Style Icon: Melania Trump

Melania Trump is stunning.

Its as simple as that. I was even lucky enough to spot her in person, years ago, with Donald in front of 601 by chelsea piers and she was just as beautiful in person. Watching her effortless elegance makes you want to live a life that requires sheath dresses, chignons, and diamond studded bracelets and chandelier earrings all day, everyday.

I watched her on QVC late the other night - i admit it, i was a nerd.

I don't normally watch QVC but i put it into my calendar to watch her - i didn't want to forget! Being a jewelry aficionado, i wanted to make sure to catch her line and i wasn't disappointed. If i didn't already have my michael kors watches that I can't live without, i would've snagged her timepieces in a heartbeat.

The roman numeraled face channeled a hint of cartier.

I couldn't help but be mesmerized by her emerald cut cocktail rings, her diamond simulated necklace with aquamarine teardrops - my absolute love was her diamond cluster earrings. If you know me, you know i'm more of a button earring girl - and these were fab enough to make a statement but small enough to wear everyday.

I think part of the reason I have a secret crush on Melania is not only for the reasons above, but because she's a fellow mommy.

Even with baby Barron by her side, she still looks like a million bucks - no pun intended. She's definitely one of my style icons on the more conservative, classy elegant side of the scale.

A Meaningful Existence

(image from weheartit.com)

Its a new year and of course I find myself writing my new years resolution list. Every year I say i'm going to stick to them and every year i forget what they are by February. This year I want it to be different. I really want to make moves and I don't want to just talk about them. I want to follow through with them. I found a great article from:

http://www.ameaningfulexistence.com/2011/01/04/5-surefire-ways-to-stick-to-your-new-year-resolutions/

with 5 Surefire ways to stick to your new years resolutions

1) are you trying to change a symptom instead of a root cause?

For example, a lot of people say they want to lose weight. But what caused you to gain weight in the first place? were you unhappy and ate to make yourself feel a temporary happiness? Figure out the root cause of what you're trying to change

2) you must write your resolutions down

This is so important for new years resolutions, for any type of goals in your life, or even for your every day to do list. Write them down so you can visually see what you want to do.

3) don't set goals because everyone is doing it

Set goals because you really want to achieve them and not just because its the New Year and everyone else is doing it

4) program your subconscious mind

You want to wake up thinking about your goal, you want to sleep thinking about your goal - read your goals everyday so you don't forget what you're striving to achieve. Its so easy to get caught up in everyday life and forget about where we want to be. Remember what you want and go for it. Don't get stuck in a rut that you were in last year.

5) increase your desire to reach your goals

There are days we are more motivated than others. Help increase your desire on those days you're less motivated. Think of how your life would be once those goals are achieved. How would your life change? Would you be happier? Keep that in mind to help you stay focused and on track for this year.

Exotic Inspirations

I've been on a decorating kick these past few weeks -partly because I went to a fab party in a gorgeous NYC condo and it totally inspired me to kick my decor up a notch.

I don't want to do anything too drastic since i'm still renting but when i go back to my house i really want to infuse some serious exotic influences. Right now, i'm really inspired by Morracan blues and lapis's. I love the intricate details of tiled walls, jewel toned colors, and gorgeous mirrors. Although I've always loved this look, it hit me headstrong this week when i saw an episode of "Divine Design" on the HGTV channel. A couple wanted to renovate their drab patio and the end result was amazing. It went from being a room covered in dark brown wood from floor to celing to being a great lounge area with comfy seating, lots of plush, luxe looking pillows, gorgeous Turkish looking lamps and lanterns, blue tiles on the steps, etc.

I also saw my share of Arabian nights styles in the new "Sex and the City 2" movie that just came out on DVD. Picture ladies in silk flowing fabrics and turbans riding camels into the desert. Well it looked fab but i'm sure its not realistic. Anyway, enjoy these Moraccan inspirations.

Though far, always near

Luckily, during my stay here in NJ, my sister Gail (from LA) was in Philadelphia for a wedding. We couldn't pass the opportunity up for the 3 of us sisters to get together (Christine lives here in NJ) so we drove about 2 hours to see her for dinner. Since all 3 of us live in different states, we rarely all get together at the same time. Its usually 2 of us together and rarely all 3. Gail was there in PA for a wedding and she was able to spare one night for us. She was staying at the Ritz Carlton and can i say, "wow!" Their interior design was magnificent! I wish i had my camera so i could take picsof their decor but all i had was my dinky camera phone. I totally have the itch to redecorate my home so i'm a bit anxious to head back to Atlanta!

I'm wearing H&M nautical top, awesome necklace from the Philippines

Gail is wearing an anthropologie top, bcbg wrap, and an Oraton purse

Christine is wearing a Club Monaco silk romper with a United Colors of Benetton sweater

Style Icon - Olivia Palermo

As you know, I'm in love with Olivia Palermo's style. She always wears perfectly tailored pieces and knows how to mix and match prints without making her look too busy. I'm still trying to figure out the gaps in my closet and what pieces I need to invest in so i gathered a few pics of Olivia to help inspire me and help me hone in on the pieces i really want and need.

(image courtesy of redblog.mcmag.co.uk)

(image courtesy of www.skinnyvscurvy.com)

(image courtesy of www.coutureinthecity.com)


(image courtesy of www.marieclaire.com)

(image from unknown source)

(image courtesy of www.bagsnob.com)

(image courtesy of twenty2.onsugar.com)

(image courtesy of www.celebs.gather.com)

(image courtesy of www.myfashionlife.com)

(image courtesy of www.fabsugar.com)

Pre-Baby

I came across this beautiful video on Youtube. Moms were asked if they could go back to the time before they had their first baby, what would they tell themselves.



If i had had the chance to tell myself something before Gabriel was born I would say, don't worry, this is our time. He is here to stay.

Inspiration Board

Here's a fabulous set that Kate created. i just love it - i love the flowy rose colored blouse, i love the fur coat, i love the fendi style bag. LOVE LOVE LOVE

heeeeey by kate_lf featuring Miu Miu shoes

top
18,900 JPY - hfm.co.jp
More tops »

Acne Davi crepe slouch pants
$300 - net-a-porter.com
More Acne pants »

Carine Gilson Silk-blend lace-trimmed bra
$560 - net-a-porter.com
More Carine Gilson bras »

Gap Perforated leather belt
$35 - gap.com
More GAP belts »

Z Gallerie - Phalaenopsis - Set of 3
$21 - zgallerie.com

靴＆バッグのカタログ検索 VOGUE.COM
vogue.co.jp
More outerwear »

ELLE.ru - Веселые картинки
elle.ru
More Miu Miu shoes »

narrow White Rectangle
trackside1.com

bwgreyscale
bwgreyscale.com

Kate Spade Sentiment
katespade.com

reefs are myths
reefs-are-myths.viewy.ru

reefs are myths
reefs-are-myths.viewy.ru

StockholmStreetStyle
stockholmstreetstyle.feber.se

Shadrach Lindo
shadrachlindo.com

Fendi Fall 2010

I was looking into the Fendi Fall campaign primarily because i liked the ads i was starting to see in my Elle, W, Vogue, Architectural Digest magazines. As i started doing more research i realized there was more to these ads than meets the eye. I realize that there's always a lot of work that goes into the final product, but i didn't realize that the Fendi Fall campaign was inspired by the work of American artist, Edward Hopper. The creative genius, Karl Laferfeld, did it again. He mastered using the artistic efforts of someone else just as creative as him to serve as his inspiration for this shoot.

So, here's what i learned about Edward Hopper. He's a fellow cancer like me. He lived from July 22, 1882 -May 15, 1967. He was considered an American realist painter and printmaker. He was famously known for using the effect of light and shadow to portray the mood of the painting. This is the main concept that i think Lagerfeld took and used for his Fendi campaign.

To find more info about Hopper here are some links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Hopper

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/04/arts/design/04hopp.html?_r=1

Here are some samples of Hopper's work.

("Morning Sun", image from www.iris-meccahosting.com)

(image from inevergrewup.net)

And finally, here are images from Fendi's Fall 2010 campain. Images courtesy of rdujour.com. (I still want my fendi peekaboo!)