Posts from — June 2011

Dear Ms. Brown-

I have no other way to start this post except to be extremely blunt: I am absolutely horrified by the cover and accompanying article in this week’s issue of Newsweek.

Now, I understand it’s fun to speculate about “what could have been” for the late Princess Diana, as her 50th birthday draws near, and I understand that the print industry isn’t doing as well as it used to. However, is it really such desperate times that you now have to go through such desperate measures to sell magazines?

I really don’t know where to begin with my disgust for this cover and article. The cover- and the awful Photoshopping, I might add- and the tone of the article are nothing short of the poor quality that one would find in the National Inquirer. I thought Newsweek as a reputable news publication, not a shabby tabloid. I was mistaken.

Is it the made up Facebook and Twitter pages for Diana? Or the speculation that she would have remarried at least twice after her divorce from Prince Charles, one to an American “super-rich hedge-fund guy who could provide her with what she called “all the toys”: the plane, the private island, the security detail” and the next to “a high-mindedly horny late-night talk-show host, or a globe-trotting French finance wizard destined for the Élysée Palace”?

Maybe it’s the fact that you feel like Di would’ve been threatened by Queen Raina of Jordan’s “beauty, youth and social conscience…a triple threat to be watched” or any competition with Carla Bruni?

No, the most horrifying and offensive part of this whole thing is the fact that you believe there would be some competition between Diana and her daughter-in-law, Duchess Catherine, and how Di wouldn’t understand “her son’s steadfast affection for a woman other than herself.” Who cares if Diana’s story is “more interesting” because of her “princessly suffering”? I believe the contrary; in fact, I believe Diana and Kate would get along famously, not only because Kate seems like a wonderful, grounded woman, but because Diana would actually want to and she would do anything for her sons. This disgusting assumption makes Diana out to be a nosy, selfish, jealous woman who wants her son to be a mama’s boy for the rest of his life and can’t handle another woman in his life. That’s not the Diana I know or remember.

This tasteless, insensitive article is a gross injustice to the memory of a humanitarian, a woman of status who used her influence to actually do good in this world. Ms. Brown, it’s media like this- tabloid style accusations and attention- that caused that crash in Paris in 1997 and took this lovely woman’s life.

This is nothing short of repulsive and is a disgrace to her memory. I don’t think I’ll buy another issue of Newsweek again, and I’m sure many others feel the same.

Sincerely,

Christa
A believer in Princess Diana’s memory, humanity, a well-written magazine articles, none of which I found at Newsweek.

Last summer, I did a post on summer concert style, and I think it’s only fitting to do the same this year. I was inspired by a girl I saw on the subway in the city who looked just adorable.

The look is SO simple. A half-sleeved loose top, shorts, and sandals. That’s it! I can’t think of anything more appropriate for a summer concert than that. The half sleeved loose top won’t be too hot and might help keep you warm when the sun goes down (if need be). The shorts balance out the sleeves on the top to help keep you cool.

Now, whether or not you want to add the beautiful tortoise Michael Kors watch the gal on the subway was wearing is up to you, but here’s how you can create this look for any concert (or anything else) you might be doing this summer.

Torri Tab-Detail Voile Tunic from BCBGMAXAZRIA, $71.20

Mossimo Supply Co. Jean Shorts with Raw Edge Cuff from Target, $15.

Backbone Belt from Anthropologie, $29.95

Braxton Wedges in Blue from Nine West, $69.99

Kristin Patent Large Wristlet from Coach, $108

I love using accessories to add color, so these items from Nine West and Coach are perfect!

What’s your favorite summer concert outfit? Let me know here or tweet at me: @ChristaMarzan!

This guest post was written by Michelle Bizon.

Summer is the perfect season to hold an event. The weather is warm, school is out, and many are excited to indulge in light-hearted luxuries in celebration.

Unfortunately for your budget, your social calendar is stuffed with graduations, business functions, networking events, family barbecues and (oh-so-many!) weddings. How do you survive this expensive fashion season without breaking the proverbial piggy bank?

1. Take stock of what you have — and what you need.

Take a good look at your closet. Count out the specific outfits at your disposal. Be creative. Y’know that blouse you bought a few months ago? You may just need a fabulous new skirt to pair with it, rather than needing to invest in a new outfit altogether.

Now, compare the results with your calendar. List what essential items you still need. If you have a shopping list, you won’t be as easily lured into compulsive purchases.

2. Recycle.

Take refuge in your staple items. Use belts, purses, tights, jewelry, hairstyles, makeup or footwear to dress these pieces up or down. Don’t dismiss wearing the same outfit to multiple functions, especially those with different populations in attendance.

For example, I bought this simple black dress for my graduation. I’ve gotten more “bang for my buck” with this dress than any other I own.

• With shiny purple heels, it was appropriate for under my gown at Commencement.
• Sans gown, it was appropriate for dinner with my family.
• With boots, it was appropriate for celebrating at a swanky lounge with friends.
• With plain black heels, it was appropriate for a job interview.

3. Share.

You can multiply your wardrobe options exponentially by sharing clothes and accessories with friends. Yes, you’ll be attending many of the same events, so you may not want to borrow a flashy purple cocktail dress that your friend wore the previous weekend. Still, tap those resources!

