The Glamour Girl... Zac Posen Pre-Fall 2012

After browsing more of the fabulous pre-fall 2012 collections, I thought that Zac Posen definitely deserved a nod here on the blog. This collection is so classic, and full of beautiful designs and surprises. I only grabbed a handful of photos from the runway gallery, selecting some of the more conservative looks, but I encourage you to check out the entire collection for yourself. There are some drop-dead gorgeous evening gowns that I wish I had the space to include.

 

The looks in this collection bring to mind the fashions of a bygone, more glamourous era... where women were ladies and didn't leave the house without their gloves. The two outfits here look just like something Joan Fontaine, Lucille Ball, or Ava Gardner would wear on an evening out. There's no denying that fur (whether real or faux) is an important addition to any old-time Hollywood look.

 

Bring on the color! This first sweater-ish dress is just delicious in a dramatic purple. It proclaims confidence and class, and has some gorgeous details. The blue skirt adds a surprise to a plain, strong-shouldered jacket, and brings an element of fun.

 

Of course, nothing really brings back the Golden Age of Hollywood like an amazing evening dress. The dark velvet of the first gown is set off by some fabulous jewelry and a really interesting take on the all-important evening gloves. The second is more contemporary, with strong shoulders and a dazzling shade of blue. (This dress looks much prettier here than when Kelly Osbourne wore it to the Golden Globe. If I'd had a worst dressed list...)

Lastly, here's a stunning coat and skirt combination, with impeccable fit, beautiful contrast, and a gorgeous silhouette. Perfect for the glamourous heroine of almost any old black and white movie. ;)

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Like I said before, it's strange to be taking the time to write about fashion on here again. Part of me feels like it is not longer a big part of my life, but that doesn't keep me from wanting to admire and share the pretty things I do stumble upon. Keep up the feedback - I like to know what you like to see!

And in other news, I finally moved over to Google+. Almost everything I post is public, so feel free to add me, and if you let me know that you're a reader from the blog, I will definitely add you back!

Have a lovely rest of the week... I may be around!

-Amanda

Images: Vogue.com 

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A Winter's Walk - Christian Dior Pre-Fall 2012

When the weather outside is frightful, sometimes you just need to get outside and enjoy it...

In the past, I have found that on those especially dreary, or freezing fall/winter/spring days, sometimes the best way to beat the blues is to get out into that weather and enjoy it. Walking in the rain is almost always therapeutic, and a good way to cheer up when the grey skies have got you down.

These photos from Dior's Pre-Fall 2012 collection just gave me that delicious wintry-walking feeling, and I thought they were too pretty to keep from sharing. I was also delighted to see such classic and conservative looks featured. High fashion is not necessarily ridiculous and/or unattainable.

 

I love the hat in this first look, and the knit top with the built-in capelet is stylish and looks super cozy. The burgundy coat in the second image is so yummy, and I love how the pleats create a almost "petal" shaped skirt.

 

Continuing the color theme, the dress above is a tad more fuschia, and just so pretty. The long skirt and coverage up top give it an old-fashioned, ladylike flair. I could see this on the red carpet.

The second dress has a 1960s inspired silhouette, and is just lovely. The pale pink shade is very chic.

This last dress is one of my favorites. I think that white/cream/ivory can be worn all year round, and here it's updated and taken to a whole new level. The simple dress design is enhanced with a what seems to be a form of ribbon embroidery, and the wide, belt/waistband, keeps up the contrast and finishes it off. So classy...

See the complete Christian Dior Pre-Fall 2012 collection

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These Dior pieces are only one of a few "Pre Fall 2012" collections that I've fallen in love with. I'm hoping to showcase the others over the next week or two. It's a bit strange to do "fashiony" writing after almost year of mostly staying away from it, but I'm enjoying seeing what's going on in the industry. What do you think? :)

-Amanda

Images: COOL & CHIC STYLE FASHION - Part 1 - Part 2

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Fashion Favorites from the 2012 Golden Globes

Another year, another red carpet, more fabulous gowns to admire, and more fashion mistakes to shudder over. The journey to the Oscars is getting more intense, now that the 2012 Golden Globes are over, and I've got the fashion scoop for you. As always, I do not recommend this awards show. (There's an unfortunate amount of immodesty and inappropriate jokes.) But I do love browsing the photos of those highest of high-fashion looks, and passing out praise or judgement on the good and the bad.

I didn't pay a whole lot of attention to the trends this year, but a few things stood out. Pale neutral shades were abundant, as well as navy blue. Red continues to be a standard, and there were a few brave women in bright, almost neon, yellow. Fitted "mermaid" and "fishtail" gowns continue to be popular, as well an abundance of simple, a-line silhouettes, and a few surprisingly poofy skirts.

