Molto Fashion

Oasis on the Blog

2013-06-19T13:40:00.000-04:00

Images via Fleurify, Pretty Rosetta, and Karoletta

It's hot as the dickens right now (and I'll avoid saying what else it's hot like, but to give you a hint, "infernal" high temps are the norm there.) So the sight of fresh green plants and cold fizzy drinks keep me cool. In case it's hot (or not) where you are too, I share my oasis with you.

The Thing about Lipstick

2013-06-18T12:03:00.000-04:00

Chanel Rouge Coco 48 Sentiment

Since my mom's birthday and my birthday are only a couple of days apart, we do this thing now where we will go and get ourselves a "birthday lipstick." This here Chanel Rouge Coco 48 Sentiment lipstick was my choice for this year.

With the money I'd normally use in the past to buy all sorts of drugstore lipsticks that then just sit around my room waiting to be used, I save up and spend on one high-end lipstick, which I use every day, over and over, until it's all used up.

Plus, my mom always says that makeup should be like a pick-me-up, and I would agree. Even more so than chocolate.

Details

2013-06-17T16:49:00.000-04:00

Brooks Brothers bag // Anthropologie jeans // Madewell sandals // Chanel nail polish in Coromandel

Inspired Imitation: The Celine Boxy Flat Strap Sandal

2013-06-16T03:33:00.000-04:00

Images via Vogue.com, Birkenstock.it, and afterDRK

I don't know if it's just that I'm a big Celine disciple, and so I automatically credit the line for everything I like and think is cool, or if I'm actually making an accurate observation when I say what I'm about to say, but... I'd seen these Celine Boxy Flat Strap Sandals (as well as the Cross Strap ones) for this year's Spring/Summer collection, and then, all of a sudden, I began to see this particular silhouette crop up all over the place. Maybe Celine just made me more savvy to the trend; for that, I can definitely give it credit.

The other day, I was reading a post by Sabrina on her blog afterDRK, where she, too, confessed her new-found appreciation for this (I'll admit it) sort of unattractive and farty silhouette (also thanks to Celine), and showed off her new pair of Birkenstocks (see above photo) that she had purchased to mimic the look. She then directed us readers over to the Bassike Spring/Summer 2013 lookbook, where we were able to see this style idea in action.

When I saw it there, I was won over:

Bassike S/S 2013
Images via Studded Hearts

Therefore, I am now on the hunt for my own pair of "Celine-esque/Bassike-esque" Birkenstocks so I too can emulate this (insert-whichever-adjective-you-deem-appropriate-here) look. It shouldn't be very difficult as the Birkenstock is actually a very popular summer shoe here in Italy, and I could use a new pair as my old ones have definitely seen better days. Watch this space...

Time to Swap

2013-06-13T16:32:00.000-04:00

I love this watch- ideal for someone who's always up for a change. Buy the watch once, keep buying and swapping new bands (they're only €10) whenever you're in the mood for something different. It's like having a brand new watch every time. Now with summer coming, I decided it's time to switch up mine.

For anyone making a visit to Italy and interested in a novelty accessory, see more of the HipHop watches here.

Interior Inspiration (for my bedroom)

2013-06-11T11:22:00.002-04:00

I've had interior decor on my mind as I'm currently redecorating my room, and I was thinking how fun it would be to plop a palm plant in the middle of the room and arrange/style everything around it (much like I did in this set).

It's not such a bad idea, though, choosing one piece of furniture and focusing everything around it... I might try that.

A Firenze

2013-06-09T03:43:00.000-04:00

View of the Duomo from the Boboli Gardens.

Outside my brother's bedroom window.

Up in Florence for a few days visiting my brother. Love this city (almost as much as I love Rome.)

Nº 1: The Blazer

2013-05-27T15:16:00.000-04:00

It's been such a long time since I've blogged, and I really miss it. I've really not been well, and it's forced me into this sort of hiatus. But I feel I need to start up again in any way I can so that I can at least have this great outlet. Having a place to share what I love and what inspires me gives me a great sense of satisfaction. That is exactly what the blogsphere is for.

