Voyage To Marrakech
A big Thank You to The Factory and The Evans Group for the unbelievable trip to Marrakech last week – Who knew that in the streets of SOMA you could escape to the market stalls of exotic Morocco?
Voyage To Marrakech is an evening inspired by Yves Saint Laurent’s glamorous 1970’s lifestyle in Moroco to showcase their Spring 2013 Collection. An illuminated nighttime Marrakech marketplace, with cocktails, food, and music, and live photoshoot presentation, featuring live vignettes inspired by iconic YSL iconic photographs.
Stylish San Franciscans flocked to our own personal Marrakech last week to celebrate The Factory’s new collection inspired by the love affaire that YSL had with Marrakech.
{The looks that evening ran the gamut from ultra modern to vintage inspired to came-straight-from-the-office}
{Cocktails, mannequins sporting Yves Saint Laurent-inspired frocks, friends reuniting, fortune tellers…}
{And the models showed off a phenomenal Spring 2013 collection filled with sleek, shimmering fabrics, vintage patterns & prints, luxurious metallics, faux fur, relaxed silhouettes, and fun accessories}
{I wore a long-sleeved, high-neck vintage shift dress, Zara ankle strap heels, and a fabulous gold necklace from Sasha Maks Vintage}
{Check out more photographs from this event here – Just log into Facebook to view}
This was the fifth event that I’ve had the honor of attending at The Factory, check out my posts on the previous events below:
MCLV Style: Factory Girl
This outfit is an oldie, but a goodie!
Things have been so hectic and non-stop since the beginning of September that I never got a chance to share with you the outfit that I put together for the pre-Fashion Week Fashion Mixer at The Factory in lovely SOMA.
{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}
{You can view this outfit on both Lookbook.nu and Pose}
{Check out more outtakes from this shoot here – just log into Facebook to view}
Despite the fact that I put this outfit together over a month ago it actually looks pretty Fall-ready with the black accents and these too cute Rebecca Minkoff booties. I love wearing skirts and dresses during the Fall with layers on top and cute tights on the bottom. I’ve got a pair of black & grey skull-print tights that are in my closet begging to be worn!
Do you like printed or colorful blazers? Are you strictly a pants person once the weather turns colder or do you like to wear skirts & dresses in the Fall?
Factory Fashion Mixer
Before heading to New York at the beginning of September I was lucky enough to start fashion month out right with a trip to The Factory for a Fashion Mixer with the lovely Sasha of Sasha Maks Vintage.
I was beyond thrilled to wear some more amazing vintage jewelry courtesy of Sasha Maks Vintage – Oversized pearls, thick gem encrusted golden strands, and animal head bangles {see other phenomenal pieces from this shop in the collaboration series Styling 101}.
{Check out the MCLV Style: Factory Girl post for more on this look!}
The evening was fun and festive with a DJ, open bar, photographers, and a group of people ready to enjoy themselves and learn a little something about The Evans Group’s Collection Developement Packages.
My favorite part was, per usual, the oh-so-cool atmosphere of The Factory – I love the exposed brick and being surrounded by racks and racks of gorgeous clothes while I’m socializing.
Such a great start to Fashion Month!
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!
Sasha Maks Vintage Jewelry Trunk Show
You had me at vintage jewelry…
Amirite?
I’ve mentioned The Factory in the past, I attended an opening last spring where I purchased one of my all time favorite coats, and I also joined them to celebrated the April Howard Capsule Collection this past December.
The setting is great – an airy, brick-walled loft space in SOMA, and this past Thursday it was once again crammed to the rafters with beautiful clothes. And swoon worthy jewelry.
{Oh, there were people there too. I think. I was busy.}
A special trunk show featuring Sasha Maks Vintage jewelry and all designs featured June 24th in Dior: A Life in Pictures. Shop the unique vintage costume jewelry collection that includes the best of 20th century designs by Dior, Chanel, Schiaparelli, Lanvin and a myriad of unsigned statement pieces.
Unfortunately I had been unable to attend the June 24th Christian Dior exhibit so this was a great chance to catch up on a few of the designs that I missed out on earlier. Beautiful clothing, vintage magazines and photographs, and a phenomenal layout.
I walked down to SOMA to photograph the event and browse the trunk show. And what does a girl wear to a trunk show?
{You can shop similar pieces by clicking these hyperlinks: Striped Pocket Sweater – Everyly via the seriously adorable North Beach boutique Annabella’s, Pleated Black Mini – Zara & Studded Peep-Toe Booties – Vince Camuto}
{Black & white + vintage jewelry, of course!}
After admiring the eye-candy and taking pictures, I dove head-first into the gorgeous collection of jewelry. I tried on Chanel charm bracelets, costume jewelry earrings, animal cuffs, giant enamel pendants… And then I was lucky enough to stumble upon a phenomenal tassel adorned lariat necklace designed by Jean Vendome.
It was love at first sight!
I couldn’t wait to take it for a spin so I threw together an outfit on Friday so that I would have an excuse to wear it immediately. I wanted something simple so that the drama of the necklace would be the central part of the look.
