Did you enjoy the first post from the new Styling 101 series that I posted on Tuesday? It was a lot of fun to style and photograph so I hope it got you in the mood for some yacht-chic gear for America’s Cup!
With this week – and Summer – on the verge of being over I thought today would be a good day for some sun worshipping fashion. So welcome to another MCLV Style post where we will be discussing vacations. Primarily because I refuse to let go of Summer.

{Peacock Print Maxi Dress – Victoria’s Secret, Gold Sandals – Forever 21, Sunglasses – Vintage, Clutch – BCBGeneration, Gold Leaf Necklace – Vintage, Bangles – Vintage, H&M & Zara}

{You can HYPE this look on Lookbook.nu, shop similar pieces on ASOS Fashion Finder, or click the hyperlinks above to shop comparable pieces and visit store websites}

Check out more outtakes from this shoot here – just log into Facebook to view
I wish that these shots had been taken on a tropical island somewhere with waves crashing nearby and umbrella drinks chilling just out of reach instead of in my “backyard.” I use sarcastic quote marks because I live in San Francisco. Land of small kitchens and no grass. Le sigh. Clearly someone is in desperate need of a vacation, and luckily for this someone, I’m heading to New York City this weekend for the much anticipated IFBCON.
What do you like to wear when you’re on vacation? Obviously it depends on the destination, but nothing says tropical vacation to me more than a maxi, what about you?
Like this:
Like Loading...
August 30, 2012 | Categories: Fashion | Tags: All-American, America's Cup, America's Cup World Series, Americana, Asos, Asos Fashion Finder, Asos.com, BCBG, BCBG Max Azria, BCBGeneration, BCBGirls, black clutch, boat, boat racing, boating, Bohemian, boho, boho chic, bots, bracelets, Cross-body bag, day clutch, Facebook, Fashion, Flat sandals, Floor-length dress, floral, gold ring, Gold sandals, H&M, Halter Dress, halter maxi, Hippie, hippie chic, IFB, IFBCON, Independent Fashion Bloggers, Layering, layering bangles, leaf, leaf necklace, Lookbook.nu, Manhattan Street Style, Manhattan Style, Maxi, Maxi dress, metallic sandals, New York, New York City, New York Fashion, NYC fashion, NYC Street Style, over-the-sholder bag, peacock, peacock print, resort clothes, resort fashion, resort style, resortwear, Retro, Retro sunglasses, San Francisco Fashion, San Francisco Fashion Blogger, San Francisco Street Style, SF Fashion, SF Fashion Blogger, SF Street Style, SF Style, Spanish retailers, stacking, stacking bangles, Stacking Rings, Street style, Style, Summer clothes, Summer fashion, Summer style, vacation, vacation clothes, vacation fashion, vacation style, Vacationing, vacations, Victoria's Secret, vintage, vintage bangle, vintage bracelet, vintage engagement ring, vintage gold jewelry, vintage jewelry, vintage necklace, vintage sunglasses., wooden bangle, yacht, yachts, Zara, Zara accessories, Zara Basics, Zara jewelry | 1 Comment
As you very well know, I am a fan of pleats. I like how fresh and crisp they can look, and pleated skirts are my current favorite, whether they’re solid colored, short, or high-waisted. This multi-colored pleated skirt from SugarLips fit the bill perfectly and I was honored when they sent me the piece so that I could review it.

{Pleated Skirt – SugarLips, Thick Strap Tank – Zara, Cropped Blazer – Aqua from Bloomingdale’s, Necklace – Forever 21, Bracelet – BCBG, Handbag – Givenchy & Heeled Sandals – Madeline Stuart}

{If you like this look you can HYPE it on Lookbook.nu, shop similar pieces on ASOS Fashion Finder, or click the hyperlinks above to shop comparable pieces and visit related store websites}

