royal secrets

The Royal Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton is a mere few hours away, with a magical ceremony scheduled to take place tomorrow evening at the strike of 6:00.  It's no mystery that the dashing young couple is in love; what remains a mystery, however, is the gown that Catherine shall be wearing.

This past week it was supposedly revealed that Sophie Cranston of the Libélula label held the prestigious position of designing the bride's dress, but secrecy still remains as to the design.*  Designers are on standby, eagerly awaiting to emulate the royal style that is predicted to be the most highly coveted dress of brides-to-be.    

Looks like we will have to wait until tomorrow for the unveiling of the princess and her gown.       

*Alexander McQueen was revealed as the official designer.

For more on the wedding, visit the event's official blog here.

birthdays are for princesses

Today marks 20 years of my existence.

2 decades.

240 months.  

7,304 days. 

175,316 hours.

10,518,975 minutes.

631,138,519 seconds.

Normally I would act like a princess and prance around in all my birthday glory.  I'd pass out decorated cupcakes and wear a party dress.  But this year I'm no longer a little girl who can act like a child.  I'm the big two-oh, embarking upon my career years, and entering the decade where many get married and reproduce clones.  

So instead of dedicating the day to care-free living I chose to be a responsible, mature adult.  I did my homework, worked on a final paper, and resolved issues with my landlord.  I opened not a single present and ate not a lick of cake.     

Birthdays are intended to be a celebratory event, yet I found depression seeping into my memorable birth moment.  Time for princesses to grow up.  

american blues

American Apparel finally rolls out a denim line! 

These are the jeans you have been searching for in every thrift store all your life.  Thrift store looks, but no where near thrift store prices.

I've yet to try a pair on, but I would assume they fit better than pairs I've squeezed into at Goodwill.  I can't seem to avoid the awkward bunching at the zipper, inevitably creating the dreaded "camel toe" look.  Many girls seem comfortable walking around in their high-waisted cutoffs regardless of the crotch problem, but I can't seem to get past it.  For the extra cost, I can only hope American Apparel resolved this unflattering fashion crisis.      

leprosy

Leopard. 

Who wore it best?

Animals can so easily kill your look, with leopard as one of the most difficult prints to stylize.  Immediately an Italian princess comes to mind when I consider purchasing an animal printed item.  So many girls overdo the trend, fully embracing the look and practically embodying the essence of the animal they are wearing.  The trick is to wear it in small amounts.  Use the print as your "pop" of color, versus using a solid to break up the pattern.  Kate Moss looks sophisticated and mature, while Snooki looks as though she purchased her outfit from the Mandy's clearance rack.  

Moss: hands down, winning.      

the warm weather to do list

1.   Spend an afternoon at grounds for sculpture

2.   Purchase a sundial wristwatch

3.   Learn rudimentary Italian for emergency purposes

4.   Read a Daniel Quinn novel

4.   Pick flowers before they no longer can be picked

5.   Drink tea out of recycled glass jars

6.   Make yourself feel uncomfortable for all the right reasons

7.   Rock tiny bottoms at the beach this summer

8.   Wear ballet slippers around as real shoes

9.   Make waffle brownies 

10. Try to run 3 miles without stopping (try being the key word)

black is the new green

Inspired by New York City bodega shopping bags, Cast of Vices launched a collection of soft leather bags for those willing to indulge in a backwards take on the Go Green revolution.  Made in Los Angeles, these bags are only available at Collete with prices ranging from $300-$350.        

sasha pivovarova for free people

The April 2011 catalog of Free People features 26-year-old Russian model Sasha Pivovarova.  Previosuly featured on the cover of Vogue 2007, signed with Prada for six consecutive years, and having walked for Chanel, Christian Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier, and others, Pivovarova's stunning presence graces the pages of the bohemian-inspired spring collection.  Although much more affordable than haute couture, Free People still skims the surface of pricy.  In order to get Pivovarova's look for less, try these tips:

-Take your old necklaces and wrap colorful string/rope around the chains.

-Purchase similar lace booties from Forever 21 here.

-Make your own friendship bracelets and pile them on your ankles to compliment your sandals.

-Paint indian stripes on your arms if you're lacking in the accessory department.

spring outdoors

Stylish girls must be capable of throwing the party of the season.  With spring peeking its way through the nippy weather, a celebration is required.  There is no better way to embrace the greenery than with an outdoor party.  

Use these pictures as inspiration for decorations.  Tie yarn or hemp around candles to create a natural-looking holder and hang them from the trees in your yard or the woods.  Wrap white christmas lights throughout tree limbs.  Incorporate as many throw pillows as you possibly can.  Use a pale color such as white as your base color for tablecloths and furniture.  Serve tea and miniature hors d'oeuvres.  Have a battery-operated stereo play classical music instead of the top 40 one hit wonders.  

