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…
…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!
While Spring styles are debuting in NYC for Fashion Week, let’s take a look at your Fall wardrobe.
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.
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.
And just in case your big hair and bold sweaters aren’t enough for you, Kate Spade has some goodies for your desk too!
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.
While Spring styles are debuting in NYC, let’s take a look at your Fall wardrobe.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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…
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.
Random Fact from my Life Last Week: Everyone I know is in a funk.
Personally, I blame the weather… and Lent… and the fact that everyone was referencing Les Misérables last week in the news because of the Oscar buzz. (Total downer, right?) Anywho, I am taking it upon myself to give you a little Monday pick-me-up.
“Keep busy searching out new ideas…” How you ask? Here are a few ideas…
Get a notebook. Carry it everywhere. Write things down.
Quotes. Moments. Doodles. Color combos. Whatever floats your boat.
Read this book… Bestie got it for me a few years ago, and it still never fails to get me excited about making stuff.
Read it? Then pick up a biography. Or find an author you’ve never read before. Or… wait for it… How about trying a new cookbook? (Personally, this one’s my new favorite!)
Maybe try a new method of cooking? or maybe just a new way of executing something you’ve done the same way for years. Rearrange your kitchen, mix up your wardrobe, find a signature color for March.
Don’t want to watch a musical? Just listen to some funky music. Might I suggest this playlist? Or how about this to get you started…
BTW, when was the last time you boogied?
Need an excuse to boogie? Remember, celebrating the ordinary, every day going-ons is just as important as celebrating the big events! And, on that note, here’s another tip: Make it a habit to always have champagne on hand.
Finally, turn off your computer/iPhone/Twitter/Facebook. Even if it’s just for a few hours when you get home in the evenings. We will all still be here when you get back, I promise!
One of my friends came up to me yesterday and said that he felt Spring coming. Personally, I think it was wishful thinking, but I will admit that I have had Springtime on my mind lately too. I keep being drawn to florals. There may be no flowers outside my door, but they are definitely appearing in my closet. So when I was in Target yesterday and saw these pants, I couldn’t resist! One thing led to another… you know how that goes…
(As a side note, the girl in that picture doesn’t look nearly as happy as that shirt will make you feel. My tailored shirt from Banana Republic is a favorite in my closet right now.)
Now a small disclaimer, my obsession with Springtime may have a little bit to do with our latest site release at work: HGTVGardens! It is such a cool site, and I was super honored to work on the design team. Be sure to click over and take a look!
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.
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…
Yesterday, it snowed… I understand this may not seem like that big of a deal to most of you, but we live in East Tennessee where it was in the mid-60s & sunny on Saturday. Needless to say, everyone got super excited. Snow pictures covered my facebook & instagram feed. So in honor of this joyous occasion, I couldn’t resist the urge to post this…
Today’s random links are chosen in honor of one of the festive colors of the holiday season. Despite the fact that I may have said in a recent video, “Red is your grandmother’s color,” I really do love wearing red year round. However, it always feels most appropriate during Christmas, don’t you think? So today, I thought we would take a cue from ol’ Gwynnie, dab on a little red lipstick, and heat things up a bit…
Watch
White Christmas, of course! There are 2 particularly fabulous red outfits in this movie. The first being the red gloves worn by the sisters during the minstrel number & “Mandy,” and the second being the red & white Claus-esque garb the cast wears for the finale. Which is your favorite?
Read
Diana Vreeland is known as the queen mother of the color Red. She surrounded herself by it and wore it religiously. Thus, it is only appropriate that a retrospective of her work would have a deep red cover. I found this book years ago in an antique store and have regretted not buying it ever since. One of my favorite Vreeland quotes:
“Red is the great clarifier – bright, cleansing, revealing.
It makes all colors beautiful.
I can’t imagine being bored with it – it would be like becoming tired
of the person you love.”
Wear
My first pick would be this red sequin body suit that I am coveting from Patricia Field. However, if that is a bit risqué for your taste, might I suggest a trusty tube of the perfect shade of red? MAC has numerous shades and all of the MAC ladies are trained to help you find the perfect shade. I’m a ‘Russian Red.’
