Hello, Lovely Readers! I am having some major issues with my computer and finally got it working well enough to get this up. I wanted to let you know that I haven’t forgotten about all of you! I’m going to be doing a system restart over the next day or two and *hopefully* will be back up and running then. I have some great article ideas for you and an interview with Suzanne Sevier from Sevier Skirts. See you soon!
How many of you have prom dresses, evening dresses, or old bridesmaid dresses in your closet right now? I’ll venture a guess that the number is high, especially with the 2009 prom season drawing to a close. If you are like me, you have no where you can even think of that you would wear the dress a second time too. Even if an event did come up, I’d probably use it as an excuse to have a bit of fun and get a new one.
So, what do you do with the old one? Well, I have a found a great organization to help. Not only do you get to clear out some closet space, but you get to help a young girl who is not as well off as you. DonateMyDress.org is a great resource to help you find a place to donate your special occasion dresses to girls who otherwise wouldn’t be able to get them. You can find out where to donate, browse photos of dress events, and read stories on how the project has made a difference.
I’m always loving ways you spread the fashion love around. I personally have cleaned my closet of prom and special occasion dresses by donating them to an organization in West Kentucky while I was in college. It’s a great feeling and I hope everyone out there will participate.
I’ve never been able to tan. I’m one of those pasty white girls of North European heritage that burns, freckles, and still remains pasty white once the blisters heal. I’ve tried a lot of sunless tanners and have finally found one I like.
Olay’s Touch of Sun is the best of all the sunless tanning products I have tried, and, without naming names, some have been just plain bad! Olay’s product leaves a soft, natural looking tan over the course of about a week when you apply it diligently everyday. Touch of Sun is also a lotion and helps to keep skin soft and hydrated during a season when you spend a lot of time in the sun.
One of the major things I look for in a sunless tanner is whether I will be orange in the morning. Touch of Sun does a great job of not turning you orange as long as you make sure to rub it in completely and evenly. If you are a bit sloppy in the application, you might see some orange streaks. Also, be sure to wash your hands after you apply the lotion. Failure to do so will leave your hands a bit on the orange side, but a little soap and water to wash off any excess will go along way to leave your hands their normal color.
Another aspect I love about Touch of Sun is the shades it comes in. There is a lotion for light, medium, and dark skin tones. Basically, there is something for everyone.
No girl likes to have blindingly bright skin for the summer. If you, like me, don’t tan or simply don’t want to take on the risk of natural tanning, I highly recommend Olay Touch of Sun.
Images from http://www.olay.com/boutique/touchofsun
It’s hard to believe that summer is just around the corner. Memorial Day, the unofficial kick-off to summer, is less than two weeks away. My personal style in the summer tends to go more towards the sporty side. I like to be comfortable and the best way in my opinion is a sporty skirt and flip flops.
Sporty tops tend to be very simple and clean. Polos, cotton blouses, and tanks are the most popular. Layering is also very common in sporty looks. Layering two coordinating tanks creates an all new look than just wearing the tanks themselves. I also like to layer a coordinating tank under my polo or t-shirt. This gives the otherwise plain top some interest.
Sporty bottoms are easy and casual. Cotton skirts, bermudas, and capris are staples in the sporty wardrobe. Give your outfit some interest by choosing skirts with fun, colorful patterns or bermudas in this seasons plaid frenzy.
When trying to find shoes, think of comfort then style. I love flipflops, especially the new FitFlops that have come out. They combine fashion and comfort ina unique way. Tennis shoes are also very common in the sporty look. For a bit of a dressier look, go with some athletic looking wedges. Keds have come out with a great wedge that look just like traditional keds with a detailed wedge. Gives a whole new meaning to “high-heeled sneakers”.
Your best accessory will be your sunglasses. Stay simple with any other accessories you choose, but go all out with your sunglasses. I love the retro-looking shades out this summer.
