Lace Takes A Walk On The Wild Side
January 8, 2010
Lace can be such a delicate and dainty material that gives you a feminine attitude in your style. But then there’s the other side of lace’s personality: the wild one!
With a pair of patterned stirrups tights like the ones pictured above, the word that comes to mind is FIERCE. There is an animal print quality in this pattern that when combined with the texture of lace is absolutely stunning. There’s nothing dainty about this lace, it’s all about the bold killer style approach.
This particular pair is from designer MELISSA found on YESSTYLE.com and is the perfect element for creating a daring look. This is style that stands out from far away, absolutely lovely.
I’ve been getting into leggings and tights more than ever before since I’ve discovered so many interesting and unique styles. I think it is great how a strong design on the legs makes your existing shoe and dress collection take a whole new dimension. Everything is new again, and always exciting.
If you are looking for more creative styles to expand your closet with, do a search for “leggings” within YESSTYLE’s site and I think you will find some fun ideas and inspirations. A walk on the wild side never felt so fabulous!
Rodarte + Target: Lace In Love
January 7, 2010
The ever so lovely and fabulous designs of RODARTE have made an appearance as TARGET’s latest designer collection, and I think this one has been the best so far. The designs created for this collection truly feel as though they are a part of the main collection, looking rich and elegant.
Delicate fabrics with lots of beautiful texture in brilliant colors look as though they could melt in your arms, some being bright and bold and others being soft and light. The mixtures of lace, sheer designs, and ribbons galore create a feminine look truly worthy of the runway.
I was fortunate enough to find two looks available in my size. One of which I will share with you here now, and the other as soon as it warms up enough for me to enjoy wearing it (but I’ll give you a sneak peak at the end of this post).
This is a beautiful and classic black dress from RODARTE for TARGET:
Look at that beautiful lace on such a classic feminine design. The bow adds shine and brings the collar together in a very pretty manner. This dress is perfect. I love it!
I don’t know if the pictures show it enough, but the skirt portion of the dress has a great amount of volume that just subtly flairs out adding more texture and a more pronounced silhouette.
I’ve wanted to wear the dress out since I left the store, but where to go in such a beautiful design? I like to make my own occasions, so I decided I would get all dressed up for… dun dun dun, an afternoon out with burgers, coffee, and cigars! Ha ha ha, I love dressing up for the simple occasions in life. Somehow a burger is much more fun when you’re wearing RODARTE. It was a nom nom combination.
If you haven’t hit your local TARGET yet, I would highly recommend going soon if it isn’t already too late. These designer collections disappear quickly, and once they are gone that’s it.
Oh, and here is a super sneak peak of my other find! I’ll just give you the color and texture of it for now 
I ♥ Lace: A Fashion Obsession, Part II
December 27, 2009
The beauty of lace is that there are so many ways to wear it: from accessories like hair decorations, gloves, purses and scarves to dresses and tights making an outfit truly stand out.
In my last lace obsessed post I was playing with the idea of lace tights to add more texture and style to your fashion. With the winter trend of thigh high boots, patten tights fit just right in creating a bold and sexy style.
Black is classic and elegant and works lovely with winter’s charm. Later on in the spring nude and white lace may add a soft but playful factor for us to look forward to. But back to the season at hand and how we can have fun with our style.
I have been experimenting with lace quite a lot lately- and not just how it can redesign shoes. Take for instance using lace as a layer and foundation for your existing wardrobe. A long sleeve laced top goes a long way when worn under the right dress or tank top. It is the perfect selection for updating your entire wardrobe, giving old pieces a new feel in an instant. If you want to take lace even further then consider a piece such as this lucky find: A Lace Trim Jumpsuit from TIAN MU.
What I like about this selection is that not only is it one-of-a-kind, it is also all once piece. Well, one piece save for the black tube top underneath. If you have a unique tank top you can play with the lines of the design even more. But this once piece with the casual shorts and lace collar, front, and sleeves creates a simple look that is not to be ignored.
Because it is a single piece it leaves plenty of room for accessories- from vests to belts to playful jewelry pieces. I like the outfit on its own honestly, but I also look forward to reinventing the look over and over again. I’ve been thinking of playing with belts, skinny to “wow” factor big, and different undergarments first. Maybe even a colorful long sleeve top underneath to add a new flair. There’s plenty of ideas available and this very unique outfit will have a different feel each time I wear it because of all these options.
TIAN MU has lots of other great styles which have caught my eye, many of them playing with lace in different ways, too. From baby doll dresses to leggings, there’s lots of great ideas and inspirations to be found.
Click Here to view more from Tian Mu and find some fashion inspirations (or obsessions!) of your own.
Style Obsession: Boots, Lace, and Bows
December 12, 2009
My latest obsession with boots, lace, and bows comes from my interest (and now inspiration) in thigh high boots. Buckles, lace, ribbon, lace, and leather- I’m all in for it! I love a stylish dream come to life.
For instance, look at the boots at the beginning of this entry. A wow-factor up and beyond; I love it. These boots are from FOXCiTY and are available on yesstyle.com. Unfortunately for me they are no longer available in my size, but this may be a turn of luck for you if you want a pair for yourself: view the FOXCiTY boot details here.
And so lately I’ve been exploring other options for my thigh high boot needs, such as a pair of stylish leggings paired with a unique strappy boot like I did here. But right now my latest obsession is with lace. Everywhere, anyway I can wear it. I’ll show you more examples soon of what I mean by everywhere, right now I can show you the one I’ve been wearing the most: lace tights.
I adore what tights do for an outfit, not to mention the shoes. With a great pattern like this, an outfit takes on a whole new feel. Something that thigh high boots bring to style is texture, and with lace you get that in an instant.
These tights in particular have a nice floral pattern that I think mixes in nicely, keeping it feminine but definitely very bold.
From the lace of a pair of boots, the ribbon wrapping them, to the many options of lace- I am enjoying this fashion season!
And this is only a preview into the lace obsession- details are on the way
Bigger Bows For An Adorable Updo
November 13, 2009
When it comes to accessories I love items that are bigger than life. Oversized sunglasses, handbags (to a certain limit of course), watches, rings, and bows. Something about the contrast appeals to me, and I love a challenge when incorporating them into my wardrobe.
The instant I saw this bow I knew it was mine- how I would wear it I did not know.
So this morning when I was putting my hair into a side swept updo, something felt missing. There was a bit more space than I had intended on having, and the updo seemed to tight and clean. Not neccessarily a bad thing, just not the look I was going for. Enter the bow. What a perfect finish- it is whimsical, adorable, black and elegant. The cute factor with the heart, designs, and enormous size fit in perfectly. I love it.
One side is very smooth and clear while the other is a collection of soft textures wraped in place by the giant bow. The silhouette it creates is a unique one with lots of character. I love the angles and feminine cute feel that comes from it.
It’s hard not to feel adorable when you have a bow this big in your hair. Even though one side is light and clear and the other is heavy and textured, the balance remains as each side gives a glimpse into the other. It plays of each other just right creating a uniformed look.
I think I’ll be incorporating this ridiculously large bow into more of my updos, giving elegance a playful and cute twist.
How Do You Wear Your Stripes?
November 3, 2009
Stripes can be tricky to wear as they can make a very bold statement. They can also very quickly go overboard! It is important to keep your colors and patterns in balance so that they compliment your overall look rather than make you look like the battlefield.
This is a cute dress from dodostyle that has a connected striped long sleeved top. It is all one complete piece- and well thought out at that. The sleeves have a slight bell shape at the end with some extra length to really add a nice balancing contrast. Horizontal stripes can make things appear wider, so the extra length goes a long way here to keep that from occurring. Same is true of the volume at the end, that shape adds a very pleasing contrast.
The shoes in this case are a subtle touch to balance out the top with the bottom. I normally don’t think of these straps as stripes, but when put into perspective with a piece like this, it works together very nicely.
The solid color of the black looks beautiful and whimsical against the vivid stripes. The shape of the black portion of this dress is very clean and simple with feminine lines. The bottom bubbles out in the same manner of the sleeves, making them look like they belong. It adds another dynamic into the volume- from fitted to bubbled, in a very complimentary style.
And did I mention cozy? I love sleeves that are longer than me, something about them makes me feel like a child all cuddled up. All of my dresses from Dodostyle are cozy like that. Not necessarily from the sleeves, but from the material. They all have very nice fits and make me feel like I’m wrapped in a blanket. Also, their styles are incredibly adorable! Yet another beauty from YES STYLE, every item I have ordered from them demands attention anywhere I go. It is how I wear my style, and in this piece, my stripes.
