Fashion Blog

Beaching Beauty: Top 7 Beach-Going Essentials

desiree — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:03:19 +0000

Starting a new job always has its perks…one of many being the downtime in between the last day of one and the start date of another.� What the heck does this have to do with fashion?� Absolutely nothing.� Except that during one of those sweet days off while transitioning, a girl can finally take some time for herself and jet to the beach!� It may be apparent that I have not had the pleasure of any beach outings recently, but with some down time arriving I can finally allow myself to get excited for sun, sand and sea.� I have decided to this by picking out my top seven beach essentials, this was an extra fun assignment since beach-going is one of my favorite things to do…

Apparently straw fedoras will be big (again) this summer.� To ensure “non-dime-a-dozen-ness” I say pass on that trend and opt for a pretty, wide-brimmed sunhat. � Admit it, it sucks having the same hat as that girl across the street, and the one in liquor store, oh yeah…and the one sitting next to you on the sand. You catch my drift.

This J.Crew stripe beach hat ($38) in bright daffodil is pretty cute, the yellow stripe is something fresh and different for summer.

I think this summer, I am opting for a bandeau style swimsuit, although I do love the vintage glamour of this Victoria’s Secret suit…

It also comes in coral.

Retro Push-Up Triangle Top:� $58 on sale!

I will also be on the hunt for a reasonably priced straw tote to throw everything into, but until then, a brightly colored canvas one will do.

Mossimo CORE Tote Canvas in Blue: $12.99

Sunscreen is definitely necessary and this Alba Hawaiian Sun Aloe Vera Sunscreen ($5.11) smells great and isn’t greasy.� And I would be completely lost if I didn’t bring my favorite lip balm in the whole world with me.� This smell of this stuff reminds me of the beach and works like a miracle.

Blistex Daily Conditioning Treatment for Lips ($2.19) is made with cocoa butter, aloe, vitamin E and has an SPF 20 in it.

A book is essential on my beach trips. Lately I’ve had a growing fascination with the troubled and talented Zelda Fitzgerald, Save Me the Waltz is on my must-read list this summer.

There was a time in my life where I thought putting coconut oil in my ocean-wet hair was a great idea.� I foolishly thought I was luxuriously moisturizing it in the summer sun while letting it air dry, when really I was cooking it.� It took years for my hair to finally recover, and now I make sure to take a leave in conditioning spray with me instead.� This Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Leave-In Conditioner ($9.95) smells so good!� Spraying this into ocean damp hair and tucking it up under your fancy sun hat is a better idea.

Find at Smarter.com:� Shop for more wide-brimmed sunhats and bandeau style swimsuits.

Discounts on tote bags.

bandeau swimsuits, blistex, Carols Daughter beauty products, leave in conditioner, suncreen, tote bags, wide brimmed sunhats, womens bikinis, womens swimsuits

Travel Fashion Necessities: It’s All in the Details

colleen — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 18:24:12 +0000

I just got back from a wonderfully relaxing trip to Montreal for Valentine’s Day. It was cold, just as Weather.com and every single person promised me, but my boyfriend and I enjoyed it to no end nevertheless. We even got in a full day of sightseeing, had a dinner and managed to have enough energy still to spend the night ice skating on a frozen pier on the waterfront! Before we took this little trip, all I could think about was how many layers and jackets I wish I had (besides the ones I already own). While jackets were absolutely necessary, the brute strength and resilience of the jacket was nothing without the necessary scarf to cinch up the top of my fleece, and the belt to pull up my pants and make sure no skin was exposed to the negative degree air. So I say, while thinking broad is a good way to start the travel fashion packing, don’t forget about the little details that are going to make your trip so much more pleasurable, and fashionable.

Item 1: Taking that cruise you always dreamed of? Want to avoid the hawaiian print T-shirt and cotton sundress syndrome? Pack yourself some classy bracelets or this nautical belt by Missoni.

Item 2: Hats are a necessity on any vacation. You’re going to be walking a lot, and you need something to keep the sun off your face and out of your eyes. But of course, you don’t want to be the dumbo in the visor: so keep it cool with the Emilio Pucci floppy sun hat.

Item 3: You need a pair of heels that make you look and feel dressy, but are still manageable in potentially long and uneven walking surfaces. My recommendation: Christian Louboutin’s gorgeous wedge heels.

Find at Smarter.com:� Shop for more nautical belts.
Discounts on women’s wedge heels and sun hats.

