What I’m loving right now…
I definitely go through phases when it comes to the inanimate objects in my daily life – Everything from the beauty products I use to the accessories I wear to the reading materials stacked on my nightstand. Whether you call it a rut or finely tuning your routine, I’m sure you know precisely what I mean.
So here are some of my current (new and past) loves…
{The love of my life, my new Givenchy bag – See Skulls & Givenchy for photos from the first MCLV Style post featuring this bag!}
{My newest mascara acquisition – I’ve mentioned my love of Benefit’s BADGal and Chanel’s Inimitable mascara in the past, but I also like to rotate in a drugstore brand now and again, and I’ve been thrilled with the results of Maybelline’s One by One Volume Express}
{As far as I’m concerned you can’t have enough fun, statement jewelry: Spiked Bracelet – Asos.com & Purple Beaded Necklace – Zara}
{In my opinion the only positive thing about the end of Summer are September issues!}
{SWOON! I’ve been a fan of Moroccan Argan Oil for a while so when I saw this L’Oreal Precious Oil Treatment I jumped at the chance to try it – Not only does it smell like a dream, it’s visibly nourishing}
{It’s official – I’m in love! Skull adorned Steve Madden smoking slippers}
{Fashion Books & Vintage Jewelry. Left: The Little Black Book of Style by Nina Garcia & vintage pearl collar. Right: Parisian Chic – A Style Guide by Ines de la Fressange & vintage Vendome tassel necklace}
What are you loving lately? What can’t you get enough of? Have you gotten any fun new pieces or exciting accessories to update your wardrobe or prepare for Fall/Winter 2012/2013?
Inspiration Saturday
Happy Saturday!
Why not start this weekend off with some beautiful photographs and inspiring words? The perfect way to prepare for a fun, fashionable day if you ask me. Enjoy!
{Sources: Vintage Virgin, Champagne & Strawberries & Pinterest}
Hope you all have a great weekend!
Reader Request – The Chilly Tourist
I received a cry for help from a reader who was planning a trip to Washington DC and needed some cold-weather outfit ideas. Specifically, she had planned a day of solo wandering around historic Georgetown and needed something warm & comfortable, two days of hanging out with a friend, a low-key date night outfit and cute PJs for the PM.
Moi Contre La Vie to the rescue! 🙂
The number one thing to keep in mind about in this situation is the weather – This is going to be all about layers and winter accessories so that she can stay warm but keep her looks cute.
Girl About Town:
While Emily wanders around DC seeing the sites she needs to be comfortable and be able to lose her layers easily & stylishly when she heads indoors and the temp rises. This look is going to be centered around the perfect boots for sight-seeing.
Whether you go with knee-high hiding boots, combat boots or flat ankle boots, a comfortable, cute boot is a must. The two ways that I especially like to wear boots are either with slim pants or with a skirt – both looks can be “winterized” and both looks can go with most varieties of boot.
You can take either of these models as inspiration and pair a dress, tunic or flowy maxi skirt with riding or ankle boots. I specially like the look off thick tights and warm socks with a skirt or dress in Winter to make sure that you keep warm. If you choose to wear a dress, tunic or skirt & top combo and want to go for a more classic style wear a long coat (like below) and if you want a more fun & funky style, pair it with a cropped jacket at or blazer, maybe even a short coat layered over a cardigan for extra warmth.
Another way to pair your boots is with jeans, slim pants or leggings for a sleek daytime look.
Both shots do a great job of showing how to layer over pants – scarves, cropped jackets, ponchos, sweaters… The options are endless. It’s also a great idea to carry a larger bag rather than a small handbag, so you can carry gloves, a scarf, an umbrella and other cold-weather accessories.
Low Key Lady:
Whether you’re running errands, hanging out at the local coffee shop chatting or catching an exhibit at the local museum, a good trip always has some down time. So the question is, how do you dress for your less active days without sacrificing style?
My go-to downtime look is either a shift dress or a tunic over slim pants with ballet flats, both of which can easily be layered over to stay warm and tweaked to fit your personal style. Here are some of my recent acquisitions for trips to the farmer’s market and lazy walks along the Bay on weekends.
