Moving...

Wordpress seems to be a better fit for me, so I am shifting gears and making a move. Join me at: http://sartorialselectivity.wordpress.com/. Thanks!

Gaga at the Grammys

Predictably unpredictable - she looks like a bombshell fairy godmother, complete with wand. It's insane, it's intergalactic, and it's mesmerizing. I love it.

Photo Credit: Getty via Jezebel

Casual Kicks

I have been focusing on my work-wardrobe the past several months and the casual portion of my closet has suffered. I just found a new website, www.needsupply.com, that has reignited my latent desire for casual-wear and am currently lusting over these shoes:

The atmosphere at my internship is fairly lax, but even still these shoes would not be acceptable. So, I would pair them with skirts or denim for weekend outings. The wedge heels makes walking comfortable and stable and I am still not over studs on accessories. Speaking of accessories:

I think I need this ring. $12! It is adjustable and perfect for throwing on for after work cocktails or weekend outings.

I really shouldn't browse shopping sites after 2 glasses of wine...

Chanel Couture Spring 2010

Collections like these are the reason that Karl Lagerfeld has endured as a fixture in the fashion world for so long. Not only is he the master of reinvention, nixing the gold buttons and dark colors that Chanel is known for, but every look was breathtaking. The whole collection was ethereal and practically glowing. A few select favorites:

Anyone who says fashion is not art after seeing this runway has to be crazy.

Photo Credit: WWD

SAG Style Stars

The SAG Awards was round 2 of the runway spectacle. These four were my favorites. Diane Kruger bounced back nicely from that the Golden Globes gown, which I thought to be a rare fashion misstep on her part. She looks glamorous and stunning, as do...

Mademoiselle Marion Cotillard
Breast Cancer Survivor Christina Applegate
...and the ageless Kyra Sedgwick.
These gorgeous women all picked incredibly flattering gowns that, while exquisite, did not overpower them. I can't wait to see have they navigate the next red carpet event!

Dello Russo Rules

Anna Dello Russo has killer style, and killer legs which she is usually showing off in something short. She looks no less fantastic covered up in capris.

She and her assistants somehow manage to look coordinated, but not 'matchy.' I'm coveting Anna's shoes, even though they are girlier than most of my wardrobe, and am lusting over the entire outfit on the right. They look effortlessly stylish, without falling prey to looking overdone. Jealous.

Photo Credit: The Sartorialist

Golden Globes Glam

The Golden Globes marks the beginning of awards season! This means that there will be red carpets galore in the upcoming months, with plenty of opportunities to drool over fab frocks. I know I am a couple days behind on the Golden Globes, but there were too many lovely dresses to ignore!

I have been watching Damages Season 1, so Rose Byrne is high on my radar and she certainly stood out in the sea of pinky-beige with this stunning gown by Lanvin. I love the detailing at the waist.

Ginnifer Goodwin's dress wowed on the red carpet, as well, and I love that she went with a short dress. The royal blue of her dress and her flawless makeup made her eyes stand out.

At first glance, I was not so sure about Marion Cotillard's gown. But, the more I looked, the more I liked. In particular, the color is fabulous and her hair and makeup are perfection!

She looks like a Grecian goddess with perfectly tousled locks. The geometric patterns on the bodice are incredibly figure flattering, although she really doesn't need help in that area, anyway!

Chloe Sevigny is perpetually able to pull-off gowns that are more fashion-forward than crowd-pleasers. This gown has just enough color not to blend into her skin and she made a wise choice with the sleek hair that doesn't compete with the folds of the dress.

All in all it was a glamorous night. I wish I had an occasion that called for a fancy dress, but with school and my internship, I am on a jeans and pencil skirt regimen. Not nearly as exciting. Who were your favorites?

Rouge Coco: Return of the Lipstick?

Are you a lipstick lady? It seems that Vanessa Paradis is, at least if it's Rouge Coco by Chanel.

