CONGRATS TO JASON WU...

The Inauguration parties are over but the styles have just started to buzz. Proudly wearing Jason Wu was our First Lady, Michelle Obama.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama during the Obama Home States Inaugural Ball. Courtesy of The Wall Street Journal.

So...who is Jason Wu? Launching his label 3 years ago, Jason Wu, a 26 year old designer born in Taipei, has been getting recognition throughout the New York scene. Having been picked up by major stores like Nordstrom's recently, this New York-based designer is sure to get national and world wide recognition more than ever now. Although his label is pretty well known in other countries, like Japan, his style and translation seems to fit the all well rounded shopper. From glitz and glamour to every day wear, he's pretty much got you covered.

Jason Wu at his Spring 2009 Ready-to-Wear show

Here are some of Jason Wu's designs from his 2009 Collection:

To view this entire collection click here.

source: style.com; wtj.com

Ball gowns and galas galore, oh my!

The Inauguration Balls and Galas are TONIGHT! What am I going to wear [if I was going]?! Hahaha!

I selected 3 of the most classic and sophisticated designer's I enjoy; Ralph Lauren, Carolina Herrera, and Oscar de la Renta. And for the record if I was going, I'd pick one of these...here are my choices from all 3 designer's spring 2009 collection.

model Magdalena Frackowiak in Ralph Lauren

model Magdalena Frackowiak in Ralph Lauren

model Toni Garrn in Carolina Herrera

model Jessica Stam in Carolina Herrera

model Jourdan Dunn in Oscar de la Renta

model Jacquetta Wheeler in Oscar de la Renta

How much do you know about ball gowns? Play the Inaugural ball gown quiz here.

Source: style.com; cnn.com

Pink Pearl Necklace

One of my pen pals opened up an interesting topic of fashion talk this morning as I opened my emails. R.Virmani of Dubai writes about a gift she received from one of her sweet student's, M. Hoque, "I got pearls from my student from Bangladesh. It's three strands of the raw looking pearls that are light pink. The clasp is a flower made of shell. I think it's really pretty but have no idea how to wear it. It's short and looks really vintage-y".

Hello! I felt it was my adventure to find the answer; (not that she needs that much help because she did find a rockin' way to wear this piece, by keeping the flower clasp to the side). How edgy!

I turned to Polyvore.com, a place where you can find goods from blouses to handbags and shoes or use the items available from this site to create a look. What a fun way to start my day; maybe not to most others, but definitely my cup of tea!


Shower me with Romance by labuutique

I was then intrigued with the pink pearls, as I continued to do a little more research on it, another pen pal mate, F. Ahmed of Washington, D.C., added, "the light pink [color] is why Bangladeshi pearls are considered the cream of the crop". Oh really? Yes, really. Bangladesh.com's shopping guide says, "...Bangladesh is most famous for its pink pearls".

Thanks for sharing your new piece of jewely R. Virmani! Your student, M.Hoque, has great taste for her teacher! This surely caught my attention and now that we have pics, the necklace shows the elegance and style of this type of pearl. It just sounds like something I never looked into. Definitely something fun from your typical every day white pearls.

pearlsonly.com

What's your pearl of choice?

Source: polyvore.com; pearlsonly.com; bangladesh.com; R. Virmani & M. Hoque of Dubai

Bibs for grown women?

Yes. Bib necklaces. They are popping up everywhere for 2009! Many designers' spring collections show how these bib necklaces are hot for your winter getaway or your new spring gear.

Who What Wear reported to me earlier this week the latest 2009 trends. I gasped when I saw the bib necklaces. I've seen them in a few runway shots from Marc by Marc Jacobs Spring 2009, ready-to-wear collection. I even saw some on the red carpet here and there, but I never put two and two together; until I saw the trend resurfacing again and again.

Spring 2009 Trends from Who What Wear

Bib Necklaces: Marc by Marc Jacobs, Burberry (top), Chanel (bottom)

Marc by Marc Jacobs spring 2009, ready-to-wear.

Red carpet: Ginnifer Goodwin and Jennifer Morrison at Dolce & Gabanna's 8th U.S. D&G store opening in LA; both wearing D&G.

Another spread that caught my eye was from Cynthia Rowley's Resort collection; she presents feminine classics. To add a touch of trendiness she really shows off how far you can go with these bib necklaces; they doubled up as matching visors to Japenese inspired robes and harem pants (or some of you know them more as M.C. Hammer pants). How brilliant!?

Spring 2009 is drowning me with inspiration. Take a look at some to help inspire your wardrobe; who knows it might spark a warm weather destination for yourself. *wink*

Cynthia Rowley Resort 2009

Source: Style.com; whowhatwear.com

A great way to start off the New Year

Hello Madonna! Thanks for kicking 2009 off to a great start with your new Louis Vuitton ad campaign. Many are asking hot or not. If you got it, you're hot and Madonna's definitely got it. I mean, not many of us can drape ourselves over couches and dangle purses from our stilettos, while said legs are wide open, looking cool and serene for the camera...but then again, we're not MADONNA. Many try, none are successful.

The handbags are hot and the look for this campaign certainly has a fantasy touch. That's probably the case because Steven Meisel, photographer from Madonna's 1992 Sex book, has already captured some of her sexy poses. Add some designer handbags to the mix and we now have glamorous ads to gawk at. As a fan of Madonna's, since the early 80's, I can say these ads will be stunning in upcoming fashion magazines and billboards. I know I'll still drool at them for a while.

Source: LAtimesblogs; Telegraph.co.uk; Stylelist.com