Seeing Stars

UPDATE: SORRY FOR THE DELAY (!!!) but a winner has been picked for the Julie Elizabeth giveaway!  The winner is SARAH BROOKE KANE!  I will email you to get you set-up.  HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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I’m not normally one for quirky prints.  Given my pixie-like stature {ha, that’s putting it kindly — more like elfin!..I’m only 5’1}, I avoid anything that might peg me as a child {including Peter Pan collars, plaid kilts, and rompers} with a dead-pan commitment you’ll rarely see me display elsewhere — and quirky prints definitely fall into the high risk category.  {Kourtney K. looked awesome in this horse-print number, but I promise someone would stop me on the street and ask whether I’d lost my way from the nearest Kindergarten classroom if I attempted the same.}  The above notwithstanding, I’ve fallen hard for the star motif I’ve been spotting all over the place this past year.  First, it paraded its way down the catwalk at D&G:

Please avert your eyes from the fashion tragedy going on towards the bottom-half of the above snaps.  Socks with pumps are still an egregious fashion sin, IMO.  LMAO.  TTYL.  LOL.  {Sorry for the abbreviation vomit — I was so shocked at myself for using “IMO” that my fingers took control and I ran with it.  Seriously, what?  Since when do I use “IMO”?  I’ve been working in an office environment too long.}  And — back to the beat — of course, backstage at D&G was cluttered with stars:

Then I saw it on my favorite bloggerina, Blair Eadie of Atlantic-Pacific.  {Bonus points (!) for the pattern play!}

And, then, on street style favorites Emily Weiss {yes, she was on “The Hills” as the awesome, perfectionist New Yorker who came to help LC with a big event in L.A. — BELOW, as snapped by StyleTao} and this little chic pea caught on Stockholm Street Style:

OK, so clearly, the star print can be elevated to make a refined or even edgy fashion statement.  So I’m all aboard for this space tour. For the edgier chic peas out there, consider this cool girl blazer ($130, TopShop), which would look excellent paired with a sparkly statement necklace ($329, Samantha Wills — and don’t EVEN get me started about the fabulosity of this new jewelry collection.  I want one of everything in her e-boutique), black skinnies, and some fierce tootises (I want these Jimmy Choos like there’s nothing else in the universe — on sale for $690, Net-A-Porter):

A little pop o neon is all this downtown chic look needs, and I of course instantly turned to Cambridge Satchel Company for their cross-bodies.  Yes, please.  This yellow number has my name written all over it ($155, Shopbop):

And — well, maybe a few of these sparkling bangles (Alexis Bittar, $185 apiece, Nordstrom):

Alternately, pair a feminine star-print blouse (Sonia Rykiel, $450, Net-A-Porter) with one of those trendy collar necklaces (Pamela Love, $277, Forward Forward), a full skirt (this style I saw at H&M for only $20!  Alternately, check out the entire current Halston Heritage collection, which features a ton of pleated skirts and dresses.  Love-leh.), black tights, and black-and-gold flats (Givenchy, $520, Jades24):

I’d finish with a classic quilted bag.  Chanel would be preferable, but this Marc Jacobs style is nice and roomy as well ($1,195, Barney’s):

Oh, and maybe a pair of delicate star-shape earrings ($45, ByBoe) and a swipe of orange-red lipstick.  I live in YSL Rouge Pur Couture #13 ($30, Saks):

If you’re really going to gun for the look {and have the $$ to spare}, go for the real McCoy with the floaty D&G gown seen on the runways ($2,497, Net-A-Porter).  Perfect with this glittery, star-shaped enorma-studs (Judith Jack, on sale for $148, Zappos):

Finish with some fab pumps — check out this slick Zara pair! ($79, Zara) and a small, structured metallic clutch (Alexander Wang, on super sale for $189, Barney’s):

And, PSST.  This inexpensive ASOS star-print dress will do in a pinch if you NEED the look but lack the funds.  Alternately, check out this galaxy-print dress ($308, Les Nouvelles) with a bold statement necklace ($340, Suzanna Dai):

Perfect with some bold bronze pumps ($640, Intermix) and a star-studded clutch ($270, Kotur):

Or, go for the bold print-play with this striped, fitted number (Bensoni, on sale for $292, LesNouvelles) and a star-print scarf (on sale for $15, Mango):

Finish with simple black pumps ($195, Vince Camuto):

I’d finish with a bold pop of pink/red (Marc by Marc Jacobs, $530, Net-A-Porter):

And then an architectural gold cuff ($65, Bloomingdale’s) and a pair of vintage button earrings (Chanel, $317, Farfetch):

Or, consider this star-print scarf (Sonia Rykiel, $150, Kirna Zabete) with a color-blocked top (Gucci, $625, Bergdorf’s), some denim skinnies, and a pair of snakeskin loafers ($195, Vince Camuto):

Perfect with these starburst studs (Janna Conner, $635, Max & Chloe) —

— and a big, roomy tote.  I’m still hung up on the Celine boston bag ($1,800, Farfetch):

Finally, a couple of small-scale items to mix and match and mold into your wardrobe: a cheapy version of the Kotur clutch above ($41, ASOS), some galaxy-style pumps (Jimmy Choo, on sale for $518, Net-A-Porter), and a star-speckled bangle (D&G, $377, Net-A-Porter):

Finally, a star ring ($50, Shopbop):

In conclusion, two thoughts — the first gratuitous, and the other exciting.  Gratuitous comment 1: though this is not even peripherally related to the foregoing post, I needed to brag about the most amazing massage ever in the history of massages in all of life.  I treated myself to a little “merry Christmas to me” gift last night when I booked a 50 minute massage with Jay at SomaSpa.  O.M.G.  I strutted into that treatment room with a chip on my shoulder and announced, with the sort of unsolicited and undeserved know-it-allness of a true brat, “I carry a lot of stress in my shoulders and back.”  The masseur (aka god-like magician of amazingness) nodded understandingly and then asked a series of questions about my fitness regimen and my health history, which led him to realize that since I run quite a bit, my legs were probably in poor shape.  I shrugged it off, but OH MY GOD.  The leg portion of the Swedish massage was a revelation.  I actually think I died for a few seconds and entered heaven.  If you are in the D.C. area and need some TLC, book immediately so you can share my zen.  I think I would be a very happy, holistic, well-balanced individual if I had a little more Jay in my life.  {Incidentally, Mr. Magpie was not.so.happy to discover that my massage was administered by a male.  Sorry, Mr. Magpie.  I was too distracted by my bliss to pay attention to gender.}

The second comment: don’t forget to enter my Julie Elizabeth giveaway!  One lucky TFM reader will win this lovely pair of earrings!  All you need to do is LIKE me on Facebook or  follow me on Twitter and then leave a comment on this post below explaining why you want the earrings.  I’ll announce a winner on FRIDAY!  AND: enjoy 20% off with coupon code: HOLIDAYS.  Yeehaw!