Before our pregraduation senior week, my roommates and I planned our outfits for each occasion — capitalizing on having four closets to raid — and then went shopping for the missing pieces.

Plus, a lazy afternoon fashion show over cocktails never hurt anybody.

4. Rent.

Regardless, you may still need something else — a fancy evening gown, perhaps? Before you splurge on an outfit out of your budget that you’ll never wear again, check out RentTheRunway.com. It rents out designer dresses and accessories for up to 90 percent off the retail price. Please note that I haven’t ordered anything yet, but two friends have recommended it to me and raved about their customer service. Highlights: They dry-clean the garments for you and send a back-up size in case the one you rent doesn’t fit.

5. Go naked.

I got the dress I was gushing about in No. 2 for a fantastic price at Target. It looks a lot classier than you’d expect for a dress costing less than $30.00, right? The moral is that most people won’t mind or even notice that your wardrobe isn’t overflowing with Vera Wang. I’m not suggesting you wear raggedy jeans to a black-tie affair, but remember that your clothing should complement you — not weigh on your mind — as you enjoy these special occasions.

This guest post was written by Jesse Hutchison.

We’re only a few days deep into summer, but down here on the sub-tropical plains of downtown Baltimore you’d think otherwise. With a climate rivaled by only Bangkok in my own experience, staying cool is about as necessary as staying safe in Murdaland after dusk. But don’t let David Simon fool you – around the hard edges us Baltimoreans got charm and a certain degree of swag. And when it comes to dressing up, we’re searching for ways to keep ourselves chilled comfortably.

As a sneaker freak, I’m in constant awe of the footwear seen across town. With more Air Force Ones than Nelly’s closet, Baltimore steps out in some of the snazziest shoes.  To that end, I’ve noticed the recent advent of some of the most clever, coolest footwear in the recent months. What I call, “Holey Shoes”, have been popping up everywhere I look both online and off. I gotta say, I’m intrigued.  Keep your feet cool, and assumedly sweet smelling, with a mesh or perforated upper and the circulation from your stride.

Last, and certainly the most Rico Suave’d out, are these Classic 30 mesh loafers from France’s Rivieras Leisure Shoes. This classic leisure shoe stays true to it’s 50s styling while bringing a modern, sleek twist to the traditional loafer.

What are you walking around in this summer?

Jesse Hutchison is a Proud Baltimorean, Loyola Maryland Alum, Social Marketing Program Coordinator, Interactive Media Geek, Part-Time Cook and MIDI Addict with an ear for disco. Follow him at @JesseHutchison on Twitter.

This is a guest post by Kate B. 

I’m a lawyer, so my clothing options on a daily basis are pretty boring and conservative because; my attire must be appropriate for my business casual office and the courtroom. So even though I have to save my red lipstick and strappy sandals for the weekend, I wholehearedly subscribe to the “look good, feel good” philosophy: If I’m in a bad mood, wearing something special helps to lift my spirits. (It’s usually something bright pink. I am a brunette Elle Woods.)

About a month ago, I was having a very low-key day in the office when I was approached by the person who does calendar assignments for my department. There was a deposition the following morning in a part of upstate New York that is closer to Quebec than anything else. The firm that usually handled appearances for us in that region never got the message and could not cover the deposition with such short notice. And it just so happened that I was the only attorney in our department whose calendar was open for the next two days. As a first year associate, I was not in a place to say no and I had to go whether I wanted to or not. To say I was displeased about the situation is an understatement.

My assistant made travel arrangements while I drove home way too fast and packed far too many outfits for a two-night business trip. One of those outfits was one I had yet to wear since it was purchased: a white sheath dress with navy blue horizontal stripes, a cowl neck and ruching on the sides to make it hug my curves perfectly, along with a navy cardigan and navy pumps. The dress was not exactly workplace-appropriate, but I really liked it and, while I was packing, I was so frazzled that I didn’t really care about business attire. I also took my faux Princess Diana/Kate Middleton ring out during my packing frenzy and wore it for the entire trip. (I bought it in Boston for less than $50 and it is worth every penny – so incredibly fabulous!)

I arrived at the hotel from the airport around 11 p.m. and had to leave around 7 a.m. to drive two hours to the deposition location. In my sleep-deprived delusions, I decided to wear my white-and-navy outfit in lieu of trousers and flats. Almost instantly, I felt fantastic. Sure, the skirt was a little short and the dress was a little clingy. But I looked good and that made me feel good. That small, seemingly insignificant wardrobe decision made a world of difference for me that morning, and later that afternoon when I discovered the travel agent booked me on the wrong flight and spent almost an hour trying to get a ticket home.

By the time my return flight landed in Philadelphia, roughly 24 hours after I’d left, I decided that my not exactly workplace appropriate outfit gave me some good karma. I wore it again on a phenomenal first date that led to something with significant long-term potential. And I’m wearing it now as I write this, because once again I was sent on a last-minute business trip that I didn’t want to take. It’s my good luck outfit. I don’t necessarily believe that it creates good luck, but I know that if I believe that I look good, I also feel good and have a more positive and optimistic attitude.

