Trend Alert: The Classic Clutch

Every season the powers that be proclaim the "it" handbag of the season.  While all of the fashionista's bury themselves in debt trying to keep up with all of the latest proclamation, the rest of us search around for the perfect lower priced version. The never ending cycle of the fashion world... exhausting!

For this exact reason, there was a collective sigh of relief when the news started to spread late this winter that the clutch was the bag to have this spring.  Why, do you ask?  Well, for starters, the clutch is something that I would say 99% of us already own.  Plus, if you would like to add a new a clutch to your collection, you won't break the bank - great clutches are sold at every price point.  Last, but not least, the clutch has some serious staying power.  This is a classic style of handbag. It is not going anywhere... ever.

With that being said, the amount you use a clutch is based on your lifestyle.  If you are just a nighttime user of the bag, you probably don't need too many... black, animal and/or python print, a metallic, possibly a color, and a summer version (i.e. straw or cork).  If you are a daytime and nighttime user, you might need a larger variety of styles... oversize, small, structured, etc. in a well-chosen assortment of colors and prints.

Now, that you are going to be noticing clutches everywhere you go for the next few days, I want to introduce you to Claire Vivier.  She is a French handbag designer who lives in LA.  She started her handbag line due to the fact that she couldn't find functional laptop cases that were also stylish.  Now, she has a fabulous line of handbags that are bold yet clean and classic.  They are well-crafted, but still affordable.  In other words, a must have this spring!

Just to give you an idea of why I love Claire Vivier so much, here are a few fab images I found online...

For a full assortment of colors and styles, you must check out the Claire Vivier website.  You won't be sorry, promise!

                                                                                                                      - Allison

*Photos courtesy of seevivier.com, paloma81.blogspot.com, pinterest.com.

Trend Alert: The Earring Makes a Comeback

It's Friday.  You have a hot date tonight with your hubby, Mr. Right (maybe?!) or just a great group of friends.  Whatever your plans, I bet you are all wondering the same thing... "What am I going to wear?".  The most annoying part - you have no time to scour the stores today for that something special.  What is a girl to do?

Well, jumping back to the Neiman Marcus Spring Trend List, Statement Earrings are making a big splash this season.  It is the perfect (and easy) way to spice up any old ensemble.  With the focus having been on the necklace and cuffs, you forget how much a great pair of earrings can change your look and brighten your face.  The other bonus, you probably have an old pair of very cool earrings tucked away in the recesses of your jewelry box.  Pull those out and... voilà!  If not, stop by your favorite store and run straight to the jewelry department.  Grab the first pair that catches your eye.  A very quick shopping trip indeed!

What I love best about the statement earring is the fact that it can change your entire appearance in an instant.  Pull your hair back (to maximize the effect) and add a simple dress or your favorite jeans. I perused the internet quickly to find some fab examples, and was overwhelmed with the amount of cool earrings out there.  I did notice that Nordstrom has an excellent selection at various price points.  Anywho, here are some of my favorites...


I love these Yochi Earrings.  They have a cool art-deco feel, are elegant, clip-on and $60.  You can't beat that!  Plus they would look fantastic with sleek dress or blouse.

These Kate Spade 'park guell' Earrings are a fun choice for any occasion.  In the color of the season, they will brighten up any look.  I especially like the idea of wearing them with a all white.  I might add a pop of red as well...

I can't resist adding some Alexis Bittar.  A bit more of an investment, but so worth it.  These 'Desert Dust' Leaf Earrings are beautiful.  I would wear them with everything.

These Alexis Bittar Coral Chandelier earrings are just as cool.  All you would need is a ribbed tank, jeans and heels.

Finally, the Ippolita Riviera Sky Chandelier Earrings are breathtaking.  No words.

Super easy solutions are at your fingertips.  Stop stressing and enjoy your night out.  Cheers!

                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                          - Allison

*Photos courtesy of maxandchloe.com, nordstrom.com and neimanmarcus.com.

