The Ladies of Rachel Zoe

Now I know these events are in the past, but The Rachel Zoe Project just aired last night and I felt it worthy of being discussed.  The ladies of Rachel Zoe must be given their credit, along with the style goddess herself.

Cameron and Kate are two of the cutest and quirkiest ladies in Hollywood.  They are both beautiful and have gorgeous figures to boot.  They put their Golden Globes looks in the right hands.  I absolutely love these options provided my R. Zoe.   Kate looks bangin' in this Marchesa dress.  Her look is retro with a pop.  The structured collar with the cinched waist emphasizes the hourglass shape.  You can't see the train, but it gives it a dramatic flair that is timeless.  Cameron went for a simpler look in this red McQueen number.  Cameron's body looks amazing in anything, but this one takes the cake.  The dress hugs her body, not skin tight, but enough to see her frame.  As for the collar, I believe it speak for itself.  Dr-ah-ma-tic and I love it!

Jen is one of my favorite actresses.  Not only is she adorable but she also can go from wearing her North face by day and sport Versace by night.  I rarely see her in something that I dislike.  Jen donned a jaw dropping Versace gown at the Globes and Rachel Zoe nailed this right on the mark.  The silhouette is beyond amazing and combined with Jen's fabulous body this look is a winner.  I look at this and cannot find one flaw.  As for Molly, she did not attend the Globes in this vibrant Marchesa fuchsia gown.  Unfortunately I do not have the opportunity to be in Molly Sim's presence, but judging from her fitting on last night's Rachel Zoe project this color mirrors her personality beautifully.  Even though the dress does not flaunt her body I do enjoy it on her.  The one shoulder looks lovely with her toned arms and the fuchsia pops on top of her sun kissed skin.  In the words of R. Zoe "so major"!

Last, but certainly not least is Paula in Kaufmanfranco.  Rachel's new employee, Ashley, was in charge of Paula and might I say she looks 100% fab.  You can barely tell she has a baby bump under there.  I am loving the color on her.  The charcoal color looks amazing with her locks and the belt shows she has a figure.  Combined with the sparkle, Paula definitely shines. 

New Buy: Fall Long Cardigans

My love affair with J Crew, just as with Chanel, is not secret.  While it may not be as out of reach in terms of price as Chanel is, I usually don't buy a whole lot from J Crew unless Mom is there to label it "back to school shopping" and help out a little with the expenses.  I just don't have $100 to drop on three sweaters, unless it's at the J Crew outlet of course! 

My obsessiveness is slightly fulfilled with email updates about what's new or popular online and in the store and I recently received an email about a new wool sweater called the Alpaca long cardigan (left).  I absolutely die for these square, bohemian looking sweaters.  They are just so comfy and I love the relaxed cardigan look, however I cringe at the idea of spending $118 on one.  I love them, but just don't think they are worth that much.  So after looking at the price and letting out a sigh, I book marked the site thinking maybe I'd spring for, until I wandered into Gap...

I have always had a hatred for the Gap when I was younger, but I went in recently with a change of heart and found their staple items to be adorable.  Their V-necks were nicely priced and beyond soft and their sweaters were simple yet chic.  As I was skimming the racks I stumbled upon a charcoal version of the Alpaca sweater for $60!  Needless to say I was more than ecstatic.   Here was a wool sweater that felt like cotton for almost $60 less than J Crew's.  A bargain to say the least.  Throw the sweater over a tank and let it flow or belt it to polish it up and show your figure.  The Gap long wool sweater takes the cake, but that does not mean J Crew is nixed, but just set aside for times of splurging.    

Button Downs and Leather pants

photo from KateMossFashion.com

With the rise of 50s womanly chic, it seems that grunge has taken a backseat to cinched waists and full skirts.  But who says you have to compromise your motorcycle jackets and zipper pants?  Kate Moss is doing both.  Without the blue button down, she's sporting an all black ensemble.  Black tank, black leather zipper pants, and edgy boots.  In my mind black is always in style and goes with anything, but with the button down effortlessly thrown over the black shirt it gives the outfit more flair and polishes it up a little without being actually lady-like.  Being a fan of more relaxed, men's wear "esk" clothes, I completely dig this look.  In addition to the pop of blue going on up top, Kate also has a pop of leopard on her arm, incorporating what is said to be one of the most popular trends, animal prints.  I just think it's always nice to add a pattern.  Would you combine button downs and leather pants?   

