To Trend or Not To Trend

All season long I have been debating on whether or not to indulge in the bootie trend.  They are in every magazine, on every celebrity, they went down many runways, I can't get away from them.  I have an over flowing closet that houses a slue of outfits that I dream about pairing with my very own pair of booties.  My hesitation is that they are a trend.  I'm not willing to invest in something that I'll wear for a season and shun in a year.  That and the fact that I haven't found a pair that "fits just right."  Either the color is wrong, the heel height is awkward, bad colors or detailing, I am always coming up with another excuse to talk me out of the purchase.  

Of course I find my perfect match at the end of the year when I have extremely limited funds.  The pair of Miss Sixty Suede Belted Booties retail for about $300, but they are now on sale for $99... the first perk to the purchase.  The detailing is enough without being obnoxious, heel height is comfortable and city appropriate, and the COLORS!  I originally thought I would go with black, but Bordeaux Wine is so chic.  Hopefully I'll stumble upon an extra $100 to make my purchase a little less painful!

  Miss Sixty Suede Belted Bootie

GO International Hits the Target

I didn't think I would be writing during my two week vacation, but when things come up, sometimes you just can't help it.  Before leaving NYC I was flipping through the latest issue of Lucky and In Style and saw the advertisement for Thakoon as the new GO International designer for Target.  I've been home for a week now and finally got the chance to run by and check out the new items.  I am amazed, ecstatic, thrilled beyond belief at the collection.  I was pleasantly surprised to see that the prints and shapes are almost identical to Thakoon's original Spring 08 collection with a few minor changes. After all, isn't that what the GO brand is about?!

Thank you T&T for providing designer looks and low everyday prices!

 

 

 

 

Plain and Porcelain

I stayed in this weekend to keep warm from the harsh winter that made its way to the city.  While I love the snow, a good movie filled weekend was exactly what I needed.  To my delight one of my favorite movies, Shopgirl, was on twice...I can't even begin to describe everything that I love about this movie.  I was enamored and immersed in Claire Danes and her character Maribelle.  I noticed that Claire's style isn't that far from Maribelle's.  Both are simple and classic, aka "Sarah Plain and Tall."  ...And definitely not in a bad way.  Danes is not into trends, she's not flashy, just comfortable in a stylish way. 

She's a smart girl when it comes to making friends.  Danes is incredibly friendly and close to designers Zac Posen and Calvin Klein's Francisco Costa.  Her blond lockes, slender column frame, and porcelain skin always seem to radiate whether in jeans and a coat or strutting the red carpet in a shimmering floor length custom gown.  She's aware of her body and build and always accentuates accordingly and appropriately.  Nothing ever out weighs the other or demands more attention.  She's a beauty with brains and an innate simple style.

Gap Commercial

Leaning towards Leibowitz

The last couple of weeks I have really started to pay attention to fashion photography.  I'm trying to find my taste and style in photographs and learn more about photographers.  I came across these images taken by Annie Leibowitz and was mesmerized.  The pictures are from a spread in Vogue called "The Wizard of Oz" which featured Keira Knightley.  What I love most about Leibowitz's style is the vibrant colors and attention to detail.  Her pictures have this way of depicting every little component in such realistic ways.  I want a copy of each picture to frame and hang in my apartment!!

What Do You Want Me To Do... Chop It Off?

I do two things when I got bored... Get unnecessary piercings and cut my hair.  I added a new hole to my head a few months ago so this time I'm opting for a hair cut to show case the jewels that adorn my ears.  I can never make up my mind, one day I want to grow my hair out, another I want bangs, and the next I want a 70's fro, or short funky bob.  Tomorrow's appointment will be interesting.  Sidney knows me best so I know she'll make the cut amazing, but the style is to be determined...

60/40

Before we had Laguna Beach, The Hills, or even Paris Hilton's My New BFF we had the original rich celebrity reality show Rich Girls.  The show followed the lives of recent high school graduates Ally Hilfiger and Jaime Gleicher.  I would have loved to have gotten more than one season of the show, but a broken friendship and nervous breakdown coupled with anxiety attacks brought the show to an end.  The dialogue was often unbelievable and monotonous, but there was one line that has always stuck with me.  "We wear cargo pants with high heels and a white tank because it's fashionable, but the people in the Midwest wear cargo pants because they need the extra pockets while they work in the fields!"  

Ally's style is 60% uptown chic sophistication and 40% downtown laid back edge.  She's come a long way since her cargo pant days and has emerged into her own sense of style.  She's learned to couple her raven black hair with red lipstick and geek chic black square framed glasses.  She's not into flashing a popular name brand, instead she's about supporting new young designers.  Helping design for her father's label has embedded an appreciation and knowledge for quality and nautical style.  I love Ally's Upper East Hipster style and look forward to seeing more fabulous ensembles from this up and coming stylish semi-it girl!

