I finally watched Lagerfeld Confidential, the documentary on Karl Lagerfeld that premiered at the 2007 Berlin Film festival. Being as it is 2009, I am a little late on this but it was definitely a case of better late than never. Check out this teaser and you will definitely be compelled to watch it, whether for the first time, or once again:

This film took ten years to make a reality, with three years of filming and more than 300 hours of video footage, and is the first authorized biography on the icon. Lagerfeld is an eccentric genius, and his musings on life, fashion, art, photography, and Coco Chanel- not to mention cameos by Anna Wintour and Nicole Kidman- are incredibly entertaining and not to be missed.

I love this outfit shot by Scott Schuman, aka The Sartorialist, outside the Blumarine show in Milan for Style.com. The look is great because it is at the same time head-turning and incredibly simple. All you need are four items: an oversized oxford button-down or shirtdress, black opaque tights or black leggings, platform heels or booties, and a chic handbag. I like that this woman left it at that, she isn’t even wearing a watch or small earrings. She looks fresh, modern and surprisingly sexy. I think the sexiness of this outfit comes from the fact that it almost makes you think that the dress she wore out the night before, paired with the tights and heels, is hidden in her bag and she simply threw on her lovers shirt in the morning and got on with her day. A little naughty, no? Or maybe I’m letting my imagination run a little wild. Regardless, here is how I would get this look:

First the main item, the shirtdress. It’s hard to find an oversized button-down shirt that fits as well as the one in our inspiration photo. That’s why I like the idea of buying a shirtdress. You get the look of a button-down, with a great fit. This version from Current/Elliot is sleeveless and a bit different from the blue oxford above, but I like that this dress would look equally cute in this outfit, as well as paired with sandals over a bathing suit this summer.

Black opaque tights from Ellen Tracy. I probably wear my opaque tights more than anything else in my wardrobe, if you don’t already own a pair, you should remedy this situation immediately if not sooner. You can thank me later.

These cute platforms from LAUREN Ralph Lauren are reminiscent of the YSL Tribute Sandals. But the cost won’t break your bank and the lower heel won’t break your back.

This Dautore grey leather shopper is big enough to hold last night’s outfit and everything you need for today, all in one chic package.

Image Source: Style.com

I am not one to spend a lot of money on beauty products, and most of the expensive items in my bathroom either belong to my roommate or have come in a gift bag. I am perfectly happy with drugstore brands that I have been using for years such as Cetaphil (and to be honest I sometimes buy the generic version), Dove Body Wash and Biolage shampoo and conditioner. My one splurge is usually Bumble & Bumble Creme de Coco conditioner because I am obsessed with the smell. I use it sparingly and try to make the tiny bottle last as long as possible. Recently, however, I received a great, cheap haircut and because I saved so much money on my cut felt justified in splurging on product (my mind works in twisted, expensive ways). I purchased a tiny bottle of Bumble & Bumble Treatment Styling Balm, and I am really, really happy with it. Don’t get me wrong, I firmly believe that paying almost $40 for 3.4 fluid oz of styling balm is completely outrageous, but when this bottle is gone, I might just do it again. Anything that gives my hair a little shape and style, tames my frizz and adds some shine and all I have to do it run my fingers and a little of this magic potion through it when I get out of the shower? Perfect. Imagine the possibilites if I went wild and actually attempted adding a round brush and blow dryer to the equation? I might leave the house with this hair:

Gucci hair, swooon. Heyyyy, it could happen…

Image Source: Style.com

I saw this close-up shot of Kate Lanphear’s to-die-for Lanvin cocktail ring on Jak & Jil and had to re-post:

With a piece of statement jewelry like this, you could wear nothing else but a brown paper bag and still look chic. Of course, after purchasing this lovely piece of jewelry, a paper bag might be all you can afford to pair with it. Luckily, there are many awesome cocktail rings out there that are totally affordable. I love jewelry that can make an entire outfit with little thought or effort. Pair a ring like this with a little black dress or slacks and a t-shirt, and there is really no need to further accessorize… or wear makeup, or brush your hair.

I love this Swarovski® crystal large stone and pave ring. It’s perfectly over-the-top, kind of like the Lanphear’s Lanvin ring. I would save this ring for a special event or chic cocktail party.

This turquoise and gold ring could be worn both dressed up and down. It would look just as great both paired with jeans and a white blouse, a white sundress or a little black dress and heels.

Image Source: Jak & Jil

I tend to be smitten with any clothing or jewelry that is able to be at the same time both feminine and masculine, so it comes as no surprise that the jewelry collaboration between Pamela Love and Zac Posen for his fall 2009 collection has me totally crushing. The braided headbands with spikes, belts covered with leaves, flowers and spikes and floral earrings with daggers and- you guessed it- spikes, sprouting from the center were just too cool. I’ve been obsessed with flowers, and having them around me, ever since I was a very little girl. I know this is the case for many young women, but I’ve been known to take it to a slight extreme. For example, my mother loves to tell the story of how we once were visiting friends of hers and they left me outside in their sizeable garden, only to return a short time later and discover that I had picked every single flower that was in bloom. Every one. And I was not a child that misbehaved, in case you are wondering, I was pretty much just powerless against the thought of a pretty bouquet. But I digress… Give me some floral jewelry with the added punk-rock flair of metal studs and pair it with a kohl eyeliner and an awesome clothing collection? That is pretty much heaven on Earth for this girl.

