2ND ANNUAL BEST/ WORST DRESSED OF 2011 SMACKDOWN: CELEBS THAT KEPT IT CLASSY & TRASHY IN 2011

First off, let me start by saying HAPPY FUCKING NEW YEAR!!! We can only hope that 2012 will bring the worst dressed celebrities on the list to there senses and make us believe in fashion miracles. Well you've waited all year for this, so lets get down to it!

CLEARLY KATY PERRY WRESTLED A SMALL
CHILD FOR THIS DRESS

2011 yielded some doosies in the "what the hell were you  thinking?" category. Here are a few honorable mentions: Katy Perry missed the list just barely by the hem of her Smurfette dress.She has an amazing body that makes her a "teen dream" but her wardrobe makes her our nightmare. Raise your hand if you would like to see her dressed more subdued and stylishly and less like she's starring in Disney on Ice.

IF MISS CELIE DIDN'T HAVE THE BLUES BEFORE,
SHE APPARENTLY HAS THEM NOW.

My other honorable  mention goes to a veteran Hollywood actress that EVERYONE loves, Whoopi Goldberg. She's never been what one would call chic but recently her style has taken a turn for the crazy.

Starlets in Smurf dresses and Oscar winning actresses just looking sad, pale in comparison to the performers who make up the top 3 on this year's worst dressed list:

3. Ke$ha- This three hit wonder may not be around long enough for this to be worth the digital ink but I constantly see girls imitating her version of "dumpster chic". Hidden amongst all the horrible pictures of Ke$ha doing her thing, I found this gorgeous au natural one. Wouldn't we all enjoy her pointless pop songs a little more if this girl was singing them? Instead we are subjected to her looking like she was attacked by a Highlighter earlier this year at the European MTV Awards.

  

GOOD KE$HA
VS.
EVIL KE$HA

2. Christina Agulera: Has anyone else noticed that as the years go on, the songtress is looking more and more like a tired old whore. Whether we are looking at petite Christina or a more buxom version, all of it is just bad. Over bleached hair, harsh makeup, and too tight dresses just make us long for the "Genie in a Bottle" Christina. Fresh faced and healthy looking.

WHAT ARE Y'ALL STARIN' AT???

1. BRITNEY SPEARS: When left to her own devices, nothing good ever happens for Brit Brit in the fashion department. I spent hours poring over photos of the pop icon. She has been caught in some of the worst "outfits"! Looking just trashy on her best day and sometimes with a boob popping out. The saying "money can't buy taste" definitely holds true here. My hope is that in the new year, with an impending wedding, she will put her millions to good use and hire a stylist. We can hope... can't we?

AND THE TEARS AREN'T EVEN THE
WORST PART

The BEST DRESSED ladies of 2011 run the gammut. Honorable mentions include: Actress Paula Patton, Glee's Lea Michelle, and the always stunning Eva Mendes. For me though , the top three gave us the right combination of couture, classic, and balls to the wall sexiness in 2011.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!

3. Emma Watson ( Harry Potter): Hermione Granger is all grown up and I'm loving it. As the newest face of  the Burberry campaign, she embodies young and hip. The pixie hair cut, red lips, and edgy but clean wardrobing set her apart from cookie cutter young Hollywood. What can I say? I'm a fan.

STUNNING

2. Blake Lively: I want to hate her because she's dating my fantasy husband, Ryan Reynolds but I can't because she's flawless. She makes everything look effortless and classic. Who cares if she can act when she looks this good.

1.RIHANNA: Brad this for you! 2011 was definitely Rhi Rhi's year. She brought it with the risky. We were running around shaving the sides of our heads, and going as red as our hair would allow. Voted Most Beautiful Woman Alive, aren't we all just waiting to see what trend she'll set next?

I'm not usually one for resolutions but what the hell! We can all use some resolve in 2012.
These are mine ( feel free to add your own in the comments):

• Wear more heels! Flats have become my go to. But heels or wedges make us stand taller and make our hips sway in that intoxicating way. Let's bring it back!
• Bring the joy back to dressing. Let your imagination go and experiment. It could go wrong but ALOT could go right.
• Help out that friend who wants to step up her wardrobe but doesn't know how. Spread the knowledge and the love!

Thanks to everyone who screamed and demanded that I write this blog. May you get everything you want in the new year. You deserve it. Kisses!

                                                                                      
                         

                                                              

SPRING CLEANING, PICTURE HAPPINESS, AND GETTING CREATIVE WITH MY BAD SELF...

