No sequin love...

OK, I KNOW that sequins are totally "in" right now, especially for the holidays. I just want to say that I, myself, will not be participating in this awfully tricky trend. Sometimes, you just have to appreciate a trend for what it is, realize that it's not for you and then rationally decline that fashion invitation.

Did I fool you??

I'd like you to think that I was so reasonable about not jumping on the sequin wagon but alas, I have not been. With visions of looking ultra-cool by mixing flashy with something basic like a band t-shirt or beater tank, I tried on sequin mini-skirts, tank tops, dresses, shorts (yeah, I know), t-shirts...all in vain as I twisted and turned in the dressing room to somehow MAKE it look flattering.

But I am sorry dearies. Much like gold lurex or jumpsuits, bedazzled clothing will never look right on me. The effect is much less I-look-like-a-model-who-doesn't-care and much more I'm-a-lumpy-mermaid-on-a-night-out-on-the-town.

Kudos to those of you who can pull this off. I'll be the one on the other side of the bar looking envious. And slimmer than I would have otherwise :)

New website/blog love...

Lovelies! I found some NEW places online that I love to go to in order to waste time and daydream about fashion (as if I needed more reasons)...

First up - SPOOL NO.72 Clothing Company! Not only is the name just super-cool and throwback-sounding, but the site has lovely photography and unique, cozy, beautiful pieces that could really add something special to your basics. Sweaters, unique jewelry, floaty tops, ahhhhh...

Second - Sex and Coffee, the addictive fashion blog by young-California-transplant-now-living-in-Boston Melissa.

Not only does she weirdly remind me of my little (ultra-fashionable and pseudo-stylist) sister, but she puts together outfits and makeup looks that manage to be trendy, edgy, beautiful and feminine all at once. This is the main reason I am now obsessed with finding blue suede pumps.

Yes, I am jealous. Leave me alone to pore over her quirky self-styling so that I can try and emulate her. You should do it too.

We dream...

...of nature-inspired jewelry that's actually affordable!

Check out one of my new favorite sites: We Dream In Colour for amazingly detailed, beautiful, feminine pieces that would work equally well for dressing up jeans or paired with a cocktail dress.

I just love the vintage look of designer Jade Gedeon's hand-made pieces and how utterly wearable all of them are (AND how she models some of her own things). It's hard to pick just one favorite, so here a few of mine!

"Anna Twin Necklace" above

"Begonia Studs"















"Anjali Necklace"

"Spanish Lace Necklace"

Be like the peacock...

...And put together some looks like these! My latest creation on Polyvore - don't you just love turquoise with anything?

Fall Peacock... by roxy-land featuring Rebecca Taylor

BTW ladies...Piperlime is having a contest that lets YOU play fashion editor for a chance to win a $250 Piperlime giftcard. Celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe picks the winners! Try it here. You know, just in case you were looking for something else to do besides that spreadsheet...

Vintage and bibs...

...make for excellent fall accessories!

So lovelies, I'm sure you've noticed certain celebs and models sporting statement piece necklaces with their otherwise simple outfits (plain t-shirts, simple dresses, etc.), much like Molly Sims (see slide show).

Imparting a cool, vintage, ladylike feel to an outfit with a lovely, bold necklace is an amazing way to stand out, be comfortable and jazz up the normally-blah-but-already-bought stuff in your closet, all at the same time. We like that!

First spied during Spring 2009, the trend is in full-force this season, with so many options and price points, you're sure to find one (or many) that are perfect for your style and budget.

Some of my faves (featured above):

Urban Outfitters Studded Bib Necklace - $48

Express Beaded and Ribbon Bib Necklace - $44.50

Forever 21 Fallen Leaves Necklace - $7.80 (seriously)

Anthropologie's Thunderstorm & Ranuncula Necklaces - $48 and $42

JCPenney/MixIt Hematite and Gold Bib Necklace - $23.99

Not a necklace, but just as cool - the J.Crew Tissue Stone Necklace Tee

And, of course, Etsy.com always comes through, with handmade and true vintage styles at incredible prices...I love love love the Vintage Vanity's Elegance Necklace, Attic Fanatic's gorgeous Ooh La La Necklace and Florabond's Seriously Racy and Romantic Bib Statement Necklace.