Outfit Idea: Mixing Textures

Sunny, 60 degree weather is wonderful and very refreshing.  I absolutely love spending time outside whether it is at the playground, driving with the windows down (reliving high school days when I could drive aimlessly for hours listening to my mixes - on cassette tapes!) or attempting to garden.  The only thing holding me back from completely enjoying these days is my inability to strike a balance between overdressing (i.e. wearing my puffy coat) and underdressing (i.e. wearing flipflops and a dress).

Yes, I could wear skinny jeans, ballet flats, a sweater and a light jacket of sorts.  Within a week, though, I tend to develop a blasé attitude towards my "go to" ensemble.  You know the feeling you get at about the 7th month of pregnancy... when you are so tired of wearing the same thing everyday!  My golden rule is that I must mix things up at least a 2-3 times per week in order to keep my sanity. 

I had the perfect opportunity to experiment over the weekend.  I was headed out to run errands for Easter (at the last minute, of course!) by myself.  No girls, just me, my iPod and a beautiful day.  Naturally I felt like getting dressed up more than I usually do.  I headed straight for my skirts and couldn't find a thing to wear.  Some things were to summery, others to wintery, or I didn't have the right shoes to pull off the outfit that I wanted to wear... ugh!

Then it dawned on me like a flash of lightning... mixing textures would be the perfect solution.  I grabbed a crocheted lace skirt from Club Monaco - a birthday present from my hubby!

Beckett Lace Skirt

I topped the skirt with a white ribbed tank and my angora blend sweatshirt style sweater (Club Monaco).

My really old and comfy riding boots were my footwear of choice for a day of running around.

I love my trusty Coach satchel... you can wear it cross-body.  A perfect hands-free bag.

And, voilà!  I was ready to hit the stores.  Comfy, cute and a little different...

                                                                                                                          - Allison

*Photo courtesy of clubmonaco.com.

Trend Alert: Orange Crush

A funny thing happened this week as I was doing some exploratory work for a friend... I happened upon a fabulous shoe trend quite by accident.  I was searching for the perfect pair orange heels (not as difficult as I thought) and came to find out that there are some gorgeous orange shoes out there!  While orange alone is fun, the color combination of choice seems to be a nude(ish) shoe with a touch of orange.  This hint of orange is just enough to keep the shoe interesting, but not enough to scare away anyone who isn't a bold color enthusiast.

There are so many fun things about this color combo that I love... first, nude with a pop of orange is a breath of fresh air. Two, a pair of these would be a great replacement for your standby leopard print or  snake print shoes.  And, three, for you neutral lovers, a pair of these shoes are a great way to shake things up this spring.  Another great point, you can find this color combo in a going to the playground, going out, or going to work shoe... you take your pick.  Therefore, there is a pair for everyone.

I found a bunch of shoes that I liked, but here are a few of my favorites...

The Simona Sandal from Reiss.  Wouldn't these be lovely with a flowing skirt on a sunny summer afternoon...

Not much to say about the Stella McCartney Snake-Print sandals... a flat version of my most favorite sandal... ever!  I'll take a pair to wear with everything.

These Twelfth St by Cynthia Vincent are perfect for a casual chic look day or night.

Reed Krakoff will never steer you wrong.  The Two-Tone Leather Sandals are edgy, but the soft orange keeps the shoe very wearable... to work or a party.

The icing on the cake, the Stella McCartney Snake-Print Sandal.  Nude, a pop of neon orange and snake print... there are no words.

The hardest part, which will be the best fit for your wardrobe?!

                                                                                                            - Allison

*Photos courtesy of netaporter.com, saksfifthavenue.com and lordandtaylor.com.

Trend Alert: Feeling Fancy?!

For all of you ladies out there who would like to add a touch of whimsy to your spring ensembles, I have the perfect trend for you.  Fondly referred to as "Fancy Pants" by Ken Downing and Kareen Mallet, this trend is all about (you guessed it!) patterned pants.  P.S. I am including pants in bold colors in this category as well.

