Sweater up Chicago

I have a new article up on Examiner.com be sure to check it out. (Click article)

Tavi Update

Tavi is the one directly above with the glasses 

So remember how Tavi got the gig styling for Alice+Olivia? Maybe, maybe not-well the point of the matter is, her "amazing sense of self" (according to Stacey Bendet of Alica+Olivia) landed her another gig. Apparently, Stacey thought it would be "fun" for Tavi to style "the bands". Meaning The Pierces and Amanda Blank. The best part is what she wore to this charming opportunity (sarcasm).

Gossip Girl and Tim Gunn

Tim Gunn was featured in the latest episode of G.G. He was the perspective job opportunity for Little J. About a month ago, he was ranting about his encounter with Taylor Momsen while filming this episode. He claimed she was "...pathetic and couldn't remember her lines..." At one point he even called her a brat. After seeing the episode all I could do is laugh at his neurotic rants because his acting was about as exciting as a wet rag.

Well Mr. Gunn, you should really keep your nasty little comments to yourself because your acting really, really stinks. I don't know why we are all held hostage by an angry wannabe designer/stylist whom him self has no sense of fashion.

I mean come on, anyone can cross their arms, put their index finger to their temple and raise their eyebrow.
Tim Gunn should have been mentoring Taylor, not trying to start a war.

All I can say is "Really, Tim Gunn? Really?"

Completely Inspired by Emanuel Ungaro

You know when you feel old, when you remember a trend the first time around. I was watching the "righteous" movie Clueless today and noticed how a lot of the trends going on for fall/winter 2010 is from the late 80's early 90's.
It's bad when I find a white hair, no-not gray, a freaking white hair, but when I remember the trends and wore them too. I am sure I am getting tons of eye-rolls right now, but I am having my first official "Shit, I am getting old" moment.
Okay, it's over.
Moving on.
So, Emanuel Ungaro's F/W 2010 collection is very reminiscent of the posh 90210 scene (not to mention the show). Satin party dresses, bold colors, and polka dots are perfect for the girl that's looking to have fun during this drab and deary time. Red, fuchsia, and emerald green make chiffon, tweed and leather will give you a break from the minimalist or ladylike trend. I know I am looking to wear something that say "I am not a wallflower" and go to a great party, so I know I will defiantly be following this trend.
Here are some pieces that I know I am going to get and you should too:

Green leather jacket- make sure it is asymmetrical and cropped (cropped styles are more flattering)
Green onyx cat-eye earrings- great to polish up a look, evening classy enough for a cocktail party
Glenn plaid pencil pants- a touch of menswear with a touch color such as blue will punch up your work day
Platform pumps-in leather or suede look great in a red, periwinkle, or green
Rosette gathered dress- specifically from Forever21 
Envelope clutch- patent leather or embossed croc look fabulous
Polka dot skirt- draped chiffon will make it more 90's Gilbert Grape than 50's I Love Lucy 
Word pins- I like ones that say sweet things like "love" or "psych"


Hopefully someone will be host a party soon, well what am I talking about, the holiday season is on its way! More opportunities for you to try out some Emanuel Ungaro!

Fifties Redux Trend We All Love

Who does not love Johnny Depp in the 1990 musical Cry-Baby? The clothes are just a amazing.With the fifties redux trend being very big and very in season, why not take some inspiration from the silver screen (a la the Drapes)? We have seen very lady-like trends for fall, but add a little bit more 50's rock to it and you get a rebellious lady.

Cry-Baby (John Waters) is set in Baltimore in 1954, a time where poise was pushed by rebel. The movie is centered around the romance blossomed between Wade Walker (Cry-Baby), a Drape and Allison Vernon-Williams, a Sqaure. The love is not accepted by the Sqaures because the Drapes are known for their turmoil and suggestive attire. The Sqaures are your picture-perfect, conservative Mr and Mrs. Jones types. Won't spoil it for anyone who has not seen the movie (where have you been?), but ones to take fashion notes from are Rikki Lake, Traci Lords, and Iggy Pop.

What makes the Drapes' attire so fabulous is the ever stylish body-hugging pencil skirts, reveling blouses, shorts sleeve sweaters, leather jackets, cropped pencil leg jeans, and greaser hairstyles. All you need is a few pieces, red lipstick, cat eyeliner, and an attitude. Can you dig it?

