Striped Coincidence

I work in the fashion industry, and yesterday so many people wore vertical striped shirts in my office that I just had to mention it here.

Wearing vertical stripes in my office yesterday:

-2 designers
-1 sales associate
-1 production assistant
-1 sample maker
-2 interns

Since all the people behind the scenes in fashion seem to be in agreement (that virticle stripes are hot hot hot) I figured they deserved mention.

All of the stripes were either a dark navy blue mixed with white or a shade of purple with white.

A few great ways stripes were worn yesterday:

- 3 quarter length sleeves with jeans
- collared button down with pink suspenders and jeans
- with shorts and boots, plus a khaki blazer on top

Buy your own super cute striped shirt at Polyvore.com: http://www.polyvore.com/rvca_zoey_stripe_womens_tee/thing?id=13139745

Florals

I am loving this summer's floral prints!

Harper's Bizarre shows off this fantastic floral dress by Tory Burch for $465.00 (and belt for $150.00) in their article:

 

20 TOP TRENDS FOR 2010

Harper's Top 20

This tank top is super cute from Urban Outfitters for only $28.00

Check it Out

This dress by Juicy Couture is adorable!  It can be found at bloomingdale's for $298.00

Check it Out

These shoes are beyond fun!  Picture wearing these to the local garden party.  Actually, just throw the local garden party yourself for an excuse to show off these fabulous shoes by Guess.  Buy them for $89.00 at shoes.com.  

shoes.com

This precious skirt is currently on sale at American Eagle for only 19.95!  Buy it online at http://www.ae.com/.

The Little Black Dress

Every girl needs a simple little black dress.  Or several.

Here's Why:

- It will always be in style.  Jennifer Anniston looks as fashionable today as Audrey Hepburn did over 50 years ago, using the same secret: The little black dress!
- They can be worn for any season.
- Black is a slimming color - that's right... you look skinnier.
- It is so versatile.  Dress it up with hot shoes and flashy accessories, or dress it down with a denim jacket and a cute hat.  Wear it to work, wear it to a club, wear it to a dinner party, it's never inappropriate.





Some great styles to check out:

This little black dress is by Juicy Couture, and can be purchased at shopbop.com for $178.00: http://www.shopbop.com/abstract-sleeveless-double-layer-dress/vp/v=1/845524441871270.htm?folderID=2534374302063651&fm=other-shopbysize

This super cute little black dress is by Aqua and can be found at bloomingdale's for $98.00: http://www1.bloomingdales.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=484624&cm_mmc=Shopping.com-_-Womens-_-DRESS-_-Aqua_Black_V_Neck_Faille_Dress


This great bargain is from delia's and only costs $35.50! Check it out: http://store.delias.com/item.do?itemID=52913&mybuyscid=11351523243&cmpid=MBRecm

Even sporty companies like Moosejaw see the value of the little black dress.  This cute, easy-to-wear piece is only $69.00.  Check it out: http://www.moosejaw.com/moosejaw/shop/product_Patagonia%20Women's%20Kamala%20Dress_10091816____?cm_mmc=CSE-_-Shopzilla-_-na-_-Patagonia%20Women's%20Kamala%20Dress&ad_id=cseshopzilla&zmam=89081595&zmas=3&zmac=28&zmap=795243

Crazy Shoes

Because who doesn't love to admire a fantastic pair of shoes... and dream of owning them?  Why not?

Worn by Beyonce at the 2009 BET Awards.

The fringe is what makes these shoes fab by giving them chic movement.

Alexander McQueen's Outrageous shoes wowed the fashion world on the runway.

Balenciaga's colorful and industrial shoes are a statement.  A simple black dress and these shoes are all you need to be the talk of the party!

For those of us who can't afford Balenciaga, Steve Madden knocked off this great design.  And while I don't advocate knockoff's, I must admit I bought them, wore them, and got many compliments on them before I ever knew it was originally a Balenciaga design.

Another show stopper!  Simple and sophisticated, but still somehow over the top.  These beautiful Christian Louboutin shoes are super feminine with the lovely billowing bows in alternating colors.

On sale at: http://www.christian-louboutin-shoes.net/

Yves-Saint Laurent's spectacular caged shoes plastered the pages of nearly every fashion magazine earlier this year.

And last but certainly not least, Louis Vuitton makes some truly fantastic, jaw-dropping heels!

Look Out For Ikat

A new trend is emerging from it's infant stages.  Ikat fabrics are showing up more and more, and by this time next year promises to be a must-have trend, both in home fashion and clothing.  This hot spring look is bohemian chic.