Check out more outtakes from this shoot here – just log into your Facebook account to view.
I tried this out with my favorite BCBG blouse but I liked the sleek look of the black tank and the cropped blazer with the skirt; it made the look work for either the office or an evening out. And you know how much I adore a versatile look!
Now tell me, have you tried out the pleats trend this Summer? Are you a fan of multicolored pieces like this adorable skirt that can be styled in multiple ways?
Like this:
Like Loading...
July 24, 2012 | Categories: Fashion, MCLV Style | Tags: Accordian Skirt, Accordion Color Block Skirt, Aqua, Aqua blazer, Asos, Asos Fashion Finder, Asos.com, BCBG, BCBG Jewelry, BCBGeneration, BCBGirls, Belted blouse, black heeled sandals, Black Sandals, black tank, Blogging, Bloomingdales, blouse, cropped blacker, cropped blazer, Facebook, Fashion, Fashion Blog, Fashion Blogger, Forever 21 Necklace, Givenchy, Givenchy handbag, handbag, Heeled sandals, International Street Style, Lookbook.nu, Madeline Stuart, multicolored skirt, multipurpose, multipurpose pieces, online retailer, outtakes, Personal sense of style, personal style, pleated, Pleated Skirt, pleats, San Francisco Fashion, San Francisco Fashion Blogger, San Francisco Street Style, San Francisco style, Short sleeved blouse, Street style, SugarLips, SugarLips Contemporary Apparel, Twisted collar, Twisted necklace, versatile looks, work appropriate clothes, Work wear, Zara, Zara Basics | 1 Comment
I’m going to take a page out of the fabulous Fashion On Top‘s book blog and make today’s post a summary of what’s happened over the last week on the blog and the other various social media outlets that I post on.
New Blog Posts:
Are you subscribed to the blog and receiving an email when a new post is published? If not, click the SUBSCRIBE ME button on the right hand side of the screen.
Instagram:
Food – While I don’t photograph all of my food or even all of the new recipes that I try, sometimes a meal is just too tasty or too fun to pass up a photo-op. Here are a couple shots that passed the test this week.

SERIOUS munching over here! #Shakti #indianfood #vegan #glutenfree

Snacking. #rawrevolution #synergy #healthysnacks

#cantstopeating #vegan #glutenfree
Fashion – When I can remember I’ll snap a picture of my accessories, handbag, or even my outfit for the day. Most of my Instagram updates are my jewelry though, since its the easiest to capture solo.

Wearing a new dress always makes my day! #sanfrancisco @Zara

Hello lover! @ninewest #fashion #sanfrancisco

Time to switch wallets! @CHANEL @Longchamp_US @HenriBendel #Fendi #Goyard @veneta_bottega
Misc – What I’m best at capturing are all of the random things that happen throughout the day. The frustrations that everyone can relate to as well as the little “I love my life” moments. From outing in San Francisco & weekends away to shopping adventures & meals out on the town to my crazy cats & amazing friends, family, and boyfriend.

“@project_zen SO glad that I moved a block from this spa!!! #massage #spoilingmyself

I ❤ crazy busy days & To Do lists! #stayorganized #busyday #ilovemylife
Sooo helpful!
You can follow me on instagram @moicontrelavie.
Twitter:
Here are some of the quotes, articles, pictures, and other fun things that I shared during the past week via Twitter
Pinterest:
I have 10 boards on Pinterest, each with a different title and theme, here are a few of the pins that made the cut this week.
* New Pinterest board created 6/12/2012 –
MCLV Style
Models Being Models:
Reading Materials:
Inspiration!!!
La Mode:
Belle Maison:
Yummy:
Moi:
J’Adore:
I Use Therefore I Am:
You can follow my Pinterest boards here.
Facebook–
You can LIKE my Facebook page here.
Lookbook – You can see my Lookbook looks here, you can FAN me to get an email update when I post a new look, or you can HYPE my looks if you like them!
I really like the idea of this kind of post since I know a number of my blog readers don’t use Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest regularly, so this gives them a chance to take a look at those outlets. What do you think? Do you like having a weekly summary? Should this be a recurring series?
Like this:
Like Loading...
June 16, 2012 | Categories: Fashion, Fitness, Food, MCLV Style | Tags: "Call Me Maybe" music video remake, 2012 Cannes Film Festival, 2012 New Years Resolutions, 25 Magazine, Anja Rubic, BCBG, Belle Maison, Biryani, Bon Appetit, Book party, Bottega Veneta, brights, Call Me Maybe, Call Us, Cannes Film Festival, cat, Champagne toast, Chanel, Chanel beauty, Chanel makeup, Chanel's Little Black Jacket, cute cat, Daal, Dairy-free, Dress Manequine, edamame, Elle, Elle Champagne Flutes, Erotica, ethnic prints, Facebook, Fashion Book, Fashion Book Party, Fashion Magazine, Fashion On Top, Fashion show, Fendi, Followgram, Garance Dore, Givenchy Purse, Givenchy Resort 2013 Collection, Gluten-free, Gluten-Free Cookie Dough Truffles, Gluten-Free Food, Golden beets, Goyard, Heeled sandals, Henri Bendel, Hilary Rhoda, Indian food, inspiration, Instagram, Jason Wu, Jason Wu Resort 2013 Collection, Jourdan Dunn, June goals, Karl Lagerfeld, Karlie Kloss, Kayture, kitten heels, Kristina Bazan, Ladies First—Still Relevant or Hopelessly Outdated?, Larabar, Late afternoon, Let's Talk About Sex, Links You'll Love, Little Black Jacket, Liz Cherkasova, Longchamp, Lookbook.nu, looks of the week, Love Grown, Low heels, Magazines, Manners, Massage, May Goals, Maybe?, Men vs Women, Mini skirt, Model fashion, Model street style, Models Being models, motivation, Neutral heels, Neutral sandals, Nine West, No Cookie Cookie, Nude sandals, Pardon My French, Patterns, Peplum, Pinterest, planner, Planning, plastic furniture, pleats, prints, Project Zen, Reading materials, Rebecca Minkoff, red quinoa salad, Resort Collections, Resort wear, Retro, Runway show, San Francisco Fashion, San Francisco Spa, San Francisco Street Style, San Francisco style, Sasha Maks, Sasha Maks Vintage Jewelry, Saturday Summary, Sensuality, Sex, Sex vs Sensuality, Shakti, Song of Style, Spa, Staying organized, Stripes, Summer dressing, Summer style, Super Vegan Meal, Swedish massage, The Man Repeller, The Wannabe Chef, To Do Lists, trunk show, Twitter, vegan food, veganism, Vegetarian, Veggie Curry, Vintage designer jewelry, Viva, Viva Fashion Magazine, Vogue, Vogue Magazine, Wallet, wallets, Wheat Free, White living room, William Norwich, Women's Health, Wrap dress, You Are Wonderful, Zara | 2 Comments
Well, we’ve all survived the month full of fashion weeks – from New York to London to Milan to Paris. Am I the only one buzzing with ideas and dying for the weather to improve so that I can get to the business of dressing, and accessorizing, for Spring?
To celebrate the changing seasons and the florals, brights and “pops of color” we’ll soon be sporting, I’d like to offer you all a little shopping money to help you get ready for Spring.
I will randomly pick one winner this Saturday, March 24 and mail them a $50 gift certificate from Bloomingdale’s to help with your Spring shopping needs and there are FOUR ways to enter to win this contest, choose as many as you’d like!
[1.] Leave a comment on this post telling me what trend you’re most excited to try out this Spring, or what piece(s) and/or accessory you need to make your Spring wardrobe complete.
[2.] Follow MCLV on Facebook and leave a message telling me what trend you’re most excited to try out this Spring, or what piece(s) and/or accessory you need to make your Spring wardrobe complete.
[3.] Follow MCLV on Twitter and send me a tweet telling me what trend you’re most excited to try out this Spring, or what piece(s) and/or accessory you need to make your Spring wardrobe complete. Be sure to start your response with @Moicontrelavie to be sure that I get it.
[4.] Send me an email telling me what trend you’re most excited to try out this Spring, or what piece(s) and/or accessory you need to make your Spring wardrobe complete.
You can pick ANY trend you like, ANY piece you’re dying to wear, ANY accessory you’re excited to try. I’m not going to judge your taste whatsoever, I just want to hear what you’re looking forward to.
Good luck everyone!
Like this:
Like Loading...
March 19, 2012 | Categories: Fashion | Tags: Bloomingdales, Facebook, Giveaway, London Fashion Week Fall 2012, Milan Fashion Week Fall 2012, New York Fashion Week Fall 2012, Paris Fashion Week Fall 2012, Spring 2012 fashion, Spring dressing, Spring trends, Twitter | 9 Comments
Did you watch the Oscars last night? Per usual, I skipped watching the show live and merely enjoyed the highlights online and via Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook after the fact. There were some gorgeous gowns and great tuxedos out there to enjoy though, I must say. What was your favorite look?

