Spring Fashion

Mar 09

Spring 2010 Handbag Trends (Pt. 2)

Posted on: March 09, 2010 @ 9:00 am 1 Comment »

Welcome to Part 2 of my Spring 2010 Handbag Trend overview. Whew – what a mouthful! What were your favorite trends from Part 1? I have mixed feelings about the trends below, so take a look…

STRAW

Straw

Admittedly, I was pretty wary of this trend. I grew up in Vermont, which was a land of mullets and flannel – so straw handbags seemed like I’d see something the locals carrying. After some searching, though, I discovered that straw handbags can actually be pretty! The ones above have great texture, colors, and embellishments – which are the three things that make a handbag fun and fabulous. And believe it or not… several are carried by Wal-Mart. Below are direct links so you can learn more about each bag, from left to right, top to bottom.

Cappelli Seagrass Straw Tote $40.50

Straw Studios Lily Bow Satchel $33.45

Straw Studios Brown $57.95

Yellow Straw Tote $33.60

Cappelli Medium Hand Woven Multi Straw $32.40

Cappelli Black Toyo Bag w/Beaded Handles $48.60

BRIGHT/NEON COLORS

Neon

Now neon is a trend I can really get behind! I love bright colors and a handbag really adds a great pop to any outfit. Lime green is my favorite color, I’m crazy about pink, and I’m feeling particularly drawn to yellow right now. Above are some of my favorite neon handbags, but there are tons available! Whatever your favorite color, keep wearing it this Spring – just find a brighter shade! All of the selections below are from Handbag Heaven; use the icon at the bottom of this post to access the site and save 15% off your purchase!

Hayden Buckle Hobo $51.95

Caitlin Clutch $31.95

Ribbon Shoulder Tote $43.95

Spring Patent Quilted Tote $27.95

Lucy Patent Handbag $52.95

Haley Pleated Shopper $72.95

CROSS BODY (LONG STRAP)

Cross-Body

Cross-body bags are another trend I originally thought best kept in the 80’s… But since some of my favorite designers and brands are on board with the look, there are actually some very chic options available! If you have a fuller figure, this might not be the best trend for you – unless you stick to a very thin strap. Otherwise, a thick strip dividing your figure in half cross-wise will likely be unflattering. The only real issue I have with cross-body bags is that the strap tends to wind up caught between my boobs, which is awkward and unsightly. Just something to consider!

Allison Messenger Tote $39.95 (Handbag Heaven)

Fossil ‘Capri’ Crossbody Bag ($78)

MARC BY MARC JACOBS ‘Croc of Q – Big Percy’ Crossbody Bag ($148)

Juicy Couture ‘Padlock & Key’ Leather Crossbody Bag ($148)

Nordstrom Embroidered Crossbody Bag ($64.90)

L.A.M.B. ‘Signature’ Crossbody Bag ($86.90)

EXOTIC LEATHER & PRINTS

EXOTIC

For those of you who want to wear animal prints but don’t know how to incorporate them, handbags are the perfect way. Add a little drama without abandoning your comfort zone with one of the fabulous bags above! I chose metallics in order to incorporate another trend; I think the two are stunning when combined. Well, as long as you stick with refined bags and don’t pick ones with tons of fringe, piles of sequined, and giant monograms or logos! Simple and refined or you’ll look like you charge by the hour… All the styles above are from Handbag Heaven!

Brooklyn Bubble Satchel ($53.95)

Vintage Zebra Metallic Satchel ($53.95)

Leopard Patent Clutch ($23.95)

Zebra Print Brookstone Tote ($44.95)

Tiger Print Shoulder Bag ($47.95)

Zebra Sequined Hobo ($47.95)

Spring 2010 Handbag Trends (Pt. 1)

Posted on: March 08, 2010 @ 12:00 pm 3 Comments »

It seems like just about everything goes for Spring/Summer handbags and purses! The good news is that you probably don’t need to go out and buy a new bag. The bad news? They’re all very, very tempting! But I’m here to help – below are some of my budget friendly favorites (and a few splurges) so you don’t have to put an empty wallet in that new bag!

Bohemian

Boho

I’ve got to put it out there – I despise the Boho trend. It was hard for me to find six palatable bags, although I don’t mind the two on the far right. It seems like Boho is just a collection of all things ugly – whether they’re patterns, textures, or color. However, I know some people dig it – so if that’s you, sorry! Below are listings for the bags above, left to right and top to bottom.

