A Midsummer Night's Dream

I awoke this morning to the smell of cinnamon rolls and mimosas.  I got out of bed, walked into the living room and saw 3 orange boxes tied with brown ribbons.  "Hermes!" I shrieked with excitement.  Smiling, I pulled out a scarf, belt and Birkin bag out of the boxes.  My husband entered the room and asked me if I liked my presents.  Then he reminded me to go get ready, as we were leaving for Capri in less than an hour.

L: Olivia Palermo carrying an Hermes Birkin bag (image from Google)
TR: Hermes Cordages Vintage Silk Twill Scarf (hermes.com)
BR: Nicky Hilton wearing an Hermes belt (image from Google)

I watched my closet rack rotate, then pushed stop on the remote control as my favorite DVF wrap dress came into view.  I put it on and stared into my jewelry case.  I decided on a vintage Van Cleef & Arpels necklace, Cartier watch, and Tiffany earrings.  I closed the case, looked in the mirror and then opened the case again.  I had almost forgotten my Harry Winston engagement ring!  Finally, I slipped on a pair of Ferragamo bow flats and called for my butler to come get my luggage.  

L: Diane von Furstenberg 'New Julian Two' Wrap Dress (Bloomingdales)
R: Salvatore Ferragamo 'Varina' Patent Ballet Flat (Neiman Marcus)

 

TL: Tiffany 'Solitaire Diamond Earrings' (Tiffany & Co.)
TR: Cartier Tank Watch (image from Google)
BL: Van Cleef & Arpels 'Alhambra Long Necklace' (vancleefarpels.com)
BR: Harry Winston diamond ring (image from Google)

Being the genius dog that he is, Monaco ran right inside his Louis Vuitton carrier.  I didn't have time to change purses, so I had to take the Hermes Kelly bag that I had already been carrying.  

TL: Miranda Kerr carrying Louis Vuitton luggage and dog carrier
BL: Nicky Hilton carrying an Hermes Kelly bag
R: some poor guy carrying LV luggage for Joan Collins
images from Google 

My husband drove us in his Porsche to the airport, looking like a modern day Dylan McKay.  Since it was a convertible, I tied my new scarf around my head and put on my Chanel oversized sunnies.  We boarded our private jet and popped open a bottle of Dom.  I soon drifted off into a deep sleep and when I woke up...Crap! I'm in Kentucky again! Oh well, a girl can dream, right? 

L: Jackie O wearing an Hermes Scarf
TR: Chanel 'CH5232Q 5013F' Sunglasses (shadestation.co.uk)
BR: Jackie O in Chanel sunglasses
images from Pinterest and Google

I love fantasizing about iconic fashion pieces that I long to be a part of my collection.  Surely I'm not the only one who does this...what are the items on your lust list?

Stripe Club

 I've bought several striped dresses this summer, not on purpose but just because I always tend to gravitate towards stripes.  They're 'safer' and more versatile than most other prints, but are still cute and flattering. 

me in a Banana Republic dress, Tory Burch shoes; me in an Outback Red dress (The Limited) and Coach shoes

Even though it's only July, I'm already thinking towards fall (my fave time of year).   I could see myself wearing most of these dresses now with sandals and then with black tights and boots in the fall. 

TL: Nanette Lepore 'Waterfront Stripe Dress' (Bloomingdales)
TR: 10 Croby Derek Lam 'Short Sleeve Striped Dress' (shopbop.com)
BL: Aqua 'Stripe Ponte Dress' (Bloomingdales)
BC: Kate Spade 'Striped Vivien Dress' (Kate Spade)
BR: Aqua 'Stripe Knit Eyelet Sleeveless Dress' (Bloomingdales)

L: J.Crew 'Stripe Silk Tunic Dress' (J.Crew)
C: BCBG Max Azria 'Short Sleeve Stripe Dress' (bcbg.com)
R: Banana Republic 'Striped Ponte Knit V-Neck Dress' (Banana Republic)

Here's a few of my favorite striped looks from the Spring/Summer runway. 

Fan Bingbing in Oscar de la Renta, Zoe Saldana in Dolce & Gabbana, Chanel Iman in J. Mendel
images from Google

Summer Staple: The Shirt Dress

I'm all about keeping it simple, so I love the shirt dress.  It's easy and comfortable, but still polished, especially when belted.  Most shirt dresses are classic styles that can be worn for many years.  Confession- I've had the one in the pic below for at least 4 or 5 years and still wear it.  I just switch up the belt and shoes to create multiple outfits.  The looks below can simply be described as effortlessly chic- my favorite word combination (besides Louis and Vuitton).

