Fashionspiration: Summer White

As much as I love color, I do love white! Summer white is such a refreshing shade to walk down 5th Ave in. It is so clean and ready for the best rooftop picnic you can find! Here I paired simple, but well made pieces together for a more modern sleek shape reminiscent of the minimalistic 90s with some fun jewelry to top off the ensemble....I certainly can't go completely unadorned!

Ruched Tank: Vivienne Tam

White Skinny Jeans: Camaieu

Teal Jewel Heels: Marc Jacobs

Necklace and Jeweled Bracelet: Erickson Beamon

How do you wear Summer White?

Fashion DIY: Exercise Your Closet

That is right...I said exercise your closet, don't throw it away! If you are anything like me my dears, you have a closet and maybe dressers and storage boxes full of clothes! Do you wear them all? Yeah, me neither. That is where Fashion DIY becomes crucial!

Every season I try and weed through my addiction to pare down the fat which is a pretty daunting task...especially since I own many clothes that are too good to part with (from before I lost weight in France...and yes, I realize this is a good problem to have). Now that I find myself sans sewing machine in NYC (a fact that is killing me btdub) I can't actually fix these items, so they just sit there taking up very valuable Manhattan square footage. So what is Fashion DIY well its creating ways to upcycle your clothing, or shop in your own closet if you will!

Here's an easy fix that does not involve sewing skills or any real seamstress tools:

Color Dyeing

I recently bought a corset top from Forever 21 that I later gave me buyer's remorse (which is a sickness I almost never get). Of course when I tried to return said top...Forever 21 with their non-existent customer service policy, how very un-American, would not allow the brand new frock (that had not even left the bag) to be exchanged. So what was I to do? Dye it!!

Totally cute corset top...but in peach...which I later realize that under the my sheer summer tops, just looked like I was naked because it was the same color as my skin. Whoa! was I ever uncomfortable!

 1. Find the classic RIT dye at your pharmacy, in a color your choice (I happen to be a sucker for teal)

2. Mix (following package instructions) with water and bring to boil. 
3. Soak garment for instructed time. Note: more or less time should be altered for desired color. Looking for a pastel? Less. Deep jewel tone? More.

4. Thoroughly rinse and wash garment and allow to dry.

5. Style accordingly! 

And Voila! Fashion DIY at it's finest! Now my once bare-all corset top is a cute pop of color under my sheer summer pieces. Je l'adore! There is always a way to re-work your closet, you just have to get creative. Don't be afraid to play around with old pieces..try and wear them in unconventional ways, or dye them in the latest hot color. That Fashion DIY may just be the little CPR revival your wardrobe needed!

Go try your own Fashion DIY 

and report back!

Bonne chance mes cheris!

Fashionspiration: Backless Dresses

My favorite thing in clothing is always the surprise back. I love backs...I'm not really sure why? But either way these backless dresses are perking my fashionspiration today and I wanted to share them with you!

This Givenchy Couture Collection is a stunning photograph, I love it!

Don't forget to follow me on Pinterest 

for more Fashionspiration!

Fashionspiration: Fashion Archive

I thought I'd pull out an oldy but goody from the fashion archive of The Embellished Life vault! The sad thing about blogs is you put up so much information from the beginning, but it takes time to build readers so your early, inspired pieces get seen by very few people!

This dip into the fashion archive is for some visual inspiration from the fashion photography world. Please gain inspiration today from the works of Richard Avedon, Annie Leibowitz, and Thomas Legrange (as pictured above) among other greats.

FASHION PHOTOGRAPHY IDOLS:

RENDERED SPEECHLESS

Diary of a NYC Fashion Intern: Merchandise the Mannequins!

How is your summer getting along darlings? I must say Summer in New York City is positively smashing, between the Alexander McQueen Exhibit at The Met and Shakespeare in the Park to Brunch at Balthazar how is a girl to choose? Fortunately, NYC is always going and so is the work. As my days as an NYC Fashion Intern come to a close I hope you've enjoyed the sneak peak at the bottom of the ladder. 

But sometimes a fashion intern gets a chance to be a bit creative... merchandising the mannequins!

 I did some merchandising for the boutique downstairs. 

From glam rock to pretty princess, it's always fun to dress up the windows!

This was a white dress, that is now modeled on a guitar stand with...

Yeah, studded chucks...nuff said. 

I could not be more in love with this petticoat tutu skirt!

So what are your thoughts on my merchandising skills, not half bad huh?! Too bad its a totally different direction from marketing, it would be a fun side job to merchandise the mannequins all over NYC. Maybe in another life, but this one includes being a NYC Fashion Intern which isn't half bad either :)

Fashionspiration: Happy Hour

Another office to happy hour look to get your taste buds drooling! Remember a blazer makes anything look profesh! I layered my blazer over a flowy chiffon and pearl top that I bought in Ireland for a soft but professional ensemble. And again, I'm aware 98% of you could not wear these shorts to work, so bring on the pencil skirts! Just pull out these ripped jean shorts and make this quick alteration before hopping over to the nearest watering hole for happy hour drinks with your colleagues. 

 Fashion tip #131: Shorts in heels make you have legs for days!

Add some fun heels like these Charlotte Ronson suede pumps

 for something great in your ensemble from head to toe!

Spotted. A special chica reigning as Happy Hour Queen. 

Be sure to enjoy your throne.

Savage Beauty: The Exhibit of Alexander McQueen

Spotted, on the steps of The Met, basking in the sun and ready to take in the beauty of her once beloved designer's collection, Blogger Girl is beaming in the beauty of The City in the summer... As promised my darlings, I am reporting back on the phenomenal Alexander McQueen Exhibit at The Met!

Savage Beauty is from start to finish my favorite fashion exhibit thus far. Alexander McQueen was a true visionary, an artist whose medium was clothing. Constantly pulling from all art forms for his fashion shows, he was notorious for Wowing his audience time and time again. Every collection was a complete 180 from the last. He was truly the darling of the fashion world and set the bar high as he ushered us in to the next century of style.

At The Metropolitan Museum of Art, between now and August 7th, you can explore the inner workings of Alexander McQueen up close and personal. I never thought in my life I would get to study his entire collection at one time, in one space...much less at all. But to see all the intricate folds, impeccable tailoring, and even a summary of the background of the collections was so inspiring. These are the things I dreamed of studying in my school classes, I'm so glad I get to study them for fun now!

{merci johnsimondaily.com for all exhibit photos}

{Merci The Cut}

I seriously cannot impress upon you enough how utterly amazing this exhibit is. If you are in New York this summer you simply must stop by and take it all in. And if you are, let me know!! I will definitely need to be booking time to see this again!

Fashionspiration: Dripping with Pearls

I don't like drama in my life...not even in reality TV shows, but in my wardrobe that is quite another animal. There was a bit of drama in my outfit today. A black tutu plus a necklace dripping with pearls doesn't quite say I'm trying to blend in...but that is the way I like it.

This Erickson Beamon necklace is just sheer genius. It makes me feel like half Carrie Bradshaw, half Venus in the Half Shell.This tutu skirt was a great sale find of mine from my trip to Savannah at the White House Black Market. You can always find fabulous sales if you are willing to shop around! I could just as happily rock this necklace with some ripped skinny jeans, I just love the decadence pearls add to whatever look you choose!

GIVEAWAY ENDS TONIGHT!

 So please, stop over, make a quick comment, and win yourself 

a sweet drop of flavor from the South. You won't regret it for a second I promise!

Good Luck!

Fashionspiration: Lazy Saturday

Here's a look for your next lazy Saturday. Brunching, shopping, and all it may entail. A casual ribbed tank can be easily dressed up by high waisted sailor shorts for an easy chic look. Plus I love the vintage print on this tank top to give it a little personality. 

Don't forget to enter the giveaway 

to get your own sweet flavor of Savannah!

Pourquoi Pas... Have Some Office Fashionspiration?

Why not have some office inspiration? Correction. Fashionspiration! It is summer and its hot. This becomes a time of year that is rather hard to dress for the office because nothing comfortable inside (or professional for that matter) is comfortable outside. In fact, it all too often seems to be your demise as you sweat your way to the subway...or car.

Lucky for me, I finally work in fashion where my outfit below is totally legit and praised (ahhh finally) but I remember the conservative office I came from in Charlotte where it was hot as the dickens and they wanted you in a suit! umm no. Here is an easy office to outside wardrobe transition! A Blazer. The working girl's best friend. It is to a point of comical how almost anything, with a blazer added, can look professional.

For your conservative offices try a strapless jumpsuit or a breezy dress. Either way, with the blazer on in the office you are ready for business, but after you walk out those doors, the wayfarers can go on and the party can be started!

Fashionspiration: Socks with Sandals

Socks with sandals, socks with sandals, socks with sandals....am I really advocating this? Well, to be honest I'm kind've enjoying the thin layering saving my feet from blisters, and anything over the knee is, to me, amazing. Enjoy the photo opp from Herald Square - photos taken by my fabulous photographer friend Truc Nguyen, she's amazing!

Have you rocked your socks lately?

Travel in Style: An Outfit for the Airport

I'm in beautiful Savannah, Georgia for the next few days my dears and I am so excited. Here's my comfortable but stylish outfit for the airport. I am a firm believer of traveling in style mes cheris, the luxurious days of the cute Pan Am girls may be behind us, but that doesn't mean we have to look like slobs when we fly. And make note, if you have never visited Savannah... you should absolutely get yourself down there!

And you of course can't forget the on flight entertainment! 

My Nook is with me always, no matter train, plane, or automobile!

Here is where I will be walking! Oh the beautiful South!

And since I'm off in travel mode, 

I'm delaying the GIVEAWAY!

That means you get an extended chance to be a winner! So bonne chance mes cheris!

Taking Chances in Fashion

Mes cheris sometimes you must take chances in fashion, in dating, and in general. Think of the boy that got away because you never showed how you felt, the city you never lived in because home was where you were "supposed" to be. Now stop. Think of where'd you be if you took chances, threw chance to the wind and said "I'm going to make that happen" and low and behold it does.

Sometimes the risk is scary, but it is supposed to be, if it wasn't it wouldn't be a risk. But you don't get the reward without the leap, the reward is all in the risk. Its only for the people foolish enough to go 100 miles an hour toward their dreams and grab it for themselves. You may end up married to your prince, or living in a foreign country, or singing to 1,000 people 3 nights a week, but it will all be a greater story and a fuller life than your typical clocked night of TV watching from your home of some-odd decades. Take the risk.

In fashion there are risks too. You may not always have a home-run outfit. Where do you think the Worst Dressed List comes from? There have been many a day where by 2pm when I actually stop for 2 seconds to look in the mirror I think...Wow I wish I had a do-over on this outfit. You don't always walk out of the house looking like Carrie Bradshaw. But the success comes from the experimentation.

{photos merci de weheartit}

What is your fashion fear? That trend that you are dying to wear, not because you are not at the right figure or income, but merely because its scary. For me its the unknown realm of the belly shirt! (Eeek)!! I was never allowed to wear the midriff shirts in school growing up, back when they were in style last, now they are back and I'm super excited to finally pull them off. But I'm nervous, I keep thinking I look like I'm wearing too little, like I'm saying too much by wearing half a shirt. But I love the look on others...pourquoi?

So this Summer I am going to go for it. Throw two sheets to the wind and sail away on a confident and stylish boat of crop tops! So tell me my dears...

What are you afraid of?

Fashionspiration: Happy Cinco de Mayo Day!

I keep for getting that it is Cinco de Mayo, but nonetheless the best reason to drink margaritas and coronas at any time of day has finally arrived! I've pieced together the perfect ensemble for your cha cha down to the nearest Ikat flavored watering hole! No you do not need a sombrero, although I won't discourage jovial celebration a la festive hat once there... Ole!

{thanks weheartit}

So grab your nearest mariachi band and get excited!!

Cinco de Mayo by fashiondiva304 featuring flat shoes

Fashionspiration: Easter Sunday Fashion

Mes cheris I had the greatest Easter Sunday, chocked  full of adventures, and my Easter Sunday Fashion was decided the morning of, and shaped up for a home run. Early morning the roomies and I grabbed a delish breakfast at Alice's Tea Cup...a.mazing! I ordered the Eggs Benny with smoked salmon on a buttermilk scone and oh wow it was divine. Not to mention the pumpkin scone I had later with leftovers!

After Breakfast, we walked in Central Park and enjoyed a leisurely stroll in beautiful warm weather. We danced around Bethesda Fountain, one of my favorite NYC spots, took lots of pictures...and probably blended in with the tourists...except for the cute outfits and heels.

Layered racerback tanks from Target and Buffalo Exhange started my Easter Sunday fashion. Buffalo Exchange also provided the finds for the sling purse and the cute Steve Madden platforms. The circle skirt I made myself with upcycled 70's fabric.

Although not totally bursting with color, I did make sure to pop some pastel into my outfit for a nod to traditional Easter Sunday fashion. It turned out to mimic the sky which did not stay this overcast all day. It actually shined brightly enough to give me a good dosage of color after laying out on my terrace when we got home.

I had no idea until writing this blog post that Buffalo Exchange had furnished 70% of my outfit! I am obsessed with this store filled with fashionable goodies from vintage to designer (and so much fun for those into the thrill of the hunt)!

After a fun filled day, I attended a wonderful and moving Easter Sunday service at my church. Then explored different areas of New York after, from Union Square to my neighborhood, the Upper West Side! I love that I live in a city where the day can take me any and everywhere!

I hope your Easter Sunday, as well as your Easter Sunday fashion was inspired and phenomenal...

What did you wear mes cheris?