Archive for December, 2007
December 31, 2007 at 10:16 pm · Filed under Celebrity Style
Whether walking her dog or making a red carpet appearance, Kate Bosworth’s affinity for feminine frocks with an avant-garde twist has garnered her the status of newly-minted fashion It Girl. Since her breakout role as lead surf babe in 2002’s girl-power blockbuster “Blue Crush”, the actress has traded in her beachy waves for a chic bob and developed a sleek yet youthful style, wearing designs by Chloe, Calvin Klein Collection, and Lanvin, among others. Amidst continued scrutiny for her diminutive frame - one tabloid dubbed her the incredible shrinking woman, though she maintains that a high metabolism simply runs in the family - her fashion choices have garnered her attention and praise from the fashion industry and her fan base, alike. Bosworth favors classic silhouettes with an innovative flare via either washes of color (like her fuschia Preen number, top left), a suggestive drape (see her Calvin Klein Collection knit dress, bottom right), or saavy ornamentation (we love the braiding on her Stella McCartney number, top right). She finishes each look with an oh-so sleek coif (think no-fuss updo or blown out locks), flawless sheer makeup, and attention grabbing heels or flats to attain a pulled-together look reminiscent of Hollywood glamor long gone. With several projects in the works including the next Superman installment, Kate Bosworth’s refreshing style and easy poise are bound to be fixtures on the red carpet - and in fashion periodicals - in 2008, and we can’t wait!
December 30, 2007 at 11:04 pm · Filed under Celebrity Style, Trends
Escher-inspired geometric print dresses have been popping up all over the red carpet on the likes of Gwen Stefani (inset), Blake Lively, and Mischa Barton. The contrast of a structured print on a feminine shape gives your look an avant-garde edge while still being wearable. A-line shifts in the print - we love the Karta Stripe Shift Dress (bottom left, on sale for $141, Revolveclothing.com - use code “JT” for 15% off) and the Mango Crazy Dress (bottom center, on sale for $33.99, Mangoshop.com) - look great over tights and boots for day, or with heels and oversized earrings for a night out. Printed wrap dresses flatter a curvy figure (try the Diane von Furstenburg Tiger Cashmere Wrap Dress, bottom right, $565, Standardstyle.com - use code “TOUTIE3″ for 25% off), and opting for a smaller print - like the Banana Republic Silk/Cotton Print Faux Wrap Dress (top center, $128, Bananarepublic.com) - will further the slimming effect. To really make a statement, go for a print in a bold color like cobalt blue (we love the Diane von Furstenburg Aretha Dress, top right, $326, Shopbop.com) or deep red (try the Karta 3/4 Sleeve Shift Dress in Grid Print, top left, $306, Shopbop.com). While it may be tempting to match your shoes and bag to the hue of your dress, we recommend going for accessories in a neutral or metallic palette to avoid looking costumey. The most important thing to remember when sporting a bold look like this? Wear it with confidence, and
December 29, 2007 at 9:32 pm · Filed under Deals, Our Favorite Sites
Receive a 25% discount on everything (yes, including sale items!) at La Redoute by entering promotional code “LRSPECIAL25″ at checkout. The French-based ubercatalog is a truly great resource for chic wardrobe staples, like cozy knits, ballet flats, and suiting separates. We’ve stocked up on their Silk and Angora Cardigan (now on sale for $24.99, and order one size up to go for the grandpa-sweater trend) and Ankle Tie Heels ($79.99), which look great over tights. Despite a soaring Euro, La Redoute manages to keep their prices very reasonable (tops range from $19.99 to $39.99, shoes start at $29.99), and their items are of much better quality than the American bargain-couture fashion houses, like Forever 21. Shop soon (this offer expires January 1) and get the added bonus of hitting their big post-Christmas sale. Now you can relish in the best of Parisian affordable fashion from the comforts of your own home, tres chic!
