Independence Day … Everyday!

Hero. by prettypinkponies featuring yves saint laurent lipstick

Happy Mother’s Day, mom!

My taste for fashion and professional clothing is greatly influenced by my mother.

Each morning, I watched her leave the house to run her medium-sized print ad company, VIRGO INC.

Always tailored; always ladylike.

Add some spring to your step … in fancy shoes! (img) #3PCstyle

Source: Uploaded by user via Pretty on Pinterest

Confidently “un-pretty”. (images)

When I worked full time in corporate America, I was always polished and groomed at the office. I worked in an environment where presentation and details made a huge impact on the perception of one’s sense of professionalism.

That said, it was always so refreshing to become “un-pretty” during weekends.

What does it mean to be “un-pretty”? First, let’s take a look at what “pretty” means:

I define ‘pretty’ as being polite, pleasant and polished.  “Pretty” is the very essence of being a lady — coiffed hair, a manicure, a poise presentation, warm, approachable and socially graceful. (Think of a house party’s hostess – friendly and sociable). Someone “pretty” offers you coffee and cookies when you visit their homes. The “pretty” girl tells you how great you look (to simplify the concept); she is concerned about whether or not you’re comfortable and considers what your preferences are.

When I use the term “un-pretty”, I’m not implying that I made an effort to look unattractive (although, a lot of times, this was the case). What I mean is, my style of presentation was less ladylike and lacked the polish and niceties one would expect from a pageant-trained woman.

How does one achieve a “pretty” look?

Feminine make up highlighting the shape of one’s eyes + full lips + groomed brows and hairstyle + polished ready-to-face-the-camera style + tailored and put-togehter – any piece of hair out of place

I love the “un-pretty” side of my closet as much as the polished and tailored pieces I own. It’s necessary, at times, to wear wrinkled shirts, athletic shoes, cotton tees and unruly hair. I say this because I think it’s an advantage to be comfortable even without having to project the socially-constructed version of “girl”. You can be attractive in various ways — wearing pearls and a tiara or sneakers and a baseball cap.

To me, an un-pretty style can convey the gritty sexiness of Marlon Brando’s Stanley Kowalski.

Un-pretty means dressing with style without having to make a lot of effort — in So Cal this laid-back style is one that many non- L.A. natives try very hard to emulate. It’s the confidence in one’s self without having to look like a doll who took two hours to apply make up.

It’s an image that actors and models (who spend their working days in full make-up) naturally have on their days off. A look that conveys the understanding that if they wanted to, they could very well shave their scruff and be as pretty as they come. The “unpretty” girl doesn’t necessarily say ‘please’ or ‘thank you’ in a bubbly voice. She may give you a smirk or a nod of acknowledgement if she’s pleased with you.

Simplified, the “unpretty” girl asks you for a smoke without taking into consideration whether or not you approve of her smoking. She is not as self-conscious as her socially-graceful “pretty” girl counterpart.

How does one achieve this un-pretty too-cool-to-care style?

“undone hair” + cotton tee + element of relaxed or athletic gear – bubbly persona – string of pearls – “matchy-matchy” accessories + grit + attitude…

It’s an image that says, “I’ve got better things to do than try and please everyone I encounter on the street. I’m more than just eye-candy and amusement — I’ve got more important roles to play.” 

I’m sure Sienna Miller (above) is a very pleasant and classy lady. However, I can guarantee that there are probably times when she could care less about what flavor cupcake would make your day. On those days, if you stopped her in the street to chat with her about your exciting new puppy and tell her that it would be really cool to have a picture of you two together, she would somehow let you know that there are other priorities in her day that are a bit more important than hearing your about your puppy’s outfit and how much you’d love to update your Facebook profile picture.

Do you have an “un-pretty” side? How do you celebrate it?

More images of Pretty vs. Un-pretty…

Meg@PoniesLLC.com

More:

Un-pretty photo spread

Un-pretty: professionally styled photoshoot

Beautiful, stylish, un-pretty

fantastically girlish..(images)

If dorothy was in L.A. and not Kansas, she’d walk the red carpet (and not the yellow-brick road) in these fantastic Kate Spade rhinestone flats (Noelle) instead of her ruby slippers…Toto, I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore.  I think we’re in 1950’s Hollywood.

fuschia heels – a girl’s dream come true

got a plain white dress?  Jazz it up with these colorful Kate Spade shoes (Lourdes):

what girl hasn’t dreamt of being a Prima Ballerina?

A-Line Dresses (images)

Color Psych. 101:  Which dress are you drawn to first?

