Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Denim & White

Friends,

I just received a notice of dilemna from my dear friend, Joanna. It seems that her family has decided to do the infamous Family Photo al a denim and white theme. In my experience this has never been a success, therefore, I need your help in directing our little Joanna towards the perfect white top and denim bottom....

Dear Joanna,

I wish I could go directly to Rachel Zoe for this one because when I tried to research stylish white tops with denim things came up all 1990's trailer-park-ish with an odd teenage slightly slutty twist. I don't recommend Google for these searches. What I did find, when my mind so cleverly told me to try investigate these separately, was this:


 I have come to believe that adding lace, ruffle, a hint of color, or detail to a white top in such photos can make you really pop, whereas a flat white can wash you out and tend to leave you not exactly loving the photo. We want this to be a keeper. 

Now this is how you do Denim and White! 

Rachel Bilson glitters in a navy D&G sequin blazer, white top and jeans, toted around Jimmy Choo’s yellow “Zulu” clutch.




Here's the bottom line, YOU, my dear, can look great, classic, timeless, like a true Ralph Lauren poster girl fresh off the wild flower fields, but when you add "family photo" to the equation things just tend to get crazy, unpredictable and well, not everyone is going to be happy. It's just the facts. You, my dear, are fortunate to be on the most positive end of this spectrum because your family is in fact stylish, more or less tan, and I doubt would be the type to do something regretable. That being said, just make you look cute and crop the photo if things get carried away, like say, Aunt So and So still thinks denim jumpers are in style or some one brings out the acid wash with the elastic ankles.



As for the denim, stick with dark and skinny (you have those sassy Calvin Klein's I adore) and definitely stay clear of shorts or skirts because you never know where in these photos you might end up...I always end up sitting on the dirt ground and skirts are a poor choice in those circumstances. But I don't have to tell you these things.

When in doubt, you can always accessorize with a scarf (like Jessica Biel's above), chunky necklace or some fabulous bangles to spice up the pictures. I might recommend a adding a spice of color by way of footwear too.

Hopefully one of these tops helped my dear and perhaps a little inspiration from the stars?

Love, Love! 
-Chels

Fini!

Many of you asked to see the finished product, here it is!


Simplicity Pattern #2413 style A without band, for people taller than me, which is almost everyone, you may wish to add the band.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone... Thank you Jesus, for this app!

Friday, July 16, 2010

Stitching With Vicodin

Yesterday morning I was paraded off to the oral surgeon for treatment of anesthetics and some wisdom tooth extraction. An ideal Thursday morning, wouldn't you say? Needless to say, I do not recall my morning nor do I remember presenting our highway passersby's with maniacal stares, gauze protruding from my jowels, all the way home, although this sounds like something I would do without the influence of pain killers too. Rumor has it I preyed primarily on a poor student driver who was less than impressed.

I well aware that rest is crucial but three rounds of Devil Wears Prada later and I was getting stir crazy. So I cooked the softest, butteriest mashed potatoes (just like mama's: add a hunk of sour cream, cream cheese and pepper and these babies will charm your taste buds and clog your arteries, but did I mention they will charm your taste buds??) Following the potato escapades, I constructed the majority of a wicked cute high waisted pencil skirt, complete with perfect pleating and radiating in a brilliant eggplant hue. The shoes that could be worn with this piece are hotly vast and more often than not shiny, reptilian or studded. Here are some snapshots of the project:



















Images adapted from Hipstamatic iPhone app.

The skirt will be finished today after some more Vicodin and the 7th round of Devil Wears Prada. I'll be sure to post finished picts and would love advice from my stylish friends on the choice top, accessories and of course matching hues.



Additional and noteworthy: my handsome hubby waited on me hand and foot all day yesterday with the best attitude possible. Not only that but the boy even curled up on the floor by me so he could be close if I needed anything. His idea, not mine :) I pray every woman is blessed with such an amazing man (and a fabulous wardrobe).


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Living Free


I love this new V-neck from the Fortrias Women's line. It's so soft! And the coral hued pointillism is so reminiscent of a Seurat painting it makes me want to cinch it up in a high waisted belt, tailor with a jacket a pair of leggings underneath and some seriously high and sassy heels. Then where to in this artsy number? A gallery of course! And knowing me, a coffee shop for some soy latte's on the way.  Dress it down with denim shorts and flops and up again with some dark skinnies and lots and lots of bangles. 

Find your perfect Live Free Vneck at Live the Dream & Fortrias Lifestyle Brands, based out of New Albany, Ohio. 

I rock mine like it's my job...oh wait, it is! 








Even the Bird Pillow loves this top! 

- diligo victum totus -

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Chanel, A Love Affair.

Lily Allen shot by Karl Lagerfield. 2010. 
I'm feeling a little Breakfast at Tiffany's here. 

My love affair with Chanel is growing steadily by the moment. There is nothing Kaiser Karl can't dream up that wouldn't look like pure elegance meets just the tiniest bit of trouble, and what girl wouldn't want that? Until my budget permits I will be simply sticking to my Coco Chanel Mademoiselle eau de perfume which Kate and Keira show us here, is obviously best when worn topless with pearls....or something like that. 



Here, a peek at some other Chanel picks a few oldies but goodies....dream girls, just dream. 




Love. 

Related Posts with Thumbnails