Fashion Blog » 2008 » February

Girlawhirl thinks fun, chunky necklaces are spring 08’s star accessory.

Top Button tags neon makeup trends red hot for spring.

The Beauty Brains sniff out the truth about Mineral Crystal Deodorants.

SheFinds offers a happy hour quick fix with 5 office drawer essentials that will keep you from looking like a total disaster at the end of the day.

StyleBakery.com’s ultimate spring shoe guide features something for every shoe lover - at every price.

This week on Smarter Fashion we covered:

The 2008 Academy Awards:  My “Favorites” on the Red Carpet.

Two bold & sassy deals:

                     Sutton Studio Jersey Knotfront Dress

                     Sigrid Olsen Nora Patent Leather Hobo

Steve Madden’s new spring collection & other classic styles on sale!

Patents & bright colors are in this spring. This magenta Sigrid Olsen Nora Patent Leather Hobo will definitely make you stand out. It’s bright pink, but hot pink to where it’s almost blinding. It’s flirty & bold. It also comes in a more subtle ivory color. The lining inside is cute too. It’s a simple floral pattern, but not overly floral, if you know what I mean.

Sigrid Olsen Nora Medium Patent Leather Hobo: $79.99 (Was: $188.00)

Steve Madden shoes are great price wise & are pretty comfortable.  They always have a nice collection of shoes on clearance for great prices on SteveMadden.com.  Here are some of my favorite flats from their clearance section:

Poseyy Black Leather Flats: $59.95 Now: $39.99.  Also comes in Gold Metal.

Averyy Pewter Leather Flats: $99.95 Now: $41.99.  Also comes in Black Patent.

Bonti Black Patent Flats: $69.95 Now: $39.99

Rosia Tan Leather Flats: $69.95 Now: $27.99. Also comes in black, brown & grey.

And…here are some cute flats from their new spring collection:

Mohave Gold Leather Flats: $59.95. Also comes in Black Suede & Silver Leather.

Carlla Purple Leather Flats: $69.95.  They look more PINK to me.  Also comes in Yellow Leather, Orange Leather & Black Leather.

Orina Gold Leather Flats: $69.95.  Also comes in Black Leather.

Bees Red Leather Flats: $99.95.  Also comes in…pretty much all the colors of the rainbow.

Click here for more women’s shoes.

I really like the color of this sassy little number.  Unfortunately, there are no more on sale in my size. It also comes in ruby red & black.  I think this dress is perfect for cocktail parties or even weddings.  It’s simple & you can dress it up with jewelry or dress it down and wear a simple silver necklace.  Also, you can’t really tell by the model’s body (or lack there of), but it seems that it will show just the right amout of cleavage where you don’t look too provocative.

Sutton Studio Exclusive Jersey Knotfront Dress: $49.99 (was: $125.99)

It seemed like this year’s Academy Awards was more appreciated due to the word that it may not go on because of the writer’s strike. Even though the weather was not favorable, the women of Hollywood still looked stunning as usual. Well….almost all of them. Here are some of my favorite ladies in their gowns last night:

Amy Adams looked beautiful in her emerald colored gown that complimented here beautiful red hair. I love her interesting & unique gold purse! It has a cool shape & is very vintage looking.

Laura Linney wore a lovely black classic dress, but what made the outfit was her beautiful jewelry.

Keri Russell always looks put together even with her wild curly hair, which was pulled back nicely so we could pay attention to her stunning gown.

Jessica Alba wore an eggplant colored dress which was loose fitting in the middle to leave room for her baby bump.

Diablo Cody looked unique in her leopard patterned gown. I like that she didn’t try to conform & wear a typical gown. That just isn’t her. She makes it work & was glowing on the red carpet.

Marion Cotillard is no doubt gorgeous. I loved the top of her dress, but while looking at the entire dress I just kept thinking of “The Little Mermaid.” It looked more like a costume than a formal gown.

Cameron Diaz’s dress was gorgeous, but her hair didn’t compliment the style of her dress. Her hair style looked like she was taking a trip to the beach rather than an awards show.

Katherine Heigl looked stunning as always. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her looking sub-par.

Ellen Page actually looked like her character Juno attended the Academy Awards mainly because of her her hair style, but she looked cute nonetheless. I do wish she would have worn something a bit more sassy.

Miley Cyrus wore a red gown which was very appropriate for her age, but she looked like she was trying to be older & sexy while posing on the red carpet as she puckered her lips to the cameras.

