Friday, February 27, 2015

When to buy FABULOUS Trendy Frocks vs. FABULOUS Classic Frocks?

I still struggle with this when I see a piece of clothing that I know has a shelf life of two seconds. I want it but I wonder... is it worth it?  When this happens I refer back to my two requirements....

1. Do I LOVE it?

2. Is the cut flattering?

Victoria Beckham Burberry Black Trench Coat
 
 
 
Classic? Or......
 
 
Crazy fashion trends



The answer to number one has to be an unequivocal.... YES!  I mean, what won't we do for love? We'll climb mountains and look danger in the eye. I've found this to be true in fashion too. I'll wear a pair of six inch Louboutin's that feel like I've decided to start practicing Chinese foot-binding if they match an outfit perfectly and if...I love them.  I really hit the jackpot whenever I fall in love with a pair of shoes and they're also comfy.  I remember one time I was walking down an uneven side walk in Lala land, wearing sandals that I did not love and hurt when I saw a pair of Gucci platform wedges. They started to scream my name and right then and there they proposed to me. We've lived in blissful harmony for many years and after a few visits to cobbler for marriage counseling I can tell you that we're still living happily ever after. Come to think of it that is when my love affair with Gucci began and to be more specific, Tom Ford the genius behind the brand in the early 2000's. He designed things that just resonated with my personal sense of style. Many of his designs had and still have a streamlined quality that have made them classics and have given them a tenure in my closet.

This brings me to why classics, while they do double duty as wardrobe staples also need to be pieces you love. If you find that perfect white T or black pump that you love...buy two! I promise you will thank me later. It may seem like an unnecessary purchase but two years form now when the original black pump you love starts to look like a raisin, you can pull out that fresh pair and continue the love affair.


The answer to question number two, is the cut flattering(?). The answer is personal and takes trial and error, hopefully not too much. It also takes a full length mirror and total honesty with yourself. I've learned this the hard way. I love the sophisticated look pencil skirts but they just don't flatter me the way other skirts do. I've had several fashion hiccups in attempts to be trendy and finally after seeing pictures of myself wearing things that someone should have arrested me for, I think I have a handle on what works on me and what doesn't. We all can't wear boot cut jeans or skinny jeans or mini skirts and so on. But that's the beauty of personal style and once you know what works on your body type shopping becomes simpler and let's face it ,a lot more fun. When I see a backless dress I stop, admire it and then move on. It's not going to happen because my body type isn't meant for backless. I do however LOVE strapless, halter, sleeveless and my favorite is anything with a tight long sleeve that hits the perfect spot just past my wrist.

So in condensing both questions I think trends will be as much a part of our lives as traffic. Sometimes they will work in our favor and sometimes it is just not meant to be. Lastly, classics don't have to be boring, to the contrary, for me they are building blocks to most of my outfits whether it's my Burberry trench or my favorite soft white t-shirt. 

Here are some trends I'm obsessed with and here are a few of my old standbys that never let me down... and are always... haute.



These Pigalle Louboutin pumps are everything....they are sleek, classic, neutral, trendy and classic. They go with jeans and couture.  The answer to questions one and two are...yes and yes.




Gap basic white T. This is a huge part of my wardrobe. I love pairing it with leather leggings and a bootie or pretty much anything....

Photo 1 of Drape Front Blouse
Sorry this image isn't better but I still wanted to include it since it is my latest go-to blouse. It's the Marl Drape Blouse by Topshop. The matted texture allows for this blouse to go with leather, denim or silk trousers. Again, this pretty much goes with everything. I just wore it with a pair of silk kaki shorts. I also have the cream version and will buy any other colors they dream up.

http://us.topshop.com/en/tsus/product/clothing-70483/tops-70498/blouses-2291599/textured-marl-drape-blouse-4060408?refinements=category~%5b209855%7c208637%5d&bi=1&ps=20

Finders Keepers Someday Strappy Jumpsuit

I love this trend. I hope it stays for a while because a basic like this can be paired with a denim jacket, a tailored blazer, fun baubles, and any shoe your heart desires....sky is the limit with this.

harrods.com

J.Crew Broken-in jean jacket in Gregson wash

This is my all time favorite that was a trend a very long time ago....See, there is hope that some trends will never leave us...and that's a good thing!

www.jcrew.com

Old Navy

Thursday, February 26, 2015

The FABULOUS Christian Louboutin...Spring 2015

Christian Louboutin's Spring 2015 Tribaloubi  Collection (say that 3 times fast) is nothing short of FABULOUS! I'm in love with it...the wavy heel ....the fringe (be still my heart, I'm a sucker for fringe)...The pops of fresh color, the turquoise and canary yellow need to be part of my closet, yesterday... Looking at these photos, I almost want to take a bubble bath in heels but... looking at those beauties submerged in water sort of makes me want to cry.























http://us.christianlouboutin.com/us_en/



Rouge Louboutin Starlight




So Kate

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

FABULOUS Flourless Peanutbutter Cookies...with 5 ingrediences!

Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies

I love to bake. I use real butter lots of sugar and everything decadent. I need dessert like I need oxygen but I absolutely forbid preservatives....that is why I am a prolific baker. I'm always on the hunt for a quick yummy recipe to whip up and I stumbled upon this one. After I tried it I decided to put my own twist on it. Below is my version and at the bottom is a link to the original recipe I got off the Food Network.

I also like to accessorize my desserts with dark chocolate or fruit to make it pretty so let your imagination run wild....caramel or milk chocolate would work too!

Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies drizzled with Dark Chocolate and Sea Salt.

