Claire & Adriana's New Years Fashion Resolutions

So it's New Years Eve!!
My boo and I are flying to London to party it up. What are you doing for the big day?
Along with celebrating with loved ones, this is the time to make resolutions for the New Year. Last Year, My Resolutions for the Fashion Bomb were quite simple:

1. Take the Fashion Bomb International (Hello! Checking in from Paris!)
2. Chill on the Big Ticket Items (I did do that--and managed to find quality items at sample sales).
3. Take the Fashion Bomb to the Stratosphere! (Work in progress, though we've certainly come a long way!)

With an eye on the future, Adriana and I are going to give you our New Years Fashion Resolutions for '09. For me, they're short and sweet:
1. Dress like Carine Roitfeld of French Vogue:

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While in Paris, I've nurtured quite an admiration for French Vogue. The shoots are eye catching, breath taking and push the limits, and the editrix, Carine Roitfeld, is uberly fierce.

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While Carine may play with color on occasion, she shows more often than not that black on black is consistently chic. Mixing slim pencil skirts with jackets in innumerable combinations topped off with sky high stilettos, Carine rules French fashion and looks super stylish while doing so.

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Roitfeld definitely invests in her pieces, and in a similar vein, I'd like to invest in my wardrobe once and for all! So instead of buying 5 J.Crew blazers (yes, I've done that), I'll save my pennies for items like the following:

1. Vivenne Westwood Red Label Stretch Wool Blazer, $835. 2. Christian Louboutin Blood Mary Ankle Boots, $1,365. 3. Alexander McQueen Checked Tulip Skirt, $1,495.
Of course I'll continue to scour sample sales and the like, but this year, it's all about building that ultimate Fashion Editor wardrobe!
2. Read more Fashion Literature:
I own both the Fashion Book by Phaidon and Fairchild's Dictionary of Fashion, but haven't had the time to read 'em cover to cover until now! I'm going to study like I've got an exam, and get my fashion knowledge up to snuff.
3. Lastly, continue to expand the Fashion Bomb!

A lot has happened in the past two years: multiple redesigns, contests, tons of cool events and even merchandise! Adriana and I plan on continuing the fabulosity, and we're looking to the New Year for new contributors, fresh ideas, more updates, and scintillating Real Style. Hope you'll join us for the ride:)
That does it for me!
Adriana has a few as well:
"1. Follow the "1 In, 1 Out" Rule

My closet was so full at the beginning of this year that it took about three rounds of purging to get it down to a manageable size! I started using the "1 in, 1 out" rule as a way to really make myself think about purchases: if you add a new item to your wardrobe, you've got to take out an old piece. It makes you think a lot more before you buy, and I'm willing myself to keep doing it in the new year!
2.Finally Watch a Whole Season of "Project Runway"

It's my dirty fashion secret: I haven't been able to sit through an entire season. Not because it's not fun or interesting--I just end up forgetting about it! It's terrible. This year I resolve to not forget and make it to the bitter end so that I don't have to hide anymore when it comes up in conversation!
3. More NY Scene, Fashion Bomb 101s, and Celeb Interviews

It's been a dream of a year working on the FB, and I'm grateful to both Claire and our readers for being fabulous and inspirational, as well as encouraging me to grow as a contributor. Here's to more NYScene, helpful 101s, and celebrity interviews to stimulate and satisfy your style jones!"
What are your fashion resolutions??
xoxo,
The Fashion Bomb

New Years Fashion Resolutions

Hola Chicas!
I'm finally back in NYC!!!
I can't lie...going from 70 degrees, beautiful water, and blue skies to 40 degrees and gray is a bit of a bummer. But I'm excited to party it up for New Years in NYC!

So of course with the New Year comes New Years resolutions.

Last year, I had exactly five fashion resolutions. Let's see how I did!
My first was..
1. No more cheap shoes!

I'd had several horrid experiences with broken heels and the like. There was my black stiletto that snapped while walking down 5th Avenue; my Nine West pumps that sprung a leak by my pinky toe; and countless other tales of woe and pain.
Thankfully I invested in Cole Haan Nike Air pumps as I mentioned here...
...And the pain, broken heels, and cracks are over!
Hallelujah!
The second...
2. Chill on Chinatown!

I'd been caught in the past with a few fake items from my trip to China. Tired of the ridicule, I decided to take Kimora's advice:

Don't buy fake luxury-brand pieces--the people you're trying to impress will know right away you got that Louis Vuitton on Canal Street. Go for unexpected middle pieces from middle-tier brands (the ones other women probably won't pick)

...the words of a true fashionista! I went ahead and followed Kimora's counsel when finding a new work bag. I invested in another Cole Haan creation...
It's big, red, and fits everything!
My next resolution from last year was to get...
3. One status bag.

For some reason, I stopped lusting after the status bags. While any classic should be a part of a woman's wardrobe, I haven't had the extra funds to indulge. Perhaps I can look into this for the New Year....

