Links You’ll Love
Fashion:
My Spring cleaning urges are clearly starting to kick in early this year – Check out Gala Darling’s Blog On, Babe: Get Organized! for some great ideas for organizing your work – Whether you’re a blogger, a writer, or any other creative type.
Did you enjoy my recent organizational tips & recommendations for closet cleaning {Closet Organization}? If so you’ll love these suggestions from Apartment Therapy – Get Sorted: 5 Functional Shoe Organizers.
I’m in an outerwear state of mind these days – Between San Francisco being colder than I can ever remember and a trip to New York City scheduled for two weeks – I’m determined to find the perfect coat. Stylish but warm. Leave it to Olivia Palermo to have all the answers to our statement coat questions – How To Rock: The Coat.
It’s just about time to start daydreaming thinking about planning your Spring vacation. So why not take some advice from stylist-to-the-stars Brad Goreski – How To Travel In Style.
In the market for a new lipstick? Get the right one with Cupcakes & Cashmere’s Lipstick Guide to help you through the process!
Health & Fitness:
You know that coconut oil is good for you and I’ve shared some tasty ways to get coconut into your diet, but have you tried using it in your beauty routine? Glitter Guide has the scoop in their piece 10 Ways To Add Coconut Oil To Your Beauty. Routine
Whether you’re gluten-intolerant, following a paleo/primal diet, or just interested in eating a healthier diet kelp noodles are a great new food to try out, you should read Choosing Raw’s Kelp Noodle 101: How to Prepare and Serve Kelp Noodles.
I’m always interested in learning how my nutrition affects my health & how my body feels, and clearly I’m not the only one. Check out Purely Twins’s – Day 18 interesting reads about fructose malabsorption & hormonal acne.
As we grow up we need to pay attention not only to our overall health, but to our bone health at all. You may think that eating a calcium rich diet or taking supplements is all you need to do, but staying educated and aware is what you really need – Best Foods For Your Bones.
If you’re interested in strengthening your thighs than FitSugar has the answers in their Inner Thigh Exercises post – Work it!
MCLV Style File: Ladies Who Lunch – Olivia Palermo
I have to admit, I absolutely LOVE Olivia Palermo’s personal style {this is her second appearance in the MCLV Style File series – see her first here}. She just has such a well-put together, but interesting and creative sense of style, I can’t remember ever looking at a photograph of her an not loving it.
What I adore about this look is that it’s tailored and stylish, but still versatile enough that you could wear it for a number of events – From a wedding to a work luncheon to a meet-the-parents dinner with your new beau.
{Indulgence to Savvy Shopper – Left to Right: Malene Birger Leandro Lace Maxi Skirt – $575 @ Net-A-Porter, Emporio Armani Polka Dot Pencil Skirt – $300 @ Farfetch.com & Pencil Skirt In Baroque Print – $35 @ Asos.com}
Depending on how you would like to recreate this look, you may wish to find a pencil-style skirt in an all over pattern or one with panels of lace or printed fabric – A baroque print or dramatic brocade would both be lovely and right on-trend for Fall 2012. Though any style of pencil skirt will be an instant classic and something that you can wear season-after-season.
{Indulgence to Savvy Shopper – Left to Right: Alice + Olivia Arie Polka-Dot Blouse – $270 @ CUSP by Neiman Marcus, 213 Industry Natasha Polka Dot Blouse – $90 @ Piperlime & Merona Perfect Polka Dot Blouse – $25 @ Target}
A pussy bow blouse in a polka dot print is another chic, versatile piece to have in your wardrobe, and I highly recommend finding one in a style that suits your figure. I have a lovely one from Zara that looks equally great with jeans and a blazer as it does tucked in a skirt with heels.
{Indulgence to Savvy Shopper – Left to Right: Christian Louboutin Indies 85 Pumps With Cut-Out Detail – $995 @ My Theresa, Beverly Feldman Glee Navy-White Striped Pump – $115 @ 6pm.com & Bella Vita Women’s Wow Pumps – $90 @ Foot Smart}
Patterned shoes are going to be everywhere this Fall so don’t hesitate to scoop up a fun pair that you’ll also be able to pair with this look. Depending on your taste you may be interested in heels with cut-outs, mesh panels, stripes, prints, or even dramatic and eye-catching embellishments.
{Indulgence to Savvy Shopper – Left to Right: Patrizia Pepe Gold Nappa Leather Skinny Belt – $150 @ FORZIERI Italia, Gold Metallic Lizard Skinny Belt – $35 @ Ann Taylor & G by GUESS Skinny Sequins Belt – $20 @ Guess.com}
The final touches here are going to be gold gold gold! A skinny metallic gold belt and gold jewelry & accessories like a boyfriend watch, thick cuff or bracelet, and small clutch. I think an envelope clutch would also go great with this look, either in gold like Miss Olivia chose, or in black or navy depending on your chosen color scheme.
What to keep in mind about this look is that it features a collection of great individual pieces, any of which can and should be tweaked and adjusted to suit your coloring, personal style, and body type. Just pick and choose the pieces that suit you best!
You can also check out previous MCLV Style File looks below:
MCLV Style File: Flower Power
Welcome to another Style File post – Our last outfit breakdown was a killer patterned black & white dress that Poppy Delevingne wore to Berlin Fashion Week and this time we’re going to check out a bright, fun outfit that’s a great way to transition to colder weather now that Fall 2012 is upon us.
Throwing a floral blazer over a skirt & top combo is a great idea, it takes this from a basic Summer look to an eye-catching, colder-weather appropriate outfit that can easily be adapted to suit your style and the pieces that you have available in your closet.
The extras for this look are especially great – The long, layered necklaces, chunky bracelets, and oversized gold mens watch are lovely but that handbag is what really stole my heart.
{Indulgence to Savvy Shopper – Left to Right: Lc Lauren Conrad Floral Blazer – $50 (sale) @ Kohl’s, ASOS Premium Floral Print Blazer – $55 @ Asos.com & Tall Co-ord Floral Blazer – $130 @ TopShop}
The key to this look is the floral blazer, finding one that suits your coloring and shape may take some time, but it’ll be worth it since this is such a great piece for Fall.
{Indulgence to Savvy Shopper – Left to Right: Rachel Roy Quilted Wrap Skirt – $175 @ Zappos.com, Vince Camuto V-Neck Wrap Dress – $100 @ Shop The Shoe Box & BCBGMAXAZRIA Silk Ruffle Flounce Draped Skirt – $60 @ 6pm}
You could try a sweet blue wrap skirt for this look or you could opt for a cobalt dress and achieve a similar silhouette. It’s the bright colors and eye-catching accessories that make this look work so you don’t need to stress about copying it piece-for-piece.