Think flowery, sparkly, colorful, feminine and the bigger the better. Don't you just love being a girl?

Frugal + fashionista = ...

...Frugalista! Most of you who are reading this, lovelies, are interested in fashion, beauty, lookin' pretty AND finding a good deal. Before now, I had never known there was a name for us - FRUGALISTAS.

Used by the chicsters over at Target, the term "Frugalista" has an interesting, albeit short, linguistic history. According to the New York Times, in 2007, when a mild downturn was seen by some as necessary to avert a future bust, "recessionista" surfaced, coined by the economist Larry Kudlow, and was defined in The Times as “the new name for the style maven on a budget.” It faced a fierce competitor, however, in "frugalista," used in 2005 by The Palm Beach Post and The Toronto Star and picked up since in a Miami Herald blog by Natalie McNeal that she calls the Frugalista Files.

Anyway, Target.com now has a regular fashion blog, "Style Boutique," that is a splashy, fun, well-edited and useful online place to get some excellent, frugalista-ish styling tips from industry designers and experts, a la Nina Garcia (our favorite Project Runway alumna). It's also updated every Friday, so the ideas never have time to get stale.

This week, Nina's video highlights some super-cute booties just in time for fall that I think one just can't go wrong in: Mossimo Kalila Seemed Ankle Boots - and they're $29.99! Seriously!

So, go visit Target online and sign up for weekly "Frugalista Finds" e-mails. You loved Target before, so why not make room for more, right?

OMG...

Guess "Rumala" Over the Knee Boot at Nordstrom!

I heart this boot. Mushroom color, soft leather, over-the-knee, 3.5" stacked heel. Under $200. Boot love. That is all I have to say.

Wrap me up...

...in summer-to-fall wrap cardigans! Whether you find yourself in a seasonal fashion transition (which is starting soon, sorry dearies) or just want to be prepared for ever-present temperature changes (darn air conditioners!), a flowy, feminine wrap cardigan is the perfect piece to add to your wardrobe staples.

I am a particularly big fan of the longer, slouchier, sans buttons, semi-shawl versions that can add a lovely, elegant je ne sais quoi to dresses or t-shirts while having the capability of becoming a mini-blanket in a pinch. Multi-tasking is what we're all about, right lovelies?

Look for these in a deep jewel color or in a floaty, ethereal pale hue and in whatever fabric tickles your fancy - cashmere, silk or cotton jersey, angora...as long as it looks like you didn't put any effort into your chic self, you're getting it right ;)

I promise that you won't regret throwing this on your body or into your bag for that extra layer of prettiness (and warmth) at a moment's notice.

Check out ShopStyle.com for an amazing array of ideas or my go-to website for handmade and custom styles, Etsy.com.

Some of my faves:

DKNY Luxe Knit Cozy Wrap Cardigan (this is the one you'll be seeing in all the mags)

Econica Organic Cotton/Bamboo Hoodie Wrap

Mossimo Black Long Sleeve Open Wrap Cardigan

Arden B Slub Wrap Cardigan

C&C California Stretch Pima "Agnes" Drape Cardigan

Rachel Pally Knit Wrap Cardigan

So go get wrapped up in something irresistibly cozy yet fabulously free of frumpiness!

Fall fashion predictions...

It's only August you say! It's still 70ish degrees outside and sunny! I've barely gotten my newly-polished toes into my sandals! I know, I know ladies, but I'd like to give you a fall fashion prediction preview so that you can keep your eye out for some lovely things whilst sipping lemonade.

