Friday Loathe... Missing Burlesque!

(Perfection!)

I complain if I don't have weekend plans, I complain if I do... there's simply no winning. With my upcoming jam-packed weekend I am utterly pained to realize that I will have no time to go see, what will undoubtedly be one of the best in the history of film, Burlesque, starring the inimitable Cher! I don't really need to know much about the film aside from the fact that she's in it; however, I believe that catchy numbers, flashy costumes and a good -trumps-evil trope is in store (not to mention Stanley Tucci!), solidifying my belief that missing this movie's opening weekend is a shame. Cher said it best, "If I could turn back time..."!

Like (a LOT).... Chloe Sevigny's Style

(on of my faves)

(my other fave!)

Another actress who always seems fashionably adept is Chloe Sevigny and while her style is far more experimental and playful than Bosworth's it works because she owns every look she wears. Sevigny's ensembles always have an added touch that expresses her in some way, whether a broach, belt, hat or bed-head she is fearless when it comes to wearing what suits her fancy and I like that very much indeed!

LOVE....Kate Bosworth's Simple Style

(my favorite look!)

It's Friday, and so all of my thoughts are naturally drifting toward weekend activities, namely what on Earth will I wear tonight?! When faced with such conundrums I enjoy perusing pictures of my favorite style icons, from movies to red carpets and even browse runway shows for inspiration. Lately I have been loving Kate Bosworth's effortlessly sophisticated silhouettes. She's discovered a few things it seems when it comes to fashion: one being that red and camel look great on her; two, that sometimes less really is more and three, that when sporting a major trend (maxi skirts, sequins, feathers) it's best to keep it simple everywhere else!

Liking... Opaline Blue Accents

An eclectic room with opaline chandelier, and dishes.


Gela Nash-Taylor's Living Room



A room by Julie Miller









Suzanne Kasler




Jan Showers



It's often the little things that make the biggest difference and blue opaline accessories seem to add that extra bit of glamour to stylish rooms. The nearly opaque glass which hails from France (its hey-day was during that little Napoleon's reign in the 1850s and 1860s) is highly sought after in auctions and estate sales these days and seems to be popping up in several chic spaces!

Friday Loathe... Can't Handle a Manhattan

There's nothing that screams sophistication more than sipping on a classic cocktail and for me the pinnacle of cool cocktails has always been The Manhattan. Unfortunately, as much as I dread admitting it- I can't handle the potency of even one (and believe me, I've tried!). The Manhattan even boasts a truly impressive albeit likely fictional back story. Legend has it that The Manhattan got it's name after being ordered by Winston Churchill's mother, Lady Randolph Churchill (Jennie Jerome) at the Manhattan Club while she was entertaining guest of honor Samuel J. Tilden. While many claim this is myth- I believe it, and subsequently believe that Winston's mother Jennie sure could hold her liquor! So long story short, there's nothing I loathe more than missing a great party and my unfortunate relationship with Manhattan's presents a similarly loathe-worthy experience!

If you think you're up to it, here is how to prepare a fabulous Manhattan:

3/4 oz. Sweet Vermouth

2 1/2 oz. Bourbon Whiskey

1 dash Bitters

1 Maraschino Cherry

Combine the vermouth, bourbon and bitters with 2-3 ice cubes in a mixing glass.

Stir gently. Place the cherry in a chilled cocktail glass and strain the whiskey

mixture into glass.

LOVE... Spring Brights

Versace


Proenza Schouler



Prabal Gurung




Peter Som

Michael Kors

Jil Sander

Gucci

Cynthia Rowley

Calvin Klein

I'm a bit of minimalist and perhaps that's why I LOVED the numerous Spring 2011 Collections that presented simple, bright silhouettes. No color was left out it seems, from warm orange and reds to pale blue and purple hues and every designer approached bold color with their own aesthetic in mind. Calvin Klein and Jil Sander (my personal favorite) opting for clean, sparse lines while Proenza Shouler and Peter Som took a more playful approach, changing up hemlines and proportion. Although my closet is primarily full of black, these tastefully bold brights make me long for a makeover!

Liking... The Arrival of Fringe

Hermes



Versace



Alexander McQueen




Gucci



Custo Barcelona


One of the things I love most about looking through all the Spring 2011 runway shows, is noticing the trends that appear in the most unlikely of places. This year it was fringe, showing up on numerous runways, from the classically polished Hermes to the more hiply avante garde Custo Barcelona. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised with this modern homage to fringe, a questionable fashion statement that most notably made it's stamp in fashion history in the seventies (think Cher!).

Loathing... The Return of the Turban

Prada

Jason Wu

Issa

Andrew Gn

Selma Hayek, almost pulling it off...

Rachel Zoe (love her) but this is NOT major...

Many fantastic things made their debut on the runways at the Spring 2011 shows; unfortunately, atop many of these gorgeous silhouettes were... turbans. As a runway accessory I was all for it, especially for those seen at Prada, Issa and Jason Wu (Andrew Gn's looked a little too costumey paired with his hippie inspired looks); however I believe even the biggest fashion enthusiasts must draw the line, and unless you run in the same crowd as Anna de la Russo, I have to say these turbans are loathe-worthy.