a year in review: favorite looks of 2010 - accessories

up next...the little bits and baubles that make the look!  accessories!  the thing i love about good accessories is their ability to take a somewhat minimalistic outfit, or even just jeans and a tshirt, and transform it into a look. whether it's shoes, a scarf, a necklace, sunglasses, or a hat, accessories can totally make or a break a look.  however, proceed with caution...too many and you suddenly look like a hot mess instead of a fashion maven.
so...without further ado...

 without a doubt, my go-to jewelry designer this year was Pamela Love!  girl makes some sick jewelry (and many people agree...she was a vogue/cfda fashion fund finalist in 2010!)!  i was lucky enough to score several of her pieces this year, and honestly, i never take them off.  they are equal parts classic, edgy, cool, and unique (all at the same time!) and her little works of art are the absolute last word in downtown chic for both gals and gents. all of her pieces complete the "downtown uniform" (alex wang, combat boots, etc) and they edge up girly ensembles of frilly dresses and skirts, which are also occasionally favored by the downtown set.  i can't wait to invest in more of her stuff in 2011, and continue to wear it to death.  and continue to happily tell everyone who raves over it.. "it's pamela love's work. she's MAJOR."

on a recent holiday shopping trip to bergdorfs, i passed the shoe department and those studded louboutins were right there, perched artfully on a table, calling out to me....take me home, take me home...i belong in your closet! it's not the first time a shoe has called out to me like that (that's normal, right?), which is probably why this year, my closet slowly started to overflow with major heels.  there is nothing like a great pair of 5 inch heels to really take your ensemble to the next level.  all versions of sky-high heels need apply: booties, sandals, stilettos, platforms, wedges, open-toe, round toe, peep toe, mary janes, booties... i'm an equal-opportunity shoe addict, really.  and all labels too..i may be a louboutin whore, but i love miu miu, brian atwood, dior, ysl, alejandro ingelmo, and even jcrew!  shoes just are everything... they make your legs look endless and sexy, they make you strut (given you're well versed in walking/running in 5+ inch heels..it's an art form), and a great pair of shoes is honestly a fantastic conversation starter!  people always ask me "how do you walk in those heels?!" and i'm like...how could i not?  i mean, the level of sexy that my louboutins take me to... totally worth a little (very minor) foot discomfort.  and no...i didn't buy those studded loubs, but i'm seriously saving up.  seriously. i really need them.

i've always thought a quick and inexpensive way to enhance your look is through a good manicure with a chic nail color, and this year i really enjoyed chanel's limited edition nail lacquer sets!  not only does chanel nail polish stay on like cement, but the colors are always ultra chic, interesting, and eye catching!  my personal favorites this year were the steel and strong combo, but i also have a special place in my heart for the khaki collection, and for that snazzy jade green color.  the jade color was so major and honestly, i've never gotten so many compliments on a manicure.  these always sell out fast, so it's best to snatch them up ASAP!  i must admit though...i only live 4 blocks from the new chanel boutique in soho...so i'm totally spoiled in my ability to grab these the second they go on sale ;)

last but by no means least, the iPad. i got my iPad for my birthday and it's been one of my favorite accessories since. i love to iPad on the subway, at the airport, in bed, and even while on the elliptical (thanks for the free wifi for members, equinox!).  it is just. so. chic.  i just can't get over how much love it.  my most major iPad moment was on the day of the fairly elaborate dinner party i planned at the SoHo House; i showed up to see how the room looked and place seating cards...and pulled my iPad out, pulled my seating chart up on it (which took forever to make.  seating charts are so complicated...it seems like it'd be easy to just seat people at any table and get on with it..but honestly, it's so strategic.  all about balancing personalities..anyways..), and proceeded to strut around the room with it, placing my seating cards.  even the event manager of the SoHo House told me how chic it was.  iPads are a GREAT addition to any handbag.

well..that's accessories!  up next...the grand finale... the best and most amazing clothes and styles of 2010!



