Isaac Mizrahi!

Last week I went to Isaac Mizrahi's fashion show, which was absolutely stunning. And, I even got to miss some of school (because he's a friend)! The collection was gorgeous, but when I logged onto style.com to look at the pics, I was really shocked. You cannot even imagine how much better the gowns are in person!! And, what I really love about this collection is that everything is so wearable, even though its couture! I also really liked the theme - it's called Frozen Spring. It combines the cuddly, cozy basics and layers of winter with spring florals, sparkles, and adorable cuts! And, the soundtrack of the show made everything even more enjoyable: it was a mix of eerie classical wintery-music, recordings of Audrey Hepbrun speaking, and some popular "hip hop" music.

Also, Katherine McPhee (who is gorgeous in real life!), Anna Wintour (the editor of Vogue, of course!), Mark Morris, and lots of famous models (and ex models) were at the show!

Here are some of my absolute favorite looks!



This dress is simply elegant - I also love the furry booties to match the delicate black lace on a stark white dress. I've seen this model in so many upcoming shows, too...



Not only do I adore this model, but the shrunken jacket with belt is absolutely genious. I also love the cut of the skirt and the wintery layers. I can so imagine wearing this to school in the fall!



This picture does no justice whatsoever to the dress. In person, the cut was absolutely amazing, and the color - a creamsicle ish hue - was soo much more elegant, eye-popping and not as neon-light esque! I smiled when I saw this dress, because it reminded me of the Isaac Mizrahi we all grew to love in the '90s...bright colors (pink, purple, orange) in unexpected combos and gorgeous cuts!



The beading on the sleeves are sooo gorgeous. Also, I really like the unexpected combo of jersey cloth and diamonds! So chic!



This was my favorite look. As soon as I saw it, I gasped!! It is my style in one outfit - the Chloe-esque factor, chic belt, amazing cardigan, gorgeous floral skirt...sleek blonde hair. Love!!!



This is a lot like the black jersey, but as a dress. I was holding my breath the whole time because the dress looked as if it was going to fall of the model any second!



I love the idea of tough white cigarette jeans paired with a floral chiffon bright colored top. Simply divine.



This dress cost $20,000 dollars to make --- some flowers were painted, some hand stitched, some silk-screened...enough said.



And here's the designer! The poor man was in a car accident a couple days before...but he looks great!



Stay Chic in the City!

xoxo

<3

P.S. Do you see the pink/orange/tan bright beach bags in the corner? All the guests got one! They're soo fun and gorgeous, not to mention HUGE and practical.

Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall

I know that we still have a long way to go before spring, so I decided to have some transitional looks - items that you can buy now and wear all throughout spring, summer, and fall (mostly classics but some trendy stuff too!).

Since I've had soo much schoolwork I hadn't checked my email in awhile and as soon as America Online greeted me with "You've Got Mail!" I saw that I had mail from both Barney's and J. Crew, two of my favorite stores! Here are some amazing clothes that can be worn through rain or shine!

This Proenza Schouler embroidered dress would look amazing with colored tights (winter's hottest trend) and pumps or bright colored tights and yes, no tights, but bare legs during spring and summer - an upcoming trend.



Upcoming fashion is to the extremes - either flats or sky high stilletos. Here are some adorable flats that are oh-so casual.

I adore these bright pink Marc Jacobs ballet flats! To die for!



And these practical but cute Chloe padlock button ballet flats. (The it-shoe for spring!)



J. Crew has really been stepping up its game - adding all sorts of dresses and trendy items to their classic spin on clothing. I adore every single outfit from the new "J. Crew Look Book" online - you should definitely go to jcrew.com and check it out! The sequins on this cream dress make it look so expensive and with black wool tights and a cashmere wrap for winter with bare legs and flip flops for summer, what could go wrong?



These two looks from Nanette Lepore are absolutely stunning - lady like and reserved yet outgoing with a party-girl flair. I adore!



The stitching on this little white cream shrug is so delicate and beauutiful - and the big trapeze pants make a dramatic, elegant statement. ^^




Skinny jeans, an elegant top that is sort-of loose with silver stitching and a silver flower - very modern yet very Audrey.

And who could go through any season without a bag? Here are two amazing, gorgeous bags that are still practical through any weather or season.

This metallic YSL bag is stunning - if I had $1500 I'd buy it in a heartbeat!



Lately, white leather bags have been all the rage with everyone in New York City (as well as many celebs! If you pick up this issue of Style Watch People Lindsay Lohan and Mischa Barton both sport one). I usued to think they were tacky until I saw this Valentino Flap Hobo Bag...



This nautical classic look from J. Crew will never, ever go out of style! I absolutely love the parka-esque coat with skinny, fresh jeans and a striped navy and white top - just so American Chic.



And lastly, this bright red coat makes the whole outfit pop!



Stay Chic through all your adventures - Rain or Shine!,

Chic in the City <3

The Golden Globes!

First of all, I'd like to start off by saying im utterly embarrased that I haven't posted in more than a week...I'm so sorry! I've just had so much work in school...

The Golden Globes is my favorite award show ever because it includes all my favorite stars in one mix - music, TV, acting, etc. Also, I was shocked at all the people that ended up coming (except Jennifer Aniston! Probably because of Brad and Angelina...). Here are some of my favorite looks, but I would've loved to put every single gown in!

Here's my absolute favorite look of the night - I almost gasped when I saw Reese Witherspoon - she is one of my favorite actresses and she always seems so adorable, friendly, and simplistic chic. This Nina Ricci dress just makes her glow.



I love Sienna Miller and I think that this Marchesa dress is fabulous, but the hair is overkill for me. Suttle beachy waves would've been gorgeous, but the Heidi braids are too cutesy, though, Sienna is always beautiful!



I think Sarah Jessica Parker looks soo amazing in this nude/pinky dress. It really makes her glow and I think that it's just so flattering and simple, and the cut looks really fresh and modern.



Although most people think Cameron Diaz looks disgusting lately, I love her new brown hair (even though I miss her blonde days), and I think this Valentino dress, although not my favorite and something I'd never wear - just, well, works. She really pulled it off.



Penelope Cruz always looks absolutely stunning and this simple black dress shows off her curves in the best way possible.



Rachel Weisz looks radient in this red dress by Bill Blass - I love the little empire waist hanging detail, and the long floaty cut looks great on her!



And Here's Some of My Not-So-Favorites:

Angelina - I never thought I'd see you look not gorgeous. This dress really brings her down...although I adore the color grey, for the Globes it's just not acceptable - unless the fabric is loud or if it's shiny (silver). However, Brad looks adorable as always!



Usually I adore Chloe Sevigny's artistic "no-no's", but by being boring and not taking a risk, she actually made herself look awful! I also really hate this patterend YSL vintage dress (even though I loveee YSL).



Go to style.com and check out these other fabulous dresses (Beyonce, Meryl Streep and her daughter, Helen Mirren)

Stay Chic!

Chic in the City <3

The Look for Less

Inspired by one of my favorite T.V. shows, "The Look for Less" (with Yoanna House), I decided to take some of my favorite designer looks and transform them into outfits you might even be able to pull off in public (whether that's for school, a party, or picking up your little sister from Girl Scouts'). However, when I went to ShopBop and saw all of the gorgeous cocktail dresses they had (check it out: SHOPBOPCOCKTAILDRESSES), I had to improvise.
Enjoy!

I absolutely adore the brand DSquared2, it definitely reminds me of Betsey Johnson (with boy fashion designers). The designs are practical, adorable, fun, and colorful. This year, tho, DSquared2 toned their look down (just a tad)...but I ended up loving it even more!

Two beyond fabulous DSquared2 looks:

This one just screams out "I AM NAUTICAL CHIC!" to me. This look reminds me of why I take such care into putting together outfits (well, sometimes...), I really think that this is the epitomy of happy-go-lucky/modern girl chic.



This look is so flirty, fresh, and fun!



