Walk. Jog. Run. Sprint.

     I think all of us fashionistas can admit that we are always (and I use that term lightly) trending, in style, keeping up with the Jones (or Kardashian's), so to speak.  Having said all that, it is only natural for us to be "trending" while working out, right?  Women spend all this time contemplating their appearance for their various different roles they play in life.  Such as working, socializing, exercising and some even when their little fashion minds are dreaming.  Some are a little too concerned about their appearance and for all the wrong reasons, but I am not addressing those women right now.  I'm crediting those whose minds solely generate their appearances on the love of fashion itself.  

     Now, back to the part where I discussed exercising.  Exercise, that eight letter word that most people dread to participate in and that others spring from the sheets and start their day off with.  As I got to thinking about my blog for the day, I was pondering about athletic fashion.  I know there is a huge market out there for those few people (although, the urge for exercise is growing) who love to workout and look fashionable.  There is no reason to be held back from being trendy even when you have sweat dripping down your face (but, women don't sweat, they glisten).  My point of the day is that you can be fashionable when and where ever you please.  There is yet to be a law on clothing and until that day arrives, embrace it!

All of these articles of athletic clothing come from Lululemon Athletica, one of my favorite athletic wear companies.  

Work out for me!

Ciao, 

Annie

The Wonders of A Wife Beater!

     A form fitting ribbed tank top, generally white, looks fantastic on men that are "ripped", embarrassing on the scrawny fellas and unbearable on the hairy beer bellied men.  There you have it, the definition of a wife beater in my words.  Who ever came up with the title wife beater must have been the type of man to rip off his shirt and well, smack his wife with it.  Right?  I mean, how else could they have come up with that name?  None the less, these so called wife beaters have come a very long way since then.  In this century, women sport the wife beater more than men.  A turn for the best I think.  We just choose to call them ribbed tank tops, it's not as harsh and doesn't remind everyone of those toothless hairy men that you occasionally see on the jumbotron when you are watching sports center.

     In the summer time, a good old ribbed tank top is perfect with a pair of Daisy Dukes and some flip flops.  In the fall and spring, a printed cardigan with a classic ribbed tank top underneath always does the trick.  As for winter, my favorite is to wear my light ribbed tank tops underneath my oversized knit sweaters, just to add a layer in between me and the occasional loose strands of wool.  My all time favorite ribbed tank tops are the ones from Target.  They are long, thin and very comfortable.  J.Crew makes a tank that is a little thicker and look nice under an open cardigan.  They are perfect for all seasons so, take your pick!

Target

J.Crew

Stem

Gap

Wife beaters all around!

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

Pajama-rama!

     Pajama-inspired clothing has been in style for a few seasons now.  Hell, why not wear your pajamas in public?  Well, pajama-like clothing.  It's comfortable, super cute and looks fabulous.  In fact, instead of wearing a stuffy stiff suit, this easy just-out-of-bed look seems to be the attire of choice.  Just look at the celebrities they are big adapters of the pajama trend.  Red carpets tend to be a common occurrence for these stars and every once in a while it must be nice to throw on the soft silky outfit and hit the carpet.  

     Whether you prefer the full look from head to toe or just the top and bottom singly, they are such easy styles to pull off.  These looks are far too stylish to be hidden between the sheets, the evening wear option sounds much more seductive to me.  Who would have thought we would be pushing for the elegant pajama pant and the dress down double breasted slouchy satin top?  It's happened, so go on out there and show off your PJ's.  But, please exchange your slippers for heels!

   

Snuggle up!

Ciao, 

Annie

A New Face For Balenciaga Perfume!

     Balenciaga has brought on the starlet from The Twilight Series, Kristen Stewart.  She is currently their new face for their fragrance, Florabotanica.  Stewart says that the imagery of this fragrance is one of a girl sifting through a garden, gorgeous but intoxicating.  Flowers in gardens can be sweet and soft along with poisonous and dangerous.  The fragrance is meant to be worn by women who are mysterious and daring.  I think Kristen Stewart is a perfect face for this scent because she is trendy, edgy and generally plays mysterious characters.  Go out and test it and tell me what you think!

Smells devine!

