Friday Pick: The CBK dress

Before I got married I had an embarrassingly large inspiration book of wedding images. This was obviously pre-Pinterest--a total Godsend for brides-to-be. The first and probably most important pull page was this one.

Chances are you've seen it more than once. It was taken of John F. Kennedy, Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy on their wedding day (September 21, 1996) in Cumberland Island, Georgia. The dress was designed by Narciso Rodriguez, a close friend of CBK's, arguably launching his career into the upper fashion echelons.

Despite CBK's short time in the spotlight, due to her untimely passing, her style remains something of a standard for posh and minimalist style, due in no small part to the fact that she worked at Calvin Klein in the mid-1990s when the minimal look was at perhaps its most fabulous and Kate Moss looked about 12.

I snapped that last photo of Kate Moss and CBK out of my own copy of John F. Kennedy Jr. A Life in Pictures. Isn't it cool?

Even five years after her death, CBK was mentioned in the opening page of Bergdorf Blondes to describe the precise shade of Manhattan blonde (white not yellow) that could only truly be achieved by salon touch-ups every 13 days. But perhaps what I most associate CBK with is the minimal cocktail dress (usually black) that she made look so utterly amazing.

And while no one could do it like she did it, I noticed a few cool twists on the CBK dress recently I had to share.

Tibi

Ralph Lauren Black Label

Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein

I would pair them with very minimal strappy gold or silver sandals and a swipe of red lipstick for evening. They're just such a refreshing change of pace from over-the-top embellishments and patterns that are so abundant lately--not that those aren't super fun too! But, as CBK knew well, sometimes the best way to stand out is to scale back.

xo,

The Canary Diaries

Best Dressed: Fancy vs. Casual

I'm loving all of the beautiful dressing going on this past weekend in Cannes, at the Billboard Music Awards and just in general, but two very different looks get my vote for best of the best this weekend.

First the fancy look:

How much do you love Taylor Swift in Elie Saab at the Billboard Music Awards? What a departure from the normal sparkly gold strapless number she normally dons for such occasions. There's nothing wrong with rocking a look that works, except when you can do it one better and that's exactly what she's doing right here. I also have to say I love her with straight hair.

At the Billboard Music Awards via Styleite.com

For US Vogue February 2012

And the casual look:

A pregnant Kristen Cavallari in a precious preggo button down oxford shirt. She may have been the biggest B in California on Laguna Beach, but she's pretty cute here, so I'll forgive and forget.

Photo via People.com

And speaking of cute, did you see this little guy? Ohmygesh!

Photo via People.com

Sorry for the total randomness. Happy Monday!

xo,

The Canary Diaries

Jewelry Love

Couldn't resist posting this up-close photo of January Jones' beautiful vintage Cartier necklace from the Met Ball. Turquoise cabochons always make me swoon, and this just takes it up a notch (or twelve). It's just beyond.

Red Carpet: 2012 Met Gala

I look forward to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Benefit every year. The biggest reason? It is the one red carpet of the entire year where anything goes. Attendees don't care about keeping it professional or safe. It's just for fashion, and that makes it so much more fun! This year, I really loved Beyonce's dress. Say what you will about it, but this look was insane. I loved that she kept her hair super chic and simple in a pony and just went for it.

Beyonce in Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci, photos via Refinery 29

Diane Krueger in Prada, photo via Refinery 29

Another standout in maribou trimming was Diane Krueger. I loved her Prada dress and clutch, a nod to the exhibit Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations. 

Also in Prada...

Eva Mendes in Prada, photo via People.com

the stunning, Eva Mendes. She has the best style, and in my opinion, always keeps it fresh. She has the type of look that could go va-va-voom all the time, but she doesn't. This color on her is amazing, but she looks stylish and super sophisticated. Sophia Vergara, take note.

As for the lovelies in yellow...

January Jones in Versace, photo via People.com

She's back, people. My girl, January Jones is bringing her particular brand of vintage yet modern style to the red carpet. Loving her in this structured Versace dress and ladylike vintage Cartier necklace.

And, could these two look any more beautiful? These colors, particularly the yellow on Solange Knowles is just rocking my world.

Solange Knowles and Rachel Roy both in Rachel Roy, photo via People.com

I'll be honest, I don't completely know what's going on with Christina Ricci's dress, but she looks amazing in it, and that earns some serious style points.

Christina Ricci in Thakoon, photo via People.com

The best dressed group of the night has to be these lovely ladies, in particular Ms. Burch who is always flawless, obviously. Also loving Brooklyn Decker in that icy blue color. Even cooler? They are all wearing Tory Burch.

Liya Kebede, Tory Burch, Rashida Jones and Booklyn Decker all in Tory Burch, photo via People.com

 The dark knight award of the evening has to go to Nina Dobrev, who apparently is on The Vampire Diaries, which is apparently a show. No matter, she looks absolutely stunning in Donna Karan.

Nina Dobrev in Donna Karan, photo via People.com

And, file these two under "I don't want to like it, but I do"...

Scarlett Johansson in Dolce & Gabbana, photo via People.com

Scarlett Johansson has been leaving me kind of "meh" of late on the red carpet, but this makes up for it. Yowsa! This dress looks amazing on her, and I love that she left her hair down. She looks amazeballs.

And, seriously, Karolina Kurkova? Not only are you completely stunning with hair, but you look beautiful in a TURBAN, on a RED CARPET.

Rachel Zoe and Karolina Kurkova both in Rachel Zoe Collection, photo via People.com

xo,

The Canary Diaries

Courthouse Chic

Photo via Refinery 29

Any true romantic worth their Jordan Almonds will tell you, the epitome of a romantic gestures has to be the courthouse wedding. It's a spur of the moment affair, sure. Impetuous, maybe. But mostly it just says "I have to marry you right now" and that's kind of amazing. I am also of the mind that there is no "wrong" way to get married, just amazing different ones. I had a medium-sized wedding in a church, but my parents got married at a friend's house (Mom wore an ivory pantsuit, it was amazing). Weddings are joyful no matter where they are.

 My personal love for the courthouse wedding is magnified by the fact that you can wear a crazy awesome and perhaps expensive outfit and say, "but look at all the money I saved by not having a 500-person guest list!" With that in mind, some thoughts for what to wear...

For the sophisticate:

Matthew Williamson "Poppy" embellished silk-georgette shift dress at net-a-porter.com

Badgley Mischka Gisella Feather Pumps at Shopbop

For the rock star (also a totally acceptable outfit for a Vegas wedding):

Nicholas Becky Long Sleeve Lace Dress at Shopbop

Giuseppe Zanotti embellished suede and leather slingbacks at net-a-porter.com

 For the prepster:

Milly Aris belted dress at Shopbop

Jimmy Choo Clue glitter slingbacks at Nordstrom

For the gallerina:

Black Halo Alexander dress available at 

Prada cutout wing pump available at Nordstrom

xo,

The Canary Diaries

Friday Pick

I am loving fancy neon earrings like these beauties. All available at net-a-porter. Have a fabulous weekend!

Shourouk

Tom Binns

Erickson Beamon

Erickson Beamon

Flower Power

I'll never be over a good floral print and luckily the flowery trend is continuing into fall 2012. I definitely want to wear this Dolce and Gabbana dress right now!

Photo via style.com

xo,

The Canary Diaries

I Love...

This Yigal Arouzel dress from Shopbop. Could it be more awesome? It is truly the perfect combination of navy and kelly green and it's so interesting, you definitely do a double take when you see it. I feel like you could wear it to a wedding too, and for $995 I kind of would need to every wedding I'm ever invited to hereafter. There's one left in my size and I keep hovering over the "Add to Cart" button, but I'm exhibiting self control. Oh to dream...

xo,

The Canary Diaries

Valley of the Dolls Style

All of the pastel spring fashions remind me of the gloriously girlie world of Valley of the Dolls (1967) starring Barbara Parkins, Patty Duke and Sharon Tate. If you haven't seen this iconic film of the 1960s you simply must. It's just fun.

And, for kicks, some of my favorite Dolls-inspired buys...

Raindrop lace top available at J.Crew

Belle du Jour lipstick by Nars available at Sephora

Jil Sander violet shift dress available at Net-a-porter

Red Valentino bow tote available at Shopbop

Dolls box available at Furbish

3.1 Philip Lim pumps available at Saks Fifth Avenue

Pink typewriter photo via Etsy (rumor has it Valley of the Dolls author Jacqueline Susann typed out the book on one of these guys)

xo,
The Canary Diaries

Vintage Week: Friday Pick

Wrapping up Vintage Week it's only natural that we circle back to Rachel Zoe and one of her favorite vintage haunts, Decades. Located in Los Angeles (there is also an outpost in London), Decades is an upscale boutique featuring mint condition luxury vintage items from the 20th century. The L.A. store also has consignment store for 21st century items aptly named Decades Two. Owner Cameron Silver cuts a dashing figure in one episode where Rachel considers a vintage Birkin (le sigh!). The store blog is a must read that chronicles Cameron Silver's vintage finds such as this lovely...

Oui, that is a YSL lucite bangle. I know, isn't it amazing?

Happiest weekends, hope you are off to do something lovely!

xo,

The Canary Diaries