Favorite February Collaborations

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From top left: 1. Veronica Beard for Goop – Exclusive Navy Blazer with French Terry Hood – currently soldout – but add your name to the wait list! 2. Prabal Gurung for Target Crystal Teardrop Earrings 3. Christopher Kane for J Brand 4. Emilio Pucci for Guerlain 5. Oliver Peoples AERIN Isobel sunglasses 6. The Cambridge Satchel Company & J.Crew 7. Shabby Chic for TOMS 8. HBO GIRLS and Deborah Lippmann

I really can’t seem to get over the incredible fashion collaborations happening this month between some of my favorite brands!  First and foremost- I am SWOONING over the Veronica Beard for Goop collection! Seriously- pairing a crisp tailored blazer with a removable sweatshirt hoodie?  Pure GENIUS.  I love the jeans – Christopher Kane for J Brand too. Of course, the Prabal Gurung for Target was fun and is mostly soldout, but if you come across these crystal earrings (or any of the other accessories for that matter) definitely add them to your shopping cart.

It’s difficult to get more chic than this Emilio Pucci Beauty Brush for Guerlain.  Pull this makeup brush out of your accessories pouch while wearing AERIN and Oliver Peoples sunglasses - and you are set!

I’m currently smitten with The Cambridge Satchel Company and I love the exclusive colors and prints (like polka dots!) for J.Crew.  These are the perfect bags for spring and summer.

I was so excited to read today that Shabby Chic had collaborated with TOMS. I added these floral print shoes to my online shopping bag right away – purchase?  Done!  And, last but not least, we can’t forget about our nails.  HBO Girls nail polish collaboration with Deborah Lippmann should all keep us busy when it comes to nail color experimentation – at least until March!

Candela – fall 2013

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The Candela fall 2013 presentation during Mercedes-Benz fashion week was a dream.  It was as if The Great Gatsby had traveled to to the prairie – with a dash of the Victorian era (think lace, ruffles, and cameos).  I loved the dramatic black lace skirts paired with tough leather jackets (the perfect balance of the masculine and feminine).  Soft dresses in peach ruffles and sequins paired with embroidered Western boots and denim shirts quite nicely. Even the most delicate looks were given an edge with chunky knit sweaters or menswear inspired shoes. Fringed sweater sleeves and scalloped skirts offered the perfect mix of detail to add that extra bit of flair. The easy wear glamour look of Candela fall 2013 makes looking elegant by day quite effortless. Hence, purchasing that possible over-the-top flapper-esque sequin skirt won’t seem so impractical come fall.  If you can wear it with a casual luxe sweater- you can certainly justify its addition to your wardrobe. Shop Candela here.

A Valentine’s Day Treat from Style Expert Jacqui Stafford and Coach

beauty, style

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, fashion editor and style expert Jacqui Stafford teams up with Coach to promote the release of her debut book, “The Wow! Factor: Insider Style Secrets for Every Body and Budget” and the new fragrance, Coach Love.

Jacqui and Coach Love representative Kathleen Pierce, Vice President, Global Communications for Aramis & Designer Fragrances, ended their weeklong promotional tour yesterday, making their final stop here in Dallas. I had the privilege of meeting these two lovely ladies yesterday for a chat about the new book and fragrance.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re a size 2 or a size 20, or weather you have a small budget or a large one, you can look amazing today,” says Jacqui on what she refers to as the “wow factor”, “And its not about being the prettiest woman in the room or the skinniest; it’s about being the woman people want to be around.”

Jacqui is definitely one of those women, and now she’s made it easy for you to be one too. Taking from the knowledge she’s gained over the years of working with thousands of real women, writing for magazines like Vogue, Marie Claire, and Lucky, and serving as the Executive Style Director at Shape Magazine for 8 years, Jacqui has created an easy to follow guide based on her own insider information.

“I wanted to write the non-fashion persons fashion book, one that any woman could really understand and easily read through to find out the secrets to what makes the wow factor,” says Jacqui.

 

 

One of those things is putting on a fragrance, and that’s where Coach comes in, a brand Jacqui describes as one of the classics.

“I’ve been a fan of the Coach brand for many years,” says Jacqui, “so it was a natural thing for me to partner with them.”

A more mature fragrance than the popular, playful Coach Poppy scent, Love is a romantic and sensual floral scent of jasmine and gardenia along with sultry patchouli. The heart-shaped logo design by Milton Glazer, known for his iconic “I Love New York” logo, and a bottle that’s pure pink make this the perfect Valentine’s Day fragrance.

By: Jessica Tomberlin

Veronica Beard – Fall 2013 Presentation

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“Eastward I go only by force; but westward I go free.” -Henry David Thoreau

Quite the stylish crowd gathered this past Wednesday at Bill’s on east 57th street in Manhattan for the fall 2013 Veronica Beard presentation. It was breathtaking and couldn’t have been paired against a better backdrop.  The walls simply sang Americana.