What I love about each of these dresses is that they can be worn a million different ways – just add tights, a pashmina, flats or boots, a cardigan or cropped blazer and tons fun jewelry – et voila!
The same goes for a tunic or oversized sweater over pants or leggings, you can wear this combination a million different ways and make the look as interesting as you’d like – brightly colored skinny jeans, corduroy pants, leopard leggings, a colorblock tunic, an oversized boatneck sweater or even a basic tunic with a jean jacket on top. Layer away!
Check out EatBreathFashion.com’s Candy Colored Legs post for more ideas on bright skinnies.
Date Night:
For a mellow night out when you’re traveling you can easily reorganize the pieces that you already packed to put together a cute nighttime look, all you have to do is mix & match and accessorize accordingly.
My suggestion would be to throw on either a dress, tunic, or slim pants with a sweater, add a blazer on top and then pumps or booties, fun jewelry, a pashmina and a sleek up do. Both a dress or pants with a blazer will keep you warm and they’re also both fun, flattering silhouettes.
It’s a perfect look, comfortable but cute, ideal for a low-key night out and using pieces that you’ve already packed for your daytime or traveling outfits.
Pajama Party:
Personally I’m partial to Victoria’s Secret and PINK pajamas & night-shirts, they’re soft and come in fun, funky colors and patterns. You can also check out Forever 21 which has some pretty cute sets, rompers and oversized t-shirts or Bloomingdale’s sales for great deals on Juicy Couture, Betsey Johnson, Lacoste, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein and Oscar de la Renta sleepwear.
So whether you’re in the mood for short shorts and a tank, old-school PJs or a girly silk night-shirt, there’s something for everyone’s comfort zone.
You can see other packing and traveling related fashion posts if this is a topic of interest for you: Reader Request – Packing & Traveling or Wanderlust.
And please don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any styling or fashion questions that you may have.
London Fashion Week – Street Style & Front Row Fashion
Happy Saturday! I know that one of the reasons that I enjoy street style blogs and front row pictures during Fashion Week is that it can really get your personal creative juices flowing. Seeing interesting new ways to pair pieces and fun mixing n’ matching can give you a fresh perspective when you look into your own closet.
Alright, ready for some cute looks from the always entertaining LFW? Lots of brights, lots of fun, warm fabrics like tweed, wool and cashmere and lots of fresh patterns and prints. I feel like the looks that people put together for London Fashion Week are a little more fun and irreverent than New York Fashion Week… What do you think?
My absolute favorite look of London Fashion Week was Poppy's adorable blue polka dot pants with great t-strap heels, a cropped blue coat and a chic blouse. J'adore!
Marie Claire fashion editor Zanna Roberts Rassi was one of many who embraced the new floral pants trend. She kept them as minimal as possible by pairing the bright prints with basic black on top.
FabSugar even made a bold floral leggings look their Look of the Day.Are you brave enough to rock this new trend?
Alexa Chung and Poppy Delevingne wore similar looks in London - A brightly colored print skirt, a solid top and a blocky shaped overcoat - similar building blocks that come out to two distinctly different looks.
The gorgeous Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Kate Bosworth shown front row at Burberry. I like that both of them look warm and comfortable, they didn't try to brave a London winter in summer pieces. P.S. Kate's wearing the Pre-Fall booties that I wanted!!!
Rosie's look was so cute I thought a close up was necessary. I love the colors, fabrics and layering here. Purple cords with a salmon sweater and grey sweater-coat? But somehow it works! Works well!
Garance captured even more fun floral looks on the streets of London and My Dress. My High Heels. My Style. has a full list of all the Burberry arrivals – from Poppy & Clemence to Donna Air and Ellie Wintour.
Rose Byrne's new hairdo almost outshone her adorable Pringle of Scotland dress. Almost.
London Fashion Week It Girl Poppy stays warm with a classic trench over her adorable green pleated skirt, striped top and gorgeous lace-up platform booties straight from the runway.
Seriously cute Burberry look - The patent shoes and bright orange shoulder bag are to die for!
Source, Source, Source, Source & Source
Be sure to keep an eye out for Moi Contre La Vie’s Giveaway after Paris Fashion Week finishes up, trust me, its worth the wait!
Moi Contre La Vie 
