dolce vita

image source: style.com

its never too early to start thinking of what your spring closet will look like, especially when its cold and dreary out.  dolce and gabbana's spring 2012 collection would brighten anyones day with their use of color, texture and silhouette.  of course, who can afford any of these frocks strutting down the runway? the least that can be done is take inspiration from this collection. 

bright bold colors such as this tangerine (number one pantone color of 2012- tangerine mango) will be seen all over stores come spring.  happy florals and prints can be mixed and matched with solids or other prints, this can make a vibrant statement. textures such as the floral dress above, gives added depth to any ordinary outfit.  sheer tops and dresses are staying in trend this spring.  pair a sheer top with a sheer tank to add a perfect cover up underneath.  how can we forget about jewels, sequins and sparkle?  sequin and jeweled accents go a long way,  replacing the disco ball dress worn on new years eve. sparkled collars, cuffs, belts and headbands add just enough bling to your overall look for the warm weather. bright accessories are also in tote for the spring.  greens, aquas and oranges can be seen on bags, scarves and shoes. 

nail files

images source: pinterest

 i couldnt think of anything better than getting a mani, pedi and maybe throw in a 10 minute massage.  but sometimes its also nice to sit home, hang out with the pooch and attempt to get your right hand looking as great as your left with a diy mani.  i added some inspirational pictures of how to add some layers and oomph into your nails.

all of these deco shapes and lines can be done by just using tape.  cut out any shape you want and put it over a base layer.  give it two coats to make sure you cant see the base color coming through.  peel the tape off while the polish is still damp or else the polish will dry and rip up the base coat along with the tape. throw on a good top coat (always splurge on a good top coat) and voila! everyone will be asking where you got that done!

 background image source: spoonflower

free people

image source: free people

im lovin january 2012 catalogue from free people.  insides spread is a ny vs la story which gives inspiration for so many spring looks.  i put up two of my favorite shots along with some great new additions to their website.  they always have the best shoes, accessories and jewelry ..... spring cant come soon enough

me- oww

lately ive been really loving cat eye sunglasses.  since aviators have saturated the market, its always fun to see whats different out there.  cat eye sunglasses were in full revival in the SS 2011 runways and have now hit all sides of retailers from designer to fast fashion stores.  this style is a throw back from the 50's and 60's and add an ultra modern yet vintage feel to any outfit - here are some of my favorites...

from left to right: black elizabeth & james lafayette; chocolate havana gucci cat eye; black tom ford martina; tortoise urban outfitters extreme cat eye; (my fave) black tom ford nikita ; brown dior square cat eye

metallic branches diy

inspiration can come from anywhere.....nature, magazines, paintings, fashion, pictures, songs.....  if i see something in a magazine ill tear it out, if i see something outside ill take a picture of it, if i hear something i like i write it down.  you never know when and where a good idea will come from.  

i love looking at visual displays in stores.  these are created by a very talented group of people to attract and inspire consumers.  i got the idea of the metallic branches from anthropologie's rock center store in ny last december.  below are some pictures i took to give me ideas of colors, shapes and arrangements.  

i asked my dad to help me out and search for the right branches (in particular birch since nature is ever so kind to start you off with a white canvas) after getting together enough sticks (10-15) i pruned them up so there were no stray twigs shooting out.  i sprayed each stick differently; lighter on some and heavier on others.  i liked how copper, silver and gold were used in the display so i switched off between these colors and also left some natural to add in the mix.  paint these in an open space with lots of air....

sole sista drama

image thanks: pinterest

the greatest form of flattery is imitation.... a line popular when you were in high school has appeared to be true in the court case hearing between Christian Louboutin and Yves Saint Laurent.


in april 2010, Louboutin filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against YSL for breaching its copyright of the unmistakable red sole for 1 million dollars in damages and to order YSL to halt production of all red soled shoes in production.  Louboutin asked YSL to refrain from using red soles in january of 2010 and did not receive a response. Louboutin spoke out to the evening standard saying,

"  My company has a trademark on the red sole and if we don't enforce it this would leave the door open for other brands to copy us while jeopardising the identity of the Louboutin red sole.  The red sole has become widely recognised as the distinct sign of my brand in the eyes of women all over the world."  

YSL fired back saying, 

"Red outsoles are a commonly used ornamental design feature in footwear, dating as far back as the red shoes worn by King Louis XIV in the 1600s and the ruby red shoes that carried Dorothy home in The Wizard of Oz," ."

this response, to me, seems a bit juvenile.  they are scraping to make a case by bringing up Elizabethan era garb and cinematic glittered ruby red shoes, i dont feel this is a great comparison to the topic at hand.  with no decision made, Louboutin requested for an injunction in August to stop the sales of YSL's red soled shoes.  Judge Victor Marrero denied this injection, which wasnt good news for Louboutin.  The Judge stated,

"Because in the fashion industry colour serves ornamental and aesthetic functions vital to robust competition, the court finds that Louboutin is unlikely to be able to prove that its red outsole brand is entitled to trademark protection,"

Tiffany and Co flew in, with their turquoise blue cape on, stating that a color- like its own distinct unmistakable blue boxes can be trademarked and not be copied.  This strengthens the case of Louboutin's argument and has made the company very happy that Tiffanys has weighed in.  Louboutins fear is that fast fashion retailers will start mixing up vats of red dye and paint the town red .... and every sole that walks in it. 

 Louboutin filed an appeal against the court's decision not to grant an injunction stopping YSL's production of red soled shoes.  in a traditional diva like fashion, YSL has filed an appellate brief on tuesday, january 3rd, YSL fired back with a appellate brief in response to Loubs appeal of the court ruling. 


these shoes are coveted and adorned by any one who wears them or wishes they could.  the red cloud that is walked on has a special meaning behind them that no other shoes has.   besides, who wants to do a double take of a forever 21 knock-off?  with this ruling, i wonder where we will see red soled shoes next?

if the shoe fits

image source: decor

as of late i have been on quite a shoe binge.  you would think i didnt own one shoe before this month started.  for some reason, everywhere i turned there was an amaze sale going on that i could not pass up.  i bought flats, heels, wedges, boots, open toe (for the summer of course...) you name it i snatched them up.  with amaze sales comes the occasional 1/2 size too small or even 1/2 size too big.... but you figure youll make it work for the price!  here are some tips on making shoes bigger, smaller and more comfortable

making shoes bigger:

*   a shoe repair man can always stretch out your shoes.  they have a special machine to stretch those puppies out, which will usually take about 24 hours.  probably the most effective way to stretch out your shoes.

*  theres an archaic looking product out called a shoe stretcher, go figure.  these are inserted into shoes and can be wound to stretch length-wise or width-wise. 

*  wear thick thick socks and dance around the house with them on.  this will slowly stretch them out. 

making shoes smaller:

*  thick insoles will add a nice cushion and less room for your foot to move around.

*  heel guards will push your foot up and help them to stay in place. 

more comfort:

*  a slew of products are on the market and can be found in any drugstore to give a little oomph in the comfort of your poor feet.  foot petals have everything that you can think of to rescue the heels, balls and insoles of your feet.

*  everyone knows that the summer is notorious for tans, sun and blisters.  band aid has patches to put over any blister that will speed up the process of healing and protect it from the environment.  they also have a stick to roll over any area that will form a protective layer to cut down on any irritation.