So, what have I been up to lately, fashion-wise.... I've been cutting down, thinning out, and cleaning up. My recent experiences have taught me about the charms (and convenience) of "easy fashion": it makes you feel good and look good but doesn't make you stress out. Just throw it on and carry on. Simple as that. The classics, the basics, the musts, quality over quantity, and minimalist-inspired...whatever the description, it really does have a purpose. I'm starting to get it now: it's a learning process because it's a philosophy.

At the moment I'm on the lookout for a blazer. A crisp white blazer, or one of those unstructured, flowy black ones. In Rome, women revere the crisp, fresh chic-ness of a nice blazer, and they'll use it as the transformative element to whatever they're wearing. To dinner, for an aperitif, for an evening walk along the boardwalks of the beach towns, with layered jewelry, or alone. More effortless than that? Now that the weather's gotten nice, and everyone's begun to ease into summer-mode, you begin to realize that when it's hot, you can't be bothered with trying too hard.

From left to right: Peony Lim, We the People, Andy Heart, Unknown Source (if you know, please tell me!), Victoria Tornegren

Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda Spring 2013

2013-02-16T09:36:00.000-05:00

Credit: Vogue.it, The Telegraph

"This collection is for our customers, and they do not want to see their dresses on a celebrity, in an advert, or in a magazine." -Domenico Dolce

"It is our dream. Everything is perfection, made by hand in Italy, and completely unique." -Stefano Gabbana

Yves Saint Laurent Opium Eau de Parfum

2013-02-03T09:06:00.000-05:00

It's finally mine!!! Thanks, mom!

Notes:
Top notes: Mandarin orange, Bergamot, Lily of the Valley
Middle Notes: Jasmine, Carnation, Myrrh
Base Notes: Vanilla, Patchouli, Opoponaux, Amber

Opium is an Oriental spicy that was born from Yves San Laurent's idea to create a fragrance inspired by Imperial China.

First marketed in 1977, the controversially named Opium caused quite a stir, bringing accusations that Yves Saint Laurent was condoning drug use. In the United States, it provoked outrage among Chinese Americans who demanded a change of the perfume's name as well as a public apology from Saint Laurent for "his insensitivity to Chinese history and Chinese American concerns" and for representing "a menace that destroyed many lives in China."

However, the controversy only ended up fueling the perfume's publicity, and Opium soon became a best-selling scent. For its launch party in 1977, the brand capitalized on the perfume's Oriental theme, renting the Peking from the South Street Seaport Museum in New York's East Harbor. Draped in banners of gold, red, and purple, and decorated with white orchids, the ship was displayed with a thousand-pound bronze statue of Buddha with writer Truman Capote seated at its helm.

In 2003, Opium was among the perfumes tested in a study exploring the relationship of scent to memory.

Chanel Pre-Fall 2013: Elizabethan Inspiration

2013-01-28T09:55:00.001-05:00

Credit: Vogue.com
Via: MFD- Multiple Fashion Disorder

"This is all about the queen of fashion and the Queen of Scotland- who was also French, you know." -Karl Lagerfeld

Army Green Parka

2012-11-11T13:06:00.000-05:00

Parka : H&M / Sweatshirt : Zara / Jeans: Madewell Loafers : Steven by Steve Madden / Earrings : Jewelmint / Pin, rings : Vintage

Crossing the Arno Part 2

2012-11-05T14:58:00.000-05:00

1. Glutes of marble in Piazza della Signoria 2. Famous Caffé Gilli in Piazza della Reppublica 3. My brother Sal fed up with politics 4. How to tell a good cappuccino: the foam should be creamy, never be bubbly and the sugar should take long to sink to the bottom 5. My usual: bombolone alla crema (basically a donut with cream) 6. Symbolic shields of the occupational guilds (i.e. doctor, lawyer, etc.) 7. La Società Dantesca Italiana 8. Duomo di Firenze 9. Floral homage to Dante under the window of his house 10. Mom and Sal walking off into.... 11. The sunset.

... and finally, the bells of the Basilica of Santo Spirito as heard from my brother's apartment about 10 times a day.

