Fashion Blog » General

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

No, seriously. That is actually the breaking news about Michelle Obama right now. In fact, there are more headlines and discussion about Michelle’s fashion sense than there are about her agenda as the first lady altogether.

Forget about her agenda as first lady to promote nutritional lunches and support for military families. Let’s talk about how it’s a big deal for her to show a little leg on her trip to the Grand Canyon.

I‘ve read a lot of short news blurbs this morning about how “people” are upset about her shorts, but I haven’t figured out exactly who these people are. This leads me to ultimately believe that this is just bad journalism–a ploy to gain more readers interested and cause controversy over nothing. This story is not a story.  This might have been somebody’s opinion and somehow her outfit caused her to land in the news because some “people” are upset about it. It’s sad that credible news sources like MSNBC and the LA Times are blogging about her fashion sense. They aren’t a fashion blog so their priorities seem to be a little backwards.

But this is. So let’s discuss Michelle’s outfit.  Honestly, not only is her outfit completely appropriate, but it is also understandable–it’s scolding hot in Arizona, I’m sure. Even though they are very similar to her daughter’s shorts, neither of them are wearing anything worth dropping your jaw about. In fact, they’re both wearing comfortable khaki shorts, perfect for trekking along the grand canyon. Khaki shorts are always suitable for places of high heat–the light color doesn’t attract the sun and the loose fit allows air to flow and cool her off.

Michelle Obama is a Harvard Law School graduate and also our first lady. Her fashion sense is fine, have some respect.

Image source: LaTimesBlog.com 

If you are engaged or getting married soon and need an awesome photographer to capture all the happy moments, I highly recommend John Lauren Photography. They are a very talented young husband and wife photography team (John & Lauren) who have helped couples celebrate their special day in Orange County and Los Angeles County.  Just look at these examples of some of their work!  Don’t they look like urban or modern fashion spreads as opposed to actual engagement or wedding photos??

Gorgeous!  I mean, you only were your dress once.  Why not highlight it’s fabulousness like this??

Check out more examples of their work by visiting their blog here.

Contact John Lauren Photography via email: weddings@johnlauren.com.

Makeup, to me, is still an anomaly. While I’ve managed to pick two relatively decent shades of mineral foundation (no one has a single-tone skin color) and can reasonably apply eye shadow, there are still a few skills that evade me. Eyeliner must have been designed as a cruel trick. I can’t apply it with a pencil, liquid pen, or even the nice brush and pallet picked up a few months ago.

Of course, it wasn’t until recently that I realized that the average women didn’t even have the luxuries we have now until very recently. Makeup and fashion have certainly evolved over the years, and the industry has taken some incredibly odd twists and turns.

Did you know, for example, that fake eyelashes were invented for a Hollywood movie? A producer by the name of D.W. Griffith had false eyelashes made out of human hair to enhance the look of actress Seena Owen’s eyes.

Back in the day (meaning, a few hundred years ago), women used berries and natural colorings found in their environments to color their cheeks and face. Today we apply lipstick and very few of us realize that the gooey stuff we’re putting on our lips is full of fish scales.

Women from royal bloodlines changed their clothes several times per day. And while we would hang our clothes up for another day they would never see them again – instead giving them away to their slaves or those beneath them. One wear – my father would have killed me had I done that with a dress he paid good money for while I was growing up!

Oh yea, and slacks? Women never wore them before the 1930s. Actress Marlene Dietrich wore a pair during the filming of a movie called “Morocco.”

After that women who wanted slacks had to purchase them in the men’s department because women’s clothing manufacturers hadn’t yet figured out how to cater the design of pants for women!

We have, of course, been graced with dozens of other odd fashion trends over the years – from Madonna’s bullet bra to dying our hair a multitude of colors. No matter what happens, though, fashion will continue to grow and evolve. Some trends will be classy, some will be average, and some will be downright strange. It’ll be up to you to decide which you like best!

