take that project runway

some of my favorite looks from spring haute couture fashion week

{givenchy above & below}

{chanel above & below}

has anyone noticed that the work produced by the contestants on project runway this year has been dreadful?  let's step it up, people!

you can't embarrass yourself in front of nina garcia...

quite the faux pas!

p.s. come visit my tumblr this weekend for added inspiration!

photos via coutorture

katie + mike

katie & mike are getting married in march.

they're from la, but live in ny, very happily together.

i've never seen such a beautiful engagement shoot.

the photographer totally captured their love & affection for each other.

katie is also one of my best friends.

...so their story begins...

xoxoxo

photos by the talented di bezi photographers

visit their site here

magic beans in her pocket, gold coins in her hand

Do you ever find yourself stuck on a certain group of images?

You know you love them because you bookmark them & revisit.

The magic exuded by these is intoxicating.

You?

Night Fever

Numero 97, October 2008

Photographer: Camilla Akrans

Model: Shannan Click

via Icon_ology

Online Shopping: Spring Handbags

{linea pelle, vanessa large leather hobo, $495}

Hello everyone! I hope you've enjoyed reading the guest blog posts while I

was away. These bloggers really brought their all to my little space

on the web and I can't thank them enough!

So, New York welcomed us back home from Hawaii with open arms

and freezing cold temperatures. Today brought strong winds and heavy rain.

To fight the winter doldrums, I figured I could shout profanities into the wind...

or just browse online for beautiful spring handbags.

Your choice...

First I bring you the best of the nudes. Moderately priced and VERY functional

(my top two requirements for bag obsessions):

{marc by marc jacobs, petal to the metal mevie messenger bag, $498}

{olivia harris, studded ball hobo, $495}

{juicy couture, lock it larchmont, $378}

{marc by marc jacobs, classic q hillier hobo, $398}

Next up, the neutral shades of brown:

{alexander wang, donna leather hobo, $795}

{tano, all aflutter satchel, $310}

{marc by marc jacobs, new q lil riz, $448}

I found these bags online at sites such as Saks.com & Piperlime.com.

However, if you browse the web, you can find the best prices at various independent shoppes.

Happy hunting!

Shopping with Miss Jenn

Hello gorgeous!

Ms. Jenn of {Bits of Beauty} filling in today. Now, if you know anything about me, you might be surprised by this: I'm not one for New Years resolutions. However, this year I'm going for it. One of my resolutions? I am cutting down on my shopping dramatically and am selling a whole huge pile of stuff. But, I will allow some splurges... {C'mon, I blog about beautiful things and fashion. I need a little wiggle room!}

First up, shoes. Actually, just booties and flats. I don't own very many flats or boots {2 pairs of each, to be exact.} I have sworn not to buy any shoes over $100 for at least 6 months. I've been lusting after these since they first graced my feet, but they were $148. They are so exquisite, comfortable, and well... just look at them!

Well, they are finally on sale. Yipee! Mine, mine, mine...

Next up, legwear. Leggings and tights of all kinds to wear with dresses and long tunics. I've always been hesitant about this; I've got a big ol' cuban booty and thighs to match. I tried the look last year on a trip to boston and have been incorporating legwear into my looks since. It changes an outfit completely!

Last, hats. Like legwear, this is an outfit changer. I've collected some hats over the years, but have been seeing some really great ones recently. I scored a fabulous cloche at Urban Outfitters for $9 the other day. This one above is more than $9, but definitely worth the money in my book.

So, any suggestions of where to get some quality flats, hats, or legwear? Do you have a favorite way of freshening up an outfit? Share!

Photo: John Akehurst, Hat & Shoes {via} Anthropologie

Makeup to Room

Hi Everyone! Anne from The City Sage here! I don't often discuss beauty on my blog--even though I'm a total beauty junkie--so I'm super excited to join you today. I love to pair outfits with interiors, and I thought I'd try my hand at some 'Makeup to Room' pairings!

A sun-bronzed glow and violet-shaded eyelids simply scream Moroccan getaway. Think endless summer days with nothing on the agenda but lounging about.

