Painting the Roses (Valentino) Red

Let's take a break from the shop talk for a moment and discuss Valentino the Last Emperor. So I watched it last night and loved it. Now, I know, this was not a significant part of the film (or is it...) but like a scene out of Alice in Wonderland I could not stop laughing when Mr. Valentino had the less than perfect patches of grass spray painted green. Like the Queen of Hearts before him, this was a testament to an eye for perfection. It's the details...the amazing hand crafted details...that make a Valentino couture gown a piece of art.

One nation...

I pledge allegiance to...this t-shirt...

Just call me Goldilocks. In my quest for the perfect t-shirt, I have come across many that are too (something) or not quite (something) enough. Never have I found one that was just right...until I came across this Easy Scoop Neck Slub Jersey Tee by Nation Ltd. www.intermixonline.com.

This was so perfect that the logical thing to do was buy four. I started out with one, but I loved it so much I wore it 2 days in a row (gross) and I had to have more. Four seemed like the right amount (and it was all Intermix had left). This was months ago and I continue to wear this tee (in white) all the time. I wore it so much that the pocket fell off of one...and it kinda made it even better. I kid you not.

It provides the perfect undone slouch when paired under jackets (and it looks especially cool under my favorite leather Moto http://harleyshops.blogspot.com/2009/08/hello-moto.html) and its amazing how it takes my favorite top (http://harleyshops.blogspot.com/2009/08/my-must-have-for-fall.html) from evening wear to day-appropriate. Love it!

Ah Choo!

Just when you thought shoes couldn't get any higher...they didn't. One of the (many) trends that came out of the S/S 10 New York fashion week was the resurgence of the flat. I'm thinking this was a reaction to the high, higher, highest trend of recent past...but I for one am thrilled. My feet hurt, OK? I always was a big supporter of the chic ballet flat, but I'm not exactly what you'd call tall so I took advantage of the crazy-tall heel craze just so that the rest of the world wouldn't literally loom over me. But now that we are all coming back down to earth, let me profess my love of the Jimmy Choo 'Witty' Flat http://www.nordstrom.com/.

They sparkle! They're happy! (The picture doesn't really do them justice. They are brighter and have glitter running through the patent leather!). I just purchased these shoes last week and I wore them every day since. The key is to pretend they are neutral (which they kinda are...) and go from there. Obviously they punch up basic black, white and grey (my uniform of sorts), and they look insane with jeans, but I particularly loved them paired with a Kelly green top.

So tell me, my lovely readers, are you happy that flats are back?

AsymmeTry

For those of you who follow my blog or know me (even if you only kinda know me...or met me once. Briefly.) you know that I LOVE Barneys http://www.barneys.com/. I was out shopping with my hubby today and as we were walking in, I asked him "How can someone not love it here? Even you...the guy who hates shopping... LOVES Barneys." OK so maybe he isn't quite as enthusiastic about it as I am, but the boy likes it and that's saying something, trust me.

So I was perusing the racks and I came across this cute asymmetrical T by Alexander Wang top and even though I've seen it before (Did I mention I am an avid Barneys shopper?) and overlooked it, I decided to try it on. LOVE. I was definitely wearing the right clothes to try it on with (black skinny J Brands http://www.jbrandjeans.com/ and leopard print Jimmy Choo flats http://www.jimmychoo.com/ ) and the whole look felt incredibly cool and easy.

This is definitely a look best suited for night and not for work (this, if you were wondering is what I wear to work http://harleyshops.blogspot.com/2009/08/workin-it.html), but all it really needs is a simple long chain necklace to add a little something and...that's it. Done. I'm ready to go.

Waxing and Wanging

Honestly? I'm on the fence. I adore Alexander Wang www.alexanderwang.com ! I mean, how can you not? He is so cute! That said, I was eagerly anticipating his Spring 2010 RTW show and I was both disappointed and blown away. OK, now...don't hate me. Hear me out!

