Turquoise Fever

 
I used to be afraid of turning into the woman who wears too much turquoise.  You know the one...

However, last year, I bought more turquoise jewelry than I ever thought I would own & I adore every piece.  I would have bought more if guilt didn't set in.  And after seeing this picture, I can't wait to cover myself with it!

I Wanna Be A Cowboy

How on earth did I end up with seven western shirts in my closet?  I did not realize how much I loved that trend.

That said, I find nothing sexier than a fitted western shirt over just about anything!  They look great with leather, denim, skirts or dresses.  It's my go-to shirt whenever I find that I don't have a thing to wear. 

Truly Ageless Beauty

I first saw the picture above & was taken by Carmen Dell'Orefice's beauty.  Her bone structure & coloring are amazing.  She made me look forward to grey hair & gave me hope of looking fabulous in my golden years. 

I wanted to learn more about her & did some internet research where I found out that she had such a life of up's & down's & wanted to share this Wikipedia entry. 

New York Loves Bill Cunningham

I got to watch "Bill Cunningham New York" at Film Forum over the weekend.  Cunningham is a "New York Times" street photographer capturing truly candid street fashion photos since the 1970's.  I couldn't get over how hard he works physically at the age of 80.  He also lived such an ascetic life.  For someone so well known & loved, I wished a less lonely life for him.  I hope to meet him one day.  It would be a dream to be a subject of one of his pictures, but I really would love to just get acquainted with him.  I adore anyone I can talk fashion passionately with!  

You can read about him in his own words here.

The Object of my Affection

 
This clutch is my latest obsession.  The simple shape is perfect to go with the new minimalism.  It is also the perfect counterpoint for anything elaborately avant-garde.  The cobalt blue is stunning & so modern.  It is also a refreshing dose of color after all the black I've been wearing all winter.  It is the perfect accessory for spring. 

I have been searching high & low for it.  Why don't we have a Celine store in the U.S.?  So not fair!  *sniffle*

The Delectable Ms. Stone

They say that French women embrace their "flaws" & celebrate them as part of their individuality.  They use them to define & distinguish themselves from everyone else.  Natalie Portman said in "Teen Vogue", "A French woman will take as her greatest attributes things that other women consider flaws & own them in a way that makes her confident.  Her sexiness is that she is every bit herself."

I never understood that concept.  I always thought that's something they tell regular people like me to make them feel better about things they can't change about themselves.  I felt that way, that is, until I set my eyes on Lara Stone.  Despite my obsession with having perfect teeth, I yearned for a gap in my teeth like hers when I saw her.  Even the fabulous Lauren Hutton did not elicit that response in me.  She made having a gap in your teeth look sexy.  I loved how she owned her gap, too.  Stone once said in an interview, "Every time I go to the dentist they always say, 'you really need to fix that gap of yours.'  I'm like, 'my gap is paying your dentist bills...'"

I also like to fantasize that maybe, just maybe, my body kind of, sort of looks like hers because we share the same dress size.  I'm not that disillusioned, but it's just a little bit of wishful thinking on my part.  Of course, it is because she's "heavy" for a model.  Stone told "W" magazine: 

“A lot of people say it's nice to see someone who won't break in half when you touch them.  But I am still a woman & a person, & if you're compared & confronted with your colleagues, & they're all half your size, you think, F***, I'm really fat!  & then on other days, I'm like, 'Oh, I'm not that bad.'

She was also quoted as saying, "If I could have the discipline to be super-skinny, I would be.  I think of dieting, then I eat pizza.  I'm a woman, & every woman wants to be skinnier--unfortunately."  I love how real she is. 

However, unfortunately, Lara Stone has caved to all the pressure & is reportedly slimming down.  "I don’t want to be the fat one anymore," she said. "So, I have just started doing Pilates every morning, then going to the gym, running, & swimming.  I make sure to relax in the sauna after exercising."

Well, as long as I don't hear she's going to the orthodontist...

'Cause I'm Feeling like a Criminal

 

 

While we are on the topic of subversion, look at these gorgeous handcuffs shown on the Louis Vuitton runway show at Fall 2011 Paris Fashion Week.  I know it's suggestive & naughty, but I just love how beautiful they are.  It's so playful & cute in blue.  I can't wait to see them in person!

Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!

The Fall collections closed with Marc Jacobs's show for Louis Vuitton in Paris last week.  His provocative show based on fetish and "discipline" was the last of many Fall collections referencing bondage and domination.  His show feature patent leather corsets, French maid outfits and diamond handcuffs.  At Alexander McQueen, harnesses were worn over frothy silk tulle and organza confections. 

Both on and off the runway, harnesses and slave bracelets were worn in broad daylight.  Hermes's Collier de Chien--a luxurious rendition of slave manacles--is one of their top selling items where the black leather with gold hardware combination is the ultimate in elusive finds. 

While this look isn't for everyone, it can be worn with minimal suggestion with the right combination of clothing and accessories.  The amount of skin exposed will dictate the level of provocation and severity (and possibly unwanted looks).  For example, harnesses can be worn over frothy dresses and bold t-shirts.  While the look above is cool, it might not be for everyone.  However, with a t-shirt worn underneath and the right accessories, the Alexander McQueen bustier looks very modern and edgy with a mere suggestion of provocation in the second picture.  Or just a hint of subversion can be made with the Hermes Collier de Chien bracelet worn with a regular blazer, t-shirt and jeans.

How far you push the limits or not, it'll always be eye-catching and fun.  Sometimes, less is more and sometimes, more is more.  It's all up to you. 

Rewind

It was 10 years ago that I fell in love with Marc...  Marc by Marc Jacobs, that is!  To celebrate their 10-year anniversary, they are releasing a limited edition capsule collection of some of their best loved pieces.  Above is one of their iconic pieces that they will be reissuing & it is one that I coveted so much.  I was a poor little assistant at the time & had to settle for the Old Navy knock-off.  Boy, did I love that little jacket!  I have to tell you that the Marc line is a gateway drug into all that is Marc Jacobs, but I would do it again.  No doubt!  I might just have to go get the real thing this time! 

Be Still My Beating Heart

I had to pick my jaw off the ground when I saw this necklace on the Charles Albert website.