Fall Favorite: Chelsea Boot

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A favorite for Fall is the Chelsea Boot. Also known as the “Beatle Boot” as the original was adapted for The Beatles in the early 1960’s. The style was inspired by the Cuban’s Flamanco Boot – only the Chelsea had a higher heel.  This ankle boot has been redesigned and modernized over the years into a comfortable and  very versatile/practical shoe. Here are a few of my favorites:

Opening Ceremony: Coachella Flat Suede Chelsea Boots: $402.00

Topshop: August Classic Chelsea Boots: $120.00

J.Crew: Chelsea Boots: $268.00

Saint Laurant: Suede Rock Chelsea Boot: $995.00

Frye: Pippa Short Chelsea Boots: $278.00

Rag and Bone: Bannon Closed Toe Booties: $550.00

 

Summer Must-Have: Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder

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Summer is all about bronzed, glowing skin. The only product needed to achieve this is Laura Mercier’s Matte Radiance Baked Powder. Available in four bronzing colors and one highlight, one is able to mimic the sun’s rays without the damage.

• Highlight 01 – Golden nude
• Bronze 01 – Fair to light skin tone
• Bronze 02 – Light to medium skin tone
• Bronze 03 – Medium skin tone
• Bronze 04 – Tan to deep skin tone

Titled “Matte Radiance Baked Powder,” this product is far from the stark matte bronzers of the past. Laura Mercier’s Matte Radiance Baked Powder warms-up the skin revealing a healthy glow. No glitter or shimmer but a beautiful glowing sheen.

The ultra-smooth formula provides natural color with absolutley no orange tinge. The modern, multidimensional matte finish reveals a hint of soft luminosity and the sheer, buildable coverage lets you customize your glow.

Easy to apply, these bronzers leave skin looking naturally radiant. Coming from a bronzing addict – this is the most natural finish and color-range I have experienced. It instantly warms up the face and creates healthy looking skin.  Laura Mercier’s Matte Radiance Baked Powder is my in my top 10 Summer Must-Haves for 2013.

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

Currently Coveting: Sass & Bide

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Currently coveting…obsessing…longing for Sass & Bide High & Higher Shift Dress.

Australian brand, Sass & Bide give the classic black cocktail dress a bold and modern update. The flattering shift silhouette is punctuated by fluorescent-orange and silver panels and sparkling sequins. Finished off with metallic party shoes…

NYE option???

Have a wonderful weekend!

~ Ashling

Girl Crush: Vanessa Mooney

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Currently crushing on jewelry designer, Vanessa Mooney. Impeccably detailed, her pieces are fresh and always on-trend. Inspired by her travels, Mooney sources her materials from all-over the world. From bracelets to rings, the designs are unique but wearable, perfect for stacking and layering. Mooney is currently expanding her art with collections of handbags and footwear.

Here are a few of my favorite pieces:

Acacia Spike Necklace: $60.00

The Mesa Bracelet: $45.00

Akha Earrings: $79.00

Silver Pyramid Stud Earrings: $38.00 (sale)

The Juliet Black Statement Necklace: $250.00

Pewter Shark Tooth Ring: $45.00

Small Brass Cage Cuff: $200.00

Gold Ghetto Chain Necklace: $70.00

About Vanessa Mooney:

Born in 1980, Vanessa Mooney is a rare breed of a Hollywood rebel, harnessing a unique look and attitude, which transcends into her distinctive accessories line.  The great-granddaughter of Harry Warner (one of the original Warner Bros.) has been infatuated with the freedom that art provides and obsessed with all forms of art, music and fashion, her entire life. It was in 2009 when she founded her eponymous line under a core idea: let uninhibited design intuition lead the way. Self-taught, Vanessa designs everything in her studio in Downtown Los Angeles, combining unexpected materials and techniques that make each design feel brand new.  Eclectic in her personal style choices, she portrays “model-off-duty” fashion with a rock ‘n’roll, boho-chic edge.  An avid traveler with a keen interest for unexpected beauty, she derives inspiration from different ethnicities and cultures.With an ever growing following embracing her designs including celebrities like Katie Holmes, Vanessa Hudgens, Venus Williams, Jennifer Lopez, Lily Allen, Juliette Lewis, Devendra Banhart and Hayden Panettiere… Vanessa Mooney may just be the one to watch.  Her pieces can be found in over 500 of the top specialty stores and boutiques in the U.S. and abroad, including Bergdorf Goodman, Cusp, ShopBop, Madison and American Rag Cie. She can also be found in pages of Harper’s Bazaar, In Style, Nylon, Cosmopolitan, Us Weekly, Marie Claire and Glamour to name a few.  She has scored high-profile collaborations with premiere U.S. retailers like:  Calypso, Urban Outfitters, Club Monaco, Madewell, and is now expanding into handbags and footwear. Handcrafted, often intricate, always unique and ever imaginative; Vanessa Mooney is a brand, a lifestyle, a state of mind.

Style Your Stems: Floral Pants

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Style your stems in floral prints and patterns. A fun and fresh way to wear pants, these bold and colorful botanicals are truly statement-making.

