Inspire Me: Bag the Look

Striped 3/4 Sleeve Sweater Top, $20
melissa shorts, $198
Cotton stripe socks, $80
Report Signature Women's Durant Bootie: Shoes, $84
ASOS Nude Feather Clutch, $42
Stone Encrusted Ring, $28
Chanel Le Vernis Nail Color Colour Polish Particuliere No. 505 Limited..., $30

London Calling: Alexa Chung 

The freshest import into the states, model / host and longtime Karl Lagerfeld muse: Alexa Chung not only has an innate, natural sense of style she has the personality and looks to back it up! Known for her tomboy sass and wit, Alexa has left a mark in the modeling, television, and fashion industry with her creative and fresh take on British fashion. Stripes, Army green utility jackets, boyfriend cuffed shorts, cross-body bags... just a few reminders of what defines Alexa's style. She has one-upped America's fashion taste, showing us what London's all about!

Shop the look with these affordable alternatives...

xo Qb

Interesting Finds

Funky Footwear: Ashely Olsen in Louis Vuitton shoes at the 37th Annual Chaplin Award Gala in New York

Images: StarStyle

Ashley Olsen took high heels to the next level in these Louis Vuitton high heels. These shoes look interesting enough on the catwalk, but I love seeing it out in broad daylight skipping down actual sidewalks. Unique...

Mary-Had-A-Little-Lamb: Olivia Palermo in Mulberry 

Images: StarStyle

Olivia Palermo in a Mulberry frock, studded pumps also by Mulberry, Topshop owl ring, and an Ann Taylor skinny woven belt (note: I love how the socialite still makes affordable purchases at Ann Taylor and Topshop -- one of her frequent shopping stops). Initially I was not so sure about the bottom half of the dress... honestly, I had a dash of inhibition. I could not figure out whether or not it was made of sheep wool or tulle. However, I am biased in terms of Olivia's always impeccable taste. The concept of the dress was a little clearer after I saw it on the Mulberry runway...

... for once, the black mixed with the neutral set on Olivia did not serve as neither beneficial nor edgy. The catwalk version with the nude booties, matching textured clutch, and high-fashion edgy up do' added a classy edge. The nude booties helped elongate rather than widen the model due to the "fluffy" effect of the skirt. Olivia's woven belt "bundles" up her waistline and cuts her height at the waistline -- giving her look a shortening effect. 

The runway version on the other hand retains the femininity while adding a little rock n' roll with her teased do'.

xo Qb

This Week I Covet...

Grecian Goddess Intimate: Emma Roberts in Temperley London at the 4.3.2.1. premiere

Image: JustJared

This girl is so hard to catch up with! Just after my tribute post to this fresh faced actress, she takes my breath away a day later. Emma achieves the whimsical, hippie-chic goddess feel with little effort. The billowy Temperley London frock features romantic tiered sleeves with gold intricate embellishments all along the neckline and cut-out shoulders. 

Tidbit: It's All About the Fit Do you know what saved this dress from looking like a maternity dress? The strategically placed shoulder cut-outs. It slims her upper portion by allowing her shoulders to peek through. The cut-outs also helped in terms of fit, allowing the beautifully tiered fabric along her upper arm to drape naturally.

Stone-Cold Metallic: Sienna Miller in Matthew Williamson

Image: StarStyle

I can never get enough of Sienna Miller. But Sienna in Matthew Williamson? She always seems to define the clothing. In retrospect, she always left a deep impression with me whenever she donned Mr. Williamson's unique designs. Okay. Back on topic. Loved her in this metallic mini in a stone-green wash with her Camilla Skovgaard booties she's been seen stomping around town in (during the day)! Leave it to Ms. Miller to never stick to one color palette. This is what I love about her taste! She's fearless in mixing in the brown belt while wearing black booties. And pairs her green dress with her red Prada Saffiano & Tessuto tote (most people don't dare to step anywhere near the X-mas color duo in fear of looking like the Grinch). Only Sienna... bow down.

Tidbit: Don't be afraid of color contradictions. When done right, brown and black accessories mixed into an outfit actually will give your look an extra kick! Red and green, when in the right material and shade pairing can actually give you an adventurous look -- when done right of course!

The Modern LBD: Nicky Hilton in Alice+Olivia Cut-Out Dress

Image: StarStyle

At least one Hilton has her head screwed on straight and realized she's too old to play in Malibu Barbie's house anymore. Nicky owns this tasteful look in a little black dress. The Alice+Olivia number fits her like a glove, with subtle shoulder pads to help elongate the look. Nicky adds a modern twist to the look with her fabulous Brian Atwood Lola Suede Leather Pumps. Those shoes are magical! Where can I get me some of those? Oh and throw in her Hermés Collier de Chien Cuff in with my shoe crave fix too please...

L.A. Easy Breezy: Kristin Cavallari
Image: StarStyle

Resident bad gal of the Hills, K.Cav always represents the epitome of Hollywood's modern day girl. She dresses up her laid-back-Cali look for a night out on the town with a pair of Christian Louboutins and Alice+Olivia leather shorts. I love the effortless feel of her ensemble, but due to the cut of the top, I would prefer to swap the shorts for liquid leggings.