And, here’s a treat for all you ladies…my favorite men from last night looking handsome in their tuxedos:

Patrick Dempsey & George Clooney with their LUCKY ladies. Fine wine…FINE wine.

I don’t always like Sean ‘P. Diddy’ Combs as a person, but musically & fashion-wise he always comes through. Johnny Depp always looked sexy & mysterious.

Jason Bateman & Steve Carell are two of my favorite men. They looked great.

Oh..and all their ladies looked nice too.

Picture Source: Abc.com & Yahoo! Movies

Prints, pattern and color are what fashion is all about for spring 08. Check out Girlawhirl’s favorites.

• Spring dress pictured: Diane von Furstenberg
  Caledonia Jersey Wrap Dress - $345 at SaksFifthAvenue.com

SheFinds stands up against anti-curl girls, and- celebrates spiral tresses by showing you how to keep them looking luscious.

StyleBakery.com wonders if Lindsay Price is the New Sarah Jessica Parker?

The Beauty Brains spill the beans about Scunci fake hair extensions.

It was a short weel this week. This week on the Smarter Fashion Blog we…

Found an awesome deal on High Heel Deal: ABS Alteration Slingbacks

Expressed enthusiasm for the America’s Next Top Model Cycle 10 Premiere.  What do you think about the new group of ladies this season?

Showed you a Delicious Deal: Via Spiga Zipper Tote

There are so many reasons to love this Via Spiga Zipper Tote.  First and foremost, it has plenty of room for all your so-called “necessities.”  Second, it’s under $200!  I love the color and the square shape of this bag.  It kind of reminds me of those Brach’s Milk Maid Caramels.  YUM!  Makes me want to take bite right out of it.  (Is it time for lunch yet??)  The zippers on the front are pretty cool, but I’m not sure if I would actually put anything in them.  Probably my cell phone for easy access.  I’m all over it! 

Via Spiga Zipper Tote: $153.00 (Was: $255.00)

Can you believe that America’s Next Top Model is already having its 10th cycle!?  Time sure flies.  Once again there is an interesting batch of beautiful girls ready to compete/cat fight…..you name it!  Besides all the amazing photo shoots with fantastic makeup artists & photographers you have to admit that half the reason it’s fun to watch is because there is always that one chick that says “I’m not here to make friends” and causes drama like Monique Calhoun from Cycle 7 and many other past cast members.

Unfortunately, this year Twiggy will not be joining the judges panel.  Another former supermodel, Paulina Porizkova, will be taking her place. You might have seen her on Dancing With the Stars recently.

Once small grip I have with this show….I always wonder why they always just add one plus size model to the mix.  Why not make an “American’s Next Plus Size Model” show?  They clearly do not judge the plus size girls by the same standards as the other girls.  They are always making comments about how they love certain girls because they look totally “high fashion”, but sadly I feel like they wouldn’t consider the plus size girls to be high fashion.  Am I wrong? Also, they are always getting on the non-plus size girls for gaining weight during the show like Keenyah Hill from Cycle 4.  Even Tyra herself can’t stand being seen as “bigger” and not up to par with other former top models as recently seen on her talk show when she devoted an entire show to the subject of all the scrutiny that she had to endure after being seen in a bathing suit.  I guess it just kind of seems unfair to me.  Let’s see what happens this year.

The season premiere of America’s Next Top Model is tonight on the CW at 8/7 Central.  Can’t wait!

Image Source: CWTV.com

Before you know it spring will be in full swing!  Stock up now by taking advantage of great deals on sandals like these ABS Alteration Open Toe Slingbacks.  I love this brown color, but if you are blessed with naturally nice tan skin or hope to have tan skin during the spring & summer seasons they also come in orange & mustard.  These cute sandals do have wooden heels which can sometimes cause discomfort, but what always does the trick for me is slipping on those Dr. Scholl’s for Her Open Shoe Insoles.

ABS Alteration Open Toe High Heel Slingback Sandal:  $55.98 (was $150)

Here’s the final four on Project Runway. Supposedly, only three are going to get the chance to show at Fashion Week, but since it just passed, we already know that all of them AND Sweet P showed their collections. I’m glad about that because Sweet P was good.

I love them all except for Rami, who I have a one-sided personality conflict with. I like Jillian the best, but it’s fairly obvious that Christian is probably going to take it all–he’s jerky but talented.

Next week is the reunion show. Can’t wait!