Red Carpeting
With all the exciting details to share about my recent trip to New York City and all of the work I’m putting in on the New York Fashion Week Spring 2013 collection reviews I very nearly forgot that Hollywood hasn’t stopped churning out events in the meantime. This post will cover some of the great looks from the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards, 69th Venice Film Festival, 2012 Toronto International Film Festival, and various movie photocalls and premiere red carpets.
Now show us what you’ve got ladies!
Killing it! Miss Pinto decided to prove that all cut-outs aren’t tacky in this fierce embellished black & gold gown by Alexander McQueen on the red carpet in Venice.
Wow. Just wow. Who knew pink leather and gold studs could look so great?
Chic ladylike daywear. Love the black & white dress, and I adore her hair!
Absolutely stunning. I really like the addition of the thin little gold belt, helps bring the look together.
How killer is this Balmain dress? It’s a fun, fresh look that’s stunning but totally age-appropriate.
Another fun, flirty, colorful cocktail-like red carpet look was from Emma Watson who looked tres adorable in a lacy peplum Erdem number in Toronto.
I absolutely adore this look. Head-to-toe I think she looks great. It’s high fashion and retro fabulous, and a great look for her red carpet personality.
Apparently I’m loving matching short suits these days because I audibly gasped at both of these colorful retro-inspired looks.
Wow. This is such a departure from her usual fashion-foward, attention grabbing looks that I did a double take. It’s still stunning and dramatic despite the minimalism though, maybe this will her next fashion phase?
Apparently the VMAs were all about Summer white… And after Labor Day! Rebels! I love the pairing of this textured, long-sleeved mini dress with the killer lace up sandals. Well done. As usual. 🙂
Another killer all-white look from Miss Taylor Swift. Perhaps not the most youthful look, but it’s chic and classy as hell. Power to you girl!
Miss Keira’s been busy killing it on the red carpet lately. She chooses gowns that not only suit her coloring really well, but extenuate and flatter her frame and silhouette. Well done.
Swoon. Definitely the best look of the bunch. I especially love the belt. She couldn’t look more classic, more put together, or more gorgeous. The only downside of this look is that she may never surpass it. Time to retire!
Sources: Tom & Lorenzo & Cristina’s Blog – Click on the images above to visit the original source
Which look is your favorite? If you had the chance to grace a red carpet, would you play it safe to avoid landing on a Worst Dressed List or would you take some risks?
Chanel’s Little Black Jacket
Fashion insiders, celebrities, models, designers, photographers, magazine editors, Chanel-lovers, and Karl’s international flotilla of muses all flocked to Soho to celebrate the launching of this gorgeous coffee table book. The event was held in an elegant loft space which perfectly complemented the black and white photographs blown up from the book that adorned the walls and acted as the perfect background for the primarily Chanel-clad guests.

It’s all about the black & white to stand out in red carpet photographs – These models definitely know how to make a a high impact entrance.

Never one to fade into the background, the stunning Hanneli Mustaparta posed with Caroline Winberg in everyone’s favorite Stella McCartney dress this season.

There was lots of Summer white to enjoy at this event, from hippie-inspired maxi dresses to chic dresses and separates, these ladies know what works best for them.
And the surprise guest? Freja Beha Erichsen, whose photograph appears in the book, emerged for a night out on the town after having mysteriously sat out the last season of runway shows.
Source, Source, Source & Source
You can even check out a FabSugar highlight video from the event if you’re in the mood for some more play-by-play.
Saturday Inspiration
Why not start our weekend right with some gorgeous pictures to get you in the mood for a fabulous, fashionable weekend?
Pictures are all from my Pinterest account, hope you’re inspired!
Looks of the Week
Happy Monday! Let’s get straight to the good stuff today. Enjoy!

This is a great example of a relaxed, feminine take on menswear. The loose, wide-leg trousers in a fun fabric and beautiful deep color are the central piece, paired with a basic white blouse, and great accessories. The purse is a really pretty, unique piece and the platform sandals with the silver heel are to die for. Outstanding!

This is the perfect casual cropped pants look. Relaxed and fun, but really well put together and accessorized to perfection with the fierce heels and bright bag. J'adore!

Gorgeous accessories and styling here, I love the belted coat with the dramatic faux fur collar, the gloves, and the platform booties are absolutely divine. Such a great, well put together look!

