Charming Catherine

If you are anything like me, then you may just be extremely obsessed interested in what Catherine the Dutchess of Cambridge (formerly Kate Middleton) wears when she's out and about (I'm super excited about seeing what she's going to wear on her trip to Canada and the US - they are on their way over as we speak).  Recently, she was handing out medals on Armed Forces Day and her bracelet caught my eye. 

Alexander McQueen coat dress

Hmmm, she's sporting a single charm, engraved (with a C and a crown!) bracelet.  So simple and chic!  I have a few charm bracelets in my jewlery box and it's like feast or famine with my wearing them.  I either can't wear them enough or they just sit there for weeks months at a time.  I may just be putting them back in rotation again after seeing this.  I picked out a few options in silver and gold, all of them are under $100 - except that darn Tiffany one smack dab in the middle of the silver choices.  You can't do a post about charm bracelets and not include at least one option from Tiffany.  What do you think, do you like charm bracelets?

Bracelets by Juicy Couture
Bracelets at Max & Chloe

Bracelets by Juicy Couture
Bracelets by Kenneth Jay Lane

Images via Getty Images

My Five - Alexander McQueen Resort 2012

Another gorgeous collection from Sarah Burton!  Enjoy!

Images via Style.com

I Want This! - Petit Bateau Colorblock Tee Dress

I've had my eye on this dress for a while now - I love both colorways.  Such an effortless way to partake in the colorblocking trend!  Of course it's Petit Bateau so their "women's" sizing is actually for 12-18 year old kids so I'm thinking even a large won't fit this lady.  Boo...

Petit Bateau short-sleeve tee dress - on sale now for $64.40

NYC Museum Report - Color Moves: Art & Fashion by Sonia Delaunay at Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum

Contributor Laura Johnson checking in again with another exhibition report. Laura is a gifted textile designer and colorist with 20 years of experience who lives and works in Manhattan. Because we all can't live in or visit NYC regularly she'll be checking in from time to time to report about exhibits and other interesting tidbits happening there.

The Color Moves: Art & Fashion by Sonia Delaunay at the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum  is one of the best I have seen this year. The show includes some garments and many, many textile designs There are multiple colorways shown for some, which I found especially enjoyable.

Source: dwellstudio.com via Jenny on Pinterest

Sonia Delaunay and her husband Robert were members and among the founders of the Orphism movement, which emphasized geometric shapes and the use of strong colors. What makes her especially interesting is the way that she was a female artist and a modern designer.

via NY Times

Her work included painting, set designs, textiles, clothing and furniture. She was also the first living female artist to have a retrospective of her work at the Louvre.

Source: dwellstudio.com via Jenny on Pinterest

Here is a link to the NY Times review of the show for some additional information about Sonia Delaunay.

Friend Friday - Blogging and Fashion

I'm joining up with Katy of Modly Chic again for FBFF!  This week is all about how being a fashion blogger has or hasn't changed and/or influenced us. 

Source: luxeislife.blogspot.com via Jenny on Pinterest

1. Since you began blogging do you notice a change in the types of things you gravitate towards while shopping?
Totally, I'm more about accessories now and mixing patterns and colors.  It's nice to see different clothing combinations/options on real people and not models in magazines.  It makes a difference in what I can picture myself wearing.

2. Do you find, as a fashion blogger, that you dress differently from your family and friends? Do they comment on that?
Not really, I've never been that cutting edge, the only thing that people generally comment on, in regards to what I'm wearing, are my shoes.  I love unique and colorful shoes!

3. What’s the weirdest fashion that you secretly like, even if you aren’t bold enough to wear it?
I really like people who go totally theatrical with their clothing (like Daphne Guinness and Anna Della Russo) but I just don't think I have the personality to pull it off.

