Bombshell

One of my college roommates at UVA was an itty-bitty Southern belle from rural Tennessee.  She had a heavy Southern drawl (she found ways to add extra syllables to typically mono-syllabic words), was highly attuned to social proprieties (I can recall the looks of silent disgust that would creep across her perfect, tiny little face when someone would say something out of turn or off-color), and, though she often waltzed around in cowboy boots and jeans, bonded with me over our girlish sensibilities.  She took to calling me “bombsh” — an abbreviation for Bombshell — and I can still hear her feisty little voice calling up the stairs to my bedroom: “Bawwwwm-shuh?”  To this day, I think of her whenever I’m feeling a bit…undone, and need a “Bombshell Moment.”  And though she gave me this “Bombshell Manual of Style” ($12.89, Amazon) at some point in our undergrad careers, I take my bombshell cues from the mother-lode: Vogue.  Recently, I tagged all of the pictures from a phenomenal spread that Vogue Espana put out, and cannot stop drooling over the pics:

It makes me want to get all decked out for the night in something like this bombshell-worthy glittery asymmetrical number (per.fect. for NYE or a Vegas affair — $180, TheOutnet):

I mean — do we die!?  I’d pair with sparkling studs to up the ante ($138, Elizabeth Cole), red lipstick (go for the ultra-glam with Tom Ford’s new line of cosmetics — even the package makes you feel special! — $45, Bergdorf Goodman), and some gold, strappy heels (I know I’ve featured these badboys like 349823 times, but they are perfect — more interesting than your run-of-the-mill strappy gold sandal, but still simple enough to keep everyone’s eyes on the prize…i.e., on your dress — $795, Rupert Sanderson)

With an outfit like that, you’ve GOT to pop some bubbly ($51, Wine Anthology) and sip it out of a classic bombshell coupe (LOVE that these say “Mr” and “Mrs” on the side — what a cute engagement gift! — $80, KateSpade):

As mentioned yesterday in the {magpie covets} section, I’m dying over the new Rachel Zoe collection that is now available via Shopbop — I can’t get her white tiered gown ($595) out of my head.  I’d wear that, or this similar stark white, drop-dead gorgeous gown by Halston Heritage ($695, Net-A-Porter) with these TDF vintage-style agate earrings (would make great statement wedding-day earrings, too — $285, Bounkit):

I’d finish with red lips, this beaded box clutch (Moyna, $230, LesPommettes), and some gray-silver t-straps (love the slightly deco feel of these shoesies — Ralph Lauren, $650, Net-A-Porter):

DIE.  A bold, wine-red mani (“Lady Is a Tramp” — $16, Deborah Lippmann) and some faux cils are musts for these go-glam-or-go-home get-ups:

Don’t forget the Veronica Lake style hair…Now, if you’re like me, and occasions for black tie wear tend NOT to crop up on a weekly basis, there are loads of other ways to amp up the bombshell factor in your life.  For one thing: pull out your most luminous separates, whether that means a silky pearlescent bathrobe; a pair of glittered flats; or a floaty, metallic-thread top.  For example, how luxe would you feel shelving your go-to going-out-look in favor of this poncho-style topper (Gold Hawk, $180, LesPommettes) paired with white shorts (Theory, $160, Net-A-Porter) and some hammered gold drops (KJL, $45, Charm&Chain):

A pair of uber-covetable, sky-high heels in pale pink (Pelle Moda, $144, Nordstrom — I own this exact pair in black suede and cannot WAIT to wear them with black tights and tidy shift dresses in the winter) lengthen the leg and seal the deal:

Finish it all off with a stack of mixed-media bangles ($45, Nordstrom) and a statement-making clutch ($900+, Torregrossa):

If you’re entertaining at home, serve cocktails in vintage-style, gold-accent highballs ($125, ChicShopLA) —

I’ve been into Greyhounds lately (vodka + sparkling grapefruit juice) — they’d look refreshing in the above glasses, especially “jujed” up with some kitschy swizzle sticks (love the pink flamingos — $4.95 for 24, Kegworks):

Serve poolside on a gold tray in your own gold bombshell bikini (Melissa Odabash, $170, Net-A-Porter):

Don’t forget some fierce black shades (Prada, $290, Net-A-Porter), a vintage striped pool umbrella, and a monogrammed towel (this one from Leontine Linens):

Bombshell it up!!!  And while you’re at it, don’t forget to enter my giveaway for a personalized date planner for 2012 (see yesterday’s post for details)…how glam would you feel sitting at your desk with one of those monogrammed planners and some glitzy silver pencils ($11 for set, CursiveNY)?!