Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2010: The Controversy

Tonight on CBS the Victoria's Secret Fashion show for this year is premiering. It's basically a holiday tradition. Many people think that the show is degrading to women because it involves female models, usually very skinny ones, parading around in close to nothing. Well the people complaining have probably not seen real fashion shows where I've seen less. Face it fashion is a little on the controversial side. Not everyone is going to be happy with it. I'm not offended by the show and I'm no size two. I actually enjoy watching it. Most of the models tend be rather on the curvy side otherwise why would anyone let them wear underwear only?

It's a debate that will continue as long as there is a show. I happen to like seeing what underwear I can maybe buy soon (I buy cute underwear because like Tim Gunn I believe you need to start underneath your clothes in order to make a great outfit and therefore feel great) and I don't feel that fat watching it. I've accepted that some girls are meant to be that size and I'm not one of them.

So I'll watch it tonight and I might blog about it tomorrow. Anyone else watching it?



http://vsallaccess.victoriassecret.com/

Rainy Day/ London Chic

It's really gloomy all over Georgia today and it's been raining for a couple of days. It really reminds me of London, even though I've never been. Londoners are known for their not so sunny weather, but great style in spite of it all. So let's take some inspiration from them on days like these.

High/Low Rain Essentials:
Trench Coats- if they helped our boys during World War One they can help us survive gloomy days now. The most famous trench is from Burberry. This one is $1395 at Nieman Marcus.

A LOT on the cheaper side is a $32 one from Forever 21. It will do the job of keeping you dry just as well.


Rainboots- In order to have fun on a rainy day you need to be able to splash in puddles.
Target has some solid color ones for only $20

Bloomingdale's has some $125 Kate Spade boots that are tres chic.


Umbrella-" You can stand under my umbrella-ella-ella...." It's the most important piece of rain gear need I say more?
Barney's has a long-lasting $125 one that looks big enough for two.

Or you could choose this cute $20 alternative from totes

Fashionable BFFs

This is sort of a personal post and it's something I've been thinking about a lot lately. What is a best friend? I've called several people that in the past and they've ended up hurting me so it's not something I take lightly. A best friend is someone who is always there for you and wants to see you as often as possible. It's like being a relationship because there's a commitment involved to tell the truth and to be only a phone call away and to be supportive and to listen.

Here are some fabulous fictional and real bffs that I admire.
Carrie and Miranda:
As a huge fan of the series and the movies I've noticed that out of the four friends Miranda and Carrie are definitely the closest. Carrie is the one Miranda calls when she is afraid of dying alone in her new apartment. Carrie is the best dressed, but she would be no where without level headed Miranda.


Blair and Serena:
These two have definitely had their problems, but every time they make make up I get really happy. Blair can dump all her crap on Serena and vice versa. They don't judge (often) and they support each other and look gorgeous doing it.


Lauren Conrad and Lo Bosworth:
These reality star besties have been friends through it all. They've been made fun of on the Soup more times than I can count, but I don't care I love these girls and I want a smart and funny friend like Lo!

Keep Calm and Carry On

A huge trend now is merchandise with the slogan "Keep Calm and Carry On" on it. The story behind the phrase is a interesting one. According to the legend it was written by the British Government's Ministry of Information before the on set of World War Two to install faith in them so that they would be confident that they would be protected. The crown on the top of the slogan is the crown of King George VI to show that the promise was from the royal himself. It was never used during the war, but was found years later and used on things like my bag and my new notebook.

It's a romantic story and an inspiring phrase. I first saw it on the shirt of Rupert Grint and then it got really popular so I'm obsessed. It's a great mantra to have. I get stressed a lot so I can just look at my bag and take a deep breath and get on with my life.



http://www.keepcalmandcarryon.com/?gclid=CLTDlbPxxqUCFY5d7Aod6gO8CQ

Post-Thanksgiving Wardrobe Crisis

So I've been away since Thanksgiving break due to total laziness and lots of shopping. It was too gloomy to go on actual black friday, but luckily the deals roll over to Saturday. I bought a very cute sweater.

