Happy Holidays! Introducing My Favorite "Blog Roll Call"

Happy holidays.  I am going to be listing a "favorite's list" of blogs on my site. If you are interested in having your blog listed on my "blog roll" please email me at CRosatiYoos@aol.com with a link to your blog for review.   

The criteria I ask is that your blog is fashion/beauty-friendly, and can range from classic to eclectic style content.  I also like blogs devoted to interior design, vintage items and the joy of living - (travel, dining, etc.)  Also, as you know I have an affinity to J. Crew so if you have a site that is devoted to J. Crew or are a fan posting occasional J. Crew content on your site, I will definitely consider listing.

Thanks in advance for sharing and I will be doing this at least once a quarter so if you don't make it on the list this time there will be future opportunities.

Thanks so much,

Chris

Cheers!

Featured Designer Tory Burch & Her Favorite Holiday Gift Guide!

Tory Burch lights up holiday gift giving with countless choices in her perfectly classic way.

I love Tory Burch and let me count the ways, but it would take a very long list! I am adoring her Holiday Gift Guide ideas and when she says there is something for everything, I can assure you there is.  Personally I am a fan of all her flats which is why I featured these sumptuous little shoes top left on my blog.  This season brings sparkle and heights to please any shoe lover.  This pretty little metallic violet ballet flat is the perfect where with all special evenings or to dress up a pair of jeans.  And of course they are topped with the pave' logo which I adore.  I am not a huge fan of designers blatantly branding with logos, but I have always
loved this one be it on a sweater, shoe or jewelry!

And speaking of Tory's gift jewelry,  I have too many favs to list! So I curated a few to include the varden Small Circle earring.  The gold tone is perfect again for a dress up or down and one to stay in my staple jewelry for a long time.

I also love the mccoy pendant necklace which is a little chunky but oh so chic.  I love wearing this with a simple turtleneck.

I also love the mini gingham pave' pendant which has a more modern look with the silver and black, but so chic an perfect with a black dress or silver dressing.

And one more to mention although there are so many choices, I love this printed Logo Wide Double Snap Cuff.  This graphic mix with hot pink and red is sure to get attention.

For a little luxury I love the cassandra PJ set which some say make for
chic little outfit out, but I think I would be happy privately lounging in
these 100% silk jams! They are just gorgeous and come in Blazer Blue Glover.

But, if you like this PJ trend on the town, there are there are options from jacket, shoes to a clutch that pull this look together beautifully!

And one of my last but not least favorites are the Handbags & Accessories options particularly the Robinson Collection.  

The colors are to die for from purple, black and turquoise, but my fav is the french rose in the cross body. Gorgeous!  The collection is on the  "Most Wanted" list of gifts so I would recommend ordering quickly if you plan to purchase any of these beauties.

Another plus is complimentary gift packaging (above) with all online orders, very chic!

I love Tory Burch and her products are timeless and made with impeccable detail.  Free shipping on all orders in US is a major plus too.  And take time to add the Tory Blog to your bookmarks.  I love traveling with her, getting tips on entertaining an of course seeing featured products and how to style.  You can also find the editor's Top 25 Wish List which is fab.

Whether you are a fan or not, I guarantee you will walk away with a wish list upon your visit to http://www.toryburch.com.

Happy shopping!

Cheers.

A Weekly Update to My Blog - Designer Feature

Destination Kors

Michael Kors, Featured Designer of the Week's Website

Happy Halloween everyone! Firstly, wanted to update you on a new feature to my blog.  In the upper left corner I will be adding a favorite designer each week and their related site link(s).  For this week, I've added Michael Kors who I love and the link on my site goes to part of his main site with the link Destination Kors  which is filled with great photographs and ad campaign shots.  And of course you can go to the primary Michael Kors site where you can shop, shop, shop!



I love different designers for so many reasons and so they'll be featured by my own personal taste and POVs.  However, I would love to hear from you on this.  Would you like this to become a larger editorial around the link or share some of my favorite things about the designer or their pieces?  Again, right now it is just a link so let me know your thoughts and what could be added for further interest.

Cheers!

Favorite Accessory for Fall...Cashmere Scarves & Wraps

Lanvin Cashmere-Silk Scarf,
Moutrade @ $990

J. Crew Collection
Cashmere Wrap @ $275

Burberry Check Cashmere Scarf

DVF Kenley Cashmere Scarf@ $250

My favorite accessory of the season has to be scarves, especially cashmere.  I just love wrapping up with a favorite on the weekend and they certainly are a most sophisticated accessory.  There are many beautiful ones that have come out this Fall season from Lanvin's high end to J. Crew's Collection wrap, both lovely.

There are also many cashmere options that can actually make your entire outfit a standout such as Burberry's Check Cashmere Scarf at Nordstroms or Diane von Furstenberg's Kenley Cashmere scarf which has stunning colors.

Chesa Veglia Club Prive cashmere scarf

And, cashmere is making it on some of the best dressed in the world.  Featured in Vanity Fair's International Best Dressed List is H.S.H Prince Heinrich Von ind Zu Furstenberg wearing a black blazer with a Chesa Veglia Club Prive cashmere scarf! I love it!

