what she wore when... she celebrated chanel

For the past week you can't open a style blog or photo service without tripping over photos of Blake Lively. The Gossip Girl beauty is the new face of Chanel handbags and the storied fashion house celebrated her with an event in Manhattan.  A few days later she hopped across the pond to catch some of Paris fashion week.

Blake normally tends towards the kind of high hemlines and low necklines best avoided by mere mortals.  And it wasn't her clothes that grabbed me this week (although the red-lined, military-inspired coat she wore to shop in Paris is all kinds of fabulous);  it was her choice to don two separate pairs of statement emerald earrings. Maybe it's the promise of spring but that bold pop of green really works.


The guest of honour arriving at the Chanel event in NYC.

While I love the gemstones she wore for the more formal event, it was the pendant earrings she sported for an afternoon of shopping that really grabbed me.  I love hi-lo dressing and the idea of tossing on a piece of statement jewellry with an otherwise casual outfit. 

Blake shopped in Paris with Ma and Pa Lively and famed shoe designer Christian Louboutin.  That's how she rolls.

Continuing on the green theme (must be the approach of St. Patrick's Day!), how great is the coat singer Lily Allen donned for the Chanel Fall 2011 show in Paris?  The whole look is a win.   

Quilted bag, well-cut coat, vintage Ray-Bans: this is pefection for a Chanel show. 

I'm really loving the orangy reds and corals that are popping up in accessories and cosmetics this spring (recently picked up some tomato red nail varnish and just looking at it makes me happy). Both the emerald green and the orange-based reds feel bold and fresh but also classic.