Jessica Simpson – Jimmy Boho Chic Tote #1 ($91)

Lucky Brand ‘Boho’ Patch Shopper ($92)

Jessica Simpson – Jimmy Boho Chic Tote #2 ($91)

Carlos by Carlos Santana Handbag, Boho Chic Slouchy Hobo ($108)

Tree of Life Bag ($25)

Boho Ladies Fabric Bag ($26.99)

Hardware

Hardware

I’m thrilled to see that the studded/mirrored/otherwise embellished style is still alive and kicking. These rock-chic totes are amazing with jeans and a blazer, but pair equally well with a girly Spring dress. I have the Heather Tote (top left corner) and it’s super roomy – I actually use it as an overnight bag. I adore it and am quite pleased with the purchase. Bags with hardware like this tend to be more expensive, but all of the options above are from Handbag Heaven. Use the Handbag Heaven icon at the bottom of this post to navigate to the site and you’ll receive an extra 15% off your purchase!

Heather Patent Stud Tote $69.96

SoCal Glam Tote $56.95

Heidi Convertible Grommet Bag $53.95

Bryce Studded Rock Bag $53.95

Ramsay Rock Tote $77.95

Juliette Patent Glam Tote $76.95

Textured

Textured

Texturized handbags are another one of my favorites. Texture is a great thing to play with throughout your outfit, and an easy way to add interest. While I usually stick to basic black with my handbags, I found some bags with fabulous color that I just couldn’t resist! The Riley Ruffle Handbag (top right corner) is my latest obsession – it’s definitely on my MUST HAVE list. This set is also all from Handbag Heaven, so once again, use the link at the bottom to get a discount!

Berkely Ruffle Tote $53.95

Carrington Flower Satchel $49.95

Jessa Patent Satchel $84.95

Riley Ruffle Handbag $79.95

Ellie Mae Patchwork Shopper $44.95

Adrianna Wave Satchel $59.95

Stay tuned for Part 2, where I’ll be discussing several more top Spring 2010 handbag trends!

Jennie Garth Wears Anoname Denim!

Posted on: March 03, 2010 @ 3:00 pm No Comments »

“90210 actress Jennie Garth wore Anoname’s “Chloe” Boyfriend Jean in “Redlight Light” wash to the Milk + Bookies First Annual Story Time Celebration in Los Angeles on Sunday February 28th, which she attended with her whole family.

This is the second time Jennie has worn Anoname, she is also a fan of the “Joelle” Bootcut style.

Both styles can be purchased here for $110.00.”

Garth looks so adorable in this ensemble, and I adore the jeans! I’m working on losing weight and I can’t weight until I can fit into a gorgeous pair of my own. In fact, I want the whole look – including the scarf and sandals. The pop of coral (one of the Spring’s biggest colors!) really adds an extra something.

Dressbarn Spring Fashion Mission!

Posted on: March 03, 2010 @ 9:00 am No Comments »

Today, I present to you the results of my Dressbarn Top Secret Fashion Mission. I was sent the top above, and given the challenge of creating three outfits around it. I generally stick to shades of black and silver, which means that I didn’t have much to pair with a top featuring shades of brown and gold. So, I’ve turned to the internet for help! Below are three sets of items I’d love to pair with the top above… Who knows; I may just go shopping soon!

KORS Michael Kors ‘Paris’ Sandal

Cara Accessories Bangle Set

Majorica 8mm Pearl Stud Earrings

Too Faced Natural Eye Neutral Eye Shadow Collection

Kat Von D Painted Love Lipstick Underage Red

Kyra Quilted Shoulder Bag

Spring Beauty Trend: Orange Makeup

Posted on: March 01, 2010 @ 12:00 pm 1 Comment »

This spring’s hottest new hues come straight from the runways. Shades of juicy ORANGE were embraced by make up artists on models’ eyes, cheeks and lips during spring 2010 fashion week’s biggest shows.

I know that orange makeup can be shocking for some, and labeled as a trend that’s hard to pull off. An onslaught of orange cosmetics from top names in the beauty industry have ensured that there are shades for everyone – ranging from soft colors to bright traffic cone hues… So whether you want to dip a toe in or go all out, this is a trend you can partake in!

Lipstick

Personally, I love orange lipstick – the brighter the better! I first fell in love with it when working for Estee Lauder… When evening shifts were dragging by, I liked to experiment with the craziest colors and products on our counter. While most of them were definitely forays into fashion “don’ts” I found out that I really did love rockin’ the orange!

For those of you who aren’t quite ready to take the plunge, try soft shades of coral, and orange tones that have a strong pink or red influence. MAC’s Colour Me Coral or Yves Saint Laurent’s #13 Peach Passion are both examples of softer, easier to wear orange tones. For darker skin tones, I recommend bronze-y shades, such as NARS Outsider.

Remember, you can always blot your lipstick for a lower impact hue, or mix a little color with a coat of gloss.

(Left – Right, Top – Bottom)

Yves Saint Laurent 13 Peach Passion

Givenchy Rouge Fruity Orange

MAKE UP FOR EVER Fluorescent Orange 201

Guerlain Mango Fizz 942

Alight Spring Fashion Giveaway!

Posted on: March 01, 2010 @ 9:00 am 82 Comments »

If you’ve entered my previous Alight giveaways, you know how stylish and chick their clothes are. I’ve been dying to have some warm weather and start living in gorgeous dresses, like the one above (Pitter Pattern Dress $40). There’s a wide selection of patterns, colors, and cuts – so there’s guaranteed to be a style that will work for you. I’m partial to empire waists, v-necks, and greens… So you can see why I love the dress above. Here are a few other choices I find fabulous:

WIN IT: Alight.com is giving ONE reader a plus size top! It will be their choice (but your size)- but don’t worry, each piece is designed with style, so I’m sure you won’t be disappointed! This contest will run until MARCH 31st at 11:59PM EST! You must be 18 or older & complete the mandatory entry below. Please leave a comment for EACH extra entry as well!

Mandatory Entry: Subscribe to the Alight mailing list, which you can find on the top of the site!

Extra Entries:

~Check out Alight.com, then tell me something you love for 1 Entry

~Fan Alight on Facebook for 1 Entry

~Follow Alight on Twitter for 1 Entry

~Fan The Fashionable Gal on Facebook for 1 Entry

~Follow The Fashionable Gal on Twitter for 1 Entry

~Subscribe to The Fashionable Gal for 1 Entry

~Blog about this giveaway & leave me a link for 3 Entries

~Enter any other giveaway on The Fashionable Gal and leave a comment that you did so!

~Tweet this giveaway using the following text (or your own) and leave a link – can be done daily!

#Win a gorgeous top for Spring from @Alightcom & @fashionablegal http://wp.me/pbj1u-1jX lots of ways to enter!

Good luck, ladies!

Spring Summer 2010 Hair Trends & Hairstyles from New York Fashion Week

Posted on: February 26, 2010 @ 12:00 pm 2 Comments »

Yigal Azrouel
Hair: Teddy Charles for TIGI
Inspiration: A modern take on sexy, natural hair. Teddy created an understated and natural-looking ponytail loop-bun with a silky, textured finish.

Get the Look:

· CATWALK by TIGI Catwalk Root Boost

· Love, Peace & the Planet by TIGI Control Freak Extra Extra Straight Hair Straightener

· TIGI Catwalk Work-It Hairspray

Preen by Thornton Bregazzi
Hair: Luke Hersheson for TIGI
Inspiration: Grunge meets glamour in a fresh, girly twist on the style of the early 90’s. This look is casual but chic, worn by the girl who always looks unique and put together, but in an understated way. A Kirby grip is worn almost as an accessory and the texture is soft and clean.

Get the Look:

· CATWALK by TIGI Catwalk Root Boost

· Rockaholic by TIGI Dirty Secret Dry Shampoo

· TIGI Catwalk Work-It Hairspray

Lacoste
Hair: Luke Hersheson for TIGI
Inspiration: A preppy, playful take on the 80’s style side ponytail. This look is textured and a little undone, but still fresh and sophisticated.

Get the Look:

· Rockaholic by TIGI Texturizing Spray Pomade

· TIGI Catwalk Root Boost

· CATWALK Your Highness by TIGI Thickening Gel Crème

· TIGI Catwalk Extra Strong Mousse

· TIGI Hard to Get Texturizing Paste

· TIGI S Factor Creamy Molding Wax

· S Factor by TIGI Spun Satin

Jill Stuart
Hair: Bob Recine for TIGI
Inspiration: Kate Moss leaving a nightclub at 3am. Sexy, disheveled and undone, this is a rock and roll girl after a night of dancing. This unstructured look is slightly teased at the top and has loads of volume.

Get the Look:

· TIGI Catwalk Root Boost

· CATWALK by TIGI Strong Hold Hairspray

Spring 2010 Nail Trends: Metallics

Posted on: February 25, 2010 @ 12:00 pm No Comments »

I’ve really loved all the Spring nail trends that I’ve been seeing in photos from NYFW. I’m excited to see all the bright colors and greens, but they’re not what I’m looking for when I do my nails before going out. The look I’m really digging? Metallics!

