It's all about the accessories...

People are starting to take notice of the details in what you are wearing. Stacking, mix & matching bracelets is a chic (and cheap) way to add a little more personality to your every day wardrobe.


Enjoy these affordable sets I have put together on Polyvore.com

Items in this set:
Amrita Singh - Bangle Bangle - Alanna Bangle Set, $100
Floral Glitter Bangle Pack, $32
Filigree Bangle Set, $32
Oasis Mad Stacked Bangles, $31
Snake Print Bangles, $30

Tuesday's Trend Report: Sustainable Fashion

If you haven't heard by now H &M launched The Garden Collection last week - and it's going fast!  The line is made from recycled materials, otherwise known as 'sustainable fashion'.

Sustainable fashion is starting to show up in the fashion scene. During the past NYFW there were a handful of sustainable designers showing their lines.  I even met a Sustainable Fashion Blogger, Greta from The Greta Guide (an interview with Greta is currently in the works - stay tuned).

I headed to H & M this weekend and scored on a the white blouse/cover-up dress (pictured below, left) for $14.95 and the red rose dress (picture below, right) for $39.50 - love, love, love the line!  If you haven't checked out the collection, do so - NOW.

Mantra Monday

And the winners are...

The following two lucky readers  are the winners of the Philip B. Botanical Hair & Body Shampoo...

 

Jayhna Colbert

Baby Bubble Clothing

Thanks everyone for those who entered, I loved the topic suggestions!

Don't forget to enter our current giveaway

Financial Chic: Credit Card Rewards

When it comes to choosing your plastic you need to start being picky...

There are a lot of temptations out there when choosing a credit card. Miles, hotels, magazine subscriptions, etc. I opt to use a Cashback Bonus credit card and recommend you do the same. Think about how many points you have to collect to get a "free" flight - 16,000 to 18,000? With each point costing you a DOLLAR that's $16,000 you are spending on your card for a "free" flight.

Get my point?  You're better off paying the original $300 for the flight!

Unless you are a frequent flier and travel often for work, those type of cards are not working to your advantage.  That's why I HIGHLY suggest you get more bang for your buck and use a Cashback Bonus card.  I use Discover's Cashback Bonus card and receive up to 5% on my purchases. In the past year I received $200 back....and put it right into my savings.

Personally, I think you would be silly not to take advantage of getting paid for responsible spending.
Remember: DO NOT charge anything unless you can pay it off in full the next month!

Check out the best Cashback Bonus card here.

[Men's Fashion] Summer Denim

Summer is on it's way!

That being said let's take a moment to look at some amazing and unique summer denim that you may be seeing around town.

Trussardi is known for their leather goods and the best travel / duffel bags out there. Trussardi also has a denim line called Trussardi Jeans. Check out the summer shorts with Tie-dye patchwork.

Another look that will be popular with high end designers this summer will be the lined cuff look. Dsquared created this look which reminds me of summer at any ocean side town.

D&G Patchwork and Shredded look

More lined cuffs with these two toned Levi's by designer Junya Watanabe most famous for crazy fabric and texture mash ups. These are my personal favorite from the summer denim collections.

SPOTLIGHT: Hotel Monaco, D.C.

This past weekend I ventured to Washington, D.C. with my sister. The main purpose of the trip was to check out chic shops, boutiques and the scene that is our nation's capital.  I came across Kimpton's Hotel Monaco located in downtown D.C.  My experience here was amazing and deserves today's spotlight.

Hotel Monaco is a Registered National Landmark in the downtown D.C. area. The building use to be a post office! Needless to say I didn't make it to my shopping destinations because I was so distracted with the fabulous-ness that is Hotel Monaco. When we arrived to the hotel on Friday warm chocolate chip cookies were waiting for us on the counter (no, I'm not kidding).

Every evening there is a cocktail reception in the chic lobby from 5-6pm, a great opportunity for guests to mingle.  My sister and I met this adorable older couple from Boca Raton, FL. They were D.C. regulars and gave us some great tips about the city. 

As if things couldn't get any better, we went back to our room and guess what was waiting for us?

Thanks Bert! Monaco's design is modern meets luxury. Every where I turn screamed chic. I loved the mixed the prints. Even walking through the hallway was a sight for your eyes. The decor really inspired me and gave me some ideas...

Also on my agenda was to venture to Tranquil Space for a yoga class. However that did not happen. Between the extremely comfortable bed & the complimentary yoga basket (complete with mat, block and towel) and yoga/pilate class on-demand available I did yoga in my room!

All of Kimpton's hotels are eco-friendly which puts them #1 on my list of places to stay at. I highly recommend looking into Kimpton Hotels for your next destination. They make your stay so much more interesting, personable and chic.

Curel's Skin Advice with Dr. Westley

Curél has recently launched a new interactive, online tool, the Skin Advisor that offers skin analysis and provides advice on common skincare issues from Dr. Westley.

“While serious skin conditions require a dermatologist’s attention, the Curel Skin Advisor offers an advanced skin analysis and provides valuable advice for people seeking relief from common skincare issues, putting the cure in Curel.” -Dr. Westley

To celebrate the launch Curel is giving away two Targeted Therapy Gift Sets! Simply enter your name and email below, to qualify you must be either be a fan on Facebook or a follower on Twitter. Winners will be announced next week - good luck!

HERCut

Ladies, get excited - there is finally a product designed for your haircut! Basically there are 5 essential hair cuts...the bob, long layered, shag, blunt and pixie.

HERCut is a line of color safe & paraben-free shampoo, conditioner and catalyst.  You're probably wondering what is a catalyst, right?  The HERCut catalyst is a styling product that accents and enhances the attritubes of your hair cut.  After shampooing and conditioning your hair apply the catalyist from ROOT to END. The product is very light and has a lovely fragrance.  

 

Back in January I had the pleasure of attending a HERCut event where Kayan Douglas (Queer Eye for the Straight Guy) talked about the fabulous benefits of this product and how it is changing the future of haircare products. HERCut will be launching a line specifically for curly hair in the summer - can't wait!

I have been using HERCut for Long Layers over the past two months. The first time I blew out my hair using these products I didn't notice immediate results, however my friend did comment on my layers that day (not knowing I had just used this).  So I gave it another chance and notice how little of product I have to use to have my layers look fabulous. The catalyst is light and my blow out last a lot longer since I am not putting as much junk in it. Needless to say, this is my go to product when I blow out my hair now.

HERCut is available at Sephora.com and selected Sephora stores across the country. 

Have you tried HERCut? If so, what do you think?

Tuesday's Trend Report: Spring Hairstyles

Spring is finally here, so let's kick off the season with a new hairstyle. The trendy hairstyles for the spring are side braids and beachy waves.  We've seen the Lauren Conrad-inspired boho braid last season, now the side braid is what it's all about. However I still have my LC moments & rock the boho braid, plus we still saw it on the runway.

During the winter we saw everyone opting to go darker than lighter, which is here to stay for the spring says my stylist Katelyn (Stephen & CO. Dartmouth, MA).  The side braid can be easily achieved and great for those mornings when you need to run out the door in 5 minutes.  However to create those beachy waves you are going to need a bit more time. Katelyn suggests using hot curlers - when applying them to your hair apply the curlers sections (top, middle, bottom) and leave a bit of the ends hanging out.  After you take the curlers out, gently run your fingers through your hair and you're good to go!

Happy Spring, xoxo

'GLAMAZON' Bags by Leah & Bliss

Back in February I had the pleasure of meeting Mona Leah from the new and upcoming handbag line Leah & Bliss during NYFW.

Her one of a kind, chic, glamorous 'Glamazon' bag totally caught my eye. Little did I know she was the  co-designer! Mona has collaborated with her friend Tara Bliss, together they created the line and wore their products out on the streets of NYC. They have been stopped and received compliments ever since their first bag debuted on the streets of NYC. Now it's time to take their creations to the next level...







The 'Glamazon' bag which comes in many colors retails for $650 (35 cm) in the larger size and the smaller size retails $450 (25 cm). The 'Black Tie' bag is the same shape as the 'Glamazon,' only smaller and perfect for a nice dinner, show, or any formal affair.  

The whole line is manufactured with real leather and all the stone work is done by hand which makes the product so unique and special and the best thing about it all is that they don't have to sell it, it sells itself.

Their collection is not just limited to just handbags, check out their fabulous laptop cases and much more on Leah & Bliss.

Interested? Contact tara@leahandbliss.com to place an order.

Mantra Monday

Today's mantra is inspired by my weekend venture to Washington, D.C.

