British East India Company

So I've never done of these inspiration-blogs before but I'll give it a go, yes? Yes.

I'm officially into this Victorian/Arabian nights look. The juxtaposition of traditional versus temptress is really cool.

Is it because I'm in London? 

Is it because I have an urge for Indian food?

ANYWHO

Source of inspiration you may ask?

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Details, details, details!

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ornate.

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Is there a better inspiration besides Prada?


How to Style this Trend: I think the key to pursuing this look is minimalism. Blegh, I hate minimalism...usually. But here, it is necessary. If you have phenomenal pieces (pluralized) and accessories galore, it may start looking like a costume, which should be happening. This look can be achieved with one or two fabulous pieces and a rather plain outfit besides that. But the key of this look is jutxaposition. If you wear a turban, keep the jewels gold and not as bold. Wearing a uber victorian scarf, chunky bangles will offset the Arabian Nights look.

I love this scarf! 

This lovely silk scarf is Anna Maria la Bianca (the link does show off lingerie and swimwear, but I swear she makes scarves too). Anna Maria herself showed me many ways to wear this: top, headband, scarf, etc. What I love about this scarf is that it is so versatile. It comes in a variety of colors (my sister got black and my mom got a lovely red). In my mind, it really describes the look that I am fascinated with at the moment: the color scheme is very traditional while the design is extremely hypnotic.

Ever since Sex and the City 2, I've toyed with the idea of a turban. Were the clothes in that movie terrifying? Yes. But, something about a turban is so effortlessly chic and Rachel Zoe: I wanted it. I've searched high and low for one, but was left turban-less. On the checkout line of Topshop today, I found it.  I snatched it up and wore it home. My boyfriend didn't understand the fabulousity of this turban, but whatever. And yes, I shot a picture of it on an exercise ball.  Maybe one day I'll become a real blogger and take pictures of my clothes...on me. But for now, I think an exercise ball works just fine, don't you?

Another Topshop steal! I love the coral in this reminds me of a dingy victorian petticoat (don't ask me why), but it's contrast with the gold is just what I'm looking for. This combined with a cape and riding boots equals be perfection.

xx

The Weekly: Let's Reflect

 First thing's first.

Happy New Year!

I hope that everyone had a fun and safe holiday that will be followed by a year of laughter, health, and fabulousity.

I had a whole list of looks that I thought were good  this week but, due to the technological hardships we are facing in Londontown, I decided to do a list of the best of the best. My favorite fashionistas, who were seen in my weeklies,  and what I think should be in store for them in the new year. 

So let's get this started, yes?

Claire Danes has been doing some great stuff this year. What I love most about her looks is that she can do a range. She can rock a soft and classic  Armani Prive, but can go toughie and innovative in Burberry. She is such a blank slate and looks gorgeous no matter what. Though I'm a big fan of accessories, I think the fabrics of these dresses are so intense that a plethora of jewels would ruin it. In the future, I would love to see Danes experiment more with silhouettes; differences in volume and length would totally spice up her wardrobe. Maybe something like this Lanvin? With that in mind, let her pile on  the jewels!

Regardless of some of her mistakes, I do love Diane Kruger. Unlike so many celebrities of our day, she always dressy trendalicious and classy.I enjoy how she actually seems to care about what she wears; she's been spotted at Chanel resort shows! Though some of her looks may not make the best dressed lists, she always take risks. What kind of person can go from Jason Wu, to Chanel, to Vuitton in just a few months (from classic, to feminie and chic, to trendy, respectively)? Diane Kruger can. And the best part is, all three of those looks are so effortless on her! Diane Kruger, oh yes she's a muse to the (insert style here) look. It's cliche, but I have no critiques, just keep doing what you're doing. While it'd be great to have more commercial hits, she's taking risks and they definitely speak more to the fashion-inclined.

Emma Watson and Emma Roberts are the two best dressed Emma's in Hollywood. What I love best about their two styles, is how they're aging with grace and class. Some celebrities channel their inner Miley Cyrus to show off their womanhood, but these ladies use their class to show that they are better than the others. Watson's incredible white Burberry to show off a mature side of her and Roberts keeps it young but appropriately sexy in Julien Macdonald. The only improvements these two ladies can do is keep growing into their style. Though this look is great for their age, I think that both of them should begin to grow into some minimalist looks. Maybe some Calvin Klein with major statement pieces?



