Michelle + McQueen = Mayhem

Wherever you hang out on the political spectrum, I think everyone can appreciate what Michelle Obama has done fashion-wise for women in the country. She's taken risks and become an icon that is reminiscent of Jackie O, all while exuding confidence and poise. I think she's someone girls of all ages can admire. Ok, I'm off my Michelle-adoring-soap box.

Now down to the dirt, has everyone heard the d-rama over Mrs. Obama's choice to wear Alexander McQueen to the state dinner recently? My only thoughts when I saw her picture was that she looked stunning. Apparently, no matter how great the dress looked, all people are focusing on is the label. Her choice of a British designer instead of an American one is causing quite a stir. And by stir I mean a scandal that makes Gossip Girl's upper-east-side look like a playground.

Oscar de la Renta and Diane von Furstenberg are even getting in on the bashing. Yikes. DvF for the Council of Fashion Designers of America was quoted saying the CDFA was "disappointed" in the first lady's choice. de la Renta said, "This is an important issue...Do you think Kate Middleton is going to be married in Marc Jacobs? " You can read more about their thoughts over at Cut Blog and Huffington Post.

I completely understand why people want  her to support the American fashion industry. We do have a sense of pride of things made in the ol' U.S.A. She does have the power to skyrocket a designer into a household name. I see where the CDFA is coming from, but I highly doubt that Mrs. Obama meant this as any sort of backhanded diss to American designers. I simply think she loved the dress and thought it was perfect for the occasion, so she wore it. I highly doubt she will be making this mistake again, but I just hope she doesn't let this cramp her style too much.

What do you think?

Christian Dior Couture Spring 2011

My favorite part of couture is that its so fantastical and us mere peons will never be able to wear or even touch anything as fabulous as these clothes. I don't even want to try and talk about how amazing the Dior collection was, so just enjoy some of my faves. 

Pictures from NY Magazine

I DO (in the most PC way possible)

Natalie Portman is engaged! I may not be able to have the will power she does with her eco-friendly vegan lifestyle, but I love that she never strays from her moral compass' true north. She and her fiance, Benjamin Millepied, designed the ring with jewelry designer Jamie Wolf. According to InStyle UK the major rock in the center is an antique round mine-cut diamond surrounded by "pave diamonds [that] are certified as conflict-free." The platinum was even made from recycled metal. Since I have more friends that are married/engaged/soon-to-be-engaged than I can keep track of, goodness I'm getting old I'm curious to see what everyone thinks about taking this politically correct route. So...let me know!

Blog Obsession #4: Fashion Toast

I want to be this girl. I heart everything about Rumi Neely from her clothes, to her sunny Cali lifestyle, to her insane designer connections. I just recently discovered this blog, so I don't know as much about it but I am super excited to find out more.

Desire of having is the sin of covetousness

This dress is completely worthy of quoting Shakespeare. I have this formal called Barristers Ball coming up in April and I'm salivating over the idea of getting to wear a real formal dress (HELLO PROM FLASHBACKS...I hope my hair is better this time around).  MAJOR BUMMER... the price! Luckily, with the gleam of Halston Heritage in my eyes I miraculously found a way to be resourceful and I discovered the dress is on Rent the Runway for (drumroll please) for $75!!!!! Now all I need to do is find this dress in stores so I can try it on and avoid a last moment panic before the actual event in case my rented dress doesn't fit, but I have high hopes, literally. Like, I want this dress even if i have to wear 7 inch heels with platforms to make the length work on my fun-sized self. Some girls dream of prince charming on a white horse, but I could care less about who is on my arm for the big event as long as this is what I'm wearing. Buy the Halston Heritage Halter Long Dress through ShopBop for $455 (but only if you're not going my Barrister's Ball, k?)

Blog Obsession #3: Man Repeller

Warning: This blog is not for those who take themselves, or their clothes, too seriously.  The Man Repeller embraces all of fashion's quirky trends and is all about the idea that women should dress for themselves, even if it sends all men within a few square miles of you scattering.  If you've ever been told by a man that those belts you wear up around  your boobs are pointless or those giant rings you wear look dangerous, this blog is for you. She is quite possibly the funniest, and most honest, blogger I've seen yet.

