Friday, August 28, 2009

Pretty Palette


Pretty is as pretty does.” Sorry Forrest, but there’s a new saying in town. What better way to compliment your favorite tarte product than with this gorgeous compact from Kenneth Jay Lane? The glittering coral and turquoise with dazzling “diamond” accents recall a time when nose-powdering was a sort of fashion-show.

 “Check out the rubies on her compact. Wowza!”

“Pshaw! Silver is so 1948. Get with the 50’s darling.”

 Well, make like Marilyn and pick up a pretty purse companion of your own. I can see tarte’s provocateur powder as the perfect pop-in for this chic compact. Just think of it as jewelry for your make-up ;)

xo,

Amelia

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Fall Trend Alert--GREEN!

I couldn’t be more excited because my favorite color is making its way into the limelight for fall: GREEN! I used to prefer more olive hues, but this season I’ll be walking the line of rich, earthy and forest versions. Everything from leather boots and fur-trimmed bombers to matte lacquered nails will be seeing green. During fall Fashion Week green was all over the runway and I particularly loved this fun punky 80’s-ish look from Louis Vuitton. Although, it’s a bit emerald I think it’s fabulous! If dressing green is a bit much for you all I can say is…incorporate with accessories! Try Rebecca Minkoff ‘clutch’, polish from OPI’S España collection or tarte’s infamous emphasEYES eyeliner. Go one step further and decorate the room with a Cire Trudon candle in odeur de lune (the scent of the moon). So as September rolls in and our tans fade, green proves a perfect match to our fair complexions—very enchanted forest.


xo,
Kristin

Monday, August 24, 2009

My Vest Friend


It took three different styles of black vests to make me realize that I may(definitely) have an affinity(addiction) for this type of outerwear. Oversized knit? Yep, got it! Casual cotton? Why, of course. Boyfriend blazer-style? You know it! Well, lucky for me, I couldn’t be more in the know. From Beyonce to Fergie, Cameron D. and the reigning VestQueen Kim K., vests are getting more celebrity love than in the days of Mister T. With the vast number of vests, it’s hard for a gal to choose between cable-knit and leather, zippered and pocketed. But thankfully for you, there is Mimi!

Hello Mo-to: For that Harley Hautie look, choose a style with zesty zippers and lots’o’leather. The $58 mini moto style by
Dark Hearts at Urban Outfitters is short on price, but long on fab. I also adore the dusty grey vest by Charlotte Ronson with its weathered-chic look. But the style that has me humming Sinead’s “Nothing Compares to You” is Aqua’s Leather Racerback vest. Tough leather is tempered by feminine ruffles, while the cropped back is totally on trend. Talk about a vroom-vroom vest!

SweaterVest Style: The knit vest is one of my absolute favorite styles. Forget Carlton Banks-chic, this look is sophisticated and versatile. It’s long and cozy like a cardi, but sexy and sleeveless like a vest. I pair mine with a blouse and pencil skirt for work and throw it on with jeans and a tee for weekends. The
Side by Side vest from Rojas supplies Fall ‘09’s bold shoulder for a racier sweater style. I would up the ante with funky leggings and a statement shoe. I love Tory Burch’s Ramalagh sweater because it’s preppy with its big knit, but totally posh with its big gold buttons. This is an office-wear wonder paired with a shift dress and pumps.

What a Stud: If you don’t know that heavy-metal hardware is the hottest thing for Fall-WAKE UP, tartelettes! Why not kill two trends with one stone? In the words of Rachel Zoe, "I diiiieeee for LaRok." Therefore it’s no surprise that I am smitten with their
Gold Leaf vest. The studs are a little military for a cute cadet look, but the slim shape is all-woman. Talk about Sexy Soldier when paired with a black mini. Studs add a little more pizzazz to casual denim in this Current/Elliot style. Or try Quiksilver’s Beatnik vest for a more affordable jean option. Though I usually forbid the “denim sandwich” look, either vest channels Lady Moss when put with your favorite skinny jeans. Just stick to a different denim wash to create that Rock’n’Roll rather than Rockin’ in the 80s look.

Workin’ Girl: The office-friendly variety of vest is no longer part of the dreaded suit triplet. Ya know, the pants and the jacket and the itty-bitty vest all stuffed on one hanger. The modern work waistcoat is a different type of Bold&Beautiful, falling past the hip and with an exaggerated shoulder. Go all out Kim Kardashian by pairing a blazer-style vest with second-skin leggings and your sexiest shoe. For a more work-appropriate look, grab a silky blouse and a classic black pencil skirt. The
Cleon vest by Rodebjer is at first glance basic black, but with another look is fabulously funky. Double-breasted has never looked so good. Equally eye-catching is Charlotte Russe’s Tuxedo vest. This charcoal grey is an adorable alternative to black and its chic details make this an unbelievable steal at $27. Hurry and get one of these blazin’ styles so you can strut your stuff by the office watercooler.

