Tag Archives: Fashion

Girl Goes Glamping

While Spring styles are debuting in NYC for Fashion Week, let’s take a look at your Fall wardrobe.

You’ve finally found him–your very own Prince Charming. He’s perfect. Ruggedly handsome with a good sense of humor, fashionable, well-read, and manly. Oh honey, is he manly!

But what’s this? He wants to take you camping? As if!

No need to worry, my dear, this season Charlotte Ronson has you covered. You too can look chic and outdoorsy…

Girl Goes Glamping | Charlotte Ronson, Fall 2013

…for the two hours you last before checking into the nearest 4-star hotel.

Seriously, what were you thinking?! Don’t be ashamed–lots of girls are hypnotized by manly charms. Rugged sounds sexy until you realize that you are about to sleep both out of doors and on the ground.

That’s why God made concierges and Hilton Honors points. Have them send up a masseuse and a bottle of Veuve. You’ve earned it!

Lisa Frank Fans Grow Up to Buy Kate Spade

While Spring styles are debuting in NYC for Fashion Week, let’s take a look at your Fall wardrobe.

Lisa Frank Unicorns

The first day of school, 1991. Armed with Lisa Frank erasers, Lisa Frank pencils, and Lisa Frank folders, she snaps shut her Lisa Frank trapper keeper and thinks about how rad this school year is going to be.

Admit it, you had the ballerina stickers and you wrote love notes to all your besties on your rainbow reef stationery. My bet is the designers of Kate Spade‘s Fall collection did too.

Bright colors, fast food, and an adorable little mascot? Lisa would be so proud, don’t you think? This is totally how 6 year old me envisioned my grown-up self: hailing a taxi cab in a brightly colored ensemble with hot pink stilettos and big hair.

Kate Spade (obviously) Loved Lisa Kate (obviously) Loved Lisa

And just in case your big hair and bold sweaters aren’t enough for you, Kate Spade has some goodies for your desk too!

 

L’Wren Scott Hair and an Open Letter to Oprah

While Spring styles are debuting in NYC for Fashion Week, let’s take a look at your Fall wardrobe.

L'Wren Scott Hair | an open letter to Oprah

Oprah donning some *gorgeous* hair on the cover of September’s O Magazine.

Dear Oprah,

White girls LOVE you.

So much, in fact, that we will literally fry & dye our own hair to be more like you. Yes, I know. You’d have thought the 1980s taught us something, but no. You’re like that cool girl in high school that we can’t get up the courage to talk to. But Oprah, we still want to be your BFF.

In the 80’s my mama called this “Big LA Bar Hair.” Today, I’m calling it “Afro de Oprah.” But white girls take heed: perm & tease too much and there will be nothing left to style come Spring.

Sincerely,

Hannah B.
xoxo*

 

Fall Fashion: The Villains of Valentino

While Spring styles are debuting in NYC, let’s take a look at your Fall wardrobe.

Villainous Valentino | Wednesday Addams

Have you ever seen yourself as the Wednesday Addams in a sea of orange-clad blondes? Then, Valentino’s Fall collection is for you! I have to admit, I wasn’t allowed to watch The Addams Family when I was a kid–a little dark for my mother’s tastes. But the moment I saw her headless Marie Antoinette doll, I more than made up for lost time.

The Villains of Valentino | Wednesday Addams

So you can imagine my joy when I saw Valentino’s Fall collection. Who’d have thought that after 27 years of repressed melancholy, I’d finally get the chance to dress up as Wednesday Addams?

The Villains of Valentino | Wednesday Addams

But Valentino didn’t stop there.

Do you sometimes find yourself longing to pull a Glenn Close circa 1996? Do you often have a desire to match your spotted pooch’s ensemble? Valentino has you covered.

valentino-cruella

And lest we forget that for every yin there is a yang, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Valentino’s nod to the White Witch.

valentino-whitewitch

So there you have it. If you’re looking for a way to show a little more of your dark side without going full on goth, fill your closet this season with Valentino and accessorize with your own Marie Antoinette.

 

Get Rid of That Vintage Smell

Love getting a new vintage frock, but hate the stench that comes with it? Well, today is your lucky day! Husband is sort of like the Goodwill Whisperer. While getting his MBA, he also acquired a closet full of sport coats from the finest tailors in town–all for a going rate of about $5 each. But the vintage smell (don’t act like you don’t know) was a bit much, so, after doing some research, he found a great solution.

The secret? Vodka. It’s not just for martinis anymore…

smell-vintage-goodwill-clothing-secrets

  • Mix 2 parts vodka with 1 part distilled water in a spray bottle.
  • Spray on your garment.
  • It will dry quickly. Then, just take it to the dry cleaner for cleaning.

On second thought, the real Secret of this Belle may just be to get yourself a husband that helps with the laundry after making you a martini.

Slow–Slow–Quick–Quick & the 2013 Oscars

I know her hair was fabulous, but what really got me about Charlize Theron at the Oscars was her Foxtrot. Why don’t we go out dancing anymore? Ask your grandmother, there is some serious power in the grace & beauty of a choreographed dance in a fabulous dress. I don’t know about you, but Husband & I will be learning ASAP. (Thanks, YouTube!)

