Not Too Shabby......

.......Shabby Chic, that is.

I'm a city girl, living in a glass and granite building, high above the city streets below.  My lifestyle is about as opposite of "Shabby Chic," as one can be.  But I have secretly always loved this decor style.  In fact, if I ever have a country or beach house, at least one room will be wall to wall shabby chic couture!

You can purchase an autographed copy here~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~  ~

The creator and owner, Rachel Ashwell, opened her first shop in SantaMonica, CA in 1989.  Over the years, Rachel has opened and closed stores, and created a wholesale business and licensing programs, all the while "staying true to her core values and aesthetics......the beauty of imperfection."  Today, there are four Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture stores, located in Santa Monica, Soho, New York, and London’s Notting Hill neighborhood.  Then there is the Interior Design Service and her Bed and Breakfast in Texas. Not too shabby, indeed!

The Soho Store

Rachel has a way with flowers.  I guess opposites attract, as I don't believe I own a single floral item.  Isn't this tablescape and 
cake she designed for a friend's country birthday simply divine?

Rachel states that this cake is from 
the grocery store!  She added the roses.
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Here are my fave edits from Rachel's 
chic collection

The Bloomsbury Sectional 

Embroidered Linen Bedding

Cotton Batiste Pajama Sets

What a romantic room! Find the bedding here.

Silver Crown Linen Dinner Napkins
Tea with the Queen?

Rachel's website and stores offer vintage finds, like these blueberry crates, that Rachel sources on her travels. 

One of Rachel's star finds, as seen on her blog.
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If you love pretty things, you'll enjoy Rachel's
shabby chic selections at:

Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture fine home furnishings

Borrowing From Brad

It pays to read your emails. Believe it or not, I get about 500 a day, and I eventually read every one of them.  Today's mail from Brad Goreski, head stylist at Kate Spade, included a sweet treat from Season One of It's a Brad Brad World. If you enjoyed the Oscar's musical presentation if Les Miz, you'll love this backyard flash mob performance from last season's  

It's a Brad Brad World.  

I could watch it over and over again. 

Can you imagine someone planning this for you?

Season Two begins on March 6th. 

I am so there.

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Brad's touch can be found within all of 

Kate Spade's designs.  Here are some of my favorite pieces that "say" Brad.

Goreski Bangles at Zappos Couture

Kate Spade Candy Clutch

Kate Spade Bow Detailed Pearl Necklace

Pretty in pink patent, Kate Spade's 

Carlyle Watch

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Tuesday's Trend: Spring Leather

~ Leather Forever ~

Designers are obsessing over luxe leather for Spring. I love it too, and what they have done with it for warmer weather.  The colors have been brightened and lightened. When paired with black, white leather looks right. Edgy or

pretty perforations appear here and there. Though quite expensive when done well, you might consider one investment piece this Season. Here, my leather loves, and where you can find them.

Lisa Perry's Ohne Titel Colorblock Dress has a

youthful look and stylish sheen. Available for pre-order at Barneys.

Balmain's lush leather Bomber Jacket adds

a haute hue for a twist on tradition.

Style Bop

Milly's Snake Print Leather Pencil Skirt is one

of my favorite pieces for Spring. Buy it now and 

wear all year long. See it on the runway at

Saks

Rebecca Taylor suggests a ladylike look

with a leather bomber jacket.  Love this idea.

Neutral always looks good with a shot of color.

Neiman Marcus

Valentino's Leather Trimmed Trench is studded with style.  Perhaps, not the easiest piece to wear, it is one of the most special.

LUISAVIAROMA

Elizabeth and James Spring Vincent Leather Trim

Jacket is an updated version of the moto jacket.

It's fresh and fun for Spring.

Saks

Long Leather Knit Jacket by M. PATMOS is

pretty in pale pink, and a very versatile piece.

It's a cozy coverup perfect for the transition into Spring. Find it at Shop Bop.

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Oscar's Best Dressed List

Sure, the bodies of works up for awards, were outstanding, at last night's 85th Annual Academy Awards. But for some of us, the real contest happened offstage, on the red carpet.  The stars were out in their finest glitter and glam. I am sure you have your favorites.  
Here are mine.

