Currently Channeling..Lucille Ball

Besides being a hilarious actress, Lucille Ball truly emphasized the tailored and polished look of her times. Nicknamed the First Lady of Television and the Queen of Comedy she has truly paved her way in her industry. I get so much inspiration from her style, the tailored suits and fitted clothing..now if I can work on my getting her hairstyles down! Ugh, LOVE! With lovely pencil skirts, gorgeous glam dresses and lovely pant and skirt suits created Lucille’s favorite attire. A woman who adored being elegant as every woman should be, Lucille Ball managed to be very feminine in her outfits even though they were not at all revealing. Which is oh so lovely! Because her career lasted for decades, Lucille Ball adapted her fashion style to the present, always being trendy, stylish and elegant at the same time. Go Girl!

Retro Summer Flavor

Pin-up bathing suits are everything for this summer! I get inspired from past icons such as Marilyn Monroe  for the pin-up style bathing suits. The retro high-waisted cuts and fun prints or navy style are all coming back for this summer and I am oh so excited to rock mine! The trick for this trend is to find a suit that fits your body like a glove- this way it highlights and accentuates your curves and you will feel and look ultra sexy! The less is more tip comes into play for this one 😉 Tanning may be a bit tricky–but looking fly is always guaranteed 😉 vintage style! Naturalista’s don’t be intimidated, one piece or two piece can work with a variety of body types– and remember confidence is number one!

Here are some vintage pictures I found that I simply adore and inspire me!!

And some of yours truly from a cruise I went on not too long ago where I rocked my Hawaiian Printed Two Piece.

Currently Channeling: Coco Chanel

Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel (1883-1971) has always been a naturalista fashionista and inspiration in my eyes. A sense of class, poise, confidence, and elegance is what comes to mind when I think of the style icon.

 She was born in Saumur, in the Loire Valley of France, and survived an impoverished childhood. The difficulties of her early life inspired her to pursue a radically different lifestyle, first on the stage, where she acquired the nickname “Coco,” and then as a milliner. (One that makes, trims, and sells hats) Chanel opened up her first shop in Paris in 1913, followed by another in the resort town of Deauville. Selling hats and a limited line of garments, Chanel’s shops developed a dedicated clientele who quickly made her practical sportswear a great success. Chanel used a lot of jersey fabric, due to the low cost and her budget at the time, which surprisingly gave her shops the best boost. Women were finally able to leave their corsets behind and dress more comfortably. Chanel took great pride as a woman in designing for other women, and by 1919 she enjoyed huge success, with clients around the world. Soon after, she relocated her couture house in Paris to 31 Rue Cambon, which remains the center of operations for the House of Chanel today. (Which I will visit ONE day)

Following Chanel’s death in 1971, several of her assistants designed the couture and ready-to-wear lines until Karl Lagerfeld took over the haute couture design in 1983 and ready-to-wear in 1984. Lagerfeld, like Chanel at the time of her comeback, looked to past designs for the secret to his success. His designs incorporated signature Chanel details, tweed fabrics, colors, gold chains, quilt-stitched leather, and the linked “CC” logo.

 

Elegance is not the prerogative of those who have just escaped from adolescence, but of those who have already taken possession of their future.
– Coco Chanel

Fashion fades, only style remains the same.

– Coco Chanel

In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different.

– Coco Chanel

(via Krick, Jessa. “Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel (1883–1971) and the House of Chanel”. In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/chnl/hd_chnl.htm (October 2004)

Cruisin’ a la vintage

Hello my Naturalistas! In case you fashionistas were wondering why I haven’t blogged in a bit it’s because I was on a lovely vacay. I went on an amazing cruise to the Eastern Caribbean with some of my faves. I had such a blast visiting the islands and soaking up the sun. The wardrobe I took with me was fun as well. Summer time fashion is always the best in my opinion because of the vibrant colors, fun accessories, and sassy cuts. I kept it very island breezy with a little bit of retro flavor. I wanted to be casual during the day so I can feel comfortable and hey I was mostly in my bathing suit anyway!

 Here’s a little peek of some of my fave vintage outfits♥

Rest in Peace Etta James

 

One of my favorite icons, Etta James your music has influenced so many people including myself. It will live on forever and ever through our souls and memories. Rest in Power.

 

 

“A lot of people think the blues is depressing,” she told The Los Angeles Times in 1992, “but that’s not the blues I’m singing. When I’m singing blues, I’m singing life. People that can’t stand to listen to the blues, they’ve got to be phonies.”

(via The New York Times)

Currently Channeling…

Born in the late 20’s Marilyn Monroe has always been the pin-up fashionista that marked her time. While acting in New York Monroe became a much admired international star known for her spicy personality and hourglass figure. The wildly popular comedy, “Some Like it Hot” in 1959 was her biggest break-through in the acting industry. Old Hollywood glamour is my favorite and Marilyn was definitely the creator of this fashion. The bright red lip, smokey eyeliner, and tight dress with the soft curl wave is exactly what I channel when I think of the beauty herself. Feminine yet confident, she will always be my favorite Naturalista Fashionista !