Fleak Out at the Brooklyn Flea

Do you ever finally get around to doing something or going somewhere and think, "Why wasn't I doing this years ago?"  That is exactly how I feel about the Brooklyn Flea.  The 25th Street Garage flea market in Chelsea (which is for the most part way overpriced for the junk they peddle) doesn't hold a candle to the Flea, in my opinion.  While that market is like a garage sale on crack, the Brooklyn Flea houses some of the coolest little makers of treasures imaginable as well as the furnitury, vintagy, oldy stuff you expect.  Easy to get to by way of Manhattan, the flea is held every Saturday and Sunday in varying locations throughout the year: inside Skylight 1 Hansen in the winter and Dumbo, Williamsburg, and Fort Greene during warmer months.  And, be sure to come hungry because there are six or so vendors serving up delectable delights from artisan grilled cheeses, porchetta sandwiches, lobster rolls, to tacos.  Best weekend afternoon ever!

BrooklynFlea.com  

Lovely light!

Bits and bobs

Help!  I'm trapped in a terrarium!

Pendants made of typewriter keys

Images by Barbara K.

Carolina Herrera's 10 Style Rules

Carolina Herrera is basically the classiest woman on the planet.  Please pay attention and take notes.  

1.  A full-length mirror is the most important accessory a woman can own.

2.  Do not be afraid to wear color.  A woman who walks into a room full of black dresses wearing red, pink or orange is stunning and everyone turns to look.

3.  Trends make everyone look as though they are wearing a uniform. It is best to wear what is most individually flattering and appropriate for the occasion.

4.  A crisp white shirt looks wonderful for the day or evening; every woman should have one they love in their closet.

5.  It’s important to dress for your age. What looked good at 15 will not look good at 40.

6.  Don’t forget to be feminine. Glamour and elegance are always something that attracts attention.

7.  Dress according to your personality.

8.  Your hair and makeup are very important. Women over 40 should maintain short hair.

9.  If you don’t have taste, you will never be stylish. Style is a state of mind. It is how you live, how you wear your clothes, what you read and what you love. It has nothing to do with money.

10.  Be mysterious. Mystery is the most important quality for a woman. Elegance is an attitude.

Image and text courtesy of SaksPOV.com

New Site Saturday: The Coveted

TheCoveted.com

Think The Selby for the fashion set.  Explore their closets, wardrobes, nooks and crannies .  I love how all the images have a little story to tell when you mouse over them, and the photography c'est magnifique! 

Enjoy, stay warm, and happy Saturday!

xo

Tonne Goodman is My Style Sister

I was having dinner a few weeks ago with a friend who is a blogger at a prominent fashion website, and she was telling me what the other editors in the office wear.  In a nutshell, she described it as so over the top with prints layered with stripes layered with bold colors and big accessories on top of that, and we collectively decided that it was completely over-styled and worn to say 'look at how fashionable I am' as opposed to looking great.  Basically style amateur hour. 

I guess this is why I love Tonne Goodman's style so much.  She favors classically understated pieces, a neutral color pallet, flats, straight hair, white jeans, minimal makeup, and I could go on and on.  I cannot deny my inherent love of black turtleneck sweaters, and you will never see me layer garments in a dizzying spectacle.  She is one of my favorite editors at Vogue, and I took it as a huge compliment when my friend J said I was 'totally giving him Tonne right now' when I layered black and gray turtleneck s (two of my favorite colors and one of my favorite winter looks).  So, every time I am feeling the 'dressing room dumps' that I just don't feel like myself in a of-the-moment leather jacket, sky-high platform heels, or a flouncy dress, I channel Tonne and say to hell with them all.  I am dressing for me.

PS - check out Tonne's inspirations for the month in Vogue's February issue (page 142).

Golden Globes S*C Red-Carpet Rundown! The Best and The Rest.

Some children aspire to be doctors, lawyers, or astronauts....I aspired to be a member of the Fashion Police.  Now that awards season was officially kicked off last night with the Golden Globes, my talons are sharpened and, I am ready to give kudos to whom it is due and shake the wagging finger of shame to our less than stellar starlets.  Let the games begin!

Click here for the full slide-show on Style.com.

The LOVES!

#1 - Eva Longoria in Zac Posen

#2 - Mila Kunis in Vera Wang

#3 - Juliane Moore in Lanvin

Now, this is how you do Calvin Klein - Emma Stone

This pink Calvin Klein is so perfect for Claire Danes --- and I hate pink.

Jane Lynch is amazing in this Ali Rahimi dress.

A bit reptilian, but I am loving Annie Hathaway in her Armani Prive paillettes.

The HATES...

This is the most glam poolside swimsuit/sarong combo EVER.  Halle Berry in Nina Ricci.

Jennifer Love Hewitt--worst dressed, as usual.  Must she always go for the fairy princess/wedding cake topper look? 

I am so over the 'dress in tatters' look Julie Bowen is rocking.

