Ad Madness: Rooney Mara Is The Face Of Calvin Klein’s New Fragrance, Downtown!

Rooney Mara has certainly cemented her status in fashion, especially after co-chairing this year’s Met Costume Institute Gala with Givenchy‘s Riccardo Tisci. Now the Oscar-nominated actress is the latest face for Calvin Klein‘s new fragrance, Downtown. The cool, edgy scent is geared towards a 25-35 woman, which can be seen in the upcoming, yet-to-be-seen David Fincher-directed TV spots. The print ads were photographed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino, featuring a fresh-faced leather jacket-wearing Rooney, leaning against a brick wall.

“I am very excited to be included in the group of amazing women that have been featured in the iconic advertising campaigns for Calvin Klein fragrances. It’s an honor to be part of a brand with such a legacy of breakthrough advertising. The Downtown fragrance holds true to the chic, confident and simple feeling of the Calvin brand,” says the actress about the perfume which will be featured in 3,000 department stores nationwide.

For more celebrity ads, check out previous posts including Diane Kruger’s short film for Jaeger Le-Coultre, Beyoncé’s new ad campaign for H&M, Marion Cotillard for Lady Dior by Dior, Kate Winslet for Lancome, & the latest from Kate Moss for Stuart Weitzman! Happy Styling!

Cover Craze: Scarlett Johansson’s Sultry Looks For Marie Claire’s May Issue!

She’s the face of Dolce & Gabbana cosmetics, a Tony award-winning actress, one of the most desirable women in the world, & the latest cover girl for Marie Claire‘s May 2013 issue. We’re talking about Scarlett Johansson, star of the upcoming Don Jon with Joseph Gordon-Levitt & the sequels to The Avengers & Captain America as the catsuit badass Black Widow.

In the interview, she talks about her career, including her work alongside JGL, who’s making his triple threat debut in Don Jon as actor-writer-director, which focuses on a man addicted to porn who is conflicted upon meeting the love of his life. Also, she sheds some light on continuing her action hero streak as Natasha Romonoff since Iron Man 2. Not to mention, she addresses the controversy behind her hacked intimate photos that she shared with ex-husband, Ryan Reynolds, while the pair were still together.

However, in terms of fashion, red is certainly the color for Scarlett, especially given her first name. It’s refreshing to see the elegant actress return to her classic bombshell style for this shoot, which is comprised of red-hot pieces from Giambattista Valli, Miu Miu, Dsquared2, Dolce & Gabbana, Calvin Klein, & David Yurman!

In addition, you can win all of the beauty products from Scarlett’s cover shoot, including a year’s supply of Dolce & Gabbana items worth $232.00, by checking out this link. What do you think of Scarlett’s cover shoot? Do you like the red theme? For more from Cover Craze, check out previous posts including Drew Barrymore’s shoot for Lucky, Christina Hendricks’ for Flare magazine, Hayden Panettiere’s day at the beach for Glamour, & Kate Hudson talks motherhood with Elle UK! Happy Styling!

Cover Craze: Michelle Obama’s 2nd Vogue Cover, Kim K for Cosmo, Nicki Minaj’s Makeunder For Elle, & More!

I know I’m looking forward to April for more than the fabulous spring fashions & big upcoming movies, but I have a lot of exciting professional changes ahead of me. However, there’s so much going on in terms of our favorite magazines & the big international headlines are looking more & more fabulous, guiding where fashion is headed as the weather begins to warm up. In this latest post for Cover Craze, I went all out with a total of 15 covers that I just couldn’t stop looking at & reading up on.

The biggest news in covers is that First Lady Michelle Obama returns to Vogue for the April 2013 issue in a sleek two-tone Reed Krakoff sheath dress, photographed by the always impressive Annie Leibovitz. In an interview with Jonathan Van Meter, FLOTUS discusses parenting, marriage, her duties as First Lady, as well as fashion. She shares with readers, “If you’re comfortable in your clothes it’s easy to connect with people & make them feel comfortable as well.”

On the cover of Lucky, two-time Emmy winner & star of Modern Family, Julie Bowen, looks like the modern & sexy cool mom that we all wish we had, wearing pieces from Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Stars, & Pandora. Inside the svelte blond is contemporary & chic in J.Crew, Juicy Couture, Jimmy Choo, & DKNY. Speaking of TV stars, Revenge actress Emily VanCamp looks smoldering in a cut-out Michael Kors dress on the cover of Marie Claire Australia, sharing the spotlight with her dashing male co-stars  Gabriel Mann (Nolan), Barry Sloane (Aiden), & Nick Wechsler (Jack).

Marie Claire shows The Incredible Burt Wonderstone actress Olivia Wilde in a sexy sheer blue dress, as she talks about her engagement to Saturday Night Live star Jason Sudekis. As for Marie Claire UK, Mila Kunis, star of Oz the Great & Powerful, talks about her breakout performance in Black Swan, upcoming Hollywood projects, & taking a break from back-to-back movies.

New Girl star Zooey Deschanel, who takes the cover of In Style in a stunning Carolina Herrera gown. Also featured in the issue are pieces by Oscar de la Renta, Bottega Veneta, Marc Jacobs, Balenciaga, Chanel, & Nicholas Kirkwood, as she talks about her love of all things nail art & being a role model for girls.

I featured Selena Gomez‘s breezy spring look for Harper’s Bazaar in my last Haute Headlines post, but what was awestruck by the young star’s shoot by Terry Richardson featuring red carpet looks by Akris, Dior, Calvin Klein, & Prada. The down-to-earth Texas native & star of Spring Breakers talks about her family traditions, stardom, & her new role as a single lady.

Elle unzips rapper / American Idol judge Nicki Minaj without the big neon hair or exaggerated eyelashes that she’s always famous for donning. Also, Elle UK pays homage to another star in music, Rihanna, who looks effortless in a checkered Louis Vuitton outfit (like from the collection we’ve seen on Kirsten Dunst & Kerry Washington). She talks about her future, family, & more from the pixie-cutted pop star.

Kim Kardashian is always in the news & while photogs are tracking her pregnancy style, you can see her pre-baby-bump curves on the cover of Cosmopolitan in a Sophia Loren-inspired look. Smash star Katharine McPhee look positively fresh-faced for front & back covers of Women’s Health. She models various different makeup looks including striking blue eyeliner, enhanced cheeks, & bold red lips. Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence is the focus of People Style Watch & for her stylish red carpet looks in Stella McCartney, Hugo, & Michael Kors. Also, the mag looks at her street style in Thakoon & Tory Burch, as well as her changing hairstyles for previous films like Silver Linings Playbook, The Hungry Games, & X-Men: First Class.

Lastly, we see country crooner Taylor Swift for Vanity Fair, talking about how she’s the target of constant jokes regarding her love life, including the jab that Tina Fey & Amy Poehler made during last month’s Golden Globes. A topless Kate Hudson let her natural beauty shine for Glamour, decked out in layers of Chanel necklaces. The mom of two talks about her romance with Muse frontman, motherhood in her thirties, & how she balances it all. I almost missed seeing Emily VanCamp‘s second April cover for Canada’s Fashion magazine, but I was glad to catch the former ballerina & leading lady for the Captain America sequel in this gorgeous snake-print dress & necklace, both by Gucci.

For more celebrity posts, check out black & white looks worn by Jessica Chastain & Jessica Alba, the neon trend as seen on Jennifer Lopez & Freida Pinto, Kate Winslet for Lancôme’s latest ad campaign, & complete red carpet coverage from the Academy Awards! Which magazines are your favorite for April? Which look makes for the best cover? Happy Styling!

Cover Craze / Watch This Style: Carrie Underwood For Allure’s February 2013 Issue!

I’ve been a subscriber to Allure magazine for a long time now & even though I don’t consider myself a beauty guru, I’ve learned a lot about makeup tricks, how to take care of your skin, & ways to improve your beauty regiment on a budget from the pages within. Just a few days ago I received the February 2013 issue of Allure with my favorite country-singing Style Darling on the cover, Carrie Underwood. I love that she’s always a lady & never tries to look like anything she’s not. In the pages of the magazine, she talks about how her look has evolved during her career, her self-confidence, & how she keeps up with a busy touring schedule.

Luckily for us, I was able to find the video below, featuring an interview with Carrie & a behind-the-scenes look during her photo shoot, which was shot in Oklahoma City, featuring designers like Burberry, Gucci, & Calvin Klein. For more from Cover Craze, check out posts including Claire Danes on the cover of Elle, Rooney Mara’s Vogue shoot, & Jessica Alba talking to InStyle! Also, for more fashionable videos from Watch This Style, check out Christian Siriano’s inspiration for his latest Payless collection, Rachel Zoe’s ShoeDazzle collaboration, & the full-length trailer for Beyoncé’s documentary, Life Is But A Dream! Happy Styling!

