"Grab Bag - {the prettiest, sparkliest and most spectacular} New Year's Dresses!"

Let me start by saying that I love staying in on New Year's.  We rarely do.  There is a certain buzz in the air when getting ready for such a pretentious sort of evening.  The rooms are filled with sparkling, glistening and flashy dresses that take us to a place you just don't visit everyday.  Ok, well - it is like wonderland.  Add a little champagne and New Year's becomes a  magical evening, but once a year.  I am not wearing a glamorous dress this year; in fact I'm hoping to be as comfortable as possible while playing cards with some friends.

I did however want to share a few dreamy dresses that I would have love to worn if the event so required.  Are you going somewhere fancy? I'd love to hear what wonderful apparel you wear or worn by the time you have read this.

Chloe'

Net-A-Porter did an amazing job with this week's list showcasing ultra-glam wears to ring the new year in or for a special event.  My absolute favorite was worn on the cover of "The Edit" by supermodel Fei Fei Sun. This gorgeous hot pink dress was by Chloe' and the jewelry by Oscar de la Renta.  All I can say is "swoon".  I am a true girl's girl with pink on my regular menu and this dress carries it oh so right.  I don't know how one couldn't make a statement in this beauty, although being Fei Fei helps too!

Featured right, Thakoon.

"The Edit" featured one more that I had to mention by Thakoon, shoes by Bruno Magli; necklace by Jennifer Meyer; pendant by Ines and Vinoodh; ring by Sophie Bille
Brahe; bag by Charlotte Olympia.  I love the draping and the pastel pink, just a hint.  It is just the right amount of sexy and a little bit of sweet.

David Meister

fashionstyleblog featured 10 New Years Eve Party Dresses for Last Minute Shoppers and one and one stood out for me by David Meister, always classic and beautiful.  It has this stunning embroidered lace and ruched front which is flattering for so many shapes.  This is one of those dresses that can be worn over time.  I'm always on the hunt for a new "lbd".

And since 2014 is the Year of the Horse, silver has been anointed its color pairing.  The fringe is a nice touch considering the sign.  Any of the below dresses would fit the bill! I like that they are youthful, sexy, but classic and really sparkly!  Photos taken from a site called Latest Trends.
If you do not want to spend $ on a brand new holiday dress, I recommend piling on the sparkles and baubles.  Layering jewelry has been a big trend this year and I have found that it can really bring a little black dress to a new height of party.

Saint Laurent

Rolan Mouret

I think my greatest discovery this season is mytheresa which is "one of the world's leading online stores for luxury fashion." They launched in 2006 and feature over 180 top international designers.  They will work with you all the way and so if you are looking for superior service to find the hottest
and most glamorous trends, this is the way to go! This beautiful Saint Laurent dress is the perfect mix of glam and simplicity.  mytheresa then suggests styling options for coats to shoes, etc.  Check them out!

Where ever you go over the holidays, be safe and be healthy. I wish you all a happy New Year!

Cheers!

Take the Load Off - Favorite Beauty Products to Pamper Yourself!

This time of year is already hustling and bustling on its own; it's time for you to take some personal pampering time.  I wanted to share some of my favorite beauty pampering products for 2013.  Let's face it, it's hard to make it to the spa let alone spend the money before the holidays, but you can still take that 30-60 minutes at home and feel perfectly pampered all on your own.  Many of the product's sites are offering free shipping and/or gifts along with your purchase so now is a good time to try a new product or stock up on the ones that you really like.

If you love taking hot baths, it feels wonderful to add bath salts.  Sometimes they can be overpowering in scent so I really love the Ahava products.  Ahava makes a natural scent of Bath Salts, but their other scents are really light and make the soak really tranquil.  If you want to feel energized I would recommend the Eucalyptus, but my favorite bedtime soak is in Lavender.  You get a good amount for the price as well.  It's only $22 for the 32 OZ jar.  These natural Dead Sea mineral salts help to create the perfect calming bath after a long day.

I love to follow up with Clarins Relax Body Treatment Oil and it is incredibly hydrating during the winter months.  I love to use these after both baths and showers.  It really locks in the moisture.  They recommend warming the oil in your hands and smoothing it on your skin from the ankles up.  It is very relaxing so again, whether you are looking for that pamper time at home or you want to de-stress before leaving for the day, this is a great alternative to a rich cream.  I don't find it to be greasy as it absorbs pretty quickly.  This oil is made of 100% pure plant extracts and is beautifully scented with Geranium, Petit Grain, Camomile and Basil.  It sounds a bit odd of a combination, but it smells great!  If you are unsure about the scent, check it out at a Clarins counter before purchase as it is $56.  I love all the Clarin's products.

My favorite lip balm again in 2013 is Dior's Creme de Rose Smoothing Plumping Lip Balm.  This

smoothing, plumping and hydrating balm is pricey at $27, but it lasts for a really long time.  It does

all that is says and comes in Dior's classic white packaging.  It has the most subtle rose scent so it is perfect for night time, but it also has an SPF of 10 so you can wear it with multiple benefits.  It is not your everyday Chapstick, but it earns its price with an anti-aging complex of Rose of Damas essential oil, Vitamins A&E, Smoothing Shea Butter and the SPF10.  It is definitely a lip treat.

One of my new pampering favorites this year comes from Hourglass.  It's called No. 28 Primer Serum.  Here is the interesting thing about this product - I bought it as a primer and it does a beautiful job doing just that, but I love it for that extra moisture my face needs.  You can wear it under makeup, alone or under your favorite face moisture. This primer/serum is richly concentrated with 14 essential oils, 10 lipid-plant oils and four vitamins (hence the No. 28).  And with all of that, it has an amazing scent.  It is hard to believe this silky serum contains all these wonderful ingredients and it smooths the skin wonderfully.  If you don't like to wear a lot of makeup or any at all, this is the perfect veil of nutrients.  I tried the .33 oz pump to start and loved it so much I bought the 1 oz. when I ran out.  It is pricey at $65, but it serves a dual-purpose of priming and nourishing so it is really worth the price.  I have never used any of their products, but I definitely will now.

Even though we tend to take better care of our toes/feet in the summer when they are exposed regularly, it really helps to keep them hydrated during these colder months.  My pedicurist recommended this foot cream and I have never used another since.  It is called Nordic Care Foot Care Cream (Swedish Formula) and it is amazing!  It is a really rich treatment for a pretty inexpensive price.  It keeps your feet super moisturized, manages any cracking on the heels and leaves them super soft.  I love slathering this on before bed and wear socks over top to keep the moisture in.  You will
wake up with the softest feet.  Its key ingredients are urea which attracts and retains moisture, glycerin which has water-binding properties, lactic acid which is a component of the skin's own natural moisturizing factor as well as exfoliant and eucalyptus which is known for its natural antiseptic, antibacterial and blood circulating properties.  It comes in three sizes - 2 oz., 6 oz. and 32 oz.  If you want to try it first to see if you like it, the 2 oz. size is only $8.95.  It's wonderful!

My favorite luxe product is Chanel No. 5's After Bath Powder.  It is $65, but it lasts for months!  This is one of those products that I really love to use when I need that extra pamper.  It is silky and I adore the No. 5 scent. If you are not familiar with the Chanel fragrances it is a good idea to visit the counter at a higher end department store.  It leaves your skin feeling super soft and it contains Vitamin E and essential amino acids which are great protectors against free radicals and environmental damage.  I still have the same glass container that I purchased six months ago so you don't feel like you are spending so much money for something that gets used up quickly.  This is pretty much the only body powder that I love to use, but I also adore the No.5 scent.  They also make the bar soap which is an extra treat.  It smells so fresh and when you layer it has that extra staying power as a fragrance.

I apologize for the lapse in blogging.  I have been actively pursuing new job opportunities which as many know can seem like a full-time job, but I'm hopeful.  It has been a rough couple of years.  I still consider myself pretty young, but I also had both of my knees replaced last August.  I had old sports injuries mixed with arthritis so it was one of those necessary things I had to get done.

