These Boots Are Made for Walkin'...

In light of recent personal events, I can't help but think of the fabulous boots that have been constructed this season to go out with a bang in. Get your bitch on with my personal selects. Ci vediamo stronzo!

Christian Louboutin Ariella Studded Boot

Alexander McQueen Leather Peep Toe Boot

Alexander McQueen..Mon Dieu!!

Hazy Shade of Winter

I'm back in Paris and am delighted to find that it is less cold than in New York; although my friends here claim it is "freeeeezing".  The weather reminds me a bit of winter in Seattle; damp and cool. I'm glad that I packed ma doudoune and will be able to brave the snow and rain.

It is an important year and am looking forward to following through on my plans in the hopes of staying here longer than the anticipated year. Cheers 2010.

"Whatever there be of progress in life comes not through adaptation but through daring." - Henry Miller

One if by Land, Two if by Chanel...

 Lèche-vitrine à Chanel, SoHo

Sailor Stripes, Boat Necks and Naval Inspired Ready-to-Wear dominated Chanel Resort 2010 and retailers follow suit with nautical themes. The South of France is calling. It's time to find your inner sailor girl!

Channel your Chanel
From the Runway to Editorial to Film to your Closet. Affordable looks inspired by the mystique of the sea....Ahoy, Ladies, Ahoy!

Clockwise from the top: Chanel Resort 2010, Old Navy Nautical Cardigan , Brigitte Bardot in Nautical Stripes, Scarlett Johansson inspired by Brigitte Bardot and Serge Gainsbourg in her recent collaboration with Pete Yorn, Vintage Sailor Dress Collection of Mademoiselle Czarina,Markus Lupfer Mini Dress, American Apparel Sailor Stripe Long Sleeve Shirt, Blair Waldorf's Sailor Chic, White Sailor Bow Mini Dress, Old Navy Nautical Jersey Dress, Pont Raye Nautical Sweater, Audrey Tatou as Coco Chanel is "Coco Avant Chanel", Chanel Resort 2010 Look, Chanel Resort 2010 Nautical Bangle, Blake Lively in "Marie Claire"

A Decade in Fashion

It was once said that art becomes more beautiful over time and fashion becomes ugly over time. While this can be true in most cases, (attention cargo capri pants and shoulder pads!) over the past ten years there have been a few collections that still stand out in my mind as standards of style and creativity; may it be conceptual or practical. I present my Top 10 Favorite Collections of the Decade. Cheers to the next ten years of fashion. Bonne Année tout le monde!

10. Christian Dior RTW Fall 2005 - Moving on from "J'adore Dior" and taking a break from the coveted saddle bag of the early-2000's. John Galliano took Dior by way of Andy Warhol's Factory with an Edie Sedgwick inspired collection that took us back to Chelsea in the swinging 60's. These boots are made for walkin'...

9. Marc Jacobs Collection RTW Spring 2008 The notorious Spring 08 show that had the fashion industry restless in their seats and drunk with anticipation. Literally restless and drunk as it was 2 hours late from its start time and the complimentary splits of champagne were the only way to pass the time. Unsurprisingly, the 11:15pm launch was well worth the wait featuring a conceptual collection that conveyed the stages of getting undressed and inspired by sex; Marc Jacobs style.

8. Givenchy RTW Fall 2007 -  Fall 2007 marked the victory of Riccardo Tisci's first well-received collection for the iconic fashion house and all it took was the inspiration of a 1920's Japanese marine coat. Thick navy wools, oversized brass naval inspired buttons, dramatic collars reminiscent of ribbons mixed with touches of pink chiffon pleated party dresses to contrast the austerity of the military silhouettes that dominated the collection.

7. Marc by Marc Jacobs RTW Spring 2007 - Dropwaists! Haltertops! Babydolls! Oh my! A collection that whisks us away to a beach vacation circa 1920's. The Marc by Marc Jacobs line will always encompass youth and flirty fun.

