Fashion Blog

Swallow pin (the real thing in diamonds!) from Jewelry-Wholesalers.com: $2,900

Everyone out there who adores fashion but feels overwhelmed trying to sort through the blogs, shopping sights, online mags, print mags and books that chronicle planet fashion, please raise your hand.  Mmmhmm, I thought so.  Me, too.  So last week, I took an idea from one of my fashion icons, the great Dianna Vreeland, and started an inspiration board.  Gimme a sec, I am going somewhere with this.

It’s not just the time it takes to blast through all that fashion dicta that is a problem, it’s trying to make sense of what might work for you and what should just be left to recycle bin.  Physically sitting down, tearing out and pinning to a cork board any print image and that truly elicits a response is not only fun, but it illustrates what you might have been craving without realizing it.  (Note for iphone/laptop diehards: you could also do a computer version with downloaded pics, but the physical cut and pin is more decorative and more tactile, if less portable.)

Here’s what I found.  After sorting through images from four recent magazines and three catalogs, I narrowed it down to the usual eye candy I enjoy:  a heart charm from Roger Vivier, a cake with such outrageous flowers it looks like an Ungaro print, glittery Louboutins, a vintage-y swallow pin from Sonia Rykiel, inspirational pics of Michelle Obama and Dara Torres (that 6 pack!).  I also found a new trend… I love the new thick strapped/shoe bootie heels. What??

Rosebud Slingbacks:  $278.00

Friends, I am a true blue pointed toe, stiletto heeled, delicate Manolo/Prada/Gucci girl, so how did this chunky, strappy cone-heeled shoe sneak onto my radar?  No idea, but I love it with a floaty dress, tailored shorts and jackets, soft bubble hemmed skirts.  Thanks to my low tech inspiration board, I am clear on what trends make sense for summer and what is just white noise.

Guess I have some shopping to do.

Fabulous Sylvia Weinstock’s book on cakes, the flowers just kill me–found on Amazon.com.

Over the top Glitter Sling Back Heel Louboutins: $775

May is the season for the Cannes Film Festival.  One of the most high-profile, star-studded events of the season, Cannes is unique in the sense that many more of the cutting edge celebrities, designers, artists and industry people make the voyage out to the French Riviera to attend the film premieres, parties, and of course stepping foot on the red carpet looking more glamorous than ever.  I like Cannes fashion because it just seems so much more classic and timeless.  The celebrities are styled a little more boldly and just look more dazzling than ever, and I am not one to be celeb-obsessed…but for this occasion, I do love indulging in the film festival photos.

Lilac gowns were a bit of a trend, seen here on Penelope Cruz in Marchesa…

….as well as on Ryan Phillipe’s girlfriend, Abbie Cornish, seen here in a stunning Toni Maticevski gown.

Items that reminded me of these gowns?  This lovely Lotusgrace Ombre Silk Chiffon Dress ($480).  I love the color transition on the fabric.

Since I am in the mindset of “Luxury! Glitz! Glamour! French Riviera!” most of the items I am being drawn to are very luxe indeed…

Matthew Campbell Laurenza Enamel Sapphire Ring: $590

And of course, no red carpet would be complete without a pair of Louboutins treading over it.  If I had my choice, I’d go for these Pink Satin Petal Sandals $995 by the one and only Christian Louboutin.

Other standout starlets included the beautiful Diane Kruger in a white Marchesa gown.

….and of course the always luminous Angelina Jolie in a dusty rose colored Versace gown.

Image Source: Style.com

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more lilac dresses and Christian Louboutin shoes.

I just got back from a wonderfully relaxing trip to Montreal for Valentine’s Day. It was cold, just as Weather.com and every single person promised me, but my boyfriend and I enjoyed it to no end nevertheless. We even got in a full day of sightseeing, had a dinner and managed to have enough energy still to spend the night ice skating on a frozen pier on the waterfront! Before we took this little trip, all I could think about was how many layers and jackets I wish I had (besides the ones I already own). While jackets were absolutely necessary, the brute strength and resilience of the jacket was nothing without the necessary scarf to cinch up the top of my fleece, and the belt to pull up my pants and make sure no skin was exposed to the negative degree air. So I say, while thinking broad is a good way to start the travel fashion packing, don’t forget about the little details that are going to make your trip so much more pleasurable, and fashionable.

Item 1: Taking that cruise you always dreamed of? Want to avoid the hawaiian print T-shirt and cotton sundress syndrome? Pack yourself some classy bracelets or this nautical belt by Missoni.

Item 2: Hats are a necessity on any vacation. You’re going to be walking a lot, and you need something to keep the sun off your face and out of your eyes. But of course, you don’t want to be the dumbo in the visor: so keep it cool with the Emilio Pucci floppy sun hat.

Item 3: You need a pair of heels that make you look and feel dressy, but are still manageable in potentially long and uneven walking surfaces. My recommendation: Christian Louboutin’s gorgeous wedge heels.

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more nautical belts.
Discounts on women’s wedge heels and sun hats.