Fashion Blog » desiree

A mini vacation this weekend up northern California’s coast in Carmel. It was a lovely little girls weekend for my friends birthday…and boy was it chilly at night! If you ever happen to be interested in going to Carmel, I’ll warn you now the way I wished someone had warned us: prepare to PAY high prices for food and lodging, and pretty much everything else. We found out that Carmel is infamous for its high prices of course after we were there throwing down $20 per dinner plate. The weather was splendid though and I even got to dress warm. I took a cute scarf and actually kept it on my neck almost the entire trip. So well it may not quite be fall weather here in Los Angeles, we can at least get ready for it for when it finally decides to arrive. If it’s too warm to wear tights, and sweaters still, a light scarf will do the warmth trick and look stylish. I’m not really recommending a wool scarf yet, unless of course your current weather trends are already calling for one. Loop scarves will be big this season, I’ve already seen them in a few places, they kind of look like chic neck warmers basically.

Chan Luu Paisley Infinity Loop $125

This scarf also comes in a deep plum color which is probably the one I’d pick. I was drawn to the orange first though since October and pumpkins are only two days away!

DKNY Luxe Knit Infinity Loop $75

This infinity loop is longer, but you can find practically any size and thickness in these infinity loops. Some will look like a small loop only large enough to wrap the neck, others are a medium length, and then there are extra long ones like this. This can be doubled up too for extra warmth and volume, but I would save that for some extremely cold temperatures since this loop is a wool and cashmere blend. This DKNY one comes in a few other different colors including a bright kelly green color.
I now leave you with my favorite style in this new kind of neck candy…

Don’t worry, this loop won’t make you look like little red riding hood, you’ll just feel like her. I LOVE this Rag & Bone Twisted Merino Hood Loop! $175

I am not only a fan of the very plain color but there is also a beautiful little brown button detail in the back of this loop. This would look gorgeous on anyone and you can just pop that hood when the cold winds or rains start to pick up.

Shop though a variety of women’s scarves at Smarter.com.

Sharing another seasonal trend with you all that I am sure will be huge this fall and winter: over the knee boots. I’ve already seen them in stores, seen them on women, and heard about my friends ordering them online. These are gonna be big, for all you boot lovers out there. Some of you might already have a pair waiting in the closet to be revealed. Do I like the trend? Sure. Sometimes I don’t like the idea of it. I guess because like any style of boot, they can be done wrong…but if you know what to wear them with and how to wear them, get on it.

Victoria’s Secret went and jumped on that bandwagon and has created several versions of the over the knee boot. They also have some Jessica Simpson styles too. Not a fan at all, but the boots are decent. Along with the over the knee style, there are also the covertible style boot which have a flap that can be folded over or pulled up so that they cover the knee slightly.

Victoria’s Secret Over the knee Hidden Platform Boot $169

I like these because they go almost to the thigh without looking trashy. They almost look like leggings with boots. The suede and leather combo is eyecatching as well. These of course would look great with a short skirt, but you must be careful if you choose this option. You don’t want to look schoolgirlish. These would also look fantastic with a dress that is medium length, a shift dress perhaps that is fitted, and top with a long sweater. These look too skinny to try to stuff denim jeans into, so I wouldn’t…unless they are extremely skinny.

I also like these convertible boots…

These come in a wide range of colors…the butterscotch are my favorite.

Colin Stuart Covertible Boot $99

And these are the Jessica Simpson versions of over the knee boots…

Jessica Simpson Over the Knee Riding Boot $209

I have to admit…these are really cute styles. These are perfect for wearing with jeans tucked in and a white cotton button down men’s shirt. Top with a pretty scarf and long sweater vest, and you’ve got an equestrian inspired riding outfit. Outfits like that remind me of something I’d see on the runways at a Ralph Lauren show…all Americana.

Shop for women’s knee high boots at Smarter.com.