{You can shop similar pieces by clicking these hyperlinks: Maxi Dress – BCBGeneration, Nude Sandals – Vintage, Wrap Ring – JewelMint, Gold Wrap Bracelet – Forever 21 & Necklace – Vendome}
You can even check out my new necklace in this Elle Girl Japan editorial below.
Do you like to wear vintage jewelry? What’s your favorite vintage piece that you’ve collected over the years?
Blazing For Spring
In addition to my stripe obsession for Spring 2012, I’m also really feeling the bright blazer trend for this season (Spring 2012 Trends: What You Should Wear). There are some great versions out there, that I’ve seen in stores, in the pages of magazines, on blogs, walking down the street. From patterned and striped blazers perfect for updating a monochromatic look to denim or seersucker perfect for staying cool, there are more choices than even I can stock my closet with!
Brights:
A bright blazer can take an outfit from basic to anything but, so check out these women in their colored blazers and follow their lead – From classic navy to one-of-a-kind bright and bold colors.
Elisa embraces not only the floral trend for Spring, but takes her look to the next level by pairing her Dries Van Noten dress with a navy boyfriend blazer. J’aime!
Atlantic-Pacific is a vision in red, white, & blue. This is such a great, well put together look. The stripes look great with the red blazer and the bag brings everything together perfectly.
Not only is this a fun, flattering pink, the rolled sleeves are too cute – I love the visible striped cuffs.
This look is simple, but terribly chic. Basic maxi dress, blue boyfriend blazer, and one hell of a statement necklace. Add a personal touch or two, like rolling your sleeves up, and you’re good to go!
Prints & Patterns:
Feeling feisty? Why not pair a not-so-basic blazer with your outfit to spice things up sartorially? Bold patterns and prints are a great way to make your blazer unique this Spring and Summer.
Mad for plaid? This look is anything but boring with a plaid blazer being paired with denim cut-off shorts and a patterned pussy bow blouse.
I love polka dots and Liu Wen shows us just how to wear a fun, bold blazer in a low-key manner. She keeps the rest of her outfit basic and lets the blazer take center stage.
Such a cute, fresh look for Spring. Why not add a little floral to your life like Jules?
Stripes are a great way to go, and they can be amped up in a variety of different ways. Miss Knowles shows us just how to make a blazer nightlife appropriate in Gucci Gucci Gucci.
Summer Loving:
Not quite sure how to work a blazer into your warm-weather outfits? Check out how these ladies make a blazer work for them – paired with shorts, slim pants, and minis to keep you cool.
Kate King pairs her short-shorts with a navy single-button blazer for a great Summer look.
What says summer better than splashes of bright colors? Skip the little sun dress and try bright skinnies and a fun colored blazer!
A chic little blazer over a mini dress is the perfect way to deal with a breezy day. Or you can roll up the sleeves & pair with sandals on a warm day!
A brightly colored floral blazer with a sundress is a great way to stay and look cool!
White Hot:
If brights and stand-out prints aren’t your style, why not go for sleek 70’s elegance and glamour? Channel Bianca Jaggar, Halston, and Yves Saint Laurent in white blazers.
This white boyfriend blazer with the rolled sleeves is a little bit Miami Vice and a little bit Diane Keaton, and works quite well with her slouchy rolled pants and paisley blouse.
A white blazer (or white suit) is SUCH a statement look. Modern. Sharp. Smart. Fashionable.
This black, white, and red combo really makes her white blazer pop. This is a great example of a look that could easily go from day to night, just switch up the accessories and keep that white blazer on!
A white blazer doesn’t have to be boring, Be Frassy spices up her look with a neon top, statement jewelry, and fun platform sandals.
So what do you think? Are you ready to spice up your blazer collection and try something new and exciting for Spring/Summer 2012?
If You Like Stripes & You Know It Clap Your Hands – Clap Clap
As this Spring has progressed I’ve found myself pining over and adding more and more outfits containing striped pieces to my Looks of the Week posts.
I have to make a confession, I love stripes. Love.
Without a doubt, stripes are my favorite pattern. They’re my go-to when basic black is out of the question. I love adding a striped piece or two to an outfit to make it standout or to make it more distinctly me. And luckily, they’re always “in” during this season.
Whether you go nautical, classic, or dramatic and eye-catching, work some stripes into your wardrobe this Spring and Summer.
Dresses & Skirts:
Wearing a striped dress or skirt gives you a great starting place for your outfit, from there you can pile on layers of solids or even other stripes. You can make your look all black & white, you can add some color, you can keep it traditional and demure. The sky is the limit.
I really like how this dress mixes directionally different black & white stripes, it gives the dress an interesting and eye-catching quality that basic stripes wouldn’t have. I also love that she paired a cargo pocket Anorak with a chic work-style dress. It’s a great juxtaposition.
A flowy maxi dress is a relaxed but chic way to stay cool. This particular dress is especially cute since it incorporates the trends of brights and pleats for Spring.
