If you always end up paying the minimum $50 fee for extra luggage, then you’ll love swim suits that can double as shirts for a poolside brunch. The best way to guarantee you don’t forget your suit is to incorporate it in your getaway wardrobe. Here are my top picks for bathing suits to prance around on land or sea:
Lulus.com, Mink Pink, $133
Shopbop.com, Lisa Marie Fernandez, $390
With the start of Mad Men’s Sixth Season, I’ve been inspired to highlight some very chic retro fashions. Just take a peek at Banana Republic’s annual collection featuring boxy shells, geometric print dresses, and gingham capris. Wrap a silk scarf around your head for a easy to manage mod do that keeps all pretty faces intriguing and protected from the sun.
The name might bring to mind the house arrest monitor made famous Martha Stewart, but these shoes have nothing to do with crime. The thick strap acts like an ankle bracelet and provides support so you don’t slip out of your heels. For the trendiest style look for a strap that is at least an inch thick and find the feature on heels and flat sandals. The strap should sprout from the very top of the shoe, if it’s lower it’s just a variation of a Mary Jane.
Heels:
Lulus.com- $26
Zara- $80
Vince Camuto- $118
Lamb, Zappos.com- $295
Sandals:
Nine West- $59
Blonde Amibition, Nordstrom, $140
Rachel Zoe, Piperlime.com- $235
The Kardashian’s love fashion– just google their enormous closets, the Dash boutique, and the KK line designed for Sear’s. Kim especially is recognized for her standout choices that hug all her curves and call for attention. It’s no surprise that pregnancy won’t stop her from wearing mustard leather, ruffled satin pants, and graphic black and white dresses all accompanied by high heels. While she should be able to enjoy this time without the fashion police butting in, her style is getting talked about because she hasn’t adjusted her wardrobe to her changing body. When you’re interviewed on late night TV and attending red carpet events you still want to wear expensive labels, and it’s hard to redefine your look for nine months. While shopping her closet and maintaining her sexy style allows her be a glamazon even with a baby on the way, the clothes are not as figure flattering as they could be if she wore real maternity wear. For celebrities it’s tricky because the world of designer maternity wear seems limited. Luckily, for those of us on a tighter budget, we can appreciate that maternity wear is sold all over, including H&M, Old Navy, Asos.com and Target. Below are three outfits that are comfortable and flatter your round tummy.
LOFT Dress $75/ Vince Camuto Handbag $228/ Kate Spade Earrings $48/ BaubleBar Bangle bracelet $36/ Lilly Pulitzer Kat Kitten Heel – Zappos.com $198
Liz Lange for Target Top $28 / LOFT Pants $65/ Old Navy Jacket $25/ Envy DSW Checkered shoes $50/ Nordstrom Cotton scarve $74/ ALDO Hat $25/ Express Sunglasses $18
A Pea in the Pod Shirt $135/ A Pea in the Pot Skirt $60/ Topshop Flats $48/ Anthropologie Pendant jewelry $48/Anthropologie Crystal hair accessory $18/ NARS Cosmetics
Another to add to the list of returning 90′s grunge pieces: the light denim dress. It comes in a faded wash and falls above the knee (thank goodness those awful maxi denim patchwork skirts didn’t make the cut). Look for it to be accented by snaps that may or may not be functional. Try it out in the fall with warm, slouchy socks and Doc Martens, and for spring wear it with a floral baseball cap and a braid.
H&M- $25
Topshop- $75
The newest trend right now isn’t a pair of booties, a dainty chain necklace, or even a colored satchel, it’s a box, or to include the one variant on the list, a package. Subscription boxes come just like magazines, once at the beginning of every month. They include an assortment of products that ship for a flat fee which frequently includes free shipping. Most of these are beauty boxes, but the market is starting to expand beyond makeup and body products to fashion and accessories. It began with Birchbox and now has the concept has soared. If you love surprises, then be sure to read on!
Birchbox: You get five customized premium beauty and grooming samples from popular brands, mostly those sold at Sephora
-$10/month + ability to earn points
A sample box might include- Beauty Blender sponge, Korres shower gel, Nail polish remover pads, Juicy Couture perfume sample, and Ghirardelli chocolate
Pro- A selection that is tailored to your appearance and your beauty preferences. They also sell a kit for men!
