Quote of the Day

"What is a closet, really, but a catalogue of the different personas we have auditioned and discarded? Hanging there in our closets are reminders, both good and bad, of who we are, who we've been, and who we've hoped to be." 

- Tim Gunn, A Guide to Quality, Taste and Style

Award Season Continues

Personally I thought the style at SAG Awards, where bright color and one-shouldered gowns ruled, was superior to that of the Golden Globes.  Can the Oscars (February 22) top both? Here are a few of my faves:

Viola Davis in David Meister

Kate Winslet in Narcisco Rodriguez (could she look ANY better these days???)

Evan Rachel Wood in Monique Lhuillier

Inaugural Style

Not in recent history have the celebrities come out in droves for a new president like they have for    President Obama. With all of the

pre-inaugural events (like the star-

studded "We Are One" concert at Lincoln Memorial, attended by hundreds of thousands) and the 12 Inaugrual Balls celebrating the new First Family, everyone had a chance to strut their stuff in honor of the changing of the guard.  The members of First Family themselves looked awfully chic as well! Here are some pics from the various Inaugural events:

And the winner is...

My vote for Best Dressed at the 2009 Golden Globes?...

In leaps and bounds it was Eva Mendes (whose style has been impressing me a lot lately) in a white silk taffeta Dior gown, complimented perfectly with a gorgeous vintage turquoise and diamond statement necklace and cocktail ring from Van Cleef & Arpels. 

And the worst?  I knew Renee Zellweger would wear Carolina Herrera as always, but..really, Renee?  THIS is the outfit you chose? I wanted

to like the 2-piece look, if for no other reason than for her effort to be different in wearing separates, and I might have liked it on a different woman, but with Renee's pale skin, prom hair and muddy makeup, it was just a mess.  The usually completely unadorned Zellweger did wear two Verdura Maltese cross gold cuffs , but alas, it was too late. What is her aversion to earrings?

HO-HO-NO!

First of all, let's talk about what NOT to look for in holiday attire.  Do not, do not, do NOT wear any sort of attire that features reindeer, wreaths, holly berries, etc...and resist the temptation to wear red and green together, period.  You will just end up looking costume-y, cliche and frankly, tacky. Look for rich jewel tones, like plum, deep jade and peacock blue.  Also resist “seasonal accessories” which include, but are not limited to, ceramic reindeer pins, bell earrings and Christmas tree broaches.  Accessories are an important part of holiday dressing, but instead buy timeless, beautiful, interesting jewelry that will last you throughout the year with lots of outfits, not December.  Even then, don't get carried away.

Choose focal pieces, instead of over- accessorizing. Choose

bold over quantity. Anything too delicate will simply get lost on you. Try chandelier earrings, chunky cuffs, multi-layer 

necklaces and sparkly cocktail rings (J.Crew has some beautiful ones!) — but not all at the same time. A good rule of thumb is not to put items too close together on the body. Instead of big earrings AND a big necklace, try big earrings and a cocktail ring.

MUST HAVES FOR HOLIDAY PARTIES

1) A sassy, short cocktail dress either in a metallic, dressy material, such as thick satin, and/or with a little sparkle or embellishment.  See below for examples:

Maggy London Beaded Waist Strapless Matte Jersey Dress, $118 @ Nordstom.com

Diane Von Furstenberg Victoire Silk Wrap Dress, $425, Net-A-Porter.com

Loeffler Randall Cotton Sheath with Ribbon Detial, $375, Saks.com

Moschino Cheap And Chic Jacquard Lamé Dress, $795, Saks.com

2) A chic evening clutch: sized only to hold the essentials like lipstick, cell phone and a credit card

3) an evening coat or wrap : Nothing ruins a party dress more than throwing on your big bulky overcoat over it.  Even worse is wearing your husband's suit jacket by the end of the night!  An appropriate outer-layer can be anything from a pashmina to a knee-length brocade coat.  My favorite and the most versatile is a knee-length version.  There are even evening trenchcoats.  To ensure the most wearability, choose black or a metallic.

4) Bold jewelry - like a statement necklace, jeweled cuff or cocktail ring:

J.Crew Giant Starburst Ring, $68

Banana Republic Broach Bangle, $39

White House/Black Market Candlelight Necklace, $54

5) A fitted velvet jacket: November thru January is about the only time I like velvet, and usually only in the form of a structured jacket.  great to pair with a ruffled blouse and trousers for a semi-dressy or office occasion, and jeans for something more casual.  This goes for

 men, too!  My favorite outfit of my husband's holiday attire is his Diesel jeans, white button-down shirt with French cuffs (special cuff links are a great way for men to accessorize!) and deep cobalt blue velvet blazer.

Ann Taylor, $158

Banana Republic Brown Two-button Velvet Blazer, $250

John Hardy Midnight Cuff Links, Bromberg's, $1595

NOTE: Christmas parties start in early December, so shop now!  Definitely don't wait until The Biggest Shopping Day of the Year (day after Thanksgiving) when your choices will be limited as things will all be picked over.

chicGIFTING

TWO WAYS 

to be stylish 

this Holiday!

1) Give the gift of style with a Gift Certificate from chicmadesimple!

-Specify an amount & a service (a Personal Shopping trip; a Closet Re-Vamp...see website for more options)

-Your gift certificate will come personalized & stylishly gift-wrapped

2) Ensure EVERY package is a chicGIFT with chicmadesimple's

     NEW gift-wrapping service!

-Everybody knows that a gift beautifully wrapped on 

the outside makes what's inside even

more special. So, after years of request, self-described gift-wrap fanatic Tracy Robinson is offering holiday gift-wrapping services.

-Each package will be uniquely wrapped 

according to gender & desired motif (traditional, modern, etc.)  Simply drop off your p

ackages & pick up at your convenience!

-Prices (which include labor & superior-quality supplies) are as follows:         

XX-Small: $2.50

X-Small: $3.50

Small: $4.50

Medium #1: $6

Medium #2: $8

Large: $10

X-Large: $12

Jumbo: $15

Chic Made Simple's ABC's of Fashion

...What every woman should have in her wardrobe...

A- A-line Dress (so flattering!)

B - Blazer (fitted)

C- Cuff (the classically elegant bracelet)


D- Diamond Studs (real or faux)

E- Evening Bag (sized to hold only the essentials)

F- Femininity (make sure your softer side is represented)

G- Gloves (preferably leather)



H- Heels (2 1/2 inches or higher)












I- Investment Piece (have one expensive piece you love- a bag, a shoe - to spruce up those budget items)






J- Jeans (note: so called "premium" denim is worth the money! And the darker they are, generally the dressier & more flattering they are.)






K- Knee Boots (musts for Winter/Fall in black & dark brown)












L- Little Black Dress




M- Metallic (go-with-everything pewter & bronze)







N- Necklace (go bold: a statement piece)











O- Overcoat (pick the right size & shape for your frame)


















P- Peep-Toes (appropriate year-round)


Q- Quality (not quantity)


R- Runway to Reality (interpret the trends to make sense in your life)






S- Suit (whether pant or skirt, always a good staple to have on hand)










T- Trench Coat

U- Umbrella

















V- Valise (be stylish even when you travel)

W-Watch (the one you choose says a lot about you)

X- X-Factor (have at least a few items in your closet that push the envelope for you)


Y- Young-at-Heart (be age-appropriate, but have a sense of fun in your wardrobe!)

Z- Zen (don’t stress about your style!)