-One cup of natural organic peanut butter (creamy works best with these cookies)

-One cup of light brown sugar

-One and a half teaspoons of natural vanilla extract (sans alcohol)

-One large beaten egg

-Sea Salt for sprinkling 

(Optional....Dark Chocolate)

Preheat the oven to 350. In a large mixing bowl (I use my electric mixer) mix the peanut butter, sugar, vanilla and egg. Spoon one tablespoon of mix on to a parchment lined baking sheet one inch apart. Bake 10 minutes. 

I personally think that they look naked without the chocolate and sea salt so I melt a piece of chocolate about the size of half a gram cracker in the microwave and then drizzle it over the cookies after they have cooled. While the chocolate is still soft I sprinkle sea slat with a grinder over the top.

I glass of Pinot Noir pairs beautifully with the flavors. Yes you could have a glass of ice cold milk but that's no fun....

Disclaimer: Above is a beautiful image from the food network because my cookies while yummy were slightly less attractive and immediately devoured by my lovely daughters before I took a picture!



http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/claire-robinson/flourless-peanut-butter-cookies-recipe.html

 

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Have a FABULOUS morning!

 
 
Good Morning! So I'm not sure how many of you have tried to go gluten free but I did a year or so ago. To be perfectly honest I'm still trying, I just noticed when I do eat gluten free I feel soooo much better. I also decided to cut way back on dairy to see if my skin would look better and it did. I thought I'd share my morning breakfast routine so here it is. French roast coffee with unsweetened almond milk, a gluten free quinoa waffle and a plum...now off to Pilates. Have a FABULOUS day!

Monday, February 23, 2015

My top 5 FABULOUS looks from last night's Oscars!

Here are my top 5 FABULOUS looks from last nights' Oscars. They're in no particular order, if I had to pick a favorite I'd never get this posted. I think this year was the hardest time I've ever had deciding.  I mean, so many people just nailed it, this was harder than deciding what dessert to order when I go out!  I've broken down why I love them...I hope you agree!



Jennifer Lopez, 2015 Academy Awards

The second I saw her I knew she would be in my top 5... This is haute couture at it's best. The fit, the color, the detail, I don't think the Cinderella's fairy godmother could have done better. With that said, I was disappointed when I saw how pink her eye makeup was. In some photos it translated beautifully but during her red carpet interview it just didn't work. I also think a dark lip (as seen on Chrissy Teigen) would have polished off this look as one of her all time best in my book. Of course, nine times out of ten she get's it right. I also, loved the sleek pony, it kept the look fresh and allowed the dress to be front and center. Bravo!





I think Emma Stone (in Elie Saab) was at her all time best! The light citrus lime color of the dress with her hair and creamy skin were perfection. I loved the long sleeve and beaded bodice contrasted by the high slit . And the way the fabric cascaded was just jaw dropping-ly gorgeous.  I just adored everything about this dress on her. I also thought she nailed it with hair and makeup. The red lip and red hair couldn't have complimented each other better. LOVE IT!



Jenna Dewan-Tatum in Zuhair Murad. I mean, can you ever go wrong in Zuhair Murad? I just love her in this white streamlined gown with the polished hair makeup. Aside from the fact that she is gorgeous she just looked so sophisticated. I don't know of a more flattering cut for her figure either.  I loved the edginess of her clutch too (does anyone know who it's by?). Everything just blended together perfectly. STUNNING!



First of all congratulations to Julianne Moore for best actress!  Her Chanel gown fit her like a glove in every way down to her personality. The dropped waist and simple yet decadent elegance of this gown was the epitome of what Coco did best. If she were alive today I think she would have created this exact dress for Julianne... As a matter of fact there must have been some divine intervention when this dress was made. Her chignon allowed for her beautiful face to take center stage, as it should have last night... and the red lip (a personal favorite) made the look even more stunning. I also have to mention her acceptance speech, (for some reason all best actress speeches' make me cry but) hers was just so touching. I can't say enough...she's simply BEAUTIFUL...inside and out!



Chrissy Teigen in Zuhair Murad, again is he ever not amazing? This look was flawless because she is also... flawless. This look is Hollywood glam at it's best! Her golden hair contrasted against the shimmery bodice and long sleeve struck the perfect balance. I love a streamlined top with wavy hair or vice versa. I also thought the slit with the fullness of the skirt was another example of striking the perfect balance of modesty and sexiness. And, last but not least, the dark lip...I think that made her whole look modern and classy. Everything about this look to me is PERFECTION!

Oh-and I am a huge Lady Gaga fan and last night just reinforced the fact that she is INCREDIBLE!  Until next year! How can it get better than this?!





 

Sunday, February 22, 2015

And the Oscar goes to Dom! Best supporting Oscar goes to Veuve!

 
Only a few hours left until the we get to feast our eyes on some of the most FABULOUS looks we will see all year.... But I have to ask....aside from Harry Winston baubles don't you think Champaign is the next best accessory? My bottle is on ice....let the count down begin! 
 

The winner is.....
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dom Perignon 1947


And the winner is also......
 



1990 Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Vintage Reserve
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
Salut!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Saturday, February 21, 2015

FABULOUS.....Gladiator Sandals!

These are serious shoes, a spring must have and there is a style for everyone.....Now, snow-snow go away I want to wear my gladiator sandals!


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Casadei Spring 2015 Collection
Casadei Spring 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 

Friday, February 20, 2015

FABULOUS FROCK....Boyfriend Jeans!

 
Despite the fact that the boyfriend jean has been around for a few seasons now, I think they're here to stay.  They have a certain look that is distinct from others and is just.....well, effortlessly chic. I like to pair mine with a more refined top then a statement bootie,  a pair of pointy stiletto's or ballet flat's.  It doesn't hurt that they feel like your favorite broken in pj's either!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
My favorite because of where they sit on the hip, the length and the texture.