Financial Chic: Online Shopping

After reading this post you will NEVER pay full price shopping online again!

There's only two things to know about saving while shopping online...

1. Froogle.com - Google's frugal site, research those boots or bag you saw at Macy's by simply typing in the name and style. Froogle.com will bring up the cheapest price and the site to order it from.  I just did this with a pair of Nike Eclipse Sneakers I have been eyeballing. 

2. Retailmenot.com - Coupon code site, you can literally search any coupon for any site. Ordering something from Sephora.com? Well don't checkout until you visit this site, type in Sephora and find a coupon. I do this EVERY time I purchase something online and it works 90% of the time.

Happy online shopping & until next Friday, stay financially chic! xo

SPOTLIGHT: Issac Mizrahi

Happy St. Patty's Day GIVEAWAY

With spring right around the corner & today being St. Patrick's Day it only seems suitable to have a Philip B. Botanical Giveway!

Get rid of those winter blues with Philip B. Botanical's new eco-smart products. The Nordic Wood Hair & Body Shampoo is a Norwegian-spruce-infused cleanser. It is specifically engineered to condition your hair, scalp and skin. It contains a refreshing blend of White Pine, Balsam Fir, Cedar Wood and Camphor-indignenous Scandinavian plants that capture the scent and feel like cool mountain air. 

Sounds amazing, right? Well two lucky readers will win a 2 oz. bottle. Simply just enter your name & email below. To qualify you MUST be a Facebook Fan or Twitter Follower (both wouldn't hurt ethier).

Winners will be announced next Wednesday - good luck!

The Everyday Pant

ATTENTION Sweatpant Lovers...

I truly understand the comfort of wearing sweatpants, they're cozy, soft, warm, etc.  However I said it once and I'll say it again - SWEATPANTS ARE NOT MEANT TO BE WORN OUTSIDE. Yes, even if it's just a quick trip to the bank or grocery store.  The street is your runway, so own it!

Have no fear, I have found a chic alternative to wearing your old college alumni sweats. It's The Everyday Pant from Stefani Greenfield's line CURATIONS.  They are just as comfortable and have a cleaner silhouette look to them.  These pants come in grey sweater (shown below), black and denim knit.

I would wear these pants to my yoga or pilates class, then rock them on a lazy Saturday running errands. Comfort without sacrificing my style.  You can find The Everyday Pant on HSN.com ($98.90).

Tune in to HSN on Friday for Stefani Greenfield's one-year anniversary!

Tuesday's Trend Report: Leopard

Today's trend report has me seeing spots - literally.  Leopard is showing up all over the place and becoming an every day staple in some people's wardrobe.  It took me awhile to grow appreciation for this print and not reference of Peggy Bundy every time I saw it.

When done right leopard print can add an effortlessly chic look to your ensemble. Or as my friend Schenelle calls, "that pop".  I prefer choosing just one leopard item and pairing it with a staple, classic ensemble.  Others may choose to be more daring by mixing and matching it with other prints as seen on the runways.

I have my eyes set on these leopard wedges from Top Shop. They have enough "pop" but can be toned down with black leggings or 'jeggings' and my chunky knit sweater coat from Urban Outfitters.

Or how about this leopard coat, again from Top Shop. I would rock this with a pair of black, bad-ass ankle boots.

However you choose to rock this trend, have fun with it! Especially leopard print. Paint your lips red and hit the town, you'll leave them seeing spots...

Mantra Monday

Financial Chic Resources

I have come across some great sites & blogs dedicated to help you become financially chic. At least once a month I will be sure to share more resources with you.  Until then, these should keep you busy...

+ Suze Orman's Financial Tools
+ Girls Just Wanna Have Funds
+ Smart Cookies - Sweet Financial Tools & Advice
+ Is your money personality keeping you in debt? (article)

[Men's Grooming] Shaving

When it comes to grooming there is one thing that most guys hate, Shaving.

The reason i felt compelled to talk about shaving was partly because i was having a conversation with a guy at work and he was talking about how he always gets Razor Burn. He asked if I ever had razor burn, I smiled and thought about all of my trial and error shaving episodes. I asked him some questions, to find out he was shaving all wrong. It's actually shocking to find out how many guys don't know how to shave for their face.

