Happy Monday!

I took a mini-vacation last week, which accounts for the lack of posts, but now I'm back and loving Fall!  The hot chocolates and warm, fluffy bread; the black coffees and thick sweaters; the falling leaves and smells of burning wood.  

Well... we haven't quite gotten that far into Fall yet, but you get my drift.  The nights are definitely getting cooler.  The leaves are changing  just falling to the ground.  And I haven't found any time yet to go to the mountains.  But I have been to numerous football games, which is always a Fall favorite.  (not that I really get the game, but the excitement is palpable and there is always something or someone to watch).

Of course, Autumnal fashions are always some of my favorite!  The layering opportunities are numerous, and really, who doesn't like coats, and big sweaters, and warm boots, and pretty hair ribbons, and leather gloves?  

What is your favorite part of Autumn...  The smell of woodsmoke and burning leaves?  The warm, spicy drinks, and savory meals?  The football games, family gatherings, and apple pickings?  The crisp night air and thick warm sweaters?


xo

RH

Sweet Thoughts for the Day

"For thou art my lamp, O Lord: and the Lord will lighten my darkness. 

For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall.

As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried: He is a buckler to all them that trust in Him.

For who is God, save the Lord and who is a rock, save our God?

God is my strength and power: and He maketh my way perfect."


- II Samuel 22:29-33



x

RH

Adoring:: Paul + Joanne

Paul Newman + Joanne Woodward are, in my humble opinion, one of the cutest celebrity couples ever.  

They had the perfect blend of mixed interests and diverse tastes (he: car racing / her: opera).  They enjoyed being silly together, yet both were very intelligent.  They both believed that being friends was important to their marriage.  They even lived far away from Hollywood, in Connecticut, like a more "normal" family. 

Paul + Joanne

Newman once attributed their lasting union to "correct amounts of lust and respect."  And who isn't familiar with his often-repeated quote in Playboy magazine about the temptations of other women: "I have steak at home. Why go out for hamburger?"

And according to Joanne, "...if you can make somebody laugh, then that's very important."

Paul + Joanne

While their love affair may have started off slowly and rather bumpily, they did manage to spend 50 years married together (a monumental feat by today's standards) while living a larger part of their life than normal under the celebrity microscope.  So kudos to them.

What do you think?  

x,

RH

A Little Laugh

Here's a little laugh for the day.

And a question: should boosting someone's self-esteem be that obvious, or should it be a soft, quiet affair?
 

Have a happy day!


x

RH

Black + White

There is something so elegant and crisp about a black + white photo.  Sure, watching a movie in color is more fun...and sometimes it's more easy to distinguish what is happening in the background, but give me a photo in black + white over color any day if you are trying to tell me a story.  

I almost think the emotion in a classic black + white photo is more easily established.  Nothing is distracting you from looking straight into the soul of the captured image.  And the reality is stark, which lends for a more defined connection with the picture.

Colored photos are fun and energetic.  Black + White photos are timeless. 

"Practical conversation in French by 9-year-olds."Here waiter asks gentleman to approve the wine, as lady consults French menu. New York’s Hunter College, 1948. |  By Nina Leen

Army Chaplain Eugene A. Turner distributing Bibles to soldiers during The Second World War.

Tom Hardy

If I could, I would probably turn my house into a gallery, and like in a museum, I would create one section for just large, simple, elegant black + white photos.  I am just so drawn to them...wondering what the photographer was trying to create; what was the subject thinking or feeling; what was the societal mood at the time of the photo?

Lady in coat at restaurant.

Paris

What do you think?  Would you decorate your house, or a specific room in your house, using only black + white photos?  Or do you incorporate all different sizes, shapes, and colors into all rooms?

Write me a note below! 


x,

RH

Why Don't You...

...find beauty in the little things.  It's there, waiting for you to enjoy.  Train yourself to see the simple, pretty facets in life.  And, while you are at it, learn how to enjoy life by yourself.

"If your mind is attuned to beauty, 

you find beauty in everything."

- D Jean Cooke

x

RH

NYFW Review :: Victoria Beckham

As New York Fashion Week again commences, I find myself torn between excitement at previewing the Spring looks + wondering how I'm going to find time to sort through the deluge of photos, blogs, and comments all swirling around the internet like different types of strong perfume. 

Of course, the easiest place to go, to quickly and concisely sort through the full gamut of designers, is here.  Let's start with Victoria Beckham's show, shall we?  This petite powerhouse is most internationally known for her cute husband, 90's singing career, and adorable children, but in the fashion world she has also been steadily maintaining a name for herself for her eponymous clothing line.  (Well, and the fact that she can style pretty much any of her own designs so effortlessly.) 

For Spring 2014, she showed a delightfully fresh shape - less fitted, more structured + boxy - in a cool palette of blacks, greys, and whites, intermingled with some bright pops of color.

While the celebrities love her for her slim-fitting, v-neck, harness-strapped dresses, I particularly like the long sleeveless jackets she is continuing to experiment with.  Additionally the shorts, billowy tops, and ruffled pieces are all very pretty and nicely versatile.  See what I mean...

 

...and I love this icy blue-grey jacket!  

I would pair it with jeans or an LBD and everything in between.

Victoria Beckham usually offers some really nice staple pieces - classic but with a modern twist, and always in a color that goes with anything.  Plus it's always great to see her wearing her own designs and to pick up styling tips, right from the source.

What do you think?  Leave me notes below.


x,

RH

Sweet Thoughts for the Day

"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God:
I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help the;
yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."

-- Isaiah 41:10, KJV

x

RH

Watching :: Oscar's Fashion Show

“Dot calm” – Oscar de la Renta
Watch their spring 2014 show live on www.oscardelarenta.com Tuesday, September 10th at 6:30pm EST.


Can't wait!  I love September NYFW!

x

RH

Have a Colorful Day

I'm loving pictures with big bright pops of colors today...(well, any day really).  Bright colors make me so happy and energized.  

If I had a big old house with too many rooms to count, I would probably designate each room a different color.  However, since that isn't the case, I find that it is easiest to just decorate my simple, small living spaces in neutral colors, and then add one or two big pieces of art that "pop".  Then I may add a few complimentary color touches, such as a throw, carpet, giant vase of flowers, etc.  

via Our Labor of Love

Once upon a time, for a school project many years ago, I had to do a paper on the psychology of colors.  "Green symbolizes growth and blue is calming, red is energizing, yellow is happy and cheerful, ... and so on and so on..."  Yes, my paper was much longer and much more in-depth than that, but you get the general idea.  Colors have meanings.  And it is true that colors really can change or improve your mood.  

Do you find yourself wearing one or two, or three colors more often than the others?  Do you lean towards certain decorating schemes in your house, or apartment, or shoebox?  Do you have a favorite color?  What does it say about you, your moods, and your personality?

via ms seductive

Now, having worked in the Fashion Industry for years, I can definitively say I have seen people wear just about every color combination known to man.  Some really, truly crazy stuff.  And I'm pretty sure some people got dressed in the dark, half-asleep, and then tried to pass it off as avant-garde.  

via Carla Coulson

If you want to experiment with colors but don't want to look foolish in the process try the Rule of Three.  Three colors maximum.  (and I mean, max!)  Most of the really great color-blocking outfits seen on street style stars revolves around three colors -- perhaps different shades of one color may also be mixed in -- but it is generally going to be around three.  When pairing items together to wear, or when creating a window display or advertisement, odd numbers rule.  It is just much easier for the eye to process, believe it or not. 

I don't really recommend wearing a multi-colored, multi-patterned piece of clothing, then piling on two or more additionally different colors, and then adding some large, competing accessories.  You will look like you had a fight with your closet and nobody survived victorious.  

1. Start out small - one neutral color, then layer on a second solid color, and your third color / pattern should be accessories or shoes.  After you feel like you have mastered this, progress to the next step.
   
2. This time, start with your base layer - a pattern perhaps? - then add either one opposite layer over this, or a combination of shades in the same color which compliments the pattern. 
   
   For Example:: a navy blue Ikat dress could be paired with either a contrasting orange or red sweater + brown heels, OR with a complimentary turquoise sweater, and a cobalt scarf, + light purple heels. 
3. Moving on... start with your base layer - a bright color or pattern - then add either a second bright color over this (usually from the opposite side of the color wheel), or a second pattern that does not compete with the first pattern.  This is highly important. Then add your accessories, which should be one of your three main colors, or neutral.
   
   For Example:: a navy sheath dress + green sweater + a neon yellow skinny belt.  Then you can add matching yellow heels, or even a tan or nude heel here.  OR pair a blue/white striped tee + cuffed jeans + red floral scarf + yellow ballet flats.  (In this case, the yellow, red and blue are the three colors, and the hints of white are your neutral fourth accent).

A good rule of thumb for beginners is that if the colors can't be found in some type of complimentary pairing in nature, there's a chance it won't work.  Most importantly, have fun with it, and be confident.  The confidence and enjoyment you get out of this is key!

via Danske

via Our Labor of Love

via Tim Irving

x,

RH

Loving :: Tim Walker

I'm always intrigued by Tim Walker's photography.  There is something so unique about his images - whether they land on the purely theatrical side of the scale, or run more editorial, Walker's photography is so fantastical and creative, with a dash of pretty and a liberal helping of whimsy.

"On graduation in 1994, Walker worked as a freelance photographic assistant in London before moving to New York City as a full time assistant to Richard Avedon. On returning to England he initially concentrated on portrait and documentary work for UK newspapers. At the age of 25 he shot his first fashion story for Vogue, and has continued to work to much acclaim ever since."  Visit his website for more info about him, or to see some more work.
 

 

What do you think?  Aren't they pretty?  

x

RH

*all images by Tim Walker

Miranda Kerr :: Off-duty dressing | NET-A-PORTER.COM

Miranda Kerr gets cuter and cuter all the time!  I mean, this is someone who looks like she walked off a catwalk pretty much every day.  She has street style down to an art form, whether taking her cutie to the park, having a lunch date with her gorgeous husband, or running into a meeting or show.  

...And hey, if she's going to share tips, I'm going to watch.   :)

 








































In the latest segment of "The Body Beautiful with Miranda Kerr" videos, she discusses her off-duty looks, the importance of red lipstick + loafers, and shows us why we shouldn't take dressing too seriously.             
[Click here for a previous segment.]





x 

RH

*Images from Pinterest.

Sweet Thoughts for the Day

"Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."

-- Psalms 16:11, KJV

"A just weight and balance are the Lord's: all the weights of the bag are His work."

-- Proverbs 16:11, KJV

"And thou shalt rejoice before the Lord thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are among you, in the place which the Lord thy God hath chosen to place His name there.

-- Deuteronomy 16:11, KJV

"Seek the Lord and his strength, seek His face continually."

-- I Chronicles 16:11, KJV

x

RH

Getting Ready For :: NYFW, 2013

As we continue waiting for the BIG week... well, the big week for fashion lovers, here are some random news bits to tide you over ::

1) Oscar de la Renta has shortened his guest list this year.  
That's right, he's decided that given the spectacle NYFW is becoming (with street stylers, budding photographers, and never-ending bloggers), it's going to be best to return to his fashionable roots.  Meaning that he is inviting only the serious fashion-insiders who, you know, actually contribute to the industry (aka: the business) side of the fashion world.  

ODLR has set the guest list at 350 people, half of the audience from last year's show, stating "I feel [inviting a more targeted audience] is the most manageable way and the most civilized way,” he said. “Why have 20 million people with zero connection to the clothes?”

And of course, like he mentioned, anyone who cares can “see the show on the Internet 20 minutes later. It’s important for [certain industry professionals] to look at the clothes and see them. They shouldn’t have to go through 30,000 people, and 10,000 who are trying to take pictures of all of those people who are totally unrelated to the clothes.”  [article here]


2) Pinterest is in on the fashion frenzy.
Pinterest has decided (wisely) to join the fashionable bandwagon and compile all the major NYFW boards worth visiting together onto one landing site.  And yes, it is a great idea!  [check it out]


3) Casting calls are not pretty.
Well, it's true!  This is a contest for models, all vying for a shot at the catwalk...and they know it.  It's often a somber affair for the models - they don't necessarily chat happily with each other since they are all trying out for the same number of coveted spots.  And getting a job is based on several factors - your walk, your pose, your looks, your attitude, your personality, your style, etc. etc.  [read more]


4) NYFW is probably moving.  Again.
This isn't new news to anyone who's been paying attention, but hey, it's worth mentioning for those fashion stragglers who aren't in the "know".  Or don't listen to all the gossip.  

According to this site and this site, fashion week may be moving from their rather recent roost at the Lincoln Center, down to the Culture Shed at Hudson Yards, which should be fully operational by 2017.  Remember when it was held at Bryant Park?  Ahh, those were the days...  

Well, hopefully, this will be their last move, since we don't want anyone tottering about it those sky-high heels on uneven pavement, lost + confused, and missing their big photo opportunity.  The horror.


x


RH

Celebrate :: Labor Day

Since Labor Day is a holiday that celebrates all the economic and social contributions of this country's workers, I hope everyone is enjoying a much-needed three day weekend!

Haul out those barbeques one last time, and lounge in the pool while reflecting on your summer fun.  Plan tomorrow's outfit...and in celebration of casting off old fashion rules, make it (gasp) all white.  Pack up the swimming pool equipment and pull out the football gear. 

Have a happy happy day!

x

RH