Lose the sleeves or lose the length.  So matronly for Leighton Meester.

Valentino?? If I were that man I would come out of retirement.  Michelle Williams should know that this is not a dress you wear to give an acceptance speech.  Self-fulfilling prophecy.  Ouch!

Gunshot wound to the chest?  She should have channeled Mila Kunis for Globes' night wardrobe too.

For a split second I though Sandra Bullock was a Kardashian.

I bet Helen Mirren would look stunning in this!  A little grandma Scar-Jo.

Please leave this look to Carolina Herrera.  Tilda Swinton in Jil Sander

 Get ready for the Oscars on February 27th!!

Tommy Ton's 2010 Best-Dressed

J'adore Tommy Ton.  His blog, Jak and Jil, is one of my daily 'must visits', and I always look forward to his slideshows on style.com.  Check out a few of my favorite looks from his 2010 Best-Dressed list.  Fashion moves fast, but style is yours forever, so I know I will be incorporating these sartorial twists into my 2011 repertoire.  Enjoy!

For the full slideshow on Style.com click here.

Neutral scarf with crazy print dress tones it down.  Damn those Euros and their chic scarves!

Banish a bad hair day and add a dash of color to a camel coat.

Sweater + Sequins gives a whole new meaning to day-to-night dressing.

Shrunken navy blazer with jeans and a flouncy tee = perfect casual but not too casual.

Image courtesy of Style.com and Tommy Ton

Eye Candy! Tom Ford's 2011 Womenswear Video

 Now this is how I want to start off 2011!!  I have had an unhealthy obsession with Tom Ford since he was at Gucci, and I was breathless...yes, breathless...as I watched this video of his uber excluse 2011 womenswear collection presentation.  Not only are the clothes insanely sophisticated and glamorous, but I love how he mixed models with his own celebrity muses (Marisa Berenson, Lauren Hutton, Julianne Moore, Beyonce, etc.).  This has inspired my 2011 fashion resolution to kick it up a notch this year.  Gorgeous!

Lovin' My Uniqulo Chambray Shirt

I have been on the lookout for a chambray (fancy term for denim) button down shirt since they came on the radar last Spring, but I wasn't looking to spend any significant amount of coin on one...especially since they started the term 'blue collar'.  Even the options at J. Crew were out of my price range at $98.  I was inspired to revitalize my search by my cousin's trip to NYC in October.  She came off the plane in a great fitted shirt she purchaed from the Dillard's outlet store in Austin, TX for what I seem to remember was around $20.  Now that's more my style!  After doing a bit of online research (letting my fingers do the walking), I came across exactly what I was looking for at Uniqlo at exactly what I was looking to spend---$24.90.  

I was totally inspired by the image above from The Sartorialist (I'm wearing a version of it today), and I love this shirt with black pants/jeans and boots.  Roll the sleeves up and it's casual, versatile, and will just get better with age.   

Uniqlo Women's Denim Long Sleeve Shirt - $24.50

Images courtesy of The Sartorialist and Uniqlo.com

Man of the Month: Michael Kors

I feel like I am seeing Michael Kors everywhere this month!  Not in person (that would be incredibly cool), but I've run into him in New York Magazine's Fall Fashion Issue, Vanity Fair, and I just watched an amazing documentary on him via Hulu.  For years I thought Michael Kors was just the cat-tastic foil to Tim Gunn's verbose teacher type.  Though I loved him on Project Runway, I never really 'got' what he did.  I had a complete light bulb moment this week when I realized there was nothing to get:  Michael Kors makes wearable, classic, luxurious, all-American sportswear that flatters everyone....which is actually quite revolutionary.  He is not mister costume or creative, nor does he jump on any trend bandwagon--which we all know causes those 'what was I thinking' fashion moments later in life.  He knows his women, and he wants them to look jet-set classic whether they are in St. Tropez, St. Moritz, or St. Paul.  Enjoy!

ps- love Michael's mom! 

Park Avenue Jesus! (New York Magazine)

Style.com's Fall 2010 Shopping Guide

Ah, the perfect antidote to the responsibly priced Amazing Fall Finds at LOFT I posted about yesterday....The Style.com Fall 2010 Shopping Guide! Sure everything is ridiculously expensive, uber luxe, and just a tad bit 'out there'.  But hey, if it weren't it wouldn't be Style.com.  Get ready to be inspired by 23 influential stylists, designers, models, and fashion bloggers who spill their wish list for Fall.  Enjoy!

Click here for the Style.com Fall 2010 Shopping Guide.

DIY: The Perfect Cut-Off Denim Shorts

Want to look totally 'now' this spring?  Put away your wallet.  For guys and gals alike, the most coveted wardrobe item this spring are the cut-off jean shorts.  I have been seeing these everywhere: over tights, bare leg, with booties, with sandals, for day, for night.  So, banish your belief that these are for the trailer park and tramp stamp set.  Pair with a tee, cardigan, and great bag for day or anything dark with sparkle for night.  Just stay away from making them too short.

