black gowns and special occasions

It is seldom difficult to go wrong with hints of  black when planning for a formal gathering, and since  the holiday season is right around the corner, we have to begin thinking about what to wear for that special party or gathering, particularly for a formal New Year’s Eve  celebration.

Although, this decade I prefer to stay home and drink champagne with family and friends throughout the holiday season, I can’t help but admire, while thumbing through the racks at shops and boutiques around Union Square, the beautiful gowns available  for my viewing pleasure.   Nonetheless, here are my favorites:

admiring haute couture

Now here is another topic I have difficulty incorporating into my everyday life and conversation – haute couture –  best described by fashionera.com as being a  French phrase for high fashion.  Couture means dressmaking, sewing, or needlework and haute means elegant or high, so the two combined imply excellent artistry with the fashioning of garments.  The purchase of a haute couture model garment is at the top level of hand customised fashion design and clothing construction made by a couture design house.  A model haute couture garment is made specifically for the wearer’s measurements and body stance.  The made to measure exclusive clothes are virtually made by hand, carefully interlined, stay taped and fitted to perfection for each client.

A haute couture could cost anywhere from 20K to whatever the price may be for the exclusively created masterpieces by the best of the best fashion designers. I have included a slideshow of some of the most interesting of styles for 2010  from the likes of Christian Dior, J. Galliano, Chanel, John Paul Gultier and more. Enjoy!

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full length boots for the curvy calfs

I have always shied away from buying full-length boots because of my shapely calfs. Each fall I enjoy looking through the selection at the department stores and shoe boutiques and envy the women that are able to zip up the zipper, while stuffing their jeans in them.

This year I was determined to find some boots that were either made out of stretchy pleather (which I am not a fond of) or gamble on asking for wide calf boots. Some of the clerks just looked at me when I did ask and others pretended they didn’t exist. So I walked away feeling somewhat dumb for my “uncool” question and decided to once more forget about buying full-length boots.

On Thursday I had driven up to Roseville, CA to visit my mother-in-law and decided to try once more at the Roseville Galleria and sure enough the sales clerk at Macy’s knew exactly what I was talking about and was able to bring out four pairs (only 4 unfortunately) of wide calf boots.

I was besides myself when I was able to pull up the zipper to the top and walk around in them without any problems. I wanted all of them but from the selection settle on only one. So, just in case you have the same problem with curvy or voluptuous calfs, I have listed the selections for you to consider. By the way be sure to take the list with you to the store, just in case you run into a sales clerk who doesn’t know their job. The thing to keep in mind is, if you have wide calf muscles, stay away from the stiletto heels, because they tend to not support the weight. Also, if you have any other suggestions for wide calf boots, please feel free to share.

oh stop it halle berry

I am not a jealous woman nor envious but sometimes I just want to say, STOP IT “celebrity” you’re making me look and feel bad about myself. Yes, you might think this is childish but reality is that most women in their 40s have as much insecurities as teenage and girls in their 20′s.

It’s that whole, body deciding what shape it should be, sometimes no matter how much you exercise or diet, and then there are the wrinkles and the gray hairs sneaking up on you and the pre-menopausal state taking over. Shall I go on?

So, when we pick up a magazine or look online and see, in this case, Halle Berry, in all her beauty, we tend to second guess ourselves, physically that is because God knows what her personal life is like, and suddenly become sad (at least in my case).

I am not sure if she has had plastic surgery or a nip tuck or whatever and frankly I don’t care. I do appreciate the end result and in my own twisted way, use her physical appearance as my gage to try and look better, so that I could feel better about myself.

In the meantime, I always wonder why some women look their age and others don’t, and I also wonder why some women who have had children look like mothers and others don’t. I know its part genetic and no matter how many makeover shows and guidelines there are on TV or in magazines, the division is forever obvious between motherly women and the Halle Berry’s of the world.

So, I have no idea why I wrote this entry but I suppose a recent photo of hers online triggered it and I would love to hear your thoughts on this, if you have a few minutes to yourself today between taking kids to soccer or ballet and juggling laundry and grocery shopping while your husbands golf or watch sports on TV.

ankle boots for the woman over 40

Katie Spade "Kristie" $450.00 TOP PIC wish list

Since through my research I discovered that ankle boots were okay for the woman over 40 to consider incorporating in their fall 2010 wardrobe (wow, a mouthful) I, of course couldn’t be happier since I am unable to wear full length boots, thanks to my shapely calf muscles (Believe me I am not complaining).

But choosing the right ankle boot is a challenge for me of course, because  I don’t like it to be over the top, too bulky or the wrong heel style and I need it to compliment my wardrobe rather than overwhelm my style. Yes, I am aware that with slacks, you can pretty much pull off any ankle boot, but this year I really want to explore the option of wearing it with skirts. So here are my choices based on what I found online and one of these days, when we actually get our first rain fall in California, I will go try them on to see which one works best.

