All That Glitters...

It's Golden Zipper at the Golden Globes!  Well we aren't exactly there per se but we are loving watching the red carpet.  Being sans cable we are having to stick to NBC, which is just not the same and quite frankly we are rather disappointed at Alexa Chung's top picks.  Personally, we miss the old school Joan Rivers days, where Joan was capable of facial movement and always maintained a fabulous since of inappropriateness....but for now, twitter and NBC are our only outlets.  This is a night for beauty and perfection.  I love nothing more than to curl up on my couch with a glass of vino and observe and lust over the fabulous gowns that grace the GG Red Carpet.  The bads were bad (cough cough Michelle Williams) but the fabs hit it out of the ballpark with show-stopping masterpieces.  Here are a few of our favorites of the night...

Olivia Wilde in Marchesa

Anne Hathaway in Armani Prive'

Emma Stone in Calvin Klein

Angelina Jolie in Versace

Tell Me About It Stud

So the beautiful creation of the 3.1 Phillip Lim Edie bag is not necessarily today's newest news.... but when something is stuck in your head...you have to take the necessary steps to free up some of that brain space.  Now I am not at all a "bow" person.  The Gossip Girl bow craze just about did me in. But the gold studded, black leather, drooping bow adorning Edie is in a category all by itself.  Its perfectly placed studs give it just the right amount of edgy hardness that is right on track with today's hottest looks.  The smaller sleek size allows us to maintain our goal of keeping a cleaner and more organized handbag.  The long strap allows us to be handsfree which has become crucial since the move to the big city. It is everything we ask of a purse, wrapped up into one.  Stunning.

Today I walked the streets of Manhattan, taking a peek in various boutiques to check out the fantastic sale racks, but lamely went home with only a pair of $10 sale Splendid gauze shorts that will undoubtedly never be seen outside of my apartment's four walls.  Just as I felt the overwhelming feeling of shopper's defeat, I hear the chiming of my phone only to see a text from my dear friend K...

"Guess who's at B?! A!  She just bought Edie & thinks you should have one too!"

Men are right.  Women are evil.  This text was completed with Edie's recently slashed price that gave me that second shopper's wind of which only those dedicated shopping individuals can relate.  The next text, "Hurry" made my heart skip a beat.  I could feel my hand slowly moving to the credit card that I have dubbed only in case of emergencies.  I paused.  I caught my breath and decided I needed the walk home to think this one through.  The slashed price was beyond a steal, but I still wasn't sure I could pull it off.  

A browsing trip at Urban Outfitters later, I found myself still thinking about the beautifully crafted Edie bag, but had contained the urges to swipe the plastic.  At least I thought.  I return home only to open an email of the photo below with the tagline "I'm with Edie."

Since then, I have been unable to close the attachment of the dustbag covered gift that needs to make its way to my tiny NYC apartment and hop onto my shoulder.  I was informed that if divorce ensued over this purchase, K and A would gladly become my roommates... I hope they understood that this meant paying half my rent...but they also informed that it would all be ok because "I would still have Edie."  The torturous texts ended there and I have been compiling plans as to how I could pull this off ever since...covert plans to hide Edie and more importantly its price tag from my husband and what I could cut out for the next couple months in order to afford its still rather hefty price tag were a few of the thoughts running through my love stricken head.  I can't seem to remove the image.  It must be mine.  it has to happen.... the thoughts won't seem to disappear.  As a last ditch effort, I write this post.  Perhaps this is just the right amount of added fuel to the fire for my sweet other half to pick up the phone and have this baby on the next UPS flight out...The jury is still out.

Coffee with Mr. Elbaz

While stumbling through endless new collection photos, one's attention is bound to be heightened with the first click on Lanvin's pre-fall.  Not only are the clothes effortlessly chic, beautifully styled, and completely lust-worthy, but the lookbook shots are complete with exotic and some rather ferocious creatures....giving the feminine masterpieces just the right amount of edge and excitement.   When asked about his collection, Elbaz stated, "It's not about Marilyn Monroe moving to India and having an acid trip.  It's about real women's needs and desires."  Not surprising that Mr. Elbaz more than met our expectations with the a stunning combination of muted hues, perfectly draped silks, fur detailing, and just a touch of sparkle.  Even his more tailored pieces are a breath of fresh air; most not complete without the addition of a little expertly-placed added volume to keep it updated.  He elaborates on the trend of wearing evening for day, "why save the best dishes for the guests?"  And if that means wearing Lanvin to meet your friend for a cup of coffee when you hit the 3 o'clock wall, we're game.

Photos Lavin Pre-Fall Collection

LADY IN LEATHER

Balmain's fall/winter campaign starring Kate Moss was bound to be beautiful.  The stunning model's thin body draped across a black leather couch, mimicking the luxurious fabric plastered to her thighs was enough to make every girl lust for a pair.  The metallic accents of the sequin top and fitted blazer brought out Kate's personal golden highlights.  The end result, perfection.

Now Balmain has taken it one step further with the release of a short video from the photo shoot, complete with a touch of animation. This film shows us Kate in her element, slithering around the couch trying a variety of positions until the perfect shot was captured.  You can't help but be intrigued and lured by the seduction.  Just when you thought you were ready for spring, this video keeps you hyped on the ultra-chic fashions of fall/winter, Balmain's ultimate goal.  A beautiful masterpiece.  

BRING IT ON....

So, I apologize for about a month long hiatus but with holiday visitors, Christmas shopping, and celebrating the New Year, I have had little to no time to blog. It may take me a few to get back into the swing of things but here is my first post of 2011!

So let's recap... last year was full of so much. For starters, I got married...in Florence, Italy... greatest day of my life. Then my husband (just now getting used to that word) and I finally relocated to NYC which we had been planning to do for years. And, I started really getting going with Golden Zipper and promoting my blog. It started slow, but now we have 309 Facebook friends and still growing (hint hint spread the word). So overall, 2010 was pretty damn fantastic. It is hard to imagine 2011 being even better, but I am ready to make it happen!

I have never been much for "resolutions" as I feel that they set you up for failure. So while I plan to work out more, eat more healthy, and all of the typicals... I have other kinds of "resolutions" for lack of a better term. For one, this year I plan to shop more. Over the past year, I have grown this obnoxious since of guilt when I want to buy something for myself. It doesn't even matter if it is "free." I even have giftcards that are burning holes in my pockets. It is a terrible trait that I have somehow inherited and it needs to be squashed. So this year, I plan to shop more and more importantly, make substantial purchases. This year I plan to make a few purchases that have been long standing on my list of "To Buys." This year, I will undoubtedly own my first pair of the luscious red-soled Louboutins. It is a M-U-S-T. I will also purchase two nice handbags in 2011. I have been spoiled by a dear friend who has given me two amazing clutches and a fabulous white handbag... and while I won't complain if this trend continues (cough cough), I will actually purchase at least two nice purses on my own. And NOT feel guilty about it. Like my dear friend Angela once said, "It's just money. They'll print more of it." Seriously, if I work hard for it, I can spoil myself a little with a few things that I really really want. I deserve it.

Second, I am going to break out of my uniform of skinny jeans, Nation, Kain, or T by Alexander Wang tees and cute jackets. While I love this look, I am going to rock it a little less often... and spice things up a bit. I will buy more dresses and blouses. I will not buy things that I already have ten similar pieces hanging in my closet. More statement pieces and less completely casual everyday pieces. I will MAKE the statement pieces my EVERYDAY pieces.

Lastly, I will take better care of my vintage. I will replace the lining (or have the lining replaced) in my rabbit hair jacket, keeping of course the original monogram and perhaps adding my own as well. I will have the watchband on my Cartier replaced. I will keep the original but will have a band that hasn't passed its "Velveteen Rabbit" stage. I will also use my vintage clutches more and not simply store them away for a special occasion. They deserve some fresh air.

So there is the Golden Zipper's off the beaten path list of New Year's Resolutions. While some would say that these resolutions won't make me a better person, I disagree. When you are able to present yourself in a manner which makes you proud, you have the confidence to take on the world! So bring it on 2011!

JUST THANK KATE

I know I know, you are probably as shocked as I am that moi did not make Vogue's Best Dressed special edition. But what you are probably not shocked about is that none other than the ultra-fab Kate Moss was dubbed "Most Stylish Woman of the Decade." Seriously, was there ever any debate? Our only complaint is Blake Lively gracing the cover. Don't get me wrong, Blake is amazing. We totally love her, but don't you think the appropriate silhouette for the cover would be the one with Kate's new title? Just a thought. It would have flown off the shelves.

A love affair with Kate is an obsession. She's like a drug addiction (pun intended), and GZ is hooked. Alexandra Kotur, American Vogue's style director states, "No one has had more influence for the past decade on the way women have dressed than Kate Moss." Damn right. Not long Kate Moss dons an outfit that the general public finds somewhat bizarre, does it quickly become a growing trend which pops up on every celebrity body and trickles its way down to the minions of the world. Moss is constantly bringing us new styles to freshen up our wardrobe with everything from the return of the leather pant to the oxford shoe trend. The girl even started the women's fedora hat craze.

Moss is an icon: one of those legendary women that speaks volumes to the fashion crazed women of the world. We lust over her and her style. Kate is the essence of cool, consistently a woman to watch, and more than worthy of her new title as "Most Stylish Woman of the Decade."

A LITTLE CYBER ACTION

HAPPY CYBER MONDAY! I must admit that I wasn't aware that such a day existed until this year, but I have most definitely played a role in helping this holiday grow! If you are like me, it can become rather overwhelming amongst the crowds of Black Friday, and quite frankly throughout the entire weekend. It is great to hit up the deals in the smaller boutiques that aren't bombarded with the massive onslaught of over-served caffeine addicted shoppers, but for the most part, I just treat Black Friday as a day to continue basking in my food coma from the endless casseroles of the day before.

After a little too much relaxation, while the majority of the world has made a large dent in their holiday shopping, it hits me.... I have got to start my Christmas shopping! Clearly I am not alone in this sentiment, hence Cyber Monday! A day for all the slacker shoppers of the world to get going on what the rest of the world has already knocked out. And to add to our already lackluster gift purchasing, we are going to do it all online! So, here is my ode to Cyber Monday with a little list of three of my favorite online shopping spots, bound to meet your holiday shopping needs!

URBANOUTFITTERS

Free Shipping For Today Only!

Fantastic place for unique stocking stuffers, clothes for the hip, fun home decor, and an awesome selection of books!
Charlie Brown Christmas Tree, $24-

COOL MATERIAL

If you read my last post, you are already aware of this fantastic outlet for men's gifts! Such a fantastic blog linking you to cool and unique gifts perfect for each and every man in your life!
Wurkin Stiffs Cufflinks, $115-

FRED FLARE

Awesome spot for stocking stuffers, offering you 99 gifts under $9! Great stuff for nearly everyone on your list! Fun and unique items, nothing boring on this site!
Skull Ornament, $18-