Tidbit: When wearing a loose top, depending on the cut, do not pair it with a pair of micro-minis. Doing so would only shorten your height and make you look stumpy. To elongate your look: if your top is loose, your bottom must be tight and vice versa!

xo Qb

The Burn Book

Victim of: "Overdone Overdose"
Image: StarStyle

Eva, Eva, Eva Longoria. A tulle disaster (exception: the Fendi tulle shoes in black coveted in the past post)!! This Housewife wore a disastrous Reem Acra dress which did absolutely nothing for her! Collared tulle mid-sleeve with black embellishments on top of a tierred skirt? Overdose! This is like a homage to a cheerleader-homecoming queen gone horribly wrong. Burn..

Victim of: Wrong Fit
Image: StarStyle

Kim K in a Kardashians by Bebe matte Jersey Jumpsuit. Honestly, Kim K has gone through such a style evolution that I normally absolutely adore her. This jumpsuit is a safe, black jumpsuit. The only peeve I have with it is the cut and fit around the waist to crotch area. Instead of giving her a waistline, it actually shortens and widens her a bit. The problem is: there is a harem-style looser area in the waist to crotch section but all of a sudden it tightens up at her thighs. It's a battle between two completely different cuts..

Tip in finding a perfect jumpsuit: Pay attention to the waistband placement. A waistband set too low on a jumpsuit can make you look like an overgrown baby in a diaper. A higher waist band can look chic (a la Kim K attempt above). The biggest mistake is when a jumpsuit is cut a particular way and abruptly changes into a different cut.

Victim of: "Trim Illusion Gone Wrong"
Image: StarStyle

Sorry Kim, last punch. I love the embellishment on this white number by Sass & Bide. I am a huge, huge fan of shoulder details and tough chic futuristic embellishments. But the 1/2 circle details on the left and right side of the waist was unsuitable for her.  But of course, the dress looks fierce on the Sass & Bide catwalk. Rocking the Little White Dress is a new trend that is surfacing. However, both slim and curvy girls have a difficult time tackling this tough trend. Kim K's a curvy girl who's brave enough to don a white dress... but the side embellishments definitely did not suit her curves. Instead of giving a cut-in slimming effect, it unfortunately expanded her waistline.

Tidbit: The smallest details make the biggest difference.

Victim of: "Back-to-the-Future Extreme"
Image: StarStyle

I hate doing this to one of my favorite City girls, Whitney Port. Always courageous in pattern-mixing and funking up the safest of the safest closet pieces... I have to say, SATC2 Premiere or not, this dress's overdramatized bubble-blooming effect did her no justice at all. It's almost too short to bear, I feel like her Madonna lace leggings were robbed from her causing her to walk with her back against the wall to prevent a booty show. Love the shoes, hate the hair. With such an extreme and dramatic frock paired with tough-as-nails booties, the least she could have done was let her locks down with a wavy, softer do'. I'm waiting for her to whip her Madonna-esque do' around. I'll take care of the mole sticker to give her that extra Madonna kick. 

Victim of: "Carried-Away with Character"
Image: JustJared

This is painful for me to say. Painful! Having to criticize one of my all time style icons is like a slash to the wrist. Forgive me, but I can't just let this one go. SJP got "Carrie-d" away at the SATC2 premiere paying homage to our dear late Alexander McQueen. Again, I understand the hype with the world of SATC, but enough is enough with the circus frizz headpiece. Diana Ross called, she woke up finding her frizz-wig on PageSix. Yes, we know that Mother Nature is trying to tell us something with all the natural disasters going on around the world, but SJP's head need not be another reminder..

As for the frock, I will say one thing: Gaga worthy. Everyone else should be banned from attempting it. SJP or not.

Victim of: "Circus Pants for Stilts"
 Image: StarStyle

Ashley and Mary-Kate spotted leaving an apartment in New York. I'm actually surprised to say this, that for once in a long while, I find Mary-Kate to actually look presentable. And I must note, her Proenza Schoulder PS1 bag is to die for.

But today, the burn goes to Ashley for her ridiculous pants fit for a clown. 3 words: short, stumpy, frumpy. This nomadic look looks more like the decor for an old couch in a cabin in Aspen.

Forgive them, for they have sinned...

xo Qb

On the Radar: Emma Roberts

Aside from her famous last name, many would recognize those infamous eyes and lips as genetic features luckily inherited by a certain Pretty Woman, she so fortunately refers to as"Auntie Julia". Yes, the closest we could get to Julia Roberts was by reenacting (and quite embarrassingly -- might I add) her famous scene in the bathtub crooning her heart out to Prince's "Kiss". While we were trying to feel out the shoes of Mrs. Roberts through our embarrassing act, little Emma was probably spending her Sunday mornings watching Smurfs in her aunt's living room. Jealous much?

Although she hasn't inherited her legendary aunt's acting chops, she has saved her spot on the style radar. The 19-year-old young actress has been taking the fashion circuit for a spin, outshining young Hollywood has-beens such as the likes of Lindsey Lohan, Mischa Barton, and all the other beautiful disasters that fell off the bandwagon. 

