Men's Fashion Friday: Banana Republics Non-Iron Shirts

Banana Republic is keeping it stylish and simple with their new collection of non-iron dress shirts. BR has crafted a shirt made of 100% cotton that has been uniquely treated with a first-class, wrinkle resistant treatment without compromising the cottony comfort. A variety of colors and prints are available from extra small to big and tall.

Mix in this season's Spicy Orange color with the Slim Fit Non-Iron shirt. 

Crisp, basic colors are present in the collection. 

This color-contrasting checkered print is a classic fit shirt that is great for day to night. Pair it with a coordinating and subtle striped printed tie for a bold statement. 

Spanx Shaping Swimwear

Have you traded in taking tropical trips for brisk mountain vacations to avoid bearing your body? If you're one of those women who have retired your bathing suit days in fear of wearing anything less than layers of bulky clothes, then let me introduce you to revolutionary shaping swimwear. 


Shapewear innovator brand, Spanx, is making those bear-all moments, bearable with the introduction of shaping swimsuits.  Just imagine what a swimsuit could do if you knew that all its components were meticulously paired to work together and serve a purpose. Compress, slim, breathe and 'shave' off those unsightly bulges by stepping into these miracle suits. 

Goodbye love handles, hello svelte silhouette! The Structured One Piece is the all-for-one solution suit! Everything works together to minimize and slenderize. The visual impact of color blocking and intentional lines immediately make you appear slimmer. Fabrics work together for compression, breathability, coverage, stability and comfort. 

The Bandeau One Piece is slimming and on trend. Tiers of "swimmer friendly" velvet ruffles add dimension and texture. Exterior fabric provides shaping and compression while substantial power-mesh lining dispenses breathability.  Utilize your option to wear with or without straps. 

Combine all the components for a slimmer look with the Triangle Top One Piece.  Ruching, compression fabric, power-mesh lining, and smocked sides (gathered fabric that is able to stretch) team up with Italian jersey material for the best in shaping and comfort. 

Smooth your assets and maintain your modesty with the Swim Dress. (Don't worry, this dress has matching bottoms underneath!) This style is designed so the compression can do its work beneath a top that's more flowy and conservative. No one will ever know you're hiding a slimming secret inside the suits structure!

  Get the "look" of a tankini with the Tankini One Piece. Yes, one piece tankini. Meet the art of combining visuals with vitals. No one will know this 'two piece' suit smooths your back and slims your love handles with hidden compression. 

Bold Gold

The upcoming season is going gold! Let your other metallics take the backseat and step into something that is going up in value. Gold will play leading and a supporting roles as it makes an appearance in both details and as the main event. Shoes, belts, bags, clothes, jewelry, and even home decor will pop in flattering hues of gold. 

Start by investing in great everyday gold pieces you can wear all year long and with virtually anything. Stella & Dot's La Coco Brooch Necklace comes with a removeable brooch and bracelet so you can wear it long or short or layered with other pieces. The Mira Bangles come in a set of three and are lightweight and great for stacking. Not to mention one of the bangles in the set includes touches of reconstituted turquoise which is the color of the season!

Bebe's Meg Metallic Platform Sandal is primed in a subtle metallic gold that has a modest springtime shimmer. The platform sole and caged straps make this shoe feminine with a sexy edge.

Hype's champagne-gold Mia foldover clutch is a sueded material with a crocodile embossed design (also hot this season!). This clutch is a great piece to finish up your final touches. Open it up and be surprised by a fresh pop of spicy orange colored lining. Shop this clutch at BlueFly for discounted prices.

Spring break will be here before you know it and Victoria's Secret's Golden Twist Bandeau swimsuit is sexy and on the bold gold trend!

Give a small room in your house a seasonal revamp just by adding a touch of fresh, trendy accessories. Anthropologie has organic bathroom pieces in hues of gold you can pair together for a quick lift. Most pieces are versatile, like the canister above, and can be used for a low impact kitchen makeover the following season.

Heidi Klum Delivers Maternity Line

The world has watched her on the runway, become a Victoria's Secret Angel, host the hit show Project Runway and go from maternity mother back to supermodel in just six weeks after the birth of her children. Heidi Klum has a body that seems to be elastic, always recovering back to it's original properties no matter how much bloom her baby bump has. 

On top of all her projects, she is now launching two maternity lines with a due date of Friday, February 12th. Lavish by Heidi Klum will be exclusive maternity wear for retail store, a pea in the pod alongside the launch of Loved by Heidi Klum for Motherhood Maternity. 

Lavish entails a "red-carpet ready" line consisting of 15 pieces, including a slinky maxidress (black, pictured left), that is designed to make you feel your sexiest during pregnancy.  Loved is Heidi's more affordable, fast-fashion line with comfortable, everyday pieces such as flowy printed blouses (pictured above) and button-down tunics.

Heidi's inspiration comes from experiencing four pregnancies of her own. “I experienced fashion challenges during my four pregnancies and combined my knowledge of what works in terms of style, comfort and practicality to create these lines,” says Heidi, “being pregnant shouldn't stop you from being fashionable and feeling great about your changing body. It’s an exciting journey.”

Make it a V-Day Date

Going out to a fancy dinner on Valentine's day is oh-so-romantic. But oh-so-much-more-romantic is someone who can put the extra effort in to create a special night at home. I love these date night delights for the most romantic day of the year.

A goey mess of handmade vanilla marshmallows, homemade grahams and couture chocolate can be just as romantic as it is reminiscent of your childhood days. Recchiuti is a chocolate confection based out of San Fransisco and they are offering up this fabulous S'mores skit to finish your date in front of a romantic fire. 

Staub's heart-shaped cast iron cocotte is a great way to prepare a meal with love. On sale for $39, you can create a recipe to remember and give the cocotte as a gift. Every time it's used, it'll be a reminder of that romantic Valentine's Day when it was first put to use. 

 

il laboratorio del gelato is so famously craved, they deliver nationwide! Located in Manhattan, you can place an order online and have the tasty treat waiting in your freezer after your romantic V-Day dinner. With sensuous flavors like Rose Petal, Lavendar Honey and Chocolate-Hazelnut, you'll melt before you taste it! 

Men's Fashion Friday: Working Wardrobe

Revamp your working wardrobe by taking those subtle fashion risks you wouldn't normally take like mixing prints and patterns or throwing in a pop of contrasting color.  If you're a suit guy, make sure the three fashion points of suit styling are met: shoulders, cuffs and break.  

Yes, plaid and stripes coordinate. Keep one print subtle and let the other print pop so they don't compete. Staying in the same color story makes a fluid statement. Make sure the prints you pair don't overpower each other and you'll be sure to make a contrasting style statement. 

 

The color story is still present with this combination, but a pop of distinguished and coordinating pink is present in the stripe of the tie. This is a great way to mix in color while keeping it classy.  Most men might not ever put this combination together, however, you can see how well it harmonizes. 

 

Go with a bolder shirt and a more subdued tie with this combination. The gridded checkered pattern pairs great with the pin dot tie available at Banana Republic. 

The Chambray shirt is a must have for workwear this season. This type of shirt is more casual so if you want to pursue this look outside of casual Friday, be sure to pair it with more structured pieces.  Tailored pants and a trench will instantly dress it up. 

Suit Tips: 

1) Modern bold shoulders are in. Make sure the shoulder seam does not hang over your arm. If it does, downsize.

2) The cuffs also make a statement. It's a fashion slap if you're shirt doesn't peep through your coat cuff at least 1/4 of an inch, however, no more than 1/2 inch. 

 3) Make sure your break isn't bunched. The break is the point where the cuff hits your shoe. If fabric is stacked on top of itself, visit your tailor to clean your edges.  

