Tuesday, February 28, 2012

friend's closet: erin s

I have another closet you are going to die for, I mean D.I.E. I pretty much want to go over to her adorable house in Pacific Palisades and steal everything including her golden retriever Abe! (Erin, did you think I would forget Abe?) Never!!!

This newlywed has had an AWESOME year from getting married this past summer, moving and decorating their new house, and now expecting their first child this summer. I might have to do another post on Erin and her pregnancy fashion. She is truly a fashionista with a sense of style that one can only dream of having. I have a feeling her sense of style was inherited from her mother and passed down to both Erin and her fashion forward sister, Leigh (who actually works in the fashion industry in NYC).

Enjoy Erin's closet below and make sure and read about her favorite things! Thanks Erin!!! XOXO


Erin and Abe the Babe (soon-to-be big brother)
(Left to Right)
1. Just Cavalli dress in Ibiza - so fun
2. Illia cut out leather crop top and J Brand Love Story low rise boot cut jeans with Mom's old gold belt
3. Fave Current/Elliot Jean jacket

1) Describe your style.
Comfortable, mixed textures and lengths, lots of neutrals, sometimes on the fringe of inappropriate: I love a short short or skirt. Much more West Coast than East in terms of colors and level of formality. Oh, and heavy on the accessories. Style icons include Michelle Pfeiffer in the 70's, Kate Moss (oh, how I wish!), Cameron Diaz about 5 years ago, and any girl who rocks small boobies.

2) Where do you shop?
Fave: Planet Blue, Ron Herman, Barneys, Intermix.
More affordably: Anthropologie, Bloomingdale's, Gilt sales, flea market accessories.

3) What is your newest purchase?
Helmut Lang skirt and threadbare tee from Gilt sale.

4) What is your favorite accessory?
SUNGLASSES!!!!!!!!!!

5) Five things you can't live without.
If we're only talking fashion?  Sunglasses, jean shorts, a bikini, flip flops, and a cozy sweater or flannel.

6) What is your favorite piece in your closet and why is it your favorite?
Currently L'Agence white top/dress. I go into more detail with its photo.


(Left to Right)
1 and 3. Closet views -- everything from Gryphon shorts to flannels (so Kurt Cobain, but I can't help but love 'em).

On the right you'll see some purchases I've made since finding out I'm pregnant. There's a chartreuse caftan in there and some super soft and drapey Helmut Lang tops and dresses. I'm not going to succumb to sweats just because I'm growing a little baby in my belly. Hey -- it's a great reason to go shopping for a new look!

2. This is the shoe part of my closet, shared with my husband Victor. I'm not big on buying shoes. Luckily, my mom is big on buying shoes FOR me!

1. These are my two rows of neutral shoes.  I'm big on neutral shoes.  They seem to elongate the leg and can work with most anything. Oh!  And the ones on the bottom far left are McQueen, purchased before he passed away.  I feel lucky to have them, and they were actually 75% off when I bought 'em.

2. THIS is one of my fondest flea market finds.  It's an old jewelry cabinet.  My sweet husband re-lined the drawers and compartments, but it was otherwise ready to use!  I love that the side cabinets open up to hang long necklaces and that the top is a mirror.  Drawers in the middle hold bangles and earrings.  I really love this, and it was only 45 bucks. 

(Left to Right)
1. Sunglasses are, without a doubt, my favorite accessory.  They can hide a tired eye, provide an air of mystery (especially when that's not your strong suit, as is the case with me!), add dimension to your face and hair, and round out the personality of an outfit.  My favorite brands are Chloe, Dita, and Thierry Lasry.  The ones is this photo are Thierry Lasry and remind me of the Chloe favorites I left in the bathroom at Dodger Stadium.  Oh, man.

2. Love this little slouchy clutch from Anthropologie.  The colors are a great mix and oddly end up working with just about anything I throw on these days.  I'd gotten tired of lugging around a big handbag, so I bought this little clutch in a hurry and haven't stopped carrying it since.

3. Having said that bit about not buying shoes, these are my most expensive shoe indulgence.  I bought these in July of 2008, after just moving to Malibu from New York City.  I thought they were the perfect little bootie: relaxed; neutral; reminiscent of a cowboy boot but not ready for a two-step; and hit just the right place on the ankle.  I'm so proud of myself to say that they're the Isabel Marant bootie that seemed ubiquitous on celebrities this fall.  I'd never say I'm ahead of the trends, but this purchase made me feel a little cocky.  Probably because I'm still trying to justify spending about $650 on these boots.

