My Take: Gucci Resort 2011

I'm so ready for Fall, more so than I've ever been.  It's been so darn hot and humid this summer that most of the time, the little one and I had to find places to go and things to do that involved being in air conditioning.  I'm ready to go outside for more than 10 minutes at a time!  Point being that I'm longing for the lovely changing of leaves and being able to wear layers again.  I decided to tackle a look from Gucci's outstanding 2011 Resort collection (this look was one of "my five" picks way back in June). 

It's a great Fall look, lovely browns and layers (how about that scarf?  adore!).  Just perfect for September's cooler days.  I did two versions inspired by this look, not a direct copies, but using a similar color palette and dash of leopard.  Enjoy!

Raincoats & Trenchcoats by DKNY
Sandals by Vince Camuto

Cardigans by J.Crew
Totes by Spiegel

Runway image via Style.com

Bottega Veneta Scarab Beetle Jewelry

Remember Bottega Veneta's gorgeous Fall 2010 collection featuring all that fab scarab beetle jewelry? 

Wowza!  Well, some pieces from this collection are available now and they do not disappoint, I adore the necklace (of course it's the same price as some monthly mortgage payments).  I hope this trend will trickle down quickly to something in my price range!  Check them out!


*Fun fact about me, I worked for the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, Plant Industry Division (I think it's called) specifically the Insect Museum, when I was in college (thanks to my BFF's dad!).  I helped to label and spruce up the insect drawers among other things.  Sounds creepy, but it was actually really cool.  There are some amazing moths and other colorful insects.  If you take out the fact you are looking at dead bugs and just concentrate on the colors, textures and patterns it's quite inspiring.  The only drawer I told them I couldn't touch or barely look at was the cockroach drawer, they are my most ick inducing creature.  I'm having to get over that living down here in Georgia with the monster wood roaches you encounter out and occasionally in your home *shudder*.  Here's a post I did almost a year ago about my encounter with a scorpion in my kitchen - now THAT was scary!
Runway image via Style.com

My Take: Salvatore Ferragamo Fall 2010

I mentioned in my post with my five favorite looks from Ferragamo's Resort 2011 collection, that Ferragamo is one brand to keep your eye on moving forward.  Well, I decided to go back and view the Fall 2010 collection, it did not disappoint.  It's chock full of lux, wearable, chic clothes that will get you in the mood for Fall.  I selected a look for a "my take", featuring (what else?) leopard print (maybe more cheetah, but that's beside the point). 

I mean really, don't we all want to look like this on some level?  It looks so effortless.  I approached it as a basic dark grey pant/black top ensemble, allowing the accessories to shine (and boy, do they ever - I want every single one!)  This is the sort of ensemble that makes me so very, very happy!

Crewnecks & Scoopnecks by Max Studio
Pumps by Cole Haan

A fun side fact, when I was pregnant I wore a lot of black tops/black pants (mostly leggings) and then just accessorized the crap out of it.  The bulk of my pregnancy landed in winter/early spring, so I threw on long sweater coats/cardigans, tunics.  Whatever would work over the black foundation pieces.  I used to joke that before accessorizing I looked like a knocked-up modern dancer - LOL!  I say this because the mannequin at the top looks like what I used to wear, it brought back memories.  Talk about "Uniform Dressing"!

Runway image via Style.com

I think the necklace says it all...

Some awesome Fall stuff just in at Tory Burch, dare to dream...

Happy Weekend, Announcements and Various Couture Fall 2010

First of all I hope you all have a great weekend.  I've made my week a little miserable by spending too much energy obsessing thinking about our "still-on-the-market-after-17- months" house.  It's making me nuts people, I'm ready to feel settled.  I must build a bridge and get over it.

As for August and the blog, I'm going to cut down to one post a day for the month.  I'm giving myself a little break from two posts a day so I can enjoy the end of Summer (plus August is a little slow in Fashion-land, sort of the calm before the September fashion show storms).  I'm also going to try out a new series next Wednesday called "Uniform Dressing".  Basically it's going to address the issue of having a sort of "uniform" that you may go to time and time again.  I'm so guilty of this, you don't even know.  My husband makes fun of me - pants and t-shirt, pants and t-shirt.  And it's gotten out of hand since becoming a Mom.  So it's for me and you - LOL!  It's not about abandoning the "uniform", but more about embracing it.  Come back on Wednesday and see what I mean.   I'm also working on a new mission statement since I've moved away from the blog's original concept, more on that in a couple of weeks.

Okay, back to it.  To finish up my week-long Fall 2010 Couture roundup, I'm going to cover a couple of additional shows that I just liked a few looks from.  First up, the super detailed Givenchy:

No one will look past you wearing one of these showstoppers!

And finally Valentino, where everything was super-duper short and sassy - nice!

Images via Style.com

Elie Saab Couture Fall 2010

Elie Saab always knocks it out of the park with plenty of "coming-to-a-red-carpet-soon" dresses.  For sure this collection totally covered that and more.  I'll let the images of my favorite looks speak for themselves - gorgeous!  It's just a darn shame I have no place to wear (or can afford *ahem*) any of these numbers.

Images via Style.com

Christian Dior Couture Fall 2010

Ah, Dior Couture shows are always my favorites and so beautiful, naturally this one was no different.  Maybe not as strong as some previous seasons (here, here and here) but it still was beautiful.  Obviously, it's inspired by flowers and floral arrangements (plastic wrapped heads anyone? No thanks!).  Anyway, here are my favorite looks and details (pay attention to the outstanding use of color - nice!):

Images via Style.com

Chanel Couture Fall 2010

Okay, here's the deal with this collection for me - my first thought upon viewing it as a whole was "frumpy" - I'm talking most of the skirt/dress lengths, the scrunchy ankle boots, the odd proportions, etc.  If it makes a tall, rail thin model look like a frump then God help the rest of us (not that Kaiser Karl is begging moi to wear Chanel, mind you).  That being said, I don't dislike all of it and I most certainly don't want to take away from the amazing detail and construction, it is the Couture after all.  The following are what I found most interesting:

Images via Style.com