Freida Pinto: Vogue India Cover Girl
Right on the heels eight Oscars for Slumdog Millionaire, the lovely Freida Pinto graces the cover of Vogue India. Clothing by Louis Vuitton, makeup is by Gucci Westman. However, I think the scene stealer is the beautiful necklace she has on. Hopefully I can get my hand on a copy. Also, below is another picture from the editorial.
Both images from The Fashion Spot.
Battle of the Boutiques
Last Thursday, my friend and I attended a fabulously entertaining party put together by Poor Little Rich Girls titled “Battle of the Boutiques.  Participating boutiques in the Chicago area included: Le Dress, vFish, Eliana Lilly, Beta Boutique and Frankie’s on the Park who were to put together five “looks” with no piece of clothing costing more than $100 (except dresses, which counted for two items and had to cost no more than $200).  The guest judges were Ben Molin from Bravo reality show “Shear Genius”, Jes from VH1′s “Rock of Love” and Chicago Sun Times reporter Jessica Sedgwick.
My friend and I arrived somewhat late, but we were still able to catch the tail end of the show Le Dress was declared the winner, but each boutique had some strong looks. The beautiful Chaise Lounge in Chicago hosted the event, and it brought out some very fashionable people. Here are a few images from the runway:
Also, a couple more images that I took: the models in their runway outfits:
And one of a girl rocking a cute blazer/black skirt combo:
Rodarte
On the heels on New York Fashion week and writing about it at a time where everyone else is probably writing about the Oscars fashions, I’m going to add my .2 anyway. I’ll admit that whenever Fashion Week’s roll around, New York isn’t the city that keeps me on the edge of my seat. I’m more excited for London and Paris collections. However, one collection that I always look forward to, not matter what, is Rodarte. This year was no different.   I memorized the date and time for Rodarte and anxiously waited on the first images to appear. The Mulleavy sisters usually bring it with their whimsical and romantic dresses with lots of light colors, chiffon and frills, but it was a bit different this year. I saw some comments that the collection strongly resembled Balenciaga Fall 08, but I still think Rodarte took this direction on its own.
This was not the strongest collection from the Mulleavy sisters, however, I did like the direction for Fall 09. Furturistic and tinges of romanticism. There were still traces of tulle, chiffon and the designers used texture, but they also incorporated leather leggings, biker jackets and platform boots. How nice were those boots?
A few more images from the show…
Saving Face
Lately, I have been obsessed with having clear and beautiful skin. I recently went to my local Nordstrom spa and got a facial from a outspoken esthetician. She lectured about my skin and was able to conclude that my diet was poor, I’m stressed and whatever products I’m using just ain’t working for me.  She gave me a peel to help calm the breakouts and she evaluated my diet and told me about some vitamins that should always be on my “always” list–that is, they should always be taken, no matter what. Afterward, she recommended some products to aid in rejuvenating my skin.
Since my friend was the first one to recommend this spa and this particular product, I decided to give it a try:
Thalgo Cocooning Cleansing Milk. $34 from the Nordstrom Spa and my new daily cleanser for day AND night. I told the esthetician about my Shu Uemura Skin Purifier and how ecstatic I was about the oi cleansing method and she had me throw the idea out the window. She told me that the oil was just clogging up my skin and not moisturizing whatsoever.  I’m still not 100% ready to give up on the Shu Uemura oil yet.  However, the Cocooning Cleansing Milk is paraben free and very gentle on the skin. I’ve noticed a very (positive) difference since incorporating it into my regimen.
Lerosett Clay Mask. Made by Gunilla of Sweden, this mask is organic and only has two ingredients: naturally organic clay and distilled water. Once the mask is on the face, it feels, as one reviewer put it, “like the oil is just being sucked out of your face”. You end up with a fresh and clean feeling face. Any zits you might have on your face, also seem to either go away or feel much smaller within the next day or so.
And this is the next product on my list to try out:
Mario Badescu skin care is supposed to be very gentle and pretty affordable. Since I’m gracefully aging, night creams are becoming an important and necessary part of my regimen.  This Chamomille Night Cream is supposed to be a bit ligher and better for sensitive skin. I was previously using L’Oreal Hydra-Renewal, but my face would feel extra-greasy.
The best thing I can do for my skin? Water. Lots and lots of water.
My plan? To turn the state of my skin around in the next 6 months and see a noticable difference. I’ve already seen a slight difference so far with the changes I’ve incorporated, so I am very enthused.
Vogue Covergirl: Michelle Obama
I heard the rumors about Michelle Obama appearing on the cover of Vogue magazine, but I didn’t pay much attention to them.  As stated in my previous post, I haven’t really read an entire issue of American Vogue magazine in ages, and I’ve found other alternatives and I’ve gotten fashion fixes in places such as Style.com, various forums and blogs.