To get the second DSquared2 look for a fraction of the price, buy these items:

The white shorts are very essential to getting this look - they have the cut of a bermuda (straight), but are much shorter. J. Crew is an amazing place to look for bascics - it has EVERYTHING in EVERY color, and all the clothes have excellent quality. Also, check out their sales online!



And a classic white button-up from J. Crew as well - that will be used for layering in the DSquared2 look.



Next comes the blue jacket to edge the look up - instead of going with a tailored jacket I went with a slouchy blue C and C California.



Next comes that adorable skinny belt, which just really makes this outfit pop. Although I couldn't find a structured BRIGHT BLUE skinny belt, this belt works because it shadows the slouchy sweatshirt and is the perfect color.



Next off is the jangly chunky bangles. Usually I hate Claire's, but I found the perfect bracelets (they look so chic) and they're only $6.50! However, here are real gold bangles from ShopBop that, although at $185 are pretty cheap for gold.

The gorgeous Claire's bracelets:



and the ShopBop ones:



Finally, the funky scarf to add more blue color to our white canvas. The sequins give our outfit a must needed boho-edge.



And lastly, the bright red chunky wedges. A perfect way to end an outfit!



I always look enviously at Chanel cocktail dresses - they're always timeless and simple with gorgeous cuts and perfect shades of black. So, I went out on a hunt to try to find a Chanel outfit for less - and ended up doing pretty well!

Here's the beautiful Chanel dress:
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And here's a Development dress that matches it perfectly - the upper half cut, the bow, the flowiness...I have to say I almost like the cheaper dress more!




And some adorable Marc Jacobs peep toe flats (like the Chanel runway) to match!:




I think that Alberta Ferreti's spring collection was taken right out of a fairy tale - dewy, lush colors. Weightless, chiffon-y fabrics, bejeweled accesories... It made me want to curl up with one of her dresses as I read Cinderella! Here are two dresses that are light-weight and showcase the new hot color for Spring - a light, luminous blue.



and here's the second one:



Now, the Look for Less! I really adore this dress - the empire waist cut, the bias drawn silk blue trimming. And, better yet, it exemplifies the Alberta Ferrerti dream - with the lightweight "tissue paper fabrics" and the sea blues!


(the dress is Development)

Stay Cheap and Chic!,

Chic in the City <3

Makeovers!

I know that this is a fashion blog, but there's something around New Years that I just love...the idea that you get to start fresh. So I figured, why not dedicate a post to makeovers? After the first week of school (or for us lucky ducks who still haven't gone back), it's nice to have a day of beauty to rejeuvenate ourselves for a new start. So, here's some tips for a truly relaxing, blissful, amazing beauty day!

Get Started:

Books are the #1 way to learning great beauty tips!! I couldn't figure out how to work my scanner (anyone know?), but here's some fabulous books that really help.

This is the beauty bible. It has tips on everything - how to put on eyeliner, how to get rid of under-eye bags (really!), how to give an amazing facial, how to wax your eyebrows...

This book has a list of what to buy (from really cheap to super expensive) for any beauty thing you need. It's sooo helpful!

Usually for makeovers you think really relaxing, mellow music...but I like just the opposite! I like watching up beat "makeover movies" (I get bored easily...). Here are some of my all time faves:

Seeing Britney Murphy morph into a gorgeous girl? Classic. This movie is just so hysterical and fun.



I never get bored of seeing Anne Hathaway turn into a beauty right before our eyes...even though there are many attempts!



Hysterical.



Finally, the makeover part! I start every relaxing "spa day" in a hot bath or shower.

This is some of my favorite body wash from L'Occitane. It's so soothing and relaxing and the scent is soo delicious.



Then rub on some lotion - with a tangy pink grapefruit scent.



Afterwards, it's time for some much needed coziness. Wrap up in a fluffy robe, put your hair back in a messy bun, and get ready to apply a facemask.

In the book "Allure: Confessions of a Beauty Editor" here's the step-by-step facial 101:

1, Apply Scrub: Pull hair back and off the face with a headband. Wash with your usual cleanser to remove dirt, oil, and makeup, rinsing the skin well and then lightly patting it dry. Drop four chamomile tea bags into a large saucepan of water, and while waiting for it to come to a boil, apply an exfoliating scrub with fruit enzymes like papaya.