The second half of the show was perfection. Give me black and white and I'm a happy gal. This bodycon white dress is definitely going to find it's way into my closet this spring. I'll be waiting (im)patiently at Barney's www.barneys.com for its arrival. I love the sexy cut-outs and the fact that it's revealing yet...not. It's perfection.

This black sparkly number reminds me very much of one of my must-have items http://harleyshops.blogspot.com/2009/08/my-must-have-for-fall.html and provided me with some inspiration of how to wear it. The skinny track pants are so chic and slightly off-putting at the same time (very Wang, I think). I will definitely try some variation of this look using my Gryphon www.intermixonline.com

So now that I have professed my love for the second half of Mr. Wang's show, I gotta say the first half didn't do it for me. This is RTW, and I am searching for a piece from this look (below)that works for me. I just can't seem to find one. I find the proportions odd and the color combo very non Wang-y.

And this look...well I just don't love my belly button SO much that I need to frame it in my dress. Forget the fact that I'm not the biggest fan of khaki (I'd be willing to risk looking preppy for Alexander Wang), I just really don't understand the cut-out. Maybe you'll hate me for this (I hope not because I looove all of you!), but I just don't like it. OK?

On a side note...I need to know where Mr. Wang gets his white t-shirts from. They seem to have become something of a uniform for him (loves it!) and it looks like the perfect white T. Any insider information for me?

merci beaucoup, jean-claude

For those of you who read my last post, you are aware that a certain creature (ahem! Jean-Claude) destroyed a darn good pair of shoes. I looked high and low for their replacement and

voilà! Here they are. After much consideration I have chosen Manolo Blahnik's Creon sandal http://www.barneys.com/. OK now. Let's get down to it, shall we? I'm never one to let something like weather or walking to get in the way of wearing a fab shoe, so even though I live in Chicago and the winters are chilly (that's putting it really really really gently), I plan on rocking these shoes all season long. I am a big fan of the tights/open toe shoe look so obviously that is going to be the best weather solution. I am a big fan of Hue tights, especially the Opaque tights http://www.barenecessities.com/ in black (I only wear black because...I just do, but I really love the choice of bold colors on other people!).

A little black dress, a pencil skirt, something kinda girly, skinny black pants...what outfit wouldn't benefit from a little Manolo enhancement?

The other, more obvious, option for my beautiful new shoes is to just go with the rock vibe and pair them with an ankle jean, sloppy t-shirt, and little leather motorcycle jacket (for which my love knows no bounds)http://harleyshops.blogspot.com/2009/08/hello-moto.html. What do you think, lovely readers? What would you rock these shoes with?

Jean-Claude Van Damn it!

Allow me to introduce you to the newest member of the family...Jean-Claude. Hello and how do you do, Claude? OK, now I love love love my animals...but I wouldn't normally write about them on my fashion blog. Dogs do not wear clothes (never! I mean, a cute collar is fine, but a sweater? No thank you!) and they should NOT be treated as accessories (rather VIP members of the family, of course!). Why then, my lovelies, am I dedicating this blog to Jean-Claude? I'll tell you...he has managed to bridge the gap between pet and fashion...DESTROYER. OF. FASHION.

Imagine my shock and horror when I discovered that Claude chose my fabulous Marc Jacobs wedges to use as his chew toy. They were perfect...so chic, so easy to walk in, they worked with almost everything! And now...they are dead. Well, I am off to search for their replacements and I'll let you know what I find. Jean-Claude is so frickin' cute I forgave him of his fashion sin and all is right with the world...if he gets hold of my Louboutins, I might not be as forgiving. I can't even think about it...

Obsessed with...

...Citizens of Humanity Avedon Slick Skinny Jeans.

These jeans are...now I don't want to sound too crazy here...my new best friend. I want to buy these jeans a drink. This pair of jeans just might be the one. I am considering leaving my husband to go off and elope with these jeans. Too much?

Well, let me say this: they passed the movie test with flying colors. What is the movie test, you ask? Well my lovely readers, the movie test is as follows...