Crossing the Arno

2012-10-17T11:56:00.000-04:00

1. Benvenuti a Firenze 2. Palazzo Vecchio, from behind 3. Palazzo Vecchio, from afar 4. Breakfast at Roberto Cavalli's café 5. My brother Sal 6. Dolce & Gabbana dress, perfection is possible 7. My brother making afternoon coffee 8. "Hi." 9. The storybook house across the courtyard 10. Afternoon tea, alla fiorentina 11. Getting ready for chic dinner in Piazza Santo Spirito 12. My new leather glasses case, handmade and my initials engraved in gold (!) 13. Pigeon posing 14. The Arno as it looks from the Ponte Vecchio

... some instas of the past week, which I spent in Florence visiting my brother.

I'm very sorry for my long absence from the blog! If you'll remember, I'd been having some medical issues recently, and I had to put my blog on hold. But things are slowly but surely starting to get back to normal again, so I'll be around more often now!

Initially, Really

2012-07-08T13:43:00.000-04:00

The life of every arm party: my new Alex and Ani bracelet that I've been wearing every day since I got it. Made with love and recycled materials right here in the U.S. of A.

Check them out here.

The Psychedelic Socialite

2012-05-09T11:04:00.000-04:00

Pants: c/o Romwe; Bag, collar necklace, sunglasses: Urban Outfitters; Monkey: "Gulhan" from Kipling (Did you know that the Kipling monkeys are named after Kipling employees?! I thought that was really cute when I found that out.)

I love these pants and I feel like I'll want to wear them every day this summer! Roses are my favorite flower, so the pattern really caught my eye, and then I thought the bright intense colors against the white fabric looked really pretty. They seem like a rather particular "statement" piece, but they're surprisingly versatile! I chose to wear them with black this time because that was what came to my mind first, but I will try to style them in diverse ways in the future to help give you ideas on how to make practical use of a piece that's seemingly specific.

I don't know if you can tell, but I had a lot of fun taking my pictures for this post. I'm taking an online photography class by "Bella Pop Photography" (which I'd stumbled upon by luck through another blog) and even after only one lesson so far, I feel like I'm learning so much to make my life easier when taking my own photos. I can't wait to see how my skills will improve with this class over the next few weeks. It will be fun to see the change!

New York Represent!

2012-04-17T19:48:00.002-04:00

New York State necklace: c/o Maya Brenner Designs

I was thrilled to receive this beautiful silver necklace from Maya Brenner! I'm particularly excited to go brandishing it on my neck when I go back to Italy... I know it will make everyone jealous. This, my friends, is my cunning plan. Muahahaha.

Stay tuned to see it included in an outfit later this week!

Also, the deadline for the Romwe giveaway is coming (it ends on Friday)- don't forget to enter if you haven't already! You can do that here.

Circle Circle Dot Dot

2012-04-05T09:48:00.000-04:00

Blouse/dress: c/o Romwe; Shoes: Urban Outfitters; Hat: Macy's; Necklaces: Gypsy Warrior, Nordstrom BP
I have a Pinterest now (which you can check out here)! Everyone's been talking about it, so I decided to give it a try. I still have my Tumblr, and at the moment, I prefer it. (It's an infinite scrolling of inspiring things, and I can just reblog whatever strikes me whereas Pinterest requires that I condense and organize the images into categories and include a brief description of them.) Do you have a preference? Tumblr or Pinterest?

Just Enough Frou

2012-04-02T12:05:00.000-04:00

Cardigan: Nasty Gal; Blouse: c/o Sugar Lips; Flared trousers: Anthropologie; Bracelet: c/o Romwe; Bag: Urban Outfitters; Glasses: Vintage (my mom's from the '70s, and yes, they have a legit prescription and help me see... I wear 'em everyday, baby!)

