Summer Staple- Envelope Clutch

The perfect, easy accessory for summer events. An envelope clutch takea any outfit from casual to upscale in a second. They are available everywhere this summer, and here are a few of my favorites:

Rubber Clutch, Nude with Metal Detail, Postcard Theme, Tricolour, Satin Magenta.

Peplum Cut: A Little Detail Goes a Long Way

One Spring 2012 trend I'm excited for is the peplum detail! A peplum is a flared or flowy piece of material attached at the waist or hemline. The peplum is best known as a classic detail, as it was made popular in the 1940's. These fashions were more modest however, and the contemporary peplum can be edgy and make a statement. This detail may seem small, but it can do a lot for a woman's body. A peplum detail can:

• Draw the eye to the smallest part of your waist
• Emphasize curves
• Reduce the look of tummy fat
• Add drama to any outfit.

Here are some examples for the coming season:

Find them here:
Alice + Olivia Dress, Burberry Jacket, Sleeveless Top, Bustier Top, Mason Dress with Lace,
Silk Skirt, Belted Skirt, Animal Print, Pencil Dress,  and Lace Dress.

For the DIY-ers, here's a quick post on creating your own peplum detail.

A Vibrant Start

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Here's a fun way to start 2012: incorporate Tangerine Tango, Pantone's 'color of the year' into everyday life. You can challenge your creativity and use the color in different facets of life: from inside the home to elements of personal style.
I've already begun searching around for the vibrant color. You can follow my style board on Pinterest as I hunt for more. For now, here's a few items that have caught my eye so far:

Find them here: Parlour chair, Platform heel, Shift dress, Blouse, and Sleeveless button-down.

A Monochromatic New Year, Plus Sequins

via Tumblr

New Years is a time to raise the stakes. It has a carnival-esque feel that borders on costumey. If this suits your personal style, by all means dress the part. My style is reined in, and I prefer to be inspired by costumes and incorporate elements here and there. Sequins up the excitement with every outfit, but they're best in pieces rather than all over. Below are a few items you can add to any outfit for instant glam:

Find them here:





Pants, shorts, tunic.

via Tumblr

This years has been very eventful for me! I have graduated from college, travelled, worked in a career I love, entering grad school and started this blog. I hope 2012 brings many more great experiences for me and all you readers. Have a wonderful New Year!

Holiday Sweaters, Minus the Irony

It's common knowledge that people can go a bit overboard during the holidays. Sweaters can easily go from 'ironic' to 'cheesy,' we've all seen it. But there are still ways to get into the spirit without compromising your own fashionable standards. Here are a few ways to keep the holidays interesting and updated with graphic knits:

Find them here: 1. Wilderness sweater, 2. Cozy pattern pullover, 3. Bow detail sweater,
4. Snowman knit, and 5. Loose-knit two tone.

Sad Harry Potter image via Wikia.

P.S. I apologize for the lack of posts lately; my personal life took prevalence for a while. I look forward to posting more frequently in the future. Happy Holidays!

Contemporary Lace

When you think of lace, you most likely picture old doily cloths or ancient wedding gowns. Lace can look old and stuffy pretty easily, and it takes some effort  and innovation to take it from Old Lady to Contemporary Woman. This season it comes in all colors and cuts. Designers have transformed it from a safe, boring choice to a risk in fashion. Below are a few lace styles available this Fall.

Find them here: 1. Romper, 2. Dahlia Dress, 3. Lace detail boot, 4. Tank, 5. Melly Dress.

More things to love about Fall: Jewel Tones

I know its cheesy, but one of my biggest style icons is my mom. I've been saying for 22 years that when I grow up I wanna dress just like her. We've both pledged to add more color to our closets, and this fall we're both loving jewel tones. They're based on colors found in precious stones like emerald,  topaz and sapphire. I love them because you can have elements of glamour, but still stay within your budget! With  Here's a glimpse at some pieces available this season:

1. Multi-color dress, 2. Color block skirt, 3. Silk dress , 4. Wrap dress,
5.Silk blouse, 6. Trousers, 7. Asymetric top, 8. Shift dress.

P.S. Happy November!

Fall Spotlight

Alice + Olivia always delivers fresh and fun ready-to-wear items.There's a perfect mix of clean contemporary lines with rich colors and dramatic textures. Each season the collections become more and more refined, in my opinion. This fall collection is my favorite by far, mostly due to the historical fashion references in every piece. There are elements from the 1950's, 60's and 70's, and quite a few nods to Audrey Hepburn. The pics below are fitting as today is the 50th anniversary of the classic film Breakfast At Tiffany's. Here's a quick glance via Shopbop:

Monday Motivation: Back to School

It’s time for a little review session. What’s the difference between a Fashionista and a Stylista? Answer: Fashionistas are people who follow fashion. They always showcase trendy items they’ve collected to let everyone know they are en vogue. The Stylista takes note of the trends, but always stays true to own aesthetic. Stylistas pick and choose from the fashion of the day, incorporating their own personalities into every outfit.
Now that we’ve had a review, we can put our lesson into practice. There’s no topic as timely as the ever-so-cyclical ‘back to school’ theme. I urge you to pick and choose pieces that speak to your own personal style and make them work for you. Good luck!

