The Weekly: All About Blake

So my guilty-ish pleasure is coming back this week to TV: GOSSIP GIRL. I watch Gossip Girl not because of it's addicting drama but for THE CLOTHES. Eric Daman is such a genius when it comes to styling each character in he or she's own unique way. And they're going to be in Paris so we can only hope for some stellar Parisian fashion. So, in dedication to the premiere, I decided to make this weekly look blog about Blake Lively. She's just an it girl in the fashion world. Like did anyone read that article in the September Issue of Vouge? And how Christian Louboutin named a shoe after her?! I died when I read that.  I will admit though, the girl knows how to dress. So I've picked out a few outfits of Blake Lively from this week that I LOVE.

• At Vogue Fashion Show: She's been really into the cleavage lately and I was so excited to see her something that wasn't overtly sexy. This Marchesa dress is so hip and cool and I love how she wore it: no uber special jewels or shoes, allowing the dress to be the overall "wow" factor.
• At Sotto Sotto: What I admire most about this outfit is how she looks put together and chic even when she's going out for dinner. I love the flow of this goddess-esque dress, but the strong strapped shoe gives it soem balance. The color looks amazing on her and once again, no cleavage spree!! She has such a naturally great sense of style, she doesn't need her boobs to explode out of her dresses!!

That's all I have for now buuuuuut things to look forward to:

• Review of SS2011
• VMA WORST/BEST DRESSED
• SO MUCH MORE!!!

xx

Good Versus Bad.

Picture cred from Just Jared

So the Vogue Fashion Show happened. I obviously wasn't there but it sounded so innovative and incredible. And Leighton Meester was there. Wearing this blue Versus number. I really don't know how I feel about this one. She looks absolutely stunning and pulled it off well but do I like the dress? I couldn't tell you, to be perfectly honest.  It's kind of weird a overtly sexy buuut, at the same time, it's kind of tasteful, innovative, and the color is GORGEOUS. I don't know if I would like it more or less if the caged midsection wasn't there, though.

I do know, however, that I like it better than it's runway origin. 

Photo from: Style.com

I really don't like the triple straps on each section, this one is just a little too hypnotizing and a little too much. Also, the strappy shoes on the model is a little too much for me to handle.  So maybe I do like Leighton Meester's American and more commercial friendly take on it. Yeah...I think I do!

xx

Fierce.

So first week at college has been fuuuun. I'm currently in preparation for a JUNGLE THEMED PARTY so obvi, I pulled out the fur and cheetah that I brought with me. I just think that themed parties are the best idea EVER. They just seem like such a good mix of creativity and fashion and FUN! Love love love!  Anyways, on to the weekly looks! I just need to say that Jessica Alba has been owning it this week. LOVE HER. So yeah...here they are!!

• Oscar de la Renta (Resort 2011):  This is so nostalgic to the summer but I love all of the different patterns: they work so well together. And the yellow and blue color scheme?! LOVE. I think the beauty of this outfit is that separate, they'd be beautiful. But they are just so unexpected together but for some reason, it works. 
• Jessica Alba at "The Late Show": A lot of people don't like this look, but I personally do. I think it's feminine and cute. The strong strapped shoes add a sense of masculinity to the ensemble. She's been having so many moments for Machete...I've never heard of the movie.
• Jessica Alba at Venice Machete Premiere: I don't know if I love or hate this dress but I'm thoroughly intoxicated with it. It's just so interesting and quite unique. I'm personally loving the dress but the shoes? Not so much! The asymmetrical skirt, however, is so right on and I think it's interesting it's in brown. I know I didn't like brown dresses come Emmy time but ...it's Jessica Alba!!
• Natalie Portman at Venice Film Festival: Can I even describe how beautiful this dress is?! SHE LOOKED AMAZING! OH MY GOD SO BEAUTIFUL. The design was amazing and the red was so glam.  It moved perfectly in the wind and was perfectly accessorized. The only bad thing I have to say is that I wish I wore it...but I can't even say that because Natalie is such a star!! 

xx

Juicy Fields Forever

I'm in the process of reviewing the September issue, and there's a certain advertisement: Juicy Couture. I was a big fan of the company circa thirteen years old, but only the velour sweatsuits (ew), but then I grew to love the jackets. And then I stopped. But this ad was such a turn on to Juicy Couture. The actual outfits are so fun and quirky and I really wanted to live inside that ad. It reminded me of the uber trippy  scene in Across the Universe. It's so groovy, trippy and just great. I decided to investigate this and look at their new products: so good! Cute printed drop waist dresses and a lot of plaid. I feel like Juicy Couture is definitely a must.
xx

THE EMMY AWARDS!

I love the Emmys because, well, I love TV. But unfortunately I couldn't watch it. Apparently, Kim Kardashian sang and Modern Family (and my favorite Modern Family actor) won BIIIIIG TIME. And go Jane Lynch, she completely deserved that Emmy. But of course, I'm into the fashion aspect of award shows. E!'s Fashion Police is on tonight and I can't wait to watch that when I get home. In short, I thought the Emmys had a great array of great, bad, and boring. I mean...nobody really wants the boring or bad but the good was pretty damn great.  I was just much more excited for the Oscars and Globes! But for now, here's my BEST and WORST dressed list.

