Red Carpet Review: The Wild Looks From The MTV VMAs, Featuring Ciara, Selena Gomez, Katy Perry, & More!


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Music’s most popular & praised hit Brooklyn this weekend to celebrate the MTV VMAs. The ceremony featured a slew of performances that left audiences with their jaws on the floor & many heads scratched. I’m going to talk about talent here. I loved seeing Lady Gaga back in action, as well as the throwback to Justin Timberlake‘s career since his days in NSYNC & also, a memorable Bruno Mars who hit the stage with his new single, “Gorilla.”

However, we must consider the red carpet, which featured a lot of controversial looks, as well as elegant surprises. My favorites include sophisticated risk-takers like Selena Gomez showing her rock side in Atelier Versace, Katy Perry‘s leopard, leggy look by Emanuel Ungaro, Ciara in a Givenchy Couture, & Lady Gaga herself in a black Elvira-inspired look by Prabal Gurung. Of course, Taylor Swift looked stunning in Hérvé Leger & Naya Rivera‘s cut-out black gown was chic, but these girls need to learn to loosen up.

Which looks are your favorite? Which performance were you talking about the most on Monday morning? Do you think Miley Cyrus went too far during her performance? For more celebrity posts, check out previous galleries including the thrilling season 3 promo for Revenge, Robert Pattinson for Dior Homme, stylish September issues featuring Amber Heard & Kate Upton, Olivia Palermo in an ASOS look, & Girls actor Adam Driver featured in Vogue! Happy Styling!

Top 10 Celeb Sightings: Lots Of Lace & Leggy Looks by Dolce & Gabbana, Tom Ford, Jason Wu, & More!


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Summer style seems to be in full throttle & the latest red carpet looks are nothing short of fabulous. Some of my favorite looks include Jennifer Lopez‘s sequin Tom Ford gown that she wore while attending the amfAR Inspiration Gala, Amy Adams in a lace Dolce & Gabbana dress with sorbet pointy toe shoes, & Uma Thurman‘s striking magenta Versace corseted gown with Chopard jewelry.

Also, this post’s gallery includes cute frocks like Diane Kruger‘s blush Jason Wu dress with ankle strap sandals, Hailee Steinfeld in a cobalt Sportmax dress with Jimmy Choo shoes, & Kerry Washington‘s colorblocked embellished dress. Lastly, Ashley Madekwe‘s Roksanda Ilincic jumpsuit is on-trend with head-to-toe black, as well as Kirsten Dunst in a Proenza Schouler shorts outfit with pointy toe pumps. Other separates making a splash on the red carpet include Olivia Palermo in a Rebecca Minkoff blazer with a printed skirt & See by Chloe bag, & Rooney Mara‘s flirty ruffled navy J.W. Anderson design with black ankle strap sandals.

For more gorgeous red carpet looks, check out previous posts including Taylor Swift’s shorts outfit in London, little white dresses inspired by Angelina Jolie & Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, a gallery of the CFDA Awards featuring Nicole Richie & Sofia Vergara, & black & white looks like Emmy Rossum & Salma Hayek-Pinault! Happy Styling!

Watch This Style / Cover Craze: Kerry Washington’s Super Hot ELLE Cover For June!


I was a little late joining the I-Love-Scandal bandwagon & shame on me for not taking Olivia Pope‘s side, especially when I’ve been catching up on the series, which stars one of Hollywood’s hottest it-girls, Kerry Washington. Not only did she have a stellar 2012-2013 with the success of Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained, & her latest comedy Peeples, but the New York native has hit A-list status with her consistently glamorous red carpet appearances, as well as her powerhouse character, Olivia, on the Shonda Rhimes-created television show.

Kerry Washington For ELLE June 2013

Next month, the actress is featured as ELLE‘s cover girl for June 2013, & she’s never looked better. The shoot, which features amazing looks that mix both regal opulence with all-American elegance, was captured by Horst Diekgergdes & styled by Samira Nasr. Never has a pair of hot pants or the combination of denim & haute couture looked so refreshing & sophisticated.

Kerry Washington For ELLE June 2013

Kerry Washington for ELLE June 2013

Kerry is wearing some of the most sought after designers including Marc Jacobs, Dolce & Gabbana, Giambattista Valli, Balmain, Christian Louboutin, Armani Exchange, Tom Ford, & Piaget! Also, in the video below, Kerry discusses the challenges she faced while taking on her slave character in Django Unchained, as well as her respect for the art of comic timing. In addition, ELLE quizzes the actress on various scenarios about what-would-Olivia-Pope-do?

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I’m so happy to see Kerry take center stage, especially on the covers of my favorite fashion magazines. She’s a designer’s darling & I’m really excited to see what her next big screen, small screen, & cover girl moves are. What do you think of Kerry’s shoot for ELLE? Which look is your favorite? For more magazine posts, check out Kate Upton’s Marilyn Monroe-inspired Vogue shoot, Christina Hendricks for Lucky‘s June issue, & Scarlett Johansson’s sultry looks for Marie Claire! Happy Styling!

Cover Craze: Kate Upton’s American Vogue Cover Channels A Modern-Day Marilyn Monroe!


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To be completely honest, I wasn’t crazy about supermodel Kate Upton at first like the rest of the world has been; however, after seeing the beyond-amazing spread in the June 2013 issue of Vogue– the model’s first major American fashion magazine cover- I was won over! She channels a modern-day Marilyn Monroe with classic all-American style, bombshell curves, & old-fashioned ambition to break away from the typical supermodel mold. The shoot was photographed by the ever-legendary Mario Testino, which includes looks & pieces from Dolce & Gabbana, Cartier, Rochas, Ray-Ban, Donna Karan New York, Oscar de la Renta, Chanel, Max Mara, Jason Wu, Stella McCartney, Michael Kors, Tom Ford, Hermès, & Matthew Williamson.

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While Kate looks more voluptuous than most models walking the catwalk, she’s a healthy size 4 & responds to nay-sayers about her shape with the following: “The things that they’re rejecting are things that I can’t change. I can’t change  my bra size. They’re natural! I can work out and I can stay healthy and  motivated, but I can’t change some things.” The Sports Illustrated beauty is breath-taking in sleek separates looks, flirty swimwear shots, & evening couture.

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In a behind-the-scenes look at the model strutting her stuff in Uruguay, Kate shares her tips for having the ultimately stylish summer, including how having the right sunglasses & some comfy sandals can make or break your vacation! The resemblance to Marilyn Monroe in uncanny, but it’s really gorgeous to see the celebrated hairstyles of vintage Hollywood starlets like Monroe teased in contrast to contemporary fashion.

What do you think of Kate’s Vogue shoot? Do you think she’s worth all the fashionable fuss? Which is your favorite look from the cover story? For more stylish posts, check out Christina Hendricks for Lucky‘s June issue, Rooney Mara’s latest ad campaign with Calvin Klein, Diane Kruger’s short film for Jaeger Le-Coultre, the latest red carpet looks from Jennifer Aniston & Kerry Washington, & 3.1 Phillip Lim’s designer collaboration with Target!

Cover Craze: Mad Men’s Christina Hendricks Is Lucky’s June Cover Girl!


