with great glamour comes great...lingerie

i was just doing a test run for my outfit tonight.  i'm going out for quite a dinner, and put my dress on, and realized my bustier bra was too big and was making for an ill-fitting look.  i panicked, gathered my things, and ran out the door for the nearest lingerie store for a new corset.  luckily, this is New York, and you could probably get a bra at 4 am if you needed one, so even though it was nearing 7 pm, I had plenty of choices..but it made me remember that what goes under your fabulous outfits is just as important as the fabulous outfit itself...so here are some glamorous essentials for your unmentionables drawer...

the everyday bra...

The Incredible Bra (demi) at Victoria's Secret - this is my everyday, go to bra.  no back fat pinching, everything looks smooth, it doesn't push my boobs up in an out of control way, but gives everything a nice shape!  easy on the wallet too!! ($45-$48, victoriassecret.com)

the daily panty 

Cosabella Bootie Thong - seriously, these are all i wear.  they come in a million colors, go under everything and anything, never show a line, and i have yet to have a pair lose shape or elasticity in the wash.  a steep price tag for a pair of underwear, but they're worth every cent. you don't need another panty.  ($21, cosabella.com)

the corset

classic corset, Agent Provocateur - every woman, at some point in her life, will need to wear a corset and if that occassion comes up more than once or twice for you, it's worth investing a little money into a really well made corset.  sure, they're sexy and conjur up images of s&m whips and sure, they can be quite painful, but when tied properly (and with your body properly adjusted in there), they are completely essential for evening wear and can easily take you down by a size, if not two.  be aware, you will need someone else to tie you in and you will be gasping for air...but you will look flawless. this is for major looks, amateurs need not apply. ($370, agentprovocateur.com)

the bustier

the Back-Off Baby Low-back Bustier - another Victoria's Secret gem, this bustier is perfect for strapless dresses, gowns, or even strapless tops (although i hope tube tops never come back into style) - and it's less intense than the aforementioned corset, yet still offers a nice slimming effect along the natural waist.  comes in black, white,and leopard print ($58, victoriassecret.com)

the relaxed bra

Cosabella Never Say Never bralette - some days, you don't want the girls to be front and center.  some days, you just want a relaxed, comfortable bra that is still pretty.  Cosabella gives us just that with the Never Say  Never bralette.  it matches the panties perfectly and comes in a rainbow of colors - i have it in several myself. it's sexy without being overtly so...i never even mind if the straps show, as they're covered in pretty delicate lace. it's the perfect piece to have in your lingerie drawer! ($50 cosabella.com)

style file - this week's highlights

RIP Amy Winehouse!!!  My Wino tribute look.  the hair is so good, right?  below is the test run....you can see it better...

Wino tribute look hair test!

jcrew cotton cardigan worn backwards, jacquard miniskirt, Miu Miu glitter peep-toes...

a better shot of the infamous AMAZING Miu Miu glitter peep-toes i got this week!

tshirt, the row.  jeans, banana republic. (this is my favorite tshirt.  it's worn and beaten up, but it's the absolute best.  it's perfect.) wore this with a blazer to sass it up for the office.

skirt, liberty of london.  jack purcell sneakers.

started a new job at the office this week = i had to bring it, fashion wise, so i could bring it...work wise.  in college, i always dressed up for my exams...i felt i did better that way.  same with work.  how do you dress when you're stressed? 

take this time for me to be unforgiven

Aymeline Valade for Numero 125.  bondage. dig it.

style file - this week's highlights

top - h&m, tank - lululemon

dress - moulinette soeurs

shoes - michael kors, bun - myself!

don't judge me - i wore my swimsuit cover-up out to run errands.  it was 104 degrees, white was the only option.

this week was insanely hot and breezy dresses, skirts, and cotton seperates were the only way to make it through.  i'll be honest, i'm really looking forward to fall!!!

RIP Amy Winehouse - Soul Sister

Amy Winehouse passed away in London this afternoon at the age of 27, a tragic end to an incredibly talented and tumultuous young woman.  Wino had the most beautiful voice - pure soul, pain, and heart...and her style was one of a kind.  her beehive hair, the sharpie thick black eyeliner, the tattoos and her wobbly legs...

