November 2010

Cool Weather Trends To Spice Up Any Wardrobe

November 23, 2010

Feeling ‘blah’ about your look? In spite of trying to keep up with the fickle weather patterns, some of us are still bored with the cooler weather cycle of our wardrobes. Leave it to the designers to save the day with three noteworthy trends!

This post gives thanks to them (as well as you, my dear readers for all you do) for coming up with quick creative solutions to keep us modern, fresh, and enthusiastic about getting dressed. All we have to do is incorporate trend elements in small doses with our current staple pieces. And, ‘Voila’! It’s that simple!

Here are just a few of the many fun cool weather trends that will step up our style game in a jiffy:

LACE ACCENTS

  1. Elizabeth and James – Lace James Blazer – Neiman Marcus
  2. House of Harlow 1960 Lace Ankle Boots – Saks Fifth Avenue
  3. Madewell Silk Intermission Top
  4. Valentino Day Lace Medium Duffle Bag – Neiman Marcus
  5. Rebecca Taylor ‘9-to-5’ Skirt – Nordstrom

Lace isn’t just for evening activities anymore. Lucky for us, we can display a feminine flair every day of the week. Some pieces go all-out and use lace throughout the entire design, while other garments and accessories throw in small accents of lace through inserts, panels, or trim details giving us just a hint of this infectious trend.

Click to continue >>

Share This Story:

{ 2 comments }

Pin It

Fashion Tip: Success with Statement Jewelry

November 22, 2010

Fashion Tip: Success with Statement Jewelry

Marie Claire – August 2010 issue

First, it was the bold cocktail ring, then elaborate necklaces came onto the scene, and, now, big gallant earrings are back in full force. Of course, all have a new modern twist! Make no mistake; all statement jewelry continues to be a hot ticket item.

The question arises, which support jewelry to pair with our eye-catching statement pieces? Interested in some jewelry combo tricks of the trade? Here are a few general jewelry guidelines that will keep us on top of the statement trend while prohibiting any over-accessorizing pitfalls:

  • STATEMENT EARRINGS + no necklace + statement/cocktail ring or multi layered bracelets/wide cuff bracelet

  • STATEMENT NECKLACE + small/simple earrings (stud or hoops) + singular simple narrow bracelet or no bracelet(s) at all + statement/cocktail or simple classic ring

  • STATEMENT RING(s) + statement earrings or statement necklace as noted above. Or, multi thin layered necklaces and simple earrings and no bracelets or multi thin layered bracelets and bold or simple earrings


    • The goal is to create overall visual symmetry in our outfit while still making a style statement. This method allows us to showcase any of our new statement making gems, plus ensure we are the main attraction and not solely the goodies we are wearing.

    Share This Story:

    { 0 comments }

    Pin It

    Fashion Tip: Patterned Hosiery

    November 4, 2010

    To integrate patterned hosiery into a winter wardrobe is a style plus. This timeless accessory instantly adds dimension and visual interest to an outfit.

    Here are three quick tricks to make them appear a success every time:

  • Select a pair that has a beautiful and intriguing design, as well as, a flattering scale to the print/pattern. We don’t want to make our calves and knees appear unnecessarily thick.

  • A surefire style technique is to keep the rest of our look uncomplicated. An entire outfit, including the hosiery, in monochromatic colors, such as, black, gray, or green, is a great solution. Or, keep all of the accessories in one color and the clothes in a complimentary color, such as, red dress with black belt, tights and shoes.

  • Redirect the viewer’s eye back up to the top region of our body. Patterned hosiery makes a valiant declaration in an outfit and we don’t want it to overpower where the viewer’s attention really needs to be, towards our face. A bold red lip, a statement necklace, dramatic earrings, or a waist belt will provide exceptional results.

    • For the ultimate splurge, note these gorgeous intricate black lace patterned tights by Gucci.

    Gucci Python Lace Tights – Neiman Marcus


    Share This Story:

    { 0 comments }

    Pin It

    Closets – Out With The Old, In With What Works!

    November 2, 2010

    Closets – Out With The Old, In With What Works!

    Christian Boltanski’s No Man’s Land

    Let’s set ourselves free – finally! Let’s commit to ridding our closets, drawers and, even our underbed nooks and crannies, of all those clothes and accessories that, no matter how we tweak them, do not add value to our lives. I promise, there will be few regrets, if any. And if there is any remorse after the purge, we will get over it.

    Have you noticed that when we have an excess of anything, it loses its value in our minds, and it becomes just stuff? Where is that raspberry ruffled blouse that makes us feel so beautiful every time we wear it? Or, can we even find the jaw-dropping, on-trend satchel handbag we were confident was a wise purchase and which, by the way, still accurately reinforces our professional image?

    Stuff also adds unnecessary stress to our already stressful lives. When we don’t know which pieces we actually have in our closets, it certainly makes it more challenging to quickly assemble outfits that make us feel great and look great. Why add any more difficulty to our already hectic lives? We should expect our clothes to inspire us and to truthfully represent us…and be quick about it! A jam packed closet and over-stuffed drawers block the joy, creativity and necessity to look and feel our best.

    For those of us that haven’t gotten around to it yet, let’s get started before the crazy holiday season begins. This is a splendid time to whip those closets into shape so that they work for and not against us!

    Besides, especially in this economy, there are many people who could really use our stuff. Wouldn’t it feel good to add value to someone else’s life at the same time as we are enhancing ours? Clothes are supposed to make us feel more confident, and hoarding is not a confident act, but sharing…well, that changes everything.

    So bottom line, we can liberate our physical space and our mental congestion, and open our hearts to ourselves and others when we take control and eliminate the stuff that no longer does or never did represent our energy, our intrinsic beauty, and our strength of character. A wardrobe clean-up is the perfect place to begin. I guarantee you won’t look back! Ready…set…let’s go!

    For more specific how-to tips on purging and closet organizing methods, check out this article.

    Share This Story:

    { 0 comments }

    Pin It