1.  White = purity, innocence, goodness, sterility

2. orange + navy =  vigor, warmth, playfulness + strength, authority, dependability

3.  navy + green = strength, authority, dependability + freshness, health, vitality

4.  yellow + white = energetic, friendly + purity, innocence

5.  teal = invigorating, refreshing (i.e. travel/leisure)

6.  bright color combination (primary yellow) = activity, constant motion, energetic, congenial

"Fallen Princesses" by Dina Goldstein

Amazing work by Dina Goldstein, “Fallen Princesses” examines the untold story of princesses lives after the happily ever-after.

These works place Fairy Tale characters in modern day scenarios. In all of the images the Princess is placed in an environment that articulates her conflict. The ‘…happily ever after’ is replaced with a realistic outcome and addresses current issues… Disney’s perfect Princesses [are] juxtaposed with real issues that were affecting women around me, such as illness, addiction and self-image issues.

Famous photographer, Annie Leibovitz, is also credited for her beautiful work photographing celebrities as Disney Princesses.  Let’s examine the different messages their images convey:

Snow White courtesy of Dina Goldstein (Fallen Princesses) by Annie Leibovitz (Rachel Weisz)

Ariel by Dina Goldstein (Fallen Princesses) by Annie Leibovitz

Cinderella by Dina Goldstein (Fallen Princesses)

What an impactful way to reveal the “other side” of the sought-after-fairy-tale-lives we imagined as girls.   I am a girly-girl, however, it’s important to have a reality check once-in-a-while.

Dina Goldstein’s photographs serve just that purpose – and well.  What a force to counteract the ever-so-influential princess cartoons children are exposed to.

Belle by Dina Goldstein (Fallen Princesses)

by Annie Leibovitz (Penelope Cruz as Belle)

Pocahontas by Dina Goldstein (Fallen Princesses) by Annie Leibovitz (Jessica Biel as Pocahontas) The Disney Princesses

Do well in school, young ladies!!!

3P

Rock them boots, gurrrl! (slideshow)

Darlings, Below are fantastic ways to wear tall boots without looking like a walking parody of a dominatrix.

Tall boots need not be synonymous with “night life”…Observe the refreshing take on the tall boot below.

https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf

Taste.  Make yours good.

princess diary: blogging & whining (images)

Finding and expressing one’s “voice” succintly is tough enough.  It becomes even more difficult when expressing your voice on a new medium… while learning how to communicate using said medium.

” waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!!! ”

(this rant continues…)
I’m not just sharpening my pencil and erasing words…I’ve personally spent day and night researching other sites, reading pounds and pounds of books about HTML, CSS, blogging, design, art, etc…, interviewing programmers and bloggers, and updating pre-formatted templates by learning how to read CSS and HTML codes (not my native language).

Before this project, I had no idea what “user experience” technically meant.  Let’s just say I have much more respect for programmers and what they do to make sites “legible” and “pretty” to a wide range of people.

With all that whining (and hard work), I now consider myself ‘princess of blogging’, and her majesty needs new outfits for her new role.

option 1 (fantasy):  royal blue long gown

actual princess

option 1 (real-life):  royal blue sheath dress

 

Office-appropriate version (Reiss)

The royal blue sheath dress above is a beautiful option for running
around town during the workday.  We recently discovered the line “Reiss”, an actual favorite of Princess Kate Middleton’s.  The tailored cut makes this dress flattering and feminine preventing that I’m-desperately-trying-to-look-older-and-more-professional “look” that I used to rock ten years ago (good bye, ugly suits!).

This dress works [pun unintended] at the office (+ blazer), after work get-togethers, or (if he’s lucky) during your date this weekend (- pumps; + strappy sandals).

option 2 (wishful-thinking):  black formal gown

Princess Letzia of Spain & Co.

option 2 (real-life):  all-purpose black dress

 

image:  Reiss

The
cliched “Little Black Dress” is a cliche because it is undeniably a “must-have”  piece that belongs in every woman’s closet.  A flattering black dress,
or as pop-cultural fashion-themed shows call it, “the LBD” [enter Heidi
Klum], is the Swiss-army knife of your dress repertoire.  Its “look” can
vary greatly just by updating the key accessories one wears with it: 
shoes, handbag, jewelry, date, etc…If dresses are the solution to rushing out of the house with no time to pair separates, the  “LBD” is the optimal solution for busy go-getters.  Why do you think busy New Yorkers like to wear black?  Efficiency.

