Littlest Things

   So, as the snow will be rolling in shortly, I must get myself to think happy thoughts instead of saying farewell to the nicer weather we've had. My two cousins from Vermont are coming later in the week and I'm so excited to see them! This weekend I'm going to Boston, where I'm hoping to find some good thrift stores...any suggestions? Also, Friday, my English teacher told me that he had made me an editor of our school yearbook and that we'll be meeting on Thursday. My first editing position! It's no Vogue or Harper's Bazaar, but I'm still just as happy! If those aren't enough reasons to make me forget about the snow, here are some little things that will cheer anyone up!

Kimchi Blue Lipstick Box-$14.99

Urban Outfitters

Lipstick is a wonder for lifting one's spirits...vibrant colors can brighten the cloudiest of days!

Burberry Printed Slingback Sandals-$192.50

The Outnet

"Discount Burberry"...how amazing does that sound? These would make perfect shoes for walking around in the city and they'd look cute with a red Banana Republic coat I have.

"But this 'Down with Love' chick is too busy? Doing what? Eating chocolate?"

-Ewan McGregor in Down with Love

This movie is so cute and hilarious, I could watch it over and over!

 

To Clog or Not to Clog

  

   During Spring 2010 Fashion Week, high-heeled clogs were seen walking down Chanel's runway. Anything that Chanel starts becomes the hottest trend, so it's not surprising that these shoes have been the most talked about of the season. But, I'm still not sure how I feel about them. Don't get me wrong, I love the look Lagerfeld created for Chanel, but I don't know if I'll like the possible trend they'll turn into. I feel like a lot of stores could make them into ugly 90's styles. However, adding heels to them give them that vintage 70's style which I'm sort of diggin'.

Inspiration from the Runway

 

Styles that don't work...

  I think that the higher the heel is in proportion to the toe, the better. The heels make the toes curvier and less flat than the clogs shown above. When the toes are flat, they make anyone's legs look stubby, but when a heel is added, it elongates the legs and avoids that frumpy hippie look. Also, when there's too much of a tread or tacky buckles on them it cheapens the look. I would keep them sleek and simple with maybe a few embellishments here or there. Some overdone embellishments look okay as long as the shoe is leather and it has a rougher look that fits the studs and big buckles. Think of them as leather jackets...the edgy but feminine ones are the best. They look good when they are simple and fitted and have a couple buckles or studs. Any jackets that are too big or have tacky fringe, should only be seen on the Hell's Angels. In this case, leave the dingy clogs to nurses.

Styles that do work... 

What Will Happen to His Label?

  

   As the fashion world knows, Alexander McQueen was found dead on Thursday, in his home in London. He was scheduled to launch his new collection in France next month for Paris fashion week. It is a shame the industry has lost such a creative mind, and I'm curious if anyone will carry on with his label. I would really like to know if he left his company to anyone or if he wanted to it to go down in history with him. As the investigations carry on, I'll be anxious to hear of any developments that answer these questions.

McQueen at his best...

 

  

Street Style the Parisian Way

  I started taking French this semester, and I love it! My teacher is so much fun and I feel like I've already learned so much. Yesterday in class, she told us about how different high-school is in France, than in America. When she traveled there, she spent some time in one of the schools. They had hour long lunches, during which, they either had a three course meal cooked by the cafeteria, or they hung out at a cafe with their friends. The kids had a lounge just like the teacher's, but with couches and a foosball table. She told us that going to school there was like going to college, because they basically considered teens as adults once they turned 16. Today we learned about typical French food and everything sounded extremely yummy! I want to go to France so badly, and the more my teacher described it, the more I felt like I just had to go!

   Paris is one of the biggest fashion capitals in the world, so not surprisingly, you can find a lot of great inspiration in France. When the French exchange students came to my school last fall, I was fascinated by their style...particularly the guys! Guys at my school are those typical punks who think they're cool with their pants around their knees...but the French guys...they wore jeans that actually fit them with sweaters and scarves!

 

Here are some great examples of the street style in France:

This women is stylish even when she goes to walk her dog!

P.S.

I have finally finished a scarf I've been working on since summer!

Currently in Love With...

...this dress from the Carolina Herra

Pre-Fall Collection,

Nina Ricci's Pre-Fall Collection,

Galliano's masterpieces for Christian Dior's Pre-Fall Collection,

Johnny Depp's cover on GQ,

the Marc Jacobs Stam Bag,

and these outfits by three stylish lookbook icons.

