Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Etsy Finds No. 2: applenoggin
Here's the second installment in my series of lovely little stud earrings from Etsy. The seller applenoggin has the line "...I love all things cute and colorful" in her shop announcement, and I think that's completely fitting. In her shop is a wonderful assortment of items that have a sort of Hello Kitty/Super Kawaii/cute little creatures you find on Asian stationery sort of vibe. I love that she encloses pictures of people wearing her earrings, because how something looks on your ear can be quite different from how something looks in a promotional picture. Anyway, here are three picks from her store that I think you guys should have a look at. My favourites by far are the pink popsicle earrings...so cute!!!
Monday, July 7, 2008
Etsy Finds No. 1: dangsworld
I was surfing Etsy today for some new additions to my jewelry collection and I thought I would post some nice little finds for you guys in a series. This time around, I was browsing for some new earrings, so these sellers will mostly feature earrings that I really liked, but there were some additional pieces I found along the way that are quite cute as well. You might notice that I haven't really posted any sort of dangly earrings, and that's partially because of my style and partially because I think they're more worth the money. When I was younger, I went through a phase where I would buy lots of jewelry kits and make my own earrings. They were generally of the dangly type, with a "hook" looking thing on the top that you put through the earring hole. Since then, I have adopted a more minimalist style in terms of jewelry, probably to offset the crazy creations I sported as a child. Having said that, my experience in jewelry making has taught me how easy it is to simply thread a charm onto one of the hooks and make a pair of earrings. Studs, on the other hand, were much harder to make. Technically all you had to do was glue it, but that had to be pretty precise otherwise glue would ooze out all over the place. So, generally, I stay away from dangly earrings just because I could easily pass by a craft store, grab some cute charms, and hook them onto earring hooks. My apologies if you aren't a big fan of stud earrings, but they're mainly what's going to be featured in this post.
Anyway, you're probably rolling your eyes back in your head...that is, even if you finished reading all of that. But I'll get onto the jewelry. The first "find" isn't quite so secretive just because it's hard to miss this lovely seller if you're browsing jewelry. Dangsworld has always caught my eye whenever I'm shopping around Etsy, and I could go on and on about the delicate yet girly quality of the earrings available, but I think that I'll just let the lovely pieces speak for themselves (lovely pieces which, by the way, are between 5 and 9 dollars). Keep in mind that I actually had trouble picking these out just because there were so many pieces to choose from!
Anyway, you're probably rolling your eyes back in your head...that is, even if you finished reading all of that. But I'll get onto the jewelry. The first "find" isn't quite so secretive just because it's hard to miss this lovely seller if you're browsing jewelry. Dangsworld has always caught my eye whenever I'm shopping around Etsy, and I could go on and on about the delicate yet girly quality of the earrings available, but I think that I'll just let the lovely pieces speak for themselves (lovely pieces which, by the way, are between 5 and 9 dollars). Keep in mind that I actually had trouble picking these out just because there were so many pieces to choose from!
Stylist Trials: Teen Star
One thing that I love to do is fantasy styling. Everyone does it, especially around awards season...essentially, you just pick someone you'd love to dress and make an outfit for them. In the spirit of staying recessionably chic, I decided to try and style a "teen star." This is like...Emma Roberts, Vanessa Anne Hudgens, etc. Usually, these teens can't quite break out the Valentino and Dior (then again, Emma Watson was rocking Chanel during the Harry Potter premieres), so picking fun bargain pieces is perfect for them.
To begin, I chose this one-strap flowered print dress from Betsey Johnson. It's on sale for $162.50, which makes it accessible to even us mere mortals. The flower print is fun and young, and the one-shoulder detail is a little bit out of the ordinary, but in general this is a basic silhouette -- perfect for not overwhelming a young teen. Teen stars often have to attend events like the "Teen Choice Awards," and I thought that something like this would be perfect for the occasion.
I would pair this dress with a simple pair of pink strappy heels. Originally, I was trying to go for a nude or taupe barely-there heel, but all the dressy sandals nowadays are more fierce than fading into the background. The pink picks up the flowers in the dress' print, while still keeping all eyes on the dress. These shoes are $114.95 from Nordstrom.
I'm not much of an adorner, but if I wanted to finish out the look I'd pick a funky cocktail ring, like this green flower one from Kenneth Jay Lane, $90 at Nordstrom.
