Show Me The Shoes: The Stylish Story Behind J. Crew’s Latest Shoe Collection!


I’ve been hearing lots of great buzz behind J. Crew‘s newest Italian-made shoe collection & now, I get it. Of course, I always have lots of love for all things shoes, but watching the video below brings me back to the Salvatore Ferragamo museum in Italy. So, for all you shoe lovers out there, this is definitely a post for you! When checking out more from the collection, I learned that these aren’t necessarily affordable shoes for every Style Darling on a budget, but there’s always something to learn from all ends of the retail / fashion spectrum. The line, which is produced in Pisa, Italy, ranges in price between $125 – $378, which is pretty steep, but when you hear the brand’s creative director, Jenna Lyons, talk about the love, artistry, & legacy that goes into producing the incredible footwear, it all begins to make sense.

Anyone who thinks that a shoe isn’t informative about who you are is making a mistake,” says Lyons & that couldn’t be more on the nose! She adds, “There’s a sense of sparkle in a shoe, & I don’t mean the sparkle like sequins. I mean, you know, add a little extra…Shoes are like fairies, like that sort of little magical piece that finishes everything. I can throw on a silver, five-inch-heel pump, and all of a sudden, I feel a little bit prettier.

What do you think of J. Crew’s footwear collection? Do these styles speak to your fashionable senses? How much would you be willing to spend on a killer pair of pumps? For more shoe-related inspiration, check out previous posts from Show Me The Shoes including trendy neon shoes, spring break-ready wedges, sexy crisscross stilettos from Forever 21, & 4 ideas for dressing up a graphic tee! Happy Styling!

Watch This Style / Beauty Buys: Behind-The-Scenes With Kate Winslet for Lancôme!


It’s no surprise that Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet has a cosmetics deal. The timeless beauty really knows how to pose in front of the cameras & I love how she’s always standing up for her shape. However, the spokesmodel for Lancôme has returned as the face of the brand, promoting their newest anti-wrinkle cream, Renergie Lift Multi-Action Reviva Concentrate, which sells for $120.00, which is pretty pricey, but perhaps there’s something to it!

Kate Winslet for Lancôme

The cream hits stores in April & while some of us still under 30 might not have to think about wrinkles, it’s always impressive to see how strong & inspiring women like Kate are celebrating their beauty. The actress recently told In Style, “A good eye cream is really important when you’re traveling, busy, &stress.” She adds, “That’s when the dark, puffy circles can get you!”

Watch the video below to get a sneak peek at Kate behind-the-scenes in London, shot by Miguel Reveriego. To shop Lancôme products, check out Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, HSN, Harrods, & Dillard’s! For more fashion videos, check out previous posts from Watch This Style, including the Fall 2013 Ready-To-Wear Collection by Alexander McQueen during Paris Fashion Week, Chanel’s latest watch collection, La Montre PREMIERE, Lena Dunham discussing Season 2 of Girls, & Beyoncé’s Vogue March 2013 cover shoot! Happy Styling!

Runway Rundown: Alexander McQueen’s Fall 2013 Ready-To-Wear Collection!


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The House of Alexander McQueen is known for its over-the-top decadence & high fashion luxury. Of course, we’ve all seen the brand’s gorgeous designs on the red carpet, including Amanda Seyfried, Salma Hayek, Nicole Kidman, Mila Kunis, Cate Blanchett, & countless others which have stunned critics & celebrated the vision of the late designer. It was announced that a pregnant Sarah Burton, creative director of Alexander McQueen, would not be showing a collection during fashion week; however, this limited 10-piece Fall 2013 Ready-To-Wear Collection is beyond any runway presentation seen at Paris Fashion Week. Check out the video below & click through the gallery above to see each feat of fashion in motion.

