Monday, January 30, 2012

Cocktail Finery

I love dressing up. So much so that every winter I throw a fancy cocktail party just to give me and my friends a reason to don some frills and sip on some delicious drinks. And of course there has to be paper invitations. As a graphic designer who truly believes that print will never die, sending an electronic invitation would go against everything I stand for. This year I also included two signature drinks for my guests to enjoy.  Sparkling wine with pomegranate liquor and vanilla almond milk with amaretto and vodka. The latter proved to be pretty dangerous. For this year's party I went with a dress with some sparkle and colorful shoes. I've also included pictures of the party invite.

Strapless Sequin Sheath - Banana Republic
Red Peep Toe Pumps - Bakers
Earrings - Forever 21


Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Spring 2012: Designer Duds I Covet

There were so many great looks during the Spring 2012 Ready to Wear shows this year. I loved so many things, but below are the ones I truly covet. Top honors go to the Christian Siriano number. I would wear it everywhere if I could.

  Christian Siriano

 Rachel Zoe

Jenny Packham

Lela Rose

Milly



Thursday, January 19, 2012

From the Fitting Room: H&M

I went to H&M to try on the shirt from my dead ringer post last week and to check out their new spring arrivals. I was disappointed by their spring pieces with the exception of these gorgeous tweed shorts. The pictures really don't do them justice.  

The gingham shirt was a little on the long side (blame my super short torso), but other than that it fit pretty well. The H&M website says that it's only available in sizes 4-16, but there were plenty in size 2, which is the size I tried on, at my store as well. I ended up buying the pink color because I thought it was a nice spin on a traditional fabric. Plus, the larger checks on the blue felt a little too country western to me.

I loved everything about these blue tweed shorts. I tried on a size 2, they fit perfectly and the black ribbon detail is a nice touch. They'll be great with a blazer and tights for the winter months. Hopefully some of the detail shows up in the second photo. I obviously had to buy these!

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Spring 2012: The Peplum Takes Over

If the runways are any indication, peplum is all the rage for spring. A peplum is a flared ruffle attached to the waist of a jacket, blouse, skirt, or dress. This short overskirt instantly adds a little glamour and flair to any piece. Even if you think you can't pull off this trend, go ahead and give it a try, it's the perfect way to accentuate a small waist and add a flirty touch to any outfit.

Below are a couple of my favorite peplum looks from the spring 2012 ready to wear fashion shows.

jason wu | nina ricci

lela rose | rodarte

Friday, January 13, 2012

Dead Ringer?

Gingham shirts have been all the rage for the last couple of seasons and it doesn't look like they are going away anytime soon. I spotted this shirt a while back, but thought it was a bit too pricey. Sure enough a quick search on the H&M site pointed me to its dead ringer. The H&M version comes in 3 colors and has a striped pattern on the inner cuff, a fun and unique touch. I plan to make a run to H&M soon to try this shirt on in person.


Gingham Shirt - $19.95 at H&M




Thursday, January 12, 2012

Is This for Real? Missoni Back on Target.com

While doing a search for dresses on Target's website this afternoon, I was more than a little surprised to see a bunch Missoni items back in stock. I typed in Missoni in the search field and everything from dresses to housewares seemed to be up and available. Not sure if this is a fluke, but I was able to place an order, so keep your fingers crossed. If you weren't able to get your hands on some of the items you wanted, I would recommend checking the website out right now!

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

It's Almost Here: Jason Wu for Target


In a little less than a month, Jason Wu's collection for Target will hit stores and my prediction is that mass chaos will ensue. Jason Wu was a rising star in the fashion world, but over the last couple of years, his popularity has skyrocketed, I guess it doesn't hurt when the First Lady has a major affinity for your designs. His new line for Target is inspired by femininity in French New Wave films and the pieces are seriously adorable. Prices will range from $19.99 to $59.99 for apparel and $19.99 to $49.99 for accessories and the collection will be available from February 5 to March 6, 2012.

Below are some of my favorites from the collection. To view the complete line with prices, click here. Now, I'm off to plot my shopping strategy as I fear that this may turn into the nightmare that was Missoni.





Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Sunday Best

Last week was pretty dark and dreary. This meant the winter blues were about to kick in. The best cure I could think of was a bright and cheery outfit. I love the bright blue cardigan paired with an even brighter yellow necklace. The key to this outfit lies in keeping the rest of the look neutral. I didn't want to go too heavy on the black, so I decided to go with the taupe booties, which by the way are quickly becoming my new favorites. The leather is so soft and gorgeous and they are super comfortable.

Black Dress - Ann Taylor Loft
Jackie Cardigan - J.Crew
Tights - Target
Eric Michael Soho Booties - Gifted, available here
Chunky Yellow Necklace - Etsy
Brinkley Tassel Bracelet - Gorjana

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Clothes I'm Coveting

I'm lusting for spring, but still craving the cozy, warm and embellished touches that come along with winter attire. I have multiple fashion personality disorder. Below are my obsessions of the moment.

Free People Rosey Skirt - I am a serious sucker for rosettes.

Greylin Gold Foil Grey Jacquard Shorts - There's always room in my closet for more sparkle.

Eva Franco Society Dress - I love the mix of textures, cozy collar and vibrant green color of this dress.

Topshop Lace Piped Skater Dress - It's dresses like this that make me wish spring were here.

Giambattista Valli Layered Dress - The mix of textures on this dress is pure perfection. The perfect transition from winter to spring.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Sunday Best

I have been all about the J.Crew minnie pant for the past year. But lately I have noticed that the wool version seems to hold up much better than the stretch twill version. If I am going to pay that much for a pair of unlined pants, I want them to last and that's why I was beyond thrilled to see the pair below at H&M this fall. Not only do I love the plaid print, but these pants don't sag nearly as much after wearing for a full day as the J.Crew ones. And the best part of course was the $14.95 price tag! 

 Black Turtleneck - Nordstrom Rack
Skinny Plaid Pants - H&M
Black Peep Toes - Nine West