Tag Archives: fashion

Channeling Louise Brooks

Louise Brooks

Ever since I saw “Pandora’s Box” in one of my film classes at UCSD, I had a fascination with Louise Brooks. I’ve always loved the era of the 20’s and 30’s. I love the movie and musical “Chicago” and have seen both the movie (many times) and the musical (just once). Everyone seemed to be dressed as if they were always going out on the town, no matter what time of day it was.

My most favorite thing about Louise Brooks was her hair style. When I think of the “Page Boy” or “Bob” haircut, I think immediately of the sleek banged look of Louise Brooks.

I’ve been growing my hair out because I know my husband loves it when my hair is longer. With the weather being all over the map these days and trying to chase after a toddler, I’ve found that I’m constantly opting for putting my hair up in a pony-tail rather than taking time to really work on it. My hair is very thick and requires quite a bit of attention and time, which I really don’t have in the morning before taking off for a job that starts at 6am!

To resolve that issue, I have decided to go back to what I love best. I’m sorry my dear husband, but the long locks just had to go. I also think it went perfect with my outfit for FNO, don’t you think?

Outfit: Burberry sunglasses; H&M dress, necklace and bangles; Michael Kors pumps; Judith Leiber vintage purse

Temple Worship

: Temple St. Clair Red Bib Necklace in 14k Gold Plated Brass

Target hits the mark again with a beautiful line from Temple St. Clair, designer of fine jewelry and heirloom pieces.

I wasn’t sure what to expect, so I recently went to my local Target to check them out because I needed to be sure that what I saw online matched what I saw in person. I was glad to see that the Temple St. Clair for Target pieces are as gorgeous up close and personal, as they are affordable.

I’ll be going back to Target soon to pick up a few dresses from their Tucker for Target line coming out on Sunday. In the meantime, I’m still in a haze after my spa treatment earlier today. I’m currently relaxing in Mesquite, Nevada watching the Saints vs the Vikings with my husband (the official start to the NFL 2010 season!). I’m excited to see my son tomorrow, after being away for the last two days. I’ll also post pictures of my outfit tomorrow for Fashion’s Night Out as a preview to the night itself, which I will post on Saturday. Have a good night!

Fashion’s Night Out

From the official Facebook page:

ABOUT FASHION’S NIGHT OUT: Fashion’s Night Out (FNO) is an unprecedented global initiative created to celebrate fashion, restore consumer confidence, boost the industry’s economy, and put the fun back in shopping. For one night last September, in New York City and twelve other cities around the world, designers, celebrities, models, and fashion editors staged exciting, one-of-a-kind events in stores open after-hours to the public. Shoppers were able to see Sarah Jessica Parker singing standards with Oscar de la Renta, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen tending bar, as well as Michael Kors, Justin Timberlake, Kate Hudson, Rihanna and Gwen Stefani (just to name a few) at various stores throughout NYC supporting the industry. Retailers saw a surge of new shoppers and increased sales, while customers relished the street-party atmosphere.

Fashion’s Night Out will be September 10, 2010 in New York City. I will be attending an event that will be happening simultaneously in Las Vegas at the Neiman Marcus in the Fashion Show Mall to celebrate FNO (a post with pictures will follow immediately after the event) . For those of you in San Diego on September 10, visit the official website for Fashion’s Night Out to find out events in our area (there are events at the Neiman Marcus in the Fashion Valley Mall).

If you can’t be there, the making of Fashion’s Night Out will be the subject of an hour-long, prime-time special on CBS, Tuesday, September 14, at 10 p.m. EST.

I’m very excited! This will be a fun event to celebrate everything fashion. Hope to see you there!

(Note: I’m not sure what kind of access I will have to the internet this week, but I will definitely post my blog entry with pictures once I return!)

Camel’s Back

The neutral that I will be using for my palette this season will be the color camel. As I look through my fall magazines and roam all of my favorite sites, I find that the combinations with camel are endless. With black, the look is sleek and classic. With leopard print or a pop of color, the look becomes vibrant. With some cool hardware or leather, I can slip in a little of my rocker chic. Here are just a few of the looks that I love so far. I’ll be posting more looks as I find them!

