Style Icon: Olivia Munn

Let's start this post with a little TV bonus: I'm super stoked that this coming Sunday season 2 of the show The Newsroom is premiering! In case you're not familiar it's an HBO series starring Jeff Daniels and Emily Mortimer, and also today's style icon Olivia Munn. It's a riveting and intelligent show that takes you on a behind-the-scenes look at a (fictional) newsroom during real-events that have made headlines. Of course it's not that simple, as they have their own side dramas to work through as well. I believe season one is out so you should definitely check it out!

Now, back to our style icon. Prior to The Newsroom I didn't know who Olivia Munn was, but later recognized her from the movie (that I much care for) Magic Mike. Both the show and the movie were coming out around the same time so she was doing double the press and it was then that I noticed her fabulous fashion sense, and she's since kept impressing. In general I find her style very effortless and simple, but she takes it to the next level with either a print or a pop of colour. Another style icon who has a realistic style that can be translated to real life. Gotta say, I'd be happy to rock any one of these outfits!

 

Style Icon: Nina Dobrev

The Vampire Diaries actress has already made my blog for her good sense of red carpet fashion so it's no surprise I finally decided she, and she alone, deserved a moment in the fashion spotlight. She has previously made my Best Punk list at The Met Ball, as well as my favourites list at the SAG Awards. Let's not forget she also was voted Sexiest Style in this year's Victoria's Secret What is Sexy list. While browsing her looks over the last little while it was rather difficult to pick my favourite looks to feature - there were so many!

Kind of like my other style icons Blake Lively and Gwyneth Paltrow, I feel like Nina is all about the legs - if you've got 'em, flaunt 'em! I love how fun and youthful her style is but nothing outrageous. She does modest and sexy and chic at the same time!

What do you think about Nina's style? Yay or nay?

Style Icon: Diane Kruger

Happy May everyone!

My latest style icon to be featured is Diane Kruger. I have loved her since I saw her in Wicker Park. She's just beautiful and elegant, and I personally think she knows how to rock the red carpet better than most! She has been the muse for designers such as Calvin Klein, Jason Wu and Karl Lagerfeld. Pretty darn impressive. I do like her personal style as well - I would describe it as super casual and "festival ready" if that makes sense. Although I like it it's definitely the red carpet where she shines the brightest!

And THIS beauty gown, I had to feature on it's own...

Style Icon: Julianne Hough

Not just for her style, but I think Julianne Hough is an icon in so many ways! She's absolutely beautiful. She's so smiley and bubbly it's infectious. She's got a beautiful athletic body. She's talented (triple threat). And then yes, her style is awesome! I should probably just go ahead and admit that my name is Samantha and I'm addicted to Dancing With The Stars. I love that show so much! Not just for the stars (quirky) or the dancing (can be awesome), but also for the overall humour and fun that you get with the way it's produced and the hosting. So fun. Anyway, that's where I (like most of America) first saw Julianne and started to adore her and her personality! She really is awesome. Since then she's gone on to sing and act as well. She's a little rough around the edges with both, but she's adorable and I think she's definitely getting better (and more comfortable) with time.

Here are some of my recent fave looks Julianne rocked on the red carpet:

Off the red carpet her look is definitely more simple but always on trend:

I'm not sure about anyone else, but I was also quite sad to hear of her and Ryan Seacrest breaking up a few months back. I thought they were SO cute together! Oh well, that is neither here nor there :) What do you think of Julianne's style?

Style Icon: Gwyneth Paltrow

Gwyneth Paltrow. I'm going to go ahead and guess that you either love her or hate her as I rarely meet anyone who's in between. No matter where you stand, you just have to admit, the lady has style! I absolutely love her red carpet style, event style, and street style. It's always simple and effortless but incredibly chic! Her enviable long and lean figure certainly helps as nothing seems to look bad on her frame. And the fact that she's a mother of two?  I commend anyone who can always look pulled together, and extra points when you're a mom!

