christmas at the rotunda...

one of my all time favorite places in the city...the rotunda in neiman marcus...so imagine my excitement when announcements were made that the aici (association of image consultants international) san francisco chapter christmas party would be held there...squeal!  

i have always been fascinated by the enormous tree in the store...even more so then the one in union square...something about this tree is just SO beautiful...and every year...i need to go check it out...at least once...maybe twice...how do they get that massive thing in the store?

the tip of the tree in the rotunda...isn't the ceiling amazing?

and yes...this was our amazing view for the evening...over looking union square on a most perfect nite...

and some of my friends and fellow colleagues...being in a room of image consultants...i knew that everyone would be looking pretty sharp in their holiday best...

we had a "fashion" ornament exchange...well not really an exchange...but a white elephant gift exchange...where the idea is to "steal" from others...rather then swap...this was the beauty i ended up with at the end of the nite...love the color...

leather & peplum go together...

while i already love the peplum look...i am lusting after a leather peplum top...talk about adding a little feminine to provocative...all in one look...with a top like this...you don't need much else...so let the curvaceous top do the talking...while pairing it with a simple pencil skirt...or slim pants...add a killer pair of heels...and you are set!

if sleeveless is not your thing...i have seen this look with a very thin tee underneath...still very sexy looking...and covered...just enough...

martini leather peplum top
amanda uprichard
neiman marcus

'tatyana' leather peplum skirt
trina turk
nordstrom

you had me at hello: simply gold...

proof that sometimes...simple is oh so much better...as in these lovely golden heels...you had me at hello...in a simple kind of way...doesn't every girl need a golden pair?

gucci
scanned by moi

the long awaited purse...

two things that i don't mind spending some money on...are shoes & handbags...i want good quality...good leather...well made...and with this criteria...i have shoes & handbags that last a really really long time...in fact...most times when i get complimented on my shoes or handbags...the next question is...who are they by...and did i purchase them recently...and i usually need to say...that i got them years and years ago...

so...about six months ago...i was having coffee with a girlfriend of mine...and she was commenting on my handbag...and how she just couldn't afford a good handbag...but yet...she would spend little to no money on bags...that well...didn't look to hold up well...and usually didn't...nothing wrong with that...if you don't mind continually buying new handbags...

as we talked further...she seemed to think that a good handbags cost in the thousands...which i then let her know that there were plenty of great handbags to choose from without spending thousands of dollars...but still getting a good quality leather classic handbag...

so i challenged her...as she was not able to "just run out and spend money on a good handbag"...but i knew that she was an extensive coffee drinker...put aside your daily $4 for a latte in an envelope marked "handbag"...i mean...let's do the math...$4 multiplied by 5 days...multiplied by 4 weeks equals $80...times 5 months equals $400

guess what we went out to purchase today? isn't it a beauty? she is over the moon excited...

michael kors large bedford bowling satchel
neiman marcus

you had me at hello: in a striped kind of way...

we have been having some incredible weather here in northern california...tomorrow is estimated to be a nice 65 degrees...while i'm all for warm weather...i'm missing out on wearing any of my winter clothes...all those wool tweeds...heavy sweaters...

even the magazines are boasting of warmer weather...such as this lovely..i'm almost thinking my obsession with stripes...is almost as big as my obsession for anything leopard print...it hasn't died down yet...stripes get my attention...

can you imagine wearing this lovely striped number in spring? it had me at hello from the first moment my eyes saw it...i'm thinking not only would it be lovely in spring...but lovely on me in spring...

giorgio armani
neiman marcus
scanned by moi - vogue - january issue

step out in some sparkle...

what better time then news years eve to put a little sparkle in your step...although...truth be told...personally...i think a little sparkle all year round is necessary...

shoes & sparkle...here are some beauties to inspire you...

jimmy choo
crystal-heel suede pumps
saks fifth avenue

marc by marc jacobs
zappos

miu miu glitter open toe platform pump
nordstrom

michael antonio anderson glitter
zappos

jimmy choo whirl glitter-toe suede ballerina
neiman marcus

how to get the holiday blues...

