Weekly Style Inspirations

Wow, it's been almost two weeks!  How have you been?  I know this summer has been keeping me super busy, but it's time to share the latest round of style inspiration compiled from fashion bloggers' recent looks.  Whenever we are experiencing the transition of the seasons, we see such a wide range of style looks.  Take a look and share your thoughts...

Annabelle from VIVALUXURY

Devon from Devon Rachel

Helena from Brooklyn Blonde

Sirma from Sirma Markova

Blair from Atlantic-Pacific

Gaby from MODA CAPITAL

Cara from A fashion love affair

Elizabeth from A Keene Sense of Style

Annabelle from VIVALUXURY

Ruxandra from  From Brussels, with love ♥

Black and white ~ always classic!  Perfect in summer and perfect for transitioning into fall.  Share your thoughts :)

Cathy

J. Crew Fall/Winter 2013 Collection

Yes, it's here...the J. Crew Fall/Winter 2013 Collection!  I look forward to this collection every year, and this year does not disappoint.  It is definitely very menswear / schoolgirl inspired.  There are some fabulous workwear pieces among these looks.  Here is the lookbook for your admiring pleasure!

What are your thoughts on the fall / winter collection?  Loving the pants and prints :)

Happy weekend!
Cathy

Current Randomness & Blue Mirrors

For some reason my mind has been all over the place this week, and along with that comes a post full of current random obsessions and thoughts.

Pre-Fall Magenta & Black
Magenta -> a more fall-like version of pink as we transition into fall.  Of course it looks fabulous with black.  How much do we love this magenta ribbon belt to pull this look together?  This peplum top comes with a leopard print ribbon belt too which will be perfect for fall.

 White House Black Market Sleeveless Peplum Shell    Sale $39.99 (Reg. $88)

The Pre-Fall Coach Collection
The Madison Phoebe in Ocelot Print
Having previously managed a Coach retail store for a number of years, I will always have a love for Coach (not to mention an armoire filled with Coach bags and various accessories).  The fall handbags are always my favorites and this one caught my eye.

Coach Madison Phoebe in Ocelot Print   $358

Coach Barbie
Along with my Coach collection, I amassed a collection of designer Barbies over the years.  Why was this one not introduced years ago?!  Love it!

Blue Mirrors 
Many of you are familiar with the phrase "smoke and mirrors".  What about blue smoke and the resulting blue mirror effect? 

"You were busy looking into wide blue mirrors and lovin' the show" ~ Helen Reddy

"Mirrors and blue smoke, beautiful blue smoke rolling over the surface of highly polished mirrors.  If somebody tells you how to look, there can be seen in the smoke great, magnificent shapes, castles and kingdoms, and maybe they can be yours. The ability to create the illusion of power, to use mirrors and blue smoke, is one found in unusual people." ~ Jimmy Breslin

Beauty Obsession:  Philosophy's Time in a Bottle
The Philosophy rep at my local Sephora put together a two week sample of this new product for me to try.  It truly lives up to its name.  It's a DNA renewal product with a vitamin C activator.  Result in just two weeks (even after one application) = glowy skin!

Philosophy Time In A Bottle / Sephora  $74

Pre-Fall  J. Crew Cashmere
The perfect fall office and weekend piece.  Yes, it is an investment, but the ways to wear it are infinite.  (Note the magenta theme in this post).

J. Crew Collection Featherweight Cashmere Cardigan  $268

Congrats to CC on being the winner of my recent evande skincare giveaway!  Enjoy:)
Hope everyone is having a great start to the week!
Cathy 


 

Weekly Style Inspiration

Are you ready for a new round of weekly style inspiration from favorite fashion bloggers?  This is always one of my favorite posts to compile and one of your favorite posts to read according to your feedback  So here we go...starting off with my favorite look of the week which features the newly launched (today) Issa London x Banana Republic collection.

Annabelle from VIVALUXURY

Kristina from KAYTURE

Jennifer from Belle de Couture

Gaby from MODA CAPITAL

Lidia from gvozdiShe

Helena from Brooklyn Blonde

Cara from CARA LOREN

Sandra from 5 inch and up

How much do we love the headboard of this bed?  So many pretty summer whites and royal blues for the last official month of summer!  As always, be sure to click on the links for more style inspiration from these fabulous bloggers.

Happy weekend!
Cathy

Cork Accessories

I originally planned to publish this post about a month ago but other posts seemed to push themselves in front of the line :)  Have you seen the Ralph Lauren cork pumps that were featured in the July issue of Bazaar magazine?  Seeing them reminded me of a pair of all-cork wedges that I saw back in May at a local accessory boutique.  I love the idea of taking the traditional cork wedge a step further by wearing a shoe or handbag entirely of cork. 

Clinging onto the last month of summer while slowly transitioning into pre-fall pieces, cork is a fun fashion option.  Take a look at a few of my cork accessory obsessions...

  
1/  Pour la Victoire Gianna Shimmer-Cap-Toe Cork Pump / Neiman Marcus   2/  Dolce Vita Hot Pink Cork Pump / heels.com   3/  Elaine Turner Kathleen Cork and Caramel Python Handbag    4/  Casadei Satin and Cork Pumps / luisaviaroma   5/  Elaine Turner Katherine Cork Strappy Wrapped Wedge   6/  Elaine Turner Nima Cork w/ Caramel Python Trim Bag          

 The Ralph Lauren Cork Pump...

Thoughts on the all-cork accessory look? 

Hope you are having a wonderful week!

Cathy

Issa London x Banana Republic!

How much do we love new collaborations?  Starting August 8th, the collaboration between Issa London and Banana Republic will hit stores and online.

For those who are unfamiliar with Issa London, Issa London is the label behind the silk blue wrap dress that Kate Middleton famously wore when announcing her engagement to Prince William.  One of the dresses in this new 40-piece limited edition collection will be a recreation of that dress.  No doubt that dress will sell out immediately.  

Kate's dress, as well as typical dresses in the Issa London line, are in the $500 price range.  The Issa London / Banana Republic collaboration will be priced in the $39-$150 range.  Take a closer look at several  pieces from the upcoming collection...  

I am loving the colored opaque tights with these looks too!  What do you think of this collection?  Naomi Watts is already wearing one of the dresses (third row left from above).

Have a fabulous start to the week!
Cathy

At Last...The Arrival of H&M!

The wait is finally over...today is the launch of H&M online ordering here in the US!  No more one hour drives to get to a store just to find out that your size is sold out and you don't have the option to order online.  I never understood what took so long to provide online ordering...considering the fact that every website under the sun has offered online ordering from the onset.  I will just put it under the "better-late-than-never category" and post a few of my pre-fall favorites :)

1/  Jacquard Weave Skirt  ($24.95) : on trend fall print and fall color combination (black/gray/white)             
2/  Link Necklace  ($24.95) : the choice fall metal combination in jewelry (gold/black)                            
3/  Print Pants  ($24.95) : the return of burgundy in print for fall                  
4/  Faux Leather Pant  ($34.95) : a perennial fall favorite...absolutely love the front seams!               
5/  Sweatshirt top  ($12.95) : a cozy graphic tee in sweatshirt material and showcasing my pet love   
6/  Cape  ($59.95) : the popular fall coat style that I have yet to obtain...this could be the one :)                
7/  Tortoise Clutch  ($24.95) : a classic fall print in jewelry updated in a bag          

 Don't we just love these fabulous prices?

Happy H&M shopping and happy weekend!
Cathy