Archives For Fantasy Friday

The word on the street is that some of you – I won’t name names – have been craving fashion. I used to do these posts all the time, and lately they’ve sort of fallen to the wayside. Largely because…well, I’m obsessed with food. I have limited time, and I cook so much that I constantly have recipes backed up to share with you, so that’s the reason. But you must know – I die for fashion. Or better yet, I live for fashion. And what better time than fall to get back into the swing of things?  So, I’ve taken the time to weed out my favorite trends for fall this year. I hope you enjoy.

Let me begin by saying that I, for one, am happy that it’s not quite time to put away the lace, the brights, maxi skirts, the color red (please see the always-stunning Blake Lively to the right, in Marchesa, showing off one of my favorite looks of the collection), or the 70s – though the 60s are competing for the limelight in a big way, and I’m not arguing with that, either.

I’ve been into polka dots for a hot minute now, the bigger the better, and I’m liking the sweater dress in a maxi shape, though much of what I saw was maxi skirts with hugh, chunky knits on top – which is a look that, for me, may or may not be wearable…I haven’t yet decided. I’m a sucker for legs, whether it’s someone else’s or showing my own, so it’s no surprise that I loved the super-high slits seen pretty much everywhere. Plaid is lingering, but this time playing up on the Tartan aspect – seen many places, but the red and blue pattern done at Thakoon is one of the most memorable. Choker necklaces? A nod to the 90s, and perhaps one of the only trends from that era I’d like to see again, because this time it’s being done right.

Continue Reading…

Oh, Fantasy Friday, how I’ve missed you.

Seriously – it’s been too long. I’ve had this insane collection from Hermès sitting on the back-burner forever, and it’s finally time to bring it out, wipe the dust off, and let it shine in its glory.

I know, I know… If you’re into fashion, you’re likely already well-into the fall collections by now, but sometimes I like to mix it up and show you things that apply to the current season. This collection was one of my absolute favorites of the season, if not my number one.

 

I can’t decide what I love more: the hats, the leather, the neutral color palette (with hits of the signature Hermès orange, of course), or the equestrian/dominatrix vibe. It’s luxe, but totally edgy. The crazy-clean, hard lines and magnetic tailoring are offset by flowing, gauzy fabrics and draping. I’ve been obsessing over riding boots for a while now, and this collection highlights them in the most tremendous way.

It’s not easy to make sexy look so elegant – and that’s exactly what Jean Paul Gaultier has done with this collection.

What do you think, dolls? Are YOU ready to hit the horse trails?

Christmas cards. Some people love ‘em, some people hate ‘em.

Personally, I like for the Christmas cards I receive to include a photo. Regular cards do nothing for me. Yes, I get it that the thought is nice, but let’s face it – no one keeps them. They’re usually thrown right in the trash once the new year rolls in. Unless, that is, there’s a photo. The photo usually hangs around longer, maybe on your fridge, maybe in your office – for us, the photos sit on the bar area on our kitchen counter for months to come.

That’s right – I like Christmas cards with photos. Family photos are totally cool in my book, and further – I think they are pretty  imperative if you have growing children. What’s not super-cool in my book? When a couple has their photo taken for a Christmas card. Believe me – I’m just as vain as the next person, and there’s nothing more I love than a great photo of Daniel and I…but the thought of us sending out a Christmas card capturing one of our precious moments – and believe me, there are plenty of them – makes me gag.

So, I suppose I don’t need to tell you not to hold your breath for one of those this year. I’ll be saving that for the day we have a beautiful family of our own – because in my book, that’s something worth showing off. And when that day arrives, I’d love to do something over-the-top like the portrait the Kardashian’s had taken this year. I love that they switch up the theme each year, and I am particularly smitten with the dramatic vibe of this super-glam edition. I love the solemn faces, and of course – I’m positively dying over the fashion. I mean, just look at little Mason – I die.

I’m also dying to know what YOU think about Christmas cards. Are you into the photos, or would you rather go without altogether? Are you obsessing over this glam-ed out photo op from the Karsdashian clan, or is it a little too haute for the holidays?