Clearly, no detail was overlooked & while these pieces aren’t necessarily street-ready or red carpet-friendly for the average movie premiere, the collection honors the brand’s legacy with ornate beading & studding, lush lace-over-lace, exaggerated peplums, jeweled masks, metallic crown-inspired corsets, & a no-sparkle-left-behind philosophy. In Style spoke with the label which shared that the “hyperworked embellishment” details take a cue “from communion gowns to cardinals’ robes, the high church, nuns, popes, angels.” What better timing than now for such an homage when the Christian community is buzzing about who will be the next pope!

Of course I don’t see very many occasions for these pieces in my everyday life, but as an informed Style Darling, I can definitely appreciate the artistry & craftsmanship, especially having had the privilege to view pieces from this historial brand at the Metropolitan Museum of Art back in 2011. For more an up close & personal look at these pieces, check out a detail-focused gallery on Elle & share with us what you think of this collection. Happy Styling!

Watch This Style: Chanel Reinvents La Montre PREMIERE!


In a world where everyone owns a cell phone, tinkers with a tablet on the subway, or uses other such jacked-up flat screen electronic devices at all times, it seemed unnecessary for me to wear a watch since a digital answer was just a click away. However, thanks to a very special someone <3, my favorite Hello Kitty watch has been revamped with a gorgeous new white leather band, a holiday gift which also included a new battery so that its inside hands may carry on. I’ve rediscovered my appreciation for a timepiece- not to mention the value of time, especially when it comes to cherishing the moments that can define a shared connection between two people. Such untimed flashes of emotion include hearing I-love-you & saying it back for the first time, getting lost in one another’s embraces outside during the first snowfall of a relationship & in the stark coldness of a brisk parking lot just before two cars pull away separately, or lastly, how there’s an automatic response to reach across a sticky table surface to hold one’s watch-adorned hand since those fingers belong entangled together more so than any invention with wheels or springs could ever measure. Yes, time has been on my mind.

While this post shares the latest in watch design from Chanel, wearing something with Hello Kitty’s pink-bowed face on it with rhinestones & a silver-tone frame from an Avon catalogue doesn’t necessarily fall on the same level of luxury. It’s still nonetheless valuable in more ways than I could ever put into words, always reminding me the hour of the day, as well the individual who I’ll hold in my heart as time continues to tick away- a metronome for when our song may commence again. To each their own…

However, in the recent down time that I’ve had while enduring the aftermath of last weekend’s winterstorm Nemo, I was able to catch up on some movies that were taking up space on my DVR, including Coco Before Chanel, starring the always lovely Audrey Tautou as the couturière. The film follows Gabrielle Chanel, starting with her days before adopting the nickname Coco, falling in love for the first time, & experiencing her first & only tragic heartbreak. She develops her own fashion sense once moving to the the French countryside, inspired mainly by menswear. She was progressive in rejecting what she thought were gaudy embellishments, as well as offensive & uncomfortable silhouettes for women in real life. Which brings me to my ultimate point…

Chanel La Montre Premiere

The House of Chanel has recently reinvented & re-issued their La Montre PREMIERE watch, which was first released in 1987. Sadly, Chanel herself never designed a watch for the brand in her lifetime, but details like its octagonal case, diamond & pearl decoration in each variation, as well as delicate, yet structured links channel the legendary icon’s personal sense of fashion. I found the video below, which shows the watch in action, mixed with modern-day casual looks, streetwear for the girl-on-the-go, office-friendly outfits, cocktail frocks, & everything in between, needlessly proving the longevity of Chanel style. Yes, that’s a time-related pun in there.

For more fashionable videos, check out previous posts including Beyoncé’s Vogue cover shoot, Justin Timberlake’s Grammy performance, behind-the-scenes for the Versace Spring-Summer 2013 ad campaign, & an inside look at Season 2 of Girls! Happy Styling!

Cover Craze: Beyoncé’s Vogue March 2013 Issue Is Nothing Short Of Glamorous!