Thank you for following me.

Cheers!

J. Crew Collection on Film feat. Jenna Lyons

More reasons to get excited about Fall!



Cheers!

J. Crew Brings in November Style and Favorite Classics!

It only seemed fitting to give J. Crew a little lovin' seeing that it is my blog's namesake alittle"crew"zy; and of course, November and December of two of my favorite months for J. Crew.  The styling is impeccable and I think we are all getting ready for some serious layering in the colder months.  November makes me think of long walks through the gorgeous falling leaves, visits to the barn to see the horses saddled up and ready to ride through the chilled air.  And most importantly, it is
such a wonderful time of year to be thankful for what we do have rather than what we don't have either materialistically or spiritually.  I find November to be a time of grace and reflection.

It's also that time of year to store all warm weather clothing and get out the sweaters, boots and overcoats.  If you are a smart shopper, then you've probably already invested in classic pieces such as blazers, cashmere, pea coats, riding boots and of course some beautiful accessories such as a good handbag and chunky, bright jewelry which J. Crew is never short of!  It also seems to me that J. Crew has rekindled its classic offerings and provided lots of choices in colors, textures and styles so I am going to highlight a few of my favorites.  For the November Style Guide they traveled to the Cotswolds of southwest England which "is know for its rolling hills, centuries-old stone walls and sprawling estates," as J. Crew described.  The photos are beautiful.

Let's start with coats and think loose, soft and cuddly.  This season J. Crew's Duffle Coat is a personal favorite because I just love the vibrant fuchsia color.  It's gorgeous!  I also like the color twist on their traditional Majesty Peacoats.  This one at left is Heather Mineral, like an aqua.
is pointing to the oversized, cocoon-like coats in vibrant colors.  And for those who like the classic colors of red, tan/off white, navy, black - those are available as well.  If you are looking for something a little different, perhaps edgier, then go for the Contrast-Collar Topcoat - love! It is

perfect to jazz up jeans and the white/black is a more modern while the beige stone seems more royal.  It is more tailored and hits below the hip which I like very much.

It is a good time to stock up on J. Crew cashmere which I have a
running wish list at all times.  I really like that they've pushed the styles with different cuts, lengths as well as prints and gorgeous solid colors.  However, they are pricey, at the low end - in the $100's all the way up to $400.  I have always had good luck with their cashmere and I use the  The Laundress cashmere or fabric sprays to keep them fresh with less time at the dry cleaners.

Thinking about investing in a good blazer, then J. Crew is the place to go.  Again, there are multiple styles, fits, textures and colors.  The new Rylan blazer in Harris Tweed wool is so pretty in heather plum.  I would suggest calling a stylist or seeing if you can get it in store because nearly every size is sold out online.  Another solid option is the School Boy blazer with a more fitted look and so charming in classic navy or black as shown left.  I love how JC styled it with a plain white shirt and camo pants.  I love camo and it continues to be a trend right through the Fall.

Also, you can always add those little special touches to add sophistication and a personal feeling to your wardrobe items.  J. Crew shares a video below on "The Secret Language of Monogramming."

Published on Aug 21, 2013

We rounded up four style experts to get their thoughts on the venerable monogram. As it turns out, a couple of letters can speak volumes.  

I never used to be a big fan of flats or ballet flats, but J. Crew has won my closet over with an array of colors, styles; my current fav is the Kiki suede studded ballet flat.  This is the perfect "edgy" flat for jeans or for a night on the town when your feet just can't go another pair of heels.  They come in warm fig and black. J. Crew says these were inspired by the streets of Paris.  They have a tiny vamp or heel with a pointier toe.  I adore the little grommets and the chic bow which give it just enough of dress.

I can never get enough of JC jewelry which makes a big statement and Jenna really started the layering up trend with bracelets, necklaces - I love it!  The jeweled fan necklace has to be a conversation topic because it is gorgeous and was inspired by art JC found in the markets of Marrakech.  It is mixed media with Czech glass, resin, light gold ox plating.  The color is vintage burgundy with the purple and crystal accents.  This would be perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas dress up.

