Monday, September 30, 2013

Transition White

I bought a pair of white trousers from Banana Republic a couple of weeks ago and have being finding countless ways to incorporate them into wardrobe as a key transitional wear piece. This outfit below has been the consistent go-to. I love a classic camel cashmere (with ANYTHING) and it is just the perfect way to transition into fall.  Make the outfit even better by pairing with leopard details (either in a belt or shoes) and my must-have gold jewels! I adore white and I think this is such a classic way to make the color last a little bit longer. I am also thinking that I can find ways to wear this for "winter white" as well. 
What do you think? Does this say fall to you?
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Friday, September 27, 2013

Milan Fashion Week Street Styles

Take a look at some of my favorite street styling of the Milan Fashion Week. 
So much great inspiration for this season, what look is your favorite?
All photos are courtesy of Harper's Bazaar














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Thursday, September 26, 2013

Cincinnati Culture

I have been busy over the past couple of weeks attending a handful of phenomenal art events in Cincinnati. Joining the YP ArtsWave board has proven to be a wonderful opportunity and I have been treated to some of the most beautiful performances. I was able to go to the symphony with my parents about 10 days ago and I went to the Cincinnati Ballet last week! It is so nice to have a night out and explore the cultural arts. I have always appreciated the arts and it is great to be able and celebrate them as I begin my "professional" journey. 
The Cincinnati Ballet production was my absolute favorite and I was so entranced throughout the entire show. The Kaplan series explored contemporary dance with ballet and it was dynamic. They had a particular act that was composed to Johnny Cash music. The dancers (three men and one woman) were all wearing jeans and cowboy boots. Each dance told a different story and the dancers did a phenomenal job. It was incredibly interesting to see ballet removed from the traditional depiction and incorporating a contemporary flair. The act reminded me of a blend of Johnny + June with a twist of Ingrid Michaelson. Needless to say, I feel in LOVE with the ballet and I hope I will be able to go to more performances throughout the season.
Additionally, I am headed to an event this evening at the Malton Gallery featuring a winery and getaway destination in Washington: Chateau Ste. Michelle
The people of Cincinnati have spoken. You’ve shared Your Chateaus with us, we’ve listened and, on September 26th, you’ll get to experience Cincinnati’s My Chateau firsthand—and it’s all on us. Join us at the Malton Art Gallery for a night out with great Chateau Ste Michelle wine and the music of The Heartlanders.
"Your Chateau is that time or place during the day where you're able to become You again. Because everyone's Chateau is different, there is no generic formula to follow to get there. Which is why we want to hear about the unique parts that make up the sum of Your Chateau." Take a look at some of their tag lines below!
Keep updated on my twitter + instagram to see how the event goes! 




Here is a snapshot of my night at the Cincinnati Ballet AND a wonderful video with two dancers from the New York Ballet paying tribute the 9/11. I know they're no parallel companies, but I thought the tribute was breathtaking...and share a little ballet with you today!



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Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Fall cover-ups ala Paris

Happy Fall!! I know I am a little behind on posting, but I hope you have been enjoying the start of the season as much as I have. I LOVE fall and the weather has been wonderful so far. I have had so much fun experimenting with transitional wear and am excited to bring out my fall attire.
I just have to share this spread from Town & Country on the perfect fall outerwear. I would be absolutely smitten to have even just one of these coats in my closet. I am particularly obsessed with the tangerine coat and the dynamite patent leather cape...I mean the whole outfit is just incredible!
Which look below is your favorite?
Does this put you in the fall mood??










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Saturday, September 21, 2013

Playing DJ: The 21st night of September!

September 21st is one of my favorite dates of all time, see HERE.
That means it's time to cue a dancing playlist!!
At the end of my college career I asked my favorite weekend spot (the local bar) if I could start playing my music. I played DJ "iTunes clicker" for three or four times and I absolutely loved it. I was able to stand up on stage, twirl around to my favorite tunes, and try to make people have just as much fun as I was! I was far from a professional DJ; I had to borrow equipment from friends and had no clue how to mix music. I relied on my iTunes library, the power of a playlist, and being the master of ceremonies by leading the crowd to a night of singing and dancing.
Every time I played Miss DJ, I came as myself. And that means...fancy party dress, my go-to festive accessories, and the best songs for twirling.

I adored reading about Upper East Side society maven, Majorie Gubelmann who has found her "ulterior identity" in DJing as well. The social butterfly used to play tunes on her college radio station and offered to DJ for a friend's party a couple of years ago. She loved it and continues to get the party started at galas across the NY social scene, in fact DJ Mad Marj is becoming a vastly growing brand. My most favorite part of her DJ package is her dress code, "I always wear a proper dress, usually Oscar de la Renta, Zac Posen, or Givenchy couture. Lots of jewelry." How fabulous!

