Dieppa Restrepo

Pictures from Dieppa Restrepo

One of the biggest trends in spring footwear is the oxford shoe. This classic style adds a bit of menswear-chic to your outfits, and the flat heel makes them comfortable for everyday. I love how they give that girl-next-door/tomboy look.

While browsing the Theory website, I fell in love with the white and tan oxfords that their stylists used and inquired who made them. The response - the brand is called Dieppa Restrepo, a brand of unisex shoes founded by Columbian designers Andrea Vargas Dieppa and Elisa Restrepo. The Dieppa Restrepo website calls their shoes the "quintessential grown-up sneakers," known for being "fashion-minded, yet comfortable and durable."

Theory will be stocking these shoes come April at their New York Gansevoort store, and I'll be waiting (impatiently) until then!

Theory's New Website

From Theory

Theory just launched an online shopping website, and I love some of the outfits their stylists put together for the website. The "Insider Looks" are classic yet modern, with lots of pattern mixing and layering. It's also a great way to get to know some of the top stylists in the industry, such as Andrea Lieberman and Leslie Fremar. Check out the website for more insider looks and videos of each stylist at work. I'd love to own that small check trench coat, the striped t-shirt dress, an easy menswear shirt, and a pair of white oxfords.

Anyone else excited for Eat, Pray, Love?

I first heard about this book when I was watching the Bonnie Hunt Show (which is AMAZING, I love Bonnie's sense of humor) and she had Elizabeth Gilbert as her guest, along with Jane Kaczmarkek (Malcolm in the Middle) and The Hills' Kristen Cavallari. The point was to have guests at different ages of their lives come together and discuss Gilbert's book, and I was touched at how much the book had connected with Bonnie and Jane (both are going through or have been through divorces). And they showered it with praise and said it was the kind of book to give to your daughter, a book they wished they had when they were younger. So I decided to give it a go.

Let me tell you, I loved reading this book. It was inspiring, thoughtful, and very well-written. Gilbert is incredibly brave for sharing her story. I was surprised at how spiritual the book came off (I guess the word "pray" should have warned me), but in no way does she come across as preachy or presumptuous. She's new to the whole thing herself and exploring all of it with the reader. I also loved reading about her experiences in exotic locales (I wish I could just pack up and go country-hopping for a year) and her sense of humor.

And now Hollywood is making a movie of the book with Julia Roberts! I can't wait!

Two of my favorite looks from J. Crew

I purchased J. Crew's Chambray Blazer, and I love how it easily dresses up an outfit while keeping it all casual. The blazer is low maintenance (it is machine washable) and doesn't seem to wrinkle easily. The color and fabric are perfect for spring, and the best way to wear it is to roll up the sleeves, exposing the lovely pinstripe lining, and pair it with shorts and mini-skirts - perfect for a cool, summer day.

The Andre dress is another stunner from the J. Crew catalog. Purple is an unexpected, fresh color for work attire. The dress is conservative in cut but not in style - it showcases beautiful draping and pleating details, and therefore it can easily transition from the desk to a dinner date. Just throw on a sparkly necklace and some smart specs to make a witty fashion statement.

Summer Shoe Trends: Wedges & Platforms

summer wedges by stylechild featuring Jil Sander shoes>

I'm searching high and low for the perfect pair of summer shoes. There are so many choices in styles and trends this season, from flat sandals to oxfords to wedges, so I'm showcasing some of the best from each trend to help make my decision.

Summer wedges have been on my mind for years. I love how casual and fun they look - they are the perfect bohemian-chic accessories and easy to pair with beach sundresses. Also, the thicker heel makes them easier to walk in and the best choice for instant height. This season, wedges are coming with platform heels to give them an extra boost in inches without the strain on your feet.

You can take your pick from a variety of wedges and platform heels that incorporate this season's biggest trends. Strappy versions in nude, tan, and beige, such as the skin-colored pair above from the original cork wedge brand Kork-Ease, are classic and elongate the legs. Some come in bright colors, perfect for punctuating outfits with pops of spring-worthy hues. Others are incorporating woven textures or tribal accents. Coach has floral and logo prints with fun details, such as Sprouse-style writing on the heel. Jil Sander's nude wedges are on-trend, with its modern, clean lines. Finally, Michael Kors offers a plethora of choices in wedges and platforms, such as the urban-glam example above with a chunky wooden heel and sporty influences.

Limited Edition F-Bomb Scent

Image from Sephora

According to the Beauty Counter blog over at Style.com, designers Viktor & Rolf are releasing a limited edition version of Flowerbomb called La Vie En Rose. The scent will be lighter than the original and will include "tangerine, pink pepper, and lily of the valley" notes. It will be available only at Sephora starting April 1, but you can order it now at Sephora's website.

I would count Flowerbomb as one of my favorite scents, so I am very excited that a new version is coming out. I haven't committed to buying a bottle of the original, but owning a limited edition perfume sounds very tempting.

