Hello Spring Break.

I am in complete relief that spring break has begun. I'm not sure how I got all this schoolwork done in the last few weeks without becoming a total hermit. So in celebration of this momentous occasion (realistically this will be my last official spring break as I'll be graduating in the summer) I felt obligated to dedicate this week to all things travel, exploration and inspiration. So for the next ten days I'll be taking the.margaret.files around the world, well figuratively since I am living on a rather constrained budget, and I'll be posting on the most fabulous destinations on each continent along with some breathtaking travel-related art. Also, you can look forward to homes from around the world and fashion for any vacation whether close to home or far-out. I know I'll be imagining myself in one of these insane places this week and hoping that I just might feel a little a hint of inspiration, as I hope you do too. 

[Image via: My File]

Beware the Ides of March.

In honor of the Ides of March, that is the day on which Julius Caesar was assassinated, I wanted to pay tribute in the most fashionable way to the one Roman emperor everyone seems to remember by sharing a few of my favorite pictures from my trip to Rome (after the jump). The city feels as magnificent and truly magnetic as it was so long ago and I can't help but wish that I could have lived there for  even just one more month. File this one as dream on.

Seamless.

If there is one look that I wish I were brave enough to try in my home it would be a feminine luxurious ski lodge. Now I know this might sound like some awful cringe-worthy themed room but dissecting this style makes it all the more easy to translate into both the home and runway. Take for instance Vera Wang's Fall 2011 collection which combined dresses and skirts in wispy sheer fabrics paired with thick booties, tons of fur and deconstructed leather jackets among many layers. Putting this into the context of home decor this would mean winter white couches, sturdy dark wood and accents, fur pillows, leather skin rugs and a hint of the outdoors with antlers galore (call me crazy, one of my current obsessions for the home). Although I may not be brave enough to try this look at home, taking it to the streets will be a much more achievable endeavor making this translation from home to runway totally seamless. File as ski chic. 

[Images Via: Style.com, LonnyMag]

That's what friends are for.

Call it how you see it, but guilt by association is a very powerful law. And these friends are all guilty of looking completely fabulous. Really, if your friends won’t keep you looking stylish, than who will? File as contagious.

[Images via: Tommy Ton, The Sartorialist, Garance Dore]

Hardcore Home.

For me, no outfit is complete with something a little tough looking. That perfectly proper look may work for some, but I always find myself intrigued by something that's a little well...bad. Applying this to the home, I love infusing elements that make you look twice like a series of ski mask outlines over a classic couch or a skull printed pillow. File under rough.

[Images via: Tommy Ton, My Files, Apartment Therapy]

Maxi Thinking.

Something tells me there is a trend apparent here. That's right, maxi skirts paired with tights and boots is the look to have right now. It was spotted all over the runway at Rodarte, Tracy Reese, DVF and Ellie Saab among others. But when this look shows up outside the runway shows, you know it has to be emulated immediately. Pair long diaphanous skirts with chunky boots, sweaters, leather and of course fur, fur and more fur. Wear this now and file as ahead of the curve.

[Images via: The Sartorialist, Tommy Ton]

Power Pout.

In seasons past there has been a lot of focus in beauty on the eyebrow, whether bleached or ultra thick, models have been to every end of the hairy spectrum. There are some who even call it a kind of war. But right now the freshest look for spring is all about focusing on the lips. And bright, bright, bright is the way to go. Pare this season's sexiest accessory with anything from head-to-toe white or similarly bright colors. The options are endless. You can even have your pout transformed into a fabulously decadent piece of art for your home with DNA 11's personalized Kiss Art Portrait. Time to pucker up. File this one under too much fun.

