Tell It To Me Straight

This Spring try a super straight skirt. Whether you go for the trendy longer length or stop at the knee, stick with bright colors and patterns. After this long and dreary Winter, a skirt like the one above from Rochas, is certain to put a new spring in your step!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

DIY Flower Belt

Welcome to DYI for your weekend! And seeing as though we have an overcast one ahead of us in Columbus, Ohio, this will be the perfect project to brighten it up! It's Spring and inevitably, that means florals, even if Miranda does say "Florals....for spring....how ground breaking...." - The Devil Wears Prada. 

One floral trend I'm loving this year is the skinny floral belts seen across the runways at Rochas & J.Crew.

Style it over your favorite jeans, a cardigan or if you are feeling really daring, a spring jacket. It'll set you back less than $10 but leave you feeling like a million. 

Materials: 

1. 2 inch wide grosgrain ribbon fit to your own measurements.

2. 2 or more silk flowers selected from your local craft store...I'm a fan of the selection at Michaels, or if you happen to live near a Flower Factory, even better. 

3. Scissors

4. needle & thread - thread should match the color of the ribbon. 

Assembly: 

1. Measure ribbon to desired length, I recommend leaving enough to tie into a bow in the back, this usually looks best when the tails are left long. 

2. Stitch the silk flowers onto the belt slightly off-center in the pattern you wish and VOLA! 

This project takes about 10-15 minutes to put together. Enjoy it :) 

Until the next Story or Trend....

-CK

Lavender Dreams

Did you know that pure Lavender is actually extremely rare? Yes, we see it in nearly half the fragrances out there, not to mention candles, soaps and God knows what else. But this is not pure lavender that we are getting, no, it's actually "lavendin" a much less expensive hybrid of the flower. In fact, true Lavender only grows in high, arid regions such as Lesches-en-Dois, France, near the Alps. And get this, it blooms for only one month! According to a recent article in Shape Magazine (this is where I confess my love for this mag!) it takes approximately 80 pounds of lavender to make just one ounce! 

With this being said, take into consideration how valuable Lavender actually is. Not only does it have a rich history in fragrance, being harvested in the Alps since the 1500's, but it has greatly shaped our fashionable past and forecasts our warm weather future ever year. So let's take a look at where we can find some of it's most precious and priceless pieces, as well as some very fun, fashion forward and purse friendly hybrids. 

La-La-Lavender....

Classic Calvin Klein Sleeveless Satin Sheath

Grommets lend an edgy twist to our favorite shirt dress by Nanette Lepore.

Even Gaga finds a way to take on the color. In her lipstick. In her gloves. In her jacket...or is that a jacket-tard? I'm giving up on these outfits she concocts. And that being said, expect to see a Gaga exclusive soon...I just can't stay away from the train wreck. 

A bit more "Orchid" than Lavender but yum. Charlize stuns in this Christian Dior. I don't care if the gorgeous satin roses are groping her, the hue combined with her berry red lipstick is the essence of glamour. Love.

A hippie at heart, I l-u-v Free People. tissue tee embezzled frock available from Blue Fly.com

Michael Kors cut out sandal  or....

Merona Mary-Suede Chop Out Ballet Flats from, you guessed it, TARGET! Only $19.99!

And while we're talking Target...

Even your Yoga Mat is feeling pretty

Balenciaga's City Bag in the perfect vintage Lilac

Rock it like Kim & Khloe Kadashian, Nicole Richie and Jennifer Lopez. 

Until the next story or trend....

-CK 

Pick Your Pocket

Shop It! 

Since the beginning of time (that's when jeans were born right?) Okay, maybe since the California Gold Rush and Levi Strauss around 1853 , jeans have been "one of the world's oldest fabrics, yet remain[ing] eternatly young," according to a writer for American Fabrics magazine. Keeping them "youthful", flirty, and fashionable, the pocket detail has become an art or, if you will, the maker's "calling card". An opportunity for designers the world over who wish to leave their identity in stitches. For the fashion goers, "name that jean" has become a game based on the pocket. And for those of us blessed to participate in the unruly lifestyle of retail, identifying the pocket can allow us to identify the make, color code and even the stock number of your favorite jeans.

