Menswear Monday

"American classics and Bohemian ideals" is where cool downtown brand Benson derives. Benson is for the citizen of the world, designed loosely on a transcontinental lifestyle from Europe to Manhattan. Boy oh boy do I love that lifestyle! For this Menswear Monday discover Benson...and note: they have something for us ladies too!

Benson, is for the clever world wanderer 

who loves possessions but not masses of them.

Benson, confident in their free spirit and laid back mentality.

And for this particular Menswear Monday, 

this line has something for us ladies as well.

So shop over at Benson and get ready 

for a wanderlust summer.

Must Have | Doctor's Bag

What I want now is a sturdy black handbag. A purse that will stand up without assistance and hold my daily essentials without them getting lost in an abyss. Is that really too much to ask? I think no. I have always had a not-so-small obsession with the Doctor's Bag which has a pop up type opening that I find unique...and I really must have! Problem is since they are unique I cannot find one I like for the life of me.

I need a black bag and the few Doctor's Bags I do find that are cute, are brown or tan. I have a Mulberry satchel for my staple brown bag. Know I need my staple black bag. This one above would actually a spot-on must have men's bag for any stylish gent in the market for  good bag. Go for that rad umbrella too!

Of course Serena Van der Woodsen has my bag! Anyone seen my black doctor's bag? 

I'm in definite search for it, and if you can help I'd be much obliged!

What is your must have bag?

Met Gala | The Red Carpet Dresses Review

The latest Costume Institute's Annual Ball has yet again wowed us with their Red Carpet Dresses. This year The Costume Institute curated the exhibition "Impossible Conversations" honoring Prada and Elsa Schiaparelli. I will delve more into the forgotten Elsa Schiaparelli in Fashion 101 post after I visit the exhibit but for now let us see who wore what to the Met Gala on this glamorous Red Carpet night!

The Huffington Post was a reliable shutterbug to quickly post the glam from the Met Gala Red Carpet. There were a couple shorter dresses to last night's gala, and although I'm a firm believer in full length gowns for galas, these were fun to see.

 Carey Mulligan in Prada. How sequins do ombre! 

Christina Ricci in Thakoon. I don't totally love the sprouting ruffle top of the dress but I do love how the skirt is a fitted pencil with an attached train. The Costume Institute's Annual Ball always promises pieces that are a bit more avant garde.

Jessica Biel in Prada and JT in Tom Ford. He's always smashing on the glamorous red carpet.

Gwyneth Paltrow in Prada. I can't say I'm always her biggest fan, but I did like her frock for tonight. Something about the structure yet the peek-a-boo factor that usually is found on slinkier dresses.

Now for the shine factor, my favorite! Many gowns were dripping in liquid metallic right to the red carpeted floor they graced. I really wish I could wear some of these to an event. 

 Camilla Belle in Ralph Lauren. That is well played sheer my dear. Well played.

 Rooney Mara in Givenchy. Love how it evaporates to lace.

 Nina Dobrev in Donna Karan. Now THIS would be my gown, it literally takes my breath away as it melts into the floor. Simply stunning.

Rihanna in Tom Ford. Perfect blend of elegance and rocker...I love it. And the edge is great for the Costume Institute's Annual Ball.

Karolina Kurkova in Rachel Zoe. Although the headpiece is a bit much when the dress is already a lot of sparkle, it is the Costume Ball after all. What's a Met Gala without some other the top red carpet dresses n'est-ce pas? You may be aware I have an obsession with backless dresses, in which case you are not surprised why this is a favorite of mine. 

Dependable as usual, plenty of the Red Carpet Dresses can sweep you away by the timeless elegance of their hourglass figure. Classically woman. 

 Amber Heard in Zac Posen.

 Hillary Swank in Michael Kors. The man is Midas, everything he touches is gold...even when its scarlet red like the glamorous Red Carpet. 

Diana Kruger in Prada. I was stunned by this dress. If ever there was a time for me to happily wear a trapeze dress, this would be it. And embellished with feathers? It's like Prada read my mind!

Alas, not all Met Gala dresses are created equal...even when you are Prada or Elsa Schiaparelli. Here are my worst dressed list. *Note: not all of these dresses are bad, some just don't belong on their wearers. 

 Maybe for a disco themed anniversary you can rock this Prada frock. But Chloe Sevigny has not convinced me it is a good choice for the Met Gala. 

Lily Collins in Valentino. I am fully on board the long sleeve dress train, but not when it makes you look like Whistler's Mother on her wedding day. Somehow grandma made it to the Red Carpet. 

 Vera Wang in Vera Wang. She makes beautiful things but forgets to eat. Everytime I see her she looks more wasted away, and her skin is now revealing her lack of health as well. I'm not along on this am I?

 Rachel Zoe in Rachel Zoe. I always love seeing Rachel Zoe's streetwear, she always inspires me to think out of the box (into a hippier chic place) but I would've hoped her formal wear would have translated a little more appropriately. She looks like a girl at prom in 1975.

 Anja Rubik in Anthony Vaccarello. Nothing about this screams sexy to me.

 Eva Mendez in Prada. If that peplum was 3 inches shorter and that skirt pulled in, super fitted. This would be a smashing look for the curvy Mendez, but  as is...old and wide. 

 Leighton Meester in Marchesa. I love me some Leighton, but she should have laid off the tanning, 

orange clashes with Red Carpets. 

 Cameron Diaz in Stella McCartney. Beautiful dress, beautiful woman, but not together. *Note: Play close attention darlings, you must always work your body's assets. Even as a celebrity, if you don't have curves you don't magically turn into Sofia Vergara when you put on a curvy Red Carpet dress. 

