Animal Lover

Amanda Seyfried's shoot in April's issue of Elle is in a word - remarkable.  Not only does she look flawless, she's holding a plethora of baby animals. The combination of her couture clothing, striking beauty, and the cuteness of all these critters has me on sensory-overload!  Very Brigitte Bardot, wouldn't you agree? (think blond beauty kissing a fawn.)  And, just a side note - I'm loving the whispy frizziness that has become so in as far as hairstyles go, it looks so natural and beautiful, I'm going to have to figure out how to get my stick-straight hair to do that.  The shoot was styled by Joe Zee and photographed by Alexei Hay.

Might Be A Bit Early, But...

I know, I know, all I do is talk about how excited I am for spring and warm weather and bikinis - but J. Crew's Fall/Winter 2011 ready to wear collection has me a teensy bit excited for fall.  They have MASTERED the mismatched/vintage vibe I've fallen in love with.  Take a look below...



Put A Ring On It

Abbey Lee Kershaw rocking a Mania Mania ring and a YSL arty ring. 

Alexa Chung showing off Low Luv x Erin Wasson rings.

The Pamela Love cage ring.  To die for.

The YSL arty rings.  I love them, you know this.

Ashley Olsen flaunts a handful of sparklers.

Kate Moss and a Loree Rodkin diamond knuckle ring.  *Swoon*

Big, sparkly cocktail rings.  I love nothing more than a good ring.   For so many reasons.  They dress up hands - even if you're wearing sweats, they add a little glamour to your outfit.  They are conversation starters - I have a turquoise ring (seen here) that I litterally get compliments on, everytime I wear it.   And I'm a firm believer in hands telling a lot about who people are, and rings are an extension of that.  I admit, I do have a decent collection of rings, but it's been a while since I've bought one, and well, I'm getting the itch to make such an investment.   Decisions, decisions.  What one would you choose?

  
1.  Alexander McQueen, brass swarovski crystal skull & butterfly ring $345
2.  Kenneth Jay Lane, eco ring, $209
3.  Low Luv, drusy quarts ring $160
4.  Pamela Love, double cage sterling silver ring, $485
5.  Lanvin, turquoise and crystal ring, $455
6.  Mania Mania, immortals ring, $425
7.  YSL, arty too gold plated and swarovski crystal ring, $295
8.  YSL, arty oval ring, $250
9.  Alexis Bittar, crystal encrusted ring, $255
10. Bjørg, gold snake ring, $400

Can I Be You?

This time of year, my head is off somewhere else, and as much as I hate to admit it, I'm daydreaming a good 80% of the time.  Mostly about being in warmer climates and wearing amazing clothes (surprise, surprise, right?)  Below are photos that I wish I could just magically transport myself  to, for just a day.  Editorial photos tell stories and it's so fun to think about what these ladies are doing.  As silly as this sounds, it's quite fun to do.  If you're bored and love fashion as much as I do, try it.



She is obviously about to go into Chanel and shop.  Then go to some amazing party, because why else would she have on such a breathtaking dress?  And she's in LA. I freaking want to be in LA.



Flowy, flowy white!  How fun would that dress be to wear?  With that hat?  So innocent, so easy it's the perfect spring look.

My most devoted readers will know that this is my second time using this image - but it's so breaktaking, how could I not?  I think it's pretty obvious why I'd want to be her.

Looking that glam wading in the water is a gift.  She has it, I want it.

Natalia, I'd be you any day.  But when you're wearing such pretty prints and are surrounded by flowers?  Well, it's a lot like a dream.



I just want eye makeup that cool.  And shoes that funky.  And a dress that sexy.  And a ponytail that flouncy.



Starry Eyed Over Spring

I want to do with you, what spring does to the cherry trees

Pablo Neruda

Spring is here!  You can just feel it in the air, as the world slowly defrosts, trees start blooming, and our front lawn is filled with robbins instead of snow banks.  Spring is always a time I've liked to experiment with my beauty routine (during the months of winter I keep things simple, and my philosophy is less is more.)  Here are some trends I either use or am very excited to try.

Eye-Lights-  Although I don't think I'll ever stop wearing eyeliner completely, I love this bare yet sparkly trend.  Touches of gold on the inside corners of lids make eyes pop in an unexpected, fresh way.  I use Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips ($8.99)  and  a coating of dark brown mascara for a fun twist on the bare faced look.

The Voluminous Half Up Hair-  In high school I loved wearing my hair half up - I recently tried the look again, and felt I looked like I was stuck in 2001.  Figured out how to modernize it thought - messy and voluminous ala Brigitte Bardot.  Such a sexy look, and so simple.

Barrette On the Side -  I haven't worn a barrette since I was in grade school - but that's going to have to change.  A few strands swept to the side look surprisingly chic when paired with a blinged out barrette.  So fun and unique, I'm in love.

Nude Nails -  I've always been a fan of light colored nails but for some reason never go for nude.  This spring, I'm on the hunt for the perfect nude polish.  I'm also loving how most celebs are ditching the square shaped nails and going for more rounded looks - it really enlongates fingers.

Pretty Pouts - I have only recently started to wear lipsticks and what a difference that added pop of color makes!  I've been wearing bright pinks and orangey reds and they are just perfect for spring.  The shockingly bright colors also make skin look a little tanner.

...Of Sea & Sky...

Blue is a color that seriously inspires me.  I can't wait to work tons of it into my spring wardrobe.  It's so closely related to nature, it's effortless and captivating all at the same time and the result leaves me in a state of half dreamy enchantment and half refreshing invigoration.  What colors inspire you?

So This Is Love

I had to share this, just because it's breathtaking. 

Violet Eyes

So much to do, so little done, such things to be...

Violet Eyes herself, Elizabeth Taylor

There are certain people we just grow up knowing.  We're not sure how we heard of them, or what our first thought of them was, but they've been apart of our lives for as long as we can remember.  Elizabeth Taylor is a woman that I've admired since I was very little.  And how could't you?  Her beauty, her passion, her giving heart - on March 23rd, a true angel left this Earth.    

I actually had a post half done featuring her gorgeous style.  It almost seems trivial talking about her style now that she's no longer with us - she was so much more than amazing clothes and other-worldly beauty.  She fought for what she believed in - lending her famously breathy voice to the fight against AIDS when few would.  She was also someone who believed in love, and never gave up on it.  Through eight marriages, she stayed strong.  Her life, constantly under a microscope, constantly criticized - she always stayed true to herself and in the end, it was just her.  But did she ever seem defeated or weak?  Never. 

She was a legend, someone you wanted to sit down and talk with and learn from.  How to age so gracefully. How to maintain such beauty (inside and out) after so many health problems.  She was the last great movie star.  She posessed an old world elegance, perhaps the only woman who compared was Marilyn.  But Elizabeth survived, when Marilyn didn't.  Through the scandals, the diamonds, the husbands, and the melodramatics, she was a star that shined brightly and still will in years to come.

Make Mine Missoni

I found I could say things  with color and shapes that I couldn't say in any other way - things I had no words for... Georgia O'Keefe



Before I really understood fashion, I understood Missoni.   I vividly remember stupidly paging through Vogue at age 10, not reading, not picking up on trends, but browsing the pictures.  The brand that always stood out was Missoni.  The brilliant colors, amazing knits, and geometric elegance of the pieces had me hooked even at such a young age.  As I grew older, my love for the brand never waivered.  I saw how celebrities wore the bright colors in such a carefree yet sophistaced way and fell deeper in love.  Those prints. Ah, those prints had me daydreaming.  I would wear that wrap sweater on a private jet, bound for Cannes.   That jumpsuit would be perfect for a day of shopping in Malibu.  And that crochet knit sweater is begging to be worn on moonlit walks through the park.  Just looking at the clothes was like a vacation for me - a getaway to the bright and colorful and elegant.   I bought my first M Missoni sweater last summer.  When I wear it, I feel like I'm wearing a little bit of fashion history.  I love to read about the Missoni family, and all that they stand for and how they came to be. Margherita Missoni is someone I've always looked at with starry-eyed wonderment.  Below are some photos displaying her amazing style-

And finally, the pieces that have me mesmerized this season...

1. Missoni Eau de Toilette $85
2. Missoni Crochet Knit Cardigan $1,065
3. Missoni Printed Knitted Shorts $835
4. Missoni Crochet Knit Espadrille Sandals $350
5. Missoni Rope Knit Necklace $280
6. Missoni Crochet Knit Headband $85
7. Missoni Cross-Back Top $765
8. Missoni Printed Tulle Crochet Tunic Dress $1,570
9. Missoni Mare Banares Crochet Bikini $475