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a·muse [ ə myz ] to hold the attention of (someone) pleasantly.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

FAST FORWARD TO FALL

Hi there! It's been quite a while, but I decided it's time to return to the blog after a long hiatus with a fresh and eager anticipation for fall fashion. While reading a recent post on a style blog I frequent, a fellow blogger admitted that fall fashion is her favorite because it's a seasonal wardrobe that she's invested the most in - I have to say that it's the same case for me, and while I don't exactly welcome shorter days and cooler temperatures, there's just something so inherently "fashion" about the shift from summer to fall. I've found myself increasingly being drawn toward black, oxblood and other characterstically autumnal shades, as well as leather, suede and thick cashmere. I'm loving simple, clean lines paired with ultra-classic pieces (think pencil skirts, silk button-downs & ladylike handbags). Below are a few trends and pieces I am craving for the upcoming season - just a quick glimpse of my post-September-issue(s) inspiration...


                                                                    BE A LADY








THE ROOMY TOTE: BLACK & OXBLOOD LEATHER








THE MINIMALIST BLACK ANKLE SANDAL
(to be worn all season long. . . with everything)

tibi 
zara



YOU CAN SHOULD WEAR WHITE AFTER LABOR DAY





OUTERWEAR


key fall color combination: BLACK + NAVY


classic army jacket



collarless navy zip coat



a chunky, oversized knit















Tuesday, April 17, 2012

FLORALS WITH FLAIR

I think the last time, I really, seriously had an affinity for florals I was probably seven, it was the 90s, and my favorite item in my closet was a pair of black floral biker shorts to be worn with my other uber-90s duds (jellies, anyone?). Yet florals are back in a big way this spring, and I couldn't be more on board with the bright, whimsical graphics be it a pair of cropped trousers, a button-down blouse, or a blazer. Here are some of my favorite ways to rock the floral trend...


POP OF NEON








BLACK FLORAL








WITH STRIPES...










ACCESSORIZE


a pair of classic d'orsay pumps...




a neon crossbody




a gold collar necklace



"I decided that if I could paint that flower in a huge scale, you could not ignore its beauty." Georgia O'Keeffe
















Tuesday, April 3, 2012

PASTELS WITH PANACHE



Spring has sprung! And with it, all the promise of warmer weather with pretty pastels in an array of easter-egg hues. A fresh reprieve from the high-voltage neons, pastels are a great way to welcome the season in shades from sky blue to spearmint, peach to pale peony. The S/S runways were filled with designers' take on the trend in coats, trousers, and dresses alike...


GIVENCHY by Riccardo Tisci S/S 12



VALENTINO S/S 12



MARNI S/S 12



VICTORIA BECKHAM S/S 12



MARNI S/S 12



LANVIN S/S 12

I love the chic femininity of pastel pieces, especially when worn in a monochromatic palette and accented with bold metallics such as a statement choker or a large cuff. Here are some of my favorite street style pastel looks that drove my inspiration for the trend:


LSD - NYC Sept. 2011



I love how Jessica (from tuula above), accents her head-to-toe mint ensemble with black leather to give her look a little bit of an edge. But for those less adventurous, try incorporating just one pastel piece into your look via a blazer, skinny denim, or a silky blouse. Below are some of my favorite pastel pieces and where to purchase them...


ZARA blazer 


J.Crew Toothpick Jean in Spearmint










Tuesday, February 28, 2012

OSCAR-WORTHY STYLE

Award shows bring out the best (and worst) in evening wear, and there are many people (like myself) who tune in just to see who is wearing what on the red carpet. This past Oscars showed some gorgeous gowns both custom-made and straight from the runways, on the red carpet and at the after-parties. Below are my top picks from the red carpet...



Gwyneth Paltrow stuns in a winter-white Tom Ford gown...simple sophistication



Jessica Chastain in a beautiful Baroque-inspired gown by Alexander McQueen


...and some of my favorites from the Vanity Fair Oscar Party


Diane Kruger in Calvin Klein



Cameron Diaz in Victoria Beckham



Rashida Jones in Elie Saab







Thursday, February 16, 2012

STREET CRED

Since I'm not usually one to look to celebrities for style inspiration, most of my inspiration is taken from runway images, past style icons, and more recently through some of my favorite blogs. In the past year, I've become incredibly drawn to street style images taken outside MBFW in New York and Paris by both professional photogs and bloggers. There's just something about looking at the way real people put together looks (not to mention esteemed elite in fashion), especially when they take a high-low approach to style, incorporating designer duds with cheap-chic finds. I don't actually own a professional camera, but did manage to sneak a few shots of some trendsetters outside the tents this past week at NYFW.



Oops, she blinked! Adore this show-goer's combination of a classic camel coat & polka dot blouse with a textured skirt and a Russian-inspired fur hat. The orange lips are just an added bonus of chic points.


I spotted this stylish pair from behind, immediately captivated by their monochromatic noir looks. It wasn't until after I took their photo that I realized the fashionista on the left was E!'s own Catt Sadler! Love it; especially her incorporation of fur + floral (I've been seeing a lot of this combo for late-winter, thinking of spring street style).


They say opposites attract, but in this case, I was drawn to this lady in red because I, too, was rocking a bright red coat with black accessories (and had just blogged about red below!)and just had to take a snapshot. A great Valentine's Day inspired look!





“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” 






Tuesday, February 14, 2012

ROSES ARE RED

...Violets are blue, it's Valentine's Day, and Fashion Week too! Not only is today a day filled with red roses, candy hearts and decadent chocolate, it's also a day of Fall fashion, street style and a very bustling Columbus Circle. I will be among this crowd today, donning my brightest red coat & lipstick to match, paying homage to St. Valentine and some of what designers have been sending down the runways for F/W 12/13. Check out some of my favorite red-hot looks fresh from the catwalk...


DVF F/W 12/13


PREEN F/W 12/13

DONNA KARAN F/W 12/13

CARLOS MIELE F/W 12/13

JENNY PACKHAM F/W 12/13



"Life has taught us that love does not consist in gazing at each other but in looking outward together in the same direction." Antoine de Saint-Exupery