Spring 2011 Preview

With fashion week starting tomorrow, I thought I'd post some preview sketches from the upcoming shows. I myself have been drawing and sketching fashion for most of my life, so I love to see sketches from others, especially from talented designers whom I admire. Get your imagination rolling... Here are a few Spring 2011 sketches (along with their inspiration) to feast your eyes on...


Jason Wu said this sketch of a nude silk organza and tulle layer dress reflects “the overall sexy and confident feel” of his collection.


Prabal Gurung said that his collection is inspired by “strength, femininity, and American sportswear in its purest form.”


Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig stated that their collection is inspired by “an Orientalist myriad of gilded silk and lace to create an air of evocative romance.”


Mark Badgley and James Mischka said that their Badgley Mischka collection is inspired by “the stylish film White Mischief. We were fascinated by the idea of a woman with a very languid, proper veneer with smoldering sensuality just beneath the surface.”


Monique Lhuillier was inspired by “an amazing dream and I didn’t want to wake up.”


Max Azria stated that the BCBG Spring 2011 collection (right) is inspired by “chic, easy, timeless essentials” while the Max Azria collection (left) is inspired by “architectural lines and fluid fabrics that creat an easy, delicate feeling.” From the always sexy Herve Leger show (middle) we can expect “a day at court in 18th century France, with a modern feel.”


Tommy Hilfiger, who is celebrating his label’s 25th anniversary, said that his Spring 2011 collection is inspired by the “country club prep with a twist.”


Donna Karan said that “New York, New Wave” is the best way to describe DKNY’s Spring 2011 collection.


Rebecca Taylor said that her Spring 2011 collection was inspired by the girl who is “the modern juxtaposition between her bohemian roots and her love of what is slick and urban. Distressed, belted trench coats in bright colors are the perfect pairing with Rebecca Taylor’s signature silk printed dresses. Perforated eyelet pieces are styled with sleek scalloped-edge leather jackets to provide a downtown look that still remains elegant. Kelly Green, Highlighter Yellow, and Equestrian Orange are the perfect complement to earthy neutrals, integrating my love of both the country side and the city. Spring 2011 brings us all back to fresh, feel good, American fashion.“


Tracy Reese stated that her collection is inspired by “effortlessly chic dressing, redefining favorite silhouettes and offering women simple yet sexy looks with a classic TR touch. Sultry elements animate a minimalist approach, like this silky nude blouse and pleat pocket flare pant, creating a sleek, monochromatic moment of confidence and sensuality.”


Alice Temperley tells us that her collection is inspired by medieval costume, “we present a dreamy display of modern-day armor.”

Now can it be tomorrow already?! I'm ready for the shows!!

Images and quotes via instyle.com

Found

Check out these super cool vintage Gucci plates I found while thrifting. I can't believe I scored the beauties for ten bucks. Aaand they're in perfect condition. Naturally, I was excited!

Peaches n cream

My boyfriend and I made this for dessert earlier this evening. It turned out great: light and airy, very delicious (and super easy!).

Here's the recipe via foodnetwork.com:
Boozy Peaches and Cream
Directions:
Toss 3 sliced peaches with 1 tablespoon brown sugar and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; set aside until juicy, about 30 minutes. Whip 1 cup heavy cream until it thickens, then beat in 4 teaspoons brown sugar. Add 4 teaspoons bourbon and beat until soft peaks form. Layer the peaches and cream in dessert glasses; top with toasted pecans.

Happy Bunny

I snapped this in the car the other day... because it looked like a bunny. Dorky? Perhaps, but I'm okay with that.

Have a lovely week! :)

Blue Door

I adore this editorial shot. It makes me want to play dress up and wander through a forest like the girl in the photograph. Beautiful. Also, it reminded me of the cool blue door in "Notting Hill"... Plus, the clothes aren't bad either.
Photos via Vogue UK.

Inside Outside

Room Inspiration via Vogue UK.
I love these chairs and painting. So cool, yet classy.

I knew Italy was known for good shoes…

But, wow.
Obviously, I adore Mr. Louboutin, but I have such an appreciation for art (and shoes, natch) that I have a newly acquired (shoe) obsession: Alberto Guardiani. There, I’ve said it. His shoes are beautiful. Seriously, amazing.

