Praia Piquinia

Searching through http://www.20x200.com/ again, I came across a photographer, Christian Chaize. He captures Portugal beaches at their most serene moments. His techniques bring a sense of nostaglia to old time sunbathing. Bring me to this spot!!

I'm thinking retro beach wear could bring me there for the moment:

Forever 21 Pleated Linen Dress, $25.

Fables by Barrie Retro Sailor Swimsuit, $125.

Catarzi Rosette Floppy Hat, $42.

Fred Flare Jackie O Sunglasses, $11

Tutu Chanel

Karl Lagerfeld designs a custom tutu for Elena Glurdjidze made up of about 2,500 feathers!

Some sites to check out some more pictures of the dancer and tutu, and on Chanel.com there is a video of her performance, "The Dying Swan."

http://www.fabsugar.com/3202561

http://r1ma.blogspot.com/2009/05/chanel-tutu.html

Chit Chat Woman of the Week (part deux): Charlotte Gainsbourg, in honor of Cannes

I love Charlotte Gainsbourg. She embodies that casual chic elegance of la Parisian of which she of course is. I just envy her ability to make such simplicity look so easy. The mademoiselle recently won over the Cannes Film Festival’s hearts, garnering the top female acting award for her portrayal of a grieving wife in the graphic art film "Antichrist." She is modest, minimalist and muse to Balenciaga’s Nicolas Ghesquière (her shoes at the awards are to the fashion house’s credit) making her in my opinion a triple threat – actress, chanteuse and, in this case, fashionista extraordinaire.

Simple, elegant and photog-frenzy worthy - photo retrieved from http://www.zimbio.com/

Beautifully gracing the cover of French Vogue in December

Chit Chat Woman of the Week: Diane Kruger

First picture: Diane in a Splendid Blouse, Charlotte Ronson Skirt, Christian Louboutin Peeptoes, and a Tods Bag. Second picture: a gorgeous Chanel Dress at the MET Ball.

In recent media events, this lovely woman has been photographed in the most chic and daring ensembles on the red carpet. Not only is her relationship with Joshua Jackson a match made in heaven, but drapery and fit of Chanel was made for her as well. Diane Kruger has made some daring fashion decision, each of which suit and flatter her effortlessly. Her red carpet appearances are ones to consciously learn from and admire. She exudes such confidence strutting in elegant fashion.

A Summer Wish List

After such an emotional weekend, I am ready to move on and enjoy a wonderful summer ahead.  I am gracious for all the thoughts and condolences sent to me and can't thank all my family and friends enough.  

Now that I am back, I only want to focus on the joys of life.  One joy being online shopping.  So on that note, I searched and found some things I WISH could be in my closet.

A pair of Current/Elliot Boyfriend Jeans, $206

A Lanvin Statement Necklace, $1220.

A colorful Tibi summer dress, $360.

A pair of Giuseppe Zanotti Platforms, $699.

I would first like to greatly apologize for not prefacing our absence with reason. Over the past week or so Ivy and I have both had some life-altering moments - some planned and some sudden. Most importantly, Ivy lost a dear woman in her life, her grandmother this past week unexpectedly. Having been able to see my fabulous friend persevere through such sadness, I was more than privileged to be a part of such cultural and familial celebration for a woman who's impact was very grand and very dear to those her life so selflessly touched.
I, very excitedly, moved to the very place I have dreamt about for the past couple of years: Eastern Market in Washington, D.C. Hopefully once settled, moved in, with credit cards maxed out because of very important and necessary purchases for my new petite maison, I will have ample subject matter with which to write about. From fun neighborhood routine (the market for fresh produce on Sundays, boutique coffee and cupcake scouting on any given day of freedom from the 'nine-to-five') to my attempt at cooking for one in my new studio, I hope to find much to experience and share.
Oh, and by the way, Happy Memorial Day & start to the fabulous Summer Season ahead!

Jennifer Sanchez

Jennifer Sanchez ny.09.#04

I was browsing through the new Lucky Magazine and came across this art website that was featured, 20x200.com. They feature great prints by small artists for reasonable prices. One print caught my because of its bright colors and intricate details. I had also recognized a similar print that my friend at Lovely To See You had spotlighted. I assume that this is where she gets all her fun art that she posts on her site, and I see why she loves it! This print is by Jennifer Sanchez, ny.09.#04, and she is an artist in NYC with great talent and a fun blog, http://miss-sanchez.blogspot.com/. Check it out to see more of her work.

