She bangs!

Bangs are still going strong in hair fashion for 2009. While we may all want to look effortlessly cool and slightly retro like the celebrities do sporting their glossy fringe, in reality, bangs are pretty high-maintenance due to frequent trims, straightening, constant worrying that they're in place, et cetera.

That said, my high-maintenance self would like to try (again) with some very heavy bangs. I have long, coarse, slightly-layered, Asian hair and a slight cowlick along my front hairline. I have also had the same, basic haircut since high school. Sigh...

Since I have given up squinting into the mirror to find out what I "might" look like as my new, glamorous self, I bit the bullet and tried out one of those online "try on a new hairstyle" thingies at The Hairstyler. After playing around for an hour and daydreaming (I really CAN look like Pat Benatar!), I came up with a few that are very, very wrong and some that I might actually take along to my hairstylist. What do you think?

Or I may just puss out, drop another 50 bucks and ask for the ol' 1/2 inch trim and layers bit. Again.

In the beginning, there was a fig leaf...

Oh, Ebay, why must you contribute to my online window shopping addiction? Alas, I give in, but I share the fruits of my surfing labors with you, dear readers.

I came across this pretty excellent Ebay store named Fig Leaf Fashion that sells super-feminine, super-modern clothing from sample sales. The seller (so she claims) is the sister of a designer and therefore gets to attend these sales. Being the entrepreneur that she is, she consequently re-sells them to the fashion-addicted public.

I don't have experience buying from her (yet), but her feedback scores are very good & some of her stuff is just so darn cute (I mean, this dress, so friggin' adorable), I may be her next victim.

Check it out during one of your well-deserved work breaks.

Woo Hoo for Wu!

Since it is difficult to contain the frenzy that was Inauguration Day yesterday, let us dissect all of its gloriousness down to the dress that Michelle Obama was wearing. Designed by American designer, Jason Wu, Michelle's gown was everything that it should be - modern, comfortable, flattering to her assets (body type, skin color, etc.) and with just the right amount of flash.

Interested? Check out Jason Wu's Spring 2009 RTW collection! You can definitely tell why Mrs. Obama chose him to design a dress for her - his designs are *easy* and flattering to a woman's body and his use of striking colors with feminine and innovative shapes are creative and feel new and classic at the same time. I particularly love the formal dresses at the end of the show - the bright yellow and jade green numbers. Kind of downtown meets ladies who lunch, no?

No Pants!

So, most of us have at least *heard* of these organized events put together by groups of strangers online just for the heck of it. Such as, "meet at the corner of North and Farwell at 1:09PM on Saturday and scream for 1.2 minutes."

The most organized efforts that I have yet seen are by Improv Everywhere, a movement based in NYC that causes scenes of chaos and joy in public places. Called "missions," the group of "undercover agents" decides on a place and a time to do something outrageous, funny, poignant, whatever.

Go see videos and pics of their latest organized chaos: The 8th Annual No Pants Subway Ride. They had up to 1500 participants! Some of the other awesome missions highighted are Human Mirror and No Shirts. So funny & they encourage people to do things like this everywhere...Maybe we should start a group in Milwaukee. Any takers?

Also, check out its sister site, Urban Prankster, covering pranks, hacks, participatory art, flash mobs, and other creative endeavors that take place in public places in cities across the world.

Today's accessory obsession...

I had mentioned Baby White Elephant in an earlier post about Etsy.com. Well, although I am enamored with cuff bracelets in general, this beautiful one is made from a real orchid that has been preserved and voila! nested atop a black leather cuff.

Preserved Orchid and Carnelian Leather Cuff Bracelet by Baby White Elephant

I think the juxtaposition of the tough leather and the bright, jeweled, girly flower is great. Plus, who else will be wearing this out but you? Well, besides me...

Just $55 in a blood-orange that will add the right pop of color! Yay!

2009 Fashion Predictions...

Based on my own devouring of fashion magazines, countless hours spent surfing (and shopping!) online and a general interest in what women are wearing on the street, I like to make predictions on what will be and what will remain in style for at least this season and the year.

Note: These are not predictions of what will be on the runway but guesses on what people in real life will be wearing, all to help you in your future fashion purchase decisions!

WHAT'S NEW SO FAR...

New Colors
Tans, nudes, neutrals (this goes for tops, bottoms AND shoes)
Cobalt blue (Seen this everywhere, and it's darling on all skin colors)
Bright yellows
Gray is still super-hot and is a new neutral that I have fallen in love with

New Shapes 
Interesting shapes and drapes to clothes have been showing up everywhere from the runway to the retail store. This sculptural quality is something you may want to try in small doses but if you're adventurous, go for it! See this page at Urban Outfitters for an example. If you're from the Milwaukee area, Fashion Ninja has been doing this for awhile and her shop and studio are consistently turning out new and creative ideas as well as limited run pieces.

Retro-Feminine
The return to the Jackie-O style will be very big this spring and summer. Think pencil skirts, bracelet-length sleeves, capes, lockets on skinny chains, small florals, anything with ruffles, shift dresses. The good thing about this? Very flattering on a feminine figure and oh so classy.

WHAT WILL BE STAYING
Don't toss these into the Goodwill bin just yet OR if you've been pondering buying them, do so. Right now. 

Skinny Jeans
For all the debate that has gone on round and round online and in mags, these are still going strong. Girls love them, they pair well with the blousy, feminine and voluminous tops that are still in style and will be for the spring and they're flattering when done right. Plus, Kate Moss is still wearing them and if she's still rockin' something, it's bound to still be a fashion DO. Am I right?

