Paris Fashion Week: Day 3

Cocaine Princess here.

Today was a big day day in the fashion world as 29 year old Alexander Wang presented his debut collection for Balenciaga. The show was held in a salon on the Avenue George V. 

The collection showcased an impressive array of structural, streamlined silhouettes using a strict black and white color palette. Among those in the crowd was Anna Wintour who stated: "I'm very proud. I thought it was a very smart way to start, by not giving us too many fireworks." 

The white runway floor was fissured with black as though fractured by an earthquake. Skirts had a longer and narrow line.

Lean narrow pants with a stiff bolero jacket.

Th

  

Dresses constructed with an open back.

The open back theme continued with a structured boat style top paired with narrow pants.

 

Marble effect print, long lean skirt with a matching sweater.

Marble effect.

Tomorrow is another huge day, Raf Simmons from Dior presents his collection. I can't wait!!

XOXOXOXO,

Cocaine Princess

Paris Fashion Week: Day 2

Cocaine Princess here.

H&M held its first fashion show in eight years today during Paris Fashion Week. H&M made headlines when Academy Award Nominee Helen Hunt wore one of their dresses on the red carpet this past Sunday.

The show took place on the grounds of the Musée Rodin. The invitation:

Guests entering the show Wednesday night walked along a candle-lit pathway to an enormous tent that had been decorated like a fantasy apartment, with more than 15 small rooms where editors were seated on couches, beds, marble slabs and at gilded wicker seats around a dining table. Each room was decorated in a different style, including a Moroccan lounge, an Art Deco sitting room, a marble bathroom and a kids’ bedroom with an outer space motif. Rumors swirled that between 1 million euros to 4 million euros were spent on the spectacular decorations. 

The collection was under the head designer Ann-Sofie Johansson, was largely black and white.

Over~sized pea coats and ponchos worn with chauffeur style hats and thigh high boots.

Other pieces included evening wear looks:

I love this peach tunic worn by model August Muse.

Items will be available in H&M stores starting September 5th 2013.

Tomorrow Paris Fashion Week 3.

XOXOXOXO,
Cocaine Princess

Paris Fashion Week: Day 1

Cocaine Princess here.

Belgian designer Anthony Vaccarello presented his collection today at the opulent Hotel Salomon de Rothschild. 

If the name Anthony Vaccarello sounds familiar it's because Jennifer Lopez wore one of his dresses at this years' Grammy's. A dress that is from Anthony's Spring~Summer 2013~14 collection. The collection was called "sensual with a touch of class."

(model Anja Rubik on the right)

Mr. Vaccarello paid homage to 80s by using lots of black and white.

Micro mini~skirts and leather:

Leather mini skirt with an asymmetrical hem paired with a cowl sweater.

Black and white detailed with metal grommets.

 Slim pants with with a shimming black short jacket.

Chainmail with lots of skin showing.

Finale with Anthony Vaccarella.

Tomorrow Day 2 of Paris Fashion Week.

XOXOXOXO,
Cocaine Princess

Milan Fashion Week: Day 4 & 5

Cocaine Princess here.

I just realized this is post #501. For my 500th post click here.

Day 4
Dolce and Gabbana killed it yesterday with their amazing collection for A/W 2013~14 during Milan Fashion Week. My breath was literally taken away. This collection is very Brit," Stefano Gabbana said before the show began, leading me through a labyrinth of backlit mirrors where scores of models were being made up to look like Sophia Loren in her heyday, towards rails of lush tweeds and delicate lace. D&G drew inspiration from the Byzantine empire, beauties in bejeweled crowns and gold and turquoise mosaics."

The show opened with a series of dresses in mosaic patterned silk, dripping with encrusted jewels and at times depicting an iconic image of a saint. 

Accessories included the models wearing a gilded crown, necklaces featuring a large Byzantine cross and heavy pendant earring.

Next followed a series of black silk dresses with lace.

  
Tweed pieces with fitted jackets and flared skirts. Hair pulled back in the style of Princess Grace.

 My fave pieces:

 The finale featured a series of  Byzantine beauties in ruby.

Day 5

Today was the final day of Milan Fashion Week A/W 2013~14. Giorgio Amani presented his collection. Armani called it ‘Garconne’ and reinterpreted his long-held fascination with masculine cuts for women – the idea being that pieces could be mixed according to attitude and mood.

Wispy overcoats worn over dresses

The collection featured double breasted jackets worn over flared pants.

Structural dresses.

Taking inspiration from his mens'  wear line

Tomorrow, Paris Fashion Week begins.

XOXOXOXO,
Cocaine Princess

One Of The City's Best Burgers?

