The Carrie Bradshaw Chronicles: Neck Candy Edition

My life will be complete once I collect the holy trifecta of Carrie Bradshaw necklaces. First, the gold nameplate.

Check.

Undoubtedly the most iconic necklace from Carrie Bradshaw's boudoir is her gold "Carrie" nameplate. I scooped up my own version that reads "Stella" at a street fair in Palm Springs a few years back.

Second, the tiara diamond choker. 

Check.

My latest Carrie obsession has been this beautiful little diamond necklace. It's like an upside down tiara, so it instinctively has all the glitz of royal glam. Since I spotted the gem that scored a recurring role on Sex and the City, I've been relentlessly hunting for one just like it and today, I found it!

I was birthday present shopping for two soon to be 22-year-old friends of mine in the beautiful downtown Danville when I became frustrated with the overpriced pretentious plastic goods in Ella J. I headed down the street towards a hole-in-the-wall boutique which never lets me down. This quality establishment is called the Vintage Boutique and it's overflowing with vintage brooches, rings, carpet bags, fur hats, gloves, clip on earrings, necklaces and bracelets galore. Each timeless piece has a story, each has incomparable character.

After I spotted the two most perfect gifts for my gal pals (I'll reveal those treasures after they've been gifted), a spotlight shown down from heaven and I heard the Hallelujah chorus. This beautiful vintage piece of iconic fashion history was sitting pretty atop a white necklace bust. The added gold square embellishments give me a unique take on the classic look. I've been on Cloud 9 since this afternoon. 

The best part was the price: $18. 

Vintage Boutique

130 E Prospect Ave

Danville, CA 94526

925-838-7108

Third, that elusive perfect strand of pearls. Not too cheap looking. Not the wrong white color. A good length. Plenty of personality. 

I'm on the hunt. Oh, Mikimoto...

Who is She Wearing?

Samantha Harris co-hosted ABC's Dancing with the Stars last evening in a refreshing red gown. Why was this Lady-in-Red such a sight to see? Those pockets, people! They add a hint of casual cool to this otherwise stuffy ballgown. So, who is she wearing? I'm dying to know.

Photos courtesy of ABC.com.

The Classic Ten: The LBD

Yes, I'm aware it's St. Patrick's Day. At the risk of offending the Irish, I'm not all that inspired by green fashion at the moment (environmentally friendly, yes, the color forced upon people with the threat of physical violence should they refrain, no). My anti-establishment mood fits in perfectly with the color I'd rather talk about. The mysterious. The mature. The sexy black.

I picked up Nancy MacDonell Smith's The Classic Ten, The True Story of the Little Black Dress and Nine Other Fashion Favorites at my local library and I must say, Smith is whole new breed of novelist. She's a refined cross between cultural anthropologist, historian, and contemporary fashion journalist. As former Fashion News/Features Director at Nylon magazine, Smith sure has the "eye" for style and an authoritative take on the classics. 

The true story of the classic ten reads with all the accuracy and accompanying timelines as my high school AP History textbook, without leaving behind all the flare and star studded personality of an upbeat exposé in Harper's Bazaar.

Let's take a look at two of the most famous LBDs in fashion and pop culture history Smith highlights in her novel.

Givenchy designed the infamous LBD worn by Audrey Hepburn in the 1961 classic Breakfast at Tiffany's. The positively iconic gown was auctioned off at Christie's in December 2006. The winner took home the legendary LBD for just under $1 million. The profit was donated to City of Joy Aid, a charity that helps underprivileged children in India.

Elizabeth Hurley's Versace safety-pin LBD skyrocketed her from "nice English girl" to "smoldering sexpot." She donned the dress on Hugh Grant's arm at the 1994 premier of Four Weddings and a Funeral in London.

Ah, black. It symbolizes the end of a girl's childhood, that day she dons her first little black dress. It has the power to "isolate the wearer's uniqueness," often the backdrop for drama. It is worn exclusively for one year and one day at the onset of mourning. It says, via Chanel, "modernity, streamlined practicality, quiet, self-assured sexiness." It is the abandonment of convention. It has been uniform to the likes of French Vogue Editor in Chief Corinne Roitfeld and city mice worldwide.

