Best Dressed of the Decade

As 2009 comes to a close tonight it is time to say goodbye, not only to to a year of great fashion, but also to a decade of style. Style.com called the Olsen Twins the Style Icons of the Decade, but I think Keira Knightley also desirves style icon status for her many great looks throughout the decade.


At the 2005 Premiere of The Jacket
Photo: Yahoo Movies


At the 2006 Academy Awards in Vera Wang
Photo: Telegraph.co.uk


At the 2006 premiere of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest in Gucci
Photo: Instyle.com


At the 2007 LA Premiere of Atonement in Rodarte
Photo: Life.com


At the 2008 Elle Party for The Edge of Love in Erdem
Photo: The Insider.com


At the Spring 2009 Chanel Haute Couture Show
Photo: Dailymail.co.uk

I hope you're stylishly enjoying the last blast of '09!

The Delicious Debate

I forgot to mention that I went to the Magnolia Bakery while in NYC the other day. I have tried their vanilla cupcakes and their lattes (or maybe it was a mocha) at the Greenwich Village location and they were very good, though the shop was crowed and I had to wait in a very long line. The day after Christmas I bought a decedent Red Velvet cupcake with whipped vanilla icing topped with an adorable dark chocolate Rockette disc.


Photo From: New York Blips

I know many people hate this bakery because they find it too small, too expensive, and filled with tourists who push and shove you just to grab what ever cupcakes they can get their hands on, but I thought this cupcake was definitely worth it. This is probably because I was not pushed around and waited in line for only about 2 minutes before paying. On top of that, the bakery was giving all the customers a free raisin bran muffin, which was also delicious. The Rockefeller Center location was far less crowed when I went than the downtown one, probably because of the latter's appearance on Sex and the City. If your ever near one of the Magnolia's 3 locations, I encourage you to go in and judge for yourself wether or not it is worth the hype.


Saks Fifth Avenue adorned with Snowflake Lights

I love Christmas in NYC, especially when I visit Saks to look at the windows and do some shopping.

Greeting Cards Have All Been Sent, The Christmas Rush is Through

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas! My family and I attended midnight mass at the Cathedral on Christmas Eve. It was so beautiful and a such a meaningful way to begin the Christmas Season.


Cardigan: The Limited, Blouse: Richard Chai for Target, Skirt: Juicy Couture, Tights: Ellen Tracy, Shoes: L.A.M.B., Necklace: Gift from my Advent Angel

I wore the above outfit to mass. This outfit has some of my favorite pieces in it; namely the Juicy skirt and L.A.M.B. Deven flats. Not only did the shoes go well with the rest of the outfit, but they were also very practical and comfortable. I wore heels to midnight mass last year and that was NOT a smart idea!


Jacket: DKNY Jeans, Blouse: Richard Chai for Target, Jeans: American Eagle Outfitters, Shoes: L.A.M.B., Mesh Cuff Bracelet: Heigh Ho Silver, Necklace: Advent Angle Gift from a past year

I wore this outfit to celebrate Christmas with the family. I usually don't wear jeans to the family party but I'm glad I did since I had to endure unexpected traffic that lead to a 4 hour car ride to the destination. What a way to spend Christmas! But it was worth it to see my family members again.


The Tree In Rockefeller Center

Today I spent the day after Christmas in Rockefeller Center. I love going to the Rock to see the tree every year and squeeze in some ice skating if I'm lucky. Although it was raining and I go every year, I still managed to take some touristy photos. I returned from New York today and I am pretty tired but I'm hoping to hit the mall for some after-Christmas shopping tomorrow. I hope you enjoyed your holiday!

Get in the Spirit!

Christmas is almost here!!!
So those of you who haven't finished shopping better hurry up! To get in the Christmas Spirit I've posted some pics of my favorite red and green party frocks of 2009. Enjoy!
Jennifer Connelly at the He's Just Not That Into You Premiere


Zoe Saldana at the Star Trek Premiere


Shailene Woodley at Teen Vogue's Young Hollywood Party


Claudia Schiffer at the British Fashion Awards

Zoe Saldana Photo: Harper's Bazaar.com
All Other Photos: Style.com

The Elements of Style

Images from: Vanity Fair, Urban Outfitters, Real Simple, Vogue, J. Crew, and Harper's Bazaar

Last night, instead of going to bed, I was overcome with the desire to make a collage. Since the collage is so big it obviously wasn't going to fit in my scanner so you'll have to make to with the photo I took of it.

