Image Beyond Fashion

As I have stated in prior posts, this Fall, I am more excited about fashion than I can remember in seasons past. Not just because of what is out there from Balmain, to Celine, to weekend bags, and gypsy styles, to color block scarves, and full on glitz- that is all well and good. The reason I wake up everyday anxious to layer on my trance worthy looks, is because I finally feel I am coming into a style all my own.

I feel like I have hit that peak of what my fashion and art is really all about- for me. I appreciate more than ever what it means to own a quality garment and what it takes to edit a look.
I think with age, crossing over into my 30's, I truly appreciate my own beauty and feel comfortable in my skin. When you finally realize that you have come into your own and found a way to express your creations, it feels like you are sharing something truly beautiful, and very personal.

I am obsessed with the cool style of London chic. Jane Birkin and Stella Mccartney are my muses for my Bohemian Smart looks for Fall 2012 and beyond. I am also enamored with Stella Blow. The Mcqueen mentor and eccentric stylist is best known for her dominating looks and "BLOW" inspired fascinators. Nicole Ritchie for her ever changing ability to mix prints and textures and still look like it was always meant to be paired together. I also love Cate Blanchett, Victoria Beckham and Dianne Kruger-fierce and actually the Olsen twins have a tremendous ability to own what they wear, and feel completely confident in their decision making.

So as we all cross over into fall together, I wanted to share my Fall Look Book. See if you can see these top fashion icons in the 4 following looks ahead.

Style With Me:

Only Mine Cashmere Sweater- R. $79 Nordstroms (Christmas gift from my Hubby)

Ghandi T-Shirt

J.Crew cutoffs

Wool Socks- Urban Outfitter's

Steve Madden boots

Club Monaco cashmere hat

Style With Me:

Ruffle Front Blouse- J.Crew- R. $78

Satin Trumpet Skirt- Cache- R. $25 (on sale)

Peacock Feather Belt- Urban Outfitter's

Bracelet- Nordstrom's

Silver Ring- inherited from Grandmother

Black Riding Boots 2011- Kork Ease- R. $125

Style With Me: Celine + Dolce and Gabbana inspired look!

Cobalt Blue Oversize Coat- Helene Berman London- R. $198 (on sale)

This coat is my claim to fame this Fall season. This jacket has allowed me to up my fashion playing card.

Wool Button Back Sweater- Vallette

Brocade Peplum Skirt 2007- TopShop London

Necklace- J.Crew

Stud Earrings- Cache

Ray- Ban glasses

Michael Kohr's heels

Style With Me:

Mink Pink printed Blouse- Need Supply-R. $88

Black Tank- Nordstrom's

Sangria Skinny Jeans- Cache- R. $98

Purse- Nordstrom's- R. $130 (on sale)

Earrings- Cache

Animal Print Skimmers- Madewell- R. $135

Ray - Ban Glasses

 

DC Delights

How could I have lived 32 miles from one of the most eclectic, intriguing, and culturally diverse cities and not visited some of the places that I did this past weekend in our nations capitol, Washington, DC. Growing up so close to DC, you become desensitized to what a phenomenal city it truly is.
I decided for my 31st birthday, I would treat myself to some small luxuries of the Capitol Hill area. This historic district is dare I say the epicenter of the city with the Capitol building overlooking all it's fellow monuments and mall dwellers. This area also separates the Northeast and Southeast portions of the city. I chose The Liason Capitol Hill, a unique modern boutique style hotel to rest for the night. It also houses the Art and Soul restaurant, a city favorite for grabbing a bite to eat. The hotel service was delightful, even putting cupcakes and vouchers for complimentary drinks in our room for my birthday.
Upon arriving in the city, we ventured over to the Capitol building. I wasn't expecting it to look like a Floridian embassy. Tropical flowers, palm trees you name it. We then headed over to the National Gallery of Art. I had never been to the gallery, and I was hoping I would get the same powerful affect that the Tate gave me in London, or The Gustav Klimt Museum in Vienna. We opted for the East Wing, with more contemporary viewings. I was especially in love with the Tower Gallery exhibit of Barnet Newman's linear painting series. The Stations of the Cross. Magnificent.
After entering the rabbit hole in the sculpture garden and cooling our feet in the infinity pool, we headed back to Liason to get ready for our amazing dinner at Aqua Al 2. This fresh food italian eatery is located near the Eastern Market, which was wrapping up it's Saturday produce and Flea Markets when we arrived. This area is so unique. I could see my husband and I settling in there and making a home. The ambiance in Aqua was quaint, clean and quirky. The food was fresh, organic, and so simply executed. My favorite part was the mascarpone cheese drizzled with olive oil, on a slice of french bread topped with fresh fig. Intense pleasure!! Our parting gift a nice satchel of basil seeds to grow at home.
Back at the hotel we drank fresh mojito's and watched a heat lightning storm on the rooftop by the pool. Sitting back in my graphic mixed media dress from Cache, I realized how blessed my life has truly been with my husband.
I had such a beautiful weekend and gained a new appreciation for a city that is calling my name.