I've eaten so much over the last few days and I'm betting so did you. Here are some tips to look slimmer when you don't feel so slim.

There's nothing I love more than patterned tights and Spanx makes a pair that will flatter your legs and your stomach. I always feel sexier with tights on.


High waisted skirts are super sexy and whenever I feel a bit on the cubby side I toss my jeans aside and wear skirts. You always look nicer in skirts too.
Banana Republic $39.99 skirt. It's on sale!


Just remember no matter how gross you feel dress gross and you'll feel worse. Don't wear baggy clothes!

Christmas Shopping: My Cheap and Chic Holiday Gift Guide

Today I got Vogue's December issue in the mail and they always have a gift guide in this issue that I find amusing. Maybe it's just me, but I can't imagine giving someone a pair of $1000 Manolos for Christmas or giving someone's kid a pair of $210 Gucci sandals that they'll outgrow in a matter of months. But I suppose I would love to have friends that give those kinds of gifts. If you're not that kind of person I have made a guide for you to help you do Christmas shopping on a budget.

For the Fashion Lover:

The Gospel According to Coco Chanel by Karbo is great for fashionistas of either sex. You can buy it used on Amazon.com for about $8.


I don't know what fashionista doesn't love Kate Spade. And most of us fashion lovers are creative people so what's more of a perfect gift than Kate Spade's Doodle Pen Necklace which is $45


The Artsy Type:
Most of these people are a bit on the pretentious side so appeal to their snobbery by giving them the only name in notebooks: Moleskine. Borders.com has a large one for $18


The Film Buff:
Everyone needs a calender for the coming year so why not give them one featuring the greatest movie of all time? TCM.com $14


The busy college student:
A fancy planner will help a college student who has to balance term papers, socials with his or her greek organization and any other clubs they might have. Vera Bradley Student Planner $15


The Hippie:
Basically anything from Urban Outfitters this person will love. Well anything organic.
Bird Cork Board Urbanoutfitters.com $22


The Girl who loves to go out on the town:
Sexy tights help any party dress during the winter. $14 Urbanoutfitters.com

Today's Obsession

I saw these when I went shopping in the closest mecca of stores to my college town this weekend. Marc Jacobs has done it again and charmed me with a new bag. It has birds on it! Need I say more?

Lavin Hearts H&M: an epic tale

So if you follow me on twitter which I encourage you to do, you would have read about the problems I had this morning getting ahold of something from the Lavin for H&M collection.

The long and the short of it is that I live in a town with no H&M, but my parents live in a town with one. So I assigned them the ever important task of going to grab me a piece, anything, from the collection. Little did we know, but you had to register to shop the collection and wait in line. So my poor longsuffering parents had to wait around until they opened up that part of the store (which was roped off) to the "general public." When they called me I was really mad at the store. I believe it should be first come first serve and when you get to the store you should be able to go pick out what piece you want, like they did for Sonia Reykiel's collection, but I got my shirt so no worries. I guess this is a learning experience for the next designer collaboration.

DId anyone score an even better piece than my shirt?? I would post pictures of it, but my parents insist on saving it for Christmas.

Here are some shots from the fashion show thanks to Style.com:

Happy (Early) Birthday Isabella Blow

I have a feeling I won't be able to post tomorrow so I'm doing this today. On 19 November 1958 Isabella Delves Broughton was born and the world changed forever. It's been three years since her death and the fashion world will never be the same.

Right now I am close to finishing "Blow by Blow" Detmar Blow's biography of his wife. I am completely enchanted by her and saddened at the same time. She was truly wronged by many and it only contributed to her depression. Like many of us, me included, she used fashion to hide herself and draw attention away from her flaws. Her outlandish outfits were her mask which she put on in order to face the world.

Her life is an inspiration because she carried on for so long in a tough industry. She was amazingly forgiving and her spirit in her good days is something we should strive for. She was the hardest working woman in fashion hands down. Without her I would be without my favorite model Stella Tenant and my beloved Alexander McQueen. She did not consider herself very pretty, but her beauty came from within. Her's is a unique look that shows you don't have to be a traditional type of attractive to be a muse and truly gorgeous.

