Links You’ll Love
Fashion:
You’ve got your dress, you’ve picked up the perfect shade of lipstick for your pout, now what to do with your hair? Harper’s Bazaar has some fabulous ideas with their Holiday Hair Ideas – Celebrity Inspired Holiday Hair Ideas.
If you’re a makeup lover then you’ll adore this post & all of the color inspiration – Spring 2014 Color Trends.
The runways were filled with sheer hemlines last season but sometimes it’s hard to see how these beautiful trends can be translated to the street. Wonder no longer! The Sartorialist – If You’re Thinking About…… Sheer Hems.
If you loved my latest MCLV Stye File: Miranda Kerr in Victoria Beckham post you’re adore all of the fabulous Miranda Kerr looks featured on My Dress My High Heels My Style – Miranda Kerr in 3.1 Phillip Lim & Balenciaga {Left} and Miranda Kerr in Proenza Schouler {Right}.
Haven’t gotten enough shopping yet this year? Check out Mama’s A Rolling Stone’s Your Holiday 2012 Shopping Guide for some more tips & sales for the remaining days of 2012.
Health & Fitness:
Tis the season for… Getting really really sick. Having recently been taken down by a stomach flu I’m reminded how the cold, wet weather makes this the season for the cold, the flu, and other holiday-ruining ailments. So help boost your immune system this season with Green Thickie’s Cold and Flu Busting Coconut and Orange Smoothie.
Adorable workout clothes are a great way to get yourself motivated for a gym session. Don’t believe me? Just take a look at these cute duds over at NYC Pretty.
Taking your lunch to work is a great way to not only save a few dollars, but to ensure that you have healthy options to choose from for your lunch and for your midday snacking. If you’re just starting this practice or you’re running out of tasty choices check out Women’s Health’s 10 Healthy Lunch Ideas.
There are an endless number of delicious options out there for festive holiday cookies but one of my favorites this season has been Peas And Thank You’s Candy Cane Crinkle Cookies.
Given the chatter around the recent ballot measure relating to organic food, GMO, and labeling I thought that this piece from Mark’s Daily Apple was particularly relevant right now – 7 Foods You Don’t Need to Buy Organic.
Links You’ll Love
Fashion:
If you adored the leather-sleeved trench coat that Saucy Glossie sported in New York City last week {see Looks of the Week} than I have juuust the article for you – Shop The Look: Trenches Flirting With Leather!
What’s better way to enjoy your Fall clothes & accessories than with clean, well-organized, swoon-worthy closets? Seasonal Shift: Inspiring & Attainable Organized Coat Closets
While the House of Valentino is known for their showstopping awards season gowns and lipstick red dresses, it’s also known for sending sweet, girly frocks down the runway that leave many a girl sighing with desire – Fairy Tales & Fantasies.
Checking out pictures of street style and every day fashion from a city is a great way to familiarize yourself with the local styles as well as decide what you’re interested in adding to your closet for the upcoming season. Check out the latest installment of 4 Cities, 4 Looks, 4 Climates: Fall Edition from StyleList and learn everything you need to know about New York City fashion.
No matter what kind of shoes you’re in the market for this Fall there are some fun, flashy choices out there, so why not give metal toe caps a chance? Onto My Wardrobe’s Metal Cap Toe.
Health & Fitness:
One of the great things about Fall is that the stores fill up with delicious new produce, but don’t be intimidated by trying to cook something new, there are ways to learn! If you want to tackle a new type of squash check out Eat, Live, Run’s Perfect Roasted Acorn Squash.
Another amazing squash that you should get your hands on this Fall is the spaghetti squash. Now sure where to start? Peas And Thank You has the answer with her Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai!
Sometimes what you NEED is comfort food. And nothing else will do. So why not try a healthier version of your favorite calorie-laden dish and see that you can satisfy those needs with something a little more nutrition? 5 Comfort Food Makeovers from Ellie Krieger
Did Friday’s Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show post get you in the mood to sweat it out at the gym? Me too. So why not take some training advice from one of the gentlemen who helps the stunning Alessandra Ambrosio prepare for this fabulous runway show each year? Victoria’s Secret Workout: Runway Legs With Trainer Justin Gelband
Getting enough and the right kind of energy is important to fuel a great workout. Not only what you eat, but when you eat it are things to consider in advance – How to fuel for your workout properly and pre-workout superfood energy bites!
Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2012 – Angels Off Duty
What better way to celebrate the annual Victoria’s Secret runway show than by enjoying the backstage, behind the scene, and candid shots captured and shared on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest this year?
I covered the show last year {Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show} and I’m covering it again this year – Why, do you ask? Well as much as I adore fashion, runway shows, and Fashion Month, there’s something wholly unique about the VSFS – It’s fun, playful, outrageous, and always features some of my favorite models.
So scroll down for some amazing shots of not only the performers – Rihanna, Bruno Mars & Justin Bieber – but the stunning Karlie Kloss, Candice Swanepoel, Lily Donaldson, Alessandra Ambrosio, Adriana Lima, Jourdan Dunn, Hilary Rhoda, Behati Prinsloo, Cara Delevingne, Liu Wen, Lindsay Ellingson, Constance Jablonski, Joan Smalls, Toni Garrn, Lily Aldridge, Jessica Hart, Erin Heatherton, Doutzen Kroes, Miranda Kerr… The list goes on. And on. And on.
