LE CHOIX DE BEAUTY FILE by Lisi
It’s here and it’s good, a new Le Choix Trois! This week the lovely Lisi of The Beauty File opens up her wardrobe and picks her three favourite pieces. I just love how the group of ‘Le Choix Belles’ is growing and how willing everybody is to introduce me to great new bloggers. Kellina of ‘I Want to be a Roitfeld’ told me about Lisi and her impeccable taste and since then, I’m hooked to The Beauty File. (BTW if you have the time do check out ‘I want to be a Battaglia’ too, to which I’m contributing! AND if you know of some fab blogger that should be a Le Choix Belle, contact me!).
Lisi was so inspired by other blogs that she decided to create her own in March 2009. She started The Beauty File with the intention of reviewing beauty products, but browsing the fashiony blogs and magazine websites made her realize her true passion lies in the fashion world. She has always been drawn to trends and she loves knowing what’s on the runway, what’s in the stores and what the “fashion set” is wearing. She loves trend spotting, critiquing looks, collecting beautiful images and sharing them with others. So blogging was a natural fit. She doesn’t post any of her personal looks, she rather compiles heaps of inspiration pictures for her posts, which includes: street style, editorials, red carpet looks and photography. Her aim is to bring the most current trends with her own personal spin to her readers.
Lisi is not only busy on the Internet. Next to being a wife, she is the proud mum of an 8 month old son and a 6-year-old Spaniel/Pomeranian mix dog. And since that isn’t hectic enough she’s also a part time graduate student in Speech & Language Pathology. One day she hopes to have her own practice and work with Early Language in very young children.
When it comes to fashion Lisi calls Audrey Hepburn and her grandmother her true style icons. No matter what, her grandma always looked like she was ready to be interviewed on “Charlie Rose” or meet the first lady. Her style was impeccable, her accessories were legendary and Lisi keeps her close to her heart everyday. The Beauty File blogger describes her personal style as classic preppie/whimsical boho and counts tight black pants, long tops and flats as her wardrobe staples.
And now you know (almost) everything about Lisi (the camera shy beauty, even agreed on sharing a portrait!) you are probably very curious to see her favourite three pieces!
Here’s Le Choix de Beauty File by Lisi
1. Lace & chiffon top by Nanette Lepore
This top makes me feel so glamorous and dressed up with minimal effort. I think it’s the lace. It’s something I bought a few years ago at the big Saks sale around the holidays {I’m one of those people who shops on Black Friday} and I just adore it. It’s a go to for an elegant evening out or just a small dinner with friends. I like to wear it with black pants {I’m a New Yorker, it’s the uniform} and then some really pretty, gold jewelry, but never a necklace because the lace up top is the scene-stealer. Easy, classy and timeless.
2. Black leather “Large Downtown” bag by Yves Saint Laurent.
This is my absolute favorite bag. It’s so classic and TREMENDOUS, I bring it with me on meetings, lunches and shopping. I love that I can fit everything in it, the inside is a soft suede and it’s just made so well. It also still smells brand new almost three years later. I’m the kind of person who would rather save {for years} for one amazing piece than blow all my money on cheaper things that will go out of style. I’m totally “quality over quantity” for better or worse…
3. Vintage Tiffany Gold Bangle- my grandma’s
I adored this bangle on my grandma, she used to wear it daily. It’s not too chunky, but not too small and I feel so lucky to be able to wear it now. I love the old fashioned clasp and the way “Tiffany & Co” is delicately inscribed on the hook. It was a gift from my grandfather and I wear it with almost anything. Layered or alone, it’s a piece I absolutely adore and think of her every time I see it.
twitter @thebeautyfile
LE CHOIX de Sarah of STYLE ON THE COACH
Bonjour mes cheries!!! Yes I’ve been neglecting you and therefore I bring you a tres tres chic Le Choix. This week the gorgeous Sarah behind Style on the Couch makes the hardest choice in fashion life. We thought it would be very interesting to see what this psychologist by day, blogger by night and stylista all day long, would pick from her enviable wardrobe, if she could only save three items.
Style on the Couch exists since the beginning of this year. Sarah made a New Year resolution to start something new. It had to be something she could be passionate about and help her develop her interests. Since she also just bought a new camera (Canon EOS) and she loves clothes, blogging seemed to be a great option. Meeting Yvan Rodic of the Fachunter has been one of her highlights so far. He caught her on camera for the Lacoste shoot and she managed to interview him in between takes
Att the end of this year Sarah moves from London to NYC (jealous, we? Mais non!), bringing her blog to the other side of the ocean. She promises to write about the move to a new country, settling in and finding her way around (which ofcourse will include shopping and fashion!). Sarah describes her style as Modern Femininity, which she immediately states as weird. Clothes and fashion are external things and her idea of femininity relates to a women’s internal relationship with herself. Basically, she wears clothes, she feels comfortable in and the clothes she wears are the embodiment of her! That made you think, non?
So? Are you ready to see what’s on the inside of the closet of Style on the Couch’s Sarah?
Here’s LE CHOIX de Sarah of STYLE ON THE COUCH
1. Black power dress by Preen
I had seen this dress on countless celebrities which should make it a ‘fashion faux pas’ but I knew it was the perfect style for me. I saved and saved for this dress for ages, making a mad dash to Liberty department store in London during their sale to buy it! Even in the sale it was still one of the most expensive items of clothing I have ever bought but I am in love with the dress. I got amazing service from Liberty as well, they made some minor alterations to fit the dress to my shape. I find it very flattering and I’ve worn it anywhere and everywhere.
This gorgeous headpiece gives many of my outfits a vintage feel. It was an interesting purchase - I was looking for an accessory for a beautiful flowing vintage style dress and I initially wanted a necklace (I think I am so hopeless at accessories, I do not even have my ears pierced!) until the shop assistant suggested I try something in my hair and it just worked perfectly. The headpiece was handmade to order which made it such an indulgent purchase. I feel fabulous wearing it both with my hair up and my hair down. The sparkles make me smile. I would have to rescue this before my wardrobe disappeared….
3. Belt from Reiss
I adore belts. I don’t have a curvy figure so I tend to wear flared, full-skirted dresses cinched in at the waist with a belt to give me a feminine shape. I browse Ebay continually, but I stick with the second hand items from brands I know well and that fit me. I stumbled upon the belt by chance but I am very pleased I did ;). It is from Reiss, but its colours are reminiscent of Chanel. I love the style, the three bands in one. A current favourite of mine!NO SHOPPING
Need some inspiration? Check out Marisa’s blog a New Dress a Day. Marisa decided to cut her fashion budget to $1 a day for one whole year. To make things a little easier, she will also wear a new outfit every day! How she manages? She’s hunting down dresses at flea markets and thrift stores and remakes them into fun outfits. Sometimes you really wonder how she can make a decent outfit outfit from that dress, but Marisa always seems to pull it off. Wish I was this good with a sewing kit!
LE CHOIX de MAYA
Remember I told you I’d make up for the lack of Le Choix during my holiday? Well today I bring you Le Choix de Maya Villiger of Turned Out!
Maya has just been named one of the most influential street style bloggers by Fashionista.com, next to The Sartorialist, Garance Dore and Jak & Jil. You could have read about her blog on Le Choix Trois earlier since I fell in love with her mesmerizing pictures and her fabulous collages.
Maya describes her blog as ‘a little website that aims to inspire with daily posts of street style photographs and profiles on interesting people with great personal style in some of our favourite cities, including Sydney, Paris, New York, Auckland and Berlin.’
Her personal style is as attractive as her pictures and moodboards. Maya: ‘I like kind of boyish clothes and colours. I wear lots of grey, khaki and blue, button-down shirts, jeans and blazers. I love to mix oversized pieces with body-conscious jeans, cropped trousers and shorts. I adore heels but mostly wear flats (she owns quite a few Lanvins!). Comfort always wins me over in the morning.’
So are you ready to see what Maya has picked?
1. Sofia Bag by Louis Vuitton
I remember so clearly the day I first laid eyes on the Sofia for Vuitton bag collection. I was living in LA and I made a special trip in my station wagon to the store in Beverly Hills. I saw this suede beauty and my mind was made up - it was my PERFECT bag, the shape, the size, the way you could carry it neatly with two handles or totally carefree slung over one shoulder. I held it for a long time that day - I made the mistake of asking the price - I knew it was a pipe dream but hearing those numbers confirmed it. I put it firmly back on the counter. I’d like to say that was it, that I forgot all about it - but no. I visited it and visited it again - just to make sure there was still one available, just to keep my dream alive ;) I talked about it and talked about it some more, I had a picture pinned to my wall, I said things like ‘if I had that bag I’d never need another’ - and, well, my husband, I guess he listened. Cos I came home three Fridays ago and there, nearly as big as my living room, was a LV shopping bag sitting on our chair.
The picture shows my bag at the beach. It’s already been to NZ and back - I LOVE it (and man, Derek, I LOVE you).
2. Balenciaga Perfecto
My perfecto by Balenciaga is the perfect shape. It’s feminine but tough, slim fitting so I can wear it under winter coats and I’ve NEVER felt leather so soft :)
3. Prada Pea CoatMy Prada Pea coat is so fun and carefree, it makes me feel young when I wear it. I think it’s the way it’s pleated at the back. This coat just makes me happy when I wear it.
These three items are all very dear to me, ‘cause they were all gifts. They remind me of lovely people and lovely moments plus they are all kinda beautiful.
EVERYTHING YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT BLOGS
Journalist Kirstin Hanssen teamed up with graphic designer Felicia Nitzsche and co-writer Elina Tozzi, to capture the essence of blogging in a book. The book is called ‘Fashion Blogs’ and is published by d’Jonge Hond (say what?). They made quite a cool overview of all sorts of fashion blogs. From street to personal style and fashion journalism to men’s wear. It is really a great read and an inspiration for all bloggers (I found some great new blogs).
Too bad I’ve started Le Choix Trois after the book came out, I would have loved to be featured in it! BUT Kirstin liked this blog a great deal (merci merci) and agreed to be my next Le Choix!!! Watch this space to see what the girl who knows everything about fashion blogs wants to keep forever.
UNDER THE INFLUENCE
Fashionista.com made a list of the ten most influential street style bloggers in their opinion. From the great eye of Bill Cunningham to the seducing pictures of Tommy Ton it is an interesting list. I didn’t hear of Maya Villiger before, but boy I really really liked her blog. It’s a combination of gorgeous portraits and intriguing collages. I just picked one of each to convince you to visit her blog, Turned Out by Maya, and see for yourself.
