{Ambassador’s Treat} Hermès

Posted on February 1, 2013 by chicalarusse

Last week as a perfect finale to my winter break a package landed on my doorstep, wrapped in festive orange along with a greeting card embossed with a familiar emblem of chic. You can imagine how ecstatic I was to discover Harper’s Bazaar had chosen my post as a winner on our latest Ambassador’s “duty” and a pair of my very first Hermès sandals was my treat! Hermès had always been a synonym for timeless allure in my world, a brand I always look up to as a designer simply because it’s always this impeccable combination of a super tangible product, a high standard of quality and attention to details. As you all know by now, I’m in my senior year and the countdown for my graduation has begun along with the relentless preparations for the launch of my senior collection… And in my world, when it comes to design (or perhaps, when it comes to pretty much anything…) God is in the details, and there are only a few names up there I take an admiring example from, the house of Hermès is undoubtedly one of them. So, with a wide grin on my face (a pleasant side effect that came with the package) I decided to pay a visit to the Madison Avenue boutique and see how it’s done, because when it comes to execution of your own ideas it’s always good to learn from the best; To let your hands float on the stitches, seamlessly learn a thing or two you can never pick up sitting in a classroom… So although my primary goal was market research I didn’t leave empty handed. After I lost my favorite silver ring in the craziness we recall as hurricane Sandy I had to find a worthy substitute and this darling (below) surely fits the bill! I don’t know how about you, but I certainly am waiting with anticipation to their next Fall collection…!Top image courtesy of Hermès and the rest are my Instagram concoctions…

{Unexpected Boost of Inspiration}

Posted on January 17, 2013 by chicalarusse

So, I don’t know if I shared the fact that I’m devoting my winter break to educating myself about American History (as you can imagine, my boyfriend is thrilled…!) but in a rather surprising manner it proved to be a refreshing experience that truly arouses my “grey matter”. Yesterday, as part of my collegial obligations I crafted together a presentation about an odd “couple” in history (well it’s kind of the point) Eleanor Roosevelt and Halston. Although at this point of my life, I am well familiar with the glamorous creations of the later (Halston was an American fashion designer prominent in the 70′s) I was incredibly inspired by the feisty longest serving first lady that perhaps didn’t fulfill the fashionable quota but surely “made-up” for it in many incredible ways… I don’t know if there will ever be a first lady that will be able to compare to Eleanor but there sure hasn’t been one like her since. I think that many of us, in complete disregard to our gender, give ourselves an occasional “discount” and blame reality on circumstances, where we came from, our appearances or society’s expectations as for what we should be. Eleanor lead truly grand life despite the fact she had lost both of her parents at a young age and never really knew maternal affection (the story tell her mother society belle Anna Hall, was disappointed by her daughter’s “plain looks and lack of manners”…) or got to grow up with a father figure (her dad passed away when she was only 10 due to acute alcoholism…). Her passionate ways to pursue her beliefs for equality, women’s and civil rights touched something in me, and the fact she was so bluntly oblivious to any criticism upon her ways suggests a lesson I was fast to catch… It might sound strange, coming from someone that paid a fair share of bills with appearances, but I feel that today, side by side with women’s obvious progression in the race for power and on the career front, there’s an increasing focus on our looks and what doors these may open for us. And although I’ll probably forever stay enthralled by the spell of true splendor, I can’t help but seriously considering removing beauty from it’s fast placement as a condition for success. Surely, it can’t hurt but cultivating our other talents seems more crucial today then ever before… If you’d like to read further about Eleanor check out this article, perhaps it will spike your inspiration as well…

New Year {Style} Resolutions !!!

Posted on January 6, 2013 by chicalarusse

Okay so we all know that along with a new year come all kinds of resolutions, promises we make to our selves (or perhaps to others as well…), assessments of all sorts and certain changes we simply can’t proceed without applying to our day to day lives… After having a second look at my 2012 post, I realized just how much black I wore this year. Which is completely fine since I do love it quite a bit, but sometimes I crave just a little bit of color but on the other side, I don’t want to “give up” the black completely, it always feels CHIC and makes me feel confident day or night. So first style resolution- More COLOR please! I like how both Joanna Hillman and Taylor Tomasi Hill (two of my favorite gals from the New York fashion scene) incorporated dark colors with some color, not too much, but just enough to make things interesting…

Another soft spot I’d like to revisit in 2013 is Black and White. Timeless and oozing of style this combination has always been a top choice in my book.Resolution #3 would have to be Hats. I couldn’t help but notice I slowly aquired a small collection of caps and fedoras, but the trouble is I rarely wear the beauties, well, there’s no better time then the present!#4 Embrace yourself. One thing I can live without is self-judgment, especially when it comes to fashion, and I think that this year I’ve finally come to terms with my own sense of style. Of course it will evolve and change till the day I die, but the general gist of things is that I’m a true classic… I’ll never design or wear clown-like look at me type of fashion, it’s just not who I am and that is okay. So, whatever it is you are, be it, just do it well. And most chances are I’ll never stop loving black or monochrome outfits, however I will always strive to improve the two, I think Anya Ziourova and Arizona Muse (below) done pretty well to say the least…#5 Dare a little. So although I’m not a fan of people who get dressed to have their picture taken (at all cost) I do think that pushing ourselves a little is essential, walk on unknown territories, even if only for a short run! I’ve always admired Vika Gazinskaya and her elaborate yet sophisticated sense of style, it’s never an over-kill but always chic!All images courtesy of Harper’s Bazaar.com (excluding the above right – stockholm streetstyle)

{SnowFlake}

Posted on December 11, 2012 by chicalarusse

Despite the fact that I have my French final today, my mind finds every possible way out of memorizing yet again the demonic grammatical rules of the Passé Compossé… And you are me witnesses, I have tried and forced my color coordinated self (I was in the mood for warm shades of brown today if you must know…) to what seemed like an eternity (mmm more like two hours in which I battled my sporadic urges to check my Instagram/ my email account…) of reviewing and rewriting until I simply could not do it anymore! And at this very moment, as I was escaping from the library for some hot tea I was simply charmed by the crafty librarians that self made snowflake decorations cut out of fresh white paper and sprinkled them along the main window… I love snowflakes. It blows my mind how fragile and detailed those tiny creations can be, crafted by natures only effort. I’ll never forget the first time I laid my eyes on one. I was around 5, playing in the snow, bundled up to a fault, ready for a real Russian winter. When it started snowing we tried to “catch the snow”, I looked closely at the white flakes falling into my lap faster then I could contain and there it was… Impossibly beautiful, unbelievably real and so swift to lose its glory… I think it’s hard to deny that no matter how old you are, snowflakes have a certain charming influence on us… I suppose I’m not the first to notice a snowflake’s beauty, and surely not the only one to attempt and prolong their stay in our world… I searched for quite a bit a compelling photo that captured one at it’s best, but to be completely honest, there’s no photoshoped image that can compare to witnessing one by your self… If you’re lucky, one will fall in your lap too! After all, it’s almost Christmas…! Speaking of which, my wishful snowflake concoction at your disposal :

1.White Gold Rhodium Plated CZ Snowflake Pendant from here, 2.Snowflake Pearl and Created White Sapphire Pendant in Sterling Silver from here, 3.Snowflake Napkin Holder from Crate&Barrel, 4.Silver & Crystal Snowflake Brooch Pin by Anne Koplik, 5.Holiday Snowflake Table Runner from here, 6. Snowflake Decorations from here (Surprisingly, all very moderately priced and all below 50$)

{Holiday Spoiled}

Posted on November 28, 2012 by chicalarusse

Last night I finally received the long anticipated package from my family back home, and there are no words to describe how happy those kind of things make me… Homemade apricot jam, Israeli Tahini, a jar of red caviar and a bunch of Russian chocolate candy sprinkled in between…! Just a tad of my mom’s jam this morning equals super food at it’s best! Now that a cease fire been declared and my family’s life is back to normal I can think of what kind of lipstick should I wear again…! I know, I know, but a lipstick can change a girl’s life! I came up with a little concoction of a few goodies that has been on my mind this morning (Inspired by Caviar and jam are we???)

Reed Krakoff Patent handbag, Clarissonic orange brush, Yonka Masque no.1, DOT Marc Jacobs perfume, Sephora travel size hairbrush, DIOR sunglusses, Michael Kors iPhone case, Smashbox red lipstick and a red Banjo & Matilda cashmere star sweater from Net-A-Porter (Yes Please!).

{Full Fury}

Posted on November 21, 2012 by chicalarusse

In my wildest dreams I never though the day I will be writing a post about politics and terror acts will arrive, but I simply cannot sit here and post yet another concoction of all things fabulous and ignore what unfortunately became very real to me. It’s one thing when you are watching news or reading an article online about this and that and how tense things are in the middle east but it’s an entirely different scenario to know your family is at the line of fire.

I won’t be sitting here and stating my political views, nor will I be bashing the news and saying how inaccurate and completely misplaced things often tend to be, but I can tell you my side of the story. My family lives in the south of Israel, and if you’ve been getting any whiff of the latest reports, you know that it’s the last place you would want to be at at the moment. Schools have been shut down for days, the city, according to my parents is a ghost town. Retail stores and commercial centers closed their doors to customers and except for a few grocery stores the city gone quite. At first, relying on their usual set of well tested coping mechanisms they were laughing the whole thing off, having a smoke on the balcony and listening to the sirens with a great deal of indifference, telling me everything is “just fine”. But when a missile landed in it’s full fury in our back yard, only steps away from a children’s play ground, it became really hard to remain falsely amused.

It goes without saying I speak to my family every day and check in in every chance I’ve got but to be completely honest I don’t know how one can deal … The all mighty tune of “the show must go on” is stuck on repeat at the back of my mind; Coats are waiting to be sewn, projects to be submitted, internships obtained and galas to be covered but even from a distance, obliging to most of my daily tasks, my heart is with all of you that for some twisted reason have to be in such unspeakable circumstances to begin with. To be afraid at your own four walls, to be mortified to board your usual form of public transportation for work, and to be constantly guessing where will they strike next? Stay safe and well protected, I am sending you my virtual support and strength to face the day…

I’ve decided to pair this post with the work of Theo Altenberg, a German artist which creations I find incredibly moving, as though he was stirring a storm of color an the canvas…

{Post Sandy}

Posted on November 2, 2012 by chicalarusse

Wow. What a week! Honestly, I find it rather challenging to regroup my thoughts after seeing two blocks of my neighborhood completely covered in water, as in, if I was to walk into my favorite cafe, I would be covered up to my shoulders, with the head poking out, at best… I guess no one really expected Hurricane Sandy to leave such horrendous destruction behind, I know I haven’t…

Without going into too many details, climbing up the stairs to the apartment in what turned into dimmed generated light, we were shocked and once we realized the power outage cut off our water supply as well, we knew it’s time to evacuate to safer (and more elevated) grounds… All I can say is that we were incredibly lucky to have been in the heart of the storm but out of harm’s way. It’s been almost a week and our power along with any shred of normal life is still absent… However, it’s in times like these, when you can really tell true friends from faux allies (I can never thank my dear friend enough for giving us shelter AND delicious food on our plates at this prolonged term…I know it hasn’t been easy…)

I hope you all are safe, and coping with the brutal after math as gracefully as you possibly can, trust me when I say that staying CHIC is close to impossible without hot water or light! Stop by tomorrow for the first episode of my Harper’s BAZAAR assignment! After all, the show must go on…!

Arizona {Photo Journal}

Posted on August 26, 2012 by chicalarusse

One of the most refreshing elements of this vacation was pausing urban life completely. I think that being so invested in fashion throughout the entire year creates a huge hunger for something that has absolutely nothing to do with it, and being out in the open, surrendering to the road and lending my body to a hike in the mountains was just what I needed… This is just a taste of what we’ve experienced on this magical journey, enjoy…!

Honestly, I have never expected to be so inspired… There is so much duality in the landscape in Arizona, you can literally experience the greenest forest right by rocky dessert and for the lack of a better word, it really is breathtaking… All images on this post were taken by me (let’s just say I embraced the tourist/ aspiring photographer in me…) with the exception of the 2nd and the 9th taken by my boyfriend…

Oh, and did I mention a photo-shoot at The Grand Canyon??? Stop by…!

