Soon to Come

Hi All
Sorry I've been MIA for a bit. I was in San Francisco for a week. I was hoping to get some great street style photos, but I guess I was hanging out in the wrong parts of town. All I saw were tourists in I Love SF sweatshirts and fanny packs. But there was a fashion high point of my trip. The Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit was at the de Young Museum. It was an amazing exhibit. If you're in San Francisco or if you're lucky enough for the exhibit, The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk, to come to you, definitely check it out. I will be posting pictures from the exhibit soon!

Learn more about the exhibit here: http://deyoung.famsf.org/deyoung/exhibitions/fashion-world-jean-paul-gaultier-sidewalk-catwalk

Paris, Je t'aime

I was supposed to write this post yesterday on Bastille Day, alas life got in the way. Please forgive me.

I love Paris. I love it's food (real butter in everything!). I love its architecture. I love the history. I love the Parisian attitude. And I love the fashion. Its the fashion capital of the world, and while many other cities are in competition for the same title from London to Tokyo, Paris, in my opinion will always wear the crown.

Parisians have a certain, je ne sais quoi. They are very laissez faire. And that's why their style is so effortless. They are chic without trying. Their casual is always put together. When I was last in Paris, I don't think i ever saw a girl wearing a pair of jeans.Men rarely wore a t-shirt unless it was under a blazer or with a scarf.

For many of us in the US our go to weekend, casual outfit is a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. In Paris, they put a little more effort, seemingly without even trying. I am in awe of their style, their ease of life. A simple shrug of their shoulders seems to do away with all of life's problems.

One of my favorite fashion blogs Refinery29 had a great street style slide show this weekend. I thought I would share. The below pic is one of my favorites from the site.

Check out some of the amazing Paris street style by clicking over to Refinery29.
http://www.refinery29.com/paris-street-style


Who do you think should take the title of Fashion Capital of the World?

Ralph Lauren's Olympics

So Ralph Lauren unveiled his 2012 Olympics' Collection today. This is what our young men and women representing the United States of America will be sporting during the opening ceremonies and throughout the games.

I think it makes sense that Ralph Lauren would be the one to design the outfits for the athletes. His most iconic styles are based around the sport of Polo.

I think the collection is well styled, professional, some decently cute pieces, but all in all uninspired and predictable.

Source: LA Times

I would consider buying this fleece jacket.

Source: Macys.com





What do you think of the Olympic Collection?

You can check out the full collection at ralphlauren.com.

Not Your Urkel's Suspenders

I just want to say that I love a man in suspenders (though the chic and fashionable now seem to prefer the term braces).

I am so pumped that, thanks to the hipster set and some non hipster fashion forward men, they are making a comeback. And I don't mean the rainbow Urkel-esque suspenders sported by Jaleel White.

 I mean some straight up sexy, dapper as all get out, these aren't for keeping my pants up braces.

Since I like to educate as well as express my opinions I will let you all know there is a difference between braces and suspenders. Pretty much the term is now used interchangeably, braces for the Non-US English speakers out there, and suspenders for us American English speakers.But the difference is supenders usually clip onto the pants and tend to be wider and braces button onto the slacks and are a little thinner.

But that's enough book learning for now. On to pics of some men in smart braces.




Source: A-men Suspenders




Source: Steve & Co.



Source: Urban Aesthetics

Today's braces should be done with ease. They should be fun. Stay away from themes and most prints. Stripes are great. Polka dots are not a favorite of mine but I'm sure someone could pull them off. Possibly.

Braces add a little structure and a little coolness to casual and more dressed up outfits. And in my opinion they are damn sexy. So come on guys, try them out (just not with highwaters and knee socks, k?).

Thanks to a very dapper friend of mine, The Fanstatic Mr. Fox, for inspiring this blog post! Can't wait for him to start sporting his braces in the office.

Don't Get Bored With Basics

I love jeans and a t-shirt as much as the next girl. What isn't there to love? Its quick and comfortable. Everyone has a pair of jeans that they feel great in. But let's admit it, sometimes it just feels as if you didn't try. No one wants that. So here are some tips to polish the jeans and t-shirt look.

1. Pair a fitted crew neck T-shirt with a glam necklace. (I like this necklace from J.Crew with your hair up in a messy bun or unpolished pony tail)

Jcrew.com

2.. Have  a V-Neck Shirt? Try something a little longer and add some color.



Jcrew.com



3. Roll up your jeans to an ankle length and throw on a pair of killer heels. Again make sure to add some color or your basic look is going to stay basic. If you don't like heels then you can wear a pair of dressy flats. But honestly every woman should have and love a pair of killer heels.

Both pairs from aldoshoes.com

4. When it comes to wearing basics I love a great pair of chandelier earrings (do not pair with the statement necklaces from above, one statement piece of jewelry is perfect). Wear your hair casual and down with these.

poshposh.com

5. Finally, for a more polished look, tuck in the  t-shirt and wear a cute thin belt that either matches or contrasts with your shoes.

Hint: These ideas work great with not only t-shirts but with the currently on trend over sized button down look. Instead of tucking the button down in completely leave part of it untucked.

Enjoy your not so basic basics!

Portfolio 1

Early this spring I had the pleasure of working with photographer/artist Stephanie Graves on my first portfolio. The outfits are for Fall/Winter. Check out the work below.



Dress: Sugarlips from Macy's. Necklace: Blush Boutique Nashville. Shoes: Guess



Skirt and Top: Ruche Shoes:INC at Macys

Button Down: Anthropologie Sweater: Anthropologie Jeans: American Eagle Boots: Blowfish

Sweater: Anthropologie Tank:Forever 21 Jeans:American Eagle Boots:DSW

Skirt: Ruche T-Shirt: Target Shoes:Rocket Dog

Check out more of Stephanie's work at http://stephaniegravesstudio.com/index.html

I bought a romper!

When I think of rompers I think of little girls in a one piece torture device hopping up and down because they can't get get out of their once piece outfit when they have to pee really bad.

Not the greatest image.

But for the past couple of years the romper has been popular in the closets of young women. After hitting its peak popularity point in the 1950s, 2006 brought a resurgence and it seems to be sticking around.. For those of you who don't know, a romper is a combination short and shirt outfit. In the past I have been, not necessarily against rompers, I just didn't think they were for me. They were either too short or too bohemian. When I did see cute ones, I'd say oh that's cute, but not for me.

That was until I perused the sale rack at Free People in Green Hills Mall. I found a red embroidered romper. Again I was like that's cute, but I bet it'll look terrible on me. I tried it on anyways. If there is one piece of advice I can give every person out there, its to try things on. I put it on and I LOVED it. And thus ended my aversion to rompers. Below is a picture of the romper I bought plus a few others that I like.

Source: Freepeople.com

Source:Stylehive.com

Source: Nordstroms.com

Source: Freepeople.com

Moral of the blog is: Try something on that you never would have thought of trying on. You may love it!

What do you think of rompers?