Seeking Sequins

I guess you could say my love of sequins started long ago.  I could probably pinpoint it to age 5 or 6 when I began taking dance classes and have a variety of costumes covered in sequins.  I still remember my favorite piece – it was a red sequined headband worn proudly like I was starring in Flash Dance or another classic dance movie.

Sequined garments were big back then and were worn in every day life – not just as part of a dance costume for a recital.  These days, sequined garments aren’t always as easy to find but they are making a strong come back and whether you buy new or vintage a strong sequined piece makes the perfect staple for your closet.

Here are some of my favorites:

Perfect paired with a cropped sweater or tank creating an effortless but dressy look…

(Antik Batik Alep Cropped Sequined Pants available @ NET-A-PORTER.COM, $460.00)

A closet staple.  Wear it with leggings, dress pants, a skirt, boots, heels or flats.  Either way, this blouse is super versatile.

(Diane Von Furstenberg Kallina Sequined Kimono Top available @ Nordstrom.com, $498.00)

Shorts aren’t strictly for summer any more!  Pair these with tights and wear them year round.

(See by Chloe Sequined Shorts available @ THEOUTNET.COM, $138.25)

The perfect party top. Animal print AND sequins? A total yes please.

(Jazzy Sequin Animal Tank available @ CharlotteRusse.com, $22.99)

Need just a touch of sparkle?  This belt adds the perfect pizzazz to any outfit! 

(Glitzy Gold Sequin Ruffled Elastic Cinch Belt available @ Amazon.com, $16.99)

It was really hard to include all the fabulous sequins available!  If you’re looking for a one of a kind sequined piece check out Etsy or Ebay.  They have tons!

Until next time,

XXoo

P.S. If you want to see a picture of the headband that inspired it all, click here.

5..4..3..2..1..Happy New York Fashion Week! (Almost)

With the kick of New York Fashion week just over a month away (yippie!) and tentative schedules released, (see story here http://www.fashionweekdaily.com/the-fix/article/nyfw-ss-2012-schedule-scoop-part-1-lincoln-center-lineup) I thought it would be a good idea to post some essentials for surviving (conquering) whatever events you attend.

My favorite NYFW essentials:

A Structured Bag

Pick a black one.  It’ll go with everything.

(Dolce & Gabbana Structured Python Shoulder Bag available @ NET-A-PORTER.com, $3,795.)

This Season’s IT heels

This color will be HUGE this fall.  Save your allowance kids, this shoe is worth it.

(Yves Saint Laurent Tribute Leather Pumps available @ NET-A-PORTER.com, $795.00)

A Great Blazer

A good blazer goes with everything – metallic dresses, tapered pants, mini skirts, shorts, heels, flats, you name it!

(Theory Black Stretch Wool Lyzbeth Two Button Blazer available @ Bluefly.com, $345.00)

Something Vintage and Fabulous

One word. Sequins.

(Oleg Cassini Sequined Cocktail Dress available @ VintageCouture.com, $900.00)

(a back up battery for your

Blackberry or iPhone)

Remember – honor the designer and dress according to the essence of their style but don’t forget yours.  If you can’t afford brand new pieces go vintage.  It’s an awesome way to pay homage and not bankrupt you in the process.

Much Love,

XXoo

FALLing In Love

…with shades of brown.

NET-A-PORTER always gets me with their “What’s New For You” emails.  They are filled with amazing fashion from my favorite designers and always help put a smile on my face for the day.

Like most stores, NET-A-PORTER has begun to stock fall fashions even summer is still in full swing.  I don’t mind though.  By mid-summer my mind begins to wander, I am no longer interested in buying clothes for the hot weather (nor do the stores have any good options by this time) and I start to day dream about what would make a good outfit for NYFW.

This season, I’m being drawn towards shades of brown and I have a feeling I won’t be the only one…

Here are some of my favorite pieces from NET-A-PORTER:

(T by Alexander Wang Silk Crepe de Chine Shirt, $190.00)

(Diane Von Furstenberg Yokoe Leather Knee Boots, $495.00)

(Tomas Maier Cashmere Wrap, $2,080.00)

(Christian Louboutin Dancing Queen Calf Hair Box Clutch, $1,095.00)

(3.1 Phillip Lim Leather Skirt, $695.00)

(Jimmy Choo Folly suede and snakeskin wedge sandals, $795.00)

What do you think?  Will you fall for this trend?