Instantly So {Arizona}

Posted on August 25, 2012 by chicalarusse

Well Hello There! I am officially back in the big apple, rested and ready to go! I cannot describe how incredibly necessary this short vacation was… I do have a ton of dessert beauty to go through before I post my journey in full (The Grand Canyon, Sedona and Jerome just to name a few!) , but in the meantime, I hope you enjoy some bits and pieces from my Instagram account!

{Refining Your Palette}

Posted on August 9, 2012 by chicalarusse

I devoted today to “refining my palette” and although a gourmet tasting would be perfect for my day off I am talking about a slightly different palette… What I mean is that in today’s overflowing array of blogs one can get discouraged or if you’re as visually sensitive as I am, even somewhat upset. I’m sure that many of you spoiled souls (like myself) would agree with me when I say that some blogs are an offense to that marvelous tool of freedom we can exploit… And sometimes I need a to hit refresh and remind myself what is beauty and where it resides… So, let me share my web-indulging spots with you and perhaps you will find some inspiration too… Shall we begin?

The fact that The Glamourai is first on my list is far from being coincidental… I don’t think I’ve ever shared that piece of information with you guys just yet, but The Glamourai is a big part of the reason CHIC A LA RUSSE even exists… Having my own blog was my brother’s idea (he has always been somewhat of a computer genius to portray modestly) and while sitting on the fence with that kind of manifestation, I stumbled upon Kelly’s blog and instantly became her devotee… In so many words, I truly believe that Kelly Framel is a genius and a true taste maker, and if you ask me, we haven’t seen the half of it… See for yourself!

Coming up next, is the Doll like perfection we ,humans, refer to as Kristina Bazan. Every time I stop by, it’s like a recharge of overwhelming beauty and imagery execution to the T. Sometimes, I can almost swear this blog is a commercial propaganda, sponsored by a corporation hiring a small army to make all look oh so good…But the truth is, the Power-Duo behind the operation (based in Geneva, Switzerland) is beyond inspiring, Kristina is only 18 (!) and her boyfriend, James Vyn , the uber-talented young man responsible to the polished appearance of every single image on the blog… I can’t even wrap my mind around the fact that these two are not even 20! Simply incredible, check out their latest Fall spread YSL inspired shoot here.

And now for a slightly less saturated mistress, and I do mean ONLY in matters of color, because the 20 year old ILANKA is anything but monotone in every other sense of visual bliss. I discovered her lovely piece of life on the web just recently and fallen in love with her high fashion aesthetics and editorial talent for strong monochromatic looks. If you browse through you’ll see she does mixed color as well, but I am certainly captivated by her pale ensembles, so otherworldly on the verge of being surreal… Just imagine walking down the street and crossing a dame like this…! FASHIONNERDIC indeed…

My next pastel creature is probably the most creative DIY blogger out there. What I love the most about IVANIA’s blog (beyond her addiction to all things clear) is the fact that it’s as though she creates a world of her own, washed in whites and cool pastels, framed with hardware and clear bijoux. I think her influence on the fashion arena and high fashion on her is somewhat equal, as I recently acquired a few hardware inspired accessories and I won’t be surprised if they were, in fact, inspired by her… Get your own dose of clear fashion here.

And how about you? Which are YOUR favorite stops???

CHIC A LA' RUSSE

Category Archives: Pondering Affairs

{Ambassador’s Treat} Hermès

{Unexpected Boost of Inspiration}

New Year {Style} Resolutions !!!

{SnowFlake}

{Holiday Spoiled}

Reed Krakoff Patent handbag, Clarissonic orange brush, Yonka Masque no.1, DOT Marc Jacobs perfume, Sephora travel size hairbrush, DIOR sunglusses, Michael Kors iPhone case, Smashbox red lipstick and a red Banjo & Matilda cashmere star sweater from Net-A-Porter (Yes Please!).

{Full Fury}

{Post Sandy}

Arizona {Photo Journal}

Instantly So {Arizona}

{Refining Your Palette}

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Reed Krakoff Patent handbag, Clarissonic orange brush, Yonka Masque no.1, DOT Marc Jacobs perfume, Sephora travel size hairbrush, DIOR sunglusses, Michael Kors iPhone case, Smashbox red lipstick and a red Banjo & Matilda cashmere star sweater from Net-A-Porter (Yes Please!).

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