Cuddly for a Cause!

Thanks to Anthropologie, a perfect holiday gift has arrived! These cute little critters are a wonderful expression of love and care:

"Stuffed with love and stitched with care, these cozy critters are the handiwork of Kenana Knitters, a knitting cooperative dedicated to improving the lives of women in rural Kenya. Each animal, handknit from locally grown wool spun on old bicycle wheels, comes with a card signed by the woman who made it, making these little guys heartwarming in more ways than one!" -Anthro

Available at anthropologie.com and amazon.com! (I believed that they are less expensive on Amazon)

Emma Watson Follow Up

It is has been said that Emma Watson will expand her design experience by collaborating with Alberta Ferretti on an organic line. The line will be take inspiration from Jane Birkin and continue Emma's to promote fair trade and organic clothing, as she has done for People Tree. She was approached by Alberta Ferretti after her line for People Tree debuted. Alberta Ferretti's design elegance mixed with Watson's edgy youthfulness will likely produce a wonderful line, both fair trade and organic. Nothing better than fashion and making the world a better place because of it!

Zoebot's

I know that many are on the edge concerning stylist Rachel Zoe. Personally, I am a big fan of her work and her style. She is an inspiration to my personal style (probably because of our shared obsession with black). Speaking of black, it is my go to color. It is simple, but can be extremely dramatic as well. No color will ever be as classic. Zoe attended the MOCA Annual Gala wearing a stunning black, one shoulder, gown (shocker). The gown (I believe the same as her in her ads for The Rachel Zoe Project on Bravo) is one of my favorites! It is subtly sexy with an exposed shoulder and elegant long length. Her large statement earrings were perfect, not taking focus off the dress or the fact that her hair is actually pulled back!!! The balance is perfect, even exceeding what we would expect from her. Well done!

One of My Favorites

Over the years of reading Vogue, Elle, Harper's, etc... I have often come across a simply beautiful lady with elegant features, long blonde hair and long limbs to match. She is usually pictured attending fashion events and parties around the globe, dressed fantastically of course. She is the lovely Dree Hemingway, the great-grand daughter of Ernest Hemingway (author of one of my favorite books The Sun Also Rises). She currently works as a model often in editorial, but I have always taken more notice to her and her style when she is herself, not styled for a photo shoot. She has been one of my personal fashion icons since I first saw her in pictures.

Next month she will be featured in Vogue Italia, shot by Richard Burbridge. Although I cannot read or speak Italian, I am very tempted to hunt it down. This picture of her is a wonderful peek of what's to come.

The winning caption is: "It's nearly impossible to be a wallflower whilst wearing a silver lobster on one's forehead, but that certainly didn't stop Dree from trying." —Sasha Stumacher Kellner 

Emma Watson: December Girl

Next month, one of my favorite style girls will grace the covers of Vogue UK and Marie Claire. As her Harry Potter co-star, Daniel Radcliffe, played a "December Boy," it seems that she is now the December Girl. Emma Watson, sporting the looks of a modern-day Mia Farrow, seems to have taken the fashion world by storm. With amazing designers at her side, including Karl Lagerfeld and Christopher Bailey, she has become the muse of many.

Both covers show off her beauty, which is further enhanced by her new pixie look. Her beauty is stoic in an aristocratic way that is quite refreshing. Emma's Vogue UK cover and spread, shot by the wonderful Mario Testino, crosses her high energy and charm with the poise of an old film star. The photos give off an energy and image that can be played like a role of film. I cannot wait to have both copies in my hands...I'm sure a few of her photos will be added to my inspiration board.

Vogue UK December 2010

So Mia Farrow-esque!

Marie Claire December 2010

*these Helmut Lang panties are so beautiful, I wish they came as shorts!

*love these bloomer shorts and military jacket (both Burberry Prorsum)

Miss Watson has continued her work with the fair trade brand People Tree, by designing for a second season this winter. Her collection is a variety of handwoven dresses, tee-shirts, sweatshirts, and skirts. In her recent trip to Bangladesh, she saw first-hand how her designs were being created and helping a small village through the business of fair trade (the wage for laborers is equal to the wage in the country it is being sold, so it does not take advantage of low laborer costs). All clothes by People Tree are made from organic fabrics and textiles. Many of her designs can be found on ASOS.

People Tree Fall/Winter 2010 at ASOS.com

J.Crew Spring 2011 Collection Released!!!

J.Crew's spring 2011 collection was been released by Fashionista.com, and once again it has surpassed expectations. It is very relaxed, tomboy-cool, with a hint of girlie glamour. The long skirts and short suits are brilliantly constructed and the pop of colors is refreshing.

I feel like J.Crew has been slowly but surely climbing the ladder from a classic store to a contemporary brand. With the release of J.Crew Collection pieces not too long ago, to more emphasis on specific pieces, it seems that the luxury level is growing quickly. Thank you to Jenna Lyons and Marissa Webb for staying true to the J.Crew classic look and adding wonderful allure!

Here are some of my favorite spring looks, the whole collection can be found at Fashionista.com.

COS

COS has been declared the world's second best store by Fashionista.com. After searching their website extensively (I couldn't resist), I knew why. The pieces are very minimalist chic, with a wonderful variety of texture. With simple, key silhouettes, their clothing appeals to many different shapes and sizes. These pieces that look incredible will not put as big of a dent in your wallet as you may think. The prices are reasonable!

Although I have never encountered a COS piece or visited one of their stores (they are not located in the US), the quality and sophistication comes across in their adds and looks on their website. I cannot wait for my first shopping experience at COS in London this coming January!

*the hoods are genius

See more at COSStores.com!