A special post saluting the Emmy Awards and the extremely well-dressed women that stepped their expensive, well-heeled feet onto the red carpet this past Sunday in Hollywood. I must admit…the stars were looking great! No shockers, no scares, and not once did my mind wander to the infamous question…”What was she thinking?” Nope. None of that nonsense this year. I went through and picked out my favorite girls from the celeb litter, enjoy…

For someone to say that they don’t like Drew Barrymore, my mind can only severely compare it to say someone that doesn’t like baby kitties and puppies. I can’t help it, I love this girl! Drew Barrymore was like the ultimate “it” girl of the 90’s when I was growing up. Right there next to the still lovely Claire Danes and Courtney Love. She pinned up that black chunk of her pretty hair and slipped into this stunning Monique Lhuillier gown. My favorite part about this is the color! I call it peach champagne.

Not only is this woman strikingly beautiful, but she has a fantastic name! Olivia Wilde stars in “House” and looked great in her Marchesa gown. Marchesa was huge on the red carpet this year. Normally, I don’t like dresses like this. They remind me of something Miss Venezuela would wear at a Donald Trump pageant. BUT, Wilde wears it well. The hair all pulled back was a perfect finishing touch.

Mark my words readers: Blake Lively is on her way to becoming a huge star. This girl is hot! Out of all the Gossip Girls, her acting skills are best and her style is amazing. Seen here in her plunging red Versace number, this was one girl turning heads on the red carpet. She’s just so classy and statuesque, with just the appropriate amount of sex appeal for a girl her age. A+!

Another design dominator of the evening was Monique Lhuillier, seen here on Mila Kunis. This was the most fun look of the night in my opinion. The red full skirt is flirty without looking like a tutu. Kunis looks happy and glamourous with that slicked back ponytail and bronzed, dewey makeup.

Overall, a smashing success on this year’s Emmy night red carpet. Even the girls that came out in short cocktail dresses (Mary- Louise Parker, Kristin Chenoweth) looked appropriate. Hopefully the stars will keep this momentum going until Oscar season…

Image Source: style.com

Ok, so it was in the hundreds in some parts of California today…but fall is coming people! Start getting excited! I was thrilled to feel a drop in temperature the other day and even got out one of my favorite sweaters. I’m feeling that it will cool down sooner this year than it usually does. In that case, I want to be prepared. This season, I really want to pick up a few good sweaters. My old ones have seen better days and if I could find at least one or two new ones that will keep me warm (not hot) I would be pretty jazzed. Always on the hunt for reasonably priced staple items, I thought it would be fun this time to fantasize a little of a bigger budget for clothing. Shopping has been lowest on the priority-money spending list lately (with the exception of three cute thrift shop dresses I picked up yesterday :), so I’ll indulge in my dreams at least. Now…if I could go out and spend big bucks on a few fancy sweaters, what would I choose?

This Alexander Wang Boxy Cardigan would definitely do…

It’s only $350…hmmm. Alexander Wang in the closet, or paying off parking tickets? How does one decide? What do I like the most about this expensive sweater? I love the boxy style, hence the name of it. Drapey sleeves have been one of my favorite looks this year, and I’m sure they’re only going to keep coming as the winter months approach.

I’m picky with cardigans because they are such a common style, but this one definitely exceeds my expectations…

Comme des Garcons Play Wool Cardigan $358

A wool sweater in one of my favorite shades of burgundy, plus–it has the sweetest little embroidered heart detail on the chest. Yes please! I love burgundy. It’s very vintage looking and if you pair it with just the right items, you’ll get a good 1960’s/70’s look going–my favorite of course. This sweater looks great with jeans and a tee, but it would also compliment a pretty dress too. If I did wear this casually, I would make sure the jeans were wide leg, and the t-shirt oversized. The smallness of the cardigan would be a good balance. This would look so cute with a little shift dress and legwear…perhaps those crocheted socks I suggested last week?

Shop for more women’s cardigan sweaters at Smarter.com.