Ciao, 

Annie

A Little Collaboration!

     Ani Sui's Fall/Winter 2012 runway show reveled a two-piece collaboration that combines the legendary Coach Legacy silhouette with the classic Sui bohemian aesthetic.  These limited-edition bags are beyond exquisite with the one hand-crafted details of leather interwoven with contrast stitching and the other having an old Western feel with the whipstitching trim and burnt leather pattern.  It was an unusual collaboration to see Coach and Ani Sui being on different ends of the design spectrum.  But, Ani Sui said herself that the Coach Duffle was such an iconic part of the Coach brand and that she was honored to be able to put her own twist on such a classic design.  Personally, I think it is great when designers decided to do collaborations with one another.  It allows us to see how they put their ideas together and create such wonderful pieces of artwork.  There are so many ideas going on between designers and design houses, check one of them below!

Collaborate with style!

Ciao, 

Annie

Keeping Your Fingers Warm & Fancy!

     Do you ever go outside to get in your car and you notice the frost that has softly coated the door handle?  Then you get in the car and put your hands on the freezing cold steering wheel?  Nothing solves this problem like leather/pleather gloves.  They are the driving (and walking, for that matter) savior!  As the tight fabric snugs next to each individual finger somehow it creates such warmth to the hands.  I've noticed that designers are getting fancier and fancier with their driving gloves.  As you can see below there are bright colors, studded additions, woven fabric, chain and fur accents, and they are even extending past your elbows now.  Quite a change from the original black or brown sleek leather look.  But, it's good we have moved on to bigger, better and more dramatic things.  This is a winter accessory that can add a bit more fuss to your outfits.  I would advise you all to go out there and get your gloves before your phalanges start getting chilly.

Bottega Veneta

Causse Gantier

Haider Ackermann

Valentino

Burberry

Causse Gantier

Miu Miu

Fingers need some snuggling too!

Ciao,

Annie

Rings Rings Rings!

     A band of metal or other substantial material that adorns the finger as an ornament is called a ring.  Well, rings have surely come into their place as the years have gone on.  Of course there is your typical engagement ring, wedding band and claddagh ring, but I'm not talking about that.

     I would like to introduce to you the world of ring selection!  The big, the bad and the fabulous!   As we have seen in magazines and on celebrities, rings are only getting bigger and more intricate.  Lets start with the full-finger rings, the ones that act as a skeletal piece of jewelry that crawls up each digit in chic articulated sections.   Now, for the upper-finger rings the ones that creep up the finger to the intermediate and distal phalanges (above the knuckles).  I was trying to be fancy, for once!  And a drumroll please, for the newest hybrid ring, two bands that are joined by a system of delicate chains to the lower and upper sectionals of your finger.  And, of course there is the classic single ring that is so large you almost need someone to hold your hand all night to keep it from falling off your wrist, but we are used to seeing those by now.  

     We have developed this sense of obsession with stacking jewels and this shows no sign of slowing down or coming to an end, and that's all the more reason to put a ring or five on.  Let's keep the the trophy and continue with the trends.

Anelise Michelson

Plukka

YSL

Urban Outfitters

Urban Outfitters

Urban Outfitters

Forever 21

If you like it then you better put a ring on it!

Ciao, 

Annie

     

Super-size It!

    There are times when trends creep into our lives that surpass the direct style statement and actually work as one with functionality.  This happens as often as winning the lottery and is too rare to disregard.  Super-sized handbags are the key to a woman's fashion conundrum.  Not only do they look fabulous, but they will be hard to miss therefore, your hard earned purchase will not go to waste.  But, even better, they can house all of your worldly possessions without having any cramping of style (pun intended).  

   Looking back to the autumn/winter 2012-2013 runways they were overflowing with models carrying these super-sized monstrosities.  The designers must have known they were going to be a hit because we have seen them in every way possible.  Sequined, felt, wool, corduroy, leather-trimmed, faux fur, real fur, snake skin, ok, I think you get the point.  There are so many to choose from, so choose wisely!

Dennis Basso

Gucci 

Louis Vuitton

Valentino

Marc Jacobs

Narciso Rodriguez

Fendi

The bigger the better!

Ciao, 

Annie