MFW Spring 2012 Recap.

Top collections

Aquilano.Rimondi  |  D&G

No. 21  |  Emilio Pucci  |  Fendi

+Best individual looks

+Street Style and Backstage

(click on the links above for a complete recap of Milan Fashion Week!)

[Image via: Vogue.com, combined with text by me, Margaret Murrieta]

Best of MFW Spring 2012.

My Monday didn't start quite as expected, but I just wanted to check in and share with you my top thirteen looks from Milan Fashion Week. Keep reading for the breakdown of each looks as well as my absolute favorite from the whole season that literally gave me chills. Hope this makes your Monday just a little more exciting. File as Monday funday.

No. 21 Spring 2012.

The number 21 may be one of the most important years for a person (at least in the states), but it was during my 21st year that I made some serious changes in my life. Freshly single from my first love, living in a brand new apartment all to myself, accepted into Haas just a few months into the year and embarking on a whole new chapter of my life. Although some things may have changed a few years later, there is one thing that I'll always keep from that time- the lovely girls that I worked (and played) with. Those fabulous friends, much like the clothes in Alessandro Dell'Acqua's No. 21 (named after his own December birthday) spring collection- full of mix and match textures and lots of sparkle and shine- somehow seem to get along perfectly together. Check out the resort collection from last season and file as gorg.


[Images via: Vogue.com]

Eats: Deviled Eggs.

Out of all the parties I've thrown, there is one go-to recipe that I know will be the first empty plate of the night. I know I can never get enough of a classic deviled egg (I'm pretty sure I ate an entire platter of them last night at my friend's party) but they are also a wonderful way to spice up a not-so-exciting dinner. Serve them as an appetizer by themselves or with a little salad of arugula, red onion and a simple vinaigrette. Keep reading after the jump to see the Martha Stewart recipe that I've drooled over many, many times over. File as yum.

D&G Spring 2012.

Dolce and Gabbana, the brand, will always hold a special place in my little heart. At this time last year, it was the first fashion show that I was lucky enough to stalk outside of, on a stop in from traveling around Spain while on vacation from our Italian studies (now that was the life.) It was there that I first saw the petite Scott Schuman (of The Sartorialist) and Garance Dore having a little moment after he tripped on the sidewalk in front of me, while I had a mini heart attack. And there witnessing the gorgeous Robbie Myers, editor of American Elle, complaining to her assistant that the photographers dared to ask her to step aside so that they could take a picture of the more well-known Anna Wintour. Or where I recognized the latter woman being attacked by paparazzi (along with Naomi Campbell too) while Grace Coddington (the true creative maven at Vogue) wasn't bothered by anyone at all. Also, I will never forget the fierce heels Bryanboy was waltzing around in, which were many inches taller than my own. So it's sad to see that the D&G line (their younger counterpart to Dolce and Gabbana) sent their final models down the catwalk the month. I must admit though, their line this season was a celebration of the exuberance of Southern Italy, something that I will always cherish from my time spent there. File as out with a bang.


[Images via: Style.com]

Friday, Funday.

I must admit I am very excited for this weekend, I'll be spending mine at my dear friend's engagement party tomorrow, catching up with lots of old friends and later trying to plan out oh...just the rest of my life. All jokes aside, this weekend is about looking forward for me, although I might spend a little time at the party looking back with some of my favorite girls. Stay tuned for the rest of my favorites from Milan fashion week as well as a yummy recipe for Sunday dinner. Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend as well! File as party time.


[Image via: Vogue.com]

Aquilano.Rimondi Spring 2012.

If there were one standout at Milan Fashion Week for me it would have to be Aquilano.Rimondi. I was literally drooling over each and every Renaissance inspired print, delicate pearl detailing and poured on skirt. But mostly what I  couldn't get enough of was the ornateness of the collection except that even with all those heavy details- the pleating, the prints, the embellishment- it was completely fresh and light. It took me right back to my time spent in Rome just one year ago. File as bella.


[Images via: Vogue.com]

Top Shots MFW Spring 2012.

Those shoes!

Mood board for Aquilano.Rimondi

It Girl: Shala Monroque in a big girl's headband.

Slicing all my maxi dresses up to there.

Prada, Prada, Prada.

ADR in Aquilano.Rimondi with a bag in one of my favorite colors.

 Makeup at Gucci. 

