PHOTO CREDIT // sfubiz.ca

“Too much of a good thing can be wonderful.”

-Mae West

We know the comeback of the smaller heel is controversial. If you are worried about this trend not doing the wonders for legs that a pair of sky-high stilettos does, fear not. The kitten looks great paired with jeans or with a knee length skirt. They are great for the office or for running errands, keeping you from losing any style points while you run around town holding a tray of non-fat lattes.

For example, check out the beautiful Valentino “rockstud studded caged slingback heel” below and tell us that you wouldn’t kill to walk around in those bad boys? Would you be shocked to hear that those only clock in at two and a half inches? We were too. The return to the lower heel comes with the more ladylike sexiness. It’s not a return to the conservative, merely a twist on classics. No fifties housewife would have ever thought that the low heels would ever be brought back with studs.

Just as Better Midler said, “Give a girl the correct footwear and she can conquer the world.”  If you need further proof of this revolution, then check out the latest from Burberry, Victoria Beckham and Proenza Schouler.

PHOTO CREDIT // net-a-porter.com, nordstrom.com, nastygal.com, shopbop.com.

1. Miu Miu crystal-embellished patent-leather pumps – 2 inch heel
2. Christian Louboutin ever 85 glitter-finished slingbacks- 3.5 inch heel
3. See by Chloe metallic point toe pumps – 2 inch heel
4. Valentino ‘rockstud’ pump – 2.5 inch heel
5. Nasty Gal hologram pump – 3 inch heel
6. Isa Tapia Myrna low heel pumps – 2.75 inch heel
7. Givenchy leather sandals – 3 inch heel

]]> http://www.chicfreakk.com/2013/02/21/has-the-kitten-heel-made-a-comeback/feed/ 0 http://www.chicfreakk.com/2013/02/18/nyfw-fall-2013-round-up/ http://www.chicfreakk.com/2013/02/18/nyfw-fall-2013-round-up/#comments Mon, 18 Feb 2013 17:10:20 +0000 admin http://www.chicfreakk.com/?p=1180 Trying to decide on our favorite looks from NYFW is like trying to decide what to order from your favorite restaurant. There are just too many good things, and not enough room in your stomach.

It seems that not even a snowstorm could suspend fashion week 2013 as faces such as Anna Wintour and Grace Coddington took their front row seats. We look forward to seeing celebs and socialites put their own spin on many of these runway looks just in time for the Oscars – especially the Carolina Herrera creation that is vaguely reminiscent of Princess Leia or the beautiful yellow, embellished Zac Posen number.

Without further adieu, we give you our favorite fifteen runway looks. Whether it was the voluminous collection that Vera brought, the fur-collared tweed and leather bomber from Miss Minkoff, or even the feathery frock that Cara Delivegne wore at Jason Wu, Rachel Zoe said it right: we died.

Photo Credit // harpersbazaar.com & style.com.

Curse you, Hallmark! February 14th was just another day until you and your sassy gold crown decided to make nice with Cupid. Why can’t Valentine just take one for the team and eat bonbons in stretch pants like the rest of us?

Ok, all drama aside, we’ve always kind of liked the love-stricken holiday. Yet for some, February 14th will always be a day so dreaded that anything will be done to get through the overly fuchsia day. But fear not, Valentine haters. You don’t need a guy to get you flowers, chocolates, lingerie or even a nice dinner – although we’re not apposed to the thought. You don’t have to have that special someone in order to feel the love and treat yourself to something nice. So what do the Freaks suggest for V-Day 13?

Night out: Insert a bit of the classic Valentine’s day color scheme into your wardrobe for the occasion: pink and red. Think more in terms of accessories, you don’t want to look as if you just stepped out of a Hallmark card.

Night in: Lingerie. Well that was easy wardrobe prep.

This year we have decided that our Valentine’s day will be filled with classic romantic comedies including Sixteen Candles and maybe Pretty Woman. If only you still got the cute little valentines in the makeshift, elementary classroom mailboxes, right? I guess our grown up Valentine’s Day will have to do. Oh well. We’d take vino over Cupid any day.

Keep an eye out in the next few months for Della, a Los Angeles based for-profit company that uses fashion to bring about change. The company is a women-owned and women-run business (go girls!), working with a community in West Africa to empower, employ and educate through the creation of socially-responsible products.

Not only does the company offer jobs to women in Ghana, Della also provides the women with national healthcare, national social security benefits as well as classes in money management and literacy.

