Fall 2011: How to Wear Leopard

I love me some leopard. Makes sense: I'm a Leo and a drag queen.  Leopard bags, hats, coats, dresses, shoes---I've got 'em all and wear them year-round. But leopard feels especially right in the winter so I recently invested in some colder weather kitties.

First, this Old Navy zip up sweater.
  

Have wanted a leopard sweater for a long time but getting the right print (not gaudy) for the right price (not hundreds of dollars) can be challenging. This $30 one will do until I want to splurge on Dolce.

Second, this leopard scarf from H&M.

Am wearing it all the time lately. Reminds me of THAT delish Louis Vuitton leopard print a few years back. Love how it works with the stripes.

Third, I dug out these OOC tights that I bought exactly a decade ago and never wore. Got them for the first bachelorette party I ever threw (an EPIC night with a "Girls Gone Wild" theme).




Wore them under leggings, to feel fabulous, while we were in Indiana but I plan to bust them out with a LBD and booties soon...just you wait




And finally, here's a peek at what I'm wearing tonight to celebrate Thanksgiving with my mom and Mr. Diabolina. Rawr!



Hope you have a relaxing, piggie, fabulous holiday weekend!
xo

The Inspiration

Where to Eat in NYC: Ippudo Ramen

The Scene

A few years ago while visiting three of my fave piggies on the planet, I was introduced to Ippudo NY, a Japanese Ramen Noodle restaurant.

It was love at first slurp.

So when I was back in the city last month for work, I beelined there. Thankfully, I was flying solo and was able to sit at the communal table (otherwise the wait would have been 2 hours!)

The Food

I got the $15 Shiromaru Hakata Classic, the original "Tonkotsu" noodle soup topped with pork loin chashu, kikurage, menma, memma, red pickled ginger, sesame, and scallions. Nom-nom-nomy! Go to there on a cold night and get it.

And, because I'm a hog, I also got the Hirata Buns, steamed buns filled with your choice of pork or chicken, served with Ippudo original spicy buns sauce. Heaven.

HIGHLY recommend, especially for a solo business dinner!

The Outfit

H&M white button down and leggings

Forever 21 horse print jacket

The Accessories

H&M belt

Zara heels

Forever 21 spiked bracelet (not pictured)

Louis Vuitton Neverfull tote (not pictured)

The Grade

B

The Commentary

For months, I've been kinda obsessed with button downs and collars. Been dying to do a shirt all buttoned up with a necklace over the collar but been too chicken shit.

Partly because it's a look that works best on the smaller chested and slimmer waisted.

Partly because the look is Man Repeller Central and will weird mere mortals out. Sigh.

But mostly I haven't gone there because to do it right, the shirt should look crisp, and I've never been keen on the ole ironing clothes thing. So I'm easying in with this oversized, perpetually crumpled button down I got for pennies at H&M. If you're not sure you're going to be able to pull off a trend, don't invest alot. That's why I got this little horse print tunic for $22 at Forever 21.

Instead of all THAT horse print stuff a decade ago at Chloe that cost more than my mortgage payment back then.

These comfortable but stylish Zara shoes were also a great cheapie purchase that are going to be my bffs whenever I travel. 

Not one of my best looks but NYC scrambles my brains and you gotta give an old girl some props for trying.

The Inspiration

p.s. One of the top things I'm coveting for Christmas is this Man Repeller necklace for Dannijo

Love me some Leandra.

Though I really appreciated this VERY well-written blog post by Kelly Oxford about MP being in the 1% and blogging for the 99%. Goes back to some of the things I was saying in this blog post about money, blogging and perception a few weeks ago. Or rather trying to say ;)

xo

My Missoni Date at Neiman Marcus

The Scene

Jean Bean gave me this little pup a few years ago. He's a Missoni---an adorbs talisman she got in a gift bag during one of her trips to Milan Fashion Week. His perch in my messy closet changes but I always know where he is, watching me, reminding me that my best college girl friend is fabulous...and hearts me.

Last month, Jean Bean cemented her fabulosity and her undying love for me (or is it my undying love for her) by offering me a plum assignment: interviewing Vittorio and Octavio Jr. Missoni for NM Daily. OMG!

I love how she asks me, "Are you free?" Um, for the Missoni family...at Neiman Marcus...I'll make the time.  

Vittorio, son of the Missoni founders, and his deliciously tall, soft-spoken son were in town to celebrate the family's Walk of Style honor, down the street from NM on Rodeo Drive. Fittingly, it was the first time a family had received the honor.

Before the ceremony, the two men, who both work for the family business in marketing and production, held an intimate fashion show for a few lucky Neiman's customers in the Beverly Hills store.
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While we drooled over the amazing clothes, they shared amazing stories about the beginning of the family business, how the zigzag was born and how Italian women are very similar to Californian ones.

They even whisked out the most recent flamenco-inspired runway looks, revealing that Neiman's would have pieces available months before everyone else. Let me tell you, this makes rich ladies very excited.

What also struck me about the whole experience was how lovely and genuine, Vittorio and Octavio were---to me, to the sales associates, to the photographer, to the customers, to the waiters.  I've never meet fashion people that were more unassuming and gracious. Made me love their brand even more than I already do.

And that's pretty hard to do since I already love all this glorious Italian yarn. The colors! The zigzags! My kingdom for a closet full of colorful zigzag yarn!

Here are some of my picks for best dressed fellow Missoni lovers at the event.

LIVE FOR HER DRESS---my fave at the event!

Also looooved a momma who indoctrinates her daughter early about the finer things club.

Beautiful, beautiful experience---am forever grateful to Beans for the opportunity!

The Outfit
3.1 Phillip Lim dress
Marc by Marc Jacobs coat

The Accessories
Prada sunglasses
Chanel bag
Missoni scarf
Alexander McQueen heels
Cheapie jewelry

The Grade
Pass

The Commentary

Woe is me I don't own a single Missoni piece...other than my puppy and this scarf. So I built my outfit around the latter.




Used the palette of resort 2011, then plucked out the busiest pattern in my closet to build the black and white ensemb.

Verdict? Too ho hum. I should have gone for color. Missoni is all about color. F to me for being safe not fab.










The saving grace of the lewk: my iPhone cover. It's Missoni for Tar-jay, but Vittorio and Octavio both lit up when I flashed it. As I used my phone to start recording our interview, they looked at it closely, smiling at each other.  Later, Vittorio shared:

"The collaboration with Target was an incredible experience. We had the opportunity to make a real total look---from your phone cover to the iPad cover to the little dress to the little coffee cup to the children's wear. All giving the Missoni look...in an easy way but keeping the design and the quality always very special. And not being cheap. It was not cheap." 

I asked if the hunger for the products by Americans surprised the family. Without hesitating, Vittorio said, "Si, si. Yes. The passion...and seeing how many fans, it was incredible for the family."

 (Credit: Patrick McMullen)

Later, as Vittorio and Octavio walked me through the resort collection, they mentioned how popular their beach and lounge wear has become. I told them that my best friend Jean and I dream of living in their caftans when we're 60+...and need to cover it all up a bit. They laughed and Vittorio even said, "Thank you." I mean who are these people???

A lovely, lovely family who has created a brand that the world loves because their love of family and craftsmanship is clear.

(Credit:Patrick McMullen)

p.s. I finally got these Missoni for Target goodies in the mail today. Would have been PURRfect with my black and white oufit for the NM event. Would have kept my busted bangs from ruining the picture above too. Sigh.

Read my full interview with the Missoni men on NM Daily!