4. Rag and Bone motorcycle boots.  Bought them last summer and love em even after the trend has waned. 
(Left to Right)
1. This is the outside of my closet, with shoe/hat/miscellaneous storage to the right.  I'm grateful for this space!

3. My favorite grandpa cardigan in action with a long locket, threadbare white tee, and super-sheer black shorts with an unfinished lace edge detail.  I love the elements in this outfit, and wearing them together was fun because of the mixture of light and heavy textures.

2. I freaking love this grandpa sweater.  Mostly because my mom sewed on the elbow patches.  I wanted a long, warm grandpa sweater to throw over dresses and short shorts, and my mom found the perfect sweater without patches.  Never fear: she sewed them on just right.

(Left to Right)
1. I just love this silk Maeve wrap dress.  It's classy while leaving endless accessory possibilities to the imagination, from arm parties (thanks Man Repeller) to bold colors to a statement earring or necklace.  It has trapunto detail and great, slouchy pockets.  Also, the length is perfect for a high neutral shoe. 

2. This shirt/dress from L'Agence is my favorite shirt right now.  It always makes me feel cute, and it hides the pregnancy bumps while hearkening softly back to the time when our moms dressed like babies when they were carrying babies in their bellies! 

3. This is the little camisole that lines the L'Agence top I love so much.  Just such a perfect thing to throw on when you want to look pretty.

4. Illia perforated leather crop top.  No, I cannot and do not wear it now with a pregnant belly, but it's just the greatest top for high-waisted jeans or even thrown over the right dress.  The unfinished edge makes it even better.  Love this; it's such an original. 

5. This jacket cost me $10 from Gabriel Bros., the best store near my home town.  Don't go into "Gabe's" if you don't have vision or are afraid of a little grime, though.  This place is for the bargain warriors, who will always emerge victorious.  This little wool jacket is perfect over a threadbare white tee and fun accessories, especially in a climate like LA where the cold sneaks out and grabs you from nowhere. 

6. My sister bought this great Current Elliott jean jacket for me for Christmas.  She knows I have always loved a jean jacket, whether or not they're "in."  This one reminds me of a chanel suit jacket, and it has metal piping detail.  It's such a great mixture of 80's, Chanel-inspiration, and the unexpected texture.  Looks great with little dresses, skirts, or a white tee. 
 
(Left to Right)
1. Favorite L'Agence top in action with Elizabeth and James jacket, Oscar de la Renta earrings, simple black leggings and a patent nude wedge.

2. I'm sharing this photo because it combines a lot of things I love: a neutral heel; a whisper-thin lavender cashmere scarf that my friend Monica bought me this birthday; L'Agence "skinny sweats"; a long, thin tank, also by L'Agence; a Current Elliot faded jean jacket; a long gold necklace; and hot roller hair. NOW, you may be saying, "Erin. Some of those things are really 'out.'" To you I say, "Be that as it may." There are some things that become signature for you, and some of mine make an appearance in this photo. As for the L'Agence items -- well, even though they are technically "sweats" and are so soft and comfy you feel like you're living in a cloud, because of their fit, color and cut, you can actually dress them up and hit the road without feeling like you smell.

Note, I think I'm also sporting a highly-attended arm party in this photo as well (thanks, Leigh, for pointing that out). Sometimes 5 bracelets just aren't enough.
 
3. one of my favorite skirts, purchased at a small Manhattan Beach boutique, with old linen Banana Republic blazer, James Perse tee, and Anouk boots.

My fave wedding photo, which shows the veil I had made.  It's actually 9 strips of 20-inch fabric that blew in the wind to compliment the movement of the dress. 

Dress is "The Margot," one of Shareen of Shareen Vintage's custom designs.

Veil I had made thanks to the expert eye and inspiration of Enzo Angileri.

5 months' pregnant in L'Agence dress with favorite Current/Elliot jean jacket.

Monday, February 27, 2012

red carpet favs

OK so I was planning on doing a post about my friend's closet today but since yesterday was the Academy Awards I thought I would share with you my favorites.  Happy Monday!

Milla Jovovich in Elie Saab Couture
Flawless and stunning.

Gwynth Paltrow in Tom Ford
I love the long cape so sophisticated and glamorous.

Rose Byrne in Vivienne Westwood
This dress is just as stunning in the back as it is in the front.
Her hair looked perfect with this stunner of a dress. Absolutely GORG!

Michelle Williams in Louis Vuitton
Love, love, love.  I love the little diamond bow.  Just a little accent to an already perfect dress.

Missi Pyle in Valentina Delfino
The color of this dress looked amazing on her.  She looked fresh and beautiful.


Octavia Spencer in Tadashi Shoji
This might be my favorite of the night. The dress is beyond gorgeous and it looked amazing on her.

Sandra Bullock in Marchesa
Now this dress was not a fav on a lot of websites but I loved it.  You have to see the back to really appreciate the beauty of it. If anyone can pull this of Sandra could and she did.

All photos are from http://www.style.com/ or http://www.instyle.com/.  Check out these websites for more Oscar fashion.

Friday, February 3, 2012

friend's closet: beth m/g

Awe another AWESOME closet!  Trust me this is a closet you would love to have.  I knew my friend Beth would be game for this fun little project since she is a shopaholic (like myself). We constantly send each other website links asking "should I get this?"

As you can see in the photos below Beth enjoys accessorizing her outfits with fun, bold necklaces.  Another fun little tidbit about Beth is that she is a make-up artist on the side so be sure and check out her amazing make-up collection. 

Thanks Beth for taking us inside your closet and congratulations on your recent marriage, you were a beautiful bride!!


1) Describe your style.
I love mixing classic staples with of-the-moment pieces and punchy makeup looks (a winged cat eye, bright or dark lips or unexpected nail polish colors). I would say that my style morphs depending on my mood; I equally love sugary sweet, overly girly dresses and über androgynous, leather encased looks. If I could afford to buy anything I wanted, you could probably call my sense of style "Edgy European Rock Chick." Think Kate Moss meets The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

2) Where do you shop?
I could go to Zara every day and find something I had to have; I've recently become obsessed with fashion blogs and look to them for inspiration on how to mix in pieces from there. I love LF but can only afford to hit up their mega sales and AllSaints... I just walk through and admire everything that I will one day be able to afford once I win the mega-millions. I shop at H&M and Forever 21 for fun additions and like to mix in effortlessly chic pieces from Brandy Melville and indie/punk pieces from Urban Outfitters. I also cruise around on eBay to scoop-up accessories at major discounts. I've scored some majorly awesome goods at my local Buffalo Exchange, including a sexy (new!) Diane von Furstenberg dress, a silk Marc Jacobs dress and a few practically new AllSaints get-ups. And I'm addicted to L.A.M.B. handbags and shoes, which I will only purchase through online flash sales or from Nordstrom Rack.

3) What is your newest purchase?
A pale pink and black long-sleeved top from Zara: it's flowy, a gorgeous shade of blush and has these cool mesh arm accents that make me look like I'm wearing shoulder holsters.

4) What is your favorite accessory?
I have to say it's a close call between two clutches - a gold-sequined clutch from Zara and black leather L.A.M.B. clutch. The Zara clutch makes me happy just looking at it and I love that the lining is my favorite color (purple)! It is big enough to hold a lot more than a typical clutch and it adds a bit of dressy fun to anything you pair it with. The gold goes with anything - in the daytime it appears a bit more muted and when the sun goes down it shines like a mirror ball and attracts a lot of attention. My black L.A.M.B. clutch makes me feel cool just carrying it. The leather is exquisitely soft and the zippers and tassel add a bit of rock star to anything I pair it with.

5) Five things you can't live without.
In my closet: a pair of black liquid leggings (they look like leather) from Kova & T, my Car Mar jeans from LF, a professor cardigan from LF, my J.Crew chambray shirt that goes with everything and my gray riding boots from Charles David. Other things that I can't live without: my shiny new husband, my cats (all three but I'm only counting them as one), my central heat/air-conditioning, coffee and Trader Joe's oat bran.

6) What is your favorite piece in your closet and why is it your favorite?
A pair of brown suede Sam Edelman western fringed booties. I can seem to make them work with anything and they add a bit of edginess to anything you pair them with. You can keep them unfolded or fold them down for a different look. They add a good bit of height but I could walk in them for miles - and by now I definitely have!


Her multiple closets!!!!

Her collection of necklaces, accessories and MAKE-UP!

Her favorites: Sam Edelman booties / Charles David boots / Zara and L.A.M.B clutches

Just a few of her work outfits

Beth and her new HUSBAND! Married on NYE this year.