the ultimate parfum

The most luxurious perfume, Missoni Parfum, is available for the price of $300.00.

Enclosed in their signature zigzag pattern, Missoni whipped up a treat for your senses. A mix of fruits, florals, andddd the perfect indulgence – gianduia chocolate.

I went to Neiman’s to try it out, being a perfume junkie. Delish!

You absolutely must get a spritz.

ARGH!

I need to vent.

Elie Tahari is having a nyc sample sale until June 3rd. And I will not be back home until June 16th!

so unfair 😦

aquascutum

To be completely honest, I do not know much about this designer except that it is a London based label. There is no history provided on their website – but if anyone has tidbits of info on the designer Aquascutum I would love to learn more!
Their spring/summer collection color palette is sophisticated and incorporates many different styles – structured vs flow, blocks of color vs floral – but always classy. And I love classy.

Even the model’s hair is just simple and sexy; the long waves really compliment the different necklines.

I really enjoy runway shows that feature clothing people actually want to wear – not tops and bottoms that show off how outrageous the designer can be.

Each outfits look comfortable yet professional, powerful yet feminine. I am digging the laid back, all black outfit for work, as well as the white top with the leaf-printed skirt (great necklace) for some summer everyone is going lunch-turns into dinner-turns into full blown reunion-get together. Love those!

I am definitely keeping tabs on this designer again for fall: http://www.aquascutum.co.uk/

pout-rageous!

I have dozenssss of lip glosses, chapsticks, lip tints, lip exfoliators – you name it I have it. Some are in my car, others in my purse, and then there are those that I magically stumble upon hidden in the depths of dresser drawers? coat pockets, and random makeup bags. But, and I know you can sympathize, purchasing lip products is addicting!!

There is always something new that will plump my lips, make them softer, make them a certain color, or will cure chapping. And they always come in the cutest little packages…..sigh.

The title of the post refers to Bliss’ Poutrageous Lip Gel. The hydrating formula actually helps your lips retain water so they are super soft! Carol’s Daughter sells little tins of Lip Butter (I mean, I love saying that. Lip Butter) which has essential oils vanilla and almond. A luxurious treat for your mouth – and only $7.00! I think lip stains are the best way to get color because it is so natural looking and won’t smear or be sticky. Of course, one of the most well known stains is BeneTint by Benefit. It’s the perfect sheer ruby color that looks great on everyone.

shoes that make me drool.

michael kors, tory burch, stuart weitzman x2, michael kors, kate spade, juicy couture, cole haan

Bottom’s Up

What you wear to cover your bum seems to be causing the most chatter among us fashion obsessed individuals.

At which point does a short skirt or dress look skanky?
Are those low-rise skinny jeans/that show my thong every two seconds/I have to wear a long shirt – out for fall of ’07?
Do those high-waisted pants look that awful on everyone?
How long will it be before everyone starts picking up on the trend of wide-leg jeans?

I don’t neccessarily believe skinny jeans are going anywhere. But I do think that there will be more fashionable options available in the upcoming seasons, like the straight leg and slim pant.
Straight leg jeans, if fitted properly, look good on everyone because they are the same width from the thigh to knee to the ankle. This is much better for those who are self-conscious about their hip and thigh area because of the way it is proportioned, unlike the skinny jean, that gets tighter near the end of the leg and makes your mid-section stand out.

I am not featuring pictures of straight jeans because all of the models are too thin so – surprise surprise – they look the same as the skinny jean.

Slim pants, or cigarette pants, have a more tailored and refined look to them. They usually end at the ankle – which I love because I think it adds somewhat of a retro twist to the outfit.
Cynthia Steffe Cigarette Pant $150.00

Wide-leg jeans, trousers, capri pants; whatever, they look fantastic!
I know some girls dont like the ultra wide pairs that cover your shoes, so I chose some photos of jeans that have a comfortable fit that are not too wide leg but are not straight or skinny, either.
7 for all mankind Dojo Barcelona Jeans $187.00

Rock and Republic Urban Utility jeans $252.00

I’m posting this picture of Eva Mendes at the Grindhouse premiere in Diane von Furstenberg’s wide leg jeans because she has a relatively normal body (which is important to me) and it shows how you don’t have to be model thin to pull off this trend. She looks great and the whole outfit looks so wearable. She’s also gorgeous, my roommate loves her.

Here’s a photo of the jeans, sans Mendes:

I am a huge fan of levi’s jeans. They have so many different types of rises, washes, and fits for a good price. So, if you don’t want to invest a lot of money in just one jean trend and want to try them all – http://www.levi.com !

Katharine McPhee

I don’t want this blog to become dedicated to celebrities and their lives in any way, yet when I saw Katharine McPhee’s picture in the newest issue of Lucky I was bursting to share my thoughts!