This “look good, feel good” philosophy applies regardless of whether I’m going on a date, going to work, feeling not-so-cute, or just having a bad day. Simply put, a fun and fabulous outfit makes everything better. This idea is a cousin to retail therapy. Both are empirical evidence that fashion is good for one’s mental health. Now if only my health insurance would pay my Visa bill….!

The “good luck” outfit, taken on the plane en route to yesterday’s deposition: Dress and cardigan by Ann Taylor Loft, watch by Skagen, bag by Kate Spade, faux bling inspired by the original iconic engagement ring by royal jewelers Garrard.

Kate is an attorney and former journalist in New Jersey. She favors classic, well-tailored silhouettes, simple jewelry, and palettes of neutrals with a pop of bold color. Her fashion idols are Jacqueline Kennedy, Mad Men’s Joan Harris and Michelle Obama. Follow Kate on Twitter: @KateEsq

As a Shop It To Me (SITM) Trendsetter, I receive sneak peak’s at SITM newest features. Introducing On The Lookout.

On The Lookout mimics what SITM does so well- sending you personalized sale emails to fit your size, need, want. However, with On The Lookout, you can select what specific items or trends you’re looking for and includes those items in your SITM emails.

I think this feature has serious potential to be something great. I love my emails from SITM, but it’s a bit overwhelming when you’re looking for something specific. On The Lookout will definitely fix that.

Try out On The Lookout and let me know what you think! The SITM team is just setting this feature up and there might be some kinks to be worked out, and if you notice anything wonky, feel free to send them an email and let the team know!

Photos from shopittome.com

You may recall a little bathing suit post I wrote back in February with all of my favorite suits for the upcoming season. While these suits are still some of my favorites, the lovely style experts at T.J. Maxx & Marshall’s sent me some great tips on buying swimwear and I figured I’d pass them on…especially since a lot of bathing suits are already on sale. Hopefully these tips help you find the perfect suit and help you save a dollar or two, also.

Make a swimwear statement: This is a tip I wholeheartedly agree with. It’s no secret that I love color in my clothing, so why not wear your favorite, brightest, most colorful looks down the shore? This can come in the form of solid colors and prints. I also love good detail to make your suit stand out. Look for ruffles, beading, ties and special embroidery.

Photo from Marshalls

It’s all about the accessories: Make sure you accessorize your beach outfit! My favorite is a big, floppy hat. Not only does it protect your face from the sun, but it also looks SO cute. Pair that with a tote bag and a tunic (as a beach cover up), and you’re all set. Très chic.

Photo from T.J. Maxx

For more warm weather style tips, you can check out T.J. Maxx’s Twitter party happening tomorrow from 8-9 pm EST!

Disclaimer: All tips and information were provided to me by a T.J. Maxx representative. I was not reimbursed in any way for this post.

The day after I arrived in Hawai’i, I was introduced to Noelani Designs as the Haleiwa Farmer’s Market.

Noelani’s jewelry is simple,  beautiful, nature inspired. Each piece is delicately hand-crafted with the greatest care and made with the finest materials. Needless to say, I’m hooked. It was love at first sight.

I think I’m most drawn to the jewelry’s simplicity. These pieces are definitely a great gift for Christmas, birthday, graduation, etc. Everything is so versatile and can definitely go from day to night. Her simple Leaf Design can work in the office as well as a night out with the girls, as can these pieces below:

Mimi earrings (I have these, but in a gold tone)

Lotte necklace

Love the blue tones here, they match the color of the water in Hawai’i.

Minda bracelet

All photos from noelanidesignshop.com

Unfortunately, the girls weren’t at the farmer’s market again before I left so I couldn’t stock up on more pieces. Luckily, though, Noelani’s jewelry is sold here on the mainland and is sold online!

For my last Make Yourself Movement post (already!), we were asked to write about how our work out routines might change now that it’s warmer outside. I kind of think that’s a no brainer.

Summer time, to me, means getting outside more, whether it’s swimming in the ocean, running on the beach, yoga, or hiking, or anything else my heart might desire. I recently spent a week in Waialua, Hawai’i, with two of my college girlfriends, and we spent so much time outside doing a variety of outdoor activities that also doubled as exercise.

On top of the world, or just on top of KoKo Head in Honolulu, HI, with some of my friends.

The key to exercising in warm climates? Light clothing. Lots of water. SUNSCREEN. It’s better to be over-prepared than under-prepared- that summer sun is strong! So grab some friends, some enthusiasm, and these items to have an active-filled summer (will still looking chic):

Power Y Tank from lululemon

Photo from lululemon.com

TrekSport from Vibram Five Fingers

Photo from vibramfivefingers.com

Hatha Power Capri from Lucy

Photo from lucy.com

Coppertone Sports Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 from Target

Photo from target.com

CamelBak Better Bottle from Lucy

Photo from lucy.com

How do you plan on staying active outdoors this summer?

PS: I have to take a sentence or two and thank the whole JESS3 and Nike Women team for allowing me to be a part of this great campaign. It was my honor and pleasure to blog along side such wonderful, strong women.