Not too long ago (maybe longer than I would like to admit), I remember my warm weather pant options being limited to cropped (ankle length was not available) light khaki, dark khaki, black and white.  If I wanted to go with the cargo look, I could find an olive, fatigue print and possibly navy.  That was it.  Boldly colored or patterned pants did not exist, and if they did, I can guarantee that you would probably get some crazy looks for wearing them.  I feel like I may have owned a pale pink pair at one point or another... I was such a risk taker!

Anywho, wearing "Fancy Pants" is a great way to change up your look without making to large of an investment.  You can play it safe with a solid bold color such as green, blue or pink, or jump in feet first and purchase a floral, animal print or other fun patterned pair.

Sticking to solids?  This is the perfect opportunity to colorblock, play with fun shoes or a patterned top.  A blazer or denim jacket/vest/shirt is a great way to tone down the look if you are tad nervous about the bold color.  Another option is to go for a monochromatic look.  The key for this to be successful is mixing shades of the same color or varying the textures of the pieces in the look (cableknit sweater, silk pants, etc).  If not, the look might fall flat.

Dress up a sporty pair of pants for a fun and playful look.

ADAM SS 12

Pair a neutral top with a silky pair... keeping it cool and casual.

Tibi SS 12

Subtle patterns give the sense of a solid or more neutral piece.  More importantly, this look is a great example of mixing textures in a monochromatic look.

Tory Burch SS 12

Jumping right into a patterned pair?  Next, comes the question - what do I wear with them?  

Well, since mixing patterns has become such a giant trend, the answer is... anything goes!  However, if you want to come off looking polished vs looking like you got dressed in the dark, stick to these guidelines..

1.  Keep your top solid and simple.  Stick to neutral (white, khaki, grey, navy, black) no-fuss tees or blouses.

2.  Adding a blazer or denim jacket is a great way to tone the pattern down.

3.  A textured top (cableknits, tweeds, lace, etc) is a great way to keep things exciting.

3.  When mixing patterns, remember...

                - there must be one common color between patterns

                - one pattern should be on a smaller scale than the other

                - a great way to mix is by mixing a more structured pattern with a more fluid print

5.  If you decide to wear one print head-to-toe, it is best if it is broken up by a belt, peplum or some other accent.

Bold floral and simple top... fun, but polished.

Peter Som SS 12

Keeping a butterfly print chic with a blazer.

                                                                              

Erin by Erin Fetherston SS12

Mixing geometric with a fluid print... it will get you noticed, but still pleasing to the eye.

Milly SS 12

Breaking up a head-to-toe print with fringe... it works.

Jil Sander SS12

A pic of my fancy pants.  I love to break wear them with solids and color, but I am thinking about mixing some patterns soon... 

                                                                                                        

                                                                                                                    - Allison

*Photos courtesy of nymag.com.

Trend Alert: Think Pink

It's time to tackle the second trend on "The List", and this week it is all about pink.  Pink is such a happy, feminine color and there is a shade that looks great on everyone.  I have found a fantastic way to describe wearing pink... through the eyes of little girls.  Just imagine there is no other color that you would rather wear...

I was watching my youngest (almost 4) pick out her clothes this morning, and I started to laugh.  She picked out a dress in a pink & white pattern.  She reached for a darker pink sweater to wear over it, an even darker poofy pink headband and her shoe of choice were her sparkly pink "twinkle toe" sneakers.  Surprisingly enough, she looked really cute.  That is when I had a thought...

Pink looks great in many different ways.  You may or may not be a "pink person", but either way a touch of pink is a must this season.  You might just want to wear a pink lip this spring, or a pink nail polish might be all you can handle.  Or, you can accent your outfit with a pink clutch, belt or a really cute pair of pink pumps.  Remember your colorblocking?  These would be great ideas if you already own a lot of orange, red, purple or yellow.  If you do love pink, layer it on.  Vary the shades or mix patterns, either way, this is the season to "think pink"!

Scroll through some fab spring runway looks for more inspiration...

Pink is always ladylike.

Alexander McQueen

 Toughen pink up with black accessories.

Jason Wu

Pink can be playful.

Badgley Mischka

 Pink looks great in sequins and accented with other bright colors.

J. Crew

Pink is perfect as an accent.

Badgley Mischka

Pink can be sleek and sexy.

Issa

What is your ideal way to wear pink?

                                                                                                                   - Allison                     

*Photos courtesy of style.com.

Trend Alert: Sunny Days Ahead

It is time to tackle the spring trends.  Last week I presented you with "The List" courtesy of Kareen Mallet and Neiman Marcus.  Today I want to address the first item on this list... Yellow: the new neutral.

First, this doesn't mean that you should head straight to the store and purchase a new yellow wardrobe.  Rather, think about adding a key piece this season in yellow.  Depending on how fond you are of this hue, it could be a clutch, heels, a jacket, skinny pants or even a dress.  If you are a bit more hesitant, a pair of earrings, a clutch or even a belt is a perfect way to start adding this color du jour to your ensemble.

Next step, wear it with everything.  Yellow is one of those colors that really does look great with just about every shade out there.  To give your look a modern feel use yellow as accent with khaki, pair with it olive, grey or teal or soften your favorite black biker look with a touch of yellow.

And, for a visual aid, scroll through for more ideas on using yellow this spring.

A golden topper, bag and shoes at Mulberry.

Toughening up a yellow dress at Burberry Prorsum.

Head-to-toe sunshine from Isabel Marant.

 A yellow bag from Phillip Lim.

 Accented with yellow from Vera Wang.

A few street style looks... this one I like, but I would have made it a more rugged look with the camel coat and brown belt.  Maybe add the Madewell Old Town Boots...

I like the idea of creating an edgy look when combining yellow & black.

A perfect way to add a touch of yellow.

Now it's time for you to add a touch of sunshine to your life... 

                                                                                                                                - Allison

       

*Photos courtesy of nymag.com and internationalstreetstyle.com.

One Tough Sandal

I am head over heels for these ah-mah-zing Alexander Wang sandals!  I can't quite explain why I love these sandals so much... Is it the neutral colorblock with a touch of blue?  Is it a nod to the sportif look that is so popular this spring?  Or, is it just the fact that Alexander Wang created a very cool and different looking shoe?

The possibilities for this shoe far outweigh the price.  I love the idea of wearing these sandals with chic little shift (my LWD would be perfect!), ankle length pants, a cute pair of shorts or boyfriend jeans.  First up, I must pair these with a longer length silk dress.  The toughness of the sandal is the perfect complement to a delicate silk skirt.  Chloe High Heel Sandal, how I love thee... sigh.

*Photos courtesy of shopbop.com.

                                                                                                                              - Allison

Spring Trends Made Easy

There are many reasons why I love Neiman Marcus.  Most obvious - the fabulous fashion and accessories (that I wish I could purchase!).  Another reason might have to do with winning the Rachel Zoe contest last summer... it was such a wonderful/memorable/fabulous experience!  The respect given to the blogging community is also another feather in the NM cap.  Along with their own fab blog NMdaily, of which I am now a contributor!

All of these reasons aside, NM does a great job taking a stand on the trends each season.  Courtesy of Ken Downing and his team, NM provides us with the most important trends in a simplified and straightforward manner.  These trends are then used as an outline all season.  You will find them on their website, in the NM Look Book and most importantly in the store.  Think of it as "Fashion Trends for Dummies"... genius!

If you happen to live close to a store, the trends are presented each season with informal modeling... a great way to bring it all to life.  One of the bonuses of living close to Manhattan is that the NJ stores get a visit from Kareen Mallet each season.  Kareen is the Senior Ready-To-Wear Women's Fashion Director of NM and Bergdorf's... sounds like a dream job, right?!

Well, last week she visited the Paramus store.  The outline for the presentation was as follows:

1. Yellow: The New Neutral 
2. Pinks 
3. Fancy Pants 
4. The Dramatic Earring 
5. The Clutch 
6. Silver Shoes 
7. Prints 
8. Tribal 
9. Sports Influence 
10. The Spring Face 

I promise to go into more detail on this list in the following weeks.  For now, use this as a guide when you begin to add new pieces to your wardrobe this season.  Not only for everyday ensembles, but also for formal wear.  This list actually ties in to my gown presentation that I did for the Short Hills store.  Once you have a good understanding of "the List", apply it every time you get dressed.  Try to add an element of color, accessorize with silver instead of gold or possibly start mixing a couple of prints to create a fab new look.


A big Thank You to Neiman's to help making it much easier to be fashionable this season!


                                                                                                                            - Allison

It's time to take the plunge... Animal Prints Abound!

I still remember buying my first pair of leopard print pumps.  It was right after my oldest daughter was born.  I was so tired of wearing the same clothes for months.  Even worse, I still couldn't fit into any of my pre-pregnancy favorites, so having a fun pump was the perfect accessory to freshen up my very tired wardrobe.  Since then, there has been no going back.  Leopard/cheetah print has now found its way into my closet in many various forms... pumps, flats, belts, scarves and even booties.  The only thing that I have yet to purchase in animal print is clothing... until now!

The leopard/cheetah print has become such a staple lately, that it is really considered a new neutral.  The next time you do some window shopping take a look... animal prints mixed with brights, florals, stripes, polka dots, you name it!  And, yes, my latest obsession has been revealed.  I can't seem to help myself, I am drawn to those darn spots... it is becoming quite a problem.  I have recently added a leopard print maxi cardigan, shift dress and a pair of skinny cropped pants.  Since my wardrobe is primarily solid, this has been a great way to mix it up.  I actually am quite surprised by all of the fun things you can do with this "wild" print.

To illustrate my point, you have to see Tibi's latest arrivals.  This Pre-Spring collection is made up of a fab cheetah print, navy & white stripes, and a navy & white polka dot pattern - a mix & match dream come true!  If I could buy all of this, I would.  Until then, I will dream...

Let me introduce you to the perfect cheetah print...

Picture the possibilities with this print.  You could be trendsetter, a streetsyle dream or super chic... you choose based on your mood.  An easy pairing for a trendsetter type look is a black or white top and bold flats or pumps.  This is easily one of my favorite looks!  I am loving the bright blue right now... it just seems really fresh.  Keep in mind any other bright color will look great red, pink, green...

These Jimmy Choo's or the Pour La Victoire flats would be perfect!

To get you noticed for you streetsyle, pair these pieces with a bright sweater - a great kick-around look for a carefree day.  I absolutely love the Tippi Sweater at J.Crew.  It is affordable, comes in a variety of colors and can be worn with anything.  A splurge-worthy sweater is the Cashmere Isabel Sweatshirt.  It would look great with anything, even over a shift.  Keep the shoes neutral, or pair with a color blocked sandal to really shake things up!

Then there is the more refined, ladylike approach to wearing the animal print... blazers, blouses, maybe a touch of sequins.  This look could be worn to the office, out to dinner or to an event.  I rocked this look last week... let's call it a "vintage" jacket, a black sequin tank, my cheetah print pants and pointy toe black patent pumps.  I loved it!  I felt chic and looked pretty darn good too!  Once again from J.Crew (sorry, I can't help myself), we have the Jubilee Jacket, the Hacking Jacket, the Talitha Blouse and the Sequin Cami. 

The most important thing to remember with the animal prints is to keep it simple.  Add color, add jewelry but just don't go overboard.  Pick and choose.  The color freshens up the look and keeps it fun, while the more neutral colors... classic black, ivory and white add a certain sophistication to the look.  Just relish the endless opportunities the animal print gives you!

Just hangin' with the Housewives... no big deal. :)

                                          - Allison

*Photos courtesy of tibi.com, jimmychoo.com, shopbop.com and jcrew.com.