My latest obsession? My new cotton bandeau bra. I love this thing! Sometime last week, I adventured out to an Urban Outfitters located out in the Valley. I was shopping around for some home items and had heard they had a decent selection. This was true, but to my dismay, I just didn’t feel like spending more than $20 on anything. So I went home with no apartment decor, but instead a $10 bra and $4.99 stainless steel flask. I just love cheap purchases. Bandeaus are nothing new, but I have gotten really into them in the last few months. They usually come in pretty colors, are a really awesome alternative to traditional strapless bras, and shouldn’t ever be too expensive. I stopped wearing strapless bras a while ago. I just found them too uncomfortable and troublesome. I barely spend money on new regular bras let alone strapless ones, but I am finding that bandeaus are different. They give just the right amount of cleavage control and do the trick for strapless wears. I’ve heard the complaint from bustier women that bandeaus just don’t give enough support, but many styles have boning and under wire. I have both types and like wearing both, but of course prefer my bandeau sans under wire. It’s just more comfortable. So I picked up my $10 bandeau and have worn it with almost everything. It’s a nice neutral shade of nude and goes great underneath sheer tops and low cut styles. Bandeaus are perfect for you out there that want coverage, but don’t want to have to wear an entire tank underneath something.

Lacey bandeaus are pretty, but cotton ones are most practical yet still manage to look sexy.
These are my two favorite colors in the style I picked up…

BDG Bandeau $10, urbanoutfitters.com

No hooks, straps, or underwire. You can just pull this bad boy on and handwash it in the sink when it comes time. Super comfy with no tags inside and a little gathering in the front for minimal cleavage exposure. This is the perfect kind of bra for a button down shirt dress. Leave one button open for this bra to be slightly exposed and it almost works like another accessory. You might wonder…but won’t bandeaus flatten me out? No. I don’t think I’d ever wear mine with a t-shirt, because then I might feel this way, that I was “flattened out.” With anything, its really just about knowing how to wear these the right wear and with the right kind of clothes. And at ten bucks, it’s worth experimenting.

Shop for bandeau bras at Smarter.com.

I’ve been able to observe a few up and coming fall trends, some of them being the usual–leggings, sweaters, scarves–but with my eye being drawn to the more offbeat of them, I foresee a few different things in the trend spectrum. Seasonal trends revolve around the new color scheme, the new ways things are being styled, the fabrics, the layering. There are several factors–but I also like to think that a huge part of trending revolves around the accessories involved.

Accessories are fabulous! They can really complete an entire look or outfit season after season. Being in Hollywood on a daily basis, it is a constant feast of the eyes for what people are wearing, if they are going with the trends, and of course I like to draw my own conclusions for the outfit choices they’re making. One thing I’ve definitely taken notice of is that the accessories are a little more edgy these days–everything from little lace socks, to faux reading glasses, to long black gloves. These are fun little novelty items, a bit risky, and something to start a little conversation with when you decide to step out for a night on the town…or just want some midweek excitement.

Below are my three of my favorite accessory looks for fall…

I am into these long black gloves! I was in San Francisco a few weeks ago at one of the newer stores in Union Square called Shotwell. Browsing around on the second level, I eyed a pair of long black gloves that were made by Cheap Monday–super cute…and they were about $24. Not too bad I suppose. These are a more inexpensive version, and just as good.

BDG Jersey Ruched Long Gloves $18, UrbanOutfitters.com

How to wear? Very easy. Dig through that closet of yours and find a cute little cropped jacket, by cropped I mean one with shorter sleeves. With shorter sleeves, you can show off those cool looking gloves! It’s a throwback to the dressy evening looks from the 1950’s.

Another trend over all that I’ve noticed is faux reading glasses. This has been going on for quite some time, and I get it…but not really sometimes. I don’t mind it though, but if you’re going to sport an accessory that everyone else is wearing, at least make sure the frames are unique. These Wendy Readers are slightly different than the very common looking Ray Ban frames with clear lenses.

Wendy Readers $18, Urbanoutfitters.com

I’ve been on a sock kick lately, and these little crochet socks are oh so pretty…

Crochet Ankle Socks $4.99, Urbanoutfitters.com

These would look fantastic with some cropped ankle boots and a little black dress. They are a nice variation from typical opaque tights or legwarmers. These would also look great with some black pumps, or some of those trendy lace up oxfords, and they’re such a great price.

Shop for more fashion accessories at Smarter.com.