However, I was pleasantly surprised at michelle Obama’s cover for this March. I didn’t think Jennifer Hudson’s Vogue cover was done well at all, and she was the last woman of color to grace the cover of the magazine in March 2007. The magenta Jason Wu (yes, the same designer of her Inagural gown) dress compliments her skin tone nicely and her expression is soft and she looks relaxed.
Needless to say, I will be picking up this issue as I’m excited to see what’s in store.  Not saying that I’m going back with Vogue all the way, but we might be able to take baby steps. Small baby steps.
Loving It: Nars Orgasm
In my teens and earlier twenties, I never wore blush. Unless it was for prom, I just didn’t understand the purpose. I knew what it was for, but I just didn’t think it would enhance my look anyway. That was, until I discovered Nars Orgasm blush.
The picture above is a rough picture of my hand to show how the color shows up on my skin. I know I’m late to the party here, but I love it and how it positively makes me glow.  I’ve seen the blush on all complexions and I haven’t seen it look bad on one person.  I know it’s a cult favorite and everyone and their mother has co-signed on this blush, but I just had to throw my hat in the ring with an endorsement.  Now? Perhaps on to the lipgloss?
Fits Like a Glove
I was just perusing the Nylon Magazine mall when I came across the Ben Sherman gloves above.  They were regularly priced at $74.99, and now they are $52.49. Not too bad for nice leather driving gloves. Yes, I know the winter is coming to an end soon (hopefully) soon, but these gloves would still look cool during a chilly Spring day with a nice leather jacket.
Here are some other alternatives as well:
Ralph Lauren Leather gloves for $19.99.
These Echo driving gloves in tan or red on sale for $40, originally $50.
And if you are feeling decadent, these Hermes driving gloves at Bluefly for $518.00.
McQueen for Target is coming!
So it’s a little over a month until March 5th, the day that McQueen arrives in Target stores. As noted in a previous post, Alexander McQueen is probably one of my favorite designers of his generation. So of course, I was excited (and I still somewhat am) about his clothing line landing in my local Target store.  And Ms. Jennifer Hudson wearing an Alexander McQueen military-style jacket while singing the National Anthem made me even more anxious.
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not crazy about all of the looks or even most of the looks. Mainly because it looks like it is geared towards a younger and spunkier demographic than myself, where I felt the Thakoon for Target line had a broader appeal. However, this is Lee McQueen and frankly, I doubt he gives a damn.  I have already picked out some pieces that I’m looking foreward to checking out when it arrives in stores. I’m not expecting it to be comprable to his RTW or even his McQ line, but I really want to give it a chance.
Here are some of my favorite looks:
Pictures from Nylon magazine
Spring 2009 List
Although it’s all of 30 crisp degrees outside right now, Spring is still right around the corner. In Chicago, we really don’t have a natural progression into Spring. Rather, it just goes from dead cold to seasonably warm in a matter of a few days. So, I’ve been thinking of what I’m going to be wearing this Spring. More of the same? Leggings? Cardigans and my long trench coat? Or will I be changing it up a bit and wearing more skirts, dresses and dress slacks?  I’ve promised myself that I’m cutting down big time on shopping–like everyone else in the U.S. right now, and I’m going to begin instituting a uniform.  Here are some things I’ll probably pick up for Spring:
Not looking at satin pants,necessarily, but I’ll probably be buying pants at this length for Spring–and in black. I can dress them down with flats or I can always dress them up with a nice heel like this Calvin Klein model.
I wore long cardigans throughout Fall and Winter, and I’m definitely carrying them into Spring. Great for cozying up and getting comfortable on the couch, running errands or even dressing up for a nice dinner with friends, I just feel like I can’t go wrong.  And even as it gets warm, I’d rather be safe than sorry in case it does get a little cool outside.
And yes, the forever chic white blouse. I think I seriously underrated the white blouse in my formative years, but I’m just now picking up how much more distinguished and dressy it can make your outfit without you really trying.  Anne Fontaine is the unspoken queen of a white blouse with flair and sophistication.
Although I don’t actually ride, I’ve been in love with riding boots for awhile now.  I’ve coveted the above Ann Demeulemeester riding boots for a few years now, but they are not in my budget, and when I went on a half-hearted search in Chicago, I came up empty. Instead, I found a pair of Corso Como boots that have had to suffice.
Other than that? I’m looking at lots of light cardigans and tees.  Wearing lots of gray and black and occasionally some white.  I usually bust out the color every Spring as a sort of declaration, but I think this Spring, I want to gradually slip into the warmer weather and appreciate wearing the muted tones in warmer seasons.
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