Red Carpet Review: Top 10 Style Darlings To Watch For 2013!

It’s now the final week of 2012 & fashion critics everywhere are compiling their lists of the best looks & best dressed throughout the year. Of course you have the A-listers like Anne Hathaway, Angelina Jolie, Rihanna, Diane Kruger, & Jennifer Lopez who always make a fashionable entrance, but I wanted to share my list of the Top 10 Style Darlings To Watch For 2013, meaning the gals who’ve made their mark on 2012, but still have a lot to share for the upcoming year.  This list includes, in no particular order, Victoria’s Secret model Miranda Kerr, singer / DJ Solange Knowles, stage & screen siren Jessica Chastain, America’s latest sweetheart Emma Stone, Oscar-nominated Rooney Mara, the pillowy-lipped Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, former House star Olivia Wilde, blonde bombshell Malin Akerman, Twilight starlet Ashley Greene, & Indian beauty Freida Pinto.

Miranda Kerr has single-handedly reinvented street style for the mom-on-the-go. Avoiding leggings & oversized tunic sweaters, she’s busting her gams in towering heels, skimpy shorts, classic pencil skirts, & modern looks to show that everyday is a runway.  Here we see the Aussie in a belted white dress by Willow while taking in Sydney. She shows off her tough side in a biker jacket, green sweater by Acne, Tabitha Simmons lace-up booties, & a chic Christian Louboutin bag while in New York. The model isn’t afraid of matching prints in this Helmut Lang shorts suit, paired with Tabitha Simmons ankle strap sandals. Miranda certainly knows how to dine in style in a sultry pewter column gown at the Gramercy Park Hotel.  Lastly, she’s effortless in a Balenciaga printed skirt matched with black separates, including an enviable Givenchy tote bag. 

News of Beyonce’s baby girl, Blue Ivy, might have started off 2012, but it was little sister Solange Knowles who really made it a year of newsworthy style. She plays with prints & proportion, never afraid of letting her personality show, often experimenting with bright colors. Just last month the singer partied in Miami in a Kenzo sheath dress with transparent sandals. She plays with colorblocking in this demure red & black ensemble with a sparkling tote back & bow bedecked heels. For a garden party at the MoMa, Solange’s floral separates show off her feminine side, especially with killer nude Casadei pumps. While celebrating a Ferragamo event, the talented DJ wears colorful separates by the designer, along with tons of perfectly coiffed curls.  Lastly, one of my favorite looks includes the printed Vera Wang peplum dress that she donned with matching heels for the Runway To Win Launch Party.

Jessica Chastain epitomizes what a modern-day movie star should be & she’s quickly climbing the fashion ranks with such a spectacular 2012 in front of the camera. She always brings out the nonstop glamour with every frock, cocktail dress, & gown that she wears- & they definitely don’t wear her.  It was hard to narrow down five of her best looks since she’s yet to hit on a red carpet slump, but I love the green Karen Caldwell sheath dress paired with suede bold Barbara Bui slingbacks & Harry Winston earrings for an appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman earlier this year.  She went for an all-black sparkling gown with green Bochic earrings, which was to die for against her alabaster skin & rich red hair.  At New York’s Beacon Theatre, this transparent beaded Marios Schwab dress caused quite the stir, but looked radiant with Harry Winston earrings & Giuseppe Zanotti satin heels. It’s rare that we see the Oscar-nominated actress in separates, but I love the look of her Kirna Zabête for Target ensemble, including a printed blouse, full blue skirt, black blazer, & peep toe heels.  Lastly, for the opening night of her run on Broadway in The Heiress, Jessica wowed in a yellow lace Stella McCartney design with nude Christian Louboutins. 

Emma Stone has been playing up her red & blonde locks on the red carpet, especially for the promotional tour for The Amazing Spider-Man, which catapulted this girl-next-door into super stardom.  Everyone in Hollywood wants to be her friend & everyone else is coveting her wardrobe.  This includes the two-tone jeweled design by Burberry with a sparkling green pencil skirt & ring by Jennifer Meyer.  Emma’s bubble gum pink Valentino dress worn with the houndstooth pumps by Ferragamo was the match of the year in this feminine take on menswear-inspiration.  For a premiere, she wore a party-worthy Chanel dress with Cartier jewelry & Christian Louboutins to finish the look.  Emma not only sports a dress like no other, but she’s taken risks like this luxe black Elie Saab jumpsuit in London, as well as her Gucci suit with t-strap heels & emeralds by Tiffany & Co. for the People’s Choice Awards.

Rooney Mara not only kicked butt on-screen in The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, but she made one heck of a red carpet debut while promoting the film. Her minimalist style was a refreshing & much-needed dose of reality on while showing that you can be edgy & feminine at the same time.  Her blunt bangs have set a trend, as well as her unforgettably mysterious look, mixing progressive silhouettes with that ambiguously flirty stare.  Most recently, Rooney stepped out in Dubai in a custom sculptural dress by Calvin Klein.  She showed off her love of primary colors in this green Louis Vuitton cocktail dress for the Santa Barbara Film Festival.  For the Oscar nominees luncheon, she mixed a jumpsuit from ASOS with a chic white blazer by Thierry Mugler.  When in Rome, Rooney choose a ravishing red gown by Valentino, clad soft lace details. Last, she continues her sometimes androgynous look with a jacket by Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci, mini skirt, & ankle strap heels by Louis Vuitton.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is a regular featured in my posts for Red Carpet Review & Top 10 Celeb Sightings b/c she always gets it right. She’s turned heads not just b/c of her beautiful face & rocking body, but she brings a whole new level of taste to the red carpet as a model-turned-actress.  She’s got movie-star looks & isn’t backing down from any opportunity to steal the spotlight, especially in the stunning two-toned cocktail dress by Burberry with metallic cap toe heels.  One of my favorite looks of the year includes her green ruffled column gown by Gucci, topped off with Jennifer Meyer jewelry & white ankle-strap heels.  Also, Rosie smoldered in a lace overlay design by Jason Wu with a sleek updo, black pumps, & a deep lip color.  She knows how to work a trend, including the leather-detailed peplum dress with contrasting cap toe pumps.  Finally, her street style is pretty amazing too, especially the Stella McCartney printed mini dress with a Jason Wu tote, Alexander Wang sandals, & Burberry sunglasses. 

Olivia Wilde was all the talk last year & she’s lived up to her last name in 2012 with a series of looks only a chameleon could pull off.  The green-eyed actress is slated for more than a dozen films in the next few years & she looks happier than ever.  She’s a designer’s darling & can work any number of looks, including Old Hollywood, boho chic, contemporary bombshell, & so on.  Whether she’s blonde or brunette, she can pull off a sleek LBD like this red-belted A.L.C. design paired with pointy toe red pumps.  She looks ethereal in a silver embellished Carolina Herrera gown with a leather Jimmy Choo clutch.  Olivia has made cocktail dresses look renewed again with this lace-trimmed frock by Prada, & I love the contrasting tone peep toe Aperlai slingbacks. She’s not afraid of playing with shapes, as seen in the Calvin Klein caped dress that she wore with strappy sandals & a House of Lavande ring.  Lastly, she’s even effortless in L’Wren Scott separates with bowed Christian Louboutins at a premiere in New York. 

Malin Akerman mixes her sunny smile with one of the biggest trends of the year: leather.  She’s not afraid of blending her beachy blonde locks with the rock-friendly material, while constantly showing off her love of separates & classic black.  There’s always a retro feel in everything she wears, including her plunging leather vest & leggings with a printed clutch by Barbara Bui & pointy toe Aldo pumps.  She plays with shape in the leather-accented peplum top with trousers by J. Mendel, studded Walter Steiger pumps, & bangles by House of Lavande.  At the Los Angeles premiere of Nobody Walks, Malin wore this classic-cut LBD in leather by Boss Black with a Stephen Webster cuff & suede peep toe heels.  In support of designer Vena Cava, she wore the brand head-to-toe including flared printed trousers & a leather clutch.  Last, the Swedish import looks nothing short of gorgeous in a high slit Cushnie et Ochs tangerine gown with a Coach clutch & sandals by Tibi.

