a little bit of lace

Black & Brown Fashion – Break From The Norm

asa — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 04:56:00 +0000

I love the sartorial pairing of black and brown. It use to be unacceptable to wear black and brown together, but now this is simply not the case. Black and brown actually compliment each other with a timeless sophistication. This season break away from the norm and wear black leggings with brown boots à la Lauren Conrad.

Image Credit: Who What Wear

Wear a brown skirt with black tights and shoes.

Image Credit: My Super Sweet Diary

Wear a black and brown dress with black accessories.

Pair your black coat with a brown purse.

Don’t get hung up on the old rules of fashion. If it looks good, wear it!

Image Credit: Wont You Be My Nabor

Other combos of black & brown fashion:

Black scarf and cardi, brown belt, purse and boots.

Black dress, brown boots.

Black cardi and tights, brown boots.

Image Credits: Marita Bliss’s Blog

Black & White Fashion: Wear Them As A Pair

asa — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 04:38:00 +0000

Image Credit: Top Shop

There is nothing more classic than the pairing of black and white clothing and accessories. You can wear it any time of the year no matter the season. In the past it was a faux pas to wear a white dress or skirt in the dead of winter. But now it is very much a fashion do.

Notice how this bomber jacket gives a fussy dress a downtown but classic vibe. I also love the opaque tights and black booties.

White tights with your LBD (Little Black Dress) is usually hard to pull off. But the upper white portion of this Stella McCartney Dress paired with black and white Chanel pumps pulls this look together. The panda mask is a sweet touch.

Both Images: Glamour October 2009

Here are a few of this season’s black and white must-haves. Be creative and wear your blacks with your whites.

Black & white you can wear now:

Top Shop Silk Bow Stripe Tee 50.00

Top Shop Crochet Floral Spot Tee 50.00

This knit is black and cream but I couldn’t resist. It’s just so cute!

Top Shop Knitted Stripe Lace Jumper 70.00

In related post: Check out Trend Alert: Black & White Stripes

Forever 21 – Not Just For The Under 21

asa — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 06:21:00 +0000

I rarely shop at Forever 21. But I was on a mission to find something unique (preferably in pearls) to wear with my winter sweaters. I’m obsessed with pearls and Victorian or vintage looking jewelry. I found three necklaces that were great in price and exactly what I was looking for.

Pearl Necklace Earring Set 5.80

Love Flower Necklace Set 4.80

Eiffel Tower Necklace 3.80

I also purchased three sweaters from Forever’s Twelve by Twelve collection. So cute!

Two out of three can be found online/in-store:

Mesh Trim Sweater 32.00

Lace Covered Sweater 24.00

Last, but certainly not lease, is this adorable cardigan with tulle sleeve and pockets. In-store only.

Rodarte For Target

asa — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 00:50:22 +0000

Image Credit: Nylon Magazine December 2009

The fashion community has been abuzz about Rodarte for Target. Last Sunday I went online to view collection – 12.20 was the official launch date online and in-store. Monday I made a Target run. Most of the collection was sold down to a couple sizes and online was looking slim. Tuesday I went to another Target and bought three dresses. Two of them were a little small but workable. Then as luck would have it, my mom called from a business trip and told me the Target near by had the dresses. All the effort paid off and I am excited with my purchases.

13 year old Tavi Gevinson has been working with Rodarte and Target since August interviewing the editors and sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy designers of the Rodarte collection. Check out Tavi’s popular fashion blog Style Rookie.

Image Credit: Teenvogue.com

Tavi modeling Rodarte’s Crepe Slip Lace Dress in Teen Vogue

My Rodarte purchases:

Swiss Dot dress 39.99

I couldn’t choose a color in the Crepe Slip Lace Dress so I bought both black and Coral. Both are now sold out online.

Crepe Slip Lace Dress in Black 39.99

Crepe Slip Lace Dress in Coral 39.99

Antique Jewelry: Erica Weiner

asa — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 05:44:00 +0000

All images from Ericaweiner.com

Reminiscent of the Victorian era, New York jewelry designer Erica Weiner creates beautiful affordable keepsakes such as a Skelton key pendant or locket. You can also check out Etsy store for limited edition pieces, reworked vintage jewelry,and other unique pieces.

Here are some of my favorites/must haves:

Black Mini Key Necklace 45.00

Bow and Locket Necklace 40.00

Button Necklace (14K Gold Vermeil) 75.00

Simple Skeleton Key 30.00

My Anthropologie Wish List: Accessories

asa — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 09:42:00 +0000

From O’Keeffe Necklace 48.00

Micanopy Necklace 80.00

Frayed Diamonds Necklace 168.00

Old-And-New Necklace 218.00

Crystalline Globe Necklace 238.00

I am loving the pastel color palette for the upcoming season. So pretty. So feminine. J’adore!!!

Inspiration photo: Boutique by Forever21. This collection has the same vintage feminine romantic feel as the necklaces from Anthropologie.

Bear Cameo

asa — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 09:03:00 +0000

My favorite blogger Emily Martin created several "fancy wearables" with her paintings. All of the pieces are beautiful and unique, but the cameo bear locket stole my heart and I knew I had to have it. It arrived in the mail last week and I have yet to put a picture in it. But I have worn my little bear friend several times and love him dearly. Check out Emily Martin’s blogs Inside a Black Apple and fashion blog Some Girls Wander.

Unfortunately, each piece is a limit edition and there are no more left.

Secret Key Necklace

asa — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 08:16:00 +0000

Anthropologie Secret Key Necklace 38.00

I was doing a little Christmas shopping this past weekend and stopped into Anthropologie one of my favorite stores. While I was there, I picked up the most adorable skeleton key pendant with jewel bead and diamond babble. It hangs on a long chain and is the perfect compliment to almost any outfit. I paired mine with my J.Crew ruffle corsage sweater, navy tank, and matchstick jeans with Rockport brown boots. This necklace would also go well with a floral dress or skirt.

Holiday Party Dresses

asa — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 04:55:00 +0000

Image Credit: Asos

The holidays festivities are about to begin, so if you haven’t picked out your party dress look no further. Here are a few of my favorites:

Karen Millen Bubble Dress $254.96

Forever 21 Rosette Mesh Dress $27.80

Urban Outfitter’s Kimchi Blue Dream Plaid Taffeta Dress $78.00

Urban Outfitter’s Kimchi Blue Taffeta Ruffle Dress $68.00

No holiday plans? Throw your own holiday gathering and tell everyone to wear there best dress or grab your girlfriends for a night out on the town.

Fashion Tip: Find Closet Matches & Stay Organized

asa — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 05:07:00 +0000

Image Credit: R Is For Rodellee

Find closet matches by introducing your new purchases to the old. Try on various combo in your home mirror. If you’re not still in love with your new item or can’t get a lot of wear from it, return it.
Save your receipts. I keep mine in a folder in my filing cabinet. Even if you’re happy with a purchase, your item could run, or fall apart. If you have your receipt you can return or exchange item.
Watch for markdowns/sales. If the item you purchased goes on sale in a week or two, some retailers will credit you the difference. So, hold on to those receipts.
Don’t remove tags until you’re sure you are satisfied with your purchase. This will allow you more options in case you change your mind. Good rule of thumb: keep tags on until you are ready to wear.