you had me at hello: dot love...

if someone were to ask me what appeals to me more...leopard or polka dots or stripes...i would have to say..."how can you choose?" if would be like asking me which cat i love more...although i have two beauties...both so different from the other...i just couldn't choose...

now...i know i know...we are comparing...in this case...handbags to cats...worse would be people...but i'm just trying to make a point...as much as i love leopard...stripes and polka dots are right on up there as well...

so...as i was perusing my december issue of vogue...i feasted my eyes on these beauties...well...the polka dots had me at hello...but look closer...these are polka dot hair calf...be still my beating heart...is this not a classic one needs in their arsenal? brahmin...redefining timeless style...i would say so...

tyler polka dot hair calf
scanned by moi

here is a smaller version...both are gorgeous...i'm liking the one that is a tad bit bigger...for some reason...

olivia rose polka dot hari calf
scanned by moi

leopard & floral...

i've kind of been on a mixing of patterns kick...inspired by so many gorgeous editorials...i've posted some along the way...for me...it is a great way to "funk" up an outfit...and really make it unique...

so...of course...the best place to start is always always always in your own closet...i truly believe...as in decorating...when you buy pieces you love...they will work together...

so...i started with this cotton shirt that i haven't worn in forever...truth be told...i hadn't worn it for a while...cause i had gotten a little bored with it...as i write that...i'm thinking...me...get bored with leopard? say it isn't so...

...uh yeah...that'll never happen...i was just bored with the shirt worn as a basic shirt...



so i ventured into my closet...and knew i needed something to keep me warm...as the nippy fall air has arrived...perused my blazers...but nothing was jumping out at me...and then i saw it...my floral sweater...how perfect!



and while i know this for some is a little out there...but for me...just a perfect combo of mixing patterns...and here is the end result...



is this something you would try? let us know your perfect combination of pattern & color...

one blouse...three ways...

one thing i really try and teach my clients...is to look at their pieces in the closet...individually...and then create at least three different outfits...this is sometimes easier with some pieces...and harder with others...but with practice...it becomes a natural way to look at your wardrobe...

so many of my readers have been asking for more examples...as in pictures...so i went back to my binder...and found this great example...using one blouse...a weekend look...to the office...and then a fabulous evening look...

it doesn't necessarily always need to be to different functions...meaning casual versus dressy...sometimes...it is about creating three different casual outfits out of one piece...

but another thing to notice...in the following pics...i pulled these from lucky magazine september issue 2009...2 years ago...and yet...these looks can still work today...which is the other rule i like to follow...when you buy classic and good pieces...they will definately last you several seasons...and years...






photos scanned by moi - lucky mag september 09 issue

put together: polka dots & leopard print...

saw this photo on elle.com this morning...nothing better then polka dots & leopard print...throw in a touch of red...and i say...very put put together...

photo source: elle.com
photo credit: adam katz sinding/le 21ème arrondissement

11 in '11...

who is ready for spring? i for one...am...and have been...for quite some time...even more so...with this beautiful weather we have been hit with in the san francisco bay area...(sorry east coasters)

thought i would list 11 new spring trends in 2011...an excerpt from my february newsletter...enjoy!

11 in '11...

i don't know about you...but i love all the 'play' that happened early in the year with 1-1-11...so we'll just keep it going with the top 11 spring trends in '11:

1. structural suiting - the menswear suits that gained popularity last fall/winter are still with us...and now with a more fitted silhouette...

2. brights as accents - almost anything can benefit from a pop of color...

3. ladylike handbags - a la jackie o...

kate spade
photo source: nordstrom

4. statement necklaces & scarves - with mixed metals, studs, fringes, feathers - think texture...

5. techno fabrics - again with a metallic edge and texture...

6. belting - a statement belt or layered belts - all shapes and sizes are still 'in'...

7. wide-leg trousers - while your slim-leg trousers are still appropo...now the wide-leg pant is having a resurgence...70's style...

8. longer skirts - but just wearing any old long skirt won't cut it or you'll look frumpy...these skirts need to have lots of styling...

a skirt becomes 'frumpified' when it's not the right length (in this case, too long) or is worn with the wrong shoes...

voila!
photo source: bloomindales

9. animal print - surprise, surprise! yes...it's still around...and i think we can safely say it's not going anywhere for the forseeable future...i've said it before but it bears repeating...animal prints are a great neutral...they work with almost any color...

10. nude fishnets - what a great way to provide some leg camouflage when you don't want bare legs...