So without further ado…
There were some very lucky fashion bloggers at this event, in addition to Derek Blasberg and Bryan Boy – pictured above – Julie Sarinana of Los Angeles based Sincerely Jules, Chiara Ferragni from the Italian fashion blog The Blonde Salad, and Chriselle Lim of The Chriselle Factor, also based in Los Angeles, were all lucky enough to attend the show. Read about their experiences here:
- Sincerely Jules’s Victoria Secret Fashion Show ’12 // BACKSTAGE
- The Blonde Salad’s Victoria’s Secret 2012 fashionshow: backstage
The Chriselle Factor’s Victoria’s Secret Backstage 2012
Are you still in the mood for more photographs, videos, and interviews from the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show? Check out the following links: Vogue UK’s Victoria’s Secret Show Newcomers Make Their Debut, Harper’s Bazaar’s Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show: Behind the Scenes, Marie Claire’s Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2012, and Grazia’s Victoria’s Secret: Backstage with Rihanna, Justin Bieber and Cara Delevingne.
All photographs are from my Pinterest Board – Models Being Models – Click on them to be taken to Pinterest
MCLV Style: Animalistic
Northern California is all about layering during the Fall – The mornings may start off foggy with a chill in the air only to end up in the mid seventies with the sun beating down on you by lunchtime. Since moving to San Francisco I’ve become something of a self-taught layering expert.
{You can shop similar pieces by clicking these hyperlinks: Leopard Knit Moto Jacket – Express, Siren Skinny Jeans – Victoria’s Secret, Black Tunic Tank – Club Monaco, (faux) Patent Leather Chainlink Bag – Express, Gold Geometric Bracelet – BCBG & Over-The-Knee Seude Boots – Chinese Laundry}
{You can view this outfit on both Lookbook.nu and Pose}
{Check out outtakes from this shoot here – Just log into Facebook to view}
This ended up being the perfect amount of layers, I could easily unzip the moto jacket to get some air, and take it off completely when it got too warm. We spent the day wandering around Sonoma Square and enjoying wine tastings, window shopping, and a tasty lunch at The Girl And The Fig.
Do you like to wear multiple lighter-weight layers when the weather starts to get colder in the Fall/Winter? Or do you prefer to wear thicker outerwear during the chillier seasons?
MCLV Style: Sergeant Pepper
This past weekend we participated in one of my favorite San Francisco Saturday morning rituals – A lazy walk along the bustling, sun-drenched Embarcadero to the Ferry Building Farmers Market. The vendors, shops & food stalls are amazing, the people watching & street performers are hilarious, and the view is unparalleled.
{You can shop similar pieces by clicking these hyperlinks: Sgt. Pepper Coat – H&M, Cropped Black Leggings – Victoria’s Secret, Bow Ballet Flats – H&M, Tortoise Shell Sunglasses – Aldo, Star Cocktail Ring – BCBGMAXAZRIA via Bloomingdale’s, Spiked Bracelet – ASOS & Shoulder Bag – OASAP}
{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}
I ordered this handbag after swooning over Smile For Style‘s bag a few weeks ago {included in this Looks of the Week post} and I’ve been quite pleased with my first OASAP purchase. I’ve always loved High Street Fashion and shopped online at UK-based sites like Asos, Miss Selfridge & Topshop, so I’m thrilled to add another British store to my list.
Personally, I’m of the mindset – Why run errands in your workout gear if you can throw on a chic coat and make a stylish morning of it? Do you have a weekend uniform when you’re running errands? Will you keep your workout gear on when you go out into public or change into street clothes?
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:
Links You’ll Love – NYFW Edition
Welcome to the New York Fashion Week edition of our Sunday Links You’ll Love posts. This week will be all about New York Fashion – From the style on the streets to tips from the models who walked the runways to beauty & skin products that have been tested.
Fashion:
It’s always fun to see the developing trends that emerge from the tents – Patterns, silhouettes, color scheme – 12 Fresh Trends With Serious Staying Power.
A big part of who’s wearing what is their accessories – The bags they’re carrying, the sunglasses they picked, the jewelry that was added, the hats they chose, the lipstick color that was worn – Fall Fashion Accessories for NYFW Spring 2013 – What to Wear to Fashion Week.
What the fashion insiders, models, bloggers, and Hollywood stars are wearing on the streets, to the shows, and at the afterparties of NYFW is nearly as important – and photographed – as what the designers send down the runways. Refinery 29 – What 5 Top Editors Are Wearing To NYFW.
Vogue offers a video overview of New York Fashion Week – This Is New York: A Look Back at Fashion Week Spring 2013.
Health & Beauty:
As far as I’m concerned the products that the Fashion Week attendees use to keep their skin and hair healthy during one of the most intense and hectic times of the year are worth knowing about. Fashion Indie and WhoWhatWear certainly seem to agree:
- Beauty: How To Survive Fashion Week
- What We Pack: Fashion Week Beauty Essentials
- Anatomy Of A Fashion Week Beauty Look
Curious how the models prepare for and survive four weeks of Fashion Weeks twice a year? Check out this Harper’s Bazaar piece featuring Supers Natasha Poly, Jourdan Dunn, Arizona Muse, Miranda Kerr, and Candice Swanepoel talking healthy breakfasts, workouts, and must have beauty products – Top Models’ Secrets Revealed.
