La vie...J'aime: 06.09

6.30.2009

Strapped in

2009 has seen a shoe that has transcended celebs from A list to D list, and at around $1500 each(!): the Differa shoe by Christian Louboutin. Starting with Heidi Klum in black at the Golden Globes in January to Kourtney Kardashian in white at a nightclub appearance this week in June...6 months later and this shoe is still making the rounds!

While it's not particularly my style, I can see the appeal...the height, sexy straps, and trademark red sole create quite a look. No doubt Carrie Bradshaw,
famous for her love of Choos and Louboutins,
would be sporting this style if SATC was still on the air.

If this shoe is your style, consider the gold version at Net-A-Porter or consider this look alike for a fraction of the cost!
What do you think?

The real deal.

Promiscuous 'Extravaganza' shoe, Zappos

Image credits:
Heidi Klum
Jennifer Lopez
Audrina Patridge
Kourtney Kardashian

6.29.2009

Minis

Two R&B divas showed up at the BET Awards in mini-dresses, the dress look du jour. Alicia's is by Jenny Packham, Beyonce's Balmain. I like the mini dress look; it shows off some skin but is different from a typical mini skirt and top.

These choices with longer sleeves really show off the legs!

Here are some everyday mini dress options.
Would you wear a mini dress?

Drawstring hoody dress, American Apparel
Sportier mini dress.

Ella Moss 'Ellasentials dress', Couture Candy
Short and sweet and versatile in a color that pops.

Urban Renewal floral sheet corset dress, Urban Outfitters
Love the corset style and button detail.

Voom off the shoulder dress, eDressMe
Perfect for a summer evening event or night out.

Stretch silk faille bubble dress, Max Studio
Mini LBD.

Cozy cotton mini dress, Free People
Light, airy, and chic.

Society for Rational dress, Satine Boutique
Love the pattern and how it's paired w/ boots!

6.26.2009

Blue, blue, pow

Create this look: Fergie by laviejaime on Polyvore.com

Fergie showed up at Menswear Fashion Week in Paris looking all blue, blue, pow in head-to-toe Louis Vuitton. I love this look on her; the mixing of black and navy with metallics rocks, especially as a dark brunette.

Of course, LV comes with a hefty price tag.
Here's my version for much less.

Ode to sweats and treats

In the ArtDaily.org postings this morning, I came across an announcement for the Sweets & Treats: Wayne Thiebaud show at the Norton Simon Museum in California. The image above was the main image featured, and it just struck me as fun and whimsical, and who doesn't love sweets and treats?

I did some research on Thiebaud, a Pop artist with most of his works created in the 1960s, and I found some more fun and tasty-looking images. The exhibition at Norton Simon highlights prints from this time, but he is most known for his paintings. Here are some of both, yum.

The Man in the Mirror

While I am sure the entire blogosphere and media world is still reeling from the sudden death of Michael Jackson, it felt wrong not to pay at least a small tribute to him in my posts today.

I, as we all were, was shocked to hear the news, driving up to my boyfriend's and frantically trying to find more info on my BlackBerry (while not getting in or causing massive accidents...not smart driving on my part).
Sadly, the rumors did turn out to be true.

I hope he is remembered for his music and the lasting influence on the music industry, his fashions, and unforgettable performances, over his personal life ups-and-downs. While many different people may describe him many different ways, in short, he was an icon.

Some iconic images above we will always remember, and here are my favorite MJ and Jackson 5 songs on my ipod:

The Way You Make Me Feel
P.Y.T.
Black or White
Blame it on the Boogie
Will You be There (Free Willy)
Man In the Mirror
Beat It
Billie Jean
I Want You Back
I'll Be There
Got to Be There

What is your favorite MJ/J5 song?

(images from people.com)

6.25.2009

Kyle's show

Update to Basically Human post a few weeks ago: this is the promo for the exhibition opening in NYC that my brother is in. The show then heads on to Dubai. Proud sister over here.

Check out kyleganson.com for some of his work. The piece in Basically Human is Transformation.

Go green

I don't remember subscribing to this e-newsletter, but every week I receive EcoStiletto's emails highlighting what's popular in eco-friendly fashion, makeup, design, etc. I am not particularly an organic girl, but do appreciate the need to go green in aspects of our lives (recycling and buying energy light bulbs, for two) due to the global warming induced changes we are facing. Designers from H&M to DKNY (pureDKNY line) to Banana Republic are launching new green lines made with organic materials and produced in eco-friendly manner.

