Wednesday, December 30, 2009

a teeny bit of interwebs sale type love

to kick off the new year right - why not shop when things are marked down. it's a little extra thrill!

StyleWatch magazine offers this smattering of sale-y delights:
http://ow.ly/RmzM

and the super cute site (and "yes, i have" is the answer to the question if you're wondering "has the-e-stylist purchased from this site?) Boutique to You is also sale-ing... all reduced merchandise is an additional 20%% off. (including these Gypsy05 dresses. SO comfortable and flattering)
www.boutiquetoyou.com

happy cruising - and stay tuned for massive January sales to come. it's the MOST wonderful tiiiime of the yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrr...

oh lindsay... honey...

i would say "at least she's doing something with her time and making some money"... but i'm afraid of what she's doing with said money... we often see her shopping - but somehow she never appears to be fully dressed - so i'm not sure what is in all the bags... i have my ideas, but it ain't pretty.

so - we know Lindsay Lohan is a big fan of leggings. and to be honest - so am i. no biggie there. next step, she does a line of leggings. and some of them are even cute. still no biggie. then someone, somewhere, decided "hey, let's take it up a notch" and here we are. her line, 6126, is now expanded to a full "clothing" line. i put it in quotes because let's be real - the items in question look more like costumes. as in "what are you wearing for you bathroom-stall-drug-using-hoochie costume?" "6126 - it's super short and tight AND the leggings have knee pads" WWD published these sketches from the line - and thus this new reality was hurled upon us like a rain of frogs.

the line is set to sell in the 1-200 dollar range, and somehow it is set to sell at stores like Neiman's and Nordstrom. thinking of that hurts my brain, so i have to move on to the next thought. the genius behind the line production is the same manufacturer as Ed Hardy, so it seems maybe the girls from the MTV show "Jersey Shore" were jealous that the guys got to wear all the "awesome clothes".

i have now become confused by the world and must take a hot bath to clear my head. at some point the world will return to normal, right? please?

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

sensory pleasures
























after the joyful pleasure of dealing with the Time Warner store downtown, some strange cosmic shift happened and my bf said "do you want to go shopping or something?". carpe shopping my dears. and so i did. we toodled over to Anthropologie - because where better to look at lovely things so soon after xmas without dealing with too huge a hoard.

as we wandered through their winter wonderland, i was doing my regular routine - get in the zone and cruise the whole thing. after awhile, my bf giggled. i asked him what was funny and he said "women - you just love to shop for anything". true i said. a couple of racks over, he giggled again. i asked again and he said "why do you all touch everything? even if you don't look at it fully, you walk by and touch it." i realized this was completely true, of me at least. i love to touch the stuff. i enjoy the online shopping as much as the next gal... but touch can grab me. this red silk dress? pulls me in like a magnet. cashmere blend beret? super magnet. some things i touch can repel me, if they seem too rough, scratchy, odd...

so it became clear to me as i inhaled deeply while fondling these soaps... that shopping is magnified a thousandfold when you make it full on sensory experience. who knew it could possibly get better? but it just did.

artfully draped

i am a fan of draping in clothing. it is a beautiful trick that makes clothing look fluid even when standing still. when done right - it can be staggeringly gorgeous. however -- not always easy to pull off. i find it's best to choose wisely. for example, the draped blouse invariably ends up either falling off a shoulder (not in the sexy flash dance way) or exposing a boob. not a desirable outcome in the average social situation. it's nearly impossible to keep it from flailing around you - and it just makes a lady fidget. fidgeting is not attractive. it makes one appear as if one might need to go have one's demons dealt with in a quiet medicinal setting.

and so i say HAZZAH! to this lovely draped skirt from Burberry Prorsum. beauty. pure and simple. and nothing to flail around and expose, as it's all neatly contained within itself. LOVES it. and it can be styled any which way from over-the-top glam with sequins and heels, all the way down to a tank top or tee and flat sandals. the possibilities are both limitless and gorgeous. ergo - it's a perfect piece of clothing. i just love it when that happens!