Horrifying! If you want to learn to appreciate your figure better read this scary account of some of the horrifying things that models do to stay thin from Refinery 29 – The Dangerous Lengths Some Models Go To Stay Skinny.
What’s your favorite part about New York Fashion Week? What do you look forward to most about the shows?
MCLV Style: Date Night
There’s an important Friday night ritual that I’d like to share with you – It’s called Date Night. It involves great wine, great food, and great company.
And a cute dress doesn’t hurt.
{You can shop similar pieces by clicking these hyperlinks: Multi-Color Dress – Victoria’s Secret, Heeled Purple Sandals – Lauren by Ralph Lauren, Nude Wristlet – Mango, Textured Gold Cuff – Ann Taylor, Star Cocktail Ring – BCBG & Art Deco Earrings – Zara}
{You can HYPE this look on Lookbook.nu}
Check out more outtakes from this shoot here – just log into Facebook to view
This is what I wore for my recent trip to Park Tavern SF on Washington Square Park. Our dinner was on the earlier side since I was leaving for NYC bright and early the next day and since it was still light out we decided to take a few shots in the park. We got some pretty funny looks as Sean was directing me so that we could try to get pictures without loungers in the background – but the killer Malbec once we got inside more than made up for it!
Do you like to dress to the nines for date night? Maybe every once in a while? What’s your standard going-out-to-dinner get up for a Friday or Saturday night during the Summer?
MCLV Style: Vacation Maxi
Did you enjoy the first post from the new Styling 101 series that I posted on Tuesday? It was a lot of fun to style and photograph so I hope it got you in the mood for some yacht-chic gear for America’s Cup!
With this week – and Summer – on the verge of being over I thought today would be a good day for some sun worshipping fashion. So welcome to another MCLV Style post where we will be discussing vacations. Primarily because I refuse to let go of Summer.
{Peacock Print Maxi Dress – Victoria’s Secret, Gold Sandals – Forever 21, Sunglasses – Vintage, Clutch – BCBGeneration, Gold Leaf Necklace – Vintage, Bangles – Vintage, H&M & Zara}
{You can HYPE this look on Lookbook.nu, shop similar pieces on ASOS Fashion Finder, or click the hyperlinks above to shop comparable pieces and visit store websites}
Check out more outtakes from this shoot here – just log into Facebook to view
I wish that these shots had been taken on a tropical island somewhere with waves crashing nearby and umbrella drinks chilling just out of reach instead of in my “backyard.” I use sarcastic quote marks because I live in San Francisco. Land of small kitchens and no grass. Le sigh. Clearly someone is in desperate need of a vacation, and luckily for this someone, I’m heading to New York City this weekend for the much anticipated IFBCON.
What do you like to wear when you’re on vacation? Obviously it depends on the destination, but nothing says tropical vacation to me more than a maxi, what about you?
The Dress Dilemma
Last week my I decided to have photographs taken and since I’ve used the fabulous Rhiannon from Alloria Winter Studios before and was beyond thrilled with the results, I immediately went to her for a session. I also have a go-to stylist whom I’ve been using for years, the amazing Magdalena formerly of 77 Maiden Lane, now of the Joseph Cozza Salon.
As it turned out, picking the photographer and the salon for hair & make up were the easy parts. What ended up taking me forever was choosing what I should wear for the shoot! I really wanted to wear something different from my usual so I immediately nixed the idea of wearing black.
What did that leave me?
Apparently green.
I narrowed it down to the following bright, Summery dress options:
[1.] The Maxi Dress:
Taking the beautiful Rachel Pally maxi dress worn here by Liz from Late Afternoon as my inspiration I toyed with the idea of wearing this Victoria’s Secret maxi that I got for a vacation in Thailand a few years ago.
[2.] The Tiered Dress:
The gorgeous, and now famous, green satin gown donned by Keira Knightley in Atonement was another look that I had in mind as I was digging through the racks at BCBG a few weeks ago.
And I was thrilled when I discovered this dress at the 50% off 4th of July Sale! It’s a beautiful, bright green color and the cut is relaxed and low-key rather than
[3.] The Mini Dress:
And since my BCBG addiction is second only to Zara, I picked another BCBG dress as an option for the shoot. I liked the idea of something cute and Summery, rather than serious and dramatic.
Clearly, I have green on the brain. As a blue-eyed, pale skinned, red-head, vibrant shades of green are usually a pretty good choice for me. When I was starting to plan this outfit I put together the following mood board for inspiration.
{Shop similar pieces over at ASOS Fashion Finder}
And since I didn’t want to have to deal with heels sinking into the grass during the photo shoot I opted to go with sandals rather than tall girl shoes.
Below is a sneak peek from our first photo shoot.
What do you think? The green stood out really well and I was thrilled by how well our photographer captured us despite the awful weather.
Listing…
Everyone seems to be in the mood for lists right now. A handful of bloggers that I adore have published list posts lately: The Life & Lessons of Rachel Wilkerson’s What I’ve Been Eating, What I’ve Been Reading, What I’ve Been Writing, What I’ve Been Wearing, Holly Would If She Could’s 16 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Me, and SnackFace’s This Week’s Sounds, Scents, Sips, Snacks & Sights…
And with my hectic schedule lately, both at work and personally, I’ve been living and dying by my daily To Do lists. First thing in the morning I make a list of all the things that need to get done that day and before I leave the office for the day I take the list of tasks and put them in chronological order. Don’t worry, I’m not going to share my daily To Do lists with you. I thought I’d take a cue from my blogging idols though and share some of the details of what’s going on in my life these days.
What I’ve Been Eating:
I didn’t do a great job following a healthy diet in April or May, as I confessed, so I’ve been doing my best to rectify that over the last few weeks. Tons of fruits and veggies, and smoothies galore. Green smoothies, berry-based smoothies, and even peanut butter smoothies. Yum!
What I’ve Been Reading:
My boyfriend’s mother insisted that I read The Botticelli Secret by Marina Fiorato, and I ended up reading all 544 pages over the course of a weekend because I couldn’t put it down. Botticelli’s Primavera has been my favorite painting of his since I saw it in Florence when I was 21 so I was especially drawn to the storyline. I’ve also just finished Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think by Brian Wansink and was stunned by how much I related to each and every study that he discussed. Definitely keep an eye out for a Book Report on this! I’ve also just started Add More -Ing to Your Life: A Hip Guide to Happiness by Gabrielle Bernstein, which isn’t a self-help book – I swear – it’s a self-transformation book. 🙂 I’m looking forward to seeing how it impacts my daily approach to life as part of my #1 2012 goal to Be Positive.
Oh, and I have a serious fashion magazine problem. Like a – I need a 12 step program type of problem.
What I’ve Been Writing:
One of my goals for 2012 is to publish a piece of my writing and while this has been a personal goal for years, this is the first time I’ve officially written it down. Not to make excuses, but as a result of my spinal injury and my laptop dying earlier this year, I haven’t worked on this goal much so far in 2012. Hopefully this post will serve as motivation for me to start editing my first novel, I started writing it when I was 20 and wrote a large chunk of it while I was traveling around Europe by myself when I was 21.
What I’ve Been Wearing:
During May I submitted a handful of looks to a fashion challenge run by Definitely RA, you can so you can check out some of those looks – Mission: Put Together 2012 – Part I and Mission: Put Together 2012 – Part II. The challenge was great and I wish I’d had time to participate more, but even putting together a few looks was fun. And as part of my goals for June I wanted to make an effort to wear less black, especially on sunny weekends, so that’s been a major factor in choosing my daily looks. Definitely an adjustment not to automatically reach for the black pieces!
Some Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Me:
- I don’t actively follow astrology but I’ve always believed that I embody many of the traits of my Scorpio sign – Determined, loyal, suspicious, discreet, introverted, dramatic, passionate, possessive…
- I originally hurt my back springboard diving in college when I was 18
- If I could only eat one food for the rest of my life it would be sweet potatoes. There’s an endless number of ways to cook them… Chips, fries, baked, mashed, in pudding. They can be sweet or savory. Hmmm… Now I kind of want to spend a weekend eating only sweet potatoes and blog about all the recipes I come up with! 🙂
- Sometimes I forget that I don’t really “know” bloggers. I begin to feel like I’m friends with people whose lives I read about every day. Does that happen to anyone else?
- I have three tattoos.
And so that we can continue to get to know each other, I’m going to re-start my short-lived Les Confessions series, where I post some “confessions” about myself and my life on a regular basis.
Sounds:
I’ve been listening to 70’s and 80’s music non-stop. From vintage Bon Jovi, Kenny Loggins, and Twisted Sister to fabulous 80’s movie soundtracks – Footloose, Pretty In Pink, Breakfast Club. The upside is that it’s really upbeat music that wakes me up and makes me smile every morning, the downside is that I dance at my desk. A lot.
Scents:
I’m a peppermint junkie! Candles, air fresheners, essential oils… Whatever I can find. I’ve also been baking up a storm and I love the scent of raw cacao and carob powders as their heating up.
Sips:
Peppermint tea – duh – and I have to confess that my guilty pleasure these days is Cherry Coke Zero or Cherry Diet Dr. Pepper. My boyfriend is horrified by the red color from the syrup but I treat myself to one a week! I’ve also rediscovered the Synergy Kombucha drinks, and I laugh every time I get carded buying them!
Snacks:
I seem to have almost forgotten about hummus when the weather was cooler but now that it’s warming up I’m craving hummus daily. Carrots, celery, sugar snap peas, and radishes dipped in spicy hummus is favorite after-work snack. I’ve also been eating my bodyweight in fruit on virtually a daily basis – pounds of grapes, cherries, apples, and bananas. Just can’t get enough!
Sights:
This Spring was amazing with weekends in Sonoma, San Diego, and Sea Ranch, but June has been a gorgeous month in San Francisco and I’ve been really enjoying spending time in my favorite city. Walking everywhere, trips to the Ferry Building Farmer’s Market, lazy days spent shopping and wandering around the sun-drenched streets… Amazing!
