Everything Sounds Better in French » Fashion

Happy Valentine’s Day! Love Detox Style

Miranda Valentine — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 16:14:46 +0000

It’s Valentine’s Day! And in true Love Detox fashion, I will be sporting an outfit tonight that is designed to make me giddy (I don’t think I’ve ever seen a feathered skirt rank very high on a “hot date outfit” list, have you?). I also eschewed any red or pink, save a bright lip and couldn’t be happier—which is the whole point, right? Wishing you a happy happy Valentine’s Day; may you know how beautiful and loved you are, today and every day.

{Videos!} How to Sell: Crossroads Trading Co.

Miranda Valentine — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 09:30:11 +0000

Sound the trumpets, please: I am over-the-moon excited to announce that I can now personally walk you through the selling process at Crossroads Trading Co. (also known as one of my very favorite stores of all time. Duh.)

Check out my two-part selling series on their website, under the “How To Sell” section. It demystifies the selling process, and has me shrieking and clapping about all of the cuteness to be found there. Every. Single. Time. And if you don’t have a Crossroads Trading Co. in your state (sad face) these tips will work for any resale store.

I mean, seriously: what’s better than selling the clothes you’re not wearing any longer, and getting fabulous new items you love? That’s practically free shopping!

Happy selling and shopping, love bugs!

Fashion Challenge: Cold Weather Chic

Miranda Valentine — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 01:10:59 +0000

It has come to my attention (and by attention, I am referring to the cold wind blasting through my weather-inappropriate summer dresses) that the seasons, they are a-changing. And because fall is upon us, logic states that winter is not far behind.

And so, because I usually wait until the very last possible moment to get weather-appropriate wear (see above), I’ve decided to prepare this year, and not wait until the air is blustery and filled with flakes. I will be ready this year, my friends. I will.

Luckily, there are plenty of chic cold weather options, that will keep me warm, but still stylish. I’ve rounded up some of my favorites, for your perusing pleasure. And now my only problem is…how to decide?

Fashion, Turn to the Left…

Matchbook Magazine

Miranda Valentine — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 21:11:59 +0000

I was over-the-moon honored to receive a request to be part of Matchbook Investigates, in this month’s Matchbook Magazine. I’m horrified to admit that I hadn’t been aware of this fabulous magazine sooner, and as such have been missing out. Big time.

The question posed to me and five other fashion bloggers was: what fashion piece are you most excited to purchase this fall? Check out page 41 for my answer. And do yourself a favor by gobbling up each and every other page—I’m positively dying over this Club Monaco skirt featured in the Editor’s Wish List, on page 21. And pretty much everything else this pretty publication has pulled together.

Wish List: Pretty Sights & Sounds

Miranda Valentine — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 19:58:15 +0000

This week’s wish list includes a smattering of the pretty things I’ve seen and heard this past week, of which I just can’t get enough:

1. Pretty Smitten’s Shop: Fabulous customized iPhone covers, lucite trays and stationary? Don’t mind if I do.

2. Frightened Rabbit: I was able to take in the Death Cab for Cutie show last night at The Greek Theater, happy as a clam in the pit (!). The openers were Frightened Rabbit, a band I hadn’t yet heard of, but am now pretty darn smitten with (see how I did that? Pretty smitten?).

3. Metallic Wellies: Thanks to the looming fall weather, I’ve had Wellies aplenty on my mind. This metallic pair from Hunter ought to do the trick.

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Wish List: Let Them Eat Pie (While Wearing Sparkly Shoes)

Miranda Valentine — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 15:03:42 +0000

This week’s wish list is going to take an actual list form, as there is just too much goodness to fit in a pretty little box. The items and ideas that have me obsessed this week run the gamut from a Lime & Blackberry Italian Meringue Pie (I know, right?) to dream-level sparkly shoes. The common thread? They’re all utterly, utterly delicious.

1. Bon Appétit‘s Lime & Blackberry Italian Meringue Pie: Bon Appétit‘s August cover stopped me in my tracks. Literally. I was pushing my cart through Whole Foods when I spotted this frothy, gorgeous pie, and started something of a traffic jam. Forgive me, fellow Manhattan Beach Whole Foods patrons; I was transfixed.

The recipe can be found here. Please, I beg of you: go forth, bake, and then immediately send me a piece. Or better yet, I’ll come to you.

2. Ryan Gosling’s Wardrobe, Crazy, Stupid, Love: Yes, yes, I know: initially the world was atwitter about Ryan Gosling’s shirt coming off in this summer comedy, as rightly summed up by Emma Stone’s declaration: ‘Seriously? It’s like you’re photoshopped!’. But I swear: the costume design was so perfect, you’ll want his clothes to stay on, on, on. He is by far the best-dressed male character I’ve ever seen; costume designer Dayna Pink created MAJOR modern dreamboat looks, nailing every single scene. She chats about how she did it in this interview with GQ. Do you think we can start a petition to have her dress the men of the world? Like, all of them? Ah, well…a girl can dream.

3. Kate Moss’ Wedding Photos: Oh, my. This fairytale event was chock-full of playful touches, old world glamour, and a bit of rock ‘n’ roll, all teased into a beautifully photographed frenzy. I particularly love the couple’s recreation of the famed Mick and Bianca Jagger backseat wedding portrait. But no more than I love the sweet and wistful photo that follows it. See them all in Vogue‘s slideshow, here.

4. Christian Louboutin’s Croc-Sequined Platform Pumps: Yes, I realize that these cost more than a studio apartment in LA (or not, come to think of it), but aren’t they just gob-stoppingly gorgeous? In order to take possession of them, I really would have to be the woman who lived in her shoes. But what a pretty domicile it’d be.

Images via Bon Appétit, GQ, Vogue, and Bergdorf Goodman.

Victorian Chic

Miranda Valentine — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 20:19:22 +0000

I was minding my own business, scrolling through my Facebook newsfeed, when this post by Net-a-porter.com nearly knocked me out of my chair.

Specifically, it was the so-chic-it’s-painful ensemble of Harley Viera-Newton (pictured above). Can you even handle her perfectly modern take on Victorian chic? And don’t even get me started on those shoes. Those shoes!

And so, because imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, I set about seeing if I could recreate her sublime outfit in a comparatively affordable way. I couldn’t find delicious little red ribbony booties like hers, but I really like the toughness of the enclosed suede number, above.

Are there any outfits you’ve been dying to recreate lately?

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Wish List: DIY Floral Necklace

Miranda Valentine — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 19:51:05 +0000

I love a good DIY project, especially when it comes together as easily as this floral necklace, pictured above. I was knee-deep in closet cleanse for a client, when we spotted this top. It was about to be tossed into the I-don’t-love-it-anymore-and-I-never-wear-it pile (also known as the bring-to-Crossroads Trading Co. pile), when I noticed that the floral neckline could be easily snipped away, and used as a necklace or headband.

It took one pair of sharp shears and less than five minutes to get the job done, and now my client is the proud new owner of a fabulous floral necklace. Hooray!

If you’re a DIY lover too, then you’ll have to gallop on over to Erica Domesek’s uber popular site, P.S. – I Made This… for awe-inspiring DIY projects aplenty.

Presto Change-O: French Berries & Cream

Miranda Valentine — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 15:31:21 +0000

So, last week I topped this base outfit of bright red skirt and cream top with accessories that nodded to the current Southwestern trend. This week, I came out of the wilderness and into my favorite local French cafe to enjoy their scrumptious raspberry macaroons—and took my outfit with me.

With a chic belt, gold ring, sky high pumps, and a jaunty striped jacket, I achieved a completely new look, super easy. Oh, the power of Presto Change-O!

Top & Skirt: H&M. Jacket: Next. Belt: Urban Outfitters. Ring: F21. Shoes: DSW.

Presto Change-O: Southwestern Berries & Cream

Miranda Valentine — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 19:07:45 +0000

I’ve had this nice and swingy red skirt from H&M for about a month, but hadn’t yet worn it—there wasn’t anything that I thought it’d look fabulous with off the top of my head, so in my closet it hung. I was passing by it yet again yesterday, and decided that it was the perfect specimen for the second Presto Change-O. The whole point of the Presto Change-O series is thinking out of the sartorial box (i.e. wardrobe), right?

I matched it with a sheer, cream top also from H&M and voila—I had my base outfit. For the first iteration, I did my own take on the Southwestern trend, and added a bright turquoise beaded necklace, and woven, wooden heels.

Check back on Monday to see how I took this look from the Southwest, all the way to the French Riveria. Ole!

Top & Skirt: H&M. Necklace: F21. Shoes: Frye.