Fashion

How to Update Your Blah Winter Wardrobe

February 8, 2012 at 8:59 am, by Gabrielle Porcaro

Gab, I am so tired of my wardrobe. Any advice on pieces I can buy to brighten up by wardrobe—and that I can wear now and throughout the spring?  — Olivia

I am with you! I am sick of standing in front of my closet staring, hoping something marvelous will just appear. If you want to buy something new, here are my top 5 suggestions for things you can buy now.

1. Tops. Generally tops are always a good item to buy since you can wear them all year round, especially silk ones. This striped tank with a navy cardigan or blazer is perfect for now, and you can wear it with shorts (like the model) when the weather heats up.

2. Color-blocked anything. This is one of the biggest trends this spring. Whether it’s a dress, a top or a bag, you can’t go wrong!

3. Colored jeans. This is another trend that started last fall and will continue through to the summer. There are jeans literally in every hue and in all shapes and sizes. No matter what you are looking for — a skinny, a flare,  neon or something a bit safer — you will have no trouble finding it.

4. Loose-knit sweaters. Light, spring sweaters have already replaced heavy winter ones in stores. A loose knit one, like this striped sweater from Rachel Rachel Roy, has a perfect casual vibe for all seasons.

5. Accessories. A colored pump, a neon bracelet  or a light scarf might be just the trick to get you out of your winter wardrobe slump.

And don’t worry too much, only 42 days left until Spring…

 

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Shopping with Sue… at Lemlem

January 31, 2012 at 1:17 pm, by Sue Erneta

With less than 48 hours until I leave for vacation, I’ve got beach on the brain. And traveling with me will be a few of my favorite items — my scarves from Lemlem.

For the uninitiated, I’ll give you the brief story. Lemlem was created by the gorgeous supermodel Liya Kebede in 2007. The line consists of handwoven dresses, tops, skirts, scarves and shoes for women and girls. I’m not gonna lie, it ain’t cheap. But when something is special and you can wear it over and over, then maybe $150 for a scarf isn’t so bad.

Her scarves are my favorite because they always have this beautiful color mix — some amazing pop of super bright against pure white — and they are so easy to wear. I love them around my neck on a plane to keep the chill away and then as a sarong on the beach. I even wrap them around my kids as little beach dresses.

The dresses and tunics are adorable too – and even come in kids sizes – though they do run upwards of $200+. They’re carried at one of my favorite place to shop – jcrew.com — so I’m always on the lookout to see some pop up on sale. Oh look: there are a couple right now!

Another reason to love Lemlem is that by purchasing the product, not only are you keeping alive the ancient art of hand weaving but you are giving a job to someone who may not have had one before. Check out these pictures of the weaving process. It makes it look totally worth $150 to me.

Photos from Lemlem.

 

 

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Shopping with Sue…at Rachel Rachel Roy

January 25, 2012 at 3:50 pm, by Sue Erneta

I’ll admit it. I have a girl crush on Rachel Roy. I mean, she’s gorgeous and stylish and all but there is so much more to love than just that. Of course, there is her ah-mah-zing namesake collection that counts Kate Hudson, Eva Mendes and First Lady Michelle Obama as fans. But if you know anything about me, it’s a deal that really gets me going. And with the Rachel Rachel Roy collection, you (and I!) can have that same eclectic style that we love her in main line, in a much more affordable and extensive collection of  clothing, jewelry, shoes, and handbags.

You can pick up the line at Macy’s stores and on Macys.com or you can check out Rachel’s website for blog posts and to shop from either of her lines. I’m obsessed with just about every piece from Rachel Rachel Roy but if I had to put just one outfit together, I’d pick the Susan dress, the Kimi pumps in nude (Yes – that’s a studded heel!), and the Small Frame Clutch that we shot in our February closet organizing story. At only $59, I think everyone should a clutch that versatile in their wardrobe.

And if we didn’t already love Rachel enough, check out her charity products that all give 100% of net proceeds to the participating organization. Available right now is the Heart of Haiti jewelry collection (that ring is gorgeous!) and the Kindness is Always Fashionable clutch. Proceeds of the clutch go to OrphanAid in Ghana.

So, if you’re looking for something new at a great price, please check out Rachel Rachel Roy at rachelroy.com and while you’re there, read about Rachel’s amazing charity work. She’s truly an inspiration and totally crush-worthy!

Image from rachelroy.com.

 

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Kellie Pickler: A “100 Proof” Love of Cats

January 24, 2012 at 3:33 pm, by Ron Kelly

Are you a cat lover who’s tired of the host of feline fashion faux paws … er, pas … that you see in the stores? Well, you’ve got a friend in country music’s Kellie Pickler, who recently teamed up with Fresh Step litter and the ASPCA for a great cause that’ll benefit both cats in need and your wardrobe.

