Celebrating Punk Fashion at the Metropolitan Museum of Art!

The spring 2013 exhibition organized by The Costume Institute of The Metropolitan Museum of Art will be PUNK: Chaos to Couture.  The exhibition will be open to view starting May 9th through August 14th and takes a deep dive into examining punk's impact on high fashion from the movement's birth in the 1970's through it's continuing and prevalent influence today.

One concept that I'm ridiculously excited to see explored and portrayed is punk's enduring contribution to high fashion via do-it-yourself or known best as DIY.  The four galleries of DIY are Hardware, Bricolage, Graffiti & Agritpop and Destroy.  With the renowned Met Gala being held tonight, May 6th  I'm looking forward to seeing what attendees will be wearing.  This year's theme of PUNK: Chaos to Couture, mean the ensemble possibilities are endless.  I'm expecting to see alot of Rick Owens, Comme des Garcons, Gareth Pugh, Martin Marigela and Vivienne Westwood on the red carpet.

Check out some of the looks that epitomize Punk Fashion by the pages of Vogue Magazine:

#CSMTravels for the month of April part 2!

More from my Hong Kong, China travels earlier this month.  One of the most stand out experiences I had this trip was visiting the Sha Tin Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery.  In part 2 of my Photo Diary of my travels this month see if you can find all of the Buddhas that are so skillfully placed in the mountainside (here's a hint it's a double digit number).

P.S.  I have the correct total at the end of the post....

Part 2 of my Photo Diary April travels to Hong Kong:

There were 22 Buddahs! Hopefully you were able to find all 22! xo

[Personal Style] Spring Obsessions & Inspirations!

The first day of Spring is about 2 months away and all I can do is daydream about what I'll be wearing once the temps become a little more stable here in Chicago.  The only warmth I need?  A little art of contrast by Jason Wu & Balmain, collaged prints by Givenchy, and statement making jewelry by Shourouk. 

Enjoy perusing my spring obsessions and inspirations! xo

Items pictured above: 1. Givenchy Top 2. Illesteva Sunnies 3. Repossi Earrings 4. Shourouk Necklace (similar) 5. Jason Wu Heels 6. Sang A 'V-Clutch' (similar) 7. Current/Elliott Jeans 8. Shourouk Bracelet 9. Balmain Skirt 10. Stubbs & Wootton Dress Slippers

CSM's Photo Review of 2012 in 12 Photos!

As the year is drawing to a close, reflection is all that one can do and inevitably will do today on NYE.  Today I'm looking back at all of the great CSM moments that have happened and in doing so all the amazing memories filled with laughter, love, and of course fashionable style come flooding back.

So many exciting things have happened for me this year and it's all thanks to my phenomenal CSM readers & community.  This year I've traveled to a few pretty amazing locales, played 'hostess with the mostess' for some stellar fashion/style events & brand collaborations, wore some kick ass ensembles, and attended a number of fashion shows.  All while still channeling my style mantra: Edgy, Comfy, Chic.

As you peruse through my top 12 photos from 2012, I hope it encourages you to reflect back and pick your personal top 12 moments from 2012 as well.  Enjoy!

[Chicago Dining] Roka Akor Winter Menu Preview!

Anytime I get to infuse food and fashion together it's always a match made in cosmic heaven.  Roka Akor extended me the opportunity to join them recently to preview their food & cocktail winter menu.  As an appreciator of artistic cuisine featuring premiere fresh seasonal, natural and local ingredients it was definitely an event I was looking forward too.  The tasting menu was comprised of 5 different courses, a dessert and 3 different cocktails.

Being a contemporary Robatayaki Japanese restaurant, it was so refreshing to see "food as theater".  Of the 5 courses that were served my favorite was the Robata grilled Wagyu confit Short Rib with truffle maitake mushroom; grilled sweet potato with ginger teriyaki sauce.  Roka Akor is most notably known as a sushi master, but their impressive offering of succulent steak cuts is what left me craving for more.

This new seasonal menu will launch this Friday with the Winter Solstice, on December 21st through March 20th.  Check out my pics below (warning, may cause drool):

Wondering what to wear to this contemporary eastern experience? Play up the fun and sleek vibe in this "Edgy Sparkle" ensemble:

Shop the look here:

Cape it up!

The perfect topper for any Fall ensemble? Why not a cape! This season's big and spacious silhouettes make this accessory the perfect accent to channel your inner super hero.

Seriously, how vogue-ishly chic are these?!

TOPSHOP
Where: http://bit.ly/VzpH7d

boticca.com
Where: http://bit.ly/TEpKzV

TOPSHOP
Where: http://bit.ly/SwgpIh

Miss Selfridge
Where: http://bit.ly/TEqhlz

Baby It's Cold Outside!

Temps are dropping, snow is covering the ground, and time to break out your cold weather boots.  Now that Fall temps have arrived (although in Chicago it's really hard to tell what with the 60+ degree weather we have been having as of late) shearling, suede, leather and rubber are the key fabrications of choice for footwear.

Fall/Winter footwear should not only provide warmth and protection against the elements but most importantly doing so in style.  The following are my top 6 picks that will keep you stylish & warm:

Ash Shoes
Where: http://rstyle.me/irns7yjnkw

House of Harlow
Where: http://rstyle.me/irnrgjjnkw

Marc by Marc Jacobs
Where: http://rstyle.me/ipjqt9jnkw

Matt Benson
Where: http://rstyle.me/irniehjnkw

Monika Chiang
Where: www.monikachiang.com

Salvatore Ferragamo
Where: http://rstyle.me/h36h36jnkw