Copy Dries Van Noten's Spring Look

The ethnic trend continued strong with Dries Van Noten's Spring 2010 look in rich luxe fabrics and asian motifs.

They masterfully mixed silky prints in bold colors melting Indian, Chinese, African and classic American culture together.

So how can you copy this designer look for thousands of dollars less?

Try heading down to your local flea market (here we have the Eastern Markets by the Hill,) Asian goods store in your mall or even your local Asian grocery store for traditional jackets, dresses and pajama pants. Many of them stock cheap ethnic basics such as silk Qi Paos, unisex jackets and kungfu uniforms.

If you're lucky enough, there might even be a World's Market with plenty of African tribal jewelry, scarves and totes.

Still no luck? Go online to Asian supergoods sites such as http://www.pearlriver.com/ (the original store is in NYC's Chinatown) and http://www.eaststore.com/

A 'Mighty Michelle' shopping tote from Pearl River

 

Unisex Jacket from Pearl River $39.50

 

 Tai Chi Shoes $6, Pearl River

Style your new finds with neutral basics like the looks above such as khaki trousers, black jackets and gray knits.

A silk embroidered jacket with frog clasps that was gift from my mom. I wear this over my basic shift dresses.

Accessories I've picked up over the years from vintage stores and flea markets.

Hello Kitty Accessories for the Busy Travelling Professional

I'm reverting back to my 10 year old self with these adorable Hello Kitty Accessories @ Target. I'm finding any excuse to buy everything but these finds are necessary for any busy travelling working beauty junkie!

Hello Kitty iTouch cover for $14.24

Hello Kitty Wireless Mouse $24.99

I actually really dig the nail files for only $1.99, great for throwing in your purse and fixing that chipped nail on the go

Hello Kitty Cosmetics Case Set for $9.99

They also have these Hello Kitty bubble gum scented cleansing hand wipes packs that come with 20 wipes for only $1.99. They're actually my favorite because consultants are germ-a-phobes who are constantly wiping down their laptops, backpacks, luggage, hands, shoes etc...

And these all can be found at Target.

DIY, Turn Slouchy Boots into Over-the-Knee Boots!

I have a pair of nudish-brown suede boots that would stay over the knee with skinny jeans but would slouch, slouch, slouch with nothing underneath. The super soft suede is perfect for light spring, summer days and yes, they do look cute when slouchy. Slouchy is great when you're going for the bohemian vibe but what if I'm feeling more Brigitte Bardot?! That's when I need them to stay OVER the knee to give me that extra sex appeal when I'm wearing them with shorts or skirts.

Ahhh, so this genius solution just came to be out of nowhere (don't you love it when that happens?!)

I'll add a snap on the top of the boot that will close on the inside and hold the boot up! and when I want them to be slouchy, I can leave them unsnapped.

First I took them to a cobbler but realized it would be a lot cheaper if I did it myself. I headed to my nearest Michael's Crafts Store to pickup a DIY snaps kit for only $8. I measured where I wanted the snaps to go, cut the holes to place the snaps and then hammered them in. In 20 minutes, I was done!

The boots when they're slouchy

And when they are tall, they just don't stay this way

The DIY snaps kit I bought at Michaels for only $8

Measure where you want the snaps to be, I placed mine 1.5 inches in from the back of the knee

Basically follow the instructions on the snaps kit. I cut a small hole where I measured and hammered in the snaps

The finished product

And when I want them to be slouch, just simply unsnap

I'm showing off my craftiness with the Spring Events Fairy at the Eastern Markets

To purchase boots, click here

It's Warm Again (In DC) yayyyyyyy!!!

Tonight, UNICEF threw their Tap Project Launch Event with DC's greatest at Local 16. It kicks of World Water Week and raises awareness of the devastating World Water Crisis. With over 1 Billion people today without clean water, over half being children, Tap Project is an opportunity for everyday people to contribute to this dire cause by dining at a participating restaurant in DC, NY, LA, Seattle and Chicago.

Find out which restaurants are participating at http://www.tapproject.org/

AND it was warm, like 70 degrees warm. And Local 16 was packed to the walls with tipsy 20-somethings buzzing with to-be sex.