This is just because I love you guys... I kid, I kid. He actually looks great. I love interesting suits - fun ties, patterned fabrics, unusual colors. The average man doesn't seem to take a lot of risks when it comes to fashion, so I especially love to see a little risk on the red carpet!

Liz from Late Afternoon is never one to shy away from color, but I was particularly impressed with this Spring look. The cream sweater is the perfect topper for the sweet floral shorts and I love that the scarf is full of bright, warm colors that aren't matchy matchy. It's a fun, chic look that we can all emulate!

Olivia strikes again! If you're set on wearing jeans but want to dress them up a bit, this is a great way to do it. The shimmery blazer is fun but understated and the brightly colored, contrasting pumps are a great finishing touch.

Great color combination! I love that she chose to highlight the blue in her shoe choice rather than the more obvious green. A great summer nights look!

I absolutely love this look. The focal point is a gorgeous, chic double-breasted coat in an interesting, uncommon shade. It shows you how easily outerwear or a great bag can update a basic look.

What I love about this look is the styling, which is absolutely top-notch. The sunglasses, the bag, the broach, the jewelry... And that strong-shouldered blazer is parfait! J'adore!

While this look seems pretty basic, it's really anything but. It's got a cute purple plaid shirt, mixing of black & navy, layers galore, and even knee-high socks with ballet flats. It's cute and fun and perfect for these Spring showers we've been having!

For a music awards show red carpet you always expect the unexpected - but I loved this chic little look. The leather shorts w/ blazer combo is perfect, and that gorgeous gold layered necklace and bright cobalt blue shoes are the perfect standout accessories.
And since we were all bombarded with photos and updates from Coachella this weekend I wanted to do a little round-up of some of the best looks that I saw from the festival. The Coachella corner if you will:

Late Afternoon was one of the fashion bloggers I was most looking forward to hearing from during the festival and she did not disappoint. And as if the tied shirt, flannel overshirt, and cropped leather jacket combo wasn't enough, she added an adorable maxi skirt and the cutest braids ever. J'adore!

Each of these girls has a pretty distinct look - Lily's a little rock n' roll in leather, Karlie's the laid back hippie in her patterned poncho, and Cara's got the hipster style covered with ray bans and a sideways hat.

I love Kasia's low-belted tank dress and fringed booties. Casual and relaxed but totally on-trend for the events.

I love the different styles and pieces in this group shot. From flowy maxi skirts to wide leg pants to retro shorts to floral headpieces to kimonos. Amazing!

Diane looking adorable @ the Lacoste L!ve pool party. I like the colorblocking of the dress and her cute booties.

This was one of my favorite looks. I like the simplicity of the basics paired with the high-octane extras. That scarf is killer!
If you’re in need of more flower-power check out these best dressed lists – Festival Fashion! 50 Hot Snaps From Coachella, Coachella 2012: Kate Bosworth, Diane Kruger, Lily Collins And Other Best-Dressed Stars At This Weekend’s Festival, Coachella 2012: Festival Street Style, and of course, Tom & Lorenzo’s Coachella Ladies.
Looks of the Week
Welcome back! Hopefully if you spent all day Monday missing the weekend like I did – Ode To The Weekend – Tuesday was a little easier to face. Let’s get our week started stylishly with some great looks – I’ve got everything from movie premieres to men’s fashion to blogger street style on the docket for today, so enjoy!

Such a relaxed, chic look. Not only do I love the casual striped top paired with leopard print heels, cropped pants are one of my favorite things about Spring!

Purple & black is a great color combination, it makes this look dramatic while the cut of the dress keeps it demure. How do you feel about the heels with visible socks trend? I think that it's incredibly cute...

The black petal shorts with tights and pale shoes is a very sweet, girly combination, really great for Spring. My favorite part is definitely the silver collar necklace worn visibly over the pale blouse.

The edgy, rock n' roll vibe is what made me stop at this look. I love the studded belt, stacked bracelets and leather extras mixed with the moody fabric of the mini dress. This is a great nighttime look!

Garance Dore captures a look here that's perfect for Spring. I love the un-matching brights, they're eye-catching and fun.

