Modern Glam

In order to preserve my very last nerve, and to get through the holidays unscathed, I am not going to be updating this blog for at least 2-3 months.

I won't go in to all the gory details, but suffice to say that something had to give, and that would be this blog as it consumes the most time when I do the posts that I believe are really relevant and useful to my readers.

I will continue to update Inspire Emotion (probably irregularly until after the holdidays), and Inspire Political Discourse. Please do visit me on those blogs, and be sure to check back in late February or early March for new posts on Modern Glam!

Meanwhile, thank you for all your support, and do have a wonderful holiday season, and a fabulous beginning to the new year!

xxo,

For Men - Gift Ideas for the Women in Your Life at a Cost of $150 or Less

::I am very selective, some would say extremely picky, and thus, the gift selection that you see in this post is guaranteed to please any woman between the ages of 20 and 60. And if it doesn't.....well, don't blame me, I am choosy, not psychic. ;) Oh, and by the way, click on any image to enlarge.

:: No. 1 is a gorgeous, white hydrangea and magnolia cuff, embroidered with a charming mix of beads and thread, from Etsy seller, WaterRose. At $128, it's a steal, and a work of art, a future heirloom, and it promises to please your lady. Absolutely gorgeous.

 
:: No. 2 is a luxurious, silk and cashmere Pashmina scarf, in your choice of colors, currently on sale for $51 at Bloomingdale's online. Chic, functional, luxurious.

 
:: No. 3 is a luxurious, lined leather key pouch with nickel hardware by Marc Jacobs.The interior is fitted with a key ring/fob, and the pouch is also available in brown and black. Bloomingdale's online. Très chic, and functional.

:: No. 4 is a beautiful silk scarf from Belisi. Literally a choice of hundreds of prints and solids, in high-end silk with hand-rolled borders, all at fabulous prices. The scarf on the left is $25, and the scarf on the right is $32 Two of my fave's below.

 

:: No. 5 is a pair of black calf leather boots by Kenneth Cole. Great shape and heel height to wear with trousers or jeans, and on sale for $99.97 (they were $250!). Gotta luv a man who buys you a great pair of shoes or boots!

:: No. 6 is a lucite necklace or a lucite bangle by Alexis Bittar. The lucite glows with a sort of luminescence, and I love the soft look of the gold. The necklace is $135 and the bangles are $75 each. Available at Nordstrom online.Très trendy.

 

:: No. 7 is a fine silver and vintage photo hand-crafted bracelet by Etsy seller, Stacie Jewelry. A beautiful and unusual piece, destined to become an heirloom, and very nicely priced at $115.

 

:: No.8 is a fragrance set, 'Love' by Ralph Lauren. Like a poem in a bottle, roses, magnolia, and amber blend to create a beautiful fragrance that will delight you as much as it will please her. The set is available only at Neiman Marcus, and is priced at exactly $150.

Chic & Casual a la the Boyfriend Jean

::I love the look of boyfriend jeans for hanging about the house or grocery  shopping, or any other very informal thing that we typically do in a day.

These jeans are by CurrentElliott, and they are très comfortable as well as looking rather casual chic [yep, I have a pair]. The layered look of the sweater and shirt is very now, and will also keep you warm when it's cold outside. 

One caution. The model in the image actually has on sneakers, and I have one word to say re that --- DON'T. Wearing sneakers with this style of jean will make your legs look heavy, and will make you look shorter, neither of which is desirable, comprenez vous ? ;)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All three pieces are available at barneys.com,. The images are courtesy of, and copyrighed © by barneys.com.

MANSTYLE - Winter 2008 Casual Fashion - What Women Like - What Men Wear

::A European aesthetic, with a uniquely American style, the men of Fall 2008. 

Start with a leather jacket and a pair of trousers. Add a t-shirt, a sweater, or a guru collar shirt. Voila! Très manly chic. Armani Collezioni, available at Bergdorf Goodman.

Collage images © Bergdorf Goodman.
Collage © Modern Glam 2008.

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| Fashion: Real Men - Real Style for Real Life
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In Protest of Prop 8 Which Violates the Civil Rights of a Minority

Do you covet Michelle Obama's red dress?

