Chloe Chic!

My first blog entry has been published on Chloe Chic's blog!! Check it out along with the other contributing bloggers and of course, check out the Chloe Chic website!!

Here is the link to the blog: http://blog.chloechic.com/


Nicola

"Who are you wearing?"

Soooo maybe two posts/week was a bit ambitious...I'm trying though!! I've been keeping a little notebook full of ideas to then write about on here...oh and hopefully, my first post on chloe Chic's blog will be published this week (I wrote about NYFW 2012 and how some of Chloe Chic's dresses fit the spring trends). I will post the link on here when that happens.

Anyways, I wanted to briefly talk about the Oscars!! Sunday, February 26 was of course the 84th annual Academy Awards. In past years, I have tuned in to watch the Oscars because I actually saw many of the films i.e. last year, I rooted for the "Kings Speech." This year, however, I had not seen many of the films. Instead, I tuned in so that I could see the FASHION of the Oscars-- what were the celebrities wearing?! But when it comes to the red carpet, the real question is not "what are you wearing?" Rather, it's "WHO are you wearing?"

I will comment on a few of the celebrities who I thought looked truly stunning i.e. I LOVED their dresses!

George Clooney's girlfriend, Stacy Keibler, looked absolutely amazing in a gorgeous gold Marchesa dress:

In fact, Marchesa seemed to be the choice of many celebrities. Sandra Bullock also wore the designer although, I think I prefer Stacy Keibler's dress.

Angelina Jolie struck a pose in Versace with a daring slit. (Please note: her dress is velvet...refer to one of my previous posts!!)

I thought Natalie Portman looked very elegant in a simple red with black polka dots gown by Dior paired perfectly with a dazzling necklace:

Best Supporting Actress winner Octavia Spencer looked gorgeous wearing a white beaded Tadashi Shoji gown:

I really loved Penelope Cruz's periwinkle strapless Giorgio Armani gown. I thought she looked very classic with her hairdo:

And finally (saved the best for last!), Jessica Chastain won "best dressed" on Twitter and I couldn't agree more. Chastain wore a baroque-inspired gown by Alexander McQueen (aka my favourite designer of all time!!)

Certainly no shortage of luxurious, fairytale-like gowns at this year's Oscars...these were just my top picks!!

Nicola

An Ode to New York

Argh! I am so angry with myself for going so long without blogging. I’ve spent the last month settling into my move from Pittsburgh to Washington D.C. but that’s still no excuse! I will try to blog more regularly—after all, fashion and trends constantly change so commenting on them needs to be often. I will set myself the goal of two entries minimum per week and see how that goes.

That said, I have some exciting news relating to blogging. I (along with my best friend, Maureen) have been asked to blog for an online clothing boutique called Chloe Chic! Chloe Chic is an online “re-vintage” clothing boutique, similar to ModCloth. I still plan to keep this personal blog as the topics vary slightly (Chloe Chic entries will incorporate her clothing more so than just general trends or what I think is cool) but I think this will be a great opportunity for my writing and fashion sense to be seen by a wider audience (I’m fairly certain that only my mum reads this blog…) Even though Chloe Chic itself is a relatively new company, it will be great to be associated with an established website and start-up. I’m super excited!!! Check out the website: http://www.chloechic.com/

Ok, now on to what I really wanted to comment on for this entry: New York fashion…

I’d like to take a moment to talk about New York fashion for two reasons: 1. I went to NYC just after Christmas to ring in the New Year and 2. It is currently New York Fashion Week 2012. Seems appropriate.

We all know that New York City is one of the world’s fashion capitals but I can’t help but feeling a mixture of inspiration and jealously each and every time I go there. I admire the street style, I drool at the women’s handbags and shoes while hanging out in the Meat Packing District…walking through the East Village, my heart skips a beat walking past tiny (and SUPER expensive) boutiques…

You have to dress to impress in NYC, there’s no doubt about it. Especially if you’re in my shoes and you’ve been a bunch of times and so you go to hang out with friends, more so than participate in tourist attractions. While I am always blown away by the fashion in Manhattan, I have recently become intrigued by that of Brooklyn—specifically the neighbourhood, Williamsburg. Williamsburg is known as the really ‘hipster’ part of town, where young artists wear skinny black jeans and tiny square-framed glasses under stylish beanie caps. Everyone goes to brunch (no matter the time of day…we went at 2pm…!) and everyone wears the coolest boots. I absolutely loved Williamsburg to say the least. I very well could go on and on for pages and pages about Brooklyn and NYC but I think I’d like to focus on my one great find while visiting 2 months ago: wedge booties.

Of course, women in NYC tend to be dressier when going out at night and dressy means at least one crucial item: high heels. But the women of New York are also smart and practical. This past winter, few women were shuffling along the busy, brightly lit streets in stiletto heels. Instead, they wore simple, yet dressy, and PRACTICAL wedge booties. The booties are perfect for colder months because they cover your whole foot up to your ankles. Some may even lace up while others slip on. They are more comfortable than stilettos because the wedge makes for a more gradual lift and off sets the platform. Also, due to the flat bottom of the wedges, no ‘heel’ gets stuck in a sidewalk crack.

I often whine and complain if I go out wearing an uncomfortable (yet adorable) pair of heels. I am especially annoyed if it’s cold or I have to walk far in heels. I also have a history of falling after one too many tequila shots so it is very important for me to have flat shoes on! Wedge booties are the perfect compromise! Check out Jeffrey Campbell, Dolce Vita, or even Steve Madden for a pair of them! Below is photo of my wedge bootie purchases:

   

                                                         My new booties by Steve Madden!!!

More examples of the wedge bootie:

                                                                   By Dolce Vita

On to NYCFW 2012!! So New York’s Fashion Week started last week on February 9^th and goes until tomorrow, the 16^th. The purpose of fashion week right now is for all of the designers to showcase their collections for fall 2012. That’s one of the most interesting parts about fashion, to me at least—the fact that it is always forward moving, forecasting. From what I’ve picked up on from watching E! and Style, fall 2012 looks like a mixture of very traditional fabrics and dual tones. I think this is interesting because this past fall (2011), vibrant colours were in (think bright red jeans, the bright blue jeans, etc.).

Of course Fashion Week is also a preview of what is about to be ‘in’ right around the corner for spring (only a few months away!! Come onnnnn nice weather) Stylists are commenting on lots of floral and ‘garden-like’ prints as well as rose coloured jeans serving as the new “nude.” Can’t wait!!!!

Well I apologize again for lagging behind in my entries. I will try much harder now that I am more settled in Washington D.C. I am excited to see what becomes of this blog, the Chloe Chic ‘gig,’ my job at American Apparel, and spring fashionnnnn (although I really need to save money and can’t keep buying wonderful clothes arghh a girl can dream!)

Nicola