What to Wear to Aquidneck Land Trust's 2016 Fiesta Verde

Celebrate Aquidneck Land Trust’s annual summer bash in style with these tips

As former rigid relations between Cuba and the United States continue to soften, it will only be a matter of time before commerce, travel and leisure will become a normal occurrence.

Naturally, Old Havana continues to become an increasingly popular party theme. The nostalgia of a simpler era (think before the Cuban trade embargo in 1962) combined with the allure of endless summer opulence (think rich American tourists enjoying luxurious travel in the early twentieth century) is only bound to excite attendees of ALT’s 2016 Havana-themed FiestaVerde.

There will be live Cuban music—accompanied by plenty of dancing—Cuban-inspired food and drink by McGrath Clambakes & Caterers with delights such as a mojito bar, empanadas, “Taste of Cuba” station, and delicious tres leches cake.

For such a spectacular event contributing to a great cause, the main question isn’t deciding whether or not you’d want to attend.

It’s a matter of deciding what you’re going to wear.

For some inspiration, take a quick look at Chanel’s runway show for the fashion house’s Cruise ’16 collection held in Havana, Cuba:

Here’s the short-list of ideas:

Crisp white shirt paired with tailored, wide leg trousers. Although wearing a white shirt isn’t the most practical, this is probably the easiest outfit to replicate for the theme. Add interest to this look with a vertical stripe pant. 

Sleeveless buttondown shirt paired with an A-line skirt and statement belt. True to Dior’s 1950s New Look, it’s all about accentuating the waist. Refrain from choosing Western style belts and favor leather knots, big bows, or something with bling.

Colorful prints. Keep it light and bright—a Lily Pulitzer printed dress will work, but try a bright digital graphic print for a more contemporary edge. Feel free to avoid wearing all black everything.

Pile on the costume jewelry. Think chunky gold chain bracelets or necklaces, pearls, and intricate cocktail rings. Especially if you insist on wearing black, you better bring on the bling.

Tea-length,  “midi” dresses. Again, preferably a bright print or color. Wrap dresses are easy and comfortable to wear and can be paired with espadrilles for a more relaxed look.

The Panama Hat or straw fedora. Enough said. 

Also, if you want to fully commit to the true spirit of Old Havana, there is always the option to scour consignment shops and the internet for vintage finds.

For the short list of clothing to avoid, pass on denim, mini-skirt hemlines, polo shirts.

ALT’s “Old Havana Nights” party will take place on Saturday, July 23^rd at Sweet Berry Farm in Middletown, RI. A cocktail reception is followed by dinner, music, dancing, a raffle, and a spirited silent auction of artwork, jewelry, gifts and getaway packages. For more information and tickets, please visit the event page.

Find of the Week | 29

I went to yard sale on Saturday that Salve Regina University was holding to support the Office of Community Service. I didn't think I was going to find a Chanel sweater for $2.00.

Regardless of whether or not it's real, it's still a good story and the sweater is still cute. 

I feel like I have been shopping a lot recently, but I keep forgetting to post my finds. I don't think any of my other recent purchases are as remarkable as this sweater, this basically takes the cake... 

Weekend Reads | 10

Photo Credit: This is Glamorous

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Paris, Day 16, Part II: Rue Cambon

Before the concert at La Sorbonne, I took the time to run to Rue Cambon for Pierre Hermé macarons and spot Chanel's first store on 31 rue Cambon.

I always go to Ladurée every time I go to New York City, but this was my first time enjoying macarons from Pierre Hermé. I wouldn't be able to tell you what flavors I got, but they were quirky, modern combinations that are more adventurous than the traditional flavors at Ladurée.

As happy as I was to stand outside Chanel--look at the chic outfits on the mannequins, catch a glimpse of the spiral staircase to Coco Chanel's apartment upstairs--I am obligated to admit that I felt so out of place when I actually walked inside the boutique. It became the most apparent when I picked up on high-heeled bootie that cost a mini-vacation...

I promise to make a triumphant return to 31 rue Cambon when I am in the proper stage of my life to enjoy Chanel's treasures like the simple pleasure of a Nutella crêpe...

Paris, Day 15: Place de la Concorde and La Madeleine

On Monday, we went to the Place de la Concorde and La Madeleine, was originally a church built by Napoléon I dedicated to the glory of his army.

From the Place de la Concorde, you can see La Madeleine, l'Arc de Triomphe, the French National Assembly, the Louvre, and the Tuileries Gardens. The Place de la Concorde has a lot of history and I'm going to attempt to give you the highlights:

• The name of this place was not always Place de la Concorde. This was place was where the guillotine--the contraption responsible for beheading thousands of people during the French Revolution--once stood. The square earned its name as we know it today uears after the French Revolution in an effort to leave behind the bloody memory. In case you were wondering, the translation of "concorde" means friendship...
• The obelisk in the center of the Place de la Concorde was a gift from Egypt, not stolen (although Napoléon would take plenty of treasures from Egypt and bring them to Paris). The details of how the obelisk came to Paris are inscribed at its base--essentially it was brought on a barge from the Nile to the Seine. There were supposed to be two obélisks, but the process to bring in the first one was so arduous the second one was left behind.



Place de la Concorde

The lamp posts in Place de la Concorde are unique and only seen here. The double light fixture at the middle of each lamp post is supposed to look like a boat.

There are eight statues of ladies sitting in chairs bordering the Place de la Concorde, each one represents one of the major cities in France. The rumour is that there was a black veil on Strasbourg for a long time, because she is now part of Germany...

As far as La Madeleine goes, it was going to be converted into a train station, but the idea was dismissed. It still serves a church and a monument to Napoléon I and his army.



La Madeleine

If you look at this wax painting on the cupola, you can see Napoléon and his symbol, the falcon, on the bottom center.

Historical tidbits aside, it's hard to ignore the beautiful display windows passing by Chanel and Dior....

One last bit of history--the place where the Lumière brothers made the first movie is now a Gap Kids store...

We also stopped by Opéra Garnier and discussed the architecture outside, but I was already well-versed in its history from the tour last week.

Newport/Narragansett: Chanel Chanel and Girls

My brother joined me on some errand running in Newport--buying textbooks at the university bookstore, checking out a Chanel Chanel at the university library, then ending at Starbucks. I was so ready to go to Jack Wills--last time, seriously!--but it was closed or inventory. I guess I'll have to go again tomorrow...

I did enjoy watching Chanel Chanel, which is a television documentary originally aired on the Arts and Entertainment Network, according to a review by The New York Times. Despite the fact it was made in the late 1980s, it was nice to get the facts straight about Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel without the cinematic embellishment. A young Karl Lagerfeld, before the leather gloves and white hair, gave great insights about Chanel and her personality through examining her designs.

Tonight is the night I finally joined the Girls bandwagon--and I could not be happier that I did. Now I understand why Director/Creator/Writer Lena Dunham of Girls deserves such acclaim and Golden Globe nominations and awards. Absolute perfection. 

Watch it on HBO Go NOW!

Source: Uploaded by user via Mia on Pinterest

Today's Outfit: Cardigan, Simply Vera by Vera Wang; Shirt, Forever 21; Jeans, Express; Boots, Forever 21; Bag, Spring

Paris 2

Paris 2 by paperplanes871 featuring clutch bags

Paris

Paris by paperplanes871 featuring givenchy bag

Reading Aloud: The Secret of Chanel No. 5

The Secret of Chanel No. 5: The Intimate History of the World's Most Famous Perfume

The author, Tiller J. Mazzeo, makes the objective of the novel clear: this is not the biography of Coco Chanel.

This is the story of her creation that would exceed her expectations for success. The magical scent contained in a simple pharmaceutical flask.

Over time, the bottle would go under changes. The original bottle had rounded edges, but in an effort to be more streamlined, the edges became perfectly linear. The material changed from crystal to a hardier glass. These changes also represent the transformation of Coco herself. Working in competitive perfume and fashion industries hardened Coco into an assertive visionary.

Chanel sold her perfume to the Wertheimer brothers shortly after releasing it. Had she known that No. 5 would become a cultural icon, she would have undoubtedly kept the rights to it. Chanel fought for decades to win back the perfume by attempting to amend the contract between her and the Wertheimer brothers--she wanted to renegotiate her 10% share in Chanel Perfumes Co. compared to the Wertheimers' 70% share.

Chanel would have succeeded in gaining control during World War II if not for the Wertheimer's idea to temporarily put an acquaintance in charge while the brothers fled to the United States.

The best trivia to be taken away from this novel is that Chanel No. 5 was produced in Hoboken, New Jersey during World War II. A business associate managed to bring over the signature jasmine from the plantations Grasse, France and maintain the authenticity and quality of Chanel No. 5. Meanwhile, in Europe, Chanel had taken a Nazi officer as a lover and traveled to Berlin to initiate peace talks.

During the war, soldiers--German and American-- stationed in Paris would wait outside 31 rue Cambon to purchase bottles of Chanel No. 5 for their girlfriends or wives back home.

As Chanel the designer and visionaire disappeared from view, her perfume only grew more popular. By the time World War II ended, Chanel No. 5 was a luxury commodity every woman wanted. It had come to symbolize hope that normalcy would return to their lives--and things did turn back around. The development of the middle class in the United States brought consumerism to a whole new level as people began to yearn for fine, foreign luxury.

Even as the war, the lawsuits, and the people came and went, Chanel No. 5 remained as a permanent haunting in Coco's life. The Chanel No. 5 epidemic was out of Coco's hands no matter how hard she tried to ruin the perfume's reputation. It was only until her old age that she could learn to accept her loss as a woman and a designer.

Chanel No. 5 symbolizes lasting glamour. Eternal beauty. One woman's loss.

Find of the Week | 1

I found the cutest Chanel knockoff for $25 at Closet Revival in Newport, RI. As a broke college student, clearance sales and vintage stores are a godsend.

Love it!

Reading Aloud: The Beautiful Fall

The Beautiful Fall: Lagerfeld, Saint Laurent, and Glorious Excess in 1970s Paris

Written by Alicia Drake

Drake exposes the lives of Karl Lagerfeld and Yves Saint Laurent, two designers who "shared the same stage, but a different destiny." Both Lagerfeld and Saint Laurent were visionaries in the business,tried to move away from their bourgeois pasts, but the similarities end there.

One worked for Balmain for a brief stint, while the other designed at Dior and already heir to the fashion house.

One chose to fall in love with a youth, while the other with his work.

One a "styliste," the other a "creator.

For decades, the Lagerfeld and Saint Laurent crowds respected each other, but a schism between the groups still remained--an unspoken competitive air pushed them apart. The author does a phenomenal job chronicling the journeys of these two fashion legends. After reading, you'll see how Lagerfeld and Saint Laurent greatly contributed to the fashion world as we know it today.