it's the small things

Photos via

It's the small things...like the fleurish flourishes that filled Jason Wu's Spring 2011 Ready to Wear Collection. Petals galore, oversized-bows- oh how did Jason know? I'm crazy for the delicate femininity that fills the collection: the dresses that flit and flounce with every move, waist accents, even short suits, and stripety striped shirts. I want it all.

print-tastic

Photos via
Diane von Furstenberg  Spring 2011 Ready to Wear Collection







 



 

No one does prints quite like Ms. DVF. Distinct and bold yet lovely as ever, there’s something especially ebullient about those of the new Spring 2011 Ready to Wear collection. My favorite? Top middle in the collage above. Seriously, those prints together (or apart) make me crazy enough to consider selling everything I've got to get them...but then I snap back to reality... Make no mistake though, Ms. Furstenberg does not skimp on her solids either. Sleek and modern, they reinforce that DVF is her own kind of cool entirely.

shine on

There's been much ado about the J.Crew sequin pant (pictured above). While I concur that in all their sparkle splendor they make a spectacular trouser, they're not exactly the best shape or cut for most women. Imagine my excitement when thumbing through Vanity Fair, I caught glimpse of another sparkle treasure. The St. John Mahogany Sequin Pant (pictured below) is the safer route. Wide- legged and richer in color, this sequin pant will most likely look good on any woman daring enough to try it.

all dolled up

Step-aside Barbie and Skipper, there's a new doll duo in town. The Anna Wintour and Grace Coddington have been designed into one of a kind dolls in celebration of Fashion's Night Out on September 10. Andrew Yang, commissioned by Barneys New York to make the dolls, reportedly hand-sewed and hand-painted every speck and stitch of the dolls. Anna's wig was specially ordered and cut by Yang to get the perfect razor-edge to the iconic editorial bob. Mais, pourquoi pas? This is Anna we're talking about.

The dolls are to be auctioned off beginning today, for more information, visit http://www.charitybuzz.com/.

find a new perspective

One more addition to Banana Republic's charming fall ad campaign featured in the exemplary September issue of Harper's Bazaar.

favorite looks: emmy review 2010

The 2010 Emmys aired last night. My favorite moment of the night was the show's opener: a Gleeish musical number complete with Tina Fey, Hurley from Lost, Betty White, and Jimmy Fallon - that and when Jane Lynch won for her role as Sue Sylvester. Outstanding.

The evening's fashion was as expected: beautiful dresses worn by beautiful women, but few left me wowed. It's true, the showstoppers and jaw-droppers are usually left to the Golden Globes and the Oscars, but I still expected to be a little more knocked-back. Black and navy, strapless and one-shouldered were the trends with some color sprinkled in between. My personal favorites include those below.

Toni Collette in Valentino: One of my top picks from the night. More times than not, a dress like this where the color bleeds in and out isn't altogether formal. However, the mix of color and graphics at the bottom of the skirt combined with a sweet, thin ribbon around the middle make this an elegant choice that stood out from the sea of solid-color last night.

Edie Falco in Bottega Veneta:

Eva Longoria Parker in Robert Rodriguez:

Claire Danes in Armani Prive:

Kristen Wig- I would be a huge fan of this dress if the outer-shoulder pads could be ripped off. The print is a delightful departure from solid color, but I can't help but imagine the black pads as birds about to take flight.

Kelly Osbourne in Tony Ward - P.S. She is so skinny now!

Julie Bowen in J. Mendel:

Lea Michelle in Oscar de la Renta- I loved the Glee girls- they all looked beautiful. Some may think the ruffles on this navy de la Renta to be beyond enough, but I love them. This girl is a star- she needs to stand out.

Dianna Agron in Carolina Herrera: This dress may look slightly like a doily in this picture, but it looked beautiful on camera. Plus, Dianna seems like such a lovely person- I love her and her dress.

Jayma Mays in Burberry:

Kyra Sedgwick in Monique Lhuillier:

January Jones in Atelier Versace- This dress has been put on a lot of "What Was She Thinking Lists" but I actually love the dress a lot, minus the cone/shell shaped top. Why must she channel Ariel/Madonna? Besides this, the dress is a head-turner and was one of the best shapes and vibrant colors of the evening.

that's a wrap

Tired of the way you always tie your scarves? Elle Girl shows and explains how to get wrapped up thirteen new ways here.

b. republic fall 2010

Form Strategic Partnerships.

Multi-task.

Exceed Expectations.

