Lip Service: 21.01.11

"I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life’s a bitch. You’ve got to go out and kick ass."

-Maya Angelou

Quite frankly that statement works literally and figuratively. Exhibit A: Janelle Monae's contrasting-lapel jacket in black on stark white, or the Stella McCartney version with black on ivory. Janelle Monae has possibly taken the fifties menswear thing to an unparalleled level of chic, and I'm looking forward to the day when she replaces Blake Lively as the face of Chanel (hint hint Mr. Lagerfeld). This Maya Angelou quote is the perfect sort of lip service, the kind you keep in the front of a notebook and have it printed, framed and hung on a wall. I plan full well to take this year by storm and grab the world by the now proverbial 'lapels'.

Red Carpet: Golden Globes Jewels

Jewel tones were hot on the red carpet last night and at least one of my faves was a surprise. I usually hate what January Jones wears, partially because I can't really differentiate between my dislike of Betty Draper and the actual woman behind the character. Nevertheless, I have to hand it to January Jones, that red Versace fringe gown was out of this world stunning, proving that her Grace Jones-esque looks work best when she's glammed up circa 50s and 60s style. I gravitate to the color green, and Mila Kunis and Catherine Zeta Jones look positively stunning. The emerald hue of Mila 'Sweet Lips' (according to Natalie Portman) Kunis' ruched Vera Wang dress couldn't have been more flattering, I kept hoping to catch another glimpse of it during the camera scans throughout the entire show. Catherine Zeta Jones's beauty would radiate in a paper bag, but this Monique Lhuillier ball gown has heightened her goddess like divinity. Surprisingly, accessories were at a lull for the evening, letting the pops of color really set in on the red carpet.

Red Carpet: Golden Globes Sparkle

Red carpet style kicked off with a little glitz and glamour from the likes of Olivia Wilde, Jennifer Lopez and Jennifer Love Hewitt. I'm obsessed with glitter and shine so spotting these three gowns on the red carpet was a delight to my eyes. Olivia Wilde's full Marchesa ball gown is absolutely gorgeous, paired, the dress alone makes the perfect statement. For all I know she was wearing flip-flops under the gown, but her sleek cut and basic bangs made the look a perfect statement. I'm in love with Romona Keveza. as a matter of fact the Spring/Summer 2011 collection made me cry at Toronto Fashion Week. As for Jennifer Love Hewitt, her updo and dress looked stunning in the understated blue gown and it's sparkly crystal belt. She could have added a veil and taken that dress straight from the red carpet to a chapel for her wedding, which may or may not be a good thing. Nobody does the red carpet like Jennifer Lopez and this white Zuhair Murad gown with the crystal embellished sheer shawl is breathtaking and the slit makes it ultra sexy.

Kristen Stewart's Vogue Cover

I'm increasingly annoyed with Vogue. It's not that I don't admire Anna Wintour for all of her strides in the publishing industry, and her undeniable reinvention of the fashion magazine. It's also in spite of the fact that Grace Coddington has the uncanny ability to make every Vogue piece she constructs look like a dream I'd like to live in. I find myself saying - 'this magazine just doesn't get me,' for that matter neither does Elle. Between the latest Kristen Stewart February Cover, and Anna Wintour's obsession with Blake Lively, I'm more than a little turned off of Vogue. I think if my subscription ran out and I forgot to renew it, it wouldn't even register to me until someone I actually think is cool was on the cover or the September Issue came out (my guess is as good as yours which would come first). I'd be much more content to sit around reading Lucky and Nylon but these aren't considered the pinnacle of my chosen profession, then again I'm inclined to think that those people deciding what the 'pinnacle' is are a little out of touch.

More to the point of this Kristen Stewart cover, maybe it's because I'm not a huge Twilight fan, or maybe it has something to do with her unsightly lack of confidence. Shyness can be endearing, but I'm more endeared with a bee fluttering about, tempted to sting me. I have to hand it to her stylist, or maybe she was just 'Vogued' like Blake Lively, because I'm still holding a grudge against her for ruining the look of my favorite piece from Yigal Azourel's Fall 2009 collection. I understand if Vogue is trying to reach out to a younger, albeit slightly immature audience (yes I'm calling all of you Twilight heads out), but I'm still waiting to see more faces of color that aren't Halle Berry on the cover of Vogue, even Rihanna is too overdone for me. Speaking of Vogue, I have yet to receive my February Copy, which is actually annoying me because I don't subscribe for kicks.

Vintage Splendor: Accessories

I'm sure everyone loves to show off the Chanel logo on their quilted purses, but I find the most fantastic ones don't bother with all the label whoring. This Chanel purse is understated elegance at it's best, the perfect evening bag. Brooches are underrated, and I'm not sure I understand why. My grandmother understood the importance of a good broach, they look great and this one adds a little pop of color to even the most contemporary outfit. Frye boots are legendary because they're timeless and built to last, these are a wardrobe staple for any serious vintage lover. I'm obsessed with hats and it's not because I even wear them, it's just because I love to look at them and take pictures in them. Cloches are my absolute favorite, I amp up my curls, add some red lipstick and put on the most seductive pout I can muster, this blueish-purple cloche is handmade and tailored to perfection. Maybe I'm just an accessory and clothes horse but I literally hoard belts, my aunt has this mother of pearl seashell belt that I covet deeply and this belt vaguely reminds me of it, except it's somehow more my style.

The Fantastic Four: Scarves

It's not that scarves are the most practical accessory, but they're just so darn pretty. I'll wear a scarf around my neck, tied to my purse, and wrapped around my head all because these cuts of fabric look so beautiful. I'll sit down on the floor of a vintage store and rummage through the buckets of scarves to uncover these buried treasures and I don't think I'll ever stop.

From Top Left to Bottom Right:

(1) Foulard - 'Seventy' Scarf; $140.00, Yoox.com. Tons of color make this the perfect seventies chic scarf for a head-tie. (2) Matthew Williamson - 'Batik-print wool-blend' Scarf; $495.00, Net-a-Porter.com. Forget about the weather, I'll wear this in the winter or the summer because it's my favorite thing: colorful. (3) Philippe Roucou - 'Polaroid' Scarf; $349.00, Farfetch.com. I'm in love with this designers take on the scarf, they're like enlarged polaroid prints that I get to admire, tie, and carry. (4) Square Lust - 'Dancing Birds Silk Scarf'; $250.00, Boticca.com. I don't know if I'm just in a Black Swan state of mind or what but this scarf's illustration of bent legs and arms speaks to the dark side of the revered ballerina.