So tell me, what have you been up to? Do you like to make lists to ensure that you get everything done that needs to be done each day?
Links You’ll Love
Happy Monday everyone!
Here are some fun links to get your week started right. Enjoy!
Fashion:
When I saw this shot I was pretty intrigued. This is quite the vampy, sexy manicure! DIY Nail Art: A French Manicure That Fades To Black.
How you style a look is nearly as important as the pieces itself. Want some new ideas and tips on how to mix the pieces in your closet? WhoWhatWear to the rescue – June Styling Tips.
Does the ethics of a brand affect how much you like it? Vogue – Style Ethics: Olivia Wilde’s Bag for Alternative Apparel + Our Favorite Eco-Friendly Picks.
Did you enjoy all of the 2013 Resort Collections? Well Eat, Sleep, Denim has a must have a list from the shows for you – Denim Trends: A Wishlist.
Health/Fitness:
I don’t know about you, but I’m at a loss without music. Can’t work out. Can’t run. The right playlist not only gets you amped up for your exercise routine, it can keep you going when you’re ready to quit! These gym-regulars have just the play list for you – Victoria’s Secret Angel Erin Heatherton, Dutch model & Organice Your Life founder Lonneke Engel, and model slash DJ Harley Viera-Newton.
I don’t know about you, but fresh veggies and colorful salads are always a highlight of the summer for me. I love crisp, bright, refreshing recipes full of farmer’s market fare. If you agree check this out – Sweet and Savory: 3 Ways to Enjoy Summer Carrots.
A raw diet is something that I tried when I first went gluten-free and vegan a few years ago, after reading Carol Alt’s Eating in the Raw: A Beginner’s Guide to Getting Slimmer, Feeling Healthier, and Looking Younger the Raw-Food Way. While I don’t follow a 100% raw diet 100% of the time, I definitely appreciate the health benefits and continue to eat a high raw diet – usually I eat raw until dinner. Well, luckily for us Miss Alt is back with a new book called Easy Sexy Raw: 130 Raw Food Recipes, Tools, and Tips to Make You Feel Gorgeous and Satisfied. Check out the review on Amazon or the piece on her new book in the NY Daily News.
It might not be news to you, but studies show that Sleepy Brains Are Drawn To Junk Food. Which means that in addition to introducing major health problems, reducing concentration, and causing forgetfulness, sleep deprivation can cause weight gain. Are you getting enough sleep? Check out my post on sleeping – Confessions of a Former Insomniac.
Just as I love braids for summer, there are certain makeup looks that just scream Summertime to me. From dewy skin to bronzed perfection, find the perfect look for warm weather days. The Zoe Report’s 10 Summer Beauty Wants – Hot Topic and Gala Darling’s beauty obsessions on Beauty Bender.
MET Madness
It’s that time again…
Time for my favorite fashion event of the year. It’s my version of prom! Last year’s event was held in honor the (then) recently deceased Alexander McQueen and the red carpet was amazing.
This year there were so many gorgeous women on the red carpet – fashion insiders, celebrities, models, actresses – that it was hard to narrow down my favorites.
Hollywood Dolls:
{Rooney stuck with what’s worked for her over the last few months of red carpet appearances. Dramatic. Bold. Givenchy! There was lots of white on the red carpet this year so her lacy black gown stood out all the more.}
{Bombshell alert! Amber Heard’s Zac Posen gown was striking and oozed with old school glamour. Love!}
{Elegant but eye-catching at the same time, that’s what Giambattista Valli does best!}
{Sleek & sexy. Gwyneth Paltrow put women half her age to shame in this fierce little Prada cocktail number. I love the embellishments here – the pocket on the dress, the low-cut back, and the jewel-encrusted stilettos.}
{This was a great choice for her. A beautifully cut dress in the perfect color, soft, sweet makeup, and loose curls framing her face. Just stunning.}
{Kirsten Dunst has long been a fan of Rodarte and they served her well again last night with this one-of-a-kind retro inspired dress. The look was definitely unique, but I think she looked phenomenal!}
{I’m always excited to see what Miss Cate will show up on the red carpet in, and she didn’t disappoint last night. Alexander McQueen with black feathers and a fishtail train? Only a few women in the world could pull this off.}
{Nina has been stepping up her game on the red carpet the last year or so, really making an impact, and this Donna Karen gown is another great choice.}
{Wow. Renée Zellweger usually wears Carolina Herrera but this Pucci gown is stunning! The low back and dramatic train are gorgeous.}
{Wow. Just. Wow. Love it all. Color, fit, fabric, accessories. Fierce!}
{Claire Danes’s sexy white wrap dress was perfectly complemented by her teal envelope clutch and sleek updo. Well done.}
{Bombshell! Camilla Belle was a vision in a sexy silver Ralph Lauren gown. Simple and elegant. I like that she went minimal on the accessorizing.}
Model Muses:
{When I think about the MET Gala this is what I picture. Daring fashion. Avant garde styles. Fashion with a capital F. Well done ladies, well done!}
{Drama Drama Drama. Chanel Iman and her sexy plus one were all about black & white drama.}
{Coco’s brightly colored vintage Givenchy and matching pink curls were definitely eye-catching. Are you a fan?}
{Veteran model Amber Valletta’s Prada gown was perfect, with both color blocking and pleats, it was right on trend for Spring!}
{I think Constance may have stolen Tilda’s dress, but that’s ok because she killed in it! Love the color and fabric combinations, the silky teal with the royal blue pleats are perfection!}
{Lace, asymmetrical silhouette, and brilliant pink – Jason Wu definitely wanted Miss Karlie Kloss to stand out this evening!}
{The face of Burberry Body rocked her long-sleeved, retro Burberry gown. Only Rosie could make sequined stripes look this good!}
{Victoria’s Secret stunner Candice Swanepoel positively glowed in her custom cobalt & black lace Rag & Bone gown. J’adore!}
And my favorite – Diane Kruger. I know she’s an actress but I always think of her a model. She’s got phenomenal taste and a flawless sense of style, something I usually associate with models who spend their time surrounded by fashion editors, photographers, and designers.