Without a doubt, Blake Lively is probably the biggest fashion icon of this decade. The new face of Chanel bags? Getting shoes named after her by Louboutin? Sitting next to Anna Wintour during fashion shows. Trust me, I read the articles! It's just enough to be threatened by any aspiring fashionista. But, to give her credit, she does have a smashing sense of style.  My favorite part about Blake Lively's look is how she self-styles herself. You rarely see that anymore, which makes me respect her a lot. She knows just how to rock a Marchesa with the perfect amount of accessories , for example. That takes skill! Every look of hers is very different which, considering she doesn't have a stylist, is a lot of work so you must give her credit for that as well. In the next year, I think she should start to be more sophisticated with her fashion. She tends to show a lot of cleavage which isn't necessary, she should focus on her great taste!


And Kate Hudson is utterly fabulous. Do I love her because I love her movies? Or because of her personality? Or because Rachel Zoe styles her? I'll never know BUT she's done some amazing things this year.  What I think is great about Kate is that she can make even the most atraditional dress classy and chic. I mean...we never see her in a full skirted gown, do we? Nope! And that's because she does what's current. Like the Pucci she wore at the SAG Awards. Honestly, who else would be able to pull that off? And the Lanvin she wore at the 2010 Glamour Woman of the Year  was, once again, extremely atypical but it  worked for her and it was quite fabulous.  I think it would be interesting in 2011 to see Hudson wear some typically feminine pieces, maybe some De la Renta. Just think, how random, confusing, and ultimately fabulous would that be?! 


Here's to an up-coming year of great fashion and fun! 

The Weekly: Have A Holy Jolly Christmas

I'm the worst.

I'm not very good with daily updating a blog.

But I hope Christmas was lovely for al!!

Overall, I was extremely pleased with my Christmas turn out. Although my house almost burnt down, I had a lovely holiday.

New Slippers! They're so comfortable but I'm a little thrown off by the lack of holes!

Nothing like some brown and white on Christmas!

I loved all of my new jewels! So much gold and sparkles. My lovely boyfriend also got me beautiful jewels that aren't photographed, but I love them regardless!

My favorite presents: McQueen Scarf (!!!) and VonFurstenburg Pom-Pom Hat! Ready to embrace the winter instyle!

Love.


In terms of the Weekly, disappointing.


The only one I could find that the tiniest bit appealing was Jessica Alba shopping for groceries! Sad, right? I liked how besides the yellow printed dress, Jessica Alba's look was rather dark. It was chic for running errands without trying too hard. It's also extremely season appropriate; I hate seeing people wearing short shorts during the winter. I understand that weather varies from place to place but it seems extremely odd for an eastcoaster, like myself. The tights, cardigan, and boots made this bright dress very clean and wintery! Solid work, Jessica.


xx

Yum Yums!

Once again, I'm a terrible blogger and frequently don't have time to do a daily blog, but I'm taking this blog to show off two gift ideas, both centering around something that's near and dear to my heart: food. I can never understand how people can just not eat or have the whole "I eat to live" philosophy. It's just all so good! Especially holiday food!? Four years ago, I was introduced to my favorite Christmas delectable ever.

TRASH.

For the record, this isn't supposed to be sideways. Silly photo-uploader.
Anyway.

HENRI BENDEL'S TRASH IS THE BEST I'VE EVER HAD! An incredible mix- chex, pretzels, pecans (my personal favorite)- covered in a yummy white chocolate. So good so good so good!! The packaging as well is uber chic, and isn't the packaging half of it?! In my mind, this is the perfect thing to  give to a hostess or anyone else in general.


Years after I discovered trash, circa now, my fabulous mother works at fabulous Henri Bendel. When I arrived from college, this is what I found.

The packaging might not be as creative as Trash, but it's still. And SO ADDICTING. Caramel-chocolate covered pretzels? To die for. Most of the damage of this container was done by yours truly.  While Trash should be appreciated by everyone, I would consider Funky Chunky Pretzels more of a kid-oriented snack. But still equally delicious! 

Let the eating begin!

xx

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Oh yes, the weather outside is completely frightful. And with the weather comes a tragic issue: how can we  dress our cutest and chicest during this harsh winter weather? With fabulous Kate Spade mittens, of course!  A few Christmases ago, I was given the fabulous "Taxi" mittens, while my sister got the "Hi-5" mittens. Even though they might be a little bit hard to text with, they are still uber cozy and fun to brace the warm weather with!  Since then, Kate has made adorable variations of this mitten.

Behold:

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The icy blue is adorable for the chilly season and the "place snowball here" is so cheeky! 

In my mind, it's so much better than pocket warmers! 

xx

The Weekly: I Don't Need the Answers

sooooooooooo

Let's discuss Pre-Fall 2011.

Overall, I think it's a pretty good collection. There is an incredible amount of variety, from Erdem's bright prints for day dresses to Reem Acra's fabulous sparkles for cocktails and evening wear to Zac Posen's sleek and sexy silhouettes. Variety is great, but it doesn't give many hints with trends. So for my personal entertainment, here is my collaborative list of what's in.

