Fashion Blog

It’s happened again. I have found yet one more show that, despite the idiotic antics of the pretty and pretty brainless main characters, I am hooked on….a bit. I am fascinated by the new E! series, “Candy Girls.” Currently, my fave character is Bella (that’s the agency she runs) founder Danielle.

Now here’s the fashion hook. Miss Danielle’s Candy Girls are beautiful, nutty, spoiled brat, hip hop video eye candy, models and dancers. What I love in addition to their supremely selfish antics is their over the top, rock the brights, the big bags, big earrings and big attitude kind of style.

My favorite little style treat I have picked up from the girls is Danielle’s habit of wearing a super sized, super colorful rock on her finger. One tangerine tinted bauble I noticed looks similar to one from Dior’s Incroyables & Merveilleuses collection.

Danielle’s in your face business style and clothing choices are so fresh and fun especially now that spring is here. I am going to dig out my big pink square cut 1930’s ruby¯ set in gold I scored at the Flea a few years back. I think I could use a little candy.

Here is a Dior inspired¯ ring found on tace.com.

Source: HipHopRx.com

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for Dior jewelry.
Discounts on women’s rings.

A few years back, I read one of those “what are they wearing” pieces in a magazine that has hummed along in the back of my mind ever since. You know the sort, the queens of style give the rest of us a little insight on how they make it all work. I just love those articles — I can’t help it. I always want to know down to the tiniest minutia just what makes Tinsley Mortimer or Eva Longoria Parker so fabulous.

The gal in question was wearing an Ungaro gown, “smoke colored python Manolos, and my Sleeping Beauty turquoise ring”. For years, I thought the term referred to some magical little jewel designed by Fred Leighton or some other wizard of gems. Nope, it turns out that Sleeping Beauty is a type of turquoise mined from the Sleeping Beauty Mountain in Globe, Arizona. These stones usually range in color from a deep turquoise to a light sky blue.

Now as you may have guessed from the description of the beauty sporting the original ring that set off my obsession, not all turquoise is a squash blossom, wear it only with your boots, kind of thing. Turquoise can be downright formal. I love stones mixed with diamonds, or set in vermeil or gold.

The bracelet shown is one example of the elegance of this beautiful, native to our country stone. The feeling is much more Palm Springs than Death Valley, don’t you think? One other outstanding example would be that knock-out necklace Eva Mendes paired with white satin Dior for a recent red carpet. If that doesn’t convince you style princesses to give turquoise a whirl, nothing will.

Photo info: Sleeping Beauty Turquoise and gold bracelet found on HeavenlyTreasures.com

Find at Smarter.com: Shop for more Sleeping Beauty Turquoise jewelry.
Discounts on other turquoise jewelry.

Hey, I thought I was precious T. Well, inside joke; you can just call me plain ol’ T.  All kidding aside, let’s talk Precious T’s funky urban jewels you can find at TheaIzzi.com.

My first reaction was “hmmmm, tres urban.”  Turns out, that is designer Thea Izzi’s word for it as well. One part 80’s era Madonna, one part modern sculpture, these mixed medium jewels of rubber, metal and semi-precious stones are strong but fun city jewels. Additionally, they pack a style punch without punching a large hole in your wallet.

While not my personal aesthetic, I can easily see a few of the Sorbet¯ rings stacked up, added to the Novios rubber bracelets and worn with Derek Lam’s new for spring, one -shouldered black jumpsuit. Modern, sleek and yes, urban.

Image source: TheaIzzi.com.

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more modern jewelry.

One of my favorite television shows has a cult family, and I still manage to hold off on the thick black eyeliner every morning. The Addams Family, with its chipper theme song and dark comedic characters, requires an abstract extraction in order to not seem like you’re mourning the death of a recent family member. Think sexy cuts and steely stares, not grandmother pinafore. The true connoisseur can develop a transitional fashion, borrowing from schoolgirl sweet Wednesday Addams and her mother, vampy sexpot Morticia Addams, to create a fusion of gothic sophistication. Check it out:

The Video:

                            
YouTube - Watch The Addams Family

The vampy dress:

                                                     David Meister Stretch Satin Sheath Dress: $ $308

The schoolgirl jumper:

                                                                           Tailor Made Jumper: $138

The necessary fishnet stockings:

                                                                   Shirley of Hollywood Fishnets: $10

The sendoff:

                                                            Pearl Cluster Ring with Skull by Rachel Leigh

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more skull rings.
                                        Buy women’s jumpers.
                                        Shop for more fishnet stockings.
                                        Discounts on satin dresses.