What
jet-setting princess wouldn’t want to add an element of efficiency to
her dressing ritual for the [unlikely] days she’s running [a tad bit] late?

option 3 (fantasy):  date with a prince

option 3 (real-life):  dinner date

 

Another
essential item for socializing princesses (whether imaginary or
legendary) is a classic cocktail dress.  The dress above is another design by Reiss
which can be worn to a dinner date or dinner-party.  The classic A-line
is a feminine and traditional choice creating a ladylike image (a la
our favorite Spanish princess).  It’s feminine, elegant, flattering and efficient (see “option 2” above).

In conclusion, during those moments when you want to reflect regal elegance, stay towards the less ostentatious side of the frilly / not-frilly continuum.

Fallen Princesses Exhibition

How Not to Be Cliche: Short Dresses

(burlap sack in gold thread = modern-day Cinderella)

(if i were fancy stationery, what would i wear?)

(only truly hot girls can feel sexy covered up)

(very Katy Perry)

(all-american cut + slight romance w/ restrained ruffles + sexy v-neck + vibrant color) 

(familiar shape + unique hemline + understated neutral = YAWN…

… = SUCCESS!)

A few alernatives of dresses for occasions when the Nordstrom Catalog just won’t do.



A+plus (images)

A-line dresses/skirts…

Q:  how does one create this classically feminine silhouette?  

A:  glad i asked…wear another skirt underneath, of course (psst…it’s called ‘crinoline’ or ‘petticoat’)!

the buy one get one free sale @ Betsey Johnson this weekend is the best time to buy quality petticoats to wear underneath A-Line dresses and skirts.

PROMOTION:

Buy
One Get One Free!!!

SERVICES/PRODUCTS:

women’s fashion

PROVIDED BY:

Betsey johnson

LOCATION:

various

EFFECTIVE DATES:

till July 5, 2011

switch beverly hills

If you haven’t been to The Cohen sisters’ Switch Boutique, you’re missing out.
Below is a message from the generous and beautiful co-owner, Jennifer Cohen…

Come join us for our 1st Annual Summer Blowout Sale!
Everything 30-70% off!!!
Designers included are Helmut Lang, Elizabeth & James, J Brand, Raquel Allegra, Cynthia Vincent and many more!
One day only, don’t miss out!
Thursday June 9th 10am-6pm
—
SWITCH
238 S. Beverly Dr.
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
p.310.860.1650 f.310.860.1640
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Friday Outfit (img)

What she wore on Friday…

Friday by prettypinkponies featuring short sleeve dresses

Thursday (img)

Thursday’s outfit

Thursday by prettypinkponies featuring a pencil skirt

romantic pallette

Prom Night by juulstein featuring platform heels

Wait!!! Read this before splurging on that designer dress… (images)

Is that new dress worth the splurge?  Let’s see how much cheaper it would cost to try and re-create the same designer look:

While we can appreciate the craftsmanship of a designer dress, sometimes, it truly makes very little difference in presentation whether or not what you’re wearing costs over 3x as much as a much similar ensemble.

The few times high-cost in designer clothing can be worth the price you’re paying:

1)  The quality of fabric – cashmere, silk, leather, etc…

2)  Service – does the store offer great service (alterations?  selection?  appointment with qualified and informed stylists?  extensive knowledge on what makes the product unique?  etc…)?

3)  Shoes – Poorly made shoes are just plain bad for you.  They’re uncomfortable, they need to be replaced more often than well-made shoes, and they affect the “spring in your step”.

The key thing to remember is that THE WOMAN MAKES THE CLOTHES.  In the end, it’s YOU who dictates your presentation, not the cost of the garment.

Cheers!

3P

(Sources:  experience shopping and buying too many clothes, experience working in clothing stores, pageant-training, conversations with salespeople, etc…)

frocks!

amazing one-of-a-kind gowns…it’s like watching puppies whimper and scratch the window — they want to come home with me!
I can’t help but take pictures of the dresses in this shoppe everytime I walk by…

L.A. Store Windows

What the windows in Beverly Hills, and the Westside were stylin’ this week:

Now THAT’s a Dress Shoppe! (images)

When would I ever have the opportunity to wear such gorgeous frocks as these?

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Stylish Home Furnishings

(gorgeous mediterranean palette for homes near the ocean)

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

L.A. Dinner…

Options for an L.A. Sushi dinner..

(One of my gorgeous girlfriends is quite particular about what her company wears – as she has every right to be)

…so I turn to my famous buddy, M. Bay, and say, “so…did you also find the animation in Avatar a distraction to the forbidden love story?”