Natalie Portman looked adorable in a chic head-to-toe Christian Dior ensemble. (I'm not jealous, I swear.) Love the demure dress, the classic trench, and the ooh-la-la shoes. Anyone else ready to run away to Paris for Springtime fashion with me?

I love love love shift dresses, but what initially caught my eye here was the gorgeous combination of colors and textures. I just wanted to reach out and touch it! And again with the adorable socks & heels combo...

If you're excited to throw on some brights for Spring but need to work your way up to a more all over look, this is the perfect segue for you. Add a single gorgeous, colorful piece and go with neutrals, black, or another dark hue for the rest of your outfit. Baby steps!

This is a gorgeous, dramatic, eye-catching gown - Just what Zac Posen does best. Sometimes its fun to see the runway version versus the "real life" outcome. Miss Lily looks stunning, as does Hilary Rhoda. Well done ladies!

Who knew layering cable knits could be so chic? The slightly contrasting greys add a depth to this look while the knits have a really great texture. And somehow his popped collar manages to look anything but pretentious.

A white suit can be incredibly chic (so long as you don't spill...) and I especially like the polka dot pussy bow blouse Bruna paired with it. Those T-Straps are pretty killer too!
And last but hardly least…
Neiman Marcus did a great piece recently that featured Chriselle Lim from The Chriselle Factor, LA’s Marie Hindkaer Anderson from Blame It On Fashion, actress Ashley Madekwe of Ring My Bell, Annabelle Fleur from Viva Luxury, Liz Cherkasova of Late Afternoon fame, and Nini Nguyen of Nini’s Style, called Bloggers Wear: Daytime Clutches.
As much as I love red carpet fashion and scoping out what my favorite A-list fashionistas like Diane Kruger and Zoe Saldana are wearing on the street, I also love to see what real people are wearing in their real lives, and bloggers give us some great looks to aspire to. Oh, and I LOVE day clutches.
Have a great rest of the day, back tomorrow with more!
Looks of the Week
Welcome to another Looks of the Week post. I have to confess that I really love this series, not only does it give me an excuse a chance to scan blog after blog looking for great outfits, it provides me with much-needed inspiration for my own daily looks each week.
From great uses of jewelry to inspired styling to new handbags to interesting new ways to pair things… These looks have it all!

A white dress (LWD) is a must this Spring and Kayture blogger Kristina shows us how the pros do it here. Her Topshop shirt dress is simple but the look is anything but with the dramatic silver choker, bright pink clutch, and adorable polka dot Zara platforms.

I really like the muted plaid of this double-breasted coat as well as her adorable low ankle boots. I love boots but since I walk everywhere so flat or low-heeled boots are great options, and these are a lovely choice!

I'm not going to lie, these shoes kind of freak me out. What drew me to this picture was actually the mixing of the black & white stripy print with polka dots and a splash of pink. Great styling!

Despite that fact that she's wearing cheetah print pants, this look still manages to be low-key. Low-key and fabulous to be sure, but low-key nonetheless. And that's what I like about it. A standout printed piece paired with a basic button down and sandals. The accessories are top-notch as well, LOVE the stacked bracelets.

A great neutral look that isn't boring can be hard to put together and what I especially like about this look is the layering and the flashy gold shoes.

No one does hippie-chic quite like Kate Moss. This gold & black embroidered tunic and gorgeous gold over-the-shoulder bag are right on trend. Call it boho, hippie, or gypsy, the truth is that she's just plain stylish.

Brooklyn Decker looked fresh & chic in Theyskens Theory & Isabel Marant. Pairing the fun, ornate jacket with a basic but stylish dress was brilliant, and I love love love her shoe choice.

While this dress is cute and a great color for her, what this look really shows you is the power of tailoring. This dress fits her perfectly and that really makes the look!

These bold stripes are right on trend for Spring. I love the unexpected color combination and the subtle sheen of the fabric. And that Stella McCartney bag is TO DIE FOR.

0% Country, 100% fabulous - Taylor Swift looked STUNNING on the red carpet at the 2012 Academy Of Country Music Awards this weekend. From tween to award show goddess - well done Tay!