Christian Louboutin, Emilio Pucci, missoni, nautical belts, sun hats, wedge heels

The Cover-Up

colleen — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:05:03 +0000

It’s Valentine’s Day this weekend, people. Find some sexy way to enjoy it: chocolates and flowers are traditional, but sweet. Think exotic locations, foods, or impersonations. Maybe a hot night on the town with your favorite man or lady? There’s nothing like that sexy dress to wear on Valentine’s Day to make you feel like the fates are on your side. But what about the disguise? After all, the perfect look is all about being a little demure, a little mysterious, always leaving them begging for more…

The Culprits:

Vivienne Vegan Jacket: $25 Etsy.com

80’s Raincoat: $26 Etsy.com

50’s Wool Coat: $69, Etsy.com

Find at Smarter.com:� Shop for more wool coats.
Discounts on raincoats and jackets.

jackets, rain coats, wool coats

Montreal

colleen — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:25:29 +0000

In two weekends, I’m going to Montreal! It’s going to be fantastic and wonderful, and I’m going to have to learn how to bear with the snow. Two inches fell today in Providence, the streets and sidewalks were slick with ice, and I was already grumbling about how I wish spring would just come…consider me a masochist, but I’m heading up north to Montreal for a much-needed vacation. As I look out my window and watch the snowplows rumble down the street, all I can think of is what jacket would keep me warm in Canada in February, but not feel like a polar bear?

And here are the answers I came up with:

M. Nico Insulated Women’s Coat: On sale for $499

Nanette Lepore Emperor’s New Jacket: $525

Burberry High Collar Coat: $550

Find at Smarter.com:� Shop for more women’s coats and jackets.
Buy Nanette Lepore jackets.

nanette lepore, womens coats, womens jackets

The Necessary Bag

colleen — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 17:47:41 +0000

While much of this travel fashion column has been about finding a complete look, from dresses to shoes to socks to accessories, I would like to dedicate this column to the necessary fashion staple in travel, the handbag. Whether you go for look or efficiency, there are no rules: just find something that works for you.

If you are into designer handbags, look no further than Net-a-Porter. Hosting the hottest names, Net-a-Porter is like Bluefly fresh off the catwalk: if you’ve got the bucks, this is as close to fresh as you can get.

Highlight: Alexander McQueen Elvie Leather Tote $2,160

If travel for you is all hikes and bikes, North Face is where you want to be.

Highlight:

The North Face Women Ray 20 Multisport Pack $78.95

But if you’re looking for a classic look without all the fuss, try a signature Coach purse.

Coach Carly Signature Large All Black: $230

Find at Smarter.com:� Shop for more Coach handbags.
Discounts on North Face backpacks.
Buy Alexander McQueen bags.

Alexander McQueen, Coach, North Face

To the Capitol and Beyond!

colleen — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 18:36:50 +0000

Yesterday was Inauguration Day. It was a glorious, humbling, and for some an extremely cold experience. If you were lucky enough to be in Washington D.C. for the Inauguration, you paid a price not only for your hotel room but in the physical extremes as well. We don’t all sit on upholstered cushions like the Obamas (at least not until we get home). Here are some ways to shed the winter layers and dress like the Obama/Biden families when perusing around our own White Houses.

To get Michelle Obama’s princess paisley look, try this dress by Rebecca Beeson found on RevolveClothing.com:

Print Color Block Dress in Teal: $149.00

If you want to follow Dr. Biden’s lead, a feminine women’s suit is in order. But to make it a little more sassy and green, why not try vintage at Etsy.com?

Vintage 60’s Cream and Mode Women’s Suit, $118.00

Complete Michelle Obama’s look with some sparkly grey flats.� Us tall girls may not be able to pull off the strappy Biden heels, but we can still look sharp.�

Report Women’s Catherine Flats, $23.99

Dr. Biden goes everywhere in tip-top fashion shape…and also in some tippy-toe heels. These are on sale, too!

Marciano Crocco Strappy Heels, $174.99

Find at Smarter.com: � Shop for Marciano shoes.
Discounts on strappy heels and women’s flats.
Buy women’s suits and color block dresses.

color block dresses, Jill Biden, Marciano, Michelle Obama, strappy heels, womens flats, womens suits

Au Revoir Paris

colleen — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 17:42:42 +0000

I’ve become obsessed with the trio of Williamsburg cuties who make up the band Au Revoir Simone. If you haven’t heard them yet, I recommend their music highly. But to get the full effect, check out their music videos, where the girls make some sassy vintage fashion statements with short hems and faded frills.