To begin, I chose this one-strap flowered print dress from Betsey Johnson. It's on sale for $162.50, which makes it accessible to even us mere mortals. The flower print is fun and young, and the one-shoulder detail is a little bit out of the ordinary, but in general this is a basic silhouette -- perfect for not overwhelming a young teen. Teen stars often have to attend events like the "Teen Choice Awards," and I thought that something like this would be perfect for the occasion.
I would pair this dress with a simple pair of pink strappy heels. Originally, I was trying to go for a nude or taupe barely-there heel, but all the dressy sandals nowadays are more fierce than fading into the background. The pink picks up the flowers in the dress' print, while still keeping all eyes on the dress. These shoes are $114.95 from Nordstrom.
I'm not much of an adorner, but if I wanted to finish out the look I'd pick a funky cocktail ring, like this green flower one from Kenneth Jay Lane, $90 at Nordstrom.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Fresh Scallops
No, no...I don't mean the seafood. Though I don't mind a nice seared scallop...mmm. Anyway, while I was perusing the Saks sale in search of pastel frocks for you guys (the post is right before this), I found this lovely white shift dress from Walter, on sale for $178.80. The scalloped detail is so fresh and light, and the white is perfect for summer. What I like about this dress is that it works for summer, but it could also be paired with a nice cardigan for cooler weather, or even black tights and a jacket for winter (very Zooey Deschanel).
If I had to pick a pair of summer sandals to wear this with, I'd probably go matchy matchy and pick a pair of white or cream sandals. Really, almost anything in a neutral colour (though I'm not so hot about the idea of black shoes and a white dress) would work, even a fierce pair of gladiators. Here are some choices from the clearance circuit that would complement this lovely dress perfectly.
For those of you that want a simple, basic summer sandal that you can use again and again I'd try this crossover flip-flop like variety from Steve Madden. It's on sale for $19.99, and it comes in silver, gold, and black. If I was coordinating this pair of shoes with the Walter dress, I'd go for the silver and gold, but if you need a pair of black sandals by all means try those.
For those of you that want something edgier to neutralize the super-girly scallops on the shift, I would try a more unique sandal, like one of these two pairs. I'd still stick with white, but the first pair of flip-flops, on sale for $25.90 from Chinese Laundry, are a great way to add a little tiny bit of punky studs to any ensemble. The second pair of shoes, on sale for $49.99 from Steve Madden, echo the gladiator/Grecian styles that have been popping up so much. The ankle detail is reminiscent of many avant-garde styles of footwear, yet the simple buckle detail and strappy structure keep this sandal wearable with many different outfits.
If I had to pick a pair of summer sandals to wear this with, I'd probably go matchy matchy and pick a pair of white or cream sandals. Really, almost anything in a neutral colour (though I'm not so hot about the idea of black shoes and a white dress) would work, even a fierce pair of gladiators. Here are some choices from the clearance circuit that would complement this lovely dress perfectly.
For those of you that want a simple, basic summer sandal that you can use again and again I'd try this crossover flip-flop like variety from Steve Madden. It's on sale for $19.99, and it comes in silver, gold, and black. If I was coordinating this pair of shoes with the Walter dress, I'd go for the silver and gold, but if you need a pair of black sandals by all means try those.
For those of you that want something edgier to neutralize the super-girly scallops on the shift, I would try a more unique sandal, like one of these two pairs. I'd still stick with white, but the first pair of flip-flops, on sale for $25.90 from Chinese Laundry, are a great way to add a little tiny bit of punky studs to any ensemble. The second pair of shoes, on sale for $49.99 from Steve Madden, echo the gladiator/Grecian styles that have been popping up so much. The ankle detail is reminiscent of many avant-garde styles of footwear, yet the simple buckle detail and strappy structure keep this sandal wearable with many different outfits.
Summery Pastels
Though pastel colours may be associated more with Spring than they are with Summer, here in Chicago we didn't really have much of the former. There's no need to put those pastel frocks to rest, especially for a fancy Summer event. I myself have a wedding to attend, and though it's a formal event I think that I would rather stick with a lighter colour, just because it feels more appropriate for the warmer weather. In honor of that, I scoped out three lovely dresses from Saks, each in a light pastel colour.
This first dress is part of the slew of BCBG cocktail dresses that was put out suspiciously around prom time. Many of them were worn by girls at my school, but not this one. I'm actually pretty surprised...the sweetheart neckline and A-line skirt are pretty universally flattering, and the sea foam green colour is gorgeous. If you're as into this dress as I am, you can get it for $204.00.
This second dress has a little bit of a molting look going for it. Thankfully, the layers of thin fabric aren't overpowering enough to look like you're actually losing your (bright blue) skin. Instead, they offer light, delicate detailing on the skirt that is offset by a tightly fitting bright blue bodice. Again, the sweetheart neckline is quite flattering, as is the knee-length hemline. Get it for $140.00, if you're a size 6.
This last dress is very girly and sweet, and the slightly shorter hemline makes it better for the younger ones among us. Instead of a sweetheart neckline, this dress has a straight-cut neckline, so getting a good bra is a little bit easier. Plus, the bow adds an interesting detail that just borders the line between "unique" and "over the top." It's also the cheapest dress out of all three, at only $87.98.
This first dress is part of the slew of BCBG cocktail dresses that was put out suspiciously around prom time. Many of them were worn by girls at my school, but not this one. I'm actually pretty surprised...the sweetheart neckline and A-line skirt are pretty universally flattering, and the sea foam green colour is gorgeous. If you're as into this dress as I am, you can get it for $204.00.
This second dress has a little bit of a molting look going for it. Thankfully, the layers of thin fabric aren't overpowering enough to look like you're actually losing your (bright blue) skin. Instead, they offer light, delicate detailing on the skirt that is offset by a tightly fitting bright blue bodice. Again, the sweetheart neckline is quite flattering, as is the knee-length hemline. Get it for $140.00, if you're a size 6.
This last dress is very girly and sweet, and the slightly shorter hemline makes it better for the younger ones among us. Instead of a sweetheart neckline, this dress has a straight-cut neckline, so getting a good bra is a little bit easier. Plus, the bow adds an interesting detail that just borders the line between "unique" and "over the top." It's also the cheapest dress out of all three, at only $87.98.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot...Pair of Flats
So I was browsing the J. Crew online sale (which, by the way, is incredibly messed up web-wise) and I found this pair of flats that epitomizes all that is cute and lovely and pretty.
Okay, so they aren't Christian Dior or Valentino. But I mean, come on. Bright colour? Perfect for the weather. Polka dots? Love. J. Crew sale? Love even more. Ballet flats? Is that...even a question? LOVE! If I'm buying an expensive pair of flats I either want it to be a super-basic pair of, say, patent black flats, or, a statement pair of flats that still manages to be wearable. Though yellow might not seem like an optimal colour, it's surprisingly wearable in terms of shoes. Anyway, this lovely pair of ballet flats and my determination in conquering the J. Crew sale section inspired me to do a post about the wonders of yellow.
A coat is always a great way to add a pop of colour, and this yellow and white striped number is no exception. It has three-quarter sleeves, which makes it more spring-and-fall appropriate, and there's no fuss as to the shape of the jacket. It's on sale for $119.99.
If you don't want to go all the way with your yellow and white stripes, you could give this cardigan a try. This could go with some other coloured pieces if you wanted to stand out, or it could be paired with a simple pair of denims for a casual day. I love the rosette detail, because it keeps this cardigan girly without detracting from the striped print. It's on sale for $79.99 at J. Crew.
If you guys also loved the pair of yellow flats I posted about at the beginning but your wallet's in need of some recuperation because of all the sales, try these lower-priced yellow flats to adorn your feet. The first pair is from Urban Outfitters for $38.00. It's not on sale, so it's really huge that I'm actually blogging about it, but I adore the scalloped detail and the shade of yellow. Plus, these flats are very light, so they're perfect for walking around on a breezy, sunny, summer day. The second pair is on sale at Charlotte Russe for $9.50. I would rather own a pair of the two flats I posted about before, but again, if your wallet can't really take that much pressure right now (I know mine wouldn't be so welcome), then this is a great way to put some yellow into your wardrobe. The ruffle detail is a nice alternative to the traditional bow, and it adds a nice girly touch to these flats.