I rocked a pink shimmery Antonio Melani shift but the weather was perfect for mixing and matching your summer and winter wardrobe.

Which gave me an idea....

That I will share with you tomorrow. Spoiler! It's a DIY

Ohh! Tomorrow I'm heading to the Eastern Markets to rock my new look.

Antonio Melani looks, click to see more looks Antonio Melani Spring 2010

The dress I wore

"Douglas" dress for $169

"Riviera" dress for $249

"Mina" dress for $169

"Splenda" dress for $179

I Need A 'Get Out of Jail' Card to Shop Zac Posen's Target Collection!

I have been crying, screaming, jumping for joy ever since I learned Zac Posen has a Target line coming out April 25th!!! (part of Target's Go International series)

Only 29 years old, Zac is a celebrity favorite of the stars such as the beautiful Natalie Portman.

Natalie and Zac with Natalie in Zac of course

Taking my 8 ball out, I predict there will be women (fashionistas or not) camping outside of their local target just like when nerd gamers lined up outside GameStop when Halo 3 came out.

Now Let Us Obsess with a First Look from Fashionista.com!

Spring, Summer, Fall, An Outfit that Fits Multiple Seasons

Looking to my lookbook for inspiration, it's not all luxe evening gowns and fantasy pieces, some of my pages are how I would like to look on an practical everyday standpoint.

And again Tod's manages to take my breath away with one simple look

Breaking it down, what do we have? A pair of black leggings (they look so comfy!) their white signature loafers, a spacious leather handbag, a brown versatile suede jacket over a boyfriend white cardigan and last but not least a pair of your favorite Jackie O's.

How simple is this? But how chic this is! Now tell me you can't pull that off in a cinch.

Can you swap the loafers for a heel? Of course! Replace the handbag with a longchamp's tote? Why not? And use that white cardigan to cover up your trouble spots like your tush and stomach as long as the jacket fits close enough to the body (baggy on baggy does NOT look good.)

I'm losing weight not because I'm Vain but Because I'm Frugal

My favorite foods are...

Mushroom Risotto with truffle oil, Godiva Almond Butter Truffles, foie gras, my mom's General Tsao's Chicken, Butternut Squash Soup...

No wonder I've gained some weight. Most would consider me svelte just not as wispy as I used to be. In my mom's words, I look more "womanly."

But here I am eating my preplanned meals from Wholefoods. I'm not being vain. I'm not a cult follower of fashion edict that only thin is fashionable, that only thin (and designer-cut thin) is beautiful. There is an ideal weight for every individual woman and it's up to her to decide what weight is most beautiful for her.

I'm losing weight because I'm frugal. I can't buy clothes (check my very first entry.) Last week I had a sexy red Ralph Lauren short-sleeved dress tailored into a more body hugging shape. Red is a very powerful color and I didn't want to be overwhelmed by it. The tailor did an excellent job but when I put the finished piece on, my growing belly was there to greet me under the thin stretchy fabric.  A mole hill of a belly and not a mountain yet but I'm starting to belt my trousers one hole less. I still fit into everything I own but some pieces, like the little red dress, just doesn't look as good to be perfectly honest. I'm not in bikini shape but with the proper styling, I could hide my flaws.


I'm not saying you aim for a 5'10" 120 lb frame like most runway models but you're not starving yourself to  go back to the weight you maintained for the last 5 years.

So keep this in mind as your New Year's resolution to get back into fighting shape starts to wane, reworking your own closet may be your biggest motivation. Especially if it's a well invested wardrobe made of beautiful shift dresses in richly embroidered fabrics, sentimental presents from girlfriends and Mom (that Easter dress to entice you to come home, a Qi Pao from study abroad,) trophy buys (snagging that last Rodarte lace dress, the Burberry trench you saved up for a year) and worned down favorite sweaters. They all would be a terrible waste if you were to 'grow' out of them, sitting in your closet mocking you.



And yes, Fashion can be your biggest champion and loudest cheerleader. Welcoming you back with open arms as you slip on your favorite jeans and jump in ecstasy.