Unlike the bundle of "wasted youth", Emma sets a new bar for up-and-coming Hollywood starlets with poise, elegance, and did I mention ... an impeccable understanding of designer clothing?

At the SATC2 UK Premiere dressed in head-to-toe Miu Miu

Image: JustJared

In Jenny Packham Spring 2010 at the Valentine's Day Premiere

Image: JustJared/FabSugar

In head-to-toe Marni at the Met Ball 2010

Image: JustJared 

(Left) At the Teen Choice Award in an embellished Monique Lhuillier number

(Middle) Louis Vuitton Jacket

(Right) On Jay Leno

JustJared/People StyleWatch

Did I mention she's been spotted with my favorite fashion icon of the moment, socialite Olivia Palermo? It's no wonder I adore them both. 

Image: StarStyle / SuperiorPics

 

xo Qb

Who said nude can't go with black?

Throughout the past few months, I have been attempting to reorganize my closet, only to come to the realization (after strenuous color coordinating) that my neutrals have overrun my colors + blacks. When and how did this bundle of nudes suddenly take up so much of my closet space? Oh well, I've been such a long supporter of romantic neutrals, I vote: they are here to stay.

Blacks will forever be staples never growing old. They used to say black is chic. I say, neutrals are classic, chic, and romantic. Every girl should at least have a sand-wash nude boyfriend blazer..

I love the rock n' roll craze that has taken over the past year. But I am obsessed-obsessed-obsessed with mixing romantic dashes of nudes to the tough black leather jackets. And of course the one It Girl who comes to mind with an impeccable sense of mixing masculine and feminine: socialite Olivia Palermo. Feminine yet tough as nails. As I always say, "It's magical."

P.S. The Fendi Tulle Sandals from their Spring/Summer 2010 collection are magical, to die for! I have seen these drool worthy shoes adorning the likes of Whitney Port, Ashley Olsen, and J.Lo herself..

Tough Love by izzyshoegal featuring McQ by Alexander McQueen jackets

Getty Images

Items in this set:
Gathered wrap-over mini dress, $2,195
Futuristic Sequin Cocktail Dress, 1,750 GBP
Discount McQ Tuxedo nappa-leather jacket | theOutnet.com, $845
Fendi Style Tulle-embellished suede sandals, $110
Medium Rose Gold & Gold Liquid Lattice Ring, $135

Kate Bosworth, another Queen of Neutrals always seems to get the perfect neutral shade to match her ivory skin tone. This stylista always looks fresh in nude looking impeccable and flawless.

Image: harpersbazaar

Canadian model, Daria Werbowy rocks Stella McCartney's nude blazer paired with a white origami dress. To tone it all down, she adds a pair of fringe lace-up cutoff boots!

image: FabSugar

Tip for Finding the Perfect "Nude" Piece for Your Skin Tone: Always, always, ALWAYS consider your skin's undertone when choosing a neutral piece. Pick a nude piece the same way you would decide on your concealer! One or two shades darker than your natural skin tone would do the trick. If you have golden undertones, sand-wash nudes would work best. If you have an ivory tone, try to choose more taupe stone-wash shades.

xo Qb

McQueen will live on forever...

The first thing that comes to mind when Alexander McQueen comes to mind is: ethereal..

You could only imagine he must have been read mythical bedtime stories about whimsical fairies of some sort since his childhood. He always managed to keep the femininity in the texture, fabric, and design. He takes my breath away every single time..

... and who better to rock his frocks than his long time supporter, Camilla Belle? No other young Hollywood starlet could better represent his ideal image of the modern gal who still has a grasp of her childhood dreams of "happily ever after".

So Sir Alexander McQueen, our hats tip off to you.. and of course, only Ms. Belle can look so sophisticated, youthful, and edgy at the same time. LoveLoveLove.

 

JustJared

 

xo Qb

... and here we go!

5 years ago was the last time I vowed to give up personal blogging...

5 years later, I have finally --

* Found my fashion forte working in styling, public relations, and creative writing

* Took a mini-journey dropping everything in 1 week to move to New York

* Came back to earn my Masters degree in Education and teaching credential program (in preparation for my future-future plan)

* Founder/Creator of my costume jewelry line: Queen Bee of the Scene -- blending inspiration from L.A.'s street savvy style to the fabulous New York city style. -- to create my own aesthetic -- fresh, unique, and one-of-a-kind handcrafted jewelry -- made only once and never recreated.

Shop the Collection:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/queenbeeofthescene

Become a Fan:

http://www.facebook.com/QueenBeeoftheScene

Over the years, my morning ritual consisted of drinking a cup of coffee while browsing celebrity fashion websites, blogs, style alerts, such and such.. saving inspiring, breathtaking pictures left and right.. McQueen here, Burberry there. Balmain here. Marni there.

5 years later, and I have hoarded about 50+ compacted (and i mean compacted) folders packed full of different season looks, all sorted by style, theme, celebrity, and event.

Then I realized... why not combine 2 things that I am good at: styling and writing!

Therefore, here I am... and beware of my sharp tongue at times.

 

xo QB