Ikat fabric is a labor intensive, hand woven textile.  This type of fabric has been produced for centuries.  Today, fashion visionaries are using this old technique to create new fashion.

Be ahead of the fashion curve, and start dressing your home with this great style!

Chair can be found at West Elm:  http://www.westelm.com/products/f882/?cm_src=OLDLINK

Pillow can be found on amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Rose-Tree-Palisades-18-Inch-Square/dp/B001C3GQM0

Start wearing Ikat fashion!

Scarf can be Found at Piperlime: http://piperlime.gap.com/browse/product.dopid=771077002&tid=PLAF1&ap=2&siteID=3823101

Shirt can be Found at TopShop: http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=19551&storeId=12556&productId=685558&langId=-1&categoryId=&parent_category_rn=

Practice What You Preach: 5-16-10

Not Just A Lovely Face is a site for fashionable women.  There is nothing stylish about someone who is all talk.  You've got to practice what you preach.


Here are some examples so that I can show you how I practice what I preach:

Here are two spring outfits from my closet, both incorporate the "blazing blazer" as discussed on May 6, 2010: Blazing Blazer Post


...and the Straw hat, as discussed May 7, 2010: The Straw Hat


The Orange blazer on the left was purchased this season at Loehmann's.  To find a store near you: http://www.loehmanns.com/


Both pairs of shoes are from Aldo: http://www.aldoshoes.com/
Pants are 7 For All Man Kind: http://www.7forallmankind.com/


The Cream colored blazer on the right was purchased this season at Banana Republic.  To purchase this blazer click here: http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=45420&vid=1&pid=745988&scid=745988002


Both straw hats I made myself in a Millinery Blocking class.  Basic Millinery Courses are offered at the Fashion Institute of Technology for both enrolled students and continuing education students.  For more info: fitnyc.edu

And Last but not least, I took my own home fashion advice last week by making a small tweek in decor.  As discussed on May 5, 2010: (In The Know), I rearranged my books to make them more fashion-friendly to the eye.

This image inspired me to "color block" my books (and movies):

Here is the result: A simple subtle change, but I love the effect.

The September Issue: A Vogue Documentary

Everyone in fashion is talking about The September Issue.

This documentary is about Anna Wintour and the making of Vogue Magazine's september issue.  The movie is very sympathetic toward Anna Wintour, editor of Vogue.  Despite her reputation for being a cruel and ruthless boss (rumors have it that Miranda Priestly played by Meryl Streep in the Devil wears Prada is based on Anna Wintour), she comes across as a determined level-headed business woman.  While she was certainly not the warm and fuzzy type that most people hope to work for, she seemed in this film to just be trying her best to get the job done properly.

The film also featured Grace Coddington, the incredibly talented stylist for Vogue's photo shoots, who has worked at the magazine as long as Anna Wintour.  Coddington was protrayed as the hard-working yet emotional side of Vogue.  She took every photo cut personally, which was a bit much to take at times for anyone who understands the cut-throat nature of the fashion business.  It is a business that truly requires thick skin.  

However, Coddington's sweet, whimsical and emotional attititudes compliment Wintour's cold, serious and rational side beautifully.  Perhaps it is the odd differences and bizarre relationship between these two women that make Vogue the most successful fashion magazine.

Fashion icon appearances in this film include: Oscar De La Renta, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Vera Weng, John Galliano and more.

This Fashionable documentary is available on Netflix Instant Que: netflix.com

Big Buddha Bags

I love my Big Buddha bag, and I can't go another day without sharing my thoughts on this great handbag company with everyone.

-Big Buddha handbags are eco-friendly.  My bag came with a tag on it announcing that it is "vegan friendly".  And in all honesty, I was shocked because the faux leather is such high quality that I could hardly believe it wasn't the real thing!

       -Always keep in mind that it is fashion forward to be eco-friendly.

-Big Buddha bags come in a wide variety of colors, styles and sizes, so there is an eco-friendly bag for just about anyone's taste!

-Many of their bags are designed with numerous pockets in varying sizes for easy organization

-They are so cute!  Here are just a few of my favorite styles:

These styles and more can be found at:  www.ebigbuddha.com/

Fashion Institute of Technology Presents: Bryant Bark

I never dreamed how big of a deal pet fashion could be! And while it all may be a bit ridiculous, its just too fantastic not to mention here.  On April 12th FIT hosted their second annual dog fashion show.  All fashions were produced by students.  The show was presented to a packed house with tons of media coverage.  I guess pets can wear the latest fashion too?

for info on FIT's pet fashion show click here: http://www.fitnyc.edu/7891.asp

But I think it may be even more fun to check out these photos:

Cute, but crazy!  But for all you dog lovers out there, it is definitely in style to dress up your dog!