I think this blouse sent to me by Sugar Lips is so pretty! Would you believe it is the only thing I own in this color? I usually don't gravitate toward shades of blue, but I might just fix that... Plus I think it's just the right amount of frou, just enough to be really pretty but not too much to clash with my personal style. It actually reminds me of something from Anne of Green Gables (for anyone that has ever seen the movie with Megan Follows, the color reminds me a little of that dress with the super puffed sleeves that Matthew got her for the Christmas ball...)

Anyway, I'm having a hard time writing... I'm too busy dreaming about all the food I ate yesterday at my aunt's house... Mmm... And of course, in my family, the highlight of it all is the dessert banquet we have with all the eat-your-heart-out cakes, pies, etc. No such thing as too many choices, especially if you arrange yourself one of those "a little of everything" platters like I do. But it's all good; I burned most of it off laughing hysterically at my cousins and my uncle. Funny we say the same jokes about the same things every single time, but it never gets old...

***And thanks, everyone, for all your comments and questions on my last post! That was really great- I love hearing from you!!!

Disney: The Perfect Title

2012-03-08T15:32:00.000-05:00

♪ I'm baaaaccckkk...! ♪

I had sooo much funnnnnn!!!! Take me back! Seriously, I gotta get back there no matter what, and I'm not waiting another 20 years for it! The weather was summery and sunny, the people were so nice, and the food was insanely delicious (You see that picture with the ice cream sandwich? That's a chocolate-chip cookie ice cream sandwich right there, and it was my lunch on the days I went to Magic Kingdom. Trust me, it's not a lie when they say Disney is the place where dreams come true). Plus I was surrounded by all the cutest things (cue Mickey Mouse and Goofey) and walking around the physical version of my imagination. I mean, better than that? You'll also be happy to know I got to go back to the Haunted House and on the "It's a Small World" boat ride, but what really killed it was "Mission Space," a ride that simulates what it's supposed to feel like on a spacecraft mission to Mars. No joke, THE coolest ride EVER- I got to live out some of my Star Trek fantasies. (I highly recommend you read a little about it here).

Ok but who am I kidding. The real highlight was the Jack Sparrow impersonator (I mean honestly, was it an impersonator or Jack Sparrow himself?) Dude looked like Johnny Depp's clone, and I have two words for that: Hubba. Hubba...

Thank you for all your awesome comments on my last post! I love hearing from you like that, and I had so much fun reading what you said, especially when I was lounging around the airport waiting for my flights (that's what I was doing in the first pic). I'm glad you liked my theme outfit, too- as promised, I brought the Snow White t-shirt down with me to Disney *and* wore it around Magic Kingdom! Sadly, it was on the last day I was there, so I was just too depressed to Instagram it...! ;)

Mirror Mirror On the Wall, It's a Small World After All

2012-02-29T10:37:00.000-05:00

Snow White tee, fur scarf, H&M; Jacket, Romwe; Aviators, rescued from the bro; Bag, vintage Coach

And WHO'S going to Disney World tonight?! Hollerrrr! I have no idea why I didn't mention that before, but I think it's because deep down, I wanted to make some sort of big announcement about it (?) I haven't been there since I was 5 years old. I'm now 25. 20 years baby; it's high time I go back! I've been spiritually prepping for this trip the past couple of days wearing this Snow White tee (I'll be bringing it down to FL with me, too), and singing "It's a Small World" non-stop like a crazed person. I remember that "It's a Small World" boat ride from when I went last time (it's how I learned the song LoL), but what I'm seriously looking forward to is going through the Haunted House and then stopping for a gooey PB&J sandwich at Aunt Polly's Landing (anyone else know what I'm talking about?) Only bummer is that I'm kinda mildly ill with a teensy fever. I don't know what the deal is; I have been pretty sick all winter and just can't shake these bugga-boos. Whatevs. I decided I gotta take my blog pics anyway, and ain't nothing going to keep me from the Magic Kingdom.

Also, you like my sunglasses? My first pair of aviators! I stole them from my brother, or should I say I rescued them. He was about to throw them away with a bunch of junk, but I saw them glisten in his hands from across the room, and I jumped up just in time, "NO! Wait! What are you crazy?!" And then they were mine. So they're coming down with me to The Sunshine State, too. Yea baby. Let's go.

