Evan Rachel Wood, Again

I am pretty obsessed with Evan Rachel Wood lately. (Please see previous posts) She has that rockin' new haircut (that I am so jealous of and want) and she has this really defined sense of style, which has been very centered around menswear and tailored looks. Her new film Ides of March and HBO mini series Mildred Pierce has granted her the opportunity to hit some really great events and sport some really great looks. I can't choose which my favorite one is for sure but I do know that I have just picked up two new tailored blazers and am on the prowl for some blouse-y collared numbers (suggestions/recommendations welcome). What do you think? Evan Rachel Wood, so totally crush-worthy, right?

Los Angeles Premiere of "The Ides of March".The Academy, Beverly Hills, CA.September 27, 2011

63rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards

Alliance Films Press Party - Toronto International Film Festival

"The Ides Of March" Photocall - 2011 Toronto International Film Festival

"Mildred Pierce" Photocall in Venice

Lookbook.nu

Need some fashion inspiration? Have you ever checked out Lookbook.nu? Yes, well, if you haven't then it is about time that you did. The community touting collective fashion is just that, a fashion collective. I am absolutely floored at some of the extreme examples of exuding personal style... I am actually pretty jealous because I have been know to sport the jeans, flip flop, sweatshirt look on occasion. (Yes, I know...lazy) A lot of the Lookbook members will pretty much style themselves to the nines on the daily, which to me is pretty impressive. Some of my most favorite recent looks from girls that make me feel really old?

Hard Candy

The Blue Riding

Storm Birds

Be a Lady

Prague

Check out their Facebook and Twitter for more Lookbook goodness...

Stella McCartney's Ballet Costumes

With father Paul McCartney creating and composing an original score for the new ballet "Ocean's Kingdom" it's no wonder that designer Stella McCartney would create and compose the costuming for the very same ballet. While it is certainly unorthodox music and outfitting for your run of the mill ballet, this adds a modern take on what is normally considered classical.

Andrea Mohin/The New York Times Robert Fairchild and Sara Mearns with fellow members of New York City Ballet in “Ocean's Kingdom,” with music by Paul McCartney, at the company's gala at Lincoln Center on Thursday night.

I haven't been to the ballet since my mother took us to see the Nutcracker and I forgot to bring my glasses and thusly could not see a thing. This experience, understandably, left me with a pretty "blah" feeling in regards to the ballet... but designer duds and pop roots? I could probably be convinced to take in a show.

What do you think? Are you sold on marriage of McCartney's music to McCartney's designs?

via Instyle

My Missoni for Target Ups and Downs... and Why it Doesn't Matter

Dude, I was as excited as any of those designer brand hungry girls, that Missoni was doing a line for Target. I had admired the Rodarte and Liberty of London lines but Missoni... now that was going to be something special.


I had devised a plan beforehand deciding that there were two sweaters that I really wanted. I would be so happy with both but totally content if I only got one. Which two was I in love with from the Get-Go?

Missoni for Target® V-Neck Knit Cardigan - Multicolor Zigzag Print and the Missoni for Target® V-Neck Combo Chiffon Sweater - Blue Multicolor Print

Knowing that I would be on a train en route to NYC on the morning that this line launched, I planned on hitting up the website really early in the morning... well, as I am sure that you who are familiar with the Target website, know that the line did not go up until much later than anticipated. I went to bed and decided to try first thing in the morning.... duh duh duh... the website was down.


My man brought me to the train station where I eagerly logged onto my laptop, only to find the site was still down. In retrospect, this is where I should have given up and spent my train ride relaxing. Nope, not me. I was determined to get my Missoni for Target... and like angels singing... I refreshed the page and Voila! It was up.

I was nervous that at any moment the site would go down and I wouldn't be able to get my order through. I feverishly found my two sweaters and took no chances, I locked them in and placed my order. I received an order number and was so friggin' proud of myself... I mean SO.FRIGGIN.PROUD. I knew that day was going to be a good day.

So due to the website going up and down, I did not fret that I was not emailed an order confirmation. I checked my bank account and yep, just as planned, the charges were pending. I was golden... or so I thought. So here it is, a week and change later. I still haven't received my order confirmation via email but I am hearing via the nets that people have had ALL sorts of trouble with their orders. So now I begin to worry. Surely, my order couldn't be messed up. They charged me for it.

I called Target customer support and actually got through pretty quickly. I was very cordial with the gentleman that I was speaking to, I mean I can just imagine what kind of nastiness he has had to deal with in the past week... and then I soon discovered why people are so pissed.

Target could not find my order and I was told to call back in 2 or 3 hours because their system was being worked on. So I called back and I was told they couldn't find my order. I insisted that they had charged me for the items and the insisted that they couldn't find my order. As you can imagine, I became one of the "Outraged Missoni Divas"...

I can understand popularity of a line, and of it selling out, but what I can't understand is a system so flawed that it didn't just mess up a choice few orders, it messed up A LOT. As it stands right now, I don't even want the stupid sweaters. I just checked the website and supposedly the chiffony one is still in stock in my size. But, I don't trust Target's website. I trust them to hold my money and not be able to find my order but I don't trust it to place an order correctly.

And why does it matter? There are so many different things going on in this world, and I am letting two stupid sweaters, that I may or may not have really liked, and if we are being totally honest, weren't totally at an amazing price point, ruin my day, then I have to take a hard look at myself.

One of my passions is fashion but I don't need to have an anxiety attack over it. Target will give me my money back eventually and I will survive without the sweaters...and to all the girls that got their Missoni for Target and are in love? then I congratulate you. Well played Divas, well played.

PS. I do not intend on purchasing any Missoni for Target on ebay. I happen to think that the multiple reports I heard, of people hitting Target, filling their carts to the brim with Missoni, only with the intention to resell it to the masses at an upcharge?Is gross... and I refuse to support it. I would rather go without.




UPDATE: Of course, as soon as the charges dropped off my card and I had accepted that I was not getting my Missoni for Target, my sweaters arrived today. I called Target customer support back to tell them the charges fell off my account and they still couldn't find my order so I am hoping that they either charge me or they don't in the near future... but at the end of the day, they fulfilled my order and pretty quickly. This situation has made me realize that Target is probably going to lose some business/money/customers over this. I was honest and called them about the product that I received but seemingly had not been charged for but others won't be so forthcoming with that information. They do not have a good grasp on the situation. So while I wished I had waited a couple of days before posting this, it was a frustrating situation and I felt the need to share.

Some Snapshots from Glam Media Dinner

Just some pictures from the Glam Media Fashion Week Dinner that I attended on behalf of The Fashionable Housewife. It was loads of fun and I met some fabulous ladies!

Will Ragozzino/BFAnyc.com

Will Ragozzino/BFAnyc.com

Bridesmaids, Awesome

 

In honor of one of the funniest movies I have seen in a long time, arriving on DVD today, I thought I would highlight my fave looks from each of the movie's leading ladies. This cast is so talented and hilarious and beautiful and diverse and ummmm, awesome. Love them all, mostly because this eclectic group represents real women... word to my mother. This movie is officially in my permanent rotation, along with Anchorman and The Hangover (part one of course).  It's actually probably more important to my rotation, because it's female driven and my boyfriend likes it too!

Melissa McCarthy, earlier this year at a CBS photocall looks so great in this simple white and creme ensemble. Funny, beautiful and representin'. Ellie Kemper at the Bridesmaids Premiere... all I can say is looooooving the blunt bangs and the mustard colored shoes. I am really starting to feel the mustard color.

Kristen Wiig at the Paul premiere earlier this year (another movie that I think is hilarious) looks so funky yet put together. I am obsessed with this dress and I think that she exudes personality without being garish. Maya Rudolph, hello making pregnant look so glam in Alexander McQueen. Geesh, I wish I looked half that good on a regular basis, let alone pregnant... making motherhood look glam. Love it.

 

Wendy McLendon-Covey at the Bridesmaid premiere looks sassifrass AND I love her shoes. Like big time Love.Her.Shoes. Before this year, I was used to only seeing her in her Reno 911 uniform so it is a breath of fresh air seeing her on the red (or purple) carpet. Rose Byrne had some MAJOR looks this year (hello Tommy Hilfiger anyone?) but this ensemble features this amazing dress and her blunt bangs... which she totally rocked. Hmmm, I am seeing a trend in my love of blunt bangs.


So guys, are you with me? Bridesmaids rocks in all categories, yes?? Ahem, I thought so.

NYC Fabric Stores Equal Heaven

My sewing instructor (Becca of Create! Sewing Studio via Sarah Veblen) was kind enough to put together a great list of her favorite fabric stores before my trip last week to NYC for Fashion Week. I knew I might have a little time to kill (which ended up not being as much as I would have liked) so I definitely wanted to hit up some of the great fabric stores in New York's Garment District. I will share her list with you, because, I am crediting her genius and research after all.

I only made it to 3 fabric stores (Mood Fabrics, B&J and Stretch House) before I had to call it quits due to time constraints and the need to majorly take a shower before a dinner I was attending... but I must say that what I did see? It was heavenly... and I cannot wait to get back to the city to hit up some more.

Spandex House (www.spandexhouse.com) - 263 W. 38th Street, New York, NY 10018 (212-354-6711). If you're looking for a knit with spandex, they have it. From stretch tulle to jersey to stretch lace. Best slinky knit selection and price I've found. Excellent mail order service, and inexpensive prices.

