Initially you may have thought I was yet another rampling off about The Great Gatsby and 1920′s style.  But in fact, this picture was snapped in March during Paris Fashion Week and I was having a time-warped moment.  It wasn’t until I saw the pictures that I realized how 1920′s my garb appeared.

The main point I was trying iterate was my adoration for burgundy with a smidgen of chartreuse.  My Valentino Rock Studded Clutch is the perfect compliment to the beet hue but shines on it own at the same time.

During New York Fashion Week, I did the same but with leather pants and a blouse instead.  Perhaps a bit of inspiration for your next look!

The Look: Hat by Faeth Millinery, Dress by Georgia Hardinge, Heels by Gucci, Rock Stud Clutch by Valentino, Belt by Hermes, Leather Pants by The Row, Blouse by American Apparel and Quad Ring by Bliss Lau.

Special Thanks to Alessia Campostrini of Style.it and Adam Katz Sinding for W Magazine Streetstyle (le-21eme.com) for the snaps!

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We all love a little glitz and glam and thanks to the creative juices of Madame Charlotte Olympia, our arm candy just got a bit more indulgent.  Charlotte Olympia’s Pre-Fall 2014 Hollywoodland collection proves you don’t have to be on the silver screen to be a style star.

Personally I am blown away by all these pieces and wish I had enough moolah to own each and every one.  Since that is the case, I pass the torch to you.

You owe it to yourself!

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Charlotte Olympia Hollywood Wedge

Charlotte Olympia Lights Camera Action Clutch

Charlotte Olympia Walk of Fame Perspex Matchbox Clutch

Charlotte Olympia Hollywood Perfume Clutch

Charlotte Olympia Popcorn Purse

Charlotte Olympia Hollywood Lights Clutch

Charlotte Olympia Hollywood Film Clutch

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With UV Rays causing serious skin damage throughout the summer, designers have found another brilliant way to combat those evil waves – GLADIATOR HEELS.

Oh yes – they have a function!  Ok not really, but they are an ode to our Roman ancestors instilling bold vigor into our delicate gams – which is just as necessary as sun protecting creams.  Me think.

So if you have the cojones to pull off the bold and the beautiful trend, follow the way of Alexander Wang and the gang below.

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Jimmy Choo

Gianvito Rossi

Tom Ford

Altuzarra by Gianvito Rossi

Alexander Wang

Alexander Wang

Versace

Brian Atwood

Proenza Schouler

It’s no secret that I am just as much a food fanatic as an a la mode clothes horse – ok maybe not that close BUT this Wisco gal likes her bouffe.

Thanks to Food Network’s – City Eats: Food Meet Fashion - I was able to share some of my favorite spots in the city as well as what I keep in my fridge… *spoiler alert* – it’s not only food.

Check out the entire interview by clicking on the icon below and let me know what you think!

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Click here to access the interview: City Eats – Food Meets Fashion

I guess Andre Leon Tally was right – that hat was ‘EVERYTHING!’

An honored thank you to Vogue.com for plucking my photograph from Adam Katz Sinding’s site: www.le-21eme.com and creating a whole look around the “Wide-Brimmed Hat.”

Click here: Vogue’s Guide – Social Shopper: Wide-Brimmed Hats to see how Meredith Melling Burke would create a look similar to mine taking the straw hat from the beaches to the streets.

Here is my original post for the look featuring more snaps and links to my pieces: “You Can Leave Your Hat On.”

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Click here to visit Vogue.com

Just in case you are planning on attending the Food + Wine Classic in June, I have the ins and outs of Aspen for you!

In addition to my Chefs Club article in the New York Post today, I also wrote a what to do, where to stay piece which you may also read online here: WARM WELCOME IN ASPEN.

Since my trip did occur in March, my experience was less warm and more ski.  My top destinations for mountains included Snowmass, Ajax Mountain and the Highlands.  Plus you gotta love Ajax Tavern for Apres-Ski and Cloud 9 on the Highlands for a proper Champagne spraying lunch – Euro Style.

Here is my photo diary from my Aspen trip in March giving you a even more personal view into the details of my article.

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MY PERSONAL TIME IN ASPEN

THE LITTLE NELL HOTEL, AJAX TAVERN FOR APRES-SKI AND ELEMENT 47 RESTAURANT

Element 47 – Dessert

ST REGIS HOTEL

HOTEL JEROME AND PROSPECT RESTAURANT

Hotel Jerome Elevators

Hotel Jerome’s truffle egg raviolo

Colorado Rack of Lamb on farro

Dessert Ginger Cookies

It is that time again – New York Post time!  So run out and grab one so you can see my – not one but TWO – articles on what to do in Aspen and where to EAT!

We all know how much I love to eat and thanks to Chef’s Club in Aspen, I had one of the most memorable experiences when it comes to fine dining.  Just in case you miss out on reading the article in the paper, here is the online version: Chefs Special – The Ultimate Indulgence in Aspen.

While my article goes into detail about my two tastings from 3 Star Michelin Chef Mathieu Pacaud and Celebrity Chef Cyril Lignac, I always feel pictures speak a language of their own.  Here is a photo diary from my Chef’s Club tastings at the St Regis in Aspen.

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TASTING MENU BY CHEF MATHIEU PACAUD

Mathieu Pacaud of L’Ambroise in Paris during our tasting at St Regis Chef Clubs

First Course by Mathieu Pacaud of L’Ambroise in Paris at St Regis Aspen Chefs Club Diver Sea Scallop with Green Lettuce Veloute and Golden Osetra Caviar

Second course by Mathieu Pacaud – Egg Marquise, Jersusalem Artichoke Emulsion & Perigord Black Truffles

3rd course by Mathieu Pacaud – Brittany Lobster in a Red Wine Sauce, Split Pea Puree

4th Course – Puff Pastry Stuffed with Foie Gras and Black Truffles

4th Course – Dissected – Puff Pastry Stuffed with Foie Gras and Black Truffles

Last Course – Dessert

A COUPLE DISHES FROM MY TASTING WITH CHEF CYRIL LIGNAC

Four long macaroni noodles filled with black truffle foie gras, and topped with a crusted Parmigiano gratin

A moist section of Maine lobster drizzled with an olive oil court-bouillon

A moist section of Maine lobster drizzled with an olive oil court-bouillon

Rock n’ Roll   –   Miami Vice   –   80s Versace

Now take those three words, add them up and throw them into the year 2013 — Fausto Puglisi is what comes out.

I recently interviewed Fausto for the New York Post Alexa and the article was published last week, but luckily there is also an online version here: The Tale of Fausto.

It was such a pleasure speaking with the humble, adorable, insanely creative designer.  We could have chatted for hours! He is quite the inspiration.

But getting back to the heavy gold embroideries and leather/plaid mash-ups Fausto is known for, Modaoperandi launched their Fausto Puglisi Fall 2013 trunkshow today so you can be one of the first to snag a piece from the new collection.  Here are a few of my favorite looks (click icons to go to site):

Just in case you can’t wait until Fall and need your Fausto Puglisi fix ASAP – here are some other pieces you can add to your wardrobe immediately by clicking on the icon.

He is definitely on the Up and Up so grab some Fausto Puglisi today before you fall behind the times.

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The proof is in the picture… I mean pudding –  I belong in Paris!

At least that is what I like to tell myself especially when my garb reflects the columns of Le Palais Royal.  It’s a sign (and we all know how much I love signs) or perhaps it’s just Balmain blending into the very essence from which it was created and I am just a meager pawn trampling amongst Les Colonnes de Buren like the rest.

Either way, this look came out on the perfect day in the perfect ville (equally to my hat, Shannon) – the last day of fashion week in Paris for the Louis Vuitton show.  I could have not imagined a more perfect way to conclude a month of fashion weeks.

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The Look: Skirt by Balmain, Cropped Blazer by Karl Lagerfeld, Shirt by Versace, Leather Pants by Helmut Lang, Heels by Tom Ford, Rings by Bliss Lau and Clutch by Givenchy.

Special thanks to Vicenzo Grillo for Fashion Wire Press (le-21eme.com), Yvan Rodic (www.facefunter.com),  Adam Katz Sinding for W Magazine Streetstyle (le-21eme.com),and YoungJun Koo for NYMAG (www.koo.im) for all of your lovely captures.

“This is a chord, this is another, this is a third. Now form a band.” 

—S i d e b u r n s , December 1976

Tonight is the night!

Fashion Royalty from all over the globe gather in New York for what seems to have become the Oscars of fashion – The Met Ball Gala.

This years theme Punk: Chaos to Couture is giving all the spikes, rips and mohawks you can imagine and I received  the preview this morning to share with you all.

Of course the curators always find a way to incorporate all the designers, but there is no doubt that Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen, Rodarte, Maison Martin Margiela and Comme des Garcons may have a few extra pieces!

Thankfully, ModaOperandi.com has taken the best of the best in punk couture from tonight’s red carpet appearances and will have it awaiting you (should you and your credit card wish) via their site.  Of course they also have some other trinkets by designers such as Tom Binns, Charlotte Olympia and Rodarte – Here are some of my top choices:

Tom Binns x Charlotte Olympia Pin Clutch

Tom Binns Pin/Pearl Necklace

Rodarte Studded Dress

In the meantime, since you won’t be able to preview the Exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art until May 9th (running through August 14th, 2013) – but here is a personal mini-tour of how the 1970′s Punk Era represented by CBGB in New York City, Blondie, Richard Hell, The Ramones, and Patti Smith influenced high fashion from then until today.

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PUNK: Chaos to Couture

Entrance into the Punk: Chaos to Couture Exhibition

Burberry

Gareth Pugh

Gareth Pugh

Maison Martin Margiela

Maison Martin Margiela

Gianni Versace

Zandra Rhodes

Givenchy

Balenciaga

Givenchy

Gianni Versace

Dolce & Gabbana

Alexander McQueen

Dolce & Gabbana

Vivienne Westwood

Vivienne Westwood

Comme Des Garcons

Comme des Garcons

Chanel

Balmain

Rodarte

Maison Martin Margiela