Fall Favorite: Leopard Print

You could call it the print that just won’t quit.  For seasons now, we have seen leopard print all over our stores, and this fall is no exception.  I must admit that I love the look and just can’t help myself from adding a little more leopard print to my wardrobe each season.  Truthfully, I just looked down to see that I am wearing my leopard pajama pants.  My obsession may be worse that I previously thought! 

Whether you love leopard a little or, like I do, a lot, it is important to select your leopard items with care and in a way that will support and extend your current wardrobe…not leave you thinking, “I must have been crazy when I bought that leopard blouse!”  Here are my rules for selecting the right leopard pieces for my clients.  I hope they help you in your leopard selections this fall:

1) The key to a happy leopard-sprinkled wardrobe is to purchase items that are in your preferred color family (black & white, brown & caramel, or even red).  Stick to a leopard color scheme that will compliment the wardrobe you already have (exp. if your fall color base is brown, opt for brown-toned leopard prints, not blacks).

2) Remember to choose leopard prints that are in the right scale for your body size.  For example, if one of my petite clients really wants a great pair of leopard jeans this fall, I will make sure to select for her a very small pattern that will not overpower her small frame. (The NYDJ below are a great example of this).  

3) Don’t forget that a little leopard goes a long way.  When wearing a leopard print, select other supportive (not conflicting) pieces to wear.  Let the leopard be the all-star of your outfit. 

4) Lastly, once you have a little leopard in your closet, you cannot be afraid to wear it!  Yes, it may be bold and dramatic, but leoaprd can create so much visual interest and fun in an outfit…if you let it. 

Now that you know the rules for wearing leopard, it’s time to shop.  Leopard is everywhere this season, so stay true to your budget when purchasing your pieces.  If you find something you love that is out of your price range, just keep searching.  Leopard is popping up everywhere and at every price-point!  Here are some of my favorite leopard finds, so far, this season.

Leopard Clutch, $43.00

Photo Courtesy: Karmaloop

 

Leopard NYDJ, $120.00

Photo Courtesy: Nordstrom

 

 

Leopard Blouse, $24.50

Photo Courtesy: Wet Seal

 

Leopard Wedges, $79.50

Photo Courtesy: Ann Taylor Loft

 

Leopard Blazer, $198

Photo Courtesy: Neiman Marcus

 

 

Photo Courtesy: H&M

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Color-Blocked Crossbody Bags

One of my favorite trends of the Spring 2012 season is color-blocking.  Color-blocking is not only a great trend in clothing, but it also spans other areas of fashion, like shoes, jewelry and bags. 

BCBG Max Azaria Color-Block Dress, $248 at Saks

Photo Courtesy: Saks Fifth Avenue

Colin Stuart Color-Block Sandal, $88 at Victoria’s Secret

Photo Courtesy: Victoria’s Secret

 

Lee Angel Color-Block Bracelet, $94.99 at Amazon

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

Over the past month, I have been on a hunt, for a certain client, for the perfect color-blocked crossbody bag.  The specifications are that it must be under $100 and include only neutrals (brown, black, white, etc.).  Keeping the color-blocking neutral will also for pairing with a great number of pieces in her existing wardrobe and will ensure longevity when neon color-blocking goes out (and who can tell how quickly that will be!).  Here are my two favorite finds for this project.  Which bag do you like best?

Contrast Bowling Bag, $72 at TopShop

Photo Courtesy: TopShop

LaMountain Crossbody Bag, $40 at Aldo

Photo Courtesy: Aldo

How To Get Winter Style Icon Elle Macpherson’s Look In North Texas

Layering is a big trend this winter season, and Elle Macpherson is one celebrity who knows how to play the layering game.  Her mixture of fur, leather and denim looks effortless and city-chic.  But, with all those layers, recreating Elle’s outfit could get pricey, fast!  I’ve managed to put it all together for under $200.  And with so many versatile layers, you are sure to add much than a $200 value to your winter wardrobe.

Photo Credit: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

 

Black (Faux) Fur Vest

 

Dillard’s North East
1101 Melbourne Road
Hurst, Texas 76053
817-590-3909
Hours: Mon – Sat 10am-9pm; Sun 12pm – 6pm

http://www.dillards.com/

The outer layer of Elle’s outfit, and the main focal point, is her black fur vest. Now, wearing fur can be tricky as it starts looking bulking, especially over so many layers.  As I tell my clients, “You should always look like you are wearing your clothes, not like your clothes are wearing you!”  The key to keeping trim in these layers is to select a fur piece that is sleek and smooth so that it doesn’t add extra bulk to your waistline.  I like this faux fur vest from Dillard’s for $58.80 because it also has a knit back, which contours to the body instead of looking boxy.

Read the rest of my article for CBS DFW.

Release Me Creations’s Oscar Goodies!

Release Me Creations, one of my favorite local jewelers, was asked to make 100 necklaces for all of our favorites movie stars’ gift bags at the Academy Awards!  As early as next week, you may see these darling pieces around the necks of Hollywood royalty.  Let’s hope TMZ is watching! 

Here are some of the necklaces that went in the Oscar bags:

 

All of the necklaces are $30.  Visit the Release Me Creations site to purchase your very own!

And don’t forget to watch the Oscars this Sunday, February the 24th!  I’ll be taking notes of the best dressed of the evening.  Afterall, it’s fashion’s biggest night out!

Spring 2012 Trend Alert: Yellow

Hello yellow!  Bold is a common theme among spring 2012 fashion trends, and one of the biggest colors of the season is no exception.  Ranging from light lemon to mustard, and every shade in-between, adding a little dash of yellow is a great way to make your wardrobe pop!  Now, if yellow strikes you with fear, or just washes out your complexion…which is equally fearful!, try out the bright hue as an accessory.  Pumps and purses look lovely in yellow and won’t turn your skin a sour shade.  Bring on the sun! 

Here are some of my favorite yellow pieces this season:

Marc Jacobs Quilted Crossbody Bag, $575.00

Photo Courtesy: Nordstrom

I love a bright bag in a crossbody style.  It’s such a fun look and keeps you hands free when running errands or shopping.

 

Jason Wu for Target Textured Top, $32.99

Photo Courtesy: Target

Worn by Ann Curry on the Today show!  This great mustard piece pairs nicely with black, white, purple or even grey.

 

Asos Hybrid Dress, $152.19

Photo Courtesy: Asos

This yellow dress from Asos shows off another major trend for spring 2012, ladylike designs. 

 

J.Crew Mona Pump, $198

Photo Courtesy: J.Crew

J.Crew’s Mona pump is a staple for many of my clients.  The Mona is a very wearable height, and the yellow shade is so much fun when paired with white pants or jeans.  It also looks great with blue denim and navy.

Spring 2012 Trend Alert: Floral Pants

Floral pants are back, baby!  Although not for the fashion fearful, this look screams spring like no other.  When selecting a floral pant, don’t forget to pick a pattern that is in the same scale as your frame: ex. petites pick small patterns.  Also, consider color when shopping for florals.  Don’t select a wild color option that won’t correspond with the rest of your wardrobe.  Instead, pick a pattern in the same color families are you typically wear so that you will be able to easily mix and match your floral pants with your the solid tops that already live in your closet.  Whether you pick a denim or trouser style floral, prints make perfect pants this spring season!

Here are some of my favorite floral finds for the season. 

Paige Denim Floral Ankle Pant, $189

Photo Credit: Nordstrom

 

Erdem Floral Trousers, $990

Photo Credit: Saks

 

Asos Floral Print Pants, $71.62

Photo Credit: Asos

Dress Shopping for the Jewel Charity Ball

Personal shopping, especially for the Jewel Ball, doesn’t take a break for the Christmas holidays.  But, I don’t mind at all because of all of the fabulous items I have the pleasure of locating for clients, evening attire is my very favorite!  I love to dress up, and I love to dress my clients up too.  There is nothing better than seeing an evening outfit come together flawlessly.  Now that all of my clients have selected their Jewel Ball dresses (and I’m back to opening gifts and singing Christmas carols), here are a few of the fabulous dresses that they didn’t pick.  It’s a good sign when the runner-ups are this gorgeous!

Rachel Zoe Jacqueline Halter Dress: $595

This is such a fun, young look.  And, metallic fabric is one of the newest trends in evening-wear.

Photo Credit: Bloomingdale’s

Issue Teal Green Pleated Gown: $122.99

I love the soft color, the price is great, and the bodice is so flattering!

Photo Credit: Overstock

 

Mikael Aghal Rosette Gown: $284.46

This is so romantic and elegant.  Even in a neutral color, it is a show-stopper.

Photo Credit: The Outnet

Marchesa Notte Gown: $990.00

This is my personal favorite.  Hello drama!

Photo Credit: ShopBop

 

Have a fabulously fashionable holiday season!