Red, Black and Leopard All Over

How is this for fashion inspiration?  High-waisted pants, leopard-print tights and designer accessories. Just in case you needed a reminder that the 80's were back - with a twist.  I can't wait to start wearing my leather wrist-gloves around again...  OK, who am I kidding, I never stopped.  But I am glad to see others will be joining the party!

Happy Friday!

{photographs from Harper's Bazaar US - May 2010 via Fashion Gone Rogue}

SJP & Me

Because she is an icon, a mother, the new president and chief creative officer of Halston (ummm Hello!), and mostly, because she is my style-idol.

Here's to you Sarah...

And here are a few looks from the Halston Heritage Collection (as worn by their new president and chief creative officer!).  So fresh and so clean.




{photographs 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 from Vogue via fashionindie; photographs 6 & 7 via Singer22}

Accentuating Color

I have had a serious love affair with jewel-toned greens for some-time now. About seven years ago, when I was first experimenting with color, I bought a Kate Spade cocktail purse in the exact color green used to accent these photographs. Some of my favorite outfits in college revolved around that bag. And while many of my friends shied away from accessories in bold colors or those loud with sparkle and shine, I spent my co-ed years learning how to use such pieces sparingly but with maximum effect. I soon discovered that most don't avoid pieces like this because they don't like them, they do it because they are afraid of how to use them.

My advice? Don't avoid loud pieces, embrace them. If this editorial from Genlux evidences anything, it is how accent pieces - a little color, a little sparkle, a little shine - can take beautiful clothes beyond the rack to a noteworthy "look."  Experiment and get ready for the compliments to come rolling in.

{photographs from Genlux via Fashion Photography Blog}

Traveling in Style

I love this editorial.  Every Valentino, Dior and Chanel piece Hana Soukupova is wearing has my name on it.  Hello lace, watch out here I come. 

Take note: it's not just the clothing I am after.  The luggage in these shots is to die and each pair of shoes is perfectly lovely.  Cheers.  Pass the Veuve Hana, I am going with you.

{photographs from Tatler Russia - May 2010 via Fashion Gone Rogue}

I Dream of Celine

I am having a Phoebe Philo moment.  Her maiden Celine handbag collection is my new obsession.

and my personal favorite - the blue:

{photographs from style.com/the Sartorialist via Haute Design}

Sweet Dreams

My goal this week:  Make my bedroom look like this one.  As a fabulous french-friend mused this weekend - all neutral rooms are "tres chic."  Can someone please install French doors in my bedroom for me?  Thanks.

Second goal:  Locate this chair.  I need it to sit next to my Alice in Wonderland painting (see Flea Market Finds) in my future foyer.

{photographs via House Beautiful}

Retro Inspiration

Just one flip through W Magazine this month makes the forecast clear - the 1950's and 1960's are back.  Although inspiration from these decades is easy to come by, for me, photographs by American photographer Mark Shaw (1922- 1969) are a great place to start.

Shaw is most renowned for his iconic photographs of the Kennedy family, like this one of Jackie Kennedy on a yacht in Italy:

However, some of my favorite Shaw photographs are candid shots taken during and backstage at fashion shows.  Not only are they gorgeous photographs, but they capture some absolutely classic fashion. 

This first one is taken backstage at the Pierre Balmain show in 1954.  There were so many shots taken backstage at this show it was hard to pick just one, but this one screamed "Carrie would wear this" to me.  Love these silhouettes.

The photograph below was taken at the Couture Dior show in 1954.  I love it.  Look at the woman's face on the right.  Makes me wonder whether the men on the left were chatting too loudly.

And then there is this one of the Duchess of Bedford in Nina Ricci's salon.  Classic.  Although the photograph is focused on the Duchess, I personally am more inspired by the  lines of the coral look in the background.

I want this one of Coco Chanel for my house.  It is hard to imagine that there was ever a woman more chic than this beautiful woman.

Finally, for a little inspiration, get a look at this Dior hat from 1954.  Where can I get one?  Gorgeous.

All of these photographs, in addition to shots of Audrey Hepburn, the Kennedy family and countless other fashion shots taken during Shaw's career (like the one below) can be purchased from Svenska Mobler.

{photographs via Svenska Mobler}

Flea Market Finds

On the second Sunday of every month, the Pasadena Rose Bowl becomes a decorator's paradise.  That's right, the Pasadena Flea Market.  And on each of these mornings, as the vendors arrive and begin to unload their finds, I pack my SUV with my shopping cart, flashlight, and linens for transporting furniture and head their way.  Half asleep with a pair of yoga pants, a hat and some coffee, I arrive (by 8 am at the latest) ready to combat others for chairs, old victorian doors, salvaged windows and rusted buckets.