It was understated elegance at its finest – with beautiful shimmering gold fabrics, the richest most sophisticated greens, and luxe leathers.  Cuts were meticulous, flattering, and yet – effortless. It was the no frills glamour for the smart sophisticated lady who doesn’t try too hard – she doesn’t have to. “Fall 2013 is inspired by the pioneering American spirit ever present in the Veronica Beard brand,” said the collection’s designers Veronica Miele Beard and Veronica Swanson Beard, “She is a maverick blazing her own trail.”

The collection is inspired by American roots and the horse ranches of the west. One can’t miss the lovely touches of fur, leather, bandana, and denim throughout the collection. With both masculine and feminine details, this collection is one that offers a very free bold and natural spirit- truly, the perfect balance.

I know I’ll be dreaming about that backless gold dress until fall. And, that green.

That green.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

designers Veronica Miele Beard and Veronica Swanson Beard

 


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Veronica Beard Video

February Wish List

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What’s on your spring wish list?  Mine is certainly varied- but these are the current items I’ve currently scribbled on my “must-have” list!  I saw Diana Vreeland “The Eye Has to Travel” at the Dallas Film Festival last year. I MUST own this DVD and if you haven’t seen it, you MUST at least rent it!!  I fell in love with the J.Crew Colorblock Tartine Satchel the moment I first saw it in the spring J.Crew catalog.  It’s such a great size and it has a beautiful structure. I just stumbled upon these Sugar Paper notecards on GOOP this morning.  They are printed in such a lovely color palette and perfect for spring correspondence.

I need to order a pair of the Crochet TOMS ASAP. I think gray would be a perfect neutral for my spring wardrobe. And, I’m of course swooning over all of the Liberty London items for J.Crew.  This jacket is versatile, but remains such a statement piece.  A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending a Wacoal trunk show in Dallas.  This Ciao Bella set was one of my favorites - feminine and stylish.

 

Paul Andrew Spring/Summer 2013: Love At First Shoe

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Paul Andrew spring/summer 2013 – made in Italy: “My aesthetic focus has been to turn attention back to the exquisite lightness of the stiletto heel; an adverse reaction to platform footwear that has become the mainstream styling of today. Shoes that are sexy yet sophisticated with a fantastical influence from artisan, almost couture, techniques, which I attempt to infuse into modern, perfectly balanced shoe silhouettes with a contemporary edge.” – Paul Andrew


Even after seeing just a single shoe from his collection, I knew I was going to love all of shoe designer Paul Andrew‘s work.  After first hearing about him last fall, I then recently spotted an article on him in the January 2013 issue of Vogue magazine and his shoes featured in Harpers Bazaar. With Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week just around the corner, I can’t wait to see the Paul Andrew fall/winter 2013 collection IN PERSON (yes, I can’t wait) next week!  I was so excited for the opportunity to interview this designer in this Q&A with Nonsense & Sensibility.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paul Andrew

 

N/S: What was the most incredible aspect of designing your first collection for Paul Andrew?  How did your company come to be?

Paul Andrew: After more than thirteen years designing shoes and accessories for Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, Alexander McQueen and Narciso Rodriguez, I finally felt ready to launch my own eponymous collection. Working with Donna was especially valuable for my development as a designer. For more than a decade she taught me the importance of truly original, luxurious product, and most important, the perfect fit! So now I design my own collection, these professional experiences really inform the way I design; I’m one of the only shoe designers that still painstakingly creates the prototype of every last, heel and pattern; the fit is just so important to me. Everyone who tries on the shoes comments the comfort — but the shoes certainly don’t look orthopedic! This is the key for me. So seeing my shoe designs manifested at the highest level of manufacture, the fact women want to buy them and  can wear them, this has been incredible!

 

N/S: What has been the most rewarding part of your journey thus far?  How would you like to see your company grow?

Paul Andrew: The journey has only just begun, but the most rewarding aspect has been the way in which the retailers and press have so positively embraced the collection. They see so much product from so many designers -only a fraction of what the customer sees on the sales floor is what a designer actually presents to them- so the fact my debut collection will shortly be available at Barneys New York, Saks Fifth Avenue and several other international retailers is such a compliment and so rewarding! I’m excited now for delivery of the product onto the sales floors in mid-February and the reaction of the customer.

Paul Andrew – Vogue January 2013

N/S: How would you describe your shoes and aesthetic to someone who hasn’t seen your collection?

Paul Andrew: My aesthetic focus has been to turn attention back to the exquisite lightness of the stiletto heel; an adverse reaction to platform footwear that has become the mainstream styling of today. Shoes that are sexy yet sophisticated with a fantastical influence from artisan, almost couture, techniques, which I attempt to infuse into modern, perfectly balanced shoe silhouettes with a contemporary edge. The focus of the house will always be on originality, quality, comfort and modernity and my shoes are all handmade by one of Italy’s finest manufacturers using only the most luxurious, exotic and refined materials.

 

N/S: What inspired your premiere collection?  And, where do you draw your inspiration from on a daily basis?

