Trend Alert

It’s gonna be a bright spring and summer -

80s colors are back in full swing.  Just don’t pull out your old scrunchie.  PLEASE.

Here are some 80s inspired garments that will have you remembering those days of giant hair and excessive teen movies.

STRONG SHOULDERS! BRIGHT BLAZERS!

(Antonio Berardi Blazer available @ Yoox.com, $680.00)

SKYHIGH PLATFORMS!

(Jessica Simpson Collection Vadio available @ JessicaSimpsonCollection.com, $98.00)

Ruffles!

(Robert Rodriguez Hot Pink Silk Ruffle One Shoulder Dress available @ Bluefly.com, $226.99)

RUCHING!

(Alice + Olivia Ruched Mini Dress available @ TheOutNet.com, $252.00)

COLOR BLOCKING!

(Fendi Colorblock Grosgrain Sandals available @ Saks Fifth Ave, $740.00)

OFF SHOULDER SLOUCH!

(Patterson J. Kincaid Tiger Slouch Tee available @ Neiman Marcus, $78.00)

CHAIN LINK! LONG STRAPS! OSTRICH!

(JJ Winter Chain Clutch available @ Boutiquetoyou.com, $85.00)

NEON! BANGLES!

(Jules Smith Neon Enamel Bangles available @ MaxandChole.com, $72.00)

And because no 80s inspired post is complete without it… LEATHER! and MINI SKIRTS!!!

(Seamed Leather Mini Skirt available @ Topshop, $125.00)

Seriously, I don't want to see ANY scrunchies.

XXoo

Getting to know me, getting to know all about me...

There you have it.  Another lyrical reference from a musical.  At this rate you'd think they were my all time favorite type of movie but I assure you, they aren't.  (I do enjoy them though.)

I figured since today is Monday and I'm teetering on the brink of a cold, a Superbowl food coma and a serious work project, I'd keep today's post light and easy.

I was figuratively passed the torch on these questions by the lovely Ty at Hey Bella Blog and couldn't wait to share my answers with you!

1.  Why did you create your blog? I created my blog as a way to share my love of shopping with my friends.  Before starting the blog I would email them an excessive amount of times to show them something great I had found online shopping.  Now they can just pull up my blog and read what I'm into each day instead of being bombarded by copious emails and links.

2. What kind of blogs do you follow? ALOT.  The very first blog I read was Perez Hilton.  Since then, I've moved on to many others all of which I try to keep track of on Bloglovin.  I always remember to check Cupcakes and Cashmere, Fashion Was Here, Krystle's Style, Hey Bella Blog,
One Day in April and Haute Pink Pretty.  These are some of my favorite girls.  I also love reading Guest of a Guest, Refinery29 and the Daily Front Row.

3.  Favorite makeup brands? I don't think I have just one favorite brand of makeup.  If I had to choose a brand by what I have the most of, it would be either MAC or Chanel.  Both Brands make the BEST lipstick I've ever used.  Nars is great too.  I also like Covergirl and Wet and Wild.  No discrimination here.

4.  Favorite clothing brands? I don't really by clothes based on brand. ( I try not to at least.) I buy what I like based on individual trend and garment.  It doesn't really matter who makes it.  However, if I had an endless supply of money, I'd be wearing lots of Alexander Wang, DVF, YSL, Michael Kors, Vintage Halston...you get it....this list could go on forever really.

5. Your indispensable make-up product? Chapstick and super black mascara.  If I have these 2 items, I'm good to go.  Especially in the summer time.

6. Your favorite colour? Black.  I can't stop wearing it.  I like when other people wear it.  It's slimming. Classic.  Appropriate for dates, funerals or work.

7. Your perfume? I'll go with Dolce and Gabbana's Light Blue.

8. Favorite film? Requiem For A Dream.  Most people cannot believe that this can be my favorite movie but it is. I tend to favor movies with really good cinematography that have a meaning so when you get to the end you're not like "I want those 2 hours of my life back." I prefer to watch movies with endings that mirror real life, not fairy tales.  Usually, I end up watching movies alone because of this!