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Christina Hendricks has been one of the most watched out for celebrities on the red carpet, especially with her success on the drama, Mad Men. Plus, it wasn’t that long ago that I featured the curvy actress in another Cover Craze post for her feature in Canada’s Flare magazine, however the fiery redhead is now the face for Lucky magazine’s June 2013 issue.

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She talks to the magazine about her favorite red carpet moments, famous for wearing designer duds by L’Wren Scott, Christian Siriano, Zac Posen, & Dolce & Gabbana. Also, her Mad Men fame & iconic role as Joan have created a signature style for the actress who embraces pencil skirts, high heels, & anything bra-friendly. She’s also a bargain shopper as a fan of Nine West & J.Crew, as well as international boutique for vintage-inspired pieces.

Watch the video above to get a behind-the-scenes look at the magazine’s shoot & hear Christina first-hand charm the pants off of us! Christina can be seen next in the Ryan Gosling-directed film How To Catch A Monster, & the Neil Labute ensemble dramedy Seconds of Pleasure. For more magazine posts, check out Scarlett Johansson for Marie Claire, Hayden Panettiere’s beachy shoot for Glamour, & last month’s Lucky cover with Drew Barrymore! Also, be sure to check out InStyle‘s inside look at the costumes worn by Mad Men‘s leading ladies! Happy Styling!

Cover Craze: Scarlett Johansson’s Sultry Looks For Marie Claire’s May Issue!


She’s the face of Dolce & Gabbana cosmetics, a Tony award-winning actress, one of the most desirable women in the world, & the latest cover girl for Marie Claire‘s May 2013 issue. We’re talking about Scarlett Johansson, star of the upcoming Don Jon with Joseph Gordon-Levitt & the sequels to The Avengers & Captain America as the catsuit badass Black Widow.

Scarlett Johansson for Marie Claire May 2013

In the interview, she talks about her career, including her work alongside JGL, who’s making his triple threat debut in Don Jon as actor-writer-director, which focuses on a man addicted to porn who is conflicted upon meeting the love of his life. Also, she sheds some light on continuing her action hero streak as Natasha Romonoff since Iron Man 2. Not to mention, she addresses the controversy behind her hacked intimate photos that she shared with ex-husband, Ryan Reynolds, while the pair were still together.

However, in terms of fashion, red is certainly the color for Scarlett, especially given her first name. It’s refreshing to see the elegant actress return to her classic bombshell style for this shoot, which is comprised of red-hot pieces from Giambattista Valli, Miu Miu, Dsquared2, Dolce & Gabbana, Calvin Klein, & David Yurman!

Scarlett Johansson for Marie Claire May 2013

Scarlett Johansson for Marie Claire May 2013

In addition, you can win all of the beauty products from Scarlett’s cover shoot, including a year’s supply of Dolce & Gabbana items worth $232.00, by checking out this link. What do you think of Scarlett’s cover shoot? Do you like the red theme? For more from Cover Craze, check out previous posts including Drew Barrymore’s shoot for Lucky, Christina Hendricks’ for Flare magazine, Hayden Panettiere’s day at the beach for Glamour, & Kate Hudson talks motherhood with Elle UK! Happy Styling!

Cover Craze: Christina Hendricks’ Flare Cover Shoot!


Christina Hendricks for Flare May 2013

It’s no secret that Mad Men has been inspiring a retro sophistication in fashion since the show premiere in 2007, especially with stunning leading ladies like Elisabeth Moss & January Jones. However, it’s Christina Hendricks‘ curves that have always caught the attention of critics on the red carpet. She fills a pencil skirt like nobody’s business & even admits during her recent cover shoot for the May 2013 issue of the Canadian fashion magazine, Flare, that she owns about 75 pencil skirts!

The shoot, which took place in Beverly Hills, was inspired by Dolce & Gabbana‘s Spring / Summer 2013 collection. We see a celebration of spring with includes lots of florals, pin-up silhouettes, bright colors, & fun patterns. Christina looks amazing with her big hair, smokey eye, complimenting turquoise jewelry, & soft lip. She’s definitely an inspiration when it comes to style & I love how she celebrates her figure every chance she gets!

Christina Hendricks for Flare May 2013

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Not only does the stunning redhead talk fashion, but also she sheds light on her experiences working with Ryan Gosling. The pair were both cast in Drive, and she’s now one of the stars of Gosling’s directorial debut in How To Catch A Monster. Also, during the interview, she talks about the audition process & accepting career setbacks. “It’s something that I’m used to,” she says about rejection. “You’re either right for it or you’re not right for it. You could leave thinking you had the best audition in the world and they say you don’t look like the person I imagined. It has nothing to do with your talent. Someone could have just broken up with a redhead the other day and not want to hire me.

Talk about one classy lady! Watch the video below for a behind-the-scenes look at the actress in action & share with readers what you think about the sexy & sweet shoot! Do you follow Christina’s red carpet style? For more fabulous photo shoots, check out previous posts including Hayden Panettiere for Glamour, Kate Hudson for ELLE UK, & Zöe Saldana for InStyle!

Cover Craze: Tobey Maguire & Carolyn Murphy Celebrate Hitchcock’s ‘Rear Window’ For Vogue!


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I’ve been saving up my April magazines to bring with me to work & now that Spring Break is over, I’ve finally had the chance to take in the latest issue of Vogue, with the always lovely FLOTUS Michelle Obama on the cover. However, as a big fan of Alfred Hitchcock movies & Grace Kelly‘s timeless style, I was enchanted by the magazine’s reprise of the 1954 suspense thriller, Rear Window, starring The Great Gatsby‘s Tobey Maguire & supermodel Carolyn Murphy, with an appearance by Laurie Metcalf, taking over the film’s roles for a shoot by Peter Lindbergh. The shoot contains stunning looks by Dolce & Gabbana, Fred Leighton, Marc Jacobs, Oscar de la Renta, J. Crew, Michael Kors, Miu Miu, Hermès, Gucci, House of Lavande, & Rochas.

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Rear Window is definitely in the air since this week’s episode of ABC’s Castle spoofed the Oscar-nominated film, so as soon as I saw the nine-page shoot, I knew I had to feature the retro images. Tobey’s Brooks Brothers pajamas are nearly spot-on to those worn famously by James Stewart‘s photojournalist character in the film.

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What do you think of the stylish shoot? Do you like the Tobey-Carolyn pairing for the shoot? Which is your favorite Grace Kelly film? For more fashionable posts, check out Lena Dunham’s video for designer Rebecca Antonoff, Marion Cotillard for Lady Dior, Beyonce’s debut ads for H&M, & Gucci’s Spring / Summer campaign! Happy Styling!

Basics For A Bargain: It’s Finally Spring & Finally Time For Florals!


There’s still a chill in the air here in New York, but it’s finally starting to look like spring. There’s change in the air & I know I’m really excited about it- & not just for my change in wardrobe. However, speaking of spring fashions, the go-to print of the season is florals & I couldn’t turn my back the trend, especially when I’ve been seeing it everywhere! For example, A-list celebs have been wearing florals even during the winter, ushering in the warmer season. Miranda Kerr is all smiles in a floral skirt with a leather Prada tote while taking in the day in Sydney. Elizabeth Olsen mixed her floral top with a mustard coat & skinny jeans. Actress Diane Kruger attended a press event for Farewell, My Queen in a 10 Crosby Derek Lam ensemble.

