The Stereotype

This rant might come off as arrogant or odd but I'll try to do the best I can. Ever since I got the best gift ever for Christmas, TiVo, I've been recording everything in sight. So when I saw a cheesy made-for-TV movie starring Hilary Duff was on ABCFamily, I had to record it. Last week, I snuggled up with my boyfriend's slanket (no judging...it's comfy) and watched Beauty and the Briefcase. Although it was uberpredictable and extremely corny, I loved it. At twelve thirty in the morning, I was cheering Lane, Duff's character, on as she raced to confess her love for the guy who was always there for her (no name will be revealed...WATCH IT YOURSELF)! But there was one thing that I reeeaaaaaalllly hated in the movie: the fashion. Lane is supposed to be an aspiring journalist with a crave of all things fashionable. So in every single scene, she is decked out in extremely bright clothes with polka dots, plaid, and stripes. I know that fashion is in the eye of the beholder, but I feel like fashionistas are frequently portrayed as bimbos who don't know anything else but "the history of polka dots" (Legally Blonde. Case and point). If t you like polka dots, that's fine, but fashion is more than bright cheery colors. In my mind, Lane and Elle Woods were so similar! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Legally Blonde (ask anyone who knew me circa 2002-2003) but I hate the portrayal of a fashionista. Elle did some great work at Harvard Law school, but it would always be related to beauty and fashion. That's fine too, learn from what you know, but I just think that fashionistas are dumbed down for society and I don't get why! Because we (well I'm still aspiring, but I will include myself in this elite society for the sake of the argument) care about how we present ourselves to the world? Is that such a dumb thing to do? We're marketing ourselves! Honestly, if you open up the pages of Harper's Bazaar or Vogue, you see a bunch of great pieces but ARTICLES. WE'RE NOT READING PICTURE BOOKS. Okay I'm tired and this rant is getting a bit stupid. Fashionistas are smart. Done. xx

I Heart Zac

Whenever I think of Zac Posen, the picture of the SATC girls- Carrie, Charlotte, Samantha, and Miranda- walking towards Carrie's wedding comes to mind. Those three gorgeous bridesmaid dresses were revolutionary, in my mind: Posen "poo poo-ed" the idea of a homogenous collection of shitty fabric and unflattering color and ultimately made a wedding, a fictional wedding but a wedding nonetheless, a fashion show. So without a doubt, he's a genius. Of course I was intrigued, and excited, to see what he was cooking up for Target, this whole primer designer for less thing is a trend of it's own! Quite honestly, I loved it. Absolutely loved it. I may go so far to say that I loved it more than his more expensive things! When browsing through the lookbook, I thought this but I was afraid to come to terms: shouldn't I be liking the multi-hundred apparel? But then I realized how silly that is! The thing about fashion is that you don't have to be a bajillionaire to have good taste; of course, I knew this before but that uber- cliche moral really came to life in this collection. Although I like to try new things, I generally aim towards the girly and sparkly things (who doesn't like shiny things). Consequently, this collection is just CALLING my name! There's ruffles, florals, even gold swimwear (I want gold swimwear, how sick would THAT be)! It's just fun. Everything about it: fun, fun,fun! I think one of my favorite pieces was the loose tank top that had "Zac" written in "lipstick"(pictured). I know it's kind of anticlimatic to like that one so much but I thought it was girly and fun and it would be so cute to wear with a high waisted skirt of some sort. And the prices were pretty good, typically ranging from $40-$200. I've always liked going to Target, it's really the perfect way to kill time. But a big thank you to Mr. Posen because he gave me another reason!

xx

CHECK IT OUT:

http://fashionista.com/2010/01/first-look-zac-posen-for-target-lookbook/

MY SUMMER MUST HAVES

I AM SO EXCITED FOR SUMMER!! The weather is so amazing, I've resumed my jogging regime, and I'm pulling out my warm- weathered clothes. But, this also means that I need to go on a SUPREME shopping excursion! Of course I need more skirts, shorts, dresses, and everything! BUT I would like to purchase two new items: jellies and floppy hats. I remember back in my youth, I used to wear jellies. Of course, they were ugly and resembled Tevas (don't even get me STARTED about Tevas). But instead of those ugly things, I want a really cute pair of jellies, preferably flats. I really reeeaaaalllllyyy LOVE the Stuart Weitzman "Pellets" Jelly Ballet Flat (pictured, I loved the pink)! I think these are just so springy, cute, really Charlotte York, and just so precious!! AND I WANT A FLOPPY HAT! I don't know what kind of floppy hat I want, but I definitely want it. I can just picture it: on a beach (probably the town pool) in a string bikini, my huge Dior sunglasses, and A BIG FLOPPY HAT?! I mean, Samantha had so many hat tricks and movements in Sex and the City: The Movie. There's just such a mysterious vibe that coincides with a big floppy hat, Who is that girl? Why is her hat so big? I WANT THAT. I tried some hats on when I went shopping with my mom at Bloomingdales today, and I didn't love any of them. So I shall begin a floppy hat search, updates later! The next step, bathing suit shopping!!

