Halloween on the Runway

Happy Halloween!  Hope you all have eaten your fill of candy, gotten tricks and treats, and expressed your secret identity via a fabulous costume.  Rather than show pictures of traditional costumes for my Halloween post, I decided to go a more fashionable route.  I was inspired by Vogue's feature on costume ideas from the runway - often our everyday outfits come from runway fashion, so why not costumes? 

A Boardwalk Empire look, inspired by Ralph Lauren on the runway.  Love this glamorous 20s style - could also translate to a flapper or Great Gatsby.

Or go with a warmer look, like the Abominable Snowman.  Reminiscent of Chanel, of course.   Faux fur is definitely in! 

Everyone's favorite show, Mad Men, will be inspiring a lot of Bettys and Dons this year I am sure.  I guess Louis Vuitton was inspired too!  

I love this 80s throwback, Dynasty style.  Or Balmain on the left.  Extra points for the fact that its gold!  

If you're feeling particularly political or patriotic, this General Petraeus look is for you.  Junya Watanabe had that look going on too - very military, as was the style this fall. 

 

And lastly, if its the 70s and Charlie's Angels that you like, it's a Shelley Hack look for you.  Chloe maintains a sophisticated style in a beautiful shade of camel.  Love the denim shirt!  

*images courtesy of vogue.com

Project Runway Finale

Project Runway is one of my favorite shows on TV, and finale is what I look forward to most.  This year's finale was no exception - Gretchen, Mondo, and Andy brought it with their shows and I was really impressed (for the most part). 
Let's start with Andy who was, to be honest, my least favorite.  I loved the bright green that he brought to his collection that was for the most part, grey.  The details were impeccably done and there were some really beautiful pieces, like the last look - the pleated green dress that he created for his 11th look.  I also loved the grey top with the green shorts.  However I was not a fan of adding swimwear into his collection, and I wanted more color or some print to add dimension.  And don't get me started on those weird headpieces... I wasn't surprised that he was the judges' least favorite either. 

Gretchen, on the other hand, did a fabulous job.  I have thought she was one of the best from the beginning of the season, and while she did falter a bit in the last few weeks, her collection really came together.  One of the best aspects of her clothing is how wearable it is.  Her prints were gorgeous - I would wear any of them.  I liked the addition of the leather pieces and the jewelry was so cool.  I thought the judges were correct in calling out that it lacked a little drama - one "wow" piece would have added that extra umph. 

And then there is Mondo, who was my favorite of the night (and the season).  He has grown on me throughout the season and I celebrate the fun and whimsy in his collection and style.  Print mixing!!  So few can do it well and for Mondo, it's his calling card.  I loved the black elements, which helped to settle down some of the bright colors and prints.  I also thought the accessories were inventive and really added to the collection.  My favorite look was the plaid bubble dress - so amazing! 

So Gretchen took the title - and I was happy with that result.  While I liked Mondo better, I am happy to see a commercial wearable designer win.  In previous seasons, the ones with that talent have failed to impress the judges enough to win.  Nina Garcia said it best when she commented that Gretchen knows what is current and what is trending.  Her collection was absolutely saleable and would look great on any stylish modern woman.  Well done, Gretchen! 

Friday's Favorite Look 10.29

Today, as I was doing research for my upcoming Halloween post on Sunday (BOO - get ready!), I found a great article on fabsugar all about Halloween-inspired editorial fashion shoots.  They were all so gothic and eerie and beautiful, it was difficult to pick just one.  But of course I did, and that is today's look!  It's from a Vogue Paris shoot - I love the intricate lace mask and Bride of Frankenstein hairstyle. 
Hope you are all busy working on your costumes for this weekend.  Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, and I can't wait to dress up and go out on the town! 

Spotted!

Lately everywhere I turn, I see spots.  And by spots, I mean leopard!  Animal prints have always been in and out of fashion throughout the years, and this year, they are definitely IN.  Witness the classic pic above of Brigitte Bardot, looking chic and sophisticated in her leopard coat.  Me-ow. 
I recently bought a cute leopard cardi from Gap - it's a great print to mix in to add an element of fun to any look.  I enjoyed wearing it belted over a cute black blouson tank, with skinny jeans and heels.   

I am especially loving the leopard accessories I see out there - in both traditional leopard coloring, and any number of color combos.  The thing I like about it most is the easy wardrobe update.  Like any bold print, adding it to your outfit gives it that extra punch.  Here is a sampling of what's out there... it's everywhere, I tell you!  Enjoy!

*images courtesy of who what wear, kate spade, elle, gap, net-a-porter

Oh Prada!

