I spent today watching old movies like Sabrina and catching up on my November magazines... late I know. Curiously they didn't make it to our mailbox this month... perhaps a glitch with my recent mail forwarding. Anyway, I've been going through a slight hat fascination (maybe more of a "I don't want to do my hair, but need to go out..." and the one worn above by Audrey Hepburn caught my eye.


It was 1954 so lady's fashions progressed from full skirts and "tiny" waists below a prominent, pointed bosom and the launching of a straighter, easier and softer silhouette. American designers relaxed waistlines, de-emphasized the bust and placed belts, sashes and drapery at the hip to give a new "long torso" effect.


This turban from Modcloth.com is the closest thing I found which is longer than above. 

Rita Wilson... stop.

  

For the most part, I thought the Emmy's fashion was pretty ho-hum this year. I didn't catch the awards show Sunday evening (sorry, I'm all HBO that night), but did about 30 seconds of extensive research post airing. Did Hollywood stylists fall asleep for the week before? Where was all the drama? The only person I could come up with that looked at all fashion forward was Australian actress Rose Byrne and Julianna Margulies in L'Wren Scott. Bryne's Gucci dress is modern (love the gold hardware) yet not weird or too promy; the accessories are just right.The hair did feel a tad big, but her dress fits well; she looks likes she's wearing it, not the other way around. Anna Paquin's Alexander McQueen and Rita Wilson dripping in Prada (see below) are fine examples of girl hijacked by dress.


Rita Wilson with Tom 

And then there's Betty White...

gwen, i love you!

instyle.com

Gwen Stefani ... I love you. If I were a boy I would steal you away from Gavin Rossdale. She's perfection in a polka dot Vivienne Westwood dress paired with classic pointy toed pumps. The cut of the dress make the dots look more sophicated and carmel and latte colored fringed bag and wrap soften it all up.

She's always glam without appearing over styled like a lot of other celebrities do. Although I'm sure a lot of thought goes into every element she puts on. Andrea Lieberman is her long-time stylist and near bff; their collaboration is genius. A few hours spent soaking up their styling serum is worth my left arm.

Closet Cleanse

Since I've opted into a two week cleanse/clean eating experiment this week, it's fortuitous finding Six Items or less on NYtimes.com. Perhaps a higher power is telling me to expand my thoughtful consumption to my closet. Six Items or Less is a group of people across the world (one from Michigan) who opted into picking only six items of clothes (accessories and shoes don't count) to wear for one month. Motivations for joining ranged from anti- consumption, creativity, and curiosity to interests in wearing a "uniform." I'm part uniform and curiosity; why not cut getting dressed down from 30 minutes to 2. But then in the same breath with no limits on shoes or accessories - the sky is the limit with how you style it. Right?

Reminds me of something I read that Chloe Sevigny said about her Resort collection for Opening Ceremony. "Girls buy the same silhouette over and over. " For Resort, her five dress silhouettes come in five prints each. If I think about what I gravitate towards in my closet, it's more than six pieces, but certainly falls between a core group of 10 or so items I grab because they are comfortable and cool. 

After checking out a few profiles, it's hard to tell exactly how much everyone embraced the project. Everyone was supposed to post regularly; some did, some didn't. The blog format makes it hard to digest participant posts and see what everyone actually picked as their top six pieces which was what I really wanted to see.

I think this is a challenge I'll take for September. Stay tuned.

McPheestic!!!

McPheestic, McFabulous!!! I love everything about Katharine McPhee's look. Ninety-nine trends are at play here, but she looks fresh, young, and totally herself. Proportions are well-executed (blazer meets cut offs topped with asymmetric striped top is a challenge) and her accessories give the trend-heavy look a certain distinctive perkiness. She plays up her own natural sexiness with a perfect ratio of restrained fun and lady-like warmth. Superb!

My Oscar Favorites

Miley Cyrus, in Jenny Packham.

Nicole Richie, in Reem Acra.

Carey Mulligan, in Prada, with Fred Leighton jewels.

Diane Kruger, post Oscar change, in Calvin Klein

Carolina Herrera does evening elegant so well

comfy winter daywear

Urban chic look. Cameron Diaz looks comfortable and ready to take the city in style. Her quilted black boots add interest to a classic Fall shoe. A slouch knit hat gives a touch of boho.

date night looks for easy evening

SPJ is one of my loves. She has that Kate Moss "I just happen to be running late and this what I grabbed out of my closet." Easy chic, like she doesn't try. I also love how she isn't 14 years old like most every other "gotta have" celebrity look. You can create this easily from your own closet - jeans, suede wedges, black blazer, light weight tee or a see through knit and a bright purse. So cute and so easy... :) Perfect for date night or a quick dinner with friends.

look to love

As a personal shopper, one of the best parts of my job is helping people find their style. It's not as simple as it seems or looks when you're an Olsen. I often times make inspiration boards for my clients showing looks that embody their lifestyles but open up their thinking to shapes and styles that bring more of their personalities to the table. I clipped this photo for myself. Definitely two of my favorites, they look stunning yet totally themselves in Zandra Rhodes caftan (MK). No uniform here, no standard boring LBD. I try for this every day when closet doors or grabbing something new to add ... IS IT SPECIAL? IS IT ME? WILL I LOOK LIKE EVERYONE ELSE?