Although my time turning tables is probably over, I can still make playlists!

My secret recipe for DJ success: people feel much more comfortable dancing when they can sing along, I try and play songs with words most people know. And, most importantly...lead the dance party!


Get your dancing shoes on...if I was DJing this weekend, this would be my playlist:

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Wednesday, September 18, 2013

The Unofficial Goldman Sachs Guide To Being A Man


I enjoyed reading through this light, yet thought-provoking list compiled by Goldman Sachs. The article takes a spin on what it's like to be a gentleman this day in age. Advice and recommendations range from social cues to dressing to finances.
I don't agree with all of the points (hint, hint: khakis are the pants of choice in the Whitaker household), but I think that there is value in a large amount of the content. Since I don't typically post for males, I thought this would be a good time for a little life inspiration! That said, I think it's worth reading for many females as well. Instead of just being reflections on being the "modern man", it can give "modern women" an appropriate glimpse into what those boys read in the book of life's little instructions. Who knows, the girls might want to adapt one or two practices as well?! 



A fresh, and hopefully thoughtful, look at what it means to be a man today:

Stop talking about where you went to college.
Always carry cash.  Keep some in your front pocket.
Rebel from business casual. Burn your khakis and wear a suit or jeans.
It’s okay to trade the possibility of your 80s and 90s for more guaranteed fun in your 20s and 30s.
The best public restrooms are in hotels: The St. Regis in New York, Claridge’s in London, The Fullerton in Singapore, to name a few.
Never stay out after midnight three nights in a row … unless something really good comes up on the third night.
You will regret your tattoos.
Never date an ex of your friend.
Join Twitter; become your own curator of information.
If riding the bus doesn't incentivize you to improve your station in life, nothing will.
Time is too short to do your own laundry. 

When the bartender asks, you should already know what you want to drink.
If you perspire, wear a damn undershirt
You don’t have to like baseball, but you should understand the concept of what a pitcher’s ERA means.  Approach life similarly.
When people don’t invite you to a party, you really shouldn’t go.
 And sometimes even when you are invited, you shouldn’t go.
 

People are tired of you being the funny, drunk guy. 

When in doubt, always kiss the girl.
Tip more than you should.
You probably use your cell phone too often and at the wrong moments.

Buy expensive sunglasses.  Superficial? Yes, but so are the women judging you. And it tells these women you appreciate nice things and are responsible enough not to lose them.
If you want a nice umbrella, bring a sh*tty one to church.
Do 50 push-ups, sit-ups, and dips before you shower each morning. 

Eat brunch with friends at least every other weekend. Leave Rusty and Junior at home.
Be a regular at more than one bar.  
Act like you’ve been there before.  It doesn’t matter if it’s in the end zone at the Super Bowl or on a private plane.
A glass of wine or two with lunch will not ruin your day.

It’s better if old men cut your hair.  Ask for Sammy at the Mandarin Oriental Barbershop in Hong Kong.  He can share his experiences of the Japanese occupation, or just give you a copy of Playboy.
Learn how to fly-fish.  
No selfies. Aspire to experience photo-worthy moments in the company of a beautiful woman.
Own a handcrafted shotgun.  It’s a beautiful thing.
There’s always another level. Just be content knowing that you are still better off than most who have ever lived.
You can get away with a lot more if you're the one buying the drinks.
Ask for a salad instead of fries.

Don’t split a check.
Pretty women who are unaccompanied want you to talk to them.
Cobblers will save your shoes. So will shoe trees.
When a bartender buys you a round, tip double. 


The cliché is that having money is about not wasting time. But in reality, money is about facilitating spontaneity.
Be spontaneous.
Find a Times New Roman in the streets and a Wingdings in the sheets. She exists.
Piercings are liabilities in fights. 

Do not use an electric razor. 

Desserts are for women. Order one and pretend you don’t mind that she’s eating yours.

Buy a tuxedo before you are thirty. Stay that size.

One girlfriend at a time is probably enough.

#StopItWithTheHastags
Your ties should be rolled and placed in a sectioned tie drawer. 

Throw parties. 
But have someone else clean up the next day.
You may only request one song from the DJ. 

Measure yourself only against your previous self.
Take more pictures.  With a camera.
Place-dropping is worse than name-dropping.

When you admire the work of artists or writers, tell them. 
And spend money to acquire their work.


Your clothes do not match. They go together. 