The maxi season is upon us! Lily Collins looks adorable in this brightly colored Peter Som maxi, it's a fun, standout look.
Source Has anyone seen Mirror Mirror yet? It’s on my To Do List for this weekend… My love for fairytale-based movies is second only to my love for comic book movies.
Spring 2012 Trends: What You Should Wear
The time has finally come and Spring is upon us and it’s time, ladies and gentlemen, to rearrange your closets so that your warm weather clothes are more easily accessible. Spring and Fall are my favorite, I love the transitioning seasons when it’s slightly warm but still crisp and the skies are bright blue and cloudless. I adore going for walks at night when it’s still light out, going to the Farmer’s Market and making huge, brightly colored salads, and of course, bearing some skin after months of being hiding under layers and layers of fabric.
So what’s on tap for Spring? As usual every magazine and fashion blog has a helpful list of what the New York, London, Milan and Paris collections showed for Spring 2012 – Fashionologie, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar & Elle to name a few. They go to the runway shows and examine them look by look to determine what the upcoming season will be all about. And this season we have: rounded shoulders, lace, 20’s art deco, ladylike silhouettes, florals, tribal prints, peplum tops & dresses, exaggerated & padded hips, wide belts, minimalism, head-to-toe white, mesh, sporty, cropped tops, bra tops…
Bra tops?
As adorable as these models look, this isn’t a what I would call a real trend for real people. Truth be told, pretty much only Carrie Bradshaw can wear a bra top in public. So my goal here today is to give you some ideas for great Spring dressing that are more suited to our non-Sex In The City day-to-day lives.
Pastels:
Pastels are usually a Spring staple and this year is no different. However, rather than putting together solid candy colored looks, try mixing various soft, sherbet shades together for a colorful but subtle look.
Lindsey Wixson & Frida Gustavsson’s ad for Mulberry highlights the beautiful pastel trend perfectly. Why not try pairing pastel pieces with neutrals or even black for a tasteful work-appropriate look?
See FabSugar’s ideas on how to integrate pastels into your wardrobe in 5 Ways to Wear Spring’s Pretty Pastels or WhoWhatWear’s How They Wear Pastels featuring Sarah Jessica Parker, Hanneli Mustaparta & Lily Collins.
Popping:
You may already be sick of the phrase “pop of color” (right Holly?) but this trend isn’t going anywhere anytime soon…
Why settle for one splash of color when you can have two like Judith Bedard does below? I love that she didn’t try to match her tights and oh-so-French scarf. They’re both beautiful, bright colors, and they’re both utterly different.
This is an ideal style for those – like me – who wear mostly black, since adding a bright scarf, pair of shoes, or purse is incredibly easy. Yet those quick touches immediately update your look, make it fresh and take it to a new level. So what did I do to ensure that I could pop pop pop all Spring long?
I bought myself a new best friend! 🙂
A scarf, hat, bag or piece of jewelry are all great choices for bringing this trend to life. But you can get even more creative and find other ways to flash some color. How about a bright hairpiece or headband? What about throwing on some brilliantly colored nail polish?
Bright Blazers:
Similar to the splash of color trend is the modern style of adding a colorful blazer to your outfit to give it a bit of flash.
Above model Josephine Skriver shows just how to pair a bright blazer with a warmer look – slim pants, booties & long sleeves will all keep the chill away as we wait impatiently for the weather to heat up. Already warm enough to lose the pants in your neck of the woods, you luck duck? Try pairing a brightly colored blazer with shorts for a more Summery look like Liz Cherkasova from Late Afternoon does below. She even mixed multiple trends by adding metallic shorts & accessories as well as a floral printed blouse to her look. Quite the Mix Master!
For more tips on finding the perfect blazer, see Rachel Bilson‘s Spring blazer recommendations or Frugal Fashionista‘s great celebrity-inspired choices featuring fashion stars like Kirstin Dunst, Beyonce and Olivia Palermo.
Prints:
While florals are always a Spring staple, this year you should also invest in some other types of prints as well – from tribal prints to chevron zig zags to typical florals to geometric patterns – there’s something to suit everyone’s style. Whether you want to add a printed bag or belt to a monochromatic look or bravely don head-to-toe print, you should definitely give this trend a try.
Hanne Gaby Odiele & Elisa Nalin were both ahead of the curve and showing off gorgeous prints during the Fall 2012 shows this past month. I like that while they’re both wearing florals their looks couldn’t be more different, they’re both quite creative with their personal styling.
Even if you’re still working up the courage to flaunt the all-over 70’s style print you’ve always admired, you can try something a bit more subtle to work your way closer to your goal.