...the "right" kind of holiday blues...

whether you start small...like a little sparkle on your nails...

sephora midnight mambo by opi
sephora

or make it so that everyone is noticing your shoes...

nine west frederika
zappos

being blue...but still being warm...

st. john collection sequined cardigan & sleeveless shell
neiman marcus

dazzle in a dress...

aidan mattox bloused cold shoulder sequin dress
nordstrom

or go back in time...for my vintage lovers...check out this lovely (the lovely cherie posted 3 blue beauties...be sure to check them all out here...

1950s blue dot silk taffeta dance dress
shrimpton couture

the christmas blues never seemed so inviting...

"orange" you glad it's halloween?

...personally i could take it or leave it...but the color...that is a whole different subject...it just exudes happiness...don't you think? here are some ways to incorporate the beautiful color orange into your wardrobe...

nina ricci 'fantasy' tweed pencil skirt
nordstrom

michael kors hamilton n/s tote
neiman marcus

skinny leather belt
j. crew

giuseppe zanotti satin ankle-wrap peep-toe pump
neiman marcus

hacking jacket in herringbone
j. crew

what is your favorite "orange" piece in your wardrobe?

beyond the basic pant...

it was just a few weeks ago...that i was chatting it up about the colored jean...and although i have not found my perfect pair...i am now looking for that AND the perfect colored pant...think bright...

yes...the basic pant can be fabulous as well...pairing it with the right top & shoes...you can pretty much make a very glamorous outfit...but how fun to add some color...when everyone is wearing black, grey, brown or blue pants...go beyond the basic...and add a splash of color...

when you find the perfect pair...keep in mind...less is more...with the bright colored pants...think quiet shades for the rest of your outfit...including the shoes & jewelry...

here are the top contenders so far...

diane von furstenberg naples pants, lipstick

gucci ankle-length pants, tabasco

robert rodriguez wide-leg pleated pants

you had me at hello: meow or miu miu?

when i first laid eyes on these beauties...my first thought was meow...and then saw that they were miu miu...one of my favorites...to say they had me at hello...would be an understatement...they would so work in nicely with my wardrobe...now and transitioning into fall...and then fall into winter...

although i have already been drooling over what is coming for fall...i try to keep most of it to myself for now...as i know most of my readers are wanting info on the here and now...not what is coming months from now...but may i just say...fall is going to be quite a treat this year...lots of beautiful color...textures...but...enough already...

aren't we still soaking up summer rays?

back zip bootie by miu miu

bagging it in white...

nothing says summer more to me than the color white...and yes...the "rule-followers" would know that now is the time to wear white...but i'm not a rule follower...and i think...having a fabulous white tote is very much needed to complete my white summer obsession...and move right on in to fall...

i'm a bit worried about how it would keep...but seriously...it is not like i'll be dragging it along the ground...so i'm thinking...i need to start looking...

i'm loving the style below...very classic...very white...and oh so chic...

so...do you sport a lot of white in the summer? where do you wear your white? in clothes or accessories?

jason wu crossbody tote
neiman marcus

cuff it...

that's right...whether on one arm...or both...one of the best arm candy around...and although cuffs have been a statement piece for a while...they are still showing up in fashion magazines...and on the runway...

personally...i love them...however...i have very small wrists...so they tend to be a challenge for me...to find the right one...i have to be careful with the bulkiness of it...and the fit...many...are just to big...and not easily adjustable...

but i keep looking...

and i have to say...great assortment out lately...whether you are strictly a metallics wearer...or opt for color...you are sure to find one or two key pieces that can add some punch to your outfits...

here are some of my favorites...i usually look for unique detail & texture...and perhaps...a pop of color...how about you?

honeycomb cuff bracelet by kara ross


links enamel cuff by milly

pave-accented woven cuff by alexis bittar

blonde horn cuff by nest

golden ridged cuff by oscar de la renta

photo credit: neiman marcus

in search of the perfect espadrille...

