Loving print media…my newspapers along with a plethora of catalogs…there’s nothing like a high-quality catalog showcasing beautiful designs. A wonderful way to peruse; educate and enjoy the Art of Fashion. My daughter and I went through Nordstrom Designer Collections Spring 2011 to “ooh and aw” and pick our favorites. A delight for the visual senses!

The results?

This was one of my favs – in fact LANVIN had many top contenders. It was tough to choose!

LANVIN

My daughter loved this one…..

NINA RICCI

We both picked this combination. Beautiful and sexy.

JASON WU

We  immediately gravitated to these rockin’ sling back sandals!

NICHOLAS KIRKWOOD

GUCCI

TWIST STRAP DRESS

tHE cOLORS – belt….JUST GORGEOUS!

Our top favorite? This aqua silk tweed dress with ostrich and hen feathers. My artistic creative daughter picked for the color and beauty of combination of textures. Me – of course for the beauty but mostly for how I’d FEEL wearing this fine design piece. On a cloud…..thank you CHANEL!

CHANEL

LESAGE SILK TWEED SLEEVELESS FEATHER DRESS

And, thank you NORDSTROM, for producing this heavenly catalog!

I was THRILLED by this year’s three top Oscar winners! Natalie Portman in burgundy Rodarte (showcasing her beauty and mommy-to-be figure), along with Colin Firth, eloquently delivered their acceptance speeches. The King’s Speech was my choice for Best Movie, along with Natalie and Colin for Best Actress and Actor, so it was a pleasure to watch to the very end!

The ceremony took a different turn this year with hosts James Franco and Anne Hathaway. Wasn’t my favorite combination, but Anne certainly delivered with her beauty, wit and SEVERAL gown and hair changes, starting with red vintage Valentino on the Red Carpet.

I’m a big fan of Scarlett Johansson and her figure would look great in a potato sack. The raspberry Dolce & Gabbana wasn’t my favorite but the low back showed off her lovely back. I was disappointed in her hair and makeup, although, I think she hasn’t been looking her best as of late. The sparkle and smile seem weary lately?

Cate Blanchett is a walking advertisement for a great complexion! I’m envious! The Givenchy Couture in wisteria silk chiffon was a piece of art on a perfect canvas!

American Idol and Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson – you rock! She’s been working hard on her body and showed off her new figure in a tangerine orange Atelier Versace.

Michelle Williams in “Blue Valentine” (almost got a NC-17 rating) was fabulous. The beautiful column Chanel gown made her look pasty on the Red Carpet. Blond, pale, winter white. I noticed she had color on her lips during a camera shot at the ceremony – a bit of coral – that added just what she needed.  Mandy Moore’s hair and lip color were just enough for the stunning nude color Monique Lhuiller gown.  The detail of the dress made you keep looking…..breathtaking! 

Halle Berry never ceases to amaze or disappoint with her perfect figure and gown choices. Another stunning presenter – in Marchesa. 

Sandra Bullock – classic in a red Vera Wang. Only disappointed not to see her smile more often. -

Not so much? Marisa Tomei – great earrings, dress unflattering for her figure.  Nicole Kidman looked great, (only from the waist up) in Christian Dior. Luckily with husband Keith Urban on her arm -helped distract from the “ready for take-off wings” on the skirt of the gown.  And Oprah, I’ve seen look better on her daily talk show. Maybe her hair and makeup man wasn’t with her? Dress fine but otherwise not Oscar worthy for me. Sharon Stone was hot in the black one-shouldered Christian Dior but her updo was too high and heavily-lined eyes in black made her look harsh.

Hillary Swank was gorgeous in Gucci. Helen Mirren always pulls it off and this year no exception in her silver-gunmetal colored gown. Seemed Justin Timberlake couldn’t take his eyes off of fellow-presenter Mila Kunis (Black Swan) in her lavender Elie Saab gown. Gwyneth Paltrow was a winner in classic drop-waist Calvin Klein.

