Rich Romantic Berry: this Fall's Red

Every fall I have to actively remind myself to wear more color.You might feel that with all the nuetral sweaters, earth-toned layers, grays and blacks floating around, it would be difficult to incorporate color into your look, but with Berry appearing to be falls new red- it can be easier than you think.

Berry and similar colors like wine, burgundy, bordeux, and plum are easier to wear than red and are also less tricky to shop for. So without further ado here are my favorite berry pieces for fall thus far, including editorials, shoes, clutches, and makeup.

Jovita Miseviciute in Eleganza Gipsy - I love how her lips match her dress

Buberry Silk Satin Peplum Dress

Sophia Vergarra looking incredible on Letterman wearing a wine colored dress

Carolina Herrera Draped V-Neck GownHilary Swank in Dolce & Gabbana Dress - Instyle September 2010

J.Crew Silk chiffon Arabelle crinkle gown

Burberry Plum Satin Dress with Pleat Front

Kate Spade Chime Heels

Very Berry Steal: Forever 21 Love 21 Burgundy Side Zip Top

Buy it HERE for only $19.80

O.P.I. Nail Lacquer in No Spain No Gain

Now onto Lipcolors. Rich Berry Lips add instant color and romance to any outfit.  

Match Your Berry Lips to your Dress

Lips: MAC lip liner in Half Red glossed with Cover girl Wetslicks in Clear Radiance

Burberry Prorsum Velvet Dress- Instyle August 2010

Here are my picks for Designer Berry Lip colors:
 Left to Right: Chanel Rogue Allure Luminous Satin Lipcolor in Fabulous
NARS Matte Velvet Lip Pencil in Damned
YSL Rogue Volupte 12 Forbidden Burgundy

If you are interested in Berry Lip colors that you can find at Drugstores, here are my top 4!
Left to Right: Loreal Color Riche 703 Cranberry
Loreal Color Riche 590 Blushing Berry
Mabelline Color Sensational Lip Color 175 Bit of Berry
Nuetrogena Moisture Shine Lipstick 400  Berry Blast

Also I highly recommend checking out THIS post by Karen at the Makeup and Beauty Blog (one of my favorite sites!) of NARS Holiday  Collection featuring incredible swatches of NARS Bougainville and Strawberry Fields Lip Gloss! They are soo gorgeous!

Dolce and Gabbana velvet clutch

ASOS Premium Cowl Neckl Velvet Dress

Fendi Maxi Polished leather shoulder bag

Shoes are a great way to add color to your fall /holiday looks. You can even wear them to work (they look excellent with gray suiting) as they are less severe than red. Here are my top 6 picks - 3 of which are under $100!

1. Carlos by Carlos Santana Queen's Pumps $89
2.Christian Louboutin Ronaldo Point -Toe Pumps $695
3. Mario Bologna Pumps with open toe $245
4. Brian Atwood Maniac Patent Platform Pumps -Bordeaux $580
5. Nine West Rocha Pump -Dark Red Suede $78.95
6. Guess Amazed Pumps, $98.95

And lastly, if you want to add some quick color to your dress, tie a berry, wine, or burgundy velvet ribbon around your waist as a sash. As you can see from the photo below, a little color goes a long way.

Karolina Kurkova in Louis Vuitton - Numero Tokyo December 2010

1. Wine Velvet Ribbon 3/8" Elizabeth's Embellishments

2. Wine Velvet Ribbon 7/8" Vogue Fabrics

3. Bordeaux Crushed Velvet Ribbon 1" MJ Trim

I hope you all enjoyed these berry, wine, burgundy, and plum ideas! Its easy to add color and romance to your fall wardrobe this season with rich berry dresses, tops, lips, nails, purses, shoes, and sashes!

Have a lovely day everyone!!

DIY Tutorial: Nina Ricci Inspired Flower Sash

 Here's a really quick tutorial on how to make a Nina Ricci Inspired Flower Sash!

Its an easy way to make your outfit more romantic and feminine and liven up any dress or pair it with a high waisted pencil skirt and feminine blouse.

