jingle bell cheer.

Thanksgiving Resolutions

I feel like this week has made me realize that New Years Resolutions don’t literally have to be in the New Years Season. So, what are my resolutions? Simple.

1. Fashion: I don’t want to have those tee and jeans days anymore.

2. Attitude: Optimism

3. Time management: Get through work that needs to be done more quickly yet thoroughly.

What’s on your list?

 

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Gossip Girl Inspiration

As I’m sure I’ve mentioned, I’ve never seen Gossip Girl. Well… That will change. The new season begins Monday, and I’m geared up! I’ll tivo it for sure, but I hope I get to watch it live. I do not have much time on my hands. I don’t know what I was thinking when I signed up for this year’s classes. (Can you say too much on my plate?)

Anyway, I would like to (attempt) to explain my inspiration.

This photo is simply, utterly, fantastically GORGEOUS.

With Blair’s outfit so pretty and put together, and Serena’s so bright and beautifully-clashy.

Single items I’m in love with? That electric blue Chanel tote, Serena’s simple necklace, and Blair’s hot pink belt.

Their style, their manners, their lifestyle… leaves me so jealous.

Opperation make life seem as amazing as theirs?

It’s a go.

Quite Possibly…

This is the most gorgeous bag ever.

I need this bag.

It is in my shopping cart, and I’m trying to figure out if I should get this bag, or this dress (http://www.metroparkusa.com/fashion/women/scrapbook/item/7206/Zip-Front-Stiped-Dress/sale)

Opinions?

I love clothes, bags and shoes… so much.

always, rachel

(By the way, happy labor day!)

Models off the runway

Why do I always love what models wear when they’re off the runway?

Closets of the rich & famous

Is anyone else as jealous as I am right now?

I’m speechless.

Think of all the possibility of such a variety of clothing, shoes, accessories, and bags.

Oh, I’m sorry. Was I drooling?

Mariah Carey, Eva Longoria, Nicky Hilton, Paula Abdul, and Kimora Lee Simmons… lucky girls (That’s an understatement).

Posh: adjective

Posh (adj): Luxurious and fashionable; Elegant. (Yourdictionary.com/posh)

So imagine me (well that could possibly be difficult since I am sure that you do not know much… send a comment or an email my way for a FAQ page), sitting in front of my sleek, little laptop, legs folded girlishly underneath me, sitting on my favorite spot on the suede sectional. I’m virtually sifting through images, clearly searching for the one that relishes some sort of spark. Some sort of inspiration. Just when I was about to let my computer rest for the evening, I found it. Or shall I say, them.

All of the beautiful, stylish women in this collage have one thing in common: In one way or the next, they have mastered the “I am oh so famulous and sophisticated with my Chanel glasses perched at the edge of my nose” type look. Once a closer look has been taken, it becomes obvious that the very style each one of these women posses is easily achieved and flexible with personal tastes and preferences.

Let’s begin with Audrey. Audrey Hepburn–the iconic character for the color black, anything and everything glamour, and known for her classic style. How to aquire? A-line skirts, feminine ruffles, diamond earrings & necklaces, pearl necklaces & earrings, oversized, black, round sunglasses, black leather pumps (not to high), hair pins, boat-neck dresses, high waisted skirts, etc. Think of crisp, clean palates of colors and an old fashioned touch.

Blair Waldorf. I must admit something. I have never seen Gossip Girl. Never. I do emerse myself in still shots from the set. The outfits are beautiful in a very preppy, fashionable, high-class type of way. And I like it. Blair, from what I have gathered in my short-lived research escapade was  that she is the “queen-bee” (cliché) of New York. Her style, though seemingly easy to replicate is tough to duplicate originally. Ignore the oxymorone and let us continue. It is obvious when a girl dresses like Blair. Or anyone from the cast for that matter. There is a way, however, to borrow the upper-east-side style and still make it your own.

1. Stay away from headbands. They are Miss Blair’s signature item, so you must find your own. A silver necklace? Pearl earrings? Gold chain bracelets? Figure out what simple go-with-everything piece you love and stick with it.

2. Outerwear is a must. Where I live, it is not needed very frequently. To my mix of dismay and glee, I only own a few coats. In the winter months I wear them through the mornings, and then sling them over my arm. I do love them, though. A chocolate brown bb dakota wool peacoat and a just-above-the-knee-length light blue Coach trench coat are rotated in most often into my wardrobe.

3. Embrace femininity. Skirts and dresses are typically the most preppy looks (I do not think I have seen a picture of Blair in anything but dresses. Have you?) and are very versatile. Navy  knit skirts, cream linen minis, and black pencil skirts are all very gossip girl, but still can be very you, which is the important thing.

