Max It Out This Summer

It's not every week that you get invited to take a first look at an exclusive lookbook shot by fashion photog Phillip Dixon.  Thanks to my friends at the Vogue Influencer Network, we are some of the very first folks to view the stunning fashion photography and dreamy dresses featured in the Leon Max Collection Summer 2012 Lookbook.  If you're not already familiar with the fashion of Leon Max, or MaxStudio.com then get ready to be formally introduced, and if you're already an old friend, then you'll love the flowing asymmetric draping in the Summer 2012 collection that has become synonymous with the brand.  Find your new favorites below, and gear up to max it out in more ways than one this summer once this exquisite collection hits the racks in your favorite department store, or online at MaxStudio.com. 

Gussets that fall from an asymmetric seam create the soft, feminine textures, and magical hemline movement of this dress.

Ethereal, romantic and dramatic, with a one shoulder silhouette and lots of movement, it’s all that an evening dress should be.

Ribbons of fabric traverse the body and cascade whimsically to the hem of this floor grazing dress.

Dark and enchanting, this textural lace and mesh dress with a floor sweeping length radiates romance.

This silky dress has a minimal, boudoir inspired front and a dramatically draped back that features soft textures, floaty movement and a sexy glimpse of skin.

The luxurious silk chiffon fabric of the dress has an eye-catching iridescence with an intricately patterned seamless slip underneath to create a stunning visual effect.

Wear this knockout silk georgette dress any time you want to stand out in a sea of lackluster LBDs.

This floaty dress has the easy glamour of a maxi silhouette with details both romantic and sexy.

Fashioned from floaty silk chiffon with an eye-catching iridescence, the simple silhouette of this dress is dramatized with a gorgeously draped shoulder that lends Goddess-like glamour.

This incredible dress fashioned from an electric hued gossamer silk chiffon has a softly crinkled texture and luxurious fluidity.

This dress is modernized with beautiful textural contrasts and a cheeky play between opaque and sheer.

This soft and romantic crinkled silk chiffon dress has a textured floral appliqué that travels on a slight diagonal from the bust and across the middle.

A watercolour floral design that blossoms across the body lends a vintage feel to this dress while asymmetrical elements at the neck and hem make it modern.

The silhouette of this crinkled silk chiffon halter dress has ethereal movement and a soft hand-painted watercolour floral design that feels mysterious on the black backdrop of the fabric.

Layer this sexy tee under a classic suit, pair with menswear trousers to create a chic feminine/masculine contrast or wear with jeans to add instant glam.

Boudoir styles are a huge trend for the season and this pair of shorts with built in opaque under-short is a clever and wearable way to get the trend.

A refined play between opaque and sheer lends an unexpected edge to the charming ballet silhouette of this dress.

This party-perfect dress has an asymmetric sensibility highlighted by a panel of iridescent paillettes running down the body to add eye-catching shimmer.

This soft and feminine dress, cut from a blushing pink silk georgette, sparkles with a panel of iridescent paillettes. 

If you like what you see, join in!  Just click the 'Join This Site' button at the top right of the homepage to keep up with Vogue fashion exclusives, new product launches, events, beauty reviews and more.  See it first, hear it first, know it first.

I Might Just Become a Bag Lady Afterall

Do you know those days that are kind of give you that crappy 'beige' feeling?  You know, like nothing is going exceptionally bad (or necessarily even going at all), but nothing is really going good either ... stagnant, blah, ... generally just a boring crappy beige like this ...

  

... combined with a little of Paula Deen's Snuggie-licious crappy beige sweater.

Really Paula Deen, this is what you choose to wear on national television with all of the money you make?!?! 

Today being a Thursday (as opposed to say and Monday or Tuesday), I should have been feeling fairly uplifted with the weekend on its way, food in the fridge, and the good fortune of not having to wake up and cope with male pattern baldness on a daily basis (sorry guys).  You'd think just that last little thought alone would be enough to carry me through more than a boring Thursday, but alas, I am me, and there is no stopping the unending mysteries that create my state-of-mind at any given moment.   For me, today was mostly mediocre, slightly boring beige ... that is until I received an unexpected, fairly large-sized package on my front porch taped all over with important-looking 'Stop' signs boldly warning me to check the contents before signing a receipt if the box seal was broken. Ah, the mystery, the intrigue, the ... danger?  Whatever it was, it was bye bye to my crappy beige day!  Imagine my surprise when I made my way through all of that threatening tape to find this!

