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

Wardrobe Staple: Denim Jacket

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The denim jacket is an easy piece to grab on your way out the door. Versatile and basic, the denim jacket will transition from season to season with effortless style.

The denim jacket is no longer limited to different washes of blue denim. The trend has evolved into prints, colors, proportions and textures. Available in cropped, leather, tweed and jersey detailing, fur, moto style, western style, stud and spike embellishments, floral and leopard print the design elements are endless.

Pair your denim topper with everything from maxi dresses to leather pants. Or wear as a layering piece under a blazer or over a hooded sweatshirt. Whatever style you choose from the basic blue to fancy floral, the denim jacket will always be a wardrobe staple.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Current/Elliott ~ ‘The Snap’ Stretch Denim Jacket: $274.00

Haute Hippie ~ Washed Floral Denim Jacket: $285.00

Rag and Bone ~ Leather Sleeve Jean Jacket: $495.00

Urban Outfitters ~ Silence & Noise Cropped Denim Moto Jacket: $79.00

By Zoe ~ Mickey Jacket: $172.00 (sale)

Fall Trend: Go “Baroque” w/out Going Broke

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One of the trends this fall season is inspired by the Baroque period. Defined by it’s rich tapestries, embroidered embellishments, bold prints and decorative art this trend has an old world-fashion feel to it.

The Baroque is a period of artistic style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, architecture, literature, dance, and music. The style started around 1600 in Rome, Italy and spread to most of Europe.

Baroque print plays out in a number of guises with varying degrees of intensity. From bold, flashy chain prints on leopard spots intertwined with ropes to ornate rococo swirls. Adorned on the runways of Dior, Rodarte and Balmain this trend is not restricted to clothing, also popular in shoe and accessory design.

Like any trend, one should tread lightly on items purchased. These bold prints will not last long and I don’t consider them “investment pieces.” However, I am loving the Baroque-inspired skinny jeans at the moment. Not too flashy and very wearable.

Here is how to “go Baroque without going broke.”

Go Jane ~ Baroque Print Leggings: $17.50

Arden B ~ Baroque Zoe Skinny Jeans: $69.00

Zara ~ 5B Twill Brush Denim w/ Flock Print: $79.90

Urban Outfitters ~ Insight Beanpole Skinny Jacquard Pant: $94.00

J Brand ~ Baroque Skinny Jeans: $141.10 (sale)

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.

4th of July Fashion

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Fun, 4th of July Fashion.

Eugenia Kim: Max 7 Raffia Fedora, A.P.C: Washed Denim Playsuit, Converse: All-Star Premium Flag, Free People: Tattered Flag Scarf, Madewell: Perfect Racerback Tank, Haute Hippie: American Flag-Print Stretch-Denim Shorts, Steve Madden: Pita Boot, Urban Outfitters: Flag Wayfarer Sunglasses, Enza Costa: Stripe Tank, Citizens of Humanity: Avedon Low-Rise Skinny Jeans, TKEES: Lipstick Red Leather Sandals

Summer Must-Have: Crochet

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Crochet is one of this summer’s hottest trends. Available in an array of eye-catching tops, dresses, bottoms, swimwear and accessories, the look reflects laid-back summer months and bohemian style.

No longer personified by sweaters knitted by grandmothers, the art of crochet has evolved to the runways. Used by many top designers, the fashion reflects a 1970’s revival with a modern aesthetic. One cannot discuss crochet and knitwear without mentioning Missoni (pants shown above). Missoni has elevated knitwear to an artform. One of the first to graduate from the heirloom to the use of technology, Missoni designs are not only universally recognizable but perennial.

To keep your crochet look fresh, find pieces that can be layered with modern favorites. Try pairing an adorable crochet mini dress with some ankle boots. Or add a distressed tee or tank to a pair of crochet shorts, skirt or pants. Or add a little edge by replacing the plain tee with a vintage rock band tee.

Crochet pieces can be extremely versatile. A loose-fitting crochet top or tunic can be layered over a camisole, bikini top, body-con dress or maxi. Instantly providing weeks of wear.

During the warm summer months we often seek-out effortless fashion. Become a crochet-convert with a few of my favorite pieces:

Free People ~ New Romantics Crochet Variety Dress: $69.95 (sale)

Nightcap Clothing ~ Tribal Fringe Tunic: $275.00

Missoni ~ Phyliss Crochet-Knit Wide-Leg Pants: $516.00 (sale)

Free People ~ Crochet Monokini: $168.00

Urban Outfitters ~ Tallow Crochet Tote Bag: $49.00

Girl. By Band of Outsiders ~ Cleo Crochet-Knit Shorts: $469.00 (sale)

Hair Jewelry: Urban Outfitters Oversized Turquoise Barrette

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Urban Outfitters Oversized Turquoise Barrette

Get creative with accessories this month and opt for an oversized hair barrette. Simple and polished, this one item can transform a look.

This Oversized Turquoise Barrette from Urban Outfitters is an excellent embellishment that adds a pop of color. The raw turquoise stone provides a natural yet edgy look.

Simply, add this barrette to a high/low ponytail or create a deep side-part, sweep the hair and clip barrette into place above the ear. Use as an ornament to compliment any classic chignon or french twist style, or decorate a plain headband by attaching barrette to the side.

Don’t want to wear this item in your hair? Fine… Attach to scarves, bags, bracelets or necklaces, the possibilities are endless. I have recently detached the clip and hot glue-gunned the stone to an old black clutch, instantly creating something new. With so many options, barrettes provide a finished appearance with a simple click of a clip.

5 under $50: Maxi Dress

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The Maxi Dress is the perfect way to achieve an ‘effortlessly chic’ look. This dress comes in a myriad of colors, patterns, textures and styles. This item can be casual-wear, paired with flats, flip-flops, denim jacket or a cardigan. Or it can be modified into formal-wear, dressed-up with heels, blazer or a ton of jewels. Available everywhere this season, here are a few pieces that all range under $50.00.

Forever 21 Smocked Maxi Dress: $10.00

Asos Selected Femme Sleeveless Jersey Maxi Dress: $44.32

Heritage 1981 Ruffled Floral Maxi Dress: $29.90

Urban Outfitters Ecote Tiedye Maxi Dress: $49.00

Alloy Erika Maxi Dress: $34.90

Summer Scarf: Deena & Ozzy Tie Dye Scarf

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Deena & Ozzy Tie Dye Scarf

This Deena & Ozzy Tie Dye Scarf is a stylish top-off to any ensemble. Sold at Urban Outfitters, this colorful statement piece is delicate and gentle on a summers day.

Traditionally worn in winter, these lightweight versions are wispy and fragile. Found in all shapes, sizes, textures and colors a summer scarf is a considerable accessory for any warm season.

These multi-purpose tools can accentuate every outfit.
Pair it with jeans and a white tank (as seen here), maxi dress or swim suit. String it around your neck or head or wear as a surrong for a trendy beach-coverup.