January 24, 2012

Best Shoes of Spring 2012

As per request of a stylish male friend of mine (and partially due to my serious obsession with shoes), I thought I’d put together a list of the absolute best shoes from Spring 2012. Sadly we won’t be able to wear these in Chicago for quite some time (if they get made into production of course) but the least we can do for now is admire them.

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With the Fall ’12 collections coming up next month, I’m looking forward to even more fabulous heels to swoon over.

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Which are your favorite shoes from the Spring 2012 collections?

Photos via Style.com
January 23, 2012

Printed Tights: The Ultimate Winter Accessory

Although I hate my legs, I always dread wearing tights in the winter because they seem to drag down an outfit. But of course since it’s freezing, I suck it up and do it anyway. Thankfully the hosiery companies (and even those who don’t specialize in legwear) have taken it upon themselves to make tights COOL and turn them into the ultimate winter accessory.

Just like a statement necklace can really jazz up a simple black dress, printed tights can do just the same (but it  doesn’t hurt to do both, right?) With that said, I’ve scoured the internet to find my favorite tights available this season. So there’s no excuse to go bare legged when it’s 10 degrees (which happens to be one of my biggest pet peeves by the way…)

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1) House Of Holland Alphabet Tights
2) Urban Outfitters Lurex Chevron Tights
3) Wolford Tiger Printed Tights
4) Topshop Pastel Tie Dye Tights
5) House Of Holland Star Tights
6) YSL Heart-Print Sheer Tights

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How will you be rocking your tights this season? Have any favorites from my picks?

January 20, 2012

Red Carpet Fashion: Art Of Elysium Gala

Although not an awards show, the Art of Elysium Gala brings out many A-list celebs and just as fabulous dresses. As always though, not all of the looks were a hit so let’s take a gander at the red carpet arrivals from the 2012 Art of Elysium Gala.

Photobucket Rachel Bilson in Chanel

When I see this dress I immediately think of Elle Fanning but Rachel really pulls this off (but seriously…what can’t she pull off?)

Photobucket Molly Sims in Marchesa

When it comes to these types of gowns, it’s easy to go too literal with the whole “Grecian” theme so I’m not a huge fan of the braid. However, I always like to give the pregnant ladies a break when it comes to the red carpet and Molly looks stunning.

Photobucket Minky Kelly in Oscar de la Renta

A bright gown done right…I love everything about this! We’ll be seeing lots more yellow on the red carpet this season. You wait and see…

Photobucket Kirsten Dunst in Valentino

Too conservative for my taste. This needs to be on Florence Welch.

Photobucket Kelly Osbourne in Guishem

I love her but her red carpet choices are either a huge hit or absolutely terrible. This one is on the terrible side. Drab colors, unflattering bodice and I still can’t get over the hair.

Photobucket Julianne Hough in KaufmanFranco

Always a bore on the red carpet. Always.

Photobucket January Jones in Chanel

I can’t tell if this would be really great with better shoes, or still just so-so. As is…not a fan. Love the sleeves though.

Photobucket Jamie King in Valentino

This is similar to my commentary about Molly Sims in Marchesa, except replace “Grecian” with “Renaissance” and there’s no forgiveness because she’s not pregnant.

Photobucket Camilla Belle in Carolina Herrera

I don’t love this dress but Camilla still looks fierce. Remember what I said about yellow this season?

Photobucket Brittany Snow in Catherine Deane

I like the unexpected pairing of the green earrings with the coral dress. She looks cute, but the dress seems a little long (which is much more obvious on a petite girl like her).

Photobucket Amber Heard in Donna Karan

The whole bombshell look  is so not my thing but WOW…this is “bombshell” done right. The dress fits perfectly, the hair is amazing, I love the red lipstick…and the girl knows how to pose on the red carpet!

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Who had your favorite look of the night? Let me know in the comments section below.

Photos: Glamour,Tom & Lorenzo
January 19, 2012

Net-a-Porter + Refinery29 Chicago Event

Last week I attended quite the stylish soiree at Sable with Refinery29 and Net-a-Porter. It happened to be the last nice day we’d have for a while. So being around great people with delicious food with some decent January Chicago weather…let’s just say it was a pretty good time.

Yesterday Refinery29 posted some pics from the party and they even featured my custom PS1 I wore that night.

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Check out Refinery29’s slideshow of the event photos, plus here’ a few of my own below (clearly taken on my iPhone).

Photobucket The spread at Sable…delicious of course.

Photobucket The drink menu with cocktails named after the most popular designers Chicagoans buy on Net-a-Porter…genius.

Photobucket With Nicole, Marketing Manager at Net-a-Porter, wearing neon Michael Kors…a girl after my own heart!

January 18, 2012

Line For “Less” Pierre Balmain

If you’ve ever wanted to buy Balmain, but can’t afford a $12,000 jacket, you’re in luck because the brand has now created a line for “less”–Pierre Balmain. A contemporary level collection, Pierre Balmain has the same edginess you love about Balmain but it’s definitely more toned down.

Keep in mind I use “line for less” quite loosely because the jackets still run around $900+ (but that’s a steal compared to the usual $10,000 average).

Here’s a look at some of the key pieces from the collection.

Photobucket Cotton Moto Jacket $945. Silk Gown $915. Leather Shorts $1,025

PhotobucketPaisley-Print Inset Shift Dress $460. Paisley-Print Chiffon Scarf $360

Photobucket Peak-Lapel Jacket $920. Paisley Blouse $430.

Photobucket Metallic Leather Baseball Jacket $1,335 (my favorite piece!)

Photobucket Beaded Insect Dress $710.

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All much more reasonable than a $38,000 jacket right? (on sale for under $8,000 by the way–a steal in Balmain world). What do you think of the Pierre Balmain collection? Will you buy any of these pieces?