Perfect Peplum

A recent trend which we are currently loving is peplum. It’s flirty and feminine and when worn correctly, extremely flattering. It reminds me of the styles from the 40’s and 50’s when the hourglass figure of a woman’s body was celebrated and regarded as sexy.  I find that as I'm getting older, I'm adopting classic fashion philosophies of the past.  Instead of hiding my figure under shapeless garments I now find myself wearing things that accentuate the smallest part of my body {my waist}.  A peplum top is actually one of my favorites to wear out to dinner since it also conveniently conceals a full tummy! The key to wearing peplum is making sure that whatever you pair it with on the bottom is either tapered or fitted to show off the rest of your shape.  I recently purchased this Zara peplum top in red {shown in white, left insert below}, and I am in love because the neckline is very flattering.  I also got a black one from Topshop {no. 3} which has become my go-to when I don’t know what to wear with my skinny jeans at night! I think it’s fun to wear a great necklace with any peplum top that has a higher neckline. Peplum can also be found on skirts, jackets and dresses {Zara insert below, obsessed} and can dramatize your look instantly.

1. Alice + Olivia Andrea Silk Peplum top

2.  Topshop Bonded Lace Peplum top

3. Topshop Sleeveless Peplum top

4. Burberry Gabardine Studded Shoulder Peplum Jacket

5. Topshop Sleeveless Boucle Peplum top 

6. Alice + Olivia Roset Peplum Skirt

7. Zara Leather Peplum Jacket 

8. Givenchy Canvas Peplum Jacket

9. Alexander McQueen Leather Peplum Skirt

What do you think of the peplum look?

SMW 2012

Yesterday marked the beginning of Social Media Week in Los Angeles, and we are so excited to be a part of a fashion panel tomorrow from 3:30-5:00pm at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood discussing how Social Media has changed fashion! We would love to meet you! For more information click here.

Weekend Faves

Last Saturday I woke up with a smile on my face as the fog set in that morning.  An absolutely perfect way to commence the first day of Fall {probably one of my favorite days of the year}.  A day trip to Morro Bay and Cambria on Sunday really set in the Fall mood as we drove through wine country and beyond with tall Pine trees half hidden by the low fog clouds. Friday night wasn't too shabby either: Painting lessons with good friends, wine tasting, cheese and charcuterie bites. Perfection!

{ Array of wine to select from at The Painted Cabernet }

{ Charcuterie plate that went nicely with my wine and painting }

{ It's no Monet, but hey not bad }

{ Outfit on Sunday, Joie blouse, Forever21 skirt, DKNY Opaque tights, Pour La Victoire booties (old), House of Harlow Necklace, Dior sunnies (sold out, similar here) }

{ Baubles of the day: JCrew, Vintage, Charriol, Martha Calvo snakecuff }

{ Entrance to the Jackson Ranch }

Saddle-up

1. All Saints Damisi Boot

2. All Saints Bonny Cuban Boot

3. Steve Madden Madhouse Bootie

4. Steve Madden Tyrantt Boot

5. Zara Gold Embroidered Ankle Boot

6. Valentino Rockstud Leather Bow Ankle Boots

7. Zara Cowboy Ankle Boot

8. Valentino Ascot Boot

9.  Vince Camuto Wenters Boot

Hi. My name is Noelle and I’m a bootaholic.

Really, it’s true.  I am obsessed with boots.  I don't think there has been a time I have seen a pair of boots I did not like. Motorcyle, cowboy, short, tall, wedge, slouchy, suede, leather…you name it and I’ve had it at one point or another. I remember one hot Valley Summer whenever I would go out at night I would wear shorts or mini skirts with high boots. I’d like to think that was my signature look at the time {and the tacky trend when I was 17}. Now that I’m older {and know better} my style has become fine tuned and refined, yet I still find a way to incorporate boots into my looks.  A recent trend I am loving but had to train myself to get used to, are short booties.  You know that effortless look Kate Bosworth and Sienna Miller had as they rocked these Chloe boots?  Well, as that style grew on me more and more, I realized I may need to invest in those shoes.  Good thing for you, we found the exact same version for a fourth of the price {No. 3}; total manrepeller shoes though!  I love how they look on other people with a skirt, dress or when paired with leggings or skinny jeans. They’re versatile and often can take you from day to night. For me, boots give that instant edge I crave while still being able to wear something girly. My favorite go to boot that I own in black and brown is the All Saints Damisi Boot {No. 1}. If you are looking for some good quality sturdy cool-looking boots, I highly suggest checking out All Saints. They give the vintage worn in look and I have worn mine countless times and they hardly show any wear! Another thing I love on boots right now are details and studs {No. 6}.  I am lusting over these from Jeffrey Campbell but I found a similar and cheaper {woo hoo!} version from Steve Madden, here. Talk about parallel universe! 

 {Jeffrey Campbell // Steve Madden }

What kind of boots are you excited for this Fall?

FNO @ Kelly Wearstler

For as long as I can remember I have been a fan of Kelly Wearstler’s work as an interior designer so imagine my excitement when she started designing clothes and jewelry! September 6th was the annual Fashion’s Night Out, and this year I happened to be in LA instead of NY. I was thrilled to attend Kelly Wearstler’s FNO event at her beautiful store on Melrose. Upon entering the gorgeous space, you can immediately tell that a true interior decorator designed the entire space. Every detail was thoroughly planned and thought out to reflect her unique and dynamic aesthetic. Manicure stations were set up throughout the store with champagne and mini Pressed Juicery beverages which were in abundance! Kelly herself was there {I was too shy to ask for a picture with her…regretting it now!}. I absolutely loved seeing her clothing collection.  One of my favorite looks were these bright green tuxedo pants paired with a simple black and white tank and a scarf. I love that she mixed patterns, something that's on my list of new things to try. The pattern on the tank was small polka dots and the pattern on the scarf was a larger graphic black and white print {see photo below}. All of her pieces feel timeless and you can easily mix them with current items you have in your wardrobe! Check out her blog and website for more inspiration!

What shops did you go to on FNO?

{ And, that's a wrap }

Last Thursday commenced the hectic yet oh-so glamorous series of weeks where bloggers, fashionistas, editors, and designers alike gather to swoon over the Spring 2013 jaw dropping collections around the world.  Also known as Fashion Week, it's NYC that kicks off the snazzy event then the ripple effect worldwide takes place with London, Milan, Paris and Tokyo following suit.  For now, NYC Fashion week takes front and center with attendees sashaying into the Lincoln Center with their most stylish outfit and most coveted bags; let's not forget the drool-worthy shoes. And although we aren't there to enjoy the amazing shows, at least I have a front row seat via laptop! Being a fashion design student myself, I love to study the new collections for the upcoming seasons and see the inspiration behind each one. The creativity is endless and it never ceases to amaze me and enlighten my own aesthetic. Here were some of my favorite collections: 

BCBG

{ Loving the delicate edge that the leather harness mixed with lace gives each look }

 Bibhu Mohapatra

{ These evening gowns are stunning }

 Holmes & Yang

{Debut collection by Katie Holmes & her stylist Jeanne Yang.   I'm loving the simple/chic looks}

 Mara Hoffman

{ Ethnic prints and a vibrant color palate is what rocked the runway for this collection }

 Milly

{ Each piece is genius!  Lace blazer, leather shorts and metallic skirt for Spring? Yes please } 

  Rachel Zoe

{ Move over purses because RZ did it again, bringing the Fanny pack back! How chic is that belt?!}

  Skaist Taylor

{ The second their 10 year non-compete agreement with Liz Claiborne was over, the original Juicy girls were right back in the game with their newest clothing line, Skaist Taylor }
{ Images via TheCut.com }

Although I go weak in the knees for Fall and Winter clothing, I have to say I'm quite excited for Spring 2013 in my closet!  Who was your favorite at NY Fashion Week this year?

Summer days, drifting away...

So, the vacation's over and as the jet lag sinks in, I can't help but reminisce over the past two weeks without a smile on my face.  It was quite amazing.  Here are some snapshots of it all!  Hope you enjoy. From left to right:

1. Enjoying some Armenian dishes at a restaurant in Istanbul called Jash {which means "food" in Armenian}

2. My hubby and I at a posh lounge called Chi Lai

3. Turkish delight at the Spice Market

4.  View from the Galata Tower

5. Galata Tower

6. Personal chai {tea} deliveries at the Grand Bazaar from store to store #amazing

7. Spices at the Spice Market

8. Outfit of the night

9. Reunited with my bestie

10.  Ruins in Side, Antalya {south of Turkey}

11. Me @ the top of the Galata Tower

12. Inside the Women's quarters of the Sultan's Hammam {Turkish bath}

13. Stunning ceiling of the Hagia Sophia 

14. The calm before the storm, entrance to the Grand Bazaar 

15. A well-deserved bite into an amazing kebab wrap @ Drumzade {Istanbul's best kept secret}

16. Rooftop drinks at Nu Teras

17. Daily breakfast at the Tomtom Suites Hotel

18. My Alexander McQueen clutch birthday gift from my husband

19. Us three

20. Beachside with parasailing and jet skiing in full view

21. Blue Mosque

22. Bosphorus cruise and bridge to the Asian side of Turkey

23. Breakfast with a view each morning

24. Breathtaking view of Duden Waterfall in Antalya