Trend Tuesday - Wearing Your Watch Around Your Neck

As I was surfing around the internet the other night for Friday Finds inspiration, I started noticing a trend - Watch Necklaces. Am I the only one that thinks this is the best idea since cell phones and Facebook? I haven't worn a watch since 2001 but what better way to get back into the habit that than adorning yourself with one of these timepieces? So 19th century of us...

Watch Globe Pendant by Urban Outfitters - $34.00

 Toucan Tell Time Necklace by ModCloth - $23.99

Wind Me Up Necklace by Modcloth - $24.99

Timed Race Watch Necklace by Modcloth - $27.99

Time Flies Vintage Brass Owl Watch Necklace by RingRingRing on Etsy - $28.00

Skeleton Key Watch Necklace by TheBumblingBird on Etsy - $25.00

Romantic Cluster Clock Necklace by Urban Outfitters - $28.00

Friday Finds - Awesome Necklaces Under $50

I freely admit that when it comes to my jewelry, I'm a boring traditionalist. Same necklace, same earrings, same rings. Nothing fun or exciting about my jewelry collection what-so-ever. In spite of my boringness, I'm always browsing the jewelry sections in all my favorite shops, looking at all the eye candy in preparation for the day I decide to step outside of my oh so square box and here are a few of my faves.....

Leaf an Impression Necklace by ModCloth - $16.99

Cutenkhamun Necklace by ModCloth - $21.99

Floral Layered Necklace by Forever 21 - $10.80

Fairy Pearl and Copper Necklace by uniquejewelrybygigi on Etsy - $30.00

Chain and Pearl Necklace by cloverbyritasiemion on Etsy - $42.00

Disc and Bauble Chain Mail Necklace by Bebe - $44.00

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!!

Trend Tuesday - Act Like a Girl, Fight Like a Girl, Dress Like a Girl

I don't know about the rest of you, but today is really feeling like fall for me. Kiddos are back in school. The weather is iffy. Makes me want to go rake leaves (something I've never done), and eat a freshly picked apple (I don't even like apples). 

But since I'm feeling like it's fall....I'm going to talk about a fall trend I'm seeing in a lot of the fashion mags this month...frilly, lady like styles with just a touch of coy and sexy. I'm definitely not what you would describe as "girly" or "frilly" but if I was...here's a few things I would be in my closet in a heartbeat!

I'm in love the flowy, bubbly shape of The Ellipsis Dress from ModCloth. With just a touch of retro, it's an updated, 1950's debutant look that I just adore. 

Frankly, the idea of an actual corset just scares the living daylights out of me....but I think I could possibly manage to face my fears with these corset inspired tops from Anthropologie...

 Corseted Cypress Blouse $168

Bayou Gingham Cami $178

And my personal favorite...

 Wildflowers in Flight Top $78

I'm one of those very unfortunate, short-waisted women who has a VERY hard time finding any sort of dress or top that flatters my natural waist instead of accentuating the fact that I really don't have one. Lucky for me, girly fall fashions are all about faking an hourglass shape with waist cinching styles...

Traced Twirls Dress from Anthropologie $158

The Marion Dress from ModCloth $54.99

The color of this Betsey Johnson dress is a bit much for me, but I love the contrasting black band which breaks up the bubble gum pinkness AND creates a waistline...

Evening Sweet Caroline Strapless Dress from Betsey Johnson $425

Delmy Zip Vest from J.Crew $128 

And my absolutely personal favorite..... 

Reina de la Fiesta from ModCloth $89.99

And of course...what better way to dress up something simple than with a few well placed, girly accessories...

Unicorn Princess Heels from ModCloth $119.99

Love Me Knot Printed Platforms from J.Crew $295

 

The Antique Mall Necklace from ModCloth $23.99 

Docile Bloom Bracelet from Anthropologie $30

Happy Shopping Everyone!!

Trend Tuesday - How to Sparkle

We really wanted to name this blog post "How to NOT sparkle like a Las Vegas Showgirl" but we really felt that was just too long a title....so we refrained.

Anyway....something we're seeing a lot of in magazines and in stores is an influx of glitz, not only for night, but for everyday wear too. The question becomes...like we wanted to name this post...how to add a little glitz to your glam without going to far? Here are a few suggestions we've come up with to answer that question...

Focus on soft neutrals. Pairing glitz with muted fabrics allows the "sparkle" to pop without being overwhelming. Think denim, soft greys, pinks, nudes, blues and greens. This also makes your "sparkle" more daytime appropriate.

Knits & Tees - Clothes - Anthropologie.com, $78

See by Chloe Low-rise skinny jeans, $74
Tough As Nails Flats, $145

We've professed out love of the denim jacket here and we think it totally fits here when you're trying to play down your glam a little bit. We're not really feeling the whole "bootie" as a shoe trend, but we gotta admit...it does look pretty darn good in this mix...

Adam Sequined tank Dress - theoutnet.com, $1,050
Women's AE Denim Jacket - American Eagle Outfitters, $16 
STEVEN by Steve Madden Women's Partey Open Toe Pump, $10

Think outside the box, but keep it simple. Work clothes can be sooooo booooring. Here's a simple way to take a basic white blouse and black skirt, and jazz it up a bit with some embellished, glitzy shoes. Still totally work appropriate...at least in our opinion...

MCQ BY ALEXANDER MCQUEEN QLI900191901 WHITE COTTON / ELASTANE E3131, $150
Skirts - Clothes - Anthropologie.com, $98
Jessica Simpson 'Lepolia' Flat, $79
Black Rhinestone Bangle Set - Teen Clothing by Wet Seal, $14

Every woman knows the importance of owning a little black dress....the problem is that, EVERY woman knows the importance of owning a little black dress. It's hard to find one that has that wow factor to differentiate itself (and you) from every other black dress wearing woman out there. Search for something a little extra next time you're looking to replace or add to your LBD collection...

GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI DESIGN E00131 BRONZE LEATHER 1857301, $770
Balmain Night Punk studded suede clutch, $2,710
14k Yellow Gold Bronze Crystal Ball Stud Earrings | Overstock.com, $40
Brazilia Beading Dress, $346.50

And sometimes, you know...all you need is a little bit of glitz and sparkle on your fingers, ears, or wrists to make getting out of bed every morning worthwhile!

Fossil Sparkling Turtle Ring - Size 7, $30

VINTAGE SPARKLING NECKLACE, $380

belle of the ball leverback dangle earrings, $95

kate spade 'queen bee' long station necklace, $145

Noir Metal Bracelet, $118

Juicy Couture - Coral Flower Studs (Gold) - Jewelry, $42

Melissa Vintage Rose Ring, $95

Happy Shopping!! 

Trend Tuesday - Belts Galore

Since their inception, belts have always been an extremely useful accessory to any wardrobe. They have been used for anything from a decorative piece to add to your outfit to something that helps hold up loose pants, to a police belt which carries an officers tools of the trade.

Over the past few years we've seen an increase in what might be called free standing belts. Women have been using them to create structure to their outfits and accentuate flattering parts of their bodies. 

According to Lucky Magazine, "Adding a belt under the bust line accentuates the smallest area of the midsection."  Something that Oprah does very well with her red belt from the July cover of O Magazine.

We love how you can also use belts to break up what could be a dress with an overwhelming, obnoxious pattern.

Besides adding structure and defining the waist belts are also used as statement pieces. How awesome would this jeweled belt look with a basic black or silver cocktail dress? It's a great way to add a little sparkle!

BCBG Multi-Bead Belt

We're also really loving the idea of gold accessories with your LBD for the holiday season - I know...we're just as surprised as you are that the phrase "holiday season" just came out of our mouths as well...but this Tying it All Together Belt from Mod Cloth will definitely live up to its name...

Leopard and cheetah prints are back for fall. Play with this trend by incorporating a skinny animal print belt with your LBD.

  Marina Rinaldi Leopard Print Skinny Belt at Saks

Belts are also an inexpensive and easy way to rock the latest trends without breaking the bank. Paired over a white boyfriend tee and jeans this military inspired belt looks great slung on the hips....

  WCM Military Inspired Belt at Bloomingdales

If we learned anything while researching for this blog post, it's to not be afraid of a belt. Like stripes, it may take a bit of trial and error when it comes to width, style, and location but they really are a very useful accessory when it comes to defining a waistline, drawing attention to a flattering part of your body, or adding a bit of oomph to an otherwise basic LBD.

Happy belt shopping ladies!!

Trend Tuesday - Denim Jackets

For a long time now, Monica has been a firm believer in the fashion power of the denim jacket! Dress it up, dress it down, no matter how you do it, a denim jacket is a classic staple accessory. We highly suggest that you have at least one, if not two in your wardrobe!!

You're probably wondering why we are even mentioning  jackets in the middle of summer. Currently it's a balmy 90 degrees in Tampa Bay and for most of us, the furthest thing on our minds are jackets! Well hear us out....while temps are skyrocketing outside, our favorite local restaurants, offices, and movie theatres are cranking down the air to keep us cool. Sometimes these places are downright frigid! So this is where our all time favorite accessory comes in! Keep it on hand to throw over any outfit. And since its denim it pretty much goes with everything from tank tops to maxi dresses.

It's also a perfect accessory to have on hand with so many of us traveling to escape the heat. FYI folks, San Fran evenings in the summer average 60 degrees, which for a lot of native Floridians is COLD! Even the mountains of North Carolina can drastically cool down in the evenings. So here are our suggestions on styles of denim jackets to tote around with you all summer long! The best part? They work in the fall and winter too!  

Nothing screams summer like the perfect white denim jacket. Do it right with this classic cropped Gap style...

Currently on sale at the Gap

We LOVE the rugged feel this ripped denim can add to a simple black dress!

From Vintage Havana

Julia Jones of one of summer's hottest movie, "Eclipse" wears an American classic Levi's denim jacket with a mini cocktail dress. What do we think about this?? Rock it girl! The jacket adds a little rock n roll edge...LOVE it!

Image from Denimology

Happy Summer Ladies!

Friday Frinds - Patriotic Goes With Everything

Some of the most famous words in American history go a little something like this....

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

And we think there is no better way to pursue happiness this 4th of July then by dressing your fashionable self in some classic and classy patriotic garb...but in moderation. There's patriotic and then there's something akin to rivaling the cheese factor of your grandmother's Christmas sweater collection...

We HIGHLY reccommend sticking to classic, all American prints and fabrics. Nothing screams classic summer like gingham or madras.

This cute little shift dress is so adorable in navy or red.

Olivia Shift Dress by J.Crew

Madras shorts are perfect for a backyard get together.

Theory Bennie Madras Plaid Mini Shorts at Saks

Don't be afraid of stripes this summer. They are so in and done correctly, they can be super flattering. Obviously try the item on before you purchase, but something simple like this wrap dress fits and flatters in all the right places...

Veronica M Striped Wrap Dress

Naut It Top from Mod Cloth

Add a punch of patriotic to your otherwise normal outift with fun accessories! Nautical accessories are so summery. All you need now is a boat to look stylin' on!

Proud Merry Pendant from Mod Cloth

Nautical Tote Bag from The Gap

Have a fabulous 4th Ladies! Remember your sparkling smile is the best accessory you can wear!! We will be closed Saturday July 3rd so stop in before then to get your last minute wardrobe fix!