9.  What country would you like to visit and why? I can't pick just one.  Before I have kids or die, I would like to travel to each continent and do a road trip across the U.S.  There is so much outside of our realm of comfort and what we know as normal.  I want to see and experience it all.

10.  Write your own question and answer it yourself - I can't think of a question.

What would you ask me?

I am passing this interview on to:

Krystle's Style

One Day in April

Haute Pink Pretty

(Bloggeristas at the end of your blog post don't forget to pass the questions on to someone else, let's keep it going)

XXoo

Latest Fix: Jeffrey Campbell Shoes

I admit it.  I’m addicted to shoes.  While I don’t yet see this as a problem, some people around me might beg to differ.  My love of shoes has evolved much like my taste in clothes, music and food.  When I was younger, it was mainly tennis shoes – I always had to have the newest pair of sneakers that Nike, Adidas and Reebok made.  Entire paychecks were blown on pair after pair.  I was careful not to walk through grass, mud or puddles and when it was unavoidable; I had methods for restoring their look. (Scrubbing Bubbles and a toothbrush works wonders.)

As I’ve grown older, so has my taste in shoes.  Gone are the days of spending tons of money on the latest sneaker.  Now heels, platforms, wedges and boots are my new drug of choice.  I carefully plot out my new buy; searching high and low for the perfect product – one that will keep me high for years, an investment. In my mind I’m just another collector, not an addict.  Some people collect stamps, I collect shoes.

I usually find myself at a loss for things to wear with all my perfect shoes.  (I’m trying to work on this but in the process of searching for actual outfits, I well, keep finding more shoes I love.)

Brands like Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo, and Ralph Lauren have been staples in my shoe closet (yes, my shoes have their very own closet)for years and I’m always looking for other great designers to add to the collection.

I recent months I stumbled across a name I hadn’t heard in quite some time – Jeffrey Campbell.  While looking for my latest fix - a pair of black suede platform wedges - I came across a pair of Jeffrey Campbell’s Ninteynines.  They were extremely similar to a pair of Dolce & Gabbana ones I had been eying but for half the cost.  I had to have them.  And so a new addiction began. 

(It doesn’t help that Jeffrey Campbell shoes are EXTREMELY comfortable as well as fashionable.  I.E. EXTREMELY addicting.  Don’t let some of the platforms full you.)

While Jeffrey Campbell shoes are quickly gaining notoriety for some of their sky-high platforms such as the Litas, Jeffrey Campbell also makes a ton of other great shoes, in all different heights.

  

Jeffrey Campbell offers a drug for every user.

Need, need, need, need, need.

 

(Jeffrey Campbell Rally in Taupe Suede available @ Lorisshoes.com, $152.00)

 

I HAVE to have it!

 

(Jeffrey Campbell Sweat Lace Up Booties with Knit Cuff available @ Shopbop.com, $162.00)

Need, need, need, need, need

(Jeffrey Campbell Two Time Lace-U Wedge in Taupe available @ Needsupply.com, $175)

I HAVE to have it!

(Jeffrey Campbell Cast in Tan Leather available @ Jildorshoes.com, $100)

 Need, need, need, need, need

(Jeffrey Campbell Emma Sandal available @ Nordstrom, $124.95)

I HAVE to have it!

Who needs rehab anyways?

XXoo

SweataWeatha, This Season's Cropped Sweaters...

I originally thought I was going to post about something else today but as I sat here in my office thinking to myself, "Damn, it's cold, I really need to buy some more winter clothes," I pondered what kind of winter clothes? What do I wish I were wearing right now?  What is warm and snuggly, yet stylish enough to wear out of the house? (Note: it's FREEZING in here today.)

My answer.  A cropped sweater.

I haven't seen too many of these yet this season.  We all saw the return of the cropped tee this summer.  (Something most people weren't/aren't brave enough to wear unless you are a Victoria's Secret model and have abs of steel.  I wish.) 

The cropped sweater is a little different though.  Layering is always an option for those afraid to show skin (think a nice fitted tank underneath)but my favorite thing to wear with cropped sweaters this fall/winter is a good high-waisted, pleated trouser. (New Obsession.)

While most of these are WAY out of my price range (unless I stumble into some serious cash flow over the next fews months, I'll have to keep searching for the cheaper versions of some of my favorite designer pieces.


