Black is the New Black

Black goes with everything. Some argue that it doesn’t mix well with navy, but as you can see here, it seems to compliment it quite well. Black is great because it doesn’t stain, the color (excuse me, “shade”) takes longer to fade & you can wear a black piece multiple times without it seeming overdone/overworn.

​This spring, add key black elements to your outfits that have a pop of fun. Accessories are great because they tend to be to most inexpensive (& fun!) way to make your outfit unique. It financially makes more sense to invest your hard earned dollars on accessories, because​ ​an expensive dress can only be worn a few times, but an expensive handbag can be worn everyday & for many years.

Whether it be an awesome texture or a hint of glitter, the below pieces are great for all year-round-wear to spice up your outfit.

Gucci Glitter Sunglasses – Nike Sky High Dunks - Alexis Bittar Gold Twist Knot Bracelet – Toy Watch – Clare Vivier Foldover Black Clutch – Ted Baker Scarf

WWYD: What Would Yves Do?

With the not so recent change in Yves Saint Laurent’s brand image, many fashionistas have been in an uproar. The mentality behind dropping the Yves, in Yves Saint Laurent, was to become more youthful & stay more relevant with similar brands (think: Coco Chanel  - being called just Chanel & Christian Dior – being called just Dior.) To play devil’s advocate (also known as Hedi Slimane, the Creative Director of YSL) it makes sense. They needed a new image & they needed to be talked about. Nowadays, more and more youth are purchasing the lofty priced bags, so designers need to cater to them as well. Even the new Saint Laurent site has an edgier & more modern feel to it. Interestingly enough, the new branding of the Saint Laurent logo strongly resembles Céline – a brand that has also recently rebranded itself & now heavily caters to the affluent youth. 

Good news: they are keeping the YSL logo even though they are dropping the Y – this seems like a way to soften the blow to the brand’s loyal customers.

However, if you are one of the many who is still heartbroken by the dropping of Yves, you must purchase this comfy Prêt-à-Porter statement sweatshirt.

Keep in mind, Saint Laurent once wrote to Tom Ford, “In 13 minutes on the runway you have destroyed 40 years of my career.” What do you think he would say about having his first name dropped?

Coveting Coral Handbags

Welcome Spring! Glad to see you have finally arrived. For some city dwellers, it can be hard to veer away from your all black ensemble & start wearing those pastel colors. An easy way to do this is with a great bright handbag. It can be the perfect piece to transition into your spring wardrobe without being overbearing. If pink is too feminine for you, & orange clashes with your black (& reminds you of Halloween) opt for the greatest color of all: coral. This color is the ultimate because it compliments most other colors & all shades are exquisite. Below you will find some of the greatest out there – ranging from solids to color blocked.

Clockwise starting at upper left:

3.1 Phillip Lim - Pashli Satchel

Marc by Marc Jacobs - Globetrotter Calamity Bag

Diane von Furstenberg - Small Colorblocked Satchel

Vince Camuto - Julia Tote

Happy Spring Shopping!

Green With Envy – Pantone Eyeliner

St. Patrick’s Day is this weekend, & unless you want to get pinched, you need to be sure to wear green! A traditional approach to the holiday’s festivities is by wearing a green shirt or accessory – but traditional is no fun, so try spicing it up this year with something creative. Sephora & Pantone teamed up this year to present to you the very best product in the color of luck (& envy) to brighten up your appearance. This is the perfect opportunity to add Pantone’s Color of the Year into your make up look, so be sure to take advantage of the holiday theme!

The green eyeliner looks great against green, blue & brown eyes because the color makes your own eye color truly pop. If that sounds too daring for you, try drawing a simple four-leaf clover on your cheek under your eye.

This trend will feel like a throwback to your collegiate days & football face tattoos – & who doesn’t want to feel like they are back in their glory days?

Style Inspiration: Jennifer Lawrence

This past Sunday, the lovely Jennifer Lawrence was dubbed America’s latest screen sweetheart for the film The Silver Linings Playbook.  Although many will remember her acceptance speech because of her fall, others will remember it because of her gorgeous off-white/blush colored gown. She truly embodied an old Hollywood actress with her draw-dropping ballgown.

The color blush flatters all skin tones because it does not provide a hard contrast against the skin. Many women choose a blush hue for their wedding gown to offset their pale skin – it gives more or a subtle glow as opposed to a radioactive one. Another great thing about blush, or pale pink, is that it can be worn in all seasons. It’s neutral nature also enables it to be worn & compliment every color. Check out some pearlescent picks below to add to your wardrobe!

1. Rebecca Minkoff – ‘Clarissa’ Colorblock Bustier Dress

2. Donna Karen New York – Cold Shoulder Dress

3. Alice + Olivia – Peplum Dress

4. Asos  -Opulence England Chiffon Bandeau Feather Dress

Yes, They’re Real.

If you want long, lush lashes that look like falsies, look no further. The ultimate, hands down, best mascara out there is called They’re Real by Benefit. The concoction doesn’t flake off & lasts all day – literally from day to night without reapplying. At first you might get some mascara on your lids because the applicator is larger than most of the top-sellers, but practice makes perfect! Hope you’re ready for compliments & people asking the most satisfying question: “Are your lashes real?!”

Yes, yes they are.

Haute Handbag History

Brands have a dominating presence because of their aesthetic & their unique attraction, but also because of the impression they have made on their consumer over the years. History is everything to a brand. Girls love Chanel because of everything the founder represents. She was a girl who came from nothing & transformed her life into creating & running one of the most successful luxury brands today. Chanel enables it’s consumers to think outside of the box, to inspire, & to create something new. Everyone wants to become something, & the story of Chanel (& actually of most iconic designers) is the story of making something out of what others would call nothing. Going from rags to riches is the ultimate dream. Always remember: never let someone who gave up on their dreams talk you out of yours.

Below are some historical & fun facts of the some of today’s haute-est bags. If you are droppin’ the dough on a Birkin, you might as well know a little bit about how it came to be.