{Indulgence to Savvy Shopper – Marmen Cross Necklace – $250 @ Urban Outfitters, House of Harlow Diamond Cross Necklace – $60 @ Designs By Stephene & Multi Row Cross Necklace – $20 @ Asos.com}
Whether you’re a fan of delicate necklaces or chunky, gold jewelry or silver, wearing a single chain or layering multiple pieces – There’s something fun in this style to suit your personal taste!
{Indulgence to Savvy Shopper – Vince Camuto Gold Boyfriend Watch – $175 @ Dillard’s, Gold and White Links Boyfriend Watch – $55 @ Asos.com & Merona Silver Tone Extra Large Boyfriend Watch – $20 @ Target}
A boyfriend watch is a funky alternative to a cuff or bangle, it adds a masculine touch without taking your look straight to made-for-the-boys territory. Gold or silver, embellished or plain, there are tons of options out there.
Curious how I would interpret this look using pieces that I have in my wardrobe? Tuesday’s MCLV Style: Factory Girl post was actually inspired by this look from Lovely Pepa!
{You can shop similar pieces by clicking these hyperlinks: Floral Blazer – Pim + Larkin from Piperlime, Pleated Black Mini – Zara (one of my favorite pieces in my wardrobe, true story), Ankle Booties – Rebecca Minkoff from Shopbop.com, Floral Top – Anthropologie, and Jewelry – All from Sasha Maks Vintage}
As you can see, you can mix this look up, change colors, and adjust the jewelry to create something fresh and unique, a look that is all yours!
You can also check out past MCLV Style File looks below:
London Fashion Week Spring 2013 – Street Style & Front Row Fashion
The street style in London always has a bit of drama to it – While New York Fashion Week is full of fun, bright Summer separates, London usually has more focus on deeper colors, outerwear, and great boots.
You can always out on Miss Dita to give great face. She always gives a look her all and looks perfectly put together.
Mixing prints like this is not a challenge to be taken on by a novice! Bright colorblocking, paisley pants, red, black & white heels, and an oversized black clutch with red piping. Masterly!
Mulberry had itself quite the front row! Designer Emma Hill was joined by the a couple of fabulous British It girls – Alexa Chung, Kate Moss, and Lana Del Rey.
Texture! Texture! Texture! Between the stacked beaded bracelets to the contrasting lace in blues and creams to the chunky statement necklace – This look is all about mixing and matching textures and fabrics.
Such a stylish, colorful outfit – I love the marigold cropped pants paired with the emerald-green double-breasted blazer, it’s an interesting and striking combination.
This is such a great British outfit! The sweet silhouette of the drop-waist shift dress, the contrasting collar, and the chic retro hat are lovely, and I like how she paired them with a statement necklace and brightly colored clutch.
Poppy has been a longtime fan and supporter of Matthew Williamson and put together a great boho look for his show – Torn jeans, metallic strappy sandals, an embroidered top, and braids.
This is a fantastic jacket and I love how she gave it a fun, relaxed feel by paring it with a graphic tee and the cherry red handbag.
Rocker chic meets Catholic school girl – Daisy Lowe put together an edgy but stylish black & white ensemble by pairing a pleated mini with a high-neck blouse, cropped motorcycle jacket, and ankle boots.
I absolutely adore this – The puppy sweater is too cute for words, the tweed coat is killer, and I NEED those moccasin heels!
The stylish outerwear wasn’t just on the runway at Burberry, Miss Julia Restoin–Roitfeld and Robert Konjic looked great in double-breasted coats just outside the show.
Drama Queen! Never interested in being a wallflower ADR stuns in statement pieces after statement piece! Maybe she got caught in a fashion shower on her way to the show? 🙂
I adore this shot of models Poppy & Arizona. They have such distinct styles, but they both look great. Poppy’s studded ankle boots and black & white printed blouse suit her perfectly, while Arizona’s button-front dress and cropped leather jacket work really well to create a fun, unique look.
Stunning! I love the sweet Peter Pan collar and can’t imagine a more flattering color or cut for her. And those booties? Swoon! Leave it to a blogger to knock it right out of the park! 🙂
{Click on the links above to view the original source}
Previous LFW & Spring 2013 Collections: New York Fashion Week Spring 2013 – Part I, New York Fashion Week Spring 2013 – Part II, New York Fashion Week Spring 2013 – Part III, New York Fashion Week Spring 2013 – Street Style & Front Row Fashion, London Fashion Week Fall 2012, London Fashion Week – Street Style & Front Row Fashion, London Fashion Week Spring 2012 Round-Up, and Streetstyle & Front Row Fashion – London Fashion Week.
Additional reviews, photographs, shows, and videos: London Fashion Week Spring 2013: Parties & Front Row, Street Style Spring 2013: London Fashion Week & London Backstage Beauty Files: Spring 2013 from Harper’s Bazaar.
Do you prefer the wild & vibrant styles that feature heavily on the sidewalks of New York City or the moody, Fall-inspired fashions on the London streets during Fashion Week?
New York Fashion Week Spring 2013 – Street Style & Front Row Fashion
This is the final – finally – post on the Spring 2013 New York Fashion Week collections. During the first three posts we reviewed the NYFW institutions, the affordable “real women” lines, and the newbies to Fashion Week. Today’s post is all about the editors, actresses, bloggers, models, and fashion industry insiders during New York Fashion Week – What they wore to view the collections, running between the shows, and to the parties, store openings & celebration dinners.
{I absolutely adore this look. It’s chic and utterly put together, but still fun and youthful rather than being stiff and boring. Well done Miss Belle!}
{Low-key and casual, perfect for a muggy NYC day and comfortable enough to make it through the day without foot pain, fashion emergencies, or faux pas.}
{Quite the well put together outfit – I love the blouse, it suits her really well, and I’m a sucker for a great day clutch so this studded beauty really caught my eye.}
{So. Cute. I can’t imagine a more adorable or flatteringly age-appropriate little outfit for this young lady.}
{I kind of love Kelly’s look here. I’m not a huge fan of her recent hair color choices, but the bright colorblocking of this frock is lovely and that black & white checkered clutch was a brilliant choice.}
{I love the fresh, colorful prints she picked here, as well as the unique midi length hem. There’s something to be said for mixing & matching, no one else will ever show up in the same outfit!}
{LOVE! It’s fun and one-of-a-kind, totally Brad!}
{Great colors. Fabulous length. Utterly flattering silhouettes. Well done ladies, well done.}
Bloggers:
Bloggers do it better! 🙂 The ladies who represented the blogger contingent in New York City did a fabulous job in brights, florals, prints, and eye-catching accessories.
