Tuesday, June 30, 2009

The Flag Inspires Stripes

Hello, again! I know it has been awhile (I was away in Israel, where I actually made some delightful fashion purchases!), but I am eager to post something new! :) Fourth of July is just around the corner and today's post is inspired by the stripes in the American flag. And speaking of stripes, I've been seeing a lot of nautical fashion prints (including my Vince top that I'm wearing right this very second!) and they instantly put me in a very bright, summer-y, ready-for-the-ocean-waves, kind of mood.

Every now and then I look through the Neiman Marcus website because the store carries such drop dead gorgeous clothes. Everything is typically out of my price range, but every now and then the store has a great online sale that features less haute couture items (and, consequently, less expensive items). So, I recently noticed the beautiful striped-wear (which fits in perfectly with today's striped theme!):



Splendid ultra-cozy wrap sweater


Juicy Couture bright-lined tee


Theory yellow and grey top


Three Dots comfy-ness


Adorable rainbow Splendid shirt

These tops are perfect for the summer season. They are great for layering -- blazer, cardigan, vest -- anything! You can wear them in ultra-casual fashion, but you can also use them to inject a little fun in your more formal (perhaps career) attire. Many would argue that horizontal stripes fail to flatter many figures. I truly feel, however, that everyone can wear them. I say keep the bottoms simple (solid color slacks, skirt, shorts) so the overall outfit isn't too busy and unflattering. And what's particularly great about these tops is that they are so comfy and there is room to actually breathe in them (which is clearly vital to our every day success!).
These tops are all under $100 (most are much much much less than that, too). Buy em' up while you can. If anything, they are the perfect grab-and-go pieces that you never think you need, but, when that unexpected party, date, Casual Friday - whatever! - pops up, trust me, you'll wish you had them!

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Flashback and Fastforward

I was recently thinking about the stores I used to visit when I was in middle school. Wet Seal, Contempo Casual, French Connection (because it was SO hip and I had to get just ONE thing), Delia's. I wanted to revisit some of those blasts from the past with a post dedicated to fab finds from teen stores. In fact, in some instances, I feel like I'm unearthing amazing pieces that are totally under the radar. So I present to you what I call "teen chic":


Delia's dresses:


Tie-dye fine
Take a bow
Safari-ready
Pretty dots
Ikat-seeming pattern

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Always A Star

What I love about the Converse One Star for Target line is the fact that there's a piece for everything - work, party, workout, relaxation. I also love the comfort factor - each piece is super soft and perfect for any body type. As a commuter (and in my job) I'm constantly running around. So, I am thrilled that the One Star line provides a wide variety of clothes that combine comfort and real style. The dresses are my personal favorite. I am so excited that there are tie-dye pieces (one of my top favorite trends this season), pastel selections, and great accessories. So with that...



These pastel pieces will make you RELAX. They will make you look dreamy - like you are floating through the day. They are perfect for summer - the button-down is that classic work shirt staple, while the tennis dress and the dress with tie are any-time dresses (can be paired with a cardigan/blazer and heels/flats for work or can be coordinated with flips flops and a straw hat for hanging out/park-going).


Lavender tie dress
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These accessories are great for any season. The scarves are soft and light - would go great with a Hanes tank and jeans or a trench and work-suit. The bag is totally rugged-chic - very tough, but very cool. I think it's that great "chill" bag you grab when you're on the run. And it's totally timeless. A great army-style bag is always groovy.
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The tie-dye pieces are my absolute favorites. If you throw on a sweater/jacket over the dresses - or just wear the dresses alone - you really don't need jewelry because the designs make enough of a statement. The blue tie-dye dress has actually been featured in a couple of magazines lately and I'm not surprised - it's SO classic summer fun and conveniently has that comfort factor (I love a soft soft soft dress with a special design). And the shirts are perfect for layering (sweater with belt, vest, whatever) or for that shorts and tank day when you want to walk along the boardwalk.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Head Gear

The sun will pound on your head during the summer. But I think of the sun as a spotlight - a spotlight on the beautiful jewels in your curls, on the grand hat atop your bob, on the barrette that pulls your bangs to the side... Your summer uniform may consist of jean shorts and a t-shirt (or, in my case, a simple business casual getup), but the hair/head accessory can take your outfit from boring to brilliant (or, in my case, from day to night).

These darling head ornaments are available at Anthropologie. They are all a little different, but they are similar in that they feature soft materials and wake-me-up colors/patterns.


Abstract art arch
Funfetti piece
Red seduction
Striped drama hat
Beach variety hat

While Urban Outfitters is totally hip, totally I'm-walking-down-the-street-and-I-spent-time-on-my-outfit-but-I-don't-want-you-to-think-that cool, it also sells delicate things. These beauties looks like you could've bought them from a antique/thrift store, or found them in your grandma's jewelry box. Yes, there are also some items below that are more "today" - more sporty. But whichever one you choose, you'll always look totally "now."

Soft as bunny ears band
Comfy cool cap
Southern chic hat

Forever21 is just that go-to girly shop. It always has something fun and playful. If there's a trend, it has the trend in the colors that pop. The store reminds you that you can always play dressup - you can always have FUN with fashion.





Fit for a princess
Fit for a bride or diva