Yellow Fever

My latest obsession...YELLOW! Anything yellow! From kitchy accessories to fabulous handbags, shoes and gorgeous gowns....I can't get enough!

Attention Style Mavens, while wearing yellow can be a challenge for some skin tones, that doesn't mean you can't wear it; try pairing a fabulous yellow shoe with your favorite jeans or with navy or black pants. You'll look chic and on-trend, without sacrificing skin tone! (Calvin Klein ballet flats, $98 Bloomingdales)

Wanna go all out...take a cue from Paula Patton who looked absolutely stunning in yellow at this year's Golden Globes

Adding a touch of yellow to your wardrobe can be just the thing you need to take you from the dreary days of winter to the sunny days of spring.
Pick up this Kate Spade iphone cover ($40 at Bloomingdales) and put a smile on your face!

Stylish Resolutions for the New Year

A new year and a new more stylish you! Developing your own personal style can be your greatest asset. It lets the world know who you are and how much you value yourself.

(Olivia Palermo (left)- great sense of personal style)

Personal style stems from confidence; it comes from knowing who you are and accepting yourself. It does not come from wanting to be somebody else or from wanting to be taller, thinner, shorter, prettier, blonder, etc. Loving yourself, embracing your imperfections, and projecting self-confidence are the foundations of good style.

Style Maven Resolutions:
1. Dress the body you have, not the body you wish you had
2. Wear perfume everyday
3. Find a good tailor - no more buying petite pants because you don't want to pay to alter them! Or wearing sleeves that are too long, or skirts/dresses that hit you at the least flattering part of the leg. "A good tailor is like a good pair of shoes-necessary, worth every penny, and capable of making you look ten pounds thinner." (Little Black Book of Style)
4. Always buy the best quality you can afford (having great personal style does not have to cost alot of money....remember confidence and good fit are the most important)
5. Invest in a great pair of black pumps...with the highest heel you can stand-they're great with jeans or a sexy dress and they make your legs look long and lean.

The power of a Scarf

"The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize."(Olympia Dukakis, "Steel Magnolias"). I love that line!And I love the power of accessories. To me, the right accessory is the key to how you personalize your look. This photo of Grace Kelly using an Hermes scarf as a sling is a true fashion moment.

A scarf is a great way to update your wardrobe without spending alot of money. It's the perfect way to pull together an outfit and make you feel better about yourself. A scarf loosely draped around the neck, or tied to a handbag adds that something special to any outfit.

Nicole Richie shows the power of the scarf in these photos.
Not sure how to tie a scarf?....Never fear Style Mavens, this fun tutorial will help you get started. Subject: 25 Ways to Wear a Scarf in 4.5 Minutes! - YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=5LYAEz777AU


Feel the power Style Mavens!

Get a Leg up this fall....with hosiery!

This season the hype over hosiery is in overdrive. Stylish A-listers have been photographed wearing everything from thigh-high's to cobalt blue opaque tights and the Fall 2011 runways even featured chic white hosiery by, none other than, Chanel.

Available in a variety of price points, hosiery is a great way to update your wardrobe without spending a lot of money. Try amping up your work wardrobe by pairing a classic pencil skirt with a modern patterned tight like the "Metallic Diamond Tights" by Simply Vera Vera Wang ($14 at Kohl's) and a strappy heel. Going out on the town? Why not update your little black dress with sheer black stockings with a polka dot and classic black pumps, or, go edgy with colored opaque tights in orange, blue, or yellow with suede booties! Want to look stylish while driving carpool, watching soccer games and food shopping? Throw on a long sweater or sweater dress (much more comfortable than jeans)with black opaque tights (I love Hanes Silk Reflections Opaque Tights Blackout Coverage, $12.00)and a great pair of boots.

Style Mavens, have fun with your hosiery this season: try different prints, colors and textures. Remember, you don't need to break the bank to look stylish and on trend.

Fabulous Fur.... Faux Real!

I've loved fur (faux or real) for as long as I can remember....that's me in high school wearing a fur jacket!

My mother,a style maven in her own right,was the first one to introduce me to fur. I remember her getting all dressed up for a night out with my dad and topping off her outfit with a gorgeous mink coat. I couldn't wait for the day I would be able to wear fur,just like my mom.

Celebrities and stylists across the country have been embracing this look for years, only now has it become a bonafide trend. Whether you like real fur or can commit to only wearing faux...the options are endless and the price-points go from affordable to outrageous. Most department stores, chain stores and even small boutiques now carry a great selection of faux fur pieces at affordable prices. Looking for something more exclusive? Doncaster is offering several faux fur pieces in their Fall 2011 Collection. This Notched collar faux fur coat sells for $550.

Style Mavens, consider the following when shopping for fur: there's no such thing as a blue animal...if the color doesn't exist in real life, don't buy it! Also, look for the best fit...whether faux or real,too bulky can add weight and too thin looks cheap, and finally, don't go fur head to toe....wearing a fur coat, hat and boots can make you look like a creature that escaped from the zoo!

Nail it!

A mani-pedi is my cure-all for whatever ails me! Having my nails manicured makes me feel sexy and glamorous. When the going gets tough....I say go get a mani-pedi!

The new nailpolish colors each season are as exciting to me as a new box of crayons to a child. I wait with baited breath to see what amazing colors Chanel, Essie and OPI will come up with, and the names...I love the names!
Thankfully, Fall 2011 does not disappoint. The color palette ranges from neutrals (nudes, grays, beige, greige),to classic reds- but deeper into burgundy and purples, and finally deep jewel-toned shades in navy and shimmering green.
My new favorite for fall is "Carry on" by Essie, a deep romantic burgundy(pictured above). How rich and gorgeous. This color will make your toes pop as they peek through your favorite peep-toe pumps! Just remember ladies, dark colors show chips (a big style no-no) so buy a bottle of your favorite color and keep it in your handbag for quick touch-ups between nail appointments.

True Style Mavens know the perfect polish completes a look. "..it's a statement-making finishing touch that's just as critical to an ensemble as the shoes on your feet."-(Refinery29.com). Nail it!

Style Star...the Jacket

"The jacket is the mainstay of a woman's wardrobe." according to Linda Allard, Designer for Ellen Tracy. Your Style Maven couldn't agree more. A great fitting jacket adds instant polish to any outfit and hides a multitude of sins! However, fit is the key. InStyle Secrets of Style (one of my style bibles) explains "It's particularly important to spend as much as you can afford to get a superior cut and a fabric that has just the right body."

This Doncaster notched collar plush cashmere blend jacket is a great addition to any wardrobe. (available in other colors, $575 www.doncaster.com/mcable) Wear it with a pair of jeans as seen in this photo, or over a fabulous printed dress. It's the perfect jacket to transition your summer pieces to fall.

Take a cue from Rachel Bilson. Here she wears this black jacket casual with a pair of jeans and then for evening with a dress. I love how she rocks both looks! Notice the fit? The lapel is perfect and it nips in her waist beautifully.
Style Mavens, when considering the fit of a jacket remember: a lapel that is too wide can make you look broad. A waist that hits too low can cut off precious leg length, and a hem that's too long can make your hips look wider.
"A perfectly tailored blazer is the ultimate investment piece."-Peoplestylewatch.com
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