How did you spend your Memorial Day?

I spent my Memorial Day RELAXING.........right after I brought some clothes to a local consignment shop for my fabulous client. Trust me, I didn't work too hard. I really wanted to finally finish the book "Water For Elephants" that I had begun reading about 3 months ago. I swore that by the time the movie came out I would have finished it, but I couldn't wait to see it and I am a scatter brain reader. Meaning I never can just read one book at a time from start to finish. I usually have a couple going on, not to mention the fashion books and magazines, the blog reading and writing, movie watching, being the assistant manager at "the boutique" and not to mention all the daydreaming I do! I could probably write a book! It would mostly be a book of quotes and thoughts that I think since I can't seem to get them all organized. The list goes on and on. But that is life! And I have to say that life has been very good to me :)

So as I was saying. I couldn't wait to finish the book before seeing the movie "Water For Elephants." I was in fear that it would not be at the theater for very long and this was a film I definitely want to see on the big screen. I knew that there would be some seriously glamorous 1930's fashion going on. And I was right. I must applaud costume designer Jacqueline West! Just look at how absolutely stunning Reese Witherspoon looks in these photos from the movie!

 I am not sure who did Reese's hair and make up, but without it her look would not be complete. Click HERE to visit this really cool website that gives a tutorial on how to get her look!

The way she wore the scarf in her hair was so elegant yet extremely simple to do. Just wear a silk sash in your hair and tie it to the side of your nape. Let the ends blow in the wind! I will try this look tomorrow.

{May 2011 US Vogue}

Laura's Lovely Look Of The Day ~ "Fasten Your Seat Belts Please."

 What I wore:

Mixit jacket

Talbots cami

Banana Republic skirt

Talbots brown weave peep toe pumps

Silpada jewelry

 What I like about this look:

This look made me sort of feel like a cross between a stewardess and an actor on the tv show Mad Men. But that is what is cool about fashion. You can dress in a "costume" every day! I love the fit and the high waisted-ness of this jacket as well as the gathered shoulders. It was actually something I found at Goodwill! It is just one of those pieces that I knew I would wear a lot and I can wear it many different ways. And the fact that it was $2 . 50 made me feel very proud :-) The brown pencil skirt I am wearing made this look sexy without being trashy. It is long enough (just to the top of my knee caps) so it looks respectable, but the slit makes it not so matronly. I decided to pull my hair back in a chic pony tail and go with a larger hoop style earring. (I love these copper and silver beauties from Silpada ;) Since my earrings are bigger I decided to forgo the thought of wearing a necklace, even though the neckline of this jacket and cami would have looked great with one. I am a less is more kind of thinker. If I did a necklace I would have done a tiny earring.

What do you think of this look?

And not to completely change the subject, but I just want to mention  one of the greatest lipsticks I have ever tried. It is Rouge Coco by Chanel in a pretty pink called LÉGENDE. I RECEIVED THIS TINY FREE SAMPLE FROM CHANEL IN THE MOST ADORABLE TINY LITTLE SHOPPING BAG. MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS THAT IF I STILL PLAYED WITH BARBIE DOLLS, THIS WOULD BE HER PERFECT SHOPPING BAG! ISN'T IT CUTE?!

This lipstick is great. It goes on light and smooth and it lasts for at least 4 hours before I need to apply again. And I almost don't even have to wear a lip moisturizer with it!

{Yes that is Lady Gaga on the cover of my Harper's Bazaar magazine in the background. Have you heard her latest CD? It is FABULOUS. She is one of those people who I love and hate at the same time. Her voice is amazing}

Open Oxfords

This seasons cut out oxfords have really caught my attention. How chic would these ones on the right by Miu Miu look when worn with a pair of super cute cuffed shorts like these ones pictured on the model to the left from Talbots?!

My favorite open oxfords are these pink ones pictured below from Rag & Bone. 

“It’s a play on the traditional wingtip brogue,” says Rag & Bone’s Marcus Wainwright of the inventive cutout shoe in arresting bubblegum pink he designed with partner David Neville. “But this version feels light and looks  playful and edgy with dresses and shorts.”
{quote is courtesy of Vogue.com}

{Rag & Bone}

 Just when we thought that sandals were our only choice for summer, along came open oxfords to keep us looking a little more current and just a tad bit edgy ;) 

Laura's Lovely Look Of The Day ~ Wild Orchid!

 What I wore:

Talbots origami linen blouse

Talbots straight leg jeans rolled up

Clarks wedge sandals

JCrew lavender beaded bracelet

sterling silver filigree heart earrings from TJMaxx

What I like about this look:

I have to admit that this look took a little getting used to. It was extremely casual feeling. I am all for casual, but I felt like the top was too big for me and not that flattering. However, I LOVE the color of the linen top and I adore the ruffles. I tried tucking the top in, but the jeans I wore were just a little too low on the waist to keep the top tucked in. I think I will try wearing this top again but instead of wearing it with jeans and making it super casual, I will wear it with a black high waisted pencil skirt tucked in with a pair of super cool heels . I also may consider bringing it to my seamstress and have her take it in a little bit to make it more fitted. 