XO,
Amelia

Friday, August 14, 2009

Celebrating 40 Years!

This weekend marks the 40th birthday of Woodstock--3 long days of peace, love & music. In celebration of the 500,000 person exodus to Bethel Woods, NY channel your inner hippie. Here's a snapshot of a fashionista’s guide to how to pull off the Woodstock look of ’69. Meanwhile you can go all out--festivals are occuring cross country and I may even venture up to the original stomping ground. Rock on flower child!
P.S. check out tarte's 3-day Woodstock promo!
xo,
Kristin

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Casual Musts!


The tissue tank, buttery leather bag & shooties…As Rachel Zoe likes to say, “I DIE”. Everything about this laid-back look says, ‘I didn’t even try’. Well, I know you did and still think you look pretty cool. This ‘indie-loving scenester’ attire is made up of casual basics that are just so perfect together. However, they can also be paired with other goodies in your closet—taking on a whole new chic get-up. Even better, you can get most of the pieces on the cheap and invest in the shoes & bag (and they aren’t even outrageously priced)! And, hey, those camel shoes perfectly transition into fall with black tights. We just love multi-use!

Spillane Straw Fedora— Urban Outfitters
Soaring Shooties— Anthropologie
Gray Pocket Tank— KAIN
Leather Lexi Tote — J. Crew
Shorts—DL1961 4-way stretch Ryan’s
Essie polish in baby cakes

xo,
Kristin

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Daytime Dare — Hair Apparent


Listen up, Loose-wavesLinda! Hey there, SallyStraight-hair! You too, CurlyCathy! The time has come for you to accessorize your daily ‘do with more than shampoo and conditioner. Now, I’m not talking about going to Lady Gaga proportions. (I’m definitely not P-p-p-poker Faced about that dreadful purple beehive) I am just suggesting you consider a floral barrette, a sequined pin, a bow-bedecked handband—anything for a little head rush. Here are some gorgeous and grown-up styles that will have you looking more funky-fresh fashionista.

Her HatHighness Eugenia Kim has designed a diffusion line
EEK! exclusively for Urban Outfitters. But in addition to toppers, Kim is also offering some quirky hair accessories. Though it’s not exactly suited for a big meeting with the boss, this orchid and chain hair clip is a fun mix of hipster and chicster. I love how the purple pops, but the black version is equally elegant. How perfect for a lunch with the girls!

For hair jewelry that is understated but still über-adorable, no one does it like American prep mecca
J.Crew. Their headbands may have classic details like bows and rosettes, but they come in fun colors like acid yellow and haute pink for a look that is classic, but eye-catching. I am completely smitten with the “golden cluster” elastic. With its bold gold balls, it’s like a cocktail ring for your ponytail! And for the recessionista in all of us, J.Crew’s kiddie line Crewcuts has plenty of cute styles that could easily pass for adult accessories. Shhh…I won’t tell if you won’t!

I didn’t know a thing about
Cara Accessories until my big sis brought home a ToDieFor white studded headband from the line. It was girly, but edgy—declaring to the world that its wearer was a lady…but one who could kick your butt! Well, after meeting the Nicole Richie of headgear, I had to know more. I got to Googling and found more funky stylings, like the beautifully blingy “Diamante” headband. With its rows of tiny rhinestones, its less Lil Kim’s “Lady Marmalade” and more Marilyn Monroe’s “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend.”

Even if you’re not an avid GossipGirler like moi, you probably still know that Queen B’s (played by the chic and gorgeous Leighton Meester) signature style item is the headband. Well, the designer that keeps Ms. Waldorf diving head-first into fab is
Jennifer Ouellette. Ouellette, a celeb fave, has been at the top of the hair accessories class for a decade now, and her attention to detail shows in every piece. Barneys is the place for Ouellette’s playful, but ultra chic designs. How NYC chic!

For those chicsters who are already piling on the ponytail pizzazz,
Forever21 is the perfect place for the latest and cheapest trends. Don’t be fazed by their half-dozen pages of hair hotness. Just start clicking! They have a mind-boggingly good selection of headbands, pins and barrettes all for under six bucks. I can’t wait to snatch up this $5 “zipper flower” headband with its cute gold details and rocker-chic red hue. Casual Fridays just got amped up a few notches!

All right, tartelettes! Don’t leave your locks waiting- get to hair-cessorizing!

XO,
Amelia