I believe the weather rollercoaster we experience as Chicagoans is simply part of the trade off. In exchange for 30 degree fluctuations from one day to the next, or winter-like days in springtime – we get the dreamiest city surroundings. An ocean-inspired Great Lake, a mountainous landscape of skyscrapers, world-class dining and the most charming neighborhoods and communities around every corner.
This fall has actually been quite lovely (dare I say!) – the generous smattering of warm temperatures has kept the vibrant hues of the season in full splendor longer than I remember in years past. While I love the traditional hues of the turning leaves, when it comes to seasonal entertaining and fashion, however, I am drawn to embrace a slightly more unexpectedly autumn palette.
For an easy outfit this fall – you may find me popping from pre-school drop-off to meetings-to-errands in a similar uniform:
I’m able to run around town with ease in an upgraded pair of leather-trimmed leggings, topped off with a lived-in chambray shirt. The punchy poncho, booties, bargain cluster earrings and bold lip stain (smooch-friendly essential for all mommas) help make a bit of a statement when paired with neutral necessities such as a roomy tote and sunnies. Perfect for adding some pep to this season’s autumn wardrobe!
After a weekend packed with festivities and fun, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to snuggle with The Babe and relax as Hollywood’s royalty showed us their best at the 2013 Academy Awards. Here’s a quick round-up of my favorite looks of the evening:
I loved the muted tone-on-tone look of Jessica Chastain’s Armani Prive dress. The bold lip was instrumental in keeping the old-hollywood glam look current.
Oh Man! The first time my heart skipped a beat for dashing Eddie Redmayne was in My Week With Marilyn – and the mild obsession seems to have continued. I thought he looked so perfect, as a modern gentleman dressed in Alexander McQueen. Loved the loafers, too!
I will absolutely be TiVo’ing a special on CNBC this evening about J.Crew CEO Mickey Drexler and the fashion force that has come so far over recent years. Check it out or be sure to catch it after the fact.
I caught a quicky interview with crush, Jenna Lyons this morning on the Today Show. Check it out below:
Still feeling the effects from the heaps of fancy flavored popcorns and movie-themed martini’s from last nights’ Oscars get together? We watched every moment and to be quite honest, the Oscars seemed sublimely safe. The fashion was fairly simple with few take-your-breath away hits, equally few dramatic misses, and was really just chock full of lovely, but eh, looks in my opinion.
Oh my. Gwyneth Paltrow was my true favorite by a mile. This read as fashion, without crossing the line. The simple silhouette of her custom Tom Ford gown and matching cape looked smashing on her long, lean figure. Her simple hair, make-up and jewelry let the dress do all the talking. I am a cape girl – wearing them forever – and I loved how fashion-forward and fresh her look was.
While Giuliana Rancic was merely there for E!’s red carpet coverage, I thought her Basil Soda gown was stunning and read very Old Hollywood with a super flattering and lovely [deco-inspired?] neckline. While her hair was a bit severe and I would have loved to see a hint of volume, I thought her look was more interesting than many.
Some people criticized darling Emma Stone saying that her Giambattista Valli Haute Couture gown was too similar to a previous Nicole Kidman look, but I think this dress was dramatic and beautiful on her. It wasn’t a sleepy safe option and was one of my favs.
Cameron Diaz always looks so bronzed and beachy and yesterday was no exception. Her Gucci Premiere gown was stunning, perfectly snug on her svelte figure. I love the pale hue and the slight metallic interest but was mesmerized by how the dress seriously floated as she walked. Perfect for a presenter. [Would have loved to see something different with her shaggy bob…perhaps pulled back?]
Rooney Mara’s Givenchy Couture gown [custom made by Ricardo Tisci] was fashion forward and a striking choice. Almost more alluring and more interesting than beautiful?
I have such a crush on the talented, sweet and humble Michelle Williams – she is such a lady! While her Louis Vuitton dress is unwaveringly lovely, it read red on screen and in print, but she was describing it as coral?? I think I would have love loved this if it were a more noticeably unique hue. I also thought the tiny bow brooch detail actually watered down the look, a bit. I also didn’t prefer her short, almost choker-of-a necklace [even if it cost millions!]
Today, I am loving the bright and bold pairing of blue with green. Crisp and fresh yet quite seasonless [although my mind does immediately drift to manicured lawns and the soothing roll of the sea…sigh]
DKNY
From Marie Claire Aus
Unknown
And here’s how to execute! Pair any of these beauties:
The Golden Globes may have been an elegant snoozefest, but from the bits I saw of the Screen Actors Guild Awards, I thought there was more drama and risk taken this time around.
Here are my winners in order of fabulousness:
[Some of which looked spectacular on screen, and less so in these photos…]
My favorite for the night was my current crush [obsession?], Zoe Saldana who donned a dress fresh off the runway – from last weeks Paris Couture shows. She selected a Givenchy Haute Couture dress [from the interesting and slightly creepily styled collection] that was simply stunning on her tall, lean figure. Love love loved!
Alright – call me crazy – but I think Rose Did Right in Elie Saab. Is this the answer to The Oscars? Certainly not! But this was a fun awards show and I think the perfect place to take a chance. While I’m rarely a fan of the blunt bang, and completely prefer her with the loose soft waves of Bridesmaids, I think she is well styled from head-to-toe. She is darling!!
A bold bit of colour?! Emily Blunt looked spectacular in her jade Oscar De La Renta Resort 2012 gown [even better on TV]. We all know my obsession with all things green, so perhaps this dress would be less exciting if it weren’t such an electric and welcomed pop of color on the red carpet.
PS: Cutie John Krasinski wore Prada.
Glee star Jayma Mays looked dazzlingly sophisticated in Reem Acra.
And do I dare touch on the must mentioned unmentionables?…
Oh darling girl. It breaks my heart to criticize, I normally praise your every move: so true to yourself, so brilliantly composed, intelligently soft spoken and sweetly modest…And I know many have put you on a best-dressed list for this Valentino ensamb…but I can’t help but weep over the 1990s matching platform sandals that I’m certain I wore to a keg party at the ATO house, complete with a backless shirt, choker and black pants.
Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week featured fashion giants like Armani Privé, Chanel, Christian Dior, Valentino and Versace, to highlight a few. However, it was the Ellie Saab Spring/Summer 2012 collection that completely took my breath away. The Lebanese designer showcased a collection of enchantingly girlie, elegantly whimsical and luxuriously lovely dresses in springy, feminine pastels.
After being slammed with solid meetings last week and all day Saturday, yesterday was quite lovely. I spent the day with fabulous industry friends at a dual baby shower and then had a relaxing evening parked in front of the TV.
I always love the Golden Globes because it is the first real awards show, giving me the opportunity to undeservedly judge celebrities on their hits and misses. The red carpet this year was, sadly, a bit of a bore. I am not sure I have a clear favorite and thought most everyone played it perfectly safe.
Here goes!
Sophisticated Simplicity in Black
Claire Danes looked beautiful in J Mendel and always seems to prefer slim cut dresses that highlight her teeny-tiny waist.
Kate Winslet’s Jenny Packham dress was also simple and understated, but was very elegant and age appropriate.
I did love Selma Hayek’s Gucci gown – a fabulous shimmering slip of armor.
Pale Passed
Elle Macpherson looks seriously insane sporting two trends of the evening: A nude hue and mermaid silhouette. Elle is forty-freaking-seven years old. Geeze.
Ack. Angelina Jolie. I’m not obsessed with her look and absolutely can’t stand her condescending glares, but she certainly looked every bit the part of Hollywood royalty. Her MASSIVE Lorraine Schwartz earrings were the most amazing solitaire studs I’ve ever seen and her bold lips worked well with her Atelier Versace dress.
Diane Lane’s beautiful Reem Acra dress was stunning on her. I loved the nude hue paired with the flattering spindles of gold woven throughout. Her hair and make-up were spot on.
I am always a fan of Calvin Klein Collections’ simplicity and therefore really loved Heidi Klums’ dress. The necklace was pretty fantastic and paired perfectly with the dress, but do think her hair was a bit too every-day and didn’t like the matchy-matchy feel of the necklace and the ring.
Kate Beckinsale looked absolutely STUNNING. I have such a crush on her. While the Roberto Cavalli dress was super safe, it did look smashing on her. Hair, make-up and earrings looked beauteous.
Katharine McPhee also looked beautiful in her flesh-colored Donna Karan dress.
Charlize Theron’s origami Dior Couture gown was a bit more daring, and I totally appreciated it. I thought the dress looked even more beautiful in person (and by in person, I mean on TV...) She has laryngitis and sounded adorable and was a serious trooper.
Jessica Biel. For some reason, I’m not a huge fan. This Ellie Saab dress is putting me to sleep.
Color Can Cure!
My love of yellow continues and Paula Patton looked fabulous in her big bird-hued Monique Lhullier gown.
While her hair and make-up were completely underwhelming…I am In Love with Kelly MacDonald’s Lorena Sabu glittery gown!
The ravishing Revenge star, Madaline Stowe looked STUNNING in Vera Wang.
The Decidedly Disappointing
You could call it daring, and call my bluff, but to me this looked a bit more like an Ed Hardy design rather than the Giles Deacon winner she was hoping for.
Oh my. Madonna: Ew.
Meryl Streep is SUCH a fabulous actress, but this gown reminds me of a bad western button down, and her hair was truly fashioned in a banana clip. I’m not kidding.
Boring. Too old. Think how great this would look on someone like Meryl or Helen Mirren…now that would be darling!
I don’t hate it from the waist down, but I can’t get over how ridiculous the top of Nicole Kidman’s Versace gown looks.
Yes, Piper, the joke is on you.
Michael Kors should have put Mary J Blige in the next size up. Not flattering.
Sarah Michelle Geller’s dress was certainly not boring…but it was something…
I actually didn’t mind the dress itself…but it was just not right on Julie Bowen. The dress seemed much too feminine and almost reminiscent of something Grace Kelly would have worn:
Hopefully the gang can step it up as the season continues!!
(image credits) all golden globes photos taken from in style. grace kelly found in google images.
Winter has officially arrived, fashionably late, this year. I adore the muted silence that accompanies a fresh snowfall.
While cozying up on the couch with a steamy latte, catching up on back issues of stock-piled magazines and losing myself in an old movie sounds like the perfect snow-day indulgence, I’ve got a favorite client in town for another day of planning bootcamp. Today we have another tasting and decor showing, among other appointments.
Today, I will be sporting something very similar to this in an effort to navigate the snowy streets of Chicago.
