Some might say my personal style is fairly conservative yet classic.  I like chic styles that will last for years to come and don’t easily give in to short lived trends.  However, like my mother, I admit to having a weakness for sparkles — yep, it’s true.

Lucky for me, sparkles are BIG for Fall 2010.  I recently purchased a super cute sequined tank at Target for $17.99 (pictured at left) that looked fab with indigo skinny jeans and my boyfriend blazer. The key is to wear a sequined top with simple accessories that add to the outfit rather than compete with it.

Earlier this year, I discovered the below Kate Spade glitter bow slingbacks on the Neiman Marcus website.  Yeah, they’re expensive ($325) but so cute!  These slingbacks would be super adorable paired with a brightly coloured dress–like magenta!

The shoes defo wouldn’t compliment a sparkly top like the one above, but would be a gorgeous accent to a simple dress.  They also aren’t everyday shoes…save them for a special sparkle worthy occasion!  I wish these lovely Kate Spade’s were in my closet…I guess I’ll wait for the $17 knock-off to arrive at Target.

Go ahead and get glittered for Fall 2010.

Dear Tina Fey,

I don’t often write fashion love letters to celebs , but you looked GORGEOUS at the Emmy Awards in your Oscar de la Renta gown. You were the embodiment of classic, chic, contemporary style.

I loved your hair, tied back in a simple pony that showcased the high neckline of this beautiful dress.  The gown defined your waist exquisitely and the Art Deco embroidery is beyond breathtaking.  You (or your stylist–if we’re being honest with each other) chose accessories that accented the dress rather than stealing the show.

I know it’s been a tough road for you at red carpet events, but girlfriend, you can laugh at all those worst dressed lists cause you looked A-lister F-A-B!!

Love,

Fashion Chronicles

Oscar de la Renta hardly steers a girl wrong and Tina definitely rocked this timeless Oscar de la Renta gown from his 2011 Resort Collection. If this gown is considered resort wear, reserve my spot at that place next January!!

Actually, if you’re anything like me, take a look through all the dresses in Oscar de la Renta’s collection (particularly at the end) and start placing bets to which red carpets they’ll start appearing worn by the next Tina Fey wannabe.

Images courtesy of JustJared.com

Emmy Bonus

Dear John Hamm,

I love you and wanted to tell you that I would never send you a Dear John Letter.  But I also heart your gf, Jennifer Westfeldt, because she wrote, starred in and produced one of my all time favourite films, Kissing Jessica Stein. Which you were also in before you became the complicated Donald Draper — in case you forgot.

Love,

Fashion Chronicles

There are few things in life that I love more than my dog, Scout.  My find last month in Chicago definitely made me forget about my dog for an entire afternoon: DVF, Bloomingdales, and a massive end-of summer sale!

I couldn’t believe my dumbluck when I beheld a black silk, DVF dress in my size, for $90 reduced from $365 at Bloomingdales.  I was nervous the shopgirl was going to tell me it was a mistake when I went to pay.

Diane von Furstenberg without a doubt designs the most flattering dresses for women.  Oh and she’s also a Princess, but hey who isn’t?

When DVF married Prince Egon of Fürstenberg in 1969, she decided to make a name for herself by developing her career as a designer.  In the early 70′s, she designed the iconic knitted wrap dress which has been a staple in women’s closets ever since.  Based on her success in the 70′s, DVF moved into all facets of fashion designing everything from sunglasses to handbags to couture ball gowns.

As you can probably tell, finding a DVF dress for under $100 in your size at Bloomingdales is like when Planet Earth captured the elusive snow leopard in Pakistan on film…you can spend 6 weeks looking, but sometimes dumbluck is all you need!

DVF at home in Conneticut

Images Courtesy of Bloomingdales and Town and Country

Wedding season has arrived!  Last year I attended six weddings and have a closet full of dresses to prove it!  I had so much fun dressing up for the occasions but more so admiring the well dressed ladies (including the bride).  I was left wondering…what is appropriate to wear to a wedding?