(as a less pricey option - the ever on-the-mark trend spotters at Love21 by Forever21 offer up a similar skirt)

a little morning adorable-ness

ok just a quick morning blog about being adorable. i'll be back later with more.

nicole -- the dark hair? gorgeous. the mocassin boots? love 'em so much i own 'em. long leopard coat? LOVES IT. perfect as usual.
joel -- arm around his woman? adorable. fedora and sunglasses? one of my fave man tricks.
harlow -- what is cuter than a little girl in her fancy winter coat, pigtails, tights and maryjanes? not a whole lot. that is the answer.
sparrow -- ummm.... my favorite all time little boy thing? the skully wear. i cannot get enough. i saw a skully sweater recently that was so cute it made me want to borrow a child just so he could wear it while i toted him around.... mini pirate loviness.

as i said, just a cute quickie. (the only problem is that now i want to shop for a leopard coat... damn it...10 deep breaths...)

Monday, December 28, 2009

knickers in a twist

i'm talkin' Anna Wintour dahlings. she has got her knickers twisted up right good over the fact that lowly peons - "bloggers" sat in her general vicinity at the shows. gasp!!! dirty peasants!!!

now i'm as amazed as the next person at the power the interwebs has taken on - with Twitter and Facebook and blogging - it's a bit mind boggling really, the instatn reach and access we all have. does that make us bad? no - just riding the new wave. it's bizarre and fascinating -- and wildly fun.

change can be good Anna. and NO ONE wants Vogue to go away. anyone worth half their Manolo or a quarter of their Louboutin adores Vogue. it's the bible for us fashion-y types. we bow to it. so perhaps you need to get over it a teeny bit. ask your daughter - she'll tell you that the blogs can be really fun. and then you can untwist your LaPerla's and get back to what you're great at - creating our monthly go-to for the love of all things fashion.


-- Blogging on the road

Thursday, December 24, 2009

santa baby





a little sparkler under the tree - for me....

i have been hearing and seeing little bits and bobs about this jewelry line for a while - but as an easily distracted creature, i was... well, distracted. i blame the holidays. until now. now, i am HOOKED. made her think is so right up the alley i find myself in at the moment. it is edgy, but gorgeously designed. there are options to go all out or to be more subtle with your edge. it's a friggin gold mine of fun quite frankly! lord knows i wouldn't kick any of the jewerly out of my apartment... however, i'm particularly liking the talon and stud pieces... and by particularly liking, i mean obsessing upon and actively working out a plan to save up my pennies and buy several pieces of each...

so um... santa, if you're out there...

twas the night before christmas

and all through the stores, all the creatures were shopping,
for last minute scores.
the plastic was flying with sale after sale,
in hopes that the purchasing powers prevail.

the husbands were hoping their wives would adore
the last minute necklace, or ring he would score.
the mommas were frazzled, and on their last legs
with all of the toy stores picked dry to the dregs.

when out on fifth ave there arose such a noise
all the shoppers ran out - all losing their poise.
away from the cashiers they ran to the street
running and bumping for best view they compete.

the moonlight made silver the dirty grey snow
with christmas lights adding a silvery glow.
then WOW check it out - a christmas surprise
eight little reindeer with shopping supplies.

with a dude there in charge, all nattily dressed
twas mister saint nicholas wearing his best.
he wrangled those reindeer, a cowboy indeed
he yelled and he hollered to round up his steed.

"now dashing, now dancey, now prancey and sassy!
on, comely, on sexy, on don-juan and classy!
to the roof of the Bendels! the roof of the Saks!
now back to the spa where we all can relax!"

back in the stores, shoppers heard on the roof
the louboutin clicking of each little hoof.
the shoppers turned left, then they turned right
as Santa rode escalators down every flight.

he was wearing faux fur trimmed yves saint laurent
a hot smoking jacket all the boys would then want.
a sack full of goodies he carried so well,
with Gucci and Pucci and obvi, Chanel.

his eyes - oh they sparkled like princess cut diamonds
from Tiffany's first floor where we all love to try on.
his santa claus mouth was properly softened
with Keihl's lip balm applied very often.