Here are my top four looks of the evening. These are the ones that stood out, had a more conservative and/or modest bend, and were just plain pretty. There were loads of other gorgeous dresses I wanted to include, and I do have some honorable mentions, but I'm going to restrain myself and just share these four. ;)

 

Bérénice Bejo in  Gucci Première

It's so nice to have a fresh, new face on the awards scene, and Bérénice brings a lovely smile and a lovely dress. This gown is slightly deceiving... at first glance it appears very simple, but on closer inspection, it is a masterpiece of pleats, draping, and godets. I love the hemline and the detail at the waist. While I think a bold necklace would have finished off this ensemble just right, the simplicity of the look is charming, and the delicate earrings are lovely.

 

Jessica Chastain in Givenchy

This lady has got the poise of a modern-day Grace Kelly, and I think her dress was just a fantastic choice for this event. The pale shade complements her ivory skin-tone and gorgeous red hair, and the millions of tiny pearls add to the graceful and lady-like look. I'm even digging the oversized vintage-y earrings! This design is a tricky one to pull off, but it looks like Jessica was born to wear this dress.

 

Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace

I'll admit right now that I am not an Angelina fan and usually am not crazy about her fashion choices.  That's why this gown was a pleasant surprise. Its strength is in its simplicity, and enhances Angelina's grecian goddess persona. The striking fold of red at the shoulder is eye-catching, and matches perfectly with the clutch, and her lipstick. The only thing I'm not so crazy about is the slit up the front (which you can't see here)... but the asymmetrical back (one-shoulder strap) is my favorite. And minimal jewelry was definitely the right choice.

 

Michelle Williams in Jason Wu

This woman not only won the top award at the ceremony, but is my pick for "Best Dressed." Michelle is known for unusual fashion choices, and often I don't like them, but I think she hit this one out of the park. The gown's fit is flawless and the dark blue/purple shade and velvety texture highlights her fair complexion perfectly. I think the simple stud earrings were a brilliant choice and I love the headband. It adds flair to her already amazing pixie-cut. Definitely a perfect and complete look, from head to toe.

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Mmm... it's been a while since I posted some red carpet fashion (I was so fed up with the Oscar fashion last year that I didn't even cover it), and I'm looking forward to seeing more as the events continue. Were there any ensembles on the red carpet that you especially loved? Did I miss your favorite? Please share!

-Amanda

Images: Zimbio

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Start the New Year with a New Skincare Regime from Simone France

I may never review another skincare product again. And that's because, after years of searching, I believe that I have found something that really works.

Sound too good to be true? I have to agree, and I keep pinching myself. This opportunity of working with Simone France has been a sort of dream come true, and I am so thrilled to be able to share with you what I've learned and how it has changed my skincare routine.

I have been having problems with my skin, especially breakouts, for the past decade. Puberty and those early teenage years brought on some of it, but it wasn't especially bad, and I expected that my skin would clear up by the time I was eighteen. (That's the way it's supposed to happen, once you're an adult, right?) But as the years passed, it only seemed to worsen.

I used various skincare and acne treatment products my mom picked out for me over the years, but nothing seemed to help. After doing lots of extensive reading on fashion and beauty (this was back in 2007/2008), I began to learn more about natural skincare and how to make your own products, using ingredients from your fridge. I came up with some decent things over the years, and continued to hold onto the hope that these "natural" remedies would be the miracle cure and give me clear, glowing skin. There was a little improvement, but it didn't last.

I tried many products over the years, buying only from Whole Foods, and opening each new product with nervous excitement, wondering if, finally, this would be the one that would change my life, and that I might never have to wear another drop of concealer in my life. That didn't happen.

About four years ago, I got into makeup. I never wore much (my mum never wore any) and the last thing I wanted was to end up with a mask of it plastered over my skin, but over the years I gradually used more and more. It became a kind of security, hiding breakouts, large pores, uneven skin tone, and "protecting" me from the reality that I hated my skin.

Dissatisfaction with the condition of my face became a big source of stress in my life. Fortunately, a few months back I was contacted by Simone France, with an opportunity to partner with them, try out their products, and review them on my blog. I was busy, and there wasn't a lot of free time for blogging. The email sat in my inbox for over a month and I almost didn't answer it. But I did.

I was provided with a link to a skin care analysis page where I answered a series of questions about my skin, my routine, and the problems I would like to correct. A few days later, I was contacted by Penny Kjellberg, one of the owners of the company, who sent me an extensive reply... sharing some of the things I was doing wrong and how I could remedy them. For instance, one little thing she shared with me is that powder (especially pressed, which was what I was using) was the worst foundation to use and clogged the pores, resulting in buildup and additional breakouts. I stopped using it right away and saw a small, but definite improvement over the next week.

And then Penny offered me the complete Simone France skincare system to try. I replied, "I would love to give the products a shot, and honestly, if they work for me and improve my skin, you will have a customer for life!" I was hopeful, but definitely skeptical. This all sounded too good to be true.

