A Fashionable Tribute to Elizabeth Taylor- RIP

From the NY Times:  Elizabeth Taylor, Lifelong Star, Dies at 79

The actress Elizabeth Taylor died Wednesday in Los Angeles at age 79, the Associated Press reported. Ms. Taylor started in movies at age 9, and it was a quick leap from "National Velvet" to "A Place in the Sun" and from there to "Cleopatra" as she transformed into a film queen. In a career of more than 70 years and more than 50 films, she won two Academy Awards as best actress.

My tribute to another jewelry aficionado-

Image(s) courtesy of Google image search

Mission Control- Luxury Shapewear Review

I have a love/hate relationship with shapewear.  And I'm sure my husband feels similarly.  Not because he wears it himself, but because shapewear isn't the sexiest thing I've ever worn.  I've joked that, while on a date, shapewear is false advertising just like a push-up bra.  Obviously my husband knows what I'm packing these days (see "plus-sized woman").  I'll be honest, I can't wear half the clothes in my closet without some type of shapewear on- It smooths out all of my lumps and bumps.  But let's face it, there is no sexy way to put on or peel yourself out of something that looks and feels like a sausage casing cleverly disguised as the 1940-esque girdle your grandmother wore.  My poor husband.

Needless to say I've been on the hunt for sexy shapewear for obvious reasons.  So when I stumbled across this beautiful lace bodysuit in June's InStyle Magazine, only to find out it was also shapewear, I had to look into it.  Others have tried to "dress up" shapewear, but none have mastered the balance of form and function quite like Mission Control.  Their products are less shapewear and more performance lingerie.  It's as beautiful as it is functional. And above all, affordable!

I put their products to the test on some of my friends and clients.  And their overall reaction?  W-O-W!  Some of my skinniest clients (aka- furthest from actually needing shapewear) said they would even be willing to wear shapewear if it looked as cute as this.  Now that's saying something.  My beautiful and very brave friend Amanda has graciously agreed to let me post photos of her wearing the product (because we want to see the stuff on real people, not just a model).  Pictured below are one piece from each of the Mission Control collections:

A-LIAS Sculpting Hi-Waist Brief. $38.
Notice how this "panty" easily pulls up towards her bra strap.  These babies don't roll down like others I have tried.  Only down side, and it's not necessarily a bad thing, is the they aren't exactly seamless.  To get the pretty stripes of color, they had to include seams.  However, when worn under this same black knit dress, you couldn't see them at all.

Exoskin Compression Tunic, $68
While this one is the prettiest of the three, it is really invaluable for those body con dresses.  What's great about this one is it allows you to wear your own bra.

















Body Boudoir Contour Cami, $52.
Isn't this lace beautiful?  Who wouldn't want to undress with the lights on in this hot number?  This cami comes from the same collection as the bodysuit I fell in love with in InStyle (see beginning of post).  It's so cute I don't want to hide it under my other clothes!  No one would guess that something this feminine and sexy is actually shapewear.  That's because it's not... it's performance lingerie. A+

Big thanks to Mission Control for letting me review their product, and to Amanda for being my amazing model :)

Images courtesy of InStyle Magazine, Mission Control and Jennifer Axcell

Movies That Inspired Fashion- Or is it the other way around?

A fellow fashion blogger posted a great top ten list of fashionable movies.  I have loved many of these films (especially anything with Audrey Hepburn or Marilyn Monroe).  I previously blogged about how much I loved watching the 40's fashion in the movie Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day.  Dare I add it to the list at #11?

1. Sabrina (1954) Humphrey Bogart, Audrey Hepburn, William Holden

2. Breakfast At Tiffany’s (1961) Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard

3. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) Jane Russel, Marilyn Monroe

4. Rear Window (1954) Jimmy Stewart, Grace Kelly

5. Annie Hall (1977) Dianne Keaton, Woody Allen

6. Saturday Night Fever (1977) John Travolta, Karen Lynn Gorney

7. Grease (1978) John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John

8. The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow

9. Devil Wears Prada (2006) Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway

10. Sex and the City (2008) Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall

Side note: In case you love Audrey as much as I do, you can now own a piece of history.  Three years ago Audrey's Breakfast at Tiffany's gown (below) sold for a whopping £410,000.  Now more iconic pieces from Audrey Hepburn's amazing wardrobe are up on the block.  Fifty per cent of the proceeds will be donated go to The Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund. Highlights from the sale will be show at Sotheby's New York, November 21-22 and at Sotheby's Paris, December 1-2. Visit Kerry Taylor Auctions for more information: http://www.kerrytaylorauctions.com.

Bottom image and auction info courtesy of http://www.catwalkqueen.tv/2009/11/audrey_hepburns_1.html

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day- Period Piece Showcases Current Fall Fashions?

I watched Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day while blogging on my couch last week.  It wasn't so much the story that had me captivated, it was the fashions!  Take this dressing gown/robe (see left). I am not a huge fan of pink on myself, but don't those maribu feathers make you want to glam up your boudoir ASAP?  Add pair of kitten heeled slippers (wouldn't my downstairs neighbors love that) and I'd be set.

What amazes me the most is how some of the current fall trends came from this war-time era.  I'm looking forward to femininity and luxe being back in style.

If you haven't seen the movie yet, you really should.  It's not a period piece of Titanic proportions, but a fun film with plenty of pleasing fashion to look at.  Check it out on IMDB.










Images courtesy of http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0970468/

bebe: 40's Noir Fall Trend

I am so in love with the latest collection from bebe. I don't shop here too often because I am full figured and can't wear anything from here without stretch. Thankfully, they have a lot to offer in stretchy fabrics!

I am really excited about what I've seen on their website. It has a 40's noir film feel.

Might I humbly suggest this really great dress (above)?




Images courtesy of bebe.com

A Fall Must-Have: Plaid Corset Style Vest

I love the fall. The weather is finally starting to cool down, enough to need layers, but not so cold you don't want to go outside. But above all, I love the fashion.

Anthropologie just introduced a new corset inspired collection. They have managed to take the plaid trend so popular for this fall, and mixed it up with the 40's inspired silhouette so popular right now as well. I have to have this!

The best part is, with the asymmetrical hemline it's very Nanette Lepore without the hefty price tag.



Images courtesy of Anthropologie.com and Saks.com