Banana Republic Fall 2010

Photographs by Peggy Sirorta

As always, I've fallen for Banana Republic's newest ad campaign. Mid-page flip, mid- sentence, mid-stride, they always stop me in my tracks.

fall in love fashion

Senior year of high school, I wrote the fashion column for my high school paper. It makes me cringe now- the things I must have told people! In celebration and anticipation of fall coming (and not a moment too soon- it's an absolute inferno here in Texas) here is my wish list of things I want to be wearing this autumn.

Personally, speaking, the challenge and fun about dressing for fall is all in the layering: tights under dresses, cardigans over tees, jackets with scarves and hats to finesse the finishing touch. Layering is key and queen.

 

the blazer. both by b. republic

 

I've wanted a leather jacket for sometime...they're just cool, especially this one by b. republic. How dreamy and fancifully flouncy is this vest by j.crew? dream.y.

Cardigans are the catch-all, save all. Throw one on over a tee and jeans or pair one with a skirt, tank, belt. Love both of these by j.crew.

I'm in the market for a new, big-girl, "I will write professional pieces for you" kind of bag to carry my computer in. These, from Ann Taylor Loft and 9 West are two favorites I found this last week.

i dream of velvet

I love these photos featured in a fashion spread in this month's Harper's Bazaar. The deep colors and rich, heavy fabrics are all about autumn and I'm all about cool(er) weather. On days like today when the temperature exceeds 100, it's nice to be reminded that summer weather won't last forever...hopefully.

Photographs by Alexi Lubomirski

Have a lovely weekend!

bananas

Several months ago, I shared my love of Harper's Bazaar covers, most especially the April 2010 cover that featured Demi Moore, a staircase, the beach, and a giraffe. I wanted to believe that the whole situation was for real and not just a photoshop dream, but seriously, who would do that? It turns out, Rachel Zoe would.

Thankfully, the premiere episode of the new season of The Rachel Zoe Project features the shoot from start to finish and in Ms. Zoe's own words, I went bananas for it. This video, by Harper's Bazaar, also gives a peak and a little insight into the shoot. I die.

team chris

Confession, I've totally fallen in love with watching The Bachelorette this summer. Tonight, Ali picks her man...or maybe she doesn't? Either way, I'm be tuning in and rooting for Chris. If by some chance Ali loses her mind and doesn't pick him, you can find me on the first flight out of DFW to Cape Cod to find him. Okay I'm kidding...or maybe I'm not...who turns down a man who worked with inner-city kids in New York City and then quits to move home to help take care of his mom? He seems to have his head straight on his rather broad shoulders and his heart and priorities in the right place. Plus, have you seen him? Really, team Chris all the way.

Photos via Google and ABC

One of the many benefits of being the bachelorette absolutely has to be the clothes. Blush pink, chiffon, dreamy, and romantic, the dress above (A.B.S. by Allen Schwartz) is by far and away my favorite look worn by Ali this season.

the heart wants what the heart wants

miu miu purple patent leather pumps, as seen this July's Vogue

me likey.

spotted: b and s in the city of lights

Okay, I'll admit: I love more than my share of ridiculous, over the top television shows and Gossip Girl is definitely at the top of that list. The characters' life-styles are extravagant, their clothes drool-worthy, and their lives epically dramatic. Now that they're now filming in Paris for the upcoming season...oh geez. I'm hooked.

quotable

Today I watched Coco Before Chanel, a movie starring Audrey Tautou about the life of the woman, Gabrielle Chanel before she became the icon, Coco Chanel. Besides Gabrielle's complete determination to be herself and carve her place in the world, one line from the film stuck with me: When a woman cuts her hair, she's about to change her life.

I like it and wonder if it's true...

cdfa awards 2010

The CDFA Awards, held Monday night in New York City brought American fashion's greatest creators and followers together to honor among others, Iman and Michael Kors. Here are a few of my favorite looks from the glamorous evening.

Iman in Giambattista Valli

Let's get real, so few women could wear this dress.

Sarah Jessica Parker in Alexander McQueen

She's my girl and can't really go wrong in my book. Beautiful, bold colors.

Whitney Port in David Meister

The color= glam. The flowing train= yes, I am a young designer and yes, you should notice me.

Honoree Tonne Goodman in Michael Kors

I love this unexpected combo of shirt and skirt...not everyone could carry this look, but it looks chic on her!

Gwyneth Paltrow and honoree Michael Kors, both in Michael Kors

One sleek and chic mama of two.

Ed Westwick