Denim on Denim???

Denim on Denim...Full on Denim...Head to Toe Denim!
Everywhere I look, that's all I am seeing!!  Would you wear it?  Or should the question be...Could you pull it off?

Denim shirts, denim jackets, denim dresses, denim skirts and of sorts of denim jeans!! 

In a recent print Guess advertisement, the model was wearing dark denim jeans rolled up with a short dark denim jacket with the sleeves rolled up.  Now, she looked good very that, but then again, she was tall, thin and very young.

Then I saw a photo of Elle Macpherson wearing dark denim skinny jeans, ballet flats, a dark denim jacket only buttoned in the middle and a scarf wrapped around her neck.  She look great!!  I liked how she wore all dark denim instead of the faded denim like she used to wear oh so long ago.  And I liked how she paired it with flats and a scarf.  Very chic!!

Then I saw some very young actresses wearing faded denim over sized shirts.  Some of them wore it tied at the waist with a denim mini skirt.  Others wore the shirts hanging loose, untucked with skinny jeans and flat.  Honestly, I don't think I can wear a faded denim shirt.  I mean, I use wear them all of the time, but that was the '80's.  Been there, done that!!!

Finally, I saw a photo of Reese Witherspoon wearing a denim dress with cute flat sandals.  The dress was more of a over sized shirt dress that she belted.  It looked cute, casual and very comfortable.  I felt I could pull off that look even at my age.

So, this denim on denim trend is good and bad, depending on your age.  As long as you didn't already wear it

Are Celebrities Putting Models Out of Business?

The August issues of most magazines are already out on "newsstands".  As I glanced at all of them, I would say about 90% of them have celebrities on the covers.  Where did all of the models go?  Why aren't they on the cover any more?

Vogue magazine has Sarah Jessica Parker on the cover.  Elle has Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake.  W magazine has the talented actress Tilda Swinton gracing its cover.  These covers use to go to only models, and they were coveted by them.  Being on a cover of a fashion magazine use to catapult their careers.  Then, of course, they would normally get a multi-page photo spread inside that particular magazine.  Not any more.  Those belong to the celebrities on the covers.

Now, start turning the pages of these magazines and take a look inside at the advertisements.  Cover Girl cosmetics has Drew Barrymore and Taylor Swift representing them.  Jessica Biel, Jessica Alba and Halle Barry are the faces for Revlon.  Lancome has Kate Winslet, Loreal has Beyounce, Jennifer Lopez and Frieda Pinto.  Almay chose Kate Hudson to represent them.

These cosmetic and haircare companies are choosing celebrities over models to be their "faces" for their lines.  I remember when models use to receive million dollar contracts from these companies with the stipulation that the model could not represent any other similar company.  Those, too, were coveted contracts by models, which in turn would also booster their careers to "super" model status.

I am not saying that models are completely out of business.  There are plenty of commercials, catalogs, newspaper ads, fashion spreads and runway shows that are hiring plenty of them.  It is just interesting to me how times have changed and the status of celebrities have reached such a high.

So, what do you think?  Let me know.

Enjoy your day!

Lynn

Excessive Heat Warnings and Fall Fashions?

Most of the United States is currently under an Excessive Heat Warning with the Heat Index that could reach 110 degrees.  These are extremely dangerous weather conditions.  And Fall Fashions are here!?!?

Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale is going on and it's for their fall merchandise.  They are showing capes, equestrian riding boots, faux fur vest, and lace-up boots. 

Neiman Marcus has been promoting their Fall Fashion Trends.  My last email from them was about "raising a drink" to the newest Fall trend, which is the color Bordeaux.

Finally, I was at an outlet mall this week while at my mom's lake house, and the stores were so low on merchandise.  Yes, they did have some great sales.  But, that was because they were trying to clear out all of their summer merchandise to make room for their Fall merchandise. 

Now, in this weather, who really wants to try on Fall clothes?  Would you?  Personally, I can't imagine trying on heavy sweaters, tall riding boots, or coats.  And I love shopping!!!  I mean really, I get hot flashes when it's not this hot.  How on earth would I be able to do it in this heat?!?!