::So, are you drooling over that red dress worn by Michelle Obama [by Chicago designer, Maria Pinto] to her meeting at the White House? Can't afford it?

Drool no more -- there are a couple of things you can do to acquire a very close copy of this dress for your very own!

1. Find a pattern and sew the dress yourself. If you are a reasonably good seamstress, this dress is very doable for you. Either draft a pattern or buy one whose lines are the same; a sheath with long, set-in sleeves, a darted bustline, a round neckline, and optionally, a high/empire waistline.
Adding the pleats to the neckline of a basic pattern is not that difficult. If you want to sew it, and need help with the neckline, leave a comment, and I'll describe the process as best I can (I used to design women's clothing). Make the dress in the best quality wool crepe or gabardine that you can find (there are online sources), or try making it from a raw silk or linen if you live in a warm climate. This dress will cost you between $75-200 to make, depending on the quality of the fabric. This is the least expensive way to get exactly what you want, including great fabrics, and I highly recommend it!

2. Can't sew? Then try this. Hire  a local seamstress to make it for you.. If your seamstress can draft the pattern, you are good to go, just make sure you view samples of his/her work prior to hiring them, and provide the fabric yourself so you are sure that you get what you want.
If the seamstress can not draft a pattern, measure yourself, and go out and buy a pattern (see no. 1 above) in your size. The seamstress should be able to adjust it to not only fit you, but to reflect design details such as the pleated neckline. Cost is approximately $150-300 unless you are in a large metropolitan area.  

3. Another alternative is to buy a red pencil skirt, and a body-hugging sweater to create a similar look. This will cost you $100+.

Whichever method you choose, share with us! Pictures, descriptions, compliments from others.......post 'em here so we can see! If it's a pic you wish to post, you will need to email it to me at mgcontributorsATgmailDOTcom, and I'll gladly post any and all of the results.

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| WANTED: Image Contributors to "Street Fashion"
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WANTED: Image Contributors to "Street Fashion"

We all know that for the most part, "fashion" trickles down from the top designers. However, what I find just as interesting, and perhaps more so, is what the person on the street is wearing. After all, runway looks are not usually what is actually worn by real men and women.

I'd really love to do a weekly feature, promoting fashion on the streets, from a variety of countries. The countries I am most interested in are as follows:

• The US | cities: New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, Miami, Seattle, Minneapolis, Detroit, Savannah, Philadelphia
• Canada - Toronto, Vancouver, Montrèal
• France
• Germany
• Ireland
• Spain
• Great Britain
• Turkey
• India
• Japan
• Brazil
• Mexico
• Monaco
• Russia
• Italy
• Denmark
• Switzerland
• Thailand

Requirements for images:

1. Jpeg image
2. at least 600 pixels wide, preferably at least 900 pixels wide
3. good quality, clear image
4. depicts a man or a woman dressed in what is considered to be a fashionable look in that area

You would retain the copyright to the image.

Benefit to you as a one-time only contributor:

1. A link to your site in the post which contains the image
2. A permanent text link on the Contributors page

Benefit to you as an ongoing contributor:

1. A link to your site in the posts which contain your images
2. A permanent text and image link on the Contributors page. The Contributors page will be linked to from the main page by a text link in the nav bar underneath the Glam banner.

If you are interested in becoming a contributor, please leave a comment on this post.

Thanks for reading!

Image source: Prada peep-toe sequin pump, available at Bergdorf Gooman

RECENT - RELATED POSTS

| Back to posting...... 
| Christian Louboutin Nooka Satin Pumps
| The Witch is Dead? - Mr. Blackwell Dies at 86
| She's Got the Look: Work to Evening Suit - Fall|Winter 2008 Collections

Back to posting......

First of all, I'm back. Thanks for your patience and support --- I you all!

Second, I apologize for not answering the last batch of comments before the election. It isn't because I don't read or appreciate them......I do both, and I very much enjoy your comments, all of them! I just became so frantic re the political posting, motivated primarily by fear, I might add, that at the end, just prior to the election, I let many things slide.

Um, I barely remembered to eat!

So, I will once again be posting on a more regular basis, and I hope that you all will continue reading and commenting too.

xxo

ps........sorry about all the smilies -- I do the things!.