Fantasy Fashion Becomes Reality

I know you are probably wondering where are all the fall shoes, but give me this last full week of July to still enjoy summer, I promise I won't disappoint.  With fall in mind you might be wondering what in your summer shoe collection can transition with ease.  An any season must have is a great flat and Lanvin is certainly a go to choice. This contrast, capped toe flat is a great neutral for summer and fall with just a pop of color. Of course pop goes your wallet with a $550 sticker price.

Lanvin

So of course my alternative for you is a contrast, capped toe flat from Libby Edelman. Same neutral, same pop of color, plus a bonus chain accent. These will only run you $74, except that are summer sale is going strong so knock off 50% and you have a great transition shoe!

Libby Edelman

Fashion Rx: Your weekly dose of what to wear!

Have you been feeling the heat lately? Need something to help lighten things up?  There is no better cure for feeling the pressure (and the temperatures) than a pretty outfit that makes your feel good!

The Cure: Lighten Up

A light and airy dress is a great way to beat the heat. Choose a cool color like this light blue to help soothe your mood and help relieve stress. Stick with a simple silhouette and amp it up with accessories that will give the look something special.  Finally give your feet a break from a pump and select a flat sandal, great for comfort and cooling your heels!

Fashion Rx: Your weekly dose of what to wear!

Chambray is all over the place this season, well it is every season, but this season it seems to be center stage.  You aren't fond of a denim on denim look, so chambray isn't on your shopping list, but there are so many other things to pair with it!

The Cure: Chambray Chic

There is nothing better to pair the faded, soft, worn denim with than white, whether shorts, pants, or crops, the combo is clearly classic.  Roll up your sleeves and style it with layers of chunky jewelry and don't be shy, the more the merrier.  Keep the rest of the look clean with a simple sandal and sunglasses. Sashay in your chambray till your hearts content!

Wet 'n Wild Watermelon

Bright, bold, and brilliant, watermelon is a summer hue you'll want to warm up to!  Why? Well according to InStyle magazine,

"We think designer Peter Som, who used watermelon in his current collection, summed it up best: ' It has the graphic impact of a lipstick red, but it's just a bit more feminine.'"

The pinkish red shade with a hint of orange is a first class feminine statement maker! Structured silhouettes will help "emphasize the color's strength." Pair a solid separate with a graphic print and combine with whites, khakis, tangerine, or even cobalt for an engaging ensemble.

Summer Whites

There is nothing I like more in the summer time than summer whites! Whether head to toe or one main piece nothing looks more crisp and cool against a summer background.

Keep your summer whites light and airy with fabric and texture, cotton, linen, and crochet are definite must haves.  Also don't be afraid to blend bright whites and off-whites together, because they're in the same color family it still works and creates subtle contrast in your look!

Flower Power

So maybe you aren't the type of girl who goes for the dainty, girly, floral print; you're more of a standout, you like bold pattern and color.  You might change your mind about florals once I fill you in on a hot spring trend!  Bold florals are storming the runway, according to InStyle,

These prints "are a far cry from romantic, these standout prints can punch up your most basic outfit.  They may be inspired by nature, but their graphic allure makes them city-friendly. Some are even nightclub-worthy"

Sound like this is more your speed? To effortlessly pull these prints off look for streamlined shapes and pair the print with something clean.  Make sure you keep the colors vibrant and add as little or as much floral to the look as you like!

Parisian Chic

It's hard to ignore the timeless je ne sais quoi of the self assured French woman.  Her look is consistently effortless and put together and yet seems so elusive. But, you too, can pull of Parisian Chic with ease.

Based on basic pieces from the perfect jean, the cashmere sweater, the trench, and of course the little black dress, parisians keep it simple. Accessorizing with flats, a black tote, and complimentary jackets the style evolves for each individual while still maintaining its uncomplicated conviction. It's springtime in Paris and who wouldn't want to emulate that?!?

Color Combo

A certain posh designer decided to combine navy and orange in her spring collection this year and it is most definitely on trend.  Victoria Beckham enhanced the sleek silhouette of her formfitting sheath with these contrasting colors to make a bold statement.

This is a definite stand out color combination that can be worn any number of ways.  Accessorize a solid piece with its contrast, find a print that combines them both, color block them.  You can tone the contrast down by adding neutrals like nude or beige, or take it to another level and add a crisp clean white!

Fantasy Fashion Becomes Reality

In keeping with the idea of a grown up girly look I stumbled upon the cutest pair of flats!  These Miu Miu ballerinas are a baby pink patent with grosgrain bow and Swarworvski embellishment are the perfect combo of girly and grown up. They also come with a very grown-up price, $650.

Miu Miu, $650

Lucky for us, Libby Edelman has a pair that captures the cute and the chic with a price that isn't so steep!

The "Alexis" comes in the same baby pink patent, but with a chiffon like bow and rhinestone accent. Fun, flirty, and totally affordable at just $86!

Libby Edelman, $86

Grown Up Girly

Do you ever get nostalgic for looks you used to wear when you were younger, looks that just aren't age appropriate anymore? Let's not kid ourselves, some of the things we used to wear were uber-cute, and you can get that girlhood look all grown-up.

This sprint color will of course play an important role and this is a look that incorporates it freely, when thinking about your old tee and shorts stand by make it more sophisticated in richer fabrics and silhouettes. Eyelet dresses is curve hugging cuts and flats with bows also add an air to this polished playground look.

Popping Pastels

InStyle Magazine just came out with their massive March issue, in it is their coverage of Spring trends, which I love! First on their list is Pastels, claiming "Spring color doesn't go soft even when it's time to get pretty".  This season's softer side of color still packs a potent punch.  Sure there are lilacs, mint greens, powder blues, and pale pinks, but each shade is a bit more saturated.

How to pull it off you wonder? According to InStyle,

"Because these shades are intense, choose clothes with clean lines, and balance solid on solid. Avoid neutrals as a base but rely on them for accessories, especially shoes. To add power to this glory, pair pastels with...more pastels!"

First-Class Flats

While strutting your stuff and showing your glam gams may be all you can think about when it comes to Spring/Summer, don't forget sometimes your feet need as much R&R as you do.  Give them a break in any one of these pairs of fabulous and flirty flats!

"You can do anything you want, but don't step on my blue suede shoes"

"Chain Chain Chain" no way you could be a fool with flats!

"Chain Chain Chain" no way you could be a fool with flats!

Must have moccasins!

Bold buckles bring out simple style savvy

Bold buckles bring out simple style savvy

Fashion Rx: Your weekly dose of what to wear!

Well it's the day before New Year's Eve, do you know what you're wearing? For a night that is about celebrating all that's past and all that's yet to come you wouldn't want to ring in the new year looking anything less than your best!

The Cure: Go Big or Go Home

The ball that drops and draws everyone's attention is shiny and sparkly so why shouldn't you be! Take advantage of this evening to dress to the nines, find a glitzy number that fits your personality and accessorize it so that you accentuate it! Whatever you choose make sure you feel as beautiful inside as you look on the outside!  Happy New Year!!!

Party Perfection

With so many of falls trends bleeding into the holidays it's hard to misstep when choosing your perfect party dress.  Bold gemstone colors like ruby, emerald, and sapphire, touches of lace, sparkle, shine, and a little bit of blocking are all fool proof choices!

Choose your accessories wisely, choose a daring and desirable pump  to go with a simple dress, or something more subtle to pair with a metallic print. Any festive frock is going to be a winner and you will surely be the toast of the town.

Fantasy Fashion Becomes Reality

Who doesn't love a bootie with a bow?!? Something that is certainly a staple during the holiday season has to be the Valentino pearl-trim suede bootie.  The classic suede bootie is accented with cultured freshwater pearls which may come off as opulent but doesn't look over the top.  What puts this shoe over the edge has to be the $895 price tag.

Valentino, $895

While this bootie may not have fresh water pearl trim, it does have a cute bow on the back that maintains your lady like look and adds a bit of fun.  The "Nalini" from Libby Edelman is a blue suede bootie, complete with bow accent and is perfect for adding that pop of color to your holiday ensemble.  Best of all, no need to worry about going over the edge, this bootie is priced at just $94 ($65 if you catch it while it's on sale!)

Libby Edelman, $94

Back to Basics

While you may think having a staple basic is all you need, why not expand your options to include a basic with a little boldness?

$167

$145

$160

$72

$64

$122

Hot Holiday Heels

Don't get mad at me for saying this, but the holidays are right around the corner and you may already be scouting out your cute holiday ensembles, why not see if you can add one of these sexy pairs to go with!

$122

$107

$114

$107 

$92

$94

$244

Fresh Faddish Fiftiesesque.

One of the many moods for fall combines lady like pieces with palpable prints and a little bit of quirk. Things like feathered skirts with a peter pan collared shell are both feminine and innocent in charm, while walking slightly on the wild side.

Give a floaty dress structure with a tailored jacket with pairing just about anything with polka dots gives it a sassy tone.  Add ruffles and bows to your menswear pieces and feel glam with long blousy sleeves and a short hemline.

Flirty Flats

Fall would not be complete without a fabulously fantastic flat!  We've got oodles to choose from and you can never have too many!

$88

$88

$99

$99

$84

$120

$122

$89

$89

$128

$64

$89

Fantasy Fashion Becomes Reality

Well Prada never ceases to let me down.  I would proudly don this classic leopard loafer that recognizes the retro with its tonal penny keeper across the vamp.  It's the perfect pop of animal print for the ankle skinnys and silk blouse I picked up to jump start my fall wardrobe.  Alas at $790 my budget would more than likely explode.

Prada, $790

Good thing Libby Edelman has a comparable version.  Swap the penny keeper for a pair of tassels and the $790 price tag for a much more reasonable $75 one and my outfit plans are still on track for making a statement!

Libby Edelman, $75