The lipstick heel combines two of womans greatest loves: shoes and lipstick. It has a nostalgic feel to it, for me anyway. When I was younger I would watch my mother put her make up on and slip into her high heels: a glimpse of what being a grown-up woman was all about. I couldn't wait until I could be just like her. These shoes embody that feeling of wonder and excitement. And, get this, it has interchangeable heels. Feeling a bit sultry? Go for the red. Or perhaps you’re in the mood for something a bit more neutral? There’s a nude option. How cool is that? It’s two pairs of shoes in one.

My jaw nearly gaped open when I saw this next one. An over the knee, high-heeled, two-toned riding boot. I die. I want these real bad. I think I may start taking donations. Haha, kidding… sort of.

Oh, and did I mention they also come in the form of a bootie.

Ah, how can all of these shoes be so sexy, yet so classic all at once?

Dear Alberto Guardiani, thank you very much for creating these beauties (or shall I say booties?) If you have a spare size 10 laying around, I suppose I could take them off your hands.
Sincerely, girlwiththeredsole but in need of an alberto guardiani

Photos via albertoguardiani.it

Singular | Lovely

Tiffany & Co by Elsa Peretti
I have adored these pretty little things for quite awhile. A single stone, in this case a diamond, on a single strand. A client of mine had on this bracelet the other day, and I noticed it immediately. I love how delicate and simply lovely these pieces are. I could literally wear them everyday. Pretty and practical, now that's something everyone can appreciate. (Bf, aren't you proud?)

Bracelet $450, Ring $550, Necklace $325 all Tiffany & Co (Reasonably priced, especially when you consider the wearability)
Photos via tiffany.com

Crayon Dress

... as my boyfriend lovingly dubbed it.
I liked this dress the moment I saw it, and when I put it on, I fell in love. It’s one of the most versatile dresses I own (it may be worn 5 ways and counting – I’ll post more about this later). Not to mention the color, the prettiest shade of rose red. I chose to wear it to lunch today and paired it with sandals and a casual clutch for a summer-y feel. (I also rocked a little side pony - just ‘cause.)

Oh, oh! The short-stack in the last picture is Seven, my little labrahoulador, haha. He's actually a labrador / catahoula mix. And he's adorable and quite a handful. I think he's commercial worthy -so cute!

Jantzen dress, Club Monaco necklace, Banana Republic ring, Old Navy clutch

Sleeping Beauty

My cute boyfriend and me


Club Monaco dress, handmade crystal earrings, Guess peep toe platforms, vintage clutch


Winspear Opera House at the Dallas Performing Arts Center


I have been awakened from my blog slumber - this summer has been uber busy and july will be even busier. I have recovered from surgery, started a new job, been out of town a few times, got a new puppy… all this and more. And I’m happy and (excited!) to say that I will be back to blogging (especially in August!!). Oh how I’ve missed you!

On another note, I can now say that I have been to the ballet! I have such an appreciation for the arts and I’ve always wanted to go to a ballet. My boyfriend and I went to see Sleeping Beauty at the Winspear Opera House (which is beautiful). It was performed by the Texas Ballet Theater; they were magnificent! I was giddy with excitement (the equivalent to pretty woman when she was whisked off to the opera.)

I was inspired by the Christian Dior Fall 2007 RTW collection for hair, make up and jewelry. It was such fun to get dolled up (one of my favorite pastimes).

Such fun! I can’t wait to experience the ballet again.

Photo via style.com

Miu Miu Spring 2010 Collection

Miu Miu, I love you.

There’s something very whimsical, naughty, and nice about the miu miu collection.. Vegas showgirl? Conservative secretary? It’s as if you swiped the clothes from each, swirled them about, mixed in a little fashion ingenuity, sewed them together, and the result is what you see fly down the runway (Literally, there were sparrows on some pieces.) And… I happen to adore it.