My Perfume Wishlist

Perfumes by stylechild on Polyvore.com

I've been dying to get my hands on the following perfumes, some of them for their addictive scents and others just for the bottles! Stand-by fragrances include Chanel's classic Coco Mademoiselle, Dior's wildly popular Miss Dior Cherie, and Viktor & Rolf's bestselling Flowerbomb. YSL's Parisienne is slowly growing on me - the scent is definitely unique and stands out from the rest. I've yet to try Balenciaga's Paris, but how lovely would that bottle look on a vanity table!

Chanel Coco Mademoiselle

Smells like: "Sexy, fresh Oriental fragrance" that "recalls the irrepressible spirit of the young 'Coco' Chanel"

Coco Chanel, 1907

Top Notes: Orange, bergamot, mandarin, and Tunisian curaçao
Heart Notes: Morning rose, Italian jasmine, ylang-ylang, and mimosa
Base Notes: Indonesian patchouli, Haitian vetiver, Bourbon vanilla, white musk, opoponax, and tonka bean

Faces: Anouck Lepere, Kate Moss, and Keira Knightley (current)


Yves Saint Laurent Parisienne

Smells like: "The essence of a woman who is incredibly free-she is not from Paris, but Paris adopts her. She knows how to love, how to live."
"A grand floral with a woody structure, luminous even in its mystery", "the perfume of ultra femininity, warmed by the touch of the man who embraced her."

Top Notes: "Vinyl accord (evoking metal gloss and varnish)", cranberry, and blackberry
Heart Notes: Peony, damask rose, and violet
Base Notes: Patchouli, vetiver, musk, and sandalwood

Faces: Kate Moss

Balenciaga Paris

Smells like: "mysterious and fragile, yet leaves a lasting trail"

Notes: Violet, pepper, and mossy wood notes

Faces: French songstress and "strange beauty" Charlotte Gainsbourg


Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb

Smells like: "floral explosion", "full-bodied and opulent"

Top Notes: Tea and bergamot
Heart Notes: Sambac jasmine, orchid, freesia, and rose
Base Notes: Patchouli

Faces: Isabeli Fontana


Dior Miss Dior Cherie

Smells like: "the elegant woman, a blend of classic chic with a touch of whimsy"

Top Notes: Green tangerine and strawberry leaves
Heart Notes: Violette, pink jasmine, carmelized popcorn, and strawberry sorbet
Base Notes: Fresh patchouli and crystalline musk

Faces: Maryna Linchuk

Images from mauVErt

More Fall Inspiration

Chanel fall 2010
inspiration: global cooling
keywords: (fake) fur, ice jewelry


Valentino fall 2010
inspiration: modern ruffles
keywords: blush tones, high hemlines


Vanessa Bruno fall 2010
inspiration: dance
keywords: drape, layer, wrap


Isabel Marant fall 2010
inspiration: 50's
keywords: cropped pants, high ponytails & those amazing paillette leggings ♥!

All photos from style.com

More Chiffon Dresses but with a Libertine Twist

John Galliano played with the contrast of heavy and light, pairing chiffon dresses with leather pieces, in his fall collection for Christian Dior. The equestrian theme is obvious, but Galliano also drew inspiration from libertines, specifically Johnny Depp's performance in The Libertine (which I have yet to watch). On first glance, the top hats are reminiscent of Depp's latest role in the movie Alice in Wonderland.

I'm especially keen on the make-up and hair. According to hairstylist Orlando Pita, the hair was inspired by "French romanticism and page boys" with the textured curls and fish braids. The make-up called for a "Libertine's raspberry mouth" and "ochre and burgundy eyes." The lips are heavily pigmented in the center and wash out at the sides, which really does give that look of a "raspberry mouth." The final result was a kind of painted beauty like in an 18th century portrait and as decadent as a libertine's lifestyle.

All photos from style.com

Yes, I love me a statement coat

Photos from New York Magazine

I always look forward to what creative geniuses Viktor and Rolf have up their sleeves - which in the case of their fall 2010 presentation, were roomy enough to layer over layers, of capes over fur coats over robe-like dresses over bustiers - like a shoplifter's wildest dreams. I can just imagine a Vogue spread inspired by sticky fingers and featuring these clothes (taking place in a high-end department store, littered with bare mannequins, and maybe Winona will make an appearance?).

Another fall show with the beloved oversized coat trend, but this time blown up to avant-garde proportions.

Watch the runway video here.

Burberry never seems to disappoint

Photos from style.com

Burberry Prorsum followed their smash-hit Spring 2010 RTW collection with another outstanding collection for fall. I am in love.

There's a spectacular variety of coats and jackets from oversized shearling-lined leather and fur to classic, fitted wool. Each piece from head to toe explodes with design details: cuffs, buttons, straps, buckles. There's too much goodness going around here - everyone's sure to find a winner in this collection.

I'm especially loving the silhouette of oversized coats with skinny boots. And both the tall and short buckle boots are amazing.

Watch the live stream show here.

The September Issue

I just watched The September Issue for the second time, and I absolutely loved it! I can positively say that this is one of very few films that I've watched where my whole body is tense from beginning to end with excitement. I loved all the photo shoots and the wonderful personalities of some Vogue staffers, especially Grace Coddington. I think I may have to buy the DVD for the outtake footage!