VALENTINO---The Last Emperor

Just a reminder about the movie "The Last Emperor." The movie follows famed Designer Valentino through the world of fashion. It is truly a must see for anyone who is interested in fashion. Believe me, he's not just tooting his own horn, Valentino is truly the last emperor. Watch the movie if it's in your area, you'll see!

"If we cannot live so as to be happy, let us live so as deserve it."---Immanuel Herman Fichte

Lovin Life, Truth Is

Paris - Fall 2009

Ok, alright now we've got your verrryyyy different and your not so different. Alexander McQueen provided the different and Valentino and Chanel provided the not so different, but none the less beautiful. Take a look. You can go on over to Style.com for the full collections.

Alexander McQueen /Fall 2009

Alexander McQueen

Chanel / Fall 2009

Karl Lagerfeld

Valentino / Fall 2009

Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli

"Mediocrity is self-inflicted. Genius is self-bestowed."---Walter Russell

Lovin Life, Truth Is

Favorites Of The Day

Here's a bag thats cool on a number of different levels. First it meets my requirement of being well made. Secondly, it's styled smartly. Thirdly, you could wear this with almost anything. So it's really versatile. Guess that makes it a classic, huh?

Francesco Biasia
"Paige-Calf Leather Top Flap Bag"
Available at Francesco Biasia

You have got to imagine that my eyes have run across so many styles of shoes til I'm probably blue in the face. Which is why I know that I have got to be addicted to them because regardless to how many styles I've seen, I'm always looking for that next pair that will just send me into "shoe high." While the following shoes don't send me into my "shoe high" they are none the less exciting and I'll take a little excitement over none at all!

Valentino
"Patent Triple Band Sandals"

Available at Saks Fifth Avenue

Here's a good read. A little late in getting it to you but a good read non the less.

Pamela Goblin
"Valentino: Themes and Variations"
Available at Amazon

"Every human is an artist. The dream of your life is to make beautiful art."---don Miguel Ruiz

Lovin Life, Truth Is

Favorites Of The Day

This bracelet is a nice one.

Me & Ro
"Silver & Tahitian Pearl"
Available at Gilt Groupe

Now I have been eyeing this bag for the longest. To say that I want it is an understatement!

Carlos Falchi
"Large Drawstring Bucket"
Available at Hobby Fob

Here's a different take on wedges.

Valentino
"Crisscross Suede Wedge"
Available at Bergdorf Goodman

"Citius, Altius, Fortius" (Faster, Higher, Stronger)---Henri Martin Didon

Lovin Life, Truth Is

Favorites Of The Day

Here's a shoe that won't disappoint this Valentine's Day!Valentino

"Couture Half D'Orsay With Bow Detail"
Available at Valentino

It's just too darn cute to walk by! I am hooked! Juicy's got me, I'll admit it! This little pooch is perfect for my big/little girl, although she'd much rather a live one!

Juicy Couture
"Large Plush Scottie Dog"
Available at Juicy Couture

I wish I could explain all the irony in me finding this ring when and where I did. Anyway---it's the perfect little gift to remind you of infinity.

Love Rocks New York
"Infinity Band"
Available at Love Rocks New York

"Common sense is not so common."---Voltaire

Lovin Life, Truth Is

Favorites Of The Day

Wow, now that's a top! Here's another example of simple yet elegant. Very versatile.

Alexander Wang
"Jersey Off-Shoulder Top"
Available at E-Luxury

I have seen this particular jacket done so wrong so many ways until I had given up on seeing it done right. Then along came Mackage. Now take a look at this. First up the collar, extended and folded in just the right places. Then there is the belt, which by the way is of the same material the pockets are detailed with. Then there is the sleeves, skillfully executed so much so that you can almost see her wearing some extended wrist gloves with this. And then there is the length of the jacket not too short and definitely not too long. Just right.

Mackage

"Lindy"

Available at Mackage

Could have sworn I saw this bag before, however they tell me it's a new entry for Valentino.

Valentino

"Patent Petale Dome Bag"

Available at Bergdorf Goodman

"Recognition is the greatest motivator."---Gerard C. Eakdale

Lovin Life, Truth Is

Favorites Of The Day

What's not to love about this handbag!

Valentino
"Glamourous Tote"
Available at Bergdorf Goodman

I found this bag on sale at a deep, I'm talkin deep discount.

Tanner Krolle
"Preciosa Box"
Available at Ideeli

Finally, you can go relax in this cashmere sweater by Elie Tahari.

Elie Tahari
"Black Cashmere Tatiana Cashmere Sweater"
Available at BlueFly

"When you are grateful fear dissappears and abundance appears."---Anthony Robbins

Lovin Life, Truth Is

Favorites Of The Day

Well isn't that cute! That's thinkin' Coach!

Coach
"The Signature Kristin Hat"
Available at Coach

I really think my child is gonna get tired of me, but anyway, I think this would look so cute on her!

Marc Jacobs
"Plisa Organza Ruffled Dress"
Available at Rue La La

Valentino usually has all the neat little innovations to the creations, this upcoming Spring 2009 season is no different.

Valentino
"Allure Framed Satchel"
Available at Bergdorf Goodman

"Compassion is the basis of morality."---Arnold Schopenhauer

Lovin Life, Truth Is

Michelle Obama----Her Style ----Her Way

Of course all the fashion world is a-buzz wondering who Cassandra Bromfield is and why did she get the honor of designing Michelle Obama's inaugural gown and exactly what it will look like. I know it will be one of a kind, I'm not promising anything else. I respect what First Lady-Elect, Michelle Obama is doing here. Ok Ms. Broomfield you're up! Front and center! No pressure. I personally would have been on the phone to Garavani Valentino, Georgio Armani, Karl Laggerfeld. (Sorry about any retirements I may be interrupting) I would have them submit three sketches a piece to me. (Of course the 9 signed sketches would have become my property for later placement in the museum of my choice.) This would be a display of diplomatic courtesy like you've never seen! Heck, America would just have to understand you have to go to VERY BEST there is when you're making these types of decisions. I'm VAIN!!! DO YOU HEAR ME, VAIN!!! When it comes to that outfit that I have just got to get right. VANITY IS AN ASSET!!! These three gentlemen would know where I'm coming from.