Miranda Kerr, Elizabeth Olsen, Diane Kruger, Selena Gomez, Jessica Chastain, & Dianna Agron.

Superstar Selena Gomez hit the SXSW Festival in a matching bustier & skirt by Dolce & Gabbana. Two-time Oscar nominee Jessica Chastain wears an Erdem sheath dress with nude Christian Louboutins. Lastly, former Glee star Dianna Agron attended a luncheon with The Hollywood Reporter in an Oday Shakar floral dress with suede Jimmy Choo heels.

Not to mention that there have been plenty of florals hitting the runways this year, including luxe vintage from Valentino, 80s-inspired rocker chic designs from Betsey Johnson, youthful & bright patterns from Tracy Reese, Lanvin‘s elegant & sophistication, & Erdem‘s playful & refreshing angle on flowers.

Valentino, Betsey Johnson, Tracy Reese, Lanvin, & Erdem.

Whether it’s on clothing, accessories, or mixed & match (which I only recommend doing with caution), I made a few selections from some of my favorite stores to share how you can wear the latest floral pieces on a budget! The best piece to start building the perfect spring wardrobe is a dress, like the Merona sleeveless tulip wrap dress ($19.00) from Target, which has recently been marked down from its original $24.99 price. The flattering wrap shape is perfect for accentuating your shape & the navy background adds a regal touch is paired with basketweave espadrilles or bright ballet flats. Next is the LC Lauren Conrad floral ruffle tank ($25.20) from Kohl’s, which is a feminine topper piece to wear with dark denim jeans, white skinny pants, or a denim skirt.

Don’t be afraid of florals on your bottom half, especially with the 4 1/2″ belted printed flat front shorts ($32.94) from Express, which add some tropical flair to your look & will dress down a lace blouse. I love the idea of sequins with florals & this skirt ($34.95) from H&M is a stylish marriage of both. This will pair nicely with a chambray button down shirt for a fashionable day out & about or with a solid pullover & pointy toe pumps for a date. Lastly, floral pants are also one of the biggest trends this season, especially in a looser cut to provide plenty of flow & movement, which is why I choose the Full Tilt skinny harem pants ($24.99) from Tilly’s. The chic black, gray, & white color combination is understated & can be coordinated with pastel pieces like coral or mint.

As for accessories, these bright colors will make your outfit pop, especially since they’re so effortless to match with wardrobe essentials. For example, the sequin tulip print pumps ($27.80) from Forever 21 are flirty & will add extra dimension to cuffed jeans & a ruffled top. Also, for a more subtle floral shoe, the novelty ballet flats ($39.95) from Gap. The soft pink & red tones in the shoe can offset any striped tee & jeans look in a ladylike way.

Part of what I love about spring is that I can still wear scarves, which can bring a lot to a look, like the ground floral scarf ($14.99) from Payless for a denim jacket & LBD with ankle strap platforms or a maxi dress & cargo vest with gladiator flats. Lastly, I’m not really a hat kind of girl, but in some cases, you need to protect your face from the harsh rays of the sun, especially this early in the season, which is why I picked the pop floral baseball cap ($8.99) from Charlotte Russe.

What do you think about the latest floral trend? Which pieces would you wear? What’s your spring wardrobe budget? For more affordable fashion posts, check out how to get Drew Barrymore’s latest look without breaking the bank, suede studded loafers, the best green pieces for spring, a budget-friendly spring look with pieces from Old Navy & American Eagle Outfitters. Happy Styling!

Red Carpet Review: The Ladies Of ‘Oz the Great and Powerful’ Hit The Red Carpet!


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I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to review an advanced screening of Oz the Great and Powerful, which stars James Franco as Oz, a magician from Kansas who becomes a wizard. Also in the film are beauties Michelle Williams, Mila Kunis, & Rachel Weisz as three battling witches: Glinda, Theodora, & Evanora, respectively. The movie premieres on Friday nationwide, but if you just can’t wait to hear about the spoiler-free juicy details, check out my review on Movie Buzzers.

In addition, the lovely ladies of the movie have been making the global rounds at premieres & press events, wearing the best of the best, including Elie Saab, Jason Wu, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Burberry, Michael Kors, Alexander McQueen, Atelier Versace, & so on. To see the more from the trio of Style Darlings, check out my recent Cover Craze post, featuring the glamorous actresses on the cover of In Style. Which of these red carpet looks is your favorite? Are you looking forward to seeing the movie? Happy Styling!

Cover Craze: The Ladies Of ‘Oz: The Great & Powerful’ Talk Red Carpet Favorites, On-Set Costumes, & More With InStyle’s March 2013 Issue!


Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz, & Mila Kunis for InStyle March 2013In a recent post in Cover Craze, I shared the March 2013 cover of InStyle, featuring the leading ladies of Oz: The Great & Powerful: Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz, & Mila Kunis. However, I received the issue in the mail today & was super excited to see the shoot & then I learned that there was a coordinating video, including a behind-the-scenes look & interview with the fabulous stars, where they discuss their favorite red carpet looks, remaining ladylike in the face of stunts, & how they were case in the film.

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Of course they’re all donning the best trends for spring, including florals from Bottega Veneta & Burberry Prorsum, pink & red shades by Rochas, Miu Miu, & Yves Saint Laurent, black & white mod looks by Dolce & Gabbana, Louis Vuitton, & Lanvin, as well as graphic designs from Derek Lam & Peter Pilotto.  The stylish cover looks include brands like Valentino, Fred Leighton, Nina Ricci, & Carolina Herrera!

Are you looking forward to this movie? Do you like the casting? Which looks are your favorites? For more magazine posts, check out Keira Knightley for Marie Claire, Emmy Rossum for Self, Carrie Underwood for Allure, Claire Danes for ELLE, & Rooney Mara for Vogue.  Happy Styling!

Top 10 Celeb Sightings: Double Beyoncé Looks, & Red Carpet Royalty Like Cate Blanchett, Catherine Zeta-Jones, & More!


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Tomorrow is the big day for Beyoncé & that could only mean that after her rumored lip synching faux pas during the 2013 Presidential Inauguration, she’s going to kill it at the Super Bowl. She’s already been making appearance to promote the performance & I’ve featured her sexy leather mini dress look with Jimmy Choo pumps, as well as her orange sheath dress by Antonio Berardo.

However, Beyoncé isn’t the only one hitting today’s Top 10 Celeb Sightings post… I’m happy to feature favorites like Amy Adams in a sweet polka dot peplum dress by Jenny Packham, Jennifer Lopez in an all-red jumpsuit look by Vivienne Westwood, & Kate Mara‘s metallic silver overlay dress by Dolce & Gabbana.

Also, I couldn’t forget about Cate Blanchett‘s stunning Armani Prive gown, Catherine Zeta-Jones in a lace-printed Michael Kors gown, Emmy Rossum‘s uber-adorable zebra & leather street style, Jaime King‘s head-to-toe Rachel Zoe Collection navy junpsuit, & Teresa Palmer‘s lace-detailed dress by Talbot Runhof with jewelry by Dana Rebecca Designs & satin Brian Atwood pumps.

Which looks are your favorites? For more red carpet looks, check out posts including Ashley Greene & Elisabeth Moss in leather, Amanda Seyfried & Jennifer Chastain’s feminine frocks, & who to watch out for in 2013 including Solange Knowles, Miranda Kerr, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, & more! Happy Styling!

Color Me Style: Winter White Dresses Inspired By Rooney Mara, Nicole Richie, & Runway Looks Of Michael Kors, Rachel Zoe, & More!


Winter white is a big trend right now, especially when it comes to LWD (little white dresses). I’m a big fan of dresses- no surprise there- but I’ve yet to find a winter white dress that works for me. Whatever I have is definitely too summer-friendly in eyelet, cotton, or linen, however I’ve been very inspired by what’s happening on the latest runways when it comes to feminine white looks, featuring dresses of skirt outfits.

For example, take a look at the chic cocktail & casual white dresses, which were shown for seasons other than winter, but are certainly inspiring fashionistas everywhere. These looks include Rachel Zoe Spring 2013 Collection‘s shimmering shift dress, J. Mendel Pre-Fall 2013 Collection‘s old Hollywood sweetheart dress, Michael Kors Spring-Summer 2013 Collection‘s button-down shirt-dress, a slitted peplum dress by Marios Schwab Spring Ready-To-Wear 2013 Collection, the strapless bow-bedecked dress from Christopher Kane‘s Spring Ready-To-Wear 2013 Collection, Erin Fetherston Pre-Fall 2013 Collection‘s sheer lace mini dress, & Hervé Léger by Max Azria Pre-Fall 2013 Collection‘s belted body-conscious frock.

Rachel Zoe Spring 2013 Collection, J. Mendel Pre-Fall 2013 Collection, Michael Kors Spring-Summer 2013 Collection, Marios Schwab Spring Ready-To-Wear 2013 Collection, Christopher Kane Spring Ready-To-Wear 2013 Collection, Erin Fetherston Pre-Fall 2013 Collection, & Hervé Léger by Max Azria Pre-Fall 2013 Collection.

In addition, some of the most photographed stars have been hitting the red carpet in the last month while wear white dresses. Side Effects actress Rooney Mara hit the premiere of her latest film in this flower-embellished dress by Alexander McQueen, which she paired with neutral patent leather Nicholas Kirkwood peep toe pumps. This month’s Self magazine cover girlEmmy Rossum, took a break from promoting her new album, Sentimental Journey, in Santa Monica in this pleated Andrew Gn dress with sparkling pumps. Everywhere it-girl Kerry Washington attended an after-party for Django Unchained in a white lace Dolce & Gabbana shift dress with pointy toe Christian Louboutin stilettos.

Rooney Mara, Emmy Rossum, Kerry Washington, Taylor Swift, Emma Stone, & Nicole Richie.

Award-winning singer-songwriter, Taylor Swift, hit the blue carpet for the  40 Principales Awards in this plunging Kaufmanfranco three-quarter sleeve design with mixed-fabric sandals by Christian Louboutin & geometric drop earrings. Everyone’s favorite girl-next-door & Gangster Squad star, Emma Stone, helped announce this year’s Oscar nominees in a belted 50s-inspired dress by Andrew Gn with black patent leather pumps. Lastly, the always polished Nicole Richie stepped out for a party in Los Angeles in this white zip-up m ini dress with embellished leather accessories by Salvatore Ferragamo.

For the budget-conscious Style Darling, I wanted to find pieces that are perfect for wear now in the winter, given some mixing & matching of accessories, as well as dresses that’ll work for the upcoming spring season, although that seems to be getting further away from us on this Groundhog’s Day.  The first is the sheer sleeve lace dress ($24.80) from Forever 21, which would be perfect with black opaque tights or neon pops of color in a belt or pointy toe heels. Next, for a curve-hugging dress, I found the long & lean dress ($19.00) from Venus, which will also pair nicely over leather leggings & under a plaid button-down. While white is sometime bridal-looking, it can also be worn to work, like with this sleeveless ecru ponte sheath dress ($39.99) from White House Black Market.  I’d recommend wearing it with a red blazer & loafer-detailed pumps.

white dresses & accessories

I found this simply sweet & feminine shirt dress ($29.95) from H&M, & it’s the perfect foundation for a metallic braided belt, patent leather accessories, or classic lace & pearl details.  Lastly, for my plus-size readers, I was so happy to find this modern Alyx belted twist neckline dress ($40.00) from JC Penney, which is available in sizes 14W-24W.

White is such a stunning & pure color for a dress, but I was successful in searching for white accessories that will make any all-white, monochromatic, or trendy printed look stand out for every occasion. There’s never any reason why you shouldn’t have a pair of white shoes on hand, which is why I’m suggesting the pointed silver toe pumps ($32.50) from Charlotte RusseC Label Divine flats ($19.99) from 6PM, & the Wentzell pumps ($44.98) from ALDO shoes. Also, I’ve selected the patent skinny belt ($29.50) from Banana Republic, bejeweled bib necklace ($12.80) from Forever 21, & the Jennifer Lopez gold tone disc drop earrings ($12.00) form Kohl’s.

Which white pieces are your favorites? Would you wear a winter white dress now? How do you like to wear white? Which celebrity look do you like the best? For more Color Me Style posts, check out monochromatic looks in coral, neon, berry, & teal inspired by Penelope Cruz, Victoria Beckham, & more, as well as all-black outfits featuring Jennifer Lawrence & Kate Moss, & the best of yellow as seen on Kate Mara, Lauren Conrad, & Olivia Palermo! Happy Styling!

Red Carpet Review: The 2013 Screen Actors Guild Awards, Featuring Amanda Seyfried, Marion Cotillard, Jennifer Garner, & More!


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In this latest Red Carpet Review post, we’re one step closer to rounding out this year’s awards season with the red carpet looks from tonight’s 2013 Screen Actors Guild Awards. The ceremony is currently airing & there’s so much movie news to report, however some of the hottest & most-talked-about celebrities have made a splash in couture, following the runway trends, including black gowns (like what we saw at the Golden Globes) on Anne Hathaway (in Giambattista Valli Haute Couture), Elisabeth Moss (in Dolce & Gabbana), Naya Rivera (in Donna Karan), Michelle Dockery (in Chado Ralph Rucci), Tina Fey (in Oscar de la Renta), Jaimie Alexander (in Marc Bouwer) & Kelly Osbourne (in Jenny Packham).

Also, side parts for hair are big, as seen on Jessica Chastain (in Alexander McQueen), Katrina Bowden (in Badgley Mischka), & Naomi Watts (in Marchesa). Colors of the night that popped were pretty pinks & purples on Lea Michele (in Valentino), Nina Dobrev (in Elie Saab), Freida Pinto (in Roland Mouret), & Sally Field (in J. Mendel).

There was a classic & regal combination of blue & navy hues hit the red carpet with Amanda Seyfried (in Zac Posen), Jordin Sparks, Nicole Kidman (in Vivienne Westwood), Jennifer Lawrence (in Christian Dior Haute Couture), Giuliana Rancic (in Max Azria Atelier), & Edie Flaco (in Chagoury).

