i want

Despite having the best manicure of my life last week at Rescue Beauty, these are making me want to venture back into nail art territory. Thanks, SK…

meet the new gibson girls

Last week I wore my hair up in what I thought was a cute and subdued (and yes, poufy) manner. Forty-five minutes into dinner, my former boss’ 15-year-old daughter asked me whether I watched Jersey Shore, then coyly informed me that my hair looked just like a certain greasy Oompa Loompa’s. This is the second time in as many weeks that I have had to deal with otherwise literate and well-adjusted teenagers who seem to be getting their only fashion cues from MTV. I may not be able to convince Brother the Younger to wear straight-leg jeans (yet) but I am not giving up the pouf to the guidettes of the world.

Once upon a time, when a woman’s hair was known as her “crowning glory,” Charles Dana Gibson sketched what would ultimately be the first pin-up: the Gibson Girl. Fresh on the heels of Parisian hairdresser M. Marcel Grateau, whose heated wave iron would change women’s hair forever, Gibson sketched his feminine ideal with a tiny waist contrasted with upswept curled hair piled high. Besides being beautiful, the Gibson girl was at ease, fashionable, and an equal to man.

Ladies, this is how it’s done:

Clockwise from top left: Chanel-approved extensions and pouf; Miu Miu girls sporting half-up and braided pompadours; models at Elie Saab with Gibson Girl hair; fluffy and refined at Louis Vuitton; more Victorian throwback hair (and couture) at Christian Dior; Eva Mendes; poufs and tortoiseshell glasses at Michael Kors; candyfloss hair at Roberto Cavalli; love the hair, love the lips, love Kirsten Dunst as Marie Antoinette; structured updos at YSL.

garden party

Get ready to spring forward with the season’s must-have shoe: a suede platform in a fetching pastel pop.

Clockwise from top: Charlotte Olympia Suede + Nappa Pumps; Miu Miu Suede Strappy Platform Sandal; Christian Louboutin Alta Spritney in turquoise; Elizabeth & James Mason Pumps;  Siegerson Morrison Double Knot Flourescent Wedge; ASOS Suede Platform Court Shoe; Sergio Rossi Suede Slingback Peep Toe Pumps in magenta; Christian Louboutin Greissimo in lavender; YSL Tribute Suede Sandals.

thinking happy thoughts

Under two feet of snow I’m snuggled up with the latest W and my French lessons. I am hoping beyond hope that sales are good this weekend and that we will be able to cover some ground as we barrel towards end-of-season, despite this crazy weather. I guess we will have to wait until Monday to find out how super Super Saturday was.

So, in the meantime, I am thinking happy thoughts and imagining a warmer time and pedicures.

from top: 1. Miu Miu shoes, with or without rhinestone embellishments. Below is a thumbnail of my favorite pair from Resort. I may have to send this on over to the ladies at Bluff; would love to see some jeweled shoelery! 2. I love these Fendi shoes but practically speaking I don’t think I could pull off the 7-inch heel and the lucite is muito Miami. What I am more interested in are the Chanel tights from the barnyard show; a similar pair is currently available at Wolford. 3. I adore the seasonless look of the Diors and how they are paired with cute little socks. Need. Wedges!! 4. This spring I am finally ready to wear the man’s shoe because my favorite brand, Dieppa-Restrepo, is coming out with a more open shoe, the Dina and the Breezy Cali (below l-r). Now I just have to wait for the snow to melt.

wyatt hough

People like Wyatt really make me wish I could draw. Below are some of his renditions of Miu Miu and Louis Vuitton SP10.

See more at http://wyatthough.wordpress.com/

dollface

Next season’s ultrafeminine lingerie details, bows, ruffles, and ballerina-inspired looks call for some equally girly makeup. I’d like to try out some of these at the gallery or maybe out one night to contrast with a more punkish outfit. From top left, red lips and pastel eyes at Viktor + Rolf; pink cheeks and frosted gloss at House of Holland; Pat McGrath created a doll-faced look with matte white shadow on the eyes, extra eyelashes with many layers of mascara at Louis Vuitton, while hairstylist Guido decorated enormous afro wigs inspired by Japanese Manga comics with girly bows; pearly white eyeshadow at Scognamiglio; MAC makeup artist James Kaliardos accentuated pink eyeshadow with grey liquid liner, fake lashes, and a peachy lip at the Ruffian show; Ruffian eye closeup; it’s all about Blythe doll eyes at Miu Miu, where Pat McGrath affixed falsies to top and bottom lashes; To get François Nars’ exaggerated eyes at Marc Jacobs: use a bright white eyeliner pencil to draw an inch-wide vertical strip from the lashline to the brow (a stage makeup trick from the ’70s that makes eyes look wider), then trace black liquid liner along the top and bottom lashlines, extending the lines beyond both the inner and outer corners; jewel tones and glossy aubergine lips at Issa; backstage at Miu Miu; cupcake cutouts at Viktor + Rolf; Coco Rocha photographed by Solve Sundsbo for Numero.

outfit check

Took a little break to update you on tonight’s outfit. Theory’s Devlon dress (haven’t decided whether to wear it with the turtleneck or without… thoughts?), opaque black tights, and black mesh Christopher Kane for Topshop heels. Hair in big side braid as per Miu Miu SS10 and Isabeli Fontana. Was really easy to style: just wash and air dry, braid loosely, then pin back the flyaways (my hair is long + layered).

Hoping to look sleek despite the two slices of pizza I had for lunch today. Also noticed a tiny new spot on my left cheek. NO! My skin actually looks pretty even and clear overall, so it’s probably stress-related; nevertheless I am working on testing out some concentrated treatments and will report back before the end of the week!

all photos by Marcio Madeira via www.style.com