{Such a gorgeous dress! Dark florals are one of my favorite ways to bridge the Summer-to-Fall gap and this is a great example of how to transition them. And Zara booties never hurt an outfit!}
{One way to make sure that you stand out in a crowd of bloggers, celebrities, and editors is to: (1) Look stunning (2) Wear stand-out hues that suit you to perfection & (3) Pile on the gorgeous statement jewelry}
{Great print & colors – And those double ankle strap heels are killer}
{Liz from Late Afternoon (left) and Laura from OnTheRacks (right) make quite the pretty picture in a fun, colorful array of separates paired with perfectly chosen, eye-catching accessories.}
{Sylish and chic! I love this look but I have NO IDEA how she was wearing a black blazer during NYFW, maybe she took it off after the pictures were taken?}
{This is a great laid back look. I adore the printed pants paired with the leopard print pieces, and the plain white tee paired with the dramatic statement necklace is another great choice.}
{LOVE THIS. It’s wild & crazy & fun – Just what fashion week is supposed to be all about!}
{I always look forward to shots of Karlie – I adore her street style, her runway walk, and how her personality always manages to shine through in a picture. Here’s yet another great example of her personal style from Mr. Newton!}
{How fabulous is this shot? I love her bike, her handbag, her helmet, and her low-key but chic style – Skinnies & a tank – perfect for a humid Summer day in New York.}
{This is a great shot showing models doing something that they do best – Mixing & matching! These ladies are doing a great job of combining interesting and fun pieces to put together unique, fashionable looks.}
And last but hardly least, my favorite look from New York Fashion Week…
{I mean seriously? Can you imagine a more chic and stylish looking woman? She probably made half the women at this show cry and give up on fashion. Head-to-toe this is an amazing look – The red is striking and the gloves & pearls are such chic touches. J’adore!}
{Click on the images above to be taken to the original source}
Previous NYFW Collections: New York Fashion Week Spring 2013 – Part I, New York Fashion Week Spring 2013 – Part II, New York Fashion Week Spring 2013 – Part III, New York Fashion Week Fall 2012, Pre-Fall 2012 Part I, Part II, Part III, and NYFW Spring 2012 Round-Up.
Addition reviews, photographs, shows, and videos: WhoWhatWear’s What They Wore – NY Fashion Week, Style.com’s Get the Look: Tilda Lindstam, New York Fashion Week Spring 2013: Parties & Front Row from Harper’s BAZAAR & Modelinia’s Top Twitpics from Spring 2013 New York Fashion Week.
Now we’re off to London – See you there! ❤
Links You’ll Love
Fashion:
There’s a new “It” beauty blog in town brought to us by the fashionable French “It” girls the Courtin-Clarins. So if you’re in the mood for some tips, ideas, and/or product reviews head over to Beauty Flash Blog for more!
Project time! Want to create your own chic sunglasses rack? Frassy Life has you covered with this fun and oh-so-easy version that you can do with simple things you’ve probably already got on hand.
Rachel Zoe’s jewelry line is full of fun, funky, retro-inspired pieces that can work with just about any look or destination. Don’t believe me? The stylist put together some killer looks for her pieces just to prove it – Day, Night & Workwear.
Sometimes a fashionista’s gotta do what a fashionista’s gotta do! Essential Indulgences for Fashion Bloggers – What are your indulgences and must haves?
I love discovering designers or an exciting new esthetic that suits my personal style to perfection. And with Fashion Week Month just starting, now’s the time to keep your eyes peeled! Check out The Ones To Watch from Harper’s Bazaar or Olivia Palermo’s Lines We Love: Chinti and Parker or Lines We Love: Anndra Neen.
If you’re starting to think about your Fall 2012 wardrobe why not get some recommendations from the fashionable editors over at Harper’s Bazaar? Smart Shopoing – Cheap Designer Clothes & Accessories.
Health & Fitness:
You know me, I’m a smoothie girl through and through. So was I ever excited when I heard that it was recently International Green Smoothie Day! PARADE! TICKER TAPE! Top 10 Green Smoothie Recipes: International Green Smoothie Day.
Desserts can be healthy. Or, just not as bad. So why not try something new and exciting like Persian Ice Cream, Sweet Strawberry Ice Cream with Chocolate Sauce, or – Go Cuckoo For Coconut Milk Ice Cream.
Snacking is a crucial part of my daily life. Making sure that my blood sugar doesn’t drop so I don’t end up cranky OR binging and falling into a food coma is important. Need some fun new ideas to shake things up? The Hungry Hungry Hippie has you covered – Vegetarian Snack Ideas.
I love going to the farmer’s market but we all know the tragedy of fruits & veggies going bad before we get the chance to use them. Well, it turns out there are some tricks of the trade to help keep your Farmer’s Market fare from turning too quickly! 13 Tricks and Tips For Keeping Produce Fresh Longer.
Getting in shape isn’t just about hitting the gym and getting enough walking in, it’s about how you’re fueling your body. Afterall, you can’t out exercise a bad diet. Don’t believe me? Take it from Bob Harper of The Biggest Loser – Why Nutrition Is Number One For Weight Loss.
MCLV Style File: Poppy Delevingne
Welcome back to a new Style File Look!
It’s been a while since I put together one of these posts, but this recent look from British model & fashionista Poppy Delevingne really caught my attention so I’m here today to share it with you.
{Poppy Delevingne shot by Altamira: Models Off Duty}
What I love about this look is that it’s chic and well put together, but it’s also exceptionally versatile. It could easily go from a daytime look to nighttime, just as well as it could go from a Ladies Who Lunch outing to – well – Fashion Week in Berlin.
{Inspiration Board on ASOS Fashion Finder – Lace patterned dress, Marnie Leather Belt from Boticca, Black Marano Glitter Clutch by Anya Hindmarch & Pink and Slate Combo Stingray Sandals }
You could put together a similar look to this one by either belting a fun printed dress or combining separates – From the same brand or you could get creative and mix n’ match different patterns.
{Indulgence to Savvy Shopper – Left to Right: MaxMara Studio Uruguay Dress – $475 @ Matches Fashion, Tahari by Arthur S. Levine Belted Ruffle Dress – $130 @ Nordstrom & Dorothy Perkins Black & White Print Dress – $50 @ Dorothy Perkins}
This is also the type of look that could translate easily from black & white to color quite well, you just need to make sure that you’re sticking with a subtle pattern, a bold print and bold color together will make the look overly busy.
{Indulgence to Savvy Shopper – Left to Right: Alexander Wang Drape Front Print Silk Dress – $295 @ Nordstrom, DKNY Royal Blue Belted Swing Dress – $190 @ StyleBOP.com & Young Threads NYC Inc. Flame of Reference Dress – $75 @ ModCloth.com}
{You can shop similar pieces by clicking on the hyperlinks above and visiting the various store websites}
What’s your favorite part about Poppy’s fun look for Berlin Fashion Week? The subtle all-over pattern or the way she paired an understated Hugo Boss frock with fun, modern grey heels and a hippie-chic silver necklace?
{Click on images above to visit the original source}
You can also check out past MCLV Style File looks below:
Jewelry Essentials – Pieces Every Woman Should Own
In my Real Girls Need Real Closets and Real Girls Need Real Closets – Accessories Edition I discussed the pieces that are worth putting money into in order to build a complete wardrobe. Today I’d like to focus on what jewelry should make it into your collection in this guest post for Sasha Maks Vintage.