To capture the look of the Au Revoir Simone sirens, take a look at Lea’s Vintage on Etsy.com. If you haven’t ventured into vintage fashion yet, the selection is wide and the photographs are playful and imaginative–the perfect introduction to vintage fashion.

Items I recommend, but quick–they are one of a kind and going fast!

Vintage Super Mini Skirt: $28.00

Yellow Babydoll Jumper: $15.00

Plaid Belted Coat (but can also function as a dress!): $39.00

Find at Smarter.com:� Shop for more mini skirts.
Discounts on women’s jumpers.
Buy plaid belted coats.

belted womens coats, etsy, womens jumpers

To Reunion or Not to Reunion?

colleen — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:25:13 +0000

Welcome to a new year! Have you stayed true to your resolutions so far? If not (or if you haven’t yet come up with a stellar New Year’s resolution) try this one on for size: Reboot your style to be not who you were in 2008, but who you’re going to be in 2009. It may seem a bit materialistic, but do New Year resolutions always have to be punishing? Plus, how you present yourself reflects your confidence, passion, and ambition–is your style on hold just because it’s all that’s left in the wardrobe, or because that’s truly what you want to wear? Maybe it’s time to let go of that threadbare sweater vest from 1999 and replace it with a nicely tailored blouse from 2009. Of course, what you should hang on to and what you should let go of varies from person to person.

A test to try: The Reunion Scenario. Imagine you’re going to your recent college (or high school!) reunion. While these meet ups are all about reliving the good-ol’ days, they also embrace the inevitable growth of an individual after such a span of time. Does the new you wear the same t-shirt and jeans as you did in high school, or are you now a fashion editor and dress in outrageous pinks and oranges? Reunions embrace the past and the future, so don’t lean too far in any direction. And remember, reunions should not be about impressing everyone around you; they should be about impressing yourself with how much you’ve grown!

Snazzy Reunion Outfits: The New Confident You

Turquoise Beaded Top: BeBe, $89.00

Dark Curvy Bootcut Jeans: Gap, on sale for $52.00

Theory Women’s “Margaret” Patent Peeptoe Pumps: Bloomingdale’s, $275

Find at Smarter.com:� Shop for more beaded tops.
Discounts on bootcut jeans.
Buy peeptoe pumps.

bootcut jeans, peeptoe pumps, Theory clothing

Holiday Parades

colleen — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 05:57:42 +0000

If you’re from New England, you’re used to traveling into the city and participating in mandatory spirited parades–the Patriots, the Eagles, the Giants, the Sox, etc. For me, it was the Mummers on New Year’s Day. The problem always is…what do you wear to a parade? You want to dress the part of a fan, but you also want to look sharp in case you take refuge in a bar or restaurant. First things first, especially in New England, you want to be WARM. So here are some tips for the holiday outdoors:

1. Boots: You want some thick boots which will keep you above the street debris (a.k.a. beer cans and trash) and will also keep you nice and toasty.

Bloomingdale’s L.A.M.B. boots

2. Pants. Don’t even attempt to wear leggings or a dress with tights. You will not be happy.
Straight-leg Jeans from Gap

3. Bomber Hats. They’re so cute, and sooo warm!
Bomber Hat

Find at Smarter.com:� Shop for more L.A.M.B. boots.
Discounts on women’s straight leg jeans.
Buy bomber hats.

bomber hats, LAMB boots, straight leg jeans

Foreign Fresh

colleen — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 19:30:18 +0000

During the holidays, with all the travel, and the food, and the lack of exercise, we begin to feel a little stuffy. Too much turkey stuffing maybe? Christmas pudding pies got you down? Fill yourself with happy thoughts of healthier plates and cleaner arteries with clean-cut, stylish fashion.

Some looks to get you thinking:

Gap Ruffled White Blouse: a new, feminine take on the traditional white long-sleeve button down.

Gray Cardigan with Ribbon: While we all try to avoid tight belts around our middles while stuffing our faces with third helpings of apple pie, maybe a light ribbon will give us a little reminder that salads are good, too?

Dove Gray Pants: White is a little too risky, but how do we feel about off-white, or a beautiful dove gray? Pair it with a black long sleeve t-shirt and you’ll stand out in comparison to all the black pants/ white shirts in the crowd.

*Use coupon code TUESDAYS by 12/31/08 to take 20% off your order at Gap.com.

Find at Smarter.com:� Shop for more ruffled blouses.
Discounts on women’s cardigan sweaters.
Buy women’s gray pants.

ruffled blouses, womens cardigan sweaters, womens gray pants