Why Don't You...?

♥…channel your inner ladylike Eliza Doolittle? Treat yourself to an elegant parasol in an eye-catching color and saucily sashay through the park with it held high over your head.

♥…lose yourself in a musty old library brimming with history? Hideaway within Boston Public Library’s Rare Book Room; tuck tiny notes into the pages of books at Baltimore, Maryland’s George Peabody Library to signify your presence; admire the cathedral-like aesthetic of Seattle, Washington’s Suzzallo Library; or simply book a luxurious room at New York City’s Library Hotel, where each chamber is adorned in books, books, and more books!

♥...find an old film house and spend the weekend indulging in vintage tales of romance played out in black and white.

♥…plan a private picnic for two in your living room lit only by vanilla-scented candles.

♥…fill the fruit bowls in your kitchen with decadent truffles from The Chocolate Garden, Chocolate Potpourri, and Vosges Chocolate. Devour as many as you like.


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Tumblr for the picture.


Don't forget to enter the Love Is in the Air Giveaway for your chance to win the 90 Words Per Minute Dress from Shabby Apple.

Tightwad Tuesday: Alexander Wang V-Neck Dress for Less

Darlings I’m quite tired of hearing that music inspires fashion and vice versa. Yes, I know that the tunes tantalizing our eardrums are extremely relevant in helping us to decide what our look du jour will be, or even what our desired style will mirror; but it is not just music that serves as an inspiration board to our wardrobe. If Marie Antoinette taught us anything, it is that food is just as much of a muse to the contents of one’s closet as the strains of a symphony. It is a mood regulator which plays a part in the hues we drape over our form; the textures swishing seductively around our bodies; and the desired fit that accouters our derrieres on any given day. For Marie Antoinette it was hoop skirts and petticoats in pastel shades reminiscent of that found upon dainty cupcakes; for yours truly it is draped cashmere and coffee a la Alexander Wang’s V-Neck Dress.

Go ahead my loves; label it as completely off the wall if you’d like. It may seem slightly outlandish, but the truth of the matter is that the neutral coffee and noir shades mingling side by side upon the V-Neck Dress is an inviting duo that proffer the same type of warmth to the wearer as a steaming mug of hot coffee would.

Coffee-colored wool jersey sporting a plunging v-neck (the very perfect location for a pretty pendant necklace to peek through!) converges with black gauze proudly displaying a teasing tattered hemline which comes across as more playful and haut monde than sloppy and hot mess; while a black elasticized belt about the waist breaks up the monotony of colors, and assists in defining one’s waist. All whilst establishing a draped ruching evocative of the frocks worn by the Grecian Goddesses of years passed, of course.

But perhaps the most stunning attribute is the large keyhole opening in the back which allows your skin to play a coy game of peek-a-boo with the world at large.

Sadly, as much as I wish it weren’t true, the V-Neck Dress is nothing more than a far-off daydream flirting with my imagination – or so the $805.00 cost leads me to believe. Hence the reason why I am inviting ModCloth’s I Love Love Dress to become a part of my enchanted existence.

While lacking the pleats adorning the bust, and slightly slouchy design of the V-Neck Dress; at $67.99, ModCloth’s I Love Love Dress is a wallet-friendly solution to one’s style woes.

Are you having a tightwad moment darlings, or are you plagued with a craving to splurge?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Net-A-Porter and ModCloth for the pictures.


Don't forget to enter the Love Is in the Air Giveaway for your chance to win the 90 Words Per Minute Dress from Shabby Apple.

Cruisin' Cafes: Grand Rapids, MI

Kitty cats, the name Grand Rapids alone harbors promise for a locale best known for its slightly unglamorous nickname of the “Furniture City.” It is awash with a glittering ambiance synonymous with that of a recently uncorked bottle of champagne fizzing with excitement, luster, and new endeavors; a title which seemingly allows the individual in question to drift dramatically into its boundaries to uncover the unrecognized fashion-forward finesse proffered via its sophisticated downtown cityscape which lights up like Times Square come nightfall; or the overwhelming charm of quaint Victorian homes in Heritage Hill, and historical venues brimming with natty noir and visions of fedora-wearing detectives such as the Wealthy Street Theatre.

Given the vast array of personalities found within this one minute setting, an area which doubles as the home of the main character in The Polar Express, in addition to Chris Van Allsburg, the book’s author, it should come as no surprise that cute cafes are plentiful; and absolute essential stop-offs for the individual seeking a clandestine tête-à-tête with a cute boy while awaiting her morning mocha!

♥The Sparrows Coffee Tea and Newsstand Dolls, despite the fact that The Sparrows Coffee Tea and Newsstand is literally located smack dab in the middle of a diminutive residential neighborhood, making it a slightly off-the-beaten-path sort of location for someone who doesn’t live mere footsteps from the salmon-hued structure adorned with forest green awnings typically seen decorating swank restaurants in Beverly Hills; the aura which virtually bursts out at you simply from standing in the doorway is enough to lure you away from your typical coffee house haunt for an experience that you will never want to end.

Aesthetically, when gazed upon from the outside, you can’t help but think of the gingerbread house trimmed in confectionary from the tale Hansel and Gretel. Yet once inside, you are not welcomed by an oversized oven or a nasty witch, as the infamous brother / sister duo were; rather, you are waved into a room trimmed in rustic wood paneling. Along the right wall sit an abundance of hard-to-find newspapers, magazines, and books ripe for the visitor’s choosing; while jars of loose leaf teas and locally-made jewelry line the long countertops. Sink into one of the colossal chairs sitting by the front window with a chai latte and spend a gloomy afternoon quietly watching the rainfall. 1035 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506.

♥76 Coffee Only four words have the power to accurately sum up 76 Coffee; and those four words, my loves, are One. Of. A. Kind. Like a diamond in the rough, 76 Coffee gleams in all of its caffeine-encumbered glory, creating a priceless scene which swallows you whole, and lingers around you long after you have vacated the premises, lodging itself in your thoughts until you finally breakdown and return to the scene of the crime.

Unlike some shops that suck you in and spit you out the moment you have swallowed the last drops of your demitasse; the vibe of 76 Coffee is synonymous with that of an extended family. Regulars stop by your table for brief chats; the baristas are ready, willing, and able to whip up any type of drink you can possibly imagine; a “free” bookshelf offers a large collection of reading material to patrons; an eclectic mix of kitschy yet creative graffiti mars the walls; and a non-stop barrage of amazing music creates a melodic white noise which literally lulls you into a daydream.

Yes, the atmosphere is smoky, but that’s just one of the characteristics which add to the enchantment; plus, the clever titles given to each drink more than make up for it. Try “That Thing That Guy Gets,” the Carmello (like the candy bar!), or “The Horse You Rode in On.” Your tastebuds will thank you! 1507 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506.

Which of these Grand Rapids cafes would you like to cruise?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Tumblr for the pictures.


Don't forget to enter the Love Is in the Air Giveaway for your chance to win the 90 Words Per Minute Dress from Shabby Apple.

Sealed with a Mix Tape

"There are all kinds of mix tapes. There is always a reason to make one."
Rob Sheffield
You can drape a girl in diamonds; ply her with chocolate; and shower her with dozens of red roses. Truth be told, you can do it all; but deep down, even if she never admits it to herself, the most sentimental way to win her heart is via a mix tape.

Darlings, it pains me to think that you may be completely out of touch with this type of reality, so I’ll simply spell it out for you…the mix tape is the piece de resistance of presents. As Victor Hugo once said, "Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and cannot remain silent." It is a scapegoat of sorts for allowing one to divulge their deepest feelings for another; to give an individual the chance to lay their heart on the line in a fashion unencumbered with stuttering or nervousness – just pure words flowing languidly from the stereo.

"When you stick a song on a tape, you set it free."
Rob Sheffield
But I digress; one must be mindful of the fact that a mix tape is not merely a quick fix for the person who forgot to buy a friend or significant other a gift, nor is it a goodie given in place of something store bought. A mix tape is a small piece of someone’s heart. Whether created by a nostalgic sorority girl for her BFF; or a cute hipster boy wanting to leave a lasting impression on the girl he is currently wooing, a mix tape says it all. Hence the reason why creating one is oftentimes a difficult task.

Making the perfect mix is an art, a skill learned over years of practice. It is not something that can be put together overnight. It involves countless hours of planning, researching, and recounting magic moments that took place between you and the person in question. The nights spent falling asleep under the stars; the long periods of comfortable silences; the impromptu adventures. To put it bluntly, it is a soulful, symphonic scrapbook bringing good and bad times from mere minutes ago to years past to light.

This Valentine’s Day, forgo the chalky candy hearts, the flowers that will wilt away in a few days time, and the stuffed animals that will ultimately be re-gifted sometime down the road; and instead impress with a mix tape that will be cherished forever. Don’t worry dolls, I’ll help you along!

"It’s always that one song that gets to you. You can hide, but the song comes to find you."
Rob Sheffield
♥New Wave In the age of technology, it is shocking to see a CD anymore, let alone a tape. Nevertheless, sending digital downloads of songs is a surefire way to ruin the effect of the mix tape (unless, of course, you are using Fred Flare's Mix Tape USB Flash Drive). If you want to stay true to the roots of the mix, and you’re armed with the equipment required to work with a cassette, I suggest taking the time to put a tape together. If, however, you feel more comfortable working with a CD, go for it. A bit of the vintage vibe proffered by a genuine cassette is lost in translation; but it’s the music that counts.

♥Time After Time The length of time that a mix tape runs varies for the creator, yet almost always sticks to the 30-minute interval rule, starting at 60-minutes and going through 120-minutes. In general, 90-minutes seems to be the favored mix tape length. It’s long enough to get your point across, without droning on with unnecessary inclusions.

♥Theme Team It is impossible to so much as begin putting a mix tape together until you have decided upon the theme you are aiming for. Is it being created with a potential love interest in mind? Are you putting it together to commemorate a childhood friendship? Will it be given to someone attempting to heal a broken heart? Before you begin, it is essential that you have the answer to this question. Once the theme has been decided upon, you can move onto the hard part…creating a title!

"When we die, we will turn into songs, and we will hear each other and remember each other."
Rob Sheffield
♥The Name Game I realize that you are devoting your time to selecting songs for your compilation, but an amazing title is a complete necessity for the perfect mix tape. Something labeled "Sappy" or "Love" is uninspired and makes the receiver feel as if very little thought has been put into the creation of this gem. Don’t allow your hard work to be overlooked due to a bad title! Wrack your brain for memorable experiences or covert inside jokes the two of you have shared – the best titles stem from these very places!

♥List Love Kittens I truly hope that you are like me in the sense that you adore making lists, because you will be creating quite a few of them on your quest to perfecting your mix tape. Track listing is a crucial part of the mix. It involves choosing an assortment of songs, then weeding out the ones that fit the theme you are going for, and ending with deciding which tracks are the most compatible with one another. This step alone often involves numerous trials to ensure that you choose the best songs, but it is well worth it!

♥Number One I cannot stress the importance of the first song on your mix. The first song sets the tone for the complete tape, and makes the listener decide whether or not it’s even worth listening to in its entirety. For this reason alone, never underestimate the power of the opening track. It is essential that you steer clear of songs that are too predictable, as it immediately enshrouds the entire tape in a cloak of boringness. At the same time, going the clichéd route makes one contemplate the seriousness of the mix. You want something that is faint yet fascinating; a song that will catch the listener’s ear and draw them in - therefore, choose wisely.

"I realize that I will never fully understand the millions of bizarre ways that music brings people together."
Rob Sheffield
♥Metamorphosis Too many get caught up in wanting miscellany within their mix which oftentimes results in disaster. As William Cowper said, "Variety is the very spice of life," but if it doesn’t fit or flow correctly, it can be the ruination of your tape. Transitions between songs must be subtle. Moving from light indie to pop rock needs to be done gradually, allowing the tempo to rise slowly with each song to keep the tape from becoming detached. Leaping from genre to genre within your mix must be avoided at all costs; the songs must have a link to one another that makes everything flow perfectly, and creates a harmonious collection – otherwise the entire tape fails.

Darlings, like love; creating the perfect mix tape requires nurturing, patience, and a large dose of TLC. You may not get it right the first time, or the time after that; who knows, it could take you years to perfect your mix tape method. But just like amour, somehow, someway, when you least expect it, it will find you. And when it does, everything will fall into place; for, in the words of Rob Sheffield, "But the answer is simple. Love is a mix tape." Until then…

Happy, Happy Valentine’s Day, my loves!


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Tumblr for the pictures.


♥Note: I originally wrote this post for one of my favorite blogs, Fashion Court, on February 1, 2010; but I loved writing it so much, that I thought I would share it with all of you here, just in case you missed it!


Don't forget to enter the Love Is in the Air Giveaway for your chance to win the 90 Words Per Minute Dress from Shabby Apple.