6. Louis Vuitton RTW Fall 2007 - A collection that was described by creative director Marc Jacobs as "Girl with a Monogram Bag" featured dégradé dresses that were draped to perfection, oversized Flemmish berets and skinny patent belts. Known to cross fashion with the art world, it came as no surprise that his inspiration behind this femininely bourgeois collection would be Dutch painter Johannes Vermeet and his muse would be none other than the girl with a pearl earring, Miss Scarlett Johansson.

 5. Michael Kors RTW Fall 2008

4. Stella McCartney RTW Fall 2005

3. Christian Dior Couture Spring 2007

2. Prada RTW Fall 2007 -

             

1. Jeremy Scott Fall 2006 - The first and only collection inspired by Fast Food. Jeremy Scott once again pushed the envelope in a thought-provoking collection that played with humor and reality.

Resolutions of a Czarina

It's the end of the year...again. A time to reflect on the goals achieved and ones that are still a work in progress. Last year's resolutions were proudly followed through and it's time to create new ones to cap off the first decade of the millenium. What will we know this coming up year that we don't know now? My *resolutions for 2010 are as followed:

*Resolutions are subject to change.

5. Study more! Master the subjuctive..and everything else that I have learned this past year in French. And while we're on the topic, I must speak more! Instead of pointing at things at the cheese counter of the Monoprix, I will ask for what I need.

4. No more inappropriate crushes! This includes but is not limited to Bosses, Delicious French actors, work colleagues, hot teachers, neighbors, landlords, my friend's 7 year old son. Just to name a few...this will be a hard one to kick!

3. Cook more! The hot plate and microwave in my flat poses a challenge in culinary masterpieces but this year I will expand the dinner options beyond shoving smashed up cheese and baguette combos in my mouth.

2. Write more! Excerise major time management...I hate being an adult sometimes!

1. Take risks! Be fearless!

Doll Parts

For Christmas, I received the DVD of the 1967 classic "Valley of the Dolls" (which was also my juicy, naughty summer read!) starring our favorite pill-popping, fashion icons Barbara Parkins, Patty Duke and Sharon Tate whose characters made it big in New York and refered to their candy-colored vices as "dolls".

The costumes are undeniably inspirational and fashion-forward with iconic 1960's silhouettes and hues. I can't help but flirt with the idea of a baby-doll dress and teased hair for New Year's Eve!!

Here are some of today's looks that can bring out your inner Neely O'Hara...sans dolls!

(click on image to enlarge)

Clockwise from the top: Paul and Joe Liberte Dress, Burberry  Prorsum Pleated Tweed Coat,L'Oreal Elnett Satin Extahold Hairspray, Stella McCartney Silk Crepe Gown, Julien MacDonald Swarovski Georgette Gown, Stella McCartney Lace-detailed Dress, Lela Rose Lace Shift

Joyeux Noël

Everything in its Right Place

I am back in New York for the holidays and it's both weird and great to be back. One of things that I am most looking forward to is feeling like a tourist and seeing the city from a fresh perspective.

On this past cold and rainy Sunday, mon petit copain et moi went to one of my favorite "greasy spoons" in the city; La Bonbonnière for coffee and eggs. While the name is indeed French, this mom and pop dive is far from it and is more reminiscent of old New York days gone by where a young Woody Allen can be envisioned sitting at the counter kavetching and writing over a bottomless cup of coffee. Growing up downtown, I used to frequent this West Village staple for a Grilled Cheese after a shift of slicing loaves of sourdough bread at the original Balducci's on 6th avenue. The service is fast with no-nonsense and the menu boasts comfort food favorites. BLT's, Eggs Sunnyside Up and notably a Pastrami Omelette which has been handwritten on the menu as either an after-thought or at one time a "new selection". After our fifth cup of coffee (with milk!), in typical New York fashion and without apologies were told by the staff that it was time for us to pay our check in order to turn the table over. The old turn n' burn...ah, it's good to be back!