 ADR in Pucci and Aquilano.Rimondi

Givenchy bag. DIE.

Makeup chart at Etro.

Classic Milano shot. 

ADR and Giovana Bataglia...think they planned this? 

Dolce and Gabanna craziness. 

Mix and match prints. 

 Smile for Anna!

[Images via: Tommy Ton for Style.com, Phil Oh for Vogue.com, Nam for StreetFSN]

Emilio Pucci Spring 2012.

Even though Gwyneth Paltrow caused quite the sartorial commotion at the Emmy's in an ab-baring Emilio Pucci frock (worn pre-runway I might add), it definitely gave fashion insiders a taste of what was to follow on the runway mere days later. Criticisms on fit aside for Mrs. Paltrow, Peter Dundas has made one thing very clear for the past few seasons- it is that the new Pucci girl is all about being ultra, ultra sexy. His designs may not be for the modest woman or even the general public at that, and this time around he sent the sultriest gypsies I've ever seen down the runway decked out in classic Pucci prints leaving very little to the imagination. The whole presentation made me want to go back to Southern Italy all over again and just live the life. File under so sexy.

[Images via: Vogue.com]

Fendi Spring 2012.

The hair and makeup may have been inspired by mad scientists- hence the bouffant blowouts intended to resemble Albert Einstein and the gold and silver flecked eyes hidden behind laboratory-like glasses, but the clothing at Fendi was all about Italian day life. After the show, Karl Lagerfeld proclaimed that while some designers focus too heavily on the red carpet and cocktail parties in a woman's life, what women really need is clothing they can wear every day. All in all, he and Silvia Venturini Fendi showcased a perfectly edited selection of day looks that translated into more than just a specifically Italian lifestyle. File as all day every day.

[Images via: Style.com, Vogue.com]

LFW Spring 2012 Recap.

Best collections overall

Erdem   |   Burberry Prorsum

Antonio Berardi   |   Paul Smith

+Top individual looks

+Street style & backstage

(click on the links above for London Fashion Week mania!)

[Image via: Erderm sketch photographed by Vogue.com with overlaid text by Margaret Murrieta]

Best of LFW Spring 2012.

The British may have a thing or three on us Americans- take for instance these three groupings from the spring collections that make me totally jealous of those wankers across the pond. First up, the clean minimalistic looks seen at Osman, Aquascutum and Christopher Kane were so pure I wanted to
throw them on immediately and lounge around. With a simple flat sandal for spring any of these looks would be perfection. Next on the radar was all those florals (for spring? I know, groundbreaking) but the British really know how to funk them up and make them so the opposite of chintzy. Everyone from Mary Katrantzou, Matthew Williamson and Peter Pilotto were injecting some acid into Grandma's garden. Love. And to round it all out, the prim and proper look did have its place on the runway with mid-length smart skirts that were just darling. Gorg. To see the breakdown of my top fifteen looks as well as my absolute favorite look, keep reading after the jump! File as London calling.

Eats: Beef with Broccoli.

I have an unnatural addiction to a few things: anything leopard print, the travel section in bookstores, museums and last but not least, cheap takeout Chinese food. I don't know what it is about a greasy takeout container stuffed full of chicken chow mein for only $2 from the organic grocery store down the block or a crispy eggroll of just veggies for two quarters but I cannot get enough of it. I figured it was about time to test out some classic Chinese takeout recipes of my own, and this beef and broccoli is just the place to start. Delicious, comforting, fast and better than what I can get down the street. Serve it with some rice and you're set for a cozy night in. Keep reading after the jump to see the full recipe. File under mouth watering.

Paul Smith Spring 2012.

There is nothing I can resist about a great men's suit and Paul Smith's spring collection was the perfect balance of masculine styling for the feminine frame. Plaids, stripes and a little silk flair thrown in for good measure, it was like the next level up from what J.Crew sent down the runway in New York. And those pink loafers? Amazing. File as suit up.

[Images via: Vogue.com]

Erdem Spring 2012.

Pretty as an English garden, Erdem showcased one of the most obvious but still the most celebrated trends for springtime (well at least on the runways in London that is) of floral, floral everywhere. It may be getting chillier by the day here in the Bay Area, but I can't wait for springtime, where I'm sure going to find a way to work these chintzy prints into my wardrobe and maybe even my home decor. File under flower power.

[Images via: Vogue.com]