9.19.2010

The Lawyer versus the Teacher

The not-so-common Lawyer look a la Reese Witherspoon in Legally Blonde
Two completely different, opposite end of the spectrum, career women; what are they wearing for fall? And can they agree? Possibly agree to disagree?
Anne Hathaway's chic teacher ensemble in Bridal Wars


Up next for realistic glamour...

Fashion Mannerisms

"Good clothes open all doors."
-Thomas Fuller

OMG! GOSSIP GIRL!

Finally, Gossip Girl is back and with a vengeance. I am regretful to say that last season was a little on the dull side (the ending totally made up for the entire season!) and so did the clothes. Since Blair has left behind headbands and Serena taken up 70's glamour, I think we need to pay some homage to the most amazing fashion since Sex and the City. Don't get me wrong, I was obsessed with Blair's romantic ruffles and florals for the first two seasons (I was not in love with the third season's fashion at all), but her new PARIS look (Serena's too) is beyond amazing. Not to mention, I love, love Paris. In my past life I was French (or just went there a lot). So it is my mission in life (well, actually for fall and winter) to recreate some of these stunning looks of Gossip Girl's Paris episodes. Feel free to imitate.You know you love it!

Now, if you have been living under a rock or do not watch the show, you may have no idea what I am talking about. Yet there is hope for you. You can find the past seasons on iTunes or the CW website. You could even watch them from Netflix.

Eric Daman, the French model turned costume design wonder-man is the genius behind all the looks on the show. He also is the creative director for Charlotte Russe (the main reason behind my newest obsession with the store). Oh, and did I mention that he published a book called You Know You Want It , that dishes about his creative genius behind his signature style on G.G. This show is no joke, it has some serious fashion prowess behind it. Take note fellow realistic glamour-pusses.

Blair Waldorf is my absolute favorite on the show and her style is the epitome of upper-class chic. She oozes with glamour. If you noticed, she is gracefully transitioning back to her girlish style of her high school days, but still keeping the look prim and proper. I just love it! Blair is mimicking the voluminous style seen at Prada, Loius Vuitton and Miu Miu for Fall 2010. She is mixing prints within the same color palette. Do not forget a hat or beret! A knit beret is perfect for the changing seasons. I checked out what Forever21 had in stock. I wanted to stick with florals/prints and volume for my Blair look. I like the blues of the season and found many chic looks, all under $40! The blue pastel flower print shift dress is not voluminous by shape, but the ruffles in the front add that volume I am looking for. Would look beautiful with a sequined bolero or boyfriend blazer. I think I will accessorize with black tights, peep toes, and quartz drop earrings. Another amazing dress I found was a chiffon blue print dress with light ruffling and a cinched waist. Very Blair with a very French beret! When Blair goes on the date with the prince/driver who is pretending not to be a prince, she is decked out in Dior. What a beautiful crystal-encrusted bubble dress. I would die just to walk around in that dress in my apartment playing my Wal-mart CD of French Cafe music. Seriously! So, I found the perfect dress to my next party where I can be A) in Blair fashion B) pretend I am French and C) be the best dressed in the whole party! It is a sleeveless black bubble dress (hello! it has pockets!) with a jeweled collar. Some serious heels and earrings would look amazing with this dress! Oh, and don't forget the lace tights too! Patent pumps were Blair's go-to accessory, which would work with all looks. Je'Taime Blair! 