The jeans must be comfortable enough to sit through a Harry Potter flick for the third time (don't judge me!) without losing their shape, stretching out, or digging in and leaving those oh-so-attractive marks on one's body. Let me tell you...these jeans passed with flying colors.

They are the perfect shade: dark, but not too inky. They are super stretchy. Like I could do the splits stretchy (except I can't do the splits...). The fabric is some random 44% rayon/29% cotton/25% cupro/2% polyurethane combo. I don't know what that means exactly, but it does wonders for the tush. They aren't too low in the rise, but they aren't too high. They are super skinny yet I feel like I am wearing my favorite sweat pants.

I mean...does it get any better? Simply put, they are just perfect. Go buy 'em now. You can thank me later.

Hello Moto...

I LIVE for the day that the Chicago weather gets crisp enough to break out my much beloved leather motorcycle jacket. If I'm being honest with you, my lovely readers, I sometimes wear it even if it's still bathing suit warm because I adore it oh so much.

My jacket is just the way I like it... old, old, old, perfectly beat up and worn in. The leather is soft and it's cropped in such a way that is feminine but tough and cool. I don't know what to say...I love my jacket.

While mine is one of a kind and irreplaceable (I don't even like thinking about life with out it, it's just too sad) the Doma Cropped washed-leather biker jacket (pictured left) www.net-a-porter.com/product is pretty close to perfect in my book.

How to wear it? Well, as I'm sure you know, the big thing to do all last year was to pair it with something girly to strike a cool balance. While I'm certainly not over the idea, I am over talking about it. I get it, I get it. One is tough, the other is sweet. Together you get a look that is tough and sweet...yeah yeah yeah it's fine. Right...so how to wear it? With everything! Make it a part of your style, make it a statement. Wear it every day in every way you can think. I think it looks particularly amazing with a body conscious cashmere dress and opaque black tights It's important to make sure your accessories don't compete...a leather cuff, for example, is just too costume-y. On the other hand, how great would it look with a pair of black patent ballet flats? With dark skinny pants? And the softest, slouchiest(?), comfiest(??) t-shirt you can find? Yes, Please!

Workin' it

When I grew up I decided that I wanted to sell real estate http://www.bairdwarner.com/rebecca.ravenna and be wildly successful so that I could, simply put, buy stuff. So I got my license and to celebrate the momentous occasion, I bought a Chanel wallet http://www.chanel.com/. With a fabulous partner/mentor (love you mom!!!!) by my side I began my climb up the real estate ladder and discovered that not only was I good at it, I loved it too. Now...what to wear to work? This was a challenge. No, seriously...it was! I am 23, and so I will not, nay...I flat out refuse to wear the sad post-college ill fitting business suit that all of my friends so sadly wore. Not me, no thank you! But then what to wear?

I wanted to hold on to my personal sense of style, yet I needed to be professional. I was being trusted with million dollar + homes (so fabulous!) and had to look the part. And so, I cultivated a sort of formula that goes something like this...Ahem...

Structured Jacket+slightly sexy dress +posh bag that holds everything (and I mean everything)+AMAZING shoes=totally chic yet totally me business attire. Allow me to illustrate...

Now I totally switch it up, and depending on who I'm working with and what I'm doing, I can totally get away with jeans and an amazing top or even a slouchy t-shirt with a cute jacket. I think it's best to keep my denim dark and slim so that they almost look like skinny dress pants. My absolute favorite jeans are, but of course, J Brand http://www.jbrandjeans.com/. I love their simple, clean lines and the fact that they fit perfectly. As always, I believe the right shoes and bag can elevate an otherwise casual ensemble. Something high and shiny always does the trick and even though I'm on my feel all day I'd gladly suffer through a little pain. For a pair of Louboutins, wouldn't you? They are, after all, what I work so hard for!

Blazer: Proenza Schouler http://www.net-a-porter.com/

Cashmere Dress: Rag and Bone http://www.intermixonline.com/

Bag: Mulberry http://www.mulberry.com/

Booties: Stuart Weitzman http://www.stuartweitzman.com/

Pumps: Christian Louboutin www.christianlouboutin.com/