Smitten Saturday

♥Sipping the Season I’ve never been one to ignore the holidays. There’s something about watching the decorations go up, and experiencing the joys of the season that literally makes me giddy until we’re well into the New Year. But I musn’t fib – or at least I shouldn’t. It is not just the spirit of Christmas which sends thrills and shivers up and down my spine for weeks on end, nor is it the catchy holiday tunes that are constantly spiraling through my mind. Mais non! The truth of the matter is that, aside from those addictive aspects, I simply cannot get enough of seasonal drinks! I know that they’re not necessarily the healthiest beverages on the block, but there’s something quite irresistible about being able to taste Christmas with each swallow. The Toffee Nut Latte, the Dark Cherry Mocha, the Pumpkin Spice Latte, the Peppermint Mocha, the Caramel Brulee Latte, the Gingerbread Latte, the Eggnog Latte… – kitty cats, I can’t help myself; I want to sample a different flavor with each passing day! How will you sip the season?

♥Easy Rider I will admit that my foray into horsemanship consisted of a handful of pony rides as a child, and a lifelong obsession with pop-up carousels that play whimsical music as you spin round and round upon plastic horses; but that has certainly not stopped me from developing an extreme obsession with equestrian styles in terms of fashion – specifically of the footwear variety. Darlings, it is my conviction that whether worn in the dead of winter with skinny jeans, or paired with cutoff denim shorts during the final days of a sultry Indian summer, riding boots are a necessity of the utmost importance – especially when they have a touch of weatherbeaten, rustic flair to their aesthetic. Frye’s Dorado Suede Riding Boot in Sand, with its seam detailing and distressed styling, is a stunning way to accessorize a flirty, floral-embellished flowy tank and dark wash skinnies. The faux-fur lined cuff of Sam Edelman’s Women’s Newport Flat Riding Boot in Black is a sophisticated way to add a splash of coziness to your look du jour. The creamy hue of Chrisantha’s Riding Boot in Mushroom is a high-fashion way to brighten up a low-key ensemble. And Rosegold’s Manon Riding Boot in Grey? Let’s be honest kittens…your body-hugging black leggings will never be the same. Ready to horse around?

♥A Date to Remember Despite the age of technology, each December I find myself eagerly scrounging the shops for a true pocket-sized calendar that I can hold in my hand. Something that doesn’t beep or require the use of buttons to input important dates or destinations that I simply cannot forget – like a romantic tryst involving an indoor picnic and a cute boy; or a dreaded yet necessary appointment with an obnoxious co-worker. Oui, it’s extremely old-fashioned; but the nostalgia adds such a vintage spice to life that is both quaint and charming – and, of course, extremely beneficial for those moments when twenty-first century luxuries fail. Thus, the hunt is on; and the contenders are making their way into my world in droves. Already I have been mesmerized by the whimsy of Kate Spade’s 2010 Spiral Desktop Calendar; smelled the roses proffered by Cath Kidston’s floral-bedecked 2010 Mini Agenda; gotten dreamy with the 8 Days A Week Planner; cooed over the cuteness of the Sukie Agenda; and come to the conclusion that I simply cannot make up my mind – I need them all! Dolls, do you keep a date book as well, or do you rely solely on technology?

♥You’ve Got Questions; They’ve Got Answers Darlings, obviously we can’t all afford our own personal stylists. As much as we’d love to simply ring up a hot to trot expert whenever we’re in a fashion jam, it’s simply not possible. Nevertheless, it’s no surprise that we adore celebrity style, and long to mimic the looks of our favorite starlets. StyleQ makes doing so a cinch. Not just an Online retailer, StyleQ literally gives you the chance to shop side by side (virtually, that is) with the people who personally dress some of today’s hottest stars – including Leighton Meester, Rachel Bilson, Kristen Bell, and Scarlett Johansson – learning everything you could possibly want to know about channeling your own celebrity, and styling your chosen pretty. Currently I’m coveting the Sheer Ruffle Top by Jonesy, recently worn by Sophia Bush; the Wool Swing Cropped Coat loved by Rihanna; and the Natalie Silk Dress in Green so effortlessly worn by Kristen Bell. Whose celebrity stylist would you like to spend a little one on one time with?

What were you smitten with this week?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to So about what I said... and Shopbop for the pictures.

Shawl Talk Giveaway Winners

In the words of Shakespeare, “parting is such sweet sorrow.” I apologize for getting sentimental on you darlings, especially given the fact that two (2) of you are about to take home a tres chic and truly magnifique scarf from The Shawl Shop, but I truly can’t help it. Despite the fact that the scarves in question have not so much as been in my possession, I feel an attachment to their radiant beauty, and can hardly bring myself to say goodbye without a tear in my eye. But I digress; if I must pass their loveliness on to anyone, I am most happy that it is to you – my blogging besties – as opposed to a complete stranger. Therefore, I suppose I should just get on with it. Congratulations to…

…Leah of Leah, and Tawney of A Chichi Life. Now the two of you can stay snuggly this winter in true style!

Please e-mail me at cafefashionista@yahoo.com with your mailing address, and the name of the color scarf you’ve selected to claim your prize.

Thank you to the winners, and to everyone who entered Café Fashionista’s giveaway!


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Listal for the picture.

The Bulky and the Beautiful

Whoever said baggy sweatshirts were unflattering and anything but sexy couldn’t be more wrong. With one simple try-on I have found a piece that is bulky in every sense of the word, yet downright beautiful at the very same time. Though crafted in the form of a dolman sleeved sweatshirt, I can’t help but feel the desire to fashion it as a flirty frock worn bare legged with over the knee boots that meet the hemline halfway to create a mid-thigh peek-a-boo effect that is smoldering, seductive, and simply sensual. But I digress; it’s unfair of me to tantalize you so with such a description, leaving your tongues wagging with curiosity, yet keeping the accoutrement in question hidden away – a fashionable secret only I am privy to. So I’ll tell you…American Apparel’s The Oversized Circular Pullover.

Kitty cats, I have fallen for hundreds, if not thousands, of tops in the past. But The Oversized Circular Pullover is truly in a class all its own. The versatility of the aesthetic gives you the ability to toss it on with leggings while lazing around the house, or creating a cosmopolitan style with a few choice accessories and a pair of killer heels for an amazing girls night out.

Made out of various materials, all of which work together to concoct a design featuring a feeling not unlike that of your ex-boyfriend’s cozy, comfy sweater which you accidentally on purpose failed to return to him upon the time you parted ways; The Oversized Circular Pullover creates a juxtaposition between slinky and slouchy in its silhouette in the form of a banded bottom, a one-size-fits-all formation, and a bat-like ambiance courtesy of the wide dolman sleeves – which are impossible not to fall in love with upon first glance.

But possibly the true crème de la crème of this particular style is the neckline. All too often we are bombarded with the sweetheart, v-neck, scoop-neck variety; The Oversized Circular Pullover uses these as influences, yet cuts the perfect round shape that flatters girls of every shape and size, dropping down just enough to display both your swanlike neck and a petite peek of décolletage.

The Oversized Circular Pullover has only been in my possession for little over a week, and already I’ve worn it more times than I can count. How my wardrobe ever survived without this gem lurking about inside is a question I will never have the answer to; but now that it has arrived, I may need to pick up a few more!

Don’t you want to be bulky and beautiful too, darlings?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to American Apparel for the pictures.

Thrifty Thursday: Kova & T Lace Leggings for Less

Darlings, I’m sure you’re well aware of it by now; but just in case you aren’t on the up and up I’ll simply spell it out for you…I’m suffering from a severe bout of lace case. It started a few short weeks ago with my admiration for American Apparel’s Nylon Spandex Stretch Floral Lace Unitard, but has only served to grow twofold since then. Everywhere I go my eyes seemingly land straight upon any lace offering within my line of view. In fact, I could enter a shop with a sole lace piece, and somehow my peepers would spot it. Thus it is no surprise that Kova & T’s Lace Leggings are now a primo part of my fashion radar.

Don’t play coy with me; you all know about my obsession with leggings – and have for quite some time now. So I figure why not couple my adoration for lace and leggings into one spellbinding accoutrement that I shall never want to remove from my form for the rest of my days?

Smoldering in their ability to play peek-a-boo with your many admirers via the semi-sheer construction, yet sophisticated in the sense that they remain classy in every sense of the word, Kova & T’s Lace Leggings are an amazing way to have fun with a pencil skirt, or simply showcase your lower half by topping them with a drapey tee or a cropped blazer for a girls night out. And the stirrup, while extremely retro in its design, makes for a preemptive finishing touch, for it holds them in place, making them fit more like tights than anything else.

With so much perfection why must the one blemish about these beauties be their price tag? Oui, I would give absolutely anything to call them my own; but non, at $150 a pair I simply don’t have the ability to do so. Don’t get me wrong; I certainly would if I could, but it’s out of the question. Therefore, I am going to settle…for something just as spectacular, of course!

Victoria’s Secret’s Lace Stirrup Legging are a striking piece of legwear which, at $39.50 a pair, are affordable enough to allow you to buy that sassy new clutch you’ve been eyeing – the perfect accessory to these lovelies!

Tell me, kittens…will you be a big spender and go for Kova & T, or be thrifty and spring for Victoria’s Secret?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Madison Los Angeles and Victoria’s Secret for the pictures.


Don't forget to enter the Shawl Talk Giveaway for your chance to win a Charlotte Scarf from The Shawl Shop.

Cream of the Crop

Kitty cats, as a prepubescent adolescent being exposed to the powers of MTV for the very first time, I was bombarded with images of the belly-baring Britney and the shimmy-shaking Shakira; both of whom seemed to share a fondness for crop tops that left the tummy exposed to tease the world – or at least whatever cute boys happened to be in your midst at that point in time. At that impressionable young age, it was enough for me to believe that no other accoutrement could top the fabulosity of the crop. Yet by the time I was of age to don one myself, I was uninterested in the look, and turned the other cheek. American Apparel has imposed a change of heart in my world. Once more I am convinced that the tops in question are truly the cream of the crop!

Riller & Fount “Kirby Crop Top” There is quite a bit to be said for a design that manages to bridge the gap between slouchy and seductive and comfortable and cozy, Riller & Fount’s Kirby Crop Top is it. While sporty in its aesthetic; the versatile charcoal heather hue coupled with the long sleeves and scoop-neck make it a simple style to morph from situation to situation – say inelegant slumming to an enchanting night on the town – with just a few minute adjustments or add-ons in the accessories department. Pair it with leggings and over the knee boots for a look that lengthens or toss it on over a skintight tank in a contrasting color for a touch of volume mixed with an offbeat, ethereal vibe.

Free People “Sheer Batiste Crop Top” Too many associate crop tops with afternoons or evenings spent sweating at the gym. The truth of the matter is that there is no rule stating that crop tops are solely sporty; they have the ability to be sophisticated and chic, as well – case in point Free People’s Sheer Batiste Crop Top. Forgoing the typical cotton or jersey fabrication, the Sheer Batiste Crop Top is constructed out of a semitransparent, sheer gauze which features ruching around the hem, shoulders, and back; and dips into 3/4 dolman sleeves sporting elastic banded cuffs which match that found around the hem. The silhouette is very earthy and free-spirited; perfect for pairing with distressed jeans for the ideal bohemian silhouette.

Wildfox Couture “It’s Only Rock – Cropped Jock Sweatshirt” Resisting the lure of Wildfox Couture is simply not an option. Even without the stellar photography displaying their designs in a more than fabulous light I would find it nearly impossible to resist their playful, oftentimes retro tops, and cropped offerings – especially the It’s Only Rock – Cropped Jock Sweatshirt. Like something out of Grease, the It’s Only Rock – Cropped Jock Sweatshirt is reminiscent of the letter jackets worn proudly by the popular boys whom we always lusted over. The vintage varsity wash has a weatherbeaten ambiance to it that is more suave than sloppy; while the contrasting shade around the hem and collar offset the fading to create one magnificent morsel you’ll never want to take off!

American Apparel “Interlock Zip Shoulder Crop Top” Darlings it would be downright devious of me not to include the design that started it all; the style which reawakened my obsession with crop tops and has virtually transformed my wardrobe into something more fabulous than I ever could have imagined – the Interlock Zip Shoulder Crop Top. Please don’t allow the zipper details about the shoulders to frighten you away. I am one who has never been fond of epaulets, and while the placement of these silver hardware embellishments is synonymous with that of the military-style, the effect is quite different – yet striking nonetheless. The one-size-fits-all piece is the perfect way to flaunt your toned tummy; or if you’re a bit bashful simply layer it over something stunning – like the Nylon Spandex Stretch Floral Lace Unitard. No matter how you wear it you’re sure to turn heads!

Pencey “Bow Tee” It is nearly impossible to imagine a crop top that works as evening wear, but Pencey’s Bow Tee is somewhat of an exception to the rule. While lacking the sequins or shimmer that are so often akin to pieces worn once night falls, the Bow Tee retains more of an urbane, Blair Waldorf influenced cut courtesy of the cuffed short sleeves, contrasting taupe toned mesh bow which is laced daintily at the front, and matching mesh detailing on the shoulders. As a whole, the black/nude shades juxtapose between light and airy and dark and domineering, a variation that could be awkward in another form, but works in the most mesmerizing of ways in this configuration – especially when paired with slightly baggy tailored black slacks.


Ready to join the crop top revolution, darlings?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Shopbop, Wildfox Couture, and American Apparel for the pictures.


Don't forget to enter the Shawl Talk Giveaway for your chance to win a Charlotte Scarf from The Shawl Shop.

Guest Post at La vie...J'aime!

Curious to know what I'm hoping to find in my stocking on Christmas morning? Check out my Guest Post My Stocking: The Cat's Meow at La vie...J'aime to find out!


Fashionably yours!

Tightwad Tuesday: Rachel Pally Farrah Jumpsuit for Less

I am a child of the eighties through and through. I can recant the theme song to the My Little Pony cartoon television series at the drop of a hat, mimic almost every move shown on Mousercise, and divulge some of the most important stats about the boys from New Kids on the Block. I can also remember the time of the embarrassing jumpsuit. The crinkled fabrics, the khaki shades, the oft-times nylon construction, the shoulder pads. Each piece was more unattractive than the last; and even at the age of five I knew that I never wanted to be caught dead in such a hideous get-up. But Rachel Pally’s Farrah Jumpsuit is nothing to shy away from.

Unlike the jumpsuits of yesteryear, Farrah does not possess any of the unflattering vintage nostalgia that the pieces our parents raced around town in decades ago; rather it is modernistic and urbane in its aesthetic, sticking to a glamorous palette and a streamlined silhouette.

The jersey halter features a v-neck which dips dangerously low, in addition to an open back that shows off one of the most seductive parts of your body, both of which slide into a banded waist which nips and tucks to create an hour-glass contour, before falling dramatically into an extra-wide leg with bohemian-inspired unfinished edges about the hemline. Darlings, never before could I have fathomed that I would desire such a daring ensemble; but there is something quite sexy and timeless about Farrah which manages to retain style while being simplistic all at once.

But alas, Farrah is most certainly not in my future. At $255, while Farrah is as elegant as the feather-haired blonde bombshell she was named after, she is well outside the spectrum of my budget; especially given the fact that she, most likely, would not receive much wear. Hence the reason why I have my sights set on ASOS’ Wide Leg Cross Front Jumpsuit.

Oh kitty cats, I’m well-aware of the fact that it lacks the fun title reminiscent of Charlie’s Angels and doesn’t sport the same pleats throughout the bustline; but at $47.59 a pop, it’s much more budget friendly than it’s more expensive flirty counterpart. Plus, it’s also available in blue!

Are you a spendthrift who will splurge on Farrah, or a tightwad who will save with ASOS’ ambrosial offering?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Shopbop and ShopStyle for the pictures.


Don't forget to enter the Shawl Talk Giveaway for your chance to win a Charlotte Scarf from The Shawl Shop.