With the launch of their new line of long-lasting, hydrating creme lipstick, Chanel is hoping to reignite the interest of consumers, particularly American and Japanese consumers for whom lip gloss now makes up 50% of the lip product market, in the lost art of wearing lipstick. This line will consist of mainly shades in the very wearable beige and pale pink range priced at $30.

I like the idea of lipstick. It feels sophisticated and grown-up, and I have images in my head of my mom leaning into the mirror so she could apply her lipstick that pop into my head. I have my go-to 'Dolce Vita' lipstick by Nars for work days, but on weekends I admit I am a chapstick and lip gloss kind of gal. Putting on gloss is quick and easy when you are out and about and don't have a mirror to ensure accuracy. However, in an effort to be more put-together this year, maybe I will try to become a full-time lipstick wearer, if only to put more ritual and thought into my process of getting ready. Unfortunately, I have lots of lip glosses floating around that I would feel sad to ignore, so that may or may not work!

Thoughts? Are you a lipstick lady or a gloss kind of gal?

Photo Credit: WWD

Combat Over Boots

My particular interest in law school is intellectual property. I hope to make a career out of protecting designers', artists' and entertainers' copyright and trademark rights.* That type of practice would include bringing lawsuits against outright counterfeits, but also against designs and naming conventions that tread that line too closely. Case in point, Danner shoes have sued rag & bone for copyright and trademark infringement for creating a shoe that looks quite similar, but what really gives them a case it seems is the fact that they named the shoe 'Danner Combat Shoes by rag & bone.' The picture above is of the two shoes, Danner on the left and the rag & bone version on the right. What do you think? Did rag & bone merely take inspiration from Danner or did they cross the line? It's really difficult to make those determinations in the fashion realm where everyone is inspired by everyone else, but what are your thoughts?

Photo Credit: Ny Mag

*Disclaimer: I am a law student, not a full-fledged attorney. I have not passed the bar in any state and any speculation I have about the legitimacy of any legal claims is not a professional opinion and should not be construed as such.

Resolutions

I spent New Year's Day walking the Brooklyn Bridge with hundreds of other tourists from around the globe. I lost count of how many different languages I heard being spoken. It was a beautiful day, crisp but not frigid, and by the end of the day we must have walked 10 miles exploring Brooklyn, NYU, Soho, Chinatown...Thank God for my new boots. They were warm and didn't kill my feet and slid nicely under my jeans.

I didn't come up with any resolutions by New Year's Eve. And only now, when I have spent the past couple days sick on the couch, have I given it much thought. So far, I have come up with the following:

1. Be More Healthy

General, I know, but I have been more sick in the past year than any other I can remember. I am not sure if it is the air in Philadelphia versus Portland, or if the stress of law school is just getting to me, but my immune system seems to be shot. In my quest for better health I will try to be less of a night owl, especially given the fact that I have to be in class at 8:30 every morning. I will try to tone down my caffeine addiction, switching from coffee to green tea. I need to eat more fruits and vegetables, not processed foods. Lastly, I need to start running again. Maybe more regular exercise will help as well. Hopefully those changes will keep me more healthy and energized in 2010.

2. Fine-Tune my Wardrobe

It has taken me years to figure out what works for my shape (short, tending towards muscular). I think I have been in denial about my height :) Now that I have finally accepted what actually looks good, I need to go through what I own and clear out lots of items that do me no favors. Once that is accomplished, I have to make another list of pieces that I need to add to my wardrobe. I have been filling my closet with work pieces, but I also need to focus on weekend wear. My shoe selection also needs some help. This will all be more easily accomplished once I have a job and a paycheck. Which leads me too...

3. Be Diligent About Job-Searching

I do not graduate until late May, but given the legal market I need to get a head-start. My goal is a mid-sized to large firm that has departments that specialize in either entertainment, intellectual property or employment law. That being said, I will take whatever job I can get! However, to obtain any kind of job I need to put myself out in the market and take advantage of any connections I have and to continue networking.