Hard to choose but my favorite? Reese Witherspoon in retro ARMANI. Dress, accessories, makeup, hair-all perfect!! Thumbs up!

We’ll be hearing it all this week and next with rants and raves. None-the-less, it makes for entertaining TV viewing  and fun conversation!

I consider myself to be a savvy shopper. We work hard for our money and I keep this in mind in planning my needs (and wants). Of course, sometimes you see something that cries “eureka” – like the  bag I scooped up from the Gucci window in Palm Beach last spring – but you know it when you see it. I’ll be using that bag for years to come.

If last year’s spring/summer purse is in need of replacement, keep in mind Nordstrom TRIPLE POINTS starting March 16-20th. If you haven’t already signed up for a Nordstrom card, get going! With the accumulation of points you receive Reward certificates. I qualify this as a no-brainer and am a very satisfied customer planning with Reward point shopping. If you know you’ll need some updates or replacements for the upcoming season, cosmetics, skin care, perfume, shop during their TRIPLE POINT days and reap TRIPLE the benefits!

I like the following items for those March purchases. Summer is the season you’re running everywhere….taking advantage of warm weather and outdoor events. The handle/shoulder strap combination make your active lifestyle easier to transport your “stuff.” Hey…and bring on the color! The coral is stunning with white, khaki, navy, black.

Love this hobo. The handle along with the strap/cell phone pocket make it a great everyday summer bag. Milly’s coral or luggage color bag would be great with Tory Burch sneakers for running errands and walking around town.

Tory Burch Slip On Sneaker $95

Available in Ecru(shown), coral and luggage(below).

Milly ‘Shiny’ Leather Hobo  $445

• Top zip closure.
• Interior zip, wall and cell phone pockets.
• Leather/cotton.

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Another option – like the metal feet. Side pockets for your water bottle?

Tory Burch ‘Tierney’ Coated Tyvek® Crossbody Bag $350

March Fashion 2010

Think About … Newsworthy Nature

Ah! The catalog in the mail. You spot it; the anticipation of looking through the newest and greatest out there. Nothing replaces perusing a fine catalog in print; the heaviness of the page; the detail to showing clothing and accessories at their best. Peruse in your bed, library, patio, pool.  Just as I appreciate reading a book and flipping the pages; going to the library (the Dewey Decimal System-genius!), the catalog is a pleasure we shoppers really appreciate. Here’s my top five favorites from the Saks Fifth Avenue catalog March Fashion 2010.

  Diane von Furstenberg

Moschino

Rock & Republic

Teri Jon

Gucci

What can I say? I’m at a NARS event; major players doing their craft, but out of the corner of my eye I’m looking to the left to the shoe department at Saks Fifth Avenue at Waterside Shops, Naples, Florida. I have all I can do to contain myself as I eye up the beauties just waiting to be appreciated. So one of my NARS gals, Brandi Perkins, senses my wondering eye to the shoe gallery. “Oh, do you have those in a size 7?” I inquire as I totally go from makeup to the several pair of shoes so beautifully displayed and waiting for the appreciative buyer. OKAY – so the Gucci’s are OUTRAGEOUS!  I’m telling you; the heel is part patent and suede and so delicious in presentation. Look at the detail-realize the comfort-it is a sure HIT! YES give me a pair of those. Then the Jimmy Choo’s:  lower heel and sexy pointed with open design reveal. HELLO! Very sexy. Girls, I’m telling you; when you see the shoes you love, buy them! They aren’t necessarily available everywhere and at every store in every size.  If they DO IT for you, get them. They won’t be there tomorrow.

Worth Avenue is like a dream; beauty all around. The merchandise in the shops is breath-taking and the scenery of the Avenue is gardeners’ artwork.

This is window shoppers eye candy but lunch and shopping are definitely a must! 

The purses in Gucci were show stoppers and worth a second look.  I found the perfect summer bag!