Here is a look at her most memorable outfits:



Her hats were her signature (photo from Guardian.co.uk)



Issie with Alexander McQueen her protege (photo: Telegraph.co.uk)



Issie and Detmar on their wedding day.

Kate Middleton, Probably the Future Queen of England

Today Prince William and his long time girlfriend Kate Middleton announced their engagement and plans to marry. All over the world hearts were broken because every girl wants to be a princess especially one married to Prince William.

In light of the news I have decided to take a look at her fashion over the years to see how she'll fair as a bona-fide fashion icon. The current queen favors tweed and hats so let's see what Kate likes.

Kate is a true Londoner. She loves her trench coats and has been seen sporting them often.



She started preparing long ago for her stint as queen because she has often been photographed at events wearing classic hats. Love the jacket here I hate to admit it.



She definitely has a classic look, but she does balance that with youthful prints.



Well her style is not out of the box, but it certainly fits her and what one would expect of Royalty. Now Prince Harry is still single so I'm gonna hop on a plane and try to snag him before someone else does!




Pictures are not my own obviously because I have yet to visit England.

If I looked like Kate Moss....

....I would wear these outfits.

Most of designer's crazier dresses are really only meant for the super-confident and yes super-skinny. The latter is not always true, but here's some designs I would wear if I had that kind of money and that kind of body. I'm not saying I'm fat or that someone over a size 2 can't wear these things, but it would certainly help.

This is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. It's featured in next month's ELLE magazine and really inspired this post. It's from Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci the 2011 Resort Collection.



This is from Jean Paul Gaultier's Fall 2010 Couture Collection and really everything he does is a little off the wall, but this is just beautiful. I would wear it exactly as it's styled no turning back.



This is a piece from Chanel's Fall 2010 Couture Collection and I think the only reason why I chose it is because it's just a little odd. I think it's gorgeous, but it would take some guts for me to wear it as is. Plus I have a stigma against boots because I don't like my calves.



This is from Alexander McQueen's final collection enough said.



All pictures from style.com

The KEY to sucess (is good jewelry)

So I have noticed yet another similarity between myself and Blair Waldorf (maybe I'm a bit deranged, but please forgive me). We both love key necklaces.

Example:


Keys are a classy addition to any necklace. Plus I think they add a level of mystery to your look because well what could that key be to? They are everywhere this season. I've seen them everywhere from boutiques to Walmart and Claires to Tiffany's.

But it's not a new trend. I mean Taylor Swift wore one in her 2008 video for Love Story (Yes I just said that).

Bottom line is you can find one at any price range now becuase they are so popular.

Here are some of mine:



I don't know why I love them so much, but I think you should love them anyway!

Today's Inspiration

A quote from Sophia Loren. Art by me.

Like Blair Waldorf does it....

....or how to dress like you're more important than you really are.

Need a confidence boost? Look no further than your wardrobe. You look like crap and you feel like crap so break this viscous cycle and follow these tips because accessories can make or break an outfit.

you got designer shades,
just to hide your face and
you wear them around like
you're cooler than me.

Don't listen to Mike Posner you are cooler than him so rock those huge shades.

I would go all out on glasses if I could. These are my pick for my cooler than you shades.


Headbands are like Texas: go big or go home
I think Blair would approve of this


These shoes are so Blair Waldorf that you would be able to take over the Upper East Side in them.

Breaking News!