This last image is about as far as I think I would go personally:

Fun Summer Fashion Trend: The Straw Hat

Be it a sisal, panama, jute or hemp, straw hats are making a serious fashion statement this summer.  I can't walk a block in NYC this season without seeing several straw hats on both men and women.  Why they're great?  These hats are super casual and give an outfit an extra fashion flare.

Celebs seen here threw on a straw fedora to complete their fashionably casual look.

Models show off fun ways to wear straws.

Buy your own fashion worthy and affordable straw hat at the following website:
http://www.villagehatshop.com/vhs_womens_straw.html

Fashion Must Have For All Seasons: The Blazing Blazer

for FASHION TIP EXTRA see end of blog.

Living in New York City, I observe a lot of fashion trends that come and go quickly.  Blazers, I predict are here to stay for quite a while.  I am thrilled roaming down Broadway and 5th Avenue and seeing the incredible array of blazers worn by New York Fashionable women.

Why this hot new item is so lovable?  

1) There are endless styles and variations on the classic blazer.  

2) The blazer is CLASSIC fashion.  It may not always be the HOT item, but it will never be out of style.

3) Blazers are for every season.  In the fall add a scarf and your Blazer acts as your jacket.  In the winter, throw a warm down coat or a pea coat over it, no problem!  In the spring, adding a blazer over a tank top and skirt makes the outfit dynamite! And in the summer, we still have to deal with the blasting AC at the movie theaters, subways, work, etc.  and carrying a blazer with you makes you look much classier than if you were to carry a sweatshirt!

4) It is a super simple way to dress up a casual outfit.  Jeans, a cheap tee and flip flops... comfortable as can be, right?  Throw on a blazer and perhaps a great necklace and you look like a million bucks!

Celebs rockin their blazin blazers.

Heidi Klum dresses up her blazer with another hot fashion item this season: a brooch.

Emilio Sosa of Project Runway does the blazer in a new and exciting way.

If you are interested in adding a new blazer to your wardrobe, here are a few personal favorites:

I own this Blazer from Banana Republic.  I love it!  It was one of the best purchases I've made in some time.  I wear it with a solid color bright tank top underneath (such as turqoise or coral), a pair of dark denim blue jeans and black heels.  

There are two reasons I love this blazer so much.  First, is the casual color which makes a dressy style an everyday item.  Second is the length, it's just long enough for those days when I'm not feeling "skinny",  because it hides the waist line flawlessly.

Check out this Fashionable blazer:

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=45420&vid=1&pid=745988&scid=745988002

The Gap describes this blazer as "the shrunken schoolboy" look.  It is shorter in length, allowing a bit more versatility in the type of pant or skirt it can be comfortably worn with.  The dark blue color, contrasting lining and breast pocket make this fashion look complete!

Interested in owning this fashion must have? Click here:

http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=51452&vid=1&pid=498718&scid=498718002

This "Boyfriend Blazer" from Bloomingdale's is pure classic fashion.  This piece will never be out of style.  It is black, so it can be worn with anything, and the cut and length are flattering for almost any body type.

Make a fashion statement with a classic.  Visit Bloomingdale's Website:

http://www1.bloomingdales.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=208926&CategoryID=15961

FASHION TIP EXTRA:  Notice how ALL of the blazers in all of these images are worn (every style, and color).  Do you see it?  The way to be as fashionable as possible with your blazer this season is to roll up the sleeves to about 3/4 length and expose the lining!  It makes you appear cool and casual but totally collected in your classic blazer look.

Wrist Appeal

Looking like a million bucks doesn't have to cost a million bucks.  A bold bracelet can be all you need to make a Fashion statement.

Enamel Bracelets are the hot fashion spring.

 I love this bracelet by Sequin. This is a statement jewelry piece for sure.  In any color it can make a whole outfit!  The Black and White Bracelet was used for styling with a simple white dress on the first page of the Dillard's advertisement that appeared in the May 2010 issue of Vogue.  It has also been featured in lots of fashion blogs.  Clearly a must have.  These bracelets, along with several other smaller versions can be found currently at Nordstrom.

For more info on these fashion enamels click here: http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3088121/0~2376779~2374605~6005886?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6005886&P=1

Fashion Icon, Sarah Jessica Parker is showing off more than her perfume bottle in this picture.  She smartly accessorizes her arms with bold statement bracelets in a mix of metals and bright colors.

This is an easy trick to make any dress or outfit look more expensive.

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