Thrifted denim shirt ($1.50 at St. Vincent de Paul! Get into it.) and pants; Donna Karan blazer; Sigerson Morrison boots

Basic denim and black and white stripes deserve to be dressed up with a pop of bright color. Feather earrings don’t hurt either…

Have a great weekend!

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Not that I was really complaining before–it was an extremely mild winter, after all–but I’m really enjoying this almost-summer weather. I figured it was time to pull out the Ugly Shoes and DIY Vest and get this party started!

H&M dress; DIY vest; thrifted belt; Jeffrey Campbell booties; Da Me hat

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So far, Autumn/Winter 2012 fashion is shaping up to include the usual leather, dark colors, and beautiful coats that seem to appear every Fall. Color blocking is still a thing, though it’s been one-upped by pattern blocking–combining multiple prints and patterns–and it looks like pops of bright color (including Spring’s tangerine shades) and quirky ironic sweaters will be around for another season or two. Some of my faves from the NYC runways:

Definitely enjoyed the Narciso-meets-Balenciaga vibe at Altuzarra

Really feeling all the patterned pants, pants everywhere

L’Wren Scott has clearly been watching Downton Abbey (don’t spoil me–I’m only up to episode 4 of the 2nd season)

The layered knits and copper leather at Rag & Bone had me at hello.

I will absolutely be on the hunt for knockoffs of designs “inspired by” the shoes at Derek Lam

Still trying to decide where I stand on the Helena Bonham Carter-in-a-Tim-Burton-film vibe at Marc Jacobs.

The layered textures and shades at Christian Cota just feels right for this season

Peplums have made several runway appearances in the past few seasons, but have yet to be widely adopted by retailers. How am I supposed to get my Sandra Clark on?

Did you have any favorites from New York?

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Every year when the temperature dips below 50, I look forward to wearing these pants. I’m not sure why–something about the combination of high-waisted seventies goodness and plush blue velvet intrigues me.

Vintage trousers and shoes; Polo boy’s oxford; VS tee; thrifted scarf

Is it just me or does the front of my hair bear a strange resemblance to the Chrysler Building here?

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Multicolored rainbow eye shadow used to be my go-to party look, and I think it’s time to bring it back; If I drove through a tunnel of purple blossoms every morning I might appreciate the commute a bit more; Layering patterns and textures like paisley and lace is one of the best ways to create interest and depth; Sturdy-heeled ankle boots are the perfect antidote to an abbreviated hemline; I’m still not over my obsession with quartz and crystals; This whole purple motif is just an excuse to post (and fawn over) pictures of you-know-who.

Find more creative inspiration at stylesample.tumblr.com!

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Thanks to the internets, it’s easier than ever to follow what’s happening on and off the runways during New York Fashion Week. Besides the usual pictures and reviews and street style snaps, video is making me feel like I’m in the front row, albeit in sweats instead of Suno. In particular: YouTube’s Live From the Runway.

 What’s your favorite way to keep up with the shows?

The Greatest Voice of All

On a much sadder note, RIP to (another) one of the singers whose music helped define my childhood. People used to say I reminded them of Whitney Houston fairly often back in the day (my usual reply: “I’m EVERY woman”) and though I knew she was at least 27 times more beautiful than me, I took that ish to heart and tried to replicate her hair styles and makeup as much as I could.

Thanks to Ms. Houston, I nearly wore out my pre-pubescent vocal cords trying to hold that last note from Greatest Love of All, daydreamed about wearing a beaded headdress while performing I Have Nothing instead of listening in algebra class, and chased boys around the playground while You Give Good Love played on a boombox in the background. Shoot, it was just a week ago on Superbowl Sunday when I clicked over to YouTube to watch that 1991 performance of the National Anthem–not that Kelly Clarkson wasn’t good, she just didn’t move me like Whitney did.