Clean graphic lines and a neutral backdrop hint at an understated urban edge. A pop of unexpected blue livens things up.

Bold swaths of gold create a luxe and dramatic sensibility. But do we think the room could use a hit of hot pink--perhaps a vase of fuchsia flowers?

Glimmering blue and a wash of metallic has me dreaming of a fairy princess tea party--after which I'd enjoy a fairy princess nap in a fairy princess bed!

The makeup equivalent of Scandinavian modern design? Porcelain perfect skin with rosy cheeks and lips: it just doesn't get prettier than this!

Thanks so much to Lisi for inviting me to guest post while she's away. I hope to see you over at my blog The City Sage!

Makeup Images: Art Department. Interiors Images: 1. Unknown 2. Blueprint 3.Elle Decor So Chic 4. Easy Elegance 5. Urban Eco Chic

Liz & Kristin: Paint it GOLD!

Hey, it's Liz from It's Unbeweavable! Honored to be joining my girl Kristin on The Beauty File. I wasn't a fan of gold until recently, but now I love it and am having fun incorporating it into my wardrobe. Kristin brought the reality, and I present you with-Gold Stuff I love but I better save my pennies. Some are casual, some dressy...all add that little something. Silver, today is not your day.

Jimmy Choo Tube Metallic Clutch via Net-a-porter
Wendy Brandes Victoria Buckle Ring (OMG. I die.)House of Harlow 1960 Six Strand Necklace via ShopbopAlaia Gold Python Pumps via theoutnet.com
Cleobella Luna Hobo via Shopbop

Italian Aviators via Refinery29shops.com

Bonjour lovelies! Kristin from BonBon Rose Girls here. How lucky am I to be guest posting on this beautiful blog? I am most addicted to The Beauty File and I'm not ashamed to admit it. What a killer way to kick off the new decade! It's a big, bright and shiny new year people! I don't know about you, but I am UBER psyched about it. It's time to leave any unpleasantness from the previous year in the dust and forge ahead to grab the fabulosity that 2010 is sure to offer us!

For me, said fabulosity is perfectly represented by the color gold. It's chic, yet fun. Cheerful, yet glamorous. It's the perfect color to inspire you to take the new year by the horns and make it yours! I'm going to leave it to my girl Liz to regale you with dreams of luxury accessories, while I give you a dose of reality! We all need both dreams AND reality in our lives right?

Glitter Flats at TOMS


Peep Toe Heels at Aldo

Chain Earrings at Anthropologie

Cuff Bracelet at Asos

Sequin Clutch at Lori's Shoes

Chain Handle Bag at Asos

dear editors-in-chief...love Clare

Many a fashionista has waited with baited breath for the triumphant return of the supermodel.

But alas, we continually buy our favorite fashion mags only to be greeted by the less-than-enthralling face of the latest, greatest actress. *cue yawn*

Since 2010 has just begun, I would like to challenge the Fashion Industry.

Let's bring back the supermodel, shall we?

Would it kill Elle, Vogue, Allure, W and the like to put a model on the cover?

I think not.

What is your 2010 Fashion Wish?

guest post by Clare of the Clarabelleblog

what's black and white with a designer touch all over?

Hi everyone, this is Crystal and I blog over at Plush Palate. I'm so thrilled to help keep The Beauty File company while Lisi is on vacation. When she asked me to help out, I just had to say yes to a friend and yes meeting all of you!

I thought I'd share a current obsession with you today: black and white stripes! I can't seem to get enough of them lately. They're bold, confident, and make such a strong impression.

Did you know stripes were once associated with outcasts and thieves (hello jailbirds)? Today they've been resurrected as a contemporary, trendy pattern. Thank goodness for that because they look awfully good as an area rug.

With their long lines, they're visually clean and bring a sense of order to a space. I also tend to associate them with circuses and theatricality, which adds in just the right amount of fun for me! I'd love to experiment with using stripes in unexpected places, like under a bed or in a closet.

But perhaps the place I love them most of all is in an entryway. Talk about a strong entrance and lasting first impression! What do you think? Do you love them, too?

*images via this is glamorous, elle decor, lonny, house beautiful, domino