Tag Archives: Leighton Meester

Basics for a Bargain: The Plaid + Statement Necklace Combo for Fall, Inspired by Katy Perry, Rachel Zoe & More!

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My posts are a bit far & few between these days- I’m working on my grad thesis, but that hasn’t stopped me from being inspired to expand my wardrobe & accessories choices this fall. The season is certainly in full swing & I’m thinking about my cozy / glam look for Thanksgiving. I have the plaid + statement necklace combination on the brain, especially since my statement necklace obsession is at its peak. Who wouldn’t be too? There’s so much inspiration every time I check out my favorite celebrity style blogs & Pinterest, when style stars are winning the statement necklace game. This includes the always flawless Olivia Palermo, The Honest Company founder Jessica Alba, pop star Katy Perry, The Real cohost Adrienne Bailon, the fearless Rihanna, former Gossip Girl actress Leighton Meester, model Amber Rose, & stylist / designer Rachel Zoe. 

Olivia Palermo, Jessica Alba, Katy Perry, Adrienne Bailon, Rihanna, Leighton Meester, Amber Rose, & Rachel Zoe.I couldn’t NOT share some of my favorite street style images from Pinterest, which have inspired this latest post. There are so many different color combos & metal choices to wear when considering plaid & jewelry. The pairing instantly dresses up a work look, makes date night a little more flirty, & mixes up your weekend favorites for a more glamorous options.

Fall's no-fail combo - a plaid shirt plus a statement necklace.It was tough narrowing down which plaid shirts & statement necklaces to select & feature, especially when I have a budget in mind for my readers & savvy shoppers who are looking for affordable fixes to any wardrobe rut. Also, I was eager to select a variety of jewels like rhinestones, beads, or pearls to coordinate with varieties of plaid shirts for any body type. Style knows no size, after all!

SHOP - Old Navy, Forever 21, Love Culture, Charlotte Russe, Wet Seal, Avenue, Target, Dress Barn, & Kohl's.SHOP: 1. classic plaid flannel shirt ($22.00, was $26.94) in red tartan @Old Navy (available in sizes XS – XXL) & bib necklace ($14.90) @Forever 21, 2. vintage wash plaid shirt ($29.95) @Love Culture & statement necklace ($16.99) @Charlotte Russe, 3. Attention plaid shirt ($15.39, was $21.99) @KMart & coin fringe necklace ($6.99, was $12.90) @Wet Seal, 4. plaid shirt ($38.50, was $55.00) in blue @Avenue (available in sizes 18-32) & leaf necklace ($10.40, was $12.99) @Target, & 5. plaid button down shirt ($40.00) in black / white @Dress Barn (available in sizes 1X – 3X) & Apt. 9 pearl necklace ($13.99, was $24.00) @Kohl’s.

If you’re still stuck on how to style this already seemingly busy pairing, what with some major bling over a pattern, think about basics that are not only rich in texture, but luxe in hue. Tuck your plaid shirt into slim bottoms like a pencil skirt or your favorite dark denim skinny jeans. Since fall is all about layers, try out a faux fur vest in a neutral or stylish jacket to reinvent your ensemble. 

What to wear with a plaid shirt & a statement necklace.SHOP MORE: 1. side split midi skirt ($25.50) in burgundy @Missguided, 2. high waist skinny jeans ($69.50) in indigo @LOFT (sign up for emails & get 40% off), 3. faux fur vest ($26.97, was $54.00) in black @Nordstrom Rack, & 4. crepe jacket ($24.99) in red @H&M.

Which plaid & necklace combination speaks to your style? Which celebrity’s statement jewelry game inspires you? For more stylish posts, check out budget-friendly earrings inspired by Jennifer Lawrence & Angelina Jolie, Olivia Palermo’s cover shoot for Holt Renfrew’s new site, how to get Victoria Beckham’s menswear look for less, & Louis Vuitton’s The Spirit of Travel campaign starring Michelle Williams & Alicia Vikander. Happy Styling!

 

Runway Rundown: Naeem Khan’s Pre-Fall 2015 Collection Lookbook!

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Naeem Khan Pre-Fall 2015 Collection

In keeping with Runway Rundown posts of the latest in Pre-Fall 2015 Collections, I’m swooning over the designs from Naeem Khan‘s latest lookbook. There line is full of elegance & glamour with plenty of detail in lace overlays, ornate beadwork, feathered ruffles, chainmail inspiration, & classic silhouettes. The Indian-American designer has been famously worn by the likes of Beyoncé, Leighton Meester, Jennifer Lopez, & Emmy Rossum.

