2.27.2008

Guess vs. Kors: Battle of Cut-out Wedges!

A friend wore these modern chic shoes to a recent formal event, and I was like, I love!

GUESS by Marciano Savor in Blue Patent
$99.95 at Zappo's

And then I was doing the usual ShopBop browsing ("Neutral Territory: Modern Metallics) and came upon these beauties.

KORS Shoes Danger Metallic Cutout Wedge
$230 at shopbop

And it hit me! Quite a big price difference and the two styles are extremely similar. The Guess ones don't come in silver but we don't always like looking like androids... and electric blue (or hot pink and black - the other options) is so, so major right now.

I am thinking a floaty white dress for the blues, as you cruise through Rome (in a few months). And for the silvers... a killer tan, a jersey LBD, and an oversized neutral clutch. In New York, of course.

2.17.2008

Black Pointy Pumps

I could go on for years about wardrobe basics, but basics are... well, they're basically boring.
But not always!
Example: I just purchased a pair of black pointy-toe pumps, and they are the epitome of basic. But! They are not boring! It is partly that they are classically clean, sexily chic, and businessy in the best way. They are fierce. And I mean that in a very non-Top-Model-ish way; I mean it very literally.
My new pair:















Amalfi "Claudia" Pump
$129.95 at Nordstrom
(This picture makes them look so absolutely blah. And maybe they are. They are a basic! But they really do look good on. And these ones are made in Italy... and they will last.)

Another, cheaper, slightly shinier option:






Nine West "Freda" Pump
$49.95 at Nine West stores (sale!)
(These are surprisingly comfortable. But they are made in China! Ergo, the other pair eased my conscience... and will probably last a bit longer. But these are good-lookers.)



The moral of the story: basics are not exciting, but it is so very satisfying to buy a basic that you know will serve you well throughout its lifetime, come trend or high water...

Self-Tanning Bliss


This is not mainly a beauty blog, but sometimes one finds little indispensable beauty products that one simply must pass on...

This Bliss "A Tan for All Seasons" self-Tanning spray ($36 at Sephora) fits the bill for pass-on-able. I prepped with my normal body moisturizer, then spritzed this on to my legs. It was cold, and it didn't spray out evenly, but as soon as I rubbed it in, it dissolved into my skin completely.
A faint cold-grape fragrance remained (not my favorite), but it faded after about 15 minutes (not bad!) and the tan was immediately noticeable.
No dramatic fake-bake or orange glow here; my legs were just nicely tinted into a natural tan color.
A day later, and it's still there. The bottle says the color is buildable - I'll be working on that!

LookBook: Sunday Shopper


Neutrals are the fashion cure to a late-start Sunday.
Sweater Dress: Repeat Cashmere
Tank (underneath): Abercrombie & Fitch
Shoes: Miss Sixty
Bag: Donald Pliner Couture
Necklace: Tiffany & Co.

It's not clear in the pic, but both the bag and the flats have a shimmer in the fabric that ups the fashion factor (otherwise it is just a boring beige outfit).

This is, I think, classic California end-of-winter chic on a sunny day... and with a warm trench coat, it could take you anywhere on the East Coast.

LookBook: Beach Ball

Please excuse the fire alarm accessory...
This was my outfit for a recent formal beach-themed event.
Dress: Nicole Miller
Shoes: Enzo Anglioni
Necklace: unknown

The shoes were surprisingly comfortable - I lasted for about 3 hours of steady dancing before succumbing to the appeal of bare feet.
And the dress was so light and whispery soft.

This would be fabulous evening wear for tromping around a seaside town in Portugal, don't you think?

2.15.2008

Final Sale AND Fabulous


So the name is a bit scary, but this Rachel Pally Batwing Mini Dress in its soft navy color with silver etching definitely does not frighten, especially when coupled with a price tag of $66.60, down from $220 (at shopbop).
It's honestly adorable, promises to be comfy (Rachel Pally's jersey is tops), and isn't even reminiscent of jazzercise wear (which is the line that Pally sometimes crosses). The loose cowl neck screams sophistication and class.
Plus, it's versatile. Tights or bare legs, silver pumps or even sandals - they would all perfect the look. It is begging for an oversized clutch and charming outerwear, too.
I can see it nonchalantly sightseeing in France with some serious sunglasses and fierce footwear.