Motorcycle Jacket: It just invokes bad-girl or rebel. Make sure the leather is soft and the zipper has some serious details.
Ray-Bans: Cat-eye style sunglasses in red, black, or tortoise shell are a Drape or Square must. This gives the redux look a little edge.
Leather Band Watch: A sleek rectangular faced watch with a black leather band will pretty much cover the bad-girl's accessories. Will work for evening and daytime as well. It's tough and elegant.
Pencil Leg Cropped Pants: Also known as the pedal pusher, cuffed at the ankle and in a dark wash will have you swooning! Pair with a leather jacket and kittens heels-meow!
Short Sleeve Sweater: Chunky or cashmere, a perfect combo to wear under a leather jacket or over a blouse. Can be basic crewneck or off the shoulder (think Sandy from Grease).  American Eagle and Victoria's Secret have fabulous sweaters under $40.
Leopard Print Flats or Pumps: This will add the perfect edge of sex, glamour, and lady-likiness. Target has flats for 12.99.
Printed Scarf: Tying a scarf around your neck (not the same reason you did in high school) will add a serious punch to any outfit.

Need more inspiration? Take cue from the runway like Isabel Marant F/W 2010.

So if your 14 you can be a stylist, but not 23?

This is Tavi...um thoughts on the ensemble?

If you are an avid reader of mine, then you know of my dislike of Tavi, the 14 year-old blogger-now stylist for Alice and Olivia. How is it that another girl from Illinois, half my age, gets lucky with her mediocre blog and got to style for fall's fashion shows? Oh, and have you seen what she wears? I do not call that understanding fashion or style, I call that taking inspiration from the bum on Michigan Ave.

A Realistic Do-It-Yourself Edition: Louis Vuitton Bows

In my past posts, I was raving about how I love the lady-like trend that has been gracing the runways (Prada, Louis Vuttion, Miu Miu). It is no surprise that most of us cannot buy those amazing shoes seen on Coco Rocha or Lara Stone, but we can get inspired from them! Why not take what we already have, and make it current?

Welcome to Realistic Glamour's DIY Louis Vuttion Bows 101.

These bows were seen at the F/W RTW 2010 shows on pointy pumps. Think of full skirts, hints of décolletage, and bow shoes. Now, I already know what your think, and no, these are not an eight year-old's bow. This is a flat chic bow. The bow is the essential lady-like accent to complete any ensemble. Here's how to make your own fabulous lady-like pumps:

What you'll need:
A pair of pointed heels
Textured leather ribbon
Scissors
Hot glue gun
Velcro

Directions (makes one bow): 

1. Cut two pieces of leather into strips (one should be 7"x1.5" and the other should be 4"x1.5"). You can play around with the lengths depending on how big you want your bow.  
2. The longer strip will serve as the base of the bow. Place this piece in front of you, horizontally, with colorful side facing down, dull side up. 
3. Starting at the outside edge, fold the leather strip into thirds, gluing each side down (with glue gun, duh!). Final bow should be about 4" long.  
4. To make the bow's knot, take the smaller piece of leather and fold it around the center of the bow. When you positioned it correctly, (make sure the seam is in the back please!) hot glue it into position. 
5. While the glue is drying, cut two pieces of Velcro, measuring 2"x1".  
6. Using the hot glue gun, attach one small piece of Velcro to the back of the bow, in the center. The glue the opposite side of Velcro to the top of your pump, in the center of the cone of point. 
7. Then stick your bow to your pump and here you have your own Louis Vuttion lady-like pumps.  

Inspired from P.S. I Made This

Rachel Zoe is PG!!

This is mah-jor! I absolutely love Rachel Zoe and completely respect what she has done to transform the career of a stylist. She has broke ground that many only dreamed of, myself being one of them. So I am completely thrilled for Rachel on being pregnant! This will only prove to the fashion world that you can have your cake and eat it too!

So congrats Rachel, I am totally looking forward to your possible baby line and what your little darling will be sporting!

W.W.W. Feature: Ari Graynor

I get emails and updates from the fabulous Who What Wear style site. My latest obsession is lady-like style with a hint of sexiness. Picture Joan from Mad Men. Their latest celebrity featurette is Ari Graynor, Boston native with classic east coast style. Check it out and see where I get my sex kitten inspirations.

http://www.whowhatwear.com/website/full-article/celebrity-feature-ari-graynor/