Since white is a definite no no at a wedding, I recommend draping yourself in a dress rich with colour.  Nordstrom carries tons of gorgeous, reasonably priced, wedding appropriate dresses.

The eggplant, chiffon beaded trapeze dress pictured above is fit for royalty.  In order to wear this dress well, your figure should be thin (like the model) and you should be under 5’5”…otherwise I think it will be too short–which is inappropriate for a wedding.  At a classy wedding, your dress shouldn’t be shorter than 1” above your knees.

The two below dresses are fabulous and will suit an array of figures because they have great structure.  The patterned number is reminiscent of the Prada Print Collection, while the blueberry dress couldn’t be more sophisticated–love that ruffled collar!

Pictures courtesy of Nordstrom.com

The day has finally arrived, Sex and the City 2 is here.  I could care less what the reviews say, if the outfits at the premieres are any indication, these ladies won’t disappoint!

On Monday night, the movie premiered in NYC.  I guess they heeded the complaints from 2008 when SATC premiered in London rather than hometown NYC.  The ladies stunned that night, even at the after party, but I especially adored SJP’s canary yellow Valentino Couture gown.

Just a few hours ago, the ladies appeared on the red carpet in London.  Being London, the girls braved more fashion forward looks compared to the NYC premiere.  Sporting an over-the-top, uber British fascinator and uniquely Alexander McQueen gown, SJP kicked her high fashion style into overdrive.

Welcome back ladies, I missed you!  Read more about SATC style.

I love a great summer dress.  I love summer dresses at work, weddings, parties, picnics, evening strolls…I love them always!

When I received an email from Vogue about Miuccia Prada’s Print Collection dresses, I was excited at the thought of wearing them for summer.  To my dismay, of course, Vogue seems to think that these dresses are priced at a “not-unreasonable” $760-$885.  Umm hello Vogue, I earn 5 figures not 6 and that price is unreasonable to me!

But I come to you today with three reasonable steps that you can take to wear it like Prada without the devilish price tag!

1Classic Dress
Look for a bold print, in a classic A-line style, with a defined waist and full skirt.  Find a dress with a conservative yet classic neckline and, like the Prada version, search for a style with buttons that run from the neckline to the waist–that will really make the look flawless.

2 Brown Belt
Purchase a slim, brown, leather belt that sits well perched high above your hips. What I mean is, ensure the belt doesn’t gape at your back when you’re standing. Additionally, if the belt is too long, you can get it professionally shortened by your local cobbler while he adds a new heel to those stilettos you have meaning to repair.

3 Black Crinoline
The purpose of the full, A-Line skirt of your new dress is to allow room beneath for a beautiful, black crinoline. Make sure the crinoline hangs slightly below the hem of your dress for the ultimate Prada Print Collection look.

Throw on an equally bold patterned ballet flat, a chain-link handbag and rock it this summer.

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I love receiving emails from Neiman Marcus and, if you also subscribe, this dress is probably familiar (it arrived at 5:30am this morning!).

I took a closer look at the Carmen Marc Valvo collection and fell in love.  All the pieces in this collection are breathtaking, especially the dresses.

The three things I love most about this One-Shoulder Print Dress: the flattering ruching; the waist defining belt; and the gorgeous one-shoulder strap.  What I don’t like is the $595 price tag.

ASOS Ruched Paneled One Shoulder Dress, $76

Online fashion store, ASOS, offers a similar styled one-shoulder dress in 4 colours, including the option of a short or long version (great for ladies with long legs!).

This dress reeks fabulous with similar styling to the Carmen Marc Valvo dress but at much lower price point.  For $76, this is a dress I am willing to buy, wear a couple of times and feel I truly got my money’s worth.

In addition, if you really like the belted waist on the Carmen Marc Valvo version, pick up a skinny belt and throw it on just below your bust line.  Don’t be scared to accessorize and define your waist!