Seriously though, I think Michelle's got it under control...I hope she does..we can't afford any slip ups! I'm not worried...ok I'm worried just a tiny, minuscule bit! But she's shown excellent taste with the majority of her outfits. I can truly say I like all of the outfits I've seen her in with the exception of that one.......we won't even say which one because no body's infallible.

Michelle Obama seen here with Jay Leno The Tonight Show October 27, 2008.

Like the outfit. Nice, casual, and most importantly appropriate.
J Crew Ensemble

Here, Michelle Obama wears Narciso Rodriguez from the spring 2009 collection.
I have to tell the truth, I didn't like this dress on Michelle but then again I'm not Mrs. Obama.
I'll keep my personal criticisms to myself however this is the ONLY time I've seen her in an outfit that I didn't like or even go ga ga goo goo over.

*HELLO!!!* I'M HERE!!! I'M CONFIDENT, COMPETENT...AND GUESS WHAT ELSE??? I'M THE FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!!
This dress, by Maria Pinto was to say the least...A BRILLANT CHOICE.
Michelle is strong, very stylish, yet very sexy!

"An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity."---Martin Luther King

This Article written by Michelle Hayden, thank you

Lovin Life, Truth Is

Favorites Of The Day

This definitely caused me to to do a double take. This Tunic is too cute for 2009.

Roberto Cavalli
Silk New York Tunic
Available at E-Luxury

Wow! Now this is a bootie with personality!

Fendi

Lace-Up Tromp L'oeil Shoe
Available Spring 2009 at Fendi

Girl!, This purse will make you want to do some serious things! I try to stay away from snakeskin anything but, I have got to give it up to Valentino! He did what he does on this one! Can you imagine this in a red with a little black flower?

Valentino
Python
Available Spring 2009 at Valentino

"Believe those who are seeking the truth; doubt those who find it.---Andre Gide

Lovin Life, Truth Is

Favorites Of The Day

Luv these little retro-styled glasses!

Louis Vuitton
"Dorothy GM"
Available at Louis Vuitton

The bow so eloquently done! But one has to wonder was this the influence of another shoe designer? Well we do know that the design of this boot is all his. What a design!

Valentino
"Siber Ankle Boot"
Available at David's Footwear

Just plain Divine!

Erikson Beamon

Icon Teardrop Earrings

Available at Net-A-Porter

"False history gets made all day, any day, THE TRUTH OF THE NEW IS NEVER ON THE NEWS."---Adrienne Rich

Lovin Life, Truth Is

VALENTINO---The Last Emperor

The October 20th screening of Valentino: The Last Emperor was shall we say, to die for. Even though it was in the middle of the day.

But then there was free popcorn, and Andre Leon Talley sat in the seat behind me. The movie started, and it was awesome.

The documentary opens with Valentino's Spring 06 collection, looks back on the Dolce Vita days and ends with his three day Roman blowout and retirement.

It's part love story (him and Giancarlo), and part tragic end of an era (of couturiers that simply won't exist again). It's about a man who's wants nothing more than to make women feel beautiful but who can't, or won't, find a way to fit into a changed industry, and I totally cried at the end.

But the best bits, which happen all though the movie right up until that final runway bow and Valentino's heartfelt tears, are all the hysterical Odd Couple moments between Valentino and Giancarlo. They bicker over sets, over models, over pleats, and when Giancarlo asks Valentino why he's using pink for his finale dresses instead of red, Valentino responds, disgusted, "Enough with the red! The red dresses are the most simple, the most stupid!"

Giancarlo says, "To be with Valentino as a friend, as a lover, as an employee - it's all the same. You need a lot of patience." And then he tells Valentino he's too tan, which was, I think, Andre's favorite moment.

Mine? When Karl Lagerfeld congratulated Valentino, "This is how it's done. Compared to us, all the rest are making rags!"

Story By Britt Aboutaleb

"Everyone is a genius at least once a year. A real genius has his ideas closer together."---Georg C. Lichtenberg

Lovin Life, Truth Is

Valentino Will Be The Death Of Me

Human existence. It's a defiant little thing isn't it. Filled with ups and downs, sorrow and joy. But what makes it worth living are those precious moments. Those beautifully rare experiences that are not only memories, but monumental events that normally only come around once in a lifetime. For example, your own wedding, losing your virginity, the birth of your first child and then there is the time you come in contact with a beautiful piece of artwork that you would completely {and utterly} sell your soul and possibly your family to own...

Valentino Petale Dome Bag

Valentino Rosier Tote

Valentino Large Bow Clutch {In that beautiful signature Red}

Okay, so maybe these purses aren't that important. Oh what the hell, who am I kidding. Yea they are.

Facchinetti's Quintessential Woman

Alessandra Facchinetti has produced two remarkable collections since taking the helm of Valentino after his retirement. And her third collection, which happened to be resort, was definitely reflective that she will continue to "amaze" us for many more seasons to come. Facchinetti's resort collection embodied the quintessential woman. I am a pants person, so quite naturally I was in love with the pearl gray high waisted trouser matched with periwinkle dress blouse. But every article is a new genius piece of artwork. If I were a teacher, I would give Alessandra a star and smiley face sticker.