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Life In Style is making a guest appearance over at CreateMyEvent.com. From the creators of 2modern comes this delicious site dedicated to event planning ideas, trends, and resources. You'll find inspiring tips from savvy event planners, designers, and stylists who share their insider secrets. Wednesday is Life In Style day - so check it out when you need a little midweek pick me up... aha!
If you close your eyes, you can hear the clinking glasses of champagne, snappy pops of cameras clicking, and stomachs grumbling for something more than the morning's non-fat latte. It's Fashion Week in New York. Bryant Park is filled with editors, models, celebs, and hard working production staff bringing an onslaught of structured, intelligent clothing to the American fashion flock.
However, besides the rows of pretty people lining up to view the collections- there's not a whole lot of pretty in the clothes. There is a severity and frankness that seems incongruous with dreamy fashion week. Though the craftsmanship is outstanding, the overall tone seems aggressive, stiff, and slightly depressing. It could be that what we are seeing is actually a new era of dressing in which serious women dress seriously and the somber charcoals, blacks, and navys are de rigouer for the changing political and social climates.
Though this seems a bit much for a little post on a blog with a grosgrain header and pink background, it appears that fashion may indeed be donning the "wake me when its over" cloak and battening down the hatches until the storm clears. If you intend to steer this course along with the rest of us- stock up on the necessary provisions: black tights, mannish trousers, exaggerated knit dresses and sweaters in shades of gray, and of course patent. For a pop of color- reach for clutches, over sized wrapping scarves, and a divine coat. A good coat makes it all better. I Heart Fashion
Martha Stewart's Weddings Magazine is the bible for girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes. Weddings is a goldmine source book for inspiration and ideas that goes way beyond flowers and tablecloths, providing sparkling ideas with spectacular imagery on everything "I do" related. For those of you who need a fix in between the quarterly issues, check out the newest blog on the block: The Bride's Guide. Helmed by Darcy Miller, genius editor of Weddings, The Bride's Guide will surely become a daily check in for those with weddings on the brain.
Also, take a look at the new BluePrint Blog at Blue Lines. reFRESH
Heading out of town for a final summer getaway to the beautiful coast of Sonoma, California...
Here are a few reminders of the sweet life - dulce de leche cookies from our favorite foodie, fall Dolce & Gabbana, and la dolce vita in Italy. Have a great weekend everyone...back on Thursday! aha!
THINGS THAT SHOULD HAVE NEVER SURVIVED THE MILLENNIUM...
Styrofoam
Bumper stickers of any kind
George Bush
Ventriloquists
Tanning beds
Competitive eating
Bars with parking lots
Anne Geddes photographs
Clip on hair extensions
Velveeta
Private health care
Paris Hilton
Lazy email/text abbreviations (R U going 2 B L8?)
High fructose corn syrup
Men's short-sleeve dress shirts
U.S. Electoral College
Lying about your age
Psychic hot lines
The paparazzi
Tur-duck-ens
Born again pedophiles
Toupees
Cigarettes
to be continued...
Originally written for the Creative Producer's Group blog... this was too good not to share. aha!
We can't get enough of this talented designer's custom papers. With a book due in stores this fall and a line of stationery on the way, Cheree Berry is a rare find along the paper trail. Her elegant, clever designs are a breath of fresh air for those of you looking for something noteworthy outside the Mrs. John L Strong establishment. It might be time to invest in your correspondence wardrobe. Clearly, the August Shop Stop does not apply here.
For Save the Dates, Wedding, Baby, and Personal Stationery - check out www.chereeberry.com. Must Haves
News from the jet setting Trendspotter who reported these two In & Now alerts from her travels through Italy...ciao readers!
Jeans Alert: Be ready for colored denim. You thought it was a flash in the 80's pan, but it looks like this trend is going to be with us for a while. The always ahead of the game Italian bellas are clad in all shades of the rainbow denim - red, turquoise, yellow, pink. First sighted in L.A., Trendspotter immediately investigated possible recommendations on brands. Her pick: Rich and Skinny Jeans -which boast a silk lining in the waistband to work with you, not against you.Check it out here.
Bag Alert: Get ready for high shine. It is all about patent- for day and night. Clutches, slouchy model bags, or ladylike satchels...there's something for everyone. Patent is the perfect accent for the somber blacks and charcoals that have saturated the Fall runways.
Note: These trends are best explored separately. Crossing red denim and red patent will most likely result in fashion victim status. A little trend goes a long way... In & Now
Unless you are fortunate enough to live by the bay in San Francisco or the mountains of Jackson Hole you are most likely suffering through the oppressive heat of August. This weekend- take shelter from the humidity in an overly air conditioned movie theatre for the new Bourne installment or plow through the last pages of Harry Potter. Whatever you do- do not shop. You probably never thought you'd hear those words on this site- but there it is. DO NOT SHOP IN AUGUST.
August is no man's land. Stores try desperately to unload the dregs of summer leftovers and throw the barest of Fall's bones on a couple racks to tempt you. The pittance that you are likely to see in August is known as "Pre-Fall". Designers normally plan two to three phases for each season to keep customers engaged. Enjoy the last of summer's tomatoes and dream of crisp autumn days while you wait for the full "Fall Roll Out". Stay strong and promise yourself that you will not buy until September. August is for cleaning the rag tag out of your closet to make way for the smart wools, plaids, and patents that will woo you come September. In the meantime, make your fall "Must Have" list and check it twice. aha!
The absolute coolest must haves for men can be found on this extensive, outrageous site. Everything from custom action figures in your likeness to non-dorky diaper bags to the latest in James Bond cool living. Full of "I have to have that" products and services, we're particularly inspired by the mouthwatering gift ideas and FBI worthy gadgets that will keep you from doing any work today. Every single item is cooler than the last. Who says it's just For The Boys? Check it out here.
Take note of the well-balanced proportions in each of these looks. If the trousers are full and wide, then the top should be fitted. If you're showing some leg- keep the decolletage to yourself. On your face: if the lips are red- the eyes are bare. Fall is about focus.
Images courtesy of Bergdorf Goodman. I Heart Fashion