This is sophistication at is finest, so dress the part.  Have all guests arrive in spring dresses, or maybe even require them to wear fancy, oversized hats.  Go overboard, embrace the season, and make it an evening for everyone to remember.          

el en ay

Flipping through the pages of Teen Vogue generally ends in a brief ascetically pleasing experience, yet an unsatisfied thirst for inspiration.  However, Andrew Bevan's article, "Three's Company," in February 2011's issue caught my eye and held the potential to satisfy my craving for something new, something different, something worth reading .  

Under the direction of three driven young women, a unique line encompassing "editorial, celebrity, and consumer appeal" was born: LNA.  Beginning with a 19 year old Lauren Alexander sewing dresses on her mother's sewing machine, the clothing line began to take shape once paths were crossed with April Leight.  Immediately recognizing that each was wearing a men's T-shirt, the girls shared a liking for basics and began compiling samples. Ashley Glasson "hopped on board as business director," and the line quickly gained celebrity interest and appeal.  The three girls were comparable to my ultimate fashion heros.  

How did I not know about them? I needed to find out more, and fast.  The corner of the article revealed a DIY directed by LNA to be found online.  A 19 year old starting out on a sewing machine must have some extremely noteworthy ideas for at-home clothing design.  I snapped the magazine closed and whipped out my laptop.  After watching the video disappointment engrossed me...did I really just waste my time watching these girls rip a basic T-shirt with a razor blade?  They couldn't share any of their grand designer ideas with young girls craving challenging tasks?  Did they seriously just teach their audience how to put holes in fabric? Seriously? 

I was insulted by their lack of creativity and simplemindedness that they bestowed upon viewers.  Granted their line is unique by its "basic" feel, comparable to a scaled-back Alexander Wang collection, yet they took the definition of "basic" too far.  Here is an audience of girls interested in fashion and consistently looking for fresh inspiration; here is  LNA that did a DIY which most girls learned back in 6th grade when they ripped their own pair Abercrombie jeans.  Despite the DIY being a waste of time, their website is worth skimming.  Those looking for a new take on the generic black legging will not be disappointed.               

lux

First image Alexander Wang striped sweater with cut outs, $765.  

Second image Nasty Gal slashed stripe knit, $54. 

I recognize that knock-offs are looked down upon with utter pity by those who can easily afford an unending supply of designer pieces.  I also recognize, however, that those who cannot afford a high-end wardrobe need not scrape together pennies in order to appear "high-end".  Who is to say that a dangling price tag defines a luxurious appearance?  My opinion should not be mistaken for promoting cheaper lines producing other label's designs; rather, it should be taken at face value allowing for creative expression.  Take a designer's labor of love and craft your own look for less.  Whether whipping up a DIY or rummaging through sites to find clothing embodying similar looks/feels, don your own personalized  take on luxury.

sky-scrapping

Erin Heatherton photographed by Hasse Nielsen for The Sunday Times UK Style Magazine. La Perla's heavenly designs paired with heavenly heights make for a godly shoot.

zero degrees of caring

With snow soon to be falling the last thing a few of us need is an overdose of suffocating swathing layers. Roll out the grunge and hike up the shirts. Temperature is just a suggestion, not an obliged uniform. 

x

1. Missoni x ToyWatch

[Beautiful wrist-scarves just in time for Christmas.]

2. Lanvin x H&M

[Sold out within 15 minutes in NYC locations.]

3. Karl Lagerfeld x Macy's

[To be expected around FW '11.]

bambi's a fox

Bambi Northwood-Blyth photographed by Zanita Whittington for Style Stlaker's "Dessert Fox" collection.  Wild west with a hint of sexy goth. And those snakebite leggings, well...they say it all. 

the questionable dungeon

Charles Anastase's "Dungeon Boot" infected the blogosphere like a lethal virus.  Jeffery Campbell's "Lita" allowed bloggers, style watchers, and (of course) style watchers who blog a chance to snag a pair for themselves.  All it costs is a mere $150 to partake in the sweeping trend of the part-boot part-platform hybrid.  Personally, the design does not gel with my taste, viewing it to be too cumbersome and clunky.  With my opinion set aside, girls are lacing up and strutting out, pounding the pavement one heavy stomp at a time.     

photoshop me not

The December 2010 issue of Self Service Magazine will feature Kate Moss in all of her raw, untouched, and un-photoshopped glory. Rendering it unnecessary to digitally remove flaws from a flawless woman, Self Service allows the masses to conjure up their own take on Moss, au naturale style.