XXoo

July Forthcomings

So once again I’ve neglected posting this week but this time for a good cause.  I’ve been working on my guest post for Envishoes.com which consists of creating four different outfits styled around one shoe.  It’s been fun and I cannot wait until it is featured (sometime this month!)

So before the holiday weekend begins, I wanted to leave you guys with an inspirational post on some great pieces to wear this weekend (and every other weekend this summer!)

These are a few of my favorite things (in clichéd red, white and blue because I’m feeling patriotic – don’t judge me!)

 

7.  Illustrated People cropped shirt, $40
5.  Cacharel cotton shorts, £84
9.  Platform heels, £120
8.  Prada handbag, £170
4.  Repossi tribal bracelet, €200
2.  Stud earrings, £40
3.  Alexander McQueen sheer scarve, $595
1.  Rag Bone fedora hat, $125

I hope everyone has a safe and fun holiday!  I cannot wait to hit the pool with a margarita and a good book.

XXoo

This Season's Crop of Tops

Inspired by a lack of comments and a new found obsession with Polyvore and corset/bustier tops, I decided to do a follow up post and share more of my favorites with you.

1.Myla corset top, $305.00
2.Corset top, $40.00
3.TopShop corset top, $40.00
4.All Saints corset top, $120.00
5.Marc Jacobs crop top, $310.00
6.Corset top, $32.00
7.Preen tank top, $355.00
8.Mara Hoffman corset top, $260.00
9.Corset top, $318.00

Given crop tops are such a huge trend would you (have you) dared to bare your stomach this season?

XXoo

Suit Up

This time of year always tends to be an epic struggle for me.  Should I have that beer? Those chips? Those carbs?  I know it should be crunch time (literally) but I can never bring myself to be as disciplined as I should be.  I'm probably not the only that goes through a serious self debate the entire month of May trying to get ready for [the dreaded] bathing suit season.

Since I can never guarantee that I will be able to stick to an intense workout regimen and a diet made for celebrities, I always like to have a few bathing suit choices that will flatter my figure no matter what kind of day I am having.

Here are some of my favorites.

Splish splash

(One-shoulder Cutout One-piece available @ Alloy.com, $35.90)

Build a sandcastle

(Billabong Daniella Bikini available @ Konasports.com, $74.00)

Hang ten

(Pistol Panties Heart-detail Multiway Bikini available @ TheOutnet.com, $71.75)

Hit the boardwalk

(Missoni Mare Banares Crochet-knit Bandeau Bikini available @ NETAPORTER.com, $475.00)

Fun in the sun

(Zimmermann Whisper Crochet-trimmed Underwired Swimsuit available @ NETAPORTER.com, $345.00)

Summertime and the livings easy

(Ralph Lauren LaceOptic Triangle Bikini available @ MyTheresa.com, $198.00)

What’s your swimwear style?

XXoo

Bright S[hues]

Even though I struggle with it, I can’t deny it.  Color is HUGE right now and it seems like the brighter the better.  Given my love/lust/obsession with shoes, I thought this would be a perfect way to incorporate one of summer’s biggest trends into my wardrobe.

Here are some of my favorite bright shoes:

RED

(Trinidad Leather Sandal available @ SteveMadden.com, $99.95)

ORANGE

(Nine West Stylin Sandals available @ Macys.com, $89.00)

PINK

(Belle Sigerson Morrison Cutaway Flats available @ NETAPORTER.com, $195.00)

PURPLE

(Yves Saint Laurent Gipsy Suede Block Sandals available @ NETAPORTER.com, $795.00)

BLUE

(Ellingwood available @ Aldoshoes.com, $70.00)

GREEN

(Christopher Kane Two Tone Leather Platform Sandals available @ NETAPORTER.com, $650.00)

YELLOW

(Giuseppe Zanotti Design available @ Zappos Couture, $595.00)

How do you incorporate color into your wardrobe?

XXoo

Gray Skies

“Gray skies are gonna clear up

Put on a happy face

Wipe off the clouds and cheer up

Put on a happy face”

In the midst of winter it’s easy to feel depressed by the constant gray skies and lack of sun.   Thanks to NET-A-PORTER.com, excessive gray doesn’t have to be such a fun thing.  NET-A-PORTER offers the perfect cure to the winter gray blahs by selling some fabulously fun gray pieces that will have you feeling better in no time.