Surely, Khan is a favorite among celebrities, & likely to pop up on the red carpet during this year’s awards season, especially on nominees & presenters like Jennifer Aniston, Felicity Jones, Reese Witherspoon, or Taylor Schilling. To shop more from the stylish brand, check out Nordstrom, Marissa Collections, & HSN. For more lookbook posts, check out collections from Marchesa & Badgley Mischka, as well as luxury-inspired pums from Neiman Marcus! Happy Styling!

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Red Carpet Review: The 2012 Met Costume Institute Gala!

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It is my esteemed pleasure to bring you a first look at all the glamour from last night’s beyond amazing 2012 Met Costume Institute Gala, which is honoring the works of Miuccia Prada & Elsa Schiarparelli.  There’s just so much to look at & the images keep surfacing.  My favorites include Scarlett Johansson, Dianna Agron, Leighton Meester & Carey Mulligan.  Of course, there were some major fashion risk-takers like Kirsten Dunst, Beyonce, Chloe Sevigny, & Mary-Kate Olsen.  However, sometimes when there’s such a prestigious night that celebrates fashion, it’s not always about who got it right & who got it wrong- it’s about embracing the possibilities of expressing your style.  Take a look at the slideshow & feel free to click through the gallery & find your favorites from the night.

If you missed last year’s festivities, check out my link to all the red carpet excitement, as well as my exclusive photos of last year’s exhibit which brought the late Alexander McQueen’s work back to life in the heart of New York City.  Happy Styling!

Watch This Style / Fashion Flashback: Blake Lively Takes On Marilyn Monroe In This Week’s Gossip Girl!

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During this week’s episode of Gossip Girl, the show celebrated its 100th episode of upper East side luxury with a tribute to Marilyn Monroe‘s famous song “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend.”  Serena, played by Blake Lively, starred in her own dream sequence, recreating the dance number, featuring the male cast, as well as a cameo from Blair herself, played by Leighton Meester, paying tribute to the more demure & classic style icon, Audrey Hepburn.  It took a few days for me to finally find a video of the scene, but I have it here for my Style Darlings.  Also, if you’d like to compare it to the original, there’s also video of Marilyn’s version, something every gal should see! Happy Styling!

Red Carpet Review: The Best (310) Celebrity Looks of 2011!

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I’ve been compiling a long list of my favorite looks during the 2011 calendar year & while there are still a few days left, I wanted to share the highs of the red carpet, press events, famous Style Darlings on the street, as well as the looks that have made the headlines.  This is the ultimate gallery of the ensembles to wear for formal occasions, out & about on the street, to a cocktail party, or a date night, including the best descriptions that I could find of who wore what!  For more looks that I’ve featured this year, check out Darling of the Day, Red Carpet Review, Magazine Must-Haves, Silver Screen Style, Style ABC’s (x3), & Watch This Style– all categories that thrive on celebrity-inspiration for your style on a budget.  I hope all of you had a prosperous 2011 & continue to do good for those around you, as well as for your style!  Happy Styling!

Watch This Style: The Style Behind Tonight’s Episode of Gossip Girl + Video Clips!

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In tonight’s episode of Gossip Girl, the style meter was on fire since Serena was planning Blair’s Tiffany-themed bridal shower.  While the scheming was at an all-time high in “All The Pretty Sources,” Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, & Kaylee DeFer looked effortlessly stunning in some of the most important designers today! Not to mention that we got just one step closer to the big reveal of who the mysterious woman behind the actual “gossip girl” is!

To the far left, Serena is wearing a Dress L’Agence mini with Dolce & Gabbana shoes & necklace by Sequin.

At the bottom, Serena is an editorial vision in a Mary Katrantzou dress with a necklace by Auden & rings by Roberto Coin & Lulu Frost.  Blair, a blushing princess bride & mother-to-be, steals the scene in a Christian Dior dress with Tzen earrings.

Up top, Charlie / Ivy hides from her ex-boyfriend at the party in a dress by Bensoni with jewelry by Sequin.

Not to spoil anything for those of you who haven’t watched tonight’s epsiode yet, but here are two clips of it.  One includes a plot summary with the show’s exective producers & the other is a scene of yet another one of Blair’s classic diva flipouts!  Of course, the melodrama & over-wordy dialogue sometimes take away from the entertainment of the show, but you can’t resist loving the style!

For more on the show, check out my Style ABCs (x3) post fetauring Gossip Girl, along with posts about Blake Lively & Leighton Meester‘s red carpet style! Happy Styling!