By now you guys must be thinking...okay, so this girl keeps going on about yellow flats, but what on earth do you wear them with! The answer? Everything. Well, almost. I find that my neutral-filled wardrobe is pretty welcome to coloured flats. But yellow really does go with a lot of things. I might wear a new pair of yellow flats with this striped J. Crew jacket (on sale for $99.99) and some dark wash jeans, for a European-inspired look.
If I wanted to be more summery about it, I would pair yellow flats with a nice blue dress. Any shade of blue works, whether it's almost-black navy or bright cobalt. These three dresses (the first one is $49.99 and the last two are $59.99) would be great with any of the yellow flats I posted about earlier.
Okay, so they aren't Christian Dior or Valentino. But I mean, come on. Bright colour? Perfect for the weather. Polka dots? Love. J. Crew sale? Love even more. Ballet flats? Is that...even a question? LOVE! If I'm buying an expensive pair of flats I either want it to be a super-basic pair of, say, patent black flats, or, a statement pair of flats that still manages to be wearable. Though yellow might not seem like an optimal colour, it's surprisingly wearable in terms of shoes. Anyway, this lovely pair of ballet flats and my determination in conquering the J. Crew sale section inspired me to do a post about the wonders of yellow.A coat is always a great way to add a pop of colour, and this yellow and white striped number is no exception. It has three-quarter sleeves, which makes it more spring-and-fall appropriate, and there's no fuss as to the shape of the jacket. It's on sale for $119.99.
If you don't want to go all the way with your yellow and white stripes, you could give this cardigan a try. This could go with some other coloured pieces if you wanted to stand out, or it could be paired with a simple pair of denims for a casual day. I love the rosette detail, because it keeps this cardigan girly without detracting from the striped print. It's on sale for $79.99 at J. Crew.If you guys also loved the pair of yellow flats I posted about at the beginning but your wallet's in need of some recuperation because of all the sales, try these lower-priced yellow flats to adorn your feet. The first pair is from Urban Outfitters for $38.00. It's not on sale, so it's really huge that I'm actually blogging about it, but I adore the scalloped detail and the shade of yellow. Plus, these flats are very light, so they're perfect for walking around on a breezy, sunny, summer day. The second pair is on sale at Charlotte Russe for $9.50. I would rather own a pair of the two flats I posted about before, but again, if your wallet can't really take that much pressure right now (I know mine wouldn't be so welcome), then this is a great way to put some yellow into your wardrobe. The ruffle detail is a nice alternative to the traditional bow, and it adds a nice girly touch to these flats.By now you guys must be thinking...okay, so this girl keeps going on about yellow flats, but what on earth do you wear them with! The answer? Everything. Well, almost. I find that my neutral-filled wardrobe is pretty welcome to coloured flats. But yellow really does go with a lot of things. I might wear a new pair of yellow flats with this striped J. Crew jacket (on sale for $99.99) and some dark wash jeans, for a European-inspired look.If I wanted to be more summery about it, I would pair yellow flats with a nice blue dress. Any shade of blue works, whether it's almost-black navy or bright cobalt. These three dresses (the first one is $49.99 and the last two are $59.99) would be great with any of the yellow flats I posted about earlier.
Banana Bargains
I'll give you guys a bigger post in just a few minutes, but I wanted to share these two little finds from the Banana Republic sale (one is a gorgeous pair of flats, so I couldn't resist).
This red top is something I'm considering getting for myself...if only I wore more red. I love the zigzag neck detailing, especially because it helps to keep you cool during the summer months. I would wear this either with skinnies for fun, tucked into a high-waisted skirt for a nice dinner out, and under a suit jacket or cardigan for professional duties. It comes in blue and black as well, and it's on sale for $29.99 at Banana Republic.
These white flats have a great cutout detail, and I love the gold trim. Unfortunately, they don't come in my size or else I would have ordered them immediately. Maybe I'll fit in a quick trip to Banana Republic tomorrow...tempting, very tempting. Well for those of you lucky folks who can still buy these flats, I'd suggest you do so ASAP - they're practical, wearable, and yet still have that extra little bit of flair that make you stand out from the crowd. Did I mention they were on sale for $39.99?
This red top is something I'm considering getting for myself...if only I wore more red. I love the zigzag neck detailing, especially because it helps to keep you cool during the summer months. I would wear this either with skinnies for fun, tucked into a high-waisted skirt for a nice dinner out, and under a suit jacket or cardigan for professional duties. It comes in blue and black as well, and it's on sale for $29.99 at Banana Republic.
