ditch the pants.

After a year-long hiatus, I've decided make a triumphant return!

First order of business: let's talk about pants. Pants are a tricky thing to buy. It's easier to find a pair of pants that don't fit, as there are more constraints to creating a pant vs. a skirt or dress. More often than not, pants are either too long, too tight, unflattering, or have the unfortunate gaping waist problem. One solution would be get the pants tailored. Another solution, now being made popular on the cover Elle UK by Victoria Beckham as well as on the Marc Jacobs runway, is to just forget about your pants and go out in all your bare leg glory. It may be a cold fall season, but hey, at least you'll look good!

 Elle UK March 2013 cover

Looks from the Marc Jacobs Fall 2013 collection

images from wwd.com and mirror.co.uk

nyfw favorites.

I've always enjoyed the watching entire seasons of TV shows in one go, and the same goes for fashion week. Below are some of my favorite trends for the upcoming fall 2012 season:

cap-toe shoes at... 3.1 phillip lim

derek lam

rachel comey

top hats at... donna karan

ralph lauren

shades of red tailored suits at... elizabeth and james and helmut lang

leather sleeves at... helmut lang and RAD by rad hourani

sleeve color blocking at... tommy hilfiger and preen

furry hats at... yigal azrouel and temperley london

handprints at... rodarte and dvf

images from style.com

givenchy fall 2011 couture.

"In my perfect world, every girl gets married in Givenchy couture." - Kanye West

bottega veneta, you stole my heart.

Last week in Paris, I found myself walking briskly down Rue de Saint Honore in search of a pair of shoes for the evening's special event. Time was ticking and I barely noticed my surroundings, until I arrived at Bottega Veneta. I paused in front of the store, and gazed at the holiday window display as if I was in a trance. Pink and red wallets, clutches, and other small leather goods were mixed together with white plush recreations of the fashion house's iconic bags, all against a forest green backdrop. Now that's what I call perfection.

Although I was really tempted to go in and purchase the gorgeous red satin knot clutch (lower left corner), I stayed focused and, in the end, managed to find the perfect pair of black suede platform stilettos. Given the hefty price tag, I plan on wearing them forever and ever...

god save my shoes.

Women have a list that ranks their wardrobe items in order of preference. The #1 item on my list is shoes. Firstly, there are practical reasons: 1) shoes always fit, even if I gain a few unwanted pounds, and 2) shoes are not a hassle to try on, especially during the winter months, assuming you're not wearing knee high lace up boots while shopping. Psychologically, a fabulous pair of heels gives me a boost in confidence, and height. Finally, a pair of shoes can change the entire look of the outfit and the attitude a woman is trying to convey. For example, if you're wearing an LBD, a pair of black patent pumps translates into a "I just got out of the office" look, whereas a pair of lion paw Louboutins will convey a "I'm sexy with a playful sense of humor" image.

The latest "It" Louboutins, complete with jeweled toe-nails and stiletto,
as seen on the feet of Blake Lively and Sarah Jessica Parker. ($4,995)
Source: Refinery29

Needless to say, a woman's relationship with her many pairs of shoes is a complex one, but the documentary "God Save My Shoes" attempts to explore this phenomenon. The film, which premiered in NYC on September 7th, features designers such as Christian Louboutin, Pierre Hardy, and Manolo Blahnik, dedicated celebrity patrons including Fergie, Kelly Rowland, and Dita Von Teese, and other shoe lovers, all of whom try to explain a woman's love for shoes. Check out the trailer and a snippet with Blahnik (love him!):

http://godsavemyshoes.com/