[Images via: Style.com, DNA 11]

The Walk-off: Lanvin vs. Balmain

If there are two designers who love a bad girl they are Lanvin’s Alber Elbaz and Balmain’s Christophe Decarnin. Even though it might not seem completely evident in terms of the former, understand that Elbaz explained his most recent show as transitioning from prim ladies in hats and men’s shoes to sinful in fruit-colored mini-dresses. And with the huge tree under which the models walked, one couldn’t help but compare the runway to the Garden of Eden and the girls to that certain forbidden fruit. On the other hand, Decarnin’s visibly bad girl was complete with dirty hair, embellished to perfection trim jackets, and strategic flashes of skin. Putting these two head to head in the first walk-off on the.margaret.files. is evidence of the fact that you can be all kinds of bad bad...even in a loafer. I’m not sure whose side I’d rather take; the sophisticated perversion of a short coat worn without tights in the fall can pack a punch against a segment of stomach any day. All I will say is that these two are totally bad to the bone. File under be bad.

[Images via: Style.com]

Re:Re: Relax.

This past week has been rather busy for me considering I've gotten about 5 hours of sleep total, and I have to say that I completely satisfied in my plans to do absolutely nothing strenuous (mentally or physically) this weekend. So I'm walking away from my work to take some time for myself and catch up on some sleep. Stay tuned for some fabulous upcoming posts, one dedicated to the most special day in a girl's life and another chronically a DIY amateur art project. File as relaxation station.

[Image via: Garance Dore]

More is More.

Yes, we’ve all heard the saying that “less is more.” Thank you to whoever first uttered it; I am well aware. But I beg to argue for the opposite team, for the idea that more is more. Why not pile on all your favorite jewelry or add multiple prints to one room? Who made the rules that everything has to match? I am much more a fan of the details, the layers and the combination of things that might seem completely wrong together. If they are all things you love, than why not? File under more please.

[Images via: Tommy Ton, My Files, Garance Dore]

Best of PFW Fall 2011

Some may believe the the fashion epicenter lies in New York City, but I am a firm believer in the French when it comes to fashion powerhouses. Case in point: Balenciaga, Hermes, Emanuel Ungaro, Chloe, Isabel Marant and my all time favorite Louis Vuitton. These fashion houses have stood the test of time and their continual presentation of simply beautiful clothes prove that they are the ones we should be looking towards. New York, eat your heart out. Click after the jump to see the breakdown. File under j'adore. 

Aged to Perfection.

To me there is something irresistible about a vintage poster. Suggesting one for my friend over at Alison Reid Style yesterday really got me thinking about how much I adore them. They can add whimsy and that touch of something old to an overly pristine room. Although it can be a little cliche to use them in the dining room (it can verge a little on bad Italian restaurant), there are plenty of ways to incorporate them into any style of decor. The quickest, most simple and stylish solution of all is to just lean it against the wall atop a bookcase or chest of drawers. Check out my current favorite vintage poster that I am lusting after, after the jump. File this one under easiest art ever. 

Top Shots PFW Fall 2011 Part II.

Everything about this shot is perfection for me.

Church of Mugler.

An eternal favorite for me: socks with heels.

Combining brights never looked so good.

News Flash: Gaga walks the runway?

Yes, you heard right. Miss Gaga at Mugler.

See you next season.

[Images via: Garance Dore, Tommy Ton, The Sartorialist]

Top Shots PFW Fall 2011.

I love everything about this shot.

Who knew an oversized white shirtdress could be so fabulous?

These remind me of the first pair of Marc Jacobs shoes I bought for 

my high school graduation and sadly had to return because the 

smallest size was still too big.

Yes, that is Anna dello Russo running in my favorite look from No. 21.

Marc Jacobs looks so much taller in person.

Model mom. 

Until next season...

I have to admit that I got a little sad when I realized that today was the final day of Paris fashion week. Alas, there is always later in the year for the spring shows, but for now I hope you enjoy these top shots (along with another to come later). Also, stay tuned for a new series titled Runway Walk-off later this week.

[Images via: Tommy Ton]

SOS Answered.

To my dear friend over at Alison Reid Style, who most recently posted about her increasing boredom with her bedroom decor, your SOS has been answered. I always love a good home decor or fashion emergency being that I constantly face the same issues of updating my own space, on a budget no less. So here, I've searched my files for what I believe is the perfect Alison Reid Style. Starting with a base of a serene sky blue layered with differing shades of green and maybe an extra pop of red combined with traditional and vintage pieces would create a room that is just right.  Check out my breakdown of each of the budget friendly items after the jump. File this under love.