Former fashion stylist, Tina Tangalkis, founded Della after she took a life changing trip to Ghana in 2009. Her company’s mission is to empower the women of West African communities so they can take the opportunities they have been provided with to better their lives.

Here at Chic Freak, we’re all about finding a good excuse to make a fashion purchase. Where will Della’s “do good” designs find you next? How about Indio-bound. Since most of us have already gotten our tickets to Coachella, why not snag one of Della’s classic hobo bags, perfect for carrying loose change while you lose yourself in the music.

Check out the selection of items at their website here.

Photo credit // Feature from shopbop.com & personal photos.

When it’s cold enough to use the heater in Malibu, you know the rest of the world must be suffering as well. Our solution? Layers. It’s like that children’s story, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. If you give a cold girl a shirt, she’ll probably ask for another. Once she’s doubled up on light layers, she’ll probably move onto a sweater. I think you get the gist. As for sweater material, we prefer cashmere (then again, we always prefer cashmere). The cashmere material is soft and thin, making it perfect for layering. (Note: the bulkier the sweater, the harder it is to get on your coat.) As for bottoms, jeans are the best option for warmth. But a winter look is never complete without the coat. We love wool jackets in neutral colors, if you are going to be wearing the same coat many times. If you’re going for a statement, however, we are all about a good fur (a quality faux works just fine, PETA friends).

Then move on to the accessories. Mittens or gloves, hats or headbands; don’t give your accessories basket your cold shoulder. Kylie’s trip to Europe over the holidays called for her great grandmother’s fur coat (a vintage must!). Kirsten, on the other hand, whips out her Kate Spade gloves driving on brisk, Malibu mornings.

Once you come in from the cold, we like to warm up with some mint tea. We picked up the idea a few years ago in Amsterdam, while dodging in and out of warm cafés to avoid the bitter winter. All you need are some fresh sprigs of mint, honey and piping hot agua. Steep the mint in your hot water and then drizzle honey to add some sweetness.

Until next time, snow angels!

Xx

From left to right // Emma Watson at People’s Choice Awards, mirror.co.uk. Kerry Washington at Rome Django premiere, justjared.com. Peter Pilotto Spring 2013 runway, fashionologie.com. Feature Image // vogue.com.

Peter Pilotto’s Spring 2013 collection is all about breaking the rules. Lime green patterned ruffles don’t go with a busy black? Structured lines and loose-fitted silk will never compliment the other? Pure lies, proves the half-Austrian and half-Italian designer.  Pilotto has us properly perplexed with his ability to “Tim Gunn” it (“Make it work,” duh). We simply can’t wait to experiment with Pilotto-inspired print placements.

PHOTO CREDIT // harpersbazaar.com,  fashionoligie.com,  ibtimes.com, popsugar.com.

1. Lily Kwong looking cute in the snow at the ASMALLWORLD Chalet Lunch in Gstaad, Switzerland.
2. Amanda Seyfried wore Resort 2013 Michael Kors in New York.
3. Emma Stone in Daniel Vosovic for Revlon’s Nearly Naked makeup launch.
4. Constance Jablonski in Balmain at a party in NYC.
5. Pippa Middleton showed off a sporty outfit while strolling around London in a Sandro biker jacket and high-top sneakers.
6. The Beckham family all looked elegant at the Viva Forever press night in London.  Victoria wore her own label while David and their sons wore Burberry (Romeo now models for Burberry).
7. Elle Fanning looked like a princess in Oscar de la Renta at the British Independent Film Awards in London.
8. Anne Hathaway took a risk in Tom Ford to the Les Miserables New York premiere.

Champagne, streamers, confetti, fireworks. New Years Eve is the one night of the year where over-the-top glitz and glamour is expected. You need to come up with the perfect outfit to score the perfect New Years kiss, right? Well, let’s be realistic. The Eve’s good years come and go and sometimes the only New Years kiss you’ll be a part of is the one you’ll find watching OC reruns (run Ryan, run). Whether you’re cheers-ing to one or you’re the life of the party, you best be ringing in the new year looking hot.

From left to right //

Parker cap sleeve v-neck sequin dress

Miu Miu Crepe-trimmed metallic brocade dress

A.L.C. exclusive Olivia pleated maxi dress

Burberry London Sequined wrap-effect dress

Parker exclusive racer back sequin wrap dress