La Bonbonnière
28 8th Avenue New York, NY 10014

La musique que j'aime bien #2

As forementioned, I absolutely love the access to good music that I have in Paris. In the U.S, I have to seek it out a bit more as it's not always on mainstream television and never on the radio. So I am still in the honeymoon phase of amazement that music videos are actually played on tv!

My Top 5 favorite recently discovered songs:

5. Rachid Taha "Bonjour" is a cute poppy song that I took a liking to. Simple and sweet. Perfect for: Daydreaming about Summer.

4. Mando Diao "High Heels" is a sultry track that is regularly played on Nova Radio which has a modern day "You Give Me Fever" vibe. The combination of horns, twangy guitar and sexy lyrics had me hooked upon   first listen. Perfect for: Getting ready for a much anticipated date! Red lipstick, ladies?

3. Thomas Dutroc "Nasdaq" : While the video is completely gratuitious with girls in bikinis who are changing tires and pushing a broken down limo while mini-Dutroc drinks champagne and gossips on the phone. If you can get past the ridiculous video, the song itself is absolutely adorable with its bossa-nova and retro lounge singer influences. Perfect for: Drinking champagne while Dutroc changes your tires!

2. Radiohead feat. Afefe Iku "Everything in its Right Place (Remix)" : An undeniable classic that has been remixed by Dj Afefe Iku. Normally, I am not always a fan of remixes but when I heard this on the radio, I went into a google frenzy to make sure I can find it. The original is Number 4 on my Top 10 Favorite Radiohead songs and this remix will make it to the list for sure. Perfect for: Last round before the bar closes.

1. Housse de Racket "Synthétiseur": This is probably one of the most amazing things I have seen and heard in a while.Who are these guys and what is going on? I am on complete sensory overload. Everything about the song and video is incredible. Kraftwerk meets Duran Duran meets Weezer meets Queen, if you dare to picture it. How is this humanly possible? I don't think I will ever be quite the same after this. Perfect for: Nerding out to...on your way to Comic Con.

         

Le Calendrier 2010

The Paris Vogue December/January issue is a much anticipated issue for me. Who ever graces the cover receives a generous fashion lay-out of up to 25 pages of cutting-edge photo shoots, collages of their interests and passions and personal snap shots to give the reader a detailed scope into the lives of their cover girl. Previous year-end cover girls have been Sophia Coppola, Princess Stephanie de Monoco and Charlotte Gainsbourg, to name a few. And this year I was able to buy it for the actual newsstand price instead of the overseas price of 16 USD or having to wait a month to borrow it from the FIAF library in New York.

Each year, the issue comes with a 12-page Fashion Calendar photographed by a celebrated photographer that features innovative and provocative images to enjoy throughout the entire year. I am partial to last year's calendar that was photographed by Terry Richardson featuring playful pin-up girls dressed in Agent Provocateur lingerie with themes that celebrate each month. Here is a peak at some of my favorite images from last year's calandar that graced the walls of my Brooklyn and now Paris apartment. For this, I'm sad to see the year end...

After last year's fantastic spread, expectations were set high and was excited to see what the 2010 calendrier would bring me.

During the economic crisis, the magazine was a bit slimmer than it would be under more lucrative times but the issue itself met the standards with an excellent portrayal of Laetitia Casta fashioning cherry-hued locks. After tearing through the cellophane to check out the calendar, I found myself greatly disappointed with the creative direction this year. The images were shot by photographer Mario Sorrenti featuring models wearing nothing more than Swarovski crystals over their bits with electric background lighting highlighted with smoke and rain. While the images are without a doubt provocative, I can't help but recognize the over the top sexuality as being completely cheesy and perhaps more appropriate for targeting a male audience. Perhaps my boyfriend will get better use of this. C'est pas mon truc!