When I first started shaving it wasn't the actual shave I hated but the re-growth process. I have really sensitive skin and for some reason was prone to razor burn. I tried everything and every 2, 3 or 4 blade razor around with the same results. I did some research and learned some steps in helping to reduce razor burn and razor bumps.

1. Prep your face with a hot towel allowing it to cover your shave area for about 5 min. This will open the pores and soften the skin.

2. Lather your face with a non-alcohol containing shave cream/oil. Alcohol shrinks the pores and causes major cases of Razor Burn, beware!

3. Always shave in the direction of the hair growth, with the grain never against. Shaving in the up direction causes skin irritation and hair to become trapped in the pores! (ouch!)

4. Once the shave is over you must maintain your skin in order to prevent razor bumps by exfoliating your skin with any facial cleanser containing Salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is the one active substance that can improve razor bumps. It is used by dermatologists to moisturize, clears pores and help prevent infection. You can find a facial cleanser that contains salicylic acid at any drug store. (I use Every Man Jack brand cheap and effective)

While these steps helped minimize the problem it didn't eliminate it.

While doing more research on the perfect shave I discovered the ...

Straight Razor!

I admit at first I was slightly intimidated by this Sweeney Todd device. I went to a professional to learn the technique which became very expensive after a few visits. Once I learned how to hold it and applied the same steps listed above, my sensitive skin and razor burn problem was gone! The cost of replacement blades was about $12 a year hows that for a savings over conventional razor blades. Back when I was doing all of this research there was much less info on the net, now you can go on You Tube and watch a full tutorial on almost anything. So guys if your skin is sensitive and you are prone to razor burn I urge you to try the straight razor. It worked for our grandfathers and sometimes you just can't beat a classic.

MISSONI Home

I am devoting my weekend to spring cleaning, therefore I have been browsing magazines & blogs for some inspiration. I came across the MISSONI Home collection, the colors + patterns = inspiring. 

SPOTLIGHT: Stella McCartney SS2010

I am a huge fan of Stella’s work and basically - just her as a person.  She is an eco-chic designer conscious of how her work impacts the environment. Along with her brilliant creativity, she has many successes in her high fashion clothing line, sportswear for ADIDAS and her children line for the GAP.

Well, Stella McCartney has done it again.  Her Spring/Summer 2010 collection is hands down my favorite for this spring.  McCartney mixes floral prints with ruffles and symmetry cuts to show off the shoulders in brilliant colors.

I WANT this dress in my closet...

If I did I probably would wear it every day because it looks so comfortable, free flowing and fun! 

Can’t get enough of Stella either? Well have no fear she is launching her SS2010 eye-wear collection next month. Prices range from $180-$250; available on net-a-porter.com. Here are a couple of my favorite styles from the collection.

What do you think? Has Stella done it again?

Madonna to launch Juniors' Line at Macy's

All my tween readers get excited because the rumors are true! Madonna is expected to launch a Lourdes-inspired junior's line at Macy's, as well as create her own fragrance.

The juniors' line is expected to be heavily influenced by her daughter's, Lourdes, style. Lourdes is just as hands-on with this line as her mother. The line is expected to launch in September - just in time for Back-to-School season. The collection will range from apparel, footwear, handbags and jewelry. Prices will range from $10 to $40.

So what do you think about this Mom/Daughter collaboration? I love it. I just hope it doesn't get caught up producing mass marketed crap. However, I have faith in our Material Girl.

Tuesday's Trend Report: The Jumpsuit

Who would've thought that something that was considered a big DON'T not too long ago is now a huge trend.

Of course, that is because designers have taken a new twist on the jumpsuit. Instead of skin tight denim rompers (with the matching belt - don't act like you don't remember!), the jumpsuits of today consist of loose and flowing fabrics.

I am absolutely adoring this trend and have a feeling I will be spending most of the spring & summer in a jumpsuit or romper. It's such a chic look that can be pulled off effortlessly. Find a chic jumpsuit or romper that compliments your body type, killer heels, maybe throw in a fabulous belt and you're good to go! Another plus, this look can go from day to night.

As I always say with trends, try the inexpensive options first. Then if you think this is going to be a look that you will sport for awhile then invest in a nicer brand.

To start I have found a romper and jumpsuit at Forever 21...

 

  

Top Shop offers a variety of colors for a bit more ($80).

 

So how do you feel about this trend? Are you going to give it a shot?