The House of Giselle: 2012

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Lucky Magazine hosts its first FABB Conference

Lucky Magazine announced through a press release distributed via PR Newswire that it will be holding a two-day conference called Fashion And Beauty Blog Conference (FABB). The conference will be held on September 5 and 6. Well FABB has already sold out. But don't fret day one of the conference will be available via live stream. Day two consists of a shopping trip with Lucky Magazine editors.

Speakers for the conference include: Lauren Conrad, stylist Rachel Zoe, Fashionista's Executive Director Leah Chernikoff, Man Repeller's Leandra Medine, DKNY's Aliza Licht, PS-I Made This' Erica Domesek, and many more.

For more information including the conference schedule and live stream information click here.

Back to Black Basics

Once upon a time my wardrobe consisted of lots of black pieces but I got rid of them to inject more color into my closet. Now I regret it. Since I have started my department store job I realize that I need more basic black pieces in my wardrobe. I fell back in love with how easy, chic and classic black is. My workplace dress code is pretty flexible. We can wear colorful shoes, colorful accessories and colorful/printed tops (as long as we wear a jacket over said top). Although I plan to not slip back into my old dark styling ways, I will be purchasing new black items. Below are some pieces I am going to be implementing into my wardrobe, along with some colorful options to play them up. Hope inspire you to discover the chicness that is black.

Back to Black Basics by giselleadriana featuring flat shoes

For item details and prices go beyond the break.

Back to Black Basics by giselleadriana featuring cropped pants

H M knee length dress
$39 - hm.com

Black blouse
$41 - glamorousuk.com

H M sleeveless shirt
$24 - hm.com

Warehouse tuxedo jacket
$63 - warehouse.co.uk

Miss Selfridge skater skirt
missselfridge.com

Uniqlo cropped pants
$31 - uniqlo.com

Dolce&Gabbana high heels
net-a-porter.com

Lumiani slouchy boots
zappos.com

Flat shoes
topshop.com

Jamie Joseph opal jewelry
ylang23.com

Amrita singh jewelry
amritasingh.com

Statement necklace
preebrulee.com

H M metal jewelry
$9.46 - hm.com

Alexander mcqueen scarve
$260 - harrods.com

Linen scarve
$41 - countryroad.com.au

Fashion Quotes: Roberta 'Robbie' Myers

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

The Source and Cause of Kim K's New Look

While I may not have watched Sunday's episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians, I did hear about the whole Kim's closet, Kanye makeover event. Mr. West and his stylist Renelou Padora headed over to Kim's house to

Not quite sure how I would feel about my boyfriend and his stylist coming over to my house to purge my closet and redo my look; but hey it's not exactly the worst first world problem one can have.

I'm all for building a closet that makes you feel like you are shopping in your own personalized boutique, but at some point, ladies and gents, you must learn to purge your closet space. Especially if you want to make room for new items.

So for that I applaud them for helping Kim, but I hoped that they were crafting a new look that would truly reflect the person Kim is and not giving her a Kanye approved wardrobe. I greatly dislike when girls dress and adopt a persona for the man that they are currently dating. Yeah, I'm looking at you Taylor Swift and pre-baby Jessica Simpson. Then I remembered that this was pre-taped and not shot a week ago

Click here to see the clip for yourself.

Fashion's Night Out: Minneapolis Edition

I am so excited about Fashion's Night Out. My city is hosting one is yours?

The Downtown Minneapolis Fashion's Night Out will take place on September 6, 2012 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.. Several department stores, shops and boutiques located downtown will be participating.

Fashion's Night Out was birthed by fashion phenom and Editor in Chief of Vogue Magazine, Anna Wintour in 2009 as a means of getting people to spend money after the economy took a hit. Started in New York City. By 2010 FNO had spread to several cities and countries all over the world.

To get more information and find out what your city may be doing to celebrate the night visit the official Fashion's Night Out website here.

