merry christmas eve from hope & vogue

the small stuff

Sunday morning friends and family gathered together for a (surprise) brunch to celebrate my lovely mother's 50th birthday. Mimosas and blue berry pancakes were served amongst other delicious things. We even had a piano player to accompany us in singing her "Happy Birthday." These are a few pictures of the things my sister and I wore. Enjoy!

vintage bracelets from Mae's; top is Hannah's and bottom is mine. we each got them this past year, mine for my 18th and hers for her 21st birthday.

pretty braided back on BCBG dress

hannah's suede boots

leather jacket with BCBG dress seen above {rope necklace is attached}

fur unknown, h&m dress and vintage locket from Mae's

vintage earrings from Mae's

nicole & marchesa: a beautiful pair

Nicole Richie looked absolutely stunning on her wedding night in the beautiful Marchesa concoction above. Loveeee.

the short of it

glitzy:

DVF sequin shorts $440

Kate Spade tights $24

Margiela ankle boots $715

lush:

Topshop suede shorts $105

Anna Sui tights $19

Nicholas Kirkwood boots $1,110

textured:

3.1 Phillip Lim wool shorts $580

Kate Spade tights $36

theoutnet.com suede boots $278

crew christmas

There is something about J. Crew and the season of Christmas that goes great together. I don't know if it is the glossy catalogs displaying sequined cardis along with a girl doing something ever so J. Crew chic like cutting down her own Christmas tree but it just works. This holiday season, their version of a lookbook was called the Very Merry Gift Guide. It is a rather simple concept (displaying clothes flat on a wall) but makes you want everything.

In the beginning, J. Crew got their dose of snide remarks from fashion critics claiming it too preppy and "just like you stepped out of the catalog". But now, that is what I and multiple people strive to do everyday of their lives. With the help of Jenna Lyons (one of the best dressed people in the world, period) the brand has a new name for themselves. Personally, I'd wear it all.

[jenna lyons & j.crew holiday layouts pictured above]

chained to the heart

forever21 necklace $9.80

nzfw

One of the blogs I always go to for inspiration is fashiontoast. Rumi has an impeccable eye for pairing things together and the most intriguing photographs. These are pictures from New Zealand Fashion Week back in September.

blake + chanel

It is not surprising that it is now announced that Blake Lively will be modeling for Chanel starting in the spring. Blake and Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld have been looking like bff for a while now. It's about time!

In tip TOPSHOP shape

Holiday lookbooks are always full of golds, glitters and gleam. I myself fully embrace this every season because it is the one time of the year I can wear all of this over-the-top fabulousness without any stares from non-fashion enthused people that we come in contact with everyday.

Topshop took a different route this season and opted for something a little more edgy and quite frankly everywhere. There is little cohesion in this line but I love it. There is a bit of everything: fur, leather, lace, pleats and yes, glitter. The lookbook goes from this awesome 70's vibe with trousers and fur to Rodarte-esque looks with pastels and tangled knitting.

With all of the variation in the collection, there is something for everyone.

P.S. I'm having difficulties uploading the Topshop Christmas Fashion Film 2010 but click here to see it! It features a beautiful Bridgette Bardot look-alike with a great gap. The film isn't full of holiday cheer but the song is cool. Take note of her eye makeup towards the end!

tie me up

Kate Spade- Twirl Bow Cuff $175

inspired: clemence poesy

Clemence Poesy is a French model and actress with impeccable taste. She is best known as Fleur Delacour on Harry Potter and her recent role as Eva on Gossip Girl. She has that whole stringy blonde hair/hipster thing going on that really works. There is never too much color in her wardrobe and she never looks as though she has tried too hard. Love.

Anyone who is photographed with the king of couture (Lagerfeld pictured below) is inspiration in my book!

chunk

Let me start off by saying that last week was literally one of the busiest weeks I've experienced in a while...now back to the good stuff.

Sam Edelman Wynn Platform Booties $180