I opened my email from Barney's today and immediately knew I MUST have these Prada boots!!  I am so loving the lace-up boot style, so different from all the pull-on or zip tall boots or ankle boots I have been wearing.  I love the idea of pairing them with both skinny jeans and dresses. 
So I am hereby saving my pennies to purchase my first Prada anything... I can't wait for them to be mine! 

Friday's Favorite Look 10.22

For today's look, I was looking for some color!  The weather today is dreary, the San Francisco Giants lost last night, and I need a little perk...
So I was thrilled when I came across this feature on luckymag.com about COLOR!  And mixing color at that, a favorite pasttime of mine.  I love the bold emerald green of the top in this outfit, and the eclectic accessories in purple, red, and bronze.  And the shoes - gorgeous Loeffler Randall orange booties (you know I am obsessed with LR already), could this get any better??  Oh yes, it can because not only do I love the outfit, I also adore the orange background - my favorite color - that sets off the whole look. 

*image courtesy of luckymag.com

BPL Heels Day!

A little birdie told me on Twitter (no pun intended!) that today, October 20th is BPL - Black Patent Leather - heel day!  Well, say no more, I don't really need an excuse to wear the BPL heels that I have.  They are one of my favorites - Marc by Marc Jacobs, about a 3-inch heel, adorable rounded toe.  One of most versatile pairs of shoes that I have, I find that they go with pretty much any outfit and can dress up a look for any occasion.  I always feel sexy and feminine when I wear them! 

Here I am today, rockin' my BPL heels!  Note the lovely rug in my office that perfectly sets off this classic style.  (wink, wink)

And definitely check out the Twitter page for the BPL group (http://twitter.com/#!/Bplshoes) - featuring lots of tweets and pics from people participating in today's festivities!

Color of the Moment: Winter White

Okay so I know it's not winter yet, but it is full-on fall and too late to wear white in the traditional sense.  So I am loving the look that I am seeing of women wearing winter white.  A very sophisticated shade, it can be very striking in a classic dress or slimming trousers.  I also love this shade mixed with metallics, which can dress it up a bit. 

 Case in point, Keira Knightley looking elegant for her movie premiere in this Chanel Couture dress... love the pearl trim and cutouts - works so well with winter white! 

 I also love this mod look from Ginnifer Goodwin (one of my faves... I have always thought she was a great candidate to play me in the movie about my life story!).  Love the ruffled sleeves here with the slimming silhouette. 

 Ever since the success of the fabulous show Glee, Lea Michele has been workin' it on the red carpet.  This look is no exception - a great example of white mixed with a beautiful silver floral skirt.  Keep it up, Ms. Rachel... I am such a Gleek! 

Lastly, I love this simple and sophisticated look from Michelle Alves.  Calvin Klein of course.  The red lip is a great contrast! 

*images courtesy of people and vogue

Friday's Favorite Look 10.15

Today I was inspired by an unlikely source for women's fashion - kids!  Often women's trends trickle down to kids and inspire those cute mini-me outfits that you always find adorable.  And today, I saw the crewcuts lookbook and thought, "what fashionable little girls, AND what fashionable women they will grow up to be!"   I actually think I have several outfits that look just like these, and have such outfit envy for the rest! 
See the lookbook here:  crewcuts girls lookbook.

Club Monaco @ Shopbop

Yesterday I saw the preview of the new Club Monaco launch on Shopbop.com, one of my favorite shopping websites.  I love the idea of this partnership - Club Monaco has always had a simple elevated style that now lends itself well to the array of fabulous designers on Shopbop.  The lookbook that they launched with is a beautiful display of layered looks, dressy mixed with casual.  I was immediately drawn to a wool plaid skirt, sophisticated tops and dresses, great winter shorts, and statement outerwear.  And the accessories!  The wrap belt was my favorite and the jewelry would make any outfit more complete.

*images courtesy of shopbop.com

I love designer collaborations, and I hope that this is an ongoing offering on Shopbop. I will definitely be back for more!



Friday Night Trunk Show: Michelle Lane Jewelry

Last week I received an email from one of my favorite neighborhood stores, Anica, about a jewelry trunk show they were having last Friday.  So of course I had to stop by on my way out for the evening.
Good thing I did because I was enchanted by the funky and inventive Michelle Lane jewelry that was on display!  Michelle's trunk show line had 2 main themes - rope and lucite, both fabulous materials when done right.  I was immediately attracted to the woven rope bracelets (like the necklace below!), one of which I ended up buying and wearing right out of the store!  The lucite earrings and necklaces were equally fun, in a variety of shapes and sizes.