Over the years you’ll invest in new accessories, update your collection, and pick up great pieces on your travels, of both the new and vintage variety. Truth be told, putting together the perfect jewelry collection isn’t something that happens overnight, it’s a long process and while your personal style may evolve over time, the basics of what you should acquire will remain relatively static. With that in mind, here are some tips and suggestions to keep in mind while you’re shopping!
Statement Necklace:
Having a dramatic and eye-catching piece at your neck is a Must. Something that’s versatile and can work as the central focus for your look at a number of events – From casual to dressy to office appropriate.
{Monet Enamel Fan Necklace 1970s – $225}
{Inspiration Board on ASOS Fashion Finder – Nonoo – Letticia Floral Shorts, Jaeger Sleeveless Silk Blouse, Suuna Black Arabella Ladies Sunglasses & COGGLES EXCLUSIVE Lorelei Black & Blue Shoes}
Summer Casual – Inspiration for this look: Olivia Palermo’s fabulous floral shorts look from Verona, Italy photographed in July of 2012. A statement necklace can be the focal point of a basic or monochromatic look, or just another fabulous piece in a fun, vibrant outfit like this one.
Cuff Bracelet:
A cuff or wide bracelet allows you to throw on a single piece of jewelry and call it a day. This acts as an understated but dramatic piece that can complete a look without a lot of effort.
{Silver-tone Wide Ridged Cuff 1970s – $135}
{Inspiration Board on ASOS Fashion Finder – Fluoro Stripe Double Breasted Knit Coat by M Missoni, Black Peep Toe Booties, Diva clutch plain black leather from Boticca, Suuna Black Arabella Ladies Sunglasses, Mixed Chain Collar Necklace & ‘Betty’ thin leather dress}
Punk Princess – Inspiration for this look: Punk and edgy are two ways to go with a thick silver bracelet, so take inspiration from Brooklyn Blonde and try something new & exciting by pairing unexpected pieces. Unique styling, like these peep-toe booties and the sleeveless trench, make a look fresh and unique and 100% you.
Evening Earrings:
Whether you’re wearing a simple suit and attending a work function or a fun Little Black Dress for a cocktail party, you need a pair of killer earrings to punctuate your look.
{Trifari Beaded Ball Drop Earrings 1960s – $165}
{Inspiration Board on ASOS Fashion Finder – Leiby Wide Leg Jumpsuit With Belt, Fatale Natural Shoes, ASOS HARLOT Stiletto Leather Sandals, Lipsy Playsuit With Scallop Edge Hem & Blue, Jade, Noir & Sand Jersey & Silk Jumpsuit}
Retro Luxe – Inspiration for this look: The beautiful & fashionable Liz Cherkasova from Late Afternoon’s fun Summertime look. Depending on the size, style, and color, dangling earrings can easily go from day to-night, the key is to pick the right outfit to complement them.
Cocktail Ring:
A one-of-a-kind cocktail ring is an absolute must have. You need a piece that is fun and flashy, that makes you feel glamorous and acts as a great conversation starter.
{Rhinestone Cocktail-Party Ring 1960s – $95}
{Inspiration Board on ASOS Fashion Finder – Emerald Sarong Knot Cocktail Dress by Halston Heritage & ASOS HYLA Strappy Heeled Sandals}
Cocktail Fabulous – Inspiration for this look: Katie Holmes’s September 2012 cover for C Magazine, photographed by Matt Jones. A fun ring is very versatile, it’ll work equally well for girls night out, after work drinks, or a cocktail party.
Personality Piece(s):
Whatever your style, whatever your taste, you should have a stand out piece of jewelry in your collection that is 100% YOU. It doesn’t matter what it is, it could be s a fabulous pair of drop earrings, or a handful of stunning bracelets for stacking, or a simple pearl necklace that you inherited from your mother.
{Left: Christian Dior Faux Coral Demi-Parure 1970s – $1250, Top Right: Snake Bangle 1970s – $135 & Bottom Right: Faux Jade Cocktail Ring 1960s – $135}
Me? I’m obsessed with classic gold vintage pieces and animal jewelry like the pieces above. They suit my classic style and act as great finishing touches for my outfits.
{Inspiration Board on ASOS Fashion Finder – Left Outfit: Cream Asymmetrical Tie Blouse by DKNY, Black Leather Exposed Zip Skirt by McQ Alexander McQueen & Reiss Lotta BUCKLE SHOE BOOTS, and Right Outfit: White Poppy Blouse by Vivienne Westwood Anglomania, Black Full Flippy Skirt by Halston Heritage & Red Bow Front Patent Pointed Court by Moschino Cheap & Chic}
Black & White Stunner – Inspiration for the look: Donna Karan Fall 2012 Ready-to-Wear & Temperley London Pre-Fall 2012. Perfect for a work party or a formal evening, the cut, silhouette, and lengths can be adjusted to suit the appropriateness of a given outing.
All jewelry from Sasha Maks Vintage – Original post on the Sasha Maks Vintage Blog
Links You’ll Love
Fashion:
Here’s a serious, fashion-forward French manicure that’s perfect for your next big event – DIY Nail Art: A Modern French Manicure Inspired By Marchesa.
If you love the current reigning queen of fashion, Diane Kruger, as much as I do, you’ll adore this interview from the Wall Street Journal – Diane Kruger: 20 Odd Questions.
I’m a huge devotee of ballet flats, they suit my classic and simple, but feminine style to a T, but I love to mix things up. This summer has been all about topsiders, smoking flats, and Oxfords. Don’t believe me? WhoWhatWear – How They Wear Summer Oxfords featuring celebrities like Audrey Tautou, Jessica Alba, and Rihanna, and fashion insiders like Olivia Palermo and Annabelle Dexter-Jones.
Shoe porn anyone? How about closet organizing and gorgeous shoe storage? Thought so… Be Frassy – Shoescribe & Frassy.
Health & Fitness:
If you’re like me and enjoy trying new and interesting ways of eating in order to find the best way of eating for yourself, then here’s another to try. Paleolithic, primal, caveman – These have all been used to describe the high protein, gluten-free diet known as Paleo. Check out this health nut’s experience –30-Day Paleo Challenge: I Tried It!
If a gym membership is too pricy for you right now or even if you’re just not in the mood to head to the gym, it doesn’t mean that you have to skip your workout. Try Women’s Health’s Work Out At Home for great body weight moves you should incorporate into your workouts.
Some new duds always motivate me to get my booty to the gym, but that doesn’t mean you need to break the bank! Get Your Om on For Less: Yoga Tops Under $30.
Not sure about you, but I whole heartedly believe that there are healthy desserts out there that you can indulge in without guilt. And while I wouldn’t say it’s my life’s goal to try them all, that statement wouldn’t be too far off. Case in point? The Fitnessista’s Sweet potato chocolate chunk cookies – I made these with a few little adjustments, MCLV Mange post to come soon!
Whether you’re a native San Franciscan like I am or new to the City By The Bay, if you’re looking for some great places to workout look no further than the FitSugar headquarters – Work Out Like a Local: San Francisco Edition.
Couture – Front Row Fashion & Street Style
For me, a big part of the fun of a week of runway shows – like the Fall 2012 Couture collections – is seeing the street style looks that the lucky attendees put together for the shows, dinners, and parties. Seeing how the various designer collections translate to “real life” is inspiring, motivational, and downright fun.
Fabulous! I love the whole two-toned look and how she picked materials and silhouettes that keep it from being too casual. J’adore!
The volume of this mini takes it up a level so she’s right at home sitting front row at the Dior Couture show.
A pretty printed dress is the perfect look for a Dior show and I think that this beautiful flocked knee-length frock is ideal for Couture.
A lipstick red suit it cute enough but when you turn a suit top into a chic little tee with a contrasting black pocket I’m all yours!!!
Little Black Dress + Sequined Clutch + Saddle Shoes = the understated French je ne sais quoi.
Parisian street style chic at its finest – Whether they’re wearing ripped jeans, chic black & white, or a midi, these ladies know how to mix & match their separates for maximum impact.
Bright, flirty florals, a demure silhouette, and a too chic peplum. What a fabulous frock, I’m in awe.
The Russian fashion ladies are stylish and their looks vary dramatically between them. Such great contrasts!
I love a short-suit and this is a stylish example, I really like the chic cut of the jacket and the subtle ruffle along the hem of the shorts. And those shoes… Wow.
Elizabeth von Guttman, Alexia Niedzielski, Shala Monroque, Elena Perminova and Ulyana Sergeenko – All distinctly different looks for Giambattista Valli, but all very chic, well put together, and appropriate. From solid colored separates and midriff-baring tops, to printed suits and floor length florals, the front row is almost as fun as the runway!
The ladies spiced things up for the Versace show and chose edgier outfits, from lace cut outs, to leather, to dramatic stitching. Donatella would approve!
In addition to seeing the looks that celebrities, editors, and other fashion insiders put together for their front row appearances, I love to take a look at the (often heavily made-up) models as they run between runways shows or head out to parties. Model street style is always a great combination of pieces & styles, since they have the opportunity to see so many collections and have exposure to so many designers. Jealous!
I love a colorful maxi skirt and this combination – the basic white tee paired with the metallic pink oversized clutch – is flirty, fun, and perfect for Summer.
Only Hanneli could make a couture Valentino gown look so low-key and street-appropriate.
AMAZING coat + killer heels, what more does a girl need?
I adore the layering here! Cut-off white shorts, a blue & white button-up PJ top, a tan leather motorcycle jacket, ankle booties, retro round sunglasses & a killer two-toned clutch. Such an unexpected combination of pieces, but it works!
And finally, a fashion favorite of mine, hit it girl!
She’s going to couture shows in Paris. French designers. In Paris. I mean, could she have picked a more adorably over-the-top French look?
Sources: Harper’s Bazaar, Tom & Lorenzo, Cristina’s Blog & Mr. Blasberg
What’s your favorite look here?
Links You’ll Love
Fashion:
MCLV Style: Kisses!
How was your mid-week 4th of July holiday? Have you been dating everything Monday instead of Thursday all day today like I have?
{Top – Zara, Jeans – J Brand, Shoes – MaddenGirl, Bowling Bag – Zara, and Zebra Print Aviators – Piperlime}
{You can HYPE this look on Lookbook.nu, shop similar pieces on ASOS Style 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).
Hope you like this cute new Zara top, I saw the little kisses and knew that it had to be mine! Are you a fan of lipstick kisses too?
I was lucky enough to have one of my best friends since college visit a few weeks ago and after delicious food, wine, and some much-needed catching up, we headed outside for a photo shoot. Her enthusiasm and energy were great and I had a phenomenal time taking these photos. It’s amazing how much visibly better a photograph turns out when the subject is genuinely enjoying themselves, that’s one of the reasons you pay the big bucks for a shoot with a good photographer.
Have a great Thursday.
MCLV Style: Workin’ That Tee
Last year I published a post called What NOT To Wear To Work where I discussed, among other things, whether or not a T-shirt could be considered appropriate office attire. Ultimately my conclusion was that while casual graphic and burn-out tees were out of the question unless you work in fashion-forward industries like fashion, music, or film, there were appropriate possibilities out there if you looked hard enough and styled them properly.
To make this type of look work you just need to keep the pieces clean and simple, and go for a thick, well-made shirt in an appropriate cut, color, and silhouette for the occasion.
In this case I went with a royal purple Zara Basics t-shirt with cap-sleeves paired with a basic black pencil skirt, round-toed pumps, and a vintage-inspired gold belt.
Tee – Zara Basics, Pencil Skirt – Zara, Pumps – Franco Sarto, Bracelets – JewelMint, Vintage, & Forever 21, Rings – Vintage, Multi-Strand Gold Necklace – Express, and Retro Gold Belt – BCBG
You can HYPE this look on Lookbook.nu, shop similar pieces on ASOS Style Finder, or click the hyperlinks above for some comparable pieces that you can buy.
And believe me, I’m not the only one who enjoys a good tee. Mixing high and low, like adding a basic shirt into a work or night out look, is an art form practiced by many.
A loosely fitted highlighter colored t-shirt can keep a slouchy black suit from being boring or too business-like.
Old-school denim overalls are perfect for a hot summer day and a little white tee is the perfect finishing touch.
If you’re going to work a layering look nothing beats a basic t-shirt. It’s the perfect building block!
You can even roll up the sleeves of your basic t-shirt to give it a more unique and one-of-a-kind feeling.
What better than a basic white tee to pair with denim cut-offs and a vintage style leopard print coat for a walk on the streets of New York City.
Even high-end designers like Oscar de la Renta can’t help but enjoy a good striped tee.
Are you creative when it comes to building new and fun looks using your favorite tees? What do you think about wearing a T-shirt to work – ya or nay?
Looks of the Week
Happy Monday! How was everyone’s weekend?
Let’s get this week started on a fashionable note with some great outfits that I’ve tracked down, and I’ll start with my absolute favorite look that I discovered.
How ridiculously cute is this???
I love the striped skirt (obviously) and I’ve been wearing my own polka dotted blouse to death so this gives me some great inspiration and ideas. Love it!
I love stripes, I love chain link necklaces, I love day clutches, and I love fun blouses. There’s basically nothing I don’t love about this look.
One piece can totally make a look and this is a fabulous example. This goal is absolutely to DIE for!
How cute is this dress? I love the pleats and the top half, how gorgeous the color looks on her, and the dainty little gold necklace.
Proof that neutrals are anything but boring! This is a great, casual look. Not only is she making that hat look GOOD, but those ankle boots are killer.
Fabulous colors. Amazing styling. And the most perfect accessories possible. Just what we’ve all come to expect from Liz. I adore this look, from her ombre top to her GORGEOUS Atwood-clad feet.
Doesn’t this look just make you want to go play in your closet? It’s such a fun, original combination of pieces and fabrics and prints. It makes me want to try something one-of-a-kind too!
Not sure about vests boys? This is a great example of how to pull one off and look really put together in the process.
Summer chic at it’s finest. Crisp white, some splashes of color, and a some skin!
What a fun, sassy look. I love the 70’s inspired jumpsuit – Too cute.
Do these pictures motivate you to be more creative with your fashion choices?
Links You’ll Love
Health/Fitness:
Intervals are key! Check out the 400-Calorie Tush-Toning Interval Workout or Tabata Workouts To Burn Fat Fast from FitSugar.
A great way to cram veggies into your diet is by adding them to smoothies in the morning. You can easily add fresh, healthy, and easily digestible source of vitamins. Refinery 29 agrees – 5 Reasons Why Kale Is The Ultimate Look-Gorgeous, Feel-Amazing Food. Not a fan of breakfast? Try JL Goes Vegan’s Creamy Kale Miso Soup for a great source of nutrients.
Interested in getting back to basics or implementing an organic training program? Check out Charles Poliquin’s Train Like Your Ancestors: Tips to Achieve Optimal Health and Body Composition.
Even if you only have a few minutes you can still squeeze in some energy-boosting moves:
Fashion:
If you’re looking for a way to spice up one of your accessories for Summer I have some fabulous ideas for you – DIY: Neon chain handbag from Crimenes de la Moda and/or DIY: Floral Bangles. The end results of both of these Do It Yourself projects are fun and chic – Can you have a better combination?
Are you a fan of maxi dresses? I love the light feel and fun silhouette of maxi skirts and dresses during the warm weather months. See Olivia Palermo’s picks for this summer – Let It Flow.
Not in a place to replace your wardrobe each season? Me either. Check out Chictopia’s East Coast to West Coast: 5 Pieces That Will Complete Your Summer Wardrobe featuring the amazing Late Afternoon and Song of Style bloggers.
Sometimes a sleek ponytail is just the finishing touch that an outfit needs. A Cup Of Jo shares her tips for the perfect Sleek Parted Ponytail.
Need a project? Try out FabSugar’s DIY: Give Your Collared Top a Gypset Style Twist!
Looks of the Week
How was everyone’s weekend? Did you have a good Mother’s Day? While I didn’t get to see my mother yesterday, I did get a chance to spend some time with my boyfriend’s mother and his sister who just gave birth to her third daughter two weeks ago. Quite the family day!
But today we’re here to discuss street style. Here in San Francisco it regularly goes from bright, sunny, and stunningly warm to foggy and rainy in 12 hours, so there’s no way to dress consistently during the Spring and Summer, it’s all about layering and keeping a sweater or umbrella in your bag. Here are some looks that run the gamut in terms of skin coverage so hopefully no matter where you are in the world there’s a look that you can emulate, enjoy!
I’m MAD about this look. A fabulous retro-inspired dress in a fun, eye-catching print is a great way to go. And those floral sunglasses are the icing on the fabulous cake!
I love love love how she paired a flowy, hippie-style maxi dress with a cropped leather jacket, it gives it an edge. Biker Chick Chic!
Olivia’s low key floral frock is perfect for Summer weddings this season. It’s flattering and pretty, and can easily go from day to night with the right jewelry and heels. She wears it perfectly here with ankle strap Boutique 9 heels.
Just wow. Gorgeous color against her skin, unique dress with beautiful embellishments, and great, great accessories.
Gorgeous – Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Satin Knot Clutch
SEXY – She spices up her look with hot pumps – Brian Atwood ‘Claudia Bis’ Platform Pumps
And if you’re as big a fan of Miss Zoe as I am, check out The Frugal Fashionista’s breakdown of some of her best outfits over the years. Tres chic!
Interested in trying out the printed jeans trend? This is a great, subtle way to work the trend without getting too overwhelmed. Love that she paired the high-impact pants with a simple T.
Too cuter! I love the retro patterned shorts paired with the chic gold polka-dotted blouse. That adorable mint green Prada bag is the perfect finishing touch!
I LOVE this look. The mixing of the retro prints is just too cute. She looks like a chic Amy Winehouse!
Want to try a new spin on an old class? Spice up your Little Black Dress this Spring and take Brooklyn Decker, Be Frassy’s Audrey Rogers, or model Anne V as your inspiration.
You can keep it classy in a knee-length dress, but it doesn’t have to be boring, you can easily find one with fun embellishments and details that will make you stand out in a crowd.
Sexy sheer lace can be taken to the next level with a fun flared skirt. Some kick @$$ bright pumps are the perfect finishing touch.
A jersey dress is a great way to stay cool as the temperature rises, and Anne V shows us here that you don’t have to sacrifice an ounce of glamour if you go with a demure hemline. Wow!
And if you’re still dying for more street style, check out these best dressed round ups – Vogue UK and Mr. Blasberg’s Best-Dressed List for Harper’s Bazaar.
Have a great night!
Links You’ll Love
Fashion:
Looking for a pretty new up do for the Spring & Summer weddings you’re attending or participating in? Refinery 29 has you covered with their 3 Pretty ‘Dos For Wedding Season.
Not sure what to keep in your closet and what to donate? Miranda Kerr’s stylist tells us just how to Spring clean this season – Modelinia.
Or if you’re interested in jumping on the ombre train, Fashion Fazer has you covered – Ombre and Dip-Dye Hair.
Love that collar necklace? Ya, me too. Check out Fashion Love Affaires for her DIY Diaries: In All My Glittery Goodness.
I’ve clearly shown that I’m a fan of Olivia Palermo’s personal style, I did Style File posts on her adorable polka dot maxi skirt AND her chic outfit for the menswear shows last fall. She recently started a blog and I wanted to share her little piece on closet organization – Glam Tip: Keep Off-Season Clothes Fresh.
Refinery 29 doesn’t want to see your old college sweats or your ratty t-shirts at the gym. Ever. Chic Gym Gear To Replace Your Sweats. Its time!
Are you in the mood for ladylike glitz and glamour this Spring? Me too. From Elie Saab to Christian Dior, Cristina’s got you covered. Read on!
Health/Fitness:
Did you sign up for a race to meet a New Years Resolution and get so busy and distracted this Spring that you’ve hardly started to train? Read the No Meat Athlete’s 3 Steps to Planning the Perfect Running Getaway to Re-energize Your Training or Stuck Running on a Treadmill? Make the Most of It with These 3 Workouts.