Love affair with A Vintage Affair

A Vintage Affair is on my reading list this summer and so far I am hopelessly in love.  I bought the book when I was in Barnes and Noble.  I was walking to the check out, magazines in tow, and saw this book on a table all its own.  I see the title and immediately pick it up and read the inside cover.  Vintage was all I needed to know.  The 30% off label was simply gravy!  Goodbye magazines, hello new summer read.  

The book is about Phoebe, who ends her career in the auction business to open a vintage store in London.  It is clear that Phoebe wants to revamp her life, but the reason for her life-changing career move in unveiled throughout the book.  I am only on page 120 so we'll see where this book takes me, but as of now I am enthralled that I ditched the magazines and went for this book.  And I do love my fashion magazines.


A Vintage Affair is a fashion guru's dream.  On the inside of the cover it reads what a strange power there is in clothing.  Vintage, I feel, has even more power because there is a personal story behind every piece of clothing and in A Vintage Affair you get to hear the stories behind the gowns and the get a peak into the lives of those who own them next.  I'll keep you updated as I read on through!

My San Fran Find

Picture from jeweliany.com

One of the things I absolutely fell in love with when I went to San Francisco, besides the city itself, was the vibe of the city.  NYC will always be my home city, but San Fran had this chill, relaxed, yet such chic vibe.  Picture Soho with zero humidity and sweaters all year round.  Perfection in my eyes. 

I did frequent many, many stores on my trip, but the most memorable store was the blues JEAN BAR.  This store is the perfect way to buy jeans.  It is literally a bar, minus the cocktails of course.  You arrive and all the jeans are behind a counter and you tell the sales associate what you are looking for: wash, color, size, brand, ext.  I told her I wanted a light wash, something good for summer, and she gathered twenty pairs of jeans for me!  I was ecstatic to say the least.

Personally, I find jean shopping intimidating.  What brand do I want, what store should I go to, how tight is too tight?  This store eliminated all that anxiety, as well as those muffin tops us girls know too well!  I believe muffin tops are the result of two causes; jeans that are too small or selecting the type of style that is wrong for your body.  Due to my large child-bearing hips I know that Paige Jeans sit perfectly on my hips without the squeeze affect and I know I have to be careful with what styles I choose from Joe’s Jeans.  I told the sales associate my size, but she could gage what brand and size would fit best.  Unfortunately the blues JEAN BAR is only as east as Chicago, but Soho might be there new home in the next couple years so keep your eyes peeled.  Until then I guess I’ll just have to go back to San Fran, which in my eyes is not so bad :)! 

Coco for Chanel

Picture from fordmodels.tumblr.com

Picture from Huffingtonpost.com

If you know me at all, you know I die for Chanel.  Chanel is my favorite designer and always will be.  I love masculine inspired woman’s wear, but at the same time I am female and love playful clothes as well.  Chanel combines the clean lines of a sexy, structured blazer with couture dresses that literally give me a fashion orgasm.  So I thought it was only appropriate that I christen my blog with Chanel.

I recently watched the 2010/2011 Fall/Winter Haute Couture fashion shows and in the words of Rachel Zoe, I died.  For those who criticize haute couture for not being wearable enough, take a look at this show.

Before I even begin with the couture, I do have to point out the hair.  I love the windblown, wispy affect and it’s perfect for fall/winter time.   I love tucking half my hair into my coat or sweater.  It’s easy and the little wisps in the front remind the world there is a female underneath all that bundled up fabric.  Now that Karl Lagerfeld has confirmed this look I am even more excited for my winter sweaters and jackets!

I love love love mixing men’s wear and woman’s wear and creating an “oxy moron outfit” as I like to call it.  If you look at the blue ensemble picture you can see exactly what I mean.  The tweed, cropped jacket is structured and is paired with the girlish skirt.  All business on top and party on the bottom.  Love it.  Check out more of the Chanel fashion show at chanel.com and tell me your favorite look.