Several years ago my stock manager and I would venture out on the town of Savannah, Ga. and play this pocket game. John was particularly good at identifying the pockets of any female in sight donning denim from either Abercrombie & Fitch or Hollister (our mothership) and then further diving into the style, color and stock sku's....sometimes even the size. John's pick up lines consisted mostly of things like "Hey, those 1111's sure look good on you!" and pretty much died upon being released from his mouth. The pocket game expanded for us and today we are jean-ius's of the artful stitching. Here (and in the polyvore above) are some of our favorites....What's yours? 

Rock & Republic

James Jeans & True Religion

Lucky Brand & Marc By Marc Jacobs

 

Joe's Jeans 

 

Til the next story or trend...

-CK

Let's Go CREWzing!

Shop It

There is nothing, I repeat, NOTHING about J.Crew that's doesn't make me want to literally pee my pants from head over heels, purely obsessed love. Give me anything with their name on the tag and I'll treasure it like it's the last donut on earth.

This Spring it's worth the minor splurge required to gain a closet full of timeless pieces I swear you'll still be rocking when you're 65 looking 35.

Do you see these sequins! Ah-Mazing!  $495

The Belstaff Roadmaster Jacket in Washed Waxed Cotton $695

paired with denim shorts, dark skinny's, a cotton mini or sequined mini and I'm pretty sure this jacket will make you a few friends. Just don't let them borrow it! 

A few faves... crewz the shop here

Til the next story or trend....

-CK

Tutus!

Summer is coming and I'm head over heels for tutu dresses right now. Maybe it's the whole whimsy of Alice & Wonderland still in my head or the fact that summer always makes me feel like a kid again, whatever the reason, these dresses are charming beyond words and there are so many ways to wear it. 


Ala' Carrie Bradshaw in Sex & The City the movie. Carrie's tutu here was a $5 vintage tulle purchase the costume designer found in Sarah Jessica Parker's own wardrobe. 

I survived an entire class of ballet when I was a child. Actually, maybe not even the entire day. I think at some point I waited by the door, slippers already off and LA lights back on thinking in my little head, "mom, when will you ever get here!? You said if I tried it and didn't like it I could play tee ball with my brothers, well, a deal's a deal!" (in secret I still danced around my room in my tutu and read Angelina Ballerina every night).

Now that I've matured (cough) I'm making up for those tom boy days in a major way. Dresses please! And the more layers and lace the better! 

Alice & Olivia 

Etsy

Haute Hippe

And if you are shopping for your little one, please visit Dear Lillie for the absolute cutest little girl's tutu's in the world. They are designed by 3 gorgeous sisters from the east coast with flawless taste and style. Make sure to check out their women's wear as well. The Adeliene Dress is already in my shopping cart!

DearLillie 

Til next time! 

-CK

March Madness...Hatter Style!

"I die", according to Rachel Zoe, when I see a film with costumes done right, I mean absolutely out of this world, you have to be insane to even come up with this stuff but man, it looks amazing under lights! I literally drool over the fabrics, colors and textures, and lose myself completely in daydreams when productions like Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland (premiering in 3D in just 4 days!) come to life through couture creations the average individual wouldn't dare to go public in. It is however, my sincere belief that we all want to play dress up in layers of tulle, strands of satin and oceans of lace. At least for a photo shoot right? 

So what would the average person, then, you know, like you and me (who swear by j.crew because they are always socially acceptable) and who do not have the excuse that Colleen Atwood dressed us for a film with Johnny Depp and we're on our way to our next Oscar? Let's try these: 

I usually steer clear of Etsy (90% crap and 10% I not sure if it deserves a golf clap or a caddy smile - except for my friend Jamie's esty, which I promise to share with you sometime) and frequent Regretsy (where you can find anything and everything you would never want) but in the spirit of dress up, this is actually kinda fun...fun as in I like the looks of it on my dresser but not as a giant top hat on my hand. 

 Mad Hatter Ring

NEXT: You can't have a MaDnEsS!! and a tea party - without tea (cups)! 

Thanks to a fabulous blog I've stumbled upon time and time again: Oh Joy!  for posting the perfect paris market tea cups for the occasion: 

Limoges teacups  Oui! Oui! 