2.13.2008

A New Favorite Color (Definitely Not Mellow)

Yellow!
It speaks of sunshine and daisies and-
No, not really. Mainly it is bright, bold, and bang-status.
But yellow dresses seem like they could get dated, so accessories it is:
A few options---
Marc by Marc Jacobs
Posh Turnlock Dot Bag
$498 at shopbop



Lauren Merkin
Lucy Patent Croc Clutch
$250 at shopbop













And shoes! Nothing like a bright patent pair to perfect a lemony look:















Dolce Vita Moritz
$100 at piperlime

Via Spiga "Ensue" Opalescent Patent Sandal
$235 at Nordstrom

And, although it's not technically an accessory, and although I haven't stepped foot in a Gap in about 7 years, this jacket is just the right pop of casual color that I require:

3/4 sleeved cropped jacket
$34.99 at Gap.com

(this would have to be paired with slick dark jeans or a floaty dress and neutral accessories)

The danger with yellow is screaming "CAUTION!" with your clothes, so if you stick to a minimum and use the brights only in unexpected places to offset an otherwise safe outfit, the result will be quirky perfection.

Oh, Happy Valentine's Day too!

2.12.2008

CyberTravels of the Week: The Seychelles




Because it is February, and although it unusually fabulous right now in southern California, I need some exotic destinations to daydream about...
So - the Seychelles; island chain off the eastern coast of Africa, and with a plethora of white-sand beaches and untouched forests.
More importantly: in the Southern Hemisphere! Should be steamily hot!

Attire picks:
A bikini with minimal tan-line-ability is key. Maybe it is just that the model is tan, and it is February, but this is subtle yet not bland:


















Ella Moss Raquel String Bikini, $108 at shopbop.com

And the perfect freedom dress, because all you will want is something easy and flowy and loose and soft and simple:

Theory Nanet Dress, $195 at shopbop.com

And finally, one pair of shoes - gold, to set off your perfect tan.

Dolce Vita Cyprus Metal Disc Thong Sandal, $105 at shopbop.com



2.11.2008

The Wide Legs

I searched and searched this fall for the perfect voluminous denims, but failed to find something to fit a five-foot frame...
And now I'm wondering; will wide-legs last, or was it a one-season fluke?


Alice + Olivia
Eric Pant; $253 at shopbop.com

Dresses for Now & Later

This is one of those perfect dresses.

Alice + Olivia
Patent Band Mod Shift Dress; $330 at shopbop.com

It is body-conscious but fashion-forward. It is black but not basic. It is short but not revealing. It is demure but not conservative. Neither have I failed to notice that it is the perfect transitional piece; with tights, patent pumps (maybe in a bright color, á la Proenza), and a peacoat, you have exceptional winter wear; with bare legs, some nude peep-toes, and a sleek set of lucite bracelets you have the chic downtown spring look.

Oh! Flats! And for Spring!



I have a love-hate relationship with flats...
But sometimes they are pretty irresistible. And now they come in colors!
My favorites right now:






On the left, these are Dolce Vita on PiperLime, and they are $100... which is sort of that middle range of I-could-get-heels-but-these-are-just-so-cute. AND they come in raspberry and bright yellow. Sold!
I am seeing them wandering through Switzerland with superdark straight jeans and a clean white tee, or browsing the high-end stores on the cobbled streets of Capri with high-waisted denim shorts and plenty of glitzy necklaces.

On the right - also from PiperLime - are a pair of BCBGirls for $89. Perforations = my favorite form of breathability, ergo these are divine. Imagine lots of white denim in spring in Spain. For now, black rocker skinnies and a colorful scarf will set these off nicely wherever you are...

2.03.2008

Fashion Week Favorites

Fashion Week has dwindled down. But still! A girl can dream...


So! One of my favorites, I have to say, is BCBG Max Azria. The cohesiveness - from the belts to the muted color palette - is just plain gorgeous. It may be safe, but it is stylishly wearable.
BCBG Max Azria

Next up: Proenza Schouler. Love the color combos, really rich and moody and complex... And the bright shoes just, really, make everything right.
Proenza Schouler

And also, a big swoon over Oscar de la Renta. I think it's in the fabrics, and the rich luxury of the colors, and the deliciously feminine silhouettes.
Oscar de la Renta

Finally, the return of Hervé Leger. It got mixed reviews, but the style is so iconic and so conscious of curves and beauty... it just makes me want to go on a liquid diet. And find some hips.

Hervé Leger


All runway photos from http://nymag.com/fashion/fashionshows/2008/fall/.

The First...

Well. Here we go...

An introduction is in order.

3 things you should know about me:
1) I am a Taurus. Honestly.
3) Travel = my main passion. And writing. And fashion.
4) I am still in school. So - be patient, maybe.

What you should know about this blog:
1) Fashion blogging is so popular and yet... I can't help but succumb to it's glories myself. So fashion it is!
2) And when and if I travel, photos will be shared and advice will be given and all that fun...
3) Any suggestions of what else I should add will be happily received.

Let the blogging begin!!