For a more exhaustive look at the color black and the history of the LBD, order The Classic Ten at Amazon.com for only $11.20 here: http://www.amazon.com/Classic-Ten-Little-Fashion-Favorites/dp/0142003565. Or rent it for free at your local library. (Clearly the better choice for every recessionista out there. Holla.)

From the archives: one LBD that made history in Viva Las Vegas, circa summer '08.

Stay tuned for Smith's Classic Number Two: The Suit. Be so anti today. Wear black (never before noon, of course).

Hit the Bullseye with These Spring Frocks

Shopping lists work in the grocery store. They work in hardware stores. You write down what you need in an orderly fashion. You take your list with you into the store and check each item off as you toss it into your cart and continue snaking your way down one isle and up through the next. You OCD folks, like me, might double check your list as each item floats down the conveyor belt toward its temporary plastic home. You leave with everything you came for. Not a thing more, save the occasional impulse pack of gum or travel size sanitary wipes (shout out to my fellow germophobes).

This is never the case at Target. I've stopped writing lists when I go to Target. Complete waste of paper and ink. Kudos to the buyers, marketers, and product display managers at Target. It's like they know exactly how to entice you into believing you simply can't pass up the $16.99 Mossimo black leather studded belt to perfectly cinch all the new dresses you just purchased. And all those shoes... man, they do a great job imitating the big wigs. 

So you can understand how I gleefully power walked through the row of those great big red rosary beads outside and into my shopping black hole. Target, you temptress. I went in to scout out the brand new Alexander McQueen McQ line for Target. I've been counting down to March 4th for months now. After two trips to the fitting room and some really impressive (read, irresistibly persuasive) product placement, I left with 6 dresses and one versatile belt to cinch my newly decorated, different dress for each day of the week, waist. 

Let me explain why I simply could not put a single one of these frocks back on the rack.

Exhibit A: Alexander McQueen® for Target Tiger Print Shift Dress - Ebony/Pink, $44.99

Why I had to have it: I couldn't leave without one piece from the McQ line I've been looking so forward to. As a blonde, I feel very confident pulling off shocking pink. 

Exhibit B: Go International® Zip Dress w/Mesh Uniform Blue, $34.99

Why I had to have it: A fully functioning silver zipper. Love those metallic unexpected details. And the clincher, hello, POCKETS. I'm such a sucker for pockets. Did I mention the March 2009 Harper's Bazaar says, "Cool Blue" is a Smart Shopping spring trend? I wisely passed up the suggested Michael Kors dress ($1,395) from Bergdorf Goodman for this sassy look.

Exhibit C: Go International® Side Ruffle Dress - Smokey Taupe, $39.99

Why I had to have it: The latest issue of Bazaar says, "It's all about natural tones: Creamy BEIGES and notable NUDES." Who would I be to disagree with Glenda Bailey?

Exhibit D: Go International® Braided Strap Dress - Ebony, $39.99

Why I had to have it: I'm powerless against braided straps on anything. Plus, the way this silkly layered fabric opens up at the bottom like a blooming tulip is really interesting. And you can never have enough LBDs. Never.

Exhibit E: Go International® Strappy Colorblock Dress Zodiac Night, $29.99

Why I had to have it: It reminds me of cool London street style and I can totally see myself popping around town in this colorblock frock when the weather turns warm. And for now, it's going to look bangin' under my leather jacket.

Exhibit F: Juniors Xhilaration® Floral Tiered Dress - Black, $21.99

Why I had to have it: Spring. Florals. It's a pretty basic argument.

And the belt is completely justified as the capstone piece which holds together all 6 of these beautifully feminine frocks. (It's so much fun to call dresses frocks. Try it. You'll be hooked, I'm warning you).

So hurry into your nearest Target store and snatch up Alexander McQueen's McQ pieces for Target. Hurry in. McQ leaves Target April 14th. Watch a video about how The Duke Spirit inspired the line here: http://www.target.com/Alexander-McQueen-Design-Shopping-Directory/b/ref=sc_iw_r_12_0/181-0301237-6451139?node=1260398011.

Walk out of Target with just what's on your list. (And no adding items once you're inside.)

I dare you.