Friday, July 29, 2011

Fashionspiration: TGIF

TGIF my dears!!! I don't know about you, but I feel un peu over worked lately...and just the thought of Friday feels good...even if it doesn't mean I'm off tomorrow. Here's a fun, flirty look for your to jump start your weekend. Try a wild print on a feminine dress paired with a super fitted power suit vest (love these). Pull it all together with sky high heels and kicka$$ jewelry and you have yourself a go-getter ensemble mes cheris!

 TGIF: Tactfully Gauging Inert Fabulousness
 TGIF: Totally Gracing Inner Fierceness 
TGIF: Turning Gambles Into Frenzies

Steve Madden platforms

The only thing to remember is master that wind in NYC! A flirty frock like this also warrants many opportunities for Marilyn Monroe moments. I'd rather leave that to The Seven Year Itch!

What is your TGIF?

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Style Brief: Fashion for the Women's Briefcase

Allow me to brief you on the importance of the briefcase mes cheris. No longer the boring box that Mr.Cleaver brings home the bacon in, briefcases are chic and a must have for any working woman's uniform.


Style Brief: The art of the briefcase

Shoulder handbag
$1,274 - ralphlauren.com

Valentino handbag
$1,770 - stylebop.com

Louis Vuitton monogrammed bag
bagborroworsteal.com

Giorgio Fedon 1919 padded bag
$790 - forzieri.com

Piquadro leather bag
$549 - forzieri.com

Messenger bag
$398 - anthropologie.com

Strap bag
$195 - endless.com

KLING straw bag
$55 - modcloth.com

Plaid handbag
$55 - modcloth.com


Without any surprise, my favorite is of course the brown Valentino, the most expensive. But a briefcase is something you don't want to skimp with something cheap. This is the bag that is holding your professional career in your hands, not only do you want it to be sturdy enough to hold it, but to also look good enough to reflect the fabulous professional you are! Since this is an investment purchse, like your suits, be sure to pick something that is sleek and classic so that it will stand the test of fashion's time.

When shopping for a briefcase to serve you well, it should meet the following criteria:

1. Large enough for your laptop
        My laptop is wide screen which I love, but makes for a harder bag search.
2. Interior pocket dividers
       Don't let important papers crushed when pulling your laptop in and out.
3. Messenger strap option
       Not crucial but VERY convenient when commuting.
4. Organizational pockets for small accessories 
       You don't want to look like a tool man with a belt of gadgets, be sure there is a cell pocket, iPod pocket, business card slips, and pen holders at a minimum.
5. Sturdy stitching 
       This is a BIGGIE, make sure the seams look heavy duty because unless you own the Mac Air, your laptop is like carrying around a small child all day! You will need stitching to support this.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Fashion Rule: Stay True to Who You Are

In fashion, I'm a pretty big advocate for the school of thought, "When you find a rule, break it." Style is too personal to have every fad that graces the glossies apply to everyone. Generally, style is painting a portrait of who you are inside, for the world to see outside...and that may not always be the same picture. Some days I play the girly Sex and the City New Yorker, some days I subscribe to my laid back, music loving, Chuck wearing, weekender psyche. Fashion not only changes person to person, but within the varied moods and needs of each individual as well. 

{merci LookBooks}

The one deviation from this principle is quite possibly the crux of why I'm so passionate about fashion. You must stay true to who you are. Fashion exists to be a personalized, wearable art. To find something that makes you feel good in your skin and shine as the unique individual you are. Whether that calls for wearing white after Labor Day, black with brown, or even socks with sandals (!!!) you. be. you. I once read, "Just be yourself, everyone else is already taken." I really feel it is as simple as that. 

Lately I've seen many of the fashion elite running around New York in silk scarves....but I just can't do it. I think I just have internalized that as a Mom Jean marker rather than the classic stigma I'm fully aware they carry. 

Here is the silk scarf in the current (and classic) fashion :

{merci Pinterest}

I can completely agree this is a beautiful scarf, but every top I wear is generally low cut, so I have a hard time wearing things with a lot of fabric around the chest and neck without feeling frumpy. I do not know why...it just feels constricting. 

Here is how I wear a silk scarf:


It is still a classic silk scarf, Dolce & Gabbana no less, just with some added funk and flair...like me!

Fashion Rule: Stay True to Who You Are.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

I Can Pack for That: Los Angeles

It seems like the right time to enjoy the summer by escaping to a place with dry heat and lots o' style...bring on Los Angeles! In this how-to guide for packing for Los Angeles you will learn the fine art of a long weekend of leisurely shopping, West Coast beach strolls, and painting the town red...all in the utmost style. Remember: always bring pieces that match each other so you have freedom to mix and match as needed!

Who's star will you place your hands in mes cheris? I can't wait to find Audrey Hepburn's personally!