Get started on your back to school style with some of the hottest trends this fall: 1) loafer heels, 2)black and white button down, 3) tortoise shell frames, 4) midi-skirt, 5) trousers, 6) cheetah print slippers, 7) snakeskin clutch, 8) elbow patch crew sweater, 9) Missoni sweater, 10) faux fur coat.

P.O.T.W.

Sorry I haven't been posting this week...Hurricane Irene hit my area pretty hard. Here's the next photo of the week. It's one of my favorites from Vogue this month.

via cocoaluxe

At Ease

Model -Jordan Dunn

Classic with a Twist: Little Black Dress

Wearing an LBD shows you know your stuff. You are familiar with fashion history (or at least a dilettante) and know the power of classic items. The night you wear the LBD, people will know you as The Girl Who Makes Wise Choices, which is impressive. But is The Wise Girl also The Fun Girl? Can you make your personality shine through the..blackness? Here are five ways designers are catering to those who desire more from their classics:

1) Stella McCartney Polka Dot, 2) Marchesa Sweetheart, 3) and Silk Organza, 4) Alice + Olivia One-shoulder Crepe, 5) Vena Cava Harmonic Dress.

To step it up even more, you could always style you dress with heels to create pops of color: Giuseppe Zanotti, Missoni and C. Label.

Midweek Mood Board

Last week’s Mood Board was for the single destination girl, but this week’s is for the Travel Bug. We all have her in us; some more than others. She’s the part of us itching to hop on a plane or catch a train to an unknown destination. Experiencing the world’s diverse cultures (and not to mention food) is one of her greatest pleasures. Her ‘bucket list’ consists of places to see around the world, and she tries to make to every continent at least once. We might not have the time/money to do it all, but we can indulge in her character every once in a while.

The Travel Bug is constantly thinking of far away regions to explore, however she keeps her feet on the ground long enough to incorporate the current trends which best suit her style. At the center of it all is the Graphic Satchel Backpack that stylishly holds all of her essentials and more. The Aqua -Green Demin is comfortable enough to wear every day, and so unique her daring personality shines through. Faux-Fur Vests are one of this Fall's staples and fit easily into her adventurous wardrobe. Also right on trend is the Tiered Maxi Skirt she can save for more casual walks down city streets. The Tribal Fleece Cardigan will definitely come in hand on chilly nights, and can be paired with the Fur-lined Ankle Boots. Other staples include a White Button-down Blouse and Multi-colored Flats with as much flavor as she has. And our Travel Bug is always ready for a night out with her own twists on classics pieces like the Structural Black Dress and the Bow Detail Sweater Dress.

I hope you all have been inspired to become Travel Bug Stylistas yourselves!

Fall Spotlight

Tibi is always on my closet wish-list. Collection after collection, designer Amy Smilovic creates effortless looks filled with glamour. Something that would otherwise be considered casual or plain is made into a sophisticated item. This is because of her unique talent in color and textile selection. There’s something artistic about the line, from the architectural cuts to the attention-grabbing prints (a staple seen in every season). The clothing is like a contemporary take on breezy 70’s pieces that never stray too far from their origin.

Midweek Mood Board

Here’s a little something I put together to get you through the rest of the week. Summertime is coming to a close, and these are our last few weeks to make the most of our vacations. With so many great travel sites on the web it’s easier than ever to book a weekend getaway— I’ve done it twice this summer. This week’s Mood Board is made to inspire you with clothing for a beach atmosphere. Along with staples like the nautical striped shirt and vintage one-piece suit, you can take lots of tips from nature: from marine animals to the colors you see around you.

When I imagine the colors associated with the beach, my thoughts go from the bright sun, to the waves, and finally the sand under my feet. The hue of the yellow colorblock dress mimics the sun, and the color of the khaki pants is like sand after the waves have washed away. On a more literal note, you can show your love for your favorite animals, or those seen at sea such as the goldfish, whale or starfish. And of course you have to represent the nautical theme! Along with the striped shirt, there’s the boat-print dress and beach tote made of rope material.

If you haven’t checked the beach off of your summer list, you only have a few weeks left. Get lost!

Photo of the Week

Every week I will post a picture in the right margin with the title above. The photo choices will be varied, so expect a surprise every time.


This week's photo:

Source

Enjoy!