Just 24 hours..

..until I arrive in London! I promise you I will take an infinite amount of pictures and fill you in on what trends are overtaking UK street fashion. Sadly to say it'll probably be a week until I post again, so I'll be on a brief hiatis, but keep an eye out for me. I can't wait to tell you all about it!

with all my love,

Lily

Sugar coated

I was half in love with her by the time we sat down.  That's the thing about girls.  

Every time they do something pretty, even if they're not much to look at, or even 

if they're sort of stupid, you fall half in love with them, and then you never know 

where the hell you are.  Girls.  Jesus Christ.  They can drive you crazy.  They really can.  

-J.D. Salinger

My most recent inspiration draws from Easter candy. The pastel pure sweetness that now isn't limited to just peeps and jelly beans has found its way into our wardrobes. The absolute femininity of it all has given me a wonderful sugar high.  Drift away from the monotonous black and dreary gray that inhabit your closet and draw yourself closer to these colorful confections. Nothing will put a smile on your face quite like a cheerful yellow or make you feel as feminine as a ballet pink blouse. 

 

Kate Bosworth seen here in a girly  frock by Chanel.

Miranda Kerr shown with a lovely bubblegum pink

blazer and with the much sought-after ombre Prada

bag.

Try this sophisticated trend and tell me how it goes.

Cheers!

with all my love,

Lily

Eye of the beholder.

“Love of beauty is Taste. The creation of beauty is Art.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Here in Atlanta it's a dreary day. Snow will occasionally fall, leaving the ground in wet mush and leaving the sky in a pale grey. This has left me in quite the 'blah' mood and I had been thinking of a way to cheer myself up with no prevail from the usual answer- junk food. But while I was going through my closet in an early attempt to pack for my upcoming vacation, I proceeded to give myself a mini makeover. I went through the clothes that I sadly don't give enough attention and put together a chic little number. Then I went through my Chanel makeup bag and cleaned out all the products I no longer use and decided to give myself the beautiful face I felt I had not woke up with. Suddenly there was a smile upon my face and not the grimace the day originally presented me with. This has inspired me to share with you my top ten favorite products at this moment. I hope this helps you if you're also feeling in a slump!

1. Invest in a great set of makeup brushes. I've seen time and time again where someone had applied too much blush or bronzer and it's most likely because they're using the wrong brush for the product. Throw out those sponge applicators your eyeshadow came with and toss those thick plastic bristled brushes your blush included please!

2. I've gotten a lot of weird looks with this one but I've also gotten a lot of friends addicted to it. Bag Balm. It is the perfect lip balm. Yes, yes it was originally used for chapped cow udders and I know you say you love your Chapstick, but nothing has repaired my lips like this has. Please check it out!

3. This one isn't a secret at all and I'm sure all of you already have it, but Nars 'Orgasm' blush is a bestseller for a reason. It delivers beautiful natural color that even if you accidentally put too much on it doesn't look ridiculous.

4. Tocca 'Brigitte' Eau de Parfum Spray is my new go-to perfume. It was named after the screen siren Brigitte Bardot and gives you the same glamorous, free spirited feeling that she always presented. It gives notes of rhubarb, papaya, ginger, rose, iris, saffron, sandalwood, and musk and is one of the few scents that is strong enough to stay on all day and not give you a headache.

5. I have two bottles of M.A.C SPF 15 foundation. One in the darkest shade my skin will ever get and one in a very light shade. This way you can mix and make your perfect shade for the day. The M.A.C foundation has been the best I've used so far. Its the perfect coverage and doesn't turn oily throughout the day.

6. I recently bought the Too Faced Natural Eye Neutral Eye Shadow Collection on a shopping whim at Sephora, hoping that it would come through for me and really give me a natural eye for multiple occasions. My wish came true with this collection. The eyeshadows are wonderful quality and glide on beautifully. For anyone like me who doesn't like walking out the door with nothing on, this is perfect.

7. Being from the Sunshine State, maybe it's instilled in me that a sunkissed faced is the most beautiful. It has caused me to go through dozens of different brands of bronzer and lots of dollars wasted. This is the only one I've come across that gives you a natural bronze appearance and doesn't have any shimmer which can cause an artificial look. As a bonus it also sets your face the same way a loose powder does.

8. Now for my pride and joy. DiorShow Mascara in Rich Black has changed my eyes forever. I wasn't blessed with thick lovely lashes. I also wasn't blessed with the steady hand to put on false lashes. But for $24 dollars I have thick, long and curled lashes that run the risk of making me cry joyful tears every time I apply it.

9. Laura Mercier eye liner gives me the best smoldering nighttime eye and is the only liner that doesn't flake and drift below my eye throughout the evening (which can be rather embarassing if you aren't constantly looking in a mirror).

10. Last but not least is my go-to nail color 'At First Sight' by OPI. It's a lovely light shade of pink that has almost a taupe touch to it. I have found it to be a timeless shade that goes with every outfit and occasion.

Love the face you look at every day

and please let me know any of your suggestions...

(I completely trust your taste!)

Cheers!

with all my love,

Lily

Dior, not war.

"Love is like war: easy to begin but very hard to stop."
-Henry Mencken

On the runways for spring 2010, there was a huge military inspiration 
coming from Chloe, Alexander Wang, and Louis Vuitton. Chloe softened 
the silhouette giving it a touch of romance. Alexander Wang made us give 
a double-take with inside-out pants and upside-down trenches. Louis Vuitton 
shocked everyone with huge pockets, high waisted skirts and irresistible 
tweed jackets. Since then we have been seeing high profile celebs strutting 
down the city streets with giant gold buttons adorning their classic blue blazer 
or huge army boots paired with their favorite William Rast skinnies. This is one 
bandwagon you must hop on!

Seen here is W magazine's March 2010 cover girl, Megan Fox,

who sports the military trend throughout the fashion spread.

NYC socialite Olivia Palermo is shown here stepping 

out of a London  cab with a nod to the soldierly style. 

(Taken by TheSartorialist.blogspot.com) 

 

Diesel Two Piece Dress  

$100 oli.co.uk

 

Stud Army Jacket 

$100 TopShop.com 

French Connection Tempest Spring Military Jacket, Utility Blue 

$165 JohnLewis.com

Shorts
$200 Wanama-Estore.com

Legion Sandals
$1,265 MyTheresa.com

Suede Stud Military Cuff Boot
$250 AllSaints.com

Wide Stripe Elastic Belt
$44 TopShop.com

Stephen Webster Hoop Earrings
$520 LuisaViaRoma.com

Richard Nicoll Large Brooch
$435 BrownsFashion.com

Richard Nicoll Military Brooch
$370 BrownsFashion.com

Fendi Sterling Silver Dog Tag Necklace
$495 Net-a-Porter.com

Now you'll look ready for the legion and be absolutely bullet-proof!

Cheers!

with all my love,

Lily

Designer Showcase

"I still have my feet on the ground, I just wear better shoes."

-Oprah Winfrey

Elizabeth and James is a clothing brand created by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen inspired by their one of a kind vintage pieces they've collected throughout the years. The line was launched in fall on '07 and has received top-notch reviews from me ever since. Even though their clothes are just as beautiful, I've decided to feature their shoe line exclusively.

I sit and marvel in the beauty of the craftsmanship. I don't know how one couldn't. To put shoes aside as something materialistic is being narrow minded. Someone's creative mind dreamed these up and made something to make one feel unique and turn an ordinary outfit into something special. High heels are like stunning architecture. But I think instead of walking around looking up at towering buildings we need to look down at everyone's perfectly designed footwear. To me there is something simple and beautiful about it all. Just think about the kind and thoughtful idea of them. They are there to protect you. They are there to guard you from the harsh outer layers of the earth, to elevate you to the cleaner air, to a broader eye sight, a closer reach to the heavens. But most importantly they are there to make you stand out in an impossibly drab world. 

So next time you leave the house in a pair of 

uninspiring shoes and not with your best footwear on, 

remember you're actually keeping yourself from the best parts of life!

Cheers!

with all my love,

Lily

Jetway to Runway

"I travel light. I think the most important thing is to 

be in a good mood and enjoy life, wherever you are."

-Diane von Furstenberg

Not too long ago I had a conversation with a friend while I was shopping. I was going about in my usual fashion, strolling through the racks of clothes, dragging my hands across the different fabrics as if I were letting them do the searching for me. I said aloud, "I need an outfit for the plane ride home". This was immediately followed by "Please don't tell me you dress up for a plane ride. Who does that?". I was dumbfounded. I was under the impression everyone knew to put on your best casual look and fresh face for your airline adventure. Now with a journey ahead of me in less than 2 weeks and with the knowledge that there are still people out there with a 'devil-may-care' attitude towards their flying fashion, I am here to change that. I am here to say "no more pajamas on flights, ya'll!"

Our first scenario is if you were flying somewhere tropical. 

A lightweight cotton sweater dress will be perfect for those intense 

air conditioned flights and will be comfortable for the new climate. 

Pair with embellished flats and a large colored bag. The bigger the 

bag the better! You'll be able to fit all your fashion magazines and 

your typical purse goods.

The next scenario is for our snow bunny.

My most important and only advice is to layer layer layer!

Start with a simple tee and pair it with an interesting

cardigan. This way you won't be stuck with a bulky 

sweater if it gets too hot on the plane and you won't have

to awkwardly take off a sweatshirt. Once again pair

with a large bag and don't forget to bring a warm hat!

Too many times I've seen people come from somewhere 

warm just to arrive freezing cold at their destination.

Lastly, we have the big city outfit. Some of the best words of 

advice I've ever heard were from Isaac Mizrahi. He said when

you're traveling to a big city, pack in all black and grey. You'll look 

like a natural and everything you packed will match! The same should

go for when you arrive. You should always look like you belong

wherever you go.

Darling, you look like first class while you roam the streets,

now you'll look like you belong in first class in the air!

with all my love,

Lily

Look for less!

“I have the simplest tastes. I am always satisfied with the best.”
-Oscar Wilde

Would you believe that there's more than a 

$5000 difference between these two outfits?

Bargain (Left)
-Dress $20 Forever21.com
-Trench $69 ArdenB.com
-Nine West Heels $99 PiperLime.com
- Flapover Slouch Bag $54 DorothyPerkins.com
-Onyx/Crystal Ring $39 Newport-News.com
-OPI Nail Lacquer "Tasmanian Devil Made Me Do It" $8.49 OPI.com

Grand total = $289.49

Designer (Right)
-Ella Moss Dress $97 PiperLime.com
-Trench Coat $395 Burberry.com
-Jimmy Choo Heels $995 SaksFifthAvenue.com
-Miu Miu Deerskin Tote $1650 Net-A-Porter.com
-Onyx Ring $2360 Kabiri.co.uk
-Chanel Nail Color "Fire" $23 NeimanMarcus.com

Grand total = $5520

Lesson of the day,

it pays off to be a bargain shopper!

Cheers!

with all my love,

Lily