{DRAMA. Purple feathers, a train, and killer jewels? Miss Diane clearly wanted to make an entrance last night. I hate hate hate to find fault with her, but I think an updo would have been the perfect final touch to this.}
And what would I have worn?
I narrowed it down to these choices over the weekend. And these choices clearly show my multiple personalities. Part of me wants to go for old-school, golden age glamour, and the other part of me thinks that an event like this one calls for no holds barred, serious drama.
{This gown in Valentino red would be a fabulous choice – Bold but classic and flattering.}
Or something a little more dramatic and high-impact.
{I love the drama of Zac Posen gowns and this is a phenomenal color. If it had a keyhole or open back to offset the high neck and cap sleeves I’d be all over this!!!}
What was your favorite dress this year? What would you have picked for yourself?
Reader Request – The Chilly Tourist
I received a cry for help from a reader who was planning a trip to Washington DC and needed some cold-weather outfit ideas. Specifically, she had planned a day of solo wandering around historic Georgetown and needed something warm & comfortable, two days of hanging out with a friend, a low-key date night outfit and cute PJs for the PM.
Moi Contre La Vie to the rescue! 🙂
The number one thing to keep in mind about in this situation is the weather – This is going to be all about layers and winter accessories so that she can stay warm but keep her looks cute.
Girl About Town:
While Emily wanders around DC seeing the sites she needs to be comfortable and be able to lose her layers easily & stylishly when she heads indoors and the temp rises. This look is going to be centered around the perfect boots for sight-seeing.
Whether you go with knee-high hiding boots, combat boots or flat ankle boots, a comfortable, cute boot is a must. The two ways that I especially like to wear boots are either with slim pants or with a skirt – both looks can be “winterized” and both looks can go with most varieties of boot.
You can take either of these models as inspiration and pair a dress, tunic or flowy maxi skirt with riding or ankle boots. I specially like the look off thick tights and warm socks with a skirt or dress in Winter to make sure that you keep warm. If you choose to wear a dress, tunic or skirt & top combo and want to go for a more classic style wear a long coat (like below) and if you want a more fun & funky style, pair it with a cropped jacket at or blazer, maybe even a short coat layered over a cardigan for extra warmth.
Another way to pair your boots is with jeans, slim pants or leggings for a sleek daytime look.
Both shots do a great job of showing how to layer over pants – scarves, cropped jackets, ponchos, sweaters… The options are endless. It’s also a great idea to carry a larger bag rather than a small handbag, so you can carry gloves, a scarf, an umbrella and other cold-weather accessories.
Low Key Lady:
Whether you’re running errands, hanging out at the local coffee shop chatting or catching an exhibit at the local museum, a good trip always has some down time. So the question is, how do you dress for your less active days without sacrificing style?
My go-to downtime look is either a shift dress or a tunic over slim pants with ballet flats, both of which can easily be layered over to stay warm and tweaked to fit your personal style. Here are some of my recent acquisitions for trips to the farmer’s market and lazy walks along the Bay on weekends.
What I love about each of these dresses is that they can be worn a million different ways – just add tights, a pashmina, flats or boots, a cardigan or cropped blazer and tons fun jewelry – et voila!
The same goes for a tunic or oversized sweater over pants or leggings, you can wear this combination a million different ways and make the look as interesting as you’d like – brightly colored skinny jeans, corduroy pants, leopard leggings, a colorblock tunic, an oversized boatneck sweater or even a basic tunic with a jean jacket on top. Layer away!
Check out EatBreathFashion.com’s Candy Colored Legs post for more ideas on bright skinnies.
Date Night:
For a mellow night out when you’re traveling you can easily reorganize the pieces that you already packed to put together a cute nighttime look, all you have to do is mix & match and accessorize accordingly.
My suggestion would be to throw on either a dress, tunic, or slim pants with a sweater, add a blazer on top and then pumps or booties, fun jewelry, a pashmina and a sleek up do. Both a dress or pants with a blazer will keep you warm and they’re also both fun, flattering silhouettes.
It’s a perfect look, comfortable but cute, ideal for a low-key night out and using pieces that you’ve already packed for your daytime or traveling outfits.
