Pearls and Punch

In the past week, I’ve noticed several stylish women punching up their otherwise minimalist outfits with neon orange nails. The inspiration for this trend has come from sources as varied as the hipster penchant for all things eighties, Philip Lim’s Spring 2008 RTW show, Rihanna, and, perhaps most significantly, Chanel’s Robertson Exclusive “LA Sunset.”

Backstage at Philip Lim Spring 2008 RTW

Rihanna

If you don’t feel like splurging on Chanel, Essie has a similar shade called Mini Shorts.

This color works best on those with medium to dark skin tones and looks great with a tan. If I’d been to the beach more than once this summer, I would definitely jump on the neon orange bandwagon. Maybe I should start looking for a good bronzer …

I was browsing through the lookbook for Charlotte Ronson’s new collection for UO, Play, this afternoon and came across this chic little ensemble.

The plaid button-down is practically a classic at this point, thanks to Marc Jacobs and, most recently, a certain diminutive fashion icon and erstwhile child actor. However, Ronson’s slimmer, more feminine interpretation adds a maturity and class that your run-of-the-mill lumberjack flannel lacks. The combination of the slightly rumpled button-down, sleeves casually rolled to the elbow, with a high-waisted denim pencil skirt is equal parts Williamsburg and Westchester. The uptown girls would pair this with ballet flats or boat shoes, while trendier types would add high-heeled oxfords or booties. Shop the rest of this surprisingly sophisticated collection online or at your local Urban Outfitters.

We’re all familiar with Tory’s ubiquitous Reva Logo ballet flat. Now, the winner of the CFDA Award for Accessory Design has developed a collection of jewelry, which includes some truly stunning pieces. Of course, large gold Ts abound, but the most interesting of the bunch have the same sixties mod-meets-boho sensibility that has made Ms. Burch’s apparel so popular. Some standouts below.

In other news, one of my favorite labels, Mike & Chris, has added shoes to their repertoire. They are produced by the same factory in Italy that makes Lanvin. The sandal below is from the fall ‘08 collection, which will be in stores soon. I cannot wait to see what else they’ve come up with.

MAKE IT WORK!

Traveling is a pain, plain and simple. One of the most frustrating challenges a stylish girl faces when planning a trip is finding a cosmetic case that is both functional and fashionable. After many cross-country and international flights, I’ve found a few bags that make the grade.

Stephanie Johnson “LUCINDA Tab Cosmetic” in Belize

Stephanie Johnson “ML Traveler” in Rio

Vera Bradley “Hanging Organizer” in Mod Floral Blue

Kate Spade “Large Colin” in Giverny

Last fall I found the perfect pair of boots at Zoe. Flat, gray, with pleats at the calf, fastened with an elastic band and button details. This description doesn’t quite do them justice, so here’s a pic.

Yes, they are amazing. I wore them until it snowed, and I was forced to switch to those practical, but let’s face it, unattractive winter standbys – Uggs. As soon as there’s the slightest chill in the air, I am slipping these babies on over my Earnest Sewns and wearing them until blizzards and salted streets force me to retire them once again. In the meantime, I’ve been wearing these fabulous little flats:

Both of these footwear finds come courtesy of Devotte, the brainchild of Nancy Kim. Ms. Kim has a fascinating bio and an impressive résumé, including stints at Diesel, D&G, Miu Miu, Y3, and Daryl K. The Spring/Summer 2008 collection contains many examples of the kind of attention to detail that has garnered Devotte such a following. Studs, metallics, ruffles, and pops of punchy color are all used to great effect in the pieces below.

My boots are no longer available in that gorgeous gray, but they are on sale in black here. You can find most pieces from the Spring/Summer collection on sale here. I was fortunate enough to speak to Ms. Kim this morning, and she told me that the Fall collection will be up on Devotte’s site soon. She was coordinating with stylists as we spoke! I will keep you all updated.

Malin + Goetz’s “synthesized musk” is the perfect summertime fragrance.  In fact, the gay uses it all year round …

This natural spray is simple, yet wonderfully fragrant.  It is fresh, clean and not at all offensive, as musk often can be.

It is also unisex.

Dior Airflash is the best thing that’s happened to me all summer. I realize that probably sounds pretty pathetic, but allow me to explain. NYC in the summer is unbearable. It’s like a big steam room, except with skyscrapers and mass transit. This makes any kind of beauty regime practically pointless because the second you leave your air-conditioned apartment, everything gets frizzy and funky (not the good, seventies, soul sister kind either). On my tipsy trip to Sephora this week, I picked up a can of Dior Airflash, hoping that it would both (a) shave precious minutes off my morning makeup routine and (b) prevent me from feeling as though I’ve dipped my face in a vat of used fryer oil seven minutes after I’ve left the house, which is how you feel if you’re wearing normal foundation and it’s 400 degrees outside (and humid). I’m happy to report that Airflash met, and even surpassed, my rather lofty expectations. It takes seconds to apply, stays on all day, and feels light as, well, air. Thank you, Dior, for making summer in the city a little less gritty.

On an impulsive, white wine-induced trip to Sephora last night, I purchased a Nars Duo Eye Shadow in South Pacific

and a Nars Eye Liner Pencil in Kaliste.

You may be thinking to yourself, South Pacific is a great musical and Kaliste may be the birthplace of Gustav Mahler, but none of this explains spending 60 dollars on blue eyeshadow and a teal eye liner pencil. So, maybe the wine had gone to my head a bit more than I thought, but I must say that even in the sober light of day, I find the combination of turquoise eyeshadow and teal eye liner strangely appealing. Clearly you can’t gob this stuff on, lest you end up looking like David Bowie attacked you with some Ziggy Stardust while you slept. However, when applied properly and subtly, blue eyeshadow and liner can really make brown eyes pop and add interest to an evening look. Dick Page’s interpretation of the combo for Proenza Schouler’s Fall 2008 RTW show was stunning. Now if only Mlle. Gushina would loan me her face (and, while we’re at it, her hair) for the rest of my life.