I'll be twittering and instagramming during my trip like it's going out of style. Follow me for the updates here and/or here; it'll kinda be like you came along in my suitcase!

Instabam: Night Out at New York Fashion Week

2012-02-13T09:36:00.000-05:00

Some Instagrams from the Charlotte Ronson Runway Show I attended the other night. I know you'll believe it when I say I had my iPhone glued to my hand the whole time like it was going out of style (Lolzz at my own pun). And I had two wingmen, my brother Sal and our friend John, so between the 3 of us, we got some pretty decent shots of the evening, if I say so myself.

It was a great time; the show and the new line were amazing, (how could they not be when there was lace and neon going on), I had an awesome seat where I got a bird's eye view of everything that was going down, I got to point my iPhone at anything that hit my line of sight, and we ended the night right with dinner at a pub and drinks at Hotel Empire. Plus I feel like we lucked out because it wasn't too too cold... although that $9.99 leopard coat is warmer than you'd think. Hell yeah, my favorite $9.99 gem came with me!

Surrender with me and bring your violin

2011-11-17T18:16:00.000-05:00

Wearing: Jacket/A.N.A., Belt/Vintage Calvin Klein, Booties/Kimchi Blue, Pancake sunnies/Giant Vintage Sunglasses, Hat/Rugby by Ralph Lauren
I. LOVE. This. Jacket. Love ❤ Love ❤ Love. I've had it a few years, and actually, I think my mom had picked it out for me... (notice my coolest and most favorite pieces are usually chosen by my mom.) I've also been wearing the Pancake sunnies around quite a bit recently, so I figured I'd give them a turn and give my John Lennon sunnies a break.

I'm all pumped because this week is a holiday week. I've already started listening to my Christmas music stations on Pandora (sorry, it's never to early for me!), I've got my seasonal candles lit half the day as I sit and edit photos, and I've bought gingerbread-scented soap and hand sanitizer from Bath & Body Works. Thursday is Thanksgiving, I have a bunch of relatives coming over my house, and my mom will be cooking her famous Thanksgiving meal (excuse me as I go float into Dreamland...). The week will be filled with fun preparation: planning, shopping, cooking, baking- I can't wait!

From A Tarot Pack

2011-11-13T15:19:00.001-05:00

Wearing: Infinity scarf/H&M, Sweater/H&M, Lace-up booties/Kimchi Blue, Necklace/Forever 21, Bag/Vintage Dooney & Bourke

I love this bag- vintage Dooney & Bourke, and belongs(/belonged) to my mom (I like to "borrow" it.) It would seem that Dooney & Bourke don't really make this model anymore, which I don't understand because 1) it's gorgeous and 2) it was their signature. I mean, whenever I carry around old Dooney & Bourke bags like this, complete strangers approach me to ask me where it's from. When you have something that works, don't change it!

Gotham City Citizen

2011-11-11T19:59:00.000-05:00

Wearing: Blouse/H&M, flared denim trousers/Anthropologie, bag/Vintage Coach, sunglasses/Urban Outfitters, turband/LunaSolis

Where's Gotham City? Roaming the streets of the Big Apple at night, you'll half expect to see Batman flying down in his cape. Just make sure in the dark PM hours, look over your shoulder every now and again; you might catch a glimpse of him dueling it out with the Joker...

By now most of you have become acquainted with my fixation with Tumblr. It's such a great place to lose yourself for hours and hours. There's so much eye-candy, and browsing through just brings me so many good ideas. Well, I've started to turn to yet another great place to indulge my obsessive cravings for "inspiration." Polyvore! Ok, it's not that I've only just discovered it or anything, but I've only just taken the time to learn how to use it. What took me so long?

Desert Oasis

Big Apple Pie

Love Rules, Hate Drools

By Sheer Luck

Can you imagine Polyvore being an actual closet? Can you imagine having an arsenal of a wardrobe like that? Cue Fred Astaire singing "Heaven... I'm in heaven..." I can tell you, if ever a dream like that came true for me, all my clothes and I would definitely be "dancing cheek-to-cheek."