I Can Pack for That: Los Angeles

One shoulder draped dress
£4.99 - dressrail.com

TopShop crinkle shirt
$20 - topshop.com

Halter top
$17 - stylesforless.com

Biba single breasted blazer
£97 - houseoffraser.co.uk

Elie Saab jumpsuits romper
$2,040 - boutique1.com

Preen skirt
$1,308 - farfetch.com

La Perla silk camisole
$480 - stylebop.com

Norma Kamali ruched bikini
$350 - net-a-porter.com

Deborah Marquit lace bra
$225 - barneys.com

CALYPSO ST. BARTH short shorts
$99 - calypsostbarth.com

Deborah Marquit thong panty
$65 - barneys.com

TopShop cover up swimwear
$24 - topshop.com

Lanvin jeweled sandals
$799 - barneys.com

Valentino t strap sandals
$836 - bergdorfgoodman.com

Pratesi travel bag
$2,300 - forzieri.com

MICHAEL Michael Kors clutch handbag
$178 - michaelkors.com

Tan bag
$98 - topshop.com

Badgley Mischka sparkle jewelry
$130 - nordstrom.com

Ben Amun metal necklace
$130 - maxandchloe.com

Carolee pearl bangle
£58 - houseoffraser.co.uk

ASOS strap watch
$52 - asos.com

Gilded Lily Goods long chain earrings
$40 - pinkmascara.com

Prada glass shades
$290 - nordstrom.com

Beach hat
$25 - amazon.com

Outliving Keep Calm Water Bottle
$30 - generalpants.com.au


Are you ready to strut Rodeo Drive?

Monday, July 25, 2011

Fashionspiration: A Lesson in Layering

Mes cheris sometimes the simple things in your closet can be made more interesting and fabulous just by layering those duds in creative ways! This lesson in layering is great to shop your closet for new outfits...now that's good news for your busting closet and your bank account!

Start with one of your favorite attention getting cocktail dresses.



Then add a sheer layer. 
This allows the dress to still be seen, but adds intrigue to the passer by and more depth to your outfit.


And layer with fun accessories. 
Here I've gone with a massive pearl necklace that has been looped 4 times!


Erickson Beamon necklace
Steve Madden platforms

How will you layer your closet?

Friday, July 22, 2011

Fashionspiration: Necklush and Blazers

My dears, I have been craving some Necklush ever since I first saw it on Etsy a few years back...what took me so long to get one? Je ne sais pas, mais, je l'adore absolument!! I love that it is fabric jewelry that does not look like a craft project. I also love that it is a fun way to jazz up your outfit, for work or otherwise, whilst still remaining appropriate. 


Here is my Office to Happy Hour look that I just love. First of all I have gained a not-so-slight obsession with rompers, they are the perfect one stop shop. So add a skinny belt and some fun accessories and I am hooked. The blazer provides the perfect professional spin, and for those of you that cannot try shorts at work and still remain employed try to pair a skirt over it, it can be your secret skort!

Romper: Promod (France)
Belt: Express
Necklush: PacSun
Flats: Steve Madden
Sunnies: Liz Claiborne 
Watch: Betsey Johnson

So let your necklush be the only 
lush at happy hour this week. 
You bring the fabulous!

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Fashion 101: Oscar de la Renta

There are so many great fashion designers in this world that have changed society in pivotal ways. It's hard when you sit down to decide who the very top houses are...but I don't feel that is so much necessary as knowing who the fashion royalty are in general. Valentino, Dior, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren, and of course Oscar de la Renta. Of course this list could be much longer, this is just me rambling off the top designers that are on my top of mind recall. I always love learning of how these great visionaries got their start, and I am always interested to learn how intertwined this industry is.


Oscar de la Renta was born in 1932 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. At 18, he moved to Madrid, Spain to study painting and quickly became enveloped by the world of fashion. He began sketching for top Spanish fashion houses until he landed a prominent apprenticeship for the couturier Balenciaga, not a bad start. From there he moved to Paris and began work at Lanvin as a couture assistant.

Working for incredible talents like Balenciaga and Antonio Castillo [Lanvin], I learned about the immense skills and creativity involved in couture work. Today, I apply some of that same detailing and artistry in some of my own designs. 

 In 1963, Oscar notices the future of fashion shifting to ready to wear and moves to New York to trail-blaze the path. Upon taking the advice of Vogue Editor in Chief Diana Vreeland, Oscar designs custom clothing for the Elizabeth Arden label where she will help promote his name and work that will advance his future line. Two years later, with grown public recognition, the house of Oscar de la Renta is launched.

I have always felt my role as a designer is to do the very best I can for a woman to make her look her best. Fashion is only fashion once a woman puts it on.

{merci ShinyStyleTV}

Being honored for his talent is no new territory for Oscar, as he has won many awards over the years for his excellence in design.  Oscar also served as President for the Council of Fashion Designers of America from 1973-1976 and made one big change that you may all be interested in, Oscar added the CFDA Awards! This allowed the fashion industry to award their own for a job well done, rather than going to an outside sponsor. Oscar has been awarded:

Coty Awards
1967 Fashion Critic's Award

1968 Fashion Critic's Award
1973 Coty Hall of Fame

CFDA Awards
1990 CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award 
2000 Designer of the Year 

2007 Designer of the Year 


Before expanding into his diverse and fabulous accessory lines, Oscar makes a detour from 1993-2002 to be head couturier of Balmain...the first American to do so for a French house! Oscar is able to turn Balmain, a failing line that had not sold a dress in two years, into a leading house for dress sales in France.

{merci brides.com}

Oscar de la Renta is equal parts designer and business man which is apparent when you see the deep footprint he has firmly planted on the fashion world. I always look forward to his new collection each season, as it prances down the runways full of color, life, and lots of embellishment!

{dates and info thanks to Wikipedia and Oscar de la Renta website}


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