Favorite Oscar Dress 2011

Oh, Cate Blanchett. You always look so darn good!

If you had described this dress to me, I would not have thought it looked even remotely attractive. Perhaps it doesn't look like something you should wear to the Oscars, but it is really interesting. I was definitely interested in seeing more which, thanks to the internet for providing instant style-image-gratification leading to over-saturation, does not happen often.

For wearing a space-suit-meets-Grecian-column-dress with horseshoes of pearly baubles thrown on it, she looks amazing!

Who was your fav?

Giving Packing The Cold Shoulder

I am headed to Detroit next week. That's right, this AZ girl will be venturing willingly into cold weather. I haven't gone totally crazy, (well, the jury is still out on that), because I have planned well for the freezing temperatures. (I have been to the 'rents origins in the midwest during 0-10 degree temps, before, so I am not completely green). I already have too many sweaters and scarves and gloves, so I bought a down jacket and rain boots and called it a day.......except that I just checked the weather again and now it will be raining/snowing while I am there! This throws a whole new wrench into the gears and now I am completely second-guessing my preparedness!

This is what I was going to wear:

Calvin Klein Hooded Satin Down Coat. (It is longer on me, which is surprising since I am tall-- it covers the bum). And it's on super-sale if anyone needs a new coat!


Jeffrey Campbell Voom Rain Boot. These are pretty sturdy and comfy (I tested them last weekend when it was rainy here) but not lined or anything, so there will be a lot of layered sock-action going on...

Throw in some lined gloves, scarves, long underwear, and a flask (kidding...maybe) and I feel prepared...but the rain...argg! I guess I just need a little advice from you snow-pro's out there: Do I need a waterproof coat? Can I just bring an umbrella? What in the heck is the difference between "rain/snow" and "snow showers"? hehe

Any tips would be greatly appreciated! Now I am off to finish my packing list... (It's going something like: toothbrush, make that two flasks, wool scarf...) Happy Friday!

Tribal Brain...

Whenever a new collection debuts on one of my favorite websites, such as Anthropologie, I scroll through the new stuff and if I see anything that catches my eye, I right-click on an interesting item to open in a new tab and then review my findings when I am done scanning the collection. (This makes me seem organized, but it is really just a frenzy of scrolling and "ooohs" and "aaahs")...

Anyway, I did this today and found a definite theme linking the items I had opened in the new tabs. My brain must subconsciously be looking for items with a tribal influence:

Neubauten Necklace at ModCloth
(Simple and geometric. I could see this going tribal or super modern)



Sahelian Acacia Shorts at Anthropologie
(It's like a herd of zebra on your butt! Fantastic!?)


Tilda Necklace by Alexis Bittar
(Must. do. neck exercises. to prepare. for. wearing)


Ok, so how many of you have already run out of the house to buy some zebra shorts?! J/K. What themes are playing in your subconscious these days?

50 Most Stylish New Yorkers

I just read Kelly Framel's post on The Glamourai about being chosen as one of Stylecaster.com's 50 Most Stylish New Yorkers. Framel looks adorable in the shoot and, being the highly-adept procrastinator that I am, I wandered over to stylecaster.com to check out the full photoshoot. There are a lot of familiar faces to be seen (hello, Simon Doonan and Olivia Palermo) but there were many new faces as well, and there was definitely some style-inspiration to be had:

Framel (above) is wearing Primary, which was a good move since she is creative director ;)




Palermo beats me again! I need a sheer, preferably pleated, skirt!


Chartreuse + gray (on the left) is a favorite color combo of mine...





Check out the full shoot here! Have you run across anything on the 'Net lately that has inspired you?

A Bright Idea

I don't know if I have necessarily been looking for them, but certain colors have been jumping out at me lately. I am still a fan of that beigey-blush, of minimalist monochromatic looks, and of creamy pale colors for spring, but there is something about fun, bold colors that is making me smile.... Check out my influences from the color-wheel:

Alexa Chung's bright bag really pops against the all-black ensemble...


Keiko Lynn's awesome purple shadow....


Jonathan Saunder's Fall 2011 collection. Check it out here, it's all pretty cool...


Awesome bright, bright berry jacket and pants from The Sartorialist....

Are you into spring colors or still in winter-mode? What has been catching your eye this week?

Dear Kim Kardashian, I might actually like you.

It's not that I don't like Kim K, (I don't really have any opinion about her), but her sense of style is not something I normally admire. She is very into tight-tight-tight and I am into tailored and drapey. I realize that we have different body types and that one should take risks with fashion, but I will not be seen in a Herve Leger bandage dress in the foreseeable future. But, that doesn't mean Kim K doesn't look good in one.

Any-hew, when I saw photos of her on two different occasions wearing items I actually liked, I was shocked! Disparate from her normal outfits, (IMHO) these looks are actually great:

I am not sure how I feel about the shredded scarf, but I like the color. And I love the tailored-yet-flowy look of the trousers and the jacket. The piled-high bun is Olsen-esque, yes?



I love her jacket in this look (always an obsession with structure + slouch for me) and her sunglasses are very fun.

I love street-style blogs like The Sartorialist and Face Hunter, but I wonder if the street-style shots of celebrities on sites like Vogue Diaries (where I saw the photos I used for this post) are too invasive? As much as I love that celebrities have access to runway pieces and then style them in "real life" ways, it's not like the celebrities on that site (and SO many other websites) have given consent to have their photos taken. What do you think?

Spectacular Specs

When I got the email yesterday, I was immediately thrown into a tizzy-- The new collection of Warby Parker glasses just debuted! I am such a nerd for getting excited about glasses, but I love me a pair of geeky frames! They have also come out with gray colors in addition to black and tortoise, so now poor eyesight can be a major accessory! (hehe) Here are some of my favorites:

The Crosby:











The Tenley:











The Winston:











The Sinclair:











The Preston:











I am in nerd heaven right now, people!

As always, frames + prescription polycarbon lenses + anti-glare coating = only $95 and when you buy a pair of glasses from Warby Parker, they donate a pair to an organization that provides glasses to those in need. Check out the rest of the collection here!

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you all have a great weekend!

One Pou-Shay, Please!

I stumbled across this beauty on JCrew.com and have been thinking about it all day! This Chiffon Pouchette can be worn as a crossbody and a clutch and I love the light texture of the bag and the chain strap. It comes in two colors as well:

How cool would the neutral color look with an all-black outfit? Especially something really minimalist and/or tough:And don't get me started on this bright, watermelon color! This would be the perfect accessory for daytime outfits of jeans (the "new" flare jeans, anyone?!) and flats as well as nighttime party dresses!

Something about the light and fluffy chiffon and the bright colors make me feel like spring really is just around the corner! Is there an item you have fixated on as your piece de resistance for spring?

Happy (belated) Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day! I hope you had a great day with your loved one(s) and made time for the important things in life...aka, CHOCOLATE. Kidding.

(Or am I?)

I was traveling yesterday and completely forgot to check out BHDLN until this morning, despite my excited anticipation. I was certainly not disappointed with how "Anthro-esque" the collection is, but didn't find any wedding dresses that wow'd me. I did however find a lot of fun accessories and other dress ideas. Here are two of my fav's:

I love the unusual colorplay of this Indigo Mist Dress. My sister commented that it has an Alberta Ferretti vibe, which I totally agree with:


This Lone Pearl Ring is so dainty and adorable! I love the vintage feel:
Did anyone else check out the website and fall in love? How was your V-Day?

Cat Eye? Meow!

Ever since I saw this post by Le Fashion, I can't get enough of the cat eye look with eyeliner.
It looks so chic and simple here, but whenever I try to cat my eyes up a little, I look like I should be standing on a street corner! Has anyone seen any tutorials for a tasteful cat eye look, or do you have any tips of your own to share?

PS- LA trip this weekend! I love how I haven't started packing and I am looking at pictures of cat eye make-up online- FOCUS, girl!! ;) Have a great weekend, everyone!

