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! 

Fashion Friday: Statement Jewelry

If there's one thing I can't leave my house without, it's my jewelry. As dramatic as it sounds, I have about six special pieces I feel completely naked without (they're subtle!). However, as important as those pieces are, they're not the accessories that will decorate an outfit perfectly. I'm obsessed with having jewels that match and dress up my clothes. Statement jewelry, particularly statement necklaces, are the most fun way to do this...

The Bold Statement Necklace 

It's flashy but it works. Because of its boldness, I usually accessorize this necklace with simple white or pink shirts. Since the necklace's bigness sometimes gets mistaken for being part of this shirt's design, I can usually get away with subtle silver earrings, without it looking over the top.

The Color Statement Necklace 

My favorite color is any shade that is or similar to Tiffany blue. So obviously, this necklace fits those requirements. For me, it's not hard to get good use out of this necklace since I have a lot of blue outfits and accessories to match. If blue isn't your favorite, definitely get a statement piece in a color you do like and will wear a lot. It's a serious well used investment!

The Neutral Statement Necklace 

If you're not looking to draw too much attention to your necklace, the neutral shades are probably your best choice. Easy to match, and still makes a statement that can be used during day or night. 

The Fancy Statement Necklace

While it definitely can be used casually, I've only worn this necklace at night. It's great for that LBD or other black/silver ensembles. Nevertheless, totally not a waste! It's better to purchase some flashy costume jewels like this rather than an expensive silver statement necklace you'll use just as much.

The Ombre Statement Necklace

Starting on a bright pink note, ending on a bright pink note. This is basically a definition of the extreme statement necklace. The brightness, various pink shades, its ability to reflect off of any light and shine...definitely eye catching. Despite its well, everything, the necklace matches with various outfits. Obviously, over-accesorizing when wearing this piece is not advised. But otherwise, step out of your comfort zone and take a chance with it! 

Note : All of these necklaces (and their matching earrings and bracelets) were purchased at New York and Company. 

The September Issue : Redefining Cover Girl

Bless September. The fashion holy month that delivers us with the latest version of the bible - AKA, Vogue's September Issue. This year's 902 page magazine spoiled us with the most fashion ads and articles we've seen since the recession. The latest issue was also my personal favorite September issue since Kate Moss' wedding coverage in 2011. The profile on Jennifer Lawrence was extremely refreshing with its awareness and genuineness. Titled "Star Quality", the cover story examined Lawrence's rise to fame and how despite her movie star power, she's stayed down to earth.

The hyped up September issue is all about the revamped fall wardrobe and the start of new trends that will truly impact the rest of the year. With Jennifer Lawrence on the cover, Vogue is turning a new page on what it means to have star quality in today's age. Gone are the days of the media adoring the idea of the tailored to perfection actresses like Julia Roberts or Gwyneth Paltrow. With Lawrence, it goes beyond liking the relatable girl who can additionally rock designer flocks. This is the girl who won an Oscar then tripped in Dior and flirted with Jack Nicholson in the most fangirl manner. She's sincere, and in an industry where stars don't have the most fortunate fate, that revamps the ideal cover girl. The September issue is the blockbuster issue and Jennifer Lawrence is most definitely redefining what it means to be a blockbuster star.

(Sidenote: "Cinderella Story" is another stand out piece totally worth checking out!)

"I'm still getting used to everything. It makes me a little emotional, just to see how quickly everything changes." 
-Jennifer Lawrence

Fashion Friday: What's In My Bag

The Essentials

In honor of Fashion Friday, I thought I'd play my favorite game the magazines taught me as a child - What's In My Bag! When you carry around chic arm candy, such as my beloved Michael Kors bag, it's normal to be curious about the interior, so let's get to sharing...

Tiffany Sunglasses - Sunglass Hut

My baby! This is probably my most prized possession and if you've ever witnessed me refer to my sunglasses as Tiff (my apologies), this shouldn't exactly be a shock. This past winter, I entered my most dedicated commitment when I spotted these sunglasses and fell in love. They were a Christmas present and I have to admit, my love for the sunglasses was more religious than the actual holiday celebrations. Between the cat eye shape and bows on the side, I feel like a modern Audrey! (Bonus: they're polarized!)

Michael Kors iPhone 4 Case - Macy's

By now, it's pretty evident I have a strong addiction to all things blue or Michael Kors related. The shiny case makes it easy to not lose my phone at the bottom of my purse, and the color is surprisingly great for all seasons!

Icebreakers - Local Drug Stores

Yes, even the Icebreakers stick with the light blue theme. Nevertheless, these things are my life savers during hunger, after meals, and overall stress relievers. Who knew heaven could come in tiny mints...and only 5 calories.

Dior "Spring Ball" Lipgloss - Sephora

J'adore Dior! I'm more a of a lipgloss girl than lipstick but prefer applying cleanly with a brush (#firstworldproblems). This color is perfect for day or night as it gives the right amount of shimmer! Only issue is you can never tell when it's running out because of the case's outside shade. Obviously, not a fun surprise.

Michael Kors Wallet - Michael Kors store

I swear I don't work for Michael Kors (although I would 100% be down for that), the obsession is just very strong. This wallet is the perfect size with the most convenient amount of compartments. The rose gold color only adds to it's shimmer!

Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Lotion - Macy's, Mirror - Drug Store 

The necessities! Purell is great and all but Donna Karan's Cashmere Mist hand lotion makes your hands super soft and smell beautiful. And the mirror is a fun, flashy, and very helpful accessory Santa dropped in my stocking this year.