Christmas dresses tend to be a little less edgy than New Year’s Eve frocks. I also like to spend a bit more on standing out.
The party dress that has me dying is by Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti. A brand known for being fresh, while still being sophisticated and refined.
This satin brocade, strapless dress is brilliant. The punch of pink on top of grey! And the best part was that it is ultra sexy on it’s own, but then after NYE you can get more mileage with layering and playful combos.
“A holiday dress used to be enough, but now it’s just a starting point because people are really layering their dressing,” Ms. Easley of Kirna Zabête said. “The dress that goes to a holiday party on Thursday night might go to the office on Friday with a pair of leggings and Lanvin flat boots, or with a Balenciaga turtleneck under it.” [Source: NY Times].
I can’t believe a year has flown by!
Thank you for being loyal readers of The It Lists. Your letters and comments make it all worth while: How a busy mom devours my latest season’s trend list, and makes it her own personal shopping list. Or to hear how I helped you find that "perfect" lip gloss that you now can’t live without.
I love sharing my favorite things and to hear how you make them yours too.
The It Lists will be on holidays until the first week of 2008.
Happy Holidays! Felize Navidad (because of my love of Bony M’s Xmas)! Shelley
Winter means Christmas social circuit, and also lots of cocooning at home to ponder your decor. We live in a loft with these huge walls beaconing for the art my budget hasn’t (yet) let me buy.
I’ve thought of wallpaper, but that hurt my head more than my budget. So the compromise is Surface Collective’s removable wall tattoos (‘stencils’ for the less hip).
Swirls of design, pussy willows, or origami storks - all work on walls, windows, or mirrors. I love the idea of tone on tone decals for the more subtle, but that gold metallic would look sold in the den. Hmmmm.
Order at Yaletown Sofa Company or check out the online catalogue.
Bras are like good men: they’re hard to come by, but once you find the one, you stick with it for life. Spanx’s Bra-Llelujah ($34) can be a constant companion for you.
Unlike sexy bras that aren’t functional, this first-ever all-hosiery bra is super comfortable, has no wires, and provides full support. But that’s not what sets it apart.
.
Red and green…yes, they are uber traditional colors for this time of year, but wearing red and green really helps me get into the spirit of the season.
Take some cues from Christina and Maria when picking out your red or green holiday dress…
.
Q: If not born with a long swan like neck, can you wear boatneck / funnel necklines? Obviously these necklines don’t visually elongate the neck as V necklines do, right?
A: If ur neck is on the short side, V necklines and deep scoop necklines are the most figure flattering. Boatneck necklines also work pretty well, but funnel necklines and turtlenecks aren’t your friend. The one exception to the rule: you can wear turtlenecks with oversized, drapey necklines–the verticality of the oversized drape tricks the eye into thinking your neck is longer than it actually is.
Pictured: Long Sleeve Cowlneck Sweater | $88 at Banana Republic.
Style IT puts the spotlight on Chanel Eyewear - both specs and shades. With none other than glam, super model Christy Turlington.
Born in Italy - raised in Colorado, this month’s “it” girl is Amy Adams. She’s the new princess of comedy to drama.
Last month she charmed the box office and McDreamy in Enchanted. You might recognize her from Catch Me If You Can or spoiled sis in the wedding date, but the role to watch will be her next drama.
Julia Roberts and & Tom Hanks dub their co-star as the ‘one to watch’ in Charlie Wilson’s War.
She’s quirky!! And that in itself is part of her beauty and vibrant personality stamping around Hollywood.
Adams sports, “I have worked with some of the meanest people in the world. You can’t do anything to intimidate me.” Okay so she’s feisty too. That makes her an “it” girl.
Pick a color any color, as long as it’s green (or grey).
The Color Marketing Group Conference was recently held in Tampa. For 40 years these color afficianatos have been meeting and dissecting color trends - predicting what we will see on phones to frocks, and cars and carpets.
Because of its environmental roots green will continue to be the eco-signature leading color trends for 2008. Traditional muted shades for background neutrals, brighter leafy green and citrus shade for vibrant accents.
And if you are really paying attention to “the color” of this season (and next) - Grey. You’ll notice it’s not the usual mix of black and white, but rather complex and soft. There are deeper greens and browns in our new greys. It’s also a reason why green goes so nicely with them.
I kept on noticing these gorgeous flashes of bright Chinese silk, framed in silver and dangling from the necks of fellow gals on the same Christmas social circuit. Not one to shy from gushing my praise and asking where something is from I received the same answer: Shi Studio.
Teal rectangles, royal blue dragons, red ovals. Oh my.
Shi (pronouced "she") , means poetic expression in Chinese and is a collaborative evolution of ideas and aesthetic. Shi Studio is the creation of glass artist, Cory Judge and accessories designer, Honor Cienska.
Shi Studio jewelry is of the many highlights of Fashion Forward Canada, an online fashion boutique dedicated to emerging indie fashion. A collective of indie designers passionate about and committed to creating global awareness of Canadian style and originality. Also check out: Sans Soucie, Amber Jewellery, and Nicole Bridger.
Need to work off Christmas turkey and baking? But don’t want to fight the gym crowds that all have the same idea.
