Cage Rage

I stalk the shoe selection on Urbanoutfitters on a regular basis. New styles are always popping up. Look at the beauties I just found--Jeffrey Campbell cage booties! They're no doubt YSL inspired, but I see Chanel in these too. They are super duper adorable! They're a combination of things I love: black and white, patent, and the cage trend. I imagine these will sell out shortly on urban's site because they're just under $200, which is a steal for amazing look-alikes. Too cute. 

This season's inspirational YSL cage heel 

Jeffrey Campbell cage bootie 

Little Bow Chic

Bows are so quintessentially feminine and a big look this spring on all the runways. Bows are popping up on dresses, shoes, and handbags, the bigger the better. Here is a wonderful way to incorporate it in your home. I have always been a huge fan of Designers Guild. Based in Chelsea in London, they have an international following with their edgy, modern and elegant collection of everything for the home including wallpaper, fabric, furniture, linens, rugs, paint, and more. This new fabric, Eliza, in their spring 2009 collection is perfect. I love the use of bows and swags, but in a modern graphic way. Designers Guild says it is reminiscent of those heady days in the 1930s when a very English art and culture held sway. This fabric is available in pink, white, and aqua, but I love the pink. Look at how they work with different patterns on the curtains and sofa-fabulous! 

(photos courtesy of ysl.com and designersguild.com)

Be Daring

These Prada and YSL ads are inspiring me to create a sexy look of my own. If Prada says you can show off your pretty bra and midriff and still be sophisticated, there must be something to it. I do think this trend is best executed by a woman with smaller breasts. A friend asked where one could pull off this look. She said she could not imagine going out for a nice dinner dressed like this. I think it would work best for cocktails and dancing. Here's the thing. Women show a lot of skin as the temperatures rise. With this look you are covering a lot of skin, but letting the world know there is a seductress within. When it comes to fashion experimenting and pushing the envelope, just a little bit can be a great way to open up and update your style. The Prada ads immediately reminded me of Carrie Bradshaw. But then she always had the abs and the confidence to strut around the streets of Manhattan in midriff baring ensembles. I think a bandeau, harem pants, and a cropped boxy jacket would be a great daytime version of this.

(Milla Jovovich in Prada: courtesy of The New York Times Style Magazine spring 09)

(Prada: courtesy of Feb 09 Vogue)

 

(YSL bra, pants, and blazer: courtesy of Feb 09 Vogue)

Bowlicious

Handbags don't always grab my attention the way shoes do, but when I came across this YSL satchel bag I fell in love a little. Bows are my thing. I love to see them on jackets, shoes, headbands, dresses, you name it. I don't see too many bow handbags, but the ones I've come across have been too frou frou for everyday use. However, this piece comes across as feminine, but is still very classic. The tailored bows and pleating make this very eye-catching. The tuxedo bows are elegant and add sexiness to the basic shape of the bag. We all need a little romance in our lives and that's exactly what I see when I look at this beauty. YSL is very adult, modern, and luxurious. Marc Jacobs has always been my #1 go-to when it comes to handbags, but lately my mind has been all wrapped up in YSL. This bag is a perfect example why! 

(photos courtesy of saksfifthavenue.com) 

Lattice Wrap

I'm all about Yves Saint Laurent these days--- the sky high heels, classic go-to bags. For me, YSL is the epitome of class and sex appeal. In YSL's spring 09 runway collection, cage shoes were all the rage. Metallic and patent leather booties and boots with zip backs along with gladiator sandals graced the model's feet. Even the heels of these shoes are intricately caged. These creations are an architectural gem. I'm calling these the "sexy it shoe" of the season! These shoes allow you to be experimental when dressing up or down-- wear 'em with tailored cropped pants, a power suit, long cascading dresses. I'm most infatuated with the silver gladiators. They have a goddess feel. These styled with a flowing dress is a striking vision. Though these beauties are sadly out of my price-range, I have a feeling I'll be able to find a pair at least a fraction as hot.

(photos courtesy of style.com)