Sparkle For The New Year!

     Let's welcome 2013, the new year, with some sparkle and bling.  In our society everyone knows that New Year's Eve is the day, well night, of extreme partying and fashion strutting.  You get all glammed up to go out to some fabulous party with all your friends and family to watch the ball drop and welcome the new year.  Sounds odd, but any excuse to go to some high society, "show off your stuff" parties.  But, us women and even some men, start mapping out these outfits way ahead of time to make sure that everyone knows we are ready to take on each year with better style than the next.  Let's take a look at some glitzy and glammy outfits that can inspire us for our upcoming festivities.

Spice up the new year!

Ciao, 

Annie

The Wonders of Ciaté!

     The dazzling new UK-based nail brand, Ciaté has been glistening on many as the Holidays near.  Singer, Adel, wore the lines glitter nail polish at the Grammys last February and this trend was carried over to the spring runways and is now showing up again for the Holidays.  The brand has created this little Do-It-Yourself kit that includes the nail polish, loose glitter and some glitter grip clear coat.  They have created many different colors of glitter as well as a multi-colored glitter collection.  These glitter nails will be all the rage for the New Years parties that we should all be attending.
     Now, wait one minute, I am sure many of you nail gurus have been toying with the aspect of 3D nail art.  Ciaté has made this simple, affordable and fun.  Their recently released Caviar Manicure set includes, one nail polish and a container of caviar beads.  This is the best way to have 3D nails with out having something extend so far off your nails that it becomes a distraction.  Looks great and gives your nail a bit of texture.
     Lastly, Ciaté has also created a Velvet Manicure Set.  This came about when the company was experimenting with luxurious textures and finishes.  This set does exactly what it says, gives your manicure a velvety coat.  Pretty fancy, huh?  This kit includes one nail polish and one pot of luxurious crushed velvet powder.  It's pretty cool what these fancy little bow-tied nail polishes can create.  You can find these nail kits at Henry Bendel, Sephora and Saks, along with the Ciaté website.  Enjoy some dazzling nails for the Holidays!

Spice up your nails!

Ciao, 

Annie

Holiday Party Themes!

     The Holidays are right around the corner and we all know what that means.  Besides spreading joy, cheer, believing and faith, it means that you better get thinking about those Holiday parties.  There are so many themes to choose from and you never know what the Jones are going to come up with this season, so it's best you be prepared for all of them.  Starting with the classic, the ugly sweater party.  We all know that you have one of those bright red or green turtleneck sweaters with the 3-D snowmen and tassel hanging snowflakes.  This is the time to bring those out and deck yourself in the cheapest, most hideous collection of Holiday attire you can possibly find.  These parties always bring the best (and when I say the best, I mean the worst) in everyone's fashion sense.

     Next, you may get an invite to the Christmas in July party.  These people are the ones who wish they are laying on the sandy beach away from the freezing cold snow and all that comes with it.  Bring on the beach balls, pina coladas, bikinis, sunscreen and more.  But, we all know that most of us tend to hibernate our beach bodies during the winter months so, the swimming attire is optional!

     Then there is that Holiday party that is completely driven by your sweet tooth.  The Holiday cookie swap...yumma!  Why not binge-eat homemade cookies with all your friends and family?  Some hungry friend or family member will host a cookie swap where everyone brings a batch of homemade goodies. I have seen people bring brownies, cookies, fudge, rice crispy's and many more mouth watering treats.  I promise you won't go away disappointed from this bash.

     For those of you that are very invested in the Holiday's, why not have a Holiday movie marathon.  Call up your friends and ask them to bring over some snacks and their most comfortable attire and watch a marathon of your favorite Holiday movies.  You are guaranteed to laugh your behind off!

     Now, this one is a bit new for me, but I can tell you that I'm digging it.  How about a 12 days of appetizers party?  I can feel my stomach growling now!  This is the single most worst nightmare for those devoted Holiday dieters.  Similar to the cookie swap, ask your guests to come join you, bringing their favorite appetizer, for a last minute Holiday binge.  If you are seriously watching your figure then it's completely acceptable to ask them to bring a healthy appetizer.  We can all afford to save a little fat from going straight to the ass.

     There are so many more fun party theme ideas that you can do around the Holidays.  A yankee swap, a wrapping party, a Christmahanaukwanzaa party, a tree decorating party, gingerbread house making, ornament decorating and many more.  Bring your friends and family together for the Holidays and remember how important it is to spread love and cheer to all.

Happy Holidays!

Ciao, 

Annie

Dressing Logically!

     Unless you are living under a rock, where you have no weather perception or an escape tactic, then you know that "baby it's cold outside" (sang with vocals full of joy and cheer and a subtle teeth chatter).  So, just what are those cold weather essentials?  Well, let's see.  If we are traveling to those arctic snooty climates of Vail, Aspen or Jackson Hole you need to be fully bundled.  