Sent from my iPad

Art in Reality

 In 2009 I had the pleasure of backpacking across Europe, and ending up in Vienna, Austria. 

When I arrived I had no idea I was in the birth city of my favorite artist of all time, Gustav Klimt has He has shaped my artistic views since I realized there was such a thing.

His unconventional approach to color, texture, use of gold leaf and the image of women is what I see as modern and timeless. So misunderstood and hated by his generation, Gustav challenged the art world to see political, religious and sexual revolutions long before the 60's.

His Beethoven Frieze exhibit contains some of my favorite works.

 The Leopold Museum was an all day haven for me, and forced me to see Gustav as not only an artist but an inspiration to draw from for Fashion. 

                                         
                                        Interpretation from the "Tree of Life"

I bought this scarf for $3.00 from Ashby, a consignment shop in Carytown Richmond VA.

In honor of his 150th birthday, here are some other lovely works of art from my hero Gustav Klimt.

                              This picture is another great use of art guiding fashion from 1965.
The painting is "The Waiting". Photo Norman Parkinson, Pierre Cardin, Vogue UK, September 1965

                             Photo Norman Parkinson, Lanvin, Vogue UK, September 1965

"Whoever wants to know something about me – as an artist which alone is significant – they should look attentively at my pictures and there seek to recognize what I am and what I want."
~ Klimt

Kirna Zabete Style and Skimmers

In honor of my upcoming trip to NYC, I decided to share my views on this months "Shops of Target". I have anxiously been waiting to see what the fashions from one of Soho's most unique boutiques has to offer.
Kirna Zabete is run by two stylish owners, Sarah Easley and Beth Buccini. They specialize in selling high end looks to trendy downtown Hipsters and fanatic Fashion Bloggers. With looks from Proenza Schouler, Stella Mccartney and Alexander Wang- how can the average person afford to purchase looks from these style gurus at an affordable cost? And that is where Target came in. Target has managed to create in store Boutiques for BIG NAME designers to showcase their looks to the general public. With such names as Jean Paul Gaultier, Rodarte, Luella Bartley, and Zac Posen, mainstream America has been able to strut their stuff for prices as low as $9.99. H&M has really taken a nod from this idea and is selling affordable looks from designers as well.
I was hoping that Kirna Zabete would impress based on how the commercial portrayed the looks, but on release day Sept.9th, I ran to my nearest Target and with great dismay only walked away with one piece. The 3/4 sleeve knit sweater in gray and pink polka dot R-$29.99, was an instant success. 

 I also could see the gray cheetah print jumper and sheer black button up blouse as being fun choices too. I don't know if the fabrics looked a little to ragged for my taste -some of the hemlines were already starting to unravel. Or they were doing to much pattern in to many generic theme cuts. Either way the line was a little bit of a let down- but I LOVE my sweater and can't wait till it gets chilly at night to start wearing. 

 In other news skimmers are my new favorite go to fall shoe. Whether you try the ballet round toe or the metal capped tip ones you are sure to fit in with the hottest trend. 

-Vince Camuto's and Deena and Ozzy from Urban Outfitters-
I am loving my new cheetah print sidewalk skimmers from Madewell, R-$135.

 These are the PERFECT shoes to wear with a cute James Perse t-shirt and jeans or a fun skirt for work. They look best with skinny jeans.
 













I also unpacked my splurge from 2010- my Loeffler Randall Quinnes that I picked up from Barney's. 

I am obsessed with the futuristic print on these shoes. 
Loeffler has a great Viola Mid heel boot too, which I love in black.

 

Above outfit- Pilcro Jeans, Club Monaco cashmere blend hat 2009, Loeffler Randall flats.

Cache Skinny Jeans in Sangria R-$98