Tag Archive | designer

A museum and a martini…

A perfect NYC day…
It started with a visit to the Guggenheim Museum to peruse their current exhibit, Picasso Black & White.
It culminated in a quaint UES bar with a delicious pear & cinnamon martini.

Drawing on the days planned adventure I used Picasso’s black and white theme as a basis for my outfit colour palette.

Cardigan – Calvin Klein
Top – BCBGMaxazria
Jeans – DL1961
Shoes – Peep Toe
Bag – Chanel

While I have to admit not all Picasso works are created equal, I did want to share two of my favourite pieces from the exhibit with you.
From the very beautiful to the very disturbing, the collection displayed is incredible viewing.

Now if only I was one of those fortunate enough to have a Picasso in my private collection…
|Ev xo

Thanksgiving

Nov22

With Thanksgiving being this week my children reflected on what things they are thankful for.

While I am not as crafty, I most certainly have a very long list of what makes me thankful.
Please allow me to indulge and share just a few of the things I would like to say Thank You for.

I am thankful to my husband – who loves the grumpy Ev, the tired Ev, the spends too much money on shoes Ev… and every other Ev that makes an appearance. Thank you.

I am thankful for my gorgeous children – who bring me the kind of joy that even the prettiest Christian Louboutin shoes can’t compete with. Thank you.

I am thankful for my parents – who picked up their lives when I was young and moved to give me the best life possible. Thank you.

I am thankful for my extended family – while the miles across countries do separate us, they do not diminish the bond we share. Thank you.

I am thankful for the friends in my life – who have helped me in hard times, laughed in the good times, helped me adjust in the new times, and shared some fairly wild times. Thank you.

I am thankful for the freedom to make choices – that I have always lived in countries where a woman has the right to voice an opinion and make her own choices. Thank you.

I am thankful for the opportunity to live my dream and move to NY – and to everyone who helped and supported my efforts towards the big move. Thank you.

I am thankful for my first NY Thanksgiving – for my NY friends who cooked the amazing feast I just ate, thank you.

Thankful for my US inspired wardrobe.
Outfit was: J.Crew skirt, Red top (old and not sure where from) and Christian Louboutin heels.

Happy Thanksgiving, and let the eating continue with leftovers tomorrow!!

|Ev xo

Planes, trains and Jimmy Choo’s

Nov17

My four-foot-nothing height has lead me to constantly seek that extra few inches.
So I live in heels. I can walk, jog, run, climb, cook, clean – you name it, and I could do it in heels.

Now there is a difference between being able to do something in heels – and wanting to.
I don’t particularly want to travel in them. I certainly do not, I repeat DO NOT, want to wear my precious heel on the NYC subway.

Pretty shoes, such pretty shoes, in the smelly, dirty subway. NO NO NO NO NO.
Shoes are like a work of art to me. I cannot and will not walk around carelessly destroying their delicate designs, scratching my favourite red soles.
I mean I did on occasion. Believe me I was not happy about it. I needed a solution to keep me sane on my daily subway ride to and from work.

If I was to be caught wearing flats, they better be pretty. Seriously.
Jimmy Choo flats – enter stage left. Gorgeous, comfortable and practical for the subway.

They have however had their time and I have literally worn them to death.

Ripped backs, lost JC plate, lost flower on one….
Goodbye to my Choo.

Obviously the proof of subway dangers lies in my unwearable Choo’s. But what now? Which shoe can replace my travel companion?
So some new choices need to be made.

Pigalove Black Patent/Silver Strass Flats
$1,595

Jimmy Choo WHIRL
Textured Glitter Leather Ballet Flats

Jimmy Choo WEBER
Suede and Crystal Ballet Flats
$550

Vera Wang Lavender
Jeweled Ballerina Flats
$275

Vince Camuto Evella Flat
$109.95

Gucci Logo Ballet Flats
$495

What do you think?

|Ev xo

Glamour’s Women Of The Year

Nov13

Last night was the 22nd Glamor’s Women Of The Year Awards, held at Carnegie Hall.
There are only a handful of other times in my life that have left such a strong impression on me.

This amazing 2hr celebration of outstanding women was (at a huge understatement) an emotional rollercoaster.
I was thrilled, excited, amazed, inspired, horrified and devastated.

The stories that were shared moved me no end.
They were as diverse as they were inspiring.
Athletes, architects, pop stars and fashion folk. Not going to lie, just being in the same room as Anna Wintour made me stop breathing momentarily. SUCH A FAN.

Beautiful women graced the stage with remarkable tales. Tales of perseverance, heroism and more guts than I can even fathom.
Selena Gomez (youngest US UNICEF Ambassador ever), Annie Leibovitz (no one takes a photo like her – question though, who photographs her? Pressure much…), Zaha Hadid (affectionately known as the Gaga of architecture), Jenna Lyons (Creative Director of J.Crew) just to name a few.

Waterproof mascara was definitely needed throughout the courageous stories of triumph in horrifying circumstances.

Erin Merryn who refused to stay quiet and accept sexual abuse, and then not only save herself and her sister but start a crusade to change American legislation and ensure that children are taught that child abuse is not ok, and to speak up.
Having two girls of my own, this is close to my heart and scares the living daylights out of me. I admire Erin so much for doing everything in her power to protect children from going through the horror she had to endure.

Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy who is helping women suffering from acid attacks in places of the world where a woman has no rights. Giving them support, and a voice. A voice to be heard, when they are being told to stay silent. Her Oscar winning documentary Saving Face, tells the story of such brutal torture.

More information of these incredible women, and how to contribute to the fund at Glamour.

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A star studded event with an inspirational message to all women.
Go grab your heels and get your dreams or change the world, one person at a time.

|Ev xo

Winter Wonderland

Nov11

Snow storm Athena covered NY and it’s surrounds in some beautiful snow.

Yes, the tourist in me was jumping up and down with delight as I saw snow flakes outside my window late Wednesday afternoon – meanwhile my co-workers looked at me and sighed. The sight of fresh snow did not hold the same dreamlike fairytale connotations for them, as they are accustomed to such sights and the implications for travel etc.

What is it about snow though?
The beautiful white covering makes everything appear magical.
I wanted to break out in spontaneous Christmas songs (we all know that snow equals Santa, come on now), and the snow-covered street lamps taking me back to far off magical lands like Narnia – ok am I off on a tangent now?

All this white did reinvigorate my love for the colour.
Fall, winter – sure who cares, you can wear white.

I know there are those who question white in the colder months. I for one say embrace.
OK so maybe not white jeans if it’s pouring out, however there are plenty of nice fall/winter days where white items can be a key feature of your outfit.

Below are some items that I am now salivating over.

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|Ev xo

Headband Heaven

Oct25

The LV S/S-13 show – where beautiful headbands came to be reborn.

There were many things I wanted from the Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 13 show – and can we just reflect for a moment on the featured carousel!!!

Seriously though, all down the LV runway we witnessed beautiful girls strutting with equally beautiful satin bow headbands. This season LV Hair was ALL about the headband.

It was classic…cute…girly. It would work on long hair, short hair, mid-length hair.
Dress it up, make is casual. It just works with everything.
To quote Veruca Salt “I don’t’ care how, I want it NOW”. Preferably in every color.

While I have no problem spending a few thousand dollars on a LV bag – the thought of spending an exorbitant amount on these headbands – whilst beautiful – did leave me feeling conflicted.

That said, I am all for channeling Blair (circ. season 1-2 especially) of Gossip Girl–

“I did not buy this at Walmart”

So… here are some of my fave and more affordable solutions…

(1) Gap, Red Satin Bow Headband $5.99
(2) Johnny Loves Rosie, Flat Bow Navy Polka-dot Headband $35.18
(3) L.Erickson, Double Loop Bow Headband, $24
(4) Sonia Rykiel, Green Acetate Headband $58.93
(5) Henri Bendel, No. 7 Enamel Headband, $28
(6) L.Erickson, Two-Tier Coco Bow Headband, $43.95

Go forth, and may the headband love your hair as much as we love it.

|Ev xo

Cuckoo for Coco (Chanel that is)

Oct18

SO – i feel like the world may have just spun off it’s axis….. not even joking.
I just encountered my first negative Chanel experience.

It’s ok ladies. Take a deep breath and have a calming Chamomile tea.
I can get through this.

Obsessed. The key word to describe my feelings for Chanel.
L-O-V-E the “double C” – i mean who doesn’t? No really – who? (furrowing brow in anger)

Then there is Karl, we’re on as first name basis… and don’t even get me started on the bags. I want each and every one.

My new Chanel Inimitable Intense mascara, delightful – the lip-gloss sample i received from the lovely lady at the counter, just gorgeous.
Everything they do is amazing. Elegant. Classic.

