The Weekly: The Stylish Life of a Hugh Hefner Wannabe

As cliche as it sounds, the Hamptons does have fabulous stores. When my friends and I drove through Easthampton, my jaw literally dropped: Malandrino, Tiffany&Co., Tahari, and many more. Seriously, the epitome of fabulous living. While typical Hampton vacationers go to these luxe stores and buy whatever their hearts desire, I did not. Instead, I went to a funky vintage store in Bridgehampton (I think Bridgehampton, if not, I'm incredibly sorry and purchased a smoker's jacket. No, I do not smoke; Yes, I did actually buy a smoker's jacket. The only male friend on the vacation tried on the smoker's jacket, quickly discarding it because he thought he looked silly; however, I tried it on and loved it instantly. A smoker's jacket is, in my mind, one of those really obscure pieces that nobody ever really purchases. Unless you're willing to take the risk of a "what-was-she-or-he-thinking-moment."

Robe? I think this would even look good belted. Innovation is key here, people! 

 And believe me, I faced one of those the second I got home:

MOM: And you got a smoker's jacket? 

         ME: Yeah, let me show you! I love it 

(Pulling my beloved smoker's jacket out of the bag)

        MOM: You...bought a robe. I hate this.

My own mother, who is chic, despised this piece! Instinctively, I started to wonder if I made a really stupid purchase. But then I realized that I didn't care if anyone, even my mom,  hated this smoker's jacket or claimed it was a Hugh Hefner moment because  I  love it and I see so much potential in this piece.

Obsessed with the detailing! 

Here's what I'm thinking:

- Nix the belt (it'll look cuter like a jacket a la Sarah Jessica Parker in Sex and the City).

-Wear with ripped jeans, black jeans, or even a cute dress

-I'm not sure what kind of  shoe (at first I was thinking about a strong boot but I'm not sure) but I'll get back to you on that.

I guess what I'm trying to say in the grand scheme of things is that we all need to stay tough and true to our personal styles. I know that conforming to the masses, or what other influencers think is chic, can be easy, but fashion's no fun that way. To me, fashion is nothing without originality and fearlessness.  If we lived in a world where everyone wore the same exact thing, that'd be a pretty boring world, don't you think? 

Well, that was inspiring. Now, onto the weekly!

• Demi Moore at the Samsung Hope for Children Gaga (Louis Vuitton): In my weeklies, I frequently condone celebrities for maintaining chic status while staying true to their true age. This is no exception. First of all, I really think Demi gets better with age and I'm always dumbfounded by her effortless beauty.  Anyways, back to the look! I love juxtaposition between the plunging neckline and the long hemline. It's "I still got it" meets "I do act my age, I'm a lady!," which I greatly admire. I also love the detailing around the neck, sheared fabric I believe? And the sequined bits on her skirt look so fabulous. You know a dress is incredible when, even in black, you can spot all of the fabulous effort that was put into the creation. Her semi-pulled back hair gives that same combination of youthful and age appropriate. The drop earrings complement the previously discussed sequins, which makes this a complete look. Also, I love how she wore a bold strappy heel. A pump, the obvious contender, would be to matronly and an elegant evening shoe would've been too fancy. Overall, she looked incredible! 
• Kate Middleton at the Ark gala (Jenny Packham):  I'm so pleased to see that her Sarah Burton wedding dress wasn't the golden age of her style. Many of you may have seen this Jenny Packham dress on Leighton Meester during an episode of Gossip Girl and no offense Erik Daman, but I love this dress so much better on Kate Middleton because of the styling!  Meester's hair is overbearing in the Gossip Girl adaptation, as opposed to Middleton's sleek hair. The dress has so much detail, an "piece of art" if you will, that it's better not to over accessorize. Middleton looks awesome because, in true Middleton style, she kept is classy and simple with minimal jewels, soft hair, and a small clutch. J'adore! 
• Elle Fanning at the Super 8 Premiere (Vintage): This is the epitome of boho chic and I love it. Everything about this is so soft and ethereal, which is key to successfully wearing a look like this. For starters, I love how she didn't feel inclined to wear some leading designer to her premiere, the vintage is amazing! Although I wish she wore some jewels, whether earrings or bangles, I do love silky smooth hair with this look. And the wooden platforms, or are they flatforms? Regardless, they really pull the look together and are awesome. Florence Welch, the reigning queen of this look,  must be so happy!