Not sure when to nosh? What about which foods will be best for you? Check out Fit Bottomed Girls’ Foods to Fuel You– A helpful list of what foods will help fuel you before, during, and after your exercise sessions, Women’s Health’s Eating Well: The Best Fitness Foods for Women, and OhSheGlow’s 3 Ready-in-a-Jiffy Warm Weather Snack Recipes!
Not sure which oils to use for what? Read through Wake Up World’s 160 Uses For Coconut Oil.
If your Spring has been anything like mine you’re a busy busy bee. Don’t let that get in the way of staying healthy and meeting your fitness goals though, these mini workouts will keep you motivated:
- A 10-Minute ‘Move Confidently’ Workout from Fit Bottomed Girls & Dove
- A 10 Minute Full-Body CrossFit Workout from FitSugar
- A Pound Melting Pilates Workout from Women’s Health
- 10 Crunch-Free Moves for Killer Abs from Shape
Or check out all my links over at A Healthy Mentality!
Looks of the Week
I’ve got some great shots for you guys this week – From fashion bloggers like yours truly to red carpet premieres to model street style. So without further ado, let’s see what the fabulous ladies are wearing out and about these days!
I very literally stopped everything I was doing when I stumbled on these photos. This is one of the best shots I've seen in ages. Chic, well put together, a little bit retro, and styled to perfection. I wouldn't change a single thing and I'd take it all! 🙂
This is such a clean, chic look. Black and white always comes across as crisp, and I love the addition of the gorgeous Mulberry bag. Those patent-tipped pumps are pretty killer too!
I'm not a short-wearer, I like them, but I don't wear them. When I see pictures like this I have to rethink. This is such an adorable outfit. These shorts are incredibly cute and flattering, love the chain detail in front, and the star blouse is a great choice to pair with them. I especially love the dramatic gold cuff.
It's not quite a red carpet but newbie Taylor Schilling stunned in Calvin Klein. This is a great example of how to not wear a boring black dress! The detailing is gorgeous and her accessories are right on. J'ADORE that cuff!
Gorgeous! Just, gorgeous! I love the dress, I'm a huge fan of pleats right now. The color is striking and that belt is the greatest. And who would have thought to add smoking flats? Tres chic!
If all of the unusual Stella McCartney dresses appearing on the red carpet lately haven't been to your taste, this might just change your mind. Its fun and funky, but really cute and chic. KILLER Alexander Wang Resort 2012 bag!
Mix Master! This is such a great combination of colors, from the pale floral pants to the brilliant canary yellow pea coat to the mostly neutral heels.
This color combination is phenomenal, the cropped pants are the perfect shade to set off her top and that hat is too cute. Keeping the accessories more neutral - black & metallic - was a good choice as well, they finish the look without upstaging the central three pieces.
I love the distinctly different styles of these girls side-by-side. They're both wearing outstanding coats, but they're totally different. Alana is a bit preppy with her exposed collar, clean lines, and bright blue jeans. While Kate is funky and adorable in her fur-trimmed parka. J'adore!
I love a good monochromatic look and this one is especially nice because the pale yellow/grey combination is so unusual. I love those pants too, they're really cute, though you probably have to be 6 feet tall to wear them...
Both Jess Weixler (L) & Riley Keough (R) look great here - These looks are chic, youthful, and well put together. Well done ladies!
I love Peter Pan collars and day clutches so I was immediately drawn to this look. But upon closer inspection I realized that I also loved her velveteen platforms and adorable white lace skirt. So cute!
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.
If you want the ultimate in casual style do it like Rosie, Cropped jeans, basic T, booties. Done!
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.
Hippie view!!!
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!
Sincerely Jules stacked things up with woven bracelets, spikes, and even some bling. Great combo!
True flower-child stylin'! I love all the bracelets and the fringed suit, a really great pairing.
Diane looking adorable @ the Lacoste L!ve pool party. I like the colorblocking of the dress and her cute booties.
Fringe, cut-off shorts, jean jackets, facepaints - These models are ready for the festivities!
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.
MCLV Style File: Olivia Palermo
Welcome back to MCLV’s Style File, today I’ll be breaking the great Spring look from Olivia Palermo below and give you some ideas on where to find the pieces like these ones.
She wore this look at the Men’s Fashion Week shows in Milan in the Fall of 2011. Can you picture a more chic, menswear- inspired look for those shows?
The building blocks of this outfit can be broken down to three basic parts – The chic cropped trousers, the absolutely gorgeous double-breasted sweater coat, and the fierce leopard print heels. Each of these pieces can be adapted as you see fit and paired with a basic white T to finish it off.
{Top: (Left) Vince Camuto ‘Abstract Leaf’ Crop Pants = $100 @ Nordstrom & (Right) Café Capri in harvest tweed – $150 @ J.Crew and Bottom: (Left) Café Capri in wool check – $70 (sale price) @ J.Crew & (Right) Exact Stretch Capri Pant – $55 @ The Limited}
Depending on your personal style you can really change-up the basics of this look, or you can stay true to Miss Olivia’s style choices. With all the floral pants being shown for this Spring you could really spice a pair of cropped pants up if you’re in a daring, fashion-forward mood. As for the fit, you could go for s slim cut, something looser, or a more structured, menswear-inspired style.
{Left: CLOSED Anthracite Double Breasted Knitted Cardigan – $135 @ Stylebop, Center: Loose-fit double-breasted cardigan – $40 (sale price) @ Mango, and Right: FUNKTIONAL Comfort Cardi – $90 (sale price) @ Revolve Clothing}
Depending on the color-scheme that you settled on for your look, the sweater color and style can vary quite a bit. If you go for a bright pant, I would recommend balancing them out with a neutral toned sweater. On the other side hand, if you went with a simple black, white, or neutral colored pant, you could either stick with a monochrome look or go for a contrasting color or patterned sweater.
{Top: (Left) Stella McCartney leopard-print satin wedge pumps – $190 (sale price) @ The Outnet & Sam Edelman Sophie Two-Tone Wedge Sandal – $120 @ Neiman Marcus, Bottom: (Left) Diane Von Furstenberg April pumps – $180 @ Bluefly & (Right) Nine West Flax pump – $75 @ Piperlime}
Obviously floral pants and leopard print heels are a challenge to pull off in combination, so depending on your pant and sweater choices you’ll want to adjust the vibrancy of the pattern in the shoes you wear. Traditionally you’ll want to have a single piece be the stand-out part of a look, rather than having attention bounce from one thing to another and back. So if your pants are going to be bright or eye-catching, try for a more neutral-toned heel.
I promise I wont leave such a long gap between Style File posts going forward, I already have a couple in mind that I know you’ll love. In the meantime, you can look through some of the previous MCLV Style File looks below:
Friday Links + Giveaway Fun
Before we get down to the Friday Links, I want to remind everyone to submit an entry for the Spring 2012 MCLV Giveaway! It’s easy to enter, just pick one of the four ways to enter listed in the Giveaway post, and you could win a $50 gift certificate to Bloomingdale’s. Just tell me what you’re looking forward to for Spring…
Good luck!