Now through March 15, in honor of February being Cat Appreciation Month, Fresh Step litter will donate $1 (up to $100,000) to the ASPCA for every photo posted on their Facebook page of a pet owner wearing a cat-proud outfit. If your closet is currently cat-pride free, relax and don’t cough up a hairball. That’s why Pickler partnered with fashion designer and fellow cat lover Geren Ford, creating the limited-edition sweater you see Pickler wearing here. When you visit the ASPCA website to purchase the sweater ($35), 100% of the proceeds benefits the ASPCA. You can also virtually “try on” the sweater at Fresh Step’s Facebook page, post it, and make the $1 donation. It’s so easy, your cat can probably do it!

Pickler, who unfortunately had to relocate her beloved cat Pickles due to her husband’s severe allergies, is thrilled to be part of such a pro-cat program, brushing off any fear of being stamped with a “crazy cat lady stigma” as cooly as she’d brush cat hair off a couch. “I’m not ashamed of anything,” she says matter-of-factly. “I don’t really worry about what everybody else is doing and what they like. I kind of do my own thing. I love cats and I’m not going to not love cats just because somebody else doesn’t think it’s cool. I don’t think they’re cool if they don’t like cats.”

She was in a similar mindset while making her brand new CD, 100 Proof, which is out today and takes Pickler back to some more traditional country roots. “On my last album, I made a record based on what I thought radio would play and what I thought people would want to hear,” she explains. “I didn’t do that with this record. I’m not trying to get anybody to like me with this album. Nothing’s forced. I was me, I didn’t make this record for anyone but me and I think it’s okay to do things for yourself every now and then.” Her new approach has produced an album that is her strongest, most personal effort yet. In fact, by not worrying about what anyone wanted to hear, she just may have made the record everyone was waiting for after falling in love with her on American Idol in 2006.

Continue on after the jump for more dish about Pickler’s brand new CD …

Read more

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Go Ask Gab: Silk Blouses

January 17, 2012 at 4:22 pm, by Gabrielle Porcaro

Gab, I wear a lot of button-down shirts for work and sometimes they make me feel like a man. Got any more feminine suggestions? — Sarah

I know a lot of ladies love a button down shirt but personally I have my own issues with them. I find them to be genearlly boxy, unflattering and boring. Sorry ladies who wear them everyday, it’s true! What I am a fan of is silk blouses. They fall very nicely on a woman’s body, which means they actually make her look like a woman! Another great thing is that they’ve been around for a while now (a while equals two or three seasons) and are almost at any store. Check out some of my favorites!

 

 

 

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Go Ask Gab: Style Resolutions

January 4, 2012 at 2:44 pm, by Gabrielle Porcaro

It’s resolution time! Mine are: shed some pounds before my next birthday, sleep more (this zombie look ain’t cute) and break out of my fashion rut. Yes, even a fashion “expert” needs to get motivated from time to time. Here are a list of some fashion resolutions we should all commit to!

Try something new. Get out of your comfort zone! Instead of another black dress, why not get one in a bright color or a print — both are big trends for 2012.

Clean your closet. I am constantly organizing and purging my closet — I find it very cathartic. If it’s something you haven’t worn in awhile or doesn’t fit, get rid of it! Spend time really looking at each piece and figuring out if it has a place in your closet. (Also check out our February issue for some additional closet tips!)

Mix it up. It’s so easy to fall in to a slump during the cold month (says the girl who is having another boots, jeans and over-sized sweater day). Figure out what works for you and have go-to stylish outfits ready. Maybe it’s skinny jeans with a blazer or shift dresses. It will make getting dressed in the morning so much easier.

Trust others. You are your own worst critic so ask a trusted friend — preferably one with good taste — to be honest with you. Be open to what they say and don’t get offended, they are there to help.

Quality over quantity. I know we can’t afford to splurge on everything but I do believe in spending a little more on a piece each season, especially if it’s classic or timeless. Sign up for websites like Gilt, which sells tons of designer items at a discount. Also be an avid sale shopper. J. Crew’s sales are always great and department stores like Bloomingdales and Lord & Taylor also are great places to find deals. You should also buy items on sale at end of a season: See a cashmere sweater or wool pea coat in February or March for dirt cheap? Buy it for next year!

Find your style. What kind of look do you want to present to the world? Start an inspiration board on Pinterest and print out styles you want to recreate yourself and hang it on your mirror.  Its important to be creative and inspired!

 

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Go Ask Gab: Happy Holidays from Gab and George

December 20, 2011 at 4:15 pm, by Gabrielle Porcaro

It seems that right now everyone is focused on giving and receiving gifts rather then going out and buying stuff for themselves. Therefore I decided to take a break from sharing my fashion advice this week. But have no fear — I will have plenty of wisdom to dispense to you next year so keep the questions coming!

Instead, I thought I would share the best gift I have received so far. My friend Eric sent me the World’s Largest Gummy Bear.  They are my favorite kind of candy and anything ridiculous always has my name on it (I love when people get me!). I call him George and he’s tasty yet quite heavy (4 lbs. 8 oz!) and sticky. I had planned to share him with my office but once I got my hands on him, he was all mine! (And I figured no one would want to eat him after that.) I can’t wait to take him on some adventures — like to a bar after work and then to my apartment where I shall eat some more of him. I might even take George home to meet the family…  if he makes it to Friday.

Hope your holidays are sweet and filled with fun! See you in 2012!

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