Trust Your Style – Fall 2011 Feminine & Classic Apparel

One of the first bloggers I met when I began my blog in 2009 was the very kind and welcoming Mary Jo Matsumoto of Trust Your Style. Her thoughtful comments and genuine posts on style, life, art and anything that caught her eye quickly made her blog one I regularly enjoy.

It wasn’t before long that I learned of her eye for classic and impressive style, so when she announced that she would be revealing her fall 2011 collection this month during LA Fashion Week, I had a very good feeling that her designs would be beautiful, and they most certainly surpassed my expectations.

The first piece I saw as a sneak peek was her black chiffon obi wrap dress with black stretch charmeuse slip (second photo), and I must say I am now coveting it. Feminine, yet fun, stylish, yet simple. The dress’s adaptability for comfort and style is something that I personally love about it and know many women of so many different ages could work and, work well, into their wardrobes.

Well, officially the wait is over, as this week a special limited group of Artist Edition couture pieces will be launching on Thursday evening at Stephen Cohen Gallery during LA fashion week, and very soon images from Mary Jo Matsumoto’s complete Fall 2011 line will also be surfacing around the web and available for sale.

Below are eight images of her collection photographed by Dyan of blog Whimsy Being and modeled by Katie Osumi of blog Good Nite Irene.

Congratulations Mary Jo on a beautiful collection. Your work and your innate ability to create classic, yet absolutely feminine designs is deserving of great success.

Gray wool jacket + pants + pink charmeuse top + doctor's bag

Black chiffon obi wrap dress with black stretch charmeuse slip

Black silk velvet coat with pockets lined in black charmeuse; Charcoal charmeuse dress; Black sequin clutch; Akoya pearl strand with 18k gold angel

gray wool jacket lined in silk with taffeta portrait collar; gray wool skirt lined in silk

Gray/Pink reversible wool cape + bowling bag

Black silk velvet halter gown lined in black silk charmeuse

pink reversible wool cape + south sea starfish earrings

Pale pink melton flaired wool coat lined in leopard charmeuse silk

Eye On Style – Trust Your Style

Mary Jo of Trust Your Style recently invited me to participate in her series Eye On Style, and I was flattered to be asked.  Click here to find out what style means to me and a list of my favorite designers. I have to say, thank you for the lovely comments that were left on my guest post.  It brought a gigantic smile to my face and a tip of the hat upon reading what my readers had to say.  Thank you so much.

Images: Simply Luxurious

Weekly Cups of Tea (1/24-1/31)

1. Being Oneself

Sasha of Everything Fabulous, regularly shares with her readers posts that involve an abundance of lovely fashion, lifestyle, home decor and quite simply exquisite photography. I recently found a quote on her blog that was inspiring, and as I was reading it I found myself nodding my head in agreement. Take a peek and read for yourself.

2. Breakfast in Bed

Sunday morning, hopefully sunshine is streaming through your window and a delicious breakfast is on its way to your bed.  But what to make? Smitten Kitchen posted a recipe for sour cream pancakes that looks like it might just fit the bill. Yumo!

3. Happiness is . . .

Gretchen Rubin of The Happiness Project interviewed Hannah Seligson, author of A Little Bit Married and I found myself again, for the second time this week, nodding my head as I read along in agreement.  One comment in particular,

“Happiness is an improvisation.  You figure out what works for you.  It’s a process of tweaking.” 

Click on the heading link above to read the rest of the interview, I think you might just like it.

And speaking of happiness, Gwen of Ragland Hill Social compiled a bundle of reader’s mentions regarding what they felt was needed in order to live a beautiful, happy life. Each statement is paired with a photo (the photo above is one of my favorites) that correlates with its message. Lovely idea and sure to bring a smile and stir your creative juices.  Click here or on the photo to have a look.

4. Tote for Work

Okay, so Everything Fabulous has made the list twice this week, but I couldn’t exclude this simply beautiful, yet functional tote that is soon to be my future tote for work.  Banana Republic kept it simple, classic and large enough to be effective for those of us who are caring papers, lunch, heels (for happy hour of course!) and anything else we will need throughout the day and want to still let our outfit do the talking.

5. Simply Beautiful

Mary Jo Matsumoto of Trust Your Style, in an effort help relief efforts in Haiti, posted the photo below that I can’t stop gawking at. It reminds me of the Oregon Coast, yet with the fawn bounding along, it evokes a bit of a fairy tale quality. Along with the photo is a lovely list of simple things that make your soul sing. Take a peek, it will make you think.