Oscars 2012 Best Dressed: Michelle Williams in Louis Vuitton

Top of the list for Best Dressed is Michelle Williams in a silk and organza Louis Vuitton.  I love that she went bright.  Not red as many thought-more tangerine.  The color looks amazing on her porcelain skin.  The peplum waist was flattering and gorgeous detailing. Understated necklace by Fred Leighton and dainty diamond brooch.  Didn't love the pink clutch, but she still takes #1.  Flawless hair and makeup.  You could tell she felt beautiful.  Demure and glamorous.  Love.




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Love Gwyneth Paltrow for taking risks.  Who does a floor-length cape on the red carpet?  Both dress and cape are by Tom Ford.  This is modern, minimalist, and so cool.  She's such a trendsetter.  Diamond cuff and ring by Anna Hu Haute Joaillerie.





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Jessica Chastain gave us a little rock n roll glamour in Alexander McQueen.  Love the gold overlay.  It takes your eyes to all the right places.  The sweetheart neckline was sexy and dress fit her perfectly.  Not too excessive on the jewels.  Yellow diamonds by Harry Winston.





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Stunning, stunning!!  Best supporting actress winner, Octavia Spencer in her best red carpet moment by Tadashi Shoji.  The creamy color was beautiful; short sleeves gave her coverage, but not dowdy; and all those little crystals directed our attention to the smallest part of her.  So flattering!  Loved her side swept hair.  Perfect choice of clutch by Judith Leiber and Neil Lane jewels.




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Milla Jovovich in Elie Saab Couture (Spring 2009).  We've seen the strong shoulder before wiith Rihanna and Marion Cotillard at the 2010 Screen Actors Guild Awards also in Elie Saab.  So, it's not new.  But she looked amazingly glamorous.  The 20's style hair was also very beautiful.  Fabulous box clutch and jewels by Jacob & Co.




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Celeb Style for Less: Kristin Davis Beautiful and Bright in H&M

Love it when celebs do fabulous for less.

Here's Kristin Davis in H&M Wednesday, February 22nd at the Vanity Fair Ermenegildo Zegna dinner at the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles, in support of Oxfam America and The Green Carpet Challenge.

With Kristin's dark hair and complexion, this bright shade of apple green is the perfect choice.  Also, love the A-line silhouette which compliments her shape beautifully.  The organic cotton embroidered dress is from the H&M Exclusive Conscious collection for spring 2012 and retails for $69.95.  You can get it in store starting April 12th.

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Fabulous for Less Under $250: The Spring Blazer

If there's one essential-buy this spring, it's the blazer in a fresh coat of color.  Far from the suit jacket, this season's styles are playfully bright and insanely chic.  I can have one in every shade.


Get the Look: Out for a lunch date or daytime event.  I've created similar designer looks for clients.  And I just love the way this turned out.  With the clutch and jacket together, it's a subtle play on the colorblock trend. More turquoise than what I would consider " emerald green" on the blazer.  For spring, I think it's the perfect shade of blue. So many ways to work it.  You could go with a white printed blouse or more romantic with a sheer lace top.  Medium to dark-washed denim and nude heels are the ideal pairings. Gotta have nude pumps this season-endless possibilities there.  A delicate bracelet and layered pendant necklaces in silver and gold for an effortless daytime style.


Note:  Love a nude clutch or small crossbody with this too.  As temps rise, switch it up with nude ankle straps or colorblock sandals.








"Lunch Date"

ZARA Pique Blazer in Emerald Green $79.90
Forever 21 Sheer Dolman Shirt in Ivory $22.80
Forever 21 Essential Layering Tank in Ivory $2.80
Forever 21 Wrapped Stone Necklace in Gold/Tan $2.80
Forever 21 Whistle Pendant Necklace in Silver $2.80
ASOS Fisbone Fine Bracelet $8.06 (sale)
Levi's 524 Too Superlow Skinny Denim 
in Denim Belief Wash $34.99 (sale)
River Island Suede Envelope Clutch Bag in Pink $48.34
Michael Antonio Loveme-Pat Pumps in Nude $45.60
(Total $248.09)

Spring Shoes: Colorblock Crush

From store racks to window displays, it's hard to miss the double dose of color.  Bold on bold; hot pinks; turquoise to cobalt blue; citrus to neon.  Intense it is...  And a little intimidating for some.

For those who prefer a more subtle palette, there's still a way to incorporate this trend into your own wardrobes. Wedges and sandals in fun colorblock combos are perfect for announcing spring.  Even in nude/black, it's modern and chicness all around.  Obsessed!!








