Happy Holidays!

Christmastime is Here!

There are just some things etched in your memory that you have to see, hear, or smell to know it's Christmas. For me, it's the jingle from BC Clark Jewelers in my home state of Oklahoma, just about any Christmas carol, the tree at Rockefeller Center, and the fantastic store windows in New York City. This is of course, because I have always felt like I should be living in Manhattan!

As usual, the stores have gone all out for the holiday season and below are my favorites!  Happy Holidays!

Tiffany & Co. has a beautiful snow covered house full of little blue boxes.

Tiffany & Co.- shot by Bryan Zak   

Bergdorf Goodman has an icicle theme going on that they apparently intend to keep until Valentine's Day!  It's a good thing it's cute - we're going to be looking at it awhile!

Bergdorf Goodman - Brian Zak

More Bergdorf Goodman icicles...

Bergdorf Goodman - Brian Zak

Bergdorf Goodman - Brian Zak

Bergdorf Goodman - Brian Zak

Barney's has a fascinating light installment of the city skyline in one window and a fancy sleigh in another.

Barney's - Brian Zak

Barney's - Brian Zak

Other Christmastime nostalgia favorites of mine...

B. C. Clark Jingle

Peanuts Christmas Song

Rockefeller Center Tree - courtesy of Chris Jones Photography

CHANEL in Dallas

Flashback to 1957 when Dallas was graced with a visit by Mademoiselle Chanel where she presented a collection and received the Neiman Marcus Fashion Award. All were part of Neiman Marcus' 50 year celebration

Now, fast forward to 2013 when Karl Lagerfeld brought the annual Metiers d'Art show to Dallas and receives the Neiman Marcus Fashion Award from our queen, Anna Wintour!  It was a great day for the city of Dallas and the show was all about the Wild, Wild West complete with Cowboys, Indians, hay, and barns!  See the video from the CHANEL YouTube station below: 

Make Your Lyst and Check it Twice

Wyst Lyst preview from Neiman Marcus

Happy Holidays!

No matter what holiday(s) you choose to celebrate, they all involve gift giving.  I do not believe in giving out gifts just for the sake of saying you gave somebody something.  I have been stuck with more crap that I would never wear or never want to use and it was clear that these people were not concerned with my interests or likes! Don't be that girl! Do not be that guy!  It is such a myth that people are thinking of you just because there's a gift for you. It is the thought that counts and trust me, people know when no thought was put into a gift!

I didn't realize until I wrote that how strongly I felt!  Now that it's off of my chest, let's talk about some great gift ideas that don't involve the craziness of holiday shopping!  That's another soap box issue that I am going to avoid!

Give to charity

Chances are your loved ones have everything they could possibly want or need.  If they do not and you can help, by all means do so!  If your family is covered, however, consider donating some time, food, money, or old clothes and belongings to a great area charity.  It is great to get amazing gifts, but it really is better to give than to receive.

Make gifts

Are you particularly crafty? Do you love to bake?  Make something for the special people in your life and merchandise it up so that it's super cute.  I like to make body scrub and put them in French terrines for the women and peppermint hand sanitizer  in little festive spray bottles for the guys.  I try to have enough handy for everyone that stops by for a visit or for everyone if I'm going to a party or gathering.

Gift cards

Let's face it! Cash is king and when it comes to fashionistas like us, a gift card to our favorite store (if our loved ones know where those are) is probably the best gift choice ever.  The same holds true for just about everyone else.  You'd know if you have a loved one that does not like to shop! My mother is one of those types but she has some favorite restaurants...

Whatever you do, be thoughtful or don't bother!

AMA's Best Dressed

Last night the American Music Awards aired on ABC.  After I decided to stop pouting about "Revenge" not airing (don't judge me), I  watched and checked out the quirky fashions on the red carpet.  

Music award shows are great because musicians and entertainers take way more chances than actors and I completely believe that they should. This red carpet did not disappoint!  Lady Gaga actually almost made my favorite list in that pretty lavender Versace, but the mechanical horse thing killed it for me - way too much!  I am even going to break down and add Miley Cyrus to my best dressed list - the red carpet look, not the crazy cat swimsuit...

None of my other favorites even made it on the radar on the news and talk shows today!  I guess I'm in a class all by myself.  I liked the black or white trend going on.  As a matter of fact, I really wanted to add Gaga because her dress was the only favorite I had that wasn't black or white; but that doggone horse! UGH!!! Why?

My overall best dressed was Ciara.  We all know the game is how naked can you get without an FCC fine (I'm over it), but Ciara was able to push the envelope and keep it classy.  All of my favorites are below, some labels I know and some I don't- another thing I kind of like about music awards red carpets.  Enjoy!