Cocaine Princess here.

****My 500th post!!****

This past Monday was known as Family Day. A day originally created to give people time to spend with their families but it also provides a day off between New Years Day and Good Friday as they are approximately three months apart. So what better way to spend this day than heading to the mall, right? 

Inside the shopping mall was like a sea of humanity. Have you ever seen news footage of Black Friday madness? This was similar minus the pushing, shoving and getting pepper sprayed while fighting for the last waffle maker at Target on sale for $3 bucks. I guess most everyone had the same idea to spend some good old fashioned family time at the mall, then again given how long it took to find a parking spot I should have known how packed it would have been. Sister decided to come along. Hmm, perhaps decided isn't exactly the correct word. It was more like I forced her to join me. Sister wanted to stay home so she could unwind and relax. I reminded her she already did that yesterday {Lazy Sunday}. She replied back, "Weekends don't count. It's not often I get a day off. Let me enjoy it by spending the day at home." Long story short I wore her down to where she had no choice but to say yes. After she got changed I examined what she was wearing and even though sister wasn't as dolled up like I usually am I really liked what she had on....except for the handbag she was carrying. It didn't go well with her outfit. I had this conversation once before where I said her handbag should always match her outfit. Whenever I see a woman wearing accessories that clash with the outfit she's got on I get that nails on a chalkboard type feeling. Believe me if I could explain it I would. Being the fashion conscious person I am, very gently I explained her outfit would look a lot better if she carried a certain other handbag. This was her reply:

SISTER: Do you want me to come with you or not?

ME: Of course I do. It's Family Day. I don't want to spend it alone.

SISTER: Okay then, let's go.

ME: You're not going to change your bag?

SISTER: No.

ME: I only say this out of concern from my heart but it throws your whole outfit off.

SISTER: It doesn’t bother me.

ME: But it bothers me.

SISTER: I know, you've made that quite clear to me darling.

ME: So even though you know it bothers me you’re not going to change it?!

SISTER: That’s right.

ME: Don’t you love me?

SISTER: What does that have to do with anything?

ME: It has everything to do with it. If you love me you’ll carry another bag, preferably one that matches.

Sister shook her head and muttered some things under her breath. We went back and forth for several more minutes. I’m happy to say I was able to wear her down once more to where she had no choice but to change the handbag she was carrying to my liking which then prompted me to do a little victory dance.

An hour or so later after we arrived at the mall we were drawn to the heavenly aroma of a BBQ. The aroma led us to a new restaurant that had opened up, "South Street Burger Co." Sister suggested we check out the place.

SISTER: One of the city's best burgers. The place has been given a positive review.

ME: Oh please. You think I’m going to take their word?

I decided that if anyone was going to determine whether or not they have one of the best burgers in the city it would be none other than me and not because a food critic from a magazine said so.  

The first thing I noticed was the decor. I think they were going for an upscale cafeteria look.

To one side on the wall were various pictures with slogans.

I wouldn't call South Street Burger Co. fast food. It's not like going into McDonalds where in under 5 minutes you're served your fries and burger and off you go. Yes, it's true and as shocked as you might be I've eaten inside McDonalds. Their McBites happen to be my favorite menu item. This isn't an "eat and run" kind of place. It took a good 15 minutes for our food to be served."

 Hard working employee grilling our burgers.

 During those 15 minutes I snapped two random pictures.

1. Cleanliness is always important!

2. Customers waiting in line.

A variety of toppings you wouldn't normally find in a typical fast-food restaurant were offered here including 5 different types of cheese, 10 different sauces, 4 different types of mustard, 2 kinds of ketchup, 4 relishes and 3 different mayos. I selected guacamole, lettuce and hot pepper rings while sister ordered hot pepper relish and lettuce for her burger toppings.

Behold, our meal. (Hey, there's sister's arm in the picture!)

New York Fries are served since South Street is owned by them. If you've ever ate their fries then you know how good they are. Sister added onion rings with her combo. I felt the need (for research purposes only) to taste a ring or two.....okay 3. What I liked about their onion rings: the crispy batter and the use of red onions with a hint of rosemary. The rings were neither greasy or slimy. I hate when the moment you bite into an onion ring and the batter crumbles off leaving you with just a slimy onion. Ick.

The hamburger was juicy and full of that flame grill flavor but I didn't particularly like the taste of the bun.

Total cost for 2 burger combos: $23.05. 

****

My loyal and dear readers, it's finally Friday and it's "National Margarita Day."

Salud!

Whatever your plans are have a fabulous last weekend of February. ~x

XOXOXOXO,

Cocaine Princess