Shop Smart: Denim

A lot of people wonder how to stretch their buck when shopping. The thought of buying a designer pair of denim might frighten the likes of some wallets, however, what if you knew that fit would flatter you for years to come? I can personally say that some of my higher priced items have become those "investment" pieces. This means, when I divide the price by the number of wears, it comes out to under $3 every time I put them on.  So, if that $200 pair of jeans makes you look and feel great, don't settle for a lesser price tag. Instead, dive in and take the vested plunge! 

At times I find myself taking notice of cuts, shapes and silhouettes shoppers around me are wearing. Through this observation I have alluded "pocket problems". Run through Denim 101 for tips on how to flatter your figure with high-rise and low-rise jeans when it comes to pocket placement.

DENIM 101

Only 6% of women have the shape of a super-model. That means, those jeans on the runway aren't necessarily built for you, the other 94%. It doesn't matter if you have no waist, a full waist, no bum or all bum. As long as you know what flatters your figure, you can rock a pair of jeans day and night. Make sure to match your shape with the shape of your denim. 

Pocket placement is the biggest factor in how a jean shapes your rear. The closer the pockets, the leaner the look. The farther the placement, the larger your backside appears. Angled pockets are more flattering than rounded pockets.  See the tips for your rise!

High Rise Wearers: 

• If you want your waist to appear smaller, look for a back yoke that is rounder. This will make your cushion look fuller and your waist appear smaller. 
• If you want a butt lift without going under the knife, shop for pockets that are slightly angled inward which will give your butt a "lifted look".
• When wearing a high-waisted jean, be cautious of how high your pockets sit. The higher the pocket the longer your derriere looks. Same with pocket balance: they needed to hit you on the center of your cushion for proportion. 
• Be cautious of the space between the lowest points of the pocket.  The wider the space... you guessed it... the wider your toosh looks!
• Picture recap: the Citizen of Humanity jeans above are perfect for ladies who like a high rise pant. This style is well balanced with perfectly placed pockets. (They are centered and the bottom points are well spaced) In addition they also added curved seaming details on the sides of the yoke which create the illusion of a slimmer backside. To view the style in large, click here. 

Low Rise Wearers:

• Pockets angled inward for low rise denim enhances your curves versus lifting your curves like in high waisted pants. 
• Stay away from completely straight. Straight yokes and straight set pockets make you look boxy. Choose one or the other. 
• Lots of skinny jeans have low pockets. Pick them wisely! The lower the pocket, the flatter the butt. For example, if your pocket is low enough that it runs onto your thigh, your bum is going to look flatter. So, if you already don't have a backside, this is not a good option. However, if you do have a curve you'd like to suppress, go lower. Keep in mind: if you have a low pocket jean, avoid a pair that stretches as the looser it gets, the sloppier it looks. 
• Picture Recap: Frankie B jeans, like the photo above, are infamous for low-rise! The pockets aren't too low and they are well proportioned. Also notice, they went with the straight yoke, but a curved pocket in order to avoid the boxed look. 

360 Degree Denim Tips

• Contoured waistbands work with lots of shapes. If you have large hips and thighs but a small waist, invest in contour. 
• Skinny jeans go well with stiletto's, flats and tucked inside boots.
• If your denim is 100% cotton or has little to no spandex, buy them snug because they will stretch out. You can test this in the fitting room by sitting down for a few moments. If you stand up and you can see they have slightly stretched, keep in mind they will stretch the more you wear them.
• Love dark denim but hate how they fade? Throw in a few splashes of vinegar with your wash to preserve the dye. 

Love Notes

It's hard to refuse a great piece of trendy or classic jewelry, heavenly chocolates and garden fresh flowers on Valentine's day. On the flip-side, I also adore a guy who can have some sensitive dialogue to go along with it. Once the chocolates melt and the flowers fester, the love note will last forever.  

If you can't express your feelings in just one love letter, give your lady a quaint collection of heartfelt and romantic passages.  LOVE hosts 212 pages of charming as well as comical love verses for only $14.94 at Anthropologie. Present the book with pages premarked of the passages you want her to unravel.

It doesn't get more sentimental and romantic then Valentine in a Bottle. If you prefer to write your own note than give a book that's bound of other great men's words, this is the perfect gift. It's certainly a treat to open and is something she can even use as nightstand decor.

Give her a fortune whose surprise tale will make her cookie crumble. At Good Fortunes you can order a BIG, BIG fortune cookie and pack up to ten tender lines in your message. Receive 10% off with product code VAL22. 

Purchase the collection of "Pick Up Lines" in this magnetic poetry kit available at Francesca's . Use over 240 words and phrases to create a poem for your loved one on Valentine's Day. Perhaps you can even be assertive and say, "Will You Marry Me?"

Stella a Little Love

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, Stella & Dot has love-worthy gifts to give to your special someone! Place an order at my Valentine's Day Trunk Show and receive discounted, 2-3 day shipping. Order by your shipping deadlines to receive in time for Valentine's Day.

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Enter: Valentine's Day

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Take a risk this romantic season and give her the gift of "Love". Our Love Script Necklace is a great way for her to be reminded you love her every time she wears it.  

 

For only $39 the Together Forever Necklace is a great way to say you'll be there till the end. Sterling silver and 14k gold vermeil circles intertwine to form an eternal circle.  Not to mention, it's a great layering piece she can wear everyday. 

A two-sided Love Disc hangs from an 18" cord with a rustic button closure. One side features Stella & Dot's signature pattern while the other side reads "Love Makes The World Go Round."  Either way she wears it, she'll be holding your love close to her. For only $39, it's like getting two necklaces for the price of one. 

Put in a little more effort and customize your gift by layering your love with charms. Select from pieces like our Love Script Charm (left) or our Inspirational Love Charm and Signature Heart Charm (right), available in your choice of gold or silver. You can also add in your initial to personalize your love. Host your charms on a chain, a bangle or a silk wrap. The options are endless. 

February Party Perks

Whimsical flowers and hearts on sale when you spend $50 or more at a February Trunk Show.  For those not attending one live, I have an online show set up just for you!

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You will be prompted to select your party perk from the selection below at check out!

The Bloom Flower Ring in Ivory is hand painted enamel with a touch of Czech crystals. Get this party perk for $33 (originally $44) with a purchase of $50 or more. 

Add a fresh pop of color to your LBD or a flowy blouse with the Bloom Flower Necklace in Red.  Resin beads are hand-knotted onto a silk thread and finished with a hand-painted enamel flower which serves as the clasp. Meet your $50 minimum purchase and receive this for $52 (originally $69)

The Camille Vintage Heart Necklace is a charming way to wear your love around your neck and close to your heart. This is also a great gift for a mother to give to her daughter. Spend your $50 and purchase this on sale for $29 (originally $39). 

Men's Fashion Friday: Tip Your Hat

What's old is old :: Kanye West slitted glasses, painted-on skinny jeans for guys, and over-sized polos. On the contrary, what's old is also new again. The year of 2010 will reunite pastime vogue hats with forefront trends and hit the list of must-haves for men's accessories.  No matter what your walk of life is Fedora's, Newsboys and Kangol Caps toast to traditional with a revamp to modern swag.

I love this Goorin Brothers brand fedora because it skews from conventional fedora's with its houndstooth print. A contrasting gros-grain ribbon finishes the detailing along the brim for a runway touch.

 

If you like to pay tribute to tradition but still want to be modern-day, this fedora flaunts a sophisticated pin stripe with a contrasting geometric print for defiant pop with the season's best colors.  Also a Goorin Brothers style.

The oh-so-classic newsboy in knit. The ribbed look and five-piece outer construction of this style gives it texture and dimension. Great for casual gatherings and to finish of your layered look.

Kangol hats get their name from the "K" in silk and ANG from angora, a type of wool. Once made famous by soldiers and golfers, this type of hat leaked into athletic and ready-to-wear fashion.  Dip back into1938 tradition with a classic Kangol style like the one featured to the left from Nordstrom.  If you're a fashion go-getter, try the contempo style on the right available at Lids in a variety of different color combinations.