his cheeks they were rosy, perhaps wearing blush
although more likely a post work out flush.
he looked a bit plump in the face and the bum
and probably had to work out more than some.

he was chubby but lovey, a happy old dude
i smiled and i hugged him as not to be rue.
a wink and hug made me know he was real
and not the fake santa at the mall type deal.

we did not chat as he had much to do
filling all of the bags with Prada and Choo.
and once he was finished giving all a great gift,
he pressed the up button and rode in the lift.

once up on the rooftop he wrangled the deer,
who all came toward him, the coast being clear.
i heard clear as a bell as he flew all those milies
"happy christmas to you my loverly stylies!"

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

city sidewalks dressed in holiday style

i am not particularly enamored of the holiday season. not a scrooge, just not that into it. the parts i really love are the music and the decorations. naturally, i love store decorations. the windows in NY stores are tourist destinations. they honestly are - hoardes of tourists line up round the block to look at them. and i have to admit that they can be spectacular. i mentioned Bergdorf's a while back - but Saks is way up there on my list as well. the windows are gorgeous, as is the decor inside. it's beautiful and understated. all white lights, birch branches. it's ab fab darlings.

to add to the fa-la-la of it all - they have quite the selection of toys and goodies for the kids. in the recent years, gift giving in the fam has been focused all on the kids. it's fun to buy things for kids - so this works fine for me. and a lot of these toys are creative (love that) and adorable (love that). and a select few - like this book, which i am giving to several wee lads and lassies this year, adds as a cherry on top, the fact that Saks donates money from each book purchased to St. Jude's Childrens Hospital. that is the holiday spirit in a nutshell for me.

THAT'S how you dress to entertain


this is beyond adorable. dressed up to sing at some something or another - i don't know what and it's completely irrelevant. what is relevant is how utterly cute RiRi looks here. i always love that she takes risks and speaks through her clothes - and maybe she's feeling a little warm and fuzzy for the holidays. the pearl choker (it has little silver claws on it - to keep it from being to granny's inheritance), black bustier combo rocks. and the white fur (faux i hope) and black opera gloves? LOVES IT. the ring on top? that's just taking it to the next level. sing to me RiRi.

a wee stroll on the high street

i have been nostalgic lately for England. i haven't been in a while - and i miss it. because of the creature i am - i of course gravitate to the shops when i'm there... i have fantasies in my head of the shopping route i would take if i were in London for 24 hours. (in the fantasy i'm not even sure WHY i'm there for 24 hours, but i seem to always give myself that "emergency shopping timeframe" EST) for the record, it involves Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Liberty and Topshop (at Oxford Circus, natch). it is completely and utterly do-able in 24 hours. i have worked it out time and again in my brain.

anyhoo - enough of my mental wanderings!! i always dig the Topshop -- obsessively so. and when they do a designer collab - even more fun! there are a few coming this spring... and i'm a bit loving this denim skirt from Jonathan Saunders.... the collection is quite small, but priced well, starting around $35. the skirt is amazing - very Saunders architectural - the architecture of a woman. loves it. and i am kind of groovin on the dress as well. (the bustier - not so much. i'm imagining a young vixen writhing around in a Poison video... you're welcome Brett Michaels)

the collection hits the shops in late January. the 20th to be precise. and i too shall hit the shops in late January.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

you really got me

dear people of Balenciaga,

how would you feel about maybe letting me have one of every bag you produce? seriously i adore them. above all others. oh and this dress would be super fantastic too. because i really love the zipper sleeve accent and i'm all about the 60's groove, man.

thanks.

love,
the-e-stylist.

captain - i surrender!

as you may or may not recall, i have not been a huge fan of the whole "military jacket" trend. just not my cup of tea. looks adorable on some people, but i have just not been feeling it... but like water torture, they keep on comin - and lo and behold, today is the day i caved.

