Oscar Fashion: 2015 Red Carpet

via CNN

I always look forward to the Red carpet's of award season. I'm forever excited to see the borrowed dresses of the most talented and famous designers in the world, the most expensive jewels on loan and what hard working stylists have come up with for their uber famous clients. Again with the Oscars I didn't see anything that was over the top amazing, but several lovely gowns. I do long for the days of authentic dressing and a lot less "entourage" influence when it comes to the choices of the celebrities.  Decades owner Cameron Silver came up with the best term, "UnManufactured Glamour" exactly what I think is missing in 'celebrity fashion' but that is an entirely different blog. Gone are the days of the truly chic and seemingly effortless starlet's who attended such affairs in dresses and jewels they actually owned and chose themselves. Without further adieu ....

Here are my nominees for BEST DRESSED at the 2015 Oscar's

Black Beauties

Margot Robbie wearing Saint Laurent & Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Necklace

Nancy O'dell in  Gauri And Nainika gown

Kelly Osborne in Rita Vinieris

Reese Witherspoon in Tom Ford

Jamie Chung - Yanina couture

Jennifer Lopez in Elie Saab Haute Couture 

Emma Stone also in Elie Saab

Best Party Dress

Dita Von Teese in Zuhair Murad

Best Detail

Gwyneth Paltrow in Ralph & Russo gown with this romantic floral detail that I somehow fell in love with. I liked the simple styling and the ruby accents from the MAJOR custom earrings.

Anna Hu Fire Phoenix earrings (priced at $425,000), consisting of two pear-shaped cabochon Rubellites set in white gold amid white-and-yellow diamonds; blue, pink and purple sapphires; spinels and paraiba tourmalines.

Best Jewelry

Emeralds stole the show for me last night.

 Dita Von Teese flashed her emeralds, signature manicure on Intagram (and some great dress detailing). Jewels by jewels by Doves by Doron Paloma and Leticia Linton.

Scarlet Johansen wearing an emerald & diamond Piaget ear cuff

Best Necklace is Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels, this piece was designed in 1938 for the Duchess of Windsor AKA Wallis Simpson. Gold, Diamond and Sapphire show stopper is worth a cool 1.5M and is dubbed the Zipper Necklace.

Who made your best dressed list?

Bloom Where You Are Planted

Nordstrom Catalog - Feb 2015

I love this notion of blooming where you are planted, in other words there is no geographical excuse for not being who you are in this exact moment. There is also no excuse for not being able to express yourself authentically, in essence wearing what you want.

This notion is a very powerful and empowering one. It disables you from handing away your power to the universe or external circumstances. You may wish to be in another place in your life, geographical or otherwise but really all we have is NOW. Dig into your life as well as your closet and bloom right where you are.  You feel like wearing a cocktail dress to a lunch? DO IT  you think you will be over dressed? SO WHAT. For the purpose of this blog I'm using fashion as part of the metaphor but truly dig your heel's into your life, in this very moment, exactly where you are, as you are. Enjoy the sun on your face and know the grass is greener where you water it, where you are planted, not way over there ...

Need some floral inspiration?

Vintage Floral Gown (available via Evolution Vintage

Pink 'Fawn' Vintage Glass Foil Pimps via SJP Collection (available via Nordstrom with black Grosgrain detail as pictured) or with Nude Grosgrain Detail at Neiman Marcus

Where will you bloom?

Michael Kors Floral-Print Cotton-Voilé Tunic (SALE: $595)

Vintage Floral Dress & Vintage Necklace

Both available via Evolution Vintage

Vintage BoHo Floral Dress, Vintage Hat & Belt

Both Available via Evolution Vintage

Fashion? Who Cares?

John Galliano for DIOR 2007

I do.

Why?

Artistry: There is a serious level of skill, talent and creativity that goes in to creating garments. I am not referring to your $5 Walmart, sweatshop t-shirt but into real FASHION. Fashion to me has always been an amazing art form. It is the only art  that we actually get to live our lives in.  