SPOTTED: Tracey Edmond in Beverly Hills

I saw this picture of Tracey Edmonds leaving a nail salon in Beverly Hills last week. I though that this outfit while simple was majorly chic. A tank tucked into a belted pencil skirt paired with a great bag (hers is a Birkin) and sleek pumps is ready for the office, a week day lunch meeting or running errands. If your office has a policy on sleeveless shirts the wear a blazer over this look and you're instantly office ready. The only added accessory I would add is a silver watch to add more sophistication.

The reason I really like this look is I like that she is wearing various shades of one hue. By down playing everything from color, accessories and make-up Tracey comes off as effortless and stylish.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Celeb Branded: Mariah Partners with OPI; Solange is the face of Madewell and Pink is the newest COVERGIRL

Mariah for OPI

Singer Mariah Carey, 42 has been tapped as the newest celeb to partner with nail lacquer giant OPI.

Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, executive vice president and artistic director of OPI spoke on the partnership in WWD saying:

"Nails are part of her personality. I really have always looked for celebrities for whom nails are very important, and it is not something you just Photoshop on a picture. She was very much part of the color selection….She’s classic, but she can be edgy at certain times. She’s very elegant….It appeals to me also that she’s a mom. She’s a working woman and then she has this very glitzy, glamour side to her."

Beauty, Fashion and Philanthropy: Dressing for Success

Hey there THOG readers. Last Thursday and Friday I spent the day volunteering for an organization that not only caught my interest but definitely accomplishes all that they set out to do. Dress for Success provides professional attire to women who otherwise are not able to afford it. However that's not where their services end. Through their amazing PWG (Professional Women's Group), women are able to get the resources that prepare them for their professional careers and betters them on a personal level as well.

Last weekend they held their annual Success Summit here in Minneapolis at the Grand Hotel. The hotel was beautifully decorated, a mix of modern and vintage. Thursday we spent the mid-morening to early afternoon unpacking boxes and putting together gift bags. Then we had lunch and got to chat with the CEO of the organization Joi Gordon and the Director of East Coast Operations Angela Williams. They regaled us with tales of New York (including the only-in-New-York horror stories), life at Dress for Success and the fulfillment that their jobs bring. I admired these women so much as well as the other affiliates and volunteers as most of these women are not being paid but clocking serious hours on the behalf of someone else's path to success. This is beauty, fashion and philanthropy at its best. If you're a fashionista who loves to give back you too may consider becoming a volunteer wit Dress for Success. Visit their website and find an affiliate in your area, don't have one you can contact them about starting one.

Website: www.dressforsuccess.org

OOTD: Dinner Cruise

Okay so I have been sooo busy that I haven't been posting lately. I have a couple of OOTD post that I'll do today. First starting with my church's singles ministry event. The singles ministry organized a boating tour of Lake Minnetonka aboard the Lady of the Lake (docked at the Port of Excelsior). It was a perfect day for it too. Hot but breezy and no humidity. Our church was having a special event that called for everyone to be in jeans and t-shirts or jerseys for the service. It was suggsted to the singles attending the boating excursion to bring a change of clothes for the boat.

I didn't plan on going and so I did not bring a change of clothing however numerous people kept asking me to go, so I changed my mind and purchased a ticket. But I didn't want to be on the boat with my hot jeans and long sleeved shirt from my alma mater so I headed off to the store.

I went to three stores, setting my budget for no more than twenty dollars. I was dissapointed because it seemed that I would be blowing my budget. However I went into Herbergers and found a beautiful hi-lo dress marked down from $30 to $14.99. Bingo, bango!!! The dress was perfect considering that I had to find something that matched the shoes, earrings and purse that I was already wearing. The dress even matched the lavender of my nail polish. and the bronze color of my bag was even in the dress. as well. Not to mention I didn't have a necklace so the beading detail at the front sufficed perfectly. I tried the dress on and when I saw that it fit went straight for the cash resgister, dress still on! To sum it up I had a very lovely time aboard the boat fellowshiping, dining and sight seeing. If you follow me on twitter (@GisellePhorbes) then you know how I relaxing I thought that boat ride was and how I very much want a boat of my own.

About the Outfit
Dress: Herbergers
Shoes: Gladiator sandals (H&M)
Purse: Bronze slouch bag (Can't Remember)
Nails: Wet and Wild Nail polish in On A Trip/En Voyage 213C (Very befitting Name, no?)
Hair: Braidout on permed hair with the top sections pinned back
Jewelery: Tarnished (purposely) Gold Hoops (beauty supply store $1.99)

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

MN Love: Arafina in ELLE's 50 States of Shopping

I was so happy anytime MN fashion makes its way into the national spolight or national fashion discourse. So count me doubly happy when perusing one of my fave fashion magazine's website I saw an article titled, "The 50 States of Shopping". ELLE featured one store from each state. So gas up the car and let's go on a fashion fueled road trip!!! Read on to see featured highlights and the link to the article...

Thrifted: Tweed Coat with Fur Collar

As I have stated before I love a good thrift store hunt. When a great piece is found it is like receiving the best reward. That's how I felt when I found this beautiful tweed coat. Go beyond the break for more info.

New York Fashion Week is giving us a wonderful snapshot of what the Fall 2012 fashion forward woman is going to look like. When I saw pictures from the shows that have walked already, two words immediately came to mind: subtle sexuality. After reading some articles and interviews from the designers themselves my intuition was confirmed. Below I give you glimpses from the Oscar de la Renta and Vera Wang shows and details about the Fall 2012 woman.

Actress Taraji P. Henson was werking the red carpet at Sunday night's 2012 Grammy Awards. I thought she looked so lovely that I wanted to feature her in this week's Werk It!!! Continue on after the jump for the designer of this beautiful gown.

Love Is In The Air

Happy Valentines Day!!! If you still don't have anything to wear tonight for a romantic night out here's two looks I created. Everyone is tempted to go full on red or pink for V-Day but I think a monochromatic look with pops of either color will be more attention getting. If you want more info about each piece and where to get it, go beyond the break....

Vogue is calling it the return of the earring. That's right ladies super-sized earrings are in this upcoming Spring. So break out your chandeliers, drops, stacked and dangly earrings. Big and bold is where its at.

Source: Vogue.com

Monday, February 13, 2012

Covered: Guess Who?

This week's edition of Covered was such a shocker when I first saw the picture above that I immediately wanted to share it with all of you. Before you go beyond the break try and guess who this famous Hollywood starlit is......

Okay so the Grammys aired yesterday. I'm not sure if it was Whitney Houston's passing or what but the show, save a few good moments, was a bore. So was the fashion. Although a few got it right the shades were in the same color palette. Yawn. And those who did break the color palette weren't succesful. Here's a few from my list. Note: Taraji P. Henson was a 'good' but is absent from my list because tomorrow she will have her own post. I liked her dress that much. Go beyond the break for more ...

Hello THOG readers. By now the reality of Whitney Houston's passing has hit us all. And if you're like me you have been following this story from the moment it broke. Houston's passing is such a tragedy, as I believe that all you loved her thought that her life was changing for the better. She had just finished wrapping the film Sparkle, a film her has been looking to make for the last 10 years. (Aaliyah was slanted to play her daughter but upon her death the film was put on the back shelf. Now Jordan Sparks will star in that role.) Houston also expressed interest to reprise her role in the sequel to Waiting to Exhale to Access Hollywood's Shaun Roberts during an interview. That would be her last on camera sit down interview.