PLAID
Yes, lumberjack-y plaid. On a classic campshirt (sized down to fit your cute, feminine frame of course), a tunic, dress, what-have-you. You'll be seeing this all over the place for the fall. However, I recommend it in SMALL accents (one piece at a time girls!), lest you be confused with one of the Wisconsin hunter wives around here :)

CUTOUTS
This will be most common in the shoulders/arms area and is a nice, 80's throwback that can show off the most feminine parts of you while draping the parts you don't really want to show off (like, at all).

GRAY GRAY GRAY + MUTED COLORS + EXCEPTIONS
Gray is back in a big way as a nice, alternative neutral. I have always been a big fan of heather, charcoal, mist, whatever because it's a bit unexpected yet highly wearable. Look for it in tops, bottoms, dresses, shoes, bags, makeup.

While lots of color will still be popular in our segue from summer to fall, colors will be more muted - think pastel or washed. Soft pinks, lilacs, baby blues...

Exceptions to the above: hot, neon-ish chartreuse (see Heidi Klum below)

MOTORCYCLE/ROCKER CHICK
Motorcycle-inspired shoes and heels + actual motorcycle boots will be a big deal. PLUS look for cool, moto-inspired wear (skirts, tops, jeans, jewelry). I see lots of leather, studs, grommets - very tough-chic. Really, you CAN pull it off, even if you're a peace sign kind of girl. Try it in small doses!

SKINNY JEANS/LEGGINGS
Definitely still in. Really. Hang onto your dark wash and gray ones. If you're feeling adventurous, add some with zippers at the ankles or in a cute, pastel color.

Now, some MUSTS for your fall wardrobe...

BOOTS
Look for the following (get one or all, so hard to get just one pair, I know):
Over-the-knee (not quite but almost thigh high) in suede or leather (a la Kate Moss)

Vintage leather (wonderful for moto boots or western-inspired)
I personally love Frye boots, but make sure you do a search and check E-Bay for better prices. Anthropologie also has a huge selection of limited edition ones in their Fall catalog.

Ankle boots or booties with a stiletto heel (sexy!)

BLACK TIGHTS
Opaque, stretchy and durable - you will wear these with every suit, dress and skirt you own and with any color shoe you like. A great way to modernize your existing outfits. Yay!

ANYTHING HIGH-WAISTED
Skirts, pants, jeans, shorts, you name it. Just try them on! You'll never know unless you try, right? Very retro and surprisingly flattering, especially for short-legged gals comme moi...

VINTAGE LEATHER
In addition to the aforementioned boots, look for skirts, bags and jackets with a real (or not so real) distressed, worn look. This speaks to my long-running quest for effortless cool, no?

So, that's it at the moment girls. Ta ta for now!

D.I.Y. time again...

As you know, I'm a huge fan of DIY projects, especially when it involves clothing or accessories. One of my favorite sites ever, BurdaStyle, an excellent on-line community/open source for people who sew "with style," continually posts new creation ideas and how-to's in addition to hosting a space for cool, creative people all over the world to share their own stuff.

This week, BurdaStyle introduced a super-easy project for a chic, eclectic accessory - the Susanne Necklace. The coiled fabric beads require no sewing at all, perfect for those new to DIY and/or too busy/excited/impatient yet still wish to be uber-fashionable.

Love the gold spandex fabric and leather cord, but there are a gazillion different possibilities for this (colors, fabrics, sizes) to make it your own or as a gift! I can already picture this seriously dressing up a t-shirt, tank or casual dress. After all, elevating existing basics is what we're all about, right?

And won't you feel cool when someone asks you where you got your necklace? It might go something like this:

Gushing Girl: "OMG! Such a great necklace! Where did you get it?"
You: "You won't believe this, but I MADE it."
Now Jealous Girl: "No way, really? You are so crazy talented/gorgeous/cool that I can never, ever compete."
You: "Oh, stop." (Insert secret grin here)

Now go roll up your sleeves and bust out your glue guns girls - fashion isn't always found at the store!