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Book Review: The ELLEments of Personal Style

The last week in October is always notoriously hellish for the Moodboard household. I stopped by the bookstore yesterday to find something to relax my mind and make me think of more beautiful things. As always, there were no new magazines, so I wondered over to the home and style section, which is like 3 shelves. 

I saw the new book by Elle magazine editors Joe Zee and Maggie Bullock, The ELLEments of Personal Style, gleaming up at me from the shelf. I picked it up to leaf through it, expecting the typical images of mundane outfits and how to wear them, what 20 basics you should have in your closet...blah blah blah.

If I had taken more time to look at the cover, I would have seen that it says it contains "25 Modern Fashion Icons on How to Dress, Shop, and Live." That is exactly what the book is about, and it is great! There are "fashion icons" that I think could have been left out(won't mention names), some old favorites(Margherita Missoni, Tracee Ellis Ross, Milla Jovovich) and some new favorites(Janie Bryant, Fatima Robinson).

You get glimpses into their personal style, their homes, and there are inspiration boards on how to achieve their look. Here are some sneak peeks of what is inside:

Another old favorite, Charlotte Gainsbourg's home in Paris. Sigh.

There are many images of Erin Wasson's life in the book, including one of her as a teenager in high school.

A new style favorite, Janie Bryant, the costume designer for the fantastic Mad Men. There are no words for her closet.

Choreographer Fatima Robinson in her circa 1930's bathroom. LOVE THIS IMAGE. It looks like a screen shot from a vintage movie. She has great personal style.

Images: Moodboard Photography: 1st image, Moodboard/2, 3, 4, and 5, Thomas Whiteside

 

Halloween Style (Editorial): The Witch of Blackbird Pond

Hair escaping from a bun, a long black dress and a cape of feathers, as oily black as a raven's wings.

Oh, and how I love 1990's Kate Moss.

Images: Moodboard Photography: Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin Magazine: Harper's Bazaar December 1999
 

Review: Forever 21 Lace Dress

-Forever 21 lace dress
-H&M tights
-Chanel Mary Janes
-Vintage pearlized clutch
-Rodarte ring 

I noticed that the lace Forever 21 dress from earlier this year has popped back up again online, so I thought I would give a quick review. I own the original, and as you can see the slip underneath runs micro short(I'm 5ft7 for reference). I took a picture of it with and without tights so you can see where it hits on me.

The fabric content is 54% cotton, 46% nylon, and the slip is silk. The lace shell can be handwashed. It has a boxy, babydoll shape that makes it one of the most comfortable dresses I own.

I ran by Forever 21 this morning to check out the new version and to see if there were any changes. To my eyes it looked a shade deeper ivory, and the slip is polyester instead of silk. The fit and fabric content is almost identical, at 53% cotton, 47% nylon. It is marked dry clean only. I do believe it is $5 cheaper than the original version.

Detail shot of ring:

Current Wish List

Sequin Flame Blazer. Anthropologie, $158

I'm curious to see what this looks like in real life, because I'm really liking it on the model.

Chloe Marcie Python Bag. Net-A-Porter, $3,850

A girl can dream.

 Donna Karan oversized Cashmere Cardigan. Net-A-Porter, $2,495

It's getting harder and harder to find natural fiber sweaters at a price that I can afford. I'm craving cozy cashmere sweaters for fall, and not the thin ones prone to pilling(ahem, J.Crew), but nice chunky ones that feel like a cocoon.

 

Velvet Panel Top. Madewell, $90

I've gravitated towards "easy glamour" pieces lately and I think this might fit that theme.

The above top brings me to my next wish list item, a wispy lace bra to wear under sheer items. I'm not having any luck finding something with a triangle shape, next to nothing straps and all black. Any suggestions? Jak & Jil

 

Halloween Style (Editorial): Romeo + Juliet

An empire waist dress in soft white. Long hair and wings that alight on your shoulders like a butterfly.

Images: Moodboard Photography: Peter Lindberg Magazine: Marie Claire 

Halloween Style (Editorial): Woodland Fairy

 

An ethereal dress-whether it be chiffon, lace or sequins-and a crown of flowers to rest upon your rosy tresses.

Images: Moodboard Photography: Daniel Jackson Magazine: Harper's Bazaar 2007

Inspiration: Neutrals

 

 

 

Photography: Vanessa Jackman, Streetfsn, Hanneli, Stockholm-Streetstyle

Fall Inspiration: Cute Couple Editorial

Sequin maxi skirts, rustic woods, gorgeously carpeted stairs, chartreuse green, and cozy grandma style knits. Oh, and a perfectly cute couple, actors Dave Annable and Odette Yustman, doesn't hurt either.

Images: Moodboard Photography: Dewey Nicks Magazine: Glamour

Want of the Day: Marni Leather Platform Boots

I've been crushing on Marni's glossy leather boots for weeks, thanks to the shiny strips of metal in the wood platform. Love seeing them in action in this week's issue of Net-a-Porter's online magazine. Net-a-Porter, $1,315

Spirit Day: Rock Your Purple

1970's purple paisley bodysuit-Thrifted
vintage necklace & boxing glove charm-Flea Market
J.Brand Lovestory jeans-Gilt.com

Wearing purple in support of no more bullying, for everyone.