Diamonds in Blonde

in black· fall· leather· Wear It 1 Comment

Tough Enough {Leather}

Leather is badass.  And also usually carries a badass price tag to match.  It may be an investment, but it is and always will be a style staple.  In addition, the more wear a leather motorcycle jacket gets, the better it usually looks.  So there, don’t feel guilty handing over the dough because you can wear the crap out of it!

These photos are from last weekend while in Kansas City once again for the second wedding there this month!  It took a long time for me to find this leather jacket and it ended up being a gift from my…well to quote Carrie from Sex and the City, my “manfriend” last Christmas.  It was love at first sight on the floor of All Saints and I have been obsessed ever since!  Also, fingerless gloves are an added ‘badass’ touch.

~sunnies: Jimmy Choo (similar here), leather jacket: All Saints (similar here), top: DVF, pants: Gap, shoes: Stuart Weitzman (similar here), fingerless gloves: Urban Outfitters, earrings: Banana Republic, hat: Nordstrom (similar here), bag: Botkier

Boulevard photos: sunnies: Ray-Ban, top: Dorothy Perkins, skirt: Uniqlo, shoes: Stuart Weitzman (similar here), tights: DKNY

in events· fall Leave a Comment

Fast Forward to Fall

Ah, yes, I know I have been on hiatus for the past couple of weeks.  Lots to catch you up on!  I spent the beginning of the month in NYC for the Independent Fashion Blogger Conference and Fashion’s Night Out.  From there I went straight to my friend’s Bachelorette Party in KC and flew back into Chicago just in time to start my new job.  I’m two weeks into my new job and finally have a chance to take a breath!

     I met some great friends at the IFB Conference and enjoyed listening to Iman speak.  She is really quite funny and has a beautiful blog, who knew?  It was absolutely amazing to be in NYC for Fashion’s Night Out and the start of Fashion Week.  I must say, I was in fashion heaven.  We stayed in The Roger New York hotel and it was perfect, and they had the most delicious breakfast spread every morning.  Oh did I forget to mention Anna Wintour walked right in front me outside of Saks Fifth Avenue.  I was speechless.  Unfortunately, I was so overwhelmed and ecstatic while in NYC that I rarely took out my camera!  I did snap a few photos and a sample is displayed below just to give you a little taste of my trip.

Okay, there are so many things I’m so excited about right now and that happened over the last few weeks I’m just going to make a list:

 

~Rachel Zoe Project will return to TV
~saw Rachel Zoe, Oscar de la Renta, and Anna Wintour while in NYC

~met great new blogger friends,  Corrie, Alicia, Metitia, Becky, and Katie, definitely check out their blogs (especially for more great photos of IFBCON)!
~cooler temps means Fall/Winter shopping
~pumpkin spice lattes at Starbucks
~pumpkin, pumpkin, pumpkin everything!

 

prosecco in our hotel lobby at The Roger
Oscar de la Renta at Fashion’s Night Out in Saks Fifth Avenue
the crowd in SOHO during Fashion’s Night Out
enjoying refreshments at the BCBG SOHO store
Rachel Zoe outside the new (and first) Piperlime store in SOHO
very cute hotel room key from the Roger New York
hard at work in our hotel lobby
the one and only, Anna Wintour, flawless and in head-to-toe python
enjoying the view of the Empire State building from our terrace

 

attending my friends early morning wedding dress fitting, since I can’t show you the dress, this is the much needed coffee and chocolate biscuit I enjoyed at the bridal salon

There were many lessons learned, but the main one is….take more pictures!

 

 

 

 

in fall· Wear It 1 Comment

Fall Runway Translation: Lanvin 2012

Peplum has been ubiquitous this Summer, and it is not going anywhere for Fall 2012.  As seen on the Lanvin runway, it is here to stay.  We will have to wait and see what the Spring 2013 shows put out to see just how long it will be around.  The great thing about peplum, unlike the leather trend, is it’s affordable.  Those red dresses look particularly appealing for Holiday parties!

 

 

Runway Translation: Lanvin Fall 2012


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What to Buy Now: printed pants

What to Buy now: printed pants

Zara pants / Zara cotton pants / Zara pants / H&M Pants / ASOS high waisted pants / Zara cotton pants / Zara cotton pants

Yes, often the goal of daily dressing is to try and minimize the lower half, yet I’m suggesting slapping a print on that derriere.  Even with a print, these ankle skimming pants can be very flattering; the trick is to make sure you have the right fit (meaning don’t try to squeeze into a certain size and get a muffin top).  I emphasize the right fit because, think about it, if you have a print that is pulled too tight, what happens?  Think of a belly tattoo on a very pregnant belly.  Got it?  Good.  Printed pants were everywhere on the runway for Fall, and often shown in a head to toe matching ensemble.  I don’t recommend it, but if you take the plunge, send me a picture!  Instead, balance your print with a solid blouse or sweater.  As for shoes, this is a great opportunity to showcase a great pair due to the length of the pant.  Flats or heels would work, the crazier the print, the simpler the shoe.

in fall· Wear It· winter Leave a Comment

Fall Runway Translation: DIOR 2012

DIOR Fall 2012
I just purchased the Vogue Fall 2012 Collections catalog, and while flipping through it to get inspiration for Fall/Winter shopping, I decided to find similar looks. Over the next few weeks I will select a designer and search for a more affordable translation of their Fall collection that can be worn.  Hopefully this will highlight the coming trends and inspire you to find something to add to your shopping list!
DIOR Fall 2012/black

in black· celebrity style· fall· leather· Wear It Leave a Comment

Steal her Style: Charlize Theron

jacket: J.Crew field jacket, pants: All Saints Petrol Brodie Jeans, bag: Peter Jensen satchel @ Asos (on sale!), pumps: Christian Louboutin, sunnies: Gucci Rimless Shields, polish: Essie Luxedo, hat: Cara @ Nordstrom and similar here

I was inspired by this picture of Charlize Theron on Pinterest.  She looks amazing, yet she is simply wearing all black.  All the pieces she’s wearing are very classic and can definitely be smart investments to your wardrobe.  Plus, black leather is going to be big this Fall and will never truly be ‘out’.