Lastly, colorblocking & mixed tones in black & white were a hit, featured on Claire Danes (in Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci), January Jones (in Prabal Gurung), Julianna Margulies, & Julianne Moore (in Chanel Haute Couture).

Which looks were your favorites? Are you watching the show tonight? For more red carpet looks this season, check out gallery posts including the 2013 Presidential Inauguration, all black & leather looks on Miranda Kerr & Scarlett Johansson, Louis Vuitton’s checkered runway pieces on Kerry Washington & Jessica Alba, & the 2013 Art of Elysium Heaven Gala! Happy Styling!

Top 10 Celeb Sightings: Ladies Love Black, Including Krysten Ritter, Scarlett Johansson, Ashley Greene, & More!


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Now that the Golden Globes have been analyzed to death, we can look forward to the stars celebrating awards season in between shows (we’ve yet to see what’s going to happen on the red carpets from the SAG Awards & Oscars!). However, a big trend at the Globes was the color black & it seems it has returned to the red carpet & the celebrities are loving it! I’ve always been a fan of a classic LBD, but here we see all sorts of black making a major statement.  This includes my favorite looks from Krysten Ritter in a peek-a-boo dress & then Krysten Ritter again in a Dior jacket with a pencil skirt & Brian Atwood shoes.  Also, other favorites include Ashley Greene‘s leather peplum look, Scarlett Johansson‘s Dolce & Gabbana outfit with Irene Neuwirth earrings, & Miranda Kerr‘s continuously enviable street style, accessorized by Givenchy & Barbara Bui.

I’m also sharing looks by Anne Hathaway in a striped dress ensemble with a Stella McCartney faux leather bag, Elisabeth Moss‘ leather look with leopard pumps, Emmy Rossum in a sweet polka dot dress by Theia, Naomi Watts‘ appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in a Roland Mouret LBD with Rupert Sanderson sandals, & Renee Zellweger at a Hugo Boss event in Berlin in a halter dress with Christian Louboutin spiked pumps.

For more celebrities looks on from Red Carpet Review, check out galleries including Jada Pinkett Smith & Taylor Swift in yellow looks, Louis Vuitton’s checkered pieces on Kristen Stewart & Kerry Washington, the 2013 Art of Elysium Heaven Gala featuring Camilla Belle & Mena Suvari, & this year’s Critics’ Choice Awards with stars like Jessica Chastain, Jennifer Lawrence, Marion Cotillard, & more! Happy Styling!

Red Carpet Review: The 2013 Golden Globes, Featuring Jessica Alba, Tina Fey, Jennifer Lopez, Katharine McPhee & more!


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The 2013 Golden Globe Awards are still airing, but I just couldn’t wait any longer to post this very thorough gallery. Some of my favorite looks include Tina Fey (in L’Wren Scott), Jennifer Lopez (in Zuhair Murad), Katharine McPhee (in Theyskens’ Theory), Kerry Washington (in Miu Miu), Emily Blunt (in Michael Kors), Lucy Liu (in Carolina Herrera), Rachel Weisz (in Louis Vuitton), Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (in Saint Laurent Paris)… just to name a few!

Top trends included lots of black & gold, as seen on Kate Hudson (in Alexander McQueen), Helen Mirren (in Badgley Mischka), & Nicole Kidman (in Alexander McQueen), as well as reds & oranges like Jennifer Lawrence (in Christian Dior Haute Couture), Jessica Alba (in Oscar de la Renta), Marion Cotillard (in Dior), Claire Danes (in Versace), & Zooey Deschanel (in Oscar de la Renta).

Also, you can’t forget about the black looks, some of which I’ve named in my favorites, but I also loved Julianne Moore (in Tom Ford), Adele (in Burberry), Allison Williams (in J. Mendel), Debra Messing (in Donna Karan Atelier), Sofia Vergara (in a floor-length sequin gown), Eva Longoria (in Pucci), & Salma Hayek (in Gucci).

Lastly, softer nearly colorless colors had their place with Anne Hathaway (in Chanel), Lea Michele (in Elie Saab), Amy Adams (in Marchesa), Amanda Seyfried (in Givenchy), Megan Fox (in Dolce & Gabbana), & Hayden Panettiere (in Roberto Cavalli)!

Which looks are your favorite? For more posts from Red Carpet Review, check out galleries from the Critics’ Choice Awards & red carpet from the recent People’s Choice Awards! Happy Styling!

Basics For A Bargain: Best Coats To Buy Now, Inspired By Gwen Stefani, Victoria Beckham, Michelle Williams, & More!


The holidays are over, but the big sales are just starting. In an effort to wish the warmer spring weather on, retailers are getting a head start on their markdowns, especially when it comes to outerwear. If you live in the Northeast (like I do!), then you’ll know that the weather outside is quite frightful. After spending the day in NYC on Friday, I was plenty thankful for my recent investment in a new wool coat to keep comfortable amid gusty winds down the fashionable streets of the Big Apple. 

Celebrities are even breaking out their best in outerwear, including Kate Middleton in a belted Reiss Angel coat with suede knee boots. Supermodel Claudia Schiffer looks cozy in a retro 70s-inspired poncho-style coat with a middle part & suede-accented bag. Katie Holmes arrives for her appearance on Broadway in a knee-length coat, eggplant Dolce & Gabbana bag, & suede Rag & Bone booties.  Socialite & reality star Olivia Palermo hits the streets of Brooklyn in her fur-trimmed coat over leather leggings & knee boots.  Gwen Stefani always stands out, especially in her printed plaid coat with matching red lips & white-rimmed shades for a day out in London. Kate Middleton, Claudia Schiffer, Katie Holmes, Olivia Palermo, Gwen Stefani, Alexa Chung, Victoria Beckham, Leslie Mann, Jessica Chastain, & Michelle Williams

Alexa Chung enhances her shape with this waist-cinching grey coat, which is made all the more feminine with ankle-strap heels & a leather clutch.  Victoria Beckham never gets it wrong, offsetting her menswear look with a plum trench coat & pointy toe heels.  This Is 40 star Leslie Mann reinvents the look of a modern working mom with this tan coat over a leopard print dress for an appearance on Good Morning AmericaJessica Chastain poses for photogs after a performance of The Heiress, wearing a tan piped trench coat with grey knee boots & a leopard scarf.  Michelle Williams plays up her bombshell style with this fur-trimmed double-breasted coat & towering peep toe pumps.

Of course, you don’t have to be a celebrity to look great in outerwear, especially when so much of it is currently on sale.  I’ve selected ten coats of varying styles, all under $100, perfect for any shape & look. I start with $100 b/c a winter coat is something that will last you up to five months out of the year, which means that’s about $20 a month on a coat if you go out everyday to brave the elements. It’s always a good idea to consider how your clothing investments can pay you back, especially when looking for a basic necessity like outerwear.