December 28, 2007 at 9:06 pm · Filed under Celebrity Style, Trends
Embellished scarves have become a must-have accessory for this Winter season, gracing the necks of established style stars like Sarah Jessica Parker, to the ranks of the Hollywood nouveau-chic, including Jessica Alba, Ashley Olsen, and Lindsay Lohan. Neckwear is no longer a necessary evil linked to frigid breezes and the loss of our summer tans, and has been reinvented as a whimsical final touch for almost any ensemble. For day, try a geometric knit pattern, we love the Missoni-esque chevron motif of the Look Sharp Scarf (bottom left) at a fraction of the cost of the real thing (Anthropologie.com, on sale for $40.60). Looking for the perfect jeans-and-tee topper? Try one with an intricate ethnic print or edgy skull print - we love the Sir Alistair Rai Long Warp Scarf (top left) and Skull Scarf (top right), $95 and $90 (Shopintuition.com for both). To play up your evening look, try a scarf with intricate folds or pleats, we love the cascading origami-inspired folds of the Tidal Waves Scarf (bottom right) at Anthropologie.com (on sale for $68.60). With these delicious scarves, a decidedly-functional accessory can be a style statement, too. And now is the best time to shop and hit all those post-Christmas sales!
December 27, 2007 at 9:42 pm · Filed under Celebrity Style, Deals
Gossip Girl star and Hollywood up-and-comer Blake Lively is rapidly making a name for herself as a fresh-faced fashion It-Girl with unpretentious couture tastes. Although native to California, the 20-year old made the big move to the Big Apple to film the CW hit Gossip Girl - on which she portrays the sympathetic socialite with lots of baggage (and an even bigger wardrobe), Serena van der Woodsen - and has since adopted a youthful Uptown-chic-meets-Downtown-hip style. On the red carpet she’s sported many a mini dress and opaque black tights combo - with fab heels, natch - but it’s her casual-cool style that we love most. To copy her look, start with your favorite jeans in a medium-dark wash (we love the 7 for all Mankind Straight Leg in Los Angeles Dark, $162, Revolveclothing.com - use discount code “JT” for 15% off) and over-the-knee boots - hers are Prada, but the Chinese Laundry Strate Boots in Brown ($99, Zappos.com) are super similar, and were even worn on Gossip Girl by none other than Serena! Finish the look with a short-sleeve cashmere tee (we recommend the Cullen Cap Sleeve Casmhere Tee in Flannel, $120, Nordstrom.com - or a regular cotton t-shirt if you’re on a budget), a statement making coat (our favorite is the Loeffler Randall Butterfly Coat, $695, Activeendeavors.com - use discount code “TOUTIE” for 20% off), and a chic colorful tote (we went with the Laura Tote Bag in Burgundy, $58, Shopsueyboutique.com - use discount code “HAPPY” for 20% off through December 31). This layered look is super flattering for the figure, and flat boots mean you can dance the night away and still be on your feet for that New Year’s kiss!
December 26, 2007 at 9:26 pm · Filed under Labels We Love, Our Favorite Sites
Calling all aspiring fashion designers: Unleash your inner Karl Lagerfeld - or maybe you’re more of a Stella McCartney - with Steve Madden’s new Design Your Own Collection. Choose from 45 shoe and handbag designs ranging from peep toe pumps to ballet flats to cozy boots. Then you get to select from a huge variety of colors and fabrics ranging from animal prints, metallic leathers and bright patents to customize different aspects of your shoe or bag. Prices are totally reasonable - hey, each one is an original work of art, right? - ranging from $89.95 to $149.95. Our favorite styles are (clockwise, from top left) the Adict Boot ($149.95), Peepme Bootie ($169.95), Gazebo Peep Toe ($89.95), and Kelsi Flats ($69.95). The combinations are almost endless, and we had so much fun coming up with different incarnations! The Design Your Own Collection is available exclusively at Stevemadden.com. Added bonus: Get 15% off your next Stevemadden.com purchase when you join their mailing list.
December 25, 2007 at 1:09 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
Merry Christmas
From your friends at SHOPBlessed
December 24, 2007 at 1:03 pm · Filed under Our Favorite Sites
Lauriesolet.com is one of our fave online boutiques with a truly dreamworthy selection of eye-catching jewelry. Baubles range from trendy stacked bangles to evening ready chandelier earrings and statement-making neckpieces. Adding textured bracelets (like the Kevia Pounded Finish Bangle in Rose Gold, bottom right, $55 each) or an unusual ring (go for the Kevia Snake Ring, center right, $99) can up the interest of any outfit. Or to really grab the spotlight, try pairing a large gold or gemstone necklace - we like the Kuumba Olive Leaf Lariat (top right, on sale for $105) and Gerard Yosca Faceted Square Cascade Necklace (bottom left, $340) - with a simple sheath dress or a decolletage baring top. Need something to wear with those fab Kimberly Faith Single Chain Hoops (top left, $120)? You’re in luck! Besides their impressive selection of jewelry, Laurie Solet also stocks apparel from some of our favorite labels, including Mike & Chris, Rebecca Taylor, and Ella Moss. And shop soon to hit their Before & After Holiday Sale and save 25% of hundreds of great pieces. As Laurie Solet shows, jewelry is no longered relegated to “accessory” status and allowing the right piece to take center stage can make a memorable statement for day or evening.
December 23, 2007 at 5:52 pm · Filed under Trends
We all know that throwing on a pair of glasses ups other’s perception of your intelligence, but with these cute Geek-Chic frames you can boost your style IQ, too. Thick plastic frames are no longer reserved for the chess club, and have been popping up everywhere on the most stylish of faces (Ashley Olsen, Cate Blanchett, and Heidi Klum). Buddy Holly-esque eyewear can lend to the boho-chic trend (a la Ashley), or go with a sleeker version to add an air of sophistication as you channel a be-spectacled femme fatale (try pairing with your favorite LBD and an upswept chignon). The key to nailing this trend is to avoid going overboard, if you’re going for a pair with a funky twist then keep the shape basic, or try a more retro shape in basic black. Our favorites are (clockwise, from top left) Ray-Ban 5069 Frames in Black ($159.95, Lenscrafters.com), Betsey’s Readers ($14, Urbanoutfitters.com), Dolce & Gabbana 3004 Frames in Black ($300, Lenscrafters.com), Chanel 3119H Frames in Black/Linen ($300, Contactsandspecs.com), Burberry 2007 Frames in Black ($210, Lenscrafters.com), and Chanel 3107B Frames in Black ($325, Contactsandspecs.com). These frames are available across the price spectrum - you can even try browsing your local Salvation Army or consignment boutique for a vintage pair - and if you have a valid Rx then your insurance should cover a portion of it, even if they’re just reading glasses. Finally, the perfect excuse to take a break from your contacts!
December 22, 2007 at 5:41 pm · Filed under Celebrity Style
Despite a somewhat blemished history in the public eye, Ashlee Simpson has managed to shed indiscretions past and emerge an up-and-coming style maven with an edgy-meets-girlie look. The younger Simpson sis studied dance from an early age, and at eleven became the youngest student ever admitted to the prestigious School of American Ballet - my husband begged the question, “if she’s a professionally trained dancer, why was that awkward jig best she could come up with?”, but we’ll let bygones be bygones. These days, Ash is best known for her multi-layered black-on-black ensembles, which she keeps form being boring by playing with texture and unexpected accessories. To recreate her look, start with a pair of skinny black jeans (our favorite are Siwy Jeans Rose Drainpipe in Jet, available at Revolveclothing.com for $198 - use coupon code “JT” for 15% off your purchase) and a black hooded overcoat (we like the Horn Section Jacket at Anthropologie.com, $348). Add some patent booties (try the Type Z Voguish Bootie, $99.95 at Zappos.com) and fingerless gloves ($16, Urbanoutfitters.com) for a youthful edge, and finish off your look with smokey eyes and a side part sporting your hair’s natural texture. For those of you in warmer climes, you can accomplish the same look by swapping the overcoat for a chunky knit sweater of airy blouse - in black, of course!
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