Saying Goodbye To A Legend

Oscar de la Renta might as well invented the word timeless for his designs constantly captured such a breathtaking perfection. The designer was the rare kind of artist who could combine sophistication, drama, and softness all in one look. Over the years, Oscar never failed to awe with his charming designs and personality. I've found such inspiration from following not just his amazing collections but also his representation of himself and his brand (as seen through his interaction with the new tech age). For me, Oscar de la Renta has always symbolized the ideal brand to work for - one that valued creativity and ambition. 

I'm not one to romanticize but Oscar de la Renta's art and presence in the fashion industry gave us all a reason to be dreamers. With his ear to ear full smile, Oscar always seemed so full of life. The intriguing sense of beauty he brought with his talent and his charisma makes this recent loss even more tragic.

Rest in peace to an amazing icon, you've left a mark that will never be forgotten xx

"The qualities I admire most in a woman are confidence and kindness."

-Oscar de la Renta

2014 Emmy's : Best Dressed

Sarah Hyland

The Modern Family actress got one last good use of the summer crop top style with this trendy yet elegant look. The coral Christian Siriano skirt was poofy enough for award season but playful enough to highlight Sarah's youth. On a totally bias note, loving the ombré pulled into the bun!

Lizzy Caplan

Oh Janis, if Regina George could see you now! Now THIS is how you wear a cutout, revealing dress in a classy (and safe!) way. Lizzy Caplan stunned in this DKNY Atelier gown. And that drop in the back - gorgeous gorgeous!

Sofia Vergara 

Sure it's nothing crazy, but it's definitely different from Sofia's usual mermaid gowns. The white Roberto Cavalli with her blonde hair gives a sweet, angelic vibe!

Camila Alves 

She might be there as a date but don't count Camila out as just some good arm candy. Matthew McConaughey's leading lady looked absolutely timeless in this abstract Zuhair Murad. Total knockout!

Gwen Stefani

God damn god damn GOD DAMN! Beautiful! I'm not a huge fan of the hair/makeup as it makes Gwen look almost unrecognizable but that outfit! The glitter, that cut, the fact that it's a two piece  - so classic. Versace, fierce as always. 

Kerry Washington 

What better way to mark the return of primetime TV than with Olivia Pope. Even through her pregnancy, Washington never shied away from fashion risks so it's no shocker her look was one of the more different looks of the night. The orange Prada with the blue glittery peek a boo in her slit was a gorgeous Emmys look. A little end of summer, a little fall fashion, and a whole lot of chic. Best Dressed - it's handled.

***Flawless

Like most people with good taste and appreciation for perfection, I love Beyonce. And after seeing her in concert again for the On the Run tour, I was even more convinced that she really can do no wrong. As always, Bey was on her A game and when I wasn't gasping for breath while trying to keep up with her choreography, I was fawning over her 1,000 wardrobe changes. With all that glitter and fabulousness, she's clearly the queen for a reason.

It's not a Beyonce concert without a little bodysuit action. With the nets and boots combo, this Atelier Versace gave Bey the perfect edgy vibe for her summer tour.

Another Atelier Versace costume, and my personal fav, Mrs. Carter stunned in this leotard as she rocked the stadium with ***flawless. 

Denim on denim is probably the biggest no-no yet Beyonce's Diesel jumpsuit commanded attention in the most flattering way. Bonus points for hair flipping with such a dramatic headpiece! 

The most fashion forward out of all the costumes, designer Michael Costello explained that the black lace Victorian looking outfit was inspired by Queen B's legendary hair. Honestly, isn't everything inspired by those gorgeous locks? 

Because It's the Cup...The World Cup

To be straight up and honest, I'm a total fair weathered soccer fan. I'm American and don't really understand the technicalities of the sport. I root for my teams based on who has the best chestnut quiff and most Beckham like tattoos (Hey Claudio Marachisio!). So with this year's much hyped World Cup, I decided to cease the moment, get into the festivities as much as possible, and try to figure out what's happening. That said, here are some World Cup ads that I do understand the passion behind:

"Nike Football: The Last Game"

Playing on the heart and love of the game, this Nike ad features an animation of some of the biggest World Cup players having to overcome the competition against perfectly constructed robots. As the commercials encourages, "there's no greater danger than playing it safe."

"Kia: Futbol vs Football"

Because it really does make absolute zero sense that we don't refer to soccer as football. So with the help of Brazilian supermodel Adriana Lima, we can all overcome the language barrier and understand why other countries are simply doing everything better.

"McDonalds: Gol!"