I am inspired by her color palate and want to base every outfit of mine on her paintings! If only she did fabric prints, they would make the most amazing scarves and dresses. With neon color and prints in season, I thought I could find some pieces with Jennifer Sanchez's color vision:

This Thread Social Striped Dress, $385, took the stripes off the left side of the Sanchez's print and put it on this cute party dress!

The attitude of this Zimmerman Dusk Triple Fold Strapless Dress, $495, is similar to the main focus of the art piece.

All colors into one item... Forever 21 Fringed Scarf, $9.

Forever 21 Splatter T-shirt, $16. Possibly designed by Jennifer Sanchez??! Very, Very similar direction.

Chit Chat Woman of the Week: Olivia Wilde

Frankly any woman who can grace the cover of Maxim’s Hot 100 issue deserves woman of the week in my book (I will hold out to a few exceptions, though). Olivia Wilde is a gorgeous, fashionably daring 25 year old ingénue. At 18 she eloped with an Italian Prince and is openly bisexual (oh, but to dream! … about the Italian Prince, of course!). Currently, you can find her gracing slick HD Flat Screens in the medical drama “House” where she plays an equally interesting female role. Oh, and just to spark some nostalgia: one should most certainly remember her as the daring, rebellious blonde on “The OC” who seduces Marissa to be her lover. Bravo, Maxim! Well picked.



www.theinsider.com
Olivia Wilde at the Golden Globes showing off her Jimmy Choo sandals

Another Shopping Search: Nude Shoes

A+O Dress.. So bright and fun!

I found the dress that I will be wearing to the wedding this weekend, this Alice + Olivia Strapless Safari Dress as mentioned in "Monday Woes." Last night I was looking through my pile of shoes to see if any would complete the outfit, and I thought a couple might be able to...

My cream Calvin Klein Dail's or my brown Nine West Balboa's

But now I'm thinking a nude heel... Ideally I wish I could wear this timeless pair of Nude Christian Louboutin Simple Pumps, but that's out of the question.

Sigh...One day....

With Endless.com and Zappos.com having overnight shipping... I could potentially search out a new pair of nude shoes for the wedding by Thursday, and then receive them on Friday. So lets just see what shoes are available on these sites:

rsvp Dolly Peep-toed Pumps, $105. These are cushioned by Footpetals, probably great for the reception dancing! The price is still slightly steep for me at the moment.

Nine West Rocha, $79. A good alternative to the Louboutins!

BCBGeneration Ariel Peep-toe, $89. Simple peep-toe, very wearable with any outfit.

Obviously I need help, either I spend more money... or use what I have. I think I am clinically a shopaholic? Yet, I think the only treatment is retail therapy...

Let me know your thoughts about what shoe would be best for the occasion. : )

Current Shopping Search: Bedding

Right now I have a turquoise with white printing duvet cover on my bed. I love it so much! but right now the duvet with the goose down comforter is getting to be too warm with the up and coming summer. So now I'm looking for the perfect summer quilt or comforter to keep me cozy during the hazy nights. Here are some I've glanced at...





Delano Quilt Set, $60. Fun colors and shapes!

















Peri Quilt Set, $60. Reminds me of a Tibi print dress. I love this!


















Anthropologie Quintana Roo Quilt, $198. You have to buy the shams individually... $$ adds up eek..














I am also going to scan T.J. Maxx, Marshalls HomeGoods, Ross, and Steinmart to see what discounted bedding they have. They often have beautiful pieces, but the shams are sold separately, and you can't find the matching ones. Or I could improvise with a different pattern.. hmm... the interior designing ponders..

