Friday, July 30, 2010

Street Walkers: Weekend Fashion Ideas

Woo-hoo! It's Friday! And for most of you that means two days of freedom from the 9-5 ball and chain. It's also a time where most of us get to express ourselves creatively through our fashions. I'm lucky enough to work at a place that allows me to be incredibly imaginative (I mean I wore a wide leg jumpsuit that looks like it came straight out of the 70's today!) but I thought I would give those less fortunate in the dress code department a few options for sprucing up their weekend wardrobe while hitting the streets.


Tanks & Jeans. Could there be a more perfect weekend uniform? I think not... Here Kate Bosworth and Jessica Szohr prove you can still be casual and chic while running errands on the weekend. Kate is working two major trends right now - tie dye and cargo skinnies. You'll remember that we discussed tie die back in April as a spring trend which is rolling into summer and possibly fall. And cargo skinnies have been popping up on celebrities left and right. Keep your accessories simple - bangles and a necklace for Kate - and you will be beyond comfy as you hit the market or pop into the bank. While strolling through the streets of Manhattan, Jessica looks like she could be taking a style cue from her alter ego - the BohoChic Vanessa Abrams on Gossip Girl. Love Love LOVE those moccasins she has on! She too is on trend - rocking white denim. If you aren't too sure about this - take a look at FabSugar's ideas for white denim. I recently purchased a pair of white jeans and am totally loving them! Keep cool by layering a few airy tanks. Both ladies added large roomy handbags that hold all your necessary items for a full day out. If you want on the go comfort - try out these options this weekend!


While these two looks are completely different - Malin Akerman and Reese Witherspoon know the key to an LA summer - layering. Malin, who strolled through Beverly Hills over the 4th, paired her tie dye caftan with skinny jeans and black boots. But the key to this outfit (besides her gorgeous eyes!) is her wrap sweater. It can easily be taken off if the temperature decides to sky rocket or you can keep cozy if you decide to step into an afternoon matinee. Versatility at it's finest people! Reese took a break from filming her newest film (and one of my favorite books) Water for Elephants and decided to run around LA looking fab! Her bright floral dress keeps her cool and comfy. She paired it with another upcoming fall trend - army green. We're seeing this color everywhere. From jackets like hers to pants like this, military styles are here to stay. Reese tops off the outfit with a pair of nude sandals, Ray-Ban sunglasses, and her summer staple - a neutral fedora. If you aren't feeling the army green - try throwing a jean jacket over your dress when you step out tomorrow. You'll love the refreshing look and you can break out an "oldie but a goodie"


Now here is an option that anyone can pull off. As you can see these two looks are extremely different with one common denominator: Floral tops and shorts. On the left, Jessica Alba took her adorable daughter out for a weekend trip to Trader Joe's. She paired a floral patterned top with tattered jean cutoffs and red combat boots. Jessica wore a similar look while strolling through Paris a few weeks ago. I love how the top might have a girly pattern, but the rest of her outfit is all edge. I'd also get a kick out of rocking boots like hers... maybe one day! Emmy Rossum decided to take the floral trend to a much sweeter note as she walked her dog. Her button down looks smashing with her pleated short shorts. Nude sandals and a luxurious gold necklace provide bits of glam. And I am swooning over her cobalt blue handbag. TDF!

Hopefully these ideas gave you gals some inspiration to rummage through your closet for some weekend glam. Let me know if it did! Have a fabulous weekend! xoxo

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Ladies In Red

Red dresses have always been a part of fashion and red carpets but we’ve been seeing them more frequently throughout the summer. Whether our favorite fashionistas are sporting shorter hemlines or long trains – each looks gorgeous and sexy – in their own way. We’ve already seen Jessica Alba in a TDF (to die for) dazzling Valentino gown while running around France. Let’s see what other celebrities are seeing red…

Claire Danes, also clad in a Valentino frock, is a long way from when we first met her on MTV’s My So Called Life. The ruffles and long sleeves are a perfection pairing with the short hemline. Claire’s Nude t-straps are my favorite color choice for short red dresses. They lengthen her legs and the stud embellishments add a bit of edginess to the ruffled dress. (Check out that clutch she’s carrying – dying!) To be honest, I normally don’t turn to Angelina for the newest trends. And while she always looks stunning on the red carpet she tends to stick to basic and darker colors. I mean no one can wear leather like Ange. But she really stunned me here with her floor length Atelier Versace gown during her overseas Salt tour. Can you say Va Va Voom? Stepping out of her color comfort zone she totally kills it in this lipstick red. Nevertheless Angelina still rocks her trademark “Vixen” look – tousled hair and MAJOR red lips.

I’d never thought I would love a head to toe Red look – but Kate Bosworth changed my mind the second I saw this photo of her at a dinner last week. Red Dress, Red Heels, Red Jacket, Red Lips. What more do you need? Absolutely Nothing…. I love that she kept her makeup and hair simple and just added a small gold necklace. Perfection! Resident vampire cutie Ashley Greene is quickly climbing my favored list of fashion risk takers. She’s never afraid to wear classic pieces or go fashion forward like she did with this Raven Kauffman Couture dress. Usually I am not a fan of black shoes with red dresses – but she makes it work here. The dress’ lines are clean, simple, understated but hot! I love that it has a higher neck yet she’s showing some skin by baring shoulders and leg - Proof that you don’t have to go mega short to be sexy.

Last but not least – the beautiful Jessica Biel. For a girl who said sometimes she “can’t be bothered by fashion” she certainly dominates both red carpets and the streets with her flawless pairings. (It probably helps that her body is ridiculous too!) At the London A Team premiere She takes a cue from Kate paring her gorgeous crimson gown with red shoes. But the black waistband shows off her amazing shape and gives a little pop to dress. And of course – every girl knows diamonds always look good with red.