First, if you’re looking to throw on something chic over your winter sweaters, check out the fur military cape ($67.99) in brown from Gap. If a printed coat is more your style, then the VS peacoat ($59.99) in plaid from Victoria’s Secret is great for dressing up basics like a pullover & jeans. @New York & Company, you’ll find the knit collar wool coat ($41.98) in black, which is currently marked down from its original $139.95 price.  By checking out the Juniors’ department @Macy’s, you can spot the Levi’s faux-fur collar anorak ($35.99) in navy, however it’s also sold in khaki if you want to avoid a denim-on-denim disaster. LOFT‘s blanket stripe wool blend zip coat ($129.99) is listed rather high in price, but due to the site’s current sale, upon checkout, the price automatically reduces to $65.00!

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I’m such a big fan of houndstooth in the winter, which is why I was excited to spot the Jaclyn Smith houndstooth coat ($51.99) from KMart, recently reduced from $129.99. For more fun with color, @JC Penney, the a.n.a. hooded peacoat ($30.00) in sangria/black is a must-have clearance item & is also available in ivory/black, which will contrast nicely with leather leggings or a skirt & knee boots. A classic silhouette can be found in the faux-fur trimmed puff sleeve coat ($69.99) in red from Express, which is also sold in pink & navy. The wool-blend cape coat ($29.97) in warm stripe from Old Navy is a great buy for the color-savvy Style Darling & sold in sizes XS – XXL. Finally, the most affordable of all is the quilted self-tie coat ($19.99) from Forever 21, which offers that regal Chanel look with a contemporary twist, especially when worn with a striking scarf in animal print or paisley.

Where do you find the best prices on coats? Do you like to shop after the holidays when there are big sales? What’s your favorite outerwear style? For more posts from Basics for a Bargain, check out 4 ways to wear floral pants from H&M, an LBD look for under $100, & pointy toe heels inspired by Miranda Kerr, Kerry Washington, & More! Happy Styling!

Fabulous in 4 Ways: Floral Skinny Pants From H&M For Day, Date, Cocktail, & Weekend!


Just b/c the holidays are mostly over, it doesn’t mean that the glamour has to end. The latest trends in spring fashion are slowly, but surely emerging & this includes floral pants. They’re not just for springtime, especially when there are so many chic & cozy ways to dress up or dress down florals when the weather is still chilly outside.  I’d like to take a look at some celebrity inspiration to see how the A-listers are wearing this trend.

Kristin Cavallari shares her chic maternity style in Joe’s Jeans with a basic black top & blazer to offset the vibrant pattern.  90210 star Shenae Grimes adds some punk flavor to her Alice + Olivia cropped pants with strappy booties & a leather top.  Playing with the same idea is Minka Kelly, whose Dolce & Gabbana floral pants are enhanced by suede peep toe pumps & a bright rectangular clutch.  Singer Lana Del Rey plays up her demure style in Citizens of Humanity pants under her trench coat with embellished ballet flats.  Lastly, Twilight star Kristen Stewart sticks to her favorite designer, Balenciaga, for her micro floral printed pants, paired with a Rebecca Minkoff blazer & a Juicy Couture tank.

Kristin Cavallari, Shenae Grimes, Minka Kelly, Lana Del Rey, & Kristen Stewart.Even if we look to the runways for Spring 2013, you’ll find that there’s plenty of floral on the bottom. Floral isn’t meant just for dresses, skirts, or blouses anymore. It can be an unexpected pop of femininity or juxtapose more masculine pieces for day or evening.  For example, we’ve seen this in collections from Jason Wu, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Lela Rose, Paul & Joe, & Tanya Taylor. Here, complimenting colors in your floral prints can work to accentuate a factor of luxury in your look, especially when it comes to jackets, cardigans, scarves, & heels.

Jason Wu, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Lela Rose, Paul & Joe, & Tanya Taylor. The pants in question for today’s Fabulous in 4 Ways post are the floral pants ($24.95) from H&M. Not only are these an amazing bargain, but I’m convinced that these can be worn in a variety of ways to get the most out of your wardrobe basics for day, weekend, date, & cocktail hour.  These may be a little hard to pull off in the office, depending on what your work dress code is, but for the more casual environments, I recommend a cute blouse & pumps to make your look polished & professional.

First, for daytime when you’re running some errands or meeting with your girlfriends for a casual luncheon (á la Sex & the City), I recommend playing with the colors in the pants, including the ruched panel cardigan ($9.99) in gold from Dress Barn worn over the lurex lace bra cami ($14.99) in true white from Express. When floral pants such as these are the focal point of your look, you can play with textures to add interest, which is why I’ve selected the Kenneth Cole ‘Slip Me One’ flats ($29.97) in red @Piperlime & the easy metallic combo of Forever 21‘s beaded hoop earrings ($5.80).

Keep it cozy when it comes to a weekend look, if you’re headed out to a movie during the day with your beau & then sit by the fireplace eating Chinese food. Yes, that’s what I’d like my weekends to be, which is why I picked the striped sweater with oversized cowl neck ($34.96) in herbal mist from New York & Company to wear with the Brash Zoey riding boot ($39.99) in black from Payless. The mixture of stripes & florals has fascinated me for a while, so when you’re cooped up with your significant other in the house when the weather is on the frightful side, experiment with your looks a little to keep things fresh.  However, if you’re headed out, I love the mix of tassels with the patent textures in the daisy fuentes Gemini studded cross-body handbag ($29.50) in magenta from Kohl’s matched with a little more spring fever in the floral bangle set ($7.80) from Forever 21.

When it comes to date night looks, you always have to consider where you’re headed.  Floral pants may seem busy, but if accessorized correctly, they’re the perfect foundation for a sophisticated & smart look to impress your date.  I picked the teardrop cut-out blouse ($24.99) in black from The Limited, a piece that is sure to make the rounds with other wardrobe staples like a pencil skirt, boyfriend jeans, & leggings.  Of course in skinny pants like these, a pair of DSW‘s BCBG Paris Preena pumps ($29.94) in fuchsia will elongate the legline & won’t be as intimidating as some seriously pointy toe shoes.  For a special finishing touch, I love the colorblocked flap crossbody ($19.80) from Forever 21 & Mixit hematite stone tassel drop earrings ($4.00) from JC Penney.

For a cocktail event, pants aren’t necessarily the first thing to come to mind, especially when a dress is so easy to throw on with some snazzy earrings & killer heels. However, if you’re running around & don’t have time to get that go-to LBD dry-cleaned, you can rely on floral plants to build an evening-ready cocktail look, including the gem collar peplum top ($30.00) in aubergine from Topshop with a built-in jeweled neckline that helps accessorize your ladylike ensemble.  Also, I’ve added the Abrianna heels ($34.99) in bone from ALDO with the sparkling sequin hinge wallet ($9.99) in champagne from Charlotte Russe. Lastly, b/c there’s so much going on in the look already, I didn’t want to bog it down with extra bling, but here’s your opportunity to break out a really fabulous cocktail ring like the affordable stretch oval ring ($12.99) in orange from Target.

Do you own floral pants? Would you consider adding them to your wardrobe? How would you style them? For more styling posts, check out my affordable LBD look, statement rings for under $10, & how to wear a metallic faux leather skirt in 4 ways! Happy Styling!