 Pour la Victoire 'Noele' Sandal

KORS Michael Kors 'Augusta' Sandal

Reed Krakoff 'Architect' Wedge Sandal

Nine West 'LOOKGLOBAL' Sandal

Meet Couture Bridal Designer Gilles Montezin

I think back to the day I got married almost 15 years ago...  Wedding planning was left to my in-laws.  So gracious, it was their gift to us.  The cake, photos, and of course wedding dress-all on our own.  I was fortunate the dress process wasn't lengthy.   Like many soon-to-brides, I skimmed through all the wedding magazines and found the exact one at a bridal boutique off Nicollet Ave in Minneapolis.  A beautiful beaded halter column gown.  Still hanging in my closet today.

So why the talk of wedding gowns now?  Recently, I was introduced to couture bridal designer, Gilles Montezin.  After seeing his beautifully crafted pieces, I couldn't help but daydream of doing it all over again.  Renewing our vows after 15 years in one of his gowns...  Maybe a tropical destination on the beach?  That would be a fantasy come true.

I wanted to learn more about the Parisian designer whose work has been seen on television and film; on actresses such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Debra Messing, and more.  Gilles perfected his craft years ago under the training of designers Loris Azzaro and Christian Lacroix in Paris.  Now in New York, Mr. Montezin has started his own company and recently launched his couture bridal collection.

What a pleasure to chat with the talented designer.  An absolute gentleman too.  Here's a word with Gilles Montezin...

BB:  You had the privilege of working with French designer, Christian Lacroix; a dream opportunity for many.  How did this come about?

GM:  I was born in the Province of Quebec, but my father was French, so I moved to Paris to experience French culture.  I was looking for a job and met this wonderful woman-Genevieve Carrasco.  She was looking for someone to help her with orders of haute couture dresses for Mr. Lacroix.  So we worked on the runway pieces as well as the clients' orders.  Yes a dream!  Mr. Lacroix is such a geniune artist, respectful of others art, and craft.  He always uses the best you have to offer somewhere, somehow...

BB:  You've worked with some beautiful Hollywood leading ladies.  If you could dress anyone in the world, who would be your dream bride?

GM:  I consider myself very lucky to have dressed such wonderful women, yes!  But I guess the pleasure is not only in the physical beauty of the woman but it is more about a woman who knows how she wants to look like on her wedding day.  She knows how she wants to feel like and how she wants to present herself to her friends and family members.  And to her groom.  All of that with style, humor, good taste, and elegance.  This is an ideal bride.

BB:  I can't imagine the amount of work that goes into the making of a wedding dress.  Unlike the production of other gowns, couture is a time-staking process.  How much time goes into the creation of one of your special pieces?

GM:  My bridal gown collection is inspired by Haute-couture style, but are presented in a more affordable way.  My dresses take between 30 to 45 hours each to make from start to finish.  As opposed to haute couture dress that can take up to 1000 hours!  Yes, right, 1000.

BB:  What tips can you give to soon-to-be brides in search of the perfect wedding dress?

GM:  Well, I think most of the brides shop a lot for their wedding gown before trying something on.  And that is the right thing to do.  There are so many designers and styles to choose from.  Maybe first, stick to your budget, then go for what you dream of.  You have to try dresses on though.  I had brides coming to me with a specific dress in mind, but when they tried the dress on it was not for them.  A good sales person is supposed to be there to help when needed, and guiding the bride towards something different from the original thought might be worth listening to.

BB:  Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind your Spring 2012 Bridal Collection?

GM:  I wanted to do texture.  The silhouettes are more moderate in size.  I am not a big user of crystals and embellishments, so I make my own details in the fabric.  I did a dress made with bands of ribbons.  Very nice...  Slimming body opening on a cloud-like mermaid tulle skirt...  Very Elegant.  But texture is on each dress this season.

BB:  Being from Paris, do you ever miss home?  What's the best thing about living and working in New York?

GM:  I think what New York is best for is energy and "go-get-what-you-want."  I find it very stimulating to know there are no limits or barriers to what you want to achieve.  It's all up to you!  America is my third country, actually.  I guess I miss Montreal as well as Paris, to tell the truth.  So, I guess the best answer to give you is "home is where I am here and now."  You are going to make me cry!

Gilles Montezin's bridal collection can be found at Kleinfeld (by appointment only), Yuta Powell, and his showroom in New York. 

A glimpse of Gilles Montezin Spring 2012 Bridal:

Valentine's Day Style Under $100

There's still plenty of time to plan for Valentine's Day.  Here are some of my favorite picks to celebrate the evening.  All under $100!









BB Dakota Tanya Dress

 MM Couture Printed Shirt Dress

Canna Hi-Lo Silk Blouse

H&M Chiffon Polka Dot Blouse

Eliza J Blouson Jersey Sheath Dress