DRESS FOR YOUR BODY TYPE! 

What was your favorite 

Met Gala Red Carpet Dress?

Menswear Monday

A little something for the gents on this fine Monday morning...or maybe every Monday from now on. As I mentioned last week, I have officially switched over to menswear in the fashion world and I'm loving it. Such great tailoring and everything full of detail. Not to mention the sexy men...bonus. Here are some things catching my eye for the stylish gentleman. What do you think of Menswear Monday mes cheris?

A little pizazz to your button up for the work day. This one is found at Bergdorf's by Lanvin.

I believe a good man is complete with a great bag like this weekend duffle from Libero Ferrero and great shoes like these Hawkings McGill leather chambray oxfords. Great news is you can find the shoes at Urban Outfitters!

And of course in this rainy season with a fortunate break on Sunday one must be prepared at all times to pop up the umbrella and stay dry. Of course to stay dry and still maintain style is the truly accomplished gentleman so for this Menswear Monday do consider a great yet practical umbrella like this Barbour umbrella.

Which item will you go for this week?

I'd Pin That! Pinterest Hits the Street for Pin-worthy Real Men of NYC

If you haven't caught on yet, you may want to get with it. Pinterest is the latest cult following and I cannot get enough myself. Now I'm sure many of you may just have a Hotties Man Board, as do I. But of course celebrity guys are hot, with their stylists, and good lighting on call. What about real men? Say the real men of NYC perhaps? Whom you walk by and think "Mmm I'd Pin That!" ...well my friends and I have started a Pinterest Board for just that!

Introducing: I'd Pin That
A Pinterest board with user submitted photos of guys on the street. Cuties that turn your head can now be catalogued for some social media fun and inspiration. Pourqoui pas?!

Source: Uploaded by user via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Jessi on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Jessica on Pinterest

 

So this is a cattle call for all you readers! Take photos of real men on your streets and send them my way! I will post them, tagging you on this community generated Pinterest board. Let's build it up with the real life men that brighten our scenery day to day. Send your snapshots to embellishedbyjessica[at]yahoo.com.  I look forward to your submissions mes cheris!

I'd Pin That...brought to you by Pinterest

NYC Digs: Brooklyn Shopping Secret

Deep in south Brooklyn I had to venture this weekend to file my taxes, and wouldn't you know mes cheris I was rewarding for the outer borough trek by stumbling upon an adorable Brooklyn shopping secret! This cute shop with affordable prices was tucked in between bad discount shoe stores and loan offices and ready to be discovered.

Flavour on 86th Street in apparently the Bay Ridge neighborhood of Brooklyn news to me, has a variety of flowy summer tops and cute skirts, shorts, and maxi dresses to match. The decor with the oversized picture frames leaning against the wall of clothing racks was hip and the shabby chic vignettes planted around this Brooklyn shopping secret kept you wandering around to discover more!

 I especially couldn't get over this navy blue sailor top. It's a racer back knit tank that is soft and flowy. Perfect for a stroll along the beach at sunset...or any other time once the weather gets back to warm again. You are now all privy to this Brooklyn shopping secret and I hope you go check it out for yourself. I know I personally will be back to Flavour once I have a more prepared checking account haha!

What Brooklyn shopping secrets do you know?

Funny Fashion Girls

For a funny Friday edition, I thought I'd honor the funny fashion girls I get to work with every day. I really love people, and love people watching. Fashion girls are always fabulous, a little neurotic, and very dedicated to their loves...let's watch and learn.

Source: wendyslookbook.com via patricia on Pinterest

This is how the fashion girls I work with dress everyday. I do love working in an industry (finally) where everyone dresses with style, even when it's not your style it is done on purpose. I love the girl above for example but picture 2 and 4 are too loose and Olsen Chic for my taste. My style is girlier, with shape so I tend to have more fitted, less androgynous pieces.

Source: lookbook.nu via Olivia on Pinterest

Source: thesartorialist.blogspot.com via Hannahkate on Pinterest

Source: refinery29.com via Molly on Pinterest

Funny Fashion Girls Obsessions:

1. Yoga
Bikram, bikram, bikram. It'd be a top trending topic if fashion offices got #Hashtagged. Where is your yoga studio? Who is your instructor? OMG She is totes AMAZING! How long have you been practicing? Did you see the latest LuluLemon yoga line?! I actually am a runner, and like to cross train with dance classes like Zumba and Hip Hop Abs, so yoga...not so much my thing.

2. Coconut Water
Fashion girls live and breathe by the hydrating promises of Coconut Water... How else would you survive the morning following the late nights of fashionably partying? I personally need a little sweetener and swear by VitaCoco, Rihanna endorsed, which tastes better than it's competitors.

3. Celine
This not so little trapeze bag can be seen all over town and in every fashion office at least once. It's the latest staple of the fashion girls for It Bag Status. I personally hate that the sides are designed to stick out like that, but if you love it, it absolutely is great quality.

Source: thingsthatdontsuck.tumblr.com via Ryam on Pinterest

Source: camilleovertherainbow.com via Camille on Pinterest

4. Cleanse
Any craze that involves not eating solid foods to be "healthy" is an automatic go with the fashion girls crowd. I can't speak to the mood of the girls while on the liquid only 24 hour a day diet, but apparently they are a must. Personally...I love food. A lot.

I love my funny fashion girls and I love how entertaining my crazy fast paced industry is. Hopefully you've taken some great pointers on how to assimilate with this society! To watch them in their natural habitat even in you don't live in a fashion capital watch the hilarious video created by Harper's Bazaar, Shit Fashion Girls Say. Every time I watch this movie I feel like I catch something new that cracks me up!

Cheers and have a great weekend!