Amy was a style inspiration and a beautiful, unique woman who made us all stop and watch, no matter her personal life.  such a tragic loss.

thoughts and condolences to her friends, family, and loved ones at such an impossibly difficult time.

style obsession - ashley olsen

ashley olsen has been influential on my style for a long time.  from when she was 12 and wearing a mid-drift bearing top to her sophisticated shabby chic look at 18 to the sleek minimalism she uses so artfully with The Row...i've been following her style cues for years and now her clothing line dresses me (i am the quintessential The Row woman ....just working on having the budget to afford it all just quite yet!).  some of my favorite and most influential looks of the less infamous Olsen twin...

i've always admired Ashley's ability to wear comfortable separates but still look cool - which is the entire basis of The Row.  she is also the mix master - pair leather leggings with converse sneakers, leggings and leather jackets and sky high heels, and also makes a casual white tank top and skinny jeans look chic.  her approach to oversized items is genius, as she makes the ones that fit her properly count, and she's one of those girls who almost seems normal (even though the Olsens are the least normal people out there)...she wears her favorite leather jacket over and over again, carries the same Fendi bag constantly, and has been wearing the same Manolo Blahnik heels to events since she was 19.  the girl has her favorites!

Ashley has always been one of my biggest style inspirations - her style evolves while staying relevant and classic.  a perfect combo.

hot shot of the day

beautiful shot from Vogue Italia.

style file - this week's highlights

dress, target (love a deal!), sunnies, The Row

dress, nordstroms

 dress, Anthropologie.  shoes, jcrew.  bun...really major! (see below!)

close up of the major bun that i've perfected! (ring, pamela love)

skirt, Thakoon. top, The Row.  look on my face...."it's too early to go to work and i really need a latte"

we've had some scorchers the past few weeks in Manhattan, so i've kept cool with breezy dresses, tanks, and skirts.  how are you beating the heat?

hot shot of the day

coco rocha in Celine.  fall, are you here yet?

Kate Middleton Tour de Chic 2011 - McQueen on the BAFTA red carpet!

The Duchess of Cambridge and that guy she's married to attending the BAFTA gala in Los Angeles last night, and thrilled the collective 50 states by walking the red carpet in a lovely cap-sleeved lavender Alexander McQueen chiffon gown, with an embellished belted waist, Jimmy Choo heels (super tall ones! work, girl!), Jimmy Choo clutch, and earrings on loan from the Queen (...i die for the idea of the Queens jewelry collection be available for my wearing....).  

The Duchess looks absolutely beautiful, but is anyone else feeling like...we've been there, done that with Kate? the little cap-sleeve, the belted waist, the smooth blowout?  yes, this dress is all kinds of flattering on her, showing off her thin arms and super teeny tiny waist (again, i die for her waist!)... but i'd love to see something a little more...sassy.  she was fabulous in Jenny Packham last month, and while this dress is gorgeous....surely there was something in the McQueen closet that would have a smidge more "wow" factor.  and can we get Kate in a chignon? or at least a sassy ponytail with a red lip?

either way, she did look beautiful!!  and her shoes! ah! major!!

what do you think about Kate's McQueen choice?

(photos via ibtimes)

tech chic - iPad cases

for the modern woman, fashion and technology go hand in hand.  we are always on the go, and portable technologies like the iPhone and the iPad have become our lifelines (i don't know about you, but i'm always the girl with the iPhone charger in her clutch.)  

the fashion powers-to-be have taken notice within the past year and have given us style-conscious gals some chic options for toting our iPads around (my iPad is one of my favorite accessories!).  last year's Oscar de la Renta resort collection even had the models carrying OdlR covered iPads down the runway!  here's a roundup of some of the best bets for when that icky black case from the Apple store just doesn't go with your new Jason Wu Miss Wu mini Shoulder Bag...

Michael Kors Jet Set iPad case, $128, michaelkors.com

comes in various colors and leathers (classic chic camel, trendy royal blue, or black python), this case is sleek, slim, and easy on the wallet.

Jimmy Choo Ripley elaphe snakeskin iPad case, $795, net-a-porter.com

pricey, but gorgeous!

kate spade Journal iPad cover, $85, katespade.com

this is what currently is dressing my iPad up!  it's fun and actually quite the conversation starter with strangers on planes.

Oscar de la Renta iPad case, starting at $290, oscardelarenta.com

...the chic little iPad case that started it all!!

how do you accessorize your cannot-live-without technologies?

Tom Ford Fall 2011

it's 88 degrees in New York right now, but the Tom Ford Fall 2011 ad campaign has got me ready for the days of 30-something degree highs that make me hunker down into the steel grey/black fur collar of my emerald green coat as i stroll the streets of SoHo.

Candace Swanepoel (who has been making a seamless transition from Victoria Secret Angel to high fashionista...she walked Oscar's resort show and is now killing it in this ad) looks fierce as hell in rich jewel tones, fur, velvet, and striking make-up.  this is TF's sophomore womenswear collection under his namesake and can i just get an "Amen Fashion" here please?

(via fashion gone rogue)