Dressing for New Years Eve: The Little Sequin Dress

Inspirations for 2010 NYE festivities come in an array of sequined metallics and shiny accessories as always, but with a new exciting twist. Silhouettes and shapes have evolved into highly geometric and elegantly understated. The in your face flashy mini is so OUT this year and has been replaced with full sleeves or longer hem lines draped and fitted perfectly. Absolutely Magic!!

All accessories can be found on Net-A-Porter.com

Runway shots from Style.com

Best Dressed Pick for 2010: "The City Girl"

Year after year this savvy socialite never stops dazzling me with her oh so stylish and flawlessly put together ensembles. There is NOT an outfit I have ever seen her wear that I didn’t want to recreate for myself. Since her premiere on the hit TV show “The City” I have followed her constantly. Olivia Palermo has become one of my top five styling inspirations of all time. She has a knack for trendy accessories and possesses a practical yet always fashion forward wardrobe that mixes totally affordable pieces with a splurge item here and there. Thank god for Miss Palermo, ANYTIME I am at a loss for outfit options or how to mix and match within my closet, I turn to her for a fresh take on classic staples.

Hot New Trend for 2011: The Floppy Hat

The Brigitte Bardot-esk seventies floppy hat is back again! A retro inspired Spring/Summer welcomes the timeless classic with open bangle clad arms. Spotted in Elle, Marie Claire, Bazaar, Louis Vuitton Ads, and countless runway shows, these oversized sun hats are a seasonal must have. A dark designer shade and floppy hat combo is ALWAYS glamorous. Pair it with nude polish, orange glossed lips, and a low chingnon bun or braid, and you’re ready to hit any swanky retreat in the world.

Flawless Resort Styling

It’s Resort Season and labels like Miu Miu, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton are right on key with the season’s newest trends. Feminine candy pinks, sage greens, and honeysuckle oranges are making a beautiful impact on and off the runways. Ad campaigns featuring fruits and flora, Editorial photoshoots with mountains of ruffles and Victorian landscapes, Home décor displays with whimsical patterning and vivid splashes of this season’s hottest new colors. The ladylike styling of Miss Jessica Alba in Elle’s December Issue is reflected everywhere right now! She looks just as delicious and artistic as the treats lining the walls of Dylan Lauren’s Candy Bar in NYC.

Why You Absolutely Need A "Weekender" Bag

Traveling and style go hand in hand, so why not express your sense of style with fabulous luggage! In order to embody a true jetsetter persona like Jackie O, Kate Moss, Emilio Pucci, Marghertia Missoni, and Nina Garcia, you must fully embrace the look with a smart bag. Toss it in your car for a fun weekend get away, use it as a carry-on for a long stay, or simply as an overnight bag. No matter where you are going your weekend/overnight bag says everything. Mulberry, Marc, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Ferragamo, Le Sport, Hermes, are a few of my top choices for a smart investment splurge. Who knows, as Nina Garcia says, “on a plane if there is a girl in a sweatsuit and a girl in cashmere and there is the possibility of an upgrade, cashmere beats sweatshirt every time,” you might just find your new bag paying for itself right there.

PS! the BEST TIP EVER for packing…Get a rolling rack! It is quite possibly the most important tool for strategic packing. If you are a chronic over packer like me, a rolling rack will change your life!!!! Everything can be laid out neatly and separated from the rest of your closet so that you know exactly the pieces you are taking, which gives you the ability to mix and match before you pack your suitcase.

My favorite Tune for the night before travel: JOSHUA RADIN "The Fear You Won't Fall"

Pantone Announces Color Choice For 2011

Color in the fashion world is about to make a drastic metamorphosis. Breaking away from the subtle greys and beiges of 2010, emerges a shocking splash of vibrant color for 2011. Honeysuckle is the new it girl of the color world this year, and was chosen as the “brave new color, for a brave new world.” Honeysuckle was designed by Pantone to lift up the spirit, instill confidence, and get the adrenaline going.

This titillating new hue is exactly what the fashion world needs! Just look at the genius ways top designers Marc Jacobs, Elie Saab, and Valentino are finding to use this striking color. Not to mention how amazing Pantones collection of designer sketches look with the bold artistry of some of the industry’s best.

Fashion Windows

They say that a woman's eyes are the windows to her soul. Well if this is true, then the designer windows along Via Montenapoleone in Milan, Italy, would be mine. Visual merchandising is a unique form of self expression and art. Store window displays can be some of strongest literal inspiration there is. Nothing makes me want to shop more then a beautifully decorated store window display, especially this time of year. All photographs from my personal archive that I took Summer 2010.

Beer and Cotton Candy

Always a combination I highly recommend. Color and texture inspirations can be found in the strangest places. Think Mark Jacobs Spring Runway Collection 2011....

VIEW THE SHOW ON STYLE.COM

Inspiration du Jour: Tory Burch

Tory Burch is the epitome of style, business savvy, and class. Her clothing line tells a story with every new luxurious addition. Imagine lounging poolside at a vintage boutique hotel with a drink in one hand, double T logo tote in the other, draped in a beautiful orange embroidered tunic. Attending a garden party surrounded by tea light candles, guests wearing bright A-line skirts and dainty embossed sandals. Possibly, a roof top bar in Manhattan, socialites clad in sequin shift dresses; their jeweled hands holding tiny sleek clutches.  When a clothing line inspires me it is because the line tells a story. I can clearly imagine who is wearing it, where she is going, and what her life is like. I believe that this is the true test of any clothing line. If it does not tell a story then chances are it is dull, lifeless, or unoriginal. The best thing about Tory Burch is that it creates an image of a dazzling lifestyle that women cannot wait to be a part of.

Born With Style: Italian Women

 Limone Sul Garda Italy 2010

Malcesine Italy 2010 

 Milano Italy 2010

Photographs from my personal archive. While traveling through Italy I noticed three traits that all Italian women share. The all smoke, they all enjoy red wine, and they are all eternally stylish individuals. Never in my life have I witnessed such a saturation of impeccible street style in one location. Vive Donna Elegante!!

Brilliant Karl

The House of Chanel is based on tradition, just like the iconic suit that bears its name. “The very name Chanel defies all concepts of time.” (Daniele Bott) Coco Chanel is the foundation of that name. She is the fabric, body, and silhouette. If Coco were the silhouette, then Karl Lagerfeld would be the extravagant trim. He took a classic, timeless, iconic palate, and gave it the power to influence yet another century. No one does Resort like Lagerfeld!