Naya Breeze ankle boot $169.95 - Nordstrom

Franco Sarto "Link" $99.95 - Nordstrom

Vince Camuto "Raes" $159.95 - Nordstrom

Via Spiga "Josette" $275.00

Michael Kors "Veronica" $197.95

Kenneth Cole NY925 "Talk Show" $224.95

fashion oversights to consider

First I want to clarify that I have nothing against anyone in fashion or those who are  consultants of the trade, but I do want to state that as a woman, who loves fashion and appreciates a fashion conscious celebrity, I am entitled to an opinion on what I feel works or not on the most influential models for the rest of us to follow or perhaps envy.

In recent weeks and months as I flip through magazines and search the net for information about writing entertainment news and film reviews for my other blog, I cannot help but notice  how some stars go from having the right look to the wrong look to a “never finding the right look, no matter what” as they frequent parties, gatherings and movie premieres and so I wonder how can that happen to almost anyone, when its time to select the right gown for that special event?

I am not sure if sticking to the same look that works is better or exploring different options to seem versatile is best.  I know in my case, most anything I add to my wardrobe is almost designed in the same lines and cut, but because I feel it works for me well, I stick to it to make sure I don’t stand out like a sore thumb. Others, in my circle however, are more daring and go for different looks. Sometimes it works for them and other times it doesn’t. Usually the obvious comes out in photos.

So, in the case of  celebrities, how do they leave home thinking what they opted for to wear  is the best for them? I mean doesn’t someone take a photo of them before they leave home to determine if that is how they want to be remembered? Or do they just not care and feel they are representing a designer who (obviously ) must know what they are recommending for them is better than the rest? And then there is the fact that whatever may look good in print or in a designer’s studio, doesn’t necessarily mean its the best for the one wearing it. I don’t know, maybe I am just reading too much into it but see for yourself  below and let me know what you think?

Cate Blanchett - I know she looks good in all things "GOLDEN AGE" but the dress, although devine is a bit overwhelming in my opinion and not the right look

Cate Blanchett - in previous years in a much better look for her. She seems less uptight and more comfortable in her skin

Natalie Portman - This look makes her look as though she is nearing 40, again the dress is gorgeous but not the right look for her

Natalie Portman - At TIFF last week - Once more looks her age (late 20s) and flawless

Blake Lively - This week at TIFF - Wrong dress, wrong hairstyle, she looks uptight and much older

Blake Lively - in an earlier photo - looking her age (20s) and more relaxed and confident.

Julianne Moore - A talented and beautiful actress no doubt

Julianne Moore - Who has never found a look which compliments her features, nor her skin tone and hair and makeup

finally a casting chance for me – as i shout from the rooftops

Out of sheer excitement, I decided this year I would partake in the online casting call for one of my favorite TV series, Mad Men on AMC.  I actually wanted to do this last year but didn’t have the time nor the guts to go through with it. But this year, when I saw the pamphlets and the window displays in every Banana Republic store I visited over the past few weeks, I was pumped up enough to go through with it.

So last night I, in preparation for my own photo shoot,  scoped out the suits and blouses as well as shoes and jewelry from my mother’s closet which I feel would best suit me for the casting call challenge.

I am excited and hope you would stay tuned as I detail my own personal challenge of “fitting into ”   the “THIS COULD BE YOU”  empty photo slot on the back of the casting call pamphlet.

fall fashion 2010 trends – part 4 – socks with shoes

Not sure how I feel about this particular trend or style, it may work for anyone under 40 and a few women over 40, but the style of wearing thick, colorful socks with ANY shoes for the fall 2010 season is a definite thumbs down for me and should be banned immediately.

Check it out for yourself and let me know what you think?

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fall fashion 2010 trends – part 3 – camel coats

My favorite, the camel coat, is back for 2010. I love it, wish I can wear it (it just doesn’t look good on me) but I do always admire it, stare at it, try it on in the stores and walk away feeling cheated. But if you can support the coat, then for sure invest in one for the fall.

naomi watts makeover

Although naturally beautiful, Naomi Watts, in my opinion, was in a much-needed makeover, so I was really happy to come across recent photos of her where it seems she has a new look (I hope) and  not just a one time look for the SALT premiere a couple of weeks ago in LA.

Watts, who is 41 has two kids with her long time love Liev Schriever and in the recent years has looked particularly tired (understandably so) and I suppose hasn’t really focused much on herself as a result of her family life. I am not saying that is a bad thing, but I always want to see women make an effort to take care of themselves no matter what, just to keep themselves psychologically motivated to endure life’s *** on a daily basis.

I especially appreciate coming across a positive makeover and feel more inclined to push myself harder as a result of it. I do believe that the first step to feeling good is looking good no matter what the body makeup is, there is always a way to look good. (I will make it a point to address different ways throughout my blog) but for now, see for yourself.

What do you think, is Naomi’s look a refreshing change or not?  And by the way she has landed herself a contract with Ann Taylor to become their next clothing line model. Check her out in Ann Taylor’s fall catalog and window displays coming your way soon.