For all of those people who believe minis are hip, knee-length skirts are totally in are now.

Black is the new black.

Who ever said pencil skirts were just for teachers?

Color-block, color-block, color-block.

Tall boots are necessary.

PETA may not be happy, but hints of fur are uber chic.

Donna Karan is life-changing.

Even when you think fashion is androgynous, a stunning evening gown is always essential.

I urge everyone to check out some fabulous Pre-Fall 2011 Looks on style.com

Oh by the way, look how domestic I am!

ANYWAYS

Onto the Weekly! 

• Rachel Zoe shopping in Beverly Hills: As we all know, I want to be just like Rachel Zoe when I grow up, maybe I'll have a little bit more meat on my bones but you get the idea. Even while running measly errands, she looks absolutely fabulous. Who wears platform boots (Atwood?) whilst shopping AND pregnant. She's so gutsy. And black doesn't look gothic or inappropriate during the day; however, it looks so effortlessly chic. Do the shoulder have a feather embellishments?! I'm obsessed. I think she's also dressing very appropriate with being preggers and all, unlike some of her other clients; Kate Hudson, I'm sorry for insulting you. Zoe, on the other hand, she's shutting it down.
• Rachel Bilson at the Spike Video Game Awards (Dior/ Brian Atwood): What I admire most about Rachel Bilson's style is how low maintenance it is: she's so simple and effortless, which works for her. This blue works so well with her hair and complexion. Although the silhouette is rather simple, the complexity of the ruffles and mesh definitely jazzes it up. Also, wearing a nude pump  and minimal accessories was very smart of her. For the most party, I think Bilson dresses like a classy young lady.
• Katy Perry at the Change Begins Within Benefit (Issa): To me, Katy Perry is a toned down Lady Gaga; she has her fair share of crazy costumes! This dress for her, however, is perfect. She is showing off some of her originality while staying a classy Mrs. Russell Brand. She never really wears things that are long and does not show her boobs, so to have her wear a long and rather conservative dress is amazing. Also, her long hair looks amazing, for the record, I am a long hair fanatic.  I do with, however, she accessorized with more bracelets or even a stunning earring. Regardless, Katy Perry looks like a fashion firework (punny right?).
• Reese Witherspoon at the How Do You Know LA Premiere (Zac Posen): Similar to Rachel Bilson, Reese has such a classic style. To me, she's know boring but she's wise; she's been in the industry for a while therefore she knows what works and what is appropriate for her age. She's not trying to impress anyone with super tight minis. This Posen, for example, shows off her tiny waist but it's not sultry or anything. The pink feather effect is the perfect amount of trendy for Reese, because she's a mom at all. This look, like her overall look, is appealing because she's not trying to impress anyone. She just looks put together and it's fabulous! 

A Good Three

So I'm a terrible blogger and have failed to daily blog for two days. And since it's officially Sunday, I figured why not a three?

Three.

The number three is specifically important in my group of friends.

The Human Centipede.

With that being said, here's my gift three.

I think even the most stylish person frequently needs a reminder or two about fabulousity and class. What a better mentor than the flawless and brilliant Coco Chanel.

Behold: The Fashion Classy Book.

The Gospel According to Coco Chanel

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I think that this present is perfect for any fashionista. First of all, Chanel is amazing. So anything with the Chanel seal of approval is obviously a seal of approval in my mind. Also, buying clothes for people can be a little bit awkward and stressful. Will they be offended if I get them a certain size? What if they don't like this color? Am I trying to hard to press my style on them? Stressful Indeed! Getting something like this book, however, gives off the "I know you love fashion vibe" without  breaking the bank. These books are easy to read, as well. My best pal got Classy from our other best college pal/ my roommie and it's been great fun to browse through.

Also,

I'm not a ring person: for some reason, they have always freaked me out. But this gift guide is not about me. Therefore, I think a great gift would also be a fabulous statement ring. This Kate Spade one is so glitzy and glamorous, which is exactly what I think of when ringing in the holidays. The winter weather is so dull, sparkly jewels are a necessity. And this statement ring doesn't too much sparkle and is uber classy. As a result, it can last you the whole year. Talk about a happy new year! 

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Oh, and one more thing

Essentially, my style is relatively girly; however, I've been trying to shake it up a little bit more. Adding some edge has made me feel more on trend, not to mention it's ridiculously fun! So for Christmas this year, I desperately want this Alexander McQueen scarf.

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Without a doubt, McQueen is one of the most legendary designers of our generation. Owning something that exudes the original McQueen essence is imperative. Are the skulls a bit scary? Well yes. But this scarf comes in so many colors, the skulls don't have to be as harsh. This is so uncharacteristic but I want this so bad!