Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Leggings: To wear or not to wear?

Leggings are definitely a "do" but I've had som requests recently about how to wear them. Primarily I've been fielding these questions from moms whose main audiences are their toddlers but even though their audience isn't picky, they still want to be stylish. Leggings can be worn for someone who has a rock and roll, vintage or preppy aesthetic. There are endless ways to wear them...and here are just a few...

A lot of moms want to be lookin' good without spending a mint, simply because they don't know if they are going to end up with some of their child's lunch on their duds. So, here a few 3 no-brainer ways to wear the same black leggings.

1. With a long t-shirt and tailored blazer. For a more on-trend look, buy a blazer with some serious shoulder pads! (I have been killing this look lately.) I like this look with some serious gladiator heels or sky high booties...but for the practical, yet fashionable, mommy look, do some studded ballet flats.

2. With an easy summer dress and long-ish cardigan sweater paired with a boot. This is a clever way to take a summer dress into the fall and winter. You can do boots with heels or no heel, vicotrian style lace-up, or a basic cowboy boot. Whichever boot you choose gives you an entirely new look.

3. For an "I-looked-like-I-went-to-yoga-but-it's-really-coffee-with-the-girlfriends-and-babies", pair your leggings layer a drapey cashmere sweather with a basic t-shirt or soft denim button down and a flat shoe.

Always cover the booty no matter what size you are because you never know if your leggings are more transparent once you hit the sunlight! My formula for leggings basically involves a quality long-ish shirt that covers the butt with different layering jackets or sweaters and a good shoe or boot. Here are a few great examples of how to wear leggings. I love the vintage fur jacket or the idea of belting your sweater for a more pulled together appearance.



Monday, November 2, 2009

For Damsels and Dudes: Pierre Hardy

...because we are about equal opportunites. These are some of our lusts for women AND for our hot men :)
Pierre Hardy WomenPierre Hardy women
OR Pierre Hardy boot for Gap at the insanely good price of $175:
Pierre Hardy for Gap
And for the men...these are a stellar option for a dress shoe or a basic boot:
Pierre Hardy MenPierre Hardy Men

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

I'm Impressed...

You know I don't really gravitate towards preppy prints and bright colors but JCrew continues to impress me with their catalogs. They have a really GREAT stylist. I would wear any of these combos....just beautiful!
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J Crew
J Crew
J Crew

It looks like she draws a little inspiration from Nylon, pairing the socks with pumps and torn jeans, and then gives it a high end twist with all the asymetrical ruffled T's and cashmere sweaters and blingy costume jewelry.

I especially love the vintage-inspired brown short boots. Just really loving what J Crew is putting out...maybe it's time for a visit to their store.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

My LUST LIST

I have to apologize for my absence! It's 3:43 AM and I am posting a blog...ok, I just erased that and thought it'd be funny to share, that while I am posting a blog, I'm actually doing a little online shopping...a little for me...a little for a client, but whose counting. So, I have to share with you all my LUST LIST. I'm coveting these items in a way that is probably not healthy, but I just want them so desperately!
BCBG max azria boots
This boot is awesome because you are getting 3 heights for the price of...well, 3 boots. But no matter, here it is in 2 of the heights, ankle and knee-high worn with some of my favorites from Max Azria's spectacular Fall Collection.
maxazria fall 09max azria fall 09max azria fall 09
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(Off the subject, but a great tip: what really makes these outfits extra spectacular is the way they paired the "extras" with the main piece. For example, the white dress, black mini, and the felt asymetrical vest, all have the same lace turtleneck layered underneath and the black one shoulder dress has a sheer knit turtlenck with it. The leather gloves, suede leggings, turtlenecks really give the look "the look". You can try this for a much lower cost with a sheer long sleeved black tee and a dress in your own closet. Pile on the gloves, leggings, boots until you find a good balance for you. Remember, unless you are a size zero, layering can make you look bulkier than you are so layer with very sheer fabrics.)

As far as jackets go, I'm torn between a drapey, asymetrical Helmut Lang jacket that is similar to this one. It is partially a soft leather and partially wool.
Helmut Lang asymetrical zip jacket

OR this washed leather biker jacket (in black) from Rick Owens.
Rick Owens biker jacket

Clearly, the latter is a bit more special...for A LOT more price tag. Either way, it's gorgeous and I plan on saving my pennies.

I also have a dilemma because I am wanting these Prada pumps...eeek!
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Time to start looking for "the look for less". But I will keep you aprised on my SPLURGE(s)!

Hope this post has wetted your appetite....til my next nightime online window shopping binge!

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Nashville Lifestyles: Imogene and Willie

A couple of weeks ago I shot with photographer Tec Petaja for the clothing store Imogene and Willie (both whom I have mentioned in past blogs) for the October issue of Nashville Lifestyles. I worked as a model on this shoot, but the clothes were sooo fabulous that I had to share...

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Go get fitted for some jeans! 

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Knee Highs For Fall?

I Think So!

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Thursday, September 17, 2009

Fashion story cont.

Amanda-LV model


More magic from our day of shooting with new LV model, Amanda Ramirez.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Shot of Inspiration: Leather Boots For Fall

I am on my way to buy these....

Friday, September 11, 2009

If you are wondering where we are....

In between our posts, please follow us on Twitter! Sometimes we are working on cool jobs and we are itching to show you some pics but the lag time between doing the shoot and actually getting some images can be loooooonnnngg. Especially if we do the shoot for a magazine or cd cover. So, follow us at:

twitter.com/theivoryfeather AND twitter.com/annieareuokay

Monday, I'm doing a bit of styling for Martina McBride and Trace Adkins, so you'll definitely want to check the twitpics for up to the minute updates. And today, you can get a behind-the-scenes first look at a shoot that I'm doing for Fringe Magazine with model, Salome Steinmann (Make Me A Supermodel cast member).

And just because I like pretty things, here is a purty image to feast your eyes upon:
Amanda Ramirez

This is a teaser from a magical shoot we did with Amanda Ramirez, of the band Johnny Swim, who also happens to be the new catalog model for Louis Vouitton 2010. Yes, you heard right, LV, and yes, she's from right here in Nashville. The glam squad getting this girl ready and photographed was none other than, Lorena Lopez (Hair/MUA), Reid Rolls (photog) myself (style maven), Becky Fluke (moral support and great music video film maker) and Chad and Connie (assistants extraordinaire)!

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Photographer spotlight: Tec Petaja


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I met Tec for the first time while he was shooting my friend's wedding.  Not only is his wedding photography the best I have ever seen he is also an amazing lifestyle photographer (above is one of my favorite pics!) I have also had the pleasure of shooting with him, personally, and I can tell you he is amazingly fresh and has a great perspective on shooting the person exactly as they should be shot.  


If you like... check out TecPetaja.com and hire him for your next shoot!