 

  

"Homeboy Wore Combat Boots to the Beach"

In the spirit of giving thanks, I only had to work a half day!  At 12:30 I left work and went to pick up some groceries at Whole Foods for tomorrow's festivities in Hell's Kitchen.  On my walk there I was stopped by a very attractive man that talked me into sponsoring a little girl from The Dominican Republic (gotta give back to my people)!  Walking home with groceries in tote I passed the attractive man again and this time we sat against the side of a building and had a quick chat and a cup of coffee.  I noticed his shoes and couldn't help but think how badly I wanted a pair just as well.  His shoes were purchased at an army surplus store and immediately thoughts and visions of my favorite army store in Texas began to flash in my head.  I won't be home to visit the little treasure until Christmas so I turned to the Internet to find something similar.  Of course I fell in love with the most expensive pair, but I thought maybe, just MAYBE they will be under the tree from Santa come Christmas morning!

Frye Owen Boot

I love the look of the combat boots.  I want to wear them with jeans tucked in, with a wool dress, slouchy cut off jean shorts with tights, the combinations are endless.  And we can't forget to think Justin Bobby for sporting them to the beach in the dead of summer... and for giving us another reason to enjoy his beauty.

Dear Santa:  I'm pretty sure I have been good all year long!  My cowboy boots, you've seen them, they are reaching the end of their life and really need to be replaced. These combat boots will provide warmth and style come this winter season.

Love~ Desperate for New Soles

(Coco Canal)

The Buddy System

So with the economy fluctuating daily retailers are desperate to sell as much merchandise before the end of the year as possible.  Saks 5th Ave broke sale two weeks before any other big department store or retailers for that matter.  Things are looking a little scary for businesses right now and unfortunately I'm willing to take full advantage of that.  

Chick Downtown

Ok, I know you've seen the advertisements for this website and scoffed at the cheese factor, but surprisingly enough they bring some decent designers to the table.  Right now the site is offering a great deal.  Buy a piece at full price and get a second of equal or lesser value for free.  Sale merchandise is 40% off with an additional 50% off of that. Let's be honest, even with the great discounts, I'm still not going around spending at my heart's content.  At work we partnered up in case we did find some pieces that we loved, that way we could split the cost of the full price item to get the 2nd item free.  It's good to know that the two partner buddy system still works so well!

Saks Fifth Ave

Saks sale merchandise is 40% off with an additional 15-20% off (additional discount only offered in store).

Nordstrom:

40% off of fall merchandise.

Neiman Marcus:

40% off fall merchandise

Happy Shopping!!!

To and Fro

I have commitment issues when it comes to my hair.  I want to grow it out, but then I chop it off into a drop cut bob.  I want bangs but two weeks later I'm pinning them back and out of my face. I try to grow it out and curly, but the next week it's too frizzy for me so I get it relaxed.  I've recently notice that when my relaxer starts to grow out and my hair is wet, I have my ideal curl... not too tight, not too loose, just perfection.  I have been inspired to let my hair grow out natural... again... But I'm really going to try it this time.  It's hard because I refuse to shave my head and start over, and I can't wear the top half of my head curly and the bottom straight. 

All I'm asking for is a tamed and controlled loose curl fro.  I want to have options in length and to be able to wear it straight or curly.  I will be visiting the best hair stylist I've ever been to (Sydney, my "hairy"/fairy god mother) in the next two weeks for advice, a trim, and her magic touch.  Here's to hoping and wishing for some fabulous curls in the future!... and those that have inspired my desire for curls!

 

  

  

 

My New Favorite Work Accessory!

Meet Toaster!

This is the adorable Bulldog that I hung out with all day today! Though he's too big to fit in a bag, I would bring him with me everywhere if I owned him!!!!!

Goodbye Bad Bootylicious Style

I haven't always been a Beyonce fan.  I've liked her music, it's catchy and fun to dance to, but her style in general has always been questionable.  Unfortunately she has had a strong fashion influence from her mother who I'm convinced is a glitterati...In every bad, stereotypical, unflattering, and over the top sense of the word.  Her premier and "old Hollywood" look is never my cup of tea.  I still think she's too flashy and obnoxious with the bouffant up do and hideous choice of floor length gowns designed by her mother... however her everyday wear is something that I can appreciate.  And with the release of her new album, Beyonce has been out and about promoting and surprisingly I have been very impressed with her Diva-ish ensembles and choice of cocktail/party wear.

 

 

 

I like that she is back to a more natural hair color, she can pull off blond, but her mocha chocolate locks are delicious.  I can only imagine how immaculate her show collection must be.  Beyonce always seems to have a great accessory to enhance her casual, urban cool look.  I'm impressed with her new, refined since of style and can't get enough of her new single,

 "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)."

Twilight Tailoring

Lets get one thing straight. I'm NOT a fan of this new Twilight series.  I have not read the books and frankly I'm not really interested to. Everyone around me won't stop talking about it and with all the buzz around I've had to take some notice of this whole craze and I can't lie, I like what I've been seeing.

Precisely tailored suits, skinny ties, bow ties, scarves, fur stoles... Excuse!! Where are these men in NYC?  There are what, over 4 million men in this city and I think I've only seen 7 of them!  I love this look.  It's more than just jeans and a t-shirt... Thank Goodness!  The look has been thought out and has interest.  I'm not saying that this needs to be an every day thing, I don't dress that fabulous everyday... but it is recognized and greatly appreciated.  If I need to turn into a vampire to meet this type of man, I'll do it!

Men that have impeccable style and taste!