 Now, off to Netflix The Bodyguard and Waiting to Exhale while weeping softly into my plate of nachos…

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Confession: I have never been able to properly pull off a red lip. Pink, purple, burgundy, even orange, I’ve managed to (mostly) master. But red? I look like a naughty toddler playing in mommy’s makeup. It just never seems to look rose-blossom right.

Until…Amy of Cincy Chic invited me and a few other lady-bloggers to The Bridal Studio to have our makeup–including the Perfect Red Lip–done by pros Mollie and Nancy of FACEing.

Reds, reds everywhere…

Gettin’ my makeup did

Marsha and Brock of Style Edit

Photographer April Smith was there to record the transformation, and Brock and Marsha, Kate, Amy, Julie and I posed and preened for the camera like pros.

 This is how you give good glam, bitches

You can show off by posting a picture of yourself wearing your Perfect Red Lip on Cincy Chic’s Facebook page! When you do, you’ll be entered to win two tickets to the sold-out Go Red event on February 3rd, a $50 gift certificate to Stone Creek, and a personalized FACEing makeup class gift certificate. Bonus entry if you make your Red Lip Pic your profile picture!

I made Mollie and Nancy of FACEing and photographer April Smith take a turn in front of the camera

Mollie used a combination of Revlon Crimson and Laura Mercier’s Neutral Brown liner on me (plus false eyelashes–my first time wearing them!). What shade(s) do you use for a red lip?

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I just realized how weird it is that I never pay attention to the menswear collections, when it’s well documented just how much I love menswear. That’s gotta change, no?

The tailoring makes for an easy crossover, and most of the styling can be applied to women’s RTW–blazers, vests, trousers, and sweaters are all things most women wear anyway. Trade flat shoes for a platform heel or high-heeled brogue, add a sparkly piece of jewelry and bright lipstick, and you’re all set!

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I don’t remember the first time I saw an episode of Golden Girls, but I clearly remember sitting on my parents’ bed, trying not to laugh at a raunchy joke the sharp-tongued Dorothy Zbornak made at the expense of one Ms. Blanche Devereaux. I stifled the laugh because I knew I wasn’t supposed to “get” the joke, but I did. I always got Dorothy’s jokes, ’cause she was a smart-ass like me.

Since Golden Girls was an ’80s show about a group of retirement-aged women, the wardrobe was always…interesting. Lots of sequins and chiffon, of course. And while I appreciated Blanche’s predilection for form-fitting spangles, Dorothy’s oversized cowlneck tunics and slouchy Hammer pants seemed like the senior citizen version of downtown cool. Count me in:

Plastic Island dress; ASOS trousers; Allen B. top; DKNY heels, earrings from High Street

I’m definitely a Dorothy, cheesecake cravings and all. You?

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I’m sick, my nose won’t stop running, and I have a lot of work to do, so I’m feeling extra grouchy. I’m also a little woozy from the meds and in the mood to talk about UFOs–no, not the kind with little green people–UFOs as in Unpopular Fashion Opinions.

There are several things that are deemed “classics” in the fashion universe–untouchable icons of style, so to speak. Things everyone else seems to love that I have no use for. Screw that! In no particular order:

I know they’re comfy, but I had my fill of round-toe Sam and Libby flats back in elementary school. Give me a pointy- or almond-toe skimmer anyday.

She’s supposed to be this bastion of cool, but between utterly clueless comments about homeless people and blatantly ripping off an indie designer‘s creations, she comes across as vapid and wholly unlikable. And I swear, if I see one more skinny chick in a feather headband, just…no. No.

One of my favorite pairs of shoes are JCs, but sometimes I feel like they’re having a laugh and a half at the expense of fashion bloggers worldwide. I mean really, look at those things. Really, y’all? RILLY?!

I’m sure it’s officially Fashion Blasphemy to say this, but the 2.55 just seems kind of “meh” to me, perhaps due to oversaturation. I mean, I wouldn’t turn one down, but give me an Hermes Kelly (in green croc, pleaseandthankyou) instead any day!

What do you dislike that everyone else in the wide world of fashion seems to love?

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