Serena, Serena. Turning heads were ever she goes. Don't you wish you could get every cute and available (she's so done with married men) French guy out there? Why not paint him in nude a la Serena (in his shirt, no less)? I love how Serena's style has evolved. I am really digging this modern meets 70's glamour on her. Serena  loves to flaunt it, but this season she is flaunting it in a more laid back style. Check out her ultra glam mini dress with the boyfriend blazer and oxfords! She is totally following Kate Moss's iconic fashion choices. I think the mix of the high and low pieces seems to suit her the most. She doesn't look sloppy or like she is trying too hard. She is no longer the party girl or the home wrecker, she is more balanced now. I think Serena is at her happy place. Let's see how long it lasts! Hopefully she will head back towards Dan! What's wrong with a chic Step Mom? So I checked out Charlotte Russe, knowing the had more architectural couture inspired pieces. I found a strapless leopard print metallic dress with a pleated tulip hem and belted waist. I thought of pairing it with a silver sequined boyfriend blazer. Ah, how divine! A gold and clear Lucite collar necklace will really make the leopard print stick out! I really love this strapless pleat dress with tulle sticking out from the hem and a waist belt with four studs on it. I think it would look awesome with the sequin blazer too. Make sure to wear some ground breaking shoes, whether it be oxfords or sky high heels, they need to be major.

So whether or not you like or hate the show, I know I love it. I am so glad it is back. I feel like a part of me is back that has been on a horrible, long and distant journey without any contact or any know abouts of what may come or if it was coming back at all. It is a nice and wonderful escape to come home to and indulge in again and again! The show is a way to escape from the hell and torture that I endured all day long. So thanks Gossip Girl!
Blair's Paris look from Forever21
Sequined bolero for Blair's look from Charlotte Russe
Date-night for Blair from Forever21
Blue print chiffon dress a la Blair. Forever21.
Serena's sequined boyfriend blazer vie Charlotte Russe
Pleat tulle pleat dress with studding for Serena. Charlotte Russe
Leopard look for Serena; CR.
The Lucite necklace for Serena's look; CR
Another beaded bolero for Blair's look; CR.

9.14.2010

Images from my article...

Examiner is having issues with posting my images and slide show on their site. They are going through a transition with new software... so the issue should be fixed soon, but I wanted to make sure everyone got to see the images that are crucial for the article.


Indian summer in Chicago

Check out my latest article at Examiner.com! We are being blessed with the most amazing weather (watch it will be below zero since I said that!) and it's not time yet to put away the summer stuff and drag out the fall. We are in a limbo period here. In my latest piece, I give you many different looks from the key staples of summer and fall: shorts, skirts, dresses, pants, and tanks.

Chicago Fashion and Styling Tips

Vogue's Sept. Issue and Lady Gaga

I am a magazine junky, true to form. Well, specifically speaking, fashion magazines. Vogue was my first (I think like all fashionistas, it is). Debra Messing was on the cover in a beautiful red chiffon gown. Ever since then, Vogue been my bible, bible of fashion. My favorite time of year is Fall (and Christmas of coarse) when the leaves change, kids go back to school, and fall fashion issues come out. This year I was kind of left like a child after Christmas, when I did not get my Red Ryder gun. I was not impressed with Halle Berry's spread, nor of any of the fall fashion. What has happened Anna Wintour? I love you and your mag, so please, I am demanding fashion; that is all! Fashion is what a fashion magazine does, right? Thanks for the 726 pages of non-sumptuous fall fashion, but I appreciate you trying to expand my vocab. Not.

Onto more pressing matters... it was leaked this morning that LADY GAGA is going to have her own fragrance. True to many pop-stars, I am not surprised she has jumped on the perfume empire bandwagon. However, I am very excited for her choice of scent and how the bottle will look. I hope its spicy and a truly incredible bottle. I might display it.

I was kind of bewildered when I seen the VMA's the other night. I applaud LADY GAGA and all her winnings. She was truly moved by winning all those awards. Clap-clap Miss Gaga. Yet, I am still having nightmares of her meat gown. Let me just say what everyone was thinking: What the fuck? I think McQueen was amazing for sending her many, many gowns for videos, performances, and appearances. R.I.P. Alexander McQueen, however you need to come down from fashion heaven and give her a good talkin' to. PETA, I am sure will be after her sooner or later for that little stunt.

Next.... GOSSIP GIRL FASHION AND FEVER