A striped maxi skirt is a great option and I like the business style double-breasted blazer and the white Oxfords she paired with this, it’s a unique one-of-a-kind look.
A knit dress is perfect for warmer weather, as are the flats, sunnies & day clutch she added to her look. Cute & comfortable, what more could a girl ask for?
Jackets & Coats:
I really love striped outerwear, for both men and women. It’s a stylish way to top off an outfit and give it that great final touch, or you could even wear a fabulous striped coat as a dress!
Amazing! I love love love this coat. If you click on source below you can see some other looks that Atlantic-Pacific put together using this gorgeous J.Crew coat. This is the perfect standout piece, everyone should have a great statement coat like this in their repertoire.
This is a great striped jacket & shorts suit, absolutely to die for. And I love that she paired the black & white stripes with red & white polka dot platforms. Great finishing touch!
Truth be told, when I saw this Tinley Road blazer I immediately went online and ordered one for myself. 🙂 Enough said.
I seriously can’t get over these coats, they’re all so cute, so chic. I want one of each please!
Basics:
Adding a single striped piece to your look – for example a basic sweater or a pair of pants – is another great option. For those of you who are pattern-phobic wearing a single striped tank under your jacket or a cute pair of striped short-shorts with your T is going to be easier than wearing stripes head-to-toe. It gives you a chance to ease into it gradually.
This is the perfect type of blouse for summer, the fabric is lightweight and the fit is relaxed. You could easily pair this with shorts, jeans, or even a mini skirt, and stay cool all Summer long.
Seriously chic! I loved these pants from the moment that I saw them. They’re eye-catching and dramatic, but the look is still somehow relaxed and laid-back.
I also raved about Taylor Tomasi-Hill’s personal style here, during Milan Fashion Week Fall 2012.
Such a great, chic look. A basic striped sweated styled with great accessories that make the look anything but basic. The Glamourai doesn’t let the fact that she’s wearing stripes keep her from experimenting with other fabrics, textures, and prints.
This is a great look if you’re more of a tomboy than a girlie-girl. Its well put together and fashionable, without being over the top. You could easily switch out her mini satchel for a messenger bag or cross-body bag too, which would make it even more laid-back.
Brights:
In the mood for something colorful this season? Brightly colored stripes are a great way to add a splash to your outfits. Whether it’s a sweater or a scarf or a bag, fun striped pieces are a good way to make a look wholly your own.
Not only is she rocking that striped sweater like no body’s business, she’s right on trend with her bright red cropped pants. Too cute!
This adorable striped top showcases the versatility of stripes. Stripes & florals? No problem!
You can see more great looks from Miss Jones here, I raved about her fresh new style a few months ago when she was making the red carpet rounds.
I like that she didn’t try to match her jacket to her stripes here – The contrasting colors are bold and fun.
You can even pull stripes in with your accessories – A pice like this amazing neon necklace will add a much-needed shot of color to your looks for Spring.
DIY Neon Tassel NecklaceSource
And if you’re in the City by the Bay with me you’ll probably get a kick out of this piece from Refinery 29 on stripy San Francisco blogger fashion!
6 Girls, 1 Look: S.F.’s Blogger Babes Show Us How To Rock Stripes!
So tell me the truth, are you ready to rock some stripes?
Links You’ll Love
Health/Fitness:
Did you watch the recent 60 Minutes piece Is Sugar Toxic? Raise your hand if that guy scared you a little! I consider myself very well-informed when it comes to health and nutrition, and I don’t consume much sugar, but that guy was still creepy intense. Doesn’t mean the message was wrong though, to be sure, let’s just try to hear it from a different, more palatable source. The Difference in How Fructose and Glucose Affect Your Body from Kimberly Snyder, Do We Need Better Advice About Eating Well? I Vote Yes from Marion Nestle, and The Sugar Blockers Diet from Prevention.com.
Need some healthy snack ideas? Obviously you should reach for fresh fruit & veggies, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit before anything packages & processed, but sometimes you just need to throw something in your purse or keep in your desk in case of a snacking emergency. Check out the Hungry Hungry Hippie‘s suggestions or my Lollihop review. I’ll also be reviewing my Healthy Surprise box soon!
Are you a fan of yoga? Since I’m going through physical therapy for a back injury and trying to strengthen my core and stay flexible, I’m going to give it another try. Here are some beginner and not-so-beginner yoga sessions to give a try:
- Get a Calorie-Burning Workout With This Yoga Flow Series
- 10 Yoga Poses for Health Problems
- 8-Minute Workout: Yoga for Better Sleep
Did you enjoy Part I and Part II of the Mark’s Daily Apple series called Why Fast? that I posted here? The next installment in this series is a great beginners guide to fasting – Why Fast? Part Six – Choosing a Method.
Healthy motivation to start your week off right tomorrow! 4 Great Ways To Use Chia Seeds from Canadian Living, professional triathlete and author Brendan Brazier’s favorite ingredientsfrom leafy greens to pseudograins, seeds and nuts, and In Defense of Fat: 7 Surprising Facts from The Huffington Post.