Not only is it a fun way to spend the day, but I have found my most interesting furnishings at this flea market.  Just this month I found the most amazing painting of Alice and Wonderland recovered from a movie set.  Putting it in a little girl's room is the most obvious use, but for me, I love the idea of hanging this in the entryway of a home across from a pink velvet chair.  For now, it is lighting up my life in our guest bedroom.

Almost a year ago, I found this chair.  I recently had it recovered in this green velvet, and to take the chair up a notch, I covered the back in a silk stripe.  Traditional, yet incredibly modern.  All for under $200.

 

One of my favorite things to do with my flea market finds is to repurpose items.  Take these old glass bottles for example.  By combining different sizes and light colors, they make for the perfect centerpiece.  These can be found at the flea market for around one to three dollars apiece.  The darker blue apothocary bottles are quite a bit more expensive.

Finally, the find I am the most proud of is this porcelain chandelier.  Not only did I attempt to buy one of these at an antique shop on Fairfax, but the one I attempted to purchase was well over one-thousand dollars and not nearly as grand as this one.  Best of all - this one cost under three-hundred dollars at the flea-market.

Sex and the City

It's official, the hype for the Sex and the City sequel is amping up.  I will say, I was largely underwhelmed by the first trailer for the highly anticipated do-over, but the second trailer has me excited.  In fact, I am more than excited.  Not only are my girls back, but Carrie's closet looks out of control. 

Mission #1:  Grab some ladies, drink some cocktails, and love this movie.

Mission #2:  Knock down half of my house to turn my closet into Carrie's in this trailer.  Wowza.

Like most women my age, when I saw Aiden I almost lost it.  Out the window goes all the guessing and speculation as to whether John Corbett will be making an appearance in the movie.  From the looks of this trailer - he IS the movie.  In fact, he was on the radio with Ryan Seacrest yesterday morning discussing the evolution of Aiden and Carrie's relationship.  Nothing juicy to report, although he did hint that Aiden may or may not be married in the sequel.

Can't wait.

To Dye

My mental associations with the term "Tie Dye" largely involve T-shirts made by kindergartners, loud colors and silk-screened peace signs. Between Joe’s Crab Shack and reggae music, the tie-dye of the 80’s and 90’s was anything but chic.

In 2010, it’s time to say hello to the new and improved tie-dye. By taking the traditional dying technique and applying it to less traditional garments (i.e., shorts, scarves, anything but a T-shirt) in more subdued color pallets, this flamboyant trend has become, well, stylish.

Case in point, these Tory Burch grey leather shorts:

Not only are they leather (who thought of this? genius!) but the sophisticated color choice makes them a knockout and anything but predictable. And if Tory Burch’s commitment to the tie-dye trend hasn’t convinced you, check out the fabulous and not so muted tie-dye collection by Proenza Schouler at Net-A-Porter:

Two words: To Die.  Three more:  I Need This.

And for those of you who aren't completely comfortable with all of this color just yet, start out with something a little less loud, like this scarf by Lucky at PiperLime:

In general, accessories are always a great way to test trends and play with color.  That way, you don't over commit and can become comfortable with a trend before you invest too much in it.

In closing, while I am all about the comeback of rubber-band-wrapped-and-dyed fashion, I do want to point out that this one is not for everyone. Try to avoid anything tie-dye combined with peace signs or silk-screening, and keep it chic.  Mismatched baggy tie-dye clothing can quickly go from stylish and brave to sloppy and dated.

Old School

I was having lunch with a friend the other day, and his friend joined us for lunch.  She was dressed down.  Nothing to really write home about.  But I did happen to notice that she was wearing a pair of old school Oxford's.  Now, I know that the forecast has been that these golden oldies would be making a comeback (yes, I still subscribe to WWD).  But, I will be honest, I didn't get it.  However, after that lunch, I couldn't stop thinking about those shoes.

For those who know me, I have a tendency to obsess over fashion items and I am constantly thinking and re-thinking ways to rock certain pieces.  These shoes were no different.  And while I haven't completely jumped on the bandwagon yet, I did purchase my first pair last week.  This picture doesn't do them justice, but they are the Boutique 9 slip-on version of the shoe - which I liked.  Boutique 9 also makes this shoe in a bright silver and a neutral taupe color.  But, this being my first pair, I went straight for the black.

And while I am not as committed to the shoe to start collecting them, I do really like this bright blue version from Karla's Closet (I don't know who makes them):

Anyway, I like the idea - casual chic, masculine flats that can be worn with boyfriend jeans and sweaters.  And while I haven't figured the formula out just yet, one thing is for sure, I do intend to avoid wearing them with mini-skirts or anything plaid.  The 90's need to stay in the 90's.