a year in review: favorite looks of 2010 - hair

continuing on with my favorite and most majors moments of style in 2010, tonight it's all about what's on top of your head!

bangs were (and continue to be) a major moment for me this year!  im fairly certain that the last time i sported bangs, i was wearing a culotte jumper by oshkosh bigosh and didn't really have creative control over my look.  since i've been growing my hair out, Rapunzel style, i needed something to freshen up my look, and my hairstylist (whom, i must say...is beyond) suggested i try bangs.  he started me out with training wheels...a slightly shorter version of the "bang swoop" and then the next time i was in for a trim, he took me all the way and i couldn't be happier!  i think bangs just add a little smattering of chic to long, flowing hair, give it a little bit of a retro, 70's-esque feel (and we all know how huge the 70's are for spring!), and i can't get over how much i love the look when i put my hair up!  they're a lot of maintenance, but if you're willing to work with them, i highly suggest getting banged.

up until this year, i've honestly never had a major updo before, but i ventured into the unknown with no reservations!  i was always the gal in high school who wore her hair down and flowy for prom (i just couldn't stomach the bad updos with terrible ringlets), so honestly, a teased ponytail was about as fancy as i've gotten.  i had a few snazzy parties to attend this year, and i went for it!  again, my talented and amazing stylist transformed my hair into a work of art on several occasions, and i'm a believer.  i started doing chignons for work, huge ballerina buns for major meetings, and letting said stylist get crazier and crazier with my updos!  major hair makes a MAJOR statement and i'm all about it!  i loved the dior couture show this past summer...it totally embodies everything i love.  beautiful clothes, loud, dramatic makeup, and serious hair.  i've taken the stance that hair should always be major.  why look normal?  i prefer to make an entrance! 

i know that braids seem a bit elementary, but if done properly, this year they seemed fresh and chic!  whether it was a messy side braid, a fish-tail, or a braided accent piece in a ponytail or updo, braids were everything and more this year.  they add a youthfulness to any look, and seem to inject an air of chic carelessness to any look, even if you're wearing the most elaborate and uptight ensemble.  i love the messiness of them, and they seem to get better as they get messier when the night wears on. 

and last but not least, full, glamorous, asymmetric waves are a look i will never tire of.  there is just something so insanely glam and beautiful about smooth waves with tons of body and bounce.  and even more glamorous is when you neatly pull one side of your hair back, only to let everything else flow freely and beautifully.  the entire look invokes pure and unadulterated chicness, and looks good with jeans or a floor length gown.  it's the kind of style that you literally cannot go wrong with, and it was my go-to look all year.  the best part is that a blow-out like that easily lasts 3-4 days, which means multiple days of gorgeousness.  beauty, versatility, and staying power... it doesn't get much better!

up tomorrow... accessories!



a year in review: favorite looks of 2010 - beauty

can you believe that 2010 is almost over? the year has flown by!  it's been an amazing year in many ways, and here are a few of my favorite looks/trends/non-trends/ideas of 2010.

up first...the beauty department!

the red lip was everything to me this year.  strong, powerful, bold, and feminine all at the same time, i wore a strong red lip out to run errands, to huge meetings, and out to dinner.  it was by far one of the most defining features of my ever-evolving style in 2010.

a strong eyebrow is so major!  most women either totally ignore their eyebrows, save for the bi-weekly plucking or waxing maintenance, or they totally over-do it and pluck way too much and almost have no eyebrows at all.  i'm all about a well-manicured, strong brow.  anastasia's brow gel accentuates them even more, giving the face a strong, well-defined, and super chic look.  

