gwyneth's new gig

There is no denying that Gwyneth Paltrow is one foxy lady. Between her, her husband, and her cute kids, they make one hot little family. Some of you may already read Goop, Gwyneth's newsletter on how to make you life better through making, going, getting, doing, being, and seeing. If you still desire for more of Gwyneth's advice you're in luck, it appears that Gwyneth is adding dressing to her list of verbs.

Gwyneth is teaming up with French jersey maker Zoe Tee’s to create a collection of seven looks. The collection called, Zoe Tee’s Loves Gwyneth Paltrow is said to be crafted using cashmere blends, recycled cotton and wool mesh and according to WWD the collection will be, "a mélange of Seventies glamour, rock inspiration and men’s casual suiting."

Personally, I am not a huge fan of actresses designing my clothes. But I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

Check out some of the sketches for the collection.

sh-sh-sh-shoes

You may not speak French, but learn quick. There is a fabulous interview with Christian Louboutin on the French Vogue website. Only 5 of the 8 parts are posted for now, but you can play catch up tonight over a glass of wine, and then stay up to date from here on out.

just too cool

I saw this photo and thought one word - awesome. It's been a busy week, but a good one. So, I'm off for some sunshine and sleeping in. Go have any awesome weekend and until monday...

striped sensations

We've got fur, leather, glitter and gold, and now we can add lines to the mix of must-haves next fall. Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Balmain all showed lines some love and so should you.

I know the list of need-to-own items keep growing. So if you're feeling a bit overwhelmed with this growing list of fantastic clothes for fall, remember fur cost a pretty penny, leather is a luxury item, and glitter and gold walks a fine line between sexy or hooker. But stripes and lines are classic. So purchase something good, something you could own for a lifetime. Trust me, you'll wear it.

buzz-buzz-buzz

It's been a crazy year and it's not even April yet. One of my many new year's resolutions was to get more involved in fashion. Yea, I know, that is kind of a broad statement. What exactly does "get more involved" mean? And what exactly does "fashion" mean? Should I study up, read more relevant books and articles? Or attend more events, start local and grow from there? Or pick up, move to New York, live in a box, and sell my soul to work as an unpaid intern for a magazine? The thought did cross my mind.

In the overall sense the goal stemmed from the fact that fashion is something that I've come to love over the past years. Like any girl, I love a Lanvin dress, but it's become more that that. Fashion, more so designers, have sparked a drive for more knowledge and understanding. Aside from who made what, why did they make it, where did their inspiration come from, who inspired the person that inspired the designer, how are the social, political, economic, personal factors impacting designers that design the clothes we wear. Open my brain and it is like a sociology class is relation to fashion. I could go on...

That being said, I've been busy like a bee. I've got two weeks left at my current job and then I am making a career switch. I can feel the fear rising up in my stomach when I type "career switch". But I am. I'm leaving my safe and secure marketing job to go work as a Web and Inventory Manager at Totokaelo. Deep breath. No, I don't believe this will be my career for the next 20 years, but in the long run, I believe the experience will serve as a jumping off point for what ever my future becomes.

Deep breath. There is a lot going on, a lot more things to share. And for now I might just pee my pants in anxiety and excitement.

photo source

next fall favorites

Style.com posted their top ten collections for next fall. And though I respect their opinion, we are just going to have to agree to disagree when it comes to who presented fabulous fashion for next fall. Check out style.com's favorites here, see mine below, then tell me what were yours?

(in order from #1 to #10)

a sight for not-so-sore eyes

I know spring just started this past weekend but my head is in a far different place. Between the lack of Seattle sunshine and sorting through hundreds of runway photos, my mind is focused on next fall. If you've read my previous posts, by now you know when it comes to your must-haves for fall, fur and leather should be on the list. But grab your pen and paper, because some serious is shine should be part of your shopping spree.

Carolina Herrera gave us golden dresses. Balmain sent out seas of silver. At Thakoon square mirrors were attached to shoulders. And Nina Ricci and Gucci captured us with dresses covered in color and iridescent crystals.

All in all, perhaps the best part of this fall season sensation is for us shoppers, all the shimmer and shine are easy to spot with the eye.

finally friday

It's been a long week and I am so, SO ready for Friday. If you've got some extra time, I would suggest reading the a NY Times article Two Words for Fall: Toughen Up by Cathy Horyn. It's gives a good look at how the economic mess we are in is (perhaps) bring the best out of designers.

