Style | Sustenance | Smart-Assery
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!
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.
First things first, to whomever decided the Sunday night tv line-up: Screw YOU! There was just way too much goodness on last night, between 8-10 pm. But, alas…you must work with what you’re given and make the best of the situation. I decided to watch the Golden Globes live and catch up on Girls later, curtesy of OnDemand.
My favorite thing about awards shows is the fashion. I love movies and tv shows just as much as the next guy, but I could watch red carpet arrivals all day long. The dresses! The shoes! The jewelry! Oh my! While I wish I had occasions in which to dress up on a regular basis, I do not envy having to walk the red carpets with paparazzi flashing and yelling and screaming. That being said…red carpets are the best!
Bravo Ladies!
Maybe This Should Have Stayed On The Rack?
I Guess High-Low Hemlines Are Still A Thing?
And Lastly….Meh
Nothing says classy sophisticate like a smart tweed skirt. Pair this item with dark tights and the shoe of your choice. I prefer oxfords or ankle boots.
Temperley London has been one of my favorite labels since before I can remember. I’ve always loved the designs. I have yet to purchase an item from the label- but ever the optimist- I am fully confident that I will be able to not only afford to buy a Temperley London item, but also have such an occasion to wear said item to.
I know it will happen.
How much do you suppose this entire collection costs? How much do you think I can get for 2005 Jeep Liberty? Think it’ll cover it?
Le sigh
Yea, me neither.
Zimmerman is quickly becoming one of my favorite designer labels. The fluidity of the clothing and the patterns and prints are just breathtaking.
It is officially Holiday season. You know this because every store you walk into now has a Christmas tree up, wreaths on the doors and windows, and there’s a faint trace of sugar cookies lingering in the air. So, now that you’ve finished the last dregs of the Halloween candy, it’s time to start planning for Thanksgiving, Hannakah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa. The important questions that need to be answered start to arise: a)What will you wear to your best friend’s party after work? b)What sweater will best disguise the after dinner pooch you’ll definitely have after chowing down on Aunt Bertha’s cranberry-apple- sausage stuffing? c)Will everyone be offended if you just knock back a few hours of sleep in the guest room after you exchange presents? d)Did your boyfriend really just ask if he can show up at your parent’s house in cargo pants and a hoodie for Thanksgiving dinner?
No worries, I got all the answers you’ll need:
a) Wear something flirty and sassy. I’d head over to Alice & Olivia for a nice festive frock.
b) Look for something with ruching.
c) No one should care if you sneak out to sleep off the present opening hangover you’ve occurred.
d) Introduce your boyfriend to my dear friend VINCE:
Trust me, your boyfriend will thank you later. Preventing your mother from making a passive aggressive comment about his lack of appropriate attire, yet plethora of college basketball sweatshirts, will keep the your world from spinning off its axis.
Photos: Vince.com
Every year about this time, department stores and high end boutiques start slowly shuffling their winter parkas, peacoats, and cashmere scarves towards the stock room. But it’s mid November, what’s the rush? There hasn’t even been an actual snowfall yet. Well my friends, the Resort season is in full swing. Resort season? What’s that?
Glad you asked:
You see, this time of year, all the rich and privileged pack up their specialty luggage, filled with their designer duds, and make a beeline to the nearest international airport. With destinations such as the Cayman Islands, Capri, and St. Bart’s, you don’t really need that Kenneth Cole cashmere scarf and glove set. What you may need is body hugging dress you can shimmy in on the dance floor. Or, depending on your destination and length of your vacation, you may need something a little more practical. And by destination, I mean your couch. And by vacation, I mean the personal day you take because you’re sick of hearing your coworker cry over her breakup. And by practical I mean something you can wear while watching repeats of Luther, Sherlock, and Hyde on Netflix. For all these reasons- and so much more- VINCE has supplied the perfect Resort collection for you. And me. Because everything is not about you.
Photos: Vince.com
The year is 2020 and we find James Bond mid pursuit of an unknown assailant. A high speed chase in luxurious sports cars ensues and before you know it, Bond has trapped the bad guy in a dead end alley. Car doors fly open. Commence fist to cuffs rumble. High energy techno music blasts through the speakers in the theater as Bond gets down and dirty with the still unknown bad guy. Who’s going to come out on top? The suspense is killing you! The fight is intense and you start to think Bond may have finally met his match. Blood is flowing. Sweat is pouring. Clothes are ripped and torn away to reveal swatches of skin.
Bond is thrown down and looks to be out of commission. The bad guy looms over him and begins to smile. The techno music gets eerily quiet and you hear nothing. Bond has his eyes closed. The soon to be killer is already starting to celebrate. He is relishing in his moment. You think all is lost, until…..what’s that? Footsteps? It takes the bad guy two seconds too long to realize that the end is indeed very near.
He turns around quickly, but not quickly enough. He catches a quick jab to the throat. The mystery person is leaning down, looking at Bond. You still can’t see their face. All you hear is Bond’s faint breathing. The camera pans back and finally you see….her. She is tall and fit, wearing all black and leather boots. Her hand grazes Bond’s face and then she slaps him. He comes to instantly. She smiles.
(fade to black and commence 007: High Tide theme song, performed by Muse)
Bond and mystery Bond girl proceed to fill the movie screen with 120 minutes of high flying adventure and white knuckle excitement. There are even more high speed chases. And because this installment of the Bond Series involves a crooked marine biologist, there are also poisoned fish supplies and deep sea diving quests. You laugh, and if you’re like me, you cry, and then you leave the movie theater wishing you had an English accent and new wardrobe.
Don’t want to wait until 007: High Tide comes out? Good, you don’t have to. Also, it’s a fake movie that I haven’t written (yet?). However, Bond girl’s wardrobe is all yours…for a price. Herve Leger by Max Azria Resort 2014 collection features everything a badass, deep sea swimming Bond girl would need.
Photos: Style.com
I just love a good mix of patterns and an element of menswear. This photo from The Sartorialist website is an exemplary example.
Mildred Lee Productions 