Suddenly I’m craving all things furry, fringed, flared, and booted. Shopbop’s latest lookbook – aptly named “The Outlaws” – has me looking at some once deemed cowgirl-esque pieces in a whole new light. The combination of the return of the super-flare with the grunge of the fringe and boots, all topped off with the luxe effect from the fur is so unexpected and feels fresher than ever. Not to mention this new spin on the fedora – seemingly crossed with a wide-brimmed sun hat – it’s all sure to make you do a double take.

It was this look that caught my eye first. The other day I heard that flares are coming back with a vengeance, and this is all the proof I need. I don’t have many occasions to wear this getup, but I’d still kill for this metallic tweed jacket and extra-wide flare pants. The camel fringe bag adds the perfect rebellious touch.

Here they are again – these are super-flares for sure.  Sold out already! You saw it here first. Loving this comeback. And sneaking into the mix is this vest – at $65, it’s a non-fantasy indulgence to say the least.

These pants are perfection, but I think the fur hood is what makes this look so on target. I love the over-sized fullness framing the face – it puts the now seemingly boring fur vest sitting in my closet to shame.

I’m really into maxi skirts right now, and I think the fringe takes this one over-the-top. The fur and the boots complete the look.

I’m a self-proclaimed fedora-hater, but so positively in love with this hat. Wider than the first one pictured above, this hat makes a serious statement. And I’m loving the idea of a “sun hat” at night.

Can YOU hop on board with this trend, lovelies? Or is it all a little too much for your tastes?

Sweaters and snowflakes and ski-bunnies. Oh my.

With the weather supposedly dropping into the 50s for the first time in South Florida this weekend, I figured this was the perfect time to share with you this dreamy collection via D&G I’ve been fantasizing over all season long.

I’ve never been one to go for those fair isle sweaters of the prepster variety, but this collection takes the old-school print and turns it into one of the most vibrant and cohesive themes for a fashion show I’ve ever seen. What they’ve done with the prints and the silhouettes is nothing short of brilliant, and I’m obsessing over every ounce of detail:  the fur, the layering, the over-sized goggles. Everything about it instantly transports me to some über-chic ski resort in Aspen, steamy mug of {spiked} cocoa in hand, with nothing to do but frolic from snow to fireplace.

With these kinds of clothes, I think I may skip the outdoors all together and instead play snow queen inside all day. Because somehow, D&G has made sweater-dressing even sexier than a bikini.

I think if I were a fashion designer, my clothes would look like those designed by my number one style icon.

And it’s not just because I find her to be the chicest, most glamorous woman ever to exist. It’s really about the clothes. They’re everything I could ever ask for. Perfectly simple and sleek, with just the right combination of classicism and edge.

We’re all familiar with her masterfully-created sheath dresses that give a new meaning to the word body-con, but this season she really kicked it up a notch. She took that impeccable fit and construction she does so well and added to it the most interesting twists and drapes. Of course, I loved her use of the color of the color of the season {it’s red, in case you’ve been hiding in a hole somewhere} and I was equally mesmerized by the addition of sparkles and shine to the line.

There’s no doubt she knows how to style a collection, but this one has to be one of my personal favorites. The shoes are everything. And I’m feeling those round sunnies in a very big way.

Does it get any sexier, classier, more eternally beautiful? Not in my book.

For me, the best type of trend is the trend that’s also a classic. Leopard fits this bill perfectly, and it’s one of those classics that are constantly being reinvented season after season. This season, however, the spots seem to be having a *larger-than-life* moment; they’re being seen everywhere, on everyone, and in every style – but my personal favorite is what’s happening in accessories.

I see leopard as more of a neutral in itself – you can pair it with any color, even prints, to give any outfit an instant boost. I love accessories for this very reason:  No matter what you have on, you can add a leopard shoe, bag, or scarf and instantly up your chicness factor.

