Inspiring Parisian Design!

I find campy Parisian design so cute and inspiring! This suite is absolutely adorable with it's mix of old-Hollywood, Louis XVI, and a heaping dose of teen spirit. Is there anything more luxe than upholstered furniture in the bathroom, especially paired with opalescent tiles and glitter grout!? Also love the nod to a Hayworth furniture line I love so much...

Design: Angelfish Studio's Tracy Rivers
Photography: Nancy Nolan
Source: At Home in Arkansas

Daily Dose of Pretty - Kate Spade New York

Kate Spade is one of those lifestyle brands that molds my own personal style--bright, cheerful, and girly with a strong dash of retro. I adore the Fall campaign featuring Bryce Dallas Howard (though I have no idea who she is!) that celebrates all the best luxuries in life--the perfect hand bag, a neon pink coat, vibrant lipstick paired with winged eyeliner, and a perfectly clear martini! We all need a friendly reminder to Live Colorfully!

Thursday's Movie Review - How to Marry a Millionaire (1953)

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My Marilyn Monroe sighting in All About Eve (1950) has inspired me to watch more of her movies. I couldn't resist How to Marry a Millionaire (1957) since it also starred Betty Grable and Lauren Becall. Set in New York City the movie is about three models who rent an apartment outside their means to land themselves millionaires.



I love old romantic comedies like this that shoot straight--the movie is unapologetic about women wanting men for money and men wanting women for youth and beauty. The tale is as old as time but the fact that the women are actively trying to trap the men gives a fresh take to the story, politically correct or not. The actresses are endearing and the clothes left me drooling, there is even a fashion show in the middle of the movie! Watch this one with your single girlfriends so you can concoct your own plans to land a man that's "holding!"



Copy Lauren Becall's sophistication with the essential plainweave jacket ($158) and side banded pencil skirt ($60) in navy from The Limited. You can play around in the blue ASOS belted midi dress ($81) paired with a pink Candy Violet petticoat ($49) just like Betty Grable! Or channel Marilyn Monroe's effortlessly sexy style with the J. Crew Teddie dress ($198), Urban Outfitters Risky Readers ($14) and add a faux fur or vintage fur collar from Etsy (prices vary)! Bonus points for referring to a cute girl as a "strudel" or saying "creamy" in a sentence.

Anna Paquin + V Magazine 2011

Anna Paquin got all dolled up for V magazine and she looks...a bit ridiculous doesn't she? Paquin has a very modern face and figure so the hair and clothes do nothing for her. She honestly looks like a drag queen or like she's wearing a Marilyn Monroe Halloween costume in some of the shots. I do like the Hitchcock feel that some of the images evoke but overall I'm so distracted by the wrongness of the whole shoot. This is a great example of anachronistic style taken too literally, it becomes costume-y. If the stylist had mixed in some more modern elements the shoot would have been less jarring.

Donna Karan Resort 2012

Donna Karan, normally known for her expert draping, did a sport and body-conscious collection for resort 2012. I love resort collections since the "summer" theme means the clothes are so wearable. This collection does not disappoint since all the looks translate well into the real world. The full skirt and fitted bodice is so 1950's (just check out that shirt waist dress!) but Donna Karan renders her pieces in modern fabrics and details in my favorite color pattern--red, white, and black. I also love the nod to the 40s with the cocoon coat and skirt suits. The collection is so retrofuturist!

1950's Glasses Fashions Video

Someday my eyes will go bad and I will be rocking glasses like these. Until then I will content myself with dreams of stylish sunglasses like the ones from Lumete.

Weekly Expense Report: Outlet Shopping

Visited the Jeffersonville Outlet Mall which is about an hour outside of Columbus, OH this week. I hadn't been in YEARS but now I am an avid believer. I never trusted outlet malls because I knew that most stores never carried the real deal, that there was a bunch of factory stores with sub-par products. Which is still true---the Banana Republic Factory Store and Ann Taylor Factory store contains cheap-quality products that have never been inside a real mall, and I'm sorry but isn't Old Navy ALREADY an outlet store? But I did find a few gems--the Juicy Couture Outlet, the kate spade Outlet, and the White House | Black Market Outlet.