The Erin Fetherston collection for Juicy Couture is on Pre-sale now! Everything is the perfect mixture of Erin and Juicy.

http://www.juicycouture.com/new-arrivals/erin-fetherston-collection/

My faves:

Morning Glory: How to Dress for an Interview

This post might be a bit of a stretch, but oh well. I just finished reading the book adaptation of the new Rachel McAdams' movie "Morning Glory." I really identified with it because she had to prove herself in a world of Ivy League graduates like I will have to if I get in the fashion industry. The book was super cute and I can't wait to see the movie.
This post is going to be all about job interviews. But mainly how to dress for them:
My friend Katelyn went to a session at the CMA conference we just got back from about how to prepare for interviews. The speaker told her how to sit (good posture with your hands in your lap) how to walk (people judge you within seconds of seeing you) and how to dress. The tip that stood out to me the most was not to rummage around in your bag for things, but be organized.
The following tips are what I have gleaned from talking to various guidance counselors and the people who work at the career center here at my school.
-Dress up more than the people who work at the office you are interviewing at. For example if you are interviewing at a law firm you would go all out. Pantsuit, high heels, and a sensible bag. If you're interviewing at somewhere casual I would do this: stay classic, but bring in some trends to show that you can be creative, but sensible. Here's a budget friendly outfit idea.
Forever 21 Kitten Heels

Line & Dot Silk Pleated Bow Blouse from Urban Outfitters

A classic blazer. Target has one for about 12 dollars.
I would probably pair black pants with these pieces just to keep it from looking so date like.
Just remember don't look like you could go to the club or the beach in what you are wearing! And I would say no to even fancy jeans. Use your common sense. Would you hire yourself in what you have on?

MIA

No not the rapper (I've been making that joke a lot lately.....) Sorry I haven't posted! I will post tomorrow pinky swear! In the meantime give me feedback:

What do you want to see on the blog?
What celeb's fashions do you want me to cover?
Do you have any questions for me?
How am I doing as a blog? Is it interesting?

if you don't want to comment feel free to email me at queenmarie9@gmail.com!

I want Humphrey Bogart to save me

Right now after a long hard day on campus I'm doing homework watching the original Sabrina with Audrey Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart. It gets me thinking about vintage fashion and Givenchy who made all of Audrey's outfits for the movie. So I'm going to blog about getting her look for less!

Givenchy for less:
Macy's has Givenchy jewelry which is a great way to get a small piece of the elegance with out breaking the bank. If you look hard you can probably find some classy and simple pieces for less.

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=489301&PseudoCat=se-xx-xx-xx.esn_results

Givenchy was the proponent of the little black dress which are ubiquitous in every store. My new obsession even though I haven't shopped there yet is Madewell. We finally have one in Atlanta and I can't wait to shop there. Here's a great little dress that is a bit pricey ($178), but it's so pretty. It'll be on my shopping list.

http://www.madewell.com/madewell_category/DRESSESSKIRTS/dresses/PRDOVR~32413/32413.jsp



Here are some of Audrey's looks from the movie:



My favorite combination in the fall where I live are shorts and a long sleeved shirt like the one Audrey wore in the yatching scene of the movie. It's not a tough look to pull off and is useful for those cold in the morning and warm in the afternoon days.

Tell me: What's your favorite Audrey Hepburn movie? What's your favorite outfit of hers?

My Favorite Boutiques

I am more a fan of H&M than anything because who doesn't love having all the clothes they need in one place and for a decent price? And for me H&M is still relatively unknown in my town so I still have a level of originality when it comes to the pieces I wear from there. But there are times when I get a whim to shop in really unique places like boutiques. I personally have a low tolerance for some so called boutiques because they sell cheaply made products at twice the cost, but in my years of experience I have found two that are my absolute favorites. They might not be very well known and aren't in very well known places (they're my two hometowns) they're worth a look.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Milledgeville-GA/Jack-and-Darcy/135293789821519

That is the Facebook fanpage of my absolute favorite boutique ever. I just bought a beautiful green sweater there today which made my day infinitely better. The whole store matches my style really well (UGA dresses aside), but everyone I know who has been in there has found something.

look at the pretty sleeve of my sweater!


http://www.facebook.com/pages/Smyrna-GA/Heart-Sole/254894854590

Heart and Sole is another good up and coming store. They have clothes and shoes for every age from toddlers to older ladies. It's a bit on the expensive side, but they have lots of sales and best yet a huge selection of TOMS that's where I got mine.