Top 10 Celeb Sightings: Going Glam On The Red Carpet Featuring Scarlett Johansson, Miranda Kerr, Amy Adams, & More!


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The holidays are in full swing now & I can’t think of a better way to start celebrating the festivities than to share the latest celebrity images for Top 10 Celeb Sightings. There are some really amazing movies coming out, including Les MiserablesHitchcock, Rust & Bone, as well as some upcoming television premieres like Girls, which means that there’s lots to keep an eye out for on Style Darling. Some of my favorites include Scarlett Johansson during an appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman in Giambattista Valli, Miranda Kerr‘s high-slit gown, Allison Williams in a stunning silver Naeem Khan gown, & Katy Perry‘s prettiest Dolce & Gabbana look.

Also, check out Amy Adams in Giorgio Armani, Emily Blunt in Calvin Klein Collection, Felicity Jones in Burberry Prorsum, Kate Mara in Jason Wu, Marion Cotillard in Christian Dior, & Selena Gomez in Dolce & Gabbana. Which look is your favorite? What upcoming red carpet events are you looking forward to this season?

For more from this category, be sure to click through galleries including Berenice Marlohe & Gwen Stefani, Lea Michele & Lauren Conrad, & Jessica Chastain & Taylor Swift! Happy Styling!

Red Carpet Review: All The Sparkle & Color From The 2012 American Music Awards!


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The American Music Awards are still airing, but if you’ve missed any of the red carpet festivities, then you can check out the highs & lows here on Style Darling.  Some of my favorite performers hit the stage, including Christina Aguilera & Pink, both who made stunning statements on the red carpet in lavender & bronze, respectively.  Also, some noteable appearances were made by an Old Hollywood-inspired Carly Rae Jepsen in Gomez-Garcia, Nicki Minaj in neon Monique Lhuillier, & the always gorgeous Carrie Underwood in a purple gown by Abed Mahfouz.

Who wore your favorite looks? What was your favorite part of the show? Do you agree with the winners? For more from Red Carpet Review, check out posts including the Breaking Dawn Part Two premiere & MTV’s European Music Awards! Happy Styling!

Top 10 Celeb Sightings: Menswear, Pajamas, Leather & Lace, & Plaid Trends As Seen On Taylor Swift, Krysten Ritter, & Jaime King!


After what’s starting out to be a party-filled weekend, I can’t help but look back at the headline-making red carpet appearances from the last week. Of course, I’m headed to birthday parties & Halloween celebrations, not galas, premieres, or press events, but there’s also prepping for this nasty hurricane in the hopes that it simply whispers passed Long Island & the rest of the Northeast. So if you’re not talking about Sandy, start talking about style.  Some of my favorite looks include major trends seen on & off the runway recently, teaching us budget shoppers how to make it work.

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However, if you’re a celebrity, or have a very talented stylist, the chic pajama look, as seen on Jaime King, may not be such a stretch.  Also, Taylor Swift is plugging her latest album, Red, wearing a vibrant red top & plaid tea-length skirt, paying homage to her Southern following.  Not to mention that the always lovely Lauren Conrad is mixing it up with a leather dress by Johanna Johnson with some fierce Christian Louboutins.  Where’s there’s leather, there’s also lace & by that, I mean a sizzling silver-coated Halle Berry in Dolce & Gabbana, as well as a corseted overlay Jason Wu look worn by Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.

If you’re trying to recreate menswear, look to No Doubt frontwoman & fashion icon Gwen Stefani for her Gucci & satin sexy tuxedo look, frosted in Neil Lane, as well as Don’t Trust The B**** In Apartment 23 star Krysten Ritter whose military-inspired jacket by Robert Rodriguez, paired with sandals from Rachel Zoe Collection screams fall-friendly.  Speaking of K’s… Kristen Stewart‘s graphic romper by Louis Vuitton is modern & edgy for the budding Style Darling in Brian Atwoods.

I couldn’t forget about newcomer Berenice Marlohe, of Skyfall, in the ravishing Elie Saab confection, as well as red carpet favorite, Sarah Jessica Parker in a sophisticated striped design by L’Wren Scott with Fred Leighton jewelry.

Who’s wearing your favorite look? Which of these celebrities do you follow on the red carpet? For more from Top 10 Celeb Sightings, be sure to check out posts featuring Emma Stone & Lea Michele, Jennifer Lopez, & Scarlett Johansson, & Amy Adams & Nicole Richie! Happy Styling!

Top 10 Celeb Sightings: Ladylike Luxury Featuring Emma Roberts, Lauren Conrad, Solange Knowles, & More!


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Style Darling has been looking really good these days, but that’s not all there is to talk about when it comes to fashion.  In this latest edition of Top 10 Celeb Sightings, I’m happy to share some of the most demure, elegant, & chic looks that I’ve seen in a quite some time.  My favorites include Gwyneth Paltrow in a black cut-out Michael Kors dress, singer Solange Knowles in a floral Dolce & Gabbana frock, & Nina Dobrev in a lovely lace Vera Wang design.

Other featured looks include Emma Roberts in black & white, Emma Stone‘s pink Valentino look, Emmy Rossum‘s feminine & leather outfit, Lauren Conrad in yellow at a book signing, Glee star Lea Michele‘s slinky black column gown, socialite Olivia Palermo‘s mixed pattern ensemble, & Sarah Jessica Parker‘s modern Calvin Klein strapless number.

Which looks are your favorite? Which celebrities do you follow when they’re on the red carpet? Happy Styling!

Cover Craze: W’s 40th Anniversary Calls on Scarlett Johansson, Rooney Mara, Keira Knightley, & Mia Wasikowska!


I’ve been posting a lot recently about the latest in magazine covers b/c they just keep getting better & better as the months go on.  I’m a former subscriber to W, but still love to check out what the high-fashion periodical is up to.  The magazine is celebrating its 40th anniversary & have shared the beautiful faces of Rooney Mara, Mia Wasikowska, Scarlett Johansson, & Keira Knightley on four different covers, representing each decade. Rooney is donning Prada for the 1970s, Mia looks neon in Balenciaga for the 1980s, Scarlett is goth in Dolce & Gabbana for the 1990s, & Keira looks polished & golden in Chanel for the 2000s.  Which cover is your favorite? What do you think of W‘s choice of actresses to grace each cover? Happy Styling!

Color Me Style: What’s Black & White & Chic All Over?


My last post in Color Me Style was published just days before my trip to Italy earlier this year, so I thought that since I don’t have a third go-around to look forward to for 2013, I’d revisit the category in a way only appropriate for this Style Darling. My favorite color combination is black & white, which is what I’m featuring- although quite impressed with the fall collections that celebrities are sporting since this season doesn’t typically see all-white looks.  Of course, the beach-filled party days of summer are long gone, but white is still thriving, black has never looked better, & when you put them together, there’s a serious style moment happening.