Kristen Stewart might have been the talk of the town b/c of her affair & cheating on Rob Pattinson, but it’s Ashley Greene who’s emerged on top of the whole Twilight Saga, what with landing a campaign gig with DKNY & hitting every major red carpet looking bit a lady. She’s got the pose down & has designers in her back pocket, never failing to look age-appropriate, as a good role model for young actresses.  At The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 premiere, Donna Karan Atelier custom-made this one-shoulder blush gown for the actress, which she accessorized with Bvlgari diamonds.  While attending a premiere in Los Angeles, Ashley sported another custom gown by the fashion house in fuchsia with jewelry by Kimberly McDonald. She sure knows how to play up her shape, especially in this nude Emilio Pucci dress with a statement necklace by Karine Sultan, a studded Christian Louboutin clutch, & Casadei pumps.  Back in February at the Loveisrespect launch party, she choose black & white for this sequined Oscar de la Renta frock with Cathy Waterman jewelry.  Last, she surprised in a peach lace design by Yigal Azrouel with suede pumps. 

Freida Pinto is probably one of my favorite stars to emerge over the last few years since her debut in Slumdog Millionaire.  She’s so beautiful & brings a fresh vibe to many of her red carpet looks.  Whether she’s walking at Cannes or attending press events, she’s nothing short of sophisticated & youthful, all with the flash of her smile.  At the Dubai International Film Festival, she accents her Sam & Lavi printed dress with layered necklaces by Lindsay Vallan & Roger Vivier sandals. Black on black has never looked so chic than on Freida while promoting Desert Dancer in a black AllSaints blouse with skinny jeans & heels.  She mixes eras in a black & white collared top with a ruby red skirt by Contrarian New York & classic Louboutin pumps.  When viewing the Ferragamo show at the Louvre, she donned a beaded dress by the label with a shimmering box clutch & satin pumps. Earlier this year, she played with color in an Yves Saint Laurent bustier with a pencil skirt & satin platforms. 

Which celebrities are you looking forward to seeing more of in 2013? Who do you think has the best up-and-coming style? Which designers are on your radar next year? Happy Styling!

Top 10 Celeb Sightings: Ladylike Luxury Featuring Emma Roberts, Lauren Conrad, Solange Knowles, & More!

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Style Darling has been looking really good these days, but that’s not all there is to talk about when it comes to fashion.  In this latest edition of Top 10 Celeb Sightings, I’m happy to share some of the most demure, elegant, & chic looks that I’ve seen in a quite some time.  My favorites include Gwyneth Paltrow in a black cut-out Michael Kors dress, singer Solange Knowles in a floral Dolce & Gabbana frock, & Nina Dobrev in a lovely lace Vera Wang design.

Other featured looks include Emma Roberts in black & white, Emma Stone‘s pink Valentino look, Emmy Rossum‘s feminine & leather outfit, Lauren Conrad in yellow at a book signing, Glee star Lea Michele‘s slinky black column gown, socialite Olivia Palermo‘s mixed pattern ensemble, & Sarah Jessica Parker‘s modern Calvin Klein strapless number.

Which looks are your favorite? Which celebrities do you follow when they’re on the red carpet? Happy Styling!

Fabulous In 4 Ways: A Metallic Faux Leather Pencil Skirt For The Ages From New York & Company!

I was so excited in August to share one of my newest categories, Fabulous in 4 Ways, especially since the debut post was dedicated to my good friend Laurie, as inspired by her fabulous lace-up knee boots from Victoria’s Secret!  Now, I’m talking about faux leather & pencil skirts, but before we dive into the outfits, I turned to some of my favorite celebrities to get some inspiration in how I would style such a classy & modern take on the figure flattering piece.

Kate Bosworth rocks a Proenza Schouler leather-trimmed pencil skirt at the brand’s New York boutique opening with a relaxed white blouse & strappy sandals.  The First Lady, Michelle Obama, wore a high-waist pencil skirt in navy with a cropped cardigan & purple top, while visiting a Wisconsin school.  Mad Men bombshell Christina Hendricks mixes her old school glamour with a Dolce & Gabbana blouse, red clutch, & classic black pencil skirt.

Total Recall star Kate Beckinsale plays with colorblocking with a chic H&M tank, Diane von Furstenberg turquoise skirt, & spiked neutral pumps.  Rashida Jones is polished & professional with a touch of menswear while making an appearance on Good Morning America, wearing a printed button down shirt & white pencil skirt.  Aussie starlet Cate Blanchett showed her support for Givenchy in a head-to-toe look with Roger Vivier heels.