Everyone loves kicking the ball around. Little nuggets in the street training to be the next Cristiano Ronaldo, girls out clubbing in high heels...everyone loves it and is just really talented, capish? With this ad and it's GOL! app (yes I've used it), McDonalds really is acing their World Cup marketing.

"Adidas: The Game Never Ends"

It would be kind of sacrilegious to be talking soccer/football without mentioning Becks, no? In this ad, both present and past players come together for a playful match in the legend's home. Nostalgia factor: priceless.

"ESPN: I Believe"

And last but certainly not least, ESPN enlists some familiar famous American faces for a little patriotic encouragement. Who can resist a lovable underdog? 

Getting Fit With lulu!

I've never been a huge workout lover. The machines tend to bore me after a while, the attire always seems borderline tacky for the most part, and being out in public without a proper dosage of foundation is overrated. However, after developing a Zumba obsession, I gave a little more thinking to this workout thing and found that whole positive "love and light." That light was particularly found in the form of lululemon pink neon workout gear. And with warmer weather finally here, what better way to celebrate than with comfortable and fitting gym/lounge wear. (Spoiler: nothing)

The Essentials

Matchy Matchy

Seeing as I'm not a floral lover, I shocked myself with this little number. The chic, yet subtle design on the bottoms drew me in to a not so typical workout design. The matching shirt (props to my mama for finding) manages to somehow jazz up an outfit I will predominantly sweat in. And with the tight and body hugging crop pants, these lululemons are as close as I'll ever get to knowing how Beyonce must feel when showing off her assets.

Something Blue

It's not possible for me to shop without picking out a piece in my favorite color - blue. For a while, I was obsessed with finding a signature lulu tank with the built in sports bra and side cut out. The color this tank came in was an amazing added bonus!

Think Pink

The shirt that started my love. This long sleeve piece was perfect during the winter, working out or hanging around. Accommodating everything from the sleeves accenting vibrant nails (or just for your hands to hang through, whichever) to the built in "vents" for sweating. I still don't really understand how or why this shirt has so much going for it but I can verify it's working and it's perfect!

Cannes Couture

Remember a few summers ago when Blake Lively was living every girl's dream just chilling with Anna Wintour while Christian Louboutin named shoes after her? I couldn't stand her. Not the type of irritation that arises from jealousy, but the type where I actually couldn't stand to see her flaunting all over Vogue. But as time has changed, so have my feelings towards Lively. Due to her recent red carpet outings, I'm finally starting to appreciate her couture connections and fashionista title. Blake has matured from a flashy It Girl to total glam. Sign me up for the fan club because girl just made every other fashion moment at Cannes this year completely forgettable. 

Gucci and Blake Lively are an ideal designer/actress duo. Lively's previous pairing with Chanel, and even Marchesa, produced some beautiful looks but something always seemed a little out of place. Gucci, however, does a phenomenal job of complimenting Blake's bombshell appeal with their sultry appearances. This burgundy gown was stunning for the Cannes opening and the cut at the chest works great for her figure. 

On a slightly hypocritical note, Lively has never looked so amazing in Chanel. This is the most gorgeous dress I've seen from Chanel couture in years. Everything about the detailing is so original and what better setting to show that look than in France!

Just a little Giambattista Valli, no big deal. Blake made this little number look gorgeous, comfortable, and perfect for a summer vacation (a very expensive/luxurious vacation, but still).  

And boom! The opening movie for Cannes this year was based on Grace Kelly so it was nice that someone at the festival did pay a fashionable homage to the icon. Blake ended her Cannes run with another look from Gucci, this time veering more towards a timeless aura. She looks like a total movie star and even was meticulous enough to change her nail polish to red for an aw-worthy grand finale. If Cannes gave out awards for Best Festival Fashion, Blake Lively you easily would've won for this gown alone. 

Summer Must Haves

Every new season is defined by a change in the latest trend or pattern to come into fashion. Considering I'm pure east coast, I really try to take advantage of the summertime's new colorful and flirty styles after wearing all black for a good six months. Every girl needs at least a few vibrant standouts for the summer, so here are mine! 

Ombre

It's true what they say, once you bleach your hair you totally become addicted. Back in October, I got a little antsy and decided to add a shade of honey blonde into my hair. Even throughout the cold winter, my impulse continued to grow, leading me to touch up the color again in April. Now the summer is starting, the color vibrancy conditioner is in full force, and color pops have never been so much fun. Moral of the story: definitely brighten up your hair color this summer. 

The Summer Blues

No matter the season, I have a major obsession with the color blue. I live by the motto "Tiffany blue everything." Nevertheless, summer is the perfect time to indulge in this obsession. Bye bye bye to Essie's "Wicked" nail polish color and bonjour to "Barbados Blue" and "Bikini So Teeny." With these shades, your nails will be on permanent summer cruise vacation status. 

