The Best of Cannes - Fashion Edition 2013

I'm not sure if I've paid a whole lot of attention to the fashion at the annual Cannes Film Festival in the past, but after seeing some of the photos from this year, I felt it deserved its own post. 

There was an overwhelming display of classy, truly lovely designs. Below are my favorites.

 Nicole Kidman in Dior Haute Couture, Alexander McQueen, L'Wren Scott, and Valentino Couture

 Audrey Tautou in RED Valentino, Yiqing Yin, and Prada.

 Jessica Chastain in Versace Collection and Givenchy

Fan Bingbing in Elie Saab Couture

 Carey Mulligan in Chloe, Octavia Spencer in Tadashi Shoji, and Isla Fisher in Dolce and Gabbana

Marion Cotillard in Dior, Katie Chang in Dior, and Olivia Palermo in Roberto Cavalli

Lana Del Ray in Lena Hoschek, Zoe Saldana in Valenino, and Zhang Ziyi in Carolina Herrera

Which gowns were your favorites? And who do you think deserves the "best dressed" award? (In my opinion, Nicole Kidman takes the trophy, with Audrey Tautou, Jessica Chastain, and Fan Bingbing as runners up. :)

-Amanda

Images: InStyle.com

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Paris in the Springtime

I just love these classic looks, shot in one of the most fashionable cities in the world...

This stunning photo shoot was originally posted at This Modern Romance. (There's a lot more shots than what I shared here. Click the link!) I'm partial to the cape/coat piece (I'd love to make one!) and the polka-dot head scarf. How about you?

-Amanda

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Green shoes make the sun shine

The skies were grey on Sunday morning, so I grabbed my purple umbrella, and hoped they would make for good pictures later. But the sun came out instead. I'll have to save the "rain, rain, go away" shots for another day.

What I'm Wearing:

• Ruffle top by WILLI SMITH - hand-me-down
• Pencil skirt by UNITED COLORS OF BENETTON - gift
• Shoes by CAMI - hand-me-down
• Collar necklace - refashioned by me
• Bracelet - gift

The collar necklace I'm wearing was actually the neckline of an otherwise drab and unshapely grey teeshirt. I thought it was too good to go to waste, so I cut it off. I don't think the fabric collar necklace trend is quite so hot as it was, but it's fun to have something a little less traditional to accessorize with! 

I stole these shoes from a dear friend in Nebraska. I was staying with her before her wedding last November, and saw them on her bedroom floor. She was going to send them away to Goodwill, but I smuggled them home in my suitcase instead.

Ok, it wasn't quite that exciting. She gave me permission.

Do you have any clothes or accessories that you've "stolen" from a friend or smuggled home? Do share! :)

-Amanda

Photos by Lydia Flynn

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H&M Consciousness Exclusive

I absolutely love some of the pieces in the H&M Consciousness Exclusive collection, which are all made from sustainable materials. It gets me excited how organic, eco friendly options are starting to become more widely available, and chosen by celebrities. (Livia Firth deserves her own post, more on her later...) I think this collection is stunning.

For some reason, the pieces no longer seem to be listed on the H&M website (and they were only released a little over a month ago!) but you can see photos of the whole collection at Vogue UK.

Which piece would you like in your own closet? As much as I love the white lace dress, the fringe on the last one shown here just gets me. It's very flapper-ish. My favorite.

-Amanda

Images: H&M

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For this is May!

Come walk with me along this willowed lane,

Where, like lost coinage from some miser's store,

The golden dandelions more and more

Glow, as the warm sun kisses them again!

For this is May! who with a daisy chain

Leads on the laughing Hours; for now is o'er

Long winter's trance. No longer rise and roar

His forest-wrenching blasts. The hopeful swain,

Along the furrow, sings behind his team;

Loud pipes the redbreast - troubadour of spring,

And vocal all the morning copses ring;

More blue the skies in lucent lakelets gleam;

And the glad earth, caressed by murmuring showers,

Wakes like a bride, to deck herself with flowers!