Quick facts from Cashmere Pashmina:  "Cashmere is a fiber from different races of goats. Cold temperatures by the goats of cashmere is one of the finest, softest and solid texture in the world.  Although real cashmere, produced from goats of the Himalayan region is the reference in wool, the cashmere can be produced in various regions of the world and with varied races of goats.  Only the dry temperature of the mountainous high plateaus allow a real softness of the wool, that is why there are several quality of cashmere.  The "Pashmina", word derived from Pashm which mean "wool" in Persian is the finer variant of the wool of cashmere.  Manufacturing a shawl in cashmere is a complex and long process, the collect of cashmere being only made in spring.summer, the best quart of the cashmere is the one which is only taken from the neck and the stomach of the goat.  The range of colors are endless and beautiful."

CBS Sunday Morning Interviews Carine Roitfeld, 9/16/12

In case you missed this interview on Carine Roitfeld, see video. Hard to believe she is 57. I really admire her and cannot wait to read her CR Fashion Book. And on her style - she is stunning...enjoy.

Color On Trend: Oxblood

Color On Trend: Oxblood by crewcat featuring a peplum shirt

COACH Legacy Handbags...a modern nod to the past!

Hello readers,
I apologize as it has been awhile since I've posted.  I am rehabbing two brand new knees as funny as this sounds, but I have had them both replaced.  It has been quite a process since I had them done at the same time. I have gone from feeling great that I did it and then questioning this when I am in physical therapy! Anyways, they get better each day and I am happy to be getting back to some of the things I love to do like blogging!

New! Legacy Leather Duffle in fuchsia

Duffle Sac inspired by COACH
Soft Sacs
from 1970

Holding onto my COACH bags has now proven a wise move given two of them look identical to their new "Legacy" line, (specifically the "Penny" and "Duffle" handbags).

COACH provides a great overview of what inspired this Legacy line.  I am pretty much a devout follower and typically purchase 1-3 of their bags a year.  This Legacy line is as they describe "modern", "timeless", "classic yet completely new".  The colors are rich and there are some 16 to choose from!

There is a high level of craftsmanship that remains from COACH's early beginnings (1941) where they started as a men's leather goods company.  I have had two of my bags for twenty years and they still look as beautiful and well constructed as when I purchased them.

Legacy Penny shoulder bag

Legacy large leather clutch

The Legacy leather Penny shoulder purse is so reminiscent of one of the first clutches I purchased from COACH and so I was glad to see its return in this sleek and modern style.

Legacy color block ocelot
haircalf flap carryall

I just bought the Legacy large leather Clutch in black.  You can also buy different colored tassels which I bought in yellow.  It is a fun concept because you can color-block so subtly.  There are also handbags that are color blocked which hits the trendy.

One of my favorite Legacy pieces is the Legacy color block ocelot haircalf flap carryall and if the name isn't a mouthful, the price is at $1,000!

There are several other Legacy styles.  It is almost impossible to pick just one favorite style or color...the line does not disappoint in options.  I love that these styles and craftsmanship have endured over time.  I remember when COACH was one of the most classic handbag makers and now retailers such as J. Crew seem to have followed suit with styles like the Edie, Copley and Biennial - awfully similar!

Do you have any COACH favorites from this Legacy line?

Cheers!

Armani's "Designer" Wonder...

Giorgio Armani 'Designer' Shaping Cream Foundation SPF 20

Every now and then I find a product that delivers based on the reviews and exceeds my expectations overall! And let me tell you, that takes a lot, but I now join one of the many cult followers to Giorgio Armani's makeup.  There have been great raves to his foundation so aptly called 'Designer' Shaping Cream Foundation and it is unreal in a good way.  When I originally read that it "shapes and comforts" and by the way would also make my skin "radiant", I thought "Right," but it truly does. When you put it on it feels more like a luxurious cream partly due to it being made with modeling silk fibers which firm and contour skin.  It also provides sculpting oils which they say "replenish and smooth skin with elegant, weightless coverage." And boy does it! My skin absolutely glowed when I put this on and it plumped it in all the right places.  I don't have strong lines just yet in my skin, but I do have the beginnings of crow's feet and slight laugh lines.  This foundation really blends nicely without settling into these areas.   It feels weightless but really goes on with a medium coverage which I love.  It also layers well over my skin tone which has some pinkish tones that are stronger in some areas of my face.  I wear #4 which is the lightest shade.  And the bonus as if it even needed one - SPF 20!

This is one of three Armani foundations (others are Luminous and Lasting Silk). But I have to say that I would not venture to try the other two when my skin feels and looks so great from this one! Any other great reviews on Armani makeup, please share!

Cheers...

Pick a Pack of Polka Dots at J. Crew!

Designer Dots!

There must be a comeback of the polka dot or "dot".  Dots are pretty much the feel-good trend of the season(s).  They are perfect to wear to work in a stylish polka dot dress which can carry you right through cocktail hour.  The dot print is also perfect to style up a pair of jeans.  And J. Crew is not the only retailer hailing dots as I have seen them at Ann Taylor, Talbot's and the Gap to name a few.  And they graced the runways with several designers as well.  Their really isn't a scarcity of these cute little spots.

Polka-Dot Tie-Neck Dress

I will say that the styling J. Crew does is smart so if I wanted to wear dots every day (which I wouldn't because I don't love them quite that much), but one certainly could and mix it up reasonably well.  Polka dots seem to graze every category of J. Crew. There is the large dot, silky dot, polka dot and optic dot!  I honestly didn't know that there were so many types of dots. You too can have some dots from J. Crew ranging anywhere from $12.50 for a pair of socks to $268 for a Collection cashmere sweater.  I am scratching my head here because I certainly do not want a "cheap dot" but whether you have one on cotton or cashmere will certainly drive the polka dot rate!

Collection Cashmere Polka-Dot Sweater
$268

But, with every good thing - it must come to a sharp halt so that it does not border annoying from one season to the next.  Do you remember just a few seasons ago how happy JC got with all the ruffles?  I hated them after two seasons in fact I pulled them completely out of my wardrobe.  My hope is that the dots exit more swiftly so that we can love them all the more if that makes sense.  I appreciate J. Crew's keen sense of design and clearly they are watching trends, but I would like to see them move on to other trends.

Invitation Clutch in Dot

Here is a very odd thing.  So I really thought the dots played out well in both their catalog and online, but when I visited one of their B&M's today, they seemed lackluster.  In fact, these wonderful round spheres fell completely flat, at least for me.  The Invitation Clutch in Dot seemed drab compared to the website which featured a sharper, sleeker black bag. I was thinking this $158 clutch would have major appeal, but I was a little disappointed.

Naomi Top in Polka Dot

Polka Dot Scarf

So here is where I landed with the dots.  I picked the Polka Dot Scarf and the Naomi Top in Polka Dot - one accessory and one apparel piece, just so I didn't overload!  How do you feel about the dots?  Do you like this trend?  Do you think that J. Crew overdoes a good thing when it comes to trends?  Cheers!
Dots, Dots and More Dots...

Cafe Capri in Silky Dot

and More Dots!

Ruffle Henley

Large Dot Trouser Socks
$12.50

NARS 2012 Fall Collection!

I have to admit that I am feeling a little guilty for wanting to indulge right now in beautiful makeup given my role at work was just eliminated, HOWEVER - and once again, I am simply in love with NARS and his latest collection for Fall 2012.  It is absolutely breathtaking.  And, the more that I thought about it, it makes me appreciate it even more since I am taking time to make myself feel good and really enjoying the products.  If you didn't notice, I just justified my upcoming purchases!

Kristen McMenamy without makeup

Each product in this latest collection is divine from the smokey and mysterious eye color to the rich autumnal lip color which I cannot wait to get!  My first attraction to this set was through NARS fabulous choice of models, Kristen McMenamy who you may recall as one of the 90s iconic supermodels.  I was blown away with how flawless her foundation looked which had Siberia Sheer Matte Foundation and Snow Loose Powder.  The new Multiple, Undress Me was also used on her cheeks.  I love how fully lined her eyes were with the Black Moon eyeliner pencil.  The new eye colors (High Society 3 color and Vent Glace' two color sets) were applied boldly for this striking look.  On her lips are the Papua Lip Liner Pencil topped with the Belize Lip Gloss.

Outlaw

Rouge Tribal Larger Than
Life Lip Gloss

I was thrilled with the new sheer lipstick Autumn Leaves and the Pure Matte Lipstick Amsterdam.  These rich colors are at the top of my buy list.  And I also cannot wait to get the Outlaw blush.  I wear the Super Orgasm blush daily and this new color is a little deeper which is going to work well with the other.  Rouge Tribal Larger Than Life Lip Gloss is beautiful!  It has a deep, rich brick red color to it. It is a burgundy with metallic as it's described.

I have featured these before, but this beautiful makeup is all a waste without knowing how to best apply. So check out the NARS Artistry How-To-Films which make application virtually goof proof.  It is like having your own makeup artist right at your service!  I am hoping they add another one for the Fall collection.  I would love to see how to best apply the eye colors as they were done on McMenamy.  I really like the foundation films so that you can really focus on creating the perfect base for all this makeup.  I feel like if you don't get that right, then the whole look just seems off.

High Society Trio Eyeshadow

There is also a new Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in More and an Opaque Nail Polish in Storm Bird.  I cannot sing enough praises on this collection.  It is rare that I like every single product with the release of these collections, but I am seriously considering buying all of the products! And again, it is great to see Kristen McMenamy again for this campaign.  She was and still is one of my favorite models of all time.  She is the perfect blend of edgy and mysterious for NARS and this Fall collection.

Cheers!

Pink is my passion!

Pink is my passion! by crewcat featuring statement necklaces

I love pink year-round and it is one of the colors that weaves through my wardrobe regardless of season.  Pink makes one feel happy and hopeful.  I also think that pink makes me feel feminine and chic all in one!  Pink is very sexy!

Cheers.