4. J.Crew in moderation.

My obsession with J. Crew used to be embarrassing. All the people in there knew me or thought I worked there! I'm proud to say that I haven't purchased one cable knit sweater this year. I did indulge in this jacket...
...and a bit of cashmere....but I'm getting better (promise)!
Lastly:
5. Fashion Shows, Fashion Shows, Fashion Shows!

When I first started blogging, I was lucky if I had an invite to one show. Thanks to the Fashion Bomb I've been able to go to shows large and small from Baby Phat to BCBG. And I plan on going to even more this coming February!

So that does it for resolutions from last year. For this year, I only have a few...

1. Take The Fashion Bomb International.
I started with the Bahamas...
... but I really want to give you guys a taste of urban global fashionista flavor. I've got my sights set on Europe, Africa, and even Asia. Let's get er done!

2. Chill on the big ticket items.
As you can see above, I've made some pretty big wardrobe investments this year. At this point, I no longer need to spend a grip on wardrobe essentials; my focus should be small, inexpensive items to complement what I have. I promise, this year, I'll shop more vintage, more Forever 21, and spend less than $100 on any one item. You don't have to spend a ton to have great style. Remember Kesh??
She said "Nearly everything you see me wearing costs less than a large pizza. I dress so cheap I should be homeless!"
It can be done!

3. Lastly... Take The Fashion Bomb to the stratosphere!
This means more updates, more shows, more cool designers and great picks. Also, more reader participation. Tell me what you'd like to see more so I can give you a better experience!

Think that's all. What are your resolutions?
Smootches!

Fashion, News, and What Nots

*Looks like the Fashion Bomb will be partying with the JI Group for New Years!
...bring your flyest, cause I'll be watching (and taking pictures)! Tix are now $175, purchase by clicking here.
*Posts have been a bit sporadic with the holidays and vacation, but I promise to resume normal posting (mail bombs and all) in the New Year!

Fashion Resolutions

Phoebe: My New Year's Resolution is to pilot a commercial jet plane. Chandler: That's great Pheebs, now all you have to do is find a plane load of people whose resolution is to plummet to their deaths.
--Lisa Kudrow as Phoebe and Matthew Perry as Chandler in Friends

So it's New Years resolution time! I of course have tons of personal goals...hit the gym like a maniac, eat more grains and roughage, shift my career into first gear, become an editor at Vogue (or Elle or W or Harper's)...but priorities ladies!
First, and foremost, I must make a few New Years Fashion Resolutions.
I've whittled it down to about 5...let's get to it!

1. No more cheap shoes!

It's one thing to buy shoes on sale, it's a totally different thing to buy cheap shoes that fall apart after one season. I love me some Nine West (Lord knows I do), but I had this one pair of cute black pumps. I had to get the heels fixed like every 2 weeks or so, which I guess is fine, but the last, absolute last straw was when I got caught out in the rain with them, and they actually cracked in the front (right by the pinky toes)! My Manolo meter has been on unofficial hiatus, but I'm looking to revive said meter in the New Year.
In the meantime, I found a pair of Coach mid height heels (sorta like these)...

...that were $100 marked down from $200. Not bad...and since the rescuscitation of the Manolo meter is in effect, let's say that it's now at $200 and counting!
Another important thing: Comfort! When I finally get my hot shoes, I need to be able to walk in them every day (if I want to) without pain.


2. Chill on Chinatown!

My post about fakes ignited the biggest, most hilarious, and well balanced debate in the history of the Fashion Bomb! I absolutely *loved* it, and have decided that I'm ultimately gonna follow Kimora Lee's advice: rock whatever scarves, bags, and clutches I can afford--with pride!


3. One status bag. Somehow. Someway. I'm getting my first real, non-vintage, affordable status bag...and by affordable, I mean that the price won't equal my monthly rent.
A good starter bag could be either the small $595 or large $620 Louis Vuitton Speedy Bag in either the traditional, monogram canvas:

Or in Damier:

I'm leaning towards the Damier pattern because it's more distinct...I've seen great fakes of the monogram canvas bag, and I want something that can't be mistaken for faux.

4. J.Crew in moderation.

Ok, ok, I confess: I am *obsessed* with J.Crew. Yes, I'm a sucker for cable knit and class!
My mother was *appalled* this past Xmas when I took her to my local J.Crew and the salespeople were like, "Hey Claire!" and "It's been a while, how have you been??" She shamed me, calling me ridiculous. She's right, but I'm trying to change...besides I need to funkdify my look up a bit, and argyle screams 'Connecticut Mom' not 'Fashionista.' I'm gonna amp it up with more sample sales, boutique shopping, and pieces from young, chic (and cheap!) designers.

5. Lastly: Fashion Shows, Fashion Shows, Fashion Shows!

The thought of not only viewing new collections firsthand, but also being in the same breathing space as Anna Wintour and Andre Leon Talley gives me goosebumps. Hopefully no more sneaking in, crashing, or finagling. I mean I'll do it if I have to, but...let's get some invites crackin.

I think that's all...what are your fashion resolutions??
Smootches!