makeup essentials.

Eyeliner and mascara are essential to my makeup routine, but strangely enough, I was in a rush this morning and forgot to curl my eyelashes and apply mascara, leaving my eyes feeling a little naked.

Cursed with oily eyelids, it's always been difficult for me to find eye makeup that doesn't smudge and make me look like a racoon after a few hours.  Thanks to a friend's recommendation, Bobbi Brown's long-wear gel eyeliner has been a blessing.  Easy to apply (I use the extra fine eyeliner brush) and stays on all day long.

Gel eyeliner gives the eyes a very precise, clean look, so if I'm in the mood for something softer, I usually line my top lids with Chanel's stylo yeux waterproof long-lasting eyeliner in ebene and set it with Bobbi Brown's long-wear eye paint in Onyx (when applied dry, acts like heavy eye shadow).

  

Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Palette; long-wear eye paint on the far right


As for mascara, during the daytime I use Shu Uemura's precise volume waterproof mascara, which doesn't clump or smudge and gives the lashes just enough volume and length to make them pop.  For more dramatic lashes, I use Helena Rubinstein's lash queen waterproof mascara.  I had never heard of Helena Rubinstein until my mom received a tube of this mascara for free a year ago.  This mascara has one of the best volumizing and lengthening formulas I've tried.  It's easy to build on and gives a false-lash effect.  It also features a dual-sided brush, allowing you to control how much separation you want between your lashes.

Images courtesy of bobbibrown.com, chanel.com, shuuemura.com, helenarubinstein.com

diane kruger + chanel = gorgeous

When I saw this dress on the Chanel couture runway a couple days ago, only one actress' name came to mind: Diane Kruger.  She is one of the few fashionistas in Hollywood who not only takes risks, but also has the ability to pull off many different looks.  She's a renowned ambassador of the brand, having worn many Chanel looks on and off the red carpet, and was featured in the fashion house's Paris Biarritz handbag collection ads back in 2007.

Lo and behold -- Diane Kruger showed up at a charity dinner in Paris wearing this exact dress.  At first glance, anyone who wears this dress risks looking like an 80's prom queen, but she looked stunning with her hair pulled back and simple makeup, accessorizing with a black clutch, peep-toe platform pumps and minimal jewelry.

le smokings and chokers.

Jean Paul Gaultier's Spring 2011 couture collection featured several suits reminiscent of Yves Saint Laurent's iconic Le Smoking from his Spring 1967 collection:

YSL's Le Smoking photographed by Helmut Newton, 1966

Chokers have been featured repeatedly on the runway over the past couple days in various colors, shapes and textures -- a great accessory for dressing up an outfit for a night out (and perhaps a fun DIY project too!)

chokers with cameos, spikes and chains at Jean Paul Gaultier

simple, sleek black chokers at Chanel

whimsical, butterfly-shaped chokers at Valentino

runway images via nymag.com
le smoking courtesy of vogue.com

chanel spring 2011 couture.

powder lavender, baby blue, shiny silver, flowers, dresses & skirts over skinny jeans, drop waists, round collars, pointed black flats -- feminine, elegant, chic.

can't wait for spring to arrive already so i can wear some dresses over jeans!

images courtesy of nymag.com

pretty in pink.

Spring is around the corner (well sort of) and pink is definitely the color of choice for accessories, whether in a powder, rose, blush or peach shade.  Lighter shades are more exciting than netural beiges without being too overbearing -- a great complement to any Spring/Summer outfit.

Jimmy Choo Sky Snake-Trim Leather Hobo (Neiman Marcus via Purse Blog)

Proenza Schouler PS1 Medium Suede Satchel (Net-A-Porter)

Mulberry Tillie Textured-Leather Bag (Net-A-Porter)

Chloe Madeleine Large Duffle (Purse Blog)

the coveted.

thecoveted.com gives visitors a sneak peak into the closets of people who work in the fashion industry.  Appropriately named - I want everything : )

menswear (inspried)

"I like the image of women borrowing from men's wardrobes, wearing their partners'cardigans or v-neck sweaters."  -- Thomas Maier, Bottega Veneta, WWD 1.20.2011

Menswear inspired pieces give feminine outfits a little edge.  You can either, as Maier said, literally borrow from your boyfriend, or you can purchase a couple staple menswear inspired pieces.  I tend to take the latter route for fit reasons.  Menswear inspried womenswear is a trend I adore -- comfortable but still chic.  Lace-up oxfords, boyfriend shirts, blazers, vests, pleated trousers, herringbone... you name it, I love it.  All you need is a couple staple pieces to mix and match with a dress or skinny jeans.

Here are some of my picks for the spring/summer:

A.P.C. striped cotton blazer (net-a-porter.com)

Madewell pinstripe boyshirt (madewell.com)

Stonewashed boyfriend chino pants (vince.com)

Jil Sander nylon mesh oxfords (shopbop.com)

what's your favorite brand of flats?

In the last few years, flats have become a staple in a woman's wardrobe again. Perhaps this is a reflection of the return to modesty that society has undergone in light of the economic state. That or women just got fed up with walking around all day with heels pinching their toes. When I think of flats, a few designers come to mind: Lanvin, Chanel, French Sole, Tory Burch, and of course, Tod's.

I remember the day I bought my first pair of Tod's ballerinas: it was December 2008 and Saks was having a 70% off sale on shoes. I bought my Dee buckle ballerina flats for exactly $116 -- chrome leather with black patent buckles. It was love at first sight. Since then, I've worn them so often that the toe caps are all scuffed up. So when I was in Paris this past weekend, I decided that it was time to retire the 2008 Dees and buy a new pair. The semi-annual sales in Paris were added incentive -- actually, the sales were so tempting I ended up buying two pairs.

hermes, macarons and tartines.

smoked bacon tartine

hermes window with pierre herme macarons

louboutin window

cafe verlet

paris.

paris is one of my favorite cities in the world.  if i spoke french, i would totally live there.  looking forward to a weekend rendevous in the city of light.  on the agenda: excellent shopping, delicious food, and awesome company.

hello world.

documenting all things i love about fashion.

live blogging from amsterdam.