1. Alexander McQueen Cheetah Print Skull Scarf – Neiman Marcus

2. Stella McCartney Knit Sweater Jacket – Neiman Marcus

3. Rag & Bone Sahara Suede Open Toe Lace Up Wedges – Saks Fifth Avenue

The One That Almost Got Away

When Rodarte designed a line for Target, there were two jackets that I wanted: the kimono floral print rain coat and the leopard print faux fur jacket.

I bought the rain coat because it reminded me of the opera coat that Carrie Bradshaw wore over a Calvin Klein silk tank dress in the episode of “To Market, To Market” from SATC Season 6, where she is running late to the NYSE (note: that coat is from SJP’s own wardrobe). I love the copper buttons and that it’s so light. In fact, I don’t even wear it in the rain. I detached the little hood and wear it just the way Carrie wears it, with something plain like a black or nude tank dress or with a plain white t-shirt and jeans with heels.

I truly regret not getting the faux fur leopard print jacket when I had the chance. The Target that I went to only had the jacket in large and it was just too big. It wasn’t online anymore, but I didn’t really make any attempts to get it at any other Target. When I went back to the Target that had the large, that was gone too. My intent at the time was to have it altered to fit.

After searching everywhere I could think of to get the jacket, I gave up…until recently. These last few weeks, I have been scouring eBay for Rodarte items, and couldn’t find my precious leopard jacket. But my efforts have finally paid off and I was able to find it today! Leopard print will be a big part of this fall and always returns to the runway in some cool incarnation, so I am confident that this purchase will be a staple that I will bring out again and again.

The jacket I purchased is pictured on the right. The double-breasted styling and details are like a classic pea coat, but the print gives it an edge. Isn’t it adorable?

I have learned two things from this shopping experience: 1. Go with your gut and make that purchase when you truly love something; 2. When all else fails, go to eBay!

Oxford Uniform

What a crazy day was yesterday! Thank you everyone for the kind words regarding the inclusion of Any Second Now on IFB’s Links a la Mode this week. I really am flattered beyond belief. So I have swagger? Maybe some strut…

Jeffrey Campbell Uniform Oxford

Well, my “Camel’s Back” entry keeps getting postponed because of so many distractions, one of which are shoes. I have bought yet another pair online (this is my fourth pair in 3 weeks). Mr. Jeffrey Campbell has impressed me yet again (the last pair I bought were the Charli-C clogs seen here)!

I wanted a pair of great Oxford/brogues to wear with some of my military and menswear pieces, but I just couldn’t decide from the many wonderful pairs of shoes out there. I went to Bona Drag (check out the “Go Shopping!” links) because I received a discount code in my email for use today only and found this lovely pair pictured on the right. I like that they are black and grey canvas which give the shoes texture. From the images on the site, they would look great dressed up or down.

Once I get my boots (yes, more than one pair), I will be ready to tackle all the great fall fashions. I better warn my husband about the next deluge of packages to come!

Red Carpet Review: The 2010 Emmy Awards

I’ve worked backstage at a couple of local Emmy ceremonies through NATAS in San Diego. Although they are not as glitzy and glamorous as the Primetime Emmys in Los Angeles, they are still a prestigious award, local or otherwise. I can never tear myself away from an awards ceremony, so I briefly watched the 2010 Emmy Awards and the Red Carpet preview tonight (only briefly because the new True Blood was on, which was then switched over to Steelers football by my husband).

I love to play dress up, but surprisingly enough, I’m not one for evening gowns. I’m much more interested in “street style” and the creativity it offers. But these awards shows always have show-stoppers, and I did see some very beautiful gowns tonight. I managed to pick a “Top 10” from what I saw (in no particular order). Let me know if you agree!