xx

If Perfect's What You're Searching For, Then Just Stay the Same

Recently, I fell in love with Bruno Mars' songs: no, I don't know why I'm on such a music/fashion craze this summer, but I don't mind. Anyways, I love the range of really deep songs, a la "Grenade", to chill summery songs, like "The Lazy Song." His voice is so silky smooth and I always end up singing with my iPod:



In addition to his music, I truly think he has great man-style. Sure, I'm not the biggest fan of his hair; however, he has this great mix of trendy and classic in his wardrobe. And my thoughts were solidified by a behind-the-scenes look at his Vogue photo shoot.

Add caption

I love how he can wear a skinny-tied suit in Vogue and it looks neither typical nor random. In my mind, his style is the epitome of man-chic. Not to mention, I love his love for hats. So for this blog, ladies and gents, I've decided to pick apart SLASH analyze some classic Bruno Mars looks.

Doesn't this look like it came straight out of an Urban Outfitters' catalog? Or maybe as if it was taken in a Urban Outfitters' changing room? Anyways, I really like this juxtaposition of hipster and toughie. I don't like hiprims, although they do look pretty good on him. If he didn't add that red leather, he would've looked like just another hipster, which sounds rude and I don't mean it to sound rude but conformity is a funny thing. Anyways, the red leather makes this look less hipster and more fashion forward, which I love. And especially red? This guy's definitely willing to have some fun with his looks. (Photo Cred)

 Besides Michael Buble, who honestly wears a suit on tour? Exactly. The fact that he's wearing a suit definitely suggests that he's a class act. The baggy fit and the nontraditional grey suggests that he's funkier than Michael Buble- don't worry Michael, I still love you. (Photo Cred)

Maybe this is the aspiring fashionista in me speaking, but there's something very sexy about a boy who has  an effortlessly chic sense of style. Yes, that's probably my inner fashion slave talking.  BUT THE POINT IS that this is such a prime example of laid back style. Wayfarers add instant male chicness. No really, I think guy's look a million times better them! Anyways, the hat is the perfect amount of trend to counteract the white shirt. Yet, he's not trying too hard (is he trying at all)? Perfect. (Photo Cred)

See?! Now do you understand the Wayfarer effect? Musicians, especially at the Grammys, tend to get very...creative with their looks. I love love LOVE how Mars kept it classy in this suit; however, the unbuttoned shirt and the beautiful sunnies made him the coolest guy at the party. J'adore. (Photo Cred)

All of these pictures made me realize how interesting Bruno Mars' bone structure is... NOW that I've been sufficiently awkward, I will bid you lovely people goodbye!

xx

A Nice Slew of Events

I really do feel like a jerk for not having a weekly, but is it humanly possible to blog when you're in such a beautiful setting?

Needless to say, the Hamptons were beyond fabulous. Incredible food, fabulous friends, and the best memories. I did walk away from the elitist world as an owner of a vintage smoker's jacket, which will obviously be blogged about later. I'm not kidding. My not so glamorous return left me with many things to blog about. Resort collections and red carpet, just to name a few.

So for both your and my entertainment, I've decided to create a combo pack of red carpets into one blog. I know, pretty intense.

2011 MTV Movie Awards 

I'm extremely glad I didn't watch these awards because I probably would've started a riot since Kristen Stewart beat Natalie Portman. Did The Rapture come because that's just not right . Not in the slightest. In terms of red carpet looks, they were interesting...

THE WORST

• Selena Gomez (Giambattista Valli): Extremely disappointed. Selena always looks like such a rockstar and always gets on my Best list. Not this time, ladies and gents. Her hair and makeup looks great; however, her outfit isn't doing anything for me. No swooning. No nothing. I like the runway version better: the relaxed sandals and the white on white combination create a beachy and effortless look. The styling of Selena's adaptation was very confused, in my humble opinion. It seemed like she was trying to be a beach cutie, but then the heels made it too dressed up. I don't know, it just wasn't great.
• Ryan Reynolds (I don't want to know): Everyone loves Ryan Reynolds, it's essentially a fact of life. But what I hated was this outfit. I know the MTV Movie Awards don't require a Simon Spurr or Tom Ford tux, but this was way too casual. He kind of looked like an old man who was chilling in his log cabin. This may be quasi acceptable if this was a "chillin'-out-maxin'-out-relaxin'-all-cool" look, but I think he should have been a bit fancier than this. Like a blazer, jeans, and tee? Sexy.
• Blake Lively (Michael Kors): On the contrary, I hated Blake Lively's outfit because, besides the minimalism, it was way too serious for the MTV Movie Awards. Silk back hair and a simple dress. Chic? Yes. Appropriate? No. I also hated the purple Louboutins with the cobalt Kors dress. If you're going to add a pop of color, it should be a complementary color or something in a different color family. Or a simple cheetah print! Jeez. I think she would've looked stunning with beachy hair or even a maxi dress. 
• Nina Dobrev (Georges Chakra Couture): As much as I love jewel tones, I really did not like this dress. The hemline was too fancy and matronly for a young starlet, like her, to wear to these awards. At the same time, the bows are so...immature. Very confusing. Not a fan.
• Jessica Szhor (Alice&Olivia By:Stacey Bendent): This is the worst look I've seen in the longest time. SHE'S ON GOSSIP GIRL! ERIC DAMAN NEEDS TO STYLE HER. The worst. That is all. 
• Aimee Tegarden (Alice&Olivia By: Stacey Bendent); I think that Alice&Olivia needs to fire Stacey Bendent because this dress is also terrible. It seriously looks like she was tye-dying in her backyard, found out her original dress was ruined, and then threw on this. To make matters worse, she did not accessorize at all. That is one of my biggest fashion faux paus. Of course some outfits don't require many accessories, but a wearing clothes isn't fashion until you style it and make it your own. No jewels and not even a cute pair of shoes. SHAME!
• Amanda Bynes (Nobody knows because the designer is too embarrassed): There's a chance this could be worse than Jessica Szhor's look. This dress is disgusting and terribly unflattering and these shoes are not a good mix with this dress. The accessories are terrible. I don't even want to talk about this anymore. Now, I'm just getting mad.

THE BEST:

• Emma Watson (Marchesa): Two things I love in the fashion world; Emma Watson and Marchesa. And when they join forces, it's so lovely! As always, Emma looks like a goddess. I love how the top of the summer dress is so detailled; however, the rest of the white dress is so simple. The silver shoes tie the whole look together.  She always makes a statement by keeping it classy. And the hair and makeup is fabulous. It also looks like she's wearing an upper-arm bracelet. If so, I'm so smitten with it! Amazing all around! 
• Emma Stone (Bottega Veneta):  One word: gorgeous. Usually, it's really hard for redheads to rock warm oranges, yellows, and red. But evidently, Emma Stone is the exact opposite. This is amazing! I think the black lace that lays on top of the orange makes this an easier look for her to pull off. Maybe this look is a little textbook fashion- it's all very matchy matchy- but I love it. I'm glad she didn't accessorize too much, the lace with a plethora of jewels could be extremely overbearing! Her hair and makeup, as well as the whole look, is fresh and youthful. J'adore.
• Leighton Meester (Balmain): I wish that she wore a platform pump, but I'm literally obsessed with this dress. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Balmain is so dependable for uberchic minis. The details of this dress literally blows my mind and I think her hair and makeup look incredible. This is one of those situations where accessories would cheapen this look. She is literally wearing art and I'm so jealous.
• Reese Witherspoon (Zac Posen): What I love most about Reese Witherspoon is her ability to always dress her age, but a chic version of her age. Maybe she went a little too far by bashing the Kardashians and other young starlets, but you can't deny that she looks beyond fabulous. The asymmetry, not to mention the print, of this Posen dress was so refreshing; however, the hemline of her dress kept it classy. And I loved the shoes!  I really think everyone should invest in a good pair of nude pumps, they elongate the leg! 
• Hailee Steinfeld (Louis Vuitton): Although it may not be the most appropriate, weather-wise, I believe this is my favorite look of this red carpet. She's only 14 years-old and she dresses like a fashion icon! I wish I had her wardrobe when I was her age.  This look is the epitome of effortlessly chic. I'm so smitten with the sequined lapels and the wavy hair gives this look a "don't-take-this-too-seriously" vibe, which I'm such a fan of.  And the emerald clutch is the perfect pop of color! I think Amanda Bynes and Jessica Szhor could take a lesson from her.

THE 2011 CFDA Awards

If that wasn't an enormous amount of blogging, you get to read about yet another event. If you're still reading this, thanks for putting up with this post. I appreciate it! Im beyond happy that Prabal Gurung won the Swarovski Award for Womenswear, he's so talented. Oh and Gaga won Icon of the Year, being typically Gaga. But now, onto the looks! 

THE WORST:

• Chloe Sevigny (Chloe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony): This isn't chic, this is just awkward.  The combination of the leather and cotton (is it cotton?) is not a chic juxtaposition, but really confusing. The hem of the dress is matronly and awkward. The ruffles around the sleeves are awkward. And those shoes just don't work with this outfit. That's basically all I can say: AWKWARD.
• Kirsten Dunst (Patrik Ervell):  This is a perfect example of menswear gone wrong. I like when women have soft waves and a feminine vibe to their menswear inspired looks. Between the makeup, the tight bun, and the hoops (who wears hoops anymore), I felt like Dunst looked a bit like a...hooker. In my mind, she cheapened such a luxe look. If she had nixed the hoops and had a soft bun or even a soft ponytail, this would have been awesome. 
• Sofia Coppola (Marc Jacobs): This is all I have to say about this look: if you're going to a Fashion event, wear something fashionable. No "Plain Janes" allowed.
• Jenna Lyons (JCrew): J.CREW? Seriously? This is so plain and ugly. The shirt is hideous and the shoes don't even work with this look. PLAIN JANES, GET OUT.
• Karolina Kurkova (Diane von Furstenburg): This would be a pretty sick playsuit; however, the hood is crazy. And not in a cute way. She looks beautfiul and I do condone her creativity, but she looks ridiculous.
• Kelly Bensimon (Don't-Want-To-Know): This is a trainwreck. Her hair looks insanely fake and I think...no, I know that her dress is completely see-through. Come on, rando, this is the CFDA not Hooters! Show some respect! 

THE BEST: 

• Miranda Kerr (Michael Kors): Remember that time Miranda Kerr had a baby?  Not only does she look incredible, but I'm obsessed with this look. The dress is sexy without being...see-through. The gold cuff is so bold and is the perfect statement piece, something dainty just would not do! I love how she had minimal accessories in order to show off the fabulous silhouette of this outfit. And the slicked back hair and traditional makeup makes this look complete. Brava! 
• Zuzanna Bijoch (Yigal Azrouel); Usually, as everyone knows, I despise minimalism; however, Bijoch styled this really well. The bright orange is super summer and the pink piping makes it a little more interesting that your typical minimalism dress. I'm obsessed with that spiky gold cuff (uber egdy) and you can't see it in the attached picture, but she's rocking an awesome pair of booties. And if you can take minimalism to a level I like, you're fine by me! 
• Amy Astley (I have no idea, unfortunately): This is the  CFDA equivalent to Leighton Meester's MTV Movie Award dress. I think it's pretty obvious that I'm addicted to things that are shiny. Her black and gold heels go perfectly with Astley's beautifully detailled dress. I just...love the details! So much! And her super sleek hair is the perfect juxtaposition to such an intense dress. And once again, this is a situation where you shouldn't really accessories. Good job, Ms. Astley! 
• Lucy Liu (Monique Lhuillier): I don't know when Lucy Liu became such a glamazon, but I'm in love with this dress. It may be a little too Oscars for the CFDA Awards, but you know a dress is remarkable when, especially in black, you can see the details from a picture. She looks like Cinderella at an extremely urban ball. The romantic bun and the pinks lips further this Cinderella inspiration. While I do wish it was edgier, she looks amazing and it's a sure-bet.
• Hana Soukupova (Marchesa): Now this is what I call an outfit. Anywhere else, this may be too much; however, this Marchesa is perfect for a CFDA event! The mullet-esque hemline is so entrancing and the asymmetrical shoulders is so right on. I love the mix between brocade and the sheared fabric, it keeps this look glamorous, girlie, and edgy at the same time. 
• L'Wren Scott ( L'Wren Scott): I'm obsessed. Usually, black and yellow looks like a bumble bee; however, it looks mega chic here. The long silhouette is rather simple, but the gorgeous floral gives us something to talk about and makes the look more complex. The long hair makes this look more laidback and sultry, which I love! I kind of wish that she changed her accessories, especially her earrings, but she looks like a rockstar. 
• Prabal Gurung (Once again, I do not know): This little winner is so adorable! A lot of guys stuck with a regular tie or some other casual look, but I love how he dressed in a full tuxedo. As creepy as it sounds, I just want to pinch his (face) cheeks! Overall, the look is very clean and spiffy.

Well now I'm exhausted. 

xx

I'm Not Afraid of the Danger in the Dark

Every now and then, I hear a song that I could relate a certain aspect of my life to. Consequently, I think to myself, "oh hot damn, this really IS my jam." Yesterday, I was totally connecting with Jason Derulo's "Ridin' Solo" for reasons that seem painfully honest. A month or so ago, I discovered Clare Maguire's "The Shield and The Sword" and instantly fell in love. Not only has it been one of those songs, but the Irish songstress reminds me a lot of a classier Lady Gaga: her songs are poppy and her outfits are eye-catching but she's not over the top. I thought analyzing her outfits in my jam's music video would be fun! So here we go!




I really enjoy all of the outfits featured in this music video. This may be really music-analysis nerd of me or completely obvious to the point it's embarrassing for me to bring this up, but I can see a pretty clear progression from feminine oppression (or just a weak woman in a relationship) to a strong and independent individual. Also, this series of looks, in my mind, represent the decline of a relationship and the rise of independence.

(Photo Cred)

In the scenes where Clare's sitting in a picture-esque and monarch fashion, she looks very proper. Almost like a trophy wife. I loved the contrast between the soft blue of her neck fur and her bold red lip. The excessive fur and big hair almost makes her look satirical, as if she a poodle and has no control, especially given the fact that we can't see her arms and legs. This kind of reminds me of that phase were a person feels oppressed and controlled by their significant other. Instead of figuring out what they want, they sit there and only make decisions based on their partner. Speaking of this cape, I really like blend of the fur and the, what looks like, large tweed.

(Photo Cred)

The sixties-inspired look is rather simple, but I think it continues this costume idea from the previous look. Neither of these looks would be worn in a typical video, nowadays, or really be seen anywhere. The beauty of this look comes with recognizing and appreciating the how superficial it is.  In my mind, it continues to represent something forced, like a forced relationship. To fit my whole theme scheme, this is totally the "fake smile" phase.  In terms of the actual outfit, I love the blue of the dress and those sunnies are beyond. And also, who doesn't love op-art paisley?

(Photo Cred)

The final look, also known as the blonde bobbed look. I think this is my favorite look by far. Representing the liberation of single-hood.  This look is almost like an "I'm a mess, but I'm still awesome and fabulous." While I think the blonde hair is a bit disheveled, this look is the epitome of individualism and single girl swag.  What I love most about this look is how effortless it looks, but still is undeniably chic. The red jacket over the black leotard? Genius. And I'm obsessed with those black glovettes. This outfit contrasts beautifully against the red body suits and furthers this little storyline I'm working up in my mind. The background dancers at as a backdrop that emphasizes the focus on Clare's independence.


What I like in all of these looks is how they're all sexy but not scandalous. The stylist of this video worked with hemlines and fitted silhouettes instead of cleavage and booty shots, which I really appreciate.

In Short: I love this song, the music video is rocking, and the clothes are supreme.

xx

The Anti-Weekly: The Underwear Saga

For this weekly, I decided that I wanted to take an excerpt from an anecdote I've been working on, fashion- related, obviously. Yes, this topic may be weird. But just go with it: 

"In time, most people forget their firsts. After it a few years, it quickly becomes a blur; however, I still haven’t forgot. I’m not talking about sex- perverts, this is a fashion blog for crying out loud- I’m talking about my first pair of underwear. Yes, underwear. Strange topic, I know, but I really do feel that my first pair either exhibits my love for glamourous things at an early age or emphasize how much I love undergarments. The latter may be more applicable, since I just embraced a Victoria’s Secret sale with open arms and one of my favorite books was called The Princess and the Potty, but I will stick to the former for now.

Once upon a time, mini me graduated from diapers and was taking the big step, as a toddler or however old I was, towards adulthood: real underwear. My mom took me to some store, expecting me to pick some basic pair of underwear that was pink and had a princess on it or something. 

“Pick out whichever pair you’d like,” she must have said.

Of course, in my typical unconventional manner, I did not pick the pack of underwear that had each day of the week printed, as many children would’ve; I was so over Rebecca Black’s “Friday” pandaemonium before she was even born. Instead, I picked the following: a single pair of silky white panties with silver specs on them. I really don’t know who I was planning to impress at such a young age, but I loved them. They were way too big for me, since no youth company in its right mind would create such a pair, but my mom let me get them anyways. 

Hopefully, this fun anecdote doesn’t make me seem like a baby prostitute- yes, I just quoted Mean Girls- but an aspiring fashionista since basically the womb. When I was at the gym yesterday, I was thinking about my future weirdly enough. What do I want to be when I grow up? Better yet, who do I want to be when I grow up? In short, I want to be a fabulous glamazon. Due to my underwear situation, I felt as if I have been working on this goal all of my life. And that made my day. Except for when I actually looked for these iconic pair of undies and they’re officially missing. The moral of this story is:  don’t be afraid to let out your inner glamazon, regardless of your age, and save all of your clothes. Seriously, my mother had approximately seven Diane von Furstenburg dresses back in her heyday. Where are they now? “I don’t know,” says my mom. I’m still not over it."

Sometimes, writing about fashion experiences is just as much fun as looking at shows and copying trends. Speaking of looking at things, some of the looks this week were absolutely atrocious. They just couldn't slip under the radar, without a nice slap on the wrist from yours truly!  So, I have decided to make this weekly an Anti-Weekly! Yahoo! Before I get started, this blog is looking really ugly and boring (even in the writing form so I can't imagine how boring it must look for you). So I figured to throw a video in here for Fun. Literally, Fun. I'm obsessed with the band, Fun, and this song has been my jam lately. So enjoy:

And now, onto the Anti-Weekly! 