Also, at Fashion Week for the upcoming Spring-Summer 2013 runway collections, the pencil silhouette was everywhere, as seen in Runway Rundown posts, including Dolce & Gabbana, Burberry Prorsum, Christopher Kane, & Oscar de la Renta.  Also, these pieces were shared by more fabulous designers like Nina Ricci, Tadashi Shoji, & Salvatore Ferragamo!

To recreate a pencil skirt look, I’ve selected the faux leather bronze pencil skirt ($59.95) in metallic bronze from New York & Company, which challenged me to find a way to wear this for work, day, date, & cocktail occasions.  If you want to get the most out of your wardrobe for the office, check out the zippered contrast sweater ($24.80) in black from Forever 21 with the short tab sleeves top ($24.80) in teal available @Windsor Store.  The colorblocking & relaxed details tone down the metallic texture of the skirt, especially when paired with Express‘ diamond texture body shaping full tights ($22.90) & suede cap toe chunky heels ($21.50) in black from GOjane.

The look to the right (above) is fun for a day with the girls or feeling like mixing it up because of the contrasting details in Lord & Taylor‘s CK JEANS cable-front cotton cardigan ($29.99) in black over the tab-sleeve plaid-chiffon shirts ($29.94) in black combo from Old Navy.  Of course affordable pieces like these can be reworked with skinny jeans or leggings & chunky accessories.  @Payless, I’ve found the Dexflex Maye strappy boot ($59.99) in black & Minicci micro fiber tights ($6.99) in burgundy to add some extra dimension while playing with trends this fall.

Depending on where you’re headed for a date, this kind of pencil skirt is perfect for an elegant & upscale look, without breaking the bank.  I’ve chosen pieces with luxe details to put this look together, including the Jennifer Lopez pleated mesh overlay tank ($19.80) in tuffet from Kohl’s & glitter lace almond tow pump ($38.50) in champagne from Charlotte Russe.  To complete the ladylike feel, I’ve added the round stone drop earrings ($13.60) @Cache & The Limited‘s zip around wallet ($29.90).

Don’t forget that pencil skirts are perfect for building a sexy cocktail look. Of course, a dress will save you lots of time, but to get the most out of your wardrobe, why not play with separates in unexpected ways with the snake-print tiered bustier ($88.00) in amethyst from White House Black Market, paired with the Emma WP platform pump ($39.99) from Bakers Shoes.  Also, I love Forever 21‘s looped drop earrings ($7.80), which look red carpet ready, especially with the Mossimo basket weave print clutch ($16.99) in black & white @Target.

How would you wear this pencil skirt? Are you following the metallics trend? What are your favorite work, day, date, & cocktail looks? Happy Styling!

Watch This Style: Calvin Klein’s Newest Fragrance Short Film For Encounter Starring Alexander Skarsgård!

I’m always writing about women’s fashion & what’s going on with the fairer sex, but for those of you who can’t get enough of the tall & brooding male type, buckle up for some men’s fashion talk. Well, in this case, it’s men’s fragrance chat… More specifically, Calvin Klein‘s latest fragrance Encounter ($58.00 – $72.00)for men has been turned into a short film, starring True Blood hunk Alexander Skarsgård, opposite model Lara Stone. Under the direction of Fabien Baron, there’s something very Fifty Shades of Grey & James Bond about this just-over two-minute video. Take a look & share your comments. Do you think fragrance commercials are getting too overproduced? Would you like to see more videos like this? Which fragrances are you most attracted to?

For more scents on Style Darling, check out posts in Watch This Style, including Crystal Renn for Reem Acra, Beyonce’s latest fragrance, Heat, & Blake Lively as the face of Gucci Premiere. Be sure to check out videos featuring Sarah Jessica Parker on Glee, Lana Del Rey singing “Blue Velvet” for H&M’s latest ad campaign, & Lindsay Lohan starring as Elizabeth Taylor in Liz & Dick. Happy Styling!

Red Carpet Review: 2012 Emmy Awards Featuring Zooey Deschanel, Sofia Vergara, Hayden Panettiere, & More!