11. color of the year - honeysuckle pink...or whatever pink suits your complexion...if you aren't a 'pink' person...think of adding it as an accent item...

so which trend are you excited about trying? please share...

jungle prints...

as i was perusing my closet the other morning...looking for a particular garment...i came across a leopard print blouse i had completely forgotten about...so...needless to say...i'm excited to wear it...soon...but it got me thinking...i seem to have many choices in leopard print...some blouses...a skirt...shoes...a belt...clutch purse...a coat...why only leopard print? when it comes to jungle prints...i think i need to expand my horizons...

animal motifs are truly classic...and easy to wear...and this season...they are still hot hot hot...so...a few questions for you...do you have a favorite animal print? and what is your favorite way to wear it?

photo source

one is never enough...

if this little pictorial that i scanned from the december 2010 vogue issue is not proof enough...i don't know what is...les sigh...one is definately not enough...this shows how different styles of the same print offer up very unique & very very different styles...one of each...please...

don't you agree?

leopard is the new plaid...

just what every cocktail party needs...fashionable cocktail napkins...had to share these cute ones that my friend adena got me a while back...she says she thought of me when she saw them...aww...which reminds me...i should do a post showing all my fabulous "fashionable" wine & martini glasses...wish i could have a party and invite you all to see them in person... =)

buttons...

think of them as shirt jewelry with the ability to transform the personality of your shirt...is it hanging in your closet right now? just think...a plain white button-down shirt...metamorphoses into a glorious dress shirt if you change the buttons from plain...to...well...how about antique rhinestones?

my last trip to new york was of course all about the project runway show...and the trip would not have been complete without a visit to mood...THE most amazing fabric store i've ever been in...don't even get me started on all the beautiful jacquard...but i digress...well...my girlfriend had been looking forever for new buttons for her leopard print coat...and with the wall of buttons extraordinaire at mood...she found not only one but two styles that she liked...bought them both...and her coat is now pretty spectacular...well...actually it was pretty spectacular before (i own the same coat) it's leopard after all...but the change of buttons gave it a new personality...

so...head to your closet...what aren't you wearing that might be changed up a bit...with just a minor tweak...changing buttons can bring new life to dresses...jackets...and sweaters as well...

all one ever needs is a little "leopard" neutral...

hello dear fabulous finds readers...i am back from a much needed vacation...my biggest decision was "what do i want to eat?" sigh...i read 3 books...lounged by the pool...dipped my toes in the ocean...and most importantly...just relaxed...

i am just getting back to the swing of things...so i thought i would leave you with this picture i took of a little baby waiting at the airport close to me...i'm sure you have no doubts that this made me smile...i asked the mom if i could take her picture...well...actually...a picture of her adorable socks...yes...they are socks...seriously...what more does anyone need to complete an outfit then a little burst of leopard...yes...my favorite neutral...

how about clutching it?

so you've been running around all day...with your big handbag...on a side note...do you notice how they seem to get bigger and bigger?? which is great for lugging things around...but not so much on the back...if you know what i mean =) but back to my intro...so you're running around town...and then it's time to meet some friends for drinks and/or dinner...or perhaps you are off to a cocktail party...please tell me that you switch out your purse...it only takes a few moments...

and seriously...how much more chic do you look with your clutch...and not the big handbag full of everthing you have accumulated for the week?

what i love about clutches...well...their size for one...picture this...you are at the restauarant or bar...and your big shoulder bag...which i hope you don't place on the floor (so not good) and it ends up on your tired shoulder...getting heavier as the nite progresses...on the other hand...picture the clutch...safely tucked under your arm...freeing you to shake hands...hold a cocktail & appetizer plate with ease as you make your rounds in the room...

much.more.comfortable...no?

a clutch is also a great way to complete your outfit...need color? need texture? whatever your need is...it can be incorporated within your clutch...

some definate do's when looking at purchasing a clutch...make sure it fits your essentials...now essentials...does not mean...receipts, checkbook, wallet, sunglasses, make-up bag, and everything else you stuff in your big handbag...no! a clutch should hold essentials such as a lipstick, cell phone, identification, credit card, cash...etc...

here are my top 4 that i use the most...

of course i have one in leopard print (it's my neutral...you know) and black patent leather...
can't go wrong with this one

i adore this beauty with croc print & the "shining" crystal knob

the look of this one...i adore...but...it didn't fit all the essentials criteria...
the cell phone takes quite a bit of manuevering...sigh

and...when i need/want a pop of color...
nothing gives more pop then a red patent leather

do you clutch it?

take a walk on the wild side...

i would have to say that one of the most frequently asked questions that i get...would have to be..."is animal print still in?"...um...yes...yes...and yes...i mean...let us put aside the fact that i consider it my neutral...if you look forward to the fall runway shows...animal print is here to stay...so...take a walk on the wild side...and pick your poison...



the wonderful thing about animal print...is that you really don't need a whole lot of it to make a statement...it could be a simple as...an animal print skinny belt to a "wow" pair of animal print shoes...

or maybe something in croc print? how fabulous is that??



or perhaps a handbag in zebra print?



whatever your choice is...if you haven't already done so...incorporate a little bit of the wild side into your wardrobe...it is a simple way to be a little bold...

but whatever you do...no head to toe coverage in animal print...meaning...don't do the animal print handbag that matches the shoes...that matches the belt...that matches the hat...remember...a little goes a long way...

what is your favorite animal print? and how do you incorporate it into your wardrobe?

a little classy with a dash of trashy...