Ask Karl Lagerfeld, legendary designer and diet book author said:

"One morning I woke up and didn't like my looks any longer. I wanted to dress differently. I wanted to wear the clothes designed by Hedi Slimane (first at Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Homme and now at Dior Homme). But for that kind of fashion--which was shown at his collection on very, very skinny boys (and not men my age), I had to lose 90 pounds--even a little more if I could.


I decided to become a perfect 135-pound, five-foot 11-inch hanger. My desire to lose weight was only about clothes--not about health problems or because I wanted to be more attractive to others. I admit my reasoning is considered superficial by some, but I think fashion--for women as well as for men--is the healthiest motivation for losing weight. What is important is that you take the superficial and use it in a creative, productive, and finally self-preserving way. "
-Harper's Bazaar in Feb 2002

I encourage a healthy attitude towards dieting, eating fresh veggies and fruits, moderate excercise and cutting back on sugar and alcohol. Anything drastic or gimmicky and you'll probably gain it all back. For me, it's been going well, I have a workout buddy and I get cranky when I'm hungry so I'm definitly not starving myself. What are some of my tips? Tighten your belt around your dress or pants to prevent overeating and eat soups (none cream) for dinner if you work out at night. I also eat very slowly when I'm out and try to eat only half the portion I'm served.

My Fashion Pet Peeve

My Fashion Pet Peeve is:

When women go out in public in sweats or a sloppy outfit with a designer handbag

No offense to Jessica Simpson who has a slamming body but this doesn't make sense!

Seriously, carrying a Louis or any expense handbag is NOT a cover-up for having no style! No one is going to be impressed that you may be a millionairess-next-door just because you rolled out of bed but remembered to show-off your new Marc Jacobs bag!

Please give your statement bags the love and respect they deserve by pairing them with a fabulous outfit.

Even today, Audrey Hepburn can pass for chic with her Louis Top Handle

Look Book!

Want to define a signature style but have no clue where to start?

For me, I looked to my favorite magazines and ripped out my favorite pages to create a Look Book. I put them in a binder but they don't have to be an actual book, lots of fashionistas create shared look books online at fashion portals such as http://www.style.com/

Look Books give you an idea of what to shop, where to shop and how to style.

And they are true to you! I have pages from years ago but I still fall in love with the styles.

Here I pulled 6 of my favorite pages from my look book to prep for spring style.

From Top, left to right
I love busting out skirts and baring some leg when the weather starts warming up (not today though, it's rainy and depressing today in D.C.) Bright colors, full volumes and even matching prints makes it even more fun and feminine.

Next, I am always inspired by the simplicity of this Chanel look. The straw hat gives it a fresh young look and luckily cuban hats are everywhere this year.

A detailed look of  different take on the one shoulder look. I keep my favorite looks from my look book in the back of my mind when I go shopping or even better yet, you can take them with you as a guide!

On the right of the top row is a glam Michael Kors dress and matching fur coat. I wouldn't do the fur in the summer! but I'll be wearing bright bright colors like hot pink not only at night but in the day!

Spiegel Signature Sateen Safari Dress in Pink Raspberry, $69

Click here to buy

Keira Knightly is rocking polka dots and aviators on the bottom left. Usually I shy away from polka dots but done in a sexy pinup 50's way they actually look pretty cute.

Target Merona Polka Dot Dress, $39.99

click here to buy

The T-Strap Heel gives it a more vintage feel!

In the middle is one of my favorite all-time prints, leopard. But it doesn't have to just be leopard, animal prints are big right now and can be done in big ways! You can add a leopard print in a heel or flat to spice up a basic dress or do a whole shift in leopard or snakeskin! I also love it in a bag such as a (fake) embossed alligator tote.

Macy's, INC "Princy" Pump, $49.99

click here to buy

Christian Siriano for Payless Downtown Zip Sandal for $24.99

Click Here to Buy

On the bottom right is the lingerie as regular wear trend. And I like the being unabashedly feminine confidence of pairing it with soft hair and makeup. You don't have to bust out your Victoria's Secret but look for delicate materials like chiffon and intricate details such as ruffles and thin pretty straps.