Marion Cottliard in Nina Ricci Dress and Flower Sash -Vogue July

Supplies

• Remnants of 5 different shades of fabric ranging from peach, champagne, purple, and magenta, to violet and cream.  I used silkessense.
• Ribbon
• Aleens Fabric Glue
• Needle and Thread
• Rubber band
• This template from Martha Stewart: TEMPLATE (use largest flower)

  

1. Asos Coast Palais Corset Bandeau Dress $162.06

2. The Lovely Flower Sash you just made :)

3. Charlotte Russe Suede Toe Bow Pumps $25.50

You can make variations of this with whatever colors you like. It not only looks great with satin but also with dark gray wool and tweed.

If your running late and need an even faster sash, pin 1 or 2 flower brooches to a ribbon and your ready to go!

Have a lovely day everyone!

Fall Sweaters: Styling, Inspiration, Tips, and Picks

Sweaters are the one thing I am truly picky about. I love them so but I think its important to keep in mind that a sweater should not just be warm but be just as flattering and fitted as any other piece of clothing you own. Some sweaters can be so adorable on the hanger but that doesn't guarentee a great fit. Consider the fit and how flattering the piece is before you purchase it and once you get home, start thinking about how to style your sweater. Here are some of my favorite fall sweaters and including some styling inspirations, themes and pieces I'll be purchasing.

Guinevere van Seenus in Marc Jacobs- Vogue UK September 2010

Styling: pair sweaters with skirts this season. Try a runway inspired retro updo. Pair with a belt if sweater is not fitted enough.

Marie Claire September 2009

Louis Vuitton Sweater (Glamour Magazine November 2010: Clothes for Cool girls)
Styling: strong eye makeup & thin belt keep the chunky sweater young & fashion forward not frumpy.

Louis Vuitton Fall 2010 Runway:

Styling: More sweaters with skirts, groomed pony tail, bow pumps.

Kate Beckinsale Line's Crochet Loop Cardigan
Styling: Chunky bracelets, dark red nail polish

Vogue Knitting - Spring Summer 2010 - Gorgeous isn't it? -you can buy the issue with all the instructions and make your very own shawl HERE.

Rashida Jones -Lucky November 2010 -Season of Sweaters:

Styling: Romantic oversized sweater with delicate necklace and rich lips.

Robbi and Nikki Sequin-Sleeve Cardigan

Clare Tough Sequin Shoulder wool Cardigan

On to the Nordic/ Fair Isle Sweater: This Forever 21 Cozy Sweater Cardigan is a steal

Styling: looks fresh when paired with a colorful berry lips and a white tee.

Megan Fox in an Aritzia Sweater Cardigan

Styling: White tee, aviators, soft waves.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Fairisle Sequin Sweater

This sweater's shimmery take on fair isle moved it to the top of my wishlist.

 Zara Sweater - Pair this perfect basic with a midcalf skirt, rolled cuff cropped pants, or jeans.

Sasha Pivovarova - Vogue Paris November 2010

Styling: Silk Paisely scarf  (wear in your hair) with long drop /dangle earrings. Silk scarf creates nice constrast in textures but is similar color of sweater.

J.Crew Nov Catalog
Styling: Add a statement necklace and some bright lips and nails to step up any basic sweater

ASOS Bobble Stitch Jumper

This is my go-to Louis Vuitton inspired sweater. Not quite cropped, this short sweter is the perfect length to wear with skirts.

Louis Vuitton Fall Runway 2010

Scarlett Johansen in Mango Sweater
Styling: voluminous hair countering the bulkiness of the sweater, and smudged eye makeup.

My last pick: J.Crew  Merino and mohair shawl-collar cardigan

 J.Crew has great styling ideas for sweaters in their November Catalog. You can view it HERE.

So when it comes to styling your sweaters take time to do some styling. Consider your:

• Hair: make it glamourously voluminous or in an updo to counter bulky sweater, take time with your pony tail for the louis vuitton look, or make it wavy and feminine for nordic / fair isle
• Lips: any shock of color: rich berry for romantic looks, plums and reds look fantastic with grey, and red in general brightens any look (if you can't find a good red lipstick try NARS matte lip pencils)
• Nails: try some berrys, plums, and reds
• Eyes: smudged eyes, and liquid eyeliner can add sophistication to a sweater, making it more than essentially a blanket with sleeves. ;)
• Jewelry: pile on bracelets if you want to add some edge to your look. Try a statement necklace for a quick look upgrade, try pairing with interesting drop and dangle earrings.
• Fit: If you have a sweater that doesn't fit quite the way you like, add a thin belt or a satin ribbon.