Spandex World (www.spandexworld.com) - 228 W. 38th Street, New York, NY 10018 (212-391-2310). Smaller than Spandex House, but with an excellent selection. Prices, like Spandex House, are excellent.

Stretch World (www.stretchworld.com) -- 252 W. 38th Street, New York, NY 10018 (212-398-3004). Like Spandex World, smaller than Spandex House, but with a very nice selection. Prices are excellent, and they are happy to send swatches.

Mood, Inc. - 225 W. 37th Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10018 (212-730-5003). Also in Los Angeles (www.moodfabrics.com). Excellent selection of silks, plus fabrics of all kinds. Wonderful selection of tissue wools, wool gauze, and novelty wools; and a fabulous selection of interesting cottons. If you write the store for swatches, service is not always speedy; but I've been told that ordering fabric or swatches from their website works smoothly.

B & J Fabrics - 525 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10018 (212-354-8150) (www.bandjfabrics.com). They will send free swatches and have excellent mail order service. Fabrics of all kinds; especially good for silks; good selection of tissue wools and wool gauze.

Bazar Fabrics, Inc. - 256 W. 39th Street, New York, NY 10018 (212-575-5640). A lovely store for all sorts of ornamented fabrics, including lots of hand-painted, embroidered, and beaded sheer fabrics.

Elegant Fabrics - 240 W. 40th Street, New York, NY 10018 (212-302-4984). A wide variety of fabrics all of excellent quality. Mail order service is extremely good, and they'll send free swatches.

Exclusive Lace Star - 215 W. 40th Street, New York, NY 10018 (212-391-7777) (www.lacestar.com). If you are in NYC, go here just to look - the most exquisite laces, most of which are designed by the owner Rachel Hezghia. Beautiful imported tulles, and the nicest selection of printed silk chiffons I've ever seen (not the typical "old lady" prints). They are happy to mail order.

Gray Lines Linen - 260 W. 39th Street, New York, NY 10018 (212-391-4130) (www.graylinelinen.com). All linen fabrics with excellent prices. The linens in your swatch set came from here. I've never mail ordered from them, but they have told me they are more than happy to mail order.

Metro Textile Corp. - 265 W. 37th Street, Suite 908, New York, NY 10018; (2120209-0004). A small store, but everything is quite interesting. The owner, Kashi, is very helpful, often willing to bargain, and happy to mail order. Let him know what you're looking for and he'll let you know if he has it.

Paron's Fabrics/The Annex - 206 W. 40th Street, New York, NY 10018 (212-768-3266) (www.manhattanfabrics.com). A lovely selection of fabrics, a large number of them designer imported fabrics. Many of the swatches in your kit came from here. Good mail order service.

Sources for stretch lace trims and other elasticized trims:

M & J Trimming Company - 1008 6th Avenue, New York, NY 10018; (212-391-9072). (www.mjtrim.com).

Daytona Braids & Trimmings - 251 W. 39th Street, New York, NY 10018; (212-354-1713).

Ginsco Trims (retail division of Ginsburg Co.) - 242 W. 38th Street, New York, NY 10018; (212-244-4539). (http://www.ginstrim.com).

Pacific Trimming Inc. - 218 W. 38th Street, New York, NY 10018; (212-279-9310). (http://pacifictrimming.com/).

So wondering if I bought anything? Wellp, I did. I think that I very much exercised extreme control over my spending (well because I spent a lot at H&M before I went to these fabric stores) but I did see a couple fabrics at Mood that I just had to take home with me. There was a cotton stretch knit in bright colors (and I was inspired by that morning's Nanette Lepore show with TONS of bright colors) and another knit that I felt would make an awesome skirt over a brighter color fabric, sort of a play on the recent popularity of crochet and macrame, you know?

Nanette Lepore Pictures Spring 2012 Show

Since I was there, and I had my camera and my will to capture these exciting moments (well exciting for me) I thought I would share some pictures I snapped from the Nanette Lepore Spring 2012 show. I was actually pretty pleased with some pictures but eh, not so much with others.

Front Row at the show, Stanley Tucci, Kelly Rutherford, Carol Kane and Ariana Huffington

Sam Bisbee performed an 11 minute set for the show... which rocked

Nanette looked radiant upon the completion of the show

My Fave Looks from the Emmy's

Obviously, I have opinions on anything with a Red Carpet. Last night's Emmy's were no exception. I had some major faves and some not so major faves (Man, I love Amy Poehler but her skin tight shiny blue number was not doing anything for her)... I would like to only highlight my faves because all the ladies on my worst dressed list are some of my favorite actresses (boo to pour styling). OK, so my faves are as follows:

Katie Holmes in Calvin Klein Collection, Gwyneth Paltrow in Emilio Pucci and Kristen Wiig in Zac Posen

I thought Katie Holmes looked adorable and somewhat casual in her Calvin Klein dress... I mean that is what Calvin Klein dresses are mostly known for, being simple and effective. Gwyneth Paltrow's Emilio Pucci ensemble may get some bad press but I think it's fabulous. She looks a glamorous yet a bit like a belly dancer. Win-win in my book. Kristen Wiig happens to be one of my favorite funny ladies, pretty much ever... she just became even more wonderful in my eyes wearing this stunning Zac Posen number. Interesting color choice, certainly a favorite of the evening for me.