Military Flare

(MAJE Billie Wool and Cashmere-blend Cardigan available @NET-A-PORTER.com, $150.00)

 Skulls

(Alexander McQueen Skull Print Laptop Case available @NET-A-PORTER.com, $395.00)

Silver and Spikes

(Pamela Love Tribal Spiked Sterling Silver Cuff available @NET-A-PORTER.com, $645.00)

Cashmere

(Michael Kors Twisted Cashmere Dress available @NET-A-PORTER.com, $1935.00)

Patterns

(Alexander McQueen Printed Stretch Wool Leggings available @NET-A-PORTER.com, $417.00)

Glitter

I feel like these shoes are a grown up version of Dorothy’s ruby red ones.  Click your heels together three times are these sparkly silver flats will take you anywhere fun.

(MIU MIU Glitter and Crystal Embellished Brogues available @NET-A-PORTER.com, $585.00)



With so many amazing things to choose from it'll never leave you without a happy face!

XXoo

SweataWeatha, This Season's Cropped Sweaters...

I originally thought I was going to post about something else today but as I sat here in my office thinking to myself, "Damn, it's cold, I really need to buy some more winter clothes," I pondered what kind of winter clothes? What do I wish I were wearing right now?  What is warm and snuggly, yet stylish enough to wear out of the house? (Note: it's FREEZING in here today.)

My answer.  A cropped sweater.

I haven't seen too many of these yet this season.  We all saw the return of the cropped tee this summer.  (Something most people weren't/aren't brave enough to wear unless you are a Victoria's Secret model and have abs of steel.  I wish.) 

The cropped sweater is a little different though.  Layering is always an option for those afraid to show skin (think a nice fitted tank underneath)but my favorite thing to wear with cropped sweaters this fall/winter is a good high-waisted, pleated trouser. (New Obsession.)

While most of these are WAY out of my price range (unless I stumble into some serious cash flow over the next fews months, I'll have to keep searching for the cheaper versions of some of my favorite designer pieces.


This is my absolute FAVORITE cropped sweater of the season.  It is also the most expensive.  (My mother always said I had champagne taste on a beer budget.  Although I'm past the cheep beer stage in life, I'm still not at Dom Perignon.)

(Proenza Schouler Cropped wool-blend sweater available @ NET-A-PORTER.com, $2,050)

In my opinion, Alexander Wang never fails in making classic pieces that can be worn for years and are appropriate both day and night.  This sweater would look fantastic with over the knee boots and jeans or with a sparkly mini skirt and heels for a night out.  If you're looking to invest in one cropped sweater this season.  This one is my MUST-have due to its classic versatility.

 (Alexander Wang Cotton-knit Cropped Sweater available @ NET-A-PORTER.com, $375)

I would love to wear this sweater with rolled up, pleated trouser pants and booties on a cold winter day.  Perfect for relaxed days spent sipping Egg Nog or Irish Coffee with friends.  (Insert fireplace or ski lodge.)

 (BAMFORD Cable-knit Cashmere Sweater available @ NET-A-PORTER.com, $795)

Not quite as exorbitantly priced as some of the other cropped sweaters I’ve seen, this is a great cropped sweater for dressing up or down.  This sweater is slightly more modest than the others as well - and would look great with jeans, leggings or trousers.

 

(BCBGMAXAZRIA cropped cashmere sweater available @ BCBGMAXAZRIA, $238)

I like this sweater because it screams "SNUGGLY!"  While some of the other sweaters are more fashion forward than they are warm, this sweater would keep all your limbs covered no matter the weather.  (Plus it's the only cropped sweater I've seen that is navy and would look fantastic with a pair of this season's camel colored pants.)



(Eryn Brinie Turtleneck available @ Tobi.com, $46)

This last cropped sweater is super affordable AND cute.  I especially love it because it has similar colors to the Proenza Schouler one I'm obsessing over.  (Although I wish it had more of a pattern!)

(RD Style Striped Cropped Sweater available @ Dillards, $59) 

As a huge fan of warm weather and hot summer days, the thought that fall and winter have barely begun gives me a serious case of the chills.  At least I know there is some good cold weather fashion out there this season and I'll be sitting here dreaming of it (and tropical vacation destinations.)

XXoo