Thursday, February 24, 2011

"Blue Jean baby..."

It is a good week to be a vain American.  And if you ask why-- I would have to ask you to slap yourself across the face, courtesy of moi, for not coming up with this:

THE OSCARS--the patriarch of all the award shows and my personal Superbowl-- where heinous tackles are replaced with below-the-belt jokes; referees mediate the competition by way of amiable acceptance speeches (i.e.: “I’m so honored to have been nominated with…); testosterone is beautifully repackaged in Hugo Boss suits; and the women are not on the sidelines cheering, but rather, actively participating in winning the night’s equivalent of the Lombardi trophy –a solid gold Oscar man-- finally airs on Sunday.  I just cannot wait to wonder... again... why my smiles and sincere laughter are not as infectious and disarming as Jolie's.

So as not to get lost in Operation: America the beautiful, I decided to remind us all of this country's utilitarian days and put on the official American uniform--blue jeans-- with a few tweaks of course


Acne high-waisted jeans with Tory Burch striped cashmere sweater.  Bracelet from Ylang-Ylang at the Houston Galleria
Skinny belt from J Crew, shoes by Balenciaga




Beaded jacket by DVF
Happy Oscars!

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Fashion's smallpox...

The Polka dot frenzy--only curable by infusing more polka dots into one's outfit.


So, presenting polka dots on polka dots


And the Angel of Death passed over me--praise be to dots!


Zara shirt, Moschino skirt, and Judith Leiber belt

Have a great week everyone!

Monday, February 14, 2011

Winter staples... Are there such things?

Barring my brief stint in the Pacific Northwest, I have lived in hot weather locations my whole life.  From the African equator to the humid planes of Houston, the need to accumulate winter gear has never been on my priority list.  My weapon of choice for the week of winter in Houston is never to brave the elements--I move from  garage to garage without ever stepping a foot outside.  

Unfortunately for me this season, Houston's weather has been temperamental-- we are in our third cold week, with today's temperature at 22 degrees--this has led to my most recent musing: global warming is clearly a misnomer, I find that global cooling is more befitting. Yes, I have been told that the ice caps are melting but really friends, it shall all balance out when the Gulf of Mexico takes its place and freezes over instead.  A bit dramatic, I know, but you would be too if you find that your lively duties can no longer be buried till sunny days;  yet your teeth cackles every time you step outside due to your inappropriate wardrobe.  

As a result, I've been browsing the net and flipping through magazines to find winter gear inspirations from what the glitterati are wearing.  Here are some observations of pictures posted within the last month on my favorites sites and blogs: 


Although she looks magnificent... 

this outfit does not really work for winter unless she is pairing the dress with a fur coat that will provoke Peta into a hysterical rage usually displayed by bratty children on airplanes

Another lovely look but not viable for anything under mid 50s.  Trust me, my closet is filled with variations of this look.  Also, she is just too happy for it to be truly cold outside.  The photographer is probably holding a hand held heater.

I was beginning to lose hope and resort to paying people to live my life for me during the cold weather time when I saw this next look...


She just looks so warm.   Wool, cashmere, leather, fur: she is literally a hearty stew of winter goodness.  I know I vanquished the fur vest to the Olsens' closets in an earlier post, but worn this way, us mere mortals should be able to pull it off.

Not vapor inducing like the look above, but I gather this look can be the casserole of winter when belted.



Lessons learned:
Contrary to what the fashion world led me to believe season after season, stream lining my winter gear with proportionate layers just is not appropriate for more than three minutes outside in the dead of winter.  There are no such things as Winter staples apart from a coat--a bulky one at that-- and car with a working heater. Because friends, to be fashionable is to freeze.  Unless you are brave enough to invest in fur...


Pics from Vogue and Bazaar

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

The feather skirt...

For no particular reason, I felt the need to own a feather skirt---I lie... I was definitely a peacock in another life.    I wore this out for dinner with my Hubby before the whole world froze over. I am currently living in tights and on bread pudding (I need this type of comfort to get me through below 60 degree weather).


Escada blouse with Alice and Olivia feather skirt

I paired it with my sparkly CLs.

Hope you are having a good week.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Butterflies... Welcome to Love Lines


From a reader: 

I arrived at the elevator bank and gleefully awaited the comfort of leaning against the elevator's steel shell (After a night of dancing in 5 inch heels, I needed the rest). The doors parted. And directly in my line of vision was a human version of a shell made of steel--warm, chiseled, aloof- just the right frame for me to lean my tired body against. 


His complexion reminded me of liquid chrome: capuccino swirled with flecks of gold. I stepped into the elevator... he smiled. Somehow in the seconds it took the elevator to get me to my destination, we had our first night for the next night planned. Like a romantic movie yet to be made, we exchanged scarves at the end of the elevator ride to ensure I made it to our upcoming meeting--as if that was needed. 


We met at my hotel lobby the next night for our first official date--dinner, drinks, and a play--let's just say, I am no longer searching for Rhett Butler.  During our date, I felt like I was in a "RomCom" montague--easy listening tunes playing to the beat of the movie's lead characters laughing and talking incessantly with no discernible sound--I was in romance heaven. 

My new project--leave no pillow unturned, I must find a naturalized version of this wonderful liquid chrome Italiano:)


XOXO
Single on NYE