fashion editorial + give-away [kosta boda winner]

Woke up this morning a little behind, but after a pumpkin spice latte and a quick trip to the dry-cleaners in my pajamas, things are back on track.  Looking forward to the visit of an old friend who has been living abroad tonight.  Simply cannot wait to catch-up amongst sushi and cocktails.

And the winner is...

And now for the most exciting news!  Congratulations to Marion, the winner of the gorgeous Kosta Boda crystal votives.  Thank you to everyone for entering.  Marion, I will contact you via email to give you the details on your ever-so-fabulous crystal!  Can't wait to see how they look in your home!

(The winner of this giveaway was randomly selected using www.random.org)

{all images via fashion gone rogue}

on the street [milan fashion week]

Last week, while the rest of us were blindly working away, Milan Fashion week was in full swing.  Highlights from the shows to come, but for now almost always my favourite part of any fashion week - the street fashion.  Something about wearing black in Milan seems so chic and glamorous.  Even things that in my mind don't appear to work effortlessly come together as if without trying.

{images via studded hearts}

My Milan Fashion Statement....

Amazing beauty!  It is quite interesting (although somewhat expected) how much black really has taken over these streets.  Here is the outfit I would wear to Milan Fashion week, were I to be invited and have an endless supply of cash to pay for my wardrobe!  Ha!  Although I embraced some black with the look I am more of a glitz person, so had to throw some of that in there...  Here's to "one day"!

Milan Fashion Week featuring antique gold bracelets

Fendi Belted silk-blend blouse
$1,030 - net-a-porter.com
Fendi blouses »

Vivienne Westwood Anglomania Centurella cotton-jacquard skirt
$590 - net-a-porter.com
Cotton skirt »

Fendi Cut-Out Pump
$895 - barneys.com
Fendi shoes »

Tory Burch Set Of Bangles - Antique Gold
$195 - toryburch.com
Antique gold bracelets »



 And in the midst of your own week of fashion, don't forget to enter the give-away for the modern and glamorous Kosta Boda votive's.  One lucky reader will be selected on Wednesday, September 29.

fashion inspiration [sjp @ burberry]

It has been awhile since my last obsessive post over Sarah Jessica, but when I saw this photo of her at the Burberry Porsum show I couldn't resist.  Most of my adult life people have compared my crazy locks to those of SJP.  However, she always manages to make hers look more effortlessly "done" than I have ever been able to achieve.  Five Brazilian blowouts, countless amounts of color and hair product, and three hairstylists later, I am getting closer everyday.  Ha!  Here's to one day looking this effortlessly chic...

Anyway, love this Burberry leather jacket.  The color and particularly how fitted it is make it super chic.    Topped off by her barely there make-up and lightly tousled hair...  She looks amazing!  Makes me want to dump my leather for something more classic, like this one.

 And in the midst of your own beauty bonanza, don't forget to enter the give-away for the modern and glamorous Kosta Boda votive's.  One lucky reader will be selected on Wednesday, September 29.



{image via haute design}

fashion editorial [hello sunshine]

These days I have been obsessively shopping and giving away fabulous crystal [go here to enter before 9/29], I completely lost track of some gorgeous editorials. 

Hello Sunshine...

But I simply couldn't let this fabulously 70's shoot for the October edition of Numéro slip through the cracks in the midst of my whirlwind.  I may be busy and overwhelmed at times, but never so much to not be able to stop and bask in the sunshine, celebrate bleached feathery blonde, relax in camel jersey, or sparkle in gold sequins.  Can someone find me these fabulous gold bangles?  What a perfect fall accessory...



And in the midst of your own whirlwind, don't forget to enter the give-away for the modern and glamorous Kosta Boda votive's.  One lucky reader will be selected on Wednesday, September 29.

{all images via FGR}

fashion focus [vintage handbags]

I have been having a minor obsession with vintage handbags recently.  And when I say minor, I actually mean a serious obsession.  I have decided that I am really digging the older bags (and clothing items) over the newer, "everyone-has-this", merchandise on the racks.  So, with this new attitude, I have looked all over Los Angeles for vintage Chanel, but generally its either gone or insanely over-priced.  So not only have I spent a day shopping for hours, but I usually come up with 1,000+ other things that I want, but not what I went out looking for.  So here is the deal - PROBLEM SOLVED.

My newfound favorite vintage finds website is 1stdibs.com.  Not only do they have vintage fashions (think amazing vintage Chanel suits for $1200 people!), they also have art, antiques and glam jewelry.  Basically, the website is an e-marketplace for dealers in high-end consignment/vintage goods.  It's like shopping all over the country (not just Los Angeles) for my vintage Chanel bag within minutes and from the comfort of my home office.  Lovely!

Here are a few of my favourites on the site right now:

This 1980's Bottega Veneta bag is listed here for only $550 by dealer Jennifer Kobrin.  Amazing.

Literally obsessing over this Karl Lagerfeld black faille purse from the 1980's, listed here by dealer Rare Vintage.

Here's to wishing I had a red-carpet event to attend.  I would rock this 1970's Monte Carlo gown listed by here by dealer Jacques Cassia.

And finally, vintage Chanel from the 80's - my new obsession.  Can't go wrong with such a lovely color and timeless design.  Funky and fabulous listed here by dealer Treasures and Pleasures.

I could spend HOURS (literally) on this site finding amazing things and posting them on here for you to check out.  But alas, I don't have the time or the space, so you absolutely have to go check everything out for yourself.  I dare you to not find something you want/need.  If only this site was the link to my closet!