BHLDN Update

For anyone who read my post on Anthropologie's new bridal collection and was interested, Emily from CupcakesAndCashmere was invited to the pre-launch party and posted some pictures on her blog. Click here to see the gorgeousness!

Daydream of the Day

I love Robindira Unsworth rings. They are adorable, simple, and delightfully stackable. I love the colors of gemstones for both bright, clear colors and cloudy, neutral colors, but the gem-less Wisteria Ring caught my eye recently and I am really diggin' this style for spring. Something about it says easy and breezy and I love that it is both modern and timeless.
What are you daydreaming about this week?

Bridal Bliss

I am not getting married, but something about spring makes me think of wedding gowns... Maybe the season of renewal makes me think about the start of a new life you are married? I don't know what it is exactly, but I do know that I got super excited when a friend reminded me that Anthropologie is launching their bridal stuff on Feb 14th!


You can register for email updates here.


I also registered for theaislenewyork.com to see what that site has to offer, but my membership request is still pending (maybe I am not cool enough?!), is anyone else a member?

Also, do all those frothy confections floating down the spring runways remind you of bridal? Or do I need therapy? Someone warn my Bf that I have white dresses on my brain....!!

February (Shopping) Fiend

No-Shop January was not as brutal as I had expected, but still, on February 1st, I was at Last Chance to see if I could find a fun deal--I made out like a bandit! I love finding new things that are different and yet totally wearable, and my new shoes are giddy-smile-inducing:

Kors Michael Kors studded flats:
How cute are these? I love flats because I am on my feet all day at work, but I don't like boring ones, so these buddies are perfect. I think I like them especially because they are "inspired" by the Louboutin Pigalle Flats that I have fawned over:


I also got this pair of extremely impractical Stuart Weitzman heels. I actually decided to post pics of my finds from this shopping trip because describing these shoes to friends has gotten me a lot of confused looks. Apparently "open-toe oxford pumps with cut-outs" and "made of metallic python-print leather" doesn't sound too appealing! I hope the picture puts some minds at ease :)

I have already debuted the Michael Kors flats at work and the verdict = super comfy! I would highly recommend them to anyone who is on her feet all day. I also wore them with black skinny jeans this weekend (why did I not take pictures? So silly), so they have already taken over my wardrobe! The Weitzman heels must be debuted at the proper time, which would be a special occasion or party in my head, but I know I will just end up wearing them on a random Tuesday afternoon, which is special enough in my book ;)

What about you? Do you rip off the price tag of a new item and wear it immediately? Or do you wait until you devise the "perfect" outfit?

Had to leave you with a close-up ;)
Happy Monday!

Happy Friday! (From a lazy blogger)

Ok, maybe not lazy, but busy....no, lazy works, too ;) I didn't get much posting done because no matter how much I seemed to accomplish this week, more piled up. I broke free of No Shopping January with a decent haul at Last Chance on February 1st (obviously the self-imposed restrictions did not retrain my brain) and will post pictures soon!

In the meanwhile, check out some of the Spring 2011 collections that had "midi-length" skirts and dresses. I have been daydreaming about this style all week! (All photos from style.com)

Charles Anastase. So retro and yet totally wearable (esp if the pieces were broken up).

Tory Burch. Totally clean and fresh. I love the TB girl because she is the kind of lady who always has shiny hair, never runs late and never has even a wrinkle in her skirt...aka, not me!

Marc by Marc Jacobs. The belt makes this dress! I would wear it all...except maybe the hair ;)

Cynthia Rowley. I love the color palette and sleeves (and you know I love stripes!). The necklace is a really cute, abstract touch.

Chloe. Maybe it's the Black Swan hype, but this gives me a dancer-ish vibe....like the old movies starring a glamorous dame like Cyd Charisse. She'd be wearing a fab outfit and then you'd realize her chic outfit, though perfectly fitted and tailored, was chosen to showcase movement when she suddenly breaks into a dance sequence.

Would you ever wear midi-length skirts, or are they too matronly?
Happy Friday and have a great weekend!