53rd Annual Grammy Awards

Jennifer Hudson in Versace

The Grammy Awards always seem to be a night of fun filled with elements of surprised. Unfortunately, I felt that the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards last night were sort of lackluster. Sure, Gaga was in an egg, but the egg prevented us from seeing what she was WEARING. (Prosthetic shoulder pads, anyone?) Still, she and a few others managed to keep it interesting- less Bieber, more fever.

My top pick for the night has to go to Jennifer Hudson in a fierce, asymmetrical Versace dress. She looks amazing and this dress is fantastic on her. From color to cut to styling, she made it WERK!

Ciara in Emilio Pucci

But it wouldn't be the Grammys without a little sass. Kudos to risk-takers Ciara and Jennifer Lopez, both in Pucci and both stunning. Not going to lie, I would never wear either of these dresses myself, but the bravery and confidence of these lovely ladies must be recognized. My only wish is that J. Lo's skirt was about two or three inches longer.

Jennifer Lopez in Emilio Pucci

The best part of the entire show had to be Cee Lo and Gwenyth Paltrow's "Forget You" duet. Gwenyth rocked out in a Stella McCartney jumpsuit with Cee Lo brought on the avian glam with silver rhinestones and primary colored feathers!

Of course other stars also picked class over sass. Here are a few more of the best looks of the night.

Julianne Hough in Catherine Malandrino

Selena Gomez in J. Mendel

Florence Welch in Givenchy

Olivia P. for Tibi

Our favorite maiden of East Coast street style seems to have built quite a relationship with one of our favorite contemporary design houses. Fashion star Olivia Palermo styled her own Tibi selections and was been photographed against various street scene backgrounds for the Tibi Spring 2011 campaign. It's very Sartorialist indeed, which is fitting since Tibi proclaimed that they visit his site every morning for the latest and greatest fashion photography.

We'll be able to see the advertisements in various magazines and web ad campaigns soon enough, but the behind-the-scenes shots are a great taste of what's to come. And, admittedly, we're loving the full white dress, the jeweled turquoise clutch, sunny yellow maxi and animal print shift...just to name few.

All images via Tibi

Honestly, I'm not sure what I'm more excited about right now- the clothes or the pics or the star herself! Brilliant move on Tibi's part and Olivia P.'s as well. Even more reason I'm looking forward to spring!

What's In Your Bag??!

Today's What's In Your Bag feature happens to be very special to me. Why, you may ask? Today we feature my very own sweet, smart, wonderful, thoughtful, dynamic, multi-talented, interesting, fun, friendly, (I could go on.) amazing little sister Genna Suggs Harris! (Okay, she's not little anymore- YOUNGER sister I guess I should say...but saying "younger" means I'm the OLDER sister...so let's go back to little.)

So my LITTLE sister Genna, of blog 100andSouth, lives in the mountains of Asheville with her equally wonderful husband of FindMeSpecials.com and works for outdoor adventure company Moondance Adventures. My sis has such an interesting combination of lifestyles- by day, she's a granola girl attracting prospective students to one amazing, adventure-filled summer; by night, she's a sassy fashionista with great taste filling up her calendar with concerts, parties and fundraisers. At all times though, Genna steadily projects an approachable, down-to-earth persona up for fun at a moment's notice. For these reasons, Genna owns one of the most unexpected combinations of practical and playful possessions.

But her bag is undeniably all fashion- the Chloe Paddington.

Yum.

Genna found her Chloe bag at a great vintage store in Chapel Hill. In fact, scoring high end buys at discount prices happens to be a common thread between all her purchases. This fab Beirn snakeskin wallet came from HauteLook and her trellis print moleskin notebook came for free with a One King's Lane buy. Even Genna's iPhone was a great deal- a hand-me-down from her hubby when he decided to upgrade. And Genna rocks the trendy Ray Ban Caribbean shades, polarized for her outdoor adventures, of course.

On the more practical side, Genna stashes Purell hand sanitizer, Starbucks mints, Carmex, Pilot pens and business cards in her bag. She seems to always be prepared, kind of like another outdoorsy group you might have heard of. But the style never strays too far, as a Stila lip gloss pen remains close at hand.

Hopefully you enjoyed today's extra special edition of What's In Your Bag. Of course, everyone featured in this series is very special to me. But my sister has always been a constant source of inspiration. Thanks for your help today, sis, and every other day!

Now to pine away about a new pair of sunglasses...Ray Bans, perhaps.

Blocked

Fendi

Fendi

As I try to slowly work my preferred new options for spring into my cold-weather wardrobe, I can't help but pine away for Fendi's latest shoe creation.

Style.com

Meet the Fantasia heel. Photographed to death in ads across all kinds of glossies, these shoes might just be my ideal pair- a substantial heel neither chunky nor pencil thin that comes in two different heels heights, interesting, unexpected color combinations, a classic cut with modern appeal...and I love the triangular wooden insert between the higher heel and the arch. The options are seemingly endless, as the color-blocked stems come in so many combinations, I can't even show them all on one post!