Paul Andrew: A visit to the Guggenheim Museum in the spring of 2012 really moved me. A retrospect of John Chamberlain‘s sculptures was being exhibited and the way he worked colour, form and proportion had influence on my sensibility while I was designing the first collection. But in general I find inspiration from all over; one just has to look and you find color and shape and proportion and material in the world. This is what really informs my design practice, my ideas about what is new and innovative and compelling

 

N/S: Who are your own personal style icons?

Paul Andrew: Azzedine Alaia, Miuccia Prada, Donna Karan, Tom Ford and Manolo Blahnik…. One doesn’t even need to say their surnames, and you know their designs without even looking at the label. They have all created something truly original, and unrivaled.

 

Check out Paul Andrew online here and on Facebook here.


 


Ooh la la – Marissa Webb

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Marissa Webb Skyler Sequin Top (perfect for layering), Marissa Webb Charlie Tie Blouse, Marissa Webb Makayla Dress

 

The Marissa Webb spring 2013 collection is now available on Barneys.com. Her premiere collection which debuted at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week this past September is just as exquisite as one could imagine!  Marissa studied at FIT and then worked at J. Crew for over ten years- serving in various design roles including Head of Womenswear and Accessories Design.

I love her use of beautiful standout color while incorporating menswear structure and accessories – like ties!  Her pieces are well structured, but offer feminine fabrics and details (think: sequins, floaty silks, and sheer textures).

These are my current Marissa Webb favorites on Barneys.com. What are yours?  I want everything!

 

Marissa Webb Charlie Tie Blouse, Marissa Webb Morley Pants

 

Marissa Webb Genevieve Blazer, Marissa Webb Juliana Tweed Jacket

 

Marissa Webb Ada Blouse, Marissa Webb Zoe Tank

Global Watch Shopping with Chrono 24

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On Chrono 24, buy and sell luxury watches from all around the globe with a money back guarantee for private sellers. The online portal gathers over 4 million website visits per month. Shop classic, rare, and limited edition luxury watches from Rolex, Omega, Patek Philippe, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Breitling, Audemans Piguet, Boucheron, Panerai, Cartier, Hermes, and Chanel. With thousands of new, previously owned and vintage timepieces, there are some great finds to be found on the luxury marketplace.  Watches make such a statement and often reveal a lot about an individual’s personality or taste – from classic, to contemporary, to trendy.  They are certainly an integral part of every outfit and when building an accessory wardrobe.  Don’t wear a watch? This is the perfect place to find your treasured piece.

My favorites? I love the Hermès Cape Cod Medium and the classic Cartier Tank Watch. I’ve just added several new pieces to my wish list! I really enjoy the simplicity of the website.  You can shop by designer, brace material, location, and even by the date the timepiece was added. It’s a wonderful way to shop for a gift online – especially with Valentine’s Day right around the corner.  And, if you are interested in selling timepieces – the process is very easy, straightforward, and reliable. I know where I will be shopping for my next watch! Check out the selection yourself.

 

Spring 2013 from Linea Pelle

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When it’s time to freshen your wardrobe for spring, one often turns to accessories as a quick and easy way to update a look.  However, it’s even more of a treat when you can shop quality (I’m talking buttery leather goods) at a fair price.  This way, you can order a few of your favorite spring pieces – guiltlessly!

Recently, I was so excited to learn more about Linea Pelle.  Linea Pelle has an array of gorgeous products crafted in luxe leather and in some of spring’s most beautiful standout colors. The company’s new collection includes bags in an assortment of sizes and colors including: tangerine, yellow, white, and turquoise.

I’m in love with the Dylan Medium Tote (as are stars like Selma Blair, Ashley Greene, and Olivia Munn) and I can’t decide if I’d choose Turquoise or Scotch… both?  And, the Dylan Shoulder Bag is a perfect everyday size.  The Dylan Flapcross Body is the perfect way to add a pop of color (love the yellow) to any outfit and will certainly take you day to night in a cinch!  Isn’t the hardware stunning? Adorable: the Dylan Mini Speedy!

Which bag would you choose?  Shop the new spring 2013 collection from Linea Pelle here.

A Melon-choly Wish List: Why I Should Own This Leather Jacket

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From top left: THEORY Elenian Leather Jacket, Giles Maglia Misto Print Sweater, Meredith Wendell Rucksack, BLOCH Black and White Two Tone Flat Shoes, Tibi Windowpane Pant

Ok. So, I tried on this POSITIVELY AMAZING melon colored leather Theory jacket last weekend and since then, a day has not gone by where I haven’t thought about it.

And, what I would wear it with.  And, how it would be in my closet forever.  And, how it’s in the most gorgeous pop of color leather imaginable.  And, how the cut was incredible.  And, how it was unlike anything I’d ever seen.  And, how I loved the gold hardware. And, how it was oh-so-flattering-standout-UNREAL.

I’d pair it with these striking black and ivory window pane pants from Tibi, this perfectly matched print top from Giles, the understated flats from Bloch, and this showstopping cool yet, casual backpack from Meredith Wendell.

So… please tell me I’ve justified this after-Christmas purchase?  Yes, I know. You want it too.