I have to say that each year J. Crew comes out with a fantastic handbag and my favorite for this season is the Hughes Satchel made with a soft and structured design.  It is very unusual looking.  JC designers experimented with large scale origami and used such construction to come up with the overall design of this bag.  It almost looks like a modern version of the doctor's handbag which have been very popular over the last few seasons.  I love the pale graphite color, and it also comes in brigade blue, burgundy and black.

J. Crew spotted a very cool boot by designer Penelope Chilvers  

called the Cubana Boot - the original style became known as the "Beatle Boot" in the '60s apparently after Lennon and McCartney commissioned the Chelsea boots for the band.  Chilvers has taken this style and updated it with richly dyed velvet which I just love.  These are definitely going on my wish list in red currant.  Gorgeous! 

As for J. Crew's Collection pieces, I won't say that I was totally wowed.  I do love the Ratti tile coat because of the print, bright Fall colors and it is just so different.  At $1200, it is steep, but you don't see pieces like this often.  I will still hope for a healthy markdown!

I also loved this Necklace Sweatshirt which is not overly gaudy.  It is playful and fun to wear with

jeans, a skirt...  I do like the navy with the contrasting red detail necklace and it also comes in heather natural ivory with multi-colored beading.

Another fabulous accessory from "J. Crew in Good Company" are
the Lulu Frost shoe clips which are stunning.  They are inspired by estate jewelry, but have a deco, retro look to them.  These are one accessories worth the investment, particularly if you want to dress up some of those ballet flats!  They are stunning and come in two other designs as well.

Lastly, if you ever wondered how J. Crew comes up with all their fabulous colors then you'll love this video which shows how "art meets science" meets a guy named "Luigi"!  This little film is called Color Crazy.
http://youtu.be/AEABSGDZBI4



I adore the November Style Guide; in fact it is one of my favorites by J. Crew in a long time.  There were just enough stylish and a bit edgy items mixed with the affordable classics.

What are some of your favorites?

Cheers.

J. Crew prepares for London Grand Opening with Magical Taxi Installation by Designer Shona Heath...

Very cool... Shona Heath designs magical taxis for London Opening of J. Crew (Regent Street 11/8) http://youtu.be/Cu4DwKlxoAk, entitled "Something Totally Crazy".  Design process imaginative and whimsical.

Editorially Speaking, Fashionably Noted v1. Oct/Nov 2013

Fashion editorial is obviously a subjective thing, but when it is really right, it can stop not one, but thousands of readers to pause.  I'm going to start featuring favorites on a monthly basis.  If you have any references or recommendations to share, please feel free to offer up and I can potentially showcase for our readers.

To start, you have to do a little digging, but ultimately you can find a few of your favorite places to go to get the skin up on best editorial shots, campaigns…I personally love to peek in to both FashionCopius as well as F.TAPE.  There are so many others, but like I said, once you find a reputable roundup of exquisite work, it's hard to stray.

ashioncopious.typepad.com/fashioncopious/editorial/

ashioncopious.typepad.com/fashioncopious/editorial/

1. Here is the amazing Stella Tennant featured for a piece called The Fashion Factory by Benjamin Alexander Huseby for the Gentlewoman FW 13.14 editorial  This piece showcases the unbelievable process and results through a Scottish knitting and weaving factory on p.158. Stella is such a perfect choice for this editorial because there is a stunning androgyny about her that makes it easy to see these fabrics beautifully on both a man or a woman.  Plus, she is ultra-interesting to look at.  She is captured both femininely and rather aristocratically standing straight up in a menswear type suit. Conversely, when she is  posing on the ladder with a split-skirt diamond-wool suit, she takes on a more womanly and seductive look.  Beautiful photography, incredibly talented model, history of these sumptuous fabrics and the setting make it oh so chic; oh, and I will always love black and white photography.  Cheers!

Clothia, Calling All Fashionistas! www.clothia.com

Brace yourself, more pink...