Hello fellow style beings. I've been away far too long due to technical difficulties. Basically my laptop had an attitude. Now that she's back to her old self, we can get back to the business of all things fab.

SPRING CLEANING, A CATHARTIC EXPERIENCE

Recently I've been getting my Spring cleaning on. Let's face it, the task of cleaning out one's closet seems daunting on any one's best day. However, feeling like I couldn't avoid it forever, I dove right in. My aim was to weed out my winter pieces, introduce my Spring and Summer, and edit my transitional pieces. It's not easy, making decisions about the fate of that Issac Mizrahi zebra- striped skirt that has only seen the light of day once in the seven years you've owned it. I donated it to charity. Then there are the hidden treasures to be unearthed. You know, those shoes you bought on sale. Still in the box, untouched. As though they were waiting for you to remember them. I love those moments. It makes the whole tedious process worth it. After many hours and what seems like a war, my closet came together in an organized, cohesive way that I could live with.

FOUND TREASURE! THESE CUTE MAX STUDIO BALLET
FLATS WERE IN A RANDOM BOX IN MY CLOSET.

I don't know if it's the weather or if creativity is just in the air, but I'm obsessed with projects! I just recently made what I call an "inspiration board". I took a cork board and mounted it to the wall and filled it with post cards, pictures, quotes, etc. They're funny, sad, weird, but always thought provoking and a great conversation piece. For me it's art with a purpose.

WHEN IN DOUBT MAKE YOUR OWN ART!

STEF SHAW, OWNER/ CREATOR OF
NATIVE HEARTS

ONE OF THE MANY NECKLACES I OWN FROM NATIVE
HEARTS. WWW.SHOPNATIVEHEARTS.ETSY.COM

Part of the reason I'm so inspired to revisit the designer in me, is my friend Stef Shaw. She is the owner and creator of the emerging accessories line, Native Hearts. Her jewelry is one of a kind and hand made. Every time she makes new pieces I have to have everything! Her charm necklaces put the charm in charming, but she also knows how to go all rocker on your ass with colorful shoulder- grazing feather earrings. At $12-30 (www.shopnativehearts.etsy.com), you can't sleep on this. And just think you can say you have some of her earlier work, when she gets hugely popular.

KISSES!!!

I'm looking forward to sharing my new creations with you weekly. Right now I'm working on a very playful spin on the vintage slip dress and putting the finishing touches on a denim short designed entirely by me! Be sure to comment and post your own creations on my page and follow me on Twitter for Fashion Blahs & Blurbs by She_Chic (www.twitter.com/shechic1). Thanks to everyone who has been viewing the page and hounding me to write more! Till next time...

CELEBRATING ST. PATTY'S DAY JAPANESE STYLE, CHICAGO FRIENDS, AND DOIN' IT BIG VEGAS STYLE...

ME 2ND FROM THE RIGHT, ROCKIN' SUSPENDER TROUSER &
TANK BY JOE'S JEANS. PEEP TOE HEEL W/ BUCKLES FROM
FOREVER21

Hello Lovelies! While you've been patiently awaiting the next installment of "Chic Girl...", friends were in town from Chicago. You know I had to paint the town red with them, and look fabulous doing it! Wednesday night I went out to dinner and dancing at the very chic Lavo Restaurant and Lounge with a couple of girlfriends. I finally got to wear my adorable olive green trousers, complete with suspenders. These pants are so fly that I wanted to keep everything else about the outfit simple. An oatmeal colored t-back tank and some hateful  patent leather peep-toe pumps did the trick. Not only was I crazy comfortable while I got my bump and grind on, but I also received tons of compliments. Who doesn't love that?

The next night of course was St. Patty's Day. Never one to follow the rules, I absolutely did not wear green. My cohorts and I spent the day of the Irish at Ra Sushi doing sake bombs. Don't judge me! I've never been much of a green beer drinker. Anyhow, I chose the perfect ensemble for a long night of drinking, one of my favorite pairs of Joe's boot cut jeans, a robin's egg blue button down shirt, and 5" wedges. These are the perfect shoes for nights out because the platform of the wedge serves as a great cushion for the balls of your feet and you don't have sacrifice height for comfort. Needless to say they came in handy that night since we were drinking till 5 am!

JAPANESE BEER & SAKE ON ST. PATTY'S DAY.
WHAT CAN I SAY?   I'M A CONTRADICTION.



WHO SAYS YOU HAVE TO LOOK LIKE IT'S 5A.M.?