it sometimes amazes me how often someone will ask me specifics about a fashion rule...seems that many spend their days and nites worrying about making mistakes and social faux pas...ok...that may be a slight exaggeration on my part...but work with me here... =)

why not just go ahead and do it intentionally? relax and have a little fun by adding a touch of trampiness to your ordinary outfit...ignore rules of jewelry; wear ropes of pearls with your jeans...like coco chanel, who wore pearls while riding...her big ropes of pearls were fake...of course...which adds a bit to their trashiness...but what fun would that be? or wear your diamond bracelets with a casual outfit...don't wait for that big "black tie" event...

here is the secret: as long as you know the social rule...(no diamonds before 5 pm., say, or no white after labor day), you can choose to openly flaunt it and impress people with your daring side...if you don't know the rule and break it...you look like a rube...if you do know the rule and break it...you are the ultimate sophisticate...and as taffetadarlings so eloquently wrote about "white lies" and not to miss in that same post...wendyb's take on wearing white...

diana vreeland said, "a little bad taste is like a nice splash of paprika...no taste is what i'm against..."


so...go ahead and add a leopard print scarf to your sedate blue business suit...go ahead and wear fishnet stockings with that sedate business suit...go ahead and wear silky underthings while helping out in your child's kindergarten class...it can be your little secret...

my favorite neutral...

i know for some of you...this might be a stretch...but yes...i view leopard print as a neutral...it really does go with everything...and adds just the right amount of animalistic spice...

i saw a quote the other day by the fabulous jackie collins..."my weakness is wearing too much leopard print"...let me just say...joan darling...that is not a weakness...well...maybe if you decide to wear leopard head to toe...which i have seen on the street...sometimes...too much of a good thing...is...well...too much of a good thing...

i have to say though...i have come across two incredible pics recently that stopped me dead in my tracks...they were a fabulous combination of leopard prints...the first was from the sartorialist...click here to see this amazing outfit...it works...the outfit is spot on...excuse the pun...and the next was an interview done by fashionindie of the ever fabulous jane aldridge...scroll down and feast your eyes on her 5th outfit...that is truly knowing how to put an incredible outfit together...it doesn't hurt that she is just absolutely adorable...AND...she loves shoes! you can also follow her wonderful blog posts on sea of shoes...

when i look at my own closet of leopard print loves...it definately does not stop on one item...i have shoes with leopard print glory...i have blouses, a skirt, coats...and i wear them...year after year after year...is it any wonder why this is my favorite neutral? click here to see my favorite coat & blouse...in leopard print...of course...

shimmer & shine...

when i think of news year eve...i think of shimmer & shine...

whether you're entertaining at home or going out on the town...it's time to dress up...and sparkle...

a t-shirt or tank in any evening fabric adds sparkle to the simplest black pants, skirt or your favorite pair of jeans...



a simple shape skirt in sequins and a leopard print can add sizzle to the tamest black sweater...



or if you are pulling out all stops...it's a time to play with the colors, textures, and daring cuts that you would never consider in broad daylight...



slip into a little black dress, satin jeans, or a sequined top...swathe yourself in an iridescent silk wrap...change into your party shoes...finish the look with sparkly earrings and make a nite of it...

playing dress-up...

playing dress-up as a grown-up...

is different than playing dress-up as a child in our mom's closet. Even tho' those days are long gone, it's still fun to put on something pretty...we've highlighted some of the "pretties" in the winter line to show you...but, as we keep saying, you really have to touch and feel these fabrics to get the full sensation. take a look...
(Disclaimer: Please pardon the models. Kate Moss wasn't available!)

oh...and there are still spots available for your one on one personal appointment...

Ponte knit black zipper jacket with ponte pants.

These are pajama-soft and great for travel, but the zippers dress up the look (totally on-target with one of the season's hot trends!)

Note: Bucky approves - not to be left out, he's wearing his Halloween collar.

"Remember that always dressing in understated good taste is the same as playing dead..."

~ Susan Catherine.

So why not pop on this fun Snow Leopard trench coat and your wardrobe will come to life!


Celebrate three trends at once:
this Amethyst Italian leather jacket, Snow Leopard skirt and black tights are spot on
(pardon the pun!)

This feather-light silk Kaleidoscope blouse works beautifully on its own, or would be perfect under your favorite neutral jacket.
(It also comes in shades of purple if you are loving that color for the season.)

a sweet surprise...and in leopard...

ok...so yesterday our boxes full of luscious clothes were being delivered for the fall/winter jana kos collection trunk show...(going on now) my business partner (and wonderful friend) adena was flying back from a trip to the east coast...so...i was left to head on out to her home to greet the ups man...of course...ups...due to arrive anytime between 8am and noon...so much for a smaller window of time...=)

this meant i needed to be dressed and out the door...early...with time for a starbucks stop before...

got to adena's house...let myself in...set-up my laptop at her desk...and this was waiting for me there...

seriously...can she be any sweeter? i love surprises...who doesn't? especially when it is just a "thinking about you" or "thought you would like this" gift...

if you haven't figured out what it is...wait for it...wait for it...

a leopard print tape measure...can you stand it?

how stylish will i look while measuring my clients?