Kate Winslet in Elie Saab, Elisabeth Moss in Marchesa and Julia Stiles in Georges Hobeika

Kate Winlset always looks good and her Emmy look this year was just the usual. She was quoted as saying her Elie Saab was not just beautiful but it was comfortable as well. Elisabeth Moss wore a romantic Marchesa gown with exquisite arm adornments... and where the heck has Julia Stiles been? Heck, I don't care because she came back looking pretty friggin' awesome in a Georges Hobeika gown. 


These were my favorite looks of the night. There were some other honorable mentions buuuuuuuuuut none that really caught my eye like these butes. What do you think? What were your favorite looks of the night? Were there ones that left a bad taste in your mouth?



Photos via InStyle

Who Did I See?

So I am sure you know by now that I hit up my first fashion week and let's be honest, I have no shame... I did have a few celebrity sightings and celebrity chasings... I may or may not have run after Rachel Zoe, I may or may not have interrupted Austin Scarlett's conversation, and I may or may not have yelled "HEY! Stanley Tucci!" at Stanley Tucci. That being said, I do not regret a moment of the excitement. I do however, regret not having the guts to ask Nina Garcia for a picture. She was so tiny and well put together and beautiful that my legs immediately started to shake and I wimped out... Hoping there will be a chance in the future... anyways, want to see a couple pictures?

Don't Be Self-Important, It's Icky

While waiting in line for my first ever real life fashion show, I was amazed at how pretentious people can be. Wait, let me start over. So as you can imagine, I was pretty stoked to get into the Improvd, Valentino Vettori show at the Box for obvious reasons. It's pretty cool any way you slice it. Now I was in a fabulous mood but being that this was the Box, you waited in line because they did two separate viewings ( I was in the second viewing). I stood next to a cute little photographer guy, who just wanted to get his last show out of the way so he could go home. I chatted with an actress who had just gotten a small part on The Good Wife... most people were trying to make the best of it but behind us, behind us was where someone attempted to ruin my mood. This person? Was Flora from Real World Miami circa 1995... no legit, it was her, accent and all... and she thought she was the most important person at this show. Unfortunately for her, no one else knew who she was (I happened to have watched the Real World from about 1994 - 2002 ish so I was aware of who she was, plus someone called her by name) so she had to wait in line, like the rest of us semi-regular people. She complained for about 15 minutes straight about how she couldn't believe they were making us wait so long, how it was ridiculous and how this was such an inconvenience. It was actually a bit of a wait but to me? I was excited just hearing the music coming from inside, knowing I was going to get to experience that. Flora and her crew? They could have cared less. I made notes in my notebook about them so that I wouldn't forget to write this post... because in all of the hustle and bustle of New York Fashion Week, you (as in us all) should appreciate where you are and please, for all that is good and holy, please don't be self-important, especially if you aren't really important at all. It's icky.


PS. Her boots were really bad. I could have overlooked them if her attitude hadn't been bad too.

IMPROVD, A Serious Collection

I was pretty stoked to get into the IMPROVD, Valentino Vettori show at the Box for obvious reasons. This being my first ever Fashion Week, I couldn't help but be excited at the chance to experience new fashion first hand.The presentation was at the Box, which meant that it was not a sit down show but rather you viewed the models on platforms in waves. You could view the designs from different angles and certainly very up close, which I appreciated immensely. 

As soon as the show started, I realized very quickly that I was literally a foot from about 3 separate models, so getting in the game, I started snapping pictures and bobbing and weaving to get to the other side to catch the other models. It was at this point that I was thankful that I wore my hot pink Keds.

I couldn't help but be really impressed (first show or not) by the incredible textures that were sprinkled into otherwise flowy fabrics. There were some killer harnesses, belts and harness belts. Woven leather, textured leather... it was all really interesting and edgy.

Something else that I loved in the styling was the henna type hand stencils and the fierce pop of color in the model's hair. The messy look with ombre blues into turquoise was really cool.

What were my favorite pieces of the whole collection? The woven leather harness for one, the beautiful texture on a forest green flowing dress and this absolutely to die for leather textured zipper type skirt... absolutely killer!

What do you think? Was this collection up to your fashion par?