Category Archives: Trends
Genius App: Upinion
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With so many apps out there – it is hard to decipher what is useful and/or beneficial. My new favorite is Upinion. A free market research App that asks you simple questions throughout your day and in return THEY PAY YOU! Thats right…
Everytime you answer a question you bank 10 cents. When your “Wallet” gets to $10.00 – Upinion will transfer to the account of your choice and you can start all over again!
Upinion is reinventing market research by using mobile technology to deliver answers in real time.
For companies, information needs to be instant and practical enabling businesses to make quick and accurate decisions. Traditional market research is time consuming, expensive and complicated.
Upinion makes the entire process incredibly easy and efficient. Download the app free HERE.
Five Favorites: Peasant Top
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Peasant tops are are great transitioning piece from cold to warm weather. Available in basic neutrals or super bright colors – these tops are both relaxed and casual.
Slip into a breezy peasant top and pair with your favorite denim, white and/or colored. Equally cute with shorts and skirts, marry the look with some ankle boots and a floppy hat. Peasant tops also make a great beach coverup.
Designers continue to offer peasants tops in many styles but the one constant is their flowy and breezy nature. Appealing to all body types, this top will work hard in your closet all-year-long.
Here are five favorites:
Joie ~ Meliana Embroidered Gauze Blouse: $198.00
Urban Outfitters ~ Ecote Split Back Embroidered Tank Top: $49.00
Anthropologie ~ Embroidered Aureolin Tunic: $98.00
Urban Outfitters ~ Embroidered Bazaar Cami: $54.00
Free People ~ Rolling Stone Woven Top: $118.00
Unrequited Love: Tassel Jewelry
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A more playful take on statement jewelry has been popping up in the form of swingy tassel earrings, bracelets and necklaces. The global-inspired look is available in a multitude of colors, lengths and styles. From colorful bracelets and shoulder-grazing danglers to simple rope pendants, finding a piece of tassel jewelry to fit your style and budget is a cinch. Here are a few favorites.
1. Isabel Marant: Asphalt Cowboy Necklace: $342.00
2. Max & Chloe: Ali NY Silver Traveler Tassel Earrings: $60.00
3. Lucy Folk: Jasmine Flower Braided Bracelets: $72.00
4. Max & Chloe: Ali NY Gold City Tassel Belcher Bracelet: $70.00
5. J.Crew: Double-Tassel Necklace: $62.00
Festival Accessories: Free People
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Nobody can get you festival-ready like Free People. The uber-boho brand exemplifies true festival style.
Try stomping around the fairground in rugged ombre leather boots, decking out your arms in bangles, or trying-out some bohemian headgear.
No need to scour the web with this one-stop-shop. Here are a few of my favorite festival accessories from Free People:
Keaton Sunglasses: $18.00
Zig Zag Banded Panama: $38.00
Printed Widebands: $18.00
Dipped Phoenix Boot: $398.00
Avery Sandal: $85.00
Alex Convertable Backpack: $258.00
Hard Bangle Set: $28.00
La Luna Ring: $113.00
Marisa Haskell Leather Fringe Breastplate: $188.00
Festival Fashion Favorites
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From Coachella to Bonnaroo, festival season is in full swing. If you’ve ever wanted to try-out crop tops, flower crowns, flowing maxis and fringy frocks this is the time (and maybe all at once). These festivals are just as much about the fashion as it is about the talent on stage. Here are a few of my favorite festival looks:
Mara Hoffman ~ Psychic Readings Maxi Dress: $242.00
Étoile Isabel Marant ~ Salome Printed Cotton Shorts: $225.00
Free People ~ Convertable Romper: $98.00
KSUBI ~ Alberceque Distressed Denim Shorts: $180.00
Free People ~ FP ONE Imperial Palm Pintuck Dress: $118.00
Team Glow: Dior Lip & Nail Glow
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Create a natural glow with Dior’s new Lip Glow Color Reviver Gloss and Nail Glow Enhancer . These low-maintenance products create the “your lips/nails but better” look in seconds.
