question is whether there will be a frenzy over it like there was for the Missoni for Target collection.  I'm guessing, that while the Jason Wu collection will be popular, I don't think we'll be seeing Target.com crash, or lines of people 200 deep waiting to storm Target tomorrow. Although Jason Wu was made popular by the First Lady, I don't think that his name recognition has risen to the level of other Target collaborators.  That is not to say that his collection doesn't look great -- it does.  My only critique of it, is that the hemlines are wayyy too short. I love the dresses pictured above, but I could never wear them to work because of the hemlines.  So I, for one, will not be waking up early to hit Target for Jason Wu, but I would love to hear from others who do!

Friday, February 3, 2012

Hellooooo Spring!

Hellooooo Spring!

It has been unusually warm here on the East Coast....we are talking almost 70 degree days in late January/early February, which is just unheard of!  So today I wore the above outfit to work.  When I came down the stairs, my adoring husband greeted me with, "Well, hellooooooo spring!"  Granted, I was trying to tone down the brightness of the dress with the nude accessories, especially since I was headed to my very conservative workplace. Then, as I was making our morning coffee, I heard chuckling behind me.  When I turned around to hand him his coffee he said, "You and the Great Wall of China -- the only things on earth that can be seen from space!!!"  Okay....not the reaction I was going for.  But I did get lots of compliments on the dress at work.  My husband is clearly not the greatest barometer of fashion. I say, don't fear the brightness...embrace it (and tone it down a bit with nude accessories).




Ann Taylor cap sleeve dress
$98 - anntaylor.com

Hoss Intropia long top
$175 - stylebop.com

Banana Republic colorblock shoes
$120 - bananarepublic.gap.com

Chloé genuine leather handbag
£1,125 - harveynichols.com

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Banana Republic Mad Men Collection Is Back!


Banana Republic announced today that they are bringing their Mad Men Collection back on March 1st.  According to them, it will be a 40-piece "country club-inspired" collection. Sounds like it will be 60s preppy. I was overjoyed by at the thought of the Mad Men Collection that was rolled out last fall, but not as many of the pieces worked for me as I thought they would.  I like the idea of the Mad Men Collection, because so many of the dresses are designed to look great on curvy shapes. However, in execution many of the dresses just didn't fit into my wardrobe, as I'm not really a floral-pattern-person.  Nevertheless, I'm still excited to see what Banana Republic rolls out for spring 2012, and to see how they interpret the "country club-inspired" theme.  And I think the teaser dress above would be great for summer!

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

J. Crew Hot Mess: Nili Lotan® Striped Bias-fly Jean


Phoro Courtesy of J.Crew.com

Sometimes trends come along that just leave you utterly puzzled.  The "bias-fly" trend is one of those.  I just have to ask....what kind of body would make this trend look good?  No matter your shape, the baggy drop-crotch draws attention where you don't want or need attention, and makes a person look like either a baseball player from the 1930s, or a colonial person wearing knickers.  You might as well accessorize these pants with a baseball glove and a bag of chew, or a tri-corner hat and buckled shoes.  Yes, ladies, all this can be yours for $235.00.  Buy them here.

Apparently I am not the only one skeptical of the "drop-crotch" trend -- apparently they make the rest of us look like we are wearing adult diapers.

And if you want to look like you decided to wear adult diapers and wander through Sherwood Forest, feel free to wear them in green: