Street Style: Make Peace Not War

Rae Sheer 70s Blouse
Bead Layered Chain Necklace Sold Out

Inspired By Greatness
Janis Joplin was an amazing artist of our past, who possessed a talent that is still missed by many. There is no denying that she was a style icon who put “hip” into the term “hippie”. It was her careless style and her ability to make it look ever so groovy that put her on the map in the fashion world. She was my inspiration for this look.

Fashion Time Machine

A pile of 70s style clothes lay scattered throughout my room as I anxiously sifted through each item trying to find “the one” statement piece for my look. Then, peeking out from underneath my wide legged jumpsuit, was a multicolored psychedelic print off the shoulder blouse that called my name. After that, the rest of my outfit came together quickly and within seconds I was a blast from the past in this free loving ensemble! As I posed freely in front of the camera, the lyrics of “Piece Of My Heart” sung by Janis Joplin played wildly in my head. I felt as if I took a step back into time. I didn’t grow up during the “flower child” era, but the beauty of fashion is the power it has to transport someone into a different time period.

A Style Influence That Will Forever Live On

The peace, love and happiness fashion style was certainly made famous by the youths representing the hippie subculture. Their unyielding efforts to make their presence known by sharing their beliefs with society greatly inspired change in our pop culture. Overtime, this freethinking social movement would influence the media, music and most of all, fashion. Many of our current style trends are inspired by our past eras and I must say that the “age of the great bohemians” is certainly a piece of style history worth repeating.

Be strikingly chic,
Shelley

Photos: Sanigalia.com.ar

Street Style: I Love Lucy

Lucy Polka Dot Uneven Hem Dress

As a child growing up in the 80s, I can still vividly remember watching syndicated episodes of the 1950s popular show, I Love Lucy, with my family. Every night, we would sit crowded together on our maroon colored sofa in front of our 24” T.V.  I was always given the job of getting up and turning the channel dial on the television. (Yes, I had to get up and walk to make T.V. magic happen until I reached a specific station, or more often than not, until my dad yelled, “STOP!”) As a family, we laughed harmoniously, enjoying the pure comedic entertainment performed by America’s favorite red head, the beloved, Lucille Ball, also simply known as Lucy on her show.

In each episode, Lucy seemed to easily find her way into ridiculously sticky situations. Of course, it was how she dealt with these nonsensical predicaments that had America in stitches. Lucy surely made being a housewife look adventurous, as well as entertaining, with all of her crazy antics. Who can forget seeing Lucy stuff her face with chocolates due to a speeding conveyor belt of truffles at a local candy factory or watching her  get into a wrestling match while stomping grapes at a vineyard in Italy. One thing was certain, there was never a dull moment in Lucy Ricardo’s life!

Now, we simply cannot forget her sitcom and real life husband, Desi Arnaz, who took on the name Ricky Ricardo on the show. I’m sure many of us can remember the sound of his thick Cuban accent as he entered through the front door, often unaware of the scrapes his wife has gotten herself into, and jubilantly announcing, “Lucy, I’m home!” Even with his arms crossed in disapproval, Ricky would stand byLucy as she learned the lessons of her mistakes.

It is now 2011 and I still watch an episode of I Love Lucy from time to time. I have to admit, I still laugh every time I watch this show. When I say laugh, I mean the kind of laugh that is so obnoxious that it has me coughing like I’m suffering from a chronic case of emphysema. (I don’t smoke cigarettes.) The best part of watching this show today as an adult is the nostalgic effect it has on me.  It reminds of my childhood, and for a moment everything seems as if nothing has changed in my world. Of course, the only difference is that I can get to the channel I want to with a digital remote! (I just love technology!)

Thank you, Lucille Ball, for making me laugh and teaching me that life is all about making mistakes… and of course learning from them.

Be strikingly chic,
Shelley

Street Style: What to Wear on a Chicnic

Jill Striped Retro Cami Dress
Florence Yellow Trim Handbag
Jewel Star Necklace (Blue/Red)

When I put this look together it reminded me of a picnic and then the word “chicnic” wedged its existence into my brain. I decided to look up this word and to my surprise, it exists!

Chicnic – which is also known as a fashionable picnic.

If you ask me, it sounds like an all girl picnic where we would all dress up, eat a summer salad and drink mimosas under an old oak tree, while swapping our latest diet secrets. Since I have never been to a chicnic, I imagine that the outfit above is what I would most likely wear to such an occasion.

Now, if I were given the opportunity to host a chicnic of my own, I would do it a little differently. Let’s remember, I am married with two children and finding the time to get away with all my girls would be heaven sent! So, let me tell you my idea of a chicnic, because if me and my girls are getting glammed up we are going to do it right! 

Instead of the park, we would head to Vegas. Instead of summer salads, we would hit up the buffet at the Bellagio. And instead of swapping diet secrets, we would swap dance moves at Tao nightclub! Unfortunately, for this particular Vegas dream chicnic, I do not have a readily available picture of the outfit I would wear. I guess it is something I will just have to follow up with in the near future!

Be strikingly chic,
Shelley

Street Style: The Fab 60s

Sally Button Cuff Shift Dress

Don’t you just adore the 60s? From the Chanel suits worn by Jackie O., to the safari jackets that draped YSL muses Betty Calroux and Loulou de la Falaise, as well as the miniskirt and tights ensemble introduced by Mary Quant, the 60s were filled with a variety of looks that continue to inspire fashionistas across the globe.

Along with tailored suits, kid gloves, and gypsy-style  designs, what I enjoy most about the 60s are the bold colors and prints. (Think Emilio Pucci!) Bold pieces scream fun and exude an air of sociability, which is exactly how Shelley looked in this mustard color 60s style shift dress!

To complete the 60s inspired look, she paired the dress with yellow fishnet leggings, a black cloche wool hat, a strand of pearls, a wide black stretch belt, and then mixed decades with 40s inspired oxfords for a sweet “let’s have brunch” or “walk along the Thames” outfit.

Later, she went for a more flirty evening approach by ditching the tights and throwing on some black stilettos! Overall, this dress is a far out piece to add to any wardrobe, especially when you’re looking for something to make your day feel carefree and bright.

Cheers to fashion,
Emilie