{all images via 1stdibs.com}

beauty focus [amazing eyelashes]

For a girl that tries to be chic in a natural "girl-next-door" kinda way; I know little to nothing about makeup!! I try as I might to do the best I can. A few years ago I was given the Dior Show Blackout mascara in a gift bag and I have never strayed since!! It is the most beautiful mascara and I love the way it is a little thick and a little clumpy to exaggerate my eyelashes. Fabulous mascara - check!  But I still have a problem: How to not get mascara all around my eyes during the course of the day. I have tried everything, but still end up with  mascara on the lids and underneath my eyes everyday.  Until now...

My girlfriend and makeup artist suggested Lancome Cils Booster XL. It is an amazing mascara primer that keeps the mascara on my lashes and off my face! Thank goodness!!! So now for Holly's three tips for amazing lashes -

1.) First curl your lashes with the Shu Uemura Eyelash curler.  Alot of ladies skip this step, but don't be fooled, it is a MUST. 

2.)  Second, apply my new found fav, the Lancome Cils Booster XL to your lashes to prime them before applying mascara. 

3.)  And finally, apply mascara.  In my case, the never failing Dior Show in Blackout.

All that's left is to rock those amazing lashes!  Next step for me - false eyelashes. I'll keep you posted on how that turns out.

Put it all together...

My favorite runway look for Fall 2010?  Francois Nars make-up for Marc Jacobs:  natural face with eyelashes and nude lips. My personal Nars favorite - Barbarella lipstick. The perfect shade of peachy nude.

{images 1 via the makeup queen; 2 & 3 via nordstrom; and 4 via elle}

xoxo



interior inspiration [bathroom project]

Spent the weekend amidst paint cans and rollers in my hall bathroom.  I am proud to report that the Organza color by Ralph Lauren (which looks like Daquiri Ice from Baskin Robbins) that I chose is lovely!  I was a little afraid at first when I opened the paint can because it looked more like white in the can than the icey green/blue I wanted (see below).  But I trusted and painted away because you know how tricky paint can be.  And the good news - it looks exactly like it does in the picture below.  It has really lightened up a room that looked so small and made it feel larger and brighter.  It's amazing what a little paint can do!  I won't deny the fact that painting the room on our own was challenging, but thanks to the hubby we were able to get it done.  Now it's off to figure out wall decor and storage solutions for the room.  Pictures of the finished project coming soon!

{image via ralph lauren home}

fashion inspiration [vintage photos]

Thanks to Law of Fashion reader Carly for forwarding on this next bit.  What better way to close out fashion week than to peruse fabulous fashion from the past!  Just looking at these photos makes me a little nostalgic for times I never actually lived through.  It's amazing to me how fashion can tell such a story and create such memories.  For me, there are certain dates and times that are truly categorized in my mind by what I wore, as well as who I was with and where I was.  Would love to create a post using reader's photos and memories from the past, so please send along those vintage photos and how your memories were defined by what you wore to thelawoffashion@gmail.com. 

In the mean time, be sure and check out the entire image gallery from the Gothamist's "flashback" collection here.

interior inspiration [home goods]

Just took the Home Goods StyleScope quiz to find out what my personal style was.  No surprises here, I am "Bohemian Classic."  I feel a little like I answered some questions and someone was reading my palm, but the analysis of me and my sense of style is pretty on point.  The other cool thing about the StyleScope is that it gives you suggestions for your rooms, what colors to use (mine suggests blue - good thing I just decided on blue for the bathroom!), and how to address your space and incorporate your personal style.  My design challenge:  UNIFY.  Again, not surprised.

Interested in taking the quiz?  Go here.  And at the risk of sounding like a chain email, be sure and leave a comment about what your style is!  In the meantime here are my results:

Bohemian Classic:

"You have a refined sensibility and bring a sense of history and tradition into your decor. You appreciate how symmetrical arrangements and beautiful, well-crafted pieces create a solid foundation to a room. But you like to shake up this restraint with objects and accessories that express your personality and your love of other cultures. When traveling, you seek out unique objects that reflect what you love, and you use them in a sophisticated way. You want people to feel comfortable in your home, and cozy chairs, ethnic fabrics, unique pieces, and even a little touch of quirk or humor give your house a laid-back, Bohemian flair.

You value creativity. You are stylish and fun loving, and can be an inspiration to others. You have a natural sense of drama, and you know you have to be willing to take risks—whether with colors, finishes, furniture choices, or ideas—for your home to stand out. Your home can be happy and lively and the place all of your friends want to be."



{all images from the july/august house beautiful via elements of style}

runway [milly & marchesa]

So as not to leave something out....

When you need some color....

First - Milly.  Always a fan of the Milly coat and love the mix of colors and prints.  Not in love with everything going on in this collection, but there were a few "love this" moments that I wanted to share.  Particularly loving the hats and all of the headgear...

When it's all about the glamour...

Where else do you turn but to Marchesa for chic, luxurious, glamour?  I had my first "I am in LOVE with Marchesa" moment in Fall of 2007.  There was this magnificent white feathered cocktail dress that I salivated over for months before I convinced a dear friend to purchase it as a "second dress" for her wedding.  I have been in love ever since.  This collection exceeded all expectations and was just as glamorous as expected. Even providing me with yet another "little white dress" to lust after.  Can you guess which one?

Having not had the luxury of attending such a fabulous show myself, I quote from Style.com's review: "Chapman and Craig have proved time and again they know how to knock them dead. The assembled crowd could scarcely tear themselves away from the clothes, a rarity at some presentations, and were often at a loss for superlatives."

Finally, be sure and check out coverage of the Proenza Schouler show as well as Michael Kors'.  Very different shows with different aesthetics, but both very impressive and lovely.

{all images via style.com}