Southern Protocol

I stumbled across a very lovely ad in this week’s City Paper for an upcoming fashion show, “Music Loves Fashion” sponsored by 26 Industries, StyleXchange and Ciroc vodka! Scheduled for next week – August 27th – I wasn’t exactly sure what the show was, as all the ad says is “fashion show and after party”, but I did know that I was jonesin’ for a fashion show and mingling with the uber stylish! So I looked it up – it’s apparently a show featuring the season’s “hottest designs from 30 designers,” as well as a photo presentation by Josh Norris Photography. Swanky!

What makes it even better, is that the event will be held at Patrick Properties’ vintage American Theater on King Street; what a GREAT location for a show! If that’s still not enough for you, a portion of the proceeds will benefit the local Boys and Girls Club. Fashion, fabulousness, and charity!? Fine – you twisted my arm!

Again, the show is next Friday, August 27th; doors open at 8:00 pm and the show starts at 10:00 sharp. An after party will immediately follow! To get your tickets head to www.brownpapertickets/com, or call 1.800.838.3006. Receive a $25 gift certificate to StyleXchange with every ticket purchase!

I was idly flipping through April’s Harper’s Bazaar the other day (which has a lovely cover tribute to the late Alexander McQueen featuring Demi Moore in the talon heels!) when I squealed with delight: an absolutely adorable pair of Chanel PVC flip flops with a ginormous camellia and metal chain Chanel logo.

They look nice enough to wear out on certain nights on the town, but can just as easily be thrown on with a casual pair of shorts and blouse. My research has yielded varying results on how comfy they are, with some people saying they could wear them for hours, and one lady saying she literally had to take them off and walk barefoot in the mall. I refuse to believe the latter, and will be heading to Saks this afternoon just to see them in person!

Now that it seems spring and warm weather are here to stay, everyone needs to invest in a nice pair of flats. Yes, it’s good to have Rainbows and Target flip flops for trips to the grocery store or beach, but they are not acceptable for most other ventures outside of the house. Find a nice, durable pair in a neutral color (black, silver, bronze) to wear on a daily basis, and you’ll be surprised how much more put together you look and feel.

Enjoy the GORGEOUS weather!

Lily Allen has some fun, funky music…but she is generally a pretty big trainwreck. Call me crazy, but I am slightly apprehensive of a girl who consistently looks like she’s drained all the cider from the nearest pub, has a cigarette in hand in probably every picture ever taken, and sports makeup that she doesn’t ever wash off, but instead just adds a new layer every morning.

Perhaps because of this generally consistent “style” of hers, I did not even realize that Lily Allen is that sensationally beautiful Brit in the new Chanel ads! I mean seriously – girlfriend looks absolutely stunning. She’s clean! She’s perky! She’s wearing chic ensembles!  Lily has made it known the past few years that she’s a die-hard Chanel fan, always carrying the quilted bags that somewhat clash with her otherwise British punk vibe, and frequenting the house’s runway shows. If I had to guess I’d say it is her mere dedication to the brand that landed her the coveted “face of Chanel” gig – because her personal aesthetic and lifestyle are so anti-Coco.

Doesn’t she look like a modern Audrey Hepburn? Maybe she’ll fall in the love with the pearls, LBDs and ruffles and spend more time cleaning up her look…Chanel can change a girl!

Who out there loves Chanel beauty products? Who out there hates when your favorite blush or miracle working lipstick gets thrown in the depressing “discontinued” group?

I do! Me!

Great news to all: Chanel has launched a new section on their website called “Deja Vu,” a glorious internet boutique of sorts where you can find some of their discontinued treasures. Now keep in mind that they can’t (and don’t) possibly have every single thing, but they might just have your long lost love!

Check it out here.

I have many goals in life. Be fantastically fabulous, even at 89. Hit the point when I buy wine based on actual taste and not pretty labels or Harris Teeter discounts. Make a positive impression on everyone I meet. Own an American Express Black Card. Attend a Chanel show at Paris Fashion Week and have Karl Lagerfeld whisk me away on a personal tour of his leather glove collection.

A girl can dream! Sadly the closest I can get to couture Chanel at this moment in time is via style.com’s coverage of the 2010 runway shows in Paris this week. Maybe I’m biased – because leggy Chanel models could strut down the catwalk wearing Mardi Gras beads and tutus and I would rave about it – but Lagerfeld showed why he’s the Prince of Fashion this morning at the Chanel show.

There was a barn in the springtime feel, complete with models accessorized with wheat ears in their hair, but it never even got close to kitschy. The trademark nubby tweed suit skirts were shortened, ruffles added volume to the shoulders, and a mixture of delicate lace and sheer fabrics gave it just enough of a modern touch. The colors were basic (blacks, creams, taupes) but every now and then there was the farmland poppy pattern.

My favorite were the circle skirt cocktail dresses. I must have one (another thing to add to my life goals list…). The only thing I was not so crazy about were the shoes…I’m just not ready for a return of the wooden platform clogs – especially not with lace up ribbons.

What an absolute fashion inspiration the House of Chanel always is! And if I’m really lucky, maybe I’ll get the ridiculous tour of the Coco Chanel apartment like Rachel Zoe did last night. I’d like to wear Coco’s sunglasses, too! Some of the genius would just have to rub off on me…