Patterned Shorts
I might be the last person to realize Aerie sells clothes and they're actually super adorable. The shop is seriously beach season heaven. However, the cute dresses aren't the only essentials for a summer wardrobe. The shorts with varying designs are perfect to dress up summer's usual casual style. My personal favorite? These white frilly pair which I can't wait to whip out for fourth of July!

Met Gala 2014

Warmer weather, lighter clothes, beach trips - none of these beginning of summer traditions have quite the same effect as the annual Met Gala. The extravagant event marks fashion's version of the Oscars, meaning the red carpet intensifies with a sprawling staircase and the dress expectations get even higher. This year, the theme was "Charles James: Beyond Fashion," calling for the chicest black tie New York City get together. 

J'adore Dior! Leave it to Charlize to bring the fierceness to the event. Charlize Theron killed it, as usual, in this black and white number. The real standout of this attire: those earrings! Talk about modernizing a classic event. 

With this Burberry gown, Suki Waterhouse showed why everyone should probably stop referring to her as just Bradley Cooper's girlfriend/Sookie Stackhouse (the ladder can't just be me?). The ruffles, gorgeous ombre, and dark lip totally gave Suki a well deserved entrance to the Delevigne/Smalls/Dunn supermodel crowd. 

Oscar de la Renta's gowns never fail with the intricate detailing and dramatic appeals. And for this reason exactly, I would never even think TSwift would fit with the brand's image. So kudos to both for combining Oscar's amazing talent and Taylor's love of sparkles for what made a fairytale come true on the steps of the Met. Bonus points for the appropriate use of red lip. 

This is what a dream couple looks like. The Beckhams, aka true British royalty, looked stunning in this simplistic, yet elegant combination. Posh took the event to smolder and wear her own design - flawless. How does one find such a sleek dress and man! 

It took me a few years to get on the Blake Lively train but this glamorous Gucci gown did me in. I need this girl to come out of her fashion retirement that resulted from her marriage and dominate again. The caping (my new favorite red carpet trend) and the fit of this gown have me SO ready for her fabulous reign this time. 

The queen of the Met Gala (sorry Anna). SJP strolled into this event with her hair high and Oscar de la Renta gown trailing on those red stairs like a true fashion icon. And the back of that dress! The monogram, the ODLR signature - gasp/swoon! This look is timeless and with every SJP moment, we are truly watching fashion history occur. 

A Day of Mourning

It was the cover seen around the world. And the one that completely destroyed Vogue's prestige. 

Anna Wintour's decision to put Kim Kardashian on the April cover (thanks to her beloved rapper fiance Kanye West) shook the fashion world today and resulted in humorous backlash. While the puns and slams have been funny to watch, it's hard to ignore the sadness of realizing Vogue just lost a ton of respect. By allowing a reality TV star, who rose to fame from her sex tape, be on the cover of a magazine that once prided itself in credibility and class, the magazine isn't just being controversial - it's being tasteless. 

Like many, I've always looked to Vogue as the ultimate bible and Anna as an iconic fashion influence (who could forget her first American cover with the bejeweled cross jacket and jeans combo?!) but this is easily a game changer for the worst. In the past, Vogue's notable transitions to combine classic and modern has been admirable. I've loved anxiously awaiting fresh copies of the magazine in the mail so I could frame covers, mark pages, and overall adore the latest trends. Now my mailbox will be stuffed with an issue that promotes a Kardashian as influential and does so by using a hashtag...seriously? There's no better setting for change than the fashion world. But there's also many better settings for this specific public figure that should not include Vogue. 

Side note: An amazing/redeeming comeback would include finally giving Victoria Beckham an American Vogue cover. And let Annie Leibovitz shoot it...she deserves some happiness after this mess. 

To SJP: A Woman of Many Shoes

Every female owes some sense of their fashion sense to Sarah Jessica Parker's reign as Carrie Bradshaw. After all, her valuable lessons included: showing us that running in heels isn't always chic and sometimes you face plant in Dior, Manolo Blahnik Mary Jane's are not an urban shoe myth, and of course, that you should definitely start own shoe registry to celebrate your single hood/fabulousness. From playing Carrie through the years and even holding her own as a fashion icon, it only makes sense to pay tribute to SJP's amazing shoe moments as she launches her own personal line at Nordstrom.

Ah the loubs! The red sole shoes are the ultimate designer shoe goal. And the combination of those sultry stilettos with the SATC iconic newspaper Dior dress made for a dreamy NYC moment.