xx

Stuart Weitzman "Pellets" Jelly Ballet Flats

PRICE: $140.00

Model Behavior

While flipping through today's newspapers, something caught my eye on the cover of The Journal News. Obviously, it was something about fashion. I then continued to learn about an emerging trend that I am extremely excited about: models that depict a real woman! For countless years and runway shows, we have been bored with the same rail thin models strutting down the runway. I personally wonder how they are able to walk under hot lights, in super high heels, without collapsing. We deem them as "chic", but what's so "chic" about looking hungry all of the time? I have absolutely no upper body, but I am almost confident that I could snap any of those models! All I need to say is THANK GOD the fashion world is starting to incorporate REAL women into their shows and campaigns. Although I have moments of teenage self-consciousness, I am fairly comfortable with my body. But to be brutally honest, fashion magazines can occasionally make me feel like I need to be a double 0. And I'm sure I'm not alone. The fact of the matter is, not all fashionistas are thin as angel hair spaghetti (not like they would eat it...). I think chic is NOT synonymous with skinny: I think it is having a good eye for fashion and confidence, regardless of weight. In the fashion house's most recent runway show, Louis Vuitton had healthy models, resembling Scarlet Johansson! It was so refreshing to see women the rest of the world can relate to! To me, it says that you can eat that slice of cake and look fabulous! So instead of stressing about being a model, just enjoy everything, even those oreos in your pantry!

xx

Some Extra Flare

Whenever I think of flared pants, I can only think of 1960- 1970 hippies: strikes for peace, Woodstock, flowy dresses, and everything in between. But lately, flares have been making a come back, and I am personally loving it! The fashion of our past honestly had some of the greatest trends and pieces out there. But being the indecisive girl that I am, I can never be inspired by just one time period. This hippie period, as I like to call it, is extremely fascinating: I just love the relaxed atmosphere that is further portrayed in the fashion. When I first heard about this emerging trend, I had some reservations. Although flared pants sounds like a good idea in theory, it isn't a universally flattering, or loved for that matter, trend. But the revival of the pant allows a variety of fashionistas to wear it! Chloe rocks the very loose flared trouser,Pucci has a very embellished pant, Rochas (pictured) uses cool leathers, Issey Miyake created a capri flared pant (intriguing, right?), and Derek Lam has a fitted version of the trend. Needless to say, I really like this trend. Even if someone is not influenced by the hippie era, this pant has its pros. You can essentially go flared and embody any persona,not just the peace loving chic from way back when. And now I really want some flared pants...shopping excursion? Yes.

xx

The Power of Red

First of all, I'm really sorry this blog is all over the place! I feel really guilty for not blogging in a while and am going off on a tangent, so bear with me! I just came back from college-ing and fell even more in love with the university I'll be attending come fall.I stocked up on my school apparel, and obviously red was one of the colors. I've always thought that red was such a great color: it was flattering, powerful,sexy, glamorous. Just like Christian Louboutin soles. I discussed the Louboutin/collaboration in my former blog, but I have never exactly analyzed how amazing Christian Louboutin is in my blog: he is honestly a genius.He knows exactly what a woman wants: comfort, appeal, and recognition. And his shoes do just that. I hope to have a whole closet of Louboutin heels when I grow up; I have already started my collection (a chartreuse leather wedge: they are comfortable and make my legs look great)! I love how he can create fun and sexy shoes in different heights and silhouettes. Of course we all love our stilettos, but there's only so much of it we can take! I've always found his inspiration so interesting: showgirls. As classy as we all love to say we are, I just know that everyone secretly wishes they danced in sequins and sparkles. But Louboutin can make shoes that are classy and fun at the same time! And the red sole was genius. It was unprecedented but the smartest thing. Women love feeling empowered as they strut down the street, with their red sole peeking out during each step. And it furthers Louboutin's brand! You know how people brought back the "Volkswagen punches", I think there should be "Louboutin punches" whenever somebody spots the red sole! Good plan? Whenever people think of high fashion heels, I feel like Jimmy Choo and Manolo Blahnik (thank you, Carrie Bradshaw) are the first brands to come to mind. But I really feel like, no offense to the other two (you have my complete love and admiration as well), Christian Louboutin is where it's at. I think we all need to start paying attention to him, his shoes, and the iconic red sole!

xx

The Royal Life

It may sound morbid, but I remember exactly where I was when I heard about Princess Diana's crash accident (may she rest in the most glorified peace): at only age five, my eyes were glued to the television screen really late at night when the news broke out. My mom let my sister and I stay up super late as we kept our thoughts and prayers on her and her fiance. Twelve years later, I still remember that vividly. When I was eight, I did a book report on Princess Diana, which ultimately taught me that brave and courageous princesses were not only found in Disney movies. A few years ago, I watched that Lifetime movie about the apparent conspiracy with my mom (I thought the ending was a little unsatisfying). Now that I'm older, I have taken an interest into her style. And quite frankly, she dressed like a chic princess! No wonder why some of her dresses are being auctioned off at Kerry Taylor Auctions on June 8th. I should make it clear right now that her wedding gown is NOT being sold, but an ivory paper taffeta gown used by Diana for fitting is for around three thousand change (pocket change)! But let's be honest, her wedding dress is probably one of the most iconic and beautiful wedding dresses in the history of wedding dresses. The train, the delicacy, ANY bridezilla would love to have it! And the black taffeta Emanuel dressed prove that black isn't just for mourning (I seem to defend black a lot, don't I?). Her suits were always in beautiful colors and classy. In some ways, Princess Diana's style reminds me a lot of my girl Audrey (Audrey Hepburn, that is): both don't need overbearing accessories to look fabulous but they can still pull of the chicest ensemble. Although I do hate the minimalist look, I think there is a limit on what is too much. And these ladies, Diana and Audrey, know it!

xx