7/18/11 Darling of the Day: Leighton Meester for Vera Wang’s Lovestruck!

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Leighton Meester, the newest face of Vera Wang’s Lovestruck, looked super stylish & accessible in a pleated blush blouse, paired with some seriously sexy leather leggings at the fragrance’s London launch party.  A departure from some go-to black trousers, this look is incredibly easy to translate into your everyday life.  Not to mention that the Gossip Girl star is wearing some killer Brian Atwood sandals & a special leather-looking Dannijo bracelet.  These are essential for when you head out to the bar, for an interview at a trendy office, or an after work event.

I’ve turned this look into two comparable outfits, giving a shoutout to my plus-size Style Darlings!  While I couldn’t find a pleated blouse (I’m sure they’re out there in soft blush, nude, & gray hues), here we have a tailored ruffle top from The Limited, as well as a smocked button front shirt from Avenue.  On the bottom, try out leggings with a faux leather panel, or plus-sized Baby Phat leggings, which can also be paired with basic tees & a vest, or dressed up even more with a corset top or a belted tunic top.

The best lavender strappy sandals that I could find are these fun t-straps by Type Z @Zappos for $53! They’re perfect for underneath a floral maxi dress or to add a pop of color to an LBD. The only accessory that you’ll need for this look is a bejeweled mesh cuff by Candie’s, available @Kohl’s!

Style Darling has technologically come a long way, but take a look at the last time we featured Ms. Meester as a Darling of the Day.  If you love all thing stylish about Leighton, check her out on In Style on their Star Finder to see who she’s been wearing on the red carpet & for special events!  Happy Styling!

Red Carpet Review: 2011 Golden Globe Awards!

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What better way to return to the blogging circuit than with a Red Carpet Review for this year’s Golden Globe Awards?  There were so many delicious trends that I couldn’t nail which one was my favorite since black & green are both my favorite colors.  There were splashes of blush & rose, shimmering metallics, blues & reds, funky risk-takers, long sleeves & ruffles… where to begin. 

Since Natalie Portman, winner for her role in Black Swan, was THE actress everyone has been talking about this season, let’s go with the pinks… Here she is wearing a pink strapless Viktor & Rolf rose embellished gown.  Also, Lea Michele wears a pink one-shoulder Oscar de la Renta ruffled gown.  Claire Danes sticks to one of her favorites with a neon Calvin Klein collection halter gown. Emma Stone went a backless peachy sherbert-hued Calvin Klein collection column dress. Julianna Margulies went with two-tones in a pink & black strapless vintage YSL strapless number.  Megan Fox flaunts in a custom-designed pale pink Giorgio Armani slitted gown.  Sandra Bullock shows off some sparkled in a rosy, intricately beaded Jenny Peckham design.

 Natalie Portman  Lea Michele Claire Danes  Emma Stone

Golden Globes - Julianna Margulies - YSL Golden Globes - Megan Fox - Giorgio Armani Golden Globes 2011 - Sandra Bullock - Jenny Packham

Neutrals were all the rage, spanning from nudes to ambers in prints, chiffon, sparkles, & sleek numbers. Anne Hathaway dazzles in an amber open back shimmering Giorgio Armani Prive long-sleeved gown. Leighton Meester shows off the long-sleeved trend in a nude Burberry long-sleeved printed gown. Carrie Underwood glows in a Badgley Mischka quartz sequin strapless fishtail sweetheart gown. Scarlett Johansson shimmers in an Old Hollywood plunging blush Elie Saab dress. Heather Morris is sleek in a neutral shimmering gown by Lorena Sarbu. Julie Bowen loves her ruffles in a Tadashi Shoji appliqué gown. Dianna Agron looks like a princess in a blush silk chiffon J. Mendel strapless beaded gown. Sarah Hyland is warm in a Max Azria cafe au lait crystal embellished sweetheart gown.
 

 

 

 Anne Hathaway  Leighton Meester  Carrie Underwood  Scarlett Johansson  

Heather Morris Julie Bowen  Diana Agron Sarah Hyland

Green was a surprising choice for some of this year’s nominees and presenters, but the deep regal and bold hue stood out on the red carpet in long-sleeved, one-shoulder, and strapless numbers. Catherine Zeta-Jones exudes elegance in a forest green textured dress by Monique Lhuillier. Mila Kunis is statuesque in an emerald one-shoulder gown by Vera Wang. Elisabeth Moss looks radiant in a hunter green Donna Karan strapless design. Angelina Jolie steals the green trend with a shimmering emerald green long-sleeved Versace gown.
 

 

 

Golden Globes - Catherine Zeta-Jones - Monique Lhuillier Mila Kunis   Elisabeth Moss  Golden Globes - Angelina Jolie - Versace 

Blue wasn’t the most popular color of the night, but here are three stunning looks in different shades of the color, which are timeless and chic. Amy Adams is gorgeous in a strapless teal blue Marchesa with lasercut detailing & a scalloped bodice. Jane Krakowski glows with maternal joy in a cornflower lace-trimmed Badgley Mischka one-shoulder gown. Mandy Moore is Grecian-inspired in a blue Monique Lhuillier gown.
 

 

 

Amy Adams  Golden Globes 2011 - Jane Krakowski - Badgley Mischka  Golden Globes 2011 - Mandy Moore - Monique Lhuillier 

While we’re talking about solid colors, those basics are effortless to pull off, but here we have three looks in reds & orange that lit up again a glamorous Hollywood red carpet. Christina Hendricks is sexy in a red ruffled one-shoulder Romona Keveza gown. Sofia Vergara channels her inner vixen in a reverse corseted Vera Wang. January Jones wears a custom colored red plunging fringed Versace gown. Kyra Sedgwick stands out in a bright mango Emilio Pucci silk chiffon gown.
 

 

 

Christina Hendricks  Golden Globes - Sofia Vergara - Vera WangJanuary Jones Kyra Sedgwick 

You can’t have an awards show without some shimmer. At any age, in any style, shimmer is always a go-to choice for such a fabulous event like the Golden Globes. Screen legend Jane Fonda shines in a George Hobieka sharp-shouldered long-sleeved black embellished gown. Olivia Wilde wows like a princess in a chocolate ombre sequined Marchesa gown. Winner Melissa Leo keeps it simple but elegant in a black shimmering -Lora- gown. Amber Riley goes gunmetal in a figure flattering belted sequined Oliver Tolentino one-shoulder gown. Jessalyn Gilsig sparkles in an eggplant jacquard David Meister strapless gown.
 

 

 

Jane Fonda  Golden Globes - Olivia Wilde - Marchesa Golden Globes - Melissa Leo 

Golden Globes - Amber Riley - Glee Jessalyn Gilsig

My favorite of the night, if I had to choose, would have to be the black gowns. Black proves time & time again to be not just the stand-by, but the effortless classic that we all know & love. Julia Stiles ruffles up in a black mermaid Romona Keveza tulle one-shoulder gown. Eva Longoria (in my favorite look of the night overall) brings new meaning to simple in a black cap sleeved Zac Posen dress with an embellished belt. Jayma Mays turns back time in a sparkly black art deco Alberta Ferretti dress. Halle Berry proves that age ain’t nothing but a number in a black bustier Nina Ricci mini/overlay dress.
 

 

 

 Julia Stiles  Golden Globes - Eva Longoria - Zac Posen  Golden Globes - Jayma Mays - Alberta Ferretti Golden Globes 2011 - Halle Berry - Nina Ricci

Where there are dark dresses, there will be lighter dresses. These stars turned to whites, creams, & pearl hues to show off their Hollywood style. Nicole Kidman stands tall in a cream belted column gown by Prada. Jennifer Lopez contrasts her honey glow with a draped white Zuhair Murad gown. Hailee Stienfeld looks youthful & age appropriate in a Prabul Gurung halter. Jennifer Love Hewitt shimmers in a pale blue Romona Keveza ruffled & bejeweled gown. Gia Mantegna, a.k.a. Miss Golden Globe, debuts in a silver floral appliqué gown with a black sash.
 

 

 

Nicole Kidman  Jennifer Lopez  Hailee Steinfeld  

Golden Globes 2011 - Jennifer Love Hewitt Gia Mantegna  

And last but not least, we have an ode to the risk-takers. With beads, flowers, ruffles, & disco, there will always be the ones who stay true to their style with someone fabulous & risky. Christina Aguilera pays homage to her inner burlesque gal in a sheer black beaded Zuhair Murad sweetheart gown. Michelle Williams is sunny in a daisy-printed Valentino gown. Nominee Jennifer Lawrence makes her mark in a swirling asymmetrical Louis Vuitton dress. Heidi Klum models a 70’s inspired Marc Jacob’s printed halter gown.
 

 

 

Golden Globes 2011 - Christina Aguilera - Zuhair Murad  Michelle Williams  Jennifer Lawrence Heidi Klum

We still have the SAGs, Oscars, & Grammys coming up, so stay tuned for some more exciting Hollywood style!  Happy Styling!