Pajama Party:
Personally I’m partial to Victoria’s Secret and PINK pajamas & night-shirts, they’re soft and come in fun, funky colors and patterns. You can also check out Forever 21 which has some pretty cute sets, rompers and oversized t-shirts or Bloomingdale’s sales for great deals on Juicy Couture, Betsey Johnson, Lacoste, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein and Oscar de la Renta sleepwear.
So whether you’re in the mood for short shorts and a tank, old-school PJs or a girly silk night-shirt, there’s something for everyone’s comfort zone.
You can see other packing and traveling related fashion posts if this is a topic of interest for you: Reader Request – Packing & Traveling or Wanderlust.
And please don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any styling or fashion questions that you may have.
Hippie Love
As Hippie Chic is one of the most highly viewed posts since MCLV started last spring, I decided to do a follow-up post to celebrate the fabulous 60’s & 70’s inspired looks that are all the rage this fall.
Now follow me down the rabbit hole and let’s revisit some of our favorite hippies of all times… (Cue the Jefferson Airplane soundtrack)
Boho-Chic:
Boho is short for Bohemian, which is defined as: “a person, as an artist or writer, who lives and acts free of regard for conventional rules and practices. ” The boho styles of the 60’s were more than just a fashion statement, they were an escape for women from the confinement of the clothes and social norms prevalent in the 50’s. They were free, loose and created a new style that trickles down to us today.
Original boho-chic icons: Janis Joplin, Talitha Getty, Stevie Nicks & Steven Tyler
Characterizations of the style: Loose layers, beads, tinted round sunglasses, bright colors, tie-dye, vests, boots, headbands, chunky jewelry, scarves, stacked bracelets, floppy hats, patchwork
Modern day equivalents: Kate Moss, The Olsens, Sienna Miller & Johnny Depp
Fashion Show Love: Matthew Williamson Fall 2011 RTW
What to buy for Fall: Maxi & midi length skirts & dresses, flowy blouses and boots.
{Aqua Paisley Dress – $110 @ Bloomingdale’s}
{Polka dot blouse by Free People – $100 @ RevolveClothing.com}
Mod: The other fashion sub-culture of the 60’s was known as Mod, short for Modernist, which originated in London and was heavily influenced by the music of the time and the all night dance clubs that started appearing.
Original Mod icons: Twiggy, Edie Sedgewick, Jean Shrimpton & The Beatles
Characterizations of the style: Shift dresses, mini skirts, go-go boots, monochromatic suits, flats, knee socks, plaid coats, colored tights, Peter Pan collars, fake eyelashes, exaggerated eyeliner
Modern day equivalents: Nicole Richie, Zooey Deschanel & Alexa Chung
Fashion Show Love: Prada Fall 2011 RTW
What to buy for fall: It’s all about the dresses & outerwear, think shifts & dropped, belted waists. Love!
{Ali Ro Printed Shift dress – $140 (on sale) @ Neiman Marcus}
{Faux-Fur Collar Peacoat – $100 (on sale) @ Victoria’s Secret}
Rock n’ Roll Hippie: The hippie trend of the 1970’s was a continuation of the 60’s Boho style, with some serious rock star additions, and was incredibly popular with both the men and women of the psychedelic rock era.
Original Hippie icons: The Grateful Dead, Stevie Nicks, Debbie Harry & The Rolling Stones
Characterizations of the style: Bell bottoms, suede, fringe, halter tops, hip huggers, leather, bandanas, jean jackets, studs, chains
Modern day equivalents: Taylor Momson, Avril Lavigne & K$sha
Fashion Show Love: Emilio Pucci
What to buy for fall: In a perfect world we would all be ready to hop up on stage to channel our inner rock star with this bag, but given the price tag I think we can live with more – ahem – reasonably priced accessories…
{Top left: BebStu Riga belt – $65 @ Zappos.com, Top right: Martin & Ricci Gunmetal Plated Feist Bracelet – $90 @ Max & Cleo, Bottom: Rockstar Wristlet – $70 @ Bebe}
Disco Era: Drugs, sex & rock n’ roll! 70’s disco was all about music, dancing all night at clubs and was heavily influenced by the smaller factions that it was composed of (gays and minorities like African-Americans & Latinos). If you visualize one thing when you hear the word “disco,” it should be STUDIO 54!
Original Disco icons: YSL, Bianca Jaggar, Ziggy Stardust (aka David Bowe) & John Travolta
Characterizations of the style: Platforms, sequins, glitter, wrap dresses, hotpants, le Smoking Suit, high-waisted jeans, lamé suits for men & women
Modern day equivalents: It’s still ALLLLL about Iman. Yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Fashion Show Love: Balmain
What to buy for fall: Diane Von Furstenburg wrap dresses & anything by Halston Heritage. Fine, those were the easy answers. But honestly, I’m loving all of the disco-inspired separates out there, that way you can inject a little glam into your wardrobe without risking overload (and please, for the love of all that is holy, only resort to this if it’s a Halloween costume. Thank you. From all of us.)
{Karen Kane Sequin Blazer – $180 @ Bloomingdale’s}
{Martinez Valero ‘Chase’ Sandal – $75 (on sale) @ Nordstrom}
{Runway photos from Style.com}
Still in the mood for some more inspiration before you hit the stores to stock up on hippilicious goodies? Here’s some help from The Outnet and TopShop.