I don't want to get into all the gritty details of her passing nor do I wish to highlight the valley experiences of her life. It doesn't matter to me. (Especially because we all have them, while some may appear to be lower than others we would all hate to have them broadcasted before the world.) The fact remains that I loved Ms. Houston. I sang every song from The Bodyguard soundtrack. I will forever remember her smile and joyful presence. As I watch the TV coverage of her death those who had the pleasure of meeting her or calling her friend or mentor all said the same thing: She loved genuinely, she gave of herself selflessly and encouraged with wisdom. I believe this speaks volumes of the person whom she truly was. That despite her personal problems she still was there for others.

The first time that I saw her was in the 1990 video for "I'm Your Baby Tonight".I liked it so much I wanted to share it with you guys here on the site. I had sat cross legged on the floor for the whole video.She danced and sang with such a down to the bone coolness. And that voice ...she was The Voice. I just want to express my sincerest heartfelt prayers to Cissy Houston, Bobbi Kristina, Dionne Warwick and the rest of the Brown-Houston family, her friends and loved ones. Whitney we will always love you. Rest in peace.

Friday, February 3, 2012

Style Icon: Tracee Ellis Ross

If you don't know who Tracee Ellis Ross is, then allow me to introduce you to this Style Icon. How most women feel about Sarah Jessica Parker I feel about Ellis Ross. She is an actress, model and former contributing fashion editor for Mirabella and New York magazines. On top of all that she gets first dibs on vintage items from the closet of the ultimate style diva, Ms. Diana Ross...her mother!!! I can't even imagine how much fun that must be. When Ellis Ross is on the scene, eyes are glued to her trying to peep her latest outfit concoction. That why I consider her a Style Icon.

Fashion Speaks: Giorgio Armani

Top 5 of the Week: 1/29- 2/4

his week's fab five are: Jessica Alba, Rachel Roy, Mary J. Blige, Katherine Heigl and Jennifer Lopez.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Spotted: Jennifer Lopez

Ms. Lopez was spotted leaving a NYC hotel yesterday looking seasonally fabulous.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

I Long For: A Burberry Prorsum Trench Coat

There is nothing like a nice trench for the spring and nobody (in my mind) does a classic trench like Burberry. This Burberry Prorsum trench has definitely made my wish list. Dress it up, dress it down, a classic trench is a closet staple.

Reigning Queen of Talk Wendy Williams just announced today that she is coming out with an accessories line and joining the QVC family. Williams gave viewers of The Wendy Williams Show a sneak peek of some of the jewelry. Go beyond the break to get a sneak peek of the line and when it will launch.

Concrete Catwalk: January 30

Welcome to a new feature that I call 'Concrete Catwalk'. It is a section of the blog where I will showcase the fashion of celebs and regular people out and about on the street. Kicking it off this week at #5 is Salma Hayek who was spotted walking the street

of Paris. Go beyond the break to see who else made

the list this week....

Hello THOG (The House of Giselle) Readers,

I always like to update you guys on the latest happenings with THOG. I think I have said it before, but I started this blog because I love to write and I LOVE fashion. I essentially thought that this would make for a cool hobby. I expected to have readers but I never imagined that THOG would quickly gain so many international readers. Anyhoo I have exciting news of a new collaboration between THOG and a really cool innovative fashion site. Go beyond the break for all the deets....

Solange Knowles in Christopher Kane

I was making my cyber rounds when I spotted Solange Knowles in this light yellow Christopher Kane dress with bright pink CC Skye clutch and color blocked Fendi heels. Ms. Knowles looks Spring ready in this ensemble.

Solange was attending the launch of Tiffany's "True Love in Pictures" at Tiffany & Co in NYC where she also DJ'd...in this dress. Fashionista at work !!!

Source: Essence.com

Friday, January 27, 2012

Mind on Spring

Lately my mind has turned to Spring 2012 fashion and trends. As I was going through my wardrobe I noticed a pair of blush colored pumps that I haven't worn. Well, come this spring these babies will def see their share of ~~runway~~ sidewalk.

I have a spring wish list of items that I plan on incorporating into my wardrobe. Click here to see my wishlist.