Con- The box is only stuffed with samples, so it’s more of a chance to test what products you might be interested in rather than an opportunity to get something that will last for 6+ months.
POPSUGAR Must Have Box: Get beauty, fashion, and home items that are favorites of the POPSUGAR team
-$35/month, worth over $100
Last month’s box included- Revlon lip stain, Hanky Panky thong, Brokedown wrap, Connoisseurs jewelry cleaner
, Safe Haven book, MarieBelle New York’s Trésor Box, and Conversation Hearts candy,
Pro- Definitely sounds like it’s worth the money, and everything is selected by editors who have tested tons of loot.
Con- Although there was a theme to the February box, you don’t really know what to expect. It’s a big motley package of girlie products.
The List gift bag by I-Ella: Submit a style profile and then choose from one of three levels. It’s hard to say exactly what you’ll get, but I think the lower end ones include makeup and jewelry while the two more expensive sets have clothing and accessories. With all bags you will get 3-5 items and 1-2 of them will have a designer label.
-Must subscribe for 3 or 6 months, $59/month, $129/month, $389/month, worth almost double the price
A sample Soho box might include-The Entrepreneur Equation book, Sam + Lavi blouse, and Elena Rubin Carpe Diem lotion
Pro- It’s fun and will make make you very excited to check the mail. They sell it using the pitch that it’s like getting a mysterious swag bag at a fancy fashion party.
Con- It is clearly very pricey.
Ipsy: Created by makeup artist, Michelle Phan, famous for her blog with loaded with tutorials, this also includes samples and occasionally full sized makeup, hair, and body products from less familiar brands. The box looks nice, but it hardly differs from Birchbox.
-$10/month
A past box included- A makeup bag, Coastal Scents eye shadow palette, Mirenesse lipgloss, Bombshell mascara, Pequi oil treatment, and a Circus nail polish
Pro- Includes full sized as well as sample sized products. They are also open with what comes in the box. Members can review what they received and view past and even current arrivals. Best of all, the site operates like a social media platform where you can access awesome video tips and how-tos from other users.
Con- Seems awfully similar to what the ladies at Birchbox started but with a slight twist.
Sample Society- Beauty Bar and Allure have teamed up to create another box of deluxe samples. Each month you get sent five samples and a mini beauty magazine. You may get makeup, skincare, and/or hair products, and it seems most boxes come with more body and skincare products than makeup.
-$15/month with the chance to save money on a full sized item, it seems the value really ranges but is often 3x the price paid
A sample box may contain- Oscar Blandi mousse, Exude lipstick, Herbal Essentials towelettes, Lord and Berry eye pencil, and Borghese body lotion,
Pro- The brands are really pricey so even with sample sizes you get your money’s worth.
Con- Maybe it’s just me but it seems the contents aren’t that useful. I own a handful of eye liners and don’t need fancy body schmears or eye cream…even if it’s infused with caviar.
Glossybox- Another service that allows the you to share your preferences and promises that you will be satisfied with the careful arrangement of five samples to suit your fancy.
-$21/month
A previous box included- Tarte Glamazon Lipstick, OPI Sand Nail Lacquer, Sebastian Professional Potion No. 9, Narcisco Rodriquez Eau de Toilette, and Prime Style Extender
Pro- They reveal the products after they have been sent out so it makes it easier for you to decide whether or not you want to continue the service. Last month they had the blogger of the Man Repeller compile her favorites for a special box.
Con- At $20/21 (depending on how many months you choose) it’s a little steeper in price than some of the other deluxe sample sites.
I would love to hear your opinions and reviews on any of these boxes!
*Picture from Birchbox
Some women are shoe people, others have an affinity for cocktails rings. Me? I’m tempted by dresses and sleepwear. That’s why I couldn’t keep my eyes off of the cute products from Luva Huva. Joanna Ketterer is the designer behind Luva Huva, a lingerie and lounge-wear shop on Etsy. She sells a sweet and simple selection of undergarments, chemises and other comfy items to hang around in. The brand is different from its competitors because of the environmentally ethical fabrics used such as, organic cotton, bamboo, soy and hemp. I was confident I would like what I received when I saw the 100% approval rating from 115 customers! Joanna sent me an pair of classic white “knickers” (the products are made in the UK) with gathered elastic which makes ruffled edges topped with a pretty blue bow in front. (The middle pair in the top left picture.) The underwear may seem expensive, ($25 for the basic pair) but shipping anywhere in the world is free over $40, not to mention the high quality materials which feel a lot softer than the stiff glittery ones sold by PINK. Even though Valentine’s Day is over, the box set is the perfect anytime gift for a friend. They fit true to size and feel great! These are my picks:
Slip and panty set- $98
Japonica Short- $29
Nightgown- $69
Best coats: Burberry Prorsum
Best colors: Matthew Williamson
Best prints: Holly Fulton
Best work attire: Antonio Berardi
A huge selling point for an article of clothing is versatility. If you can wear it more than one way, people are interested. It means they can maximize their style without expanding the budget. For example, a chambray snap down can be worn by itself or with layers, dressed up or down, and you can adjust the sleeves and tie the bottom. But often pieces are special because you can only wear them on certain occasions or during a specific time of year. Here are some spring/summer pieces that will boost your homemade cutoff shorts. You might like these accessories so much that you find yourself wearing them every sun shinin’ day.
Made in the Shade Necklace, shopgracieb.com, $19
Flower Crown Headwrap, Urban Outfitters, $20
4/4S Phone Case, Free People, $28
Tie Dye Scarf, PacSun, Kirra, $15
Popsicle Candy Earrings, Betsey Johnson, $45
Spring may be the rainiest season, but the sum of showers plus sunshine equals beautiful rainbows. While we say farewell to the long, dark days of winter, nature greets us with optimistic splashes of color seen in blooming plants and flowers and the plumes of birds. The best way to express our appreciation is to echo the view with our clothing. Pantone, the authority on color, gives us the titles of spring’s hottest hues. This year ten specialty colors were selected, all of them are reminders of the warm days ahead. Here are my picks for great wardrobe additions based on the chosen palette:
Nectarine- Dress, Motel Rocks, $90 |
Lemon Zest- Purse, Piperlime, Milly, $198 |
A frican Violet- Jeans, Bloomingdales, Rag and Bone, $185 |
 Tender Shoots- Dress, Victoria’s Secret, $88 |
Monaco Blue- Dress, Bebe, $149 |
Linen- Shirt, Guess, $79 |
 Poppy- Skirt, Lulu’s, $33 |
Emerald- Sweater, Ann Taylor, $50 |
 Grayed Jade- Clutch, Shoptiques.com, Pampa & Pop, $107 |
Dusk Blue- Dress, Modcloth.com, $100 |
Still looking for the perfect Valentine’s day outfit? Check out what Motel Rocks has to offer, here are three reasons why I’m loving Motel Rocks right now! Hint: Valentine’s Day apparel is number two!
1. You can get 15% off with the discount code “fashionscoop.”
2. They have tons of spirited apparel
Tights, Pamela Mann- $18, Dress- $60, Romper- $100
3. There is a contest right now to win 10,000 pounds to Motel Rocks! I know that’s British currency, but I believe it is open internationally. It ends on February 18th, so be sure to enter before then! Click here to enter now on Facebook.
*Pictures from Motel Rocks
Just like the pairing of wine and cheese, lipstick is better as part of a duo. The color you paint your lips looks smarter when you complement it with the right outfit. Here are five dresses for Valentine’s Day, coupled up with their lipstick mate. You will definitely seal the night with a passionate kiss in any of these styles.