...you would think it wouldn't be so difficult...as we are in the right season...and many stores are offering espadrilles...but...alas...i can't seem to find quite the right pair...i know what i want...i'm thinking a bright yellow or red for my first choice would be fabulous...just haven't found any that speak to me... =) but if not a bright color...then i may just stick to a nice neutral...here are some top contenders...

jimmy choo cage espadrille
neiman marcus


chloe espadrille
nordstrom


seychelles 'arden'
nordstrom

and of course...i only want one pair...but then i'm thinking...how cute would a flat espadrille be for the summer this year? les sigh...decisions decisions...

missoni flat espadrille
zappos

kate spade new york 'lido' espadrille flat
nordstrom

men's corner: braid it...

besides the fact that a woven or braided belt adds that additional "texture" to an outfit...it is a fun way to update an otherwise casual outfit...braided-leather belts are always in style...giving an outfit some rugged authenticity...and a fabulous casual attitude...

when thinking of the right color...don't worry about needing to match the color of the leather to your shoes...in fact...for a real "pop"...contrast the color of the belt with the color of your pants...meaning...light-color belt with dark jeans and vice versa...

and the best part? no matter what size you are...meaning if you've gone up or down a bit in your waistline...they are great in that they don’t require holes...you just poke the tongue through the braid anywhere and there you are...cinched up exactly where you want to be...

prada braided leather belt
neiman marcus

the perfect christmas window display...

one of the things i love about this time of year...is to venture out...and see all the fabulous window displays...last year...my favorite had to be...one that i unfortunately did not see in person...but thought it spectacular none the less...the perfect "accessorizing of the tree" at oscar de la renta...wasn't she a beauty?

this year was no different...i made my several trips out to union square in san francisco...saw my favorite tree inside the neiman marcus...tried to avoid the window displays at macy's...not because they aren't worth looking at...but because the windows are full of puppies & kittens waiting to be adopted...and believe me...i know me...and i'd be coming home with animals...not gifts...

but i digress...

this year...my favorite window display was at santana row in san jose...at ted baker london...how adorable is this santa?



think marilyn monroe on this number...for his skirt would hike up to reveal some sexy fishnets...on santa...ok...maybe not the traditional look for santa...but fabulous...none the less...

the big three...

saw this little snippet in the allure december 2010 issue...of course i agree completely...and am happy to report i've got all three (not these three specifically...but same idea)...must be my romantic side?

"the big three"
by kate sullivan

when people talk about finding "the one," they usually mean a perfect partner...but finding a dream piece of jewelry - well, that can be a bit romantic, too...below...the best earrings, bracelet, or necklace to change your entire look.

1 - bracelet...when you're dancing or taking a sip of champagne, the hefty stones on this wide cuff catch the light - and let out a satisfing jingle...(roxanne assoulin for lee angel. crystal-and-brass cuff $345 leeangel.com)

2 - necklace...layering necklaces is cool, but figuring out what works together can be tricky...this piece solves the problem beautifully, weaving togther chunky crystals, slim quartz baguettes, and outside chain links to add an opulent touch to even a plain dress...(iradj moini. quartz-and-metal necklace, $1435 at bergdorf goodman)

3 - earrings...these hoops are perfectly designed to show off the irregularly shaped stones...(herve van der straeten. oxidized-metal-and-crystal earrings $610 neimanmarcus.com)

scanned by moi

suits...

a suit is a big investment..and a major clue to your personality and life style...do you need the sculptured tailoring of a power suit to underline your authority? or would you be happier in a suit that is less about control than it is about comfort and subtlety of line? maybe you prefer a more traditionally feminine knit suit...or a fitted...dressy mixed suit with components you can really match with other parts of your wardrobe...

the ultimate question...which suit suits your style?

there was a time back in my corporate america days...that i literally wore a suit every day...although that isn't my lifestyle now...i kept alot of my suits...and when occasion calls for it...i absolutely love donning my suits...

how about you? is it something you incorporate into your wardrobe?

neiman marcus ad from summer 2009...
the kay unger on the right is calling out to me...even though it is from last year...

men's corner: spring cleaning "man" style...

since the warmer weather is upon us and more outdoor activities are sure to ensue...guys...you need to make sure your summer essentials are up to date...we're talking about tee-shirts, shorts, casual pants and shirts...

ask yourself:
- are they showing signs of wear?
- have the colors faded?
- do i need more color in my wardrobe?
- do they need mending?
- do they still fit properly? (note: casual does not equal sloppy!)

neiman marcus polos (michael kors) in several colors; notice the contrasting print on collar and lapel...

it's time to replace the dingy...the tired...and the "sight for sore eyes" from the closet...and when you do, add in some color (like the polo above) and print (plaid, paisley or whatever grabs you!)

mix up your basic white polo with a touch of plaid...penguin contrast-collar polo & plaid shorts

and for the more adventurous...don't be afraid to mix prints in the same color family...

etro mandala-print polo & plaid bermuda shorts