NYC Museum Report - Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty at the Met

Today I'm so happy to welcome a new contributor to my little ol' blog.  My dear friend and former colleague Laura Johnson.  Laura is a gifted textile designer and colorist with 20 years of experience who lives and works in Manhattan.  Because we all can't live in or visit NYC regularly she'll be checking in from time to time to report about exhibits and other interesting tidbits happening there.  I know I always love hearing her thoughts about these things and I wanted to share them with you all too!  So without further ado, we will begin with the biggest exhibit with the most buzz going on right now - Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty at the Met's Costume Institute (which Laura has been to TWICE - I'm so jealous)!  Take it away Laura...
 

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is packed these days, everyone is going to see the Alexander McQueen show, and for good reason. If you are in the NYC area, I highly recommend making the time and battling the crowds (try a weekday; I heard there was a 45 minute wait one Saturday). The exhibit is extremely theatrical. Each room is a unique setting, completely transformed with music and sounds accompanying the work. It almost feels as if you are traversing a fun house of sorts.


In the first room you see an amazing collection of his tailoring, including some wonderfully low slung pants. There is a Cabinet of Curiosities room that has an amazing selection of accessories. Videos play on the walls from some of his most dramatic runway shows. As you continue from room to room you see work that is technically amazing, beautiful, torturous and ethereal. There is so much talent on display. For a man who died at 40, what a body of work he left behind. You leave feeling almost stunned by it.

Dress, No. 13, spring/summer 1999

Photograph by Sølve Sundsbø

 Here's how it was created on the runway.

Corset, Dante, autumn/winter 1996-1997

Photograph by Sølve Sundsbø

Jacket, Joan, autumn/winter 1998-1999

Photograph by Sølve Sundsbø

Dress, Widows of Culloden, autumn/winter 2006-2007

Photograph by Sølve Sundsbø

Dress, The Horn of Plenty, autumn/winter 2009-2010

Photograph by Sølve Sundsbø

Ensemble, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, autumn/winter 2002-2003

Photograph by Sølve Sundsbø

"Oyster" Dress, Irere, spring/summer 2003

Photograph by Sølve Sundsbø

All images via The Met

My Take - Brooklyn Decker color combo

Here's a great look on Brooklyn Decker - I'm actually more jazzed about the color combo than the outfit itself. 

I love that sort of olive/army green dress color with the blue pumps.  Gorgeous!  I actually put these looks together a couple of months ago and then promptly forgot about them - lost in the shuffle I guess.  Here are a few outfits in this color combo - enjoy!

Day Dresses by Madewell
Flats by Wanted

Day Dresses by J.Crew
Flats by J. Jill

Platforms by Jessica Simpson
Day Dresses by Made For Loving

Image of Brooklyn Decker via unknown (and I'm usually so good about knowing - grrr)

The Row's New Handbag Line

I'm not the biggest Olsen twin fan, I mean they design some lovely clothes, but I'm not always thrilled with their personal style choices.  Sometimes it just looks like they throw on anything (and sometimes everything) from their closet.  I guess it's sort of a free pass when pretty much everything you own is a luxury item, people call that "eclectic" and not "crazy" - ha!  It still weirds me out that I can tune into Nick at Nite early in the morning and catch them as babies/toddlers/little girls on "Full House" - that makes me feel so darn old.  That being said, I'm actually kind of digging what they wore to the CFDA awards this past Monday night. 

Love the color mix and the texture mix each wore, both looks just work for me.  Take note of the bags, they are from their new super-luxe (read: bags that are made from exotic materials that cost and arm and a leg) bag line from their super-luxe label The Row.  The bags are gorgeous and have that understated elegance that I love.  Here are a few examples:

Classic Shoulder Bag

Day Luxe Alligator Bag

Metal Frame Lizard Bag

Doctor Bag

Twin Mini Ostrich Bag (get it? One side is one skin, the other is a different one, so it's like two bags in one. It's actually a pretty darn cool idea!)

Check out the rest of the bags and the interview with the Olsen's from Harper's Bazaar here!