4. Finish Writing a Book

I have bits and pieces of books that I have been writing saved on my laptop and in notebooks strewn about our place. I want to finish writing at least one of them. Starting is easy, but the middle is hard, even if I already have an ending in mind. I think the key at this point is just to write daily and hopefully the writer's block will fade.

5. Blog More Often

When life gets hectic, this blog is the first thing to go, but it's an outlet I appreciate. I would put a specific goal number on it, like 7 times a week, but that is not realistic and, honestly, if I make at least one entry a month that will be better than my previous record!

Any resolutions on your minds?

NYE in NYC

Tomorrow the husband and I are NYC bound! Living in Philly makes the trip incredibly easy - it's a mere 2 hour bus ride (we are city people without a car). We had a tremendously laid-back NYE last year, but this year we are making an adventure of the holiday.

We will arrive tomorrow morning, meet up with my dear college friend at her place in the financial district and then lunch somewhere tasty. Champagne will be bought and drunk in copious amounts and we will avoid Times Square and instead watch fireworks from her rooftop with the roommates and neighbors.

What to wear has presented me with quite a dilemma as I am feeling the Christmas indulgences all too well around my waistline, my thighs, everywhere! It has made the thrill of choosing an outfit altogether less thrilling. The accessories are fun to select, but fitted skirts are another story...I'm sure after a glass or two of champagne I will not give it much thought tomorrow.

We will be traipsing around NYC the next day and exploring neighborhoods we haven't yet visited, such as Brooklyn. Korean barbecue is definitely on the list in the Murray Hill area as Philly lacks the plethora of Korean restaurants that Portland had and New York boasts. Also on the agenda are Murray's bagels and the Shake Shack.

Hope everyone has a festive and safe New Year's Eve!

Holi-Daze

Philly had a huge snowstorm last weekend. We made a snowman with the help of our landlord's little daughter who is so cute and smart. 'Herb the snowman' looks a little demonic because we had to use radishes for eyes. Unfortunately our snowman is more of a puddle today, but we almost had a white Christmas.

I had to work until 2 o'clock yesterday at my internship, but now I am free for 10 days! We started our Christmas break with cioppino last and garlic bread last night. This morning we lounged in pajamas with coffee and Bailey's while opening gifts. I got some lovely clothes for work from my parents and older sister and lovely baubles and BlueMercury gift certificate from my husband.

I received one of my gifts early because of the snowstorm last week: Uggs. Okay, but not the normal Uggs - they are a leather almost motorcycle-boot version. They have been a lifesaver this past week trudging through snow.

I am in a food coma because of a large breakfast, leftover cioppino for lunch and plenty of chocolates and wine. However, one I come out of this daze, I will take and post photos of my new favorite things.

Hope everyone is having a lovely holiday, or if you do not celebrate Christmas, then I hope you are having a lovely day anyway!

Balance

As I spend more and more time at my internship, I find myself wearing the same combinations over and over again. It's deflating that my work wardrobe is so lacking. When I see combinations like the Australian stock-broker below, I long to re-stock my closet with more fashion-forward choices. It is a tricky balance to strike between being appropriately conservative (as required to be taken seriously when interning at a law office where I am the youngest attorney-type), while maintaining my own sense of style. I see so many law school students with the black suits, white button-up shirts and traditional pearls, and I do not want to be one more clone in the crowd.

Anyone else have to balance workplace demands and personal preferences? How does that work out for you?

Photo Credit: Sartorialist

Christmas Giggles

I love Lady Gaga, but this made me laugh...

Oh Sister!

Natalie Portman arrived at the premiere of her latest film, Brothers, in this lively ensemble. I happen to think that she can really pull off bright color combinations, but I have seen some people commenting that on the whole it was a little too much. What do you think - too many colors or does she get it just right?

One Down...

...Two more finals to go. My brain feels like mush, but I am relieved to have one out of the way. I don't get nerves before exams the way I did my first year of law school, but studying is still stressful and life-consuming. All my creativity goes out the door while I try to focus on whether using a company's trademark as a Google search term is trademark infringement. Try not to envy my life, I know it's hard :) I'll be back after next Thursday when my brain is no longer occupied with legal madness.

Photo Credit: IPMall.com

Wiiii!

This will not do wonders for my studying for final exams. At all. Not only did we get Wii, but we got Wii Fit and MarioKart, which is my favorite SuperNintendo game of all time. Greg called it a belated birthday gift, but he is now glued to MarioKart while I try to ignore the enticing, bubbly music and sound effects that are calling me to the couch to play. On the bright side, according to Wii Fit I have great posture and balance - this is something you would never guess if you were to see me studying, hunched over like a gargoyle statue, nose inches from my laptop screen...Some classmates will be distracted by the Phillies playing in the World Series, I will be distracted by Wii. I guess it keeps things fair.

Any new distractions in your life?

Grumble, Grumble

Vogue, I have been a subscriber for years and yet every month the magazine is out on the newstand for 2 weeks before you see fit to get it to my door. That's what I get for my loyalty? Annoying. 'Tis the weekend and still no new magazines to read...

A Lady Who Lawyers

I love the way this woman puts herself together. According to the story accompanying her photo, she is an attorney by day, photographer by night. Donning a 3-piece suit isn't something I had imagined doing, but she pulls it off well, which makes me believe that maybe I could find a cut and fabric that works for me. I love the additional flourish of the huge, cozy scarf. It's a bright, yet slightly muted, yellow that really brings attention to her beautiful face. It's a tough balance bringing style into a workplace that requires your clients to perceive you as capable and trustworthy and she walks the line with ease.

Vices

Whenever I get stressed, I find myself justifying any and all indulgences to soothe my nerves. Given that I am at my internship 20-25 hours a week, attending 3 classes and have my first final exam of the term in a week and a half, I am turning to every single one of my vices, almost unconsciously. Some of my top indulgences include:

Haagen Dazs:

Have you ever tried Rum Raisin? I hadn't until last week and it reminds me of the holidays - surprisingly tasty. Still, my standby is always coffee. I frequently try other brands, but none quite compare to the texture and the intensity of the flavor that Haagen Dazs creates using minimal ingredients. I can pronounce all the ingredients on the list and find them all at the grocery store, which makes me feel better about devouring half a pint.

Sleeping late on the weekend:

Normally I don't change my schedule drastically on the weekends. I still get up at 7 so I can stay in my routine and feel productive. Lately, however, 10am rolls around and I am barely rolling out of bed. I'm sure it's to compensate for the late nights of studying, but it makes adjusting to the week a lot more difficult.

Coffee, coffee and more coffee:

Even the smell of it perks me up. It can be from a street cart, I don't care, coffee makes me happy. Though, if given the choice, I prefer espresso made by Greg, a mocha from Stumptown complete with foam art, or any of Chapterhouse's creations - all are heaven.

Couch time with my dogs and a book or stack of magazines:

Pajama pants, a blanket, two small pups (one in my lap and one on the back of the couch practically wrapped around my shoulders), and a new, or well-loved, book or magazine in my hands is my happy place. I'm cozy, comfortable and my mind is getting a break from the barrage of legal language I face every day. And can you really blame me for wanting to cuddle with those pups! I'm a huge animal lover and my dogs are some of my favorite 'people' in the world.

Re-watching my favorite movies/tv shows:

This drives Greg nuts. He doesn't understand how I can watch something I have seen before again and again. I tell him, if I loved it the first time, why wouldn't I love it the second (or tenth) time? He must have every TrueBlood episode memorized by now because of me. Sometimes it is the story-line, other times it is the outfits that have me returning to my favorites. Currently on my rotation are TrueBlood, The Rachel Zoe Project, Amelie, The Princess Bride, Weeds. Netflix has been injecting my routine with a little variety, I highly recommend Sunshine Cleaning if you like dark humor or The Brothers Bloom. Otherwise, I keep going back to what I know.

What indulgences do you turn to when life gets rough?