Dior Lip Glow Color Reviver Gloss is modelled after the brand’s beloved Addict Lip Glow Color Reviver Balm. In one universal shade the color-adapting formula works with your body temperature to create a unique color. The formula has a subtle vanilla scent/flavor and is very moisturizing. It works with any skin tone and makes lips look flushed yet natural.
Dior Nail Glow Enhancer is a unique nail lacquer that enhances the color of your natural nails. When applied on bare nails, the pinks of the nails become pinker and the whites become whiter for a shining finish and healthy, glowing effect. This is a great everyday polish for those who love the “buff and shine” look. Nail Glow gives that extra oomph that a shiny top coat can’t pull off.
These products are great for when you want to go au naturale but need a little something extra.
Spring Shoe: Single Strap
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Showcased in many Spring and Fall runways is the single strap heel. Also known as the ankle strap, these shoes are classic, simple and chic.
The ankle strap heel can be found in a multitude of variations. From chunky heels to ornate details, this strappy heel is super versatile and wearable.
I love the simplicity of the single strap. Even in bold and bright colors, the design is classic. This shoe can be worn with everything. Great when wanting to show-off some leg, the small detail makes any pair of shoes slightly more flattering. The strap draws attention to the ankle, the thinnest part of the leg. Thinner = longer in this equation.
Available in a wide array of colors and styles, here are a few of my favorite single strap heels:
Alexander Wang ~ Antonia Sandal: $495.00
Manolo Blahnik ~ Chaos Cuff Sandal: $695.00
Prabal Gurung for Target ~ Ankle Strap Pump: $39.99
ASOS ~ Hollywood Heeled Sandals: $69.83
Casual Khaki: The Boyfriend Chino
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A great alternative to jeans is the slouchy boyfriend chino. This versatile style pant lives in a casual environment but with a few fancy basics can also be spruced up.
I love these pants ‘banged-up’ a bit. With some distress, worn spots and/or small holes – they look ‘lived-in’ and not as stiff/starchy.
Casual pairings are a cinch, as you can wear with anything – similar to denim. Dress-up your boyfriend chinos with fancy basics: beaded top, black blazer, sky-high pump.
Available in all colors and prints (camo!), here are a few favorites:
AG Adriano Goldschmied ~ Cropped Boyfriend Khaki Pants: $205.00
Vince ~ Boyfriend Trousers: $195.00
Current/Elliott ~ ‘The Buddy’ Print Twill Trousers: $238.00
Rag and Bone ~ Portobello Pants: $176.00
Old Navy ~ Boyfriend Skinny Khakis: $29.94
Lovely Lips: NARS Satin Lip Pencil
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NARS Satin Lip Pencil is an uber-rich and creamy jumbo pencil that is long-wearing and hydrating. The formula consists of interesting ingredients like pomegranate and yeast extracts, hyaluronic acid, collagen pre-peptides and vitamin E to moisturize, soothe and create fuller-looking lips. These lip pencils provide great wear and intense color with a satin finish.
Available in 13 shades, ranging from nuanced nudes to arresting pinks and reds, use for lining, all-over lip color, or pairing with another lip product. Each of the 13 shades are named after parks around the world:
- Floralies– A light apricot inspired by the Montreal garden created for the 1980 International Floralies competition and featuring plots representing Canada, the United States, France, England, Mexico, Belgium and Italy.
- Isola Bella – A peach beige hue named in honor of the Palazzo Borromeo and its 19th century-era garden found in one of the Borromean Islands in northern Italy.
- Biscayne Park – A pink guava christened after the US National Park located in Southern Florida – the largest marine park in the National Park System.
- Lodhi – A vibrant coral named for the serene, Mughal-designed Lodhi (or Lodi) Gardens in Dehli, India.
- Rikugien – A rose pink inspired by the scenic Tokyo park constructed between 1695 and 1702 by the samurai Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu and named for the six elements of Japanese poetry.
- Yu – A shocking pink inspired by the Chinese garden located in the northeast of the Old City of Shanghai. Conceived during the Ming Dynasty, the Yu (or Yuyuan as it’s also known) means Garden of Happiness or Garden of Peace in English.
- Jardin Des Plantes – A fuchsia hue named for a botanical garden on the bank of the Seine in Paris. Part of the Museum national d’Histoire naturelle (National Museum of Natural History), the grounds include four galleries open to the public and a botanical school.
- Palais Royal – A stately hue befitting Paris’ 1st arrondissement palace and garden that was originally the personal residence of Cardinal Richelieu until it became the property of the King in 1642.
- Majella – A rich garnet befitting the botanical garden in Via Colle della Madonna, Abruzzo, Italy – home to approximately 500 varieties of plants, including several species native to the Central Apennines or Mount Majella regions.
- Hyde Park – A cardinal red that lives up to its moniker as one of the largest Royal Parks in central London.
- Luxembourg – A vivid watermelon named after the second-largest public park in Paris, originally commissioned by Maride de Medici in 1611 and featuring a lawn dotted with more than 100 statues, monuments and fountains.
- Golshan – A spiced win shade named for the 127,000 – square meter Persian garden located in Fars Province, Iran that’s also the home to a former royal palace.
- Het Loo – A cognac color named for the richly decorated baroque garden located in Apeldoorn, Netherlands.
DIY: China Glaze Ombré Nail Kits
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DIY manicures just got significantly more affordable and fun. Create an “ombré” effect on your nails with China Glaze Ombré Nail Kits.
Each kit features four China Glaze nail polishes, with great colors that can also be used on their own:
Sweet Sensations (Pink)
Also included in the kit are 10 sponges and detailed instructions to create the ombré effect. Focus the fade on all of your nails or wear one color on each nail. Fade from darkest to lightest or accent with one nail designed with the ombré tip – the options are endless.
Exclusively sold at Sally Beauty Supply, each kit retails for $12.99. China Glaze is free of DBP, toluene, added formaldehyde and never tested on animals.
Standout Shades: Karen Walker
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Karen Walker has been known for cutting-edge designs since 1988. The New Zealand-based designer applies the same imagination and drama to her eyewear as she does her fashion. With frames dressed up in bold tortoise shell, rainbow-bright hues, unconventional and oversized silhouettes – her eyewear wears as works of art.
Spring Favorites:
Atomic: $349.00
Northern Lights: $349.00
Deep Freeze Crazy Tortoise: $329.00
Orbit Clear: $349.00
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ABOUT KAREN WALKER
Karen Walker is best known for collections that are original, unpretentious and always optimistic.
Karen Walker collections are high casual, elevated with a signature love of print and colour. The reoccurring theme is juxtaposition of opposites — masculine and feminine, tailored and street, luxury and non-luxury, dark and super-cute.
The label has been described by the U.K.’s Independent newspaper as being “The kind of look that provides a means of appearing cool but not trying-too-hard, cute but not saccharine, alternative but not self consciously so.”
In addition to the main women’s-wear collections there is also Karen Walker Jewellery, Karen Walker Eyewear, Karen Walker Homeware, Karen Walker Paints and a series of collaborations including Beau Coops for Karen Walker footwear.
There is also a diffusion line, Hi There from Karen Walker, available exclusively in the United States through Anthropologie and in Australia through Myer.
Phaidon have included Karen Walker in their recent book ‘Sample’ which curates the 100 most influential designers to emerge in the last 6 years. Taschen have also included Karen Walker in their book ‘Fashion Now 2’ which highlights the world’s most important 160 designers as selected by i-D magazine.
Karen Walker product is available in over 30 countries, and 200 cities worldwide. The collections can be found in specialty shops, department stores and leading online boutiques. There are also five Karen Walker flagship stores in New Zealand.
Karen Walker is part of the group behind The Department Store in Auckland, New Zealand. The Department Store is a modern take on the traditional department store that includes a Karen Walker boutique alongside the country’s best fashion, beauty, lifestyle and food.
Karen Walker has garnered a fan base of stylish women including Anne Hathaway, Alexa Chung, Florence Welch, Zooey Deschanel and Rihanna.