Fashion:
As we get ready for Spring why not take inspiration from the Aussie’s who are finishing up their warm weather dressing – Sydney Snaps: Street Style From Down Under.
I read lots of pieces on how to be a good hostess – from menus to glasses to centerpieces, but I was excited to read this article from Apartment Therapy on Hosting Overnight Guests Without A Guestroom. San Francisco is a city of apartment living and when a one bedroom is usually over $2000 a month, most people don’t have an unused bedroom, so this is incredibly relevant!
Nothing but fabulousness from the arrivals at the Gucci Fashion Show After-Party in Shanghai. If you need inspiration for a night out on the town these ladies are a great place to start!
A great look for Spring is a crisp button down shirt. You can pair it with cropped pants, a pleated mini, over a flowy maxi dress or even tucked into jeans. And why not mix up the classic white button down and try a Chambray shirt. Do A Little Chambray! from Eat Breath Fashion.
Whether you’re breaking out your Spring dresses for weekends or planning a shopping trip for your Summer wedding season, take inspiration from FabSugar’s Ultimate Spring Dress Guide!
Roadtrippin’
Happy Monday, I hope that everyone had a great weekend!
I was lucky enough to get out of the city for a few days and drove three hours North of San Francisco to stay on the coast in a place called Sea Ranch. A long, long drive with a couple of stops, lots of snacking, and some killer views.
It was the first time that I’ve pulled my boxes of bathing suits and sumer clothes out of the closet this year. Other than vacations, I rarely wear beach gear so I really only keep a limited supply on hand and if specific events come up I tend to head to Union Square… For me warm weather means patterned maxi dresses, sandals, sundresses, and sarongs.
The drive up Highway 1 was curvy and nausea-inducing, but the highlight – aside from the views – was a quick stop at the Candy & Kites shop. Barrels upon barrels of delicious salt water taffy flavors, tons of old-school candy that you haven’t seen in years, and all the kites you could possibly imagine.
Once we arrived at the gorgeous house the fun really began – great wine, lovely company, quality hot tub time, walks along the bluff, games of corn hole, climbing down to the tide pools, tons of food, sitting on the deck getting sunburned…
But what weekend would be complete without a trip into the tiny local hamlet for a taste of the real Sonoma coast?
One of only a couple restaurants nearby is Bones Roadhouse – a fun and eclectic bar & restaurant with views of crashing waves and an interior that’s guaranteed to keep you entertained for as long as you hang out.
Fried oysters and chicken fried steak for the boys, strawberries for me, and Bloody Mary’s all-around!
But as far as I’m concerned, it’s not a vacation until you’ve had a Mai Tai. Family tradition.
Mission completed.
The trip home was foggy so the views weren’t as spectacular, but we did stop at Whole Foods for road trip snacks. Salad bar, rice chips, and mini vegan chocolate chip cookies.
YUM
It was definitely a weekend to remeber, and one I hope to be able to repeat again in the future. Have to say a quick thank you Danny & Kelsey for sharing their family house – the weekend couldn’t have been more enjoyable!
Links You’ll Love
Happy Earth Day!
I had a long, relaxing, amazing weekend away from the hustle and bustle of the city and I hope that you all enjoyed your weekends just as much.
Health/Fitness:
Trying to clean up your act this Spring? Check out FitSugar’s Easy Ways to Green Your Fitness and Daily Routineand Fit Bottomed Girls’ Behold the Power of Bamboo: 3 Eco-Friendly Fitness Goodies.
If you’re aiming for a healthier diet this Spring, it’s all about fresh fruits and vegetables! One Green Planet has you covered with one of the healthiest greens out there – Kale: Health Benefits, Tips and Recipes. They’ve got all the goods, from the rockstar health benefits to awesome recipes like Lentil-Kale Risotto and Roasted Sweet Potatoes w/ Shallots & Kale Ribbons. Or you can check out Holly Would If She Could’s No Fail Kale: 25 Delicious Recipes To Make Your Friends Green With Envy.
If you have a lemon tree in your yard this is the article for you – Glowing Lemon Hand Scrub & 11 Other Ways To Use Lemons from OhSheGlows.
I don’t know about you, but as soon as the weather warms up its all I can do to stay inside. That’s the only reason I ever took up running, to get out of the gym and enjoy my favorite city bathed in sunshine. Hiking, running, long walks – Any excuse to suck up some Vitamin D. Fit Bottomed Girls & FitSugar both agree – Getting Out in Nature Makes Me a Better Person & Outdoor Cardio Workout.
Try a new type of cookie next time you’re baking – one make with almond meal. Pure 2 Raw has a great gluten-free recipe for Almond Meal Chip Cookies that’s quick and easy – only 5 minutes of prep time! Or you can even try FitSugar’s surprisingly healthy Peanut Butter Oatmeal Raisin (and Bean!) Cookies.
Fashion:
Time to work some patterns into your wardrobe for Spring! Check out Beauty & the Budget’s Pattern of the Month, PLUS 6 Ways to Wear It.
There’s so much negativity in the world and it’s easy to slip into patterns of negativity and doubt. One of my major goals for 2012 is to really put an effort into Being Positive and approaching my life with joy and enthusiasm. Do you want to start your radical self-love journey? Gala Darling is here to help you get started on your journey to self-love. Not only does she have a Radical Self Love Bootcamp, she’s also helpfully provided us with a list of articles on the subject of self-love that you can read through on your own. Including 100 Ways You Can Start Loving Yourself Right Now, I Am Not Sorry, How To Be Confident, and How To Get Calm In A World Full Of Crazy!
Still wishing you were part of Coachella? Why not make yourself an Embellished Friendship Bracelet as a consolation prize? Trust me, they’re pretty perfect!
Need some inspiration for collecting and storing jewelry? Take a cue from Kayture‘s gorgeous collection! I love jewelry and I think it’s a vital part of any outfit that you’re putting together – I talked about some of the basics a girl should keep in her jewelry box in my Real Girls Need Real Closets & Real Girls Need Real Closets – Accessories Edition. I’ll also be doing an entire post dedicated to my collection soon, in the meantime the photo below is a sneak peek of what I have in store for you! 🙂
Interested in rompers and jumpsuits but not sure if you can pull them off, or even – gasp – whether you should even try? Check out FabSugar’s Yes, You Can Pull Off Jumpsuits and Rompers — 15 Real-Life Street Snaps to Show You How. These shots of real girls on the streets looking fabulous will definitely get you in the mood.
Links You’ll Love
Fashion:
Need a tutorial on mixing colors for Spring? Cristina’s Blog has the goods – Mixing Colours… Blue & Yellow.
If you love glamour and a slinky, retro vibe you’re bound to be a fan of Russian stylist, photographer, and designer Uliana Sergienko. Couture et Cuisine has a collection of phenomenal pictures of her here for your viewing pleasure.
If you’re in the market for a new girl crush I highly suggest checking out Modelinia’s Elisa Sednaoui Continues to Reign as Our #1 Girl Crush or Vogue UK’s catwalk piece on the stunning Jourdan Dunn. So hard to choose!
Curious what the fashion industry is up to between the shows? Here are some of the recent events and launches: The New Museum’s 35th Anniversary Gala, The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Dinner, H&M’s 2012 Conscious Collection hit stores 12 April 2012, get a tour of Rachel Roy’s office, The 9th Annual New Yorkers for Children event, and, as I’m sure you’ve heard, Raf Simons from Jil Sander has replaced the disgraced John Galliano at Christian Dior.
Check out this casual, cool look from Coachella queen Kate Bosworth on Frugal Fashionista to get you in the mood for the music festival. If you need for inspiration read my Hippie 2012 Breakdown for everything you’ll need for Coachella!
Health/Fitness:
Marion Nestle is an author, professor & nutritional expert who has written books, chaired government committees, and writes a column for the San Francisco Chronicle. Her blog, Food Politics, always has great posts on food, nutrition, grocery shopping, farming, buying organic, meat processing… I highly recommend checking out the following pieces:
- USA Today interview on Why Calories Count
- Nutritionist’s Notebook: Caffeine Cravings
- “Pink Slime:” Some questions about what’s really at stake
- The Dilemma of Pink Slime: Cost or Culture?
I found myself nodding along to Choosing Raw’s Building a Better Snack: Vegan Oatmeal Raisin Snack Bars. Sometimes you want something quick and easy to snack on, but when you read the ingredients in products you realize that there are very limited healthy processed options. Making your own snack bars (or energy bites) are great options! Next week I’ll be sharing my energy bite recipe or you can try Choosing Raw’s Super Speedy, No Bake Omega-3 Vegan Snack Bars, Hungry Hungry Hippie’s Peanut Banana Oatmeal Bars, or OhSheGlow’s Homemade Banana Bread Larabars.
7 April Superfoods from The Huffington Post – All in green and red!
Still looking for great breakfast ideas for Spring? I’ve shared overnight oats recipes and smoothiesgalore, what about breakfast porridge? Check out Chatelaine’s Gluten-free recipe: Sweet breakfast porridge with fresh toppings.
Have you read about or tried intermittent fasting? These are both interesting reads: Dr Michael Eades, M.D.’s Could intermittent fasting or caloric restriction make the heart more resistant to damage? and Stop Eat Stop.
Do you workout with your significant other? Do you want to…? I suggest taking a look at Rachel Wilkerson’s piece Living In Sin: How CrossFit Has Helped My Relationship, Holly Would If She’s Could’s CrossFit Love: How Sharing Fitness Has Improved My Relationship, or my post Health & Your Relationship.
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:
MCLV Fashion & Lessons In Self Portraits
While I originally strove for the impossible here – i.e. decent looking self portraits – I decided to give this another attempt this past week. I’ve been having a lot of fun with my fashion choices lately and wanted to share it with you guys as best I can.
