Be Mine

Roberto Cavalli Dress, St. John Bracelet, Gianvito Rossi Pumps (available at Savannah Santa Monica), Mulberry Clutch, Celine Sunglasses, Robin Terman necklace (diamond bar) and earrings, Heart necklace; family heirloom

For me, a great dress comes with a great story; and so it goes for this one by Roberto Cavalli.  I first came upon this dress when I discovered it in a forest green color at The Scoop Brentwood store back in December. A woman was returning it, and rather than just stand there in silence, I told her that it was really pretty. She told me that she was buying it to wear to a wedding but thought that the place and time of year (San Francisco in December), seemed a tad too cold and wintry for this lightweight little dress, so she was returning it. Unable to resist the urge, I asked her if, since she was returning it, I try it on. She told me to go ahead since she was definitely not taking it. When I emerged from the dressing room, it was love at first sight. Comfy and pretty were what it had going for it, and I was definitely purchasing this dress, especially since it was marked down by 40%. What I didn’t realize is that the more I raved about it, the more the woman who was returning it softened towards the dress.  Inevitably, she changed her mind. I was quietly crushed, and with a smile, I reluctantly changed back into my clothes and handed it over to the original buyer. The sales people assured me that they would order me one immediately and not to worry. I drove off feeling like all was well in the world of shopping; only moments later, I received a call from Scoop telling me that the dress was sold out in my size. I scolded myself for having opened my mouth in the first place. Had I simply stood there, lips sealed at the time of the dress’s return, it would be in my car on its way to MY closet.

  Lucky for me, this story has a happy ending. While sifting through racks and racks of 75% off dresses at Saks, I came upon the same dress in red…more my color, and in my size. I took this as a sign from above (Jeff probably has a perplexed expression or is rolling his eyes as he reads this), and bought it. The feeling of vindication championed my emotions and I knew just when I would be wearing this dress. This would be my Valentines Day dress, because like my Valentine, Jeff, this dress was also “meant to be!”

Obsessed With the 70’s

Top, Wrap, and Skirt all by Worth New York, Vintage Boots, Vintage Celine Handbag, Oliver Peoples Sunglasses. 

  If there is a decade that I am drawn to, it is the 70’s. I was a teenager during the 70’s and so the music, fashion and culture are both familiar and comforting to me. Shag rugs, arc lamps and relaxed furnishings are how my mother decorated our home, and it seems it left its stamp on me in a very big way; my living room has a shag rug and arc lamp.

  I definitely owned several pieces of plaid clothing, whether it was dresses, pants or skirts. Pairing these with warm knits and high boots were all the rage back then and, so it seems, today as well. 

  This outfit, by Worth New York, drew me in at first glance because it felt so retro to me. I love the weight of the skirt, which is perfect for a warm California winter, or a spring/fall East Coast day. But the pièce de résistance is the crisscross wrap. This is the most unique yet useful item of clothing that I purchased this year; Worth New York, you have done it again. My vintage brown suede boots and vintage Celine bag are the perfect compliment to the 70’s feel of the outfit. Moral of the story, don’t toss things simply because they are old….a new outfit can always use an old friend.

Jungle Fever

Roberto Cavalli Dress, similar for less here, Manolo Blahnik Pumps, similar here, Bottega Veneta Clutch, Oliver Peoples Sunglasses, also seen here. Monique Pean Ring, Lucifer Vir Honestus Bracelet.

Once in a while I will look at a dress on a hanger, size it up and down, and then return it to its original spot on the rack. Then the sales associate will tell me that I should try it on because I will be surprised at how it transforms itself on the body. Thus it was with this loud print, high neck dress by Roberto Cavalli. I was not feeling it, but just to placate her, I tried it on. Instantly, it went from wrong to right. The vibrant colors seemed to transform my mood from blah to bling. The black stripe down the back of the dress had that J Lo/Beyonce effect, that gave my booty a boost! Best of all I snagged it on sale at Scoop NYC. Thank you Mr. Cavalli, as usual you are full of surprises.

Green is making a strong comeback this season, and I am bringing all of my green and gold accessories from the back to the front of the closet.  For instance, it’s amazing how you can keep a pair of shoes that you bought for a specific outfit, at the back of your closet thinking “I will keep these, although I probably won’t get much wear out of them,” and then suddenly they seem to go with everything. These camel and mint green pumps by Manolo Blahnik were purchased for a specific outfit; they have been sitting in my closet virtually unworn for 2 years. That is until now. I have so much green and camel in my wardrobe, and I have decided to mix and match colors that are within the same family. It is as if new life has been breathed into them. It’s funny how clothing, when you adore it as I do, can anthropomorphize so easily!