Love Triangles

The theme of our day is going to be love triangles. Don't ask why, just go with the flow and check out the pretty things I found.

1. Pamela Love Triangle Ring

I don't know exactly how easy it would be to do anything with this ring on, but I'd like to give it a try. It also looks as though it could double as a solid self-defense weapon. If you're brave enough, buy through Shopbop for $110.

2. Kenneth Jay Lane Pearl Drop Earrings

Ooooo sparkles! I like these because they're not quite as dramatic as chandeliers, but are still intriguing. Buy through Shopbop for $187.

3. House of Harlow 1960 Tribal Drop Earrings

Nicole Richie and House of Harlow 1960 can do nothing wrong in my eyes. These are perfection and completely nail the boho-chic vibe that Richie is known for. I want to be her, and these earrings are a step in the right direction. Buy through Shopbop for $100. 

4. Gold Disc Waterfall Necklace

Bib necklaces are tricky, but worth giving a try. And at this price, I think everyone could find a way to make it work in one way or another. I think they look coolest with something very simple, like a plain dress. Buy through Bauble Bar for $32. 

Change of Pace

I originally started this blog over on Tumblr because the features seemed so user-friendly. Unfortunately, Tumblr didn't have a lot of the features I was looking for and I kept having problems when I was downloading themes. After a bit of research, I decided Blogger would be my next move. I hope my Tumblr friends will still read, but so far I'm liking this site much better!

Blog Obsession #2: The Cut

The Cut is the premier source of news in the fashion world. It is associated with NY Magazine, and some of the local stories focus on the NY area, but their coverage of fashion week designers and business in general is unbeatable. 

Quest for the Perfect Crossbody

With my summer trip to Europe still a gleam in my eye as it is still unconfirmed by my school (Hurry up dammit!), I feel free to dream about the pretty things I will tote around with me. I already know a crossbody is a must, I just haven't found THE ONE. A month ago, I found this bag from Saks in its larger-mama version and I was love struck. I was trying to wait until I had more cash flow and, alas, it sold out at Saks and I can't find it anywhere. Its little baby version, the Linea Pelle Woven Mini Crossbody is still a beauty though. The construction and the detail is incredible, it's just too small for my everyday carryall use I need. If you don't need that, however, this would be an amazing purse! Buy through Amazon for $90. 

Blog Addiction #1: Purse Blog

I cannot get enough of this blog, Purse Blog. It is entirely centered on writing reviews and commentary on purses, which may sound blah on its face but the two writers, Amanda and Megs, are terrific writers with great insight. A huge bonus, Megs writes HILARIOUS recaps of all the Real Housewife series and Gossip Girl episodes. A HUGE bonus...they have sister sites called TalkShoes, Purseblog Savvy, and a Purse Blog forum for the purse obsessed to post and comment. They have about 1,000,001 giveaways as well. They. Are. Incredible. 

Is it Spring yet?

This winter has been brutal. It has been my-bones-ache-through-my-down-coat brutal. That said, I am BEYOND ready for spring when people emerge from their respective hibernation holes, toes reappear in flip flops, and men start running shirtless. I'm so ready for spring, I've already started planning my wardrobe. I'm envisioning super flowy fabrics and tons of loud and funky prints. That said, here are some things I absolutely need am coveting for the season.
1. Reaching for the Light Espadrilles 

The name might be a bit hokey, but everything about this exudes sunshine and happiness. I almost feel as though strapping these on would force the seasons to change, they are that powerful. Buy through Anthropologie for $188.
2. Colorblock Floppy Hat

I have never been a hat person, but I'm aiming to change that in the spring and I'm starting with a hat like this. I can picture this being the perfect topper for any number of outfits. This hat and I will have adventures. Buy through Forever 21 for $12.80.
3. Shoshanna Shirred Strapless Dress

