My Summer Wish List

With the temperatures rising, the rooftop bars opening, and the beaches beckoning, it’s about time I embarked on some much-needed summer shopping. So I’ve conveniently formed a wish list of fun fashions and accessories that I’m dying to add to my wardrobe. Apart from the Material Girl side of Summer 2013, there are so many warm weather activities in and around New York that I’ve made goals of completing by September. I can’t believe I’ve lived in New York for four years now and never been to Coney Island or Jones Beach. I’d also like to go to the Brooklyn Brewery and maybe even spend a long weekend on Fire Island, but I have to do some shopping first.

1. YOOX Dress Gallery Short Dress  2. Jack Rogers Marbella Mid-Height Espadrille  3. Deborah Lippmann The Mermaids Summer Nail Lacquer Collection  4. White Pineapple Bikini  5. Sun Bum Spf 50+ Sunscreen Lotion  6. Crocs Adrina Flats

Find me on: Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Chris Benz Unveils Nature-Inspired EPIC Movie Collaboration

Yesterday, I attended the unveiling of Chris Benz’s EPIC film collaboration hosted by IFB. It was truly one of the most unique fashion presentations I’ve ever been to. In partnership with the film’s Art Director, Michael Knapp, who described the artistic challenges he faced in creating and conceptualizing costume design for the animated film, we learned how patterns found in nature inspired the costumes in the movie which in turn inspired the famed designer’s creative process. The result was a beautiful emerald green dress re-imagined from Chris Benz’s Spring 2013 Collection born out of EPIC’s rich forest landscape.

Find me on: Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Fun Fashion From the Closet of the Traditionalist

If you truly want to be an individual when it comes to fashion, taking the conservative road is as revolutionary as you can get. Opting to dress modestly is tasteful and can be more attractive than baring it all, no matter what the occasion. With the temperatures on the rise, though, you might be at a loss as to how to beat the heat, looking fresh and attractive without resorting to spaghetti straps and miniskirts.

Light and Flowery

Light materials in floral patterns are spring and summer essentials. Light cotton is the ideal fabric for kicky Capri and cropped ankle-length pants, summertime skirts and even light blazers to wear over lacey shells and tank tops. Blazers and jackets can be short sleeve, to keep feeling COOL. Skirt length in summer is always a question, but with floral maxi skirts hitting the pinnacle of popularity, you’ll be both trendy and traditional when you dress in a flowing design that drifts down to calf length or below.

Accessories

Accessories go a long way in dressing up a demure ensemble. Moody Maria recommends lace camisoles and decorative pins for shoring up cross-front dresses that might have a tendency to open. In fact, bejeweled pins, ponytail holders and headbands are great ways to change the entire look of an outfit without changing the entire outfit.

An example: Wear a basic sleeveless dress to work with a short-sleeved blazer, flats and light pastel tights in a complimentary pastel color. Then slip on a jeweled headband, add a sparkling brooch to the lapel of your jacket and change into heels. One minute you’ll look as if you’re going to some farmers market event, or a Reputation.com or Google interview because no girl is going to get hired wearing Sketchers and an outlandish Gap sweater with cake stains — you need to step it up, and the next you’re dressed for a classy cocktail party.

Other Tips

Whether it’s an office, or a conservative social gathering, there are some basic guidelines to follow when aiming to dress modestly. Collegefashion.net offers up a few to include:

• Only dress in clothing that fits properly. Ultimately this is a matter of dressing tastefully more than it is dressing conservatively. If your clothes are too tight or too loose, you won’t look good.
• Leave something to the imagination. Classy, conservative dressing requires not wearing anything that is too revealing. Short and capped sleeves are fine, but never go sleeveless. Your skirt should be at least long enough to meet your knees or fall below the knee line.
• Going to bold with colors and applying them with a heavy hand won’t allow the true you to shine. Take a look at a few classy and beautiful celebrities who wear their makeup understated, it appears as if they aren’t wearing any at all. Kate Middleton, Jennifer Garner, Reese Witherspoon … they always look fresh, impeccably composed and eternally elegant.

Dressing fashionably yet conservative really isn’t that much of a challenge. It does take a bit of planning, though, along with awareness. Make your statement with color, well-cut and fine-fitting clothes and accessorize, accessorize, accessorize. You’ll be more comfortable when you wear your clothes, and they aren’t wearing yourself.

Find me on: Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

A Perfect Match

Ann Taylor Colorblocked Perforated Leather Clutch / Juicy Couture Blue Suede Pumps

I’m not one of those people that always has their shoes matched perfectly to their bag. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but a perfect match isn’t that big of a priority for me on most days.  However, there are some items (often from different stores and designers) that go so well together that you can’t help, but smile when you see them in outfit form. After finding a couple perfect matches during one of my many late nights of online shopping, I knew I needed to show them off.  When it comes to love, there may not be that many perfect matches, but in fashion, it gives me some piece of mind to know that the combinations are endless.

ModCloth Shoreline Soiree Dress / Gap Leather Envelope Clutch

Find me on: Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

The 90s are Back!

Having been a kid in the 1990s growing up with Saved By the Bell, Clueless, and T.G.I.F., it’s kind of starting to freak me out that the 90s are the new retro decade.  For the first time ever, I’m really starting to feel old.  But, in spite of it all, I miss the 90s and I’m glad to see them back in full force.  Sure we still used land lines and paid for the Internet by the hour, but the economy and music were amazing.  So welcome back!

From what I hear, the California grunge look that was all the rage in the era of teenage rebellion will be hitting stores once again this fall.  So in honor of welcoming my childhood’s trends back into modern fashion and pop culture, I put together a grunge-inspired photo shoot starring my favorite green plaid top that I found downtown at a vintage store.  I like to think that it’s actually from the 90s, but who knows.  All I’m missing is a pair of Doc Martens.

Find me on: Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram