if it ain't Baroque...

This next collection, I thought, was a complete highlight from all of the collective "fashion weeks" - it is the breathtakingly magnificent Dolce & Gabbana Fall 12 show - watch this...

 

It is such a different experience watching the fabrics move on the runway, isn't it? (sidenote: Helen Mirren is my idol❤).

I've seen (and you are likely to have seen) this collection posted several places over the past few days, however, I am positive none were as creative as Hannah's magical Dolce gifs!!   I still thought I'd share a few of my personal favorites here...

images via style.com

So just a quick review: brocade, black velvet, lace, sheers, florals, embroidery oh... and capes and tap pants thrown in too?! In a word: PERFECTION!

fall fashion :: red valentino

This week I thought I would try to do a few true "fashion posts" and share some of the F/W2012 collections that I was most impresses and enamored with. First up is one of the most perfect collections I've seen in ages, Red Valentino...

 

(images via style.com)

Splashes of late Victorian/Edwardian and perhaps some Alice in Wonderland (ie: school girl chic), all mixed together with a bit of the 1950s - Those some of the biggest influences of my own wardrobe so, basically, this collection really speaks my language.  more here>>>

show your stripes

 

At long last a real outfit post for you lovely readers! I'm afraid this outfit was not too elaborate because it has been a pretty hot week (well...compared to the average temperature the rest of February) so I cut back on my usual layering. The dress was purchased just before I went to the UK - I felt like I needed some more stripes in my life! I go through stripey phases from time to time.

The pen necklace is from KateSpade was a Christmas gift from my little sister.  At the time I didn't get the MadMen connection but have since realized that Joan often sports a very similar necklace.  I love the show so it's ok by me!

outfit notes:
dress -xxi
boots - steve madden
pen necklace - gift 

tour diary: Londontown

It's the final installment of the Lucette UK tour diary! We ended the tour off with a bang in my dearest, London.  I've posted about London a lot in the past so I figured I would simply share some photos from our stay rather then do a full-on guide this post. We definitely packed a lot of the city in to a few days...

 

 

Nothing like a rainy London stroll...

 We stopped by the British Museum where "the Brit" had a staring contest with a lion...

 and I took photos of pretty girly-er things...

Lucette and her dad had never been to London before so I felt the strong urge to drag them on a little trip up the Jubilee Line to see Abbey Road Studios (very near where I lived many moons ago).

e We signed the wall outside the studio, of course. We also called my dad and I asked him to go to this website so he could see us live in front of Abbey Road! and he could see us, which was pretty entertaining :D 

Obligatory Big Ben photo-op...

 

on to the last show of the tour...

We played our final show at the breathtaking and magical Union Chapel.  I have dreamed about going to watch show there for ages but actually playing there!?! I needed someone to pinch me for fear I was just having a really vivid dream! 

 

sound check...

"The Brit's" parents came to the show all the way from Cornwall since we didn't have time to come to them this trip!(As did a few close London buddies)...

Still waiting on the photos of us performing (because, obviously, someone else had to take those ;) but I will post them once they emerge! Then the Secret Sisters took the stage and did an incredible job. It was bittersweet though since it was the last show.

 

During the last song the girls brought a surprise guest to the stage, the fabulous Brandi Carlie. It was a gorgeous end to an amazing show.

and, just like that, it was over and we were plopped back in LA. back to reality. But we had such an unbelievably wonderful time!

PS: to hear more from the band I toured with here's the link LUCETTE  and while I'm at it here is the link to the band we supported THE SECRET SISTERS < all of them are lovely lovely ladies, incidentally.

DJRD ❤ Shabby Apple :: spring dress giveaway! *CLOSED*

*Congrats to the Shabby Apple Spring Dress Giveaway... Cindy A!!* thanks to all for entering!

Shabby Apple recently approached me to host a little springtime dress giveaway and I thought it would be a nice "thank you" to my US readers (sorry international pals, the next one will include you! xo). This time around its the Roman Holiday inspired "Spanish Steps" dress that we're giving away...

Here's what you have to do to enter...

Step One…  click HERE to "Like" Shabby Apple on Facebook 

Step Two…  take a look at shabbyapple.com  then leave a comment here - tell me which Shabby Apple women's dress is your favorite & don't forget to leave your EMAIL ADDRESS TOO so I can get in touch.

I will pick a winner at random on Monday, Feb 20th. Again this is only open to US readers! 

GOOD LUCK!!!

true heart

What do we have here...another beautiful Vogue Itailia editorial? another gorgeous styling job by Leith Clark? AND featuring Miss Kirsten Dunst!?!  Well, ok then...

 

Publication: Vogue Italia
Issue: February 2012
Title: True Heart
Guest model: Kirsten Dunst
Photography: Yelena Yemchuk
Styling: Leith Clark
photos via


Makes me wish that she and Leith would collaborate on another issue of Lula together. That issue (#5) remains one of my favorites.