Spry On The Wall

Pantone's Color of the Year - Tangerine Tango

2012-02-28T07:00:00.001-05:00

I'm sure everyone has heard the news about Pantone's declaration of Tangerine Tango as 2012's color of the year. I for one am very happy since I adore orange. But orange can be a bit scary to wear (it's a color that seems to be easier to work with in decor than in apparel, no?), I mean you don't want to look like a traffic cone or like you are celebrating Halloween.

One of my favorite colors to pair with orange right now is navy. There are multiple examples of this pairing in the Spring 2012 collections (I first called this color combo as a trend back in September and still think it's the way to go). A great way to incorporate the orange/navy combo is to pair an orange top with navy pants or dark denim. In fact dark denim is a great way to ease into it. Here are some looks I put together to show how wearable this pairing can be:

Button Front Tops by Topshop
Sandals by Steve Madden

Cardigans by Mossimo
Flats by Minnetonka

Longsleeve Tops by Mango
Totes by Brooks Brothers

Shortsleeve Tops by Bebe
Pumps by Sam Edelman

What do you think? Is this a color combo you can get into?

Hello Monday and my Oscar Best Dressed Picks and Monday Mingle

2012-02-27T09:22:00.001-05:00

Hi! Happy Monday! At least I'm trying to convince myself it is. It's chilly and raining here and my daughter decided that 5:30am would be an awesome time to wake up. Of course that wouldn't have been so bad if I hadn't been up until 3am with one of my insomnia bouts*. I didn't get to watch the Oscar show itself, but I watched the "pregame" on E! where I saw Sacha Baron Cohen dump the "ashes" on Ryan Seacrest live! It was so funny because you could tell that Ryan was not amused and was scrambling to act like it was no big deal. Didn't work. Hey Ryan, we know it ticked you off and that, my dear, is why Mr. Cohen decided to do it to you. Did anyone else see it? Did anyone else notice how Ryan kept bringing it up to everyone he talked to the rest of the night? He practically cried when he was talking to J.Lo about it. Tee hee.

Okay, now to what really matters - the fashion! In my opinion, there were three ladies who knocked it out of the park. First up, Jessica Chastain in a gorgeous Alexander McQueen dress. The dress is incredible and her hair was just perfection. She was my top pick.

Next up is Octavia Spencer. This Tadashi Shoji dress is perfect, the fit, the color, the way it pulls in at the waist. She looked amazing! (And how happy was I that she won? So happy!)

My last pick is Gwyneth Paltrow in Tom Ford. I love the drama of the cape with the dress. Without the cape, the dress is okay, but the cape adds an almost architectural element, which I find really interesting. Her hair was a fail in my opinion, it was weird.

So what do you all think? Was the show as boring as I've been hearing?

*On a side note, TLC had a "My 600 Pound Life" marathon on last night while I was up and what a riveting show. Oh man, heartbreaking, inspiring, happy, sad - there's a whole range of emotions that bubble up watching the struggles. Has anyone else watched that show? I would love to hear your thoughts.

I'm joining up with my girls over at BonBon Rose Girls today for the Monday Mingle.

Have a great Monday!

Images via UsWeekly and Style.com

Friend Friday - Blogging Tools

2012-02-24T10:20:00.000-05:00

I'm joining up with Katy over at Modly Chic for this month's FBFF. This month's questions have to do with what tools we use for blogging.

Source: flickr.com via Jenny on Pinterest

1. What are the tools you use to blog?

I swear I'm the most low tech blogger out there (see that's me above, ha!). I used to use our old Dell laptop - painfully slow, but we just got a pretty sweet Samsung desktop that I'm using now. The main tool is Blogger, it's so easy to use. I read and comment on blogs on my iPad. I don't have an iPhone and my Blackberry is ancient so no on-the-go blogging/posting. I have a Sony point and shoot digital camera that is a pain to use (that's why my outfit posts are few and far between). Pinterest is a great tool as is Picnik - though since it's shutting down, I'm investigating the photo editing alternatives.

2. What technology item is on your wish list?

#1 - iPhone and #2 - a better camera. I also would like to have Photoshop. I wish I could figure out how to post on my iPad - I just can't get it to work from there at all. Anyone figure out how to do it that uses Blogger?

3. Through the barrage of posts, tweets, pics, poses, messages, etc...how do you avoid becoming a slave to the constant infiltration of information?

