Blissfully Engaged

Badgley Mischka

Monique Lhuillier

Christian Dior

Vera Wang

It has been months since my last post. My excuse: I got engaged; You may be thinking I have spent every dripping waking moment planning my nuptials, but I haven't. We don't even have an official date. We have decided on a long blissful engagement. An engagement filled with love, laughter, fights and trips to foreign countries. The date - date we are thinking late spring 2013. Yes, I said 2013. 

Don't think this 18 month waiting period has slowed down the wedding planning. My mind and I already have the whole shindig planned. From the flowers to to the flavor of cake. (Red velvet, cream cheese frosting yuuuum). I have tried to include my lovely, handsome fiancée in these planning adventures with little success. I get responses like "Oh yeah, and when is this wedding?" and "Sounds pretty. Who's getting married?" or, my personal favorite: "Sounds great, babe, but I'm thinking a 

dinosaur themed wedding!" It is all in good fun, but I am beginning to wonder why the date had to be "next, next summer." 2012 anyone? Truth is I think being engaged is fabulous and am in no rush to get to the serious planning - the planning that includes money and the saving of it.

My wedding daydreams have taken me to the cliffs of fashion excellence and luxury and I have learned something surprising about myself. I thought I was going to be a regal bride, like Grace Kelley. I thought I was going to be a diva bride like Kim Kardashian. But it turns out I am more of the rustic-romantic bride. I am thinking lace, candles, wood and green trees surrounding us. I am thinking dancing to Bruce Springsteen and Louis Armstrong barefoot under the stars with my husband while our guests eat Italian tapas with their hands and indulge on champagne. And there will be buckets of champagne!

This made me realize how special and personal a wedding is. From the font on the wedding invitation, to the color of the bow tying the bridal bouquet together. It is going to be our day.

A wedding being so personal made it hard for me to make my usual, and sometimes snooty fashion opinions. I couldn't say I hate this type of wedding dress or this color is an absolute wedding don't. That should be the brides choice. And all the bridesmaids and mothers of the world should respect that. It is probably going to be on of the most exciting and exhilarating decisions. One I can't wait to make.

That being said the pictures I posted are designs from the bridal heavy weights of the fashion world. A wise man once said, "You want pasta, you go Little Italy; You want wedding you go Wang" and it is hard to argue with Mr. Anthony Marentino.

Color me this

Orange and purple are the for sure it colors for spring! Oh, you already knew that? Well, honestly, how could you have missed it?

I have seen this Gucci color block dress everywhere! From a princess to a Kardashian; from a promotional movie article to a high fashion Vogue Paris cover with Lara Stone. There is nowhere this dress won't go. Is it as fabulous as bloggers and fashion royalty make it out to be?

Apparently this dress is what to wear this summer. But look at all those magazine covers. When has a single dress completely taken over before? Or a single color combination? And I thought it was a fashion taboo to be seen in the same outfit as someone else? What makes this dress special enough for top magazines to have the same cover dress in a span of a few months? It is a great dress, but color me confused.

And can we all remember orange's humble beginnings as Rachael Ray's favorite color? No one saw orange coming even when Rachael Ray put it on everything. From non-stick frying pans, casserovals and moppines to the backs of Kim, Lara and January. Well played, orange. Well played.

Eau De Summer

The infamous Chanel 5

Juicy Couture

Marc Jacobs

Escada

Christian Dior

Chanel

Sarah Jessica Parker

Paris Hilton

Every year I pick out a new fragrance, this is one of my favorite things to do. That smell can bring me back to a lot of special moments, and in a way it sets the tone for each occasion. That is why I like to have a special perfume that I wear on date nights or to parties, and a daily perfume - that I wear, well, daily. Right now my daily perfume is Paris Hilton, yes Paris Hilton and I love it!

Summer 2011 is a special one for me. It marks one year in Norway with challenges beaten and changes ahead. This year I have chosen Gwen Stefani's L.A.M.B. It is a powerful, yet light, floral and citrus scent that lasts all day on your skin. But it is now discontinued...Why? I don't know, because it is fabulous. But thank god for overstock.com!

When choosing your scent - whether it be for special occasions or a daily perfume, make sure it is personal. Perfume smells different on each person and they conform to who you are and become apart of your identity. Just a slight whiff of Sarah Jessica Parker NYC takes me back to last summer when I was moving to Norway and leaving everything I know; Miss Dior Cherie reminds me of my first dates with Michael. Perfumes are better than diaries, better even than pictures. So choose wisely, because it can take you back to that exact moment of pleasure, sorrow  and exhilaration in one light spritz. Close your eyes and indulge in that moment; then you are ready to take on a whole new day.

Spring time for Kate

Wedding photo

Entering the Chruch with Philippa

Lilies of the Valley bouquet

Trees in the church

Grace Kelly and the Prince of Monaco

Kiss on the balcony

The Queen- notice the hats

The Beckhams

Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice

Reception in Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen

Fairytale

 Being in Europe during a Royal wedding is an experience. And yes, did I celebrate! With a champagne brunch complete with quiche (any excuse to drink champagne midday on a weekday). I was excited to see the dress and the flowers and to hear the vows. Kate Middelton wearing a rumor confirming Alexander McQueen gown looked gorgeous - and following the royalty wedding rule had her shoulders and arms covered. Many people thought she'd go for something sleek and modern a'la her Lady in Waiting, sister Philippa's dress - also McQueen, but instead went for a princess gown. I, personally, loved her choice it channeled another royal wedding: that of Grace Kelly and you can NEVER go wrong when imitating her. Absolutely gorgeous. Plus, I thought it suited her nicely, as did the hair and makeup. On her head she was wearing a century old crown borrowed from Grandmother, the Queen; and keeping her veil down for the entire walk up that long aisle was truly romantic.

She walked up an aisle, on her fathers arm, adorned with trees. Trees with leaves of bright green which only captures two feelings: spring and happiness. And in that moment, in that spectacular church, you could see the bride surrounded by spring trees getting emotional - that conspicuous "I'm-getting-married-to-the-man-of-my- dreams-but-don't-cry-you'll-ruin-your-makeup" look and it was gone. Those four minutes up the aisle in Westminster Abbey contained the only glimpse of human emotion.The rest of the ceremony was stern and cold.
But the trees. Oh, the trees. They were my favorite part of the whole wedding. They were refreshing and light and happy in that heavy church. I stopped stone cold mimosa in hand when she walked down the aisle and you could see an aerial view of the church and the trees and her dress and the train. OH MY! Stunning, simply stunning.

Is it English custom, royal custom or not custom at all to wear kooky hats at a wedding? Every time I saw Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice I had to laugh. What in the world were they wearing on their head? And why? Now, Mrs. Victoria Beckham, on the other hand, looked beautiful and something around 9 months pregnant, though you can hardly tell. Wearing her own design and about 6 inch Christian Louboutin platform pumps - no one can rock Louboutin platform pumps when your about to pop like Posh Spice. I even liked her pillbox hat.

Despite the wedding being less than romantic, and the kiss on the balcony being a lame peck it was a gorgeous affair. And moments captured like the one where the, now, Duchess of Cambridge, is getting out of her horse drawn carriage, her Prince (literally) holding her bouquet and her hand for support make you sigh in jealousy and you think: some girls do get a fairytale wedding and her prince too. Bitches.

Beautiful Conscience

H&M

H&M

H&M

American Apparel

American Apparel

Toms

 

 

 

 

The Body Shop

 Global warming. 2012. War. Natural catastrophes. The earth is falling off its axis. With all the serious doomsday talk what's a fashion forward girl to do? Pitch in! The world's population is making amazing steps towards making our world a better, healthier place. Why not be apart of that? Especially since it is so easy to do it and look great!

H&M has just released its Conscious Collection: a slew of delicate, white dresses and other pieces with fabulous lace details made entirely out of organic cotton and recycled polyester. I love this collection. I love the light airy feel of the clothes and the white color and I especially love the lace. Any piece in this collection is a perfect addition to your summer wardrobe.

But H&M is just the most recent addition (and my personal favorite) to the "green" clothing movement. Tom's shoes has a great premise: for each pair of shoes you buy Toms gives a pair to a child in need. With lots a simple classic looks to crazy, dare I say hipster-ish designs, there is something for everyone. I know I am going to buy a pair of Toms wedges to prance all around Oslo in and I cannot wait.

American Apparel has always been morally conscious in its clothing making - all their pieces were made in the United States by fairly paid employees, but their efforts don't stop there. They are also fighting for equal rights amongst the gay and immigrant communities. They also have their own line of organic clothing. If you dare to be that fashion forward...

From everything to Lindex's organic underwear to The Body Shops biodegradable Earth Lovers body wash in delicious flavors like Apricot and Basil (don't knock til you smell it) there has to be something for everyone and there better be! So put on your organic dress and your Toms wedges and take out the recycling.

It doesn't get better

Christian Louboutin

Coach

Ann Taylor

Toms

H&M

Louboutin

Chanel

... then feeling the cool summer breeze blowing up your floral print dress, while showing off your sexy tan legs, wearing a pair of wedges. This summer season that feeling will be easy to achieve. With a plethora of different styles and colors it should be easy as peach pie to find a wedge that fits your style.

I have always loved the natural, brown wedge and have a pair I bought for $15 that have lasted me more than 5 years (still haven't found a pair I like better - except for maybe those last Louboutin wedges). I am feeling, though, I might need something new - I love the green pair from H&M  - they are fun, flirty and give off a way cool 1970s vibe. I can picture myself wearing a cool summer dress, a classic trench and those green H&M heels. Makes me all warm and fuzzy inside! The black and white Ann Taylor wedge would be a great way to spice up the traditional spring, floral look; or even add to it.

Whatever you chose, whether it be, my favorite, the traditional, natural wedge - or the green 70s look you are bound to look great this summer, because nothing makes you feel better than the heat on your skin, a tan on your body and a great, great heel. Just as long as it isn't the wedge from Chanel's summer 2011 line - and here I was thinking you could never go wrong with Chanel. Ever.