Inspiration & Sneak Peek Into my Dressing Room

I've been slammed since I last wrote on here and I'm kicking myself for all the catching up I now have to do. I've been ripping and running with my brother who was in town visiting. It was great but now life is back to normal--full of cooking, food writing, photographing that food, editing, etc... And somehow find time to snap pics of the fashionable element that makes up the sane part of my intellect. 

I was sitting at my desk just about an hour ago and quickly jumped out of my chair  to snap pics of my dressing room. I needed to find some serious inspiration! I was feeling so blah and totally overwhelmed with the amount of work I have to do. 

My dressing room is my fun place. In fact, it's the fun place all my girlfriends love entering.  Eventually I'll do a full out photoshoot in there--because it really is deserving. But, in the meantime, enjoy some images of the room that inspires me, where all worries are squabbled, all dreams are reality, all hats are fabulous and all shoes are fancy! 

In no particular order of preference.... 

T-B: 

Gold earrings I designed and had a local designer make. Luuuuurve them! 

F21 feather and net hair clip. 

"Crowns" book written by an old friend of mine, a renowned photographer.

Assortment of pearls by C.B. Herrera, namely Swarovski pearl necklace.

Bowl of chunky cuffs and bracelets.

Shoe cubby with bracelets and peacock feathers. 

Vintage pillbox hat found in Philly.

Marc Jacobs and Dolce & Gabbana pumps--two of my faves.

Side view of my garment rack holding vintage B So Chic! inventory.

Vintage mink stoles.

My mom at the tender age of 17 back in Cuba. In the smaller frame in front is moi at 14 months in Cuba as well. How cute, right! 

Enjoy, lovelies!

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Golden Globes & After-party Fabulosity

  

            

(images courtesy of OMG! and Just Jared)

It was 8:30pm before I remembered the Globes were on. Complete distraction by little fashionistas in the making consumed my entire Sunday, not to mention visiting the historic birth home of Martin Luther King, Jr. in honor of the fed holiday yesterday.

The first look I saw was my Latina sister, J.Lo in what could have been a fabulous dress. I like the concept of wearing white and even the silhoutte was sexy. But the sheer & sparkly wannabe bolero killed any hopes the gown had. And then I'm still very conflicted with Olivia Wilde's Marchesa gown. There's something that speaks to me and something stronger that screams "I used to be 20 galaxies but I was asked to explode!"

Fortunately, the many faux pas and starlet disaster's were counterbalanced by the many more lovelies to gasp over. Here are the top ones I lusted over during the show and after parties---because some ladies got it right the 2nd time that evening!

1. Eva Langoria was sexy and played a powerhouse dammes in Zac Posen 

2. Amy Adams looked extremely demure but jovial in Marchesa

3. Angelina Jolie is too thin but simply rocked in her Versace Atelier

4. Emma Stone was the simplest yet classiest in Calvin Klein Collection

5. Julie Bowen was Cinderella-esque in Tadashi 

6. Halle Berry kicked ass in Nina Ricci though I wasn't too crazy about the actual gown

7. Lea Michele was one of few that could rock this stunning bubble gum pink Oscar de la Renta

8. Sarah Hyland was ethereal and coy in Max Azria

9. Julia Stiles was stunning and approachable in Romona Keveza

10. Catherine Zeta-Jones was a true European diva in Monique Lhullier

11. Jennifer Love-Hewitt stole it no matter how much people didn't like her in Romona Keveza

12. Jennifer Lopez was festive & uber chic in her feathery after-party Marchesa frock

13. Paris Hilton looked 200% lady-like and lovely at the after-party in Jean Fares Couture

14. Rachel Zoe didn't look preggers at after-party in a flirty dress

Who was your favorite and least-adored look? 

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Gifts & Desires

Every girl deserves to treat herself to fabulous things. Especially when you work as hard as I do. 18 hours a day of emails, phone calls, photography, cooking, writing, editing, volunteering and the list goes on! I'm not complaining at all because it only means I'm going to have tons of fun scouring the picking that right and delicious item that makes my heart throb. 

I recently did that. Right before Christmas--a perfect time to find steals. I'd been after these Pour La Victoire super-studded boots for about 6 months until I found them at a fraction the cost at T.J. Maxx. You'd be jealous if I told you how much so I'll spare you the agony. I've worn them several times in the last month in every which possible-- to a cocktail Christmas party, in cute sweats with a chunky sweater and leggings... love them.

Then the bracelet. The uber chic and bling'd out bracelet that Ann Taylor had early Fall. It instantly sold out even at full price for $135. The Swarovski-laced piece also sold at Neiman's. Another steal for me! Found it on-line for the low-low! And I can't wait to rock it! 

And then there are those desires that I'm lusting over. Things that would make me work even harder if I knew they were waiting at my door. Here are a few of those things:

Desperately in search of the studded Loubous even though they came out last fall. If you a have lead on where to find, won't you lovelies share!?!? *Faint*.  I don't think I have to say anything about the blue Loubs! Another *faint*. The timbs are fabulous! I love the upscale but rustic look of those oxfords. Entirely versatile and so French in a weird kinda way. And the top hat! The drool factor is serious. I have to replace the baddest umbrella I've ever owned (a red and black ultra dramatic GiancoFranco Ferre with lucite and gold that went missing :() to rock with this luxurious piece of art!