She looks amazing! I am not a fan of the cover look, but her outfit inside the magazine (shown below) is to die for! The top is actually two separate pieces – the top blouse is by Vivienne Westwood for $405 and the tank underneath is Louisa Beccaria for $540. The skirt – $225 is by one of my favorite new designers, 3.1 Phillip Lim.

The entire look is so put together and the clean lines really show off her waist and decollatege. I am completely smitten with this outfit.

The Succulent Wife

thesucculentwife.com is a giftware website which features only women artists.

They promote talented women who are trying to get their enterprises out into the marketplace. I wanted to feature this website not only because of the quirky and spiritual items the website offers, but because of the website’s feminist nature. This website really focuses on celebrating the creativity behind each woman and their art. From beautiful jewelry to home accents to stationary, there are gifts for everyone that will bring out your eccentric side.

My favorite thing the website offers are jewelry that work with chunks of glass. The designer is Paola Frusteri and her workshop is in Italy. She has had successful showings in New York, Milan, and Genova. Each item is a one-of-a-kind, as they are manually made, and and uses a piece of glass as the focal point. Inspired by nature, Frusteri calls them “miniature wearable sculptures”.

Hera Glass and Copper bracelet $174.00

Hera Glass and Brass bracelet $253.00

Red Glass flower ring $88.00

“And, you ask, why “Succulence”? Oh, Succulence… as in truly tasting life, making it fascinating, exciting, fun, indulgent, even provocative and challenging. But please, never ordinary.” (www.thesucculentwife.com)

the essential summer trimmings

During the summer it’s standard work clothes during the week and a bathing suit on the weekends; accessories that perk up any outfit are a must for the summer of 2007!

Everyone knows the must-have, mundane neccessities of summer – sunscreen, tanks, hair-ties, and shorts (for those brave enough). With not a holiday in sight, why not add some of your own seasonal cheer to your wardrobe?

Here are some of my favorite essentials for those sweltering hot days:

Hats are making a big comeback on the runways, but small ones just won’t cut it at the beach. Make sure yours has a brim that covers your face, neck, and shoulders to protect yourself from those awful wrinkle-bearing, cancer-giving, sun-burning rays.
Kokin Floppy Sun Hat $400.00

Emilio Pucci Sun Hat $350.00

My personal favorite trend this season are clear totes.
MICHAEL Michael Kors Island tote $198.00

kate spade ‘hugo poppy – griffen’ tote $195.00

“Natural” wedges are everywhere. Cork, wood, brown, beige, sky high, little heels. They are the IT sandal to have this season. Plus, your tanned legs will look ridiculously long since your shoes are in the same color scheme.
Pierre Hardy $975.00

Michael Kors $215.00

Christian Louboutin $590.00

Layering lots of different kinds of jewelry has been a top trend for quite a few seasons, but recently designers are incorporating light colored, hazy, semi-precious stones into the mix. From small and delicate to conversation-starting proportions these stones vibe with any outfit and pull any look together.
Alexis Bittar $245.00

A.V. Max $132.00

D.A.Y.S. by Stephania $145.00

The last trend, and one which I think is of mucho importance is the beach cover-up. Wearing shorts and a t-shirt to the beach is the complete opposite of sheek, not to mention a nusance. Why wear such restrictive clothing to the beach when you are going there to relax? The new cover-ups are free-flowing and breathable, not difficult to tie or cheesy looking. They also resemble actual summer dresses or tunics, so you won’t look out of place off, or on, the beach.
Lily Pulitzer Shayna Beach Mini Dress $148.00

Marc by Marc Jacobs Sarah Cover-up $188.00

Diane von Furstenberg Linen Tie Caftan $220.00

now we can all be the best looking beach bums out there 🙂

Free search engine submission!

Organic!

Quite possibly my new favorite online place to shop, Under The Canopy, provides consumers with an alternative and environmental friendly way to be fashionable. UTC coined the term EcoFashion over ten years ago in 1996 and has since then created a major buzz in magazines, online, and even on The View with Barbara Walters.

“The way we see it, we all live under the canopy of our planet’s ecosystem. Pollutants and harsh chemicals that need not go into the production of clothing erode this fragile canopy every day. Through designing a line of clothing made from environmentally friendly fibers that were sown and grown without the use of these chemicals, we offer consumers a chance to eliminate large quantities of pesticides from their bodies, their homes, the Earth, and their children’s futures.” (www.underthecanopy.com)

I am really excited to see other companies hopefully starting to follow this wonderful and benefical example.

Under The Canopy offers apparel for women, men, children, accessories, home accessories, and spa products! All are made from the purest and high-quality organic fibers such as organic cotton, soy, angora, and organic denim. They even use positive words to name each garment.

chakra tank (100% organic cotton) $38.00

serenity wrap blouse (100% soy) $86.00

kimono robe (100% organic cotton) $48.00 – which comes in the “nature-inspired” colors of mermaid, silver, natural, and seashell

and my personal fave, the embroidered banded blouson (bamboo!) $80.00

I can’t think of an easier way to help the environment then by purchasing cute clothes!