If you already have 'em, try updating your wardrobe with a new color (light gray, bright blue) or rise (high-waisted if you can pull this off?). If you haven't tried 'em yet, buy them in a dark color to start (dark wash indigo, black, dark gray) and make sure they have a bit of stretch to them (look for some % of lycra or spandex mixed with cotton on the tag).

My personal favorites are by BDG, available for about $50 at Urban Outfitters. I have the BDG Black Overdye Cigarette Jean. However, as with ANY clothes you buy but especially with jeans, TRY ON TRY ON TRY ON. 

Blousy, voluminous tops
I'm talking the pleated, ruffly, tunic-y tops that are ultra-feminine and have a bit of volume. Usually, they're made of a nice drapey jersey, chiffon, silk, what-have-you. Remember to balance out the proportion with a fitted skirt or skinny pants. For the winter, you can rock these in black, gray (for the safe) or in a jewel-tone to get out of the blahs. Look for them in pastels and neutrals for the spring.

Platform shoesThese showed up last year everywhere and...guess what? They're here to stay, AT LEAST through the summer. Closed, rounded toe and peep-toe with tights right now and open-toe and peep-toe for the spring/summer. If you haven't yet discovered the miracle of the hidden platform pump, try one on today (especially you shorties out there like me!).

The L.A.M.B. "Daly" Woven Hidden Platform Pump is a lovely example.
I'm not sure if the strictly gladiator look will continue but a modified version as a very strappy platform sandal will definitely be hot for the next several months, especially in new colors! Check out Michael Kors' Tajines Gladiator Sandal to see what I mean.


Higher Waists
There is a huge range here, from belly-button level to natural waist to just under the bust. This goes for pants, jeans and especially skirts.

Again, this is especially flattering for shorter legs but it provides some nice structure to all ladies' bodies and brings back an older fashion era. And again, TRY ON! You never know what will look good on you if you don't at least take a look at it on your own body inside that private sanctuary called the dressing room.

Black patent leatherShoes, purses, totes, everything. Still a good, classic investment that adds punch to your wardrobe.

WHAT WILL BE GOING. FAR AWAY...
Donate or recycle these. Thank goodness I have a sewing machine!

Big florals 
Not that this ever really caught on with the real gals out there, but I predict that these will not be pushed this spring like they were the past several months. Large prints are rarely flattering on many a bod and I think that the idea reminded us too much of our grandmas, even if the print WAS on a fabulous dress.

Maxi dresses
Anything that makes you look a little pregnant and a lot short is not a good thing. I learned the hard way. Sigh...

Online shopping is ever-evolving...SHOP IT TO ME

So, over margaritas during happy hour last week, a friend of mine and I were discussing the fine details of fashion when she mentioned the site Shop It To Me.

Basically, the site acts as your own, personal online shopper, allowing you to personalize your profile to your sizes and to select apparel brands that you love.

They send you a daily or weekly e-mail, alerting you to any items that go on sale in your size. My friend has been stalking a Diane Von Furstenburg wrap dress for months and, thanks to Shop It To Me, is ready to pounce on one that just went on sale!

I just got my first SaleMail and found these ridiculously fab BCBGirls "Beverlyn" boots for 32% off. Hooray!

P.S. If you know of any young-uns who are looking for a paid marketing internship in the fashion world in San Francisco (impossible to come by), they are hiring as we speak.

Today's shoe obsession...

Nine West's new collection is just beginning to appear in stores and online. So far, I am in LOVE with this shoe - "Jack" Peep Toe Pump.

A tiny ankle strap won't cut the legs off, a fabulous 4" patent leather heel, chopped peep-toe and just a hint of old-school spectator make me want to wear pencil skirts all week long...

Find them at Nine West or at Macy's. UPDATE: I have found them on sale (9% off) at Zappos.com with free shipping both ways!

I HEART these sites...

etsy.com

If you haven't already discovered this awesome site, visit it immediately!

Etsy.com is a sweet site for handmade and custom-made accessories, clothes, gifts & so much else! It's a community of artists, crafters and others who buy and sell all things handmade. It's a friendly place and I have found some really great shops here for everything from jewelry to custom clothing.

Plus, the site has a really creative way of displaying and filtering what you're looking for. You can keep an eye on your favorite shops & favorite items. Here are just some of mine:

* sarahseven (her "Lemon Drop Dress" is pictured above)
* emilyryan
* Ureshii
* UNEARTHED
* ao3designs
* BabyWhiteElephant

Seriously, check them out.

polyvore.com
Mix and match images from anywhere on the web, to create outfits, interior designs, or any kind of collage. Browse and shop thousands of looks created by a community of stylish people.

Basically, you can enter in an article of clothing that you want to get ideas of what wear with it. It then comes up with all these "outfits" that other people have come up with, complete with links to online stores. GREAT for ideas!!

In my case, I bought a pair of gray scrunchy booties simply because they were gorgeous, but I had the classic dilemma of not having anything to wear with them :)

Really love it. Go! Now.

Current shoe obsession...

I simply cannot get the idea of natural color patent leather shoes out of my head - picture them with black tights right now and with bare feet and legs in the spring.

They fit nicely into the vision I have of stylish and elegant vs. simply trendy. These are my 2 contenders right now:

BCBGirls "Amonia" Platform Pump (at Macy's)

Theory "Mariel" Peep-Toe Pump (at Piperlime)