Image credits:  nutmeg/Flickr, ourchart.com

May you stay fabulous, fashionable and healthy in 2009!

We hope you all have a safe Christmas and enjoy your time with friends and family!

Image Source:  finalfashion.ca

I still haven’t started shopping for everyone on my holiday shopping list.  I never know what to get everyone!  If you feel the same way and you need to buy quality gifts on a budget, you should check out our Smarter.com Holiday Shopping Guide.

Find gift suggestion for your parents like cashmere sweaters for under $100, or gifts for co-workers for under $25.  You can also find ideas for gifts for your grandparents, siblings, babies, your tween cousins, friends and significant other.

Check out the Smarter Holiday Shopping Guide and GET TO SHOPPING!

Hello all,

I’m sad to announce that I won’t be the Smarter Fashion blogger anymore. Yes, I’m moving on, but I leave you in good hands. Evette, who has guest blogged a few times, will now be letting you in on the latest fashion news, hot trends and, of course, the best fashion deals online. I will still write from time to time, so look for me. Thanks for reading and supporting this blog.

Happy Shopping!

Valentina

It’s no secret that Kate Bosworth is a favorite among the fashion elite, including the likes of Karl Lagerfeld and, now, Calvin Klein. Bosworth stars in the all-American brand’s Spring ‘08 ad campaign, breathing new life into the label’s image.

She’s the perfect match for Calvin Klein, says creative director Kevin Carrigan: “Her purity of style and sensuality are a perfect match for the natural, clean modernity of the Calvin Klein Jeans line.” Hmmm…maybe she’ll bring back some Kate Moss magic.

I’ve never really taken to Calvins, but I bet they’ll get some converts once these pics start hitting the fashion magazines.

Source.  

In order to move forward into another fashionable year, I say we look back at some of the top fashion happening of 2007. Here it goes:

Sarah Jessica Parker’s Bitten line comes out. I didn’t buy it, but it’s still going strong.

The white bag was a big trend, luring us with it’s chic and delicate nature.

The Met Costume Gala brought out the best and worst celebrity fashion. Christina Ricci was a winner in my book.

The Jeans-Bikini pants are a big hit in Japan but not here. Thankfully.
Fashion world icon Liz Claiborne passed away this year. Her company was the first woman-owed clothing business to hit the Fortune 500.

Paris Hilton is released from her stint in jail and uses the media blitz to promote her Kitson denim line. Sigh.

The tote bag takes makes a big showing in the world of eco-conscious trends.

Calvin Klein goes for color and volume for their Resort ‘08 line.  Applause.

Lily Allen poses for Elle and shows off her fashion chops.

Tim Gunn further challenges us with A Guide to Quality, Taste &  Style.

Color is the most fashiony of fashion stars this year.

Posh makes Vanity Fair’s Best Dressed list.  I don’t really get it.

Kate Spade leaves Kate Spade the label behind in favor of family and travel.

A Bathing Ape hoodies drive American teens crazy.

Gwen Stefani’s L.A.M.B. is one of many to sue Forever 21 this year.

Giselle Bundchen tops Forbes’ Richest Model list. Kate Moss comes in a distant second.

The Simpsons join the fashion elite in fashion spread for Harper’s Bazaar.

High-waisted jeans come back.  Get used to it.

The Bra turns 100 years old, and still works.

The bold shoulder comes back to fashion.

Vogue comes to India and causes controversy with Gemma Ward dead center.

Marc Jacobs arrives two hours late, introduces us to the backwards shoe and repulses Posh at his Spring ‘08 show.

Maggie Gyllenhaal and Agent Provocateur seduce us with their sexy ads.

Fashion comes to the Great Wall of China and dazzles us with some Fendi.

Stella McCartney is named British Designer of the Year.

Cavalli covers H&M in leopard print and causes a frenzy.

Target strikes a deal with Rogan.  Could be promising.

Saleisha Stowers becomes America’s Next Top Model.

Peta targets the Olsens and their fur-loving ways with a website.