Tuesday, December 22, 2009

I'll Be Back

Dear Potential Readers,

I'm not sure who, if anyone, reads this blog, but if I do have any fans I am writing to let you know this fashionista will be taking a break for the holidays. Not to worry, once the new year is here I'll be throwing some fashion tips your way, here's what to expect...

-A list of my fashion icons - the ladies who inspire me
-Simple tips for you t-shirt and jeans girls on how to liven up your outfits
-My favorite make up looks
-Staying fashionable on a budget
-Why the color wheel is your new best friend

Until then, Happy Holidays!

xo

Saturday, December 19, 2009

"You can't fight in here, this is the war room!"

This post is dedicated to my new found fashion obsession- the brooch!

This little piece can add something special to even the dullest outfits. It's also unique in that there are so many different ones to choose from and not many people, except from older generations, wear them anymore. Here are some I found that I absolutely fell in love with and if I had the money I would run out and buy myself one right now. But alas, it's Xmas time (I realize this is not necessarily the most politically correct thing to say, but it is much simpler than acknowledging all other religions, so fuck it ;) ) and that means a time for giving (and not to myself as I have yet to realize).

I'm trying to show different styles of brooches, but this post is by no means the be all end all of brooches. There are so many to choose from! So liven up this season by adding a classy brooch to your favorite holiday garb!


-The Jeweled Brooch
This beauty is one of my favorites! Most of the jeweled brooches I've seen are in a circular shape, some have designs - this one almost looks floral- and some are just beautiful stones placed nicely, but with no real pattern in mind. It should be noted, that I have a penchant for anything shiny, big and flashy so any item I gush about will probably fall under one, if not all three, of the aforementioned categories.


-The Cameo Brooch
This is probably the most popular style of brooch. My mother recently gave me her old cameo brooch, and it is stunning! (Thanks, mom). You'll often see that sort of peachy color to the background, or sometimes black - which I prefer but when it comes to free things, it's hard to be picky ha. What I love about this old favorite is the fact that the setting around it is usually different and that's what really makes it. Some aren't as ornate as this, but rather a little more delicate. The cameo is actually incredibly popular for any piece of jewelry and I have been seeing a lot of it lately, so perhaps it's on the way back in (although to be honest, cameos never actually go out of style). I have a cameo ring my sister bought me years ago, also and it's quite beautiful.



Here's a modern spin on the classic cameo. I rather like skulls (in moderation or else you turn out looking like a hardened biker- and not in the sexy way).



-The Insect/Animal Brooch
This seems to be a really popular design. I have seen quite a few tiger's heads, dragonflies, and lizards as of late. My personal favorite out of these three is the peacock probably because it's my favorite bird (as the half sleeve of a peacock on my left arm can attest to). I've also been getting into jewelry with owls on it. This is a trend Forever 21 is perpetuating and I can't get enough.

-The Face Brooch
I've always adored the lady face brooches or pins. I haven't found too many, but I've been scouring. The ones that I like the most are the profile views, but this one is lovely too. The one underneath I picked because it looks like a brooch of Buddha's face, and I love Indian art.



-The Pearl Brooch
Pearls are classic and brooches are classic, so it seems only natural that the two work together wonderfully. This one is particular stunning with the larger pearls.


-The Food Brooch
This is one I've seen pretty much everywhere (I actually watched Julie & Julia - not of my own volition- and Julie wears a lobster brooch at one point. She actually wears a lot of brooches). However, the grapes is the one I've seen the most often so here is the nicest one I could find. Not a personal favorite, but still popular nonetheless.


-The Floral Brooch
I just bought a very similar brooch for myself (I know, I know I said it was Xmas time but it was 6 bucks!). I love it, it's on my coat right now but I have put it on a vest to spruce it up not too long ago and it looked so nice! It really added some extra color to a plain outfit.


-My favorite Brooch
This one is probably my favorite, simply because it has turquoise stones in it. I LOVE turquoise and anything that has it I will likely go nuts over.


Coming next is my blog for all you t-shirt and jeans girls. This will give you some simple tips to make your look a little more stylish, while retaining the same level of comfort.


- To give credit where credit is due, I must say this new love was inspired by my friend Megan, who was wearing a gorgeous brooch one night I saw her. Thanks for the inspiration Meg!-

Monday, December 7, 2009

Jealous of your Cigarette

Sex sells and multiple companies thrive on people's addictions, so how about a sexy addiction?

Cigarettes are sexy again! Madmen is probably partly responsible for this. So light up those cancer sticks and brings on the nicotine stains!

For anything to be commercially viable you need famous people to be seen/heard doing it, wearings it, saying it, whatever. Here are The Kills, a popular band right now who chain smoke like there's no tomorrow (and well considering how much they smoke there might not be).




Now for the band merchandise for smokers....

Here is a Rolling Stones astray

Another fashionable smoking accessory...

A lighter with a Pop Art style image of Audrey Hepburn from Breakfast at Tiffany's



Just a fashionable accessory...

Cigarette earrings, in case one wasn't enough! I actually think these are pretty cute, though ha.


And lastly, something for the kids...

The Popeye candy cigarettes we grew up with are still a popular candy in stores. For those who aren't quite ready to commit themselves to this trend here's a pack for you ;)

Thursday, December 3, 2009

I want candy!

I love art more than anything, so I decided to take some of my favorite paintings, and one photograph, and modernize them to get great fashionable looks. I arranged all the items needed to complete the look together, I think it gives a better idea visually of what I'm trying to show. Enjoy!

  • Blue Room - Suzanne Valadon


So I have taken this very laid back, casual yet feminine look and put something together. There are some high waisted, pinstripe pants and a casual red tank top, with lace. Next there is a champagne colored silk scarf and some flower pins in earthy tones, and I always imagine a woman who is lounging around reading and having a cigarette wearing Chanel No. 5. The make up is kept subtle here. I know The Second Sex was actually written after the time, but this painting shows a progressive woman so I thought it would be appropriate.



  • Circus Artistes - August Sander



I absolutely love paintings or photographs of old time circus performers! They're pretty tough looking, yet the women are still wearing, what appear to be, pearls. So I've included a military style jacket (which are popular right now actually), some high waisted black short and some cute red, suede flats. Again, the women are in pearls, so I put a simple single strand pearl necklace (it looks a bit cleaner) and since I imagine them smoking I added some Marlboros - what else would you smoke? ;) Lastly, I found a look that emphasized the eyes with dark eye make up and a 1930s hairstyle that is just adorable (I always picture Mae West when I see it).


  • Adele Bloch-Bauer I - Gustave Klimt

I love Klimt's paintings, they look so opulent and beautiful. I pictured an evening look, very fancy and regal. I included a gold evening gown a la Marilyn Monroe, multiple jeweled brooches because with this look you can afford to be over the top, and a gorgeous necklace that isn't too long and matches the colors of the stones in the brooches. The hairstyle is an updo, but sort of discheveled, with loose stands coming down. The make up is dark, deep purple lips and some black eye shadow around the eyes, a fur stole-which looks incredibly warm- and finally a cupcake purse (think Charlotte's daughter in Sex and the City) because it's so cute, and it just reminded me of a decadent dessert.