you had me at hello: sequins & stripes...

stripes always catch my eye...to the point that i'm obsessed...to the point that when i'm shopping with girlfriends...and i pick up an item and say "isn't this cute"? to hear...oh what a surprise...stripes... =)

so i'm perusing the may issue of allure...and my heart skips a beat...so much so...that this top had me at hello...stripes AND sequins...les sigh...actually...i love the shorts as well...love the mixing of patterns as well...but those shorts would look good on me...well...in my dreams...that's about it...so i'm sticking to the top...don't you love?

sequined silk t-shirt and silk shorts by aquilano rimondi
scanned by moi

get your sparkle on...

...for new year's eve...

are you getting excited for the end of the year...and all the celebration that it entails? i am...and one thing that i truly enjoy...especially this time of year...is the sequins...or sparkle...or shimmer...truth be told...i enjoy it anytime of year...but especially during the holiday season...

i have clients asking me all the time if it is still on trend...and i say...yes! still very strong...although i also think that a little sparkle is always a necessity...

so for this new year's eve...whether you are going all out to a big celebration...or staying in with a few close friends...get your sparkle on...it could be in a luscious tank...a sparkly scarf...bling on shoes...or full out sequined dress...

i'm thinking my sparkle will be in my shoes...how about you?

photo source

sequins...

...are a fabulous way to glam up the drab old winter wardrobe...and ring in some holiday cheer...adding luster to your face...and brightening the eyes...and the best part...around this time of year...sequins are everywhere! and you don't need a whole heck of a lot to make a statement...

it can be in your accessories...a sequined belt...shoes or clutch...a little bit sprinkled on your top...or if you are being really adventurious...why not go all out...and skip the lbd this year for the holiday party...and opt for a gold or bronze sequined number...ooh la la!

in any event...sparkle sparkle sparkle...

photo source

let it shine...

i still have a lot of people asking me if "bling" is appropriate for day wear...and my answer is always an astounding yes! of course...i do not recommend head to toe bling...but a little sparkle during the day never hurt anyone...right?

so i saw this page in town & country november issue...how appropriate...the caption reads..."let it shine...day or night, it's the right time to sparkle..." i couldn't have said it any better...

so pull our your sparkly items...wear them with your jeans...a sequined top with a traditional pant...just the right amount of personality...and those rhinestones? wear them...yes...even in the day-time...

so...do you tend to sparkle day or night?

scanned by moi
town & country november 2010 issue

split personalities...

fabric will often reveal the personality of a piece...classic shapes assume completely different characters when they're made from different fabrics...when it's worked in sequins...an unassuming...easy-to-care-for white cotton t-shirt (or grey tank top as in my pics) becomes dazzling...yet fragile...



some would say that sequins are most likely limited to evenings...i think...it is a great way to dress up a pair of jeans...combining the unexpected is what personal style is all about...

sweaters...

the original "sweater" was a thick wool blanket used by stablehands at the end of the nineteenth century to make racehorses perspire during training exercises...

draped over the likes of lana turner...



known as the "sweater" girl...



and grace kelly...it induced perspiration in a decidely different population...



sweaters are infinitely flexible....they can be thick and woolly...warming men and women alike on snowy winter weekends...

or, as coco chanel discovered...they can be feminine and subdued...like the cashmere twin-set you substitute for a suit jacket...changing your look from hard power to soft sophistication...

beaded sweaters and cashmeres with exquisite buttons say luxury...and have shown up at elegant evening parties and fashionable resorts for decades...paired with dress-up fabrics like chiffon, satin and silk taffeta...

isn't this one a charmer?? found in fast eddie's retro rags... i love its simplicity...AND it is still available...if you are a sz small... i would check out the whole site...as there are a lot of lovely vintage sweaters...and so much more...



and then there are the everyday sweaters made from cotton, linen, wool and fleece...which serve a remarkable range of activities...from tea with grandma to trekking in the dolomites...

but just as i feel your good china should be used more often than just for that once a year "special" occasion...same with your sweaters...pull out the cashmere...the beaded sweaters...and pair it with your favorite jeans...instant chic!

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...