Just In: Fashion Advisory Board

The 30 below weather is here! Hopefully not for long, but for the time being our wardrobe choices will consist of scarves, hats and wool sweaters. Although I am a New Yorker, I have been living in Florida for the past few years so I have forgotten what it was like to dress in this type of weather. And failing to dress properly will result in loss of feeling in your toes and ears. So as I set out this past weekend for my weekly shopping trip, my focus was coverage and warmth. This weather calls for a complete outfit, or two, to be purchased including shoes, jackets, scarves and of course accessories!

Shoes
If I could wear high heels with my pajamas I would! I love them and the higher the better in my opinion. But when it’s 20 degrees out the last thing you wanna add to the numbness of the cold to your toes is being elevated. Flat boots are the ideal choice of footwear for the cold climates and can be fun when fur is involved. In order to truly get the warmth needed choose a boot lined with fur or fleece, and with a rubber bottom to help from slipping on the snow or ice.

Outerwear
This is where the price gets pricy, but think of it as an investment. Most jackets will last you a few winter seasons. So what to look for in a jacket? Down-filled! Just because it’s a puffy jacket doesn’t mean it will keep you warm. Most of the lower price-point jackets are actually poly-filled and will not keep you warm on the level a down-filled jacket would. So check the label! The best down-filled jacket on the market to my opinion is a Moncler jacket. However they start at $695.00. You may ask why the high ticket price? Well some say its because of the name, the way Chanel and Louie handbags hold such a significant place in the fashion world, Moncler is the Mercedes Benz of outerwear. Truth be told, there actually is a worth to the pricing of a Moncler jacket. Each jacket is filled with goose feathers primarily from aquatic birds raised in the south of Brittany and Perigord. The proper techniques that are put into the process of removing the down is the secret to the Moncler jacket, how the birds are raised and the part of the body the feathers come from (the stomach and below the wings) is why the price is so high. So you really do get what you pay for! Some great affordable brands that have down-filled jackets are North Face and Ralph Lauren RLX.

Accessories
Hats, gloves, scarves oh my! Worried about messing up your hair? You probably won’t care when its so cold out. Cashmere is a great choice of fabric for an outwear accessories. It is warm and soft. Now when it comes to gloves, as my father would call us the “texting generation” it can be difficult to text while wearing gloves. But thanks to someone cleaver, there are gloves on the market that are designed with technology in the finger tips so that you can text while wearing the gloves.

So aside from a warm down filled jacket, boots with the fur and iPhone gloves, be sure to layer up and stay warm this winter season!

RLX Hi-Tech Fashion

The Ralph Lauren brand has become more than just a clothing line, it’s a lifestyle. As we move into the cold season, wintry sports are on everyone’s agenda. So why not gear up in RLX!

RLX Ralph Lauren offers technical ski attire and sophisticated loungewear for on and off the slope. The collection is balanced to fulfill the needs of any active man’s wardrobe.

The Holiday 2011 collection draws inspiration from the shuttle launch and authentic space suits, designing performance and sportswear with NASA-inspired graphics and details. These styles are perfect for the slopes but can also be mixed with sweaters and knits for everyday.

Along with the detail, the technological fabrics and trimmings are what set RLX apart from others. Down-filled nylon to give warmth that is much needed for outerwear, bold colors that will get you noticed on the lift, water resistant shells and zippers, moisture-wicking soft touch tees which moves moisture into the fabric and allows the moisture to evaporate faster. Also vest features with branded elastic binding at the armholes and waistband for a snug fit against the body that helps keep out wind.

RLX also specializes in Rip-Stop Nylon shells that are woven in a grid-like fashion to prevent ripping vertically or horizontally. So if you wipe out on the slope, your RLX Ultra Down Vest will probably hold up better than you will!

From full zip jackets to track pants and soft touch tees, the RLX Ralph Lauren collection is moderately priced. However, when purchasing clothing that is made to protect you from climate and enhance your performance is when quality will cost you quantity. So this season gear up in RLX and show off your moves on and off the slope!

Sold at Bloomindales, Macy’s, and Ralph Lauren Stores.

Black Friday: Shop With a Plot!

We are less than 48 hours away from turkey, stuffing and Black Friday shopping- which seems to be the most anticipated shopping day of the year. Is it because of the great deals?or the hype of all the madness? Whatever drives you to shop in the frenzy it’s imperative to have what I call a Shop Plot!

The promotional offers on Friday are endless and will be impossible for shoppers to participate in all. So having a mapped out plan, or shop plot, will help you avoid the unnecessary craziness and ease your Black Friday shopping battle. Because lets face it, shopping with thousands of people for the same hