Storm Cloud Grey

Perhaps it's the suffocating heat.  Strike that.  I know it's the suffocating heat that has me craving cool rain storms, bowls of soup and anything with sleeves.  I get sick of summer.  It usually happens around mid July, but this year, it's more than just being ready for fall.  It's being down-right annoyed with this weather.   I keep telling myself I'm being silly - I'm headed to the lake this weekend and I want it to be hot, right?  Not this hot.  Not so hot that I can't enjoy my new light weight sweatshirt for night time boat rides.  Not so hot that nothing sounds good to eat (except for maybe watermelon).  Not so hot that I feel like I need a nap after I've watered my garden.

Okay, enough with the complaining.  If I can't be cool, I might as well look cool (pun intended).  Chanel models sporting these storm cloud grey eyes look so fresh and icy, it's a smokey eye perfect for summer.  Finish it off with a smattering of babydoll pink blush and some nude gloss, and you are left with a look that is light and sexy.

Ready for a Holiday

     

Lately I've been completely consumed with thoughts of beaches and bikinis.  I normally get this way around Mid-January and become instantly depressed when I realize there are still months of winter left.  However, there is hope, and it lies in the form of holidays to sunny destinations.  This upcoming weekend I'm heading to Florida and although the weather is going to be by no means hot, it will be warm, and I'm excited to bust out my Toms and venture outside in no more than a sweatshirt.   I apologize for this post in advance, I really do.  I held off on doing it for a week now, because in all honesty there is just too much winter ahead to get too excited about shorts and sundresses.  However, it's never too soon to start planning (and even mentally packing) for your next holiday.   Here's what I was thinking...

Perfume- Lanvin, Eclat D'Arpege

Nail Polish- Chanel Nail Color, Riva

Bikini- Missoni, Danimarca Crochet Bandeau

Shoes- Lanvin, Two-Tone Leather Espadrille

Top- 3.1 Phillip Lim, Pony Hair Silk Top

Shorts- Christopher Kane, Neon Stretch Denim

Dress- Richard Nicoll, Color Block & Striped Maxi

Coin Purse- Topshop, Navy Anchors Clip Frame Purse

Scarf- Ralph Lauren, 

Happy Thoughts

"Walk with the dreamers, the believers, the courageous, the cheerful, the planners, the doers, the successful people with their head in the clouds and their feet on the ground.  Let their spirit ignite a fire within you, to leave this world better than when you found it." 

Wilfred Peterson

Most Wanted

I'm wanting to break out the sweaters and do a lilttle shopping.  This past week has been gorgeous, with temps near 90, but in all honesty, could I please just have some cooler weather so I can go shopping for fall clothes?  Below is what I'm coveting most.

See by Chloe / Rag & Bone / Etoile Isabel Marant

Michael Michael Kors / J Crew / Jil Sander

Belle Sigerson Morrison / Topshop / Old Navy

American Apparel Vintage / Addidas by Stella McCartney / Burberry

Rimmel in Chocolatine / Diane von Furstenberg "Diane" / Chanel in Quartz

...Only the Essentials...

I know the weather is perfect for curling up in blankies, but really, these clothes are too good to pass up ;)

Thus far I've been pretty good about holding off on buying fall clothes.  I'm the girl buying wool sweaters August 1st, cause, well, I can't wait any longer.  This year, however, I've made myself hold off, and I have officially reached my breaking point.  Below are some favorites that I'm absolutely drooling over.

Acne's wool skirts are perfection.  They're slightly flouncy and full, and pairing them with black tights would be perfection.  They come in short and maxi, and I'm saving for them.

This creamy dream of a cape from All Saints is just the type of sweater I'm on the hunt for this season.    The textured knit and the high collar are what have me hooked. 

Good scarves are obviously a must when the weather gets brisk.  This Ralph Lauren scarf is such a gorgeous plaid, I fell for it immediately.  

Slouchy boots have been on my wish list for a while.  These Fiorentini and Baker boots are exactly what I'm looking for.  I love the midi-heel, the color, the soft suede.  It's true love.

The biggest key to rocking a fall wardrobe is layers.  This Alexander Wang tank's asymetrical design would look killer under a fitted blazer or cropped sweater.  

Forget moody reds, and somber grays.  This fall, nails should be colorful!  I'm obsessed with Chanel's Blue Satin and think it's the perfect mix of bright and bold for fall 2011. 

This quilted DKNY shoulder bag is my favorite look this fall.  It's polished, pretty,  and can be dressed up or down.  

Season Appropriate Makeup

While putting on my makeup this morning, I realized just how frequently my makeup routine changes.  There's the seasonal change, but also the change that has as I've gotten older.  While I used to be a bit too addicted to bronzer and black eyeliner (and granted, I still wear both) I've learned to make the look more natural and less put-on.  Below are some of my beauty favorites as of right now.  I have been running low on makeup for the past month and FINALLY went out and bought some goodies.  I'm currently loving-

Elizabeth Arden Plump Perfect Lip Moisture Cream -  This stuff is amazing.  I apply it just like I would a moisturizer, and the SPF keeps my lips protected but also plumps up my rather fine lips (and it doesn't burn like most!)  This has become a makeup staple

Chanel Nail Lacquer in Vamp - I usually reserve my deep reds for winter months, but this rich cranberry looks perfect with a tan.  As you can see, it's almost gone, and that's from all the use I've been getting from it the past two months!

Moroccan Oil Luminous Hairspray - When the weather is hot and humid the last thing I want is a sticky hairspray weighing my already fine hair down more.  This is the perfect, light, hairspray that adds volume and shine.

Estee Lader Double Wear Gel Eyeliner in Midnight -  The versatility of this stuff is key.  It can go on super light and be barely noticeable, but make a thicker line and you're ready for a night on the town.  I also love that the deep navy is a bit less harsh than black.

Yves Saint Laurent Rogue Volupte in Lush Coconut - This is probably the coolest lipstick I've ever tried.  I will be buying it in multiple colors, but can tell you the "Lush Coconut"  is one that will be wearable year-long.  It adds shimmer and shine without looking gooey or cakes.

DiorShow Iconic - It's my go-to mascara.  It never irritates my eyes, separates lashes, and makes them look huge.  I mean, what more do you want out of a mascara?

Tokyo Milk in Paper & Cotton - I bought this lil' gem on a trip to Kansas City a couple months ago, and it's been my fragrance for Summer 2011.   It *almost* smells like a boy's cologne.  But so light and fresh it just couldn't be.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Light - I've praised this foundation before, and it's still the ultimate in light coverage.  It lasts all day, doesn't make me oily, and is just the right amount of coverage for my skin.  A year-round essential.

Getting Lippy

Lipstick.  I've always worn it.  I've actually worn it since I was about 7.  But I always was always when I was showing horses.  So to translate the look away from the show ring has taken a little work.  Wearing lipstick always seemed so fancy, so over the top.  But as of late, I've been working to make the look more everyday appropriate.  I knew my lips were being neglected and they needed to become a party my beauty routine.  My friends used to yell at me, "You look unfinished, you need something on your lips."  Okay, okay.   Maybe they were right.  Something was missing when I had on a full face of makeup - cheeks bronzed?  Always.  Eyes lined?  Of course.  Mascara applied?  Duh.  Lips?  Naked.  So I started small. I bought  Estee Lauder's lip pencil in Fig.  My friend Kristin actually got me hooked on it, and I loved the fact that it made my lips look fuller without looking like I was actually wearing lipstick.

From there, I made it my point to perfect the nude lip.  I blame that obsession on last years most prominent beauty trend- smoky eyes and nude lips anyone?  Finding the right shade of nude lip is difficult.  If the beige doesn't match your skin tone, you can literally look like a corpse.  I found my perfect match in Chanel Rogue Allure's Mythic lipstick.  If I was rocking a tan, it was a little light, but then I would top the lipstick with Chanel Glossimer in Beige Guitar and have a slightly warmer hue that was perfection.

Then of course, it was time to tackle the grand-daddy of them all - Red Lips.  A trend I've always loved,   Something about crimson lips paired with a tan is so beautiful, I was bound and determined to find a red that I could wear.  My problem (which was probably partially in my head) was that I though I looked so much older wearing red.  Or a street walker.   With some playing around I discovered if I wore an orangey red, the look felt far less formal.  Pairing that orangey-red with no more than some bronzer and a dash of mascara, and I had the exact look I was going for.  I've found that Revlon's Orange Flip is the perfect bright hue - young, fresh, and slightly funky.

Now that I've shared my lipstick diaries, here are some inspiring photos that make me want experiment even more.   Up next?  The perfect berry-hue for fall, and a lip stain that doesn't make me look like a four-year-old who just ate a popsicle.

Chanel + French Riviera = Heaven

This must be what heaven is like. At least in my heaven I would attend a Chanel show (one of my favorite designers) that features resort wear (my favorite type of collection) in the French Riviera (my dream vacation destination).   Heaven right?  Many of my favorite fashionistas got to experience this Heaven on Earth and I am currently consumed with imagining what attending such an event would be like, and maybe just a bit jealous I wasn't there myself (someday right?) 

The even took place at the Hotel du Cap in Antibes and the collection was as regal as the location the show took place.  New Chanel rep Caroline Sieber said the collection had a "billion-dollar babe" feel.  I'm sure that "feeling" was palpable considering the show was at one of the most expensive hotels in the world, featuring the best models in the industry, and very real jewels (diamonds and freshwater pearls) were used on the actual outfits.  Oppulence to the extreme. Although some felt the collection lacked focus, I was captivated by everything from the laid back floral print maxi dresses to the perfectly tailored suits.  It featured a ton of looks, and I'd wear *all* of them on vacation.

Who Was There...

Laura Bailey, Alexa Chung, and Poppy Delavingne



Clemence Posey and Blake Lively



Rachel Bilson

Vanessa Paradis

From the Runway...