Whatever your personal style is, I think everyone displays a little bit of the sporty look in their wardrobe. I know very few girls who don’t absolutely live in their flip flops all summer long. What is your favorite look this summer?
This week’s “In The Spotlight” article features an interview with Natasha Allison, owner and creator of Badd Baby. Badd Baby is a line of hip, trendy, artistic fashion for babies age 0-18 months. All of the designs are showcased on onesies and will add flair to any little one’s wardrobe.
Question 1: How did you come up with the idea for Badd Baby?
It’s funny that you ask that! When my son Jackson – the inspiration for the line was smaller he used to bouts of colic and the only thing that would make him laugh was when I used to tickle him and say “Are you a “bad baby, bad baby!”
It always lightened the mood and made us both laugh! My mom actually suggested that I put the two d’s in Badd. I instantly liked it because it takes bad from having a negative connotation to representing the trendier/edgier side of kids.
Question 2: What is your favorite piece?
Wow! That is tough! Hmm…I would say the Koi Fish because there is so much detail and it is funky, it is colorful and just looks so cool!
Question 3: How would you describe your store?
Trendy, funky and hip – but in pint size!
Question 4: Would you ever consider branching out of onesies and expanding the line for toddlers and children?
That is in the works as we speak! I am looking for suggestions from moms and dads regarding what THEY want to see their kids wearing as well. We will always stay on the hip side of the fashion fence but moms and dads taste is SO important to our company. Please make suggestions so we can better serve you!!
Question 5: What is your most popular item for boys? for girls?
I have to be honest I am so fortunate that all of them are flying off the shelves. I never dreamed that the response would be so positive! The most popular has been the Koi Fish and the Rebel Rocker in both girls and boys.
Question 6: If there is one thing about your line that you want people to know, what would it be?
This line represents a fun, relaxed and super carefree attitude that I try to embody as an individual but more so as a parent. I just want people to have fun with it and enjoy them as much as I have enjoyed creating them!
Thank you, Natasha! I hope you all enjoy the fun, eclectic fashions over at Badd Baby. My little guy will probably be getting the Cassette Tape Grunge onesie very soon.
Someone recently presented me with the term “evening blouse“, and I was curious. To be honest, I was completely unsure what exactly an evening blouse was. My first thought was the obvious – a formal blouse. But what does an evening blouse look like?
Evening blouses are made of finer fabrics than your typical cotton blouse. Velvet and silk are most common and create a much more formal feel.
The cuts of evening blouses often do not differ to much from traditional blouses. Most traditional blouses are button-front or wrap-style tops. Evening blouses follow the same cut, with wraps being the most common.
The main difference between traditional and evening blouses are the details. Evening blouses often have some for of detailing such as ruffles, rosettes, bows, etc. Traditional blouses are typically plain, or at least have very simple detailing (buckles, detailed buttons, etc).
Evening blouses work great with dress pants as a formal alternative to a dress. They are very popular at evening, black tie weddings. If you are not into dresses, but need something formal, evening blouses are a gorgeous option for you.
One way to make sure you have perfect fitting clothes is to have a perfect fitting bra. If your bra doesn’t fit correctly, it can cause a top to look completely wrong, but the proper fitting bra can make the same top fit like a dream.
There are two ways to make sure you bra fits correctly. First, you could fit it yourself. The fit is measured in two places, across the torso and across the bust. The measurements here indicate your cup size and number. For example, a 34B has a torso measurement of 34 and a cup size of B. Since I am no expert at measureing bra fits, check out the video below by Expert Village for tips on how to get the perfect fit.
The second way to get a perfect fitting bra is to have a professional measure you. Many department stores, such as JC Penney and Dillards, offer complimentary bra fittings to their customers. These stores often carry the basic sizes and limited styles, but I have always had a great experience with this. If you know off hand that you might have a size beyond average (for example, I am a 34C and can’t find it in any department store), places like Victoria’s Secret often provide complimentary bra fittings. They will even help you adjust the fit of the bra in store to make sure it is perfect if you are comfortable with that.