Pocket tunic - Express, Pants - DKNY, Sweater - Banana Republic, Boots - Can't remember & Jewelry - Vintage (Belle Cose)
A tunic over slim pants is one of my favorite silhouettes and I adore layering vintage gold jewelry so I really love this type of look. These boots, that I got years and years ago, are my current favorites – I like the thick heel because they’re incredibly comfortable, while the buckles give them a bit of a rock n’ roll feel.
Dress - BCBG, Jewelry- JewelMint & Vintage, Wristlet - Mango & Shoes - MaddenGirl
This colors in this dress are perfect for Spring while the subtle pattern is fresh and eye-catching. Styling it is fun because of the different ways that you can go – In January I went with a bright red coat, tights, and black pumps during the 10 Day Style Challenge. These new MaddenGirl shoes are really comfortable and I’m absolutely mad about them right now.
I always feel like Inspector Gadget when I wear bucket hats! 🙂
Coat - H&M, Booties - BCBG, Jewelry - Tiffany's & Hat - GAP
A belted jacket is such a great, classic look when its chilly out. No matter the occasion, day or night, a great coat can finish your look. It gives your outfit an overall air of polish.
Skirt - Zara, Tank - Anthropology, Booties - Max Studio & Bag - Givenchy
I love pleated skirts and excitedly picked up three for this Spring season. This black one is incredibly versatile, it can be worn with tights and boots when its colder out or with sandals and a tank during warmer weather.
Unfortunately we’re still suffering through day after day of rain here in San Francisco, so despite my desire to pull out all of my Spring clothes I’m still very much in winter mode from a wardrobe standpoint.
Have you switched to your Spring clothes & accessories yet?
St. Patty’s Day & Green For Spring
Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone!
I’ve loved this holiday since I was a kid. I still remember my “Kiss Me I’m Irish” pin that I wore in Elementary school and gleefully pinching my unsuspecting classmates who forgot to wear their green. Those innocent traditions may have been replaced with green cocktails and pub-crawls, but my love of the holiday hasn’t diminished any over the years.
And since green is my favorite color AND brights, colorblocking, and neons are right on trend for Spring 2012, I wanted to share with you some of my favorite green picks for this upcoming season.
A green dress, either in a solid or a colorful print, is a great, versatile piece for Spring. Pair with tights & a cropped jacket when it’s nippy out or with sandals, a 70’s inspired hat, and huge sunnies.
Midi Dress with Embellished Bugs - $135 @ Asos.com
Donna Morgan Colorblock Crêpe de Chine Dress - $140 @ Nordstrom
DVF Karin Printed Tie Waist Dress - $400 @ Bloomingdale's
A green top or jacket is a chic way to add some green to your look without being overwhelmed. Jeans with a cute blouse or a pair of Capri pants with a t-shirt and a green jacket are both great, low-key styles for Spring.
Shrunken Boyfriend Blazer - $90 @ Asos.com
Embroidered Blouse With Peter Pan Collar - $55 @ Asos.com
Fantasy Blazer - $130 @ Zara
Colorful accessories are a great way to inject some color into your look without venturing into all-over-color territory. Subtle and easy! You can also pair multiple hues in a single look if you’re sure to keep the rest of the outfit neutral.
Retro Style Sunglasses - $35 ($20 on sale) @ Mango
Kate Spade New York Shopper - $180 @ Bloomingdale's
Printed Crochet scarf by Echo - $50 @ Piperlime
Sperry Top-Sider® 'Montauk' Leather Boat Shoe - $90 @ Nordstrom
Sabine Beaded Statement Necklace - $25 @ Piperlime
Are you liking the green for Spring trend? Which piece is your favorite?
Reader Request: Heels For Spring
MCLV reader Hayley is a girl who knows just what she wants:
Caity. Where, oh WHERE can I get some of those strappy heels that are ALL over your blog? You know… The ones with just one strap across the toe and a buckle strap around the ankle. I’ve looked high and far throughout Arizona and I am losing my shoe-lovin’ mind!
I know just want you mean! It can be incredibly frustrating when you can’t find exactly what you’re looking for, especially when you seem to be able to find pictures all over the place of people wearing them. And just so that we’re all on the same page, this is an example of the style shoe she had in mind:
While the Tibi sandal above is gorgeous, almost $400 for a pair of sandals is quite a bit of dedication to a colorful style that may or may not be back next season. Here are some similar styles as the one above in a variety of price ranges, so hopefully everyone can find something that they like and that suits their plans for the warm weather ahead.
Enjoy!
Boutique 9 Linya T Strap Wedges - $140 @ Bloomingdale's
For some Spring & Summer activities a high heel is ill-advised – boats, walks, picnics, any activities that include grass… In those instances a wedge is a great alternative since it’s more stable to walk in, though I still advise that you try them on first so you can see if the height works for you in advance. Wedges are also a great choice to wear with a maxi dress or skirt, as heels can get caught in the hem.
HAYDEN Heeled Sandals with Ankle Strap - $90 @ Asos.com
A thicker heel like in the two examples above can also give you more support than a stiletto heel, but these retain more of the classic high heel shape than the wedge sandals do. I love these thicker heels with cropped or Capri pants, they balance out a trouser leg really well.
