FALL into Chic.....Black is BACK!


So I'm sure that by now you're aware of the fact that my best friend and former roommate designs a Fabulous clothing line called Elizabeth Olliver.

I am very proud to be the first blogger to present her Fall 2011 Line.

If you'll recall, I had my own namesake dress in the Spring 2011 line.
I would have described her Spring line as a little something for everyone, but with a classic element.
 I would have considered many of the dresses to be something that Jackie Kennedy would have worn in the 1960's. 
Prim, Proper, FABULOUS.

The model sporting the Mackenzie dress from Spring 2011

Fall 2011 is Jackie Kennedy in modern times.
Classic, yet edgy.

Think Jackie meets Diane von Furstenberg meets Ports 1961
having a party on Net-a-Porter.

Elizabeth was very inspired by the feminine movement in the 1960's and 1970's.
Women weren't your typical 1950's housewives anymore. They were independent and confident, and they needed the clothing to match their new outlook.

 And without further adieu.....

My faves from the Fall 2011 Collection

The Paloma

(Named for none other than Paloma Contreras, Editor and Chief of High Gloss Magazine
 and writer of La Dolce Vita Blog)

I LOVE this gown. I don't know about you, but shopping for a formal dress is always hell for me.
I can never find anything that is Simple yet Chic. Fabulous yet Understated.
The Paloma pretty much does it all.


The Sara

Have you ever seen a more chic dress?

The Alex

The Jenny

The Petra


All of Elizabeth's designs are named for people that inspire her in everyday life.
Visit Elizabeth Olliver to view the rest of this Fabulous Fall Collection and to start your Pre-Orders.

And because Elizabeth wants you to partake in her fab designs sooner than later, when you Pre-Order you get $40 off your purchase.
You can use the savings for the champagne you'll sip while wearing your dress.

So, to recap,
BUY EARLY, and BUY OFTEN.

You can learn more about the fabulous life and times of my friend Elizabeth, 
by visiting her blog.

Couture for Your Closet.....


I adore my lovely readers so much.
In light of that, I would like to make you aware of two up and coming designers.

A little Couture for your Spring Closet, if you will.

First, Because they are both FABULOUS in their very own ways.
Second, Because they both hail from our great state of TEXAS.
And Third, Because it's officially spring-time and I'm sure you lovelies are looking for new and exciting wardrobe pieces.

INTRODUCING:


Elizabeth Olliver  & Sheridan French




Elizabeth Olliver

image via High Gloss Magazine

Like all girls, I'm constantly searching for that PERFECT Little Black Dress.
The one that will take you everywhere.

To work, to drinks, shopping on a Saturday morning, Entertaining Guests on a Saturday Night, Brunching with Friends on Sunday.

If you're the same way, then Elizabeth Olliver is your girl.
Her Spring 2011 line offers 6 versatile dresses that are perfect for any occassion.

Miss Elizabeth honed her design skills at Donna Karan in NYC, met and married the "boy next door" (LITERALLY) while in NY, and then moved to Washington D.C.
She kind of lives a fairytale life.
And I love her for it.

 You may have seen her ad (above) in the new edition of High Gloss Magazine.

Or on High Gloss Magazine's Founder and Editor in Chief, Paloma Contreras at the High Gloss Launch Party in NYC

image via La Dolce Vita
Paloma sporting the "Mackenzie" Dress


The "Mackenzie" is named for yours truely.

Fun Fact: The Designer is my college roommate and I was a bridesmaid in her October Wedding!

 The "Linda"


 The "Lauren"

Purchase your very own Elizabeth Olliver here.

Elizabeth is also having a Trunk Show at A Bientot in Houston this
 Thursday and Friday from 10-6.
If you're in Houston, stop on by to meet the designer!

I would wear Elizabeth Olliver......


When Entertaining Guests in this Living Room

Or Throwing a Dinner Party

Or Working Hard at the Office

image via http://candacerose.typepad.com
 Or Sipping Cocktails at This Bar


Sheridan French



 My friend Natalie introduced me to Sheridan French's amazing designs.
She is a Fort Worth Native, Style Editor for Fort Worth, TX Magazine, A mommy to two cute little ones, a FABULOUS fashion designer, and has a fun, hilarious blog to boot.

She's also like, the CUTEST thing EVER.