Until Monday...

marc all grown up

All the gossip wasn't for nothing. Oh yes, Marc Jacobs is engaged. WWD spilled the beans today and Marc and Lorenzo are said to announce their exciting news today.

And if that doesn't make you all giddy inside, add to their exciting news that according to the New York Post, they have also purchased a $13 million, 4,500-square-foot townhouse in the West Village designed by Robert A.M. Stern. See photos here.

What can I say, in a time when the world is in a rather depressing state, this is good stuff.

revealed reminder

Carine Roitfeld's is Revealed tonight on CNN. The Vogue Paris fashion editor who has held her post since 2001 is according to Xavier Romatet, the president of Conde Nast Publications, the most creative person he's ever met. I haven't met Carine so I cannot second that statement, but from what I see she's damn good at her job (aside from the 2009 calendar). How long she will have her job, who knows? There has been on-going speculation that she may be replacing Anna Wintour at American Vogue but Carine is only providing subtle hints. "I'm very happy here," she told CNN, "but I'm sure something new is going to happen in the next year."

Oh the anticipation.

Check out some super fabulous photos of Carine's early years and Find out when Revealed is airing in your area.

pho-net-ics

Thank you ELLE UK, you may just save us all from looking like idiots. How so you say? Well, ELLE UK has given us 70+ phonetic break-downs of designers like Erotokritos, Ann Demeulemeester, and the one that gets me every time, Lanvin pronounced lon-van. Study up I say, so the next time you are talking about Hermes, you'll know the H is silent and pronounce it er-mez instead of her-mes.

View all the designer pronunciations.

perfect french

Sofia Coppola creates bags for Louis Vuitton and commercials for Dior. Some talent huh? You may have seen model Maryna Linchuk swept off her feet while holding balloons in Dior print ads And perhaps you had the chance to catch the commercial in the U.S. last year. But last week the French finally got to see Sofia's vision of a perfect day in Paris. View the 45 second Miss Dior Chérie L’Eau fragrance spot.

leather lovin

As previously discussed, designers have decided that just because the economy sucks doesn't mean your wardrobe has to. Though most people are trying to save every cent they've got, designers think you should do just the opposite - spend every last penny you have on their fabulous furs, seductive sequin dresses, and lush leathers.

Just like fur, there has been a sea of leather sent down the runway. YSL's is offering leather jump suits. Givenchy and Nina Ricci sent out leather jackets. And everyone from Balmain (surprise, surprise) to Micheal Kors have shown us skin-tight, sexed-up dresses.

Now don't go run out and buy a Sarah Palin jacket. Before you add leather to your "must have" list for next fall, make a note to yourself that black and brown leather is the extent of the leather love on the runway.

p.s. Totally unrelated, but every time I think of the word black I hear Belle Epoque's Black is Black. I know, weird. But if you are looking for some awesome entertainment, check out the live video here.

too cute, seriously.

Some cute information I read on Metro today, Scott Schuman of The Sartorialist and Garance Dore of, well duh, Garance Dore are "a couple". Too cute, right?

p.s. I felt lame posting this information. As if bloggers have celebrity status when it comes to relationships and as if I have the right to pry into Garance and Scott's privacy... but Garance is adorable, an is only out of my lame "girlness", which has me saying to myself "oh how cute are the two of them" that makes me post this.

roitfeld revealed

Fashion’s quintessential French girl is moving to T.V., well kind of. CNN crews have been following Carine Roitfeld around during Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks and now we finally know when we will get to see all that footage. Carine's profile will be “revealed” next Wednesday, March 18 at 4:30 am and 1:30 pm EST time. You can check out a short, 26 second teaser on CNN's website.

oh so coco

Gabrielle Chanel's biopic, Coco avant Chanel is set to premiere April 22 in France. The film focuses primary on Coco's early years and one of my favorite actresses Audrey Tautou (you've probably seen her in Amélie) is playing the role of Coco in her early years. Last November's edition of Elle France had a fresh set of stills. And now there is a new trailer to get you excited.

what I would have given to be there

It is rare in life when you read something that gives you a sense of glee. When a slow-growing smile is unstoppable because of your ability as a reader to relate to what you read. I had just this sense this past week when reading Garance's chance encounter with Anna Dello Russo.

Though I am tempted to spoil the story, I cannot give you a summary of the Garance's story, because the whole point of my post is to make you read the story. So on this Monday morning, go gain a renewed sense of wonder and childish excitement by reading Garance's story.

photo:jak & jil

you're invited, kind-of

Well, you're invited to take a look at the invitations sent out for New York and Paris Fashion Week. The creatives get creative with oven mitts, keys, and balloon invites. You can check out New York Fashion Week invites here and here. And be sure and take a look at Paris Fashion Week invites here.

Photo: Lanvin Fall 2009

until monday

Forgive me for my absence for the past two days. I've come down with a rather miserable case of food poisoning and have been rather sick since Wednesday night.

I'm going to work on feeling better, you should all work on enjoying the weekend. I recommend checking out the Balmain and Balenciaga runway photos.

Until monday . . .

while i was waiting ...

While I am still waiting to see photos from the Balmain and Balenciaga shows, I came across these images of Natalia Vodianova shot by Mario Testino for the March issue of V magazine. It's a bit flash and a bit disco, but I love it. And it just so happens to be Natalia's first V cover. Work it out girl! The woman hasn't aged at all. You can see more of the photo's at New York Magaine.

beloved balmain

Paris Fashion Week starts tomorrow and in honor of my own and the fashion world's excitement and wild anticipation for Balmain showing at the Ritz tomorrow, I give you my favorite lady, Emmanuelle Alt in Balmain.

You can check out more Emmanuelle Alt photos over at Jak & Jil. And if that isn't enough, you can read all about Balmain's insane sales success, while getting depressed that you cannot afford those sexy dresses for yourself.

fur frenzy for fall

Bill Blass closes shop. Calvin Klein and Zac Posen cancel their after-parties. And Marc Jacobs has to downsizes his invite list. And though we maybe getting "poorer" by the minute, nothing on the runway reflects such cash-strapped circumstances.

In fact, designers have been giving show-goers just the opposite - some serious glamour. Glitter and gold, lux leather, and lots, I mean LOTS of fur have been spotted on numerous runways from New York to Milan.

Marios Schwab brought bright blue fur to the runway. Ralph Lauren gave us classic, chic white fur. And Todd Lynn raises the price on the tough girl look with bold black fur. Even Carine Roitfeld is getting into the fur frenzy spirit. If fur floats your boat, you'll be able to find it just about everywhere next fall.

_________UPDATE__________

I've received quite a few comments asking me how I could support fur on my blog. Simply stated - I don't support fur. I have never and will never buy anything fur. That being said, just because I disapprove doesn't change the fact that fur has been all over the fall runways. And the purpose of this post is to draw attention to that fact.

photo source: Carine via The Sartorialist

sprucing up your foyer

The foyer has traditionally been in many ways overlooked when it comes to home decorating. However, in recent years, a lot of modern furniture designers have been paying more attention to the humble foyer. Finding the right furniture to decorate this area can not only help make a good first impression to visitors, it also can also assist in organizing the rest of your house as well. Check out these attractive and functional items designed with the foyer in mind.

Herman Miller Eames Hang-It-All Rack
Designed by Charles and Ray Eames, this coat rack has won high marks for both its colorful, whimsical design and its practical values. It features a sturdy steel wire frame design that enables it to hold a lot of coats, while the multicolored hooks gives it a quirky appearance that is sure to complement most foyers.

Kartell Lovely Rita Bookcase
The Lovely Rita is a bookshelf that is simultaneously functional and whimsical. This Ron Arad-designed product has the advantage of being wall-mounted, but at 40 inches across it should fit on the wall of most foyers. While it helps to save space, Lovely Rita’s sinuous, curvaceous form also acts as an excellent conversation piece as well.

If you’re looking at redesigning your foyer, appearances are always important but also look at it as an opportunity to solve any excess storage issues you might have. Since there are a lot of modern-themed shelves, racks, and cabinets out there you should be able to take care of these needs without sacrificing styles or space.

and the winner is . . .

Thanks to everyone for entering the February Free Shoe Giveaway. With over 90 entries, the lucky winner is Juley over at Swank Heights. And as an added surprise, Diane of Cooking Blind is a winner too!

Congrats to the lucky winners. Remember, if you live in Seattle be sure and check out the installation honoring the Cousy shoe this Wednesday, March 4 at GEMS Sneaker Boutique from 7-10 p.m. There will be beer, wine, food, music, and of course lots of shoes.

Check back this week as I will be posting the March giveaway.

photo souce: Jak & Jil