My New Years fashion resolutions for 2012

New Years 2012 fireworks display over the Sydney Harbor Bridge in Sydney, Australia, picked by me for the pink, green and white fireworks that look like a fabulous ostrich feather tiara! Photo Credit: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

As 2012 looms above – tomorrow (actually in a few hours!) – I’m already thinking of what my New Year’s fashion resolutions are going to be. Come on, those are important too… READ MORE here: http://www.examiner.com/fashion-in-atlanta/new-years-fashion-resolutions-for-2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Sex up a plain old yellow trench coat with leopard print!

There’s a lot of us who somehow ended up with a yellow trench coat, which face it, isn’t the most trendiest or chicest colors as far as trench coats go…

these blonde tortoiseshell sunglasses would team well...

 definitely these lion head medallion sunglasses...

nice squarish look...

for a vintage feel this amber floral necklace...

or even this cocoa, black and ivory rose choker necklace...

 or this tortoise shell link necklace...

I can see the yellow coat and leopard scarf with these snakeskin booties. But how do you dress up a yellow trench coat, reminiscent of utilitarian old-fashioned plastic raincoats? With leopard prints of course...

Fancy a fedora as a fashion necessity?

My leopard fedora, waiting to be worn this winter!

Ladies of Atlanta, how do you feel about women sporting a menswear item like a fedora? If done right, it can look pretty cool and complete an outfit. But you’ve got to cop an attitude to pull it off – no pun intended.

Here are some women who did a bang up job at donning the suave fedora to prove that women can carry off the hat with as much style as men can…

Read more here: http://www.examiner.com/fashion-in-atlanta/fedoras-as-fashion-accessories-for-women

Pairing military separates with tropical prints

While one is trying to keep warm with this sudden temperature drop in Atlanta, it’s a welcome respite to think of breezy Hawaiian tropical prints, paired with a warm military style camel hued bomber jacket…

For warmer weather, this rust coloured cargo pocket jacket...

these rust lightweight cargo jogger pants...

Or these olive green cargo jogger pants...

sherpa trimmed sage green jacket to go with olive pants...

And this olive puffer for its flak jacket appeal...

Creating the look with this authentic Hawaiian shirt!

and I would add these amber lens aviator sunglasses with tortoiseshell arms...

And these retro olive sunglasses...

and these black peeptoe booties...

to go with the olive pants, this olive green bag

To go with the leather bomber jacket 

The look was inspired by Marie Claire magazine who had a feature in their January 2012 issue entitled Tropical Storm that is all about pairing military separates with tropical prints in the way of Hawaiian Aloha shirts.

Iggy Pop as face of Paco Rabanne?

Iggy Pop beguiling in tight pants and gold sequins for Black XS L'Exces by Paco Rabanne. Read more here: http://www.examiner.com/fashion-in-atlanta/iggy-pop-as-face-of-paco-rabanne

Donna Karan’s labial jacket for Nomad Two Worlds exhibition

Donna Karan and Adriana Lima at the Nomad Two Worlds Private Preview Event at the Chair and The Maiden Gallery on 5 December 2011 in New York. Photo credit: Craig Barritt/Getty Images

Okay people, I dare you to look at this very eclectic and earthy jacket on Donna Karan and not find it even the least bit labial... Read more about the event and Donna Karan's involvment in Nomad: Two Worlds with Aussie hunks Russell James and Hugh Jackman:

http://www.examiner.com/fashion-in-atlanta/fashion-meets-art-at-nomad-two-worlds-exhibition

Winter trends: winter white cross-body travel bag

Looking for a really great cross body bag that’ll work equally well for a day out in the city, for shopping or travel? Look no further than Relic’s Alex bag, made by Fossil.

Read more about it here as well as what celebs are wearing in winter white trends:

http://www.examiner.com/fashion-in-atlanta/on-trend-find-the-perfect-winter-white-travel-bag

Taking inspiration from Oscar de la Renta Pre-Fall 2012 collection

I just love this grey and burgundy look pulled together by Oscar de la Renta for his Pre-Fall 2012 collection, shown on the runway on 5 December 2011 in New York City. (Photo credit: JP Yim/Getty Images)

It actually inspired me to put together some looks both casual and festive for December and January, using a burgundy skirt by Draper's & Damon's, a charcoal turtleneck, and a menswear grey and burgundy vest with knotted burgundy buttons.

love this little vest with this burgundy skirt...

these very retro purple sunglasses to match the mood...

and these burgundy slingbacks...

 this burgundy satchel...

loving the studs on this crossbody bag...

of course, this charcoal grey plaid coat...

to be teamed with this charcoal grey cowl neck dress...

This one may look like shades of grey but the rhinestone brooch has burgundy colored stones in it!

The gunmetal grey velour top is by Liz Claiborne, thrifted for about $3 and the grey velvet skirt with autumnal leaf motif is by Banana Republic, scored for $4 and the matching scarf was created from the top half of the zippered waistline I turned into an elasticized one. What can I say? I like comfort!

Here the grey velvet skirt is paired with a burgundy top and a charcoal grey cardigan with burgundy, yellow, cream and pink embroidery thrifted for $2 and a handmade scarf of drapery material.

even this charcoal jacket would team well...

perhaps this red roses choker necklace...

and the Mad Hatter strikes again - my Red Velvet Cake Hat!

to dress down, these grey floral sneakers...

or these maroon / burgundy hightops...

these Superga grey hightops / high top sneakers...

These are pewter metallic oxfords with grey grosgrain ribbon shoelaces which will go for a casual or festive look...
and these patent leather burgundy red maryjane shoes with kitten heels, which will work with all three outfits.

and these cranberry red sunglasses...

Buy local arts and crafts at Indie Craft Experience Atlanta!

Buy local and support your local arts and crafts and fashion designers right here in metro Atlanta! Great idea to pop in for some Christmas gifts...

Read more about it here: http://www.examiner.com/fashion-in-atlanta/buy-local-at-indie-craft-experience-atlanta

Oscar de la Renta Pre-Fall 2012 collection debuts!

am I glad I have that burgundy leather look coat I got a couple of years ago!

what luscious colors these are - marigold colors - with a nod to Tibet?

this golden pleated skirt looks awesome with that patchwork coat!

Designer Oscar de la Renta held his Pre-Fall 2012 collection on December 5, 2011 in New York City and it’s a brand new color pallete to inspire us.

Models showcased designs in floral hues from saffron yellow and orange to fuchsia and burgundy or maroon, with a good measure of dark reds and the occasional cobalt blue.

If one was to pick a predominant color to his Pre-Fall 2012 collection, it would have to be maroon, featured in everything from leather separates to a leather trench coat as well as outfits with maroon fur trim!

Read more about it here: http://www.examiner.com/fashion-in-atlanta/oscar-de-la-renta-pre-fall-2012-collection-debuts

Lagerfeld's Chanel Paris-Bombay collection!

Be still my heart, what a magnificent effort from Karl Lagerfeld as he presents his latest collection at his Chanel Paris-Bombay Show at the Grand Palais on December 6, 2011 in Paris, France!

Amid a sumptuous feast fit for royalty, Lagerfeld rolled out his sartorial feast for the eyes in a tribute to all that is India – a marriage if you will – between Parisian haute couture and Indian traditional costume. The result – two thumbs up!

love the shade of pink and the gold metallic booties!

What a feast for the senses and the spread on the table doesn't look so bad either...

Karl Lagerfeld on the runway with a model during the Chanel Paris-Bombay Show at the Grand Palais on 6 December 2011 in Paris, France. Photo credit: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Read more about it here: http://www.examiner.com/fashion-in-atlanta/lagerfeld-launches-chanel-paris-bombay-collection