There some pieces in this collection that I love and then there are others that leave me puzzled. It’s very motor-cross meets corporate America meets Aqua Man. I don’t know, it’s interesting...
Author: mildredlee
My hobbies have the ability to bankrupt me, cause me to become overweight, and turn me into an insular hermit. It is an everyday struggle not to let my love of shopping, baking/cooking, and reading get the best of me.
Who What Wear
Okay, so I know I’ve been AWOL for a while now. I finally moved into a lovely flat in the city and I am ready to jump back into the blogging world. As you all know, the academy awards will air next Sunday on March 3rd. I cannot wait to see what everyone will be wearing and which movies will receive the most the awards. Last year, I had actually seen the majority of the Best Picture nominees. This year I’ve only seen three- American Hustle, Wolf of Wall Street, and 12 Years A Slave. I loved all three movies, but I’m rooting for 12 Years A Slave (My fingers are crossed Steve McQueen! So are my legs, but that’s a different story for another time).
Now, my favorite part of any awards show is the red carpet so I can see what people are wearing and so I can laugh hysterically at the stupid questions the interviewers ask and the awkward moments that inevitably occur. Everyone is already speculating on what fashion darling Lupita Nyong’o is going to wear, and I am ready to get in on that action as well. So, without further ado, here are my picks for what the Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress nominees should wear.
Best Actress
Amy Adams (American Hustle) / Valentino
Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine)/ Jenny Packham
Sandra Bullock (Gravity)/ John Galliano
Judi Dench (Philomena)/ Valentino
Meryl Streep (August: Osage County)/ Elie Saab
Best Supporting Actress
Sally Hawkins (Blue Jasmine)/ Oscar de la Renta
Jennifer Lawrence (American Hustle) / Christian Dior
I would love to see her in the spunky peplum pants suit, but the dress is gorgeous as well.
Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years a Slave) / Oscar de la Renta
Julia Roberts (August: Osage County)/ Jenny Packham
June Squibb (Nebraska)/ Badgely Mischka
Herve Leger – Fall 2014 RTW
Max Azria loves a good bandage dress. Honestly, who doesn’t? This Fall collection presents a slightly updated bandage dress (more straightjacket and fringey) along with some lovely cut out dresses, asymmetrical necklines, studded gowns, and black swan like feathered jackets and cloaks. I loved the darkness and street-chicness of it all. Now, everybody head over to my Kickstarter page and give me money so I can be one of the cool kids!
DKNY – Fall 2014 RTW
Oh, the street tough kiddos have grown up, got good jobs, and decided to wear flame retardant clothing in a fashionable way. Or, it’s Donna Karan’s Fall collection or something. Things are looking bleak and cold in the not too distant future of grim, sweat, and tears.
Derek Lam- RTW Fall 2014
Seeking to hibernate for the next 3 months? Looking for that perfect box shaped cloak in which to hide from your annoying neighbor? Then Derek Lam has just the outfit for you- in muted pastels and vibrant gem tones!
Diane von Furstenberg- RTW Fall 2014
I have a bitter sweet relationship with the Fall fashion shows. I love looking at the fashions, but I will never be able to afford any of these fabulous frocks. However, upon gazing at DvF’s Fall ready to wear collection, I gasped with joy. I’m not sure how many people heard me making this noise at my cubicle, but it was definitely audible.
The collection ranges from moody, romantic 70’s diva to graphic and peppy working gal. Every piece could easily find its way into your closet. There’s literally no piece that you could not snatch off one of those model’s bodies and slip onto before your dinner date with that hipstery cheese expert from the wine bar.
Teens Don’t Want To Look Like Teens Anymore
Anyone who went to a public school in America in the late 90s and early 2000s knows that all the cool kids wore either Abercrombie & Fitch, Aeropostale, or American Eagle Outfitters. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. You either wore those ridiculously small tee shirts with the brand name blasted across it or you were a loser. I was a self proclaimed loser because I refused to purchase clothes from those stores. I had a part time job at The Gap and I’d be damned if I shopped anywhere else. Between my 50% discount at The Gap and 30% discount at Old Navy and Banana Republic, I had no need for any other stores. That being said, I was basically a walking billboard for The Gap, but let’s face it, there are worse things that could happen.
Remembering how popular those brands are, I find it fairly shocking that the titans of teen clothing are faltering. I mean, faltering hardcore. The New York Times recently wrote about the stream of tears that are being shed by said retailer’s CEOs. Where did all the teens and tweens go? Well, I’ll let you in on a secret, they’re still there, they just aren’t that into you. With the prevalence of fast fashion retailers like H&M, TopShop, Mango, and Uniglo, teens are are able to copy runway inspired looks at a quarter of the price. No one wants to dress like Lizzie McGuire anymore. Now, the average 14 year old is seeking inspiration from the latest It girls like Olivia Palermo and Alexa Chung. And even in the fly-over, midwest states that might not have access to H&M or Zara, Target’s designer collaborations are an easy way to access the latest trends. Place on top of that the fact that teens just aren’t working as much as they used to-so their discretionary income is pretty much nil- and you’ve got a whole lotta half dressed Abercrombie models sulking around empty, dimly lit, over fragranced stores. It’s enough to make you want to cry, or laugh uncontrollably.
I mean, honestly, how long did people think they were going to be able to ride that bubble? The average shirt at Abercrombie costs $60. $60 for a shrunken, plaid, cotton, button down shirt. You know where you can get the same looking shirt, for less money? H&M. Teens don’t want to shell out money on stuff they can get cheaper. Teens want to keep their money so they can spend it on Zynga games or iTunes albums. They don’t care about wearing a zip up hoodie with a large A and E stitched across the front. Teens don’t even want cars anymore. All I wanted in high school was my own car, even though I knew I wasn’t going to get one. And I didn’t get one until I could pay for myself when I turned 19 and bought a $900 1994 Ford Escort. It was white and had a hatchback and it was awesome. Those two large dents in the front added character.
How To Live Alone And Love It
Even though I have just moved out (again) this is not the first time I have lived alone. My very first apartment was an off campus one bedroom in West Chester, Pennsylvania. I had hardwood floors, cross ventilation, and I was right across the street from the main campus. I had it made. But, I only lived there a year. The next time I moved out, I was in a relationship and things quickly went south. But, this time, I am going to relish it. It’s likely the last chance I get to live by myself before I get married or something, so I’m going to live it up. And, I hope that you will join me on this journey of living alone and loving every minute of it.
How To Live Alone: A Step By Step Guide
1. Rent a small one bedroom apartment that is just big enough for you and a small pet. This discourages unwanted over night guests.
2. Rent said apartment in an area that you are comfortable in and frequent. This way, you will have no qualms walking down the street to the local store, bar or restaurant when you want to stretch your legs, or get a drink or five.
3. Get organized! Go to Target and purchase whatever storage bins, wicker baskets, or plastic tubs you need in order to get your shit together. Not having a roommate or parent to harp on you about your mess can lead to your apartment quickly being deemed inhabitable. No one wants to date That Girl. Remember the Friends episode with Rebecca Romijn and her horrendous apartment? Don’t be Rebecca Romijn in that Friends episode.
4. Buy a nice wine rack or liquor cabinet (that you can afford) and display your spirits. Fill that counter wine rack with those 3 bottles of wine you somehow haven’t drank and stand back and smile. Having wine bottles on your counter, that are still full of wine is one of ways you know you’re a grown-up.
5. Sit on your couch, wrap up in your favorite blanket and watch WHATEVER THE FUCK YOU WANT TO.
6. Run a hot bath. Get in said bath and stay there FOR AS LONG AS YOU FEEL LIKE IT.
7. Bake that delicious looking cake you saw in Real Simple and take half to work to share with your coworkers. That way, you won’t eat the whole thing over the weekend while watching a Wives With Knives marathon on Investigation Discovery. Bonus: All your coworkers will love you and think that you’ve become a lot more considerate ever since you moved out of your mom’s basement.
8. Go on dates and hang out with your friends and then go home and be thankful that no one will hassle you if you get home really late. But, don’t neglect that small pet you got!
9. Make a Cleaning playlist on your iPod and blast as loud as your neighborhood ordinances allow while you go all OCD on your apartment.
10. Wake up Saturday morning, put on The Today Show and proceed to do whatever you feel like doing.
Happy Birthday Michelle Obama!
In honor of First Lady Michelle Obama’s 50th birthday, I have compiled a list of my favorite looks she has worn. The First Lady and I have so much in common. We’re both females. We’re both smart. We both can give one hell of an eye roll. And, last but not least, we both have had a torrid love affair with J. Crew.
Happy Birthday Michelle!
Gurl, you look good!
Quick, Tie Something Around Your Neck!
So, at the late date of January 15th, the Neckline Trend of The Year is here!!! Now, I’m all for discovering trends and wearing them repeatedly until someone hits me over the head with a bat. I mean, who doesn’t enjoy that? **crickets**
It’s easy to see how this trend has garnered such attention so quickly. It was just this past Sunday night that several leading ladies wore amazing halter neck dresses on the red carpet.
Now, unlike these gorgeous ladies who attended the Golden Globes, I live on the east coast, in Maryland. Today it was 37 degrees outside when I left my house. If I wanted to wear a lovely halter neck dress, I would have had to hide it under several layers. So what’s a girl to do if she wants to get a good seat near a window on the bandwagon?
Well, first things first. Material choice is key. Look for a heavier grade of cotton or wool. Second, don’t be afraid to pair your halter dress with a turtle neck or top it with a wrap shirt. And lastly, for dressier occasions, tights and cashmere shawls or scarves are always a chic solution. Even a fun bolero or shrunken tuxedo jacket can add warmth and style to halter dress in the dead of February.
Mildred Lee Productions 