tuesday morning, reading Vogue (it's research now. who would have thought - i am required to read these mags for my job. heaven) it's a thin month, but a rather delightful one i must say... possibly because the focus has gone off winter, and we're seeing Spring '10 clothes. ahhhh spring!! i cannot possibly be happier to be seeing these things. i am a bit over 2009, and completely over winter. so even the glimpse of warmer weather clothing makes me happy. (not Resort - that always bothers me, because, quite frankly, i am not wintering in Palm Beach. or Bali. or Bora Bora. or anywhere but here. so i do not care to see the swimsuits thank you. i'm wearing my uggs and down coat)

ok - sorry - i'll get back on track... paging through and i happen upon a little blurb about designers who are of the moment. always love that. and i will indeed be blogging about a couple more of them... but for today what grabbed me, against my will, but with full force - this Balmain jacket. i am OBSESSED with this jacket. oh. my. god. (please read as Janice from Friends) it is amazing and i cannot stop staring at it. and throw in the leather pants too, Santa. i'll take them.... oh and the belt... and for good measure, these Balmain boots i found while doing a bit more research...

and thus my new love began... welcome Balmain, to the mental closet of the-e-stylist...

Monday, December 21, 2009

spaaaaaaaaahhhhhh


that's how they should spell it.

to me, there are a few key elements when it comes to a spa experience. obvi - the service. are you getting a good service? be it massage, facial, mani, pedi... that one's a given. next, the waiting room. or quiet room as it may be called. this can make or break the whole deal for me. and last but not at ALL least - is there a steam room?

my bf and i ran away for a little mini-break this past weekend. to atlantic city. it was a bit hilarious in the people watching. we felt like we were guests on a reality show. featuring slutty girls from the real world, or bad girls club. (NOT rock of love - those hoochies are far more entertaining thank you very much) every girl we saw was drunk as a lord teetering in high heels and wearing dresses which i'm sure they believed made them look sexy, but actually made them look like they had stopped at the 24 hour hooker store on their way down to ac. in our room, i overheard a screaming fight starring "joe" and 2 drunk girls, one of whom said joe was a liar, the other said joe was embarrassing them all. (she said that approximately 34 times. i stopped counting because it was 4 am and i was tired) ANYHOO - aside from the people watching - we had a little spa adventure at the Blue Mercury Spa. it was perfect - there was a crazy ass blizzard outside, and it was dead quiet inside the spa.

cut to the locker room -- undressed and robed, i suss out the situation - and yes indeed - steam room. score!! walk through the door marked "quiet past this point" and boom - quiet room with tons of white chaise longes, with black blankets folded at the end. tea, water, fruit, perfect. we relax for a little while, and our ladies come to bring us to the couples massage room. undress, lie on table - MELT. heated table, covered by a lovely warm blanket. i honestly could have just lay there all day, never mind even getting massaged. but the massage was indeed very very nice and relaxing. after it was over, and i got past my separation anxiety from leaving the heated bed, we wandered back into the quiet room for a glass of water. then onto the steam room. HEAVEN. heaven. i had it all to myself, it smelled of eucalyptus. i was rubbed, calmed, steamed and happy. (even better is coming out of the locker room to find that your lovely bf has paid and tipped!) as you reluctantly leave the spa - there was a kick ass spa store. candles, hair, skin, make-up - products galore. a dangerous place for a junkie like me - but i made it out relatively unscathed... and a buttery mush from the experience. if you are anywhere near a Blue Mercury Spa - i most most highly recommend running inside. full speed. you can slow down once you're in there.

pretty much - a perfect way to spend a day in a blizzard. or any other day for that matter.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

tres jolie

when i lived in Paris, i taught English to business men and women. it was rather insane - it allowed me some glimpses into amazing Parisian worlds. one of my students was the head of LVMH - oui cheries, that is Louis Vuitton and its other companies. i had to go to their headquarters to teach him and i was always in awe. (he was a bit hopeless at learning it but he did try) another, i had to go to the home of the students - an elderly couple who lived in the nicest city home i have ever seen. it was a proper mansion, a butler answered the door and a maid served us tea. madame took her class in head to toe Chanel. i loved being there. i don't think the couple learned a thing, aside from "hello". they just wanted someone to talk to.