Beyonce for Vogue March 2013

Beyoncé is definitely ruling 2013 & it’s only February! Not only did she electrify at the Super Bowl halftime show, stun at the Grammys red carpet in a colorblocked jump suit by Osman, celebrate the release of her latest fragrance Pulse NYC, perform at the 2013 Presidential Inauguration, & film her documentary Life Is But A Dream, but the unstoppable diva is now on the cover of Vogue‘s March 2013 issue, fittingly themed The Power Issue.

Beyonce for Vogue March 2013 Beyonce for Vogue March 2013

With photographs by legendary photographer Patrick Demarchelier, Beyoncé can be seen in looks by Givenchy for the cover, as well as Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière, Oscar de la Renta, Alexander McQueen, & Haider Ackermann. She talks to the magazine about motherhood, her upcoming music projects, & about heading on tour.

Beyonce for Vogue March 2013

Check out the video below to get a behind-the-scenes look at the shoot in action, featuring her diva-like poses, as well as hair & makeup preparations for a very fashionable spread.  For more celebrity videos, check out Justin Timberlake’s Grammys performance, Natalie Portman’s latest ad for Dior’s Diorshow Iconic Overcurl mascara, Evan Rachel Wood & Chris Evans for Gucci’s Guilty Black fragrance, Keira Knightley’s cover shoot for Marie Claire, Rihanna’s debut collection for River Island, & videos from Emmy Rossum’s new album Sentimental Journey! Happy Styling!

Ad Madness / Beauty Buys: Natalie Portman’s Lush Lashes For Dior’s New Mascara!


Natalie Portman in Dior Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara

The celebrity ad campaigns continue on with Oscar-winning actress Natalie Portman who returns to Dior for their newest Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara ($29.00), which is available @Sephora. Not only does Natalie look absolutely stunning, but I’m nearly convinced that I should drop my Maybelline mascara for this new Dior product which contains formula-strengthening ingredients like plant nectar and abyssinv oil.

Take a look at the short video clip below which reveals a behind-the-scenes look at the ad’s photo shoot. You can see the ad currently running in March issues of the best fashion & beauty magazines. For more Ad Madness posts, check out Gucci Guilty Black starring Evan Rachel Wood & Chris Evans, Kate Upton for Sam Edelman shoes, behind-the-scenes with Beyoncé for Pulse NYC, & Kate Hudson’s Almay cosmetics shoot! 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.

InStyle March 2013InStyle March 2013InStyle March 2013

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!

Ad Madness / Watch This Style: Evan Rachel Wood & Chris Evans For Gucci’s Guilty Black!


Evan Rachel Wood & Chris Evans for Gucci Guilty Black

For those of you who love the black & white noir angle of films like Sin City or Sucker Punch, then you’ll love the director’s cut for Gucci‘s latest men’s & women’s fragrance, Guilty Black. The sexy & dramatic commercial stars previous Gucci models, The Ides of March actress Evan Rachel Wood & the big screen’s Captain America, Chris Evans. Prices for the fragrance range between $80 – $90, with notes of pink pepper, coriander, patchouli, & orange flower.

For more celebrity ad campaigns, check out more Ad Madness posts including Kate Upton for Sam Edelman, Beyonce latest perfume, Pulse NYC, behind-the-scenes with Kate Hudson for Almay, & Amber Heard for Guess Girl. Also, for more stylish videos, check out Watch This Style posts like Keira Knightley’s Marie Claire shoot, Beyonce’s halftime show performance for the Super Bowl, & behind-the-scenes with Emmy Rossum for Self magazine. Happy Styling!

Ad Madness / Watch This Style: Behind-The-Scenes with Beyoncé For Pulse NYC!


Beyonce for Pulse NYC

Beyoncé is at it again! Not only is she this weekend’s Super Bowl halftime act & hitting the small screen for an upcoming documentary on HBO, but she’s recently shot an ad for her latest fragrance, Pulse NYC, inspired by her new hometown with a Gotham City-inspired bottle. The multi-talented singer has focused this scent on a woman who is “impossible to ignore, exuding sensuality & strength.” ELLE‘s Joe Zee styled the shoot, sharing metallic wardrobe pieces that resembling the mirrored buildings of the New York City.