4. Looking at current trends – what would you like to try but need to build up the courage to do?
Well, it's not super current but I would love to wear some short shorts with high heels.  And I would love to try some mega-tall platforms but am so afraid that I would fall flat on my face (I'm not the most coordinated person on Earth - lol)

5. Toot someone’s horn – what fashion blogger out there inspires you with her bold fashion choices?
This one is hard and it's a tie.  I adore Shannan from Merci Blah Blah's vintage finds and accessorizing and I love Oomph's mixing, matching and manicures. 

Source: merciblahblah.blogspot.com via Jenny on Pinterest

Source: rockoomph.blogspot.com via Jenny on Pinterest

See what I mean?  They both rock some seriously awesome shoes and they make it look so easy. Either one of them can come and style me up anytime :o)

Check out what everyone else had to say here.  Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Random Bits

I'm having one of those weeks where I'm scattered and flustered and just in a funk.  Ever have one of those?  It's so darn hard to shake for some reason.  I think the best word to describe my mood would be "brooding" and not in a cool James Dean way.  Ah well, I'll get over it, in the meantime here are some random tidbits that have been floating around waiting for a post.

Remember that Friend Friday post when I referred to the old Donna Karan ads that I liked?  Well, before we packed up and moved I found the ads in my Donna Karan inspiration notebook (yeah, I have not one, but two Donna notebooks - there's over a decade of love in those).  Here are a few:

See what I mean?  So glam and  feminine yet so empowering - I mean with a tagline like "In Women We Trust" how can it not be?  Oh I love you Donna!

Check out how DKNY t-shirts used to be packaged when they first came out:

Yeah, in a giant tea bag - so cute!  (of course I kept one - how could you not?)

And here are some clothes that I had to pack up and put into storage - things I don't wear a lot, but just can't get rid of :o(

Wonder when I'll see these again (boo hoo).  Oh well, just call me a hoarder - lol!

Have a great week!

NYC Museum Report - Knoll Textiles at The Bard Graduate Center Gallery

Knoll Textiles, 1945-2010
The Bard Graduate Center Gallery
May 18 - July 31, 2011

Contributor Laura Johnson checking in again with another exhibition report.  Laura is a gifted textile designer and colorist with 20 years of experience who lives and works in Manhattan.  Because we all can't live in or visit NYC regularly she'll be checking in from time to time to report about exhibits and other interesting tidbits happening there.

Air Rights (“Satellite” colorway)

Suzanne Tick (American, born 1959)

KnollTextiles

Photographer: Bruce White

The Bard Graduate Center Gallery is a great little place to keep an eye on for shows. This summer they have a wonderful exhibit on KnollTextiles, covering several decades of amazing designs and innovative materials. Knoll is known for using great designers, and this show included textiles by Anni Albers, Alexander Girard, Sheila Hicks, Jhane Barnes, Suzanne Tick and others. The show does a wonderful job of bringing both the Knoll brand and the role of textiles in the history of modern interiors and design to the forefront of public attention.  I found that while I was rather familiar with the woven textiles,there were some amazing prints that I had never seen before.
 

Pyramid (“Violet/Purple” colorway)

Christa Häusler-Goltz (German, born 1943)

Photographer: Bruce White

It was also interesting to read about the history of the textiles department.  So many talented designers have been associated with Knoll, it is no wonder that they are the leader in this arena. 

Mepal (“Willow” colorway)

Proenza Schouler (Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez: both American, born 1978)

Photographer: Bruce White

Also included in the show were some great classic pieces of furniture with their original upholstery and fun examples of sampling systems that Knoll has used over the years.

Astrid Sampe. Rugby upholstery (Two-Tone Orange colorway) on Model 71 armchair designed by Eero Saarinen, ca. 1955. Made for Knoll Textiles, chair made for Knoll Associates. Photo: Bruce White.

All images via The Bard Graduate Center Gallery

Friend Friday - Summer Recipe

I'm joining up with Katy at Modly Chic for FBFF again!  Today everyone is going to share a recipe for their favorite Summer dish.  Yay!