The prints are spectacularly divine. From afar, it looks like, okay, that’s a nice print, but the closer you get, the more intrigued you become. G-Rated kittens, daisies, puppies, sparrows, and R-rated naked ladies: all dancing down the front of their own blouse, or climbing up a platform heel. Love. It. Let’s not forget the glitz of it all. The jewel encrusted bodices or the nude mesh insets and cutouts: blatantly sexy, but I like it nonetheless. The cut of the clothes is just beautiful- the extra long, pointed collars and the ankle length trousers are amazing. I think the perspective of this collection is a fresh one and much needed, weirdly cohesive and amazing. There’s something for all occasions: everyday or special event. I wish I could get my paws on one (or two, or three…) of those pretty little pieces!

It reminds me of a little girl going through her mother’s closet, trying to look grown up, and she ends up blurring the lines and looking a little off kilter. It brings up the question of innocence and youth, these days the two don’t go hand-in-hand as often as one might hope. There are a lot of contradictions and opposites in this collection. Either way you slice it… Dress-up never looked so fun.

Do you want to be naughty? Or nice? With the Miu Miu collection, you don’t have to bat an eyelash... Sweetheart, you’re both.

Photos via style.com, instyle.com, me

Why M.I.A.

So, I found out that I had to have an unexpected surgery last week, which is why I haven't posted in the past week. My apologies. I am still recovering and dealing with nurses and doctors appointments, etc. I'm exhausted.
Hope you're all in good health and have a great week!

Nailed it!

Every time I look down at my fingers or toes I see a different color. Mud. Taupe. Mushroom. Cement. Gray. Dirt. Clay. Brown. Tree Bark.
The color it says on the Rimmel London bottle is actually Steel Grey #270. And, folks, I love it. It’s quickly become a mini-obsession. It looks good with anything, in any season. And, it lasts longer compared to other polishes. This is my first time using Rimmel nail lacquer, and I think they’ve got a life-long customer now. Especially since I had been looking for this color for awhile, and hadn’t found it at inexpensive price. This was under four dollars and it was worth every penny. Not to mention the brush was wide which made it more efficient too!

This color has been seen gracing the spring 2010 runways of Chanel and Yigal Azrouel and on actresses like Sandra Bullock at the Golden Globes 2010. Glad to see some others share my taste in this fresh, cool nail color. Run out and get it if you can!
Bottom 3 photos via style.com, elle.com, omg.yahoo.com

New scarf!

Thanks to my fantastic boyfriend, who knows me so well, I have a new addition to my scarfy collection. It’s vintage inspired and from J. Crew. I already have plans for this scarf / wrap duo. It would be great paired with jeans and a blazer, tied at the waist of a dress, or worn as a wrap. Or in true vintage style, used as a head scarf while taking a weekend trip in a convertible. Now all I need is a convertible. Haha.
Thank you, my sweet BF. :) I love it, and you.
(I got him a pair of vintage cufflinks and what I call a ‘man-box’, a wooden box with a picture of us under the glass top and little drawer to stash his cufflinks, watch, glasses, etc.)

Anniversary Adventures

My boyfriend and I celebrated our six month anniversary this past weekend with a trip to Six Flags. And it was so. much. fun. I haven’t been to a theme park in years, and we had such a blast (it's easy to have a splendid time with splendid company). Also, I love roller coasters!

Here are some pics I snapped: one in the tea cup before it started, and the other, making silly faces mid-spinny. Those tea cups were more fun than they looked! We were spinning so fast, it felt like an out of body experience. Cray-cray.



For dinner, we tried a new recipe: cheese-stuffed chicken rolls. And to accompany: mashed potatoes and buttery noodles. Pretty good. Here’s the recipe (via shine from yahoo provided by better homes and gardens)
http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/food/recipes/cheese-stuffed-chicken-rolls-537967/

Floaty. Feminine. Fendi.

I love Texas in the springtime! I’m so excited to wear dresses and shorts outside… and not freeze!

Here's my collage (click to enlarge) featuring a few pieces I fell in love with from Fendi’s Spring 2010 Collection. The colors were pastel and light with the occasional punch of color. The collection was feminine and airy with unexpected and edgy details and accessories. Pretty little things (more like pretty fabulous little things)

Some of the dresses were screaming for attention: I'm beautiful! Please pair me with some riding boots! I need a cool belt! Add some sparkly jewels!
I've gotten carried away. See what Lagerfeld does to me?

Photos via fendi.com, style.com