Happy 2013!

The color of the year is...

Emerald Green

Pantone named the official color of 2013. To see the webpage, click here. They describe it:

"Lively. Radiant. Lush... A color of elegance and beauty that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony."

A beautiful color for my beautiful readers! Let's see some Spring 2013 looks in this gemstone color.

Vera Wang (Courtesy of Vogue)

Zac Posen (Courtesy of fashionologie)

Burberry (Courtesy of Vogue)

Michael Kors (Courtesy of Vogue)

And with emerald in the spotlight, all green shades are on trend this season. Make your friends green with envy!

Bisous,

Irene

Merry Christmas!

Wear your ugly sweaters, and wear them with pride!

Bisous,
Irene

Nailed It.

Checkerboard Nails.

I love this design, and I almost consider it my signature!

What you need (from left to right):
Contrast color polish, top coat, base color polish, base coat, dotter (or a toothpick)

Base coat!! Always!!

Then put on a base color. It is best to use a lighter color, since you will be painting on top.

Make a square as the first checker in your checkerboard.

Fill in that square and create/fill in more squares diagonal to the original. I first start with making squares, but honestly after the second one I just blob some nail polish and shape it like a square.

When you do your other fingers, try to alternate where the blocks are on the nails.

Top coat it for a scintillating shine!

Wear it well, my dears.

Bisous,
Irene

You Need...

Graphic Sweaters.

One of the best parts of the Cosby show was Bill Cosby's sweaters, and they're back on runways now!

Try simple geometry

Or an oversize and fair-isle-eque pullover

Flowers can be super Fall/Winter as long as you pay attention to colors and styling

Comic book/pop art sweaters are super high fashion now (especially with a faux hawk!)

Go cozy with metallic hints. Bonus points if there are designs on the arms!

Start your winter warm! Get a graphic sweater.

Bisous,
Irene

What's the word?

d'Orsay Pump

These are super flattering shoes with a low front and cut-outs on the side. They show the arch of your foot and are traditionally stilettos. (Note: the side of the shoe is actually called the "vamp" of the shoe!)

Zya d'Orsay Pumps (Anne Klein)

The origin: Count Alfred d'Orsay created these shoes in the 19th century for men. The cut-outs were meant to accommodate wider feet. Fun fact: d'Orsay was a dandy and good friend of Lord Byron!

Ava d'Orsay Pumps (3.1 Phillip Lim)

Logan Glitter d'Orsay Pump (Jimmy Choo)

How fab are these??

Bisous,

Irene

You Need...

Oversize Sweaters

Approximately 90% of all my sweaters are oversize and it feels great! Just remember to wear tight pants or skinny jeans to balance the volume on top.

Try a hand-knit pompom sweater:

Or try a grandma-chic weaved sweater. The chain on the top gives it a bit of edge, no?

Praise the fashion gods for making a trend so comfortable!

Bisous,
Irene

Told you!

Check out those gourds!

Stores like Mustardseed can really catch on to a trend. Those painted pumpkins in the window are lookin' mighty fine. Go out and shop, mes cheris!

Bisous,
Irene

Happy Halloween!

Indubitably one of the best holidays of the year!

I hope you've decked out yourself and your home, but no Halloween House is complete without a pumpkin!

The days of the simple Jack-o-Lantern are long gone; pumpkins are showing up painted, glittered, studded and sequined now! Of course, no one is opposed to the long carving tradition. Check out my fashion pumpkin:

And in the dark:

All it took was a carving knife, glitter, and paint!

Have a spectacular (spooktacular!) Halloween, my darlings. If you want to check out some serious fashion pumpkins, head over to Refinery 29's fashion pumpkin contest. Now those are some rad gourds.

Bisous,
Irene

Did You Hair the News?

Hurricane Sandy is here!

And rain/humidity is not very friendly to our hair. Try these funky and frizz-resistant styles!

Topknot:
Make it fierce like Karlie did

Crown braid:
Scarlett had this look nailed

Conjoined French braid:
Diane went for a more formal look

Please comment if you would like tutorials on these fabulous hairstyles. Stay safe, mes chéris!

Bisous,
Irene

Yes or Mess?

Double Thigh High Slits

This trend has been hitting numerous runways for Spring 2013 and Heidi Klum was seen in a double thigh high slit dress at the Emmys. What do you think? A definite chic win, or a loincloth-esque failure?