Example, true Haute Couture. I could take centuries of examples of amazingly crafted Haute Couture but have a look at this current DIOR garment. 200 hours of work by hand later. The work that goes into creating this seemingly 'simple' skirt is amazing. Now you can appreciate the work and detail going into the true couture gowns and other garments of this nature. To me it is ART.

Language: Fashion to me is also a form of language and expression. I express my emotions and feelings through what I wear. I am what I call a moody dresser. I dress according to my mood and always follow my authentic style instincts. I think people can get a sense of who I am through my personal style. Your clothing can speak without you having to say a word.

This look is comprised of Fashions Past and Present. The Dress (70's) and rhinestone bracelet (60's) are both Vintage, the clutch from Forever 21 and shoes SJP Collection "Daphne".


Empowerment: Yes you read that right. You are probably thinking how could what seems to be a frivolous, materialistic, seemingly superficial industry possibly empower you? There are a few reasons. First, there is that shopping moment when you find something that you are instinctively drawn too, fits you and is in your budget. For me this is the equivalent to the stars aligning. Words cannot articulate the feeling I get. Its chemical, exciting and empowering. Fashion has also allowed me to take my power back and use clothing in a way to build my self concept. I FEEL good when I dress authentically and take the opportunity to put my best foot forward each day. I know a lot of women who feel frustrated and down on themselves when it comes to their wardrobes, they know what they like but somehow lack the courage to wear it. I on the other hand am so grateful for fashion giving me the opportunity to express what I want, my way during my daily life.

Linda Evengelista for Gianni Versace 1993 - Image: Richard Avedon

Inspiration: Between the imagery and the artistry of the clothing  I am always left inspired by fashion. I fell in love with this art form when I was around 8 years old and I've never stopped looking. I adore this medium and its association with music, culture, art, photography, etc. The theatrics and styling of the runway shows and the fashion editorials that have left me inspired and spawned several creative endeavours of my own. Fashion to me is a limitless source of inspiration. I like to look to the past a lot as the history of fashion tells a great story.

 VOGUE -  2003 by Annie Lebovitz (Model: Natalia Vodianova, Designer Christian Lacroix and Mad Hatter Millinar Stephen Jones)

Bazaar - April 2010 - Demi Moore

For some people clothing is simply a societal norm and necessity. Some individuals put very little thought into the process of dressing or if it means anything to them at all.

What do you think about fashion? 

Black & Blue: Striped

Yesterday I talked about stripped and today about striped ...  I adore the color combination of "Peacock"Blue and Black, especially when it is in the form of a striped dress. I always look in both fashions present and past to find my inspiration for my personal wardrobe and that of my clients. This color combination and stripe details are as relevant now as it was then.

NOW

I LOVED the SS2015 Couture collection of Russian Couturier Ulyana Sergeenko in particular this look complete with feathered rooster bag! Remember this is COUTURE so many hand crafted details, like the stripes themselves. According to Style.com "Crisscross stripes on a pale blue dress weren't printed but embroidered with narrow bands of tulle hand-stitched in place, ironed, and accented at the intersections with tiny crystals"

THEN

This vintage frock is the epitome of the three C's -->  contemporary, classy and chic!

Available via Evolution Vintage

NOW

Anthropologie Starlit Stripes Dress

THEN

SoulRust Vintage

What say you on Black and Blue?

I Love Strippers!

Image from 1943 New Orleans Strip Club

I love strippers!! A statement you probably don't hear too often from a married mother of two. I'm sure it got your attention though and now that I have your eyes I want to elaborate.

The type of stripper I am referring too isn't the "traditional" kind you might be thinking of. The type I refer to are individuals who strip down their outer walls, facade's, fronts, masks and all other socially approved protection from the truth of what lies both outside and inside.

I had a visit recently with a man who used to be our neighbour. He was always delightful, articulate and kind but this time he was different.  He has been through serious trauma as a soldier who spent time in Iraq compounded by several other personal issues. We have not seen him since 2011 and in the interim he has spent time travelling across the USA, essentially stripping.