All the above are of her in the past month, and it's this awesome outfit-after-outfit that inspired this post! Also, can we please take a moment to appreciate those orange ankle strap Michael Kors sandals? Paired with that purple dress? Love. 

 Last years Oscars | Street Style

For the record I am a fan :)

Bonus looks I love:

Shopping Advice via Lauren Conrad

I've already featured Lauren Conrad as one of my style icons, and with her own fashion line and style book, I think we can say the girl does know her stuff. I came across a snippet of an interview she recently did with Redbook magazine and she had what I thought was really great advice when it comes to shopping! It's advice that I think could help with the whole "shopping your own closet" idea, but if shopping in a store/online, it will help ensure you make wise decisions when it comes to your purchases. 

When it comes to shopping her advice is to pull out your 10 favourite pieces or most worn pieces and lay them out. This will help you "figure out what you gravitate toward, what makes you feel good". Two perks of this: that you have a clear view of what you actually wear, and what you WILL actually wear; also that with these pieces in mind, you can build a wardrobe around them which will keep them in rotation! She also mentions the usefulness of this practice when thinking about accessories - you won't be as likely to buy things on a whim and realize that it doesn't go with anything you wear!

To try out this advice I decided to scour my closet for my favourite/most-worn pieces. In order to get a well rounded and most accurate view, I made sure to include work attire as well. These are the pieces I came up with: 

Will it help? Time will tell. What do you think of this advice? Do you have any tricks or tips yourself to make sure you get the most bang for your buck?

Style Icon: Kate Moss

For my next featured style icon, I have chosen Kate Moss. I think she is an obvious choice having been in the fashion spotlight for, like, ever. Although she has had her highs and (countless) lows in the press and in her personal life, I still really enjoy her. Especially her fashion sense. Her style is very model chic, meaning lots of clean lines, neutrals and even more black! One thing I also noticed about her style is her overall lack of accessories. In my constant efforts to accessorize myself, it makes me feel better to be reminded it's not the be-all-end-all! 

Kind of the way I love old photos of Audrey or Marilyn, I also love the photos Kate has taken over the course of her career. For that reason I would LOVE to get my hands on her book Kate: The Kate Moss Book. I think it would be a perfect coffee table book! It comes in 8 beautiful covers (below) shot by shot by Mario Testino, Corinne Day, Inez & Vinoodh, Craig McDean, Mert & Marcus, David Sims, Mario Sorrenti, and Juergen Teller. Definitely not expecting a high-quality read out of it - but more as an adult picture book... :)

Style Icon(s): Jennifer & Justin

Imagine this: you're married to Brad Pitt. Then imagine, he leaves you for Angelina Jolie and they go on to have a humongous perfect beautiful family. Pretty hard to top right? Not as hard as you might think. How does one top Brad Pitt? With the much more manly, much more handsome, Justin Theroux. 

I am going to go ahead and assume that everyone knows who Jennifer Aniston is.  She really is one of America's Sweethearts. It's hard not to love her. And going back to her Brad-breakup, if there was ever a girl who knows what "looking better after breakup" is all about, it is her. She is coming up to her 44th birthday and has never looked more awesome! In my opinion she's always been fashionable head-to-toe... literally! Remember "the Rachel" hair cut? She also has the ultimate accessory now in Justin, that equally stylish finance of hers! I think they are just the cutest couple, and SO NYC chic with their classic black duds. When it comes to her man and her style, if you ask me, Jen has won both rounds!

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Style Icon: Kate Beckinsale

I think she is beautiful. In my opinion she has one of the most rockin' bodies in Hollywood (New Years fitness motivation anyone?). She is best friends with another of my style icons, Victoria Beckham. And she has impeccable taste. It was only a matter of time before I added Kate Beckinsale to my list of style icons!

I have to admit, although she's an actress, I tend to think of Kate because of her fashion first.  Of COURSE I know her from Serendipity (what a classic chick flick), another old time favourite Brokedown Palace, and am aware of her most recent work, but it's definitely her style on the red carpet or around town that catches my eye. She is always pulled together and looks "done" which is something I aspire to (not that I leave the house in sweatpants... often, haha). Also her style choices are always bang on! Sometimes daring, sometimes trendy, sometimes classic - she can't lose. And that pink jumper below? Enough said!

Style Icon: Lauren Conrad

Lauren is another starlet who came into fame from Laguna Beach and The Hills. Like Kristin Cavallari, I think that Lauren looks like the epitome of a California Girl. Her blonde waves are envied far and wide. She has a laid back style, but she is also the queen of party dresses!

Although she started with reality TV, Lauren has tried to separate herself from that piece of her past, and make a name for herself. She is an author; her books are for a young-ish audience and are super fluffy, but fun. They are based on a California girl who is asked to be in a reality show... I guess write about what you know! She also has a beauty book coming out and she is the subject of many beauty vlogs. I gotta say, she does know what works in that department! She is also heads up the fashion line Paper Crown. It's a fairly simple line, but it's quality and pricey! I think she did a great job with it. It's very her. 

If I have one suggestion for her, it would only be to lose the teapot arm!

Style Icon: Kristin Cavallari

Back in the day, Laguna Beach and The Hills were my absolute reality TV guilty pleasures of choice. If I'm honest I still miss them sometimes! It's on these shows that a reality star was born - Kristin Cavallari. 

Since then she's made other reality appearances, contributed to fashion lines, gotten engaged to NFL quarterback Jay Cutler, and just recently she became a mother. Just like Blake Lively, I always look forward to seeing pictures of her and what she's wearing. Unlike Blake Lively, I feel like she wears stuff that is not necessarily unrealistic for real life, or a non-Hollywood life. Fun dresses that show some leg for occasions, then very comfortable and practical wear for the everyday. No matter the outfit, they are so simple, fun and oh so stylish.

One last thing, let me tell you about that last picture in my selections... the one of her in that black dress. That is from earlier this week, just 2 months after having her baby. TWO months!!! Way to go Kristin.

Kristin's Event Style

Kristin's Everyday Style

Style Icon: Mila Kunis

From the 15 year old Mila Kunis we started watching on That 70's Show, to the movie star of today, we have pretty much seen Mila grow up before our eyes.

On the silver screen she has proven she can do it all, from funny roles like "Friends With Benefits" and "Forgetting Sarah Marshall", to the more serious and dramatic role she played in "Black Swan" (she blew me away with that one).  I think her style works in the same way. She can wear something chic and classic, but it still has an element of fun!

Mila Kunis Style

Style Icon: Nicole Richie

Around 10 years ago if you told me I was going to think of Nicole Richie as a style icon... well, I probably would have laughed in your face and called you crazy, but here we are! 

She has transformed. I love her style. Even when she is dressed to the nines there is a certain element of comfort. I think that has something to do with how her style always seems to have some bohemian undertones to it. Light and easy. Classic and cool. You can see that mindset reflected in her own fashion lines Winter Kate and House of Harlow. Both incredible. 

Even when she was pregnant she rocked the heels and clothes that weren't typical of maternity wear. And now as a mom, well, the photos speak for themselves... she's awesome!

Some favourite Nicole Richie fashions.

Style Icon: Blake Lively

Whether she is on Gossip Girl, on the red carpet, or just rocking her everyday, Blake Lively has an enviable style. 

Every time I see her, she is so well put together and super chic. She's all about colour. She's all about cut. One thing I really appreciate is that's it's all her own doing. She doesn't have a stylist. Impressive right? She says it herself that too many times you will see a celebrity on the red carpet and immediately know who dressed them. Plus, who wouldn't want to take fashion into their own hands and have fun with it!

As time passes I think her style gets better and better. If I could clone a closet for myself, it would probably be hers!

Some recent red carpet faves.