THE WORST:

• Tina Fey (Oscar de la Renta): I admire Tina's attempt to think outside of the box, which has been lacking in her so much before,  but I didn't like this. No offense to Mr. de la Renta, but I'm not a fan of this tribal pattern, especially on her. It's a little to red velvet for someone who dresses vanilla.  She looks gorgeous, but definitely not my favorite. 
• Christina Hendricks (Zac Posen): TOO MUCH FEATHERS. I love my share of feathers put these just made her look foolish. It was definitely form fitting, but it was too costume-ish. It'd be so much better if the feathers weren't by her armpits. I'm really hating this. 
• Toni Collette (Valentino): A forest-ish bottom is never good on a formal dress. I hated the tie on her waist and I hated that tie-dye shit on the bottom of the skirt. It wasn't chic, it was just odd.
• Nancy Juvonen (MaxMara): This dress, if anything, was probably less flattering on her that a more fitted design. And the color was too much of summer. Among all of the things that mark a new fashion season, the Emmys is one of these prominent events. We need to say goodbye to corals and explore the wonderful world of jewel tones. 
• Emily Deschanel (MaxAzria Atelier): I love beautiful purple jewel tone and I love a decent amount of  frills, but this was all just waaay too much for me to handle! I like the tiering on the bodice, but after the bodice ends, there should be something new. Otherwise, she looks like granny's curtains or really hippy (and NOT in the good way).  Also, her accessories weren't that phenomenal with the dress. She's a beautiful woman, but I wish she picked a better dress.
• Jenna Fischer (Valentino): If it weren't for the CORAL color, I would have put this in my "blah category": it's quite blah and I think a sexy silhouette would be so much better on her, perhaps even some one shouldered action!  BUT THE STUPID COLOR. What about a nice sapphire or emerald green? Or ruby?! That's close to ugly coral! Some people...
• Padma Lakshmi (Carolina Herrera): HATED. The dress itself, sorry Ms. Herrera, would only be mediocre, but that stupid necklace made her look so disheveled.  It didn't even match with the dress, that's so random. THIS IS THE EMMYS, NOT A KE$HA CONCERT. Ugly. Ugly. UUUUUUGHHHLY. 
• Kristen Wig (in no-name): Oh my god. What the hell is this. The feathers on the top. The awkward array of polka dots. This isn't funny. WHAT'S UP WITH THIS FEATHERS TREND?! HATE IT!  This just isn't classy. Maybe this would fly at the Grammys but definitely NOT the Emmys.
• Archie Panjabi: Things I hate: brown dresses, awkward draping, and off the shoulder sleeves. Separate? Bearable and sometimes chic. Together? Ew. I don't know who Panjabi is but she has a cute figure, so I think a fitted dress would be lovely on her. maybe in a jewel tone (I love jewel tones). 
• Amy Poehler (Max Azria): Plain Jane McGee. Seriously, can't she put on some jewels or maybe a dress where the chest was flattering/fit her properly. SHEESH
• Sarah Hyland (Pamella Roland): I hate this cheesy fabric: sweet sixteen gone wrong. It was a little too hucchi, I personally think a mini with a sweet-heart neckline would've been so much better. But she's learning so we can hope for better next year! 

THE BEST 

• Claire Danes (Armani Prive): I love sparkle and this silhouette. She looks awesome. It definitely reminds me of this Prive dress Anne Hathaway wore, but I guess that's Armani for you. She wore like...no accessories, but for some reason that looked. She looked so clean and refreshing. 
• January Jones (Versace): Some people may not like this Versace but I love it: the color is so electric, even though I had a problem with coral because it was so summer-ish. The scalloped detail was so incredible all over, and it was quite flattering. I LOVE IT.
• Anna Paquin (Alexander McQueen):STUNNING. The gold on the bodice was so McQueen's last  collection. I love the longer train in the back. So innovative. So now. And who doesn't love a good black and gold?! 
• Elizabeth Moss (Donna Karan): I'm not a fan of the off-white color but this dress is absolutely gorgeous!! I love the draping as well as the detail on the asymmetrical shoulder. The train is gorgeous! I kind of wished she had more vibrant jewels, but she still looks divine! 
• Kelly Osbourne (Tony Ward): Say what you will about her, but nobody can deny how awesome she looks here. The black was so slimming and the neckline looked amazing on her!! The skirt also has an interesting design,which I'm really loving as well! 
• Rose Byrne (Gucci): This gown is so innovative, structurally. I love the metallic gold accents and the cut in the bodice. It's so future Grecian goddess. The simple accessories also worked pretty well with this dress.
• Lea Michele (Oscar de la Renta): She looked like such a superstar!! It was so flattering and the navy and black combination was so unique. The best part about this outfit is how well she balanced it: she mixed a heavy and detailed skirt with a spectacular necklace. With this combo, she looked fully clothes but the amazing dress didn't look too overwhelming.
• Heidi Klum (Marchesa): She would. Seriously, if anyone can wear a mini to the Emmy Awards, it's Heidi...OBVI. I'm glad she didn't go for a tight fitting plain mini: it had volume and was vivacious. And, in true Klum fashion, is mixed with offbeat jewels that work seemingly well with her outfit. Project Runway: Complete.
• Eva Parker Longoria (Robert Rodriguez): To the un-trained eye- not like I'm trained but I like detail- this dress would be a simple black gown. Which would be boring. But would Eva ever do that? Nah. THE DETAIL IS INCREDIBLE. The structured bodice is so fitting and the rosette-ed skirt is to DIE FOR. The pink earrings also lightened up this darker look and made it feminine and fun! 
• Dianna Argon (Carolina Herrera): If someone were to say this dress was not gorgeous, they'd be lying: it's such a work of art and Dianna Argon is the perfect person to wear it. Like her, this dress is so soft and delicate looking. It is so flattering, especially with the black bowed belt. She accessorized with demure jewels, which I thought was completely right on.
• Jayma Mays (Burberry): The navy  dress with gold jewels looked stunning with her red hair. I'm really glad she wore something a little bit adventurous, like a fitted dress with a tulle bottom (no sarcasm, the tulle made it look interesting). I'm also glad she did a wavy and down hair-do to make it more casual and fun.

The Weekly: Going the Distance

If someone is not aware how badly I want to see the new movie, Going the Distance, they definitely do not know me: every time I see a simple commercial or advertisement, I get really emotional and start a whole rant about how good that movie looks. Justin Long is adorable, it just looks good, and it speaks to me, being in a semi-long distance relationship. But yeaaahh I really want to see it.

So anyways, I went to college this weekend. Yeah, scary. I was debating on what to wear for a move in day: I wanted to look fashionable and be functional at the same time, so why not a romper? And my new hat? Good, right? WRONG. My so-called romper, which isn't even on the Urban website anymore, RIPPED. The first time wearing it. FML. But it was a good thought so oh well. It's interesting, though, to see how other people dress (maybe a blog about that).

Onto the weekly looks:

• Drew Barrymore at the Going the Distance LA Premiere. To quote Rachel Zoe, I DIED when I saw this. DIED I TELL YOU. This Catherine  Malandrino is so incredible and that semi-studded belt is so fabulous. I’m not the biggest fan of the matching pumps but she seriously looks like a beachy diva goddess. Her jewels look great and I LOVE THIS.
• Kate Beckinsale at the Going the Distance Premiere also! I love this little black and white  Versace number. She took an  unexpected turn with a LWD. The black pockets are new and exciting. I think that Beckinsale always has spot on fashion so it was definitely a relief to see this. Although I wish her accessories pushed the envelope a bit more, she’s still STUNNING.
• Jessica Alba at the Machete  premiere. I LOVE THIS BALMAIN. Black and gold is such a typical color combination, but the zig-zag pattern really spiced it up. And the strappy shoes were strong enough to work with this dress and definitely sexed it up. I love love LOVED this combo. It was so fall which I was totally loving! 
• 08/27/2010- Celine “Look of the Day”. I love this look. The white turtle neck. I also love this juxtaposition of a rough fabric being tiered. Tiered dresses, in my opinion, are so flattering. I usually think Celine things are boring but I’m LOVING this. Usually, I hate minimalism, but I think this one is unique enough for it to work.

xx

My Beef with the American Topshop

The SoHo Topshop (picture from http://www.life.com/image/85770472)

Topshop is without a doubt one of my favorite stores. Ever. I remember all too well the first time I entered the fashion Mecca. It was November of 2008: I was with my mom in the LONDON Topshop, only decently content with what I saw. Everything was either not my style or a little bland.  And just when I thought all was  lost, a saw and escalator to this mysterious basement. It was like the angels were singing: beautiful florals, interesting cuts, things I've never seen before.  I was in heaven. There is a heavy portion of my wardrobe that is from that beautiful basement. I've been back to the basement two more times, which has added a heavy tag to my luggage.

Like...this really happened on my last trip to London! 

***

If you don't realize how much Topshop and I are made for each other, here's a nice little anecdote:

"When I was in Ireland, I saw Topshop and knew that was your store"- my boyfriend's mom, circa a few months ago (not exact wording because it was a few months ago but the same idea)

So when I heard that there was going to be a Topshop on the other side of the pond, I was tearing up with joy! I remember venturing to the US Topshop last year, of course to find a massive line of eager fashionistas.  I found a lot of the merchandise to be things I already purchased in London. Disappointing? Yeah. But it was kind of enticing, knowing I was kind of a step ahead of the New York fashion scene. When I went last week, on my shopping excursion, I was the most disappointed I've ever been at my favorite store. Ever. TWO DRESSES?! REALLY. The rest of the collection was so drab and just not unique enough to crave. And I definitely know why: the basement. Topshop New York has no basement of fashion heaven nor does it have any of those clothes. It's just such a shame. People who have never crossed the pond for the REAL Topshop assume they've seen it all. They haven't. I think what the US Topshop should do is combine the men's floor with a smidge of the fashion heaven. I should write a letter. I'll get back with that!

xx