One of my sets on Clothia - Moody Blues
& Balenciaga

     Sometimes I feel like I am the last to know, but just in case you have also not heard about this; I stumbled upon a fun little App called Clothia, all pink and girly - a really simple and a fun way to build a virtual closet, save or follow trends, build your community of other fashionistas...  You may be thinking, this sounds a lot like Polyvore, and I must admit I've spent many of hours there too - building sets, entering contests, answering questions and feeling like I was in some sort of check me out personality contest.  Don't get me wrong, I love Polyvore; they make me feel like I can play grown up Colorforms!  Here is my plus for Clothia - it is fool proof, easy to size and layer, but not so many options that you don't feel your're taking on a fashion art project.  Clothia gives me just enough fashion candy to put together a quick idea.  Heck, they had me at light pink!

     I love their tag line too: Clothia, a community of like-minded fashionistas.  Immediately I felt taken in,

swooning over more of my favorite things. I love that you can heart a single item or some one's whole set and then Clothia neatly arranges your own closet.  

Clothia for iPad

     I will say it feels a little younger, meaning I'm pretty sure I'm not the sweet spot of their demo, but it's fun just the same.  My first tip off were the number of photos with teens with French braids or fish tails, lots of hearts to Harry Stiles and some very short, shorts! But hey, I remember those very things I loved when I was in fact that younger age! And these days, I need simple indulgences; some of these apps are so confusing and overworked.  I want to get in and out in the best way! 

http://clothia.com/look/9250/chic-girl
Great work by Southerncharmgirls!
also on Tumblr http://clothia.tumblr.com

Pinterest board by Clothia: http://www.pinterest.com/

pin/120400990009280779/

     Oh, and of course you can also find them on Pinterest, Twitter, Tumblr and Facebook! The secret is now well out of the bag! You can visit their site at
www.clothia.com where you'll find links to their other social outlets as well as their blog.

     From Design Speaks (left), showcasing product and lead development 11/11. Acted as product lead and CCO for fashion start up, Clothia. A multi-faceted fashion experience targeted towards young women (currently in its beta phase). Responsibilities included Interaction Design, Branding, Interface Design, Content Development and Social Media management. // clothia.com

     Great article from Ad Age Digital featuring Clothia with Russion-born founder Elena Silenok, http://adage.com/article/digital/clothia-lets-users-closets-online/235737/ Elena says she was inspired by the 90's movie Clueless and wondering "Cher Horowitz's digitized closet could be real in some parallel universe."

Deidre Schoo for The New York Times

Elena Silenok, founder of Clothia

Another cool point in the article: 
Clothia also includes augmented-reality technology to allow users to virtually try on a piece of clothing, simulating the experience of posing in front of a mirror with a hanger draped in front of you. There's a selection from about 100 different brands including Prada, Topshop and ModCloth, and users can use gesture control to take pictures of themselves with their webcam.

Have you heard of Clothia? Thoughts and how do you like it verses a Polyvore?

Cheers!

Sweetly Pink for Fall!

When we think of Fall colors, pink is not typically in the top five of rich laden-hues.  I love pink be it fuchsia, pale or bubblegum bright.  Many designers don't like pink either.  I recall Rachel Zoe saying on her television show "The Rachel Zoe Project" that she hated pink and didn't want it anywhere in her collection.  I say, that is a disappointing point of view.  Pink can be a wonderful accent and layering piece or as the grand garment such as a beautiful cashmere/wool overcoat.

Pantone even features a brighter pink called "Vivacious" as shown on Tadashi Shoji's illustration as part of the Fall 2013 colors.

So I've pulled a sampling of some beautiful pink hues that deserve every bit of wear throughout the Autumn and into Winter months.

J. Crew Merino Jacket

J. Crew Collection Cashmere

shoerazzi

Let's start with J. Crew where there is no shortage of pinks in many flavors.  One of their new pieces, the Merino Zippered Sweater-Jacket is a stunning little sweater strong enough to stand on its own or with something layered underneath.  And the shade is dreamy, heather ballet.  It's a double-layered merino so it's a little heavier than a regular sweater.  This is one of my absolute favorite shades, quite subtle.  And you have to have a JC Collection cashmere sweater, this one in  pale pink.  Super soft and lovely, the perfect pick-me-up for those rainy day mornings.

Thank you shoerazzi for a sampling of sumptuous pink shoes (left).  These were pulled from September of 2012, but beauteous just the same!

I found a quirky and elegant bag all the same and guess what, in a

pale pink - perfect! This Lady Dior Pink Bag with Warhol Shoe is a wonder.  This is one of those I have to have in my collection bags and will never part ways with it.  This handbag came off the F/W 20213 runways.  Love it!

Celine

Celine's powder pink topper coat is divine.  Can I have one in every shade? Firstly, I love this style for Fall and have seen beautiful toppers in every color of the rainbow including prints.  But, for this segment, a beautiful pink will due!

And how about this Kenzo short boiled wool jacket, adore!  This is unbelievably cute and chic all in one breath.  This little jacket is the perfect pink and so cozy soft.  It reminds me of the little pink poodle stuffed toys we had as girls.  And this jacket is super girly.

Kenzo

3.1 Phillip Lim

And these looks wouldn't be complete without some sort of pinkish lens be it your every day readers or some awesomely pink sunglasses.  Check out 3.1 Phillip Lim's March Garfield Sunglasses which would compliment just about any shade of pink.

And if you didn't think it could get pinker, Escada Fall 2013 kicked up a pastel pink suit (below), head to toe! I love this so much.  It really challenges traditional color and styling for Fall.

When it comes to formal wear, there are so many options.  Sometimes you want just that one piece that is going to take it from 50 to 100!  And this Fall 2013 RTW skirt by Jenny Packam (left) is just that one.  Pink of course, but the fit and satin sheen are just stunning.  I love how it is paired with a more casual sweater, hair loosely done.  The skirt is clearly the main event here and is one that would stay in a collection for many years to come.

This Nina Ricci coat (below) is from the 2012 Fall runway, but I am showing it one, for the pink and I just love the texture of this coat.  Sometimes a single pastel color can carry off beautiful texture compared to a jewel tone which might swallow it up.  This coat is scrumptious!

Marc Jacobs Fall 2013

Nina Ricci Fall 2012

The Marc Jacob's Topper Fall 2013 (right) shown is another beautiful, dusty pink.  One trend we are seeing this year is the belting over these oversized coats which I really like.  It gives it more of a modern feel and frankly, makes you feel a little more put together.  Some of these oversized coats can really take over in size.  This MJ topper was part of the Fall 2013 show.

Carven Fall 2013

We see more subtlety in pink from Dior Fall 2013 off the Paris runway in this oh so feminine dress.  It has just a hint of petal pink and it is stunning.  I love the contrasting black shoes, bag and inset of the dress.

Dior Fall 2013

Carven thought pink as well, mono-tone in thick, chunky fabric.  Love the bubblegum pink, but not the shoes.  They almost look like hospital or nursing shoes, sorry!

Dries Van Noten not only explored with hot pink against black, but also experimented with textures including dyed feathers against tunic like dressing top to bottom.  The jury is out on this one - I am feeling like there are too many things going on here.  The hot pink jersey and black jacket would have suited her just fine.

Dries Van Noten Fall 2013

While most of the designers stayed true to dark and brooding jewel tones, steely grays, cobalt, ruby, moss - so few mixed in pink.  I say cheers to designers like Marc Jacobs who took some risks and they worked beautifully.

The pink in all these noted collections worked in either quietly or loud, but definitely pink!  Pink is that ultra-feminine color that just feels good to put on every now and then.  And it doesn't have to be demure.  Escada's pink suit really challenged that in style.

How do you feel about pink, particularly in Fall or Winter?  I will always love a little be it in a suit or beautiful bag.  It's one of those colors that makes me glad I am a woman! :)

Let me know your thoughts.

Cheers!