     Let's start with the coat.  This has to make a statement because when you are on the street it's all you have to show off.  So button up, jazz up and show off.  Now, for our device-obsessed fingers we have gloves to keep them warm.  If you want my advice, leather is the way to go.  The toes need some love and warmth too.  Get a nice fur lined boot that allows you the shlep through the snow without worrying about getting your feet wet and cold.  Lastly, there is no cold weather look that is complete without a scarf or hat.  It will allow you to wrap yourself up in style and keep trending during the cold months.

Tory Burch

Lanvin 

Nina Ricci

Givenchy

Barneys New York

Canadian Goose

Surrell 

The North Face

Michael Kors

Altuzarra William Fox - Trim Coat

Burberry

Moncler

Stay warm!

Ciao, 

Annie

BCBG Max Azria Pre-Fall 2013!

     And they are out, the pre-fall 2013 collections are finished and we are moving our way into the future.  Max and Lubov Azria's pre-fall collection was full of soft romantic fabrics that resemble the twenties, thirties and even bits of the forties.  The Azria's traveled to Istanbul, Turkey this past September and they were taken away by the stunning scenery.  The cobblestone streets, the temples, the famous Hagia Sophia and the beauty of the Turkish capital.  The temples are famous for their stunning mosaic tiles that lavishly decorate the amazing architecture.  You can see how the clothing mirrors the Turkish style through the chiffon sleeve jumpsuits, the palazzo pants, the longer lengthen skirts and the inspired mosaic tile prints.  The fur and leather accents give this romantic look a bit of a modern edge twist, which everyone needs now a days  The soft colors with a hint of bright here and there is a great way to spice things up yet, keep that classy and sophisticated aroma in the air.  I can't believe we are already onto pre-fall 2013.  What a beautiful and elegant start coming from BCBG Max Azria.

What country do you get your inspiration from?

Ciao, 

Annie

Ambassador Anna Wintour?

     As rumors do, they have been circulating like wild fire, and the latest fashion rumor is that Anna Wintour could potentially become the Ambassador of London?  Hold on world and just wait one minute, is this real?  Although she has been keeping quiet about it, that hasn't stopped the rumors from continuing.  Ambassador Louis Susman's roll is up and it is time for the President to begin his search for a replacement ambassador to withhold the position.  Miss Wintour has donated tens and thousands of dollars towards the Obama election campaign and has been a close follower of President Obama.
     As most of you know, Anna Wintour is UK-born and has been the editor of the US Vogue for over two decades.  With the glistening contact book that Anna Wintour has, I'm not surprised that she is being considered for the enormous job of being an ambassador.  Although there are no personal announcements that are going to be made anytime soon, in regards to the future ambassador to London, we know that the 62-year-old Miss Wintour is being considered.
     If this change were to occur, Wintour would be greatly missed by US Vogue and all of it's readers.   I'm not sure if there is any type of replacement for her, she does her job better than anyone could.  This accessible, smart and bright woman has carried US Vogue and has transformed it into the wonderful masterpiece it is.  If she were to go, she will be greatly missed.

A woman with many talents!

Ciao, 

Annie

Being An Angel!

     I'm sure more than half of the country was tuned in last night on CBS watching the largest fashion show of the year, The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.  And if you weren't, well, you have no life.  I know I had a bowl of ice cream in front of me while watching the beautifully tanned and toned models strut the runway.  People wait all year to watch this fabulous show, men and women both.  The one of a kind intricate outfits, the top most gorgeous models in the world, the best singers of the time and the next seasons lingerie.

     This show takes a full year to prepare, literally, they start working on the next year the day after the show finishes.  They have the top millenary designers, apparel designers, creative directors, jewelry and stone designers and more working on each individual piece for the models wear.  This year there was a little controversy with one of the outfits, which lead to it being cut from the show all together.  The Calendar Collection of outfits was missing the gobbling month of November.  The original design was a large authentic-looking Indian headdress full of feathers to the floor and meant to look like an original chief head piece.  Unfortunately, for the designers who put in all the hard work, they had to cut this outfit out of the showing on television because it caused too much controversy with the Native American community, understandably so. 

     As far as the angel wings go, they are a signature for the Victoria's Secret Angels (the models).  The larger the wings are the longer they have been an Angel.  This years wings weren't as big as in the past but the outfits themselves seemed to have a bit more detail on them than usual.  Overall, this was a breathtaking fashion show.  I assume they are already drawing out the next designs for next years show.  Take a look at these photos and see just how in-depth these "outfits" (although the models are half dressed) really get.

The controversial headpiece

Every angel gets its wings!

Ciao, 

Annie