Plus, on a side note, I am not ready for the summer to end.  My kids start school five weeks from today.  Which means, I still have five more weeks of summer.  And Fall apparel makes me think of cooler weather, which turns into cold weather, which means snow.  Yuck!!!!!!!!  I am not ready for that!!

So please enjoy your summer while you can.  You will have plenty of time to shop for Fall merchandise later this summer and early this fall.  And don't forget to drink plenty of fluids in this hot weather and be careful.

Enjoy your day!!

Lynn 

Neutral Colors are Stylish!!

I know what you are thinking...neutral colors are stylish?  No way!  But yes, they are!!  And they are great for summertime.

With hot weather all over the United States, who wants to put on something dark, something black.  That's why neutrals are the best way to go. 

A monochromatic neutral outfit is not boring.  It is not dull.  And it is not bland.  It is stylish, cool and comfortable.   Try shades of beige, light gray, nude, khaki, light mocha, ivory and tan.  Mix and match the textures and fabrics to keep the outfit up to date and on trend.

So many designers and stores are showing this neutral trend for summer.  Club Monaco has an elegant silk georgette flowy dress, and French Connection has a great strapless paillette dress.  Rebecca Taylor offers a vintage cotton crocheted dress that will inspire the inner hippie in you.  How about a cotton string knit lace up sweater by Vince!  And J. Crew offers the perfect cotton pencil skirt for work or dress.  Or just go to Target, my home away from home.  Their Converse One Star line has a fun, light taupe sleeveless summer dress, which I found on the clearance rack.
As for accessories, try to pair your neutral look with metallics, whites, golds, and smoke grays.  But please don't over accessorize!!!  Keeping it simple yet cool is the way to go!

Enjoy your day!!!

Lynn

Shopping and Sales!!

This past weekend my husband and son went camping, which left my daughter and I home by ourselves for a girls' weekend.  We were very excited the boys were gone so we could go shopping.  Yes, my 8 year old daughter loves to shop.  Hmmmmm?!?!?!  Wonder who she takes after??!?!

Anyway, off we went to the nearest mall, which is outdoors, so we were able to spend some time outside enjoying the nice weather, too.  WOW!!!  Every store we past had huge signs in their windows advertising sales...huge sales...additional off clearance sales.  We couldn't believe what we were seeing.

We took full advantage of the sales and of the time being away from the boys in our family.  The sales were unbelievable!  And the sales were on summer items, too.  We bought a couple of gifts and one thing for my son, but everything else was for us. 

For my daughter, we ended up buying her a cute pink tunic, a graphic tee, and a swimsuit cover-up.  For me, a pair of shorts, a striped t-shirt dress, a pair of wedge espadrilles, a skirt and a few tops.  These sales really were hard to resist.

Does it sound bad that I felt guilty if I didn't take advantage of the sales?

So check out the malls, your local stores, websites, etc....there are so many sales out there.  Support the economy and shop 'til you drop!!!

Enjoy your day!!!

Lynn

Watch Abesmarket.com and Couture Clip!!!!!!!

On Tuesday, July 12th at 1:00pm Central Time Zone, please watch www.abesmarket.com/store/coutureclip and you will see a very good friend of mine, Tangee Pritchett. 

Tangee and I met back in the 1990's at Marshall Field's.  We were both freelance fashion stylists for them, but Tangee was also a very talented handbag designer.  She still is a talented designer today, and has now expanded into another category...pacifier clips.  Tangee started to design Couture Clips, a luxe binkie holder, after she and her husband adopted a beautiful baby girl.

Tangee not only designs these beautiful and luxe clips, but she also donates a portion of the sales to First Candle, a national nonprofit health organization working to increase stillbirth awareness.  It's a cause so near to Tangee's heart.  In 2004, her pregnancy ended in a stillbirth.

Please watch this website Tuesday and support my dear friend, Tangee, and her designs and her cause.  Also, check out her website at http://www.tangeeinc.net/.  

Thank you and enjoy your day!

Lynn

The New Khaki Pant

Gone are the days of the khaki pants that look like something a guy would wear. The New Khaki Pant is here and is better than ever!!!

This khaki pant is more fashionable, has a better fit, and is more feminine looking.
The pants have a slimmer fit with a straight leg and can come cropped, ankle length or regular length.  They come with flat fronts (remember...pleats equals pounds) and great light weight fabrics, which are perfect for summer.  And as for color, I would go for the light stone color for spring and summer, then maybe an army green for fall.

I love the boyfriend style, worn just like the boyfriend jeans, cuffing up the bottom of the pant legs twice making the khaki pant even more fashionable.  These new pants are so versatile, too.  You can pair them with a great white shirt, a flowy tank or blouse, a great pair of wedges, a bold wide belt, or a statement necklace.  Dress it down by wearing a pair of flip flops, a tank and a cool belt.  And I love how you can wear them spring, summer and fall giving you more bang for your buck.

You really should them, because I think you will like them!

Enjoy your day!!

Lynn

Nautical Dressing and the 4th of July!!

I hope that all of you had a wonderful July 4th weekend.  When I think of July 4th, I think of fireworks, BBQ's, the American Flag, and the USA!!  And everywhere you go you see red, white and blue!

How many of you sported one of those colors on this July 4th weekend?  I certainly did!!  I wore a blue and white striped short dress with a slight ruffled bottom, worn with a light colored leather belt (a great trend for all) and metallic flat sandals.  While my family and I were waiting for the fireworks display to start, I couldn't help but people watching.  It is one of my favorite pastimes.  I would have to say that 75% of the people did wear red or white or blue.  I was happy to see that some many people were patriotic!!

Then I got to thinking about the whole Nautical trend in dressing that I have seen in all the magazines and stores lately.  At H&M, I saw a cute short blue and white striped skirt and a "Navy Sailing Bag".  Forever 21 has a white and red stripe red long sleeve top.  Isabel Toledo has a line of shoes at Payless and designed a "T-Strap Vespadrill" sandal that has a red wedge heel.  And of course, you can't forget swimsuits.  Everyone from Tommy Hilfiger to True Religion to Banana Republic to Milly has their own version of the Nautical swimsuit. 

Seen on celebrities and all are striped maxi dresses, striped tanks, striped t-shirt dresses, to navy flat espadrilles, hot red sandals and dressy white wedges.  WOW!  Just don't go overboard (HA HA) when you wear the Nautical trend.  Keep it simple and fun!!

Enjoy your day!!

Lynn

Disney World and Shopping!

I'm sorry, but I have to write about Disney World just one more time.  It's hard not to, but I won't be talking about how people were dressed.   Instead, I will be writing about shopping.

When you are down in Disney, you can't help yourself, you have to buy something with Mickey on it!  So, I did buy my son a t-shirt that was appropriate for his age.  He refused to wear anything to childish, he is 10 you know!  And my daughter, who is 8, her Mickey t-shirt came from the clearance rack at Target for $5.  That was a lot cheaper than buying it at Disney World. 

So, what else did we buy?  Well, we had to buy rain poncho's.  That was a given due to the storms.  Then I bought a hat, again, because of the storms, but I found one on sale at Disney's Hollywood Studios for $6.99.  That was a bargain!!!  Then my daughter had to have a charm for her charm bracelet, and a necklace, and we had to buy a back pack to carry the rain poncho's, etc.  My bag was already full enough!!  

But here was MY big purchase down in Disney...a book...a fashion book...by Christian Dior...called The Little Dictionary of Fashion.  Now, I know what you are thinking.  You were at Disney World and you bought a book about fashion!?!?!  Yes, I did.  I couldn't resist.  It was published in 2007, but I had never read it.  Crazy, I know!  How could I have not read it?  You knows!  

This book looks more like a journal than a book with its small size and having a ribbon attached to it.  Christian Dior wanted to write a book about fashion but didn't want it to be too long or too short.  Let me quote part of the introduction of the book,"It is possible for a woman to be elegant without spending very much money on her clothes, if she follows the basic rules of Fashion and is careful to choose the clothes that suit her personality.  Simplicity, good taste, and grooming are the three fundamentals of good dressing and these do not costs money."

Sounds like great advice to me!!  And I am extremely happy about my Disney World purchase.  I know that it didn't have anything to do with Disney or Mickey Mouse or princesses, but it was something that brought a smile to my face!!!

Happy 4th of July and Happy Shopping all the July 4th Sales!

Lynn