With a little structure, these pieces look ultra fresh and modern. Don’t complicate things with a game of layers. Keep it simple. Try a cropped sweater or delicate tee for an effortless daytime look and silk cami and blazer for night. Add a great pair of sandals or heels and you have created the 1/2 & 1/2 (part elegance/part edge).

Here are a few beguiling blooms for inspiration:

Zara ~ Cropped Printed Trousers w/ Zip: $19.00 (sale) 

Tibi ~ Floral-Print Silk Crepe De Chine Pants: $330.00

Ella Moss ~ Rosa Flora Pants: $148.00

DKNY ~ Printed Stretch Silk Crepe De Chine Pants: $245.00

Cynthia Rowley ~ Zigzag Floral Bonded Leggings: $225.00

Spring Trend: The Coral Lip

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Store-away winter reds and reach for a bright coral. One of Spring’s hottest trends, a coral lip is fresh, vibrant and instantly brightens your complexion.

Surprisingly, coral is a neutral tone, therefore, it looks good on everyone (warm or cool-toned). When selecting a shade that is right for you, the trick is to pick a shade that matches your undertones. If your skin has gold or yellow undertones, a peachier/orange coral will be most flattering. If you have pink undertones, choose a pink or red-based coral. Lastly, to keep the look modern and fresh, try to stay away from shimmers and frosts.

Embrace a coral lip with these six options:

NARS ~ Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in Happy Days: $24.00

YSL ~ Rouge Volupté in Extreme Coral: $34.00

Make Up For Ever ~ Aqua Cream in Coral: $23.00

BECCA ~ Beach Tint in Guava: $23.00

Tom Ford ~ Lip Color in True Coral: $48.00

MAC ~ Tinted Lipglass in Sonoran Rain: $14.50

Tuxedo Manicure – YSL Le Smoking Holiday Collection

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Yves Saint Laurent Le Smoking

Yves Saint Laurent’s Holiday Collection “Le Smoking” is arriving soon. Perfect for party season, the collection features timeless colors of blacks, whites, silvers and golds.

Available in November, the limited-edition Manicure Collection, Le Manicure Le Smoking is a tuxedo-inspired nail duo that features two deep black nail varnishes – one matte/one shiny. By using both polishes – matte base and shiny tips or shiny base and matte tips – you will be left with a modern, eye-catching french manicure for the holidays.

Statement Piece: BB Dakota Ellis Blazer with Leather Collar

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A simple black blazer is an essential for any closet. BB Dakota’s Ellis Blazer with Leather Collar adds a modern touch to a classic jacket.

The tuxedo-style blazer is elegant with an edge. The leather-paneled detailing fashions a rock-n-roll style with a tailor-made frame.

Pair this jacket with feminine pieces to add a nice contrast to any outfit. Or emphasize the rock-n-roll style with a pair of skinny leather pants or leggings.

The Ellis Blazer is a great statement piece to add to your Fall wardrobe.

Fall Transition: 3.1 Phillip Lim Fishtail Sweater

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Summer is quickly coming to an end. Transition into fall style facilely with one simple piece. A comfy knit sweater can pair with any of your summer-basics: maxi dress, maxi skirt, flirty skirt or cut-off jean shorts. Inevitably already in your closet, a heather gray sweater coordinates impeccably with many color palettes and prints.

This fine-knit fishtail sweater by 3.1 Phillip Lim adds a nice twist to the run-of-the-mill sweater. The fishtail detail provides a modern edge and complimentary shape. Pair this piece with Fall’s snakeskin pant or leather shorts for an effortlessly casual style.

Items Pictured:

Tbags Los Angeles – Maxi Dress ~ $185.00

Alice + Olivia – Shannon Pleated Long Skirt ~ $396.00

3.1 Phillip Lim – Fine-Knit Fishtail Sweater ~ $245.oo

Wrapped Watch: La Mer Collections Bali Watch

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La Mer Collections Bali Watch

La Mer Collections make interesting time-pieces that are unique and intricate. They have a number of different designs to choose from but also have an option to customize your own.

This Bali Watch features a double-wrapped Italian leather strap, studs, chain accent and turquoise crystal. The classic face paired with detailed baubles is modern and expensive-looking. Makes the look of layering bracelets easy and finished.

These time pieces are fun and affordable. Mix and match the different styles for added layers.

Sole-Mate: Diane von Furstenberg “Zia”

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Diane von Furstenberg "Zia"

The “Zia” shoe by Diane von Furstenberg is simplicity at it’s best. This platform heel is modern, sexy and comes in an assortment of different colors.

The criss-cross pattern is extremely flattering and elongates the leg. The 4 1/2 inch heel is surprisingly comfortable as is the soft suede texture and elastic heel strap.

This citron yellow hue will brighten everything it is paired with, from an evening dress to casual romper. I favor any combination intermingling royal blue denim and these lemon-soaked sandals.

Diane von Furstenberg’s “Zia” platform sandal is available in black, camel, fawn, fuchsia, ink, taupe and turquoise. With so many colors to choose from, there is a sole-mate out there for everyone.