• Uma Thurman at Cannes (Armani Prive): I'm really upset that something thing ugly would be worn at Cannes.  First of all, this dress is the most unflattering thing Uma Thurman could ever wear. I don't want to sound mean, but she kind of looks like a bloated whale. It's such a shame because she's so beautiful and the Cannes Film Festival is always a highlight of the red carpet calendar. A draped work of art of some-sort would've been a better idea. And the lack of accessories makes the unflattering aspects of this Prive even more prominent. The color is beautiful, but the silhouette and fit is seriously the worst.
• Angelina Jolie at the Kung Fu Panda 2 Premiere (Michael Kors Collection): A major mistake, from bodice to skirt. It seriously looks like she stole this from a bag-person and threw it on quickly because she was running late (in this scenario, I'm assuming it was her turn to do the soccer carpool). Even though I'm more of a "Team Aniston" kind of girl, I have to admit that, usually, Angelina Jolie is quite a glamazon herself. But her makeup looks kind of weird on her, the hair looks like a country boy's haircut gone wrong, and the lack of jewels makes me sad. But all of these things seem  minuscule compared to the dress. The top is way too lose and baggy leather sort of freaks me out. I wouldn't mind overtly sexual silt if the hem was longer. THE HEMLINE WITH THE SILT IS SO AWKWARD. It looks like a Grandma's night out on the town. Bad, Angelina, bad.
• Ke$ha at the Billboard Music Awards (I-Don't-Want-to-Know-and-am-glad-I-Don't): I never expect Ke$ha to make it on a regular Weekly or to rock my "Best Dressed" list, but I would like to call this rock bottom.  At the same time, however, I feel like there's not much I can say without being too mean. So I'll leave it at this:

Dear Ke$ha,

Your clothes are anything from Blah Blah Blah.

So please Take it Off, and hire a stylist.

Love,

Me.

• Jenny from the Block at some American Idol gig (Michael Kors): This looks like a terrible costume at JLo concert. I hate this so much. I just hate how everything is so nude. A good pantsuit is awesome, but the styling is so wrong. First of all, she needs to STOP wearing nude: it's getting annoying.  And when wearing a pantsuit, it's imperative to either have a baggy or tight fit, not both. The area around the heels are not flared, but baggy; however, the leg is too tight for a pantsuit. I feel like it's hard to pick certain issues with this look because this whole thing is terrible.
• Halle Berry at the FiFi Awards (Halston): Without a doubt, Halle Berry is stunning and this dress would have been tres chic if the skirt was long and straight. But the skirt of the dress is what made this onto the anti-weekly. It makes her look young, and not in a complimentary way. And those shoes? way too casual and way too tack. Not your best, Halle! 

xx.

When Neutral Met Neon

As promised by my previous post,  I test-drove the neutral/neon combination yesterday.  I really loved this juxtaposition of colors; however, I think how the look is styled contributes to the overall successful of the look. Well, obviously. Doesn't any trend require good styling?

Yes, but the neutral/neon  focuses on one thing: location, location, location. 

For this trend, I decided to wear my orange Stuart Weitzman jelly flats and my new beige blazer, which I highly suggest investing in such a blazer: light for the summer but still chic!  I decided to then keep it casual underneath with a plain white shirt and jean shorts. How casual of me?  In my humble opinion, having the accessories neon, as opposed to the clothes, made me feel approachable. Neon is fun but, to be perfectly honest, I would have felt like an overbearing clown if I had worn that orange color from head-to-toe. Then again, it's barely summer and it would look weird with my currently pale complexion. I'll let you know how I feel about that in a month. 

I didn't realize until now that the gold pellets show my reflection. Apparently,   I have moved from no self-portraits to really unconventional and unflattering ones. Yay?

Anywho, back to the emphasis on location. When the neutrals and neons are placed together, as seen in the picture above, the contrast is strikingly chic. It complements each other and then the aha moment of an outfit is triggered. "She didn't just throw on those shoes for sport. This was a plan. She's trendy, she knows what she's talking about." Though I really liked my outfit, I felt having the tones at opposite ends of my body lessened that chic effect.  My friend, Emily, has a really awesome neon yellow-ish green necklace that would have been so awesome with my blazer. I wish I had stolen her necklace or she would steal my blazer.  This is turning into a very ranty blog post so if you're still reading this, thank you very much and I'm so sorry.  