SEE?!


I mean, how darling are her clothes?




images via SheridanFrench.com

I want to pair this baby with white jeans and gold wedges.
IMMEDIATELY.

Purchase your very own Sheridan French here.

I would wear Sheridan French.....


Lonny Magazine
 To Host a Fabulous Brunch.

Lonny Magazine
Or to Work in this Fabulous Office

image via ElleDecor

Or to Have a "Girls Night" in my living room

image via http://applesandonions.com
Or to Sip Cocktails by the Pool at The Viceroy Palm Springs

Now Readers, Aren't you glad when I share my wealth of knowledge with you?

A Friday Treat....Guest Post from Elizabeth of Elizabeth Olliver!


photog courtesy of elizabetholliver.com

Countdown to NYC: 6 days.


For this part of our series, I've asked my friend Elizabeth (the designer of the FABULOUS Elizabeth Olliver Line) to guest post about a room in her home she'd like to change and her design ideas for it. She has amazing taste in fashion, and her home design style is no different.


Enjoy!


If I could change any room in my house it would definitely be my home office. Although I should give myself a break since we just moved into our precious new house last year, my office drives me crazy! Personally, I can’t work in clutter like this. I just find it to hard to be able to concentrate in a space that’s not perfectly decorated…it’s so uninspiring.

Since I spend half my time in New York my home office has gotten neglected. I plan on redecorating after fashion week and below are a few of my ideas. My taste tends to gravitate towards beautiful antiques mixed with Hollywood regency style, and I love splashes of color!

Here’s some of my inspiration:








{All photos via houzz.com}

For a desk I’ve always wanted an old farm table. Long and skinny so that I can spread out all my designs and look at them in one place all together. This one is perfect! It’s currently residing in Denmark at Fils de Fer (this store is basically the entire reason I am dying to go to Denmark!)



 
I would then flank both sides with two of clear Glass Bottleneck lamps from Layla Grace.

{Photo courtesy of Layla Grace)

For a desk chair I would love to sit in the Louis Arm Chair from Jonathan Adler. I love the linen fabric in a dark color!


{Photo via Jonathanadler.com}


For guest chairs I want to place two of the Curved Upholstered Chairs from West Elm across from my desk.


{Picture via West Elm)





…but reupholstered so they don’t look like my grandmother’s house in this beautiful Istanbul Sunset pattern from Calico Corners.

For a rug I would love to put down a beautiful off- white cowhides. This one’s too expensive, but you get the idea.
{Photo via neimanmarcus.com}

Since I’m always in need of a full size mirror for fittings and stylings, I’m going to need a full-length mirror. I’ve always dreamed of owning a huge mirror that leans against the wall, but since my office height isn’t that big I’ll settle for something smaller. I love this antiqued brass mirror from Restoration Hardware.

{Photo via restorationhardware.com}

I’m currently obsessed with beautiful wallpaper! I think Schumacher makes some of the most beautiful designs, and on the back wall of my office above my built-in bookcases I want to put this Imperial Trellis print in Citrine. My flutters a little every time I visit it online!

{Photo via fschumacher.com}

I’m currently growing my inspiration library. So I’m in desperate need of some bookshelves. (Side note, my latest installation into my library was a fabulous purchase from etsy…the 16 volume series from the 70’s called The Art of Sewing! It has some of the most inspiring pictures and how-to details!) Back to shelving…to help cut my costs a little I would purchase these Expedit shelves from Ikea. They are finished on all sides so you can lay them vertically or horizontally. I would lay them horizontally.

{Photo via Ikea.com}




Last but not least I am going to need a cabinet to hold all my fabric swatches and samples. I am OBSESSED with red lacquer anything, and when I came across this blog post on the blog Little Green Notebook written by Jenny Komenda I knew I had found my dream cabinet. (I love her blog, it always has the best DIY projects!)

She spray painted an old cabinet she bought for $45 with this gorgeous color from RustOleum. A little polishing on the original hardware and she had a beautiful new piece! This will be my DIY project for the office; I plan on recreating Jenny’s beautiful piece using an old cabinet from a flea market.

{Photos via Little Green Notebook}



Thank You Elizabeth for the wonderful post! You can visit Elizabeth's gorgeous clothing designs at ElizabethOlliver.com and read her blog too!