(Click on each picture to enlarge. All images from In Style)

Boot Camp

These are the boots that I am determined to get for fall. There are a couple more that I’ve seen in my latest Lucky and Vogue magazines (The September Issue!) that are not online yet, so I’ll post a “Boot Camp Part Deux” at a later time. They all have very clean lines with utilitarian/military details, which is on point for many of the styles that will be out this coming season. My favorite bits: The fold over the wedged heel of the Vince Camuto boots; the riveted clog detailing of the Steve Madden Luxe boots; and the subtle detail and clean lines of the Coach booties.

Don’t you just love the fall?

1. Alician Black – Vince Camuto; 2. Yea Clog Boots – Steve Madden Luxe (DSW); 3. Astrid Bootie (in suede) – Coach

(Click on each picture to enlarge)

My Fashionable Heritage

: The Glamourai + Josie Natori Dress

I was reading a new favorite blog, The Glamourai by Kelly Framel (yes, I am a little late to this scene). Her style is undeniably artistic and completely appeals to the visual artist in me. She has elegance, flair and drama, but always with a sense of fun. She recently designed a dress with Josie Natori that she wore for the launch of her limited edition Coach purse (those who also launched purses that day were Emily, author of Cupcakes and Cashmere; Karla, author of Karla’s Closet; and Krystal, author of What is Reality Anyway?). I was instantly in awe and the dress is amazing. The dress was later auctioned on ebay and the proceeds went to Women in Need, a charity for disadvantaged women (Josie Natori is on the board). The dress sold for $710!

I remember when I first heard of Josie Natori. I was shopping in Nordstrom looking around for lingerie and left with something from Josie Natori that was perfect. I later found out that she is an award-winning Filipina designer and that she has a whole line, including Ready To Wear. Being a very fashion conscious Filipina myself, that got me thinking: are there other Filipino designers out there? This is just a short list of what I found (with the help of my mom!):

Rafe New York – Internationally known handbag designer. I have one of his bags and featured one of his purses in my “Clutch Performance” entry.

Monique Lhuillier – Designer of bridal wear, but has expanded to ready wear. Her designs can be seen in bridal and fashion magazines as well as on celebrities on the red carpet.

Bench – Casual wear and underwear, plus fragrances and bath and body.

Jose “Pitoy” Moreno – My mom said, “You have to include Pitoy Moreno!” Known as the “Fashion Czar of the Philippines”, his designs have been seen on the runway as well as dignitaries and celebrities all over the world. He is considered a national treasure for his years of artistry.

I’m on the hunt for more, so stay tuned for more designers of my native homeland!

Rainbow Tights

I was talking to a friend and fellow blogger at work (she’s linked on my blogroll under FishouttaH2O Photography), and she asked me where she can get a good pair of textured tights that are not just black.

That got me thinking…so, here are a few good places that I’ve found to prepare for the fall and winter seasons in tights that are not just your basic black:

Hue.com – One of the first names that come to mind when I think of hosiery.

Target – I always head to Target first to their hosiery and socks department for great prices and decent selection.

American Apparel – Great selection of colors in their opaque tights.

Kohls – I love the Simply Vera Wang indigo tights I bought there. Such a subtle contrast with an all black outfit.

ASOS – They usually have a great selection of tights, but I don’t see them right now. Check the sale selection. I bought a great pair of burgundy tights there for only $3 (US).

Topshop – The selection at the stores is even better, but you’ll still get a great selection online. Check out the Henry Holland House Tights!

New Look – I regret not buying every color of the tights I saw on sale when I was last in London.

DSW – They don’t have a great selection online. But when you’re in line getting ready to check out at an actual store location, you can grab a great pair at the last-minute at racks near the registers (I included the link in case your fancy turns to shoes, like mine just did).

Navy Exchange – You have to be in the military or be related to someone in the military to shop at a store or log onto the site. But if you get the chance to, it’s worth it. The one that we shop at has an entire wall of hosiery.

Lori’s Shoes – Just bought my clogs there! Great selection of shoes and hosiery, plus great customer service.