#1

How much do we love our pets?  This darling sweet boy passed away a short while ago… and even though you know they will depart more than likely before you…. you take them into your home and heart and love them with everything you have!

I love you Amos.

#2

I nearly fainted when I saw images of Michelle Obama in Monique Lhuillier at the White House Correspondents dinner.  I was so happy for Monique, and I thought Mrs. Obama looked stunning!!!

#3

When the weather starts to warm up… a trip to the MoMA sculpture garden is in order.  It’s a perfect midtown oasis after seeing some great art at the museum!!

#4

The Mind of a Chef on PBS.  I LOVE THIS SHOW.  I think about food constantly and adore eating, cooking and all things culinary… so I was delighted to stumble upon this show one afternoon.  David Chang runs around the globe talking to the world’s best chefs (of which he is one) discussing everything from tofu to bourbon.  I wish it had 500 episodes!

#5

Left Bank Books is a store to get lost in when ambling around NY’s West Village.  I think I’ve picked up every book of fiction in the store.  They have an amazing array of first edition and signed books.  There’s always some crazy conversation going on among the owner and regulars… perfect for a Sunday stroll… but I’ve yet to leave empty handed!

#6

Holland and Sherry bespoke

I’ve got a few stores on this post.  This is such a beautiful store located in NYC on Elizabeth Street in Nolita.  It has the most beautiful shirts, fabrics, accessories….  it’s just a great place to browse.  I won’t lie… it’s pricey, but given the quality, it’s worth it!

#7

It’s coming… I know it hasn’t felt like it… but it is coming… the sweet soft days of summer.  I bought this in the cold daydreaming of warm poolside days!! Can’t wait!  How cute is this J. Crew Liberty bikini?

#8

Tiina The Store… in Amagansett and online… no one has style like Tiina Laakkonen has!  Her amazingly curated shop is beyond… here’s a link to the online store…

http://www.tiinathestore.com

#9

The Frieze Art Fair was so much fun.  I’m lucky that one of my best friends is an Art Advisor and so well-versed in Contemporary Art.  It’s remarkable to see what is happening in the art world at large.  Mission Chinese and a glass of wine went down quite well too!

#10

Sunday morning is one of my favorite meals ever.  I almost always stay in, cook and read the paper.  The breakfast below is truffle-salted eggs, bacon from Dickson’s Farmstand and homemade buttermilk biscuits.  My sister gave me the biscuit recipe, and they are perfect!  I’ll give it to you if you want it!!!  Other favorites are buttermilk waffles or blueberry pancakes.

Paris Fashion Week

FW 13

(in alphabetical order)

#1

Alexander McQueen

The artistry of this collection stuns every season.  Jewel-like… dramatic… singular.  I love it deeply!

#2

Ann Demeulemeester

The austerity of this season resounded strongly with me.  I love the coats… but also the leather bustier and wide pant.  Love the boots!

#3

Ann Sofie Back Atelje

I thought this image was stunning.  Perfectly Fall/Winter and very moody.  I would love to see the pieces up close… the fabrics look really beautiful… and love the clutch!

#4

Balenciaga

What a great debut!  I particularly love the placement of the mirror so we get the joy of seeing the front and back simultaneously… and a lot of the drama was in the backs of the pieces!   Amazing, Alex!

#5

Carven

Perfect layering!  Love the colors… Love the sportiness…  I’ve like almost every recent season of Carven!

#6

Céline

Just so beautiful!  The shapes are perfect.  The fabrics are so luxurious.  The soft clutch… the boots… but then the buttons on the last overcoat… LOVE!!!!!

#7

Chalayan

Those who know me well, know how much I love Hussein Chalayan… one of the most unique and genuine designers I’ve ever met.  This season was a standout!  I love the fabrics.  The wide massive-cuffed denim pants with a perfect tough-chic jacket juxtaposed to a skinny jean, white crisp shirt and zippered black coat…  a kaleidoscope-of-color sheath…  the metallic-red jacket and skirt…  finally the red/white/black appliqué abstract floral dress…  just can’t say how much I loved it all!!!!!