How do you wear your stripes?
Where’s Your Playsuit? Noir Fashion Fun
October 29, 2009
I know what you’re thinking… a playsuit- really? Not my normal thing but something about this piece made me want to have it. It looks comfortable as can be, but still has that element of style that calls to me. And once I had it on, I knew it was meant to be. I love it.
With the cool weather creeping in, shorts are not going to cut it. But since I want to wear my new piece, I find a way to make it work. Tights are just the thing here, and they add a nice new pattern and feel to complete the look. What was once just a playful cute look as a new edge to it. Pattern tights with a simple solid outfit really make it “pop.”
These tights are a pair I found at Target some time ago, and have always been interesting to mix with outfits. They can be busy if anything else is competing, but something about the form of the playsuit works just lovely with them. I’ll wear a black solid shaped jacket as I go out and the chill picks up, but right now it’s sunny with that cool air that needs just a little extra.
The black playsuit is a find from YES STYLE. I think the bow design on the top is just darling, and not over the top. Just right and adds a nice shape to it all. Very feminine and very cute.
I love outfits like these- they are ready to go in an instant and you look fabulous without any effort what so ever. It just carries it for you. A little volume with texture, a solid and elegant color, and a touch of playfulness with the unique design. Definitely pretty and fabulous. mwah.
Black On Black Fashion Glamor
October 12, 2009
Black- the classic fashion color for an elegant look. It is complimenting and offers multiple style options- even with the same garments given to a number of people. Each person will wear it differently and give it a new feel. So with winter giving me another chance to play, I decided to go with the black on black layering technique.
Since it is cool, layers are required (especially with my clothes, lol). A long sleeve black shirt and black tights make the foundation- from those two form fitting items, I am able to play with shape and color if I so choose to. Since I am going with black on black, shape is what counts here.
I have this floppy, cozy, sweater-like dress that was just begging to be worn. But with it’s short length and short sleeves, it requires company if it wants to actually be warm. Perfect- just the ingredient I was looking for. Now for some fun with the accessories:
When it is cool outside, I love wearing my bracelets over my long sleeves. Something about it makes them pop, especially when it is silver on black. But even the black on black stands out, the shine from the gems are a subtle and elegant touch. And with a ring to match- beautiful!
Now, because I didn’t want to be completely in black and lost in the shadows… I wanted something to really just pop. What stands out against black more than white, and with yesterday’s theme still fresh in my mind, I knew just the shoes to do it.
I’ve posted about these shoes before, and yet almost had forgotten I had them! Ack, I know.. but they are brand new to me again since finding them, lol. You can see more photos of the shoes from my previous post here: click to view the shoes
Black on black glamor- I’m going to say it’s a fabulous do ;D
A “New” Old Fashioned Hat
October 6, 2009
I love the classics, the old fashioned timeless looks. A little black dress, strand of pearls, and subtle but elegant hat: beautiful. I just love it!
Of my collection of hats, only two are “new”, meaning they were actually bought in store and had been made recently. Most of my hats are vintage- very old, often times handmade, and very unique and delicate. Besides my big floppy beach hat- this one you see here is my latest “new” old fashioned hat find.
And of all places where did I find this? Target! Their fashion is constantly growing and in a beautiful direction at that.
(Oh- I also got a gorgeous Anna Sui dress at Target I must share with you! It’s a cute one.) Target is constantly impressing me with their style options, and their prices are very welcoming. You don’t have to spend a fortune to look like you do.
Their collections are so charming and really have a personality to them that you can connect with. The moment I saw this hat I knew I had to have it, no question about it. It is a true classic- the shape, with that subtle bow angled at the side, and with the right texture in fabric.
This is my new toy, and I am just looking for every reason to wear it. Why not? The day I bought it I was on my way to an event (perfect timing) at Santa Barbara Cigars for a night of scotch and cigars- love it! I had a Cain F cigar paired with some Macallan 15 year scotch, mix in some great conversation and it was a night to remember.
And this next photo (just below) is thanks to the incredible Tracy Tesmer of Tracy Tesmer Photography. She took this one with her phone! Yes, she’s that great… only her! Thank you, Tracy!
