Timeless Tuesday Number Nineteen

Welcome to Timeless Tuesday #19! Today I am celebrating the little black dress. I have several little black dresses. I have work type little black dresses, formal little black dresses, and even ones for in between. They're fool proof!




Of course, shoes and a bit of bling help...


I know I made the bling bigger but can you blame me??!!

Seriously ~ one my look sexy and elegant at any age in the right little black dress...


All images compliments of Harper's Bazaar

So there you have it ladies ~ Timeless Tuesday belongs to the classic little black dress.

Now it is your turn to share your posts about classics or trends you hope become timeless...

1) Add your permalink below ~ not your blog's address in general but the specific post you want people to visit. To obtain the actual post link, click on the title of your post once you have published it and copy and paste the URL into Mister Linky.

2) Leave your name and say a couple of words to describe your post (e.g. "Coco Chanel suits" or "Classic interior design for children" or "Delicious meals in a snap."

3) Copy and paste the Timeless Tuesday logo button (on my right sidebar) to your Timeless Tuesday posts. This is a sure way for your readers to know you have joined in the party.

4) Link back to the host blog, that's me ~ Paula Grace Designs Blogspot Timeless Tuesday ~ so all the bloggers that joined the party will receive many interested visitors.

Fun Friday ~ Fashion Forward

Pucci

If you read my blog, you know that I frequently read the Washington Post at lunch almost every day. On Tuesday they did a story in the Style section called Fashion ~ Positions of Power written by Robin Givhan. It was a fantastic story about the new lines introduced in Milan. The story informed me that there is a movement for fashion designs to combine femininity and power. Finally! I was thrilled to read the story and learn of this development. I decided to peruse a few of the design houses to see what I would / could wear for work. I did not look at all the designs. In fact only a few but I did find ones I think I could wear.

Emilio Pucci

Blumarine

Burberry

Ferragamo

So, what do you think? Have you had a chance to take a look at some of the collections?

Enjoy your weekend!

Ode To Pink

Today I have the lovely Sarah Klassen from Haute Design as my guest. Sarah is on my blog today ~ I am on her blog today. How fun! How wonderful!

I am so happy to be a guest on Paula Grace’s lovely blog! We have a special treat in store for you today. We decided to swap posts – Paula Grace covering interior décor, and I, fashion. Beyond our love of fashion and décor, we also share a love of pink, which led us to an all-out “Ode to Pink” post. It all began when I was fortunate to win Paula Grace’s wallpaper/fashion matching contest a short while back. The prize was a beautifully crafted Coach wallet. Paula Grace had emailed me to ask what color I would like, and naturally, I chose pink!

This wallet is so lovely – the perfect companion to many outfits and handbags. When I received it in the mail, not only was I very excited, but my mind was soaring with all of the outfit possibilities. The bonus? It’s lined with the softest, sweetest lavender. Not a combination that is typically used, but is very charming.

In these images, I am wearing tones of deep blue and black, and have used the wallet as the main source of color. It also looks pretty paired with the softest of pinks, the darkest of grays, and heavenly with aubergine and silver. It can play the main role in the outfit, or beautifully accompany the main piece in the look.
I hope you enjoy this post below, which demonstrates some of the different ways in which to wear pink. From warm pinks with tones of orange, to soft, barely-there samples, to brights, and cool options, there are a vast number of possibilities, depending on your mood, coloring, and style preferences.

Here, pink is classic, tailored…maybe even a bit sassy! It runs the show. If you’re loving this look, think Manhattan, Carrie Bradshaw, tea at the Plaza, classic, vintage-inspired pieces, with a dash of glamorous accessories to complete the look. Breakfast at Tiffany’s, anyone? I’ll bring the coffee!

Here, there is no girly touch left unnoticed. From the oversized bow, to the full, layered skirt, this Christian Lacroix ensemble is the epitome of haute couture. Simple legs and shoes let the dress be the show. The hair design offers a twist to the otherwise voluptuous look. Isn’t that dress spectacular?

Powerful pinks reign here. Combined with layers and umpteen textures, pink has been worked into a Fall/Winter look, seamlessly. Rich jewel tones combine to create an overall statement. Or, alternatively, combined with pearls and metals, softens the otherwise cool look, and brings out a floral/berry appeal. I’m especially loving the deep blue paired with hot magenta!

The sweetest, most feminine and decadent movie that showcases pink? Marie Antoinette of course! From hats, boots, and lips to full dresses, pink plays quite a role. When the ladies aren’t wearing pink, they’re eating pink macaroons, laying in pink bedding, or drinking pink champagne. The height of girly.

