Sunday, August 14, 2011

Accessories

Accessories

Giuseppe Zanotti peep toe pumps
$1,495 - neimanmarcus.com

Leather booties
$160 - topshop.com

Lace up wedge
$140 - topshop.com

Miss KG leather shoes
£45 - kurtgeiger.com

Vintage leather handbag
$2,160 - amrag.com

Marc jacobs tote bag
£975 - harveynichols.com

Balenciaga blue handbag
£635 - matchesfashion.com

Fendi belt
$319 - mytheresa.com

Missoni cashmere shawl
€190 - luisaviaroma.com

H M wide brim hat
£9.99 - hm.com

paris

paris

Tibi floral cocktail dress
£130 - theoutnet.com

Vintage leather jacket
$500 - witchery.com.au

Vest
panicposters.com

Pierre Hardy high heel sandals
$2,395 - net-a-porter.com

Alexander mcqueen handbag
$1,795 - couture.zappos.com

Just bling watch
£216 - yukka.co.uk

Marc Jacobs cashmere scarve
$450 - net-a-porter.com

H M wool hat
£9.99 - hm.com

Okay, ladies, how are you enjoying this cloudy day? Great day to wear those new colors.

So on to the particulars of fall 2011 - what's in. MadMen based clothing abounds. Both Bebe and Banana Republic have collections and the Karl Lagerfeld designed Impulse line for Macy's as well (hits the web and store on August 31).
So think lady-like dresses and suits, but with a 2011 kick. I love the Bebe jacket in the ad with the portrait neckline but check out the picked stitching. I wish it was priced lower than $175.00 because that's too much for me. With this being a trend, I predict that we will see similar pieces at more reasonable prices. There are some great looking dresses too, mixing business and sexy in an interesting way.
And what accessories should one pair with this look? Check out my next blog for details!

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Hello all. I hope you have been out shopping, buying something colorful to wear. I purchased a pair of hot pink high-waisted jeans yesterday and can not wait to get them on. They will be such fun - for those of you who are feeling faint at the mention of such a colorful addition, remember that this color pink plays well with camel, black, charcoal gray, chocolate brown, etc. Now that made you think twice.
So let me know about those new colors in your lives and how you are working them into your wardrobe.

Friday, August 12, 2011

Fall 2011

The biggest trend is color - rich, jewel-colored, saturated color. Blue, purple, orange, red, green, etc. You remember that color wheel from grade school? That's it. It's bold and beautiful.
Now I know a lot of people are scared of color and their closets consist of black and maybe some dark charcoal gray or navy. And that's nice and safe. But take a step out this fall and try some color. One piece of great color and be ready for the compliments.
Some of you are already saying no way. For you, baby steps. Start with an accessory - a scarf, a handbag, a pair of gloves. Then you can progress to a larger piece. If it is a shade that doesn't look good with your coloring, do a safe top and a colorful bottom - a skirt, a pair of pants. or jeans.
Color can really lift your spirits. No one looks good in black all the time. I remember my grandmothers wore black all the time - they were Italian and once someone close to them died, they mourned for the rest of their lives. But you don't have that excuse, so give it a chance.
And report back to me - I'm waiting to hear.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Next blog will be some of my picks for the fall trends. Got to check my LookBook so I can let all of you know what's hot and what's not.

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Okay, here are some recommendations regarding retail shoes. First I should clarify that this means a shoe that you can wear for long periods of time, either standing or walking, and they feel good and look good.
I am short, so I prefer a shoe with a low heel to give me a little height. Brands I like: Pikolinos, Everybody, Giraudon, Cole Haan Air Nikes, Miss Albright. They are not cheap, but they are also not your car payment for the month.
Most I have purchased on sale, a lot I have found on Ebay at reduced prices and if you are perusing Ebay, check vintage shoes as well. I have several vintage pairs that have a retro look, are comfortable and did not cost a lot.
If you are going for flats, there are many choices, but be sure that you get ones with padding. There is nothing worse than wearing a flat flat. No support at all and in no time, your dogs are barking.
It always pleases me when I am wearing a pair of my bargain shoes and get compliments - it's a boost to keep searching and hunting for those special shoes! So I hope this helps, let me know.

Friday, August 5, 2011

The Project

After many years and tears devoted to helping people, I decided that it was time for a change or as they say these days, time to "reinvent" myself. I had developed a strong passion for fashion, a style of my own, one that was noticed by others. So it was about three years ago that I plunged head first into the search for a job in women's retail sales. How difficult could it be? I walked the walk, talked the talk, possessed lots of energy and determination, etc. Of course, I had rather limited experience in retail, but that shouldn't be an impediment, right? Little did I realize that it would be so challenging. As usual I persevered, though many friends wondered if I had lost my sanity, and after about a year of looking, I landed the job of my dreams in a wonderful store with a great staff. However, I was the new girl (?) on the block and therefore, many tasks assigned to me were not retail related. Let's just say there were dust bunnies and dirty toilets and racks to polish - I think you understand. And who knew that standing on your feet all day could be painful? could reduce my wardrobe of designer shoes into instruments of torture? could change my shoe size? Oh, yes. And the search for the perfect "retail" shoe- that pair of shoes that are actually orthopedic but look like Manolos? All part of this transformation of into the ideal retail associate.