Altuzarra Afternoon

 Altuzarra skirt, Vintage shirt, Joe Fresh turtleneck, J. Crew shoes

Altuzarra is a label that many of you are probably familiar with, especially after this year's CFDA Fashion Fund Awards.  For those who may not be as familiar--Joseph Altuzarra (the namesake designer of, duh, Altuzarra) was the supreme ultimate total winner of the Fashion Fund Award this year and got lots o' dough and some deserved recognition.  I've definitely been intrigued by him since Fall 10's crazysexycool ode to French Vogue/Carine Roitfied that upped the sexycool factor by 100 at least.  I also had an abortive tryst with one of the dresses (look 8) until I realized that even though it was the most chic and flattering sexy dress I had ever tried on, I am just not a sexy dress girl at this point in my life.  I was admittedly a bit slow to warm up to this season's Fall 11 collection, since it referenced my favorite period (grunge if you've never read this blog before AND DON'T KNOW ME AT ALL), but after trying on multiple pieces, I fell hook, line, and sinker.  I only wish I had video of the above skirt to do it justice.  There is a perfectly suggestive side slit that does all the right things when you walk, something I am conspicuously not doing in the pictures.  Hey, give me a break, I'm trying to conserve energy and rest up my puppies for Fashion Week!

Ms. Jackson If You're Nasty

(via vogue.com)

Equipment blouse, Crumpet leopard print cashmere sweater, Altuzarra moleskin pants, YSL wedges

Ok, I know I'm cheating using this pic that accompanied a very useful and handy dry shampoo article, but things have been C-R-A-Z-Y, people.  And not in the good way.  I know I've used that excuse many-a-time before, but believe me, this one is legit.  Totally for real.  I think I'm about to dive off the edge of a steep steep precipice at any moment and meet a very unrecoverable fate.  The only thing that truly keeps me going is the promise of the very awesome sale scavenging that is going on right now at your finer department stores and of seeing some seriously sweet action on the runways for NYFW.  I have to believe that after a somewhat yawnworthy (but pretty!) S/S, F/W 12 is going to be all kinds of nasty.  In the good way.  A dreamer can dream right? Think nasty thoughts.

The Genteel - Borrowing from the Boys

 Celine sunglasses, Gant Rugger sweater, Joe Fresh button up oxford, Jenni Kayne pants, Happy Feet socks, Cynthia Rowley shoes

Leroy & Perry sweater, Proenza Schouler turtleneck, Theyskens Theory pants, Alexander Wang boots

 

If you are even a semi-regular reader of this blog, you know I LOVE menswear.  Period.  In the interest of getting Xmas tree photos out of the way before they look seriously dated, I thought I would post these two boyish looks together, and talk a bit about my new favorite site THE GENTEEL. Why The Genteel you ask?  Well, first off, you can see my list of the best men's brands to browse here (and other musings here), but this is more than self-promotion: the site should be bookmarked by all women who enjoy intelligent discourse, fashion, and culture.  The only thing I DON'T like about the site is that it beat me to the punch in providing a fun, yet intelligently-curated forum for women who enjoy battering about ideas and abstracts, but who also don't take themselves too seriously and enjoy the indulgences in life! I could go on, but I think you best do yourself a service and head on over there!

Winterize It!

 Proenza Schouler dress, Marc Jacobs leather pants and shoes (yes, the Holiday decorations are still up--NEVER LET GO)

Although it was slow to come, it's officially winter.  As I've been cleaning out my closet, I've come across un-seasonal pieces that have inspired me to try to winterize them.  The Proenza dress above is definitely one of those.  This particular dress resonates not because it's awesome (which it is, duh), but because seems emblematic of the huge changes that occurred in 2011. It was one of my favorite Fashion Week outfits, and got a decent amount of coverage on a few blogs my first Fashion Week as a "fashion girl." But, its significance didn't really hit me until I found myself very unexpectedly on end-of-year street style roundups on Refinery 29, Fashionista, and Harpers Bazaar (btw thanks guys!).  It's funny that in a year and change, I find myself in the throes of the fashion world at which I was only peering from the periphery not too long ago. I'm not sure what 2012 will bring-- probably some good and some bad (hopefully more good!)-- but I hope this is only the beginning of my fashion journey.  At the very least, I hope it can be an example for someone else to take a chance on yourself---even if it is only to be confident about wearing a summer dress in the winter!  

Beauty Break--HAPPY NEW YEAR/MAKEUP/YAY

via refinery29.com

HAPPY NEW YEAR!  I know you're supposed to have resolutions and whatnot, but that just STRESSES ME OUT.  I am way too type-A to confine my meta "to-do" lists to just one time of the year, so I'm taking a pass and sticking to my usual OCD year-round lists of things to accomplish.  In the meantime, I'm finally getting to my "part 2" of beauty:  THE GOOD STUFF (i.e. makeup).  Let's me honest, no one likes putting on a full face of make-up day in and day out, but it sure is fun to play around with even when you have no idea what you're doing (like me)!  As with my taste in clothing, my taste in makeup is definitely on the color-adventurous side.  Although the overall effect may not look totally outrageous, some of the colors can look pretty daunting on their own!  Let's explore! :)

EYESHADOW

-YSL is one of my favorite brands, and their red/burgundy eyeshadow (sexily called Ombre Vibrations Duo 13) is my favorite non-zombie zombie color.  Adds just a tiny bit of "edge" to everything while still being perfectly pretty

-MAC is another fave for the eyes--and I am obsessed with Era, which looks fairly neutral, but somehow transforms my peepers into something super chic...I think.  For the more adventurous, do try  their yellow (yes yellow, not really gold, not matter what the name suggests).  Sunblonde and Goldmine are my favorites.

-Chanel is also gets props for straight-up girly prettiness---no one does sparkles better (except maybe Illamasqua).  My favorite "Les Quatres" is Sparkling Satins

-Illamasqua 4 Color Liquid Metal Palette- METAL SHINE SPARKLE.  Enough said.

BLUSH

I am a slave to cheek stains--my faves are my Givenchy Blush Gelee and Tarte Cheek Stains (currently on a Natural Beauty binge, but love Dollface, Tipsy, and Flush too)

CONCEALER

-YSL Anti-Cernes Concealer is my one and only.  Will sometimes supplement with the famous Touche Eclat.

LIPSTICK

The MOTHERLOAD.  This is where I get crazy.  My favorite shades are:

MAC Violetta

MAC Up the Amp

MAC Natural Eccentric

MAC Powersuit

NARS Funny Face

NARS Fire Down Below

NARS Belle du Jour (true fact: I first bought this in college because I thought it made me look like Beyonce).

YSL Rouge Pure Shine 33 (deep berry)

YSL Rouge Voluptue 8 (pepto bismol pink)

Donna Karan Rich Raisin 

LIP GLOSS

I am kind of rediscovering my lip gloss stockpile, so bear with me:

-Chanel Unity gloss

-Joe Fresh Grenadine gloss (seriously, the finish is amazing)

-YSL Gloss Pur 49 (black) gloss (great alone if you're feeling daring or underneath other lip colors to give it some depth)

MASCARA

-Lancome Doll Lashes Mascara is my favorite of all time!  So lightweight and not clumpy!

EYELINER

I skimp here and usually rely on drugstore brands, but I have a black Dior Brow and Liner Eyeliner pencil I love!

-Lancome Art Liner is also perfect for a dramatic cat eye (which I wish I could actually do on myself)

-Nars Larger than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner in silver

BROWS

MAC Browset in Show-Off 4 EVA