Ange’s 5 “Must Haves” for Spring / Summer 2011, Entry 2

             Number 1:  Maxis, maxis maxis are BACK!  These long, comfy dresses are back gals!  From bright colored maxis to printed maxis, these dresses are great for both spring and summer.  I love maxis that are made of jersey material. I love the stretchy, light-weight, casual feel of a jersey maxi dress.  They are great to wear out to dinner in the summer or to the beach as a bathing suit cover up.  H&M has a ton of maxis right now – from floral ones, to stretchy, bright colored ones, you can never go wrong with a maxi that is only $12.95!  Here’s a link to one of my favorite H&M maxis: http://www.hm.com/us/product/84163?article=84163-A  It’s fun, bright, and most importantly, it’s cheap!

            Number 2:  Cat’s Eye Sunglasses are in girls!!!  The fun shape of the cat’s eye sunglasses is sure to spice up the spring/summer season. These glasses are perfect for those chicas who have oval-shaped faces because they focus the attention on the cheek bones.  These are a great pair:  http://optimania.com/content/christian-dior-panames-sunglasses-color-0d28hd  Or, if you’re looking for a brown (not black) pair, these are a great option: http://www.sunglasshut.com/sgh/pdp.jsp?upcs=679420416205  I love these so much that I asked for them for my birthday!  One caution with the cat’s eye sunnies: be sure to NOT pick a pair with too big a lens – that could be too distracting. You want the cat’s eye points to be subtle, not too obvious. 

            Number 3:  Neon accessories seem to really be in for this spring/summer.  Neon bags and purses, as well as scarves, are everywhere!  Again, a bit of advice here, if you do a neon accessory, make sure that it’s just that, an accessory and not a whole look.  For example, do jeans and a simpler top with a bright neon bag.  I love Rebecca Minkoff’s neon purses.  I got my neon pink Rebecca Minkoff purse from Nordstrom. 

            Number 4:  Eyelet shorts – yes, shorts – are being shown and are a favorite of celeb stylist, Rachel Zoe!  I LOVE these:  http://www.jcrew.com/womens_feature/NewArrivals/shorts/PRDOVR~38847/38847.jsp?srcCode=AFFI00001&siteId=30KlfRmrMDo-oBaMulxOJId5r4ScB14A%2AQ   Eyelet is STILL in and I love that eyelet shorts are in because normally you see eyelet on dresses.  Have fun with this trend!

            Number 5:  The Nude Shoe is all the rage!!! I am going to devote a whole blog to the nude shoe, but I had to mention it, as it is certainly a spring trend.  I see tons of celebs rocking the nude shoe and I love it.  Of course, these would be amazing to own:  http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/jimmy-choo-vita-pump/3139360?origin=related-3139360-0-0-2  But, let’s get real, we’re in the middle of some tough times!  These ‘Pour la Victoire’ slingbacks are a great substitute:  http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/pour-la-victoire-aria-slingback-pump/3151121?origin=keywordsearch&resultback=1458   I am really starting to like this up and coming brand and I am doing research on the designers – more info to come – but I do know that the Pour la Victoire brand is related to the Sam Edelman brand.  Both are more affordable than the (fabulous) Jimmy Choo!

            I hope you’ve enjoy my “must have” list!  If you’re looking for some new nail polish to go with any of these looks, check out OPI’s “suzi says feng shui.”  It’s a great blue color that is perfect for the spring.  Pink polishes and various shades of pinks are being shown as well.  Happy Spring/Summer!

~Angela

 

 

First Impressions

This past week I had to do my civic duty and participate in jury duty.  This was the first time that I was called and I was not sure what to expect.   The summons instructed me to casual but appropriate.  The world being what it is that statement could compel people to wear anything from pajama pants to full out suits, and believe me I saw both extremes and everything in between.

The first panel I was on for selection was a civil case.  I did not know who the plaintiff was and who the defendant was.  The Judge pretty much picked the first eight people on the panel and sent the rest of us to lunch.  Neither people were dressed to win.  You are not permitted to address them and they cannot communicate with you either, so you are only left with their visual appearance. If you are suing someone or being sued showing up in jeans and a tee shirt is not appropriate.  If a suit is not available to you, nice paints or khaki’s with a collared shirt or sweater is just as good.

In this type of situation you are not dressing to be stylish or trendy, but rather to project confidence in yourself.  If being stylish and trendy is something that is important to you then that will come out naturally no matter what.  The important thing is to be appropriate and show respect for not only a courtroom, but for where ever you might me, and most importantly showing some self-respect.   Every “look” and trend has a time and place.

~Christian

Style is….

The formal definition of style is: a distinctive manner of expression. This analysis of the word is, in my opinion, a truism. It leaves a lot of room for interpretation and experiment. It is something deeply specific to each individual.

Style is something that is ultimately very personal. That is why one can view three people wearing the exact same thing, from head to toe, and the three people will not look exactly alike. So many variables contribute to a person’s look. That is what makes fashion so much fun, since it’s that personal touch that makes one unique. Some styles are bold, some conservative and safe and some even better than others but the risk and the interpretation take courage and vision. Yes, style is truly a distinctive manner of expression indeed!

-Christian

What Style Means to Me, Entry 1

          A fabulous pair of shoes; a lbd; sunglasses you’ve been eyeing for months; a great “splurge” bag…One cannot speak of these jewels without speaking about the overall style they represent for the wearer.  Style means so many things to me personally– taking risks with fashion, having fun with fashion, but most of all, style means being confident when wearing fashion. I don’t think a person can have great style without having confidence.  For example, I recently bought an awesome black fedora.  Kourtney Kardashian’s Gucci fedora inspired me, lol.  Anyway, I wear this fedora everywhere, including to the grocery store.  Some people may think, why in the world is she wearing that to Wegman’s?  But, I own the look and I love it.  If I’m having a bad hair day, I’ll put on my fedora and jeans and I’ll rock the look – even while food shopping.  And that is the point. It doesn’t matter where you are or what you’re doing, if you have confidence when you’re wearing something, and if you own the look, then the true style of that look you’re experimenting with will come through.

            Hopefully, we’ll be able to inspire you with our style blog.  Whether it’s discussing the season’s latest “must haves” or “why did a [certain celeb] wear that?”, we’ll be here to feed into your style thoughts and maybe even answer a few of your style questions. So sit back, grab a cup of coffee, and enjoy “Stile Ora!”

~Angela