These white flats have a great cutout detail, and I love the gold trim. Unfortunately, they don't come in my size or else I would have ordered them immediately. Maybe I'll fit in a quick trip to Banana Republic tomorrow...tempting, very tempting. Well for those of you lucky folks who can still buy these flats, I'd suggest you do so ASAP - they're practical, wearable, and yet still have that extra little bit of flair that make you stand out from the crowd. Did I mention they were on sale for $39.99?
Happy Belated 4th of July!
I don't know about you guys, but I've been pretty busy amidst the various Independence Day events. In Chicago, there are two fireworks shows, and I actually attended both with my family. The first one, on the 3rd, was absolutely insane! The fireworks were beautiful, but there were so many people there...the police even closed down Michigan Avenue so that pedestrians could walk on it! Today's fireworks show was a little bit calmer, but still just as enjoyable.
Anyway, in the spirit of our country's birthday I've found a few ways to bring the red, white, and blue spirit into your home, and they're all on sale at Kate Spade!
This first bag is pretty cute. Personally, the idea of a dual coloured bag is a little strange to me, but if you like nautical themes, patriotic themes, or just the combination of red and white, I'd go for this cute little bag. It's a nice size for toting around everything without being weighed down by the requisite ginormous bag. Plus, it's on sale for $146.00.
I am a huge fan of this day clutch, even though I'm a little wary of buying a day clutch just because it's not useful for nighttime and the trend might wear off soon. However, this little bow number might just sway me. Again, the red, white, and blue combo isn't something that I would usually turn to but kate spade used to stock a green and pink version of this which was to die for. If red and blue does it for you, this is on sale for only $98.00.
In these past two days, I have seen more people having picnics, barbecues, and other outdoor shindigs then I have ever seen in my life. So, I felt it was necessary to end my little ode to the 4th of July with two practical yet patriotic tote bags that don't go overboard with the Uncle Sam pride. Check out the cute bow detail in the second picture! The two different sizes are both on sale for $159.00 and $139.00, respectively.
Anyway, in the spirit of our country's birthday I've found a few ways to bring the red, white, and blue spirit into your home, and they're all on sale at Kate Spade!
This first bag is pretty cute. Personally, the idea of a dual coloured bag is a little strange to me, but if you like nautical themes, patriotic themes, or just the combination of red and white, I'd go for this cute little bag. It's a nice size for toting around everything without being weighed down by the requisite ginormous bag. Plus, it's on sale for $146.00.
I am a huge fan of this day clutch, even though I'm a little wary of buying a day clutch just because it's not useful for nighttime and the trend might wear off soon. However, this little bow number might just sway me. Again, the red, white, and blue combo isn't something that I would usually turn to but kate spade used to stock a green and pink version of this which was to die for. If red and blue does it for you, this is on sale for only $98.00.
In these past two days, I have seen more people having picnics, barbecues, and other outdoor shindigs then I have ever seen in my life. So, I felt it was necessary to end my little ode to the 4th of July with two practical yet patriotic tote bags that don't go overboard with the Uncle Sam pride. Check out the cute bow detail in the second picture! The two different sizes are both on sale for $159.00 and $139.00, respectively.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Sassy Serena
While lamenting the loss of my beloved J. Crew (it's experiencing a temporary Internet meltdown), I decided to scour the Nordstrom sales for some picks that satisfy the other spectrum of Gossip Girl lovelies, Serena van der Woodsen. As I said before, it's often difficult to pick up style tips from a 5'10" girl with the skinniest legs ever. I'm not going to go into whether one of the two ladies is "prettier" than the other, first of all because I don't appreciate judging like that and second of all because they're both so gorgeous I wouldn't be able to pick. So, for those of you that are more into Serena's laid-back, boho style (with lots of gam-showing), here are some things you should check out at the Nordstrom sales.
This black tunic with snaps up the sides is something that you could wear either without bottoms or with bottoms, but if you wanted to go full-on Serena it would probably be without bottoms. I love this piece because it's detailed without being too much, and it's on sale for $54.90.
This black sequined number from LaROK is another example of a classic black piece with a little bit of "Serena" injected into it with the silver sequin detailing. To me, the detailing in the front almost resembles a sequined vest thrown over a black dress, which sounds like something right up funky Serena's alley. If you're interested, it's on sale for $97.90.
