Scents of Spring

Looking for a new scent for spring?  Think about changing up your fragrance or just buy a bottle simply for the beauty of it.  Check out my post on the prettiest perfumes on the Well Appointed House blog.

Summer Shades

I have been on the hunt for new black sunglasses for almost two years now -- ever since I sat on my beloved Blinde "Bagel" shades and broke them in half. I think I have tried on every pair out there -- yet kept coming back to the old Ray-Ban Wayfarers. I loved the classic shape -- the cool but not overly glammed up look. But they seemed to be at the peak of trendiness so, I avoided them.  Then I saw Reese out and about in Paris and New York looking so effortlessly chic in her Wayfarers and was inspired to make the purchase. And I am so happy I did -- I only wish I did it sooner. 

Fashion Parade, Part II

Jay-Z and Beyonce in Pucci

More gorgeous gowns from the Met Ball...

Penelope Cruz in Oscar de la Renta, with the designer

Tory Burch in vintage Jean Patou with Kanye West

Renee Zellwegger in Carolina Herrera

Kirsten Dunst in Chanel

  

Reter Sarsgard and Maggie Gyllenhaal in Stella McCartney

Thandie Newton in Stella McCartney

Demi Moore in Prabal Gurung

Michelle Williams in Miu Miu 

Cash Warren and Jessica Alba in Ralph Lauren

Chanel Iman in Dolce & Gabbana

Fashion Parade, Part I

Tom Brady and Gisele in MCQueen

What better way to get inspired than from a red carpet parade of the fashion-world's stylesetters.  The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute opening night gala was just that...  A bevy of the best dressed. The exhibit is a retrospective on Alexander McQueen, called "Savage Beauty" so, the dress code was clearly high drama. And the spectacle did not disappoint.

Madonna in Stella McCartney

Karl Lagerfeld and Blake Lively in Chanel

Rihanna in Stella McCartney

Sparkly nudes and golds were an overall trend... 

Gwyneth in Stella McCartney

Iman in Stella McCartney

Jessica Alba

Salma Hayek in McQueen

Karen Elson in McQueen

Sarah Jessica Parker in McQueen

Karlie Kloss in Dior

Also lots of deep pinks and reds ...

Jennifer Lopez in Gucci

More Tom and Gisele

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in Burberry

Mary-Kate Olsen in vintage Givenchy

Michael Kors with Diana Argon, in Michael Kors

And the basics still looked beautiful:

Natalia Vodianova in Valentino with the designer

Ashley Olsen in vintage Dior Couture

Aerin Lauder in Calvin Klein Collection

Sofia Coppola in Marc Jacobs

Amar'e Stoudemire with Rachel Roy in her design

Stay tuned for more pics!

High-Low Princess

The day after donning two Alexander McQueen custom-made gowns, Princess Kate threw on an $89.90 Zara frock to make her post-wedding appearance and be whisked away in the royal helicopter.  Makes me like this girl even more...Officially fancy yet keeping it real.

Zara

Adorable dress -- no doubt sold out in a flash.

Pippa Shines

Maid-of-Honor, Pippa Middleton, in Alexander McQueen

While Kate Middleton was certainly the star of the show, her younger sister Pippa didn't exactly blend into the background. I thought she looked especially gorgeous. I loved her body-conscious maid-of-honor gown. It was chic, a little bit sexy but not inappropriately so.  And her choice of a bright green gown for the post-ceremony party was a great one. The color was perfect on her. Being the sister of a princess may not always be easy, but it seems like she'll stand on her own just fine -- style-wise, anyway!

Pippa wore a Temperley dress to the post-ceremony reception

The Best of the Guests

The Beckhams. David in Ralph Lauren and Victoria in her namesake line

 While the spotlight was on the princess bride, of course, the pressure was on the royal wedding guests to come well-heeled and turned out.  A Philip Treacy hat was de rigueur.

Samantha Cameron in Burberry

Lady Frederick Windsor

Princess Victoria of Sweden

Chelsy Davy in Alberta Ferretti

Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice in Vivienne Westwood and Valentino

Miriam Gonzalez Durantez

The Spanish Royals

Tara Parker-Tomkinson

Prince Albert of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock in Akris