*image courtesy of Michelle Lane

Word on the street is that Ms. Lane is about to become a San Francisco resident, which can only mean more fabulous jewelry, local style!  Can't wait!   See more of her line at www.michellelane.net. 

Shopping on Sacramento Street

My Friday afternoon off found me wandering on Sacramento Street, a quiet tree-lined street in Laurel Heights where there are some great local shops.  You will find a large contingency of great kids and baby stores there, but since that wasn't my thing, I kept to the womens fashion boutiques. 
One store that I have been dying to visit since it opened is Philanthropist.  This gorgeous store is based on a very unique business model: 100% of their profits go to Bay Area charities!  What better reason to shop than that.  I was very impressed with their designer offering: 3.1 Philip Lim, Diane von Furstenberg, Doo.Ri, Stella McCartney, Rachel Roy... I could go on and on!  Unfortunately I didn't find anything specific to suit my fancy, but that is all the more reason for me to go back (and soon).  

Next I stopped into a boutique a few doors down, Luna, also chock full of lovely things.  I was immediately drawn in by their impressive array of Autumn Cashmere... who doesn't need cashmere when winter is approaching?!  I ended up trying on and loving a fabulous one-shouldered ruffle dress with an adorable black and white bird print (remember that post?).  I can totally see it in both summer with cute sandals, and winter with tights and boots!  And I found a great black and yellow printed scarf too. 

Other great finds on Sacramento: Grocery Store (great tees and jeans), Sarah Shaw (beautiful offering of feminine designers, lots of dresses), a few good consignment stores, and a lovely florist called Birch. 

Friday's Favorite Look 10.8

It's Gisele so, 'nuff said really.  But I do love the classic Calvin Klein look, with a unique bordeaux color to the sequins.  And she is working it!  I am taking the day off today (a "me" day really) so let's keep it short and sweet, shall we?  Enjoy your weekend! 

Ode to Current/Elliott

Recently I lost an old friend.  Well, what I mean is, I lost an old favorite pair of jeans.  There were heels and a slippery steep sidewalk involved, and I think you can guess what happened next.  The rip in the knee is a little too destructed for me so that's that.
They were Current/Elliott cropped zip skinny jeans, in a beautiful faded wash called "super stretch loved".  What a lovely name.  Current/Elliott is a great denim brand that I have really come to love - credited as the inventor of the boyfriend jean, they also carry a wide range of fashion styles and well-done washes with more a vintage look and feel.  I find that their skinny has a great fit. 

But I set out to find a new pair to replace the ones I ripped, even though they were more than a year old.  Thus my first e-bay experience was born.  However I am sad to say that they just aren't the same.  I couldn't find the wash that I had and the length is different, but they are still good jeans.  RIP, old current/elliott jeans... you lived a good life!

*image courtesy of current elliott

Love! Angel Jackson Handbags

After an early departure from work on Friday, I wandered a little in the Jackson Square area to a few great boutiques there that I frequent, and had a fabulous discovery.  I found a great clutch by one Angel Jackson, a British handbag designer unknown to me that I now love.  At Eden & Eden, I purchased a vintage snakeskin Continental clutch, in a beautiful grey shade that completes any outfit.  I really liked the larger-than-normal size, big enough to throw in anything for an evening out or a daytime event.  At the store, they also had larger satchel shoulder bags, with stylish fringe in several colors.  I am so excited about this new find! 

 *images courtesy of Angel Jackson

Happy Anniversary San Francisco!

As of yesterday, October 1st, I have lived in San Francisco for 11 years.  Happy Anniversary to my favorite city, the place I am proud to call home.  Someone asked me if it seems like it's been that long, and I can only say that while it has flown by, when I think back about all of the fabulous times I have had here and add them up, then yes it does seem like it could have only been that long to fit it all in!  Here's to many more years in this lovely city! 
In honor of this anniversary, I thought I would list a "top 10" of my favorite shops in SF.  These are not in a particular order, but all fabulous.
1.  Bell Jar
2.  Anica
3.  Gimme Shoes
4.  AB Fits
5.  Ooma
6.  Behind the Post Office
7.  Heidi Says (shoes and apparel locations)
8.  Lola (have to have a card store!)
9.  Deva
10.  La Boutique

Friday's Favorite Look 10.1

Friday Night is often Movie Night for me, as an avid film buff and somewhat of a popcorn connoisseur.  It's a great way to spend a mellow evening with friends.  I love this look because not only is she mesmerized by what can only be a great movie or a cult classic, but she looks great doing it.  I can only aspire to be as stylishly accessorized at the theater.  Just because you are sitting in the dark doesn't mean you shouldn't look your best!

*image courtesy of kate spade