It’s easy to add a touch of pink to your outfit! The possibilities are endless -- pretty shoes, a simple belt, a bow, classic bag, or fun array of bangles.

Are you craving some pink now? Here are a few beautiful items for your Christmas list, or the perfect gift for a loved one. (P.S don’t forget your four-legged friend!)

Gift Items:

01 Kate Spade – Plaza Bow Pouch - $145,
02 Kate Spade– Guilia - $325,
03 Kate Spade – Guest - $325,
04 Kate Spade – Have Courage Idiom Bangle - $78,
05 Kate Spade – Take A Chance Idiom Bangle - $78,
06 Kate Spade – Tickled Pink Candle - $48,
07 Kate Spade – Hand in Hand Dog Sweater - $125,
08 Juicy Couture – Studded Neon Collar - $45,

If punchy pink is too much for you, perhaps you’re more drawn to barely-there pinks –the softest and most romantic pink sister of all. Pure elegance.

Whether you are going out, staying in, or just want a pretty pedicure, this soft blush color is most universally flattering and timeless. (think Chloe) Whether you are keeping the whole outfit soft, or using black (or other dark colors) as the grounding element, this subtle color is as gentle in spirit as a lamb.


Why is it that we love pink so much? What is about this color?

Pink evokes so many emotions…passion, happiness, romance, confidence, fun, etc. The list goes on and on.

* It has been proven that pink encourages friendliness while discouraging aggression and ill-will
* From brands like Victoria’s Secret and Juicy Couture, to Laduree, to movie characters, such Elle Woods in “Legally Blonde”, there are many, many positive associations that have been created with the color

What is it about pink that draws you in?

Thank you Sarah for this wonderful post ~ always talented, always informative, always lovely.....

That settles it! If I ever need a stylist, I am flying Sarah in.

Its funny, I wore pink just the other day to a Women in Business Conference ~ I felt happy, confident and people were very friendly just as Sarah says. I wore a black pencil dress, a pink tweed-like blazer, a large pink shell neckless, and black stiletto pumps (hmmm?! ~ black and pale pink ~ just like Sarah's header on her blog :-) The ladies were commenting on the neckless a lot. The one thing I always feel when wearing pink ~ I feel pretty. I love feeling pretty!

Here I am in my black and pink outfit with Vernice Armour ~ America's First African American Female Combat Pilot and currently a motivational speaker. An amazing woman!

Yesterday, Elizabeth Lyons. Today ~ Sarah Klassen and Vernice Armour! I have an amazing women happening here. I think I'll stick to that theme this week.

Stay tuned!

American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity

Today's fashion: Carolina Herrera, Herve Leger, Giorgio Armani

Art Knowledge News Announcement:

NEW YORK, NY.- The spring 2010 exhibition organized by The Costume Institute of The Metropolitan Museum of Art will be American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity, the first drawn exclusively from the newly established Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at the Met. The exhibition, on view from May 5 through August 15, 2010 (preceded on May 3 by The Costume Institute Gala Benefit), will explore developing perceptions of the modern American woman from 1890 to 1940, and how they have affected the way American women are seen today. Focusing on archetypes of American femininity through dress, the exhibition will reveal how the American woman initiated style revolutions that mirrored her social, political, and sexual emancipation. “Gibson Girls” and “Screen Sirens” laid the foundation for today’s American woman – a theme that will be explored in a video installation.

What a wonderful opportunity to see the influences of the age of glamour and its influences today! A trip to NYC seems in order.

Modern Day Cinderella

I have been learning so much about fashion from the blogs I've been reading. There are some really talented bloggers out there who's in the know.... there are also bloggers that have an amazing eye for interpretation ~ The City Sage comes to mind for that. So I decided I'd try my hand at the fashion -> design interpretation with my very own fantasy....

Clearly this is the modern day glass slipper.....

I first came across this hot little shoe number on Apartment #34.....

I'd wear them with this....
I found this first on Design Fabulous.... yes, I know it is a bit much together but it is my fantasy....

I be sipping Dom Pérignon sitting in this room....

I saw this first on his website and then found it again on Made By Girl. This room was designed by, of course, the great Geoffrey Bradfield. He knows how to do glamorous just right.

The clock would strike midnight and I would have to run back to my ~ not so bad home ~ give my daughter a kiss on the check while sleeping and climb in bed next to my loving husband.

I would not, however, lose a shoe. I would never lose that shoe ~ seriously!

So ~ how did I do?