The Olsen Style. In all honesty I can not even explain to you in any simple statements, what their style is. If I may, I will leave you with one, single word. Quirky. I think that covers it.

Victoria Beckham/Miranda Priestly style. Two different women–one fictional and one real, with two similar styles. It is that chic type of look that can be difficult to define. To me, it means long faux fur coats (think Eloise at Christmastime the movie–when her mother walks into the plaza on Christmas Eve), dark glasses, sky-high heels, piles of jewelry, etc. Victoria embraces the more, ahem, form fitting styles when it comes to her dresses and skirts, while Miranda wears flattering A-lines, and ruffles hemlines.

& So I leave you with this:

Pull out your round, dark shades, find the “posh” style that works for you, & strut your (stylish) stuff.

In the summertime when the weather is hot…

In the autumn and winter months I long to go back in time when the weather was warm and balmy, the pool was revitalizing and convivial; the pitcher of lemonade was an endless remedy for severe heat.  That flawless yet disorderly season is finally upon us. It seems to have a silent persuasion that makes one get dressed in the most insufficient of outfits—shorts and tees. Not the sheer and chic tees made by Stella McCartney, or the beautiful Linen Bermudas made by Theory.  No, I am speaking of the forbidden (and unflattering) unisex shirts and gym shorts. And the makeup routine—it is much too far below minimal. I am all for being natural & sunkissed, effortless, & undemanding. Nevertheless, I am for looking put together. I am hoping that this post will shed light on finding the ideal compromise.

First and foremost—the hair. There is something wholly appealing about undone hair. Quite possibly, it could be how beautifully it is portrayed in this photo–the beachy waves met with the slept-in texture. A quick, yet effective scrunch with a handful of foaming mousse executes the stunt with ultimate aptness.

Tip: For blonde hair that longs to be lighter and brighter, apply lemon juice generously followed with a lesuirely day in the sun. Something about the mix of sunshine and lemon juice works wonders.

Subsequently, the makeup. When I think of a summer makeup routine, the word goddess comes to mind. The flawlessly chic bronzed skin with satiny pink blush applied to fabulously high cheekbones.  The eyes, once called the windows into the soul, decked in shimmering champagne shadows and natural, brown liner. A coat of clear mascara on delicately curled lashes and perfection has been attained.

Finally, the clothing. Summer is all about durability and simplicity. While romping on the beach, strolling through Central Park, going horseback riding in the South—whatever your summer will bring, you want to look chic but… comfortable. The word that brings images of chunky sneakers and elastic waistband pants to mind. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be that way. (Insert sigh of relief here).  My choice of bottoms? Fabulously ripped shorts. The flaws of the distressed denim makes them  all the more gorgeous. For tops, I stick with clean lines, simple patterns or solids, light colors including the colors white and black. Flat leather sandals encrusted with expensive looking jewels and studded with jade stones, patent ballerina flats, and leather sky-high peep-toe heels make for a win-win situation. They are all gorgeous, and oh so comfortable.

When it comes to bags (ah, the bags, I get excited even thinking about them), slouchy bags in jewel-tones with gold hardware are my pick. Something that drips and oozes with the word glamour. Jewelry in the summer should be delicate (or chunky) chains, metal chandelier earrings and bohemian leather bracelets. Mixing all of these bits and pieces together establishes a drool-worthy, relaxed outfit.

So now, with all of this in mind, seize your summer, put on your round Chanel shades, blow a kiss with your glossy lips, and show the world your natural and stylish, sunkissed self ♥

new!

Ciao! This shall be just a quick, little post. So here it goes:

There is a new section of con brio titled ‘about’– Take a small peek at it, will you?

I hope you are all savoring your summer to it’s full extent. Any exciting plans for the highly anticipated fourth of July tomorrow? (Personally, I think I will spend a considerable amount of time figuring out how to make an American-chic red, white, and blue outfit. Then, I will most likely go for a swim, visit the Independence Day party for my city, finishing it off with a plethora of watermelon and lemonade.) Tell me, what kinds of fashionably chic ensembles have you all been wearing lately? (Click the comment button and type away!) I’ve been committing fashion sins for the past few days, I’m afraid. I have been falling back on tee shirts that are hardly flattering, and gym shorts that are anything but. Don’t worry. I’ve punished myself by not going into the jacuzzi tonight (It is excessively tempting, trust me).

Buonanotte, goodnight!

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To do

I was commenting on La Couturier’s blog with my summer to-do list, and I thought I would also share it here.

To do:

Do pilates a few times a week, go to H&M (for the first time!), stop wearing foundation for good, have a lemonade stand, wear sunscreen (resist the urge to tan), develop a style (Bohemian, girly, rocker, I just can’t seem to choose, even though I know I want a constant style), and develop a breezy, carefree, happy-go-lucky attitude.

Ah, summer.