This is my absolute FAVORITE cropped sweater of the season.  It is also the most expensive.  (My mother always said I had champagne taste on a beer budget.  Although I'm past the cheep beer stage in life, I'm still not at Dom Perignon.)

(Proenza Schouler Cropped wool-blend sweater available @ NET-A-PORTER.com, $2,050)

In my opinion, Alexander Wang never fails in making classic pieces that can be worn for years and are appropriate both day and night.  This sweater would look fantastic with over the knee boots and jeans or with a sparkly mini skirt and heels for a night out.  If you're looking to invest in one cropped sweater this season.  This one is my MUST-have due to its classic versatility.

 (Alexander Wang Cotton-knit Cropped Sweater available @ NET-A-PORTER.com, $375)

I would love to wear this sweater with rolled up, pleated trouser pants and booties on a cold winter day.  Perfect for relaxed days spent sipping Egg Nog or Irish Coffee with friends.  (Insert fireplace or ski lodge.)

 (BAMFORD Cable-knit Cashmere Sweater available @ NET-A-PORTER.com, $795)

Not quite as exorbitantly priced as some of the other cropped sweaters I’ve seen, this is a great cropped sweater for dressing up or down.  This sweater is slightly more modest than the others as well - and would look great with jeans, leggings or trousers.

 

(BCBGMAXAZRIA cropped cashmere sweater available @ BCBGMAXAZRIA, $238)

I like this sweater because it screams "SNUGGLY!"  While some of the other sweaters are more fashion forward than they are warm, this sweater would keep all your limbs covered no matter the weather.  (Plus it's the only cropped sweater I've seen that is navy and would look fantastic with a pair of this season's camel colored pants.)



(Eryn Brinie Turtleneck available @ Tobi.com, $46)

This last cropped sweater is super affordable AND cute.  I especially love it because it has similar colors to the Proenza Schouler one I'm obsessing over.  (Although I wish it had more of a pattern!)

(RD Style Striped Cropped Sweater available @ Dillards, $59) 

As a huge fan of warm weather and hot summer days, the thought that fall and winter have barely begun gives me a serious case of the chills.  At least I know there is some good cold weather fashion out there this season and I'll be sitting here dreaming of it (and tropical vacation destinations.)

XXoo

The Color Black

One of my all time favorite colors to wear is black.  Some might say always wearing or owning so much black is morbid or boring but done the right way black is anything but!  Black remains a perfect choice for a formal event, office meeting, or night out.  Just pair it with the right accessories to make it appropriate for each occasion.  Here are a few of my favorite black things this month...

The Tuxedo Blazer.  I'm a HUGE fan of classic pieces that can be worn more than once season.  For a new twist on an old classic, go with this season's favorite fabric - jersey.  I love this blazer because it can be worn over a dress, with any type of pant and can be dressed up or down.

(Ian Matte Jersey Tuxedo Blazer available at Bloomingdales, $585)

The Bootie.  Not only is this a great bootie, it captures so many of this seasons MUST have elements. 1.) It's suede. 2.) It's a wedge. 3.) It's a bootie.  Booties have been around several seasons now and their everlasting presence have shown us something they are 100% worth investing in.

(D & G Dolce & Gabbana Wedge Bootie available on Endless.com, $615)

High-waisted Leggings.  Boring plain black leggings have been way over done.  This season, its fun to switch up the plain leggings and go with something a little different.  I love the high-waited legging because even if your legs aren't super long, everyone will think they are!

(Tall High-Waisted Leggings from Topshop USA, $40)

Trouser Pants.  I want trouser pants in more colors than just black.  Black is a good color to purchase your first pair in because they will go with everything.  This 90's revival can be worn with flats and a hat for a Heburn-esq feel or with heels and a blazer for a night out or in the office.

(3.1 Philip Lim Drapered Trousers available at MyTheresa.com, $487)



The Structured Bag.  Move over slouchy hobo bags and insert structured tote like bags.  A good structured bag will last for many years and is perfect for work, happy hour or a night out with friends.  This season it is ALL about lines, fit, and structure!

(Fendi Structured Leather Tote available at MyTheresa.com, $1,677)

XXoo