Oscar Party Fabulousness

*image via pinterest

Today I am hosting my first ever Oscar Party!   I am honored to be taking it over from a dear friend who moved away to NYC last Fall.  She left me in charge of this 10-year old tradition, which are big shoes to fill.  I am keeping many of the same traditions she did - ballots, trivia, delicious food, etc. but hoping to add a few touches of my own.  This picture of Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly seemed like the perfect image for Oscar Fabulousness, and the best one to show for today's party.  I am so excited - will dish tomorrow, with my picks for best and worst dressed, of course! 

Friday's Favorite Look 2.25

Today's look is based on one of my favorite trends coming out of fashion week, which I wrote about yesterday: the maxi skirt.  More and more I am loving this trend and can't wait to pick up a few for myself this spring.  I love this look on Olivia Palermo (who I want to hate, but think I like...) from the Matthew Williamson show this week, with a maxi skirt from TopShop. 

*image courtesy of who what wear

NYFW: Thakoon on Top

Rounding out my own personal Fashion Week is the best kind of ending - a surprise ending.  In my experience of looking at every NYFW show online, I find that there is always one that pleasantly surprises me with how different and unique it is.  This season, that show is Thakoon. 

There are so many things that should actually make me not like this show (still not sure about the red eye make-up...), but as I looked at it, I couldn't help but LOVE the colors, the proportion, and the draped silhouettes.  The first 3 looks above are my favorite - beautiful prints with a fresh take.  See the rest of the show here. 

*images courtesy of style.com

NYFW: Maxi Skirts

One trend that I am really excited about from NYFW is the maxi skirt.  It's a new skirt length that can be both chic and bohemian, dressed up or down.  I haven't figured out whether I, at only 5'2", can pull this off yet.  But a girl can dream, right?

I can only hope to look as fabulous as these looks by 1) L.A.M.B., 2) Marc Jacobs, 3) Marc again (yeah, he's loving the maxi skirt), 4) Milly, 5) Rachel Comey, and 6) Rebecca Taylor.

*images courtesy of style.com

Happy 90th Birthday Gucci!

I was just reading in WWD today that Gucci is celebrating their 90th birthday this year.  Wow - what an iconic brand for generations and what an amazing legacy they have left so far.  The brand was originally founded in 1921 by Guccio Gucci as a small luggage and leather goods store in Florence.  I really enjoyed looking at some of their history in both WWD and on the Gucci site.  Here are some pictures to share:

Check out the full history of the company, along with other pictures of their icons and different lines throughout the years on their website here.  Happy 90th Birthday!

*images courtesy of gucci.com

NYFW: Alice + Olivia

So apparently this week has become my own little version of Fashion Week, as I have decided that all posts will be about NYFW.  One runway show that I really loved from NYFW was Alice + Olivia.  I was so impressed by their looks and the fact that they went more for separates vs. the usual dress-focused collections.  The Fall collection was inspired by a modern take on Auntie Mame.  Some of my favorite looks included the fur-trim parka below, beautiful tweed skirts and outerwear, metallic show-stopper dresses, and chic pant silhouettes.  My absolute favorite is the last look below - mixing a tailored jacket, sequin top, and a twirly orange printed skirt!  See the full collection here. 

*images courtesy of style.com

NYFW: Crazy About Prints

In addition to the beautiful mustard color that I wrote about yesterday, I also saw so many inspiring prints during NYFW.  Being a fan of wearing prints and mixing them together, I was excited to see all the inventive new prints and silhouettes that they were in.  From dresses to tops even to printed pants, the designers really brought it this season. 

I would love to get my hands on all of these prints by 1) Diane von Furstenberg, a print master, 2) Edun, 3) Jason Wu, 4) Kelly Wearstler, bringing her interiors expertise to clothing, 5) L.A.M.B., 6) Marc by Marc Jacobs, 7) Milly, and 8) Monique Lhullier.

*images courtesy of style.com

NYFW: Mustard is the New Black

Okay that might be a bit extreme, but I noticed how prevalent this color was when I was checking out the NYFW shows last week.  I posted a look from Jenni Kayne and it got some great reactions, so I decided to show more looks in this fabulous pop color.

Love these looks by 1) Derek Lam, 2) Marc by Marc Jacobs, 3) Rachel Roy, 4) Proenza Schouler, 5) Reed Krakoff, 6) 3.1 Philip Lim, 7) Cynthia Rowley, and 8) the original look that inspired this post by Jenni Kayne. 

*images courtesy of style.com

Friday's Favorite Look 2.18

Again this week I am inspired by Fashion Week (who isn't?!), and while I know I am a bit behind, next week I will be talking more about my favorites from NYFW.  This week's looks (2 again this week - it's so hard to choose) are from Rodarte.  Kate and Laura Mulleavy have really brought some beautiful style to their Fall 2011 show - I love their color palette, the long coats, the hits of graphic print, lots of different textures, and the shock of red at the end.  Their show was inspired by the Terrence Malick movie Days of Heaven, and with so many prairies and wheatfields, they added a bit of ruby slippers as an ode to The Wizard of Oz. 

*images courtesy of style.com

New Denim Silhouette: The Gigi

Being a short girl at just 5'2", I love when a cropped jean or pant is the style of the moment.  It means a great fit, no hemming, and I can still participate in the latest trend.  I am totally hooked on J Brand's new spring style, The Gigi.  It's a fabulous cropped jean with a hint of a flare, that you can integrate into your wardrobe now and still wear all spring and summer.  I think I will wear mine now with ankle boots and flats, and all summer with sandals and heels.  J Brand is one of my go-to denim brands, their cropped skinny jean makes an appearance in my wardrobe at least twice a week.  Net-a-Porter, always ahead of the trend, showed some gorgeous outfitting for this jean that made me want it even more:

Of course I loved that San Francisco was one of the cities they chose to feature.  That look is my favorite too - casual but chic, Gigi with a great blazer, feminine top, and cute flats.  Ready for day or night and looking great!

Breathtaking Bryce

I am always loving what Kate Spade is doing these days, from shoes to valentines to holiday gifts, and now I have a new reason: the new face of Kate Spade, Bryce Dallas Howard.  I like this choice, since Bryce isn't as well-known as some celebs, and she seems to have a unique style.  Her fresh look seems just right for the brand, and of course she looks fabulous all decked out in Kate, head to toe.  Evidence below...

It's the first time that the brand has chosen a celebrity to be the face of their campaign, and so far, it seems like a great fit.  I can't wait to see future looks on her and how Kate features her next! 

It's All About the Wedge

With spring getting closer and closer, I keep seeing new shoes that I can't live without.  At the top of my list is The Wedge - it's back in a big way, whether it's wood, cork, or raffia.  I have seen wedges all over the place as a great new spring heel option.  First, I love this Christian Louboutin wedge, with the feminine tan patent with a pink tone. 

Snake is still a big trend, and these Lanvin wedges are the epitome of showing off your snakeskin, with a beautiful pink ribbon ankle strap.  Yes please!

Of course I had to include my favorite Loeffler Randall - they have 2 beautiful new wedges this spring.  The first is a collaboration with the line Suno, with a stunning print; the second is a versatile woven lace-up suede style that comes in a bright sunny orange. 

If a smaller wedge is more your style, I love this Avenelle suede cut-out style from J.Crew.  It's more of a midheel, not quite as dangerous as the taller versions, but with just as much style. 

*images courtesy of barneys, loeffler randall, and j.crew