This is a recipe I got from Real Simple magazine - I've gotten so many wonderful (and easy) recipes from that magazine, it's totally changed my cooking life you could say!  We make this at least once a week this time of year, I usually don't add the salami because the hubby isn't a fan, but sometimes I'll add it to just my portion.  It's great with or without the salami.  I generally double the recipe.  Here it is:
Pasta Salad with Salami and Mozzarella (via Real Simple)
Ingredients

2 cups gemelli (or other short pasta) - I usually use bowtie
2 cups chopped spinach
1 cup grape tomatoes (halved)
4 ounces fresh mozzarella, cut into pieces
2 ounces salami, cut into pieces
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
kosher salt and black pepper

Directions

1.Cook pasta according to the package directions; drain and rinse under cold water. Toss in a large bowl with the spinach, grape tomatoes, mozzarella, and salami.

2.Whisk together the olive oil, white wine vinegar, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Drizzle the salad with the vinaigrette before serving.

It's so easy and so yummy!  Check out what everyone else is making here!
 
Image photographed by Charles Masters via Real Simple

My Five - Michael Kors Fall 2011

This collection is exactly what you expect from Michael Kors - classic, American, luxurious clothing - with a very straightforward color palette of mostly greys, black, red, camel and winter white.  Gorgeous!  Here are my picks:

Images via Style.com

NYC Museum Report - Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty at the Met

Today I'm so happy to welcome a new contributor to my little ol' blog.  My dear friend and former colleague Laura Johnson.  Laura is a gifted textile designer and colorist with 20 years of experience who lives and works in Manhattan.  Because we all can't live in or visit NYC regularly she'll be checking in from time to time to report about exhibits and other interesting tidbits happening there.  I know I always love hearing her thoughts about these things and I wanted to share them with you all too!  So without further ado, we will begin with the biggest exhibit with the most buzz going on right now - Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty at the Met's Costume Institute (which Laura has been to TWICE - I'm so jealous)!  Take it away Laura...
 

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is packed these days, everyone is going to see the Alexander McQueen show, and for good reason. If you are in the NYC area, I highly recommend making the time and battling the crowds (try a weekday; I heard there was a 45 minute wait one Saturday). The exhibit is extremely theatrical. Each room is a unique setting, completely transformed with music and sounds accompanying the work. It almost feels as if you are traversing a fun house of sorts.


In the first room you see an amazing collection of his tailoring, including some wonderfully low slung pants. There is a Cabinet of Curiosities room that has an amazing selection of accessories. Videos play on the walls from some of his most dramatic runway shows. As you continue from room to room you see work that is technically amazing, beautiful, torturous and ethereal. There is so much talent on display. For a man who died at 40, what a body of work he left behind. You leave feeling almost stunned by it.

Dress, No. 13, spring/summer 1999

Photograph by Sølve Sundsbø

 Here's how it was created on the runway.

Corset, Dante, autumn/winter 1996-1997

Photograph by Sølve Sundsbø

Jacket, Joan, autumn/winter 1998-1999

Photograph by Sølve Sundsbø

Dress, Widows of Culloden, autumn/winter 2006-2007

Photograph by Sølve Sundsbø

Dress, The Horn of Plenty, autumn/winter 2009-2010

Photograph by Sølve Sundsbø

Ensemble, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, autumn/winter 2002-2003

Photograph by Sølve Sundsbø

"Oyster" Dress, Irere, spring/summer 2003

Photograph by Sølve Sundsbø

All images via The Met

My Take - Brooklyn Decker color combo

Here's a great look on Brooklyn Decker - I'm actually more jazzed about the color combo than the outfit itself. 

I love that sort of olive/army green dress color with the blue pumps.  Gorgeous!  I actually put these looks together a couple of months ago and then promptly forgot about them - lost in the shuffle I guess.  Here are a few outfits in this color combo - enjoy!

Day Dresses by Madewell
Flats by Wanted

Day Dresses by J.Crew
Flats by J. Jill

Platforms by Jessica Simpson
Day Dresses by Made For Loving

Image of Brooklyn Decker via unknown (and I'm usually so good about knowing - grrr)