December 1st marks the official beginning of the Christmas Movie Watching season. I’m not going to lie, I started in mid November!
I want to take a look back as some of my favorites.
These are in no particular order. I am saving my favorite for the end, however.
Miracle On 34th Street usually kicks off my binge watching season.
Along with A Christmas Carol, Holiday Inn and White Christmas.
It’s never really Christmas without Bing Crosby.
Rudolf and Charlie Brown will always be dear to my heart.
The Land of Unwanted Toys and Charlie’s pitiful Christmas tree showed me love can make anything possible.
Newer classics are a must as well.
We can all identify with the Griswalds attempt at the perfect Christmas Vacation.
I love the Grinch. From the cartoon to Jim Carrey’s perfect rendition.
Jingle Jangle and Elf bring me so much joy. Sometimes we need a little magic to spark our Christmas Spirit.
I get my yearly reminder that it’s A Wonderful Life.
Jimmy Stewart is my all time favorite actor and this I my favorite of all his movies.
My most beloved movie is A Christmas Story.
From as far back as I can remember, this movie has been a family tradition.
As a child, as a mother and now as a grandmother, we play this movie for 24 hours on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. And nobody is allowed to touch the remote. NOT A FINGER!!
I love the occasional sappy, Hallmark holiday movie. But these classics will always be part of my Christmas.
I’m still reeling from meeting Christian Soriano, who was the subject of last weeks Blog .
Imagine my joy when I saw Mariah Carey wearing another amazing design from him.
Mariah closed out the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City on Thursday by welcoming in the holiday spirit with a performance of “All I Want For Christmas Is You”
It wasn’t just the song, it was THIS DRESS!
The tulle Cristian Siriano gown with a pencil skirt and mermaid silhouette in a Very Merry Red also had a dramatic train that totally wowed the crowd.
The dress was so over the top, not unlike it’s designer or the Queen that’s wearing it, Mariah said “Don’t worry if the stage isn’t big enough for the dress, we will just make the stage bigger!”
Siriano continues to outdo himself with each passing design.
Dear Santa, all I want for Christmas is this dress!!
Someone pinch me!!! This is by far the most amazing experience I’ve had during my blogging career.
Being a lover of all things Fashion, I was addicted to the show Project Runway.
One participant in particular has always been my favorite.
Last week I got to meet him!
Christian Siriano came to Belk at Southpark Mall in Charlotte to launch his collab with Gloria Vanderbilt Jeans, another favorite of mine.
I spend most of my high school days with a golden swan on my derrière.
This makes this collab even more special to me.
Gloria Vanderbilt Jeans launched the first styles from its two-year partnership with Siriano—a contemporary take on archival designs that includes jeans, dresses and tops available in sizes 26-34 as well as petite and extended sizing
The Fall ‘22 line features key silhouettes such as a belted trench coat, vest, mini dress, wide-leg trouser and a belted coverall.
CFDA Award winner Soriano, who studied in London under Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen, put his own spin on this retro classic denim line.
He even has his own fragrance!
After his presentation we had the opportunity to take pictures and speak with him and SHOP!
I brought home a denim blazer which is very flattering on me and I can’t wait to style it!
Now, Siriano has designed some amazing pieces in his life.
One in particular has always been my favorite. I had the chance to speak with him about it.
I asked “Did you have any idea at the time, how huge the impact had on fashion, and on the entire world, when you dressed Billy Porter in the Ballgown for the Oscars?”
Soriano replied “This was one for the history books I think.”
It truly was a history making moment.
He continued “It was a very organic thing that just happened to the world. But it was very needed and really great and I think a lot of young people hopefully feel like they can wear what they want to wear and be who they want to be.”
This designer stands out for many reasons. I love all he’s done and continues to do for fashion. He includes every shape, size, sex and ethnicity.
I could honestly just end my blogging career now(don’t worry, I won’t) because I don’t think I can ever top this incredible interview.
Add the streetwear brand Palace to their list of collabs.
One of the world’s biggest skateboard inspired streetwear brands has made its mark in the luxury world.
The Palace x Gucci collection is designed specifically for the streets, a place where Gucci creative director Alessandro Michele believes “fashion comes alive,” he said in a statement.
Gucci’s GG monogram meets Palace’s Tri-Ferg logo.
There are also football jerseys, jeans, loafers, running shoes, handbags, umbrellas, and womenswear, a first for the male centric Palace.
Also, in Gucci’s ‘over the top’ fashion, a monogrammed safe, equipped with a gilded lock and handle, leather detailing, and Gucci’s signature woven red and green stripe.
Palace x Gucci will take on a physical form through Vault pop-up stores in Paris, Milan, Tokyo, Osaka, and Bangkok — the first brick-and-mortar moment for Vault — as well as Palace’s flagship stores in London, New York, Los Angeles, and Tokyo.
Although, I remember him from Bravo TV’s “Styled to Rock” fashion competition show.
He took his winnings and invested in his first line. The rest, shall we say, is history.
Literally, HISTORY!
We all watched with pride as the First Black Female Vice President was sworn into office.
With forever one of our Favorite First Ladies, Michelle Obama, cheering her on.
Both dressed by Sergio Hudson.
He quickly became a household name.
Now, for a very limited time, he has offered us a selection of more affordable pieces.
More affordable does not mean he skimped on quality. The material, the stitching, everything is first rate!
Black and White prints make a statement.
Especially when paired with his classic, colorful accessories.
Gloves, wide belts and berets all sold out almost immediately.
Tonal pieces in bold colors were a big hit.
Sergio brought back the shoulder pads in the most flattering way.
This purple sweater dress was on everyone’s list. Including mine.
The shoulders make an impact and doesn’t make you look like you stepped out of the ‘80s. He put his own twist in it making it perfect for todays fashion.
He also brought back the classic coat.
The bright colors and the houndstooth print flew off the racks.
My favorite thing about this launch was the fact that the designer himself showed at a local Target store in Columbia South Carolina, near his hometown of Ridgeway.
He greeted shoppers, took selfies and answered questions.
Yes, Sergio Hudson most definitely HIT THE TARGET with this collab!
Many people don’t know about the designer behind one of McDonald’s most successful collabs to date.
This artisanal streetwear line created quite a stir this week as ‘Adult Happy Meals’ sold out within hours of their launch.
Some were just average adults looking for a bit of nostalgia. But most are hard core collectors of Cactus Plant Flea Market finds.
What is CPFM? Where did they come from? Who do they gear their designs toward?
Cactus Plant Flea Market is an artist-owned brand and creative outlet crafting unique apparel items with signature dye treatments and lettering.
Cynthia Lu, who prefers to live in anonymity, created this very distinctive and trippy Cactus Plant Flea Market four-eyed smiley face design. It’s kind of become the unofficial logo for the designer streetwear brand.
Cynthia Lu grew up in the Midwest. She had always loved fashion. She got her start when she landed a job with Pharrell’s streetwear label Billionaire Boys Club.
Pharrell gave her the name. You’re Cactus. You’re short, you’re sharp, and you’re not easy to touch
McDonald’s is not her first collab.
Notable brands such as hip-hop jeweler of Jacob & Co., Comme des Garçons, Nike, Stüssy, and Alpinestars.
It will not be her last I’m sure.
The current partnering with McDonald’s has brought in a whole new following for this brand.
What sets this line apart from other Hype Beast approved brands?
Many Cactus Plant pieces feature unique hand-dye treatments or embroidery, often done by Lu herself.
If you were fortunate enough to get your hands on one of these Artist Box meals and toys from McDonald’s, just know, you now own a piece of Art.
Fendi owes the popularity of their baguette bag to the fictional character Carrie Bradshaw.
Yes, it’s a great bag. But after each Sex And The City episode, we all HAD to have one.
As this iconic bag turns 25 this month, it’s only fitting that Fendi does a collab with Sarah Jessica Parker.
In fact, they did a triple collab!
So Very Carrie
The real life Carrie created a line of ombré colored bags.
This one plays on her memorable scene where she was robbed of her purple, sequined version.
Baguette At Tiffany’s
Tiffany’s did a line in the robins egg blue color they’re known for.
This surprising combination of two major fashion houses makes for a gorgeous bag(uette)!
Artistic Director Kim Jones had one more surprise for us.
The Baguette
Marc Jacobs joined in on the celebration with a twist on his fun, labeled bags.
His purses that read “The Baguette” are a play on the designer’s own bags that featured “The Tote Bag,” typeface.
“I didn’t want to do a traditional ‘collection’ for the anniversary,” Jones stated
“Rather it’s a celebration of a time, of the moment the Baguette became famous. I relate that time to a sense of freedom in excess and fun — both qualities the Baguette possesses.”
Happy Anniversary Fendi Baguette! Here’s to another 25 glorious years!
Living La Vida Diva 