J'adore Paris!

Last week, I had the opportunity to spend three glorious days in Paris, though it took merely a few hours for Sarah and I to agree that Paris might be the most amazing city in the world. Between the food, the history, the gorgeous architecture, and the striking fashion--well, I die. But since this is a fashion blog, I bet you can guess where this is going...

The truth is, dearest fashionista friends, j'adore Paris--and the masses of lovely little fashion plates running wild all over the city. Comparatively speaking, I have never felt like such a hobo (hobo chic?--not so much...), and I have never been more inspired. Merely walking the streets, I was struck by countless trends, and while shopping--well, you can only imagine how much I could have spent (if I didn't have Dallin to answer to, OR Bank of America trying to freeze my spending--true story). But barred by my pledge to carry on my bags, I had to (somewhat)control my urge to splurge. Yet, fortunately for me, many of these fabulous Parisian trends can be replicated right here in the good ol' U.S. of A.--though they're probably a bit more fabulous on Parisian soil (sigh).

Allow me to share a few noteworthy fashions that you might wish to incorporate into your American wardrobe:

Stripes are everywhere. The classic Parisian look, embodied by a thin-striped boat neck tunic, is back, and arguably better than ever. In almost every shop Sarah and I visited, we saw versions of this timeless look, sometimes embellished, cropped or reinterpreted--though I'm partial to keeping traditional with this particular trend. I mean, if it ain't broke, why fix it?

Ooh la la, hello short skirts! With my height, I would likely be arrested (though perhaps not until I returned to the U.S.) if I were to embrace the much, much shorter hemlines favored in Paris. Mostly donned in the style of form-fitting minis, itty bitty skirts were everywhere, often wore over opaque--mainly black--tights, which makes this look a bit more wearable.

And speaking of tights... I have never seen more fabulous variations of leg-wear than the few days I spent in Paris. Beyond the spectrum of colors or your basic fishnet that you can get in this country, I saw tights that were bejewelled and/or embellished like you wouldn't believe. In fact, I got SO excited about shopping for tights that Bank of America (who I'm NOT so happy with right now for reasons about to be mentioned) put a hold on my card for suspect purchases as I went stocking crazy at the Gallery Lafayette. Don't worry, I just used my other card; stirrups and seams, anyone?

Military-inspired leather jackets: Moving beyond the basic appeal of the bomber style, Parisian fashionistas have appropriated all military finery to the leather jacket--often double-breasted, with a high collar, defined shoulders, and perhaps featuring antique brass hardware. From what I observed, this trend has carried over to London as well (which came first, I can't say), which bodes well for its arrival on this side of the pond, especially considering the exchange rate isn't exactly in our favor these days. I should also note that, though we're officially in spring, the temperature wasn't always so cooperative during my travels. Happily, this gave me the opportunity to see the military look applied to some fantastic wool coats as well. I'm seriously considering it for next winter...

Not for nothing, there were also many trends I observed in Paris that are also present here: Converse are everywhere, skinny jeans appear mandatory, flowing scarves abound, and red lipstick is as pretty there as here. It seems some trends are global, which made me happy--as I would hate to be a completely unfashionable globetrotter! But despite many similarities, there are clearly some things that the pretty, pretty Parisians have a leg up on. I'm happy to report that, after returning home, I feel a bit more dialed in--and ready to make a few choice purchases. What can I say? J'adore Paris!

Special thanks to the lovely Sarah Barton for allowing me to use some of her amazing photographs for this post!

Images, in order of appearance: (1) Metro sign, photo by Sarah Barton; (2) Macaroons, also thanks to Sarah Barton; (3) Striped Tunic, photo thanks to Modelinia (http://www.modelinia.com/); (4) Girl in military-inspired wool coat, another gorgeous photo by Sarah Barton; (5) My less-than-glamorous Converse and jeans, also by Sarah Barton.

I'm Baaaack!

Dearest fashionista friends, I hope you didn't think I abandoned you! Rather, like the international jet-setting fashionista I've always wanted to be, I was cavorting around London and Paris with my always fashionable fellow blogstar friend, Sarah. The verdict: utterly fabulous. Intrigued?--not to worry. This week I promise a re-cap of our adventures, our style finds, and much, much more. And if you're lucky, maybe--just maybe--my lovely ginger-haired Sarah can be convinced to write another dispatch from across the pond. I guess you'll just have to stay tuned to find out... Until then, cheers!



Image thanks to the Fashionista (www.fashionista.com).

Boy Bait & Lip Liner

As we are finally making the transition from winter into spring, I stopped in at Mac the other day to update my lip gloss to something a bit lighter, brighter, and just generally more springy. As I browsed the seemingly endless selection of lip treatments, an unnaturally undermade Mac employee named Nick brought my attention to Boy Bait. A newer shade of Mac's Cremesheen Glass (their soft and happily non-sticky line of lip gloss), Boy Bait is a light, nude colored gloss with just a hint of pearly pink to it.

Not yet sold on the new gloss, Nick asked if I would like to try it on. Why not, right? So he brought me over to a make-up station...and what happened next has changed my cosmetic life forever. Before applying the gloss, Nick first used a lip liner--but rather than actually lining my lips, he instead filled in the whole lip. The purpose? To make my lips a solid neutral canvas, upon which he then added Boy Bait. The result: a smooth and even nude colored lip that looked clean, fresh, and--obvi--utterly springy.

I should mention that, until now, I have stayed away from lip liner for two main reasons. For one, I don't think there is any need to revisit the 80s, at least from a cosmetic standpoint. Secondly, even if I wanted to use it, my hand is never steady enough to do so (the same goes for liquid liner--in college, my roommate always had to do it for me). But this new use of lip liner totally changes the game, and I can most definitely use the pencil to color in my whole lip. I mean, how tough is that? Just color inside the lines, right?

To summarize: my new lip gloss is outstanding--and thanks to a preliminary layer of Mac's Lip Pencil in Naked Liner (very fitting, don't you think?), the way my gloss looks in the tube is exactly how it translates on my lips. Forgive me if I'm the only fashionista who has been living under a cosmetic rock all these years! Maybe everyone else out there already uses this process when it comes to their lip color? I hope that's not the case--and that this post isn't all for nothing/doesn't make me look like the make-up fool that I very possibly might be... Whatever the case, all thanks to a Mac boy named Nick, I have stepped out of the dark, un-lined ages and into a fresh, new spring day--and it's never looked better.

Images, in order of appearance: (1) Kate Bosworth, showing off a springy nude lip, image thanks to In Style (http://www.instyle.com/); (2) One of the many faces of Mac, Eve, showing off her nude lip, image thanks to Beautynomics (http://www.beautynomics.com/); (3) Mac beauty spread, featuring Eve, photo thanks to Socialite Behavior (socialitehavior.com).

I'm A Barbie Girl--and so are they...

It wasn't too long ago that I was raving about Christian Louboutin's fabulous Barbie partnership--and I confess I didn't think it could get much better than that! But it seems wonders never cease, for the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), a not-for-profit trade association of America’s foremost designers, hosted a Barbie Collector Charity Auction on Ebay earlier this year to benefit their educational initiatives and scholarship program. The benefit featured Barbie (obvi!), à la Kate Spade, Alexis Bittar, and Betsey Johnson--just to name a few. Clearly, life in plastic just got so much more fantastic.

These special Barbies' apparel centered around everyone's favorite fashion MUST, the little black dress (LBD), in accordance with the style and personality of each of these fabulous designers. Don't ask me how it happened, but the fact that I MISSED this exclusive event (which ran from January 28-February 7) is something that I may never forgive myself for. My only hope is that one lucky bidder will get tired of their Barbie girl and put her back up for auction?... Pretty please?...

Psst: For more information on the CFDA, visit their website: www.cfda.com. To become a fan of the CFDA on Facebook, click here.

Image: CFDA Barbie Collector Charity Auction, online at http://stores.ebay.com/auctioncausecharityauctions/pages/barbie-basics.

ROSEBUD!

You may not know this, but I suffer from perpetually chapped lips--either that, or my lips are just completely addicted to lip balm/salve/gloss and can't seem to function properly without it... Whatever the case, the little zip pocket in my purse is always jammed with a variety of lip treats to keep my kisser kissable. The options are plentiful, but since receiving Smith's Rosebud Salve as a gift from my beloved Annie Rose, it's been one of my favorites in the chapped lip therapy department. My only issue with it: the packaging. As aesthetically pleasing as the classic tin is, application can be tricky; call me a germaphob, but I would much rather wash my hands before dipping a finger into my lip salve. But fortunately for me (and my phobias), all is never lost...

Shopping at Anthropologie just last week, I was waiting to pay for my items and found myself captivated by those pesky grab items--you know, the little jars of goodies strategically placed by the register as last-minute impulse buys? Well, in one such jar was (drum roll please)....TUBES of Rosebud Salve! Hallelujah. Rosebud may have been the enigma of Citizen Kane, but it's the ultimate beauty remedy for this fashionista! This fabulous multi-purpose has amazing healing powers that sooth and heal dry lips, while giving them a rosy little gloss in the process. Plus, it works for other ailments too; you can use the salve to ease the sting of (minor) burns, cure dry elbows during those horrid winter months, tame fly-aways, or even smooth your cuticles! The possibilities have always been endless, and now the packaging is ideal.

Images, in order of appearance: (1) Smith's Rosebud Salve in 0.8 oz. tin $6, available at Sephora (www.sephora.com/); (2) Smith's Rosebud Salve in 0.5 oz. tube, available at Anthroplogie (http://www.anthropologie.com/); (3) Rosebud sled from Citizen Kane, image thanks to Destination Hollywood (www.destinationhollywood.com).

Travel Savvy

As I count down the days until my trip across the pond to visit my lovely friend (and fellow blogger!), Miss Sarah, I've been thinking a lot about travel gear. For years, I was a notorious over-packer. Trekking back and forth between LA and Boston during my college years, my Daddy would groan at the sight of my multiple over-stuffed duffel bags when he greeted me at the airport curb. I am happy to say that I've since mended my ways, and last year, I even shared my own personal "how to" guide on packing light! So, now that I've got the strategy down, my new travel philosophy is simple, yet effective: carry on whenever possible.

With that bold sentiment in mind, let's give some thought to luggage that is both trendy and sometimes even regulation-sized, a definite added bonus for you fashionable jet-setters out there! Some of my favorites are as follows:

1. Wheeled Trolley by Longchamp: Made of a rich, chocolate-colored canvas and trimmed in Longchamp's signature leather, this rolling trolley (pictured right) measures an FAA-approved 13x8x20. I love this bag for its classic simplicity--and the price isn't overly outrageous, as far as high-quality luggage is concerned.

2. Centenary 28" Suitcase by Globe-Trotter for J. Crew: Made by the British company, Globe-Trotter, this sunny suitcase (and each and every one like it) is actually handmade by an experienced craftsman in a custom color combination. Maybe that's the reason for the hefty price tag? Nonetheless, I adore the vintage feel of this durable suitcase, and though it is available in standard black, I'm especially partial to the citrusy zing of the "sour lemon."

3. Blueblood Travel Duffel by Juicy Couture: If my husband is reading this, he is undoubtedly thinking, She only likes that bag because of the name--and I can't say the name doesn't make me smile a little bit. But it's also, clearly, a very fun little duffel that leaves no detail unexplored. From its equestrian style, to the all-over crown print, and even the red and blue diagonal stripes, what is this bag, if not fit for a blueblooded Juicy girl? PLUS, it even receives an FAA stamp of approval, measuring 13x20x10.

See, what you put inside your suitcase is really only part of the fun--and as the saying goes, you only have one chance to make a first impression. So, dearest fashionista friends, let's not forget the packaging! If you're looking for a little justification, remember the golden rule: carry on whenever possible. If it's okay with the FAA, I'm sure your wallet will understand. Bon voyage!

Images, in order of appearance: (1) Samsonite vintage travel poster, image thanks to Found In Mom's Basement (http://pzrservices.typepad.com/); (2) Wheeled Trolley in chocolate by Longchamp $270, available from Neiman Marcus (http://www.neimanmarcus.com/); (3) Centenary 28" suitcase with wheels in sour lemon by Globe-Trotter for J. Crew $1,600, available online (http://www.jcrew.com/); (4) Blueblood Travel Duffel by Juicy Couture $348 (available online at www.juicycouture.com).

Spring Dress Lust

Here in Boston, the weather has been beyond gorgeous for the past few days, which has me believing that spring really is around the corner. With that thought in mind, I've been breaking out a few choice spring wardrobe pieces and considering possible additions to my wardrobe for the newly budding season... Hence the (most recent) object of my dress lust.

You may recall Miranda Priestley's snide remark in The Devil Wears Prada, "Florals? For spring? Groundbreaking." So, yes, I concede that florals are an obvious choice. Yet, after the loooong and harrowing winter doldrums, my rebuttal is this: what is so wrong with a few well-placed flowers? And well-placed they are, on the Nil Dress in Falling Anatolia Multi by Diane von Furstenberg.

Made of cascading crinkled chiffon in a brilliant white, the Nil Dress features delicate blue and purple anatolias, collecting around the bottom hem and slowly creeping towards the neckline. Cinched at the waist with a self-tie belt, and complimented by a loose v-neck and flutter sleeves, it really doesn't get more delicate, feminine, or springy than this--and I want it! If it were mine (sigh), I would play up the edgy factor with a pair of really killer heels. After all, every good little floral-loving girl has a rockstar side too. Or that's just me? Regardless, you can have your flowers however you like. They may not be groundbreaking, but they are a spring MUST.


Image: Nil Crinkled Silk Chiffon Dress by Diane von Furstenberg $398, available at Saks Fifth Avenue (www.saksfifthavenue.com).

Go Nude!

I spent last weekend with my family at our farm in Western Massachusetts, where, away from the fast-paced city (with its according distractions), my mother and I took advantage of our time offline to catch up on the stack of fashion magazines that have been neglected for the past month (gasp). Our routine, perfected over the years, is simple yet effective; we set up shop at the kitchen table, where we page through each magazine and discuss our findings over breakfast. Since mother knows best, I thought I would devote today's post to her spring fashion forecast: go nude! Hello, get your mind out of the gutter; we're talking about footwear here.

This spring, nude footwear is all the rage, and I'm SO ready to get on board with this trend. When it comes to apparel, I typically stay away from nudes. Not only do nudes accentuate my pale skin, but I'm not a big fan on inadvertently looking naked. However, nude footwear is a completely different story. While remaining neutral in tone, nudes lighten and brighten a look from the bottom up. As a girl who regularly opts for all black, a pair of nude heels could completely transform my look--as shown below (left), with Rachel Bilson's chic LBD ensemble. How convenient then, that the same pair of nude heels can also dress up a pair of jeans in the most complimentary way (below, right). Not for nothing, but you know how I just adore versatility!


After further consideration, I'm not sure why my nude epiphany didn't occur earlier--why it took countless magazine spreads for me to see the light... After all, I am as obsessed with Burberry as a girl can be--and what would Burberry be without their signature creamy beige? Indeed, nude is the cornerstone of Burberry's iconic plaid, the classic color for a Burberry trench, and now a footwear staple too! What can I say? Go nude or go home.


Images, in order of appearance: (1) Campari Patent Mary Jane in flesh $645 by Manolo Blahnik, available at Neiman Marcus (http://www.neimanmarcus.com/); (2) Rachel Bilson in beige covered heels by Maison Martin Margiela, photo thanks to In Their Closet (http://intheircloset.com/); (3) Beige on the October 2009 Burberry spring runway collection, image thanks to My Fashion Cents by Loren Ridinger (www.myfashioncents.com); (4) Me! wearing my Burberry trench and sitting inside the Burberry gift bag on my 25th birthday.

The Verdict: Keep It Together!

Dearest fashionista friends, let me first thank you for your fiercely impassioned responses to our hot debate over split-toed ankle boots (decidedly NOT hot). For the first time in Love It or Loathe It? history, the verdict was unanimous: LOATHE! But since your feelings on the issue were so strong and well-reasoned, I wanted to share the details of our discussion...

As my dear friend, Lauren, pointed out, we are not the first to take a stance on this issue. In fact, at this time last year, the fabulous Perez Hilton shared his dismay about this terrible fashion faux-pas, citing the above photo of Sarah Jessica Parker. In his words, not mine, let the camel toe and horse face jokes begin!

Among my favorite responses were the following:

• If I wanted people to see the curvature of my toes, I would just wear socks around all day.


• Looks stupid and uncomfortable and makes me think of people who wear socks with flip flops. If you're not a ninja turtle, these shoes have no purpose.


• LOATHE IT! They took an already awful thing and added one more element to hate about it!


• They look like they are made for cows or goats.


• Nasty, nasty, nasty!


• It screams ninja turtle toes!!! It also reminds me of when people wear socks with flip flops...ouch!


• I hope it doesn't become one of those trends that we all swear we'd never get caught dead in--but then take over our wardrobe in a couple months.


• Okay, no, this is gross.
• This looks like a camel toe, literal camel toe, not perverse camel toe. That being said, anything that resembles even-toed ungulates (thank you Wikipedia), I am vehemently passing on.


• Loathe it. Fit for a horse or cow--but NOT a lady.

Like I said before, the verdict was unanimous: there will be NO split-toed monstrosities for these fashionistas! So please, let's keep it together, shall we? And by "it," I mean our toes. After all, we're not barn yard animals. Clearly.

Images: Sarah Jessica Parker in Martin Margiela split-toed ankle boots (and commentary), thanks to Perez Hilton (http://perezhilton.com).