Baby It's (Not That) Cold Outside

Vest from Savannah Santa Monica, Carven Sweater from Scoop NYC, Current/Elliot Pants, Stuart Weitzman Shoes, also seen here, Balenciaga Handbag, Chanel Shades.

I realize that living in Los Angeles, where the lowest daytime temperatures average around 65 degrees and at night, might dip into the 50’s, leaves me with very little to complain about. Growing up in Winnipeg, Canada, I know about cold, and I assure you that my friends back home will not be donning an outfit like this until the end of April, or beginning of May! Vests have become my mainstay for keeping my body warm and remaining loyal to the trends. I got this vest over 5 years ago, and remains one of my favorites. I cannot tell a lie, it is suede and fox, and very warm. I paired it with my new favorite winter white jeans by Current Elliott that in all honesty are perfect for Southern California winters, but too light for winter out east or up north; yet they will be perfect for the spring. I love the French designer, Carven, and was immediately attracted to this print, which works well with black and white.

To my Canadian and East Coast friends and family, I say 2 things: come visit me in California, and hang in there, Spring is on its way!

Worth Wearing Red

Scarf, Sweater, Pants, Clutch all Worth NY Spring 2015 Collection. Necklace and earring John Hardy, Oliver People's Shades, Sergio Rossi Heels.

I don’t usually dress head to toe in one specific designer, but I was in a “je ne sais quoi” mood and feeling a little “Française.” The red white and blue of this outfit by Worth New York seemed to fit the bill perfectly. It is also apt since this is the American Heart Association’s ”Go Red For Women,” which highlights the very pervasive health issue of women and heart disease.  

The red sweater and the black cotton pants had me at "bonjour," but this gorgeous scarf tied, (pun very much intended!), the ensemble together. The adorable little zippered clutch is as easy to handle as it is to look at.

When an outfit such as this works so well, there isn’t much else to say except…"c’est magnifique!"

Fashion Hybrid

A skirt with pant holes is called a “skort.” But what do you call a pant with a skirt on one side? A “skirpant?” No matter the title, this particular fashion hybrid caught my eye and I find it to be very chic in a sophisticated bohemian way, much like its design house, Haute Hippie.

Being that red is one of my favorite fashion colors, I decided to dress up the pant with this Haute Hippie red blouse, a great wide belt and these fabulous strappy heels by Aquazzura. I think it is transformingly elegant. I would just as easily pair it with a simple white tee, booties and a leather jacket, as a dressed down casual look.  I will feature this look in a future post. These pants are going places and will not sit in this closet!

Haute Hippie Pants and Blouse, W by Worth Tank, Sarah Pacini Belt, Bracelet & Ring, Lauren Merkin Clutch, Aquazzura Heels (also seen here,) Chanel Sunglasses.

An Outfit Worth Wearing

Worth New York has done it again. It has succeeded in meeting all of my expectations, and even surpassing them! I put this outfit together at the trunk show that I hosted with my friend, Sigal. Since the weather wasn’t particularly cooperative when it came to showing off cold weather clothes, I decided to wait until now to feature it on the blog. Although the temperatures continue to be warm here in Los Angeles,  I have chosen to give Mother Nature the “cold shoulder,” and model this fabulous ensemble.

Last Spring, when Fall 2014 was featured, so was color. It showed up on virtually every designer's palette and was a welcome respite from the muted tones and ever popular black that has floated down many a runway in the past.

This magenta jacket caught my eye on the rack, and beckoned me to try it on. I usually gravitate towards the more rustic colors of autumn, because I think that they compliment my coloring. Yet when I slipped into this jacket, both Sigal and I exclaimed “wow” at the exact same time. She and I knew instantly that this would be a keeper and certainly blog worthy!

The beauty of assembling an outfit from the same line, is that the colors used in one item are bound to appear in another; this warm and comfy pullover top with the paint like splashes of blues and magenta goes perfectly with the jacket.

It is all about details when it comes to the design of these black ponte pants. The leather detailing which outline the sides of the pant as well as the pockets, give an oo là là to what could have been a blasé pant.

I know I am wearing a “hit,” when passers by offer their thumbs up and compliments on my outfit during our photo shoots. That is exactly what happened when Robert and I shot this in Melrose Place.

Once again, Worth has proven its worth! 

WORTH New York Jacket, Pullover, Pants, and Handbag. Manolo Blahnik Pumps. Christian Dior Shades. Tous Earrings. John Hardy Ring.