I’m a little obsessed about French Macarons, the delightful French confection that is a divine experience for any dessert lover. These shouldn’t be confused with Macaroons, the flaky, cakey, coconut variety that we’re used to seeing here in the U.S. While good in their own right, they have nothing on the French Macaron. My husband had the day off today and surprised me with Pistachio Macarons from Madeleine, a wonderful little French bakery here in Chelsea. I think they may have officially changed their name to La Maison du Macaron, but I still call them Madeleine’s. Anyway, I was so overjoyed (I know, I know–a bit dramatic but I haven’t had one in a while so cut me some slack), and here’s a pic I took–perfection, right?
I had my first macaroon when the hubster and I vacationed in Paris a few years ago. It was a pistachio macaron similar to the one I had today but much, much bigger. We had them at this wonderful cafe right next to the… Read more →
I was simply overjoyed this morning upon hearing that Prince William and Kate Middleton are officially engaged. With so many recent celebrity divorces plastered all over the celebrity weeklies, it’s nice to see and hear about a true, honest love story every now and then. Kate and William’s story seems to be like one straight out of a fairytale. She has no royal or aristocratic background, but she found her way to William’s heart and will marry her true Prince Charming next Spring. Sure, I feel like I married my Prince Charming too, but Kate will be marrying into one of the most famous royal families in the world and has the great possibility of becoming the future Queen of England. Can you even imagine?! The only Queen I have ever managed to be is a drama queen!
With all the media coverage today on Kate and William’s engagement (check out Tom Bradby’s ITN interview with the happy couple below), the spotlight on the lovely Kate has only just begun. She seems like a really thoughtful, elegant, smart and sophisticated young woman. We can only hope that the pressure of marrying into such a public family will not be too much for her as it was for Princess Diana and “Fergie”, The Duchess of York. But with an 8 year courtship with William already behind her, and the story of Diana and Charles to serve as an example, Kate and William have the opportunity to really change the face of the English Royal Family. I for one am already a big fan. Aside from the charities she will choose to support, Kate has the ability to popularize and bring attention to just about anything. With beautiful looks (uncanny resemblance to Lauren Conrad of “The Hills” fame don’t you think?), fashionable clothes, hair, and jewelry, Kate has already been cast as a fashionista and will no doubt influence the fashion and beauty industries for years to come. I can already hear women everywhere asking their hairstylists for cuts, colors, and blowouts to match Kates. Can we say “The Middleton” anyone? Sapphires, I’m sure, will make a huge comeback in the coming months, as William proposed with his late mother’s sapphire and diamond engagement ring. The possibilities are endless. Aside from what all this attention will bring, let’s hope that what actually comes of all of this is a lasting, loving, and happy marriage for Prince William and Kate. After all, what we all really want and hope for at the end of a beautiful fairytale is a happily ever after. –xoLadyLattimer
As I mentioned in my first post about Laura Ashley (Click Here), I love it when a brand reinvents themselves. Just as we improve ourselves in mind and body and keep ourselves looking fresh with facials, manicures, pedicures, and new haircuts, so too, should companies. It’s what keeps us as consumers coming back for more. Such is the case with the fashion company, Talbots. They have really impressed me this year with their current state of reinvention. Their collections are fantastic and will surely add some great pieces to anyone’s wardrobe. They are on point and up-to-date with their colors, textures, and trends offering modern, and hip styles while still staying true to their traditional pieces: Re-invention at it’s best. It’s not completely doing away with what made them relevant in the first place, but adapting to the current styles while not losing their brand identity or sacrificing their original vision of what makes a Talbots’ woman. A few years ago, I would have walked right past their signature red door storefront. But now, I’m constantly perusing their site and adding more and more of their pieces to my winter wardrobe. Fellow Lady Lattimites, I must give today’s OD (Obvious Distintion) award to Talbots. Check out their video Talbots Redefined which speaks loudly to their current state of reinvention, and make sure to check out their site (www.talbots.com). They are currently featuring lots of sales, so get on your holiday shopping today. x LL
I’m not a big fan of Katherine Heigl. I will admit–I loved her in “My Father the Hero” and even in the first season of “Grey’s Anatomy”, but when she starred in “Knocked Up” and got her Holier than Thou attitude, that pretty much did it for me. My personal feelings aside, I must say she looks absolutely STUNNING on the cover of the December issue of W Magazine. She is shown with her daughter Naleigh looking like she just stepped off of Cimabue’s ‘Santa Trinita Madonna’ oil painting (c 1280). Most importantly kudos to W magazine, and the fantastic photographer, Patrick Demarchelier (“Get Me Demarchelier!”–Sorry fashionistas…I had to), for producing such an amazing fine art cover that gives it an obvious distinction from all the other fashion and women’s magazines currently available. I must admit, they had me a little scared with their recent Kim Kardashian cover, but they have really raised the bar with this exquisite cover. Content and quality is key and the portfolio of images accompanying their modern family feature is really a work of art–fine art. Representation of the Madonna, in both painting and sculpture, was at it’s peak during the Byzantine, Medieval and Early Renaissance periods, and W magazine has take a modern approach to this depiction with Heigl and baby.
December issue of W Magazine
Check out their Family Values portfolio slideshow (http://www.wmagazine.com/celebrities/2010/12/family_issue_portfolio_ss#slide=1), or better yet, skip this month’s trip to the MoMA, MET, or your local museum, and instead pick up a copy of their December issue. Let’s keep the magazine industry alive and support those publications that strive to bring quality art and editorial to their readers. Heigl as Madonna and Child. Can’t say it will help to lessen her Holier than Thou persona, but as a work of art, well done W.
The first Lady Lattimer OD (Obvious Distinction) Award is bestowed upon OPI nail color’s Holiday 2010 Burlesque nail polish series. It’s like holiday tinsel for your nails! I’m a little obsessed, I must confess. These sparkly shades will add pizzazz, flair, and an obvious distinction to any holiday outfit. My personal favorite is ‘Bring on the Bling” and “Sparkle-icious” seen here and available at Ricky’s, for all you fashionable New Yorkers. Worn with any basic outfit (probably an all black ensemble for moi ), this color gilds any head-to-toe look for under $10. Make sure to buy your favorite shade from the Burlesque collection this holiday season. (www.opi.com)
Full Tilt Faux Leather Hooded Jacket available at Tillys.com
Pleather Leggings by Forever 21
I was having a discussion with a fashionable friend of mine about Pleather (artificial or plastic leather). She wanted my opinion on a jacket but was unsure whether to make a purchase because it was (insert whisper here…) Pleather! The jacket was great mind you, but it wasn’t genuine leather. Could she get over it? Can we all get over the stigma that comes with wearing fake leather despite the fact that there are some really great pleather options available? Would my friend be more inclined to make this purchase if it was marketed as leatherette instead? What was once thought of as a tacky material, is now really hip, modernized and trendy. Whether you wear pleather for ethical reasons, for cost reasons, or simply because you just like the product, do not be ashamed. Pleather is our friend and as long as you don’t go over the top (don’t dust off your pink pleather skirt anytime soon), you can have a really high-end, put-together look at a fraction of the price it would be to buy genuine leather. Pleather is everywhere now. From leggings, to jackets, to handbags, so long as you purchase quality pleather, in the right colors, no one will be able to tell the difference.
It’s all in the fit. It’s the difference between looking polished or dowdy. It’s called tailoring, but it doesn’t come cheap. Oh, to have the money to look extra put together by having clothes custom tailored to your measurements…(sigh). I’m constantly on the hunt for the perfect tailored buttoned down shirt for myself and for my husband. Some come close to fitting nicely, but it’s still not 100% the way I like it. With my husband, if it fits in the body, it’s too big or to small in the neck….and let’s not even discuss the arm length. Well the answer to our frustrations may come by way of the SHURT CLIP ™ by Maxessories. This credit card size clip fits discreetly on your hip or back and is easily tucked right into your pants or skirts. It creates a crisp tailored look to any shirt. Maxessories began in 2008 whe the founder wanted to find a cost effective alternative to tailoring his shirts. Could it be? Will my tailoring budget be cut in half? As we know, necessity is the mother of invention, and if the founder felt as much fustration as I have finding the perfect tailored shirt, I’m willing to try it out. I’ll report back once I do. If anyone has tried it, please let me know your thoughts!
Faux-Coyote fur vest-MICHAEL by Michael Kors via Zappos.com
Fall is here and aside from the beautiful foliage my favorite part of the fall/winter season is the fashion! I just feel there is alot more to work with in your wardrobe during this time of year. There are such amazing knits, outerwear, boots and shoes to make any outfit outstanding. The ultimate trend this season is the fur vest. If you buy any trend piece this season, this is the one to have. They come in various price points and will make you look luxe and sophisticated in an instant. Because it’s a trend piece (meaning it may only be hot and trendy this season), I suggest not spending a lot of money if you don’t have it. Since the majority of the vests in stock this season are faux, you can find them for any budget. I’m really loving the gray color as seen here in a faux coyote fur vest by MICHAEL by Michael Kors. This one you can find on zappos.com but really they are everywhere. I like to pair it with a very solid, monochromatic look (black pants/leggings and a long sleeved black or white shirt) to really bring attention to the vest. For an even more high fashion look, consider a skinny belt to cinch the waist and add an ultra tailored, sophisticated vibe. xLady Lattimer
Laura Ashley. For some reason, this brand name from my youth has always conjured up images of Little House on the Prairie or Holly Hobby dolls. You know what I mean…a flowing floral skirt, a flowing floral dress, bonnets and lots of pastels and lace. It was a bit much for me back then but my mom used to love it. I recently came across a link to Laura Ashley’s website and decided to check it out www.lauraashley.com (I’m a sucker for ”Where Are They Now” stories and childhood nostalgia). I hadn’t seen an actual Laura Ashley store since I was a little kid so I decided to go to their website. Well let me tell you…this is no longer my mother’s Laura Ashley. Sure, they still have lots of florals (that’s their niche and what made Laura Ashley so distinctive–and you know I love distinction!) Laura Ashley has reinvented themselves! They have amazing fashions, outerwear, footwear, jewelry and home furnishing. They have taken a modern approach to their brand and have really fresh, fun and tailored clothing, and elegant and modern home furnishings that will add to any fashionista’s home or closet. I’m absolutely in love with their lighting section. I will definitely be doing some shopping there this holiday season.