And now, if I were the Hatter, or perhaps even if not....

Shop this selection here, Do It. Seriously, you can't leave that leather jacket without a home, that would simply be inhumane! 

Happy March Madness! And happy shopping - I mean buying! 

-Chels

Go Green!

I for one have had it up to here (this is me pointing to the top of my 5ft frame... but imagine it's more dramatic than that) with the black and grey restrictions of winter. My closet is looking rather drab in the warm clothing category. A splash of lapis here, a burst of fuschia there, but oh, so, so much black and grey! Oi Vey! Time to ditch the grayscale and move into Spring. I know it's coming! In eager anticipation of it, let's talk GREEN!

There's Rachel Green: 

There's Tom Green (no thank you):

And then there's a wardrobe full of green! 

Keira Knightley in Atonement. Dress design by Jacqueline Durran. 

It's the dead of winter and I swear if one more snow storm hits Ohio I'm gonna toss all caution to the wind, crank up the heat, put on a swimsuit, lay out a towel on my living room floor, whip up a smoothie, flip on some Margaritaville and have myself a beach via apartment party. Now where's that kiddy pool Brittany and I used to keep around for times like this? 

Angelina's gorgeous Lorraine Schwartz emerald earrings and matching cocktail ring

Something to put your green in: The Gramercy Patented Large Wristlet from Coach 

Emerald Silk Ruffle Wrap from BCBG Max Azria

Dive in! Accommodating Maillot at Anthropologie

Go get some color in your closet! 

The Jackie Ohh's!

Question: Who of you wants to be able to pull off sunglasses like these and take a photo like this? I'm sure I'm not the only one.  

So let's talk, where did these come from, why did it take me so long to figure out they aren't my mother's sunnies (although my mother does have phenomenal taste now that she's done with her "Fresh Produce Phase" -sorry, mom, I had too! And I know you'll call me out when I put on something as horrid too.) and where, oh where, do I get them!? 

 They're called the Jackie O. Sunnies! 

They are a design that has poked its head back into the fashion world and is well known all over.  The Onassis Glasses, or the Jackie-O design sunglasses were popularized by the former First Lady Kennedy. After becoming Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, she flaunted this oversized style of sunglasses all over the globe. The style was so closely associated with her, that it has shared her name since the late seventies. After fading from the public eye, the Onassis Glasses lay dormant for about thirty years. However, poised for a comeback, these sunglasses have begun making waves on red carpets and runways all over. The women credited for bringing back the infamous sunglasses are Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton. Since then, Jackie-O’s have been seen on the faces of famous women and trendy-but-average Janes everywhere. So what are you waiting for? Go get some! 

Discover my favorites at Ray Ban . 

Stay Warm, Look Great & Keep Your Dignity.

Just because it's the dead of winter and we're all suffering from the "Snow-torious BIG" of 2010, doesn't give anyone the excuse to forget how to be fashionable. Hang onto your dignity and please dispose of the full face masks and those awful boots you've been kicking around in for God-only-knows-how-long because you think it doesn't matter what you look like so long as you are kept warm. WRONG. It does. For the love all Michael Kors and all things human, it does! Here is a small collection of some of my favorite winter wonderland apparel brands. We're actually not talking high-end fashion here but as a girl who grew up in snow for 8 months of the year, I know a thing or two about being toasty warm on the inside and wicked adorable on the out. Take these tips. Trust me, you'll instantly be transformed into a popular specimen, worthy of conversation and advice on "how to look so darn cute", and possibly even mistaken as a professional athlete. (And if you aren't into sports, now is not the time to tell people you're an Olympian because those people are competing right now and that would make you 1 of 2 things: a liar or a has been and no one likes either of those). On to the gear!

Erin Comstock for ROXY

Fashionista in the pipe: Gretchen Bleiler

When in doubt, grab your snow gear tips from this chick. Dress like her and everyone will think you're the bomb-digity. 

 

A Glipse at the Gretchen Bleiler Collection for Oakley

...and she put out a collection with Oakley that's siiiick.

   

Burton

My favorite brand of all, just like maple syrup, ben & jerry's and myself, this legit line comes from the great state of Vermont and we know how to do winter. 

Until next time, kids....stay warm and don't dress like this chick: