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?

NYC Digs: NoLita Brunch

Just a quick NYC local tip for you. As you may know Brunch is a very serious, city-wide sport here in the Big Apple and something I am very very fond of. Breakfast is my favorite meal and I will always favor a birthday brunch over a birthday dinner any day! My roommates and I headed to SoHo Saturday morning to walk around and choose a spot for a wonderful NYC Brunch! We ended up in NoLita (North of Little Italy) and brunched at the NoLita House!

The NoLita House boasts live bluegrass music and 

a free mimosa or bloody mary with your entree...um do you really need more reason?

Anything served in a skillet is guarenteed amazingness...

and I ordered the Vanilla Brandy French Toast. IN.CREDIBLE.

Like I said, a live Bluegrass Band, along with open window terrace seating, 

all makes for the best brunch atmosphere I've had yet!

On Houston between Mott and Mulberry, NoLita House hoasts an amazing NYC Brunch and is definitely one worth checking out!

Call me when you go...I will join!

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!

Fashion 101: Yves Saint Laurent

It has been a while since my blog has mentioned anything about France now that I live in New York City. So for this lesson of Fashion 101 I wanted to feature a true legend to the fashion world, and France's own, Yves Saint Laurent.

As I just visited the Alexander McQueen Exhibition: Savage Beauty at The Met (don't worry that post is coming...and YES it was amazing), I was reminded of an equally great exhibit I had the honor of visiting last summer in Paris. That's right, I had so many posts and photos going up in the summer of 2010 that somewhere amongst the chaos of my cross-Atlantic move, I had a tiny little gold mine of snapshots that got lost in the recesses of my external drive! So here's to another great Fashion 101!

Yves Saint Laurent at the Petit Palais 

along the Seine River...my heart just melts as I think of it. 

**Please note: not all of these photos are the best, I was shooting from the hip...literally... as I was trying to discreetly capture the ambience of the exhibition for you guys without getting caught.**

At 17, Yves Saint Laurent started his career as an assistant to Christian Dior in 1953. Dior gradually accepted more and more of his sketch submissions and named him his successor to the House of Dior. In the Fall of 1957 Dior died unexpectedly of a heart attack and suddenly at 21 Yves Saint Laurent was to direct his first runway line. 

Here are the stats that any true fashionista should know about YSL:

1. Fused Art and Culture with Fashion

In his premier line for the Christian Dior label, he set the world on fire by creating Dior's signature "New Look" with trapeze dresses. 

 {merci Girl's Guide to Paris}

His life was all about art and culture and it was constantly cognisant in his collections. Including his famous YSL color block dress inspired by the well known Mondrian painting, and was just one of many art reinterpretations over the course of his fashion career. His influence was often found outside of Europe as well, and he is credited as the first designer to send ethnic models down his runway, including longtime muse, supermodel Iman.

{merci fashion freax}

2. Founded Ready to Wear

As many designers in the mid sixties meddled with a few pret-a-porter pieces, Yves Saint Laurent was the first to launch a full ready to wear collection in the Fall of 1966. In addition that Fall, he opened the first of his ready to wear stores which he called his Rive Gauche stores, in Paris. Catherine Deneuve was his first customer. 

Fashion fades, style is eternal ~Yves Saint Laurent

3. Uncovered the lost art of Couture

The sixties and seventies were a time where the golden age of decadent couture had long been forgotten, ahem... polyester suits. But as a couturier himself, Yves Saint Laurent's creations brought back haute couture into the spotlight it deserved. 

Haute couture consists of secrets whispered from generation to generation...If in ready to wear, a garment is manufactured according to standard sizes, the haute couture garmet adapts to any imperfection in order to eliminate it. ~Yves Saint Laurent

4. The women's tuxedo suit

YSL's partner and longtime companion Pierre Berge once said, "We often say Chanel has liberated the woman, which is true, but we can also say that YSL gave them the power." No truer words could be spoken. Yves Saint Laurent's designs were specific to empower the woman and pull out her beauty at the same time. In his Fall 1965 collection, YSL introduced Le Smoking, his women's tuxedo pantsuit that changed to female corporate look forever. YSL is also credited with other trends such as safari jackets, thigh high boots, and his coined beatnik look.

{merci wikipedia}

Yves Saint Laurent was a vital piece of the ever evolving landscape of fashion, and experiencing this exhibit was truly breath taking. In the Centre Pompidou on January 22, 2002 YSL showed his last collection before retiring, showcasing 30 new looks and a collection of 300 models emphasizing the highlights over his career. He died of brain cancer on June 1, 2008 in his Paris residence.

I want to thank all the women who have worn my clothes, the famous and the unknown, who have been so faithful to me and given me so much joy. ~Yves Saint Laurent

 {merci yoox.com}

 Thank you Wikipedia and the Petit Palais for your wisdom.

Sweet as Honey Giveaway from Savannah's Best Boutique

Well I searched high and low to find you darlings Savannah's best boutique and I must say I found it in a beehive! This local boutique is certainly sweet as honey and knows how to throw one sweet party! I stumbled upon this boutique and could not resist going in, by just the amazing store front alone. With a darling honeycomb logo and even honeycomb doors, I just had to see what was inside The Savannah Bee Company!

Everything about this store was designed beautifully, 

from gorgeous displays to chic honey bottles, no detail was forgotton.

They also sell beeswax candles and beauty products and

the back of the store is actually really cool because it has a giant beehive for kids

 to play in, and a seating area to watch how honey is made. 

Up front, there is a bar where they have all day honey tastings. 

They lay out a honeycomb platter with slices of cheese and apples to try...it is delish!

You can event host your own honey tasting party!

GREAT GIVEAWAY NEWS for you 

from Savannah's Best Boutique! 

One of you lucky Embellishers will receive 

a jar of your very own Savannah Honey!

The Tupelo honey is The Savannah Bee Company's specialty honey as it 

is specifically local to the Savannah area. 

You can drizzle it in your tea, on the bbq, even mix a mean cocktail with it! (That's right)!!

To Enter:
You MUST be a follower of The Embellished Life and comment below.


For extra entries you can (1) tweet about this giveaway, (2) follow Savannah Bee Company and Embellished on Twitter, and/or (3) be a fan of Savannah Bee Company and Embellished on Facebook! Make sure to leave an extra comment for each extra entry!

Giveaway ends Tuesday June 14th at Midnight (NYC Time)

Good Luck Mes Cheris!

And may your week be sweet as honey!

Guest Blogger: Shopping Down Under... the Aussie Way

Since my blog is officially in travel mode this week I thought I would keep the trend going with another fabulous guest blogger post to bring you the best how-to shopping from around the globe! Next stop? Australia with the amazing Sam of The Curvy Girl's Diary. That's right we're going down under for this shopping excursion!

Dressing up Down Under…

Whenever I talk to any of my friends overseas or visitors that I run into, fashion is not something that they mention when they think of Australia. It’s all beaches and backpacking, but thanks to the fab The Embellished Life, I get to introduce you to some amazing designers that are making their mark all over the world... and send you all into an Aussie fashion lovefest.

1. One teaspoon 

Location: Sydney 

Down Under Website: http://www.oneteaspoon.com.au/shop/

This local Sydney designer has been making major headway over the past few years. Her surfer/skater approach to clothing has somehow managed to be tied in with an effortless glam that just screams chic. The designs of one teaspoons founder Jamie Blakely have been attracting major overseas interest and for all you spunks in the US I know it is available online at planetblue.com definitely worth a major look.

2. Sass and Bide 

Location: Sydney

Down Under Website: http://www.sassandbide.com/#/collections/papa_sucre_4_5

Definitely one of my all times favorite’s designers ever! Their dresses are just showstoppers and their jeans just scream laid back vibe meets totally glam. They are a must-have brand among the celebrity-set, the world over, and their accessory range is equally to die for. I would spend my last pennies in this shop! Enough said!

3. Dogstar 

Location: Brisbane

Down Under Website: http://dogstar.com.au/

Think Audrey Hepburn meets Judy jetsen in the best way possible, classic tailoring mixed with some totally off the cuff, deconstructed design makes this label a must-have and a staple in Aussie wardrobes. Their wide leg pants have cult status over here and something I couldn’t live without.

Bryon bay markets 

Location: Bryon bay

Website: http://www.byron-bay.com/markets/

I’m a total market goer, and these markets provide some of the best shopping in this country for up and coming designers and great accessories. It was here that I developed my love of spell designs. Some of the most unique accessories you will ever see and amazing leather work, not to mention their feather headpieces... I literally wanted to walk down the aisle in one! This is just one of the awesome names to come out of these markets and to top it all off, it's 5 minutes away from the most amazing beaches you will ever see.

There is so much I could share with you I didn’t even mention we have entire suburbs dedicated to vintage shopping but that’s a story for another time or you could hop a plane and discover it all for yourself just holler if you need a shopping buddy!

To catch more of Sam hop on over to thecurvygirlsdiary.blogspot.com 

and follow her Aussie adventures!

You can also follow along on Bloglovin!

I Can Pack for That: Singapore! Special Edition

Mes cheris my absolute favorite thing about blogging is hearing from all of you! The blogging community is the most amazing around and I love it when I get to talk to each of you directly, so when I heard from Kate last week...I was thrilled to respond and help!

Kate has been a total fan of the latest I Can Pack for That series I started, to give helpful travel packing inspiration boards for different travel destinations. Kate emailed me with a dilemma because she has a business trip coming up...to SINGAPORE! Right now, Singapore is HOT and RAINY. What is a professional fashionista to do? Good question! So...let's see what magic we can make. **SPOILER ALERT** This is a two part Packing How To post!

Concern #1: WEATHER

1- Bring light layers you can mix and match.

2- Be prepared: rain gear, sunnies, adapter, bug spray

3- Maintain a staple color i.e. nude and black

I Can Pack for That: Singapore by fashiondiva304 featuring leather peep toe pumps

Concern #2: 30 HOUR FLIGHT!

1- E-READER for books, mags, & games

2- Laptop for movies and conference prep

3- Two Carry Ons: I ALWAYS use a large travel purse and a rolling laptop bag. 

I can fit as much as possible without breaking my back this way.

4- Be Comfy: Cardigan, blanket, mask, pillow, and an MP3 

5- Be Fresh: Hydrating Skincare, change of clothes, toothbrush, and makeup.

6- I always carry a journal to pen my travels!

I Can Pack for That: In Flight - 30 hours by fashiondiva304 featuring a wheeled luggage

Packing for travel can be daunting so if you feel you will be overwhelmed, start a few days early and slowly check things off your list. Be sure to pack by outfits so you know you have enough, and plan pieces that can change with each other to double your wardrobe. Singapore was definitely a special case with such extreme weather on top of a long flight, but you can always adjust where needed!

Be sure to send in your requests 

for any other locations!