1. Piperlime, Pim + Larkin- $90, Sephora, Korres “Natural Pink 13″- $18
2. Modcloth, $80, Sephora, Makeup Forever “Red”- $19
3. TheOutnet.com, Thakoon- $275, Sephora, Bite “Apple Red”- $24
4. RicketyRack.com- $120, Sephora, K Von D “Backstage Bambi”- $19
5. Windsor- $34, Sephora, Nars “Honolulu Honey”- $26
If none of these colors suit your fancy check out selection at StudioGearCosmetics.com and score 10% off with discount code- FSB13
I’m always looking for new, inexpensive places to shop, so I was grateful when I found Soie Shop, an online retailer that sells dresses and tops with low price tags and a healthy sprinkling of sparkles. I was lucky enough to receive two products from the company, a dress and a top.
I ordered the Studded Hardware Blouse.The shirt was better than I had imagined! Online it was hard to tell what material it was because the picture made it look thin and gauzy. In real life, it’s sheer (the fabric you would expect) with pretty gold and silver studs on the collar. It has hidden buttons and a sleeve button so it can be rolled up. It comes in a magenta, blue, or black, and I decided to go with black because I can literally wear it with everything! My only complaint is that its static material attracts hair and fuzz. Be sure to travel with a lint-roller! The shirt fits true to size and is intentionally longer in the back. 
The other item, the sequin embellished day dress, is beige and luckily it doesn’t wash me out, even with my pale skin. It has two colored stripes on the bottom and the quarter top is embellished with hologram sequins. They look nice but they are bright so it’s crucial that you like shine if you consider buying this dress. The middle is cinched with a simple matching tie. Although it is light, it has an attached slip which is thick enough that you can’t see any undergarments. A huge plus since I have so many summer dresses that are a tad too transparent. In the back, the spaghetti straps are closer together and create a racerback shape instead of the subtle v in the front. This 
dress would be great for a summer picnic, yet it is still fancy enough for an indoor party.
Love what you see? From now until Valentine’s Day you can get 30% off! Free shipping is available with any purchase over $50. Below are more of my favorites. Which is yours?
These are my other picks:
Meshing Around Sequin Top- $23
Chiffon Dress- $28
Maybe you made a resolution for 2013 to volunteer more or be a kinder toward strangers but there is no harm in indulging in some style naughtiness. Garters were introduced as something used to keep thigh-high stockings up, but they evolved into a tantalizing undergarment accoutrement worn by old-fashion seductresses. Recently, we’ve encountered two nuanced ways to wear the style. Mock garters straps attach to “winter hotpants” aka cut-out leggings that connect the portion at your thigh to the rest of the material with a buckle or a thin strip of fabric. The more modest way is to get tights that have an line as a garter illusion. These are my picks
Velvet Leggings- Widow, Karmaloop.com- $57
Pleather Leggings- ShopAkira.com- $25
Jersey Leggings- luisaviaroma.com- $148
Tights- Pretty Polly, Nordstrom, $25
In the world of Elie Saab, magic comes from anticipated objects used to define beauty, flowers, lace, and sparkles, not latent and ironic details like in Prada’s creations. That’s why it is always interesting to see him design something more practical and well…professional. He truly delivered last week when he revealed a collection featuring flattering cuts, solid colors, and feminine details for pant suits, office dress, and gowns. Long coats were balanced with shorter flippy skirts, knee-length dresses were offset with peplum ruffles and he countered professional pant suits with matching purses and sheer blouses. Everything had a womanly touch but these somewhat subdued looks showed a more realistic approach to looking pretty. Most outfits were completely monochromatic except for a gold accessory or two, including a waist-cinching belt which was worn with half the collection pieces. The single but dramatic color (red, cobalt blue, teal, grayish periwinkle, gray, white, and black) allowed there to be more attention given to the frame and fabric. An office filled with confident women dressed in Elie Saab’s collection is likely what Beyonce envisioned when she wrote “Run The World (Girls).” The other half of the collection is evening wear, gowns that hit past the toe and which either hugged the whole body or hung looser as caftans with bell sleeves. Even though his designs stand out, he didn’t neglect all the popular trends that other designers doted on, sheer skirts, fur coats, and a high slit. The most adventurous outfit is look 27. It is a white bodysuit with a floor length cape that swings on her shoulder like a hooked aisle runner. The white is too stark and crisp to appear ethereal; this is the leader of the office who wears her jewels on a clutch instead of a crown.