Here's how to make the perfect pair:

1- Find the pair to sacrifice. My vote is anything hanging out in your closet with a flared leg or major distressing that screams 2004....er, not that I have anything like that in my closet.  Stay away from high-waisted unless you want to look like you have the longest bum in the world and an enormous fupa.

2- Put them on and mark an inch below each knee.

3- Cut each leg just above the pencil marking.  I recommend kitchen shears.

4- Try them on between each cutting.

5- Keep cutting an inch or two off at a time until you like the length and both legs are even.  Remember---you can never make them longer.

6- Go outside and get some sun on those pasty stems!

Image courtesy of J.Crew.com

Men's Worst Style Mistakes from GQ.com

Gentleman:  have you been wondering if you have a style deficiency that is curbing your game?  As a lady, I definitely have a short list of 'undateable' characteristics: bad teeth, exceptionally short, lover of junk food, wears socks with holes, etc. Ellen Rakieten and Anne Coyle sat down with GQ to discuss wardrobe and grooming faux pas for their new book, Undateable.  For anyone with at least one stylish bone in their body, these men's style no-no's have been on the "I would never" list for years (though some of my most dashing gay friends have been occasional offenders--er spray tan and highlights).  But, it is really fun--ie gag inducing--to see them reduced down to the top 19 offenses.  Some of them are exceptionally cringe worthy (Ed Hardy and mesh clothing) and some are just common sense (bedazzled denim pockets--ew).  Would someone please clue in the cast of Jersey Shore to this slideshow?....Snooki and JWOWW included. 

Men's Worst Style Mistakes Humor: GQ.com

As an antidote to Men's Worst Style Mistakes, click here for GQ's 50 Most Stylish Leading Men of the Past Half Century.

Image courtesy of GQ.com and Getty Images

I Heart Pheobe Philo for Celine

Finally, minimalism is back....and not in a stark, early 90's Calvin Klein kind of way, but in a very wearable European way.  I am in love with Celine's Fall 2010 ready to wear collection designed by Pheobe Philo.  Yes, I know it is pure blasphemy to be speaking of Fall when we are just on the cusp of Spring, but devil may care...I love Fall.  I am really tired of all the 'throw back' collections that were basically a regurgitation of another era, and Celine looks completely modern and forward.  I will obviously not be making any direct purchases, but things I will be on the lookout come fall are:

- slim ankle length pants

- simple shift dresses with monochromatic buttons 

- coats with an accentuated collar and jackets with no collar at all 

- minimalist accessories

- navy, camel, black, white

- knee high boots with low-to-mid chunky heel

So, file this away for the fall, and enjoy spring and summer!

Oscar Rundown: The Good, the Bad, and the Boring

I think the Oscars is one of the hardest awards shows to pick apart; mainly because it seems that everyone uses a stylist to make their fashion choices.  Long gone are the days of Cher in Bob Mackie, Demi Moore in biker shorts, and Juliette Lewis in cornrows.  They say money can't buy style.....but, it can buy you a stylist.

Remember: 1) I may love someone as an actor, but that will have no bearing on if they look great in my book or not. 2) I never pick on spouses, girlfriends, or guests because they are just along for the ride. 3) I try to look past the plastic surgery, botox'd faces, and hair and makeup faux pas to focus on the clothes, shoes, and accessories.

The Good...

Project Runway alum Chris March blew it out of the water with this number.  Dresses with sleeves are so sophisticated.  Christian Siriano who?  Haha.

You know they say 'dress for the job you want, not the one you have'.  Well, she dressed for the job of 'Best Actress' and got it.  Hired!

 The best print of the night:  Great color but with a simple silhouette.  I would wear this.

Glam! This dress looked as great on TV as it did on the red carpet.

Tina Fey gets a gold star after her Golden Globes debacle.  Reminds me of Kate Winslet's dress last year.  Rock those curves!

The Bad...  

 Hands down worst Oscar dress of the year.  But, at least she didn't have a flower over her crotch.

Cougar alert!  Mariah Carey wearing a tight dress with an enormous slit, tons of cleavage, and ridiculously high heels.  Shocking!! 

 Dammit stand up straight!  You can take the girl out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the girl.

 

 Help!  I am being attacked by a coral reef!

Zoe has been a busy girl, but that is no match for the 6 colors and three fabrics of this dress.  And, I thought we were going to get a crotch shot when the lifted up her dress to walk to the presenters stand.

The Boring...

If your dress is exactly the same color as your skin, you get an automatic 'boring' vote in my book.

I like Penelope Cruz, but I feel like she wears this dress every year in a different color....and what is up with the lopsided bodice. 

And Finally...

I must have a tribute to Kathy Ireland's one and only trip hosting the red carpet.  I felt like she was announcing a beauty pageant....for robots.

Domo arigato, Mr. Robato...

Images courtesy of Style.com and US Weekly