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!

Michelle Williams is not often seen out doing the Hollywood scene but whenever she does surface she is always a vision of refined youthful elegance.  Michelle is always poised, illusive, and lucid with her style.  She keeps her look fuss free; some might say plain, but I say well edited. She is always true to herself and her life style.  Even dressing up for a red carpet event or premier her look is never a far stretch from her everyday look.  

I loved the black strapless dress Michelle chose for the premier of Wendy and Lucy in L.A.  It's anything but your basic little black dress.  The silhouette of the skirt reminds me a little of a cupcake.  A sweet, feminine shape that can work for most body shapes because of the cinched waist and fuller skirt.

Below are some more cupcake inspired dresses from the runway.

 

Battle of the Fringe

Fashion week in London was a fringe frenzy for a handful of designers.  I'm definitely a fan of anything a little retro, forward, loud, and unexpected.  I love that some many designers are doing updated versions of ruffles, fringe, pleated detail, and layers; having fun with clothes, pushing  and expanding the imagination and vision to show what clothes truly can be.   

William Tempest:

I love the play on the tuxedo pleats down the front of the blouse.  It's subtle, and expresses so much.  The strapless dress is to die for!  The skirt looks like my year subscription of Lucky has been folded in origami fashion and attached to the corset.  William Tempest recreates classic silhouettes by adding that something special in the form of unique detailing that is subtle and articulate.

LF Markey:

This collection is all about color and I couldn't have more amity for it.  How can you look at the collection and not smile from ear to ear with childlike enthusiasm.  With this collection I am whole heartily amused with every detail.  The color combinations are sublime, and just want I want to wear come spring/summer...Heck, I would wear it now, with some colored tights! (Gosh, these are the thoughts that continuously get me in trouble... and leave me eating ramin noodles at the end of the month)!  The layers have a petal meets cupcake icing feel.  It's feminine with enough incisiveness to keep things balanced.  The looks are versatile and can range from a beach cocktail-ish party, to a casual work ensemble, to a Saturday stroll around the city.  The collection has something to offer for every event in your schedule!

 

Eun Jeong Hong:

I try to never pick favorites, but hands down this has stolen my heart .  I'm obsessed with the monotone palette...is there any other way to genuinely and sincerely appreciate the craftsmanship that went into creating these garments?  The dress knocked me off of my chair.  I saw this dress and had to get a chin strap to keep my jaw in tack.  I'm still totally bugging! Again, I'm not one to plan my wedding, but how incredible would this be for your second dress at the reception...or even the ceremony dress at some fabulous destination wedding (SHOT GUN)!  The top is exactly what I want to wear on my next European vacation! (HA).  At first, I thought, of course I'll wear it with jeans, but the more that I look and think about it, the dark denim would just kill the look.  It's all about being crisp, sleek, and understated in a fabulous way!  My next project is to find a way to recreate this with a couple of white Hanes t-shirts.. Wish me luck!?!?!?!?  

Tequilla for My Friends...

As if my DVR can handle another new show to add to the list of weekly recordings.  But I will NOT be missing the new Mtv serious, The City.  It's a spin off of the ever popular The Hills, but this time the leading lady is Whitney Port and will be taking place in my stomping grounds... literally, a lot of the scenes I've seen are in my neighborhood!!! (we're going to be friends, I just know it).

Whitney's style is every bit me.  She has an edge to her look, but also embraces every bit of her femininity.   She is aware of her best assets (her legs.. DUH) and plays them up to her full advantage.  She doesn't seem to ever over think her look.  It's like she gets up in the morning and whatever she sees, she wears (I wish it was that easy for me)!  Whitney is bold but never

 over  the top.  I don't look at an outfit she wears and think, "Geez what was she thinking? She could have done without wearing ____!"  Her look is the perfect mix of L.A. casual and NY sophistication that is complete with flirtation top it all off!... 

 

 

And it doesn't hurt that we have the same taste in men and love for hair stylist guru Ted Gibson!... (we're destined to meet and be friends!!!! I feel it in my loins)

 

First Lady of Rock

One of my favorite fashion icons is First Lady of Rock, Anita Pallenberg.  She has mastered the style and attitude of your stereotypical bad ass rocker and brought a fresh take and edge to her look.  Pallenberg got her start in modeling and acting but is best known for romantic involvement with three members from The Rolling Stones.  

Her style draws influence and inspiration from various aspects of her life and experiences.  She was born to an Italian artist, German secretary, and worked in fashion as a model, film as an actress, and studied medicine, picture restoration, and graphic design.  She's traveled the world and taken up residence in London, Germany, Rome, and New York City.

Pallenberg's style hits all the right notes.  Her silhouettes are slim, hem lengths daring, and everything is finished off with the perfect accessories.  She had mastered over sized sunglasses long before an Olsen twin or Lindsay Lohan.  Her choice of leather is always unique whether it be a bold color, slim/cropped cut, or interesting detail.  She accessorizes with fur and feathers in a way that is never over the top.  Her style goes beyond her threads.  Anita's hair cut has remained a statement in her look, a shoulder length bob with blunt bangs.  Pallenberg's rocker chic look has influenced and inspired the likes of Kate Moss and Sienna Miller.

The kohl-eyed icon is foremost an actress by trade, credited in Barbarella, Performance, and Mister Lonely.  In the 90's she attended four years of fashion design school and soon after became a fashion designer.  Now at 64 you can find her splitting her time between New

 York and Europe, still running her fashion line and sporadically appears in public as a DJ.