Do you follow celebrity fragrances? Have you tried any of Beyoncé’s perfumes? Check out the video below to get a behind-the-scenes look at the photo shoot. To shop Beyoncé’s fragrances, shop Beyoncé Parfums, Macy’s, or Walmart! For more Beyoncé news, click on over to previous posts including a gallery from the 2013 Presidential Inauguration, Beyonce’s top 5 most stylish music videos, & my favorite video picks from Destiny’s Child! Happy Styling!

Cover Craze: Carrie Underwood For Allure’s February 2013 Issue!


Carrie Underwood for Allure February 2013

I’ve been a subscriber to Allure magazine for a long time now & even though I don’t consider myself a beauty guru, I’ve learned a lot about makeup tricks, how to take care of your skin, & ways to improve your beauty regiment on a budget from the pages within. Just a few days ago I received the February 2013 issue of Allure with my favorite country-singing Style Darling on the cover, Carrie Underwood. I love that she’s always a lady & never tries to look like anything she’s not. In the pages of the magazine, she talks about how her look has evolved during her career, her self-confidence, & how she keeps up with a busy touring schedule.

Carrie Underwood for Allure February 2013

Luckily for us, I was able to find the video below, featuring an interview with Carrie & a behind-the-scenes look during her photo shoot, which was shot in Oklahoma City, featuring designers like Burberry, Gucci, & Calvin Klein. For more from Cover Craze, check out posts including Claire Danes on the cover of Elle, Rooney Mara’s Vogue shoot, & Jessica Alba talking to InStyle! Also, for more fashionable videos from Watch This Style, check out Christian Siriano’s inspiration for his latest Payless collection, Rachel Zoe’s ShoeDazzle collaboration, & the full-length trailer for Beyoncé’s documentary, Life Is But A Dream! Happy Styling!

Show Me The Shoes: Christian Siriano’s Latest Arrivals For Payless!


Christian SirianoShoe-gasm alert! Yes, I said it! When I saw the latest arrivals from Christian Siriano for Payless, I nearly died from joy… shoe-joy to be specific & I knew, without a doubt, that these just had to be included in my next Show Me The Shoes post! The Project Runway winner continues to share his talents & stylish shoe designs with the mainstream public after a number of successful collections for Payless- my favorite spot to find affordable & comfortable shoes that will only out a smile on my face!

Even though we’re still in the thick of winter, clad with textured boots & leather footwear, getting to see what’s coming for spring is refreshing & exciting, especially since Siriano has selected a soft & feminine color palette, recreating the way we consider neutral shoes. The classic nude patent texture is replaced with a pearlescent shine & a light polka dot pattern can certainly work with stripes, florals, & anything else you can think of. Also, I’m crazy for mint, especially when paired with metallic accents, sure to work with any wrap dress, cotton frock, or mini skirt look as we patiently wait for spring to begin.

The Polina bow flat ($42.99) in champagne or taupe are a playful nod to the New York ballet scene, perfect for pairing with a sheath dress & cardigan for the office, boyfriend jeans & a white blazer for a day out & about, or your favorite colored jeans & a blouse when grabbing a bite to eat with the girls.  The Cynthia sling ($54.99) in taupe or champagne are a sexy way to play up any bombshell look, especially if wearing something with lace details, structure with a belt, or to elongate the legline in skinny pants.

The Julie Mary Jane heel ($54.99) in champagne & mint are by far my favorite, especially the mint pair, which pay homage to old Hollywood screen sirens like Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly, or Elizabeth Taylor.  The vintage-inspired shape also bares resemblance to dancing shoes, so you can get the party started in these while wearing your favorite LBD, a-line dress, or sequined top & feathered mini skirt.

Christian Siriano for Payless

Perhaps the most daring of the collection includes the Natalia wedge sandal ($54.99), which is a flirty blend of resort-chic if matched with a maxidress to walk the boardwalk, or to add a mod splash to a printed, sleeveless shift dress.

In addition, this collection is an extension from Siriano’s ballet-themed Spring-Summer 2013 Collection, which I featured in Runway Rundown back in September. Check out the video below to see the collection in motion on the runway, & hear about his inspiration for the light & ethereal colors which are reinventing the way we style with neutral shoes!

What do you think of this collection? Are you a fan of the color palette? Which shoes are your favorite? For more shoe-love, check out posts including Rachel Zoe’s collaboration with ShoeDazzle, Prabal Gurung’s lookbook for Target, affordable pointy toe pumps inspired by Miranda Kerr & Katie Holmes, as well as a look at the designer shoes the stars wore for the Golden Globes after parties! Happy Styling!

Watch This Style: James Franco Directs Petra Nemcova For Stuart Weitzman (Episode 1: The Backflip)!


Like all fashionable Style Darlings, more often than not, a pair of shoes will do the trick.  I don’t care how shallow that sounds, if you’re nodding or grinning, then you know what I mean & I don’t need to expand on that any further.  Apparently, footwear designer Stuart Weitzman wants to share the shoe love with a series of short films, directed by Oscar-nominated actor James Franco. According to an article on In Style, the brand hopes to spread the message that “no matter how high the heel, Stuart Weitzman stilettos can take you from day to night.”

Model, Dancing with the Stars dancer, & activist Petra Nemcova walks to Patsy Cline’s “Walking After Midnight” in this less-than-a-minute vignette, entitled “The Backflip.”  This is the first of four episodes that have been posted to the Stuart Weitzman Facebook page, which will also premiere the subsequent videos every Wednesday for the rest of October.  What do you think of the multi-talented Franco’s work here? Do you buy & wear Stuart Weitzman shoes? What footwear trends are you following this season?

For more fabulous videos from Watch This Style, be sure to check out previous posts including Tom Ford’s Spring-Summer 2013 Collection, Solange Knowles’ latest single “Losing You,” & Natalie Portman starring in Dior’s Miss Dior Le Parfum commercial! Happy Styling!

Watch This Style / Runway Rundown: Tom Ford’s Exclusive Video For His Spring-Summer 2013 Womenswear Collection!


American designer Tom Ford has been everywhere lately, but his eponymous collections are usually kept hush-hush & shared with an exclusive bunch of his closest pals in the business, as I’ve recently learned from an article on In Style. In a creative new way to show off his latest Spring-Summer 2013 Collection, the A Single Man-director has brought his vision to life with a percussion-infused music video. The collection’s 29 looks are strictly black & white with rare pops of cobalt, peach, & metallics, however hardened with patent, leather, & tailored menswear details.  Take a look at the video below & share this innovative display of what’s to come for next season! Happy Styling!

Watch This Style / Ad Madness: First Look At Gucci Premiere’s Commercial Starring Blake Lively!


Of course print ads of celebs starring in campaigns for fragrances are always juicy to look at, especially when we’re talking about Savages star Blake Lively, however almost one month ago, I informed readers of Blake’s collaboration modeling for Gucci Premiere. While I was browsing through the web just recently, I found a short sneak peek at the Gossip Girl actress in motion in a clip from the film that supports the scent.  Under the direction of Nicolas Winding Refn, this golden girl is clad in sequins overlooking the Los Angeles skyline, as well as in a flowing navy gown in the desert.  Take a look at the commercial below & share with readers what you think about this campaign.

Also, for more celebrity-endorsed fragrances, be sure to check out more from Watch This Style, including Liv Tyler for Givenchy’s Irresistible, Coco Mademoiselle by Chanel starring Keira Knightley, & Charlize Theron for Dior.