anyhoo - rather than wander down memory lane, let's get to the point. i had one student, a younger woman, who was beyond fabulous. i was obsessed with her. every class, as she studied away (she was a good student) i studied her. she was a Parisian girl to perfection. i loved everything she wore. i loved how she carried herself, did her hair, her makeup. she was amazing to me.

i'm feeling a bit this way about Marion Cotillard these days. she never totally grabbed me initially - but i am starting to become a bit obsessed. for all the Parisian reasons. case in point, mlle Cotillard at the NYC premiere of "Nine" last night. GORGEOUS. totally understated white gown by Dior. understated, until you begin to look at the stunning detailing. hair down, my favorite thing with an evening gown, playing against the convention of "done" hair. and a little nod to bohemian flair with the simple long necklaces. LOVES it. (i must admit that i would have thrown on a few bracelets... can't help myself...) and the face - just beautiful. made up but not overly so - allowing her beauty to be its own center of attention.

it's true what they say - the French ladies have a certain je ne sais quoi. et voila! this is exactly what they mean.

Friday, December 11, 2009

holiday party in the nude




even at your office party you can do it! ok - let's clarify shall we? i'm talking about the nude SHOE you dirty little birds.

the nude heel is one of the best tricks in the book. in case you don't have the book - allow me to "flesh it out" for you. (heehee). the gamut of brightly colored, sequined, or otherwise party-rific dresses that are no doubt on your mind at the moment can cause a bit of confusion when it comes to footwear. the best way to go when you're dazzling them up top is to stay basic down below. and basic does NOT have to mean boring. the nude heel is remarkably sexy. it makes your legs look like they go on for miles. obviously the trick is to find a shoe in your general skin tone (and obvs, if you're anywhere but warm, you'll be wearing a nice sheer pair of tights that make your legs look au naturel but better)

i have nude sandals for summer, but recently embraced this idea for winter. going to a birthday dinner for a friend of the family, i broke out the new nudes. i felt long, lean, sexy. and was also complimented on the shoe sitcho by one of the ladies attending, whom i consider to be quite in the loop when it comes to these things.

as with everything in the world of style, you can find a nudie to fit your budget. i love the shape of the Aldo shoe, i'm newly obsessed with Pour la Victoire shoes, and it goes without saying that the Louboutin is the dream shoe... regardless of the dollars spent - you can feel like a million. it's a little trick i highly recommend to balance out the festive frocks you'll be fa-la-la-ing around town in this holiday season!

close enough!

it's almost the 12 days of Christmas right? and it's the first day of Hanukkah so - it's holiday time. officially!

i was out shopping today in the mecca - the small radius of space that includes Barney's, Bergdorf's and Bendels. remarkably it was not so crowded that i felt the need to pull out my invisible uzi gun. i was shopping for a client, not for myself i might add. but i was reminded of the insane lure of holiday shopping. they just make it so EASY. starting on the main floors of the shops, there are tables of goodies and delights, for relatively small prices, that make you think "so and so would LOVE that". even if you haven't spoken to so and so for a year. these people, they're good. they lure you in. but you know what? it's a good lure. because what isn't nice about giving a nice little bit or bob to someone you care about - even if it was Bergdorf's that gave you the idea?

share the love this holiday. in whatever form. this little Dogeared necklace made me happy with the idea you give someone 100 wishes. we could all use a little wish now and then...

Monday, December 7, 2009

oh the 60s... you look nice

i've been a bit into looking at pictures of Jane Birkin lately. sort of the ultimate cool euro fashion chic of the 1960's. i definitely factor a little bit of her into my daily "who am i today?" routine... it's always been in me, but lately a deeper fascination is creeping in and i find myself scouring the interwebs a bit more...

i am also styling the groom at my dear lovely friend's wedding. and bless his little socks if he is not TOTALLY into (and fully capable of, i might add) rocking the 60's mod suit. how much do i love this? a lot.

nothing personal against the rockers of today. but to be perfectly honest - does anything beat the way the Beatles looked in their suits? i mean COME ON - perfection. (don't get me wrong - i'm also way into the later John Lennon look - but that's another story for another day). it's put together, it looks slick, and for those of you gents who don't care to think much about dressing - it really is kind of a no-brainer.

perhaps it's part nostalgia. times appear as if they were much more simple then. modern life is so freakin complicated. but hey, since we're here, i guess looking good can make the complication feel a bit less harsh...