#8

Givenchy

This was a favorite!  I just loved the rough and tumble floral biker sophistication running all through this collection!

#9

Junya Watanabe

Oh Junya….  When he does his street sophisticate well… it sends me!  This zipper coat… The tweed slim coat over patchwork denim and red patent pump… mixed material red moto jacket with floral cuffed jeans!!!!!  It’s what I love most in Junya’s collection.

#10

Lanvin

I adored this Lanvin season.  It’s perfectly Parisian and feminine.  Each one of these dresses is so flattering… I have a difficult time choosing!

#11

Undercover

So we are doing an 11.  I thought this look was divine.  Another piece I would like to see in person.  The intricacy of the bodice is astounding…. lace mini and crazy slatted knee-high boots.  Crazy!

#12

Vika Gazinskaya

And a 12….

I can’t say enough about how much I love Vika and her collections!   They are a lovely and delicate balance of form, function and fantasy.  She’s a real talent!

Milan Fashion Week

FW 13

(in alphabetical order)

#1

Antonio Marras

Second season in a row that I’ve loved Antonio Marras.  I find the mix of textures, color and print so lovely!

#2

Aquilano.Raimondo

I love how feminine and structured these two looks are.  The heart-shaped silhouettes are so flattering!

#3

Bally

Perfect winter day outfit.  LOVE!!!!!!   Shearling, wide-rib turtleneck, suede pant and ankle boots.

#4

Fausto Puglisi

I love how bold this collection is.  I just love the moto-dress and strapped pochette.  Striped top and kilt with plaid booties… adorable.

#5

Fendi

The luxury of Fendi fur is sublime.  Fur sweater… fur skirt…  fur coat… fur foulard over a tone-on-tone top and pant…. and don’t forget fur booties and shoes… all laced with stripes of color.  I just love it!

#6

Gucci

I love how sexy, strong and yet feminine these two Gucci looks are.  I really love the crackled leather dress.  It seems perfectly Gucci.  The gorgeous shade of blue silk in a skirted suit is so wonderfully ladylike.

#7

Jil Sander

Jil Sander is such a master of precise tailoring.  I adore the charcoal coat with cobalt-striped patch pockets and skinny trousers.  A perfect taupe top and cerulean blue skirt.

#8

Marco de Vincenzo

What perfect knits.  I just love the two-toned turtleneck with flared skirt!  I wish I knew the fabric of the metallic black look.  It’s so chic.

#9

Marni

I just love Marni.   I love the gray strapless top and trouser with an insanely beautiful fur stole.  The sheer insets of the pleated skirt is perfectly contrasted by the fur-collared moto jacket.  I am over the moon for the landscape-printed skirt… fur placarded jacket… fur clutch.  [insert a smiling emoticon here!!!!]

#10

Prada

I love how much I love this collection.  The sleeves on the gray wool jacket make me swoon… along with the pale blue gingham skirt suit… the red leather skirt with turquoise cardigan and fur coat is perfectly modern with a vintage feel.

London Fashion Week

FW 13

(in alphabetical order)

#1

Burberry Prorsum

I saw this trench and said out loud… “COOL”.  What an amazing play on their heritage!   And then, of course, an oxblood leather skirt and moto-jacket. Loving it!

#2

Duro Olowu

I loved this season’s collection.  I want the first look to be in W, shot by Tim Walker…. don’t you think?  I’m crazy for the kelly green.  The fur-trimmed jacket is perfect.   The sculptural swing-coat with wide-legged trousers in patterns destined to marry…  oooooo.   Can you tell I love Duro Olowu?

#3

Emilia Wicks

What a charming collection.  I really love the floral printed shirtdress… the brief cowl-necked, pearl-studded mini dress… finished with a pale pink, thick-collared jumpsuit.  Lovely.

#4

J. W. Anderson

Though I would have loved less repetition in this show… this fur tunic with a fabulous tech-fabric pant is beyond.  I am showing two options because I couldn’t pick which color way I preferred.