Smitten Saturday

♥Pouch Potato Don’t think me a hypocrite by admitting this, as it is the holiday season – a time of confessions to ensure that one remains on Cupid’s good list, and doesn’t awake on Valentine’s Day morning sans a gleaming arrow in the front lawn or a box of chocolates by her bedside; but I am guilty of betrayal. Constantly I go on and on about my adoration for oversized handbags, and while such a proclamation has always been the truth, I must reveal that a new style of carryall has claimed my heart…la pouch.

Blame it upon my many rereads of Wharton’s The Age of Innocence, or my love for Anna Godbersen’s The Luxe, but I truly find it downright impossible to resist the receptacle-like contours and design of the petite pouches so frequently seen swinging to and fro from the dainty wrists of socialites during the Gilded Age. Thus, I am out to find one all my own. Lena Erziak’s Star Bag mixes modern with vintage courtesy of the shimmering gold star-shaped studs adorning its red suede surface. Good old-fashioned elegance and glamour is easy to achieve with Khirma Eliazov’s Mignonne Pouch. And it’s utterly impossible not to stir up a whirlwind of drama with Forever 21’s Vintage Rosette Purse in tow. Would you consider yourself a pouch potato dolls?

♥Pillow Talk Perhaps I am the only one whom feels this way, but I must admit that there is something quite enchanting about sassy script. The way the letters loop luxuriously, interlocking between one another to spell out everything from names to tongue-twisters possesses an elegant aesthetic which is an absolute delight to receive – especially in this day of technology where the typewritten word is most common in our lives. But alas; it seems very few are tickled by the fairytale-inspired whimsy brought about by handwritten notes covered in such pretty penmanship. Now, however, we no longer have to wait for a cute, yet completely clueless boy to, for lack of better words, get a clue; we can simply indulge in haute handwriting ourselves via LuLu DK’s Love Decorative Pillow – a picturesque place to lay our heads down covered in embroidery proclaiming the word “Love” in charming calligraphy. Ready for a bit of pillow talk, kitty cats?

♥Keep the Cocktail, Just Give Me the Dress Darlings despite the pretty pink pallor of the Cosmo so adored by Carrie Bradshaw, or the fact that cognac-hued Brandy matches nearly half of the contents of my shoe collection, I have never been tempted to sip upon one of these shimmering drinks; rather, they have simply become an accessory in which I clasp between my lacquered fingernails as I make the rounds about sophisticated parties, hobnobbing with handsome gentlemen and posh princesses dressed to the nines. Even so, my disinterest in cocktails has never prohibited me from fawning over cocktail dresses – specifically those crafted by New York City based Alexia Admor.

With over twenty years of crafting saucy numbers in the very heart of Manhattan’s fabulous fashion district, the designers of Alexia Admor have honed their creativity, embracing aesthetics with the ability to wow everyone from the girl next door constantly seen donning blue jeans and slouchy tees, to the glamorous goddess whom never steps foot outside without crimson lips and loads of eyeliner highlighting her pretty peepers. From the Ruffle Spaghetti Strap Silk Blouson and Jeweled Waist Strapless Sweetheart Taffeta Dress for the playful, to the Jeweled Neckline Two Tone Silk Charmeuse Taffeta Dress and Jeweled Neck Shimmer Satin A-Line Dress for the cultivated, Alexia Admor proffers a bit of beauty for everyone. Which cocktail dress is calling your name?

What were you smitten with this week?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Tumblr and Alexia Admor for the pictures.


Don't forget to enter the Love Is in the Air Giveaway for your chance to win the 90 Words Per Minute Dress from Shabby Apple.

Love Is in the Air Giveaway

Darlings obviously I cannot speak for you, as you’re all quite capable of incessant chit chat around the water cooler; as for me, however, whenever I think of Valentine’s Day, I cannot stop myself from dreaming of flirty frocks. Dresses that bring about scenarios of kissing cute boys over a candlelit dinner for two, or a romantic walk under the stars, sand beneath our bare feet (mine the bearer of a perfect pedicure, to be sure).

But I digress; finding a flawless dress for a special occasion can be a complete nightmare – even for a skilled fashionista like you or me. Luckily, Shabby Apple, an Online leader in women’s dresses, makes the task far more simple. Dividing their fabulous forms of frippery into a handful of delectable categories, one need only select the look they are searching for, and voila! Perfect pieces are proffered. I myself am a fan of the Manhattan, Carousel, and 1943 Collections; but right now it is the Sophisticated medley which is on the tip of my tongue – specifically the 90 Words Per Minute Dress.

