Posts from — May 2010

Ah, Memorial Day weekend.  This weekend is the unofficial start of summer which brings up the following question: how many outfits can we make out of bathing suits and cover ups?

The answer is many.

You can bet that over the next few months, I will be presenting you with many different beach looks, starting today.  And you will be happy to know that no piece in today’s look costs more than $20!  My gift for you for the new season.  You’re welcome

Roses & Polka Dot Print bathing suit top and bottom- both reversible!- from Target, $14.99 each (images from Target.com)
Rosy Floppy Hat from Forever21, $12.80 (image from Forever21.com)
Bag from H&M, $19.95 (image from hm.com)
Black cover up from Target, $17.99 (image from Target.com)

What makes the perfect beach look for you?

Sex & The City 2 (SATC2) premiered on Monday night in New York City, which for us girls means another reason to obsess over fashion and style.

While I do love the outfits our favorite foursome wore while attending the movie premiere, I think the men from the film looked dashing as well and deserve some credit for that!

(From left to right: Evan Handler [who plays Kristin Davis' husband, Harry]; John Corbett [who plays SJP's ex-fiance, Aidan]; and Chris Noth [who plays Sarah Jessica Parker's current husband, nicknamed "Mr. Big"])

Personally, I love Evan Handler’s look.  I am a big fan of the open collar-no tie-jacket look for a formal night out.  I especially love the black buttons on the white shirt and the faint pinstripes in the suit.  Combine that with those stunna shades and you got yourself a great look if you ask me.

I think all 3 men look incredibly dapper and debonair.  Each looks polished and appropriately dressed for the event, so props to the men! Woohoo!

Of course, I can’t talk about SATC2 fashion without mentioning- and providing pictures- of our four fabulous New York gals.

(From left to right: Sarah Jessica Parker in Valentino Couture with Fred Leighton and VBH jewels with Salvatore Ferragamo shoes; Kristin Davis in Jean Dessès with Fred Leighton jewels and a Leiber clutch; Kim Cattrall in Naeem Khan with Kimberly McDonald jewels; Cynthia Nixon in Caroline Herrera with a Leiber clutch)

All four women look beautiful and great for their age.  Kristin Davis blows me away, though.  The bright pink color of her dress is drop dead gorgeous with her hair color and skin complexion.  The material and draping is incredibly flattering for her body.  Her clutch is stunning- and sparkley, which I love.  The only thing I would have done differently is had her hair down in soft curls instead of pulled back.

(All images from style.com)

About a month ago, I saw news that there will be significant Hewlett-Packard presence in the new Sex & The City move, which hits theatres on May 27.  As a long time fan of the Sex & The City television series, as many other women are, this news confuses us, as Carrie (played by Sarah Jessica Parker) always sported a MacBook in the show.  Specifically, in season 4, there was an episode dedicated to her MacBook crashing and the whole saga in trying to recover it.  Most girls know this episode as the “Sad Mac” episode, which just reminded everyone how dedicated Carrie was to her Mac.

Last night, I saw my first print advertisement of this new HP endorsement from the cast of Sex & The City in the June issue of Glamour Magazine. (Image scanned on my computer)

Honestly, I don’t buy it.

As stated above, Carrie is a Mac to me.  It doesn’t matter how sparkley, how shiney, how “fast” and easy PCs are to use now.  Carrie represents what is hip, new, and fashionable- just take a look at her wardrobe throughout the series.  Just like her Manolo Blahniks, her Mac was hip, new, and fashionable.  I’m sorry, but I don’t think that a PC represents the same thing. (and the font could be better.  Anyone else think it looks a little Halloween-y?)

However, this could be brilliant marketing for young women who are completely clueless about computers and want something that (they think) is in style.

What are your thoughts about this endorsement?  Should it matter how the series showed Carrie’s loyalty to her Mac?  Or is it all about selling computers?

Yesterday I wrote about a dress that I was wearing to a cocktail reception for my job, which I got from Target.

Today I am telling you to absolutely go out and get one yourself.