Top image via The Cut, all other images via Harper's Bazaar

I Want This! - Jess LC Lake Shore Navy Clutch

I'm sure you all know by now that Jess LC has a brand new handbag collection in addition to the gorgeous jewelry.  Well I'm in love with the clutch above.  I love how classic and chic it is and how it can be dressed up or down!  Best of all, it's made in Chicago - yay!  Check out the full collection of bags here.

Lake Shore Navy Clutch - $60

Image via Jess LC

Friend Friday - Vacation

Linking up with Katy at Modly Chic again this week for FBFF.  Today's topic is packing for a vacation.  Sadly, I'm not taking a vacation this Summer (boo hoo) but for the questions today I'll pretend I am ;o)

Source: ohjoy.blogs.com via Jenny on Pinterest

1. When it comes to packing for vacation what’s your mantra?
Less is more!  I try to pack the most versatile items I have so I can get more bang for my packing buck.  This is especially important when you fly now because of all the checked bag charges.  I struggle with packing lightly, I tend to want to take more than needed (especially if it's a car trip), however the older I get, the less crap I want to haul around.

2. What are your must packs?
My large black pashmina that I use as a wrap and a blanket, comfortable shoes, a large, chic handbag that can be used for hauling things as well as a purse, and last but not least I always pack at least 2 more pair of underwear than I think I will need.

3. What are you happy to leave behind?
Cooking and cleaning!

4. Any packing secrets that help you get everything into one suitcase?
Pack super versatile items in neutral colors that you can mix and match!  Also, keep shoes to the minimum, I try to pack a max of 4 pair depending on the travel situation.  Oh and rolling clothes does help fit more into a suitcase.

5. Beach reading… what are you taking with you to read in the sand?
I'm super behind in reading books.  Right now, I'm smack in the middle of Bringing Home The Birkin by Michael Tonello and I love it!  Next up is either The Help and Water For Elephants (those are the last unread downloads on my old Sony eReader) - I'm so not up to speed on current literature.

Don't forget to check out everyone else's answers here!
Book image via Amazon.com

My Five - Oscar de la Renta Fall 2011

Oscar always shines, his collections are so beautiful and ladylike.  This collection is no different, lovely fabrics, sparkle and lots of pattern.  Please note that cobalt blue is still sticking around, which I love.  Here are my (more than five - eek) picks:

Images via Style.com photographed by Monica Feudi

What I Wore Wednesday!

Okay, I'm slowly getting back to "normal" after the move and starting the new job.  I'm not 100% caught up with my online stuff, but I'm getting there.  By the way is anyone else having issues commenting on some blogs?  Some blogs I can comment normally with my Blogger ID, others make me "anonymous" - so bizarre.  I'll chalk it up to Blogger being a super pain these past few weeks because I have no other excuse.  Anyway, here are some outfits I've worn recently.  I wish I could say I've been in real clothes more than yoga pants these past few weeks, but with unpacking and moving I basically lived in the dreaded yoga pants - ha!  Again, I'm linking up with The Pleated Poppy for WIWW - click here to see what everyone else wore!

Tunic - Tory Burch

Jeans - Gap (via Platos Closet)

Tank - Target

Wedges - Kors Michael Kors

T-Shirt - Target

Pants - J.Crew

Shoes - Gap

Necklace - Giveaway win from the lovely Ms. Givens over at Trend Wisely (Thank you! It's gorgeous!)

 Here's a close up - the big beads are pink with little beads in between that are a golden color.  This necklace sparkles and shines and I LOVE it!!

 This was the outfit I was wearing when I spent the night at the Atlanta airport.  I took this picture before I left when I was trying to figure out some outfits to wear (so excuse the wrinkled pants and the chopped off head)

Tunic - Michael Kors (sample sale score!)

Tank - Target

Pants - Old Navy

Shoes - Tory Burch

Necklace - House of Harlow

Top - Old Navy

Jeans - Gap (via Platos Closet)

Shoes - Toms

Necklace - Made by my Mom

T-Shirt - J.Crew

Skirt - Barneys New York

Shoes - Coach

 This skirt is so much fun (and it's lightweight and easy to wear, perfect for today when it's supposed to be around 100 degrees!).  Here is a closeup of the water can print.