Lookglobal - $90 @ Nine West
Judith by Luxury Rebel - $125 @ Piperlime
However, if you have hot summer nights ahead of you and you’re in the mood for a sexy heel, the three shoes above are just the way I’d go. They’re fun and flirtatious but retain the laid back feel of a classic warm weather sandal. Pair them with a pleated skirt, basic T and cropped blazer or cardigan and you’re ready for a night on the town!
So tell me, which pair do you like best?
P.S. Check out Hayley’s blog – ArmyPaisley.
Looks of the Week
Pretty! Pretty! Pretty!
Welcome back to Fashion Monday, we’ve got quite a bit to get through this afternoon, believe me. 2012 Oscar after parties, red carpets, movie premieres and good old fashion street style snaps.
Perfect Spring look! I love the mixture of stripes and black & white florals, simple but chic combination that we've been seeing lately.
A brightly striped dress with a pink blazer & combat boots? A surprisingly great combination. Combat boots with a slight feminine twist are all the rage right now.
Another great look from Lookbook.nu - I like the rolled black pants with all of the layers on top, it's a silhouette that can be spiced up in many different ways and is flattering for most people.
Long-time model turned actress Amber Valletta wore a gorgeous, bright coral sheath that accentuated her slim figure. Could have used some standout costume jewelry though...
Its sleek and flattering, and suits her red carpet personality to a T. What more could you ask for from Roons?
Kate knows what suits her and frequently sticks to a mermaid silhouette for her gowns, and while this isn't a huge departure for her, the pale icy blue hue is really stunning.
I really liked Anne Heche's Zac Posen dress - the sleeves, neckline and slightly flared were all great touches. Would have been even better in a vibrant color I bet.
I adore the idea of a suit on the red carpet and this Giorgio Armani version is an inspired choice. I especially like the white piping, it keeps the look from being boring or too business-y.
I love the unexpected when it comes to red carpet fashion. It's always fun when someone has the courage to mix things up, which is just what Kate Beckinsale did with this draping fuchsia Diane Von Furstenberg jumpsuit. Brava!
Zoe proved she's as ready for Spring as I am in this sweet floral frock. Balmain is frequently a little bit punk or rock n' roll so I was surprised that this light & airy dress was one of their creations.
I'm not normally an advocate for bow ties, but I couldn't help but love the satin piping & vest here. Well done.
Sleek and sexy isn't just for the ladies! You've got to love a man in a perfectly tailored suit.
Barney (aka Neal Patrick Harris) and his adorable husband looked elegant and well styled for the Elton John after party.
The most talked about look from the Vanity Fair part was definitely Kate Bosworth's Prabal Gurung Fall 2012 cocktail dress. Absolutely amazing.
As much as I hate peekaboo hemlines I gasped when this photo popped up. Striking & unusual - Zoe's never one to fade into the background. The jeweled neckline & delicate sleeves make the dress appear almost demure despite the sheer layering.
Miss Victoria vamped it up Posh Spice-style in one of her own designs. Tres chic!
I'm a sucker for polka dots and was really struck by Elizabeth Banks's peacock inspired Chadwick Bell gown. All about the drama!
The number of people who can pull off an exposed bra on the red carpet can be counted on one hand. Diane, luckily, is one of them. Wow!
Gorgeous! Can you ever go wrong with a sleek black Gucci gown? I especially like her gold collar and the dramatic belt.
Sleek and stunning. Rosie can really kill in complex, fashion-forward gowns but she's a breath of fresh air in a simple look like this one.
Anna Paquin's Emilio Pucci dress was dramatic and head-turning, I think she chose right by going with a cocktail-length rather than floor-length gown.
There weren't a lot of black gowns on the red carpet last night, lots of jewel tones, pastels and whites, but not much black. Nina Dobrev made a splash in this simple J.Mendel gown, I especially like the cut-outs at the shoulders.
While Karolina Kurkova doesn't need much to stand out, in a sea of gowns her sequin encrusted silver Armani jumpsuit was quite a sight. The red velvet shoes were a brilliant choice.
Links You’ll Love
Fashion:
It’s that time again… Time for all the new ad campaigns for Spring 2012 that make us swoon and wish the weather would hurry up so we can throw on sundresses and gorgeous resort wear. Sigh. Tom & Lorenzo have the lowdown on Valentino, Harper’s Bazaar previews the fabulous Burberry video featuring Poppy’s younger sister Cara Delevingne, Mama’s A Rolling Stone has gorgeous photos from the 2012 campaigns for Lanvin, Chloe and Balenciaga, and My Dress.My High Heels.My Style shows off the Proenza Schouler Spring/Summer 2012 Ad Campaign with the lovely, tan Natasha Poly, a breathtaking Mila Kunis for Christian Dior Spring/Summer 2012 and great mixing and matching of prints in the DKNY Spring/Summer 2012 Ad Campaign where Ashley Greene giving great face on New York rooftops.
