Style Icon: I'd Rather Be at Home With Ray

I know it's been posted all over Facebook, reported the news and was the buzz in many of this past weekends conversations. But I can't help post my own tribute of the late and great Amy Winehouse. There was something about her that I related to. Her Age (I cheated myself, I knew I would). Her problems (But I know it don't come in a shot glass). Her Style (Well Sometimes I Go Out by myself). I loved Amy, and her talent (so much so that back in the day Casey threatened to throw my Back to Black CD out the window if I played it one more time). I think in her honor, today I'll throw on a bustier dress and tease some extra volume in my hair. And I'll be rocking some of Amy's songs for sure.

And extra eyeliner. No question.

Photo credits: andywillsher.com, Max Vadukul, Hedi Slimane
And it's just not my Pride, It's just till these tears have dried...
Other style icon posts here.

Style Icon: Dress You Up in My Love

On Saturday I am going to '80's style birthday and scavenger hunt. Now, while that typically isn't my thing ,I figure I might as well attend this sort of thing while I'm still 28 (counting down the days I can still say that...). Plus I love the 80's and dressing up in some of era gear sounds kind of fun. And well, I've never gone to 80's party, unless well, it was in the 80's. Double Dare birthday party? Can you say the best birthday party ever? Thanks Mom -- Holy Childhood dreams!

My inspiration for my '80's outfit is my number one style icon of the 80's (besides Barbie) the legend herself, Madonna.

I'm think lots of bracelets, big earrings + hair and an off the shoulder top.
Any other suggestions?

Amber's {style icon} Notebook: Gma Style

This week is my Grandma Olga's 82nd birthday - and what an exciting and stylish life she has lived. She was born and raised in Prague, and grew up dreaming of moving to America. When my mom was a teenager my Grandma & Grandpa finally hatched a plan to escape Czechoslovakia in order to try their hand at the American Dream.

Before their escape my Grandma was enamored by America and the freedom and possibilities that a citizenship here meant. Being a lover of movies and everything glamorous, my Grandma admired the fabulous American movie stars, and emulated their style. Their curly blonde hair, leopard prints, and sequins were all things my Grandma made her own, and in turn, she taught me to admire them as well. No one in my life has influenced my style in such a way.

I need to upload more pictures of my Grandma's old pictures, she was so fab.

When I was growing up, I saw how much my Grandma loved to get dressed and done up. As time went on, I began to appreciated her style more and more. Her vintage collection sprinkled with 70's DVF dresses and furs is one to admire (some of which have made appearances at my parties), and her rule of never leaving the house without heels, lipstick and fingers full of chunky rings is one I always try to follow.

When she would babysit me we would watch Entertainment Tonight and would ohhh and ahhh when Mary Hart would mention Princess Di, Ivanna Trump or Elizabeth Taylor. And when we watched Wheel of Fortune, it wasn't to solve the puzzles, it was to see what dress Vanna was wearing. Everything was about the glamor and my Grandma and I wouldn't have it any other way.

She's never one to shy away from color.

I'm so lucky to have a fabulous, stylish, Grandma who has taught me so much over the years!
I love you Gma. Happy Birthday!

Amber's {style icon} Notebook

Elizabeth Taylor was one of the first old Hollywood Stars I remember adoring. As a young girl I cherished both Black Beauty and Little Women, the books and movies alike, and Elizabeth made them both come alive for me. She was gorgeous, stunning and alluring, and I don't think I've looked at actresses the same since. The more movies of Elizabeth I watched, and the more I learned about her diamonds, marriages, and charity work, the more extraordinary Elizabeth Taylor became to me.

Have you seen her in Cat on a hot tin roof? No one has ever been so glamorous in my eyes. Her violet eyes, a subtle beauty marks are from an time of untouched beauty, when makeup didn't hid her imperfections, it enhanced her beauty. And her outfits and curvy body are old Hollywood perfection. Why that hasn't come back in style bewilders me. I, for one, will be watching Giant tonight, and remembering a Hollywood actress who's legend will live on through her charity work and who's beauty will live on through her film work.

"My mother says I didn't open my eyes for eight days after I was born, but when I did, the first thing I saw was an engagement ring. I was hooked."
Elizabeth Taylor

“When the sun comes up, I have morals again.”
Elizabeth Taylor

"Big girls need big diamonds."
Elizabeth Taylor

"I fell off my pink cloud with a thud."
Elizabeth Taylor

"I don't pretend to be an ordinary housewife."
Elizabeth Taylor

"I feel very adventurous. There are so many doors to be opened, and I'm not afraid to look behind them."
Elizabeth Taylor

"I adore wearing gems, but not because they are mine. You can't possess radiance, you can only admire it."
Elizabeth Taylor

images from weheartit.com
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{if you too love Elizabeth Taylor and want to watch her work, there is an Elizabeth Taylor movie section on Comcast under OnDemand>Movies>Scroll down to Selected Actresses>Scroll to Elizabeth Taylor and there is a selection of her movies for 2.99. Cleopatra is currently available under the free movie section}