Below are my top picks from some of my favorite designers (Lanvin and YSL appear more than once, I just couldn’t help myself) for accessories that will carry you through this season and beyond. All of the key pieces of an accessory wardrobe are here, from the carry-all tote to the scarf to the everyday ballet flat.

PLATFORM “SHOOTIE”

{giuseppe zanotti}

SCARF

{ysl}

EVERYDAY BALLET FLAT

{lanvin}

CHAIN-STRAP MINI POCKETBOOK

{lanvin}

BOLERO

{anna sui}

BOOTIE

{brian atwood}

CARRY-ALL TOTE

{lanvin}

If I had my way, I’d take them all. I love the idea of the scarf right now; it’s something you could easily throw on with a tee shirt and be out the door. I love the ballet flats for the same reason, and there’s no office ensemble that wouldn’t be {drastically} improved by those YSL pumps. The Lanvin bags are each perfect in their own way; we all need a smaller bag for evenings out, and this chain makes it much more user-friendly than a clutch – and the tote is perfect for carrying around, you know, your entire life.

And then, there are those luscious creations from Giuseppe Zanotti. Those are just perfect. For anything. I’d sleep in them, if I could.

Are YOU a forever-leopard girl, or can you live without the animal-print? What’s YOUR favorite fall accessory?

I have a trusty old Louis Vuitton Speedy bag hiding somewhere in my bag collection.

{image}

I haven’t worn it in ages. And now I want to wear it even less, because it isn’t covered in sequins.

This is the kind of thing that happens when Marc Jacobs is creative director of the company, and I’m not complaining. Sometimes messing with iconic pieces ends in disaster – beautiful things are cheapened, or made too trendy; it’s sort of like the theory that a sequel to a great movie never comes close to the success of the first. This rendition, however, I am totally and utterly into. Why? Because sequins will never go out of style – in fact, they may be as timeless as the Speedy itself.

Which is more than I can say for graffiti, cherries, and hot pink roses.

{tractor-sole “hiking” boot by azzedine alaïa}

In all seriousness, I actually do enjoy hiking.

But these?

These go beyond enjoyment. These go beyond, well, anything.

I mean, all you need here is a pair of skinny jeans and a white tee and you’re off to the races. Why try to even compete with these boots? I wouldn’t dare get in the way of these – these things will totally kick your ass.

I think they would also be great with a shorts look like this, and this silky military green romper would be totally on-point. These boots have that perfect tough-meets-sexy factor that would complement so many of the trends we’re seeing for fall right now.

What do YOU say, dolls – shall we hit the mountains?

fantasy friday: MAJORly fall.

September 10, 2010 — 2 Comments

I’ve *fallen* for fall.

And I’m not talking about the weather. God knows that doesn’t exist here in South Florida.

No, for me – fall equals fashion . And this year, the designers went ba-nanas. There was a huge 90′s influence, but without the grunge factor that’s been haunting us lately – nope, none of that here. Here we saw everything from minimalism circa classic Calvin Klein, to the return of velvet, and – perhaps now taking us closer into the 80s – lace. And then, there were the animal prints. Leopard is totally killing it right now, and I can’t get enough of it. But that’s not all – there were also retro influences, seen in the way of ladylike suiting and full skirts. It was all about juxtaposition. Old school, and new school. Lace, and military. Minimalism, and over-the-top embellishment. Leather – but not just jackets. It’s the element of surprise – leather shorts, dresses, full ensembles. And I’m obsessing over the maxi skirts. It’s not about the dress anymore – it’s all in the skirt, whether form-fitting or flowing.

So – without further ado, here they are. All of my favorite trends of the season, straight off the runway.

ANIMAL PRINTS.

{roberto cavalli}

LEATHER EVERYTHING.

{stella mccartney}

LACE.

{lanvin}

NEVERENDING NEUTRALS.

{chloé}

MORE ANIMAL PRINTS.

{malandrino}

THE RETURN OF RED.

{versace}

FUR.

{gucci}

MILITARY.

{burberry}

MAXI SKIRTS.

{dries van noten}