~ Henry Sylvester Cornwell

I know they're a weed, but I truly love dandelions. They make me happy every spring, dotting the lawn with their golden faces. I'm sorry if they wreak havoc in your lawn, but I'm glad they are so resilient.

What I'm Wearing:

• Net Dress by DIVIDED - Saver's
• Military Jacket by CHEROKEE - hand-me-down
• Suede Pumps by STEVE MADDEN - Saver's
• Ring by CHUNKY BLING

It's been a while since I wore this jacket, but really love it, and I don't think the military trend is quite dead yet. (The last time it made it into my outfit photos, I had a long bob, and was seeing double. ;) Both the dress and shoes are Saver's finds, costing about $6 and $5, respectively. The ring was sent to me as a gift from Chunky Bling a year or two ago (it's fun and adjustable!), and the beads in the bracelet are made of roses from my Papa Flynn's funeral five years ago.

Also, a bit of news... just yesterday I finalized my registration for cosmetology school. I made the decision back in January, but didn't want to make it public until the details had been ironed out. But it's finally going to be a reality, and I am very excited!

The program runs from September till June; it's close to my home, and very affordable. Hair/makeup/nails are something I've always enjoyed doing, and this is something I can do to support myself while continuing to pursue a career in writing fiction. I plan on getting licenses as a cosmetologist and an esthetician, and getting further learning and certification in cutting curly hair (believe me, it's an entire science), and specializing in all natural beauty products.

So, come the fall, I will be in school, as well as nannying. I'm not exactly sure what direction the blog will take at that point (I'll be busy!), but I am hoping to run something beauty related as I continue to learn and build my business. I'm looking forward to the adventure!

I hope you've had a lovely week, and that you continue to enjoy the May days ahead... :)

-Amanda

Photos by Lydia Flynn

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Anna Karenina

The classic novel might usually make you think of harsh winters in Russia, this photo shoot (from last fall) makes me think of spring. I think there's something about the warmer season that makes me want to dress up in a nice period gown and skip through the forest. ;)

What about you? Does the springtime put you in a costume-y or just general fashion-y mood?

Three cheers for spring fashion fever! ;)

-Amanda

Images: Vogue

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Stand By Me

If the sky that we look upon 

Should tumble and fall 

Or the mountains should crumble to the sea 

I won't cry, I won't cry 

No, I won't shed a tear 

Just as long as you stand

Stand by me

I realize (only because I've been taking weekly pictures) that I have been wearing too much blue and stripes lately. There's always been a lot of blue in my wardrobe, but not so many striped pieces until recently, when I found some that I really liked. But I definitely need to break it up and wear a different, cheerier color next week!

What I'm Wearing:

• Maxi Dress by P.INC MATERNITY - thrifted
• Jacket - hand-me-down
• Belt - Kohl's
• Shoes by KELLY & KATIE - thrifted
• Necklace and Earrings - AmandaBeth
• Bracelet - gift

    

I found this maxi dress at my favorite local thrift store, and almost didn't buy it because it was a maternity dress, and looked enormous on me in the dressing room. But the fabric was so soft, and it was only a few dollars... so I brought it home. I'm so glad, because a wide belt solved the preggo-dress dilemma. I absolutely love it.

I'm wearing my current favorite nail polish shade again (Lightning by L.A. COLORS) - it makes me happy! - and the coral sandals I wanted to break out last week. This Sunday was finally warm enough to wear them (it's been a beautiful week). I got them for $3.50 at Saver's, and love them to bits, although they are might just be my 2nd most painful pair of shoes (a bit on the snug side).

I also got to try Mary Kay's True Dimensions lipstick (in "Wild About Pink!") for the first time, and I really like it. My lips have a lot of natural color, so I don't usually wear lipstick, but lately (it must be spring) I've been craving a cheery pop of color. This one satisfied the craving.

FYI, my recent outfit posts have all been "Sunday" looks, since that's the only regular time I'm dressed up a bit (being a nanny usually has me in jeans, a tee shirt, and sneakers). So feel free to post your own look from the past week in the comments... I love to see what everyone is wearing! :)

Have a beautiful weekend!

-Amanda

Photos by Lydia Flynn

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