This is tough, it can become consuming if you let it. Getting the iPad has helped tremendously, I literally could not keep up without that gadget (I'm sure an iPhone or any smartphone is the same way). It has eased all my social media stress. I also have my posts automatically posted on my personal and blog's Facebook pages, haven't figured out how to do that with Twitter though. I focus on just a few of the social media tools and I use them regularly - Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. I would rather do just a few well so I don't spread myself too thin.

Make sure you head over to Modly Chic to check out what everyone else's answers are!

My Five - Victoria, Victoria Beckham Fall 2012

2012-02-22T16:10:00.000-05:00

In keeping with the Victoria Beckham theme this week, here are my five picks from her (relatively speaking) lower priced dress line. These are so much fun and boy I wish I could afford to buy one (or two). Anyway, here are my picks from this collection, enjoy!

Images via Style.com

My Five - Victoria Beckham Fall 2012

2012-02-20T13:12:00.000-05:00

Hi! I'm back! What a rainy weekend we had here in the Southeast and yesterday the rod and shelving in my closet decided to break in two and fall off the wall. So now my hanging clothes are on the kitchen table piled high. Boo! We are trying to figure out the best way to fix it. Man, I hate not having my closet the way I want it. Nothing says classy like digging through a pile of clothes on your kitchen table in the mornings - ha!

Anyway, I'm going to jump into my New York Fashion Week coverage like I always do - with the lovely Victoria Beckham's collection. Here are my picks:

Images via Style.com

She also introduced a new bag called (appropriately enough) "Harper", named for her baby girl. I love it! Hey Posh, if you are reading this, as I'm sure you are, feel free to send one my way ;o)

Source: Uploaded by user via Jenny on Pinterest

Photo via @VictoriaBeckham on Twitter

I'm here - sort of...

2012-02-14T13:43:00.002-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day!

Source: villainouslyvintage.wordpress.com via Jenny on Pinterest

I'm taking the week off from blogging, my girl (who was named after the beautiful lady above) is sick and I'm slammed with work (and a quick business trip). I've got oodles to blog about, just no time to do it. I'll be back next week though. See you all then! xoxo

Pantone Fashion Color Report Fall 2012

2012-02-09T13:15:00.000-05:00

Well, here we are, NYC Fall 2012 Fashion week is here, beginning the long stretch of Fall fashion shows in London, Paris and Milan. Pantone has just released it's Fashion Color Report for the season. Check it out here, where you can read more and download a PDF if you want. Enjoy!

Images via Pantone

My Five - Valentino Couture Spring 2012

2012-02-03T15:00:00.000-05:00

Seems like the Valentino designers are hitting their stride, I loved all the florals (take note florals are gaining footing) and sweet details in this collection, just so darn pretty! Here are my picks:

Images via Vogue.com

My Five -Atelier Versace Spring 2012

2012-02-03T12:00:00.000-05:00

A small collection full of color, sparkle and va-va-voom. Here are my picks:

Images via Vogue.com

My Five - Givenchy Couture Spring 2012

2012-02-03T07:00:00.000-05:00

Here's a group shot of the compact Givenchy Couture collection (gigantic nose rings and all). Anyone up for a glamorous game of basketball?

Even if it's not your style, you have to admit that these are impeccably crafted. Tisci and his team are so darn creative. In fact you have already seen one of these dresses on the red carpet on Zoe Saldana at the SAG awards last Sunday. She looked amazing, loved this look so much!

Images via Vogue.com

My Five - Elie Saab Couture Spring 2012

2012-02-02T15:00:00.000-05:00

Beautiful, red carpet-worthy collection of sparkly dresses in an array of yummy colors. Oh, Mr. Saab makes princess dreams come true! Here are my many picks:

Images via Style.com

My Five - Giambattista Valli Couture Spring 2012

2012-02-02T12:00:00.001-05:00

Where Dior lacks in bridging old and new (as discussed earlier today), Giambattista Valli excels at it. In fact he makes it look so effortless, THIS is how Couture is done in the 21st century! It's wearable, sophisticated, modern, yet timeless. Thank you Mr. Valli, you created a masterful collection. Oscar stylists, look here for glamorous gowns galore! Here are my picks:

Images via Vogue.com

My Five - Christian Dior Couture Spring 2012

2012-02-02T07:00:00.001-05:00

*Sigh* I so want Dior to have some direction again, I want that SHOW that we used to get, that homage to the past while at the same time reaching to the future. That perfect mix of technical and fantasy, old and new. McQueen did/does this masterfully, Galliano was right there with him. Such a shame he effed it up by being a d-bag. Anyhoo, this collection was nice, but too much an homage to "old" Dior, as in "oh, there's the new look silhouette, from the 40's and 50's!" Oh well, enough of my rant. Here are my picks:

Images via Vogue.com

My Five - Chanel Couture Spring 2012

2012-02-01T15:00:00.000-05:00

This collection was all about blue, black and boatnecks set in a futuristic airplane. And Karl says air is blue so there's the connection. I don't really know if air is blue per se, but hey, SpongeBob's pants aren't technically square so I won't split hairs. Whatever. You know some girl I went to college with won a fabric design competition for a Russian airline. So her fabric is in some Russian airplanes. Random thought that popped into my head. Just call this post "Jenny's Potpourri". Here are my picks:

Images via Vogue.com

My Five - Armani Prive Spring 2012

2012-02-01T12:43:00.001-05:00

This collection was all about blue and green and texture and sparkle and sheen. This is one of those times I wish I could get my hands on the fabrics and just study them, they look amazing. If I don't see that last dress at the Oscars I'm going to be PO'ed! Check out my picks:

Images via Vogue.com

My Five - Narciso Rodriguez Pre-Fall 2012

2012-01-30T09:58:00.000-05:00

A very compact collection, but full of his tailored goodness. Love the colors too (hello Pantone's color of the year - more on that later)! Here are my picks:

Images via Style.com

My Five - Badgley Mischka Pre-Fall 2012

2012-01-26T07:00:00.001-05:00

Lovely evening wear collection, here are my picks.

Images via Style.com

My Five - Carolina Herrera Pre-Fall 2012

2012-01-26T07:00:00.000-05:00

Very compact and beautiful collection. Here are my picks:

Images via Style.com

What I Wore Wednesday!

2012-01-25T07:00:00.001-05:00

I'm joining up with The Pleated Poppy again for WIWW.

The question I'm pondering lately is "What the heck is up with my hair?" I mean really, is it a bad cut, wrong product, I just don't know, but it's making me nuts. I picked up a few new products to try, I'll let you know how it goes. I also need to play with the flat iron a bit more too. Oh well, here are a few outfits I've worn recently. Hope you have a great Wednesday!

Wrap Cardigan - Forever 21

Shirt - Target

Pants - Gap (thrifted)

Shoes - Toms

Necklace - gift

Top - Banana Republic (scored for $14)

Jeans - Gap (thrifted)

Shoes - Gap City Flats

My Five - Naeem Khan Pre-Fall 2012

2012-01-24T12:00:00.001-05:00

A collection chock full of lovely eveningwear! My faves:

Images via Style.com

My Five - Donna Karan Pre-Fall 2012

2012-01-24T07:00:00.000-05:00

Lots of blazers in this collection in every variety from big to small. The color story was navy, white, cobalt blues - a good mix of tailored and drapey. Here are my picks from this collection.

Images via Style.com

Love This! - Clinique Black Honey

2012-01-23T15:29:00.000-05:00

I'm a little late to the Black Honey party (like 15+ years late), but better late than never! I just bought a tube of this last week (thank you Sephora Christmas gift card) and I'm all in. It is gorgeous, it glides right on and adds just enough color to make you feel "finished", even on days when you don't/can't do the full makeup routine. I love it! And Clinique is adding a whole array of new "Honey" colors soon, can't wait to give those a try too.

*No, Clinique didn't pay me to say this, though if they want to float some of those new colors my way, I wouldn't turn them down - lol!

Image via Clinique.com

My Five - Reed Krakoff Pre-Fall 2012

2012-01-23T09:27:00.002-05:00

Gorgeous collection (shout out to some kelly green)! Here are my picks:

Images via Style.com

Vera Wang's New LA Home

2012-01-19T12:00:00.000-05:00

As promised, here's a peek inside Vera Wang's Los Angeles mid-century modern home which was built in 1967. Wang tapped LA designer Steve Hermann for a 3 year renovation of the home. It's modern and sophisticated, just like Vera. Check it out:

This woman is 62! She looks amazing!

Her closet filled with her signature black and grey hues.

Images via Harper's Bazaar, photographed by Douglas Freidman - click here for the interview and story.

My Five - Vera Wang Pre-Fall 2012

2012-01-19T07:00:00.005-05:00

I've professed my love/admiration for Vera Wang before here, but I'll say it again - I just love her and her style. I love her lack of pretension, her sophistication, her clear vision for her brand and let's face it kids, this woman does not age. Vera is going to be the subject of two posts today. First up my picks from her pre-fall collection which features lots of layers, knits, mixture of textures and swirly prints. (Stay tuned later for some snaps of her new Los Angeles home)

Images via Style.com