Ciara in J Mendel 

NIcole Ritchie 

Naya Rivera

Miley!

Who did you like the best last night?

Photos via Huffington Post

Tribute to the American Camelot

As you probably know, I live in Dallas and love my city.  You definitely know that Dallas is the city where the beloved President John F. Kennedy was assassinated and today is the 50th anniversary.  Most Dallas residents and natives are, of course saddened and embarrassed that this happened and our city leadership is doing a great job and marking this solemn anniversary with reverence as we reflect on the life and legacy of JFK.

What you probably don't know is this - as a girl in school, I was not a fan of history!  I was completely uninterested until the parts about royals around the world - particularly in England - and, of course, the stories about the Kennedy family.  I wonder why...

Oh come on!  Stop playing! You know why! Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, of course!

What a beautiful example of grace and elegance she was!  I was not alive during the Camelot years so Mrs. Kennedy Onassis was already older and married to her Greed billionaire when I was a girl.  However, all footage of her is absolutely enchanting to me.  It was when I was a child and it still is today.  

It is a sad day and I can not stop watching the ton of media footage and I am full of even more information of the Kennedy family than ever before.  I am aware that these are facts and figures that I will probably never need but I am fascinated none the less!  The most interesting pieces of information I learned this week has to do with the beautiful pink suit, Jacqueline Kennedy was wearing on that fateful day...

The interesting fact about the suit that I learned is that it is locked away in an undisclosed, climate controlled location until the year 2103 - 140 years  after the sad day.  I kind of feel like it should have been destroyed. My first instinct would have been to burn it but I'm not a historian so I don't fully understand why it was or is important to keep something like that even though I know and love the fact that there are clothes in the Smithsonian worn by Presidents and First Ladies..  President Kennedy's suit is also put up and preserved.

Now, have a seat and take a deep, cleansing breath!  You guys are fashionistas extraordinaire, so you know and have probably always heard and said that the suit was Chanel.  Well, imagine my surprise when the news is on at my desk and I hear a Kennedy historian say, "The suit was not Chanel".   WHAT?!?!?  CLUTCH THE PEARLS! (My actual tweet that second!)  My nosiness and obsession with fashion forced me to dig deeper! Here is the story I believe to be true...

It is an unspoken rule that First Ladies are supposed to wear mostly American designers in an effort to be perceived as patriotic.  Even as late as the 90's, First Lady Laura Bush was criticized for her gorgeous Oscar de la Renta gown at the second inauguration. (Really, who criticizes Oscar?) Mrs. Kennedy reportedly got some criticism for using and being a fan of French designers.  It makes no sense to me! I would think a First Lady wearing a designer from another country would help foreign relations but again, I'm not a historian!  

At any rate, Chez Ninon was a fashion house in New York City and they apparently had an arrangement with the house of Chanel where they could duplicate Chanel pieces and even received materials from Chanel in France.  Chez Ninon would then re-create Chanel garments with the fashion house's blessing.  I am guessing this was an arrangement made just for Mrs. Kennedy so she could have her cake and eat it, too; and the pink boucle suit was Chanel by way of Chez Ninon.  I like to say "Chanel adjacent"!

I hope you're as fascinated by my little history lesson as I am! I hope you took a little time on this bitter sweet anniversary to remember the contributions John F. Kennedy - as well as countless other great Americans - made to our country.

Winter Outerwear Wysh Lyst

It's coat season and according to our Queen, Anna Wintour, the overcoat is the new purse this season! Thanks a lot, Queen Anna!  We get about 2 days a year to wear coats in the South so I can't change coats like I do my handbags.  However, a girl can window shop and dream, right?  I can also maybe plan trips to cold climates - Christmas shopping in New York or Chicago, skiing in Colorado...

So, as soon as I get the news about overcoats, I start cyber shopping and window shopping at my favorite places and ran into a few problems.  First, coats are bulky and they have to be to keep you warm - especially those cozy puffers.  However, I really try not to wear anything bulky that hides my figure because then I think it's OK to curl up with ice cream and fried rice on a regular basis! So not good! So, when I'm coat shopping, I look for outerwear that is not bulky if possible.  That works for me because I'm in Texas and rarely need big, warm coats anyway.  I did run across some true cold weather coats that I liked and made the lyst even though I may never need them.

My next issue was the 3/4 sleeve length coats.  Really - what's up with that? So, I only need to keep warm from the elbow up?  I'm confused about that so clearly none of those made my lyst...

One more issue: fur.  So, I'm not one of those extreme PETA type people, but wearing fur is just strange to me. I'll play with fake fur (I have a super cute faux fur vest) but the idea of real animal fur on my body kind of freaks me out.  Guess what else didn't may my lyst! 

Other than that, there were lots of coats that I really liked (of course - shopaholic that I am).  Some were conservative and will stand the tests of time and other were quirky, trendy, and fun.  See some of my picks below! What are you currently loving with outerwear?

BCBG Trench Coat with leather sleeves

St. John Collection Glittered Double Breasted Topper -Neiman Marcus

Biker chick trend! Bagatelle Mixed Media Open Front Jacket

Burberry Brit Quilted Band Back Jacket

Halloween Cuteness

I'm not a huge fan of Halloween.  I'll occasionally dress up and go and hang out, but it's not really my thing.  I am, however, a sucker for adorable kids dressed up in costumes. So, in the holiday spirit, let's revisit the adorable Toddlewood pics done by photographer and artist, Tricia Messeroux.

Have a great Halloween and be safe, Dolls!

Max Mara + Jennifer Garner

...equals beautiful!

I can't believe I just stumbled upon this ad campaign last week at the spa! This ad is so beautifully done, I couldn't stop looking at it.  I love a nice, camel coat and think everyone should have one in their closet - it's a staple even if you live in hot climates like me!  Hey! When it gets cold in Texas for that one day a year, I want to step out in something breathtaking!  

This is one of my favorite colors for a garment, handbag, or shoe, which would definitely explain why I used to think only of this shade of "nude" before my shoe conversation with my friend and the post I shared a few months ago.  Way to go, Max Mara! Beautiful girl and beautiful coat!

Dress Your Little People Like Vogue Icons for Halloween

I just stumbled upon the cutest thing!  As all self respecting Dallas Girls, I read and follow our local publication, D Magazine and stumbled upon the best Halloween outfit ever.  If you disagree, you are not a true fashionista! Of course, after seeing the first picture, I had to click on the website the D Magazine referenced, Oh Happy Day and the Miniature Anna Wintour was just the beginning!  Just sit back and grin at the super cuteness, then carry on with your great day! 

House of Versace

Lifetime Television recently aired the movie, House of Versace.  At first, I could not decide if I really wanted to watch it.  I usually like my entertainment mindless and incredibly light - life is stressful enough without watching sad stressful movies and television shows in my opinion!  I thought this would be a hard movie to watch because I of course remember when Gianni Versace was tragically and senselessly murdered and I remember reading about how hard a time Donatella had dealing with such a horrible loss.  You see where I'm going with this, right?  I totally expected a Greek tragedy (of the Italian variety, of course) that would leave curled up in a ball in the corner somewhere!  I know, I can be a bit melodramatic...

I am so glad that I watched it anyway!  House of Versace was a great movie!  The cast and crew did an amazing job of portraying the great love this family had for each other and the passion they had for creating beautiful clothes and accessories.  Gina Gershon, who played Donatella, completely transformed into her.  I think it was an excellent portrayal of the fashion icon.

This is definitely a movie I have to have in my DVD collection when they release it.  If you missed it, you absolutely have to catch a rebroadcast whether you're a fashionista or not.

Neiman Marcus Christmas Book

Start preparing your wysh lysts! Neiman Marcus released it's Christmas book last week.  I can't believe it's' almost Holiday time!  Where has the year gone?  What dream items would you like to have?

I like the idea of the tripungous (my made up word when big, huge, and gargantuan just don't seem to fit) television for outside.  Can you say, "EPIC Super Bowl Party"?

There are also lots of cool, attainable gift ideas in the book. Nice little trinkets as well as the electronic accessories we can't live without.  I may have to snag a pair or two of those city flats.

Click, fantasize for a bit and enjoy!

Click here for Christmas Book

From Runway to Red Carpet

The best break from Fashion Week footage is Emmy Red Carpet footage!  My favorite dress was the Monique Lhuillier worn by Julia Louis Dreyfus.  It was all blingy (I know that's not a real word), yet simple and elegant!  Just the type of style I like!  It also seems like that is the best way to go for the Emmys and Oscars.  The time to take risks are Grammy and Tony Awards nights.  My other favorite looks are below.  My television watching is so limited that I actually had to research some of these actresses on IMDb! So, the show references in the picture captions are mostly for me!

Julia Louis Dreyfus in Monique Lhuillier

Heidi Klum in Atelier Versace

"Ms Kerry, Baby!"  Kerry Washington in Marchesa

Michelle Dockery of Downton Abbey in Prada

Leslie Mann in J. Mendel (I don't recognize any of her work, but she took a risk that works!)

Tina Fey does glam so well! Narciso Rodriguez

Linda Cardellini in Donna Karan Atelier

...and honorable mention...

I love Connie Britton, I love the show, Nashville, and I love Naeem Khan, so I really want to love this look but something is a bit off for me! Maybe it would work better at a winter event; or the CMAs...

Photos courtesy of huffingtonpost.com