It’s amazing to think how something as simple as a bra can have such an effect on how an outfit looks. It is important to always wear a bra, no matter what the top. If it is strapless, get a strapless bra. There is a bra for every neckline and back-style, so mauch sure you are properly supported for the best look possible.
It seems everywhere I go recently there is something to do with graduation. Congratulation signs in yards, celebratory dinners at restaurants, and Saturday morning traffic jams around the local universities have all been staples around town. Whether you are the one graduating or simply going to celebrate with a friend or loved one, deciding what to wear can be as nerveracking as the final exam.
The outfit will be similar whether you are the one graduating or are in the audience. The best way to describe the dress code is “Sunday Best”. A sundress and heels is entirely acceptable. Slacks and a blouse work as well. Think about what you might wear to church on Easter Sunday and you are ready to go.
For the guys, the same dress code applies. Slacks, a button-down top, and dress shoes are a must. Depending on your school and personal prefence, a tie and jacket are a plus. They add an additional level of dress and formality.
What ever you wear, have fun! This is an exciting time for everyone, the graduate especially. Whether you are graduating from high school, college, or beyond, congrats and good luck!
When I first saw the commercial for Bravo’s newest reality game show, The Fashion Show, I thought the same thing I’m sure most of you thought, “They are trying to fill the Project Runway void.” As most of you know, Project Runway was whisked away to Lifetime and is rumored to finally begin airing this summer.
I’m sure the loss of Project Runway was felt keenly by Bravo. It was one of the very few reasons I watched anything else on Bravo. Their answer was to create The Fashion Show, a show where designers compete for a $125,000 cash prize and the chance to have their creations sold on BravoTV.com. In concept, The Fashion Show appears to be a complete remake of Project Runway.
The Fashion Show has taken on the characteristics of several other of Bravo’s reality shows by introducing the new “Quick Fire Challenge”. Last night, the designers had to create a cocktail dress from a black t-shirt in one hour. The winner’s where then given an advantage in the main challenge.
Additionally, the judging of The Fashion Show differs slightly from Project Runway. The top and bottom designers are choosen by the votes of an audience of “fashion elite” who attend the runway show. A panel, featuring Issac Mizrahi, Kelly Rowland, and a rotating guest judge, then decide the ultimate winner and loser. The grand prize winner will be choosen in an American Idol veiwer-vote method.
In theory, The Fashion Show is a good idea. In excecution, last night was a disappointment. I am willing to be a bit open, given that it was only the first episode, but there seems a surprising lack of talent from the contestants. There were one or two decent looking outfits, but nothing compared to the calibur of Project Runway contestants where the true competitors could be seen right away. One of the contestants even bemoaned her ability to sew clothing. If construction is key, why be entered into a contest where you will be responsible for creating your own designs start to finish?
Finally, the drama level is already in full swing. There are several contestants who are catty and just plain mean for no reason. I understand there is a level of ego that goes into these types of shows, but there is no reason to be mean. Aside from the contestants, the judges are also brutally honest to the point of being mean. Where the ever-polite Tim Gunn would give his opinion and make suggestions, criticism was made with harsh and pointed comments. The final review saw no sparing for designer feelings. Mizrahi told one of the bottom two contestants that he questioned why anyone with her ability (or lack thereof) would even dream of being in the industry (not a direct quote).
I’m willing to give The Fashion Show another shot next week. However, all it has done so far is to make me more impatient for the reappearance of Project Runway. By the way, last night’s winning design can be purchased from Bravo’s shop for an I’m-not-sure-it’s-worth-it $298.
Photos from BravoTv.com.
Mandee is searching for their next Style Star! Simply send in a photo of you modeling your favorite Mandee outfit with a brief description of why you love and how much you saved. If you are the lucky winner, you’ll be invited to a photo shoot and receive a $250 gift card. Show them what you’ve got and good luck!