Ahhh…another weekend getaway to San Francisco has come and gone, and I have returned full of inspiration! Well, kind of. I will report that there was a fluke heat wave going on over the weekend and the city folk were out in flip flops and tanks. Not the kind of fashion I’m wanting to see…but there was some good stuff going on as well. While in town, I popped into my favorite vintage store in the Mission–The Painted Bird to see if I could round up and recycled findings. Luckily, I scored a pair of Italian made leather ankle boots with some ethnic looking stitching on the sides, and they were only $19.95!

I also took home a little ivory colored sweater vest which will be perfect for layering over dresses when it finally starts to cool off down here in L.A. The two gals that run the place are super sweet and very original. One girl was wearing super skinny washed black denim pants, a long sweater (it had cooled off that morning) and three inch suede open toe wedges with thin striped socks! How much did I love this look when my eyes saw it!! Socks and wedges are no new trend, it’s just completely a surprise when I actually see someone doing it in the right way. I vowed at that moment to find the perfect pair of thin striped black and white socks and a cute pair of open toe wedges to copy this look with, and one of these nights (when fall arrives officially) be brave enough to wear. Well, I found the socks…but to my dismay, the black and white ones were gone already! I settled for a different pair:

Free People Striped Over the Knee Socks $18, freepeople.com

You could go either way with the shoes. I would pick something with a full wedge, one that extends under the toe. The chunkier the wedge, the more this look will make sense. And try to stick to either a suede or leather wedge, one in a neutral color. My two picks are these Boutique 9 “Idalia” T-Strap Wedges on sale now for $98, bloomingdales.com…

….and these Deena & Ozzy Cut Out Lace Up Wedges $68, UrbanOutfitters.com.

If you really want to go crazy, these Sam Edelman Studded Wedges (at Urban Outfitters for $99) would be pretty amazing…

You might think I’m crazy for encouraging this look, but it can look really neat if you promise to wear it with only solid, simple colors. Just think, super skinny jeans in a dark color, an oversized shirt, and a long drapey sweater. Hair down with some long earrings and a big, chunky ring. Can anyone say…dream outfit?!

Shop for more knee socks and women’s wedges.

Not that I am super into leopard print or anything like that, but I do always like to check out what kind of designs are getting made out of the stuff to see whether I approve or not. Most of the time, I don’t. Leopard print is just one of those tough things that gets played out, or over done really quickly. And sometimes, I’ll even look at some cheap top made out of leopard and just sigh a sigh of, “oh no…if only this would’ve been done in another pattern…” But now I’m just starting to sound like a snob. I had some leopard pieces–several actually–because during my time at Betsey Johnson, it’s all I would ever seem to see gracing the racks. I’ve sold it all since and don’t really have any regrets about it, only because I have so many other clothes to replace it with and it was something that I had really loved at the time, but eventually outgrew. I know we all have those pieces–time to part with them you guys! Say farewell and re-sell or pass on down. Here’s a compromise, by getting rid of items like that (animal print pieces included!) you are only making room for newer, better things, or you can go out and find a more modern version of an animal print piece, and trust me, there’s a lot to choose from. One of them includes this new MICHAEL Michael Kors ‘Ocelot’ Pencil Skirt: $99.50

A leopard print pencil skirt combines a bit of retro with rockabilly, yet seems refined and modern because it’s a simple cut that can be made office appropriate very easily. If you want to get “Cry-Baby” and wear this skirt with red lipstick, pumps and a pompadour–go for it.

But I would suggest pairing it with black or gold toned ballet flats and a simple crew neck tee in a solid color, a cardigan would be cute, but a cropped blazer would be better. I would wear this skirt with open toe brown strappy sandals until the weather changes, a cropped blazer, and some long gold earrings. Maybe hair back in a bun and nude lips. The trick with animal print is not to go overboard, but to compliment it with neutral shades that keep you looking chic, not oversexed and flashy. Also, pay close attention to the fabrics being used with animal print, try to go with something durable that won’t fade if you put it into the dryer.