I absolutely adore Leslie Mann and was thrilled to see her on the red carpet. I think that this sleek Roberto Cavalli gown suits her slim frame perfectly and the color is very pretty against her pale skin.

The dramatic gold detailing and flowing train on Jessica Chastain's gown made it one of the highlights of the evening. She looked absolutely stunning.

Rose Byrne is someone who I'm really enjoying lately, she seems to be trying out a new look and its fun to watch. I loved this black sequined Vivienne Westwood gown with the drop earrings, she looks beautiful & statuesque.

Another sequined stunner was Ellie Kemper, who donned a gorgeous bronze sheath that was perfectly complimented by her dramatic gold earrings, cocktail ring and clutch.

Gwyneth's Tom Ford gown was one of a kind. I loved the floor-length cape - SO Katherine Hepburn - and the cuff was fantastic.

I wish more fashion insiders did red carpets... Wouldn't it be a kick to see all the magazine editors dressed to the nines instead of just judging everyone else's looks? Anyway, Nina Garcia knocked one out of the park in this Jean Paul Gaultier Couture sheath. Gorgeous.

Polka dot gown? LOVED IT!

Octavia Spencer has been choosing some great Tadashi Shoji gowns on the way to this red carpet and the designer worked incredibly well for her yet again. Gorgeous!

Yes, this dress was very busy - between the ruffles, the diamond bow broach, the tiers and the silhouette, there's a lot going on. But it suits her somehow. Well done!

When I saw this Giambattista Valli Haute Couture gown in December I knew it would make its way to the Oscars. Emma Stone has been embracing brilliant jewel tones lately with great success (remember the emerald Gucci suit?) and this frock did the trick yet again.

Rooney Mara looked head turning in her favorite designers of late, Givenchy. I like the uniqueness of this dress, yes there were other white dresses, but with her hair & makeup, the train and the intricate back of the gown, she was in her own category.

Stacy Keibler looked like she was auditioning for the role of the Oscar itself, but in the best possible way. Her Marchesa gown was flattering and fashion-forward, perfect for the Oscars red carpet.