I never thought to purchase such items, so I did some research and found some cute options ranging from designers who only offer organic pieces to ones who dabble in this new trend (that seems to have longevity, so maybe it's not really a "trend"?).
Do you dress green?

Maxine Dillon diamond pleat skirt, Revolve Clothing
100% organic cotton, 100% recycled poly.

Bamako Cheetah dress, EDUN
100% organic cotton.

Larsen Gray military cardi, Basic Boutique
100% recycled wool.

Good Society organic slim jeans, Saks
Organic cotton.

Gemma tank, Quiksilver
100% organic cotton yarn dyed.

B with G print organic cotton tee, Nordstroms
Organic cotton.

6.24.2009

Behind "the bible"

Totally cannot wait to see this movie, out in August! It shows an in depth, behind the scenes look at Vogue, revolving specifically around the publication of their September 2007 issue (September is notoriously a huge issue for fashion magazines).

I work at a magazine myself, so I love to see what goes on in other publications. I enjoyed the show Running in Heels about the interns at Marie Claire. Something tells me Anna Wintour will make The September Issue rise above and beyond catty intern fights.

Apparently the Sept 2007 issue was Vogue's biggest in the magazine's history... With the failing economy, I am sure you've noticed the thinning of magazines due to dropped ad pages. I will be interested to see the size of Vogue September 2009.

Let's get physical

I joined Bally's gym in January in hopes of getting in shape for a trip to Florida in February. I was good: I went at least 3x a week and genuinely felt an improvement in my energy level and waistband (it was looser!). Despite the positive results, since that time I have struggled to get back into the 3x/week routine, making it 0, 1, or 2 times a week. I am trying to get back and maybe some inspiration will come from some cute clothes to sport while I am "sporting"
(or in my case, elliptical machine-ing).
I normally workout in a tank with yoga pants and New Balance sneaks. However you choose to work it out or get physical, what do you wear?

Easy tone shoe, Reebok
On my list for my next workout shoes!

PHD ultra light sock, Athleta
Cute colors and fun geometric design.

Yellowman 'Henna skirted capri', Athleta
Nice for the few times I decide to do yoga.

Women's circle print bra, Under Armour
Love the color and pattern.

'Rock It' tank, Lululemon
Rock it...in my fave color.

Women's 'Santiago IV' reversible sackpack, Adidas
Reversal and just $10...2 for the price of 1!

(CD covers from amazon.com)

6.23.2009

Prep yourself

First comes Gossip Girl, then comes NYC Prep.
It was inevitable that Bravo would create a "real"

show following the lives of Manhattan's elite...all under 18.
While GG is on hiatus, I am sure NYC Prep will be able to satisfy our need for scandals and high society high school life for the summer. Will you watch the premiere tonight at 10?

Prep yourself with these pieces...

Lauren by Ralph Lauren 'Goodman' Crested blazer, Bloomingdale's
Pair with jeans and a polo shirt.

Contrast polo dress, Lacoste
Wear out to coffee or over a swimsuit.

Silk-habotai placket polo, JCrew
Perfect with madras or seersucker shorts.

Satin bow knot headband, Forever 21
A staple, according to Blair Waldorf.

Reva ballet flat, Tory Burch
A new must-have in footwear.

brIT girl

Teen Vogue's August cover girl is the one of the newest it girls on the scene these days: Emma Watson. With these photos, including her current gig as Burberry's fall 09 face, and her recent red carpet/party appearances, Emma proves at her young age (just 19!) she is going to be a force in her coming years. I love the rich colors and unique silhouettes in the Teen Vogue spread. Be sure to check out more gorgeous images on Teen Vogue's website.

Burberry ad

Some fabulous Emma looks in 2009
(all images from InStyle.com)

Rodarte

Temperley London

Chanel

6.22.2009

Zipped!

In my mind, one of the best trends of the past year has been the exposed zipper. On the runways and in retail stores, this trend has shown up at various price points. Ranging from chic mini dresses with an exposed back zipper to zippered gladiators to zipper inspired jewelry, here are some of my faves to get in on this zippered action...