It wasn’t very hard to find some celebrity inspiration for these colors & this is what I’m sharing. Gwyneth Paltrow looks demure & ladylike in a white knit, wool Misha Nonoo skirt with bright Sergio Rossi pumps. It-girl Olivia Wilde is bold-shouldered in a figure-flattering LWD, House of Lavande jewelry, & metallic platform pumps. 666 Park Avenue star Rachael Taylor wears a head-to-toe Calvin Klein Collection look, including silver lace-up heels & a box clutch. British actress Felicity Jones looks flirty & cool in an all-black sweater & skirt outfit with bowed pumps at the Miu Miu show. Olivia Palermo continues to catch my eye in an all-black leather Dior look with Giuseppe Zanotti pumps. Modern Family bombshell Sofia Vergara shows off her curves in her Sofia by Sofia Vergara for KMart black sparkling dress with tights & suede platforms.

As for black & white looks, I love the variety here when it comes to feminine dresses, vintage-inspiration, as well as nods to menswear with separates all in my favorite color combination! Jessica Alba goes androgynous sexy in a Narciso Rodriguez blouse with loose-fitting trousers & cap-toe Jimmy Choo pumps. French import Laetitia Costa shows the softness of a slim-fitting black suit & sandals, all by Dolce & Gabbana. The sultry Penelope Cruz is elegant & statuesque in an embroidered black & white cardigan by L’Wren Scott with cuffed trousers & Salvatore Ferragamo pumps. Rock of Ages actress / former Dancing with the Stars dancer Julianne Hough is mod in a black & white mini dress with silver pumps at a Henri Bendel party. Scandal star Kerry Washington is as pretty as ever in a white feminine sheath dress with black accents, rose gold Anita Ko studs, & metallic cap-toe pumps.

Black & white has also made the Spring 2013 runways, with especially fabulous designs from Dolce & Gabbana, Giorgio Armani, Chloe, Yves Saint Laurent, Carolina Herrera, & Catherine Malandrino Black Label.

Naturally, I’m excited to share with readers how you can achieve the perfect black & white looks while on a budget. From LOFT, you can find the polka dot wedge top ($39.99), or if you’re looking for a more streamlined look, try New York & Company‘s contrast trim banded collar blouse ($39.95) which will pop against any pencil skirt, colored jean, or slim leg pant.  For a more feminine touch, I love the dolled-up darling ruffled bow blouse ($28.99) from Ruche, which I’d wear to work with a lacy tweed skirt & textured tights, or for a fun night with the girls wearing my favorite dark wash jeans & metallic sandals.

However, if you’re looking to add an unexpected edge to any fall/winter ensemble, try the Danielle seamless skirt ($12.48) in white from G by Guess, which is also available in black.  Also, I’m always a big fan of zebra, which is why I picked the knee-length zebra print skirt ($19.80) from Forever 21. Black & white dresses are perfect for any occasion, especially with a modern graphic print or something in a classic polka dot.  I love the Ronnie & Nicole short-sleeve mitered stripe dress ($35.00) from JC Penney & White House Black Market‘s strapless dot dress ($29.99). Also, Superfly flats ($49.00) from Nine West are a fun touch for the office or a day date, especially when worn with brighter pieces like skinny cords or dark denim jeans.

How do you like to wear black & white? Do you prefer one color over the other? Which staples in these colors do you wear for day & night? For more posts on affordable & fashionable finds, check out posts from Quickie Darling Deal & Steal, Fabulous in 4 Ways, The $100 Challenge, & Splurge or Save! Happy Styling!

Fabulous In 4 Ways: A Metallic Faux Leather Pencil Skirt For The Ages From New York & Company!


I was so excited in August to share one of my newest categories, Fabulous in 4 Ways, especially since the debut post was dedicated to my good friend Laurie, as inspired by her fabulous lace-up knee boots from Victoria’s Secret!  Now, I’m talking about faux leather & pencil skirts, but before we dive into the outfits, I turned to some of my favorite celebrities to get some inspiration in how I would style such a classy & modern take on the figure flattering piece.

Kate Bosworth rocks a Proenza Schouler leather-trimmed pencil skirt at the brand’s New York boutique opening with a relaxed white blouse & strappy sandals.  The First Lady, Michelle Obama, wore a high-waist pencil skirt in navy with a cropped cardigan & purple top, while visiting a Wisconsin school.  Mad Men bombshell Christina Hendricks mixes her old school glamour with a Dolce & Gabbana blouse, red clutch, & classic black pencil skirt.

Total Recall star Kate Beckinsale plays with colorblocking with a chic H&M tank, Diane von Furstenberg turquoise skirt, & spiked neutral pumps.  Rashida Jones is polished & professional with a touch of menswear while making an appearance on Good Morning America, wearing a printed button down shirt & white pencil skirt.  Aussie starlet Cate Blanchett showed her support for Givenchy in a head-to-toe look with Roger Vivier heels.

Also, at Fashion Week for the upcoming Spring-Summer 2013 runway collections, the pencil silhouette was everywhere, as seen in Runway Rundown posts, including Dolce & Gabbana, Burberry Prorsum, Christopher Kane, & Oscar de la Renta.  Also, these pieces were shared by more fabulous designers like Nina Ricci, Tadashi Shoji, & Salvatore Ferragamo!

To recreate a pencil skirt look, I’ve selected the faux leather bronze pencil skirt ($59.95) in metallic bronze from New York & Company, which challenged me to find a way to wear this for work, day, date, & cocktail occasions.  If you want to get the most out of your wardrobe for the office, check out the zippered contrast sweater ($24.80) in black from Forever 21 with the short tab sleeves top ($24.80) in teal available @Windsor Store.  The colorblocking & relaxed details tone down the metallic texture of the skirt, especially when paired with Express‘ diamond texture body shaping full tights ($22.90) & suede cap toe chunky heels ($21.50) in black from GOjane.

The look to the right (above) is fun for a day with the girls or feeling like mixing it up because of the contrasting details in Lord & Taylor‘s CK JEANS cable-front cotton cardigan ($29.99) in black over the tab-sleeve plaid-chiffon shirts ($29.94) in black combo from Old Navy.  Of course affordable pieces like these can be reworked with skinny jeans or leggings & chunky accessories.  @Payless, I’ve found the Dexflex Maye strappy boot ($59.99) in black & Minicci micro fiber tights ($6.99) in burgundy to add some extra dimension while playing with trends this fall.

Depending on where you’re headed for a date, this kind of pencil skirt is perfect for an elegant & upscale look, without breaking the bank.  I’ve chosen pieces with luxe details to put this look together, including the Jennifer Lopez pleated mesh overlay tank ($19.80) in tuffet from Kohl’s & glitter lace almond tow pump ($38.50) in champagne from Charlotte Russe.  To complete the ladylike feel, I’ve added the round stone drop earrings ($13.60) @Cache & The Limited‘s zip around wallet ($29.90).

Don’t forget that pencil skirts are perfect for building a sexy cocktail look. Of course, a dress will save you lots of time, but to get the most out of your wardrobe, why not play with separates in unexpected ways with the snake-print tiered bustier ($88.00) in amethyst from White House Black Market, paired with the Emma WP platform pump ($39.99) from Bakers Shoes.  Also, I love Forever 21‘s looped drop earrings ($7.80), which look red carpet ready, especially with the Mossimo basket weave print clutch ($16.99) in black & white @Target.

How would you wear this pencil skirt? Are you following the metallics trend? What are your favorite work, day, date, & cocktail looks? Happy Styling!