ASOS Stardust Floral Print One Shoulder Silk Dress, $37

My Inner 80′s child also really like this ASOS dress.  I am not sure it’s my personal style, but for $37, the ASOS Stardust Floral Print One Shoulder Silk dress is well worth a mention.

What makes this style similar to the Carmen Marc Valvo dress is the unique pattern, silk fabric and defined waist (skinny belt not required).  1986 called and they love this dress!

Christian Lacroix, Paris Fashion Week

The term “couture” is often used generically to refer to high fashion, but it has a very specific meaning in France. Within France, couture is a term used to refer to garments produced in high-end design firms which sew custom garments for their clients, using workshops and staff based in Paris. Outside of France, “couture” is used to refer to any sort of extremely fashionable garment, whether or not the garment has been custom fitted.

Couture is actually short for haute couture, a French phrase which means “high dressmaking.” In order to be considered couture under French law, a garment must be produced by one of the members of the Chambre de commerce et d’industrie de Paris, and the garment must be fitted to a specific client, with at least two personal fittings to ensure that the garment looks correct. Furthermore, the firm itself must maintain a workshop in Paris with French staff, and present a collection during both annual fashion weeks.

Because many firms which produce couture garments also produce off-the-rack or pret-a-porter styles, the definition of couture has become blurred in the eyes of many consumers. In part, this is because of a conscious decision among fashion houses, who want to capitalize on the elite cachet of the term “couture” without having to invest large amounts of money and time in the production of personalized high fashion garments.

As of 2008, some notable couture firms include Chanel, Givenchy, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Christian Lacroix, among others. In addition to producing exclusive pret-a-porter lines which can be purchased in department stores and boutiques, these companies also offer traditional haute couture to clients who are willing to travel to Paris and pay the price. The price for couture, by the way, can be quite hefty; a beaded evening dress can sell for as much as $40,000 US Dollars, a sum which may seem mind-boggling to the less fashion minded.

The tradition of haute couture dates back to the mid-1800s, and the reason couture can command such a high price is because of the long tradition of high fashion in France. Couture garments are designed to look absolutely stunning on clients, with fits customized to the client’s body, way of movement, and personal style. The detailing on couture garments such as beading and embroidery is always done by hand, representing hours and sometimes months of labor.

With the rise of very high quality off-the-rack fashion, couture is not quite as popular among the wealthy set as it once was, but the tradition is likely to endure, especially among those who wish to look particularly unique or stunning at events like the Academy Awards, society weddings, and the Opening of Parliament.

Check out Part One of the beautiful 2010 Spring Summer Christian Dior Couture Show during Paris Fashion Week:

Article courtesy of wisegeek.com Image courtesy of anatomyofamuse

Sunday night were the Oscars and nobody stole the show more than Sandra Bullock.  Her dress, purse, hair and make-up embodied everything that a woman should strive to be: classic, chic and contemporary.

The simplicity of her hair and make-up drew attention to the hand-stitched embroidery of her stunning, Marchesa gown.  Her acceptance speech couldn’t have been classier and more supportive of the other women in her category.  I have always been a Sandra Bullock fan, but now even more so.

Take a closer look at Sandra’s ensemble:

While you’re at it, check out Vogue’s Top Ten Best Dressed at the Oscars.

I love Oprah and have been watching her show my entire life, literally.  She’s on her 24th year of the show, and I am in my 29th year of life.

But what I really want, is to walk a mile in Oprah Winfrey’s shoes.  And guess what?  I can!  Oprah is auctioning her clothes, shoes and bags to benefit her Leadership Academy in Africa.

The hottest items thus far are her purses — because bags are the perfect fit regardless of body size.  Her clothes, on the other hand, range from size 8 to 16 and her shoes from 10 to 11.5.  To fit those, you have to be quite curvy with a solid foundation at your base (ie your feet).

I have my eye on a cute pair of silver Manolo Blahnik’s and figure, if I won, I could add inserts to make them fit. But since it’s only day 2 of the 10 day Oprah Ebay auction, I probably won’t be to afford them as of tomorrow.

Happy bidding!

Images courtesy of Oprah.com