Left: French Connection Dress - Space Baby Knits $170 @ Bloomingdale's & Right: ASOS Print Dress With Dipped Hem - $65 @ Asos.com
A faint pattern like the two dresses above is a good stepping stone. It gives you a fun pattern to play with but isn’t quite as bold or dramatic as Hanne and Elisa’s looks at the top of this section.
White dresses:
Ashley Madekwe’s crisp Armani Exchange dress is light and summery, she paired it with black sandals and layered jewelry for a fun daytime look. While Natalia Vodianova’s dress shows the other end of the white dress spectrum, something fitted and more formal, with dramatic, nighttime accessories – bold purple heels and a crimson clutch.
Whether you’re planning to attend a garden party or have a hot summer night out on the town in mind a white dress is a great choice to show your tan off to perfection. Try adding colorful accessories to keep it fun during the day, chic black & white in the evening or even try out an all-white look if you’re not prone to spilling things… 🙂
In the mood for some more inspiration, check out the Native Fox’s white & red look on Lookbook.nu.
Shirtdresses:
I love shirtdresses! They always look crisp and fresh, and a little more of a formal feel to them than most sundresses so they’re acceptable in a number of social situations. Versatility is key!

Left: Aqua Shirt Dress - $80, Center: DKNYC Leopard Print Shirt Dress - $120 & Right: Vince Camuto Shirt Dress - $160 (All Bloomingdale's)
A shirtdress can be worn casually during the day with sandals, a floppy hat and a cute tote bag, but it can easily be dressed up at night with heels, a cinched waist and some serious costume jewelry. It’s all about the accessorizing ladies!
If you need a tutorial on this subject head over to The Stylist’s and read their latest series Lessons For A Modern-Day Lady and their most recent piece How To Wear A Shirtdress.
Cropped Pants:
This is one of my favorite looks for Spring, cropped pants are universally flattering and whatever your personal style, there’s the perfect pair for you. From bright colors to basic denim to harem style to classic Jackie O inspired black.
Want to take your crops to a new level? Try them in something textured or an interesting new fabric. Miranda was downtown chic in brown leather Capri pants and a basic denim button down. FabSugar as a great breakdown on the best cropped trousers for Spring – from J.Crew and Zara to Thakoon, Diane Von Furstenberg and Tibi.
Desperate for more ideas for Spring? Check out the FabSugar readers’ Spring Must Haves or Gwyneth Paltrow’s GOOP newsletter’s Get Ready For Spring.
Finding yourself inspired for Spring? Don’t forget to enter the Spring Giveaway for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate from Bloomingdale’s!
(Non-FW) Looks of The Week
In case you’re sick of looking at models, editors, buyers and A-Listers at the four major fashion shows, here are some… Oh never mind, it’s all the same people, but at least they’re not at fashion shows in these pictures. 🙂

Kirstin Dunst glowing at the premiere of her new movie. I think she looks really beautiful here and though you can't tell, her hair is really cute and her dress has a keyhole in the back.

Olivia Palermo on Project Runway. I love love love this look and may put together a Style File for it. The skirt in cute & fun with a great 70s vibe and she keeps the rest of her look neutral to let the skirt take center stage.

Taylor Lautner & Lily Collins at their movie premiere looking adorable in black. Rarely can a guy pull off a t-shirt w/ suit look, but this one works. And her Versace dress is just the thing!

Evan has really been hitting her stride lately and this is another gorgeous example. Absolutely striking.

Naya Rivera from Glee looking chic in black & white on the red carpet for American Horror Story. Some of the Glee girls tend to look a little... Matronly. Then there's Lea. I feel like this is a great in between look, age appropriate and fun, but classic.

Mary Elizabeth Winstead (I admit, I had to look her up on IMDB) looked adorable in this Dolce & Gabbana dress. I thought I was sick of stars, but apparently I just wanted to see them in a fresh new way. Et voila!

Amber Heard isn't exactly a newcomer but with her (recently cancelled) TV series Playboy Club and the upcoming Rum Diary w/ Johnny Depp, she's popping up all over the red carpets. She's a gorgeous, gorgeous girl and likes to keep things classic, which suits her incredibly well.