   It's only a week away from Valentine's Day so I've listed the things that currently have my heart. There are some really great Pre-Fall Collections that have surfaced and I had to show you some of my favorites. Dior's totally captivated me (I couldn't pick just a few looks so I put up practically the whole collection)! I love, love, love the 1940's look, mixing both the glamorous gowns and fur with leather jackets and army helmets. It shows both sides of the WWII era in a very wearable way.

   This month Johnny Depp was on the cover of GQ. He really is the only man on earth who can get older and still be just as sexy! I have seriously contemplated subscribing to GQ because there's always one of my favorite guys on the cover! One time I saw Channing Tatum in an issue while I was at the grocery store. I didn't have money with me, so I almost tore out the pages and made a mad dash for it!

   My current obsession, accessory wise, is the Marc Jacobs "Stam" bag. Named after one of my favorite models, Jessica Stam, it comes in both normal and mini sizes and would definitely be big enough to fit my life in! I always have to carry a huge purse at school in order to fit all my make-up, books (not text books, but reading books), pencils, and random stuff you probably wouldn't even want to know about. The bag I use now has already had enough, after only one semester. I jammed so much in it, the zipper broke!

   I can spend hours on LOOKBOOK.nu, looking at all the marvelous outfits! There are so many that I wish were my outfits instead. I also envy the serious photographers who use really nice cameras and have those perfect looking pictures. I love my camera, but I think it's getting a little old. The quality of my pictures don't come out as well as they used to, and I think it would help to have better flash options. Maybe for my birthday I'll ask for another camera...something more advanced, while I'll still keep the one I have for fun pictures with friends and family.

P.S.
I ordered my prom dress on gilt groupe last week! I'm so excited for it to arrive! It's a navy, brocade Badgley Mischka gown. My favorite part is this really pretty train that cascades down the back. I know I had a navy dress last year, but it's quite a lot different. I think I just have a thing for navy dresses!
Look for pictures in May!

My New Boots

Last weekend when I went shopping at Forever 21 I spotted these cute over-the-knee boots. I tried them on and absolutely loved them. They're so comfy and have a layer of fleece inside! I was dismayed when I looked at the tag and came to the conclusion I couldn't buy them with my Christmas money if I wanted clothes. Later that week, I convinced my parents to buy them for me because I've been in need of some winter boots. Low and behold, I now have them! They make me so happy, and they keep my tootsies warm!

boots-$34.80

skirt-$15.80

Buzz About the Grammys

I feel awful that I haven't posted for a week, and it hasn't even been because I was busy, but more of a lack of motivation. I blame it on being shopping deprived! For the past couple weeks I've been dying to go shopping with all my Christmas money, but I had no way to get to the malls. Finally, this weekend I went both Saturday and Sunday! I spent 4 hours and $166 at Forever 21 and my grandmother was such a good sport while she held my clothes I was trying on, picked out some cute tops, gave her opinion on outfits, and socialized with the cashiers. She's so much fun to go shopping with and I'm lucky I inherited her shop-'till-you-drop genes!

jeans-$29.80

sweater-$17.80

(both from Forever 21)

In other fashion news...

Many celebrities donned nudes and blacks for the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards. While Lady Gaga's over-the-top ensemble didn't surprise me, Katy Perry's lower-key gown did. I was very happy my favorite band, Kings of Leon, won so many awards. Here are some noteworthy looks you shouldn't have missed, even if you didn't get to watch the show last night. My favorite dress by far is Keri Hilson's Dolce & Gabbana.

Ciara, adorned in a black lace Givenchy Haute Couture gown.

Jennifer Hudson looks chic in Victoria Beckham.

John Legend matched his suave voice to his

dashing Prada suit.

Katy Perry flowered in Zac Posen.

Keri Hilson looked simple and elegant in Dolce & Gabbana.

The Kings of Leon, while looking dapper in Dior Homme, 

won 4 awards last night.

Lady Gaga, in Armani Prive, never ceases to amaze us

with what she can find to tangle her body in.

Rihanna couldn't go without bold shoulders

 in this Elie Saab Haute Couture dress.

Taylor Swift wore Hollywood siren well, in Kaufman Franco.

Usher, always looking hot in a suit,

 wore Emporio Armani.