That's all for now! Have a lovely day :)

Silk Scarves: Inspirations and Tips

What girl doesn't love Scarves? For many women, its even the only piece of silk they own. In recent years the trend with scarves has transitioned from belt, to handbag strap accessory, to draping across your chest, but I would like to make a case for wearing a scarf, as a scarf. I think that women look very chic wearing a scarf as a scarf- and most of us definitely thought that Jackie Kennedy, Sophia Loren and Audrey Hepburn look chic and even more attractive wearing them with oversized sunglasses, but it seems that this look is nearly non-existant in the present day. So in an effort to inspired someone out there to wear a scarf as a scarf, here are some of my favorite photos of ladies in scarves.

Adriana Lima Vogue Paris 2008

Coach Fall 2010 Ad

Hermes Fall 2010 Ad Campaign

Malgosia Bela

Annica by Dimitris Skoulos for Elle Greece August 2010

Miu Miu Campaign

Anouck Lepere by Jean-François Campos for Flair October 2010 

Rasa Zukauskaite Far From Heaven Muse Fall 2010

Louis Vuitton Scarf Ad 

Lilly Pulitzer Summer 2010 Catalog Cover

Dree Hemingway by Alexi Lubomirski Simply Red Harpers Bazaar Sept 2010

You'll notice that with their scarves, these ladies are wearing more pronounced makeup: stronger eye makeup and colorful lips to help play up the glamorous and fashion-forward side of the scarf. Jewelry is important as well, you'll notice lots of earrings, bracelets, and of course.. oversized sunglasses.

Hopefully these tips and this collection of photos will inspire a few out there to try the scarf, as a scarf. Have a lovely day everyone!

Polka Dots for the Lady..

Polka Dots are all over the runway from Dolce and Gabbana to Jason Wu but have you ever seen someone make polka dot look as incredible as Cintia Dicker in her Dolce and Gabbana Top and pencil skirt in September's Marie Claire France? So young yet so chic.

Here are my favorite fall polka dot pieces.

1. Ann Taylor Silk Polka Dot Ruched Top. $88

2. Jason Wu Black / White Dot Chiffon Skirt. $1,340

3. White House Black Market Silk Polka Dot Blouse. $88

4. Derek Lam Star Print Arch Seam Skirt. $425

5. Jason Wu Dot- Pattern silk-chiffon shirt. $595

6. Joseph Pearly Polka Dot Belted Dress. $569

Have a lovely day everyone! :)

Breakfast at Tiffany's Etsy Treasury

Shell Sheree put together this gorgeous Treasury on Etsy inspired by Breakfast at Tiffany's and was kind enough to include our piece: When Deco Met Pearl.

Click on the image to visit the treasury and see all the beautiful items in it- we love several of the pieces including those long black gloves and vintage pattern. 

You can view When Deco Met Pearl on our etsy shop HERE, 

and also take a look at Shell Sheree's shop HERE

Have a lovely day everyone! :)

Italian Film: 'Baaria'

Today I thought I'd share a really beautiful Italian film I recently watched: Baaria
It was nominated for a Golden Globe and is the story of the Silicilan town of Bagheria, also know as Baaria.
"Written and directed by Acadamy Award winner Giuseppe Tornatore. The story follows Peppino Torrenuova (Francesco Scianna) from his childhood as a high-spirited cowherd's son in the '30s, to his forbidden romance and marriage to the beautiful Mannina (Margareth Madè) through a turbulent time of Italian political upheaval.
BAARÌA is a humorous and often heartbreaking tale set against the backdrop of a vibrant Sicilian town in the first half of the twentieth century."

Take a look at the trailer:

The movie is  romantic, funny and even comical throughout many parts, beautifully made, and overall very interesting.  (Just a heads up - there are two short violent scenes in the film; one involving a cow and another of a man being shot.) Like many Italian sagas, it runs about 3 hours. Baaria's captivating story which spans 3 generations, its beautiful music, and romance alone make this film worth watching-especially if you are looking for something unique.

Have a lovely day everyone!