Image Source: thevine.com, tinypic.com

I have found that lately, I’m not only having writer’s block, but a shopper’s block as well. I can’t seen to find anything that I’ve been lusting over lately. I don’t know whether its that I’m working in a clothing store again and I’m on shopping burnout mode, or that my personality has just began to value shopping for my home over shopping for my wardrobe. I cannot stop buying things for the house! It’s my latest vice and has been this last year of living in my new apartment. I’ve completely indulged home-wise, splurging on backyard plants and cacti, bedding and fabric for curtains I made myself, and today…my latest binge? New hand towels for my bathroom, lovely soaps, a lovely sea foam green chenille bath mat, and of course…smelly candles in pretty vintage jars. What can I say. I am a sucker for home stuff. Deals? Sure, on some of it. But clothing deals are what I should be on the hunt for. When out at the shops recently, it wasn’t clothes I was pulling at and pricing, it was shoes. I’m good on clothes right now, it’s shoes that I almost need…and of course, want. Besides, right now is the weird in between time when it’s not quite end of summer, but not quite beginning of fall. The transitional time with weird color schemes and styles that are almost too warm to wear right now. Instead, we’ll focus on feet today. As usual, I found two pairs that I liked. One will be an instant hit, the other will take some thought and consideration. Now, at a first glance, this shoe may seem really hideous to many of you…

Gentle Souls ‘Dancin’ Jazz Oxford on sale for $133.90

But when you give it some thought and really try to picture it on your foot, it’s not so bad. I wasn’t sure about the ’slingback’ look on an oxford style shoe, but they are a great color, a classic color. Envision this shoe, with no socks, and a pretty floral dress. Mixing feminine with boyish looking pieces has been a hit all season and isn’t going away any time soon. I would actually wear these with some shorts, and and silky camisole or blouse, something delicate on top for balance.
My second faves were these chunky heels by BCBGirls…

BCBGirls ‘Edmund’ Sandal on sale for $64.90

I chose these sandals because I first off immediately liked the colors. The mix of nude and carmel brown is sure to match most dresses and color schemes, and the open toe would be fun to pair with black tights and a miniskirt.

Shop through a variety of women’s shoes at Smarter.com.

Anyone who is a fan of eco-friendly, reworked vintage clothing, the following may excite you:  Many months ago, probably years, I was reading the magazine I too often refer to, NYLON, when I came across a little blurb about an up-and-coming independent clothing line called Taxi CDC. It was prior to me moving back to Los Angeles, so I thought finding any pieces from the line would be a difficult task to feat. Almost one year ago, upon moving back into the City of Angels, I was perusing my new neighborhood–Echo Park–when I came to discover that the actual Taxi CDC boutique was right here in my new hood!

Located right off of Sunset near the firestation, Taxi CDC calls a teeny-tiny boutique home. I’ll be honest, I’ve never set foot inside the place, only because I’ve written it off as too expensive, probably. It’s wrong of me to assume, and to my surprise the prices are typical indie boutique prices. After driving by the place almost every single day, I was sad to see when it was getting cleared out. It looked as though the poor place was going under, but I found out on Sunday that it is merely undergoing a renovation. Phew. I can still redeem myself and go shop come next paycheck. A mini-market taking place in the parking lot of my work had several vendors this last weekend, one of them being Taxi CDC itself. Racks of reworked, well tailored vintage dresses for reworked prices ($45 each). Oh, how I wanted to grab two and go, but not this week unfortunately. Instead I thought I’d spotlight the cute label and their goodies…

Originally a Mexican mumu, this fabric was cut into a feminine strapless dress, $96

A western plaid men’s shirt fashioned into a comfy and forgiving tube top, with an elastic band near the bottom to add some volume. You can totally find a version of this at a lot of contemporary clothing stores right now, but this is a handmade piece that has better detail and quality, $60.

Many of their styles consist of these redesigned 80’s vintage dresses. Not a look for everyone, but definitely something fun for the more adventurous. I would wear this with a structured jacket, a sweater would be bad since the sleeves have a flutter to them, $92.

All dresses available at taxicdc.com.

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop through a wide variety of women’s dresses.