It was uniquely refreshing spending an afternoon with a person who was stripped down, open, genuine, honest. His honesty was not just for the good things as did furnish us with wonderful stories of travel, spirit and truth but also shared the dark, real things that most of us shy away from. He has and is facing himself and working toward being the best HE can be, leaving the traditional, cookie-cutter expectations of the world behind as he travels HIS journey. We had an amazing exchange of truth, energy and love from a stripped down place. There we were, all of us, authentic and facing one another with full accountability of our choices, acceptance of our feelings and thoughts on our improvement.

This visit sparked my thinking internally about the appreciation I have for those I deem "strippers", and more importantly my motivation to become one 100% of the time. Let me preface this by saying there are very FEW people that I would give this lovely title too but I hope there will be more after this post is shared. It is indeed a difficult task to remove ones clothes in front of strangers and to stand there completely physically exposed and open to criticism, judging, stigma and negative energy as a traditional stripper.  It is equally, and I would submit exponentially more difficult to literally be stripped down and be openly and authentically facing the world. No masks, no facade's or socially acceptable phrases or expectations. Nothing, just who YOU really are living and operating in your space the way YOU want.

The truth is, we are all the same at our source and are all connected. We somehow loose sight of this fact during the haze of a fast-paced, socially acceptable life.

Take a moment today to visualize what your life would be life as a 'stripper'. You could face the world with 100% authenticity, love and positive intention. All your walls are gone, no protection from the outside but a pathway for your energy to flow and exchange with others. You could and would be living the life YOU want, on your terms, on your clock and in the manner that best serves your positive intentions and brings you back to the source, whatever that looks like for you.

 You WILL be judged but it would no longer matter.

Would you consider becoming a 'stripper' an option for your life? or is the safety of the conventional, protective space better for you?

I would love to hear your thoughts and continue the conversation in the comments.

FBF: Last Year's FANGtastic Party!

My daughter's birthday is quickly approaching again and I realized that I need to re-inspire myself. I will accomplish this by sharing the party that I designed for her last year. We have moved onto a Disney Princess theme this year but last year was a CLAWsome Monster High party for her 6th Birthday. FBF - Fallback Friday is the perfect time to share with you all her party details.  Maybe your little ghoul wants a Monster High Themed party .. Here's what I did.

FOOD: 

There was some FANGtastic food at the party. Each item was themed and corresponded alphabetically to each ghoul. You can easily create character themed food stations at your event.

 iCoffin Cake (A regular cake I baked just cut into shape) complete with plastic wearable fangs.

 PB & J Hand with Almonds

DECOR & THANK YOU GIFTS:

A great theme party depends largely on the decor and details. I also feel a great guest "thank you" is key to the parties success. The guests can continue enjoying the party for days to come.

 CLAW Painting Station! (Thanks Jensine for the Monster Mani's!!)

 Dolls on Display all over the house

 Thank you's and Gift Bags!

COSTUMES: 

Costumes are the cornerstone to the theme party. My daughter, step-daughter and I each chose characters.

Birthday girl was Jinafire Long and I Skelita Calaveras

DIY My Costume (Cut and pinned a Mexican fiesta banner on to a skirt I had to create character skirt, gloves/socks online, vintage necklace and wig.)

I also did my own makeup and makeup for the girls.

Kaleigh's costume and wig came from the Monster High Collection.

I used gold metallic makeup to achieve Jinafire's skin look. I did the rest of her makeup a-la-Jinafire

Danica was Catty Noir

Costume DIY from an existing costume we had, adding silver top,  accessories, wig ponytail and ears/tail.

I also did her makeup and sprayed the remainder of her hair pink!

OUR GHOUL GUESTS

Jensine as Normie Monster Hunter Lilith Van Hellscream

Kaia as Clawdeen Wolf

 Lola As Catrine DeMew

 Elizabeth as Cleo di Nile

 Ruby as Draculara

 Daisy as Frankie Stein

Sydney as Howleen Wolf

(A completely DIY dress!)

An amazing time was had by all and we ended the part off with a drop-dead-gorgeous fashion show and ghoul parade. A well deserved glass of bubbly for the big ghouls ended the day in celebration of a fabulous party!

Do you throw theme parties? Tell me about your FAV in the comments below.