Zoe Saldana

Presenter

Alexis Mabille dress; Roger Vivier Sandals.

The dress was spectacular while in motion...

loved the structure.

Charlize Theron

Presenter and Performer

How gorgeous was she? This Christian Dior

Haute Couture bustier gown was seek and sophisticated.  The pink gown she wore for the 

dance number was special, as well.

Jennifer Lawrence

Nominee for Best Actress in a Leading Role for Silver Linings Playbook.

Dior Haute Couture pale pink and white silk bustier ball dress. Pretty in pink, and a real confection of sweet layers.  The dress even looked lovely as she fell (the poor girl) on the

stairs.  Shall we blame Brian Atwood for the 

shoes that may have failed her? The Diamonds

by the Yard back Necklace was the evening's best accessory.

Nominee for Best Actress in a Leading Role for The Impossible

Naomi pulled off a hard to wear without looking

cheap, Giorgio Armani gown done with gunmetal sequins.  Loved it, but her under

pinnings at the waist may have been showing.

Jennifer Garner

Supporting husband Ben Affleck, 

nominated for Argo

A Gucci dress surprised from the back.

In a sea of soft and muted colors, Jen certainly

had a feminine fashion moment.

Amy Adams

Nominee for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for The Master

Her Oscar de la Renta gown in pale grey seemed to go on forever.  Very young Hollywood.

Anne Hathaway

Nominee for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Les Miserables

Pretty and pixie-like in pink Prada, Anne's gown was understated from the front with a sexy back.  Only one problem with her look.  Were

those nipples I saw? They make covers for those things!

Jessica Chastain

Nominee for Best Actress in a Leading Role for Zero Dark Thirty

Jessica got the overall look just right.  Her Armani copper color gown matched her hair and makeup perfectly.  If Oscar was copper, she would have resembled the statue.

 Giuliana Rancic

Red Carpet Host

Best black dress in my book. Designed by

Rafael Cennamo, it did need a little more jewelery.  Loved her extension-free new hairdo!

But don't take my word for it. See for yourself

who won, wowed and wore it best.

Video Courtesy of Huffington Post

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 Photo credit: Getty Images

Red Carpet Ready

The Academy Awards are one day away.  My guess is the hardest reservation to get in Hollywood today, is any seat with a facialist, personal shopper, hairstylist, eyebrow guru, or plastic surgeon.  It takes a village to get red carpet ready like Brad and Angelina.

So how do us mere mortals get that special look? Here are  some red carpet secrets that will have us all shining like the stars.

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Start with glowing skin.  Facialist to the stars is skincare guru, Kate Somerville. I have been to

her Los Angeles salon, and used her products.

They were game changers for my face.  Click to see her picks for a red carpet complexion:

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Then you need a professional brow.  If you

can't make it to the salon of brow guru, Anastasia of Beverly Hills, which will cost you $45 and up...get the look with her collection from Sephora.

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No jiggle while you wiggle!

Beyonce is known to go on stage wearing

three pairs of Spanx. Comfort be damned...

this modern miracle works. Bare Necessities

has over 140 styles to choose from for both 

men and women

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Have you seen the mani-cams on the runway?

It's a silly little prop to give props to the

talented manicurists in Los Angeles. I love

the new trend of a single glittered or jeweled nail, if done right. Consider something classy and go for it.

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Many starlets on the red carpet will carry a fabulous Judith Leiber little bag.  The price

tag is in the thousands.  But you can get the look for much less. A dressy clutch will never

go out of style, so it might be worth the investment.  Here are two to love.

Judith Leiber's $1,995 Bag at Neiman's

Or Amici's Lurex Hard Case Bow Clutch for

$29.99 at South Moon Under

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Golden Glams

There probably isn't an actor or actress

on Sunday's carpet that hasn't been tanned in some fashion.  If you can't have the service 

done in your own home....give Bare Minerals

a chance.  It has never disappointed me. For

me, it is all about the application brush. Nothing

touches your hands or nails. Find the set at

QVC

Brad Goreski, Kate Spade head stylist, has a few more tips to get us all Red Carpet Ready, as seen on Good Morning America this week.

  Watch 

Enjoy the show. I'll be reporting on it next week.