I don’t know about you – but these ladies are inspiring me right this very moment! I have a fun dinner tonight and I haven’t broken out my awesome Zac Posen red dress which you can now purchase for a STEAL… perhaps tonight will be the night!
 
images via InStyle

Friday, July 23, 2010

Mad About You. Mad Men Premieres in 2 days!



Only two more days until we get to see New York's finest advertising executives in exquisitely tailored suits, smoking cigarettes and drinking bourbon at 11 in the morning. By the way - how awesome is this promo above? Amazing.. everyone working on this show is beyond talented. I am so excited not only for the premiere itself but for the change in fashion that will be happening. To me, the mid 60's are a rebirth of fashion (among other things) It means sleek silhouettes, brocade (God I LOVE brocade), bright colors, shorter hair and bold eye makeup. I know it won't be an instantaneous change but I know we will start seeing beginnings. Check out these photos I have been constantly stalking. They are absolute perfection. 

Love me some Joan Holloway... She is devine.

Isn't this one of Betty just absolute gorgeousness....

See what I mean about the brocade and colors... Love Love Love!!!!

Also in honor of Mad Men mania - you can create your own Mad Men character here. Mine comes complete with Betty's equstrian gear, a lit cigarette and a shopping bag. Also take the Mad Men quiz to see which character you are.

images via AMC and AMC photo gallery

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Fendi Friction - Fall/Winter 2010 Campaign


It's no secret that I love drama, darkness, tension and real situations. Movies, television shows or photographs that depict situations seen as too real, twisted or uncomfortable can more often than not turn people away. I tend to gravitate towards the darkness - it just draws me in. So when I saw the vision that Karl Lagerfeld created and photographed himself for Fendi's F/W 2010 campaign I instantly felt the pull. Mr. Lagerfeld told WWD that the campaign showcases an "Italian couple in downtown New York” (Italians, NYC, Retro - I'm in!)  Check out the rest of the released photos below.


I'm dying over the Classico 2 featured in both the 2nd and 3rd photos and the black clutch above looks like it should be coming straight out of a vintage shop circa 1972 with a glamorous story behind it. Read more about Fendi's fall handbag line here. But the campaign itself is incredibly intriguing. The stills of the couple together are intense and you can almost feel the pressure building in the room. The single shots of the gorgeous Anja Rubik provide glimpses of mystery, deep loneliness and almost a sense of agony. The retro set ads remind me of Hitchcock movies and Karl was rumored to have been inspired by Edward Hopper's paintings (which wouldn't be the first time the American painter influenced his creativeness) It's quite a transition from the "paradise" Spring Campaign that Karl also shot. (You can check out those amazing shots here) In a world where fashion can be such a fantasy land - I enjoy the change up and the constriction this campaign provides.

What are your thoughts? Are you enjoying the peak into this fictitious couple's life? Or is it too much for you to handle?


images via Fashion Gone Rogue

Sunday, July 11, 2010

In ♥ With This: Olivia Palermo Mixes Prints


Olivia Palermo may come off as a pouty priss on The Hills but the girl can definitely put together an outfit.

She attended the Elie Saab show during Paris Haute Coture Fashion week sporting one of the biggest trends this season - mixed prints. I love the bright colors with the animal print belt. Fabulous! And her hair and makeup - flawless. I personally have been inspired by buns this season coming up with new and different ways to wear them. Check out the close up of Olivia's ballerina bun and pout: 

Olivia Palermo Olivia Palermo attends the Elie Saab show as part of the Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2011 at Palais de Chaillot on July 7, 2010 in Paris, France.

What are your thoughts on this mixing? Do you love it or think it's too wild for your taste? Happy Monday! xoxo

image via Zimbio

Friday, July 9, 2010

J'adore Mademoiselle Alba

Hello out there! I am finally back... after a 6 week break of settling into my new job and getting used to a schedule (which definitely took until about... hmmmm.. yesterday to get into) I decided it was time to start back again with my blogging. And what better subject to start with than très fashionable Jessica Alba as she runs around France looking totes gorge!
Red was the main focus with both of these dresses - though the looks couldn't differ any more if they tried! Jessica looks absolute swoon-worthy at the Valentino Garavani Archives dinner in her long ruffled crimson gown. She represents the design house well pairing the romantic Valentino dress with a ruffled clutch of the same name. The color of the gown doesn't overwhelm and pairs amazingly with a rose-colored bag. It totally works and she looks absolutely radiant. Jessica has a déjà vu moment when she chooses "rouge" as the main center stage while attending the Chanel Paris runway show. Her dress from the French based design house's S/S 10 line is definitely LWD material but it's the flaming (or should I say flambé) red belt that really punches home. Her lace Louboutin booties push this look away from sweet and voilà - we've entered sultry and edgy territory. ♥ Red hot lips are the only other accessories this glamour gal needs.
Jessica didn't just spend her time getting all dolled up for fashion shows and red carpets. She also managed to squeeze in some family time with her too-cute-for-words daughter Honor Marie. I love love LOVE this casual chic ensamble. Her cuffed jean shorts and floral button down are perfect for running through the streets of Gay Ol' Paree. :) Plus the lime green gladiators just scream hot! This last look is probably in the running for my fav (though the Valentino is coming in close behind!) Her Dior short floral frock is so Oh La La! The white peep toe pumps and braided belt keep the feeling fun and flirty. And if you can't afford the Dior price tag - you could definitely re-create this look easily. Check out a close up of her gorgeous makeup, earrings and how to do her updo for your next event here.

So I am dying to know what you think about Mademoiselle Alba and her looks. Are you saying Oui Oui to these looks as much as I am? Do tell... Oh it's good to be back! xoxo and Happy Weekend!!!

images via People & InStyle