#5

Joseph

Love love love.  Each and every detail is impeccable.  I just love the cream lambskin with black placket over a simple, rounded white shirt and slouchy black pant. What about the navy and dark green coat with skinny pant… note the color blocked, dark green 5 inch cuff… and of course my love affair with lace continues… so how could I not love a long-sleeved sheath with bright red insets?

#6

Mary Katrantzou

It’s impossible to not have Mary on the London list.  I just love what she does.  Rather than feel boxed-in by the prints that have made her rise so stealth, she seems to be so aptly inspired by the plethora of options open to her.  The romance in each of these pieces is meditational.  I could look for ages.

#7

Michael van der Ham

What a lovely collection.  I loved the fabrics and color palette… acidic blues and yellows masked by black.  The somewhat simple shapes are coaxed forward with cutaway details… or just well-conceived mixed textures.

#8

Peter Pilotto

This fur-collared confection is beyond… some sort of neo-pointalism to build the silhouette is pretty amazing.    How chic is the top and skirt?  Creating movement and form through print is not an easy task.

#9

Roksanda Ilincic

Pink pink pink.  I’m thinking of the first time I saw Funny Face with Audrey Hepburn.  A litmus test for anyone who will have a proclivity for fashion.  She really is a favorite.

#10

Simone Rocha

I just love the feminine austerity of the silhouettes in this collection.  The simple, soft bell-shaped pink coat, black fur sweater with a PVC or black patent leather inverted pleat mini, and finally nude sheer sheath with ivory appliqué…. love.

New York Fashion Week

FW 13

(in alphabetical order)

#1

Adam Lippes

We are so excited to be working with Mr. Lippes.  I love this collection.  During the presentation, I kept imagining my life happening in these beautiful clothes!

#2

Araks

This was such a fun collection for Araks.  I love the evolution of this brand.  This season is so bold with really fun shapes!

#3

Belstaff

Talk about evolution… though there are frequent nods to their heritage.  A few collections that made this list owe to the fact that they are very beautiful options for the chilly weather we are currently experiencing… things you would want to wear right now.  These are all coat looks… I love them all!!!!

#4

Creatures of The Wind

This season was one of my favorites.  The colors, shapes, styling…. I just loved it.

#5

J.Crew

I really love that they are doing a presentation during fashion week.  Who doesn’t love J.Crew?   The clothes are fun to wear without feeling over-styled.  My 2nd tone-on-tone outfit of the list (and winter white is a favorite).

#6

Karen Walker

I’ve not been too familiar with Karen Walker, but the first look just grabbed me.  I love the red trousers and slouchy trench.  Again… things I’d love to wear tomorrow!

#7

Monique Lhuillier

Love love love this first look!  I love the vest… sheer lace top… Pamela Love for Monique Lhuillier necklace and Monique Lhuillier shoes.  I don’t care if it’s a fashion cliché… this look is fierce.  And to top it all off… an exquisite evening gown.  I love Monique!

#8

Rag & Bone

Plain and simple.  Super-chic sportswear!  LOVE!!!!!!!

#9

Thakoon

Oh boy… what a good collection.  Is that not the knowing smile of a job well done?

#10

The Row

How can you not want this outfit?  I ask you?

1.

I spent time this holiday with my sister and her husband on their farm in Kentucky.  It’s such beautiful country.  I took this on a drive to the Central Kentucky Wildlife Refuge.  It was so lovely that I screamed at my sister to pull over so I could take a quick snap with my phone.  I really loved the trip!  I love my family… and I love the holidays!!!

2.

I love my iPhone 5.  The things it does!!!  I use it for so many things apart from the phone.  The pictures alone are fabulous!

3.

I bought this Monique Lhuillier silk and lace top.  I wore it over the holidays with a trouser-cut wide leg denim pant.  I loved the top when I first saw it at the Resort 2012 presentation!   It was a perfect casual holiday outfit!

4.

I loved W’s 40th anniversary issue.  I know that was late last year…. but I had to mention it.  I read every page.

5.

I love love love love love love Russ & Daughters.  I’m surprised it wasn’t on our first post (though Steak ‘n Shake is really tough to beat!).  Everyone there is so nice… and everything there is so delicious.  They ship anywhere in the country…. so I sent my Dad a care package for Christmas with the best smoked salmon… cream cheeses… bagels… chopped liver… pickled herring… on and on and on!

6.

This brings me to the start of the year and the inevitable need to shed the extra padding acquired during the holidays.  I know that yoga has been around for centuries… it’s been quite popular in the States for years…. but I only started doing it a short number of months ago.  It’s just amazing the way your body can move, if you ask it nicely.

7.

My first and foremost cold weather coat that I love is the Spiewak Artic Snorkel parka I’ve worn for over a decade.  My black one died a quick death after it got trampled at a bar in Budapest.  I’m on #2.  It’s fit for -45 degree weather, and I can happily report I’ve never been cold wearing it stomping around NYC.

8.

So under the parka… Uniqlo cashmere.  A cardigan… an oversized men’s v-neck… a turtleneck… you name it, and you will find it at Uniqlo in any color you like.  I’m wearing a J+ navy cashmere cardigan as I type this!

9.

Downton Abbey is some premiere TV.  I really love all the story lines, the characters, the costumes, etc.  It’s so much fun to watch!   Who doesn’t love it?

10.

I loved Julianne Moore at the 2013 Golden Globes.  Everything she chose looked so elegant, chic, lovely, glamourous.  Perfect awards show attire!

1 – 10.

Wishing you 10 things to love that will make your 2013 the most splendid happiest of years.

Paris Fashion Week

(SANDY DELAY)

SS 13

(in alphabetical order)

#1

Alexander McQueen

I love Alexander McQueen.  The collection makes it every season.  It’s always the most intriguing mix of drama, talent, fantasy and beauty. It’s the absolute best of one end of the fashion spectrum!  The intricacies of the construction and fabrication are mind-blowing.

#2

Andrew Gn

Chic chic chic.  I love it.  I want to wear a shawl-necked top with a white crisp pencil skirt… wide black belt and pearled ankle-strapped shoes… or a lavender silk caped-top with an embroidered satin skirt.

#3

Barbara Bui

I have a simple cotton t-shirt dress from Barbara Bui that I got a few summers ago.  I get more compliments on the dress.  It helps that it has a very large diamond cutout in the back.  This dress looks like exactly the same situation.  A subtly simple dress that goes miles in the stylish department.

#4

Celine

What’s not to love… I ask you?  I loved the twisted pieces… or the wide, soft pants…  how about a pale and feminine camisole top and skirt.  Really divine!

#5

Chalayan

I loved this collection.  It’s so bright and happy.  I love the full-skirted mini with peek-a-boo kelly neon under-layed mesh.  The sheath within a sheath. The gown with sheer panels makes me crazy.  I pick Jessica Chastain or Tilda Swinton to make a mark in this dress.

#6

Christian Dior

I mean…  I can’t articulate how beautiful these looks are.  Won’t try.

#7

Dries Van Noten

Oh lord I loved this season.  Such beautiful fabrics.  Such an amazing ease but SOOOOOOOO cool at the very same time.

#8

Givenchy

Where to start?  Should it be the pale blue mixed with matte black theme?  The proportions?…  a one-sleeved anything never looked so amazing.  Ruffles more chic than prissy?  The white dropped-sleeve with skirt AND train?  The chokers, bags or shoes? You tell me!

#9

Isabel Marant

Franco-american-western-downtown-fun-time outfit.

#10

Junya Watanabe

When Junya plays this future-modern, chic-street tune, I swoon.  Is he Murakami in fabric?

I love the sneakers too.

Milan Fashion Week

SS 13

(in alphabetical order)

#1

Antonio Marras

What a delight of  a show.  It would be great for Milan for newer designers to come out and show!  A new generation of Italian fashion!   I’m a sucker for sparkle… but also for florals. They really send me.  I love the shapes and coloring of this collection.  Love the shoes and bags…  Love the cape with wide floral pleats.  One of my favorite shows in Milan

p.s.  I wish they hadn’t sat guests in the photography line.

#2

Aquilano.Rimondi

What a darling dress.  It looks like a modern take on stained glass.  I love the shoes too.

#3

Bottega Veneta

I love a good dress, and there is something a little retro… in the very best sense… that I adore in this season!

#4

Emilio Pucci

Peter Dundas continues to make Pucci so fresh each season.  I love the white…   then poppy red.  And the shoes are bonkers.

#5

Fausto Puglisi

Another fun young Italian designer.  Fun graphic geometric prints.  Love.

#6

Fendi

Karl Lagerfeld could be construed as a Mozart of a fashion designer.  The volumes and volumes of work that he produces at such a high level is staggering.  Here at this season’s Fendi show, sleek and chic.  There’s a reason those words rhyme.

#7

Gucci

When Gucci hits the mark, they do what they do better than anyone.  Subtle ostentation can be a good thing.  The run of show blows literally through the spectrum.   I love it!

#8

Jil Sander

Well.  It’s a lovely collection.  The impeccable hand of Jil Sander’s clothing is remarkable.  Can’t wait to see more…. and the boots are an added bonus!!!!  If I was an editor, I’d shoot it.  If I made a bit more money… I’d buy it!

#9

Marni

I love Marni.  I loved this season.  My favorite from the past few collections!  I think I’m drawn to these solid pieces… together with the beautiful backdrop and flooring of the show, it is such a fresh look for the house.

#10

Prada

It’s really quite astounding sometimes when you think that anyone can make a dress look new.  How many pieces of clothing have existed in the history of clothing?  Yet so often, this collection looks so unique, so… Prada.

London Fashion Week

SS 13

(in alphabetical order)

#1

Christopher Kane

I’ve loved his shows the past few seasons… this one was no exception.  Can’t help who you love!  I’ve mentioned my love for tone on tone.  This jacket and trouser… clear monkey-knot type things holding the pant seams together as well as the jacket and cuffs. Really chic.   I don’t even know what material the sleeveless shift is… but I love it.  Lastly, the Pretty in Pink floral jacquard dress; sheer and satin.  Yum.  Sheer yellow confection with lace, crystals and matte tape… wow.

#2

Emilia Wicks

Something feminine about this collection really drew me.  I loved the colors and silhouettes.  What a cool shade of green.  A sleek nude appliqué top with full skirt anyone?  Really good!

#3

Erdem

Loved this season.  Spring is good for Erdem.  I chose a lot.   I’m OK with that!

#4

Giles

I’m such a sucker for a sparkle.  I loved this top and skirt.  Loved the the simple tied espadrille pump to contrast the hyper-feminine bursts of crystal!

#5

House of Holland

I loved this dress.  The slit with webbed sheer lace is so sexy, yet this is a very subdued dress shape.   So again, I loved it.

#6

J.W. Anderson

The masculine pinstriped fabric, skirted pant and shell top with a vintage yet modern chocker.  I just can’t say how chic this outfit is… even though I just did.

#7

Jonathan Saunders

Love love love.  I loved the sportswear feel.  I really liked the simple pieces and yet the fabrics take them to another level.  I loved the jumpsuit… the geometric patchwork with green bra is just wonderful.  Makes me sad to say goodbye to summer, and yet… this isn’t in stores yet anyway.   Always something on the horizon to look forward to!

#8

Mary Katrantzou

Each season I wonder what she’ll do.  How she’ll mutate the DNA that makes the collection her… and yet push forward to new things.  I have yet to be even slightly disappointed.

#9

Peter Pilotto

Something about the jarring juxtapositions work.  The flooring sets the stage… and the clothes play out the drama.  I think between the fantasy of editorial and the day-to-day dressing possibilities, this collection is so much fun.  I can imagine the long sleeved top with stovepipe white trousers and the flirty skirt with a tight black short sleeved t-shirt.  Or the entire outfit in a W magazine shoot by Edward Enninful.

#10

Preen

Another London mainstay.   The sheer top  with a very graphic white bra… black and white lace paneled skirt… black and white shoe.  Love.