I love accessories just as much as the next girl, but in the last few years I’ve found that less is indeed more when it comes to gems and jewels. Although I have this sentiment when putting together an ensemble, I do know that accessories—whether you have them or not—can make or break an outfit. Signature, classic pieces are important—think of them as investments that you’ll wear over and over. But don’t get me wrong, inexpensive accessories are thrilling to find and even better when the price tag reads: $3.60

The cheap stuff is usually fashion jewelry…stuff you’d wear a few times before it starts turning your skin green, but the other jewels are worth paying a little more for, including timeless pieces, like the ones below that are sure to look fabulous with a work or date outfit. I’m personally an earrings OR necklace girl—you’ll rarely see me in both, and if I had to choose, I’d opt for a great ring and earrings and leave my neckline sexy and bare.

 Marc by Marc Jacobs Bow Ring $48

Mars & Valentine Bold Vintage Glass Rose Ring $395

Kendra Scott Teardrop Earrings $108

Juicy Couture Stone Drop Earrings $62

Juicy Couture ‘After Party’ Crescent Pendant $128

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more necklaces.
                                        Shop for more rings.
                                        Shop for more earrings.

I couldn’t get enough of Karen Walker’s Spring 2008 line. It is splendid. It was extremely difficult to choose my favorite look from the show, but I decided on this little floral number.

Usually when you think floral, visions of pink and purple may appear, but this look is a little tougher and darker yet feminine. Red and navy floral has a vintage feel, and the hat makes a bold statement.

Combining masculine and feminine elements is something designers have been doing forever, but my hat is off to Karen Walker, she executed it beautifully.

Chelsea Flower navy beaded silk tie-waist dress - bluefly.com: $204
Rose Marie Braided Belt in tan - urbanoutfitters.com: $58

Bailey Brego Quay Straw Mens Dress Hat -
thefedorastore.com: $42.80 

Kenneth Jay Lane flower ring in orange/topaz - Nordstrom.com: $90

Shop for more women’s dresses here. 

Shop for more women’s belts here.

Shop for more women’s fedora hats here.

Shop for more vintage rings here.

Image Source: Style.com

SheFinds wonders how far would you go for trendy chiseled cheekbones?

The Beauty Brains ask a very important question: Is breast milk soap appealing or appalling?

SeenON! wants you to look good for Spring with their giveaway from Fidelity Denim and LeDoux Swimwear

Top Button adores the Herve Leger bandage dress Kate Beckinsale squeezed into…a perfect glam look!

Girlawhirl can’t wait to throw on these summer clothes.

From pale neutrals to ultra bright patent, StyleBakery.com shows us the season’s hottest handbags for every budget.

This week on Smarter Fashion we covered:

If you appreciate vintage style here are some great vintage style rings for pretty good prices.

One comfy shoe deal….

…and a navy dress deal.

Give your waredrobe a brilliant spring boost with theses great yellow handbags, shoes & jewelry.

If you love vintage style jewelry & don’t want to pay crazy prices, here are some affordable vintage rings:                                 

                                                       Filigree Estate Ring: $18.00

                                          Sterling Silver Vintage Flower CZ Ring: $29.99

                                                                 Carved Rose Ring: $16.00

                                     Vintage Style Sterling Silver Filigree Flower Ring: $29.00

                                    Sterling Silver Marcasite & Orange Enamel Ring: $69.98

                                                            Deco Silver Marasite Ring: $42.00

                                                Sterling Silver Vintage Style Filigree Band: $24.00

For more rings click here.

I think I might have a phobia against gold–I never, ever, ever wear it.  I guess because I’m a Winter, and those of us of who are of the cool tones persuasion look best in silver.  Having seen this Limoges Diamond “X” Ring, though,  I might be willing to make an exception.  I mean, who cares if it makes my finger look sallow, right?

I like that it has the allure of an antique store or flea market find, so you get all the vintage style you want minus the task of riffling through a box of dead people’s rings while the shopkeeper eyes you suspiciously.  Isn’t that always how it is?

Oh, and good news, this ring used to be $49.99, but now it’s only $17.99.  Fair enough.