Foxtrot | Secrets of a Belle

 

“After all, Ginger Rogers did everything that Fred Astaire did.
She just did it backwards and in high heels.”
-Ann Richards

A few other thoughts from the 2013 Oscars that I couldn’t resist sharing…

Quvenzhane's dog purse at the 2013 Oscars. Jennifer Aniston at the Oscars

Seth MacFarlane's Music is Better Than Words

Black & White

On Monday, one of my friends that is an amazing photographer captured this moment at the Knoxville Zoo. Fast forward a few hours, and I came across these amazing pictures of AnnaSophia (new favorite name) Robb from Teen Vogue.

annasophia robb in teen vogue, feb 2013

Needless to say, I am now caught in a frenzy of black & white. Who said the starkness of January couldn’t be inspiring? Winter whites tend to make me sleepy, but pair them with a bold black and I’m all over it. Here are a few ways to bring this contrasting combo into your own home this week…

This Week: Love Some Black & White | Secrets of a Belle

Misia Vase / Sonia Kashuk / Black Lilies

Hello, Gorgeous!

I hope that the chaos of the holidays has been enjoyable for you & yours! Here at the Slaughter house, we were hit with a bit of sickeness just after Christmas which turned out to be a blessing in disguise. We’ve spent the past few days resting on the couch watching old movies & episodes of Coach. But now that our break is coming to a close, I thought this blog better get back in the swing of things. So here are a few New Year’s links to get your week started off in style!

Watch:

How about the quintessential New Year’s movie? When Harry Met Sally.

The movie that teaches us several important lessons to carry with us into the new year.

1.) It’s important to know & articulate what you like.

2.) Just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you should.

3.) Hats should be worn with confidence–because years from now you’ll probably wonder what in the world you were thinking.

Hats should be worn with confidence because years from now, you'll wonder what in the world you were thinking. | When Harry Met Sally :: Secrets of a Belle

4.) The perfect go-to karaoke song is always “Surrey with a Fringe on Top.” (You’re welcome.)

Finally, everyone loves Meg Ryan. Everyone.

Wear:

A statement piece,* of course! Lately, I have been eyeing the piece above from Ban.do.

*A statement piece is an eye-catching (but attractive) accessory. It says something about the wearer to the rest of the room… “I am confident.” “I am fun.” “I am certifiably insane but at least I’m having a good time.”

A good tip to follow when wearing a statement piece for the first time: Tone down the rest of your outfit from dress to hair to make-up so that the statement piece is not competing for attention.

Drink:

Something bubbly… might I recommend a bottle of Veuve?

Listen:

One of Husband’s very favorites…

Til next year! xoxo*

Making Any Resolutions?

Recently, I started a book by a lady who was trying to live a ‘happier’ life.

I started it 3 times.

Each time, making it about 30 pages in and each time putting it down slightly more miffed than the last time. “How tedious can one person be?,” I thought. ‘What is happiness? What does Aristotle have to say about that? How can I flow chart my way to a happier life in 365 days?’ Was she kidding?!

Of course, then it hit me: I have basically been this woman since I was 6. I’m that girl that gave myself homework at the beginning of each summer, I was thrilled at 12 when I finally got the daytimer I had begged for, and I started every Autumn with a list of New Year’s resolutions. (Seriously, if you don’t start in September, how will you ever find the time to evaluate which resolutions are truly worth your time before making your list in January? I may not have valued the wisdom of Aristotle, but Coco Chanel and Walt Disney quotes are scribbled in every sketchbook I’ve ever owned. (For the record, Ben Franklin lost all credibility when I learned that one of his 13 virtues was temperance.)

So with this realization, how do I enter 2013? I could resolve to not worry so much, to care less, and to not take myself so seriously. But who am I kidding? I’ll probably try to read more, to wear more color, to lose those last 10 pounds, and to finish things that I…

In the words of Coco Chanel:

Success is often achieved by those who don't know failure is inevitable.

Hello, Gorgeous!

Good morning! I hope you had a *lovely* weekend! We certainly did. I hope you won’t mind me bragging just a bit…

Nashville pictures including Grace Coddington, The Southern, The Frist

That’s right! Your eyes aren’t deceiving you. This weekend we traveled to Nashville to visit Bestie, to eat some really incredible food, and to meet the Grace Coddington! The Frist put on a great Q&A with the infamous creative director of American Vogue  hosted by model/musician (& ex-wife of Jack White, who was also in attendance… *swoon*) Karen Elson to promote her new book Grace: A Memoir. It was fantastic! The relatively small room, which made everything a bit more intimate, was full of people trying too hard & wearing shoes they couldn’t walk in. Grace was such a friendly personality and so gracious to stay and sign books. Anyway, enough gushing… I just couldn’t resist.

Here are a few other random links to start your week off on the right foot…

Read

I’ve been a fan of the site Brain Pickings for a while. Structured like a blog, it’s a compendium of readings, facts, and essays that are the perfect thing to get your brain moving in the mornings. So I was really excited to finally see an article on the woman behind the site (& excellent Twitter feed), Maria Popova, in the New York Times this weekend.

Listen

I rarely listen to music when I work, but I often listen to podcasts and old radio shows. Lately, I’ve become addicted to Design*Sponge creator Grace Bonney’s podcast After the Jump where she interviews various creatives. Here are a few that I’ve especially enjoyed lately…

episode 3: Genevieve Gorder
episode 7: Sibella Court
episode 24: Thom Filicia 

Cook

Today, I’m going to try making gingerbread for the first time using the new Band of Outsiders cookie cutters I scored at Target this weekend. I’m using this recipe I found on Smitten Kitchen (adapted from Martha Stewart). Wish me luck!