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This is a first for Style Darling. The 64th Annual Emmy Awards are currently airing & I’ve been scouring the web for the last 45 minutes to put together a complete gallery of the fabulous red carpet looks. Some of my favorites include Zooey Deschanel in a princess-like Reem Acra look, Julie Bowen in neon Monique Lhuillier, Claire Danes as a blushing mom-to-be in Lanvin, & Christina Hendricks in a belted design by Christian Siriano. Who are you rooting for? I’m a big fan of Girls, so keep an eye out for the very multi-talented Lena Dunham! Check out the gallery & share with readers which looks are your favorites! Enjoy the show! Happy Styling!

Splurge or Save… A Burgundy Blouse?

The color of the upcoming fall-winter season is burgundy & its related hues, including brick, deep red, maroon, oxblood, merlot, & so on. I have to say that this isn’t a color I wear often, but I can see the luxury in it, especially when it comes to classic & feminine pieces like a burgundy blouse. Lately, Style Darling has been all about what’s been going down at New York Fashion Week with manic posts under Runway Rundown, but if we’re going to look ahead, let’s talk about what we should be considering for updating our wardrobe this fall.  Even if you’re not looking to stay on-trend, the idea of a burgundy blouse is pretty timeless.  It will look lush & expensive against any black, gray, navy, cream, mustard (yes, I said mustard), or denim pieces that you already own & rely on for building your everday looks.  Keep with the jewel tones & add a splash of deep purple for some colorblocking!

I’ve found five similar blouses that fit the criteria for Splurge of Save?, ranging in price from nearly $400 to under $20.  Of course, when it comes to a blouse, you have to consider the care that you will take in cleaning it, if it’s hand wash or dry clean only, which will entail an extra cost & time spent going to & from a reliable dry cleaners. Also, let’s say that for the sake of variety, we’d be looking at wearing this blouse twice a month from September to April. That’s 8 months & 16 wears, which is how we’ll figure the always important CPW (cost per wear).

The most expensive, but perhaps my favorite of all these blouses is the Equipment Signature 2-pocket silk chiffon shirt ($398.38) from ASOS. The subtle polka dot print can also be mixed with other prints like a pinstripe pant or always fashionable houndstooth pencil skirt if you’re going for a real runway-inspired look.  At most, this comes to just under $25 per wear, which can always buy you a great lunch & dessert with a refreshing glass of wine when you’re out with the girls.  Next, the Joie ‘Marru’ pleated blouse ($198.00) @Neiman Marcus is a less conventional looking blouse, but the modern pleats down the front add texture to this flowy feminine piece.  Wearing this will cost you less than $13 each day, which doesn’t sound so bad, but for some, the sleeve-length may not be favorable.  This can always be remedied with a cool cardigan or heavy knit wrap sweater. ALso, keep in mind that light pieces like blouses can always soften up tough separates like a leather jacket!

Thirdly, the Calvin Klein roll sleeve shirt ($69.50) from Bloomingdale’s doesn’t necessarily fall under the blouse category, but if worn with the right separates, this shirt can be utilized for day or night, in the office or for a date.  The sporty sleeves are perfect for pairing with a menswear-inspired vest, but this can also be coordinated with faux leather leggings, tucked in with satin shorts & tights, or simply worn with distressed boyfriend jeans & flats.  Dress this up with an embellished cardigan & drop earrings, or keep it simple with a croc embossed belt & riding boots.  For just over $4 a day, this doesn’t seem like such a bad deal, but of course, every Style Darling knows to keep their budget in mind.

For those who love the retro look, consider the ‘Prepare to Bordeaux’ top ($49.99) from Mod Cloth, which recalls that sexy librarian / secretary vibe, while also donning an air of Old Hollywood.  With a metallic-accented brocade pencil skirt or sequined mini, this is perfect with a killer blazer or worn to show off the sheer sleeves.  Not to mention that the scarf-like knot at the neck draws attention to your face.  Not to keep getting too math-y, for just over $3 a day, this blouse is worth the investment.  Lastly, Forever 21‘s shirred high-low shirt ($19.80) is our least expensive blouse, costing barely $1.25 per wear & is also great for styling for day or night.  Take a cue from the pic above & try your favorite pair of colored jeans, or create a 70′s look with wide leg jeans & camel accessories.

Which blouse is your favorite? Are you getting into the burgundy trend? How would you style this look? What piece would you like to see next in Splurge or Save? Happy Styling! (Special thanks to graphic designer, Nino Vlacich <3, for his time & skills in creating the image above!)