I've got a huge change coming up in my life, so for now I'll just lust until there's a way. Cause I will find a way to call these little *rosebuds of joy* mine! 

T to B: Christian Louboutin Fall '10; Christian Louboutin Spring' 11; Timberland Boot Co. Women's Oxford; Christys' Furfelt top hat from the U.K.

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On a Day Like This...

It's snowing in ATLANTA! Yes, snow in the deep south. If you're on Twitter, perhaps you've read tweets documenting what people are calling Snowmaggedon! It's quite funny as we didn't even get 6". The reason it's a huge deal is b/c this city is so ill-equipped to deal with this kind of inclement weather. I personally love it and find complete joy in all its mess and closures! Because yes, the entire city has shut down. Even the airport, which the city owns.

So, needless to say I'm snuggled all up in bed, blogging and watching movies, but I wanted to share this outfit from a day a few weeks ago. If I were going to step out today, I'd totally rock this... but since I'm not, I'll stare it and wait to wear it again... I was running errands this particular day and it was cold as hell! Much colder than today actually.

This is one of my favorite cheap-o coats. I snagged it for $20 at H & M last year after 1 year of stalking it. And my cargos are ones I'll wear forever. Got them while I was working at Banana Republic...

My outfits are seldom complete without a hat, so it goes without saying I have this fedora in 5 colors. Timeless pieces, ya know! The ensemble was a bit too structured, but I ultimately loved the color scheme and over all look. Plus, I was comfortable, which is paramount on a day like that!


Coat: H & M // Cargo pant: Banana Republic // Stripped top: Banana Republic // Cropped knit sweater: La Rose // vintage necklaces, F21 ring, 14kg monogrammed bamboo earrings, Vernier gold watch // Bag: Steven // Shoes: Aldo // Fedora: Scala // Gloves: Portolano

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NYC: I Love You.

 (I love the owl one and should have bought it)

Before heading back to Atlanta, my parents, sis and I went to Manhattan for a few hours. It was our annual day trip to the city. This year was no different other than sis and I were sick and she was quickly developing a fever. This meant we needed to scurry long the city super fast. Fortunately, the weather was cool, not cold but with some drizzle at sunset and longer.

The drizzle effect took away all fun in taking pictures. These are combo of shots from my camera and mom's point and shoot (which I need to get). I'm not too mad about the lack of solid pictures because truthfully, waking up at 4 am and getting dressed (with 2 hours of sleep) can't possibly yield the most cohesive ensemble. In this case, the matchy-matchy result was by accident. It kinda worked, but the most important thing is that I was comfortable. 2 NYPD didn't think so--"hey are those 6" or 7"?" Speaking of the shoes, which I've recently acquired and just love. My coat is the most versatile coat I have. I think. It's a lovely navy blue Italian cashmere military style coat I found at a boutique and whose designer logo I can't even make out. The bag is my go-to for long days and day trips. It's the perfect cross-over bag. Great color, too. And since I'm equally obsessive about hats, this one did the trick in keeping me from having a cough attack.

We ate in the East Village (where dad posed for pic!) (and I'll review the Sicilian restaurant here), visited Times Square and some theatres (which I feature here), walked through the fashion district (where I snapped pics of knock-off Burberry scarves) and saw the tree at Rockefeller (which was insane).

NY was dirty, smelly and slushy, but I still love it. It's just that kinda place.

Hope you New Year has started off right!


Snap button leggings // DKNY tights // Banana Republic knotted hat // Abercrombie & Fitch wool sweater // vintage fringed scarf // Regina leather // Jeffery Campbell shoes // Italian cashmere coat 


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Happy New Year! & No Outfit

Can you believe it's 2011? Really? Have you wrapped your head around that notion? I'm still trying to put work papers in order from 2010 and hate that I wasn't in my home to clean up my mess before all the traveling I started doing Christmas Eve.

My mom and late grandma have taught us to ring in the new year with a clean and orderly house. Yeah, not so much in my case. My condo is a hot mess with about 2 weeks of daily outfits, unstrategically scattered all over. It doesn't help that I have a dressing room and 2 extra closets to fit all my goodies.

At least my parents house was partied in clean manner. I stayed in and had no real interest in getting dressed up. No one was really getting dolled up to raise the bubbly or nibble on the traditional 12 grapes. So, I skipped out and stayed in my comfort wear: jeans, a cashmere sweater and hair pulled back.

How utterly boring but totally comfortable. But, I did go to this fabulous and foo foo shi shi Christmas party two weeks ago where I got to wear some new boots and a dress I've only worn once.  Had I gotten dressed up last night, this outfit would have been totally appropriate. I'll talk abut the boots soon because they are so fabulous and deserve all the chatter you can bear!

Here's to hoping you had a sexy and delicious New Year's Eve!

The redhead woman was the fabulous host and the other two lovely ladies are local friends. The blonde/redhead guy is someone I met that night. And, I have no idea who the guy is in the last picture. All the bubbly in the world will do that to you!

XXI sequins beret // vintage crystal earrings // Lamé dress from a boutique in Atlanta // Pour La Victoire boots // Swarovksi bracelets by C.B. Herrera // Murano glass ring


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