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And wouldn't you know that Karl Lagerfeld and Silvia Venturini Fendi carried over the color blocking beyond the spring footwear into bags, shades and apparel...a color addicts dream...

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It may be too wintry now to break out into full Fendi-inspired attire, but working a bright shoe or striped tulip skirt into the wardrobe couldn't hurt, could it?

Don't forget- Fashion Week starts tomorrow...get excited!

The Art of the Clash

Who What Wear

Perhaps you recall my post two days ago referencing the artful clash alongside my J. Crew spring picks. A mere matter of moments later, this photo of the effortlessly chic Rachel Bilson surfaced. Once again, I LOVE the pale peach/nude + red combo. How about you?

Rachel can rock the red with her olive skin and brunette hair but, if you're rouge-y challenged (like me), add an element of the hue with your shoes, bags, or even pants! Better yet, sway toward the coral side- a bit less harsh if you have fair skin and still all the rage.

B. Jones Style

Ella Moss tee via Anthropologie

This spring, we'll see endless options of these color combinations and I, personally, can't wait!

Also, today marks the Annual Red Dress Luncheon in Wilmington to raise awareness for heart disease in women. Another great reason to go red!

What's In Your Bag??

Happy Thursday, dear readers! Apologies for the absence of last week's "What's In Your Bag??" post, but never fear! We're back with a special Big Apple edition of your favorite snooping story!

Today's submission comes courtesy of my close college buddy Emily Christian Cutts, a New York City girl by way of Wilmington, NC, and blogger behind the fashion-news-worthy Golden Zipper! After getting married in Florence, Italy, this past summer, Em and her hubby followed their calling to NYC. But as Carrie Bradshaw so astutely observed, cars are to Californians what handbags are to New Yorkers. Em recently scooped up the perfect New York vehicle for her travel on the streets- the 3.1 Phillip Lim Edie bag!

Spikey yet sweet, Em's favorite new carryall perfectly combines that tough-girl chic factor necessary to survive in the City. Obviously without her own steady transportation, Em needs her MetroCard and keeps it at hand along with other personal items in her ecru leather Prada wallet, a wedding gift her hubby purchased in a Florentine vintage shop. Her keys are stylishly stowed on a Marc Jacobs key ring, pictured below atop her gold and pink graffiti-esque iPhone. Em, ever the artist, also carries her Smythson Hopes and Dreams notebook so she can jot down thoughts, sketches and notes while roaming the city. Finally, beauty products by way of Lorac Gloss Stick and Olivina Honeysuck Rose Hand Creme remain steady companions.

It makes friends like me feel good to know that Emily is closely guarded by someone as reliable as Phillip Lim. Clearly, she has taken New York by stylish storm and she hasn't even lived there six months yet!

Can't wait to see what's in store for my newest New York pal as she heads into the future...and maybe schedule a visit or two in the meantime!

Thanks to Em C. for participating and thank you for visiting. Until next week!

Tip-Toe Toward Spring

J. Crew

J. Crew

J. Crew

J. Crew

In case you haven't heard yet, Punxsutawney Phil did NOT see his shadow today!! This news could not have come at a better time as nearly the entire nation has been rattled and tormented by snow, ice and freezing cold temps. Now we have an early spring to look forward to! I saw it only fitting to offer you a little food for thought today to aid in your transition into the warmer weather...starting with the latest and greatest from J. Crew!

Have you received the newest Crew catalogue yet? If not, start saving up now. My virtual shopping cart filled up faster than you can say "Punxsutawney." (Waaaaaay faster.) While the clothing remains fabulously functional, the retailer also offers great pieces that you can buy now, wear now and enjoy in the months ahead. Gotta love that year-round dressing!

Today, I'd like to get my hands on this peachy silk blouse to wear with boyfriend jeans or slouchy trousers and platforms...for those above-freezing days. (BTW- how do we feel about socks and platforms? I might be warming up to this idea.)

Blythe Silk Blouse

Collins Leather Platform

Later into the spring, I'll attempt the artful clash by wearing the peach blouse with these "modern red" shorts.

5" Chino

This open weave knit in the perfect pale hue will look equally as fab with the red shorts, allowing the bold color to pop in the bright sunshine. (Just add Ray-Bans.) For now, the hot new blushing pink trouser trend would also be a great pairing with this intricate neutral.

Carrie Crochet Sweater

Of course, maritime stripes are still taking the fashion world by storm. It just so happens that I LOVE them. This blazer will also be a great addition to the wardrobe now with wide leg jeans and equally as hot later with a silk blouse and leather shorts or a gray tee and denim cutoffs. (Remember this look?)

Maritime Blazer

Selvedge Denim Short

Major applause for the crew at J. Crew. I can't wait to get my hands on their newest styles.

Now, we anxiously await March 20- the first day of Spring! Thanks, Phil!