Nicky Hilton, Emma Roberts, me in an H&M dress and MICHAEL Michael Kors shoes
celeb images from Google

L: DKNYC 'Mesh Yoke Sleeveless Shirtdress' (Nordstrom)
C: MICHAEL Michael Kors Maxi Shirt Dress' (Bloomingdales)
R: Hive & Honey 'Military Shirt Dress' (piperlime.com)

L: RD Style 'Stripe Shirt Dress' (piperlime.com)
C: DKNYC 'Button Shirt Dress' (Bloomingdales)
R: Tory Burch 'Brigitte Cotton Shirtdress' (Nordstrom)

Mum's the Word

Is it just me or is everyone else thinking there's def a baby boom of some sort going on right now?  No, I'm not pregnant, but I have so many friends and family members that are expecting.  I'm so happy for all of them, and while I can't offer any credible baby raising advice, I can offer some tips on how to continue to look fabulous while preggers.

Pretty floral prints always look sweet and cute.  I like the look of the long cardigan over the dress here. 

More of Me 'Maeve Bib Dress' (moreofmematernity.com)
TR: NOM 'Floral Rosie Tunic' (bellydancematernity.com)
BR: Fragile Maternity 'Tie Waist Dress' (bellydancematernity.com)

Here's some of my fave red carpet maternity looks.  The empire waist dress is always a safe, flattering choice when dressing a bump, but it's also okay to flaunt your pregnant body in something tighter, as long as the proportions are right.  If you're showing a lot of leg, you should go for a higher neckline. 

Georgina Chapman, Natalie Portman, Selma  Blair
All images from Google

Kate Hudson, Kourtney Kardashian, Camila Alves

               All images from Google

Okay, I know most of my friends won't be hitting the red carpet anytime soon, so here's some everyday looks I like. 

Kate Hudson, Camila Alves, Kristin Cavallari

                All images from Google

L: ASOS 'Blouse with Ruffle Sleeve and Belt' (asos.com)
TR: HATCH  'Sunset Tunic' (shopbop.com)
BR: Free People 'Mesh Tunic' (shopbop.com)

My most stylish 'mommy' friend told me that maternity shopping can be a nightmare, so it's worth a splurge to buy non-maternity pieces and take them to a tailor to be altered to your shape.   She also recommended pairing soft, flowy tops with skinny jeans for comfortable, chic looks. 

T: Kate Middleton in Topshop, Olian 'Caroline Dress' (bellydancematernity,com),  ASOS 'Knotted Dress with Anchor' (asos.com)
B: Maternal America 'Scoop Neck Dress' (Nordstrom), Japanese Weekend 'Boatneck Top' (Nordstrom), Maternal America 'Embellished Top' (bellydancematernity.com)

L: ASOS 'Vest with Double Scallop' top and 'Maternity Pleated Leggings' (asos.com)
R: Zara Maternity jeans and tee (zara.com)


My last tip- just please don't try to copy any of Kim Kardashian's or Jessica Simpson's maternity outfits!  

Tribal Nation

I'm really loving crazy, colorful prints right now, and the tribal print is one of my faves.  Throw on any of these easy dresses with a nude sandal and a statement necklace to complete the look.  

L: me in an Uncle Frank dress (Pappagallo), Franco Sarto shoes (Off Broadway), NY&Co necklace (NY&Co)
TR: Forever21 'Tribal Print Shift Dress w/ Belt' (Forever21)
BR: 'Radical Lines Dress' (ShopSosie.com)

Selena Gomez, Brooklyn Decker, Kristen Stewart
Images from Google

TL: Alice by Temperley 'Tribal Print Dress' (Neiman Marcus)
BL: River Island 'Sleeveless Tribal Print Smock Dress' (asos.com)
TR: me in a Yahada dress (Pappagallo), Gap sandals
BR: Alice + Olivia 'Rhi Tiered Hem Tank Dress' (Nordstrom)

Block Out

As the saying goes, everything old is new again, and nowhere is this more true than in fashion.  One prime example is the color blocking trend.  This was popular during the 60's 'Mod' era, and came back in the 80's- remember those oversized color block sweaters?  Now, color blocking is having a moment once again, and I love the fresh, modern take on this trend that we are seeing today.

Olivia Wilde, Shay Mitchell, Leighton Meester

L: ASOS 'Shift Dress with Color Block Panel' (asos.com)
C: Rhyme Los Angeles 'Soho Color Block Dress' (piperlime.com)
R: Stripe by N 'Jonah Color Block Mini' (piperlime.com)

L: Diane von Furstenberg 'Dayton Stretch Sheath Dress' (Nordstrom)
C: ASOS 'Jarlo Striped Maxi Dress in Color Block' (asos.com)
R: Ali Ro 'Sleeveless Pique Color Block Dress' (Bloomingdales)

T: Joan Vass 'Colorblock Tunic' (Bloomingdales)
BL: MICHAEL Michael Kors 'Colorblock Linen & Chiffon Blouse' (Nordstrom)
BC: 'Williams Tank in Peach' (shopsosie.com)
R: me in a Julia Jordan dress (Pappagallo), Gianni Bini shoes