By the time Friday rolled around my liver needed a rest. But by Saturday I was ready to do it all over again. Always one to attempt to morph sexiness and comfort into one outfit, I decided on my BCBG color blocked dress. It basically feels like you're wearing your favorite t-shirt. With a purple lame`  faux leather jacket to inject some color and some funky vintage open toed shoes with a bamboo heel; color me ready to go. In one night we managed to hit P.F. Changs, a short stint at Spearmint Rhino strip club, Koi Lounge, and end up at the main bar @ Planet Hollywood. That's what I call a night out! And I looked like at least a million bucks for all of it. 

By Sunday I just wanted to be back in jeans and flats. That crazy party girl of the last few days was ready for a nap and some detox. Don't get me wrong I'll be doing it again very soon here. The party girl NEVER really sleeps.

Armenian Rappers, Pink- Haired Girls, Style Spies, & Other Adventures...

Mountainside Vista Boot
by BC Shoes for
MODCLOTH.COM
$85.99

Must- have For Your Closet
Joe's Jeans $196

Forgive me my lovelies for being noticeably absent for the last while. I've been gathering all sorts of fashion fodder for you and generally having a love affair with all things Spring. I love shaking off the heaviness of winter, both style wise and mentally. My sexiness comes out of hibernation and I'm ready for open toed shoes and showing lots more skin! It's not just me. The girls at work are checking out cute camper shorts with gladiator sandals and shrunken jean jackets. If you haven't jumped on the jean jacket bandwagon, what are you waiting for? There's one out there for all of us. Mine is slightly stretchy light denim version with the perfect amount of bleaching and distress and a few seemingly randomly placed pyramid studs on the breast pocket by Joe's Jeans. I can't wait to wear it with a short girly sundress and a boot. Can you tell I've spent some time thinking about this?



LOVE, LOVE , LOVE THIS DRESS!
MODCLOTH.COM
$49.99

Some of you may be saying "boots in the Spring/ Summer?" Yes. First of all it's a great way to get more wear out of  the boots in your closet. Second, stores are already starting to clearance winter boot stock. So when you score a fabulous pair at 70 percent off you don't have to wait till next fall to bring it out. What can I say? Immediate gratification is a big thing with me. Speaking of being gratified, I stumbled onto a gem of a shopping site called http://www.modcloth.com/. Eric Koger and Susan Gregg Koger do an amazing job of creating a great mix of new and vintage pieces. The prices are reasonable and the site navigation is idiot- proof. I encourage you to check it out and let me know what you think.

Now with the changing of the seasons come some of our biggest fashion offenders. I can't be everywhere at once to capture them so I would love for you guys to be my Style Spies and get your Blackberries and IPhones ready to capture the horror. I've already seen some doozies while at work. This would be where the Pink- Haired girl and the Armenian rappers come in. In a 24 hour period I witnessed 2 atrocities. Picture a busy Saturday in retail world. 5 Armenian guys come in sporting over sized throwback jerseys, shorts and jeans about four sizes too big, socks and sandals and to cap it off  each one of them wearing enough gigantic jewelry to prove that 90's hip- hop is alive and well where they're from. My favorite was the Mercedes medallion that looked as though someone might be driving around pissed that they lost their hood ornament. The very next day, I was standing at the front of my store when I thought surely my eyes must be deceiving me because headed toward me was an unfortunate soul with cotton candy- pink hair and a jacket to match! I'm sad to say that I don't have pictures but take my word for it. NOT good.

Cute Girl Doing Her Thing @ Starbucks

I'm glad to say that a few days later while grabbing coffee I snapped a pic (above)  of a perfectly cute girl rocking an edgy look with classic influence. Notice the jean jacket and Channel flats. Proving yet again that with the bad there is also good.



PAJAMA JEANS AND OTHER INSANITY...

Don't YOU want to sleep in your jeans?



Some poor soul who fell for the
late nite insanity of the Pajama Jean.



A few weeks ago, I was living my life watching some late nite sitcom when I was assaulted by something called a Pajama Jean. I was told if I loved sexy, stylish jeans and comfy pajama bottoms, why should they be mutually exclusive? Really ladies is this what its all come to? I don't care that they're as soft as a baby's blanket, sometimes beauty hurts! How many times have you sacrificed comfort to bring out the sexy, powerful, put-together woman we all want to be? The same goes for jeans. Will we see our style icons wearing sweat pant jeans? Will we see SJP sporting Pajama Jeans with her Christian Louboutins? Only if we suddenly start living in an alternate universe where bad taste is the norm. I am frightened for the ladies out there who think this is the answer to avoiding jean shopping all together. With the advancements in premium denim why settle for fake jeans? I say stop being lazy and get your ass out there. Embrace the inner you that knows she's better than $39.99 "jeans" advertised on TV at 3 a.m.
 