Photo Courtesy of Yahoo

Bisous,
Irene

How to...

Print mix

Mixing prints looks amazing, but can be so difficult! Here are some ground rules to help you mix it up!

Courtesy of blog.stylesight

Rule One: Stay in the same color family. 

Print mixing while color clashing can get a little too crazy.

Courtesy of Pinterest

Rule Two: Find a basic pattern.
Simple stripes or polka dots are easy to match with complicated patterns.

Courtesy of stylesaint

Rule Three: Balance it out.
Wearing three different prints on top and a basic bottom is less print mixing and more "these are all the tops I could find to keep me warm today."

Courtesy of BeadsLaceandShoes

Think about...
wearing the same print but in different styles! (like wider stripes, smaller flowers, etc)

Rule Four: Don't be scared!
The best outfits come from fearlessness.













Happy print-mixing!

Bisous,
Irene

What's the Word?

Brogue

You've most likely already worn these beauties without even knowing! Brogues are oxford shoes with a wing-tip and perforated design. "Wing-tips" are located on the toe of an oxford shoe, where the detailing forms a "W" and resembles spread wings.

The origin: These shoes were first seen in Scotland and Ireland in the 1500s, where perforations aided ventilation and allowed water to drain from the shoe. The word root is Gaelic and Norse.

Olsen Mustard Shoes (H by Hudson)

Metallic Leather Brogues (Marni)

Brogue Platform Lace-Up Ankle Boots (Burberry)

I think I love them more with this name...

Bisous,

Irene

The Pantone Palette

Pantone's Spring 2013 color trends are out! Get ready to adjust your wardrobe.

It's nice to see that orange is sticking around for 2013, and these blues aren't giving us the blues anytime soon. As soon as Spring comes around, expect to see posts on how to incorporate these colors into your wardrobe!

Bisous,

Irene & Bethany

Happy Fashion Week!

We've been waiting an entire season, and it's here! NYFW has presented some killer looks, and more are coming! So far, we've seen a lot of diaphanous whites and monochromatic looks, as well as some neons and florals. Share with us one of your favorite trends from the Spring 2013 looks so far!

Come back soon to see a list of our favorite trends from fashion week!

Bisous,

Irene & Bethany

What's the Word?

Peplum

The hottest new trend of 2012, the peplum is a must-know. It is a ruffle that encircles the wearer's waist and flairs out to give definition to/create that much wanted hourglass figure. They are found attached to the bottom of shirts/jackets, top of skirts, or on the waist of a dress.

The origin: First created in ancient Greece, the word "peplum" came from the word for "tunic." Its popularity soared in the 19th century when women's fashion aimed to make the body look better for bearing children.

Works best for: Ladies with ruler-bodies (straight with less curves) or anyone looking to enhance her hips.

Crochet Peplum Dress (Nasty Gal)

Peplum Ponte Tank (Anthropologie)

Floral Peplum Mini Skirt (Topshop)

Love that peplum! Would you wear it?

Bisous,
Irene

What to Wear...

At the Airport
Sitting in one place for several hours means staying away from stilettos and movement restricting clothing. Opt for something easy to wear and gets you through security without looking like you rolled out of bed.
Look One: Jeggings

Swarovski Crystal Earrings (Neiman Marcus)

Jeggings have a bad reputation, but they are the fashionable alternative to sweatpants! Wear the right one, and no one will be able to tell you feel like you're in pajamas.

Perforated Oxfords (Fendi)

Skinny Jean in Jersey (7 For All Mankind)

Braided Tote (Stella McCartney)

Balloon-Sleeve Tie-Neck Top (DVF)

Look Two: The Maxidress

Mischa Maxi Dress (CALYPSO St. Barth)

Wear a dress you can sleep in but still feel like ultra chic boarding the plane. A nice jacket will keep you warm but can be used as a blanket in a pinch!

"Desert Stone" Cluster Earrings (Kate Spade)

Sequined Loafer (Marc Jacobs)

Cobble Hill Andee (Kate Spade)

Tube Scarf (H&M)

Faded Floral Cropped Jacket (Paul Smith)

Tell me what you think! Would you wear these outfits or use them as inspiration?

Bisous,

Irene