Oscar Night

Tonight is so special for the night of fashion.  The Academy Awards is always a showcase of the best of what the designers are capable of making.  Here are my favorites of the night.  I was drawn to the lightest and boldest of colors for the gowns this year.

Cate Blanchett (in Givenchy Haute Couture)

Nicole Kidman (in Dior Haute Couture)

Michelle Williams (in Chanel Haute Couture)

Sandra Bullock (in Vera Wang)

Amy Adams (in L'Wren Scott)

What's Old is New Again

Growing up my mom amassed a collection of different kitchen supplies.  She would buy new dishes, glasses, small appliances, etc. and put the old ones in the basement.  They very rarely made another appearance.  I understand the need to always want new things.  Sometimes those "new" things are actually vintage.  We used to have silver ombre high ball glasses and I always thought they looked pretty cool.  I wish I could go in the basement of my childhood home and dig them out.  Luckily I've been able to find some online.  This is a set of four for $25.00 on etsy.com.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/67813170/silver-ombre-highball-glasses

Neutral Shoes

I've been digging the neutral palette for shoes lately.  They will work well with the neutral and bright clothes come spring.  Today I'm featuring some of the hottest right now.

These wedges by Jeffrey Campbell are so mod.  I'm loving them to death.  I would try wearing them with a mini dress or a pair of jeans.  They are available for $172.00 on needsupply.com.

http://needsupply.com/pixie-in-nude.html

I know I might receive some flak for this next pair of shoes but I don't care.  First of all, they are Jimmy Choo.  Second, I adore shoes with beautiful crystals.  Yes, the Plexiglas may bring up unslightly images of, well, you know.  But, my gut is telling me YES!  I think the price tag will keep me at bay but I can dream of them whenever I want.  They are $2995.00 at jimmychoo.com.

http://www.jimmychoo.com/sandals/ciara-/invt/015ciarasue/

Lamb has some interesting designs in their footwear collection.  These sandals are tough but really feminine as well.  They have a great mix of elements that I look for.  These are $294.99 from heels.com.

http://www.heels.com/womens-shoes/quinlan-sand-leather.html?CAWELAID=562429639

It's a Man's World

Ok.  I don't admit to being the all knowing source for men's fashion.  I know a little about men's shoes but that's about it.  But, I do know what I like to see on a man.  I wish men took more pride in their appearance but I guess that's what makes a guy a guy.  Anyway, I have my idea of how I'd like a man to dress and these are some of my choices.

I think a pair of leather boots with a cool pair of jeans is just right for life in the city.  This pair from Fiorentini & Baker are the perfect pick for a weekend look or a night hopping from one hot spot to the next.  They have a good mix of dressy and casual.  I like the urban look and the fold down collar.  They are $420.00 and available on barneys.com.

http://www.barneys.com/745-Workboot/077605007,default,pd.html

Every man should have a cashmere sweater in his closet.  This semi sheer black cashmere sweater from Burberry is hot.  It would look amazing on it's own or underneath a suit jacket.  It's luxurious but not stuffy.  Find it on burberry.com for $750.00.

http://us.burberry.com/store/menswear/prorsum/view-all/superfine-cashmere-seamless-sweater/sku-44122941001-superfine-cashmere-seamless-sweater/

Leather jackets on guys brings to mind the image of a bad boy.  Not all men can pull this look off but when done right it has a tough downtown vibe.  This vintage distressed leather jacket by Superdry comes in black and dark brown.  It's available on Singer22.com for $360.00.  

http://www.singer22.com/man/ms5bq06f0-db.html

Fashion your life - After your Living Room

It's easy to get caught up in the same mundane routine.  You wake up and find you have nothing to wear even though you're staring at a closet full of clothes.  It's not that you don't have anything to wear but you're out of new ideas.  It's time to start thinking outside of the box.  Take inspiration from your surroundings.  If this was my living room I would pull the following outfit together.  Try this technique and you'll be surprised how much you really do have to work with.

The Inspiration

Real World Look

Hat - by Eugenia Kim - $315.00

 

http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/105578

Dress - by Aqua - $114.75

http://us.asos.com/Aqua-Aqua-Cut-Out-Cuckoo-Dress/vhtrx/?iid=1376486&SearchQuery=white%20dress&sh=0&pge=2&pgesize=20&sort=-1&clr=White&mporgp=L0FxdWEvQXF1YS1DdXQtT3V0LUN1Y2tvby1EcmVzcy9Qcm9kLw..

Shoes - by Alexander Wang - $685.00

http://www.bergdorfgoodman.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod62450018&parentId=cat234400&masterId=cat232503&index=29&cmCat=cat000000cat230300cat232503cat234400

Eyeshadow - by Lancome - $19.00

 

http://www.i3eauty.com/eyeshadow-2407762-13g004oz-p-53357.html

Time for Bed

New bed linens make the experience of going to bed even more enjoyable than it already is.  I love a bed that dressed in a decadent duvet and tons of pillows.  It makes you want to jump in it and just get all snuggly.  Here are some of my current picks.

This set from Ralph Lauren is so luxurious.  I love the dark colors and mix of textures and prints.  It has a masculine feel which can be sometimes hard to find.  Prices start at $19.99 and end at $219.99 at ralphlauren.com.

http://www.ralphlauren.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4288813&cp=1760785.2216969&ab=int_021511_HOMELP_BEDDINGCOLLECTIONS_SHOPNOW&pg=1&parentPage=family

Maybe something more girly is your thing.  Ruffles and shirring are a surefire way to please your heart.  The Cirrus set comes in four colors (blue, as shown, white, cream, and grey).  You can find this at anthropologie.com ranging from $48.00-$208.00.

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=69300&catId=HOME-BEDDING&pushId=HOME-BEDDING&popId=HOME&navAction=top&navCount=42&color=gre&isProduct=true&fromCategoryPage=true&isSubcategory=true&subCategoryId=HOME-BEDDING-DUVETS&templateType=hybrid

If you're looking for something that's not too extreme then maybe a bold set of striped linens is for you.  It's fresh and clean and will please both sexes.  Westelm.com has this for $16.00-$79.00.

http://www.westelm.com/products/stripe-duvet-cover-and-shams-b561/?pkey=call-bedding

Taste of Brooklyn

For those of you who enjoy a tasting menu the chef's table at Brooklyn Fare will surely not disappoint.  The intimate setting takes place in the kitchen at a steel table for 18 people.  Chef Cesar Ramirez will take you on a culinary journey of 18-20 small plates made of the freshest seasonal ingredients.  It's the only restaurant in Brooklyn with two Michelin stars.  I have this place on my lists of restaurants to try.  Reservations can be made by phone. Inquire within for prices.

718-243-0050

Brooklyn Fare

200 Schermerhorn St.

Brooklyn, NY 11201

Downtown Brooklyn

http://www.brooklynfare.com/chefs-table/

Seven + Four = Eleven Nights of Bliss

Did you ever think about staying in a different hotel every night even though you may never leave the city you're visiting?  The Seven Hotel in Paris thinks they can solve this dilemma without you actually leaving their hotel.  What do I mean?  The Seven Hotel has 7 suites and 4 rooms each with a distinct look.  I personally love the Black Diamond and the On/Off Suites.  This will bring new meaning to the city of light.  Rooms start at $214.00 and suites $603.00.

Black Diamond Suite

On/Off Suite

Louvez-Vous Suite

Absolute Levitation Room

sevenhotelparis.com

Color Blocking

Spring 2011 is bringing a whole list of trends which I'm eager to try.  One of the most interesting is the color blocking trend.  It brings multiple colors into one outfit.  It was shown on the runways in apparel, bags, and shoes.  There are so many options out there so be open to all the colors in the rainbow.

The Lilly sling by Edmundo Castillo is the perfect ladylike shape I love in a pump.  The green and tan work really well together.  I could see myself wearing a pure white shift dress with these slingbacks and totally rocking it.  They can be pre-ordered on saksfifthavenue.com for $725.00.

http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductArray.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374306565066&use_parent=1&rremail=chasecadet@yahoo.com&email=chasecadet@yahoo.com&site_refer=EML3270DALYEDT

Not for the faint of heart is Prabal Gurung's color blocked dress.  I love the turquoise and orange together.  It's like a sunset on crystal blue waters.  The sleek hair, wore by the model in this photo, really works with this look.  Price is available upon request at prabalgurung.com.

http://www.prabalgurung.com/home.php

Maybe you want to wear the trend close to your heart but not let the world know.  This fun bra by VPL can be your secret.  Or if you're more daring wear it underneath a sheer shirt.  It's $95.00 and can be found at barneys.com.

http://www.barneys.com/Insertion-Bra/500892057,default,pd.html

Seek Romance

Spice up your boring sleeping attire with some new underpinnings.  Impress your partner and yourself with these beautiful finds.

I love a basic white tank but this one is much more special.  Pair it with a satin and lacy pair of panties and it brings it to a new level.  This is the garter tank top from Kiki De Montparnasse.  It can clip onto a variety of bottoms so don't be afraid to mix it up.  It's $150.00 on kikidm.com.

http://www.kikidm.com/shop/Garter-Tank/?initial=TP7106_WHITE_XS

A ruffly slip is flirty and fun.  This version from victoriassecret.com is adorable.  It's available in 4 colors (black, white, pink, and red).  It's so much better than the old t-shirt you've been wearing to bed.  It's for sale for $48.00.

http://www.victoriassecret.com/ss/Satellite?ProductID=1265394124766&c=Page&cid=1292979624282&pagename=vsdWrapper&cm_mmc=CA-_-Shopzilla-_-GLAMOUR%20SLEEPWEAR-_-MJ-250184

A black caged bodysuit is slimming and sleek.  This number is from topshop.com and available for $70.00.  Everyone looks good in black.

http://us.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=33060&storeId=13052&productId=2273173&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=208659&parent_categoryId=208580&sort_field=Relevance&pageSize=20&siteID=J84DHJLQkR4-3p4D1G.jK3iJwsTqaz3i.A&cmpid=usls_deeplink&_$ja=tsid:19905