Thursday, December 3, 2009

in the fashion court system...


the jury is still out for me in the case of denim leggings vs. not denim leggings....

i think the fore-woman (yes, that would be me) is leaning toward a huge settlement FOR the denim leggings... let's review the case.

i love jeans. i wear jeans almost every day of my life. i love leggings. the days that i am not wearing jeans, i am wearing leggings. it makes more than a little bit of sense that to combine these two things would be a style match made in heaven... i'm pretty sure i just cracked my own case.

having dug around on the trusty interwebs, these 2 seem to be the forerunners for my affection. i like the more jean-y look of the joe's jeans, (top pair - $78) but i like the price tag of the hue version (bottom - $28) ... what is a girl to do?! investigate, clearly. this requires a re-con mission. i will be putting together my csi kit and heading out tomorrow to cement my verdict.

(bang gavel here)

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

the scent of a woman

hooo-wah!

the ever quotable madame coco chanel once said of perfume "It is the unseen, unforgettable, ultimate accessory of fashion that heralds your arrival & prolongs your departure." and i could not possibly agree more. since my very first foray into perfume (Lauren by Ralph Lauren in high school. loved it beyond all possible measure) i have been hooked. i adore having my own scent. i love that perfume smells different on everyone - it is the ultimate in unique accessorizing. i've run through exactly 5 scents in my lifetime - and have landed on the keeper. Coco Mademoiselle. it's a recent addition to the Chanel "library" of perfumes - a sort of twist on Coco (which was my previous scent). i am obsessed with the way it smells. and every person i come in contact with tells me i smell good, that they associate the smell with me, scent related compliments that make me oddly happy. if i go a day without my perfume - i feel weird and naked. it's worse than forgetting my jewelry. i actually do not feel like myself without it.

it is WELL worth a little investigation into your signature scent. things can go horribly wrong with trying, some perfumes make me feel dizzy or sick to my stomach, or give me a headache. so try before you buy - always give them a test run - on your wrist - NOT your neck. (too close to the nose!!) but once you find it - the reward is supremely satisfying.

when in doubt, just ask Mizz Chanel! she always knows what to say.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

rodarte reminder!

sorry - these images are a bit wonky... they are a bit of the old iphone snap, cut and paste magic.

alors, the Rodarte collection for Target is comin', and it's comin' soon. i am saving up my pennies because what little they have allowed us glimpses of is more than a bit
drool-worthy. this jacket and belt are my faves thus far - and will be on my "dear santa" list without a doubt. (i will be playing the role of both child and santa in this scene). at $12.99 and $39.99 - how can santa say no??!?!!?

the entire collection tops out at $79.99 - which is pretty flingin' flangin' fantastic if you ask me. and since you are reading here, you have asked me.

there are some gorgeous mesh and lace lingerie looking dresses that all seem to run $39.99 - fabulous. and really sweet lace cardi's that run $29.99.

december 20th the collection will hit the shops and the interwebs. i will be awake early that day, coffee in hand and clickin' key ready!!!

(for more pics - check out December issues of Vogue, Marie Claire, Elle and People StyleWatch)

do (good)-esday

today is world aids day. there are lots of different charities out there that give back - so it's a buffet to choose from. one that's been around for a while and to which i am partial is the Gap's partnership with Product-red. they always have a selection of really cute items that give proceeds to fight aids in Africa. different designers pop in from time to time to do products. this time 'round it's Stella McCartney, who did this tee. (who doesn't want a piece of Stella? you know you do...)

most of the stuff is in the $30 range. and come on now - i think that we can part with $30 on world aids day. there's a whole selection of new t's at the Gap. and if you're cruisin' for something else - there is a whole load of stuff available out there. i've even seen a Product-red netbook. (which, i admit, if i hadn't already got my little nettie, i probably would have purchased).

go on - get your charity on kids! it's do(good)-esday!