Health/Fitness:
Do you like to have a cup of coffee before your morning workout? Read Christopher Williams’s article on the Robb Wolf blog Caffeine & Performance about the relationship between physical performance and your daily caffeine consumption.
Need some new ideas for healthy breakfasts? OhSheGlows has the goods, from desserty goodness like Chocolate Cake Batter Overnight Oats (OH YUM) to fresh Spring produce filled Blueberry Vanilla Banana Soft Serve Overnight Oats.
Have you tried nutritional yeast yet? Personally I like to use it instead of cheese as a topping when I cook and love it in vegan cheese sauces, but it has even more uses. Interested in learning more? Check out One Green Planet’s Nutritional Yeast: Health Benefits, Tips & Recipes.
With the new Reebok backing, CrossFit is becoming even more mainstream. Are you interested in learning how CrossFit style workouts can potentially improve your health and tone your body? (You can even see my experiences here: Do you… CrossFit? My Personal CrossFit & How To Survive A CrossFit Meet)
- Carrots ‘n’ Cake – How 3 Months of CrossFit Changed My Body
- Holly Would If She Could – Discomfort & the Oboe Principle
- FitSugar’s Everything You Need To Know About CrossFit
Don’t have time for a full HIIT or Tabata cardio workout? Still hit the gym, jumping rope is a phenomenal workout and only takes minutes! Check out Jackie Warner’s 5 Favorite Jump Rope Moves from FitSugar.
Fashion:
Not sure what bag to invest in for Spring? FabSugar and Refinery 29 both have a gorgeous list of options for you – from Phillip Lim and Diane Von Furstenberg to Club Monaco and Zara.
Brave enough to try printed pants for Spring? Mama’s A Rolling Stone has done the leg work for you – Top Buys: Printed Jeans. Need some more convincing? See how Olivia Palermo and Jessica Alba make this trend work oh-so-well for them.
I found Refinery 29’s 29 of Fashion’s Biggest Mysteries, Solved! pretty interesting to read. From reality show myths debunked to background on prints, fashion insiders and brands.
In the mood for some more DIY? Check out this super easy & stylish decoupage tray from Refinery 29.
While I’ve never seen The Rachel Zoe Project, I do have to say that I love Rachel’s styling for clients as well as her personal style. Check out FabSugar’s segment: In Dress Distress? Rachel Zoe Answers Your Most Frequently Asked Styling Questions.
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!
Looks of the Week
I always give a little sigh of relief when all of the Fashion Weeks are over – There’s a lot to keep up with, a lot going on, lots of photos to try to find and websites to link and models to track down… It’s pretty exhausting even from a distance, I can’t imagine actually being there!
So, to celebrate the end of a month of fashion here’s a Looks of the Week post filled with fabulous, relatable styles that we mere mortals can emulate.
Such a great, easy look. A chic black pantsuit is a great alternative to a cocktail dress. Though most of us aren't running around in Louis Vuitton Pre-Fall 2012 pieces. Unfortunately...
Stacy Keibler rocked a stunning blue Asos dress that showed off just a hint of skin. This is a great cocktail frock because the longer hemline offsets the flash of midriff to keep it on the classy side.
This is a great mens coat. I love the contrasting belt, faux fur collar & double-breasted buttons. Not a huge fan of facial hair or short pants on men though...
I'm still in full coat mode and I love that this is a lighter version, more of a "preparing for Spring" type coat than a winter coat.
Late Afternoon has a knack for pairing pieces you might not guess would look phenomenal together. Yellow jeans, a white lace top and a floral midriff baring top? Perfection! Spring anyone?
In the mood for florals to get a jump on Spring? Check out Modelinia’s Model Style File: Flirty Florals.
Does it get more chic than this? Cropped black skinnies, pointy-toed pumps and a black leather motorcycle jacket. Fabulous.
Wow. I mean. Just wow. It can be hard to pull off the menswear inspired suit on the red carpet, and trying to spice it up with a little sexiness can fail. But Miss Evan Rachel Wood knows how to do it right. Love the shoes paired with the Jason Wu suit.
So chic! Taylor Tomasi-Hill looked phenomenal in polka dots, wide leg pants and a great belt in Milan.
This is hardly a typical mini skirt look - I like sequined collar on the bright red blouse and the fun zipper clutch. They both keep it far from boring.
Source Want to try a great polka dot look? Eat, Breath, Fashion has some inspiration & ideas on finding the perfect look. Or you can check out the MCLV Style File on Olivia Palmero‘s polka dot skirt!
Stay tuned this week for summaries from the Fall 2012 Paris Fashion Week shows, the front row looks and a very special Moi Contre La Vie giveaway.
Looks of the Week
Welcome to Moi Contre La Vie’s Looks of the Week.
This is a special edition because at the end I’ve included some snaps from the Fall/Winter 2012 Menswear collections. And why is that so special? Well… Prada had some very interesting special guests that walked their runway.
Fuzzy, powder blue Philosophy Di Alberta coat paired with purple pants and kick @$$ black leather booties? Yes please! Hanneli, you're my hero.
Polka dots, leopard print & sequins? For daytime? It takes quite the talented stylist to pull off that combination and make it look this chic.
Not sure how to stay warm on date night? Rachel McAdams wears a buckled wool coat over a seriously cute pleated LBD with dramatic, pointy toed nude & black pumps.
Alright, its official, Matt Bomer is no longer just a pretty face. He's a pretty face that can seriously put together an outfit. Love the camel coat. Love the shoes. LOVE the purple scarf. What? I live in San Francisco.
Olivia Palermo absolutely knocked one out of the park with this ridiculously chic look. The cropped pants, leopard heels and bag are incredibly well chosen and the fur-trimmed, double-breasted jacket is beyond stunning.
Emma's look here is super cute, but simple enough to copy easily. I especially like the flashy red pants and the black and white striped scarf.
Model Imogen Morris-Clarke was captured on the street in New York wearing a phenomenal vintage YSL coat and varying shades of blue and black. I love the mixing of colors, fabrics and textures in this look.
First, why am I not in Paris right now??? Second, LOVE this look. A high-waisted skirt is a challenge to pull off but this bright little number paired with a crisp white button down and seriously hot heels make it work oh so well.
It's no secret that I adore outerwear - so there was no chance I wouldn't fall for this look. Knee-length, double-breasted camel colored coat with a matching scarf? AND leather gloves & pressed, hemmed slacks. Oh Milan.
Willem Dafoe was chic in all black with a dramatic broach-like decoration on the breast pocket of his overcoat. I also love the way they parted his hair for this look!
Adrien Brody in a phenomenal red brocade double-breasted coat with fur lapels and hippie-inspired round glasses.
Gary Oldman finished up the show in another great overcoat over a high white collar and great shoes.
Moi Contre La Vie 
