Jailhouse Rock

No, Lagerfeld didn't order a giant jail for models to walk through during his Spring show. However, in a way we're taking a cue from old-fashioned jail uniforms with one of this season's newest trends: Stripes! From Prada to Marc by Marc Jacobs, stripes have hit the runways. If you don't want a head-to-toe all striped look, start off with a striped top. More daring fashionistas might try a striped dress. From left, a look at Prada, then, Marc by Marc Jacobs. Below, a picture of old-fashioned jail uniform.


So what else is "in" for Spring? Store away those tight-fitting mini skirts! Looser fitting garmets are more stylish this season, and get excited! Loose means more comfy! Also, lengthen the hem of your dresses & skirts, above-the-knee garmets are in for Spring as oppose to mini dresses & skirts. And, if you haven't noticed by the above pictures, brights are coming out! Get rid of the drab fall color pallette, and brighten it up with bags or accessories. What else is in? White! Try to encorparate this "color" into any of your ensembles this season! It screams Spring!

The loose-fitting designs hit runways this Spring season and can be seen at various shows including these, seen on your left. From left, a look from Christian Dior (pictured with another hot trend: big jewelry! Read more about this trend in my blog post, "The "Neck-lis"t), & Christopher Kane. Below left, pictured is a loose fitting dress from the boys at Proenza Schouler.

In addition to being loose-fitting, each of these looks displays another trend: Brights! The season's runways are covered with bright pieces like these!

Check out these other images from this Spring's shows, sporting the season's newest, of-the-moment trends. Top pictures, from right, bright colors and looser garmets at Prada, longer hems and white at Christopher Kane. Below pictures from left, beauty has trends too! Bright eyeshadow paired with coral/red lipstick at the Christian Dior show, and bright orange/coral nail polish paired with other trends of the season (Big Jewelry!) can also be seen at Christian Dior.

A similar effect on your nails can be created by using a
bright polish! For a fun, Spring/Summer orange, try O.P.I.'s "A Good Man-darin Is Hard to Find" from the Hong Kong Collection, these can be purchased at salons, various websites, and most ULTA locations

**All runway images from style.com**

Style Advice!

Are you always questioning yourself inside your closet?

• How do I add a vintage piece to my outfit without making it look like last season?
• What are some basic pieces I need to start my new wardrobe?
• Does this outfit work?

If you find yourself wondering about these, or any other questions, feel free to email or message me any style troubles you have! I will do my best to answer as soon as I can!

xo

The "Neck-lis(t)": Spring's Big Statements

One of my favorite indulgences is a statement piece of jewelry, particularly a big necklace. This season, both Christian Dior and Fenton have satisfied my love for these pieces with their gorgeous necklaces. Colorful, eye-catching jewelry is in for Spring, as you can see with these beautiful pieces.
From left: Purple & red Christian Dior necklace, a look from the Dior Show

All: Christian Dior Spring 2011 RTW

Though Dior's mix of color and texture is both brilliant and eye-catching, Fenton delivers a similar experience with the Spring 2011 collection of jewelry. However, Fenton's 2011 collection is a bit (to say the least!) more edgy than Mr. Galliano's collection. Incorperating a mix of spikes, chains, geoometric shapes and jewels along with combining a fierce black with pops of neon, these necklaces are perfect for adding edgy to your outfit.

Chain Gang:

From Left: Pink, Yellow, & Black Multi-Chain Necklace, Multi-Colored Chain Necklace with Gemstones & Crosses, and Pink & Black Necklace with Pink Spikes, A Tassel, Beads, & Various Geometric Shapes.

All: Fenton Spring 2011 Jewelry Collection

So, whether you choose to spice up your outfit with a piece from Mr. Galliano, or your vintage necklace collection, make a statement. However, if these necklaces are more than you are willing to spend, try similar styles for cheap. Try Forever21's Feather Chain Necklace in Gold/Black, $7.80, forever21.com, or their Turquoise Rock & Dangling Chain Necklace, $9.80, forever21.com.

Whatever you choose however, the Spring, one thing is for certain: When it comes to necklaces, go big, or go home!

The Beauty Archives: Perfect Lips

How to make you lips look perfect takes just a little more than lip gloss. To start, you'll need 3 things, a tube of lipstick, a non-waxy chapstick, and a slightly tinted lip gloss. Because it's fall, use a slightly darker shade of lipstick as oppose to a brighter shade. However, if it's for a party, feel free to use a bright festive red. Try Clinique Different Lipstick in Rose Aglow $14.00. For Lip Gloss, try BUXOM Lips Big & Healthy Lip Polish in Destiny, $18.00, sephora.com. Finally, for chapstick, use a sheer shade of Burt's Bees Chapstick.

To create the look, follow these super easy steps:

(pictures from left: BUXOM Lips Big & Healthy Lip Gloss in Destiny, and Clinique Different Lipstick in Rose Aglow)

1. Apply a thorough coat of the chapstick, on both your top and bottom lip. Then, rub your lips together to even out the coat. This will smooth out your lips, because lipstick will show any piece of dry skin on your lips, without this layer, the lipstick can look rough. The chapstick will perfect your lips!

2. Apply a layer of the colored lipstick, making sure to cover all parts of your lips. After the application of the color, scrape your nail around the outline of your lips, to clean up any messy color.

3. Finally, swipe a short line (not all the way across your lips, but half, yet centered, so there's about 1/4 not touched on each side) of the lips. Rub your lips together to spread and even the gloss.

4. Congratulations! You have achieved the perfect looking lip! Enjoy!

Is That a Guy's Shirt? Yes. Yes It Is.

Mastering the mix of masculine and feminine is key when borrowing something from the boys. You can go all out with a shirt or shoes, or, borrow smaller pieces such as a masculine leather belt or hat. For example, balance a plaid flannel & leather belt with skinny jeans & a feminine play on oxfords. Tuck the plaid flannel into your jeans- the key is to not button the first 2 buttons, for a more feminine play on the shirt. From left, Gap Men's Single Pocket Plaid Flannel Shirt in Red Plaid, $49.50,

Gap.com, Hollister Betty's Oceanside Super Skinny in Extreme Dark Wash, $39.89, hollisterco.com. Finish off the look with feminine oxfords and a woven leather belt. Try (from right) Steve Madden 'Trouser' Laceless Oxford in Brown, $69.00, nordstrom.com, L.L. Bean Essential Braided Leather Belt in Brown, $39.50, llbean.com. Also, try adding a simple piece of jewelry with a rugged feel, keeping with the masculine vibe. Try the Medium Size Spike Necklace in Yellow Gold, $560.00, lizziescheck.com. The gold in this also compliments the buckle in the belt to bring the outfit together.

I Dream of JEANie: Fall 2010 RTW

Jeans have hit the fall runways. And not the jeans that you're thinking of, patterned beauties that set the bar of jean potential that much higher. So what jeans will be guaranteed to make a statement? Just look at the Fall runways for your answer. The collaboration of J.BRAND jeans and Proenza Schouler for the Fall 2010 season is a beautiful and intricate result: patterned jeans worn at the Fall 2010 RTW show. The pants were worn with a variety of tops including sweaters and jackets; and come in both royal blue and white. The jeans can be purchased from Neiman Marcus's website for $550.00 in white and in sizes 26-29. The jeans are perfect for wanting to make a style statement and can add some color without over powering your top.

At Tory Burch, statement jeans are having their chance to shine as well. With a colorful pattern that is sure to catch anyone's eye; these jeans are not for those who want to blend in, rather, those who are having a hard time standing out. Take your pick: a matching top or a hard-core leather jacket. The jeans can be purchased online at the Tory Burch website for $225.00 and can be bought in sizes 24-32. There are other patterns on the website as well including a tie-dye pair and a zebra look-alike pattern. Each of these can be purchased for $225.00 (zebra-like) or $195.00 (tie-dye).

Which ever jeans you choose to make a statement in for the Fall 2010 season, make sure that the jeans fit perfectly. Even if you are wearing the $550.00 Proenza Schouler jeans, if they don't fit right, you won't be getting jealous looks; you'll be getting "What is she wearing!?" stares. What do you like to pair your jeans with? Email me and give your opinion; it might even end up on my blog!

Mix It Up

Trade in your boring jean-and-tee-shirt combo for something a little more interesting: a printed top AND bottom. Though fashion rookies may be calling me crazy right now, by mixing prints, you can draw attention to yourself in a good way. So the key to mixing prints? Stick to the same color palette and keep with the concept of simple and complex. Sticking to the same color palette simply means that the top and bottom of your outfit share the same shades of color. For example, if your bottom piece has blue, red, orange, white, and black; a top that would look best would be one with the same shades of blue and white, black and orange, red and white, black and blue, etc. Second, when you are mixing patterns, either choose a simple-simple combination or simple-complex combination. Just choose if your print is either simple or complex before pairing it up with another piece. Simple patterns include plaid, argyle, and dots; while complex includes prints with 3 or more colors. Finally, mix either 2 simple pieces or a simple and complex piece WITH THE SAME COLOR PALETTE to create an outcome of a flawlessly paired printed outfit.