Now be off my little hippies – Peace!
MCLV’s Style File – Miranda Kerr
Welcome back to MCLV’s Style File for a breakdown on this great low-key outfit spotted on Victoria’s Secret model and busy mom Miranda Kerr in Australia a few weeks ago.
What I like most about this look is the high-low combination. The striped dress is stylish but casual and comfortable, the blazer is well-tailored and adds a bit of structure, and the red bag is an eye-catching splash of color that completes the look.
See below for some affordable picks for these pieces:
{Left to Right: G-Star – $78 @ Asos, French Connection – $78 @ Bloomingdale‘s & Swell Paula Dress – $55 @ Swell}
Depending on your mood you could rock a casual black and white striped mini like Mrs. Orlando Bloom, go for nautical-inspired navy & white stripes, or even pair a striped maxi dress with the rest of these pieces.
{Left to Right: Classic Blazer – $98 @ GAP, Boyfriend Blazer w/ Striped Cuff – $98 @ Asos & Cuffed Blazer – $80 @ Victoria’s Secret} A cropped or fitted blazer, boyfriend blazer, or even a casual rolled sleeve blazer would all work well in this outfit. You can follow Miranda’s lead and go for a classic black or navy blazer, but I think that a neutral tan or grey would look lovely as well.
{Left to Right: ADELAIDE Leather Chelsea Ankle Boots – $80 @ Asos, Sofft Cadence – $110 @ Shoebuy.com & Nina Bold – $50 @ Shoebuy.com}
You can give your look a sassy twist with a pair of flat ankle boots or lace-up heeled Oxfords, or you could even try a simple pair of black ballet flats depending on your personal style and – of course – how far you’re planning on walking.
{Left to Right: Longchamp ‘Le Pliage’ Medium Shoulder Tote – $100 @ Nordstrom, Contrast Colored Quilted Handbag – $65 @ Oasap & Kate Spade New York Tote – $175 @ Piperlime}
I know that these bags are a little pricier than the other pieces that I picked out above, but they’re all quality pieces that you’ll really be able to hang on to. I’m a huge fan of Longchamp’s Le Pliage line as well as simple Kate Spade totes, there’s really something for everyone in this eye-catching hue!
You can also check out past MCLV Style File looks below:
The Art of Lingerie
I’ve loved lingerie for as long as I can remember. I used to steal borrow my mom’s slips and nightgowns when I was little and when I got older she used to bribe me to go to the dentist with trips to the Nordstrom intimates section. That lasted through college actually… 🙂
I’m not sure what first intrigued me about lingerie, perhaps it was the bombshell glamour evoked in the movies I grew up with. Grace Kelly’s nightgown in Rear Window, Take Back Your Mink from Guys & Dolls, Natalie Wood in Gypsy, or Marilyn Monroe in Some Like It Hot.
What I can say for certain though is that my love affaire with lingerie was consummated, if you will, when I lived abroad. It was everywhere, much more prevalent and “acceptable” than in the US, and I just couldn’t get enough. I wandered into all the little shops I could find in Paris, Madrid, Milan, and Rome. I still have a handful of the pieces that I found while I was there, including a gorgeous lavender dressing gown.
And regardless of what first inspired me this has been a love affaire that’s lasted 29 fabulous years, and at this point I have nightgowns, separates, slips, matching sets, and dressing gowns filling up my closet and an entire bureau stuffed satins, silks, and lace.
In my experience lingerie can serve a woman in two distinct but interconnected ways – the way it makes her feel and the way it makes her look.
The right cut, color, fabric, and style can make you feel beautiful, glamorous, and sexy. And I’m not just talking about pieces that you’re wearing for someone else, I’m talking about the simple pleasure of sleeping with the feel of satin against your skin or feeling soft lace wrap around your ankles when you take a step. It doesn’t have to be about anyone but yourself!
In addition to making you feel fabulous the right undergarments can make your clothes fit and look even better. It doesn’t matter whether you favor Lily of France, Victoria’s Secret, La Perla or Agent Provocateur, it’s about finding pieces that complement your body type, personal style, and the clothes in your wardrobe. And for whomever invented shapewear (Spanx anyone?) deserves a medal, those glorious garments can hide all manner of sins.
However, despite my love of lingerie the “lingerie as clothing” trend is one that I must caution you to be careful with. Outside of Halloween it can be hard to pull off wearing stand alone pieces as clothing a la Easy A.
That being said, you can evoke the same boudoir feel by wearing a lacy cocktail dress, pieces with sheer panels, satin and silk, or even by layering a bustier in your look.
The lacy layers of this dress make it simultaneously sweet & naughty
Source Needs some inspiration for adding a sexy, boudoir flare to an outfit? Check out Giorgio Armani’s Fall 2011 Boudoir runway show or these sumptuous advertisements that were influences by beautiful, retro lingerie. 
With the luxurious cuts, delicious fabrics, and just a hint of bedroom glamour, these clothes are a treat for the senses and a great way to indulge your lingerie fantasies in the real world. Do you love lingerie too? How do you feel about daytime wear?
Moi Contre La Vie 