Yes, it’s true my loves; Café Fashionista has teamed up with Shabby Apple to bring one (1) of you gorgeous girls the chance to make the 90 Words Per Minute Dress – a Mad Men-inspired frock which makes waves anywhere from the office to the opera – your very own!

To Enter the Love Is in the Air Giveaway:

♥For one (1) entry, leave a comment on this post between now and Thursday, February 11, 2010 at midnight PST.

♥For two (2) entries, Twitter about this giveaway, and leave a comment on this post between now and Thursday, February 11, 2010 at midnight PST with your Twitter URL.

♥For three (3) entries, become a follower of Café Fashionista on Blogger/Google Reader/Google Friend Connect, and leave a comment on this post between now and Thursday, February 11, 2010 at midnight PST (if you are already a Café Fashionista follower, please say so in your comment).

I will randomly pick one (1) name out of a hat (who knows, it could be yours!), and announce the winner on Friday, February 12, 2010.

In the meantime, should you feel the urge to splurge, now through February 28, 2010 save 10% on all Shabby Apple purchases with code word Cafefashionista10off.

Good luck everyone!

This Giveaway is open to U.S. Residents! Winner will be able to choose their dress size.


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Shabby Apple for the pictures.

Ring Leader Giveaway Winner

I truly hope that you have all been preparing yourselves for the big reveal that is about to occur. Choosing pretty colors for your manicures, protecting your hands from the harsh winter winds via warm gloves and mittens, and allocating time each day for using yummy-smelling lotions to keep your fingers nice and soft; for one (1) of you is about to take home the Dort Crystal Toni Ring from JBandMe.com, and it deserves to be welcomed into your world with great honor. That said; congratulations to…

…Elle of A Wonderfelle World, whose answer stated:

“As a dear follower of all things Café Fashionista, I deserve this ring, because I plan on amassing an embarrassingly large collection of cocktail rings by the time I'm a little old lady; and with each fabulous ring there will be a fabulous story that goes along with it - so don't deny a little old lady the story ‘once upon a time, I was lucky enough to win sweet Erika's giveaway...’ :)

Now, my darling Elle, you have!

Please e-mail me at cafefashionista@yahoo.com with your mailing address and your ring size (5 – 9) to claim your prize.

Thank you to the winner, and to everyone who entered Café Fashionista’s giveaway!


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Tumblr for the picture.

Thrifty Thursday: Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent Ruffle Front Strapless Silk Dress for Less

Let’s be honest dolls; ruffles are one of the most romantic yet playful embellishments one can find themselves styled in. They are a whimsical inclusion to any look that possess the ability to proffer sheer elegance in a manner that is ever so slightly flamboyant juxtaposed with complete unfussiness.

Truth be told, however, a light smattering of ruffles trimming one’s flirty frock or slouchy tee is not always enough. Sometimes you feel the desire to be resplendent in frothy layers of ruffles, ruffles, and more ruffles. Thus, when such a craving strikes, it is up to you to uncover fabulousness that caters to this precise pining – Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent’s Ruffle Front Strapless Silk Dress is it!

Forgoing the typical tiny ruffles so often seen upon flowy tanks and glittering gowns, the Ruffle Front Strapless Silk Dress casts all cares to the wind, embracing big, bold ornamentation in the form of luscious folds of fuchsia-hued silk layers that magically cascade down the front from the bust line to the hemline creating a coquettish splash of volume which only serves to make it more reminiscent of something worn by a princess in a fairytale. Yet even with such over the top decorations, the Ruffle Front Strapless Silk Dress manages to retain all semblance of classy sophistication given the fact that the back is as simple and subtle in its styling as the front is ostentatious and, to put it bluntly, in your face.

But I digress; darlings I suppose there’s no point in getting sentimental over such a sensational aesthetic. No matter how much I long to make the tantalizing Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent pretty my own, or the many stylish daydreams I find myself in the midst of – all of me, of course, encased in this saucy number – the $275.00 price tag stands in the way of me and sassy sublimity. Hence the reason why I have set my sights on Lulu*s’ Set the Mood Dress in Coral.

While constructed out of a polyester/rayon blend as opposed to silk, the sparkling jacquard paisley print, pockets flanking each side, and, the true piece de resistance, $33.00 valuation, make it an absolute cinch to be brilliant without going broke!

Which role are you playing today, darlings…the frugal femme fatale or the sassy spendthrift?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Piperlime and Lulu*s for the pictures.


Don't forget to enter the Ring Leader Giveaway for your chance to win a Dort Crystal Toni Ring from JBandMe.com.