Monday Woes

After a fantastic weekend of sunshine and rain, I return to the office where the sunlight shines through a slim window onto my work desk. I can now reflect on some poor decisions like drinking that tequila Friday night, then proceeding to drink out of a Franzia bag. But I can also reflect off of some accomplishments, like getting up on the kiteboard for more than five seconds (Yeah!), and appreciate some quality time spent with the boy and puppy. Last night was an actual date night with my boyfriend, dinner and a movie! Started out with some half-priced Tex-Mex food, and led onto two action movies back to back. Secretly, we snuck into the second movie because it started as the one before us ended. We felt like those rebellious teenagers that spend a whole day at the movie theater thinking they are so, so, so slick. But unlike those teenagers, we didn't have a bed time, and the movies didn't end until 1:00 am. So on that note, I am now back in the office at 8:00 am so VERY tired but incredibly satisfied with this past weekend's activities. I now just think about what can get me through the rest of the week... Some online shopping (Botkier private sale on Gilt this Tuesday!), some partying (I am attending a wedding this weekend! And I found my dress Alice and Olivia Strapless Safari Dress, $277, and here is a ShopBop feature on "What to Wear For Summer Weddings"), and some sun (the weather is supposed to be mid 80s).

Alice + Olivia Strapless Safari Print Dress

So cheers! to the week ahead, lets all hope it flies by fast, and that the weekend blesses us with gorgeous weather and a few cocktails.

Chit Chat Woman of the Week: Stella McCartney

Stunning ladies in their Stella creations!!!! More pics found at StyleFrizz.com

She had three beautiful muses dressed in her gowns at the Oscars of fashion, the 2009 MET Ball in NYC. Liv Tyler, Kate Hudson, and Kate Bosworth all wore Stella's body fitted dresses for the chic evening. Two of them were styled by reality star/Hollywood stylist Rachel Zoe (Liv and Kate H.) Over all Ms. McCartney had a successful evening presenting how GLAMOROUS her dresses are! Apparently Stella, Liv and Kate H. were inseparable the following night, and were seen at Time's Most Influential People Gala together.

An honorable mention goes to Ms. Cindy Crawford. She was looking extremely confident and fabulous in her bold, blue, and daring Versace dress. Despite the news of a lawsuit against her husband, Rande Gerber, she stands strong and radiant for this stylish event.

Hot mama! Photo taken from The Huffington Post. More photos of lovely Ms. Crawford at StyleFrizz.com.

Felize Cinco de Mayo!!

Yet another holiday to promote the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Raise your Coronas, Dos XX, margaritas, and tequila shots in the air! Since it's a work night, start early and then go to bed early right? I am planning to take it slightly easy since tequila turns me into an alter ego. I don't want to over consume on calories because my favorite frozen drink, a margarita, has far too many calories to have more than one serving. So on that, I thank Miss Bethenny Frankel from the Real Housewives of NYC for her Skinny Girl Margarita:

On the Rocks

• 2 oz of Clear Premium Tequila (count 1, 2 while you pour, no need for measuring) (Patron)


• Tiny splash of Orange Liquor (Triple Sec)


• Juice of four Fresh Lime Wedges

So wear your fiesta dresses and sombreros proudly and salsa the night away!

Anna Sui Rose Festival Dress, $608 (I probably wouldn't party in this dress out on a night with tequila in fear I may ruin it... but it is so festive!)

"It's not my fault, it's how I'm programmed to function" - LiLy AlLeN!

Two weeks have passed since I was immeasurably entertained by the gracious Lily Allen at the 930 Club in Washington, D.C. It was absolutely amazing music, a simple yet colorful set with an all-male band (of course) backing her up, and she was definitely enjoying a cig and white wine spritzer (or two) on stage. Love! Madamoiselle Lily covered most of her new release It's Not Me, It's You & added in some Marc Ronson, "Oh My God," (a particular fav of mine and for those of you not musically cultured, that's Samantha Ronson's brother, a.k.a. La Lohan's ex's brother). She encored with, in true Lily style, a jazzy, soulful rendition of Britney Spears' "Womanizier," which caused the sold-out venue to just go nuts. I don't think Britney could have entertained that number any where near as fabulous as she did. F-ing fantastic!!!



[Lily was sporting what first appeared to me to be a white romper outfit - adorably sexy in every way - but as I was practicing my online browsing addiction theother day I stumbled across this fabulous Pencey white studded dress on CUSP. It looks uncannily identical to what Lily was sporting for the majority of her show.  Thus, I'm thinking that this probably was the adorable little number I praised in my head when I first saw her come out opening with the track, "Everyone's At It."]

"Womanizer, woman-womanizer, you're a womanizer!"