The products arrived and, super careful to follow the detailed instructions so that I wouldn't blow it, I used them. Yes, my skin did feel cleaner than it ever had in the past, and it looked a little better. The moisturizer didn't leave my skin feeling dry and tight, but kept it soft and hydrated all day. Maybe this was something special.

I continued to use the products - it's been nearly a month now - and all I have seen is improvement. The cleansing system thoroughly removes dirt, impurities, and dead skin cells and leaves my face in the best shape it's ever been in. The large pores, always an area that I hated in the past, have become smaller and more even and I don't feel like I have to smooth them out with powder. Dry, flaky skin has all but disappeared, and the slight scarring and unevenness in my skin tone has started to smooth out. Breakouts are much less frequent and less severe. (Most of my breakouts are in areas that are are usually hormone and stress relate, so there's only so much my skincare regime can do to change that... but having my skin finally clean and free from makeup has made a huge difference.)

I got rid of powder for all but the most special occasions, am careful to remove it as soon as I can, and plan to look out for a light liquid foundation or tinted moisturizer to do the job, now that I don't need as much coverage. My daily routine now only includes a little bit of foundation for touching up breakouts, and that only if I am stepping out of the house. For the first time in ages, I am not afraid to walk around with a completely makeup-less face. Seriously, this is kind of a big deal. ;)

So you may be wondering, if you've stayed with me thus far, how you can go about getting these amazing products for yourself. First of all, you need to skip over to the website and read about the company. (This post is already much too long, even without touching on all the important details of their products, how they work, and how they came into being. ;)

Secondly, Simone France has been kind enough to let me post the link to the skincare analysis page for anyone who wants to get information on what products are best for their skin type. This is a great opportunity to get advice on how you can improve and restore your skin, and find out which products are the best fit for you.

There is a 10% discount available on the web site for first time customers. Also, sign up for the email newsletter, which includes info on their many specials, a few which have run as much as 24% off!  (Be sure to check out their Twitter and Facebook for more discounts and skincare tips!)

And if you'd like to know which products I've been using (I have normal to dry skin):
The Sandwich: Refining Scrub, Soap, Disposable Cleansing Cloths, and Lovely Glow Moisturizer (for morning cleansing and exfoliation)
Rich Milk, Refreshing Toner, and Lovely Glow (for evening cleansing)
Instant Radiance Anti-Aging Mask - I've only just received this and used it once, but so far all is good!

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this. I really wanted to share the whole process with you, in hopes that someone out there who has had similar struggles and skincare difficulties will be encouraged. I do believe that these products can make a big difference, and I really hope you will give them a try. Please comment if you have any other questions about my experience, or share if you've had similar results!

God bless your week.

-Amanda

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New Year's Day Finery (with friends)

Happy New Year to everyone! (I can't believe how fast all of the holidays flew by!) I found it  thoroughly enjoyable to kick back, spend time with family and friends and eat way more food than I usually do. Honestly, there were these amazing stuffed mushrooms that were so addicting. Today was my first day back at the gym after the holidays, and I am still feeling the effects of those hors d'oeuvres.

For New Year's Eve (and Day) we had some very special people up from Pennsylvania to celebrate with us, and my adorable and stylish friend Tayla agreed to pose with me for a few fashion-y pictures before my family's New Years Day party. Taking fashion shots with a friend was twice as fun, and made for lots of giggles. I definitely want to do this again in the future.

 

Tayla and I are both firstborns, rather OCD... and take an unhealthy delight in being organized. We both like cute movies, old fashioned clothing, talking about how lucky we are to be single, tasting samples (and then buying stuff) at Whole Foods, and drinking Kombucha. She's even more into healthy eating than I am, loves to cook, and makes vegan, raw and vegetarian dishes. Oh yes, and she also really liked the stuffed mushrooms.

I wish I had the brand names of everything Tayla was wearing on Sunday, but I will point out the gorgeous Indian designed flats that she's wearing (which accounts for the more-drastic-than-usual height difference... I was wearing heeled boots). The flats were handmade buy a woman at a flea market and have amazing embroidery. So, so pretty!

What I'm Wearing:

• Pleated Neckline Top by Banana Republic - thrifted
• Mini Skirt (with pockets) by French Atmosphere - thrifted
• Belt - from Kohls
• Leggings by Vera Wang - from Kohls
• Boots by MERONA - from Target
• Flower Headband - from the dollar store!
• Earrings - from Kohls
• Bracelet - made by my bestest Melissa Lee, Beautifully
• Ring - from Touchstone Crystal

And here I am with another dear friend, Tayla's sister, Alina, who was our photographer for the day and shot all these pictures (except this one, of course). It was so much fun to have an actual person shooting the photos, since I usually just rig up the tripod and do it solo. I'm going to have to have Alina do this every time she's up here... she does lovely work!

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How was your Christmas and New Years? Has anyone posted pictures of their holiday outfits? I'd love to see!

-Amanda

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