Speaking of prints...I die. This is the type of print plus that style of dress is a combo that could be so multi-faceted, I could see it styled with flats and a cardigan or I could see it with heels and funky jewelry for a night out. Plus, I think these colors would complement a lot of skin tones. For some reason I get kind of a peacock feather vibe from it too, which might be another reason I like it since I've had a weird thing about peacock feathers lately. Buy through Shopbop for $340.
4. Patterson J. Kincaid Claire Spinal Tie Dye Tunic

The tie dye is fun but not Grateful-Dead-in-your-face type and this fabric looks so flowly and comfy. Perfection. Buy through Shopbop for $138.
5. Tory Burch Petula Dress

Personally, maxi dresses swallow me since I am incredibly short, but I keep holding out hope that I will find one that fits me. I really, really want it to be this one. I really love the whole Tory Burch 2010 Resort Collection, but this dress stands out. The purple is heaven. Buy through Tory Burch for $550. 

Summer in Europe

I have applied through DePaul to study abroad this summer in Madrid for three weeks then Prague for three weeks. I haven't heard back yet whether I've been officially accepted, but I'm not too worried. I really regret not taking the opportunity to study abroad in undergrad, so I figured this was a now-or-never type deal.
I'll get 5 credits per three weeks, so I'll be 10 credits ahead of an average 2L. Normally, that wouldn't mean a whole lot but in the world of lawyering, it means I'll be eligible to get my temporary license to practice a bit more quickly. For my friends lucky enough not to be in law school, law students are not allowed to give legal advice to clients, so we are pretty limited to bitch work in what work we can do. Once we get our temporary license after so many credit hours, we can actually have clients, go to court, be a real attorney etc. Since my goal is to end up in litigation, I am pushing to get that license and get in the courtroom as quickly as possible.
This far out, I am not nervous at all! I am BEYOND excited to plan the trip, including planning out where to see before my classes start in mid-June (like my friends living in Deutschland). I'm thinking of starting in Rome and working my way up to Germany and then back down to Madrid. There's about 1,000,001 uncertainties right now so please let me know if you have suggestions or tips!
1. View of Madrid
2. Gran Via
3. Palacio de Cristal
4. View of Prague
5. Prague Bridges
6. Prague Castle

Wisdom de Coco

“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening. -- Coco Chanel”

Show me how you Burlesque

In honor of my favorite sale, the Victoria's Secret Semi-Annual, and new favorite movie, Burlesque, I went through and picked out some insanely luxurious lingerie that might make you blush, but that's the point, right? Maybe I'm slightly delusional in my single state, but I'd like to think slipping one of these little babies on under an outfit would put a bit of pep in your step. No audience necessary :)
1. Kiki de Montparnasse Sheer Corset 
 
Meeeooooow. Buy through ShopBop for $350.00.
2. La Perla Maison Slip 

The lace on this one is heaven! Buy through La Perla for $449.00.
3. Agent Provocateur Gretchen Corset

This one looks like it's straight out of the movie! Cue the high-kicking chorus line! Buy through Agent Provocateur for $790.
4. Victoria's Secret Bustier Set

I love this one because of the pin-up vibe. Buy through Victoria's Secret for $58.
5. Calvin Klein Envy Lace Trim Demi Bra 

I figured I'd end on a more practical note. This set looks comfy and actually wearable on a daily basis, but the red color and lace give it a touch of secret flirtatiousness. Buy through Nordstrom for $46 (bra) and $24 (thong). 

Let's give this a try...

I've been mulling over the idea of starting a blog for a while now, but I wasn't sure if I had enough to say (hahah, jk jk) and if anyone would really be interested. Now that I've summed up the courage, I'm going to give this a try! My main goals are to (1) talk about my upcoming study abroad trip to Europe this summer and (2) talk about my current fashion obsessions. I'm sure there will just be a lot of plain old musings about life included as well (i.e. the joys of dating and being a law student). So, let's give this a try...