Get the look by pairing a spike studded cuff with a floral charm bracelet, these two together would look pretty awesome.

Image Source: Style.com

A quick update to my post regarding Thom Yorke creating the set list for Rag & Bone’s fall 2009 show. The soundtrack was:

Squarepusher, “Freeman Hardy and Willis Acid”
Modeselektor, “Dark Side of of the Sun”
Bjork, “Dull Flame of Desire”
Charles Mingus, “Il B.S.”

Thom Yorke, Bjork, twill and leather tuxedo jackets… Rag & Bone certainly aren’t lacking in the cool department.

Upload them all onto your favorite MP3 player.

Image Source: Style.com

Mary-Kate Olsen has inspired my first must-have spring 2009 purchase, an over-sized white blazer. She wore hers to Proenza Schouler’s fall 09 show over a teal shift dress, black scarf and Killer-with-a-capital-K heels (which are Elizabeth & James rumored to be coming out next month) and then again at the debut and unveiling of The Smile Dinner Celebration this time with black satin pencil pants, an over-sized black sweater, the same adorable scarf, black mesh heels and a cheeky peace pin. I love the jacket worn both ways, and am picturing it paired with skinny jeans, a heather grey tee shirt and sandals on myself, all spring and summer long. Oh, Mary-Kate, my closet loves you but my bank account is not your biggest fan.

This Whitley Kros Regent Jacket is made out of perfect-for-summer linen with a metallic finish for a cool extra touch. Love it.

Image Source: Olsen-files

I’ve recently come across two images on the internet that have me seriously contemplating wearing my heather grey sweatpants as casual sportswear. And by that, I don’t mean casual pants in which to play sports in. Rather, I’m tempted to pair them with a cute blazer, high-heeled boots and a slouchy white tee. Am I crazy? Or do these pictures- the first a shot of model Madisyn Ritland outside the tents at Bryant park, and the second a look from Isabel Marant spring 2009- inspire you to do the same?

It takes the casual slept-in t-shirt and ripped jeans aesthetic to a whole new level, is probably even more comfortable, and actually manages to look more put-together. My only fear is that while covetable and chic on these tall blonde beauties, translated onto my 5′1″ frame the look just won’t have the same feel. Of course, there is only one way to find out if an outfit works, and so I intend to wear it out of the house and see if I feel like a fool all day and can’t wait to run home and pair my sweats with flip-flops like a normal person or if I find myself feeling confident and secretly checking out my hot new look in store windows as I walk by.

This look definitely requires a cute pair of sweats, not an oversized pair that belongs to an ex-boyfriend and you have to roll the waistband over 3 times to keep them on your hips.

This pair from Sport-Tek has a great slouchy fit, and a recession-friendly price tag. So you can splurge on the high-heel boots…

Image Source: ELLE, Teen Vogue

I’ve said it here before, Lisa Mayock and Sophie Buhai, the designers of Vena Cava, make clothes that I want to live in all day, everyday. Their collection was one of the few that I had been really looking forward to during New York Fashion Week, and it did not disappoint, even if it wasn’t quite what I was expecting. Buhai told Style.com,”if we were acoustic before, now we’re digital,” a perfect metaphor for the progression of the brand, which this season gave us dark colors, cut-outs and holographic sequins instead of the muted prints, soft silks and feminine shapes we come to expect. This evolution felt like a natural progression, however, especially in a season where somber and dark seems to be the status quo. The collection is still completely covetable and wearable. Here are some of my favorite looks:

Also worth noting are the awesome shoes, a collaboration with Via Spiga, which, along with the tie-dye tights that I must own right-this-very-moment, are the perfect finishing touch.

I’m totally inspired to wear patent leather oxford-inspired flats with my dresses. I love the Wallis loafer from the aforementioned Via Spiga:

Image Source: Style.com

I love reading and I love clothes, so it is no surprise that I absolutely adore books about fashion. I bought a copy of The Little Dictionary of Fashion by Christian Dior while at the Yves Saint Laurent exhibit at the de Young, and it is too much fun. The book is a charming “accent to zest” guide to womens dressing. First published in 1954, some of Dior’s commentary is, of course, a bit antiquated. Take for example the quite long entry about hats and how whether or not to wear them is the most “pressing problem of this time.” Well, I guess we know which side of thought won out on that one… Yet some of Dior’s advice is timeless, such as his entry on zest, “anything you do, work or pleasure, you have to do it with zest. You have to live with zest… and that is the secret of beauty and fashion, too.

Whether or not you agree Dior’s words of wisdom, the book is a lot of fun to read by yourself or out-loud to fashion-minded friends (my roomie has gotten a kick out of some of the snippets I’ve shared with her). Better yet, it would make a great gift for the fashionable girl-who-has-everything.

Image Source: My Elegance