SARTORIAL SANITY: Dress Me in Spring

COCKTAIL CHATTER: Muffler Memories

I am absolutely smitten by this image shot by Scott Schuman aka "The Sartorialist." When I was little my sister and I loved to play dress up. Our favorite dress up accessory? A vintage cream, fur muffler. I have no idea where it came from but whether we were having tea with the queen or walking the red carpet, our little hands were always tucked inside the soft safety of the muffler--quite a sophisticated security blanket, no? Hah! Anyway, it's safe to say that you don't see mufflers too often anymore but, as with everything else, it appears that chic stops here, in Milano--hands safely tucked inside Chanel.

COCKTAIL CHATTER: Well, hello Dr. Martin...

While I grew up in Chicago, my dad worked in Manchester, England so my sister and I were always jumping to and from across the pond while we were growing up--I can do a pretty spot-on English accent. And when most of my classmates throughout elementary and grammar school were buying their back-to-school Sketchers, I was picking out my back-to-school Dr. Martins. The classic English shoe (although, the original Dr. Klaus Maertens was actually German and later joined in an unlikely partnership with an English cobbler) wasn't always the most popular among my American friends but I loved the fact that visiting my dad in Manchester always meant going to pick out a new pair of "Doc Martins." Although they've come and gone in American fashion, there's something so British about them that I love. So it's safe to say that I was more than a little psyched to see their S/S 2011 collection. From pastels to suedes to animal prints, the doctor has definitely been popping some modern pills.

SARTORIAL SANITY: Denim Done Right

We all occasionally drift in-and-out of slideshow memories of our grade school days. Now pause for a second, hit rewind and you'll see that one girl who had her denim backpack, acid wash blue jeans, and denim button-down, which she wore every day ... simultaneously--and proudly at that. Well, as much as I hate to say, she may have been on to something. Check out German Vogue's February issue in which Crystal Renn is that girl--except quite chic. So grab your Levis and do denim some due diligence.

SARTORIAL SANITY: Sitting Pretty

Couldn't help but post this back issue Vogue UK editorial featuring Lara Stone shot by Alasdair McLellan. Classy Jersey Shore anyone? From cotton candy on the boardwalk to a beachside carnival--with all the Snookis and JWowws out there it's nice to know that there's still a polished oceanside style to strive for.

SARTORIAL SANITY: Plie and Stretch - Channeling your inner black swan

TINSELTOWN TAWDRY: The Worst of the 2011 Golden Globes - Better luck next year girls!

Somebody's got to take the prize home and for this year's Golden Globes my worst dressed was Sandra Bullock. I have to say that I do like this gown and I do appreciate it when starlets go for something that is generally out of character but with Sandra, this takes it too far. This look, in all of its eye-shielding bang glory, is too young for Sandra who should be embracing her age rather than trying to hideout in a 20-something-year-old's Bohemian gown. From shrouded to crowded, there was now doubt that January Jones's own Golden Globes were out to play last night. I do like the bodice of her Versace gown but the fringe skirt takes it from chic to costume. I usually love Olivia Wilde's red carpet choices which is why, although she looked beautiful, I was disappointed with her look this year only because I thought she could have done better. I feel like I've seen a version of this Marchesa gown on every young starlet who got carried away with sequins and tulle--this looks like something we'd see in a Taylor Swift video. Although, I do give her props for her killer yellow Louboutins. From all covered up in Burberry to a little too much flower power in Valentino, Leighton Meester and Michelle Williams also landed on my 'Better Luck Next Year' list for trying to make a statement and stuttering to get it out.

TINSELTOWN TAWDRY: The Best of the 2011 Golden Globes

Although this year's Golden Globes red carpet fashion wasn't quite as racy or out there as Ricky Gervais' hosting material, there was a cool reminiscence of old hollywood glamour with a chic, minimalistic twist. Piper Perabo is my pick for best dressed in her black satin Oscar de la Renta gown; Eva Longoria also wasn't afraid to go black in her Zac Posen that fit like a glove. But blush and nude tones stole the show with Anne Hathaway in a disc-sequined Armani Prive, Dianna Agron looking stunning in a shimmering J. Mendel and Scarlett in a bohemian, vintage inspired Elie Saab. Both Mila Kunia and Catherine Zeta-Jones rocked emerald green (a big trend at this year's Globes); Claire Danes and Emma Stone took things to the lighter side in pretty pastels that stood out brilliantly on the scarlet carpet.

SARTORIAL SANITY: Givenchy Pre-Fall 2011 - Bow your head

Although my following interpretation of Givenchy's Pre-Fall 2011 collection may sound more than a little odd, I credit it to the fact that I just recently saw for the first time, a few years too late, The Da Vinci Code. I was immediately struck by this collection's monk-ish and priest garb-like qualities and gothic Roman aesthetic. From thick pleated floor-length eggplant skirts to burlap-looking sleeves to cross-like imagery on belt buckles and across body-hugging dresses, for me, the collection's religious overtones are glaring. Have I just been Da Vinci Code mind-washed or do I have some clout here?