Yes, of course you have to buy her dinner. 

Staying angry is a waste of energy.

Revenge can be a good way of getting over anger. 


If she expects the person you are 20% of the time, 100% of the time, then she doesn't want you.
Always bring a bottle of something to the party.


Avoid that “last” whiskey. You’ve probably had enough. 

Don’t use the word “closure” or ever expect it in real life. There may still be a mortally wounded Russian mobster roaming the woods of south Jersey, but we’ll never know.
If you are wittier than you are handsome, avoid loud clubs. 

Drink outdoors.
 And during the day.
 And sometimes by yourself.
Date women outside your social set. You’ll be surprised.

If it’s got velvet ropes and lines, walk away unless you know someone. 

You cannot have a love affair with whiskey because whiskey will never love you back.

Feigning unpretentiousness is worse than being pretentious. Cut it out with the vintage Polo and that ’83 Wagoneer in Nantucket. 
The New Yorker is not high-brow. Neither is The Economist. 

If you believe in evolution, you should know something about how it works.
No-one cares if you are offended, so stop it. 

Never take an ex back. She tried to do better and is settling with you.
Eating out alone can be magnificent. Find a place where you can sit at the bar.
Read more. It allows you to borrow someone else’s brain, and will make you more interesting at a dinner party – provided that you don’t initiate conversation with, “So, who are you reading …”
Ignore the boos. They usually come from the cheap seats.
Hookers aren’t cool, and remember, the free ones are a lot more expensive.
Don’t ever say, “it is what it is.”
Start a wine collection for your kids when they are born.  Add a few cases every year without telling them.  It’ll make a phenomenal gift in twenty years.
Don’t gamble if losing $100 is going to piss you off.
Remember, “rules are for the obedience of fools and the guidance of wise men.” 

This list has been authored by @GSElevator, but is a collaborative effort between Twitter’s @GSElevator and John Carney (@Carney).

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Monday, September 16, 2013

the hot seat!

When a red chair is all you need...
Ikea's latest advertisement is just wonderful! The ad shows the power of a single chair, that just happens to be bright red. This two minute video acts as a life lesson, starring a elderly man who seeks to escape the monotony of life by purchasing a chair. Yep, just one red chair. It's quite motivating if I do say so myself, sometimes it's the little things that can spark the greatest inspirations.

I encourage you all to watch the video and then take a look at some interiors I found with the playful and bold burst of red seating. 
Heres how red can inspire both your decorating style and your life adventures!
Not just sitting pretty, but RED HOT!


SEE THE VIDEO HERE:



And interior musings:






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Saturday, September 14, 2013

New York Fashion Week Street Styles

You might recall from my Fashion Week posts (circa February-March) that I love street styles! In fact, my favorite part of fashion week is exploring the galleries filled with the city chic fashionistas who journey from around the world to the year's biggest parties. Harper's Bazaar always does a wonderful job capturing a diverse and flawless collection of the best dressed fashion show attendees. I also found some great shots via Refinery 29. I know the most important part of fashion week is what struts down the runway, but I find the street sashay-ers JUST as important. I love that they experiment with trends while still holding true to their personal style. It's not hard to discover that I am quite a conservative dresser, so my favorite street styles tend to stick with the timeless and classic pieces. 
Here are some of my favorites:








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Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Galitzine wear

While playing magazine catch-up the other weekend, I came across a lovely article in W about Galitzine. Irene Galitzine was a Russian princess who designed silk dress suits, creating evening pants and matching tops. Her styles took off in the 1960s and she had many popular fans including Sophia Loren, Wallis Simpson, and Jackie Kennedy. Diana Vreeland referred to them as "palazzo pyjamas." The effortlessly chic style was sported best by the designer herself. Barney's New York is carrying a modern-day version of the time, attracting the stylish set, "Women are so overwhelmed with fashion, these clothes speak more about style." I couldn't agree more! I love the look.

Read below a note from Jackie Kennedy to the designer circa early 1963:

"Dear Irene, 

I was so touched at your thoughtfulness in sending me your marvelous pajamas for Christmas. Thank you so much. 
I wish you could see us down here; it's like a Convent -- Jayme, Marella, Lee and I are in uniform every night!
We will be having a party like the one you missed February 14 or 15 to say Goodbye to Eugene Black, who is leaving the World Bank. You will get an invitation soon but I so hope you can come that I thought, perhaps, if I told you now, you could plan ahead for it.
The happiest New Year to you and Syivie, and we hope to see you soon.

Affectionately, 

Jackie"

Read Barney's The Window to learn more about Sergio Zambon's Galitzine revival.





                        



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