i also played around with the cat eye and electric eyeshadow/eyeliner this year.  obviously, not to the extent that Dior did it for their couture show, but i love the retro look of the cat eye eyeliner..and electric and neon eyeliner is the best, most unexpected way to spice up a dull face of humdrum makeup!  i personally am partial to purple, but i love the way bright blue, green, and gold eye makeup looks on girls!  it shows confidence, boldness, and totally completes pretty much every look.  not to mention...it makes everyone look at your eyes...and they're totally the window to your soul. obvi ;-)

last but not least, i discovered ponds cold cream this year.  i know, i know, i'm about 548 years late to this party, but nevertheless, i started using it this year to wash my face, and i can honestly say i've never been happier with a skin cleanser!  ponds is super gentle, removes all my makeup with ease, requires no water, smells good, is friendly on the wallet, eliminates the need for the washing and moisturizing steps, and leaves my skin clean, moisturized, and a little bit glowing!  i was skeptical at first, but now i'm a massive devotee! 

up next....my favorite...the most hair moments of 2010!

all i want for christmas is...YOU!

wishing you and yours a delightful holiday season full of sparkle, glitter, and shine!

xx

whisper to me, help me remember

an unconventional sunday morning seduction, for your viewing pleasure...featuring the lovely miss catherine mcneil shot by mario testino (some prefer to call him God...either way is fine with me!)  love the contrasts of electric color against the black leather and chiffon...and i love the mixture of textures. sexy and unexpected and lovely, all at the same time.

all right..off to spinning at SOUL!  happy sunday!

a royal affair

nanette lepore

prabal gurung

Valentino

Chris Benz

christian lacroix

gucci

jason wu

karl lagerfeld

lela rose

monique lhuillier

the first royal wedding since princess di's is fast approaching and every designer in the world wants to get their hands on the princess-to-be, kate middleton!  sadly, she must choose a british designer, but every major house in the world has given their inputs.  karl wants her in knee tall boots (don't we all?) and a victorian ruffle lace neck, nanette lepore is envisioning her in a sugar-spun-esque concoction, and chris benz wants yellow (see! i'm telling you, yellow is EVERYTHING right now!), and prabal gurung's mind went to classic and chic with a fabulous set of asymmetric ruffles.  i love gucci's simplicity, and i think the best drawing goes to valentino..great dress and great likliness of miss middleton..so delightful..but my obvious favorite is christian lacroix!!!!  it's kind of fierce revolutionary war hero meets queen elizabeth meets...a veil that is exploding christmas lights and fireflies!!  

and that's just too perfect.

your last resort..

it's f'ing freezing in new york, and i am resort-dreaming! i'm longing for the humid but breezy days of summer (or the humid, breezy days of turks and caicos?), and i'm longing for those great red hot shorts and the 70's coral colored wrap-sweater.  more importantly, i'm longing for the wild curls, the dewy skin, and the fierce sunglasses!  those sunglasses are everything and more.

oh, and while i love that yellow bikini top, have i mentioned how i think yellow is over for spring? it's too obvious.  i'm LOVING yellow for fall and winter.  it's such an unexpected pop of unexpected color!  it's all about yellow for me right now.

freshly banged

i have recently ventured into having BANGS again!  and i must say, after a long, long hiatus, i'm loving them again!  it's a fresh, almost boyish take on my super long, wavy hair (i'm determined to grow it out, rapunzel style).  after months and months of being on this "i'm growing my hair out" journey, i dropped in to see my uber-talented stylist to have him thin out the front chunk of my hair, and at his casual suggestion, we decided to do a quick bang trim...and volia! ultra chic bangs!  i'm a month into being freshly banged, and while they're a ton of upkeep (i'm in there getting my bangs trimmed so often, i really should just have an outstanding weekly appointment), i think they are a quick, easy, and super chic way to update any look.  i'm sure i won't keep them for too long, but i really love them for now!   

p.s. how much do you love that picture of paz?  c'est magnifque.  

you're the only one..

your sunday morning seduction, featuring the stunning miss natalia vodianova, shot by mario sorrenti (this must have been one hot set..that's a lot of sexy in one room).  nobody can wear (or take off) black lingerie like she can.  nobody.
enjoy.