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!
Cate BlanchettAmy Adams in ValentinoLena Dunham in Zac PosenKate MaraLizzy CaplanJulianna MarguliesLupita Nyong’o in Ralph LaurenSarah HylandKelly Osbourne in Escada
Maybe This Should Have Stayed On The Rack?
Tina Fey in Carolina HerreraTaylor SchillingKaley CuocoGabourey SibideLeslie MannMegan MullallyGiuliana Rancic
I Guess High-Low Hemlines Are Still A Thing?
Elisabeth Moss in J. MendelMichelle Dockery in Oscar De La RentaZooey Deschanel in Oscar De La RentaCaitlin Fitzgerald in Viktor & Rolf
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
I am constantly searching for new sources of inspiration for outfit ideas. One of my favorites is The Sartorialist website. I could literally spend hours searing through the random selection of pictures that Scott Schuman has added to his blog. Everyday I find a new look or part of an outfit that I am just dying to replicate. This black and white combo is easy enough to replicate, but also lends itself to be individualized effortlessly.
So, obviously my invitation was lost in the mail. I mean, that’s the only logical explanation as to why I was not at the Ebony 100 Gala, which was last night, in New York City’s Jazz at Lincoln Center. But, me being the bigger person, I will not hold grudges. I will be an adult and move on and talk about what really matters: what people wore on the red carpet.
The Good:
Amy Dubois Barnett- Nice color, nice makeup, nice hair.Keija MinorBerry Gordy- The tie sucks, but his smile makes up for it…..a little.Rhonda Ross- Lovely dress, hair and accessories.Lee Daniels- Looking good. Suit could stand to be a little more fitted.Jessica White- Stunning woman, but the dress, hair, and the makeup are just a shade too severe.
The Bad:
Carla Hall- No. Just no.Desiree Rogers- Too much tulle, not enough pretty.Cynthia Rowley- I usually love her quirky style, but this is just bad.Eskedar Gobeze- Maybe she was trying to channel Marilyn Monroe, but between the stockings and the shawl made of children’s tears and bunny fur, it was not good.Mellody Hobson- Too cutesy for a grown woman.Marcus Samuelsson- Too. Much. Going. On. Can’t focus.Rachel Johnson- With such great stature, she should have chosen a better color than “preschool puke brown”.Pauletta Washington- Separately, maybe I could like the hair, the purse, and the dress. But all together, it looks like she’s trying too hard. What’s with the stockings?
The Gorgeous:
Jermaine Jackson, Randy Jackson, Marlon Jackson, and Tito Jackson- Well done dudes. Well done.LaLa Anthony- This dress is amazing on her body. The hair and makeup look elegant and simple.Magic and Cookie Johnson- His graphite suit is MONEY and she look SLICK in her black dress.Nick Cannon- Love Love Love brown with pink and fuschia. The patterned suit against the floral tie and pocket square scream Gentleman. Well done.Kimberly and Tyson Chandler- He’s a tall drink of water in his suit with the skinny tie. And she looks elegant and poised. Beautiful couple.Van Jones- Great smile (check), Great suit (check), Great tie (check). Slow clap all around.Victor Cruz and Elaina Watley- I like a man who thinks outside the Black Suit Box. This is a great color choice for him and Elaina looks cute in her dress and (I Want Those Shoes) heels.
I have been searching high and low for a classic slip dress to add to my closet. I like to find items that I believe are classics and will last me a few years. A well made, well-fitting slip dress can be dressed up or down. Fall is the perfect season to get full use of a slip dress.
Now, I have yet to find one that fits my body and bank account. But I will not be dissuaded. I know one day I will happen upon a gorgeous slip dress and it will be love at first fit. Until that fateful day, I will endure the hunt and search on. If you are lucky enough to already have a great slip dress, but find yourself perplexed as to how to transition it into the fall, I present you three options, all using the affordable $76 TOPSHOP Strap Back Slip Dress:
When topped with a long cardigan and belted, the slip dress takes on a more businesslike look. Use simple jewelry and round toe heels to further demure the sexy slip dress.
I like the juxtaposition of the soft slip dress against the toughness of a leather jacket. A pair of nude shooties and gold accented accessories and jewelry complete the date-night look.
An oversized shawl sweater and flat boots are the perfect pieces to take this slip dress down a notch. Whether it’s Saturday lunch with the girls, running errands, or hitting up a matinee, this casual outfit will keep you comfortable and stylish.
Mildred Lee Productions 