Looking for something light and entertaining to read this weekend? Try Simon Doonan’s Gay Men Don’t Get Fat, see Harper’s Bazaar’s review here. Not your typical fashion tome, that’s for sure.
Need some ideas for comfy clothes and cozy accessories as this latest cold weather front moves through? WhoWhatWear has the breakdown on outerwear worn by everyone from Ashley Olsen to Rooney Mara, Frugal Fashionista has the lowdown on snowboots under $100 and FabSugar has 5 ideas on how to mix and match your feminine, warm-weather wear with cozy pieces for winter.
Need some extras to finish up your daily looks these days? 10 sweet winter accessories under $50, China Glaze creates a Hunger Games inspired line of nail polish, 7 pairs of nerd-chic glasses and leopard print scarves.
Health & Fitness:
Personally, I don’t own a scale, I’m much more interested in how my clothes fit. One reason? Muscle mass is important for your health. Is bulking up at the gym one of your fears? Fit Bottomed Girls discuss common fitness fears.
The girls over at Tone It Up give great daily updates – check out their great suggestion to keep you healthy and moving all day at work. Need some more motivation to get you going? FitSugar has you covered with quotes and mottos to get you up and out the door.
I can’t decide what I want to make first next weekend: FitSugar’s black & white bean sweet potato soup, The Wannabe Chef’s tofu stirfry or The Hungry Hungry Hippie’s clean food cornbread.
Looking to add some new foods to your diet to increase your health? You could try hemp seeds, antioxidant-rich foods, green monster salads, “cheesy” veggie quinoa Quiche and some of the newly popularized superfoods of 2011.
Hope you had a great weekend!
The Factory Presents April Howard
Have you ever seen the bolts of fabric that are used to make the clothes that you love? Or gotten a chance to look through the black & white sketches that become your favorite pieces? Or sorted through the jars of buttons that will be sewn onto your favorite coat? A dear friend has given me the unique opportunity to witness this initial stage of the clothes making process as he works with the talented Jennifer Evans of the The Evans Group.
But, what do you do when the clothes are made? You celebrate of course! And to celebrate The Factory and CODE Salon hosted a cocktail party to show off their new collection in collaboration with April Howard.
Debuting in 2010 during New York Fashion Week at the Lincoln Center, April Howard earned praise from national press including WWD, Seventeen, and The Bristol Observer.
“My organic shapes and details are representative of discarded items, melting plastic, and rubber found around us in these urban wastelands we find ourselves in,” Howard says of her aesthetic.
So what’s a girl who loves fashion to do when she receives an invitation like this one? She gets all dressed up, finds a taxi, and drags her extremely accommodating boyfriend to SOMA for some eye candy.
Oh, and she takes LOTS of pictures.
{I mean… Gorgeous clothes, a chic salon, beautiful models and vino? I’m there!}
The clothes from April Howard’s collection of original pieces under The Factory label were phenomenal {seen above in sketches & photographs} and the young ladies modeling them were stunning. The Factory is on the ground floor and filled to the brim with sewing machines, dressmaking mannequins, and rack upon rack of clothing. While the second floor of the building is occupied by CODE Salon, a cool SOMA loft space that last night was filled with models, make up artists, hairdressers, photographers, patrons, and one hardworking DJ.
Overall it was quite an evening. As a fashion lover I can say that I was not disappointed by my first chance to get up close and personal with the photographing of a collection. A big thank you to The Factory and CODE Salon for including me last night!
{You can see my initial post about The Factory here if you’d like any additional background}
Paris Fashion Week Spring 2012: Part I
The final of the four major fashion weeks was in Paris and without further ado, let’s get onto the clothes!
Leave it to Alexander McQueen's Sara Burton to take a conservative suit and serve it up with corsets, ruffles, bondage masks and gladiator wedges. Well done.
Louis Vuitton was sweet and candy-coated compared to last seasons' dark hued S&M themed show. Easter egg colors, girlie silhouettes and lacey fabrics.
SourceAlso, Marc was able to get the new Mrs. Jamie Hince to walk his runway again, check out the video here.
Miu Miu started dark but my favorite looks were from the airy second half like this one, which included a beige lace dress with a crocheted cape/coat and satiny slippers.
Valentino was all about dresses and continue to play on the prim & proper cuts done in naughty sheer fabric that they touched on last season. These gowns will definitely be making some red carpet appearances in the coming months.
Karl created an underwater paradise for Chanel this season, complete with Florence Welch singing in a half shell. The collect was a sleek and modern take on classic Chanel, with beautifully cut suits and intricate dresses.
YSL was, in a word, wearable. Easy separates in sumptuous fabrics and gorgeous jewel tones. I could see virtually every piece of this collection walking down the street.
Clare Waight Keller kept things light and classic Chloe for her first collection, but I have to admit, my favorite part was the accessories!
Giambattista Valli was a mix of decadent brocades, marabou feathers and metallic prints. This coat dress was one of my favorites, I love the mix of florals and muted color-blocking.
Stay tuned for the Part II of the Paris collections.
Moi Contre La Vie 