COAT CHECK

FALL FASHION SHOWS... make us drool.  The high fashion artistic grandeur of it all!!!! We just love ourselves the artistic and talented design contributors who make that wheel turn.  

COATS are staples and this year Mens Fashion in particular has caught our eye! They are just so ridiculously wonderful.  

OUR STYLE TIPS: A fantastic coat will set your ensemble off, but frankly when indoors you do need to take it off, so be prepared underneath.  Most coats are purchased for ultimately a function.  We do advise you to have 2 staples. Then by all means if you can, please get something like this .....

Louis Vuitton

Lanvin

Balmain, Hermes, Junya Watanabe

HONORABLE MENTION: BALMAIN.  There were so many great looks, it was like a walk through the Haute Rockstar's Closet.  See Below, you may drool....

Balmain

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MRS. O

In honor of the most fabulous FLOTUS period, we wanted to dedicate our blog to the intelligent, exquisite, and super stylish Michelle Obama.  As we also reflect on how much she impacted us, we prepare to say goodbye. We are mourning a loss, but better to have loved and lost than to have never.... right? 

EVERYONE DOESN'T HAVE TO DRESS LIKE HER, BUT TAKE HER CUES. HER WARDROBE DIDN'T IMPROPERLY DISTRACT. IT MAY HAVE GOTTEN OUR ATTENTION, BUT USUALLY JUST BECAUSE IT WAS "ON POINT". 

FROM INAUGURATION, WE KNEW IT WOULD BE A GREAT FASHION SHOW

HER COAT ENSEMBLES ARE ALSO A DELIGHT

SHE ALSO PROVIDED 'SEXY WOMAN' WITH MAINTAINING EVERY BIT OF CLASS THAT A LADY SHOULD POSSESS.

Her accomplishments with healthy eating initiatives, education emphasis, female empowerment, and insight and support to our military families is quite the successful undertaking.  We wish her the best in her future and pray she continues to work with these causes. 

GOLDEN GLOBE FAVORITES

Yes, they looked nice; they all looked pretty decent, but theres something about the proper color, hair and make up choices for an overall stunning effect.  Here are our favorites: 

Issa Rae is gorgeous, her smile alone can stop the show, and the white glowed. No skin, and still very ladylike.  Who says your cleavage has to show to be gorgeous, sexy, and feminine?  We don't subscribe to that.  She epitomized beauty . Vogue hosted her diary http://www.vogue.com/13520219/issa-rae-insecure-golden-globes-2017-beauty-photo-diary/

Haley is young and can pull off this look, light & airy. Lavender is a beautiful color we don't see much. From a carpet standpoint, this is a "stand out" , Ahh the things youth can pull off 

We usually think Giuliana makes basic choices but this was gorgeous!! She out shined many of the actual Starlets this evening. 

Jessica Chastain has a great style team, we may do a blog on her hair and makeup alone. Its always so great and appropriate! The blue works so well with her complexion and hair. Her cleavage is on point! the neckline is soft even though its really low. Elegance achieved, pretty timeless. http://www.vogue.com/13520405/jessica-chastain-elizabeth-stewart-prada-piaget-golden-globes-celebrity-getting-ready-fashion-diary/

Ruth Negga is a beauty.  She's sultry and this Louis Vuitton dress had the right amount of edge. It suits her mystique.  Hair and makeup tied in very well to complete a cohesive point of view. (Probably not the most flattering for her body),  but it has movie star quality. http://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/red-carpet-dresses/news/g8350/ruth-negga-red-carpet-style/

Evan Rachel Wood.  This Altuzarra tuxedo fit her to a tee. It's all about tailoring, especially with a tux.  Style isn't limited to dresses and she committed  to an entire cohesive look which was very successful. This is a much more fashionable move for her. She struggles with her style, this is elevated.  She was strong and beautiful. 

We picked these  because its a head to toe thang, its a red carpet after all. 'A' game only, 'A' game. 

xoxoxo Lovelies

LETS TALK REFRESH

Its time to refresh! Reset, reevaluate and take off.  

First thing to do is de clutter:  cleanse your body and then your mind will follow... . Begin to detox (lots of options in this dept., and they go from simple to extreme, take your pick http://detoxdiy.com/detox-diet-food-list )........and once you have begun detox (minor or major),  we love this part: CLEAN THAT CLOSET.  This is the best time to do it!

Personal Style edited and coordinated for your real life can be achieved and fabulous whether you are a super casual mom, retired and ready for travel, athletic all the time, fashionista, Boss (the real boss of multiple employees), eclectic... WE GOTCHU.  

CLOSET CONSULT WITH PAPILLON - Most people have so many connections to their wardrobe they don't provide the best service to themselves to edit it.  We come in and assist you with how you want to proceed this year.  We all can use a refresher and editing is always a must with a wardrobe when doing so.   Along with your wardrobe refresh, here are some great EASY ways to refresh your look NO BREAKING THE BANK HERE:  

NEW LIP COLOR PLEASE

Great way to make a great fresh change... Go with something different on your lips.  

NEW FRAGRANCE PLEASE 

A new fragrance is always a great idea

Most of us have items that don't serve us best but don't have a better alternative quite yet, haven't got around to it, or get distracted with some other purchasing fever.  ITS OKAY, WE ALL DO IT.  Contact us for your personal closet consult.  We can get more things, or we can simply make more sense of what you have. 

contact us click here for closet consult

SIMPLE GIFT TIPS

The Perfect gift? We are not all skilled enough to pull this off.  Well, at least not for every one we give to.  Some gifts are accidents, oops I forgot you were coming, and I don't have a clue what you like so fingers crossed......

Truly the best gifts are those with heart and thought so breaking the bank is not always necessary.  Some of us do want our Chanel, Saint Laurent, and Gadgets galore, but our gifting often extends beyond those big ticket items.  

Stay more organized by PICKING A THEME, a theme used lightly that is.  For example, Jewelry, Candles, Scarves, and Fragrance. With these themes,  you can insert variety based on the recipients.  You can even do a texture theme: leather, velvet, silk, wool, cashmere.  

I've done scarves (I have a thing for them) in the past and its worked for male and female, children and adults.  I've done makeup themes and we've done candles.  It sounds too simplistic, right?  Its kind of that simple.  The variety is amazing. High end, custom, classic, eclectic.. you can get all of that variation while sticking with one theme.  Boy does it make your shopping less distracting, that is unless you go into a store you know will distract you and you somehow come out buying more for yourself, ok GUILTY.  BUT there comes a time when you need to just finish and move on.   Merry Christmas. Enjoy your family and loved ones. 

Gifts seen on blog can be found here:

http://tinyurl.com/hpp8tcj

https://www.cuyana.com/leather-tassel-keychain.html#black

https://www.anthropologie.com/home-candles

https://www.tomdixon.net/scent-london-medium-copper-sce01l.html?___store=us

HOLIDAY INSPIRED

THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR......

It always seems to creep up and you just cant believe that another year actually flew by!  I'm often in denial for a while like when its still NOVEMBER  and the Holiday music is playing in the stores, I just think we should start on Dec. 1 with the music, c'mon.  ...and then it hits me.  It takes a bit of inspiration, and then I'm in there. The real inspiration was the turkey this year. It was just soooo darn good.  I was ready to eat, bake, share, wrap, etc.

This year I began at home (a great place to set the holiday tone).  I continued with my new obsession of navy and gold home accents as my holiday color palette jump off . I will continue the theme with gift wrap and my wardrobe.  I'm still working on the final touches. 

I have a split personality of elegance and glamor vs. cozy, comfy frumpy bundled up, so I don't know what I'm going to wear for the brunch I'm hosting... Maybe this imagery will help me settle on a decision.  

BRIDAL FASHION: OUR PICKS

The bridal gown is one of those very multi faceted pieces of fashion, it is iconic, and timeless.

Its interesting to see how this particular garment is still being reinvented and as usual, recycled (all the great fashion has been made, we just refresh and renew ideas and eras from the past).  Here are some of our favorites from Bridal 2017.

Designers

Elie Saab, Zimmermann, Lela Rose and Marchesa.  These truly are modern brides.  So much fashion and style in each piece and these selected for their great style by PAPI,  are varied in personality and would look good on a woman who has a bit of natural swag. 

For more Bridal Fashion, I found great stuff at http://www.harpersbazaar.com/wedding/bridal-fashion/g7273/spring-bridal-trends-2017/

Be Lovely! 

-K

This years' DATE NIGHT - Revisit and Refresh

So the honeymoon is over, and you would have to agree its  a bit cliche, nevertheless, Date Night is a great option for couples to continue trying to keep themselves interested in spending isolated time together.  But lets face it, throw some babies in the picture and well.... Date what?

Tricky but not rocket science...A CHALLENGE INDEED, and a much needed escape for you both.  Lets commit to making the effort consistently on some patterned schedule where you do not over book, reschedule, forget.. No you have a standing appointment on this day and its important to keep!  Its important, really it is.  What do you do?  Hey go get a room and sleep, doesn't matter as much what you do, but that you do it together.  Oh but you had a fight, and you're not feeling her right now.  She's so not feeling you right now.... do you cancel?  Eh no, because DATE NIGHT is something you look forward to because you have all these great ideas and useful tips on having a variety of good times together and you know how much that means to your relationship. Thats the night you go see a movie. Less talk :-).  

The simple fact is that you make sure that something is for just you two, something that you all can make personal.  You can go do whatever it is that you like.  There are so many things that you don't do anymore, use these nights or days (wouldn't it be cool if its a secret day appointment?)  to do them.  

Places to try:  I like Downtown LA here are a few (there are many now) places to try:

 Perch  on a beautiful day, its outdoor rooftop, real chic and cool. (brunch is an option). More traditional and sure to satisfy is Flemmings (lobster is crack),  and I love the ambience at Bottega Louie .

Other LA locales:  You don't have to do typical restaurants. Just do cool hangout for a drink like a Private Rooftop at Le Petit Ermitage or EVEN SWEETER, Go for dessert.  Lots of places, such as Carmela Ice Cream , are great for a nice time together. 

GUYS. Remember courting her and luring her in to your love, she fell for it.  Why did she fall for it? Cause she liked that romantic stuff.  She's not as provocative and sensual perhaps these days, so make sure she has  what she needs so that she doesn't feel insecure about herself and you're more likely to have a funner date ( i.e. mani pedi, waxing, hair salon visit, and whatever beauty grooming she needs). 

Women often begin to put themselves on the back burner and put their family first, and what happens is she doesn't do the things that inspired her  to be the woman you fell in love with. She's not treated like the chick you wanted to get anymore, you gotta help her help you.  Make sure her intimates are updated and hire a housekeeper to finish the work so your wifey can go spend time on herself.  Your date (uh life) will be better I can guarantee ya. 

Lets give it a try, shall we?  xoxoxo

LESS CAN BE SO MUCH MORE

kevin warn photography

Less is More often.  Less can be so much more, and sometimes, 'more' is much better.  Take it from this pro, “simplifying” your wedding may be the best thing you do in the months leading up to the aisle. 

This doesn’t mean to eliminate any of your dream ideas heck, I love making your ideas blossom into a real actual sentiment and experience! It simply means to downsize in certain areas so that you can actually achieve the blissful wedding of your dreams.

Less can be so much more tip #1

Cut down your guest list.  Make the large list first, then the two of you must blend both of your lists. Try to analyze the list. Make sure the people you are inviting are listed because they support you, love you, and lift you up in some way.  Factor in a set of guests that your parents may want to include.  Many people you don’t currently associate with directly have been part of your lives since your were a child. Honor that wish, they may have been spiritual, financial, and emotional supporters of you and your folks and you just don’t remember or were not made aware.  This can also avoid unwanted tension with your parents and give you some leeway on a different issue that may arise later down the line in terms of “granting wishes”. 

Be fair, if you don’t feel that your fiancé should invite their extended family like 2nd cousins, distant cousins, then make sure you too make that type of cut to your list.  As always, those who you actually have EXISTING close friendships with don’t apply.  Co workers- touchy but can be most easily averted by only including your friends. If you are only 9-5 friends, then they may have to be cut, sorry. 

My favorite weddings were those that had about 80 guests. An intimate affair is so romantic.  It wasn’t my favorite solely because the guest list was so manageable, but the main reason I loved them is that the Bride and Groom invited those closest to them.  They were able to touch and see everyone who shared their special day. The couple could participate more efficiently in dining with their guests and they were more relaxed.  They were also able to….. wait for it…spend more money on a nice meal!!! Often, the couple comes in with an idea of their desired menu, but they have to go with the basic package because once you start multiplying the cost per person, that idea of a gourmet feast gets squashed.  It’s just a reality.  For most of us, a budget is not endless, so making smart choices on where you spend money is crucial.  Did you really want open bar? Cutting that list can determine if you can have it or not.

photography credits Kevin Warn Smith, Vernon T Williams

 Less can be so much more tip #2

A solid referred wedding planner is so valuable.  Talk about simplifying! Considering the array of big purchases willing to be made, this should be a no brainer.  Most Awesome Talented Planners pay for themselves with the money they’ve saved you by being your advocate!  You can save money, or more efficiently utilize your products and services and avoid unwanted stress and strain.  Try to find someone in the beginning.  Once you have an idea of when you plan to marry, start interviewing Planners and work on the guest list at the same time so that you can give your planner a capacity request for your venue.

Less can be so much more tip #3

jasonkoenigphoto.com

Bridal Party Selection.  I’ve seen both sides of this coin;the best and the worst.  The best are the true blue who love you. They will call you to check in during planning, go with you to help with anything you have to pick up, pick out etc, run errands for you, and have your back.  They won’t encourage you to defy your fiance’s wishes, and they won’t  complain (even if they have a right to).  They’ll be there do whatever needs to be done to keep you happy.  And on the worst side of bridal parties,  some friends and family are too caught up into themselves to be there for you. You know how they are, and just because its your wedding doesn’t mean unresolved issues will be set aside. While we hope and pray people are on their best behavior, adults are free to drive you crazy even if they “didn’t mean to”.   Choose wisely. Please try to keep your party to 6 or less on each side. However, 3ea. is a magical bridal party number.  Less can be so much more. 

Tip #4

Venue/Décor - If you have a generous budget, then you can have your wedding almost anywhere. If you have a set cap, try to go with having less to transform.  Your venue should be pretty nice without décor.  If you select a venue that has charm and character that fits into your “theme” and design wishes, it will require less transformation.  The benefit of this is to allow your design team to enhance and create a beautiful wedding space.  You were smart enough to hire a planner, and they are very interested in your wedding looking amazing.  

Tip #5

The less amount of people who know all the details of your planning, the better. Lots of us want to give you our opinions and advice, but due to the frailty of your wedding, its best to keep a tight lid on things. Choose your confidants and make sure they can keep their lips tight as well.  Make sure that when you do want to bounce ideas or vent, it is with a trusted source who has value to add.

Less will be written in the next blog, I had to give so much more to you for this one.

Be lovely!