Karen lives in New Zealand with her husband Mikhail and her daughter Valentina.
Beauty Favorites: NYFW Fall 2013
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From low and twisted ponytails to metallic eyes, get inspired by New York Fashion Week Fall 2013’s beauty moments. Typical for fall, oxblood red lips and brown and orange eyes revisited the runway – but this year unexpected pops of bold greens, metallic coppers and 50 shades of blue emerged for a fresh seasonal change. Here are some of my favorite beauty looks from NYFW Fall 2013: Badgley Mischka, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Alice+Olivia, J. Mendel, Jason Wu, Rodarte
Fashion Favorites: NYFW Fall 2013
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New York Fashion Week Fall 2013 Ready-To-Wear was bursting with leather and fur. From leather leg warmers at Phillip Lim 3.1 to fox fur wraps at Marc Jacobs, I am thinking PETA was working overtime this week. The runways featured amazing outerwear embracing mohair, fur collars and leather detail. Here are a few of my favorite looks from NYFW Fall 2013: BCBG Max Azria/Diane von Furstenberg/Oscar de la Renta/Reed Krakoff/Rachel Zoe
Spring Beauty: Mint
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Minty-fresh hues are not just for fashion, apply them to your beauty routine as well. Not only is it a fun pop of color, but this pale, cool-toned color has an immediate brightening effect.
Apply it all over the lid for a sheer wash of color or try the “Thin Mint” and line just under the eyes for a bright and instantly awake look. Both drugstore and luxury brands have a wonderful selection for a “Minty Mani” but if you feel bold and daring, wear this amazing Lime Crime lipstick in “Mint To Be.”
Here are a few of my favorites:
Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics ~ Cosmetic Glitters in Mint: $14.00
bareMinerals ~ Velvet Eyeshadow in Velvet Pistachio: $14.00
NYX Cosmetics ~ Jumbo Eye Pencil in Horseradish: $4.50
China Glaze ~ Nail Lacquer in Re-Fresh Mint: $7.50
NARS Cosmetics ~ Eyeliner Pencil in Parrot Cay: $22.00
Illamasqua ~ Cream Pigment in Bedaub: $26.00
Lime Crime ~ Opaque Lipstick in Mint To Be: $15.99
Stila ~ Eye Shadow in Cha Cha: $18.00
Ellis Faas ~ Creamy Eyes in E117 Mint Green: $36.00
Spring Essentials: Mint Green
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Just like flowers, pastels return each Spring in unique and modern ways. I am currently loving the mint green color palette. Rich with spearmint tones, icy blues and seafoam-soaked color. This cool-tone brings a refreshing twist to Spring’s pastel trend.
Paired with the right colors, this bluish-green color palette can be quite versatile. Try a cool contrast with basic neutrals or bolder color combinations with bright orange, red and royal blue.
Make everyone green with envy with these Spring Essentials:
Hive & Honey ~ Double Layer Knit Maxi: $59.00
BCBGMAXAZRIA ~ Elena Silk V-Neck Top: $158.00
Alice + Olicia ~ Victoria Peplum Dress: $264.00
Current/Elliott ~ Skinny Ankle Jeans: $178.00
Rebecca Minkoff ~ The Becky Jacket: $368.00
Party On-The-Go: Rebecca Minkoff for Stellé Audio Clutch
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In an exclusive and limited-edition collaboration with Stellé Audio Couture, Rebecca Minkoff ‘s Audio Clutch brings the “party on-the-go.” From the outside, these clutches look like a typical Minkoff, however, open to find a built-in portable speaker system housed inside. Hook up your cell phone or music device wirelessly via Bluetooth, and play your music or even hold a conversation directly from the same pocket as your lipstick. With a 50 ft range and 15 hour battery-life, these clutches are literally bring the party wherever you go.
The brand debuted the Audio Clutch at NYFW and is now available to the public HERE.
Rebecca Minkoff x Stellé Audio Couture:
I am truly excited to design this collection with Stellé Audio Couture. Their vision for building beautiful, premium consumer electronics aimed at fashionable females is so refreshing and innovative. It’s the perfect collaboration for me to expand my label into electronics without sacrificing my signature design aesthetic in any way and I look forward to seeing our audio Clutch on the runway.