Viola Davis was a vision in Vera Wang. This color is just breathtaking on her.
There were a lot of sweet, dreamy, pastely gowns that while gorgeous, tended to get lost in the melee. Rather than review them all individually, here are some of the prettier ones…
Source, Source, Source & Source
My favorite looks? Emma Stone, Jessica Chastain and the two visions in white – Rooney Mara & Gwyenth Paltrow. I loved all of these looks for different reasons and couldn’t narrow it down any further if I had to. Emma brought the standout color, Jessica brought the drama and Rooney & Gwyneth both brough the unexpected – gowns that were unique, unusual, and totally head turning.
And don’t worry my loves, I’ll cover the Oscar tuxedos and afterparty dresses in my Looks of the Week post later on today.
Happy Fashion Monday!
Like this:
Like Loading...
February 27, 2012 | Categories: Fashion | Tags: 2012 Oscar Awards, Afterparty, Alexander McQueen, Armani Prive, Berenice Bejo, Black Halo, Custom Alexander McQueen, custom Badgley Mischka, Elie Saab, Elie Saab Couture, Ellie Kemper, Emma Stone, Emporio Armani, Fabsugar, Facebook, Giambattista Valli Haute Couture, Giorgio Armani, Givenchy Haute Couture, Gwyneth Paltrow, J. Mendel, Jack Guisso Couture, Jean Paul Gaultier Couture, Jessica Chastain, Kate Mara, Kristen Wiig, Leslie Mann, Louis Vuitton, Louise Roe, Marchesa, Marina Rinaldi, Melissa McCarthy, Michelle Williams, My Dress.My High Heels.My Style, natalie portman, Nina Garcia, Octavia Spencer, Oscar Afterparties, Penelope Ann Miller, Penelope Cruz, Pinterest, Red carpets, Roberto Cavalli, Rooney Mara, Rose Byrne, Social media, Stacy Keibler, Tadashi Shoji, The Stylist, Tom & Lorenzo: Fabulous & Opinionated, Tom Ford, Twitter, Vera Wang, Vintage Christian Dior, Viola Davis, Vivienne Westwood, Wendi McLendon-Covey | Leave a comment
Happy Friday!
First, a little news. This techno-phobic blogged has – you guessed it – finally been convinced to join Twitter. Brave new world and all that. Yes, I just got Facebook and Pinterest 30 seconds ago, but apparently social media is where it’s at. So if you’d like to “follow me” on Twitter click on the Follow @MoiContreLaVie button to the right.
Moving on.
And on a more exciting note, the awards season has officially begun! The People’s Choice Awards were the night before last and the celebrities worked the red carpet in an array of bright, colorful frocks.

One of the few women in pants, Emma Stone stood out in this phenomenal emerald-green Gucci suit. The cut is interesting with the gold chain closure and the untied pussy bow on her blouse, and the color couldn't be more striking with her red hair.

Chloë Moretz looked great in stripy green Proenza Schouler dress. Picture perfect and age appropriate.

The bohemian black and gold Jenny Packham gown that Vanessa Hudgens donned was festive and glamorous, but still highlighted her hippie personal style. I absolutely adore her earrings!

Its People's Choice, not the Oscars, and I think this works. I may have been even more striking in a jewel tone, but on a night when everyone wore brights this fresh white frock stands out all the more.

Nina Dobrev looked STUNNING in Elie Saab. I like that she chose a cocktail-length instead of floor-length, you can concentrate on the color and sleeve detailing.
P.S. Now sure how to take a look from day to night? Take a cue from the experts. They clearly know what they’re doing.

After the awards show Nina swapped her pale sandals for knee-high boots and a black leather motorcycle jacket for a trip to the airport in her beautiful Elie Saab dress. Perfection!
Stay tuned for the Golden Globes this weekend. So. Excited.
Like this:
Like Loading...
January 13, 2012 | Categories: Fashion | Tags: Alice+Olivia, Ashley Benson, awards season, boho, Chloë Moretz, Emma Stone, Fabsugar, Facebook, Golden Globed, Gucci, Hippie, Jenny Packham, LAX, My Dress.My High Heels.My Style, People's Choice Awards, Pinterest, Proenza Schouler, Tom & Lorenzo: Fabulous & Opinionated, Twitter, Vanessa Hudgens | Leave a comment
Moi Contre La Vie now has its own Facebook page, so please take a look when you have time.
As you can see, I’ll be posting much more frequently and more informally on Facebook than on the MCLV blog. Expect interesting and provacative articles on food, health and fitness, tons of fashion ideas, photos, news and sale notices, as well as links to great blogs that cover topics that I think you’ll find to your liking.
Don’t hesitate to let me know what you’re interested in seeing or learning about, always happy to take requests!

Like this:
Like Loading...
July 28, 2011 | Categories: Fashion | Tags: Facebook | Leave a comment