Oxblood Fall 2012: Hate the name, love the trend

Have always loved burgundy. Growing up, I equated it with grown-up glam since it was my grandmother's signature lip color. Later as a Trojan, it became the color I associated with school pride (USC's technical colors are cardinal and gold, not the Ronald McDonald mess you see at the Coliseum.) 

I was thrilled when I realized in late summer, burgundy was going to be THE color for fall. When a few weeks later, the fashion universe was calling it "oxblood" I was grossed out. BLECH, right? What Pantone crazy comes up with this shit? Who wants to conjure up the idea of slaughtered livestock when getting dressed. Can't believe PETA hasn't jumped all over this one...

Despite the grossie josie name, I still love the color.  Been dusting off everything I own in it. Like my favorite travel hat purchased a few Christmases ago at Kitson with my newish Ditas. 

These cheapie jeans I nabbed at Nordstrom at the beginning of my colored jean frenzy. Paired 'em with my new favorite J Crew sweater that every blogger and celeb is loving this season. 

This Black Halo dress that I wore for a wedding in Chicago recently with McQueen lace heels. Love love loved this look.

And this Marc by MJ top that I got resale last spring at The Divorcee Sale. 

Recently bought his tweedy number at Topshop.  Been wearing it to death. Extra points for the peplum.

Been easing into wearing the color on my lips too.  Haven't done that since high school so feeling very sixteen-year-old-chola-don't-F-with-me whenever I do.

Scored the Holy Grail of shoes at Zara a few weeks ago: slippers + studs + ox blood = Fall trend gold.

Got tons of mileage out of them during a trip to NYC last week. Added bonus: matched the carpet at 30 Rock when I visited my beloved Mr. NBC.  Meow.



Still left on my oxblood shopping list: the perfect luxe purse.  Celine or Louis Vuitton in my dreams.  Phillip Lim or Marc more likely.

And dying for a velvety jacket. 

Figure I can wear them for years to come at SC games....

The Inspiration

Shakira, H&M polka dots and Trojan girls

Last week, Mr. Diabolina surprised me with tickets to Shakira.

Um, I think they were actually more of a gift for himself.  AND the

only other person who knew about the surprise: The Brown Devil

But the most surprising part was that the boys decided The Brown Devil's baby girl was ready for her first concert. At the age of 3!! At least they bought her baby rockstar head phones.

Her mama St. Jude and I prepared her for the show by telling her

a Princess named Shakira was going to sing and dance for her.

Thankfully Shakira dressed the part in huge ball gowns to open and close the show.

Though there were quite a few She Wolf outfits and um, moves.

Someone may have acted all shocked but she loved it.
After all, she is a half brown she wolf herself. 

St. Jude and I became friends during a European grad school trip. And let me tell you I NEVER EVER dreamed I'd witness her daughter's first concert 11 years later.  A sweet reminder that life is full of so many unexpected gifts. 

Case in point, the same week as the Shakira surprise,
I met up with a LOVERLY colleague of The Brown Devil's. 

He had turned her on to my blog and urged us to meet saying we were two peas in a pod.

Which was evident the minute we laid eyes on each other.  We were both wearing polka dotted H&M dresses!!! LOOOVE psychic matching on first dates!

We talked for hours and I was shocked to find out just how much we had in common.

 Not least of which was our shared alma mater: USC's Annenberg School of Journalism.

Which is where I met St. Jude. Who in case you're blind was also dressed
 in polka dots the Shakira night.  A little WEIRD, right???

Or maybe not since polka dots are always in style.

Just like cool, smart, hilarious girlfriends.

Hope you have a fun weekend with yours ;)