So let me cut to the chase. Here are some things that will lead to instant neutral/neon success:

•  Keep your neutrals close to your neons and vice versa: They don't clash, but they complement!
• Stick to one neon color: Anymore will truly make you look and probably feel like an overbearing clown.
• Unless the pieces you're using are rather danity accessories, stick to one neon statement piece: With this trend, it's quality versus quantity.
• A dressed down look is cooler: While my love for all things fancy is  quite obvious, I feel like a laid back, "I'm from downtown," and all around effortless look is cooler when rocking this trend! But show me a fancy variation of this trend that works and I'll be all aboard. 

I hope you all take the time to rock this new trend but if you don't, well...you really should! 

xx

The Sun is On My Side and Takes Me For a Ride

So let's talk resort.

I've always had this pre-conceived notion of resort being extremely French-Rivera, Pucci- esque, and all-around summertime glam. And thus far, I like what I'm seeing. From Elie Tahari, we got a sophisticated version of the Sex and the City 2 wardrobe. And, quite obviously, I loved Rachel Zoe's collection even though most of the models looked just like her... And Oscar, I love that man: he always knows how to create the most beautiful pieces.  I know this blog post won't be too pragmatic but I figured, since I wanted to blog a lot this summer and am finally home from a night out at a reasonable hour, Resort 2012 is so blog-worthy. So here are a few looks that I thought were beautiful and inspiring. 

Oscar de la Renta is a genius. I'm obsessed with this blush pink and silver combination. The florals and the short sleeves are so tea party resort. And deep down, who doesn't want a tea party? In love. (Photo Cred)

How perfect would this mini be for a rooftop cocktail party in the Meat Packing District? So perfect, is the correct answer. I've always been in love with jewel tones and this is obviously no exception. The ruffles at the bottom and the fitted top is so feminine and beautious. Ja'dore! (Photo Cred)

If you don't understand my love for fabulous furs by now,  maybe my love for this look will act as a slight reminder. LOVE FUR. A major look for this summer season is pairing neutrals with neons. I haven't tried it myself (maybe tomorrow, if I have neons...I'll blog about it), but I think this can be the epitome of summer chic if done correctly. I'm in love with these booties and I also love this look since it's not what I typically think of as resort. Even still, this Tahari look is fab. (Photo Cred)

Rachel Zoe Resort 2012. Absolutely in love with this dress. The deep blue reminds me of a chic pool party and that sexy silt makes it so resort/summer appropriate. Get me some fun bangles and wedges and I'm feeling a fabulous look! (Photo Cred)

My beyond fabulous friend invited me to the Hamptons next weekend and I've obviously already started planning my look for the vacation. Essentially, this: flowy, white, and luxe. This Tahari look is literally the epitome of what I'm looking for. Bravo (Photo Cred)


I don't think, and probably will never think, that resort is the equivalent to casual. 
For starters, I hated MaxMara's collection. It looked way too much like...you guessed it...boring minimalism. I thought this was resort, not typical Calvin Klein! While one could argue that these looks can act as "clean slates for fun summer accessories," I love interesting pieces.

Ew. (Photo Cred)

I think what really makes a resort collection a success is purely the silhouettes. Sure, prints are fun (remember Louis Vuitton's Resort 2011 Collection? I do. And it was awesome); however, the shape of the dress makes the difference between a "cute outfit" and a "knockout look."  The humidity of the summer usually makes me really frustrated when it comes to dressing up: I always feel gross and then I consequently lose the motivation to dress my chicest. I hate to admit it, but it's true. Wearing an incredible silhouette solves half of the problem!  I'll definitely be keeping tabs on the rest of resort, but for now, I really want to go shopping! 

xx