Swifty

I had my first crisis of credit conscience today when I had to fight myself not to open a Bloomingdale's credit card.  Ah, the sweet promise of 15% off... 

So why was I tempted?  

Ah, Swifty, you and your adorable clothing.

I love Taylor Swift, but I REALLY loved her spread in the August 2009 issue of GLAMOUR.  Specifically, this look.  It's the mixture of the boyfriend shorts (which I think are a far better look than actual boyfriend jeans and perfect for summer) and the amazing necklace--also, girl's fierce hair, but that's beside the point.  She and I have the same build, which is what convinced me I could wear them in the first place.

They be these: 

AG Adriano Goldschmied "Ex Boyfriend" Boyfriend Shorts, $185

So, because I have a slightly obsessive personality when it comes clothing I love, I began to troll the internet, looking for cheap knock-offs of the boyfriend shorts.  F21, GAP, you name it--nothing.  J Brand has a pair, but it's not distressed and it's only $30 cheaper at $154. 

So I'm THINKING about it, trying to decide if it's worth it to buy into this particular trend or if my money would be better spent elsewhere.  What do you guys think? 

Praising Catherine Deneuve

So, as I mentioned in my previous entry, I know longer felt that "Danielle Blanchett" was no longer an appropriate pen name for me, because while I consider her a stunning beauty, an excellent ambassador for high fashion, and a terrific actress, I would no longer be following her sartorial example.

I needed somebody who embodies grace and quiet luxury; someone who is unapologetically feminine, but with a little bit of edge; sexy with a wink at quirkiness. First, I considered Grace Kelly; but Princess Grace dressed with an almost exaggerated refinement that belied her truly wild romantic life. Then I thought of Sex and the City's Samantha Jones; I admire her sensuality and love that she rocks both neon power-suits and clingy mini dresses, but sometimes she dresses too fearlessly.

Who achieves that magic combination of both elegance and sex appeal? Who walks the fine line between precious and risque? It'd have to be someone French, I realized. And then it came to me: Catherine Deneuve.

Ms. Deneuve's been on my radar since Kate Winslet did that Belle de Jour-inspired Vanity Fair photoshoot last December. It made me realize how timeless that 60s sex-kitten persona is; blonde bedroom hair, come-hither kohled eyes, and body-conscious clothing will never go out of style. Yet for all her allure, Deneuve never looks trampy. Her look appeals to both men and women because she always maintains a level of class and never shows too much skin (in fact, in a men's button-down shirt and beret, she proved that sometimes a bit of mystique can be very sexy).

My favorite thing about Catherine Deneuve's style is that you don't immediately notice the clothes she's wearing. You simply see a beautiful woman, and her style is like a spotlight fixed on her, illuminating her beauty. She wears the clothes; the clothes do not wear her.

Here's how to channel your inner Catherine Deneuve:

For your rocking bod:

Rachel Pally Cut Out Dress, $198

Velvet "Jessamine" Dress, $130

bebe Light Tailored Pencil Skirt, $89

For laid-back cool:

J. Crew men's Baird McNutt linen shirt, $79.50 $59.50 (or better yet, borrow one from your man's closet)

For sexy bedhair:

L'Oreal Elnett Extra StrongHold Hairspray, $14.99

For lovely lined eyes:

NARS Black Eye Set, $60

MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack, $15

For a gamine look:

Current/Elliot "The Laurel Canyon" Top, $198

For an intoxicating signature scent:

Chanel No. 5 Fragrance, starts at $95

The Artist Formerly Known As "Danielle Blanchett" Returns

You could blame the recession.  You could chalk it up to maturity.  You could mention my new love affair with Ayn Rand and a corresponding appreciation of the marriage of form and function.  You could even bring up my recent relocation to Bushwick, an industrial Brooklyn neighborhood, and draw a rather poetic parallel between a gritty, urban environment and sartorial utilitarianism.

Whatever the cause, I've purged my wardrobe of the esoteric, difficult-to-wear clothing I used to favor and have now turned my eye towards pieces that are sophisticated and streamlined enough to work in almost any setting, day or night, and that have the impeccable fit and quality construction to ensure holding up to their versatility.

(Side note: I suppose that a change of alias is in order; although I admire Cate Blanchett for her fearlessness not only in her acting but also in her fashion choices, hers is an example that I'm no longer going to follow.  Celebrities have been boring me lately, so I'm at a loss: can anyone suggest one who typifies understated elegance with a touch of modern edge?  Gwyneth Paltrow comes to mind, but I know how unpopular she is among the other contributers here (one in particular, whom I won't name)....)

Okay, that's enough rhetoric.  On to the clothes:

J. Crew embossed-cotton "Lorelei" dress, $98

I bought this dress at the beginning of the summer as a less costly version of a Theory dress I love but can't wear without living in the inescapable fear or spills and stains.  I get way more milage out of this one, though: it can be dressed up, dressed down, and accessorized with such a vast possibility of shoes, belts, and jewelry that I'll never get bored of it.  It's probably the hardest-working item in my closet right now.

Also, boys love a girl in a white dress.  It's that combination of sweet and sexy, that union of Lolita and femme fatale, that does it for them.  I posted a picture of myself in this dress on my MySpace, and not ten minutes later I received a text from a boy I went out with, like, three years ago praising its "beautiful simplicity" (and some other things I'm not inclined to repeat).

Banana Republic silk racerback dress, $98

I tried this on the other day; I love the choice details like the pretty pintucked straps, unique racerback cut, and buttery cornflower blue silk.  Unfortunately, I found the cut to be less sheath and more A-line in person, and the volume of it swallowed my figure.  But, still, it's so lovely....

Rory Beca silk side knot dress, $216

A simple t-shirt dress gets a healthy dose of cheek with cheery poppy-colored silk, a quirky side knot detail, and lots of leg.

J. Crew twisted slub jersey tank, $34

I'm always on the hunt for a good cotton tank; whether thrown on with a pair of jeans or tucked into a high-waisted skirt, they're rapidly becoming my best-loved wardrobe staple.  The heathered appearance of this one doesn't photograph too well, but it's better in person, and the deep scoopneck makes it extra-feminine and flattering.

Delman leather "Skyward" heels, $368 $259.95

Delman's known for its legendary ballet flats, so these chunky heels are a surprising (but not unwelcome) digression.  I'm sure the goes-with-everything saddle-colored leather is extra-rich in person....

Kenneth Cole short sleeve shirt dress, $139

Gap classic striped shirtdress, $59.50 $43.99

I love the idea of femme-ing up an all-business cotton shirtdress with a pair of unapologetically sexy, sky-high, brightly hued sandals.  These two, in lemon-yellow leather and gleaming cherry patent, certainly fit the bill:

BCBGirls "Polands" platform sandal, $110

BCBGMAXAZRIA "Lacey 2" slingback sandal, $250 $149.99

Built by Wendy Boatneck Eyelet Minidress

The sun has finally come out of hiding. Here's how I want to welcome the end of June Gloom:

Boatneck Eyelet Minidress by Built By Wendy, $240. Accessorize with a light tan and a girlish smile, and you're good to go.

The Silk Checkered Jewelry Roll

Sometimes people ask us to do reviews of a product or online store, and I typically say no. That's not what this blog is about, and usually the item is something I have no interest in. But when I moved a couple weeks ago, the best way I could figure how to transport all my jewelry was in ziplock bags, thrown into a regular paper bag. I felt like a hobo, or a bank robber.

Enter the jewelry roll, $14.99, from jewelryrollshop.com. Available in vibrant and playful colors (I got the blue checkered, which feeds my mania for plaid while also being way more classy), this roll is a chic way to transport your jewelry when traveling. Inside, there are two zippered pockets, one larger pouch that spans the whole length of the roll, and a strap to slide your rings on. I wish there were a few more pockets, since I have a ton of necklaces and nothing is worse than when they get tangled together, but it's an elegantly designed item and practical nonetheless. The material is padded, so you don't have to worry about your rings getting crushed, and the silk looks way more expensive than 15 bucks.

I think this would be a fantastic gift (especially if you slipped a bracelet or something inside), especially for an event where you're giving a group of people the same gift, like bridesmaids. It's classy and useful, and you can mix it up with the different colors. Beyond the checkered print, there are a ton of different prints available on the website. They all sort of remind me of kimonos, with the silk and print motif, but I really love the unique color of the Madrid Maize roll, $14.99.

Topshop Halter Sundress

After all the hype has died down and the lines faded away, I decided it was time to check out Topshop for myself. To be honest, besides the rapturous ravings of fashion insiders, I've heard nothing but bad things from my flesh-and-blood friends who checked out the store in person. So I went in there with pretty low expectations, but I still left disappointed. I don't know, the clothes are cute enough but they're way overpriced for the quality level. I didn't even like the vibe of the store--it was too loud and hectic, too generic Euro-trash.

I did really like this one dress, and I would totally have bought it if it were appropriately priced at around $20. But since it's "designed" by Kate Moss, it's $90 for a halter sundress that's just a bolt of cotton and a piece of robe. Boo. Don't get me wrong: it's an adorable dress, and it's perfect for muggy summer days when just the thought of putting in pants makes you start sweating. But it's more than a little see-through and the fabric is scratchy in an obviously cheap way, and I'd bet that within three washings that robe halter would start fraying. I'd rather get my cheap-ass dresses from Forever 21, so when they fall apart I can shrug and say, "You get what you pay for."

A Prom Queen's Dream

Okay, this is kind of embarrassing, but I've recently joined the Church of BumpIt.  I'm not really sure how I was converted, because by all means the scary trannylicious beauty queen hairstyles in the infomerical should have had me burning every teasing comb in my house.  They're like hair zombies who have had their brains eaten by the little teeth of the BumpIt.

I have to start off by saying that I have very strange hair.  Strange in that it's very fine, but I have a lot of it.  Great for curling and straightening, but not so much for maintaining any kind of volume.  I originally sent my mom a link to the website as a joke (she loves doing the bangs bump, but has a hard time getting it right), and last week we finally broke down and bought the set after spotting it in Walgreens.  One of our more adventurous moments, I'd say. 

Let me just say that the BumpIts deserve some credibility because Leighton Meester's hairdresser on Gossip Girl uses them all the time in her hair.  And, really, after I used the medium sized one (I'm pretty sure the largest one should be reserved for those of you that want to be Amy Winehouse for Halloween...), I could see why.  They really do stay in your hair with little help, but if you're worried about the insert falling out, use it when your hair is half up or with a ponytail.  They come in all colors, but I've only ever seen the dark brunette/black sets in stores.  What that potentially says about blondes and brunettes, I don't know.  All I know is, I like my little BumpIt boost, and if worse comes to worse, you can use it as a weapon and head-butt your attacker like Kiefer.