This taupe jersey dress definitely has the "leg-showing" criteria filled, but I like how it's not particularly revealing on top, so you're not showing too much. Plus, the neutral colour is a perfect canvas for some accessories of your own, be they Serena-inspired or just you-inspired. It's on sale for $105.90.
This cream shirtdress with sequin detailing seems like something that our party girl Serena would wear to one of her more hip, young soirées. Again, the shift style that's pretty roomy on top is great for balancing out a very leg-displaying dress...it's also great for hiding a little bit of extra tummy. The dress is from French Connection, on sale for $109.90.
This black dress with a vest is kind of like the daytime version of the black LaROK sequined dress. The simple vest detailing adds a bit of boho while still remaining crisp, and again is a great palette to show off some standout accessories. You could go all-out Serena with a black studded bag, along the lines of her trusty Burberry "Warrior" bag, or you could just spice it up with some neons and chunky necklaces. Personally, I'd go for a pretty silk scarf and some fancy flats to girlie it up. The dress is on sale for $128.90 from Charlotte Ronson.
This yellow BCBG dress reminds me of Serena's lovely pale yellow ruffled dress in the wedding, though it doesn't quite carry the same designer tag. After looking at the dress on the model, I think it's safe to say that the style is quite difficult to carry off. This cocktail, modified version is much more wearable, and is a lovely departure from the usual spaghetti-strap or halter-neck evening dresses. Plus, it's from BCBG and it's only $159.90.
One thing I love about this orange flower-adorned dress from 3.1 Phillip Lim is that it's not any sort of imitation of Gossip Girl style, it's something that Serena herself may have worn. Yes, orange isn't a common colour in her wardrobe, but the easy, breezy style of this sheer silk dress is almost definitely something she would wear. And, of course, it has the requisite hiked-up hem. Thankfully, for those of us who don't have infinite amounts of budget money to spend on designer-filled wardrobes, this piece of Phillip is only $189.00.
Finally, this yellow number from Diane von Furstenburg is a lovely, long dress that is made for the lovely, long ladies out there. I'm all for wearing what makes you happy, but being 5'2" myself, I know that calf-length dresses like this usually drown my petite frame out. But on a tall and skinny girl like Serena, curves aren't even necessary to pull off this beautiful summery dress. If you're interested, it's only $206.90...which isn't bad for DVF.
This black tunic with snaps up the sides is something that you could wear either without bottoms or with bottoms, but if you wanted to go full-on Serena it would probably be without bottoms. I love this piece because it's detailed without being too much, and it's on sale for $54.90.
This black sequined number from LaROK is another example of a classic black piece with a little bit of "Serena" injected into it with the silver sequin detailing. To me, the detailing in the front almost resembles a sequined vest thrown over a black dress, which sounds like something right up funky Serena's alley. If you're interested, it's on sale for $97.90.
This taupe jersey dress definitely has the "leg-showing" criteria filled, but I like how it's not particularly revealing on top, so you're not showing too much. Plus, the neutral colour is a perfect canvas for some accessories of your own, be they Serena-inspired or just you-inspired. It's on sale for $105.90.
This cream shirtdress with sequin detailing seems like something that our party girl Serena would wear to one of her more hip, young soirées. Again, the shift style that's pretty roomy on top is great for balancing out a very leg-displaying dress...it's also great for hiding a little bit of extra tummy. The dress is from French Connection, on sale for $109.90.
This black dress with a vest is kind of like the daytime version of the black LaROK sequined dress. The simple vest detailing adds a bit of boho while still remaining crisp, and again is a great palette to show off some standout accessories. You could go all-out Serena with a black studded bag, along the lines of her trusty Burberry "Warrior" bag, or you could just spice it up with some neons and chunky necklaces. Personally, I'd go for a pretty silk scarf and some fancy flats to girlie it up. The dress is on sale for $128.90 from Charlotte Ronson.
This yellow BCBG dress reminds me of Serena's lovely pale yellow ruffled dress in the wedding, though it doesn't quite carry the same designer tag. After looking at the dress on the model, I think it's safe to say that the style is quite difficult to carry off. This cocktail, modified version is much more wearable, and is a lovely departure from the usual spaghetti-strap or halter-neck evening dresses. Plus, it's from BCBG and it's only $159.90.
One thing I love about this orange flower-adorned dress from 3.1 Phillip Lim is that it's not any sort of imitation of Gossip Girl style, it's something that Serena herself may have worn. Yes, orange isn't a common colour in her wardrobe, but the easy, breezy style of this sheer silk dress is almost definitely something she would wear. And, of course, it has the requisite hiked-up hem. Thankfully, for those of us who don't have infinite amounts of budget money to spend on designer-filled wardrobes, this piece of Phillip is only $189.00.
Finally, this yellow number from Diane von Furstenburg is a lovely, long dress that is made for the lovely, long ladies out there. I'm all for wearing what makes you happy, but being 5'2" myself, I know that calf-length dresses like this usually drown my petite frame out. But on a tall and skinny girl like Serena, curves aren't even necessary to pull off this beautiful summery dress. If you're interested, it's only $206.90...which isn't bad for DVF.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Be Like Blair
Though many may find it difficult to pick between the equally gorgeous styles of Blair Waldorf and Serena van der Woodsen from Gossip Girl, I personally find it much easier to take style tips from Blair, just because Serena's style often requires long, skinny legs like hers (which sadly, not all of us are blessed with). I am about 5'2", so pulling off some of those shift dresses isn't exactly easy. Though Blair's style is pretty extreme, I like getting inspiration from her outfits rather than attempting to pull off an entire one. So, while browsing the Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale today, I came across a large number of pieces that I thought would be fit for Blair Waldorf herself (not counting the price tag, of course).
I'll start off with one of the more simple ones, a beige puff sleeve dress. This neutral colour would be flattering on many different skintones, and leaves the way for a fun pair of flats or heels, depending on the occasion. But the fitted silhouette, puffed sleeves, and bow detail are all Blair. The $68.90 sale price? Not so much.
This short-sleeved white shift dress could be styled in many different ways, and may not seem to scream "Blair!" at first, but I found a couple of accessories that might bring it more into Waldorf territory. It's on sale for $68.90.
For a Blair Waldorf-approved look, I would pair this dress with a pair of red bow pumps ($29.99 at Piperlime) and a red bow headband ($2.80 at Forever 21)
This red, structured dress with bows on the sleeves is so Blair Waldorf that the Nordstrom model is even styled in a Blair Waldorf sort of way. The high bun, the pink lipstick...though I imagine if it was Blair she'd have a bit more blusher on, just to push the whole "innocent doll" look. It's on sale for $165.90, which isn't too bad for a nice evening dress that makes you stand out from the crowd (high bun and bright lipstick not required).
Finally, this black ruffled trench coat (which is a steal at $26.90) is a great way to add some girlie to a basic, everyday piece. A trench like this can be used in the fall or the spring, because the ruffled soften what would be a harsh piece. Plus, we all know Blair loves her belts and this trench sports its own. Unfortunately, it's only available in Medium, but if that's your size I would grab this ASAP.
I'll start off with one of the more simple ones, a beige puff sleeve dress. This neutral colour would be flattering on many different skintones, and leaves the way for a fun pair of flats or heels, depending on the occasion. But the fitted silhouette, puffed sleeves, and bow detail are all Blair. The $68.90 sale price? Not so much.
This short-sleeved white shift dress could be styled in many different ways, and may not seem to scream "Blair!" at first, but I found a couple of accessories that might bring it more into Waldorf territory. It's on sale for $68.90.
For a Blair Waldorf-approved look, I would pair this dress with a pair of red bow pumps ($29.99 at Piperlime) and a red bow headband ($2.80 at Forever 21)
This red, structured dress with bows on the sleeves is so Blair Waldorf that the Nordstrom model is even styled in a Blair Waldorf sort of way. The high bun, the pink lipstick...though I imagine if it was Blair she'd have a bit more blusher on, just to push the whole "innocent doll" look. It's on sale for $165.90, which isn't too bad for a nice evening dress that makes you stand out from the crowd (high bun and bright lipstick not required).
Finally, this black ruffled trench coat (which is a steal at $26.90) is a great way to add some girlie to a basic, everyday piece. A trench like this can be used in the fall or the spring, because the ruffled soften what would be a harsh piece. Plus, we all know Blair loves her belts and this trench sports its own. Unfortunately, it's only available in Medium, but if that's your size I would grab this ASAP.
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