What do you think of this super casual look?

2011 Fall Trend Alert ~ CHOKERS

{Valentino}


I remember wearing chokers in the 80's with my Nirvana t-shirt.
That was my 1st thought when I heard that chokers are making huge a comeback for fall 2011. Back then my look was a little goth/grunge/trend setter/trying to find myself. As we all know, everything comes back into style. Chokers were popular in the 1400's for goodness sakes! The WAY WE WEAR  the styles that come back is what we need to pay attention to. Even though there will always be a place in my heart for Kurt Cobain, I will never wear a Nirvana t-shirt ever again in my life because I no longer feel the need to let the world know what bands I like. However, I can picture myself wearing a really gorgeous choker this fall. In fact, I am looking forward to it!  Here are some looks that will inspire you to maybe just try on a choker:
(notice how chic these ladies look!)

{Pucci}

{Chanel}

{Bottega Veneta}

{Vena Cava}

Cufflinks are COOL

Gretta Garbo

Yes ladies, cufflinks have been worn by women for quite some time. It is one of those elegant looks that just never go out of style. So get it out of your mind that cufflinks are just for men. You just need to purchase a blouse that has the double button holes on the cuff, like the one by Pink Tartan in the photo below, and then you can interchange the cufflinks as you please!

Here are a few of my favorite cufflinks right now:

 Top left: David Donahue knot cufflinks

Top right: Paul Smith striped cufflinks

Bottom left: Jan Leslie small ladybug cufflinks

Bottom right: Kali black sapphire cufflinks

Wearing cufflinks can be so beautiful on a lady. Keep your hair and make-up ultra soft and feminine to balance the look.

  Think Tom Ford (above) or Yves Saint Laurent (below.)

Below are some more looks with cufflinks from the past and present to inspire you.

Laura's Lovely Look Of The Day ~ Just Call Me Olive

What I wore:

Talbots satin twist neck top

Talbots voile pleated skirt

Talbots braided leather belt

Sofft patent pumps

Silpada jewelry

What I like about this look:

This look makes me think EXOTIC. This shade of green that Talbots calls "fern leaf" reminds me of being lost in a tropical rain forest. When creating this look I was going for the illusion of  a one piece dress. I like the way the skirt is sheer with a cotton lining. Even though I am wearing all one color, the sheerness of the skirt makes it not so solid looking. I chose neutral accessories with a pop of color on my lips. (Thanks to Maybelline's color sensational lipstick in coral crush.) I also think that more color like adding a coral pump would have been nice. Except I don't have a coral pump.......We can't have it all! But we can work with what we've got and make it great! Right ladies?!

What do YOU think of this look?

Should You Match Your Mani To Your Pedi??

Summer is here!! Well, I call it summer anyway. In my mind summer starts when the temp reaches 60 degrees and ends when the temp reaches 40 degrees in September or October. You have probably stopped reaching for the Uggs and have begun wearing open toe shoes, or at least I hope you have;)  Have you scheduled your pedi yet? I have been known to do my own pedis and manis, but once in a while you just have to treat yourself. It is especially nice to give yourself this treat at the beginning of sandal season.

{Gwyneth Paltro looking stunning as usual. She opted for a matching and very natural color for her manicure and pedicure. I love this!}

I don't know about you, but when I go to the salon I can never make a decision on what color I should have my manicurist apply! I always arrive 10 minutes early because I know it will take me at least that long to decide. The other question in mind is, should I match? Or should I choose two different colors but of the same color tone? Or is it okay to just not match at all? Well, of course you can do whatever you want. There is no such thing as the nail police. But I am here to tell you what looks chic ;)

I thought that these two photos said it all about what is chic! If you are doing a color, on your nails like Heidi Klum on the left, then you will want to do the same color on your toes. This will make you look pulled together. Don't worry about it being to matchy matchy. I know that I am not usually a fan of the matchy look, but with nails and toes, that rule goes out the window! Matching your polish makes you look bold, cool and like you know what you are doing. Now, if you are doing a color on your toes, but want to be a little more subtle and less bold, then do a very light blush, white, or the palest pinkie tone you can find on your fingernail like Jennifer Lopez in the photo on the right. An American manicure or clear polish always looks nice too when doing a bold color on your toes.

An American manicure is created using a creamier color on the tip vs a stark white like the French manicure.

And if you are going to get a French manicure, it is best to also get the French pedicure :)

Here are some of my most favorite colors of the moment from the Lippmann Collection, which is my FAVORITE polish in the whole world!
From left to right: Yellow Brick Road, Lara's Theme (which was created by one of my favorite models Lara Stone), Girls Just Want To Have Fun, I Know What Boys Like.
______________________________________________________________________
And, what am I wearing right now you ask? I am wearing Lippmann Collection's "How Far Is Heaven" on my fingernails which is an iridescent pearly white and OPI's "Do You Think I'm Tex-y" on my toes which is a creamy purplish pink ;)

Happy painting and HAPPY SUMMER!