About 5 years ago I discovered the “adult’ benefits of hoola-hooping when I bought a kooky gift of “his and her” hoops as a wedding present. It thought the glittery rings were so fun I got one for me too - and with just 10 minutes a night in under two months I’d knocked 1.5” of my waist. Serious!
The rockin’ ring works your rear, burns fat and speeds up your metabolism. For hoola help there’s the first in a series of "How To" flip books by new Aussie publisher RayPress, How to Hoola. Or even better check out the DVD series and special hoops from Hoopnotica or Hoopgirl. You’ve not seen hoola like this!
And if you become a real hoola-hoop addict there’s a whole fan site on the trend.
Source [Image]
Give yourself a hand this season with a pair of long gloves - the decadent accessory this season. It just goes to show you that luxe details are a staple for your accessory wardrobe this season.
Extra-long, and extra chic long gloves are in every toasty fabric from cashmere to suede and leather, but don’t forget shiny satin to style up your LBD evening affair. These casual knits are French Connection $28
Considering that many of the coats and sweaters of the season have 3/4 length sleeves, gloves add a fantastic accent because you can actually see them and they also fend of the cold.
Quick tips for wearing your arm candy like a pro:
* Add life to dark grey, brown and black jackets with long gloves in a rich moss green.
* Don’t show skin slivers between your glove and sleeve. The best fit should reach the elbow.
* Match the color of your glove and your sweater or jacket and you’ll create a long, slim line. Monochromatic Rule 101.
* Search around - this trend comes at every budget to splurge price tag.
Before one of the best things about a Vancouver-based fashion chain, was it’s name: SPANK.
Spank’s always been great for Canadian designers (like one of my favs - Chulo Pony). And now it’s added a fourth location all about shoes: Spank Shoes. If you’re looking for a value option to local Gravity Pope, but 
still want something funky then you’ve just scored!
Spank Shoes is the newest offering of interestingly unique footwear for shop-a-holics. Or shoe-a-holics, for that matter. They offer designer brands such as Jeffery Campbell, Seychelles, Poetic License, and London Underground.
I recently scooped up two-tone brown & black pair of Marcs. No their not Marc, by Marc Jacobs - rather a German line. Soft leather, Euro-style.
And don’t forget to check out vegan, Matt &Nat bags while you’re there.
Spank Shoes
2003 West. 4th Ave, Vancouver, BC Pic: Seychelle’s One Night Only
To get some true you time, you’re taking a weekend escape to a friend’s cabin up in Lake Tahoe.
I started you off with this Floral Crochet Hat ($28) because it’s a cute topper and will keep your head cozy. Be sure to check out all the Winter escape Fab Finds.
.
You gotta admit…with the rising price of gas and everything else, your bank account may not be as fat this year as it was last year.
But just because you don’t have a lot of green doesn’t mean you have to be a Scrooge…just check out all of the great holiday gifts under $25 at LeFashionista!
Kahri “Rock to the Roll” Boyshorts, $16
.
Canvas is the New Plastic Tote Bag Make a stylish (and green) statement with this eco-friendly canvas tote bag.
$19.99 at Doane Paper.
According to Style Crunch, the Jeweler Tiffany & Co recently announced that it has formed a strategic alliance with the world’s largest watch maker, Swatch.
The combined new Tiffany/Swatch duo have sealed the deal with a 20 year contract.
The Christmas social circuit has me in full swing. Five schmoozy events in two days, and armed with either husband or Nicole as my "martini-mates." ‘Tis the season!
Actually at the Louis Vuitton party, it was properly Champagne in order, which was just as well because of a little mishap that involved some luggage. Thank God, L.V. is vinyl! And the champagne also made it that much more fun to try on baubles and purses.
Our pick of the nite….the Nimbus PM handbag named after Mount Olympus in gorgeous lamb leather. Note: Not to be spilled on.
Ever thrown a favorite wool sweater into the washer only to have it come out the perfect size for your pet chihuahua? Welcome to felting!
When not done by accident, felt making can create some fashion treasures that are anything but wooly disasters. Felt is having a renaissance in furniture and pushing into other realms of fashion. Form-fitted hats and skirts - to your, um, iPod.
A super hip, German company: Red Maloo has matched 100% wool felt with kimono function. Their laptop wallet, called m-1, they’re like security blankets, using velcro to snugly wrap Apple Macs or even Vaios (15”). Unfolded, the m-1 makes a protective mat and mousepad.
Another german-based designer, Illu Stration, hosts tactile felt furnishings acessories. How cool are these leaf pillows, and funky carpets?!
Following the “It’s Not A Plastic Bag” trend (only one of ‘the’ most buzzed about eco-fashion find) there are more reusable bags than ever. But the problem is that I never remember to take the darn thing with me.
Solution - Flip & Tumble because they make it so easy to always have an extra bag with you. The bag has a roomy shoulder strap and folds into a convenient teeny, tiny ball.
When I first found these they were low on stock on my fav brown, but now they’re so popular they’re all out of stock! But you can reserve now and they’ll start shipping Dec 13.
Christmas Online-Ordering Advice: Done stress yourself about delivery coming in time. If it does great, if not just print off a picture of it and slap that in a card. Then give the real deal whenever it does arrive.
Want it.
RSS