SJP had multiple great ensembles with these vibrant Nicholas Kirkwood shoes. Only an aqua shade like that could make a major pop of color turn a sophisticated look into a trendy one. 

Another gorg Nicholas Kirkwood pairing! This time, SJP kept it classic in shimmery gold with these gladiator high heels. 

With an arch and pump that high, those straps provided style and safety on the cobblestone streets. SJP, always a role model when debating the height of a shoe. 

Last but definitely not least, Sarah Jessica's blue satin Manolo Blahniks from the Sex and the City movie. The heels symbolize everything one could ever want - an enormous walk in closet. Or in Carrie's case, a committed relationship but, priorities. 

      "Life is too short to wear boring shoes." 

Best Dressed: Oscars 2014

The 2014 Oscars displayed a range of trends consisting of pastels, capes, and even one daring actress who shut it down in black. The ladies absolutely brought it this year. And when Jared Leto is looking like an absolute smoke with that flowing ombre, they definitely had to work overtime to bring the prettiness. 

Cate Blanchett

The Blue Jasmine actress shimmered in this Armani gown which must've looked amazing in person with all of those jewels! The coloring was perfect for Cate's light complexion and usual posh appearance. Those intricate designs totally fit the royalty/Oscar winner (same thing right?) look. 

Charlize Theron

It's rare that any women dares to sport such a simple color like black. After all, the Oscars are a time for diamonds and trains, not the risk of being forgettable. So when Charlize strutted down the carpet in this sophisticated Dior dress, it was a game changer. Not a huge fan of the clear straps, but the combination of that neckline, necklace, and sheer bottom makes up for it. Now if she would just dispose the awful accessory that is Sean Penn, that'd be great. 

Lupita Nyong'o

Ah Lupita! Easily the best fashionista to come out of this past award season. She's worn nearly every color to these shows and nailed all of them. I wasn't sure how she was going to top her teal Gucci gown from the SAGs, but she definitely came close with this light blue Prada dress. Lupita took her big moment to shine with the go to princess dress and even added the classic headband to perfect her look. Timeless!

Jennifer Lawrence

Back in the day, long before her contract with Dior, JLaw used to shut it down on the red carpet with her fresh looks. Lawrence sure has changed from then, maturing with more classical looks, but it's nice to see a nod to her past styling. Major props to her stylist for doing a throwback with this red Dior gown to her first Oscar moment in a memorable, and similar, red Calvin Klein. Would love to see her return to these high end, yet youthful, gowns again! Sidenote: the backwards necklace is becoming a great trademark for her.

Kate Hudson

Idol. Perfect. Hollywood royalty. Kate Hudson has been a personal red carpet favorite in recent years, seeing as she never misses a beat. With this white Atelier Versace, Hudson redefined chic. Between the cape and the waist detailing, she epitomized Hollywood glamour on tinseltown's most iconic night. That alone deserves an award. 

Best Dressed: Golden Globes 2014

Tis the season to whip out those flawless silhouettes Hollywood!

Julia Louis-Dreyfus

It takes a lot to stun on the red carpet at the Golden Globes so major props to Julia Louis-Dreyfus for knocking it out of the park with a simple red dress. The figure hugging Narciso Rodriguez dress fit perfectly on the actress who accessorized with subtle gold jewels. Who says you still can't look this hot at 53?

Emilia Clarke

The Game of Thrones actress looked beautiful in this Proenza Schouler dress! Emilia kept it youthful with her makeup and accessories while still playing it up thanks to some major texture and shaping from that gown.

Lupita Nyong'o

Another lady in red, Lupita won everyone over with this sleek Ralph Lauren gown. Although the caping is a little too reminiscent of Gwyneth Paltrow's Tom Ford look at the 2012 Oscars, there's no denying this shaping/color gives Lupita a radiant glow!

Kate Beckinsale

Has there ever been an award show where Kate Beckinsale didn't look anything less than flawless? The actress strayed from her typical neutral hits with this Zuhair Murad dress and absolutely nailed the metallic trend while doing so. 

Kerry Washington

Look at Olivia Pope all pregnant and glowy! The Scandal star showed off her tiny bump proudly in this white Balenciaga look. Washington claimed her baby was the "best date" of the night - no offense to Fitz but she's totally right. No other accessory has ever looked so gorgeous on her!

Margot Robbie

If you're going to play Leo DiCaprio's wife in a movie, you better bring the fabulousness on the red carpet! Newbie Margot Robbie was a pleasant surprise as my favorite look of the night in this Gucci dress. The emerald green lining along with her matching Louboutins provided a chic yet fresh ensemble. Definitely one to watch!