Who knew that kate spade sold clip earrings that don't pinch ($54)? I love these huge cushion cut stones that look so retro! I find myself grabbing the pink ones just about every day!


So of course I had to grab them in turqoise too ($54). I haven't worn these yet, I keep reaching for the pink ones!


I've been jonesing for the kate spade Franca sunglasses ($128) since my other white sunglasses busted. I had a conniption when I found a pair at the outlet! Overall I was very pleased with the outlet, almost all the products had been in real kate spade stores and were the quality you expect from the brand.


Scored this Juicy Couture cupcake key fob ($58) to keep all my keys nice and tidy. The Juicy Couture Outlet is a nice mix of real product and products made especially for the outlet, you just have to be picky and ask the sales girls what's what.


It's just not a shopping trip without a shoe purchase. The White House | Black Market pink cork wedge ($30) is on sale and my new favorite shoe! I can walk a mile in these things and I am determined to properly break them in before they are stored away until next summer.



A few more of the items I picked up at the WHBM outlet! I have decided I'm not shopping the real stores anymore since ALL products end up at the outlet in 2-3 months anyway! I've hunted all over town for those magenta shorts in my size so I was stoked to find them at the outlet. I almost bought the dress at full price ($168!) and scored it at the outlet for only $45.

I think I've discovered a new shopping addiction and my wallet couldn't be happier.

Weekly Expense Report: Crazy for Pattern

Just because work has been crazy does not mean I haven't been shopping. I'm continuing my quest for tops, my weakness for shoes, and an inclination for pattern infused with bright colors.


Impossibly high wedges AND leopard print? Yes please. The pink iridescent stones are just icing on the cake. The Betsey Johnson Elvira Ankle Wrap Wedge ($96) is surprisingly walkable despite the five-inch heels.


These adorable little oxfords are unbelievably cushy inside for such an inexpensive shoe. I chose the Jellypop Spoken Pump ($45) with the intention of changing the ribbon to match different outfits. I'll be able to last in these all day!


Super cheap so this is more of a put-it-away-until-next-Summer choice. I fell for the wallpaper-inspired pattern and little pink flowers. How chic would these be with pink bermuda shorts, white and navy striped tee, and a scarf in the hair? Yep, the Poetic License Fruit Punch sneaker ($20) will get her day in the sun next year.


I could not get this dress out of my head and didn't want to risk losing it by waiting for it to go on sale. Fits like a dream, very flattering to my curves. The White House | Black Market Leopard-print dress ($158) had to come home with me!


I actually bought this in hot pink with lavender flowers. I usually choose clothing that is more body-conscious so I thought this would be a nice counter point to pencil skirts and slim 1950's trousers. The Banana Republic Teresa Floral blouse ($80) even looks great tucked into anything high-waisted.

Easy Retro Hairstyles 101

Work has been brutal so I haven't had much time for blogging; that's where the beauty of video-sharing comes in. Aubrey London has a great series of videos for easy retro hairstyles perfect for beginners. I love this one because all you need is hairspray and bobby pins.

Thursday Movie Review: All About Eve (1950)

All About Eve (1950) is a fascinating film that harkens back to when movies had literary qualities. The subtle psychology behind each actor and the fiery tirades of Margot Channing (Bette Davis) punctuate the film with wit and humor. The title character Eve Harrington (Anne Baxter) worms her way into Margot's life and tries to supplant her career and her relationships. The clothes are inspiring and be careful not to miss an early role from Marilyn Monroe's career. One of the movie's themes is oppositions--New York vs. Hollywood, Old vs. Young, married vs. single. One of my favorite scenes is when Margot's boyfriend turns Eve down--"What I go after I go after. I don't want it to come after me." Makes me nostalgic for a time when men had standards. Watch this one with your token-gay-male-friend or an aging fabulous aunt that will quote the movie line by line for you!



Get the Look:

I adore several costume elements from the film but the suit Margot wore to the theater still haunts me. This is the perfect outfit for putting people in their place. You can get this look with the J.Crew Telegraph suit ($306) paired with this New York & Company silky bow blouse ($37). Be sure to add this Vivcore party bow purse ($95) with your basic black pumps. Extra style points for donning a faux mink ($199)!