2, Steam Skin: Once the water is boiling, remove the pan from the heat. Hold your face more than one foot above it, close your eyes, and create a tent over our head with a towel. After three to five minutes, rinse off the exfoliant with warm (not hot) water, and gently blot the skin dry. Apply a face mask taht's suited to your complexion - one with hyaluronic acid or glycerin for dry skin, sulfur fora cne, clay for oily skin, and antidioxidents for normal or combination.

3, Moisturize: Relax until the mask is ready to be removed (check the label for suggested time), then rinse it off thoroughly, and blot witha towel. While skin is still damp, rub on a thin layer of your everyday moisturizer - oil free for oily and combination skin, a richer formula for dry skin. If possible, wait six to eight hours to put on makeup.

So, here are my favorite must-need ingredients for this procedure!

As they said in the beginning, apply a fruity facial scrub. My favorite is Kiehl's Pineapple/Papaya Facial Scrub - it smells amazing and isn't too hard on your skin!



Origins 10-Minute Face Mask works wonders because it gets rid of zits, and even moisturizes dry skin as well!








Afterwards, apply Clinique's tonor, Clarifying Lotion 2. It tingles a little but feels amazing aftwerwards!



Lastly, apply a really gentle cream (your skin has just gone through a scrub, mask, and toner!). My favorite is Aveeno Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturizer.



After I do all this, I usually go out to get my nails done (or just do them myself). A really glamorous, long-lasting nail polish is Essie in "Bordeaux"!



Stay Chic (and relaxed)!,

Chic in the City <3

Modern Marchesa

Recently I've been looking in fashion magazines and all of the dresses I've been pointing to have been the beautiful works of none other than...MARCHESA! Their gowns are simply devine, colors are radient, and the cuts make stars look absolutely stunning. (Sienna Miller is a huge fan - so who's complaining?)


Although I wasn't allowed to save or copy/paste from the lovely Marchesa website, here's the link so you can discover some of their gorgeous creations. If you go under collections to the AW 06-07 Notte Part, the second dress (a deep purple silk) and the 4th dress (another purple but washed out) and the 7th dress (a short black flapper number) are definitely worth checking out. Here's the link: marchesa


Here's some of my favorites:

This sparkly little number is simply irrisistable!



This red and gold frock has such an adorable cut - and looks really comfortable too!



I love the mod feel this dress gives off - thanks to the mirros on top of the adorable empire waist.



This gown is just so flattering and luminescent - it gives off a gorgeous glow (even though it's black!)




This gown is just so gorgeous and hippy-esque, no wonder Sienna couldn't keep her hands off of it! Doesn't it look just so flowy and understated? I love!

Doesn't this dress look familiar? Sienna Miller wore it as well (except, without pants!). It looked absolutely stunning on her - and she wore it with soft hair and makeup. That's why this dress is so versatile - it can go from straight off the "punk" runway to sexy and chic.



The minute Sienna came out with this dress on, it was a hit. It's so famous because the cut is great, the glitter is fab...it couldn't be any better.

Isn't Marchesa just to die for? In a sea of runway looks that are just utterly hard to pull of Marchesa's lines of dresses always steal the show.

Stay Chic!,

<3 Chic in the City

Spanish Style - Do's and Dont's

I just got back after a long plane ride from Spain, and after collapsing into my cozy bed and pulling out my laptop and turning up my iPod speakers (Norah Jones, of course - I needed to set a relaxing mood), I decided that I was way over due a blog!

So the beginning of my trip to Spain went as planned - rushed to the airport, bought the entire Magazine shop, stocked up on candy, and cuddled up with my cashmere sweater in my plane seat. Suddenly, I turned to the woman two seats down - she was covered in a humongous fur coat and a little fur hat - it was hysterical, and I had to take a picture of it for all of you! As I peered into my bag...my camera was not there!! I had forgotten it -- it devestated me. So here's some fashion do's and dont's that I witnessed firsthand in the marvelous, gorgeous, glamorous Spain! Enjoy!