Both of the photos above (credit to Eric Yu) were created by Dashing Diva nail techs for the Nary Manivong show. If you don’t have long, sexy nails, don’t worry… The look started off with press-ons! It’s really quite simple: start with Dashing Diva Press-On Metallic Nails (in silver), then apply a coat of the brand’s “No More Alimony” polish! The polish will be available in their Fall 2010 collection, so metallics should be going strong all year long!

Do you know of any great metallic polishes? Zoya’s Reverie collection features six Spring colors with metallic finishes (including shade “Laney”!!!). I’m giving the whole collection away to one lucky winner, and bottles of Laney to three runners up. If you haven’t entered already, make sure to do so!

The Andean Collection: Socially Conscious Fashion

Posted on: February 25, 2010 @ 9:00 am No Comments »

theAndeanProject from John Murillo on Vimeo.

“The idea behind our line is to bring you great fashion forward designs, while creating a greener planet, and providing a path out of poverty for artisans using fair trade principles. In addition to being paid fair wages, our artisans share in the profits of the company as partial owners of The Andean Collection.”

When I received an email about the Andean Collection, I was immediately enthralled by the beautiful colors and materials. I love the bold, offbeat style of collection, as well as the variety of styles. These are pieces you can easily mix and match to create a real statement – or wear alone for an equally bold look.

Normally, I don’t wear bracelets, but I’m really into the styles above. Mostly, I’m an earring gal – and look at these babies! The prices are great, too; nothing pictured is more than $24. Each style is also available in a wide range of colors, so you’re not limited to one shade the way you might be in a store (and even many online retailers). For example, the pair of earrings on the far right above are stocked in 11 shades – ELEVEN!

I’m not a huge necklace person, either, but I think that’s the department in which the Andean Collection really shines. Just look at the amazing creations above! They range from $34 to $78, which makes them much less expensive than the ones I’ve been seeing in the stores lately. Statement necklaces are all the range, and these make a statement of class, eco-consciousness and quality.

The people at the Andean Collection generously sent me a piece from the collection to check out. I received the fabulous Acai Rope Necklace, which retails for $39.

“Resembles a long strand of pearls in shape and size and is another of our extremely versatile items. The pictures below show the many different ways this necklace can be worn. For an dramatic look, wear 2 necklaces together, both double wrapped.”

It’s available in Natural, Tomato, Turquoise, Electric Purple, Titanium, Terra Green, and Wine. I think the one I received is Electric Purple, although mine’s not quite as bright as the one on the site.

The piece itself is really neat – it has a lot more personality than a necklace with regular beads that are completely uniform and perfect. The acai “beads” are different shapes and slightly different sizes, and their imperfections give the necklace a strong allure.

I’ve worn mine out several times and am starting to feel like I might be a “necklace person” after all! I wear it doubled for two chains, or tied in a knot. Both looks are very appealing and add to the variety of the necklace.

I highly recommend checking out the Andean Collection for yourself. If you’re not ready to buy (or don’t have the cash on hand yet!), there are several ways to “stay in touch.” You can check out their blog, fan them on Facebook, or follow them on Twitter. My recommendation is subscribing to their newsletter – do so by scrolling down under the photo on their homepage.

Emily Elizabeth: Blooming Beauty for Spring 2010

Posted on: February 24, 2010 @ 12:00 pm 1 Comment »

Emily Elizabeth Jewelry is thrilled to launch the Blooming Beauty collection for Spring 2010. For this collection, Emily’s inspiration was “blooming and rebirth, like what spring does to nature.” The pieces from this collection are meant to have a metamorphosis effect, allowing you transform “into a fresh new you.” Prices range from $30 – $150 for jewelry and $45 – $125 for hair accessories. The collection is now available online at Emily Elizabeth.

Pictured are several of my favorite pieces.

I’m not normally a fan of gold jewelry, but these two pieces are so cute I can’t resist. The necklaces above are the aptly named “Vacation Trio” and retail for $90 – or $110 if you prefer white gold. They’re perfect to pair with sweet Spring and Summer dresses or spice up your sweaters while you wait for warmer weather!

This ring is another standout for me. It’s the “Paradise Ring” and retails for $85, $95 for white gold. I’m get more and more into statement rings as they’re so easy to incorporate into an outfit. I’d love to pair this ring with a great manicure – a metallic gold polish, perhaps one with sparkles? Totally fabulous.