(Click to Polyvore for details, pricing and where to buy.)
Holy crizzap, I think I need all of these.
Archive for the ‘Dresses’ Category
Currently Coveting
Wednesday, September 1st, 2010
‘Rumpled to Runway’ Benefit for Ovarian Cancer Research
Monday, August 30th, 2010
Max and Cleo Sleeveless Textured Dress
PONO Jewelry by Joan Goodman
Mr. Kate Custom Designed Cereal 'Food for Love' Necklace
Dolce Vita Teal Damask Sandal
NYC Fashion Week is just around the corner…and I’m in it. In a white dress. You heard me. It’s no secret that my M.O. has always been as a behind-the-camera girl, but when asked to participate in the Electrolux event hosted by Kelly Ripa to benefit The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, I just couldn’t refuse. To kick off fashion week and demonstrate how the Electrolux Perfect Steam washer and dryer can transform your outfit from Rumpled to Runway, ten fashion bloggers (including me, obvy) have been challenged to wear white one last time before fall; we’ve also been asked to accessorize our outfits with teal, the official color of ovarian cancer awareness…and you can help!
Beginning September 8th, you can visit the Wash ‘n Care lounge at Kelly Confidential to support the cause and enter for a chance to win a daily shopping spree as well as the grand prize, a Perfect Steam washer and dryer from Electrolux! They’ll donate $1 to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund each time you enter by simply pressing the Perfect Steam button at Kelly Confidential. Electrolux is also making a donation for each Perfect Steam washer and dryer purchased, as part of its $750,000 commitment to OCRF.
The fashion show will take place on September 8th at 1:00 PM, EST, and you can RSVP to watch the live stream on line at Kelly Confidential, or at Kelly’s Facebook page. I’ve included some of the looks I’m thinking of wearing on the runway, but you’ll have to tune in to see my final picks – see you there!
(My participation in the ‘Rumpled to Runway’ Campaign was sponsored by Electrolux, who provided me with a $150 stipend to style my look as well as travel arrangements to and accommodations in New York to participate.)
Real Life Fashion Series #004: M
Tuesday, August 24th, 2010
M rules it, hands down. She’s significantly younger than I am and an attorney, which for whatever reason blows me away. Come to think of it, my doctor is also younger than I am. I’ll reevaluate on my own time…moving on. Not only is she crazy smart and ah-mazing with my kids, she is a dear family friend who has traveled as part of our extended ‘vacation posse’ for some years now.
This past beach getaway was no exception, and as we readied ourselves for dinner (and by ‘readied’ I mean slapped my hair into a wet ponytail), this is how M emerged from her room, as adorable as ever in an easy and affordable ensemble. I’m sure she was stoked when I accosted her, demanding grainy iPhone pics to the tune of “Will you be in my Real Life Fashion Series…?!” culminating in her proximity at dinner to my three year old, who promptly had a meltdown about four seconds in. She handled it stylishly, with grace and kindness, like she always does. And this is why we love M… (Oh and P.S. she had these Goody Spin Pins that make the cutest bun and are cuh-razy easy!)
(Forever 21 Silk Shirt Dress $24.99, Nicole Miller Alana Jakarta Satchel $162.50 – M scored hers at RueLaLa for $112, Shoes from ‘some random store for cheap,’ similar pair here, Fossil Chronograph Champagne Dial Watch $125, gifted earrings similar to these, Forever 21 Dainty Floral Connector Ring $4.80)
Autumn/Winter 2010 Trend Guide
Monday, August 23rd, 2010Sinister romance and casual seventies “chick…?” In.
It’s VIEable: Oversized Roses
Thursday, August 12th, 2010
Worn almost as a chic badge of honor, thanks to Valentino and Sonia Rykiel, roses are a HUGE trend in fashion, appearing on both clothing and accessories alike. Having become less camp and more luxe over the years, it’s high time to find the perfect oversized rose for you. From roses that fall in soft knit layers to stiffer petals, and even the more more ostentatious varieties found in leather iterations on a bag, there are all kinds to suit your fancy. Our picks (below) are for both the modest and superfluous rose-wearers – which is your favorite?
Arden B Exploded Rose One Shoulder Top
Kate Spade New York Striped Rosette Tank
Handbag Heaven Audra Floral Tote
Alice + Olivia Rose & Safety Pin Necklace
(This post is compliments of Julia DiNardo and my fabulous friends at The Envied! Read more about The EnVIEd in this NYTimes.com article. )
On The Plus Side: Examining Saks Foray Into Extended Designer Pieces
Thursday, August 5th, 2010
T-Bags, Salon Z Studded Split-Sleeve Dress $230 at Saks Fifth Avenue
This feature is generously brought to you by guest blogger Sarah Conley, editor of Style It.
To preface this post, I would like to begin by saying that I have strong feelings about this news. On the one hand, I dream of wearing McQueen and Chanel, and on the other hand, I’ve been left feeling like I am the latest charity case in a company’s quest for publicity.
A week ago, Racked NY ran the news that Saks Fifth Avenue will be stocking plus size pieces from Dolce & Gabbana, Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen, Fendi and Roberto Cavalli. On the surface, this news sounds wonderful and seems to be a giant step forward for fashionable women everywhere.
Kudos to Saks, whose extended sizes collection, called Salon Z, encompasses sizes 14 to 24 and offers a few fashion forward pieces. The entire collection isn’t perfect (when is an entire collection perfect), but it is likely that you’ll find something worthy of taking home.
Digging deeper into the news reveals that while these brands have previously been carried through a size 10, they will now be stocked fully to a size 14 and even to a size 20 on a brand-by-brand basis. Unfortunately (though not uncommon), only one of each size will be stocked and only in the New York City location. If the test venture is successful, other Saks locations could be carrying the expanded line.
How successful will this venture be? A designer size 14 is hardly plus size. A designer size 20 is an admirable step, but how well will these pieces actually sell? If you’re putting the cash towards an investment piece, it’s wise to buy a piece that fits well – but have the brands put in the appropriate effort towards the new extended range?
The secret to a successful plus size line (outside of the conceptual designs) are the fit models. Remember when Old Navy first launched their plus size line in stores? It was okay, but it didn’t fit that well. The line was pulled from stores and disappeared for a while, but when it resurfaced as online only merchandise, the product was new and improved, due to the brand’s realization that patterns for a size 24 could be adapted from a size 2 – the two bodies simply aren’t built the same.
The skeptical industry side of my brain questions why houses such as Dolce & Gabanna and Chanel want to move forward in this way. True, both houses have made admirable strides to embrace the plus size community, both via model Crystal Renn (these days, who isn’t in love with her?). Is Chanel, including former heavyweight Karl Lagerfeld, really committed to servicing the plus size consumer, or is this similar to when a brand “donates” money to charity and reaps the benefits of all the surrounding press from their “good deed”, all the while there is a $5,000 cap on donations?
I guess the real question is, will you invest in these new pieces? How does this issue make you feel?
Garanimals For Grown-Ups by MIKA Organic
Friday, July 30th, 2010
MIKA Organic 'Protect The Forest' Aspen Dress $280
MIKA Organic 'Protect Marine Life' Sting Ray Top $180
MIKA Organic 'Protect The Natural Habitat For Butterflies' Butterfly Top $220
MIKA Organic Tattoo Legging $90
At first glance MIKA Organic’s prices may seem a bit steep, but it’s a small sum to pay when you think about caring for the environment, saving animals and ultimately the planet itself. I’m not here to preach because seriously – this stuff is crazy cute, but I’m definitely down with designer Mika Machida’s accountability in creating sustainable, organic fashion; not to mention she donates a portion of her proceeds to non-profit organizations supporting endangered species and their habitats, amongst others. The entire scenario including the clothes? Gorgeous.
If This Outfit Was A Room…
Tuesday, July 27th, 2010
Kim Noorda in Christian Dior Fall 2010 Couture (Photo Credit: Monica Feudi/GoRunway.com via Style.com)
Back by popular demand, the talented (and hysterical) Krista Schrock has been generous enough to recreate another beautiful room, based upon this jaw-dropping Christian Dior gown. Once again, I chose several outfits from which Krista make the final selection, only this time I decided to amp it up from Ready-To-Wear to a little couture, because seriously? Who doesn’t need more couture in their life? Don’t answer that.
(Details, pricing and where to buy: CB2 ‘Parlour’ Sofa, West Elm ‘Martini’ Side Table in Persimmon, Neenas ‘Studio Balustrade Candle’ Floor Lamp in French Wax, Anthropologie ‘Sweet As Honey’ Rug, Plunder Room Antiques Green & Yellow Needlepoint Pillow, Walmart Banana Fish Moda Multi-Stripe Decorative Pillow, Hugo Guinness 4 Print Botanical Silouette Set, Hugo Guinness Original Artwork)
Interior designer Krista Schrock has earned a reputation amongst entertainment industry professionals and celebrities as a designer who understands the need to create a fantastic space; one that is truly reflective of individual personalities. She is currently living and working in Los Angeles, and can be reached through her website at www.kristaschrock.com.
OMFG Givenchy Fall 2010 Couture
Friday, July 16th, 2010
Malgosia Bela (ELITE) Photo: Courtesy of Givenchy via Style.com
Natasha Poly (WOMEN) Photo: Courtesy of Givenchy via Style.com
Joan Smalls (IMG) Photo: Courtesy of Givenchy via Style.com
Daphne Groeneveld (WOMEN) Photo: Courtesy of Givenchy via Style.com
Mariacarla Boscono (VIVA) Photo: Courtesy of Givenchy via Style.com
Insane. Just insane. Truly inspiring.
Convertible Fashion: Ximena Valero by Guest Blogger Maya Meinert
Wednesday, July 14th, 2010I recently had the pleasure of meeting Ximena Valero, an L.A. based fashion designer, whose signature is a convertible piece wearable in a myriad of ways. While there are other brands that offer the same idea, Valero’s is the first I’ve actually seen up close and tried on. In fact, she gifted me one of her ‘OMG’ dresses, and I’m very excited to wear it! I’ve played around with it, but haven’t had a chance to actually wear it out since it’s really long – built for leggy models, I guess. So until I can find a pair of suitable platforms, I’ll have to settle for studying this video that demonstrates all the different ways to wear the dress – fun!
Maya Meinert is the editor of ShopEatSleep.com. She covers retail, dining and hospitality in Los Angeles, as well as contributing her own personal picks. She was most recently the Marketplace reporter at The Los Angeles Business Journal, and has contributed to The Los Angeles Daily Journal, Santa Monica Daily Press, Los Angeles magazine and Giant Robot magazine. Maya can be contacted at shopeatsleepblog@gmail.com.
