I'm Baaaack....

And just in time for FALL!

I get so excited when the seasons change.  It's not even all about the clothes.  The change in weather is exhilarating and brings with it a promising sense of novelty.  I found this anonymous quote about fall but decided to change it a bit:

"I can't wait for pumpkin pie and hot chocolate and candy corn miniature Halloween Reese's peanut butter cups and sweaters and jeans and scarves and boots and cold air and bright leaves and late cozy nights."

Not to mention tail-gating, trick-or-treating, and Thanksgiving!!

Now, let's get back to the reason we're here: The Clothes!

Look of the Day:

We're going to start off easy with a copy-cat look that most of us can already find in our closets.  Making your "old" clothes look fresh is easy to achieve by mixing them up in a new way.  Try this look for a casual fall day:

This season we have a lot of carry-overs from last fall/winter in clothes.  We are still seeing a lot of camel/saddle/tobacco brown.  Paired with denim and black it looks modern and classic.

OR...you can also mix it up with a graphic scarf like Kate.

Equation: denim + saddle leather + black = Fall chic

                                                                        Photos by Pinterest

The Coral Lip

Tory Burch flat
$63 - cusp.com

Nine west handbag
$69 - ninewest.com

Lancôme lip gloss
$27 - nordstrom.com

Vintage Short Cover-Up
$72 - barneys.com

Maybelline SuperStay 24 2-Step Color, Continuous Coral 020
$7.99 - drugstore.com




                                  For the perfect coral lip for Summer try Maybelline SuperStay 24 hour Color in Continuous Coral, above.  This coral is bright and long-wearing.  The line has so many other great colors as well but a coral lip is huge for the season.  It is my top pick because it will not wash off at the beach or pool (I forgot to remove it one night and it was still there in the morning!).  

To the Max

       Up until now I have avoided the maxi thinking that I am too short for the style (I'm 5'4 on a good day).  But the trend  translated well from season to season.  So I thought, if you can't beat them, join them!  The term "maxi" refers to the length of the dress or skirt, usually skimming the tops of your toes.  Wearing a maxi dress or skirt feels free and sexy while still covered up.

         Having embraced the style, it is versatile and complimentary of a wide variety of figures. If you have pretty shoulders and arms, but are concerned with your mid-section, the maxi is a smart choice.  Maxi dresses also look good on boyish figures.  The flowy bottom adds a feminine curve.  This style is an opportunity to play with proportion.  When you wear something long and flowing on the bottom, make sure your top is more closely fitted to create balance.  Blazers and jean jackets look great on top of maxi skirts with a tucked in tank. This season maxis can be found at every different price-point as from casual to formal.  And they are not just for tall people!

The Look for Less:

Banana Republic Maxi Skirt 

Printed silk, $98.

Old Navy Rope-Belted Maxi- Dress

$29.94

J. Crew Kimono Maxi Dress

$118.00

LnA Black Cotton Maxi-Dress

Bluefly, $154. $78.

Hive & Honey Chevron Stripe Maxi Skirt

Piperlime, $49.

The Webster

The Webster, Miami

 'The Webster' line out of Miami is Target's latest designer collaboration.  The store is owned by two friends with a Paris design background.  This line is the perfect budget friendly look for Spring.  

The aesthetic is Miami resort meets preppy/bohemian.  It's all very fresh, bright, and summery.  As always with these designer collaborations, the prices are a fraction of what they would cost if you were shopping the real deal.  The Webster line includes women's cloths, girls's clothes, lingerie, shoes, and accessories.  If your local store is sold out of the pieces check it out online.

Scoop-Neck Dress in green/melon/cream $39.99

I love this dress!  I wore it with a white boyfriend sweater and  nude wedge sandals.   It feels so good on.  I have dressed it down with Sperrys for daytime as well.

Dress $42.99, Cap Toe Wedge Pump $39.99

Belted Dress, $39.99

Sleeveless Maxi, $44.99

Stacking

A big look for spring and summer is stacked bracelets.  Anything goes with this trend: add a watch, different size bracelets and bangles.  Mixed metals are in as well if you want to be bold.  Try pairing the classics already in your closet with some of the newer types of bracelets- wrapped leather with studs and beads tied with colorful string. You can achieve a lot of impact with minimal effort and expense.

The look (on a budget) for a cause:  Kate Spade is selling these bangles from the 'hand in hand' collection in a collaboration with Woman International .  The bracelets are hand-made in Afghanistan and proceeds go to aid women in war torn countries.  They retail for $28. to $58. at Kate Spade.

'hand in hand' bangle, $58.

Chew Beads

chew beads

How cute is this?!!  I found these referenced on my friend, Olivia's blog.   These necklaces are the perfect gift for a mom-to-be or new mom.  I had some nursing beads when my third child was an infant but they were not this pretty or chic!  I would wear these chunky colorful necklaces without a baby on my hip.  Chew Beads are completely baby-safe (BPA and everything else free- check site) and made of silicone like pacifiers.  

Waverly Necklace, $34.50

  

Trend Watch: Color Blocking

Color Blocking

   Color blocking is a huge trend on the Spring and Fall runways for 2012.  It is a new take on the mod look from the 60s as well as all the brights of the 80s.  For the layperson, the concept is to simultaneously wear two, (generally bright) solid colored pieces in your outfit.  These two pieces can be anything from tops to heels or handbags.  Keep the other pieces neutral to allow the play of color to make a statement.  The concept is bold but can be subtle depending on the colors you chose.  This spring, using any of the hot colors: tangerine, hot pink, yellows will punch up the volume of your ensemble.  For fall, the runways have shown a more muted version of color blocking, for example: black & red or navy & red.

      Stylist tip: use this trend to your advantage.  If you are plus-size or want to create a slimmer line, wear the darker color on the bottom and save lighter and brighter colors for your top.  The juxtaposition of the colors will trick the eye.

Looks for Spring:

Looks for Fall:

Jil Sander Fall 2012

Marc by Marc Jacobs Fall 2012

The Rancics