Guest Blogging: Favorite Color Combination at Simply Seductive!

Simply Seductive was one of the very first, if not the first, blogs I ever read. Linda made an instant and loyal fan out of me with her enormous library of beautiful images. I don't know where she finds so many, but for selfish reasons, I'm sure glad she does! Right now, Linda's hosting a 'Favorite Color Combination' series, which I'm thrilled to be a part of today! Stop by to see which colors I picked and let us know what you think!

*fashion is marc by marc jacobs via julia

Fall Back to Black with Stella McCartney

One reason I secretly look forward to the beginning of fall each year is because I can wear my beloved (and always slimming) black...often and guiltlessly! In terms of fashion preferences, I was definitely made for fall/winter. Hello stiletto boots, knee length coats, cute trenches, sharp looking blazers, and black...I've missed you!

*fashion is Stella McCartney Resort 2010 via style.com

Style 360º: a Fashion Force + her Stylish Sanctuary

With New York Fashion Week underway, each night I head over to style.com to check out the latest Spring 2010 RTW collections posted for the day! There's so much gorgeousness, a part of me wants to skip over fall and head right into spring! While thumbing through the collections, Cynthia Rowley's line caught my eye. It's ultra fem and totally wearable (not like some of that outlandish stuff we see that no real person can actually wear). I'm especially loving her fun shoes with oversized bows!

As is true for most fashion designers, Cynthia can also style a home with just as much ease and glamour. You may remember her Manhattan home from Elle Decor awhile back, but just in case, here's a second look at her beautiful abode.

To have a collection like that and live in a home like this....a girl can only dream ;)

J'adore Dior! Couture Fall 2009

Yesterday John Galliano showed the Christian Dior F2009CTR collection and my oh my, was it a feast for the eye!! The piercing colors - orange, lime, yellow, fuchsia, raspberry - showcased beautifully against the muted grey walls inside the house's headquarters in the Avenue Montaigne. If anything was to be noted, it's that this collection is a product of fanciful tailoring, brilliant structure, and glorious silhouettes.

We also saw a lot of exposed 50s style undies - bras, corsets, garters, girdles, stockings - as if to throw the models out there, onto the runway, in a furry and only mid-dressed.

Of course, I loved all the black and white I saw, too! It's always elegant, it's always beautiful, it's always a classic!

And then there were the explosive gowns, overflowing with volume...lots and lots of volume! The exquisite embellishments, the mixing of textures and tones are nothing short of the work of a genius!! J'adore Dior!

*images via style.com

Pucci's Palatial Paradise

Here's a peek inside fashion royal, Laudomia Pucci's country estate just outside the foothills of Florence. It's absolutely breathtaking and filled with precious family heirlooms (like a coat of arms!). I love the whole Mediterranean royalty vibe and use of strong graphics and colors...just like the fashion house' signature look.

How's this for an entrance hall!? Isn't that 16th century fireplace to the left and the solitary floor pillow placed in front wonderful? And I would kill for arches, columns, and windows like that. The sunlight would be enough to make me never want to leave!

I would also kill for this vintage Pucci rug in the main living room. The hint of pink is the perfect complement to the dark red 19th century furniture, which I might add is from Emilio Pucci's grandmother's personal collection....a descendant of Catherine the Great!

These are the kinds of things that catch my eye and evoke a sense of deep admiration for the designer...the tilt of the desk placement is just perfect! It's one of those things that could look off at first glance but the more you stare, you can't deny that it is so right on! And aren't those original Emilio Pucci painting stunning? I've fallen in love with this home :)

*images via W magazine

Summer Lovin'

Summer seems to have arrived everywhere but Chicago this year. But that hasn't stopped me from daydreaming about summer dresses and swimsuits! Here are a few looks that caught my eye over at Frances May. I love the retro feel of the bikini, the open back of the striped dress, and the third outfit is just something I would so wear. Only, I'd pair it with a 4-in black stiletto of course :)

Quote of the Week

"A woman who doesn't wear perfume has no future." -Coco Chanel

If ever I leave the house in a hurry and forget to wear perfume, I remember these words from Coco and feel a sense of doom. That's why you'll almost never catch me without it! This weekend my bottle of Un Jardin en Méditerranée by Hermés finished so I picked up Coco Mademoiselle by Chanel. I'm so in love with this scent! I've been spraying it everywhere and have even put it on before going to bed! I simply can't get enough :) 

Quote of the Week

"I believe what you wear on the outside affects who you are on the inside. It is so much easier to be kind when you feel beautiful. You know this is true." -Heidi Merrick

*via Heidi Merrick

Getting Familiar with Heidi Merrick

Heidi Merrick has been making the rounds in the blogosphere lately and her popularity is spreading like wild fire. The designer's collections are loaded with comfortable fabrics, feminine details, and sophisticated silhouettes. What's not to love?!

In{her}view with Brandon of TwentyThirtyForty

{TwentyThirtyForty upcoming May Editorial shot}

If you haven't already heard, I'm sure you will! TwentyThirtyForty is the hot new star of e-commerce, and I was lucky enough to land an interview with co-owner and style maven, Brandon!!! This Chicago based business has set itself apart from the rest by creating more than just an online retail shop - TwentyThirtyForty is a lifestyle brand and a place where people go to experience fashion. 

Brandon is down to earth, funny, energetic and passionate. Read on for a little Q&A to find out what's inside her closet, favorite designers, where TwentyThirtyForty is headed next, and much more!

Oh, and don't forget to pick up your copy of Lucky Magazine's June issue (out now) and check out TwentyThirtyForty on pg. 40!

Plush Palate: What’s your fashion philosophy?

Brandon: Wear what you love, love what you wear. And dress for yourself -- take pride in your appearance, but don't care what other people think.

PP: What’s the concept behind TwentyThirtyForty?

B: The concept is to create an online fashion lifestyle brand - an online destination to shop, get styling options, read about fashion, etc.

PP: What makes it different from other online based fashion boutiques?

B: The styling, blog, and editorial element are what separate us from other e-commerce sites; and the store element is what separates us from other blogs and fashion info sites.

{TwentyThirtyForty item shots}

PP: How’d you come up with the name?

B: The name is actually about us and our own personal styles: as we always say, "We have the energy of our 20s, the experience of our 30s, and the wisdom and confidence of our 40s." 

PP: What did you do before TwentyThirtyForty?

B: I managed a high-end men's and women's boutique in Chicago; before that I was in luxury retail sales at Louis Vuitton. In the olden days, I was an actress ;-). This site really appeals to my creative side.

PP: Best-dressed at the MET gala this year?

B: Well, first I have to say that I am SO sick of short, tight, and shiny. Enough, already! I thought the best-dressed were Ashley Olsen, Stella McCartney and Rihanna (I noticed she made a lot of people's worst-dressed lists, but I thought she looked fantastic. Confident, strong and beautiful). 

{Ashley Olsen in The Row, Stella McCartney in Stella McCartney, Rihanna in Dolce & Gabbana at the 2009 MET gala}

PP: Who is your pick for most stylish celeb?

B: Hands-down, Tilda Swinton. LOVE her. The black one-shoulder Lanvin from the 2008 Oscars is maybe my most favorite red carpet dress ever.

{Tilda Swintin in Lavin at the 2008 Oscars}

PP: Favorite fashion house?

B: It's a toss-up: completely obsessed with both Alexander McQueen and Margiela. Such insane originiality and artistic genius.

PP: Favorite up and coming designer?

B: Martha Davis, shoe designer

PP: What current trend do you love most?

B: Definitely the jumpsuit. Oh, how I love me a good onesie.

PP: Current trend you wouldn’t touch?

B: Can't really think of anything. I'm pretty adventurous. The only thing that I really won't do is any sort of trend involving casual-wear -- Uggs, Crocs, sweats, etc. It's my personal mission to banish work-out wear in public (I understand when you gotta run an errand, but if I see you sitting down somewhere in sweats, you are sooo busted!)

PP: Last article of clothing or accessory you purchased?

B:Loeffler Randall Adeline cage shoe. I've been looking for a good strappy black sandal forever. This one is just perfect.

PP: Favorite thing about your business partner, Arlene?

B: God, don't make me choose just one! Okay, I'll narrow it down to three:

* She has the sickest sense of style of anyone I have ever known. It's the kind of style you see on The Sartorialist and Garance Dore. She always looks impeccable.

 * She is incredibly supportive of me. She builds me up and makes me believe in myself (which always makes me perform at levels I had previously thought unreachable)

* Her unwavering positivity and lucid optimism

{Arlene's Inspiration Board}

PP: Where do you see TwentyThirtyForty in 5 years?

B: A thriving Chicago-based fashion business and online fashion mecca. Successful enough that Arlene can take the summers off :-) 

PP: How was TwentyThirtyForty born?

B: Arlene and I wanted fashion jobs in Chicago and we didn't want to work in retail. We had spoken often about the world of fashion, fashion in the midwest, some sort of entrepreneurial venture, and had even hinted at the idea of some sort of web-based fashion biz for months, but it was at a cafe in Paris, over a cafe au lait, that the whole thing came together. We started talking about why online stores were always so cluttered and un-branded and not stylish. And then we started thinking about the artistry of fashion and fashion as a lifestyle. And we thought: there has got to be a way to merge them. What if you had a sort-of fashion mag online  -- pretty pictures, articles, fashion news -- but you could click on the pictures and buy things. And our idea was born.

{A look inside the TwentyThirtyForty studio}

PP: When you’re not working, what can we find you doing?

B: When am I not working????!! Seriously though, I really enjoy a good book, so if I have a free sec I might be reading. Or working on my French :)

PP: Your summer uniform this year will be…

B: In the summer I live in loose sundresses. I love a dress that I can wear sitting in the backyard with my dog (maybe even doing a little gardening?) and then throw on my fave nude Loeffler platforms and meet some  friends for margaritas on the patio. Soft jersey with a slight a-line and 50's cotton sundresses are my faves.

PP: What’ next for TwentyThirtyForty?

B: We're constantly evolving. We'll be adding more editorial sections and new categories to the boutique, among other things. 

PP: Coolest part of your job?

B: I absolutely love the writing part. And the fact that I can wear whatever I want -- I like to take chances and I can always trust Arlene to tell me if it isn't working.

PP: Favorite thing available exclusively at TwentyThirtyForty?

B: Martha Davis wedges, coming in August. Soooo excited! 

PP: Best seller at TwentyThirtyForty?

B: Anything and everything Loeffler Randall.

{Celebrity images via Just Jared. All other images via TwentyThirtyForty}

Mexican Designer, Global Fashion

I couldn't let Cinco de Mayo pass without posting something from Mexico! Lucky for me, right now all eyes are on Mexican fashion designer, Carla Fernandez and her beautiful woolen creations. Winner of the 2008 International Young Fashion Entrepreneur Award, Carla uses old-age Indian sewing techniques for her modern label, Taller Flora.

I love her use of rectangular fabric pieces, which honors the indigenous technique of tearing wool along the weave. Not only is Carla creating something modern and sexy, she is preserving the local touch. And that's beautiful!