Friday, January 14, 2011

Love... Valextra Bags

Looks from Valextra's Spring 2011 Collection...
















Some women I believe are into labels, and others are into style. If you find yourself falling into the latter category, chances are you're already dying to be carrying one of Valextra's truly special creations on your arm! The brand which was established in 1937 and fell on hard times in the 70s was re-introduced to the world by the smart-minded , and handsome, CEO Massimo Suppancig in 2002. By 2007 Barney's was selling them in loads and their lux status was resumed in the states- after all Jackie O and Grace Kelly toted them during their first hey-day. Perhaps that's why the brand receives so many comparisons to Hermes- that and their similarities in price point, luxury and quality. Unlike Hermes, however, whose Birkin has been tragically over-idolized in popular culture, imitated by every copy-cat designer out there, Valextra's relative "newness" assures a few more years of a truly sophisticated under-the-radar kind of glam every gal longs for! Get familiar, and start saving, these gems are worth the investment!


Classic Valextra bags that are ALWAYS in season...










Thursday, January 13, 2011

Friday Love... Golden Globes TV Dinner Prep...

artedona



If you are anything like me, then you look forward to award season like a child looks forward to Christmas. So, because I'll be glued to my television from about 5pm on this Sunday while watching the Golden Globes, I decided to share some stylish butler tray tables that will help your couch-potato dinner feel a little less sad, and a lot more stylish! Invite your friends, make a delicious meal and get ready to sit back and judge all the fashion this Sunday evening!


west elm





Jonathan Adler Maurice Butler Table




Bernhardt Furniture





cb2

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

(image courtesy of photobucket.com)
The cutest Brian Atwood, giving a sneak peak of his Spring 2011 Collection!


Brian Atwood is the kind of dreamboat that, I imagine, must pinch himself everyday to make sure he isn't dreaming. He's handsome (he used to be model for goodness sakes!), has great taste, calls the precious Nate Berkus his boyfriend and shares a fabulous apartment with the designer/TV host/BFF to Oprah in Milan (http://www.elledecor.com/celebrity-homes/articles/brian_atwood_and_nate_berkus_home_milan) AND the lucky boy designs gorgeous shoes for a living! He's sort of the poster-boy for having it all and his spring 2011 collection nearly does! With the exception of a few overly chunky peep toes, especially the "Mackenzie" which, with its cork platform, thick heel, animal print AND ribbon ankle-strap, seems more Jessica Simpson than Brian Atwood, the collection was impressive. I love the inventive and whimsical quality of the "Nia", "Maya" and "Alison" whose cut-out toe adornments channel the footwear of the lovable court jesters from the Renaissance. Other stand-outs are the simple, sophisticated and parred down silhouettes like the "Alana" and the "Starlet". Atwood's collection is a great mix of trendy, statement making pairs that every girl (and probably some boys!) dreams of wearing with the classic shoes that every girl should be wearing!


A pretty snazzy number, the "Naya" is sort an outfit on it's own...

I love this for some reason, the "Nia" is a stiletto with a bit of whimsy...


One of my favorites from the whole collection the "Maya"


The "Maya" in a sassy fuschia reptile...


The "Alison" may be a tad elvish...

Just a quintessentially gorgeous shoe, the "Alana" in a practical camel suede...


I had to share all three hues of the "Audra"- a perfect sandal to be sure...


Called the "Erika"- I love this t-strap!


The "Madison" has some unexpected flair, but remains demure...


The "Alana" dressed in spring eyelet...


The "Paige" isn't my favorite... I loathe a platform peep-toe.



Two more misses with the "Wagner"...


The "Mackenzie" creates some serious concern on my part...


Brian's coming back to us a bit with the "Milena" similar to the "Paige" sans peep toe, plus sling-back and creative fabrication...


The "Charlie" will pair great with all those army greens purchased in Spring/Fall 2010

The "Jackie" looks just as great paired with skinny jeans and a t-shirt as it does a LBD



The "Collins" is trendy without being obvious... (love it minus the platform peep-toe combo!)

Named after Marilyn perhaps? The "Monroe" is seriously sexy...


I am a little over this toe shape, even with mesh detailing, so the "Dante" kind of misses the mark for me...


If we've seen it once we've seen it a thousand times. A platform with an almond toe... the "Maniac" returns with satin and patent leather brights... but I am not loving it.


Here's a shoe shape I support: a classic stiletto! No more clunky platform for Atwood's "Starlet"; it's utterly feminine and I don't even hate the white.


The "Claudette" is definitely a statement maker- it even feels a little Marni-esque, but the good Marni, not the ripped from the closet of a chubby girl living in the 70s... sorry Marni.


images courtesy of www.shoerazzi.com

Loathe... Balenciaga's Spring 2011 Shoe Collection

Balenciaga, Spring 2011

I am a big fan of Balenciaga, so it pains me to associate the label in my loathe section; however, the shoe collection they presented this spring was a bit unforgivable (as a Pisces, this is a harsh sentence...). Although they had some wearable, redeeming sandals, for the most part Balenciaga presented a strange Kurt Cobain meets "The Fifth Element" inspired collection that was neither aesthetically pleasing or flattering. There are few things less appealing than, after a winter full of trudging about in heavy boots, being greeted by spring with combat-style-loafers. Sure, there were glimmers of success but the severely cumbersome collection left me longing for a pair of bright and cheerful pink stiletto sandals... and I don't even like pink.


perfect for your first day of clown school?




a little retro... I did love saddle shoes as a child...



A tad orthopedic, no?



umm is that a clog?



images courtesy of www.sunrainey.com and www.talkshoes.com