Dirty Harry would
kick this guy's douchy
ass!

 Recently my friend Pam and I were discussing how men don't dress like men anymore. We are both so over seeing these girly dudes in there Fleur De leys Affliction shirts and giant seamed True Religions. I miss the days of more manly attire. Why aren't guys taking a cue from Clint Eastwood in movies like Dirty Harry? Tough and sexy are what come to mind. I love his slim jeans and boots with the blazer and button down. As a newly single girl, I'm not interested in guys who base their wardrobes around their love of Ultimate Fighting. Guys we're not asking you to start reading man Vogue or anything. Just know what really looks good on you and that following a trend is not necessarily a good thing. If all else fails, call on the best dressed friend you have. The point is, men need to leave the embellished clothing to the girls and get back to the basics of what looks good. At least for the sake of those of us who have to look at you.

These are just a few of the things that have been bugging me lately. Feel free to comment my lovelies.



Affliction Douche
courtesy of
Upscale.com







1ST ANNUAL BEST/ WORST DRESSED OF 2010 SMACK DOWN!





Snooki comes in at # 3 on our Worst Dressed
List.



Oh Lady Gaga you definitely
deserve the #2 spot for this getup.



I mean really Nicki  Minaj?

Doing too much got you to the SMACK DOWN
of being the Worst Dressed of 2010!

Alright Darlings let it's get right down to it! 2010 left us wondering several things when it comes to celebs and their wardrobes. Like, has fashion become so uninteresting that our only option is to wear meat, Lady Gaga? And to Snooki don't be mad at us for calling you Oompaloompa when you're 4 feet tall, orange and run around with that pouf! My friends  voted these two the worst of the year but for me Nicki Minaj reigns supreme in the Worst Dressed arena. I am literally awed by well, the awfulness. To say she's over the top is an understatement. She succeeds in taking tacky to a new level. Nicki might be able to bust a dope rhyme but she needs a makeover or under.


 

Looking cougarific at the
Apollo Theater Spring
Benefit



Showing she's more than
cleavage and ass @
Fashion Week.



Looking low- key fab. That's
why you're #1 SJP!

 When it comes to the Best Dressed of 2010, I received some interesting input. Some that were mentioned were Gweneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie, Emma Watson (Harry Potter), and Heidi Klum. I even know someone who would claim Rihanna among his Best Dressed (he just thinks she's hot:). For me I'm going to go with an old standby, Jennifer Lopez in the number 3 spot. She is still fashionably relevant and at 40 looks as amazing as ever! Now I know I'm gonna get crap for this but Kim Kardashian takes number 2. What can I say, she knows what works for her! Dressed up or down, she works it. And finally in the shining #1 spot, my style icon Sarah Jessica Parker. She continues not only to defy the trends but to set them. And now with her collaboration with the Halston line, she is sure to inspire us in 2011. 

In leaving 2010 behind these are the top 5 trends that need to be left there as well:

                                                     1. My personal favorite, Uggs with booty shorts
                                                         or miniskirts.
                                                     2. Sunglasses at night.
                                                     3. Kitten heels "Wear real heels already!"
                                                         says my girl Kristen.



Oxymoron of the Week. Courtesy of my
friend Anika.

                                                       4. Socks with any kind of high  heel.
                                                       5. Blinged- out jeans. Remember
                                                           when jeans were just  jeans?
                                                    

Believe it or not there are a few trends that are allowed to follow us into 2011. They are:

                                                     1. High waisted trousers. When combined with a
                                                         wide leg very Faye Dunnaway in Bonnie &
                                                         Clyde.
                                                     2. Military inspired pieces. Just be sure to rock
                                                         one piece at a time.
                                                     3. Leather leggings. Could go horribly wrong.
                                                         So be careful.

The great thing about a new year is that you get to start fresh. That means your wardrobe too. Let's learn from the above celebrity faux pas and set some new trends of our own. Happy New Year.  


JUST A SHORT ONE...

Hello, Hello! Just wanted to remind you that with there only being 2 days left in 2010, you know I have to put together a Best/ Worst Celeb list along with delicious pics. I might even throw in a few regular badly dressed people who offend us too. So on New Years Day when you're recovering from the dirty deeds from the night before, do check in with me for the 1st Annual Chic Girl Best/ Worst Dressed of 2010 Smackdown. It's sure to be almost as fun as ringing in 2011. Hugs and Kisses in the New Year!



YAY 2011!

 -CHIC GIRL