The Floral Print Brocade Tie Dress from the Zac Posen collection for Target is well worth the $75 I paid for it.  I never received so many compliments on a dress as I did last night.

To sum it up: the dress is a beautiful print and colors, quality material, and stylish.  Very nice for a cocktail party or spring/summer weddings.

AND no one could believe it was from Target!  But in a good way- they were so impressed.  One of my coworkers even thought it was from Paris.  Now that says something, right?

Read more about the dress (and Zac Posen collection) here.

This is the only picture I was in last night and it’s not the best picture of the dress itself, but at least you can see it on a real person and not just a model.

(I’m on the left, with some of the guests at the reception)

For those of you who don’t know, I work for a non-profit doing marketing and graphic design.  We are kicking off our biggest fundraiser of the year by having a cocktail reception at a local hotel tonight.  Since I will be working on the PR and some printed materials for this event, I figured I should go to the event…you know, to mingle and such.

Fortunately, my kick off outfit cost me less than $100, thanks to Target.  My entire ensemble is from there, which makes my bank account very happy.

The dress is part of Zac Posen’s exclusive line for Target (the Floral Print Brocade Tie Dress to be exact)- the dress is beautiful, springy, youthful, and just formal enough for this event.  The cost was a little much for target- $74.99 to be exact- but for a dress of this quality and style, I didn’t mind.  I know I’ll get a ton of use out of it…I mean, how can I not?

The shoes are unfortunately sold out, but I snagged them in October.  The peep-toe pumps in plum (love that alliteration!) are just the appropriate height for a work event, and just the right color to bring out the purple flowers of the dress.

The shoes are also VERY comfortable.  I wore them for an entire night out in New York City and my feet felt fine the next day.  Even if you can’t get this plum color, I HIGHLY recommend purchasing these heels.  They cost a wallet friendly $22.99!  Score!!

So, let’s do the math.

$22.99 + 74.99 = $97.98.

Not too shabby!

(All photos from target.com)

I recently was introduced to the newest color collection from O.P.I.  The company launched their newest collection, with colors inspried by Shrek: Forever After, in theatres this summer.  These colors are not the normal reds, pinks, and oranges that I gravitate to in the summer months.  Rather, they are cool and [truly Shrek inspired] violets, teals, and greens that brighten up any outfit.

It was difficult to choose one color to get with my free reward from Ulta.  I ultimately chose to snag the color Ogre The Top Blue (see below), which is the color I brought with me when I got a manicure and pedicure last Friday.  To say the least, I am in love with this color.  It’s fun, cute, and definitely refreshing.  Plus, you can see the color from space- that’s how bright it is.

Below are pictures from the collection (from amazon.com).  Colors, from left to right: Who The Shrek Are You?; Fiercely Fiona; Rumple’s Wiggin’; Funky Dunkey; What’s With The Cattitude…; Ogre The Top Blue.

What do you think of the newest O.P.I collection?

I don’t know about any other ladies out there, but when it comes to summer, I live in dresses.  American Eagle has adorable dresses to liven up for summer wardrobe at a price that will make you smile.

Now I know what some of you are thinking- American Eagle? Really??

Yes, really.  After working there for 2.5 years, I can safely say that the chicness (if you will) has increased considerably over the past few years.  AE offers at least 12 different dresses in different colors and styles, so you’re bound to find something you love.  Wear them with flat sandals during the day, or with a cute pair of espadrilles at night (everyone knows how much I love style that works for day and night).

If you’re looking to update your summer style for under $45, all of these dresses are great options!  Here are a few examples of what AE has this season.  More can be found at their website.

Which dress is your favorite? 

(All images from ae.com)

Back story on this post: my friend Tom asked why I never talk about men’s fashion here, and, well, the kid is right.  I have been slacking in that department.  Therefore, I asked some fashionistas and fashionistos what their favorite trends and styles for men were and compiled them into this post, as well as offer my own opinions at the end.  I hope these tips help you guys out there!  And a HUGE, GIANT-SIZED thanks to everyone who contributed!!!

• Bethany Rae Cramer loves a guy in Lacoste.  Now, I realize not everyone can afford Lacoste, but they do have outlets (though I’m not sure how the prices compare).  If this is a look you like, I’d recommend hitting a department store like Lord & Taylor or Macy’s, both of which always have sales, to find the same nautical, sporty, preppy look.
• Elisabeth Rosario recommends skinny ties.  Personally, I have to agree with her on this.  I love the retro look skinny ties add to any outfit, whether it’s a formal suit or a casual night out with a button up.  The male characters on Mad Men often wear skinny ties, and I absolutely love it.  Plus Jon Hamm = MAJOR dreamboat. (le sigh)

• Evan Roberts agrees with Elisabeth’s suggestion of skinny ties, stating that the tie should be no less than 2-2.5″ in width.  Evan also recommends brown shoes, cool accessories (like a tie clip), cotton suits and linen jackets.  Those are great ideas for summer where formal and business wear can be too hot and heavy.
• Amanda Walsh loves PINK button-downs. YES, YES, YES TO THIS.  Men need to stop being afraid of the color pink and embrace it, whether it be in the form of a shirt or tie, which are my favorite ways for men to wear pink.  I think a pale pink is great for a nice button-down, like the one here from J. Crew.  For ties, I recommend a bolder pink and maybe patterned, like this from Amazon.
  
  See and download the full gallery on posterous

Here are my tips for you fellas out there.  Never under estimate the power of a basic button-down or polo in a casual setting.  I’m talking lunch, dinner, going out for the night, concerts, whatever.  I am sure that I speak for most women when I say that we love nothing more than a button-up, nice jeans, and nice shoes when going out.

Some of the brands I mentioned here are a little pricey, but when it comes to polos and button-ups, American Eagle offers nice button-up shirts at lower prices.  I wouldn’t recommend AE for graphic tees, though.  To me, they look a little too juvenile and teenager-ish.  Check out Urban Outfitters for t-shirts.  They have a wide selection of t-shirts for a good price (and have KILLER sales, by the way).

After working at American Eagle for 2.5 years in college, I also know that they have at least 5 different styles of denim for men.  Which brings me to my next point: WEAR NICE DENIM.  I know it’s annoying, but spend 20 minutes at a store (like American Eagle) trying on different styles.  You might be surprised by what you actually like, and women everywhere will rejoice.  Pair those jeans with a great graphic tee and a blazer, and you’re all set for a night out at the bars.

Ladies, what do you think of these tips?  Men, will these tips help you next time you go shopping?

As most of you know, Fall/Winter 2010 was the last season to show at Bryant Park this past February during NY Fashion Week.  Plans were announced to move the historic event from its home in Bryant to Lincoln Center starting in September, and those plans have finally been revealed!

The event will be much larger than at Bryant Park.  According to WWD, IMG Fashion, who owns Mercedes Benz Fashion Week (and MB will still remain the event sponsor, at least through 2013) even hired an architect to design a new tented lobby just for the event! WWD also cites more changes to Fashion Week:

“The Lincoln Center shows will feature four main venues: The Theatre, The Stage, The Studio and The Box Presentation Space. The Theatre venue, with an all-black interior, will have seating for 969 people and the option for a straight or U-shaped runway. The Stage venue, in white with gray carpeting, can seat 740, with stadiumlike bench seats. The Studio will be the smallest runway venue, for 369 people in its gray environment, and The Box space is designated for presentations and events, with an ability to accommodate 125 people.” -WWD, Issue 4/30/10

There will also be giant screens outside of the tents (on 65th Street) so designers can stream their collections to the public.

Probably the coolest new development, though, is a new partnership between IMG Fashion and Fashion GPS.  New York Magazine writes that if designers choose, bar codes can be printed on their individual invitations for the event so guests can check themselves in for the shows!

There is also talk of pop-up shops and more ways for the public to engage with the collections.

This is BIG news for the New York Fashion Week we knew at Bryant Park.  What are your thoughts?  Do you think “bigger is better,” or should you not fix something that isn’t broken?

(image from wwd.com)