Yes-siree-Bob, that is exactly what it looks like - a surprise gift through my Vogue Influencers Network from the Brahmin Spring 2012 collection!  Yay!  Let's open it further, shall we?

Brahmin Glossy Medium Arno Tote, in the flesh.

OMG!!  (Well, that's what it was like when I opened it anyway).  Glistening in the overhead light, was this amazing perfectly sized hybrid tote/purse from the Brahmin 'Glossy' Collection. 

Now I've never been a real 'bag lady' like some, but I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the previous Brahmin collections that I've seen through my Vogue Network (if you've missed them, or you just want to gaze longingly at them again, you can revisit them here, here, here, & here).  At this moment, I might just do a dance and become a bag lady afterall - especially since I want the matching wallet, wristlet, and key ring now.  I am sooo all about this bag that it's not even funny.  It has fragranced my entire den with the warm smell of new leather (I wish there was a virtual scratch-and-sniff to share here), and is meticulously crafted to combine exquisite detail with probably the most practicality I've ever had in a handbag.  Soooo, if you were ever teetering on the verge of a purchase after ogling over the new Brahmin collections as they popped up in print ads, department stores, or, of course, my blog; I can say personally at this point that you will not be disappointed in your investment.  Quite the contrary, you will want to trade it all in and become a bag lady with me.  You can start picking out yours right away at Brahmin.com!

If you like what you see, join in!  Just click the 'Join This Site' button at the top right of the homepage to keep up with Vogue fashion exclusives, new product launches, events, beauty reviews and more.  See it first, hear it first, know it first.

Heads Up: Free Aveda Damage Remedy Is On The Way!

 

Just in time for warm weather and all of the damaged hair that comes with it (pool, beach, hairbands that cause nasty breakage), my friends as the Vogue Influencer Network are hooking me up with a complimentary Aveda Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair.  Even better news?  They're also throwing in a 3-piece Damage Remedy sample pack to share with one other lucky follower out there.  I mean, who doesn't already love Aveda and their super-smelling, naturally derived products??  The only thing better than giving your hair this royal treatment is getting it for free!!


So watch for for my upcoming posts to find out more on how you can secure yourself some free Aveda Damage Remedy product, and in the meantime, why don't you get a leg up on your chance at free stuff by clicking that 'join the site' button to the right if you haven't already.  You know you, and your hair, really want to!

If you like what you see, join in!  Just click the 'Join This Site' button at the top right of the homepage to keep up with Vogue fashion exclusives, new product launches, events, beauty reviews, freebies and more.  See it first, hear it first, know it first.

Easter on Parade

It's that time of year again!  Some of you may remember the famous annual Monument Avenue Easter on Parade tradition from last year, (or revisit it  by clicking here, if you don't), and yesterday the parade was in full swing yet again.  So, as your Easter candy sugar high slowly winds down, here's a look back at all of the Easter bonnets and bunny ears from yesterday's fête.    

Olivia is decked out in her Easter eggs and bunny ears, ready to parade around town!

The hunt for the Easter bunny begins.

Jay and Olivia hitting the road.

Where is that bunny? 

Our first Easter bonnet sighting.

Fresh cut flowers ...

... but still no bunny.

What is scarier than a clown on the loose?  A giant clown on the loose.

Maybe the bunny is this way?

Water break!

Me, in my Great Grandmother's 'Easter Bonnet,' and Olivia in her egg hunt outfit take a break in the shade.

Check out these two canines showing us all a thing or two about how to sport an Easter bonnet

... and this dashing fellow looking dapper in his Easter tie.

It's an impromptu sidewalk band!

Those cooler than cool pups getting even cooler with some help from a quick doggie dip.

Some seriously festive head gear.

Balloon art on someone's front porch.

Hunting the elusive Easter bunny has proven quite a task, requiring even more water.

There is only one way left to go; that bunny must be this way.

Sipping mint juleps on the front porch

No Easter bunny for Olivia, but she did meet someone better.  Watch out Carrie Bradshaw, this is the real Mr Big! 

O is all smiles about her new friend...

... and Mr Big looks a little taken with Olivia, and all of those 'toys' around her neck as well.

Happy Easter!