Glow-T Reports: Lip Trends
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Trending for 2013: saturated lip colors in matte reds, neon pinks and electric tangerines. Neons and bright florescent hues will still be going strong into summer. We will continue to see a ton of ‘pop of color’ on the lip – just exceedingly more bold and bright.
With new formulations and highly-pigmented hues, both high-end brands and drugstore brands provide the tools needed to wear these trends.
In early March, Givenchy is releasing a high-pigment, long-wearing matte lipstick – Givenchy Le Rouge Lipstick. Super chic, this lipstick arrives packaged in a leather and silver case.
The Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tars come in every color conceivable. A great way to create the color you want but just can’t find. Full Review: HERE.
Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick delivers intense, vibrant color with exceptional longevity. Feels great on the lips and is available in a variety of wearable colors.
Drugstore brands are really stepping into the trends these days. They are creating innovative and quality lip products equal to that of their high-end counterparts.
L’Oreal Colour Riche Caresse Aqua Lacquer combines the power of a lip stain with the luster of gloss. These lacquers can be compared to, my favorite, Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain.
The Maybelline Colour Sensational Vivids Collection is one to swipe-up immediately. A limited edition line of crazy bright, electric colors – and extremely affordable.
2013 will be a year of new categories in lip products. New Lip Oils, (explained in an upcoming post) colors and formulations will provide the consumer with millions of options to create their own trends.
Festive Finds: Jumpsuits
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An ultra-modern alternative to the classic cocktail dress are jumpsuits. Easy and versatile, the jumpsuit is a fashion-forward option for a holiday event or New Years Eve. From casual to chic, there are a plethora of cool iterations to this playful piece.
Choose solid colors and sophisticated fabrics for an evening-appropriate aesthetic. Available in straight leg or wide leg, the jumpsuit is comfortable and figure-flattering. Show off your best feature by choosing between halter top, tube top or one-shoulder options. With so many variations of this classic ensemble, it might be hard to choose just one:
Here are a few of my favorites:
BCBG MAX AZRIA: Beaute Lace Jumpsuit: $248.00
Catherine Malandrino: Favorite Jersey Jumpsuit: $395.00
Rachel Pally: Heathcliff Jumpsuit: $242.00
BCBG MAX AZRIA: Leeo Draped One-Shoulder Jumpsuit: $248.00
Rachel Zoe: Edith Shawl Collar Jumpsuit: $197.97 (sale)
Spot On: Polka Dots
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Perk up a drab wardrobe with some polka-dots. The playful pattern is flirty, retro, whimsical and befitting at any age.
The classic style has evolved from Minnie Mouse to runways and red-carpets. It’s a style for all seasons, simply because it exudes an undeniably youthful flair, and yet remains an incredibly timeless option for women of all ages. Since the pattern is not restricted to one size, these pieces can be bold and vibrant or soft and subtle. The design adds texture to any ensemble and can be worn in a dramatic or casual fashion. Mix and match with other quirky patterns and prints for a bit of drama or use as the focal piece for casual style. Embrace the spotty trend this season and seasons to come with polka dots.
Spotted… a few of my favorite pieces:
JCrew ~ Polka Dot Dress: $198.00
Madewell ~ Dotted Chambray Boyshirt: $72.00
Madewell ~ Calf Hair Polka Dot Belt: $48.00
Mango ~ TOUCH Polka-Dot Wool Foulard: $69.99
JCrew ~ Polka-Dot Cashmere Sweater: $268.00
Comme des Garçons ~ Polka-Dot Leather Coin Purse: $155.00
Miu Miu ~ Sandali Polka Dot Cotton Sandals: $495.00
Open Ceremony ~ Shirley Polka Dot Haircalf Booties: $506.00
Paige Denim ~ Verdugo Ultra Skinny (selection of colors): $189.00
ModCloth ~ Dash of Dots Tights: $14.99
Glow-T 