The Blue Gardenia
What would Claire wear? Emulate the strapless silver bombshell dress. March 21, 2015 19:53
Claire Underwood in her irresistible silver armor.
Did you fall in love with Claire's stunning strapless silver dress? I did. Definitely clothing as armor. If you want this dress at a fraction of the cost, consider Donna Karan's Vogue 2470 from 1990. View B, of course. (Although A is gorgeous, and it would make a perfect LBD. Double the style. Double your money. I love it when that happens!)
Pattern perfection, if I do say so myself.
The line drawing. I would choose this silver linen lame from Mood. They have many other silver lame choices if this is not to your liking.
$21.99 a yard. It is, alas, polyester.Do check Monday when I will post The Blue Gardenia give-away winner.
And if you want this marvelous pattern, look no further than The Blue Gardenia!
The closet of cool chic Claire Underwood: The ladylike white dress March 13, 2015 04:38
One of her many outstanding outfits, this shows her ladylike side.
I am not alone in thinking House of Cards Claire Underwood, beastly Frank Underwood's calm, clever wife, is one of the best dressed characters on the small screen. She is always sleek. Her clothes always simple. This is a woman who wants to look great, but doesn't want to spend time on a fussy wardrobe. After all, she's busy making her dreams come true.
I love this white dress. It is simple, yes, but doesn't have the androgynous edge Claire's clothes often do. It is feminine, but not frilly. No silly looks for this fashion icon and mover and shaker.
It has the pleats and the silhouette. Claire would approve.
You could get this look with Vogue Couturier Design 2345, designed by Belinda Bellville in the 1960s. Simply lengthen the sleeves, make the midriff a bit more form-fitting, and add a dark belt, like this Kate Spade Leather Bow Belt at 6pm.com.
This is in dark green, but I don't think Claire would frown at the substitution.
Gorgeous Fabrics has an outstanding white rayon double-knit (and I can vouch for the quality because I bought it in another shade). It's perfect for this look.
And, you guessed it: You may purchase this luscious pattern at The Blue Gardenia, where even the snootiest fashionista will find patterns to her liking. And don't forget to enter our give-away while you are here.
Golden Globes 2014: Dull & duller. But a few dreamy dresses. January 12, 2014 18:01
Am I the only person who found the 2014 Golden Globes as dull as an Albuquerque coffee table undusted for a month? Even the majority of the gowns let me down. There were a few highlights, a few gowns that inspired closet lust:
Lupita Nyong'o, above, of Twelve Years a Slave, takes home the Blue Gardenia Dennison Blue Foil Star Award. If I hadn't already bought red silk charmeuse for a bias cocktail number, I would definitely copy this Ralph Lauren beauty for my Valentine's Night fashion pleasure. Day length, though. His Bertness would definitely approve. Maybe my birthday dress? In blue?
Sandra Bullock also stunned. Her Prabal Gurung gown took colorblock to new heights. But what is it with older women and long hair that would look more appropriate on a teen? A sophisticated updo would have made this look perfection. Nice lipcolor, though. Is it Chanel Paris again?
Paula Patton should pinkslip her stylist. This Stephane Rolland design — and I use that word loosely — looks like a boring white sheath with a fluffy dishtowel tossed over her shoulder. Perhaps the star was doing kitchen duty afterward?
What was Julia Roberts thinking in her Dolce & Gabbana? Was she referencing Sharon Stone's seminal Gap shirt and black evening skirt look? If so, she failed. Miserably. And that sparkly belt? Yikes. I hope I don't have nightmares about it. Roberts' hair was sensational, though. Loved it. Absolutely.
And guess what? The new Blue Gardenia website is up, and we are already getting compliments. Hop on over and let us know what you think. It is so easy to shop! Hope you love it. Passionately.
TV togs: A Trigere dress to hug The Good Wife's Kalinda's curves December 13, 2013 11:21
Cool Kalinda Sharma is one of my favorite characters on The Good Wife. The ace investigator rarely shows her emotions, but she always reveals her fabulous figure.
This Pauline Trigere dress, McCall's 3827, copyright 1956, would step up her fashion game, while still remaining true to her style. Of course, it would need to be shortened: Archie Punjab, who plays Kalinda, has marvelous legs, and they are always on display, usually in black boots.
Kalinda's fabrications tend to silks, leathers, and knits, and her clothing colors are usually teals, purples, crimsons and black.
Gorgeous Fabric's rayon double knit in Amparo Blue would be perfect for Kalinda. Very sexy. And if you watch the show, you know Kalinda is all about sex (and brains).
Kate Spade's black, pointy-toe suede boot, available at Neiman Marcus, coolly whispers Kalinda.
And, of course, you may buy this rare and beautiful pattern at The Blue Gardenia, and you may buy it at a discount. How fabulous is that? We are having an End-of-an-Era Sale to say toodle-oooo to our old website. It's only for the month of December, and patterns are flying out of here as fast as bats from caves when the sun goes down. So. Don't tarry. We beg you. We do not want you to lose out on those styles you've been yearning for. We absolutely do not! Come January, we welcome in our new website design with all those bells and whistles you've been requesting. We aim to please. We do.