Tuesday, January 11, 2011

CHIC YEAR IN REVIEW

2010 has drawn to a close but it sure brought us some stand outs in film, TV, music, beauty and pop culture! It was a year to remember so here are TRES CHIC's favs of 2010. Enjoy!



In Film:

Hands down the best action, surreal, suspense, what-the-heck film of the year: Christopher Nolan's Inception. Sure to snag a few awards in 2011, it's a must-see and and must-see again!
Snag a copy here







In TV (and Music!):

It's okay to admit you're a Gleek! Fox's hour-long sing and dance comedy about a high school glee club is so cool, even Madonna and Britney Spears had episodes dedicated to them in 2010. If you're not watching Glee, do yourself a favor and go download the entire two seasons on iTunes. Then find your fav tunes from the show and sing along!

Stand out Glee star in 2010: Heather Morris (below) who plays the ditsy dancer Brittany Pierce.




In Music (Radio & Live Performance):

2010 was really Katy's year! Perry topped the charts with California Gurls, Teenage Dream and Firework, plus married comedian-actor Russell Brand. And although Sesame Street pulled her segment with Elmo (which Perry spoofed on Saturday Night Live) her star is still shining.






In Fashion (Red Carpet):

From television's Gossip Girl to serious film actress (Ben Affleck's The Town), Blake Lively stood out amongst a sea of stars in 2010 with avant-garde outfits and killer style on the red carpet. As a staple on the "Best Dressed List," and buddies with fashion greats like Anna Wintour and Karl Lagerfeld, Lively is one to watch for fashion trends! Did I mention she's the face of Chanel's new handbag campaign? Lucky girl!



In Beauty (Eyes):

2010 felt very fun and festive and discovering this liquid liner added just enough sparkle to all my 2010 occasions. Too Faced Starry-Eyed Liquid Eyeliner in Silver Lining goes on easy and stays put for all-night festivities.

In Skincare (Face Cream):

Like a drink of water for the face, Fresh makes an utterly addictive Black Tea Cream that leaves your skin super soft and fully hydrated. It's an investment but well worth it, especially for the dry winter months.


In Beauty (Make-Up Removers):

Like any girl, I can be lazy when it comes to washing my face, but it is a MUST! So to make it easy I love the Truth To Go Wipes from Ole Henriksen. They have a fresh citrus scent and can manage to take off mascara, foundation, the whole nine yards! Plus they are easy enough to travel with or keep in your gym bag. So stock up!


In Skincare (Acne):
Being 30 and getting breakouts is not fun! And since other products dry out my skin, I was so happy to find Patricia Wexler's line of Acnostat products. They do the job by clearing up your skin, preventing future blemishes and leaving skin unharmed. Thanks doctor (and you don't need a prescription to buy it)!

In Beauty (Primer):

Going without a face primer under make-up can be done, but why would you? Try a primer first and you'll know why! My new fav from 2010 is KORRES Quercetin & Oak Anti-Aging Face Primer. It gives your face the perfect canvas to apply make-up plus it helps fight the signs of aging and moisturizes. Now I can't live without it!




In Beauty (Make-Up Palette):
Finding a good make-up palette can be difficult. Usually half the palette is unusable because of weird, unflattering colors. Which is why I was pleasantly surprised by the Sephora Collection Color Diary containing eye, cheek and lip colors that really flatter! Plus the best part is, each mini-palette can be popped out and easily carried in a clutch for quick touch-ups! So brilliant! This limited-edition palette is on sale now at Sephora.




In Beauty (Make-Up Remover for Eyes):

I was at Sephora trying on some new eyeshadows when I discovered this awesome eye make-up remover. Make Up Forever's Sens'eyes is hands down the best remover I've tried and is now a staple in my medicine cabinet. Use it anytime that stubborn eyeliner or waterproof mascara refuses to come off.


In Beauty (Hair):

The hair gods have spoken! Moroccanoil is blowing all other hair products out of the water, and with good reason! Add a little (dime size) amount of this oil to wet or dry hair and it takes your tresses to another land! A land where good hair is achievable- I swear! Admittedly I am obsessed, but try it and you'll see why. Get The Original Moroccanoil Oil Treatment at area salons.


In Beauty (Bath & Body):

It's a top-seller at Bath & Body Works and an irresistible fragrance that gets lots of compliments (I've had a bunch): Dark Kiss. This collection of bubble bath, body butter, fragrance mist & more is a blend of berries and vanilla with a modern and sexy smell. Yum! It smells high-end but won't break the bank. Layer the fragrance using Dark Kiss body wash in the shower, then body lotion out of the shower for an all-day scent.




In Beauty (Fragrance):

Best known for her reality TV show on E!, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Kim launched her own fragrance that surprisingly stands out amongst the slew of celeb perfumes on the market. Although Kim had a falling out with Sephora (who no longer carries the popular scent) you can find the perfume at Macy's and various shops online. The fragrance, simply named Kim Kardashian, is a mix of floral and warm woody notes.




In Food (Coffee):

In this fast-paced society, we can all appreciate a good and quick Cup of Joe. Especially when the drip coffee at the office isn't drinkable. Which is why I love the Via collection from Starbucks. These easy to-go packets make a damn good cup of hot (or iced) coffee by just adding water, and now come in flavors. It's the simple things...
In Print (Magazine):

It's no surprise I am a magazine hound, or that my bedroom is packed with stacks of Glamour, Marie Claire, Harper's Bazaar, and more... So when a new mag comes along and does it right, I can't help but spread the news!

People Style Watch is an extension of the fun and fashionable few pages of the original People Magazine, now in its own glossy. It's full of style, beauty and home decor finds that save time and money! I read it cover to cover each month and use it as a go-to guide for getting great looks for less!



In Print (Online):

Super chic in design and super smart in editorial, I love the online magazine Lonny.
This bi-monthly mag is all about lifestyle and home decor delivered in a clickable version making it easy to explore and create the Lonny lifestyle in your own home.


Happy 2011 everyone! I can't wait to find out what the new year has in store!

Saturday, November 6, 2010

BLACK MAGIC

Sure black is safe (and slimming!) but a LBD (little black dress) can look chic and modern too! Check out how these stars have aced the look, and draw inspiration for your own LBD ensemble for the holidays!

Kim K. in a sparkly Alice + Olivia LBD.

Ashlee Simpson showing off her new shorter do with a fun LBD!

Minnie Driver in a black sheath at the 127 Hours premier in Beverly Hills.

SJP in NYC- looking very lady-like in black.

Olivia Wilde in Michael Kors- so chic!
Rock the LBD this winter too! Shop for your own look here:


A.B.S. by Allen Schwartz sateen cowl neck, floor length dress $198.90 at bluefly.com


K Karl Lagerfeld lace-detailed velvet dress only $103.75 at outnet.com


BCBG Max Azria tulle striped dress available at bcbg.com


JB by Julie Brown black sequin trim "Maggie" dress for $126.65 at bluefly.com

Saturday, April 10, 2010

SAVING GRACE

In the recent documentary film The September Issue, which chronicles the journey American Vogue takes to release its coveted September magazine, we get a rare look at famed editor Anna Wintor. But it is Grace Coddington, the former model turned Vogue creative director, that steals the show! Her funny, opinionated, cat-loving, romantic personality shines through as she produces lavish photo shoots and spats with Wintor (all in the name of fashion of course!).

It's obvious by her work that Coddington dreams in pictures. Pictures of couture clothes and fantasy worlds and leggy models.
The eye that she brings to Vogue is pure genius. And at age 69, here's hoping she never stops!

Wintor and Coddington.


Coddington on the cover of British Vogue, August 1962 .














Pictured here as a top model in London in the 60s.

Coddington joined British Vogue in 1968 as a junior fashion editor.











"I like fairy tales, and I like dreaming. I try to weave the reality into the dream. When readers pick up Vogue, I want them to smile. Everything should be a little tongue in cheek, a little dare-to-go-there." - Grace Coddington, who joined American Vogue in 1988 (the same year as Wintor).


Here is a sampling of some recent work by Coddington, ENJOY!

Brief Encounter, February 2010 American Vogue.



Daring Do, May 2008 American Vogue.



The Warrior Way, March 2010 American Vogue.




La Dolce Vita, February 2009 American Vogue.




It's A Madcap World, February 2009 American Vogue.




Love of A Lifetime, December 2008 American Vogue.















In the Mood, September 2009 American Vogue.


















The Wedding Party, June 2009 American Vogue.






French Open, October 2009 American Vogue.



Into the Woods, September 2009 American Vogue.



Coddington on orchestrating the fashion shoot "Into the Woods": “It wasn’t until we finished the shoot that I realized just how hot and uncomfortable it was inside the wolf’s head…and all day long we had kept referring to the poor model: ‘Tell the wolf to stand here.’… ‘Tell the wolf to sit here.’… ‘Tell the wolf to run.’… How mean fashion people are!”



From the September 2007 magazine, featured in the film The September Issue, Coddington's 1920s-style shoot, and my fav photo from the Color Block shoot (below):




















































From American Vogue in August 2008 (below), a fashion dedication to Coddington: Graceful Elegance







Coddington on her relationship with Wintor being compared to one like that of Keith Richards and Mick Jagger: "Anna’s the leader like Mick. I guess I’m Keith because I’m wrinkled. Seriously, though, a lot of people say Anna’s the business one and I’m the creative one. It’s not true. She’s the creative one. So many of the shoots I do start with her ideas. She was the creative director of Vogue before I was, after all. I also believe that everyone needs an editor. What she does is edit and make my work stronger."












(above) Cover of Coddington's book Grace: Thirty Years of Fashion at Vogue




(below) An illustration from Coddington's book The Catwalk Cats
Yes, that is Karl Lagerfeld!