This collage perfectly describes my personal style; it's all about contrasts. As I'm sure you've noticed, I wear a lot of classic pieces, but I love to mix them up with unexpected elements. My favorite part about getting dressed is creating a juxtaposition of styles. I love to mix menswear with girly items, play with different textures and fabrics, and emphasize volume, proportion, colors, and prints. If you've ever wondered what sets your style apart, collect some images that you like from magazines, cut them out, and put them together. Making a collage or inspiration board is a great way to acknowledge the characteristics of your style.

Red Stained Snow

Sorry about the slowdown in posts. A huge snowstorm + a cold I came down with on Friday has basically left me inside the house where I have been drinking copious amounts of french vanilla hot chocolate and tea while reading New Moon and catching up on episodes of Glee. So needless to say, I haven't worn an post worthy outfits or gone shopping. But once the roads are cleared of snow, I intend to go to the mall to find the perfect shade of red lipstick. I wonder if I'm brave enough to pull it off. I'll update you when I finally try it! Anyway, it's almost Christmas!!! Get in the spirit!



Red Lips at Dolce & Gabbana F/W 09 Photo: Style.com



Applying Red Lipstick at Gucci F/W 09 Photo: Style.com



Rouge Dior Lipstick in Red Premiere Photo: Sephora.com



Revlon Matte Lipstick in Really Red Photo: Walmart.com

Essentials

Blazer: Proenza Schouler for Target, T-Shirt: J. Crew, Jeans: American Eagle Outfitters, Boots: Nine West, Necklace: H&M

One of the most important pieces a girl can have in her wardrobe is a blazer. The blazer is the perfect piece for dressing up or dressing down. When worn with a pair or riding boots, it creates a classic look that can be modernized with funky accessories and bright colors, like wore last night. Also, blazers can add to the edgy-ness of a look if they are oversized or accented with studs and worn with a short dress, leggings, or skinny jeans. I have 2 navy blazers and if I could, I'd also own a black double breasted blazer, and a grey school boy blazer. Here is one of my favs:


Silence and Noise Studded Boyfriend Blazer
Photo: Urban Outfitters

I Got Chills, They're Multiplyin'

Happy Friday (almost Saturday)!!
Today, I thought it I would share the story of the beautiful shoes that I spotted a week ago. They are fabulous L.A.M.B. Deven perforated metallic and patent leather flats I discovered hidden in the sale racks of Baltimore Pike Shoes. The minute I tried them on, I knew I had to have them and at a 90% discount off the price they would have been in a department store, it would have been a sin NOT to buy them. Since the Fashion Show was the next day, I wasn't sure how much money I'd need there so I held off my purchase. Fortunately I didn't spend too much the next day, went to the store to pick them up and ended up paying less than the sale price on the box! Don't you just love it when that happens?

Tis the Season

Although Black Friday was the start of the holiday shopping season, I chose not to face the crowd of crazed mall-goers fighting to get the best bargain. Instead, I waited until my school's Christmas Luncheon and Fashion Show to begin my Christmas shopping. There were many great vendors there today and I scored a really cool sliver chain bracelet from Hi Ho Silver and picked up a gift for my cousin. The fashion show featured some great evening-wear looks from Elizabeth Maar Boutique and Just Girls.
For the event I decided to debut one of my favorite Fashion U purchases:




Dress: H&M, Heels: Calvin Klein, Fresh Water Pearl and Rose Quartz Earrings: Type 0(-)

This dress calls to mind not only the lingerie centered aspects of Christian Dior's Couture Collection, but also the nude-colored minimalism seen on on the Spring 2010 runways:


Christian Dior Haute Couture Fall 2009


Celine SS/2010
Photos:Style.com

Also, on my way home I bought a pair of amazing silver L.A.M.B. flats for an incredible price. Will post about them soon.

To Tie-Dye For

Happy Friday! Since today was a tie-dye themed dress down for the seniors at my school I felt that it was the perfect time to wear my tie dyed jeans. My look was inspired by the Balmain Collection that I absolutely loved.


Cropped Jacket: H&M, Shirt: Mossimo by Target, Jeans: Levi's, Flats: Rocket Dog

Balmain SS/09 Photo: Style.com

Also, I thought this would be the perfect transition into my post about the cool tie-dye looks that designers presented for SS/2010. These are not your average psychedelic T-shirts; designers fused these prints onto cocktail dresses as well as casual Ts. Here are a few of my favorites:


Tory Burch SS/2010


Blumarine SS/2010


Proenza Schouler SS/2010


Proenza Schouler Resort 2010

All fashion photos: Style.com
This is a look I saw in the December 2009 issue of Lucky Magazine that describes pairing tie-dyed t-shirts with classic box jackets, an idea I fell in love with instantly. It's fun way to dress up a casual look. If you want to see more of these spring looks click on the link above. Enjoy the weekend!