So you can see my conundrum when today the experience was devastating.
The mission was to find a BOLD lip color for this evening’s festivities – outfit was planned, this was the final piece of the evening puzzle.
After a robust conversation regarding bold pink versus bold oxblood tones, my friendly sales associate and I landed a striking Levres Scintillantes in Myriad.
Great, happy shopper departed the store only to discover (an hour later when sharing my newly found love of daring lip-gloss with a friend) that what was placed into my goodie bag was in fact a nude colored gloss. UMMM WHAT?
Racing back to the store (remember, this is an important piece to outfit completion for this evening) down a windy 7th Avenue – no coat – bumping into crowds.
I made it back to the counter, unable to find my original sales lady. After capturing the attention of another retail assistant I was informed they were sold out of that color.

SERIOUSLY??????????????????

So my outfit may now be ruined – and not sure I am able to make it to dinner.
Does this stop me being cuckoo for Coco??
Let’s be honest, NO. The reason it was sold out is because their products ARE SO GOOD!!
I must continue on and find solace in a different lip color for the evening.

I will leave you with a few parting words from Coco herself.

“Fashion changes, but style endures.”
– Coco Chanel

Chanel love forever.
|Ev xo

Celebrating Columbus Day on 5th Avenue

Oct9

When in Rome do as the Romans do – right?!?!
It would have been inexcusable not get amongst the spirit, and celebrate Columbus Day (I really had no excuse as it was a work free day for me).
So I did it in the best way I knew how – the all american way with the Columbus Day Parade on 5th Avenue! What is more American than a parade?

The outfit I selected for such an important day?
Zara faux fur vest (it was cold!!!!), 7 For All Man Kind jeans, black Ralph Lauren ankle boots and my cherished Chanel handbag.

It wasn’t just about the phenomenal shopping on this famous New York street – I am pleading the fifth and continue to maintain I went with ALL good intentions to simply watch the annual Columbus Day Parade and then accidentally tripped and fell into Saks, Banana Republic and Armani Exchange (just to name a few)….

I walked out of Saks a woman obsessed.
Obsessed and determined that (before the year is out) I will be the proud owner of the limited edition Chanel embellished logo cuff bracelet and some Christian Louboutin Vampanodo Satin and Suede Bow platform sandals – EPIC!!!!!!!!

At $1,900 for the Chanel cuff and $1000 for the shoes, I don’t think my husband or my bank manager are going to be very impressed with a certain shopaholic.
Maybe Santa could be ever so kind????

The loot I ended up with? Well, let’s just say I did ok, but that is for another post.
For now, I’m off to dream of satin bows and intertwined C’s instead…
Goodnight to all.

|Ev xo

Hair Affair

Sep19

The relationship we have with our hair can only be described as an affair to remember.
We remember our good hair days (and those pictures are sure to be plastered all over facebook), shudder at the bad and are in a constant pursuit of the glamorous.

Las time I stepped outside the comfort zone of a trim was traumatic – to say the least.
The entire office had been walking around like models from their visits to a resident hair guru – I was not so lucky.
After waiting weeks for an appointment to this hair genius, it was finally my turn. My creative brief was clear “Shorter, easy to manage as I don’t even have the time to commit to a weekly episode of Gossip Girl – let alone daily styling”.
The hairspray in the air had obviously impaired his hearing as what I left the chair with was nothing short of a mullet in reverse – that needed an hour long regime before you could even think about leaving the house (and even then…)
I still need remedies for anxiety just thinking about it — it has only been two years after all.

Last night I placed trust in new hairdresser. I ventured to Meatpacking to Bumble & Bumble.

Long hair, short hair, layered hair, colored hair, straightened hair, curled hair – all these choices we are faced with when we head into the salon.
Not to mention the prep work needed before you head into a nice salon – let’s be honest, these people are stylists, you don’t want them looking at your ensemble with “THAT” look…

Early preparation is vital – given I was heading directly to my hair appointment from work the outfit had to be an all day one.
I landed on yellow Karl Lagerfeld jeans (the rain and yesterday’s gray weather ain’t keeping these babies hidden in a closet), black top, black Calvin Klein bolero and Ralph Lauren ankle boots.
Not terrible for a 6am wardrobe decision…

One last thing to balance is the husband request and constant battle of short Vs long hair.
If I had my way, my hair would be short and blonde (Reese Witherspoon circa Sweet Home Alabama), if my husband had his way it would more closely resemble Botticelli’s Venus…
Can there be a happy medium?? We will soon find out.

Bumble & Bumble was amazing.
My stylist was friendly without being over bearing and guided me through my hair cut choices and the balancing act between short and long hair.
The salon decor was gorgeous and the surrounding views spanning lower Manhattan breathtaking.

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Ahhhh….. I’ve found my hairdresser in NY.
LOVE this place – will be back for sure!

|Ev xo