Do wear evening-wear during the day, as teenagers in Spain sported. Jewel Tones, gowns, silk gloves - anything goes. Make sure to grunge it up a bit by adding sneakers, headbands, sweatshirts, and the fabulous color grey. Some evening looks:

What I loved about Spain was that no one seemed slighltly concerned with other's opinions - and that anything goes (for everything). I saw a girl strutting around town in a green-jewel-town evening gown with Converse hightops...and it reminded me of this spread in Spanish Elle.

Do step up your style with simple touches of grey - or a whole grey outfit (different shades of course). If there was one look that I had to say was most popular in Spain this would come second...literally every other girl I passed when I was shopping was completely layered out in GREY.

This little cropped jacket is so cute - and versatile. You can pair it with a tank for school, and high heels for going out at night!



A grey tweed skirt is a classic - and I saw many Spanish girls wearing super short ones (really cute). But they also had lots of layers - so it transformed the look to a bit edgy, incredibly cozy, and not slutty at all (though I'm a sucker for mini skirts).

Don't ever think that it is okay to walk around town in an obvious wig (unless its neutral and matches your complexion and you need it). How bad could your current hair be that you have to cover it up with plastic? The most shocking thing about Spain was that every street - no matter if it was a Fancy High Street in front of Gucci and Agatha Ruiz de la Prada - I would see a person wearing a very obvious wig (rainbow, spiked, green, you get the idea...)



Do wear different textured leggings - cut outs, wool, cheetah - under winter bermuda shorts. Before I went to Spain, I have to confess, I wasn't a fan of this look. But the Spanish teens I saw pulled it off - and convinced me to try it too. This was definitely the #1 popular look in Spain - especially with wool plaid shorts and purple wool tights.

Such adorable shorts from one of my favorite Spanish stores, Mango (available online too!)


I also adore these grey wool bermuda shorts.



Some funky leggings to wear too:







Do wear a little fur (faux's great too!) - a shawl, gloves, ear-muffs. But don't ever wear fur head to toe - hardly anyone can pull it off (sorry, your grandma can't either).

I love this look from Spanish elle - a gorgeous simple black evening gown and then a little fur shawl to spice the look up. It looks young and fresh and cool - even combining fur.



This look is absolutely awful. I like fur coats on older women - when they're shearling or truly in good taste (with the coat being the only fur element), but I hate fur head-to-toe on younger people - it automatically ages you 20 years!

Do strut your stuff in gorgeous suede boots. Whether they're pointy, flat, wedged - it doesn't matter. Preferably a chocolate, charcoal, or black, suede boots make any outfit look timeless and trendy at the same time. Invest in a great pair of boots!

These slouchy boots (a favorite Spanish look) are from Spain's most prized upscale department store - El Corte Ingles!



Or a more structured suede boot from Bloomy's!

Some Spanish Tips:

Although I spent a ridiculous time shopping in Spain (i'll post some of my purchases tomorrow!), my favorite store was Zara. I definitely recommend checking it out online - since I couldn't copy and paste or save the pics from the website. Their clothes are just so fabulous...and even though they have some in the States, it DOES NOT compete with Spain's version. Trust me.

The one thing that Spanish girls have that American girls don't is a huge amount of confidence. As corny as it sounds, tons of confidence automatically makes an outfit look glam and amazing.

Lastly, here are some amazing Spanish looks that I hope will inspire you:

The Spanish adore short things - and sparkly outfits (on New Years the whole room was glittering - women wore so many sequins!)

And another adorable short dress for daytime from the Spanish store Mango:



Here's a gorgeous photo at sea from a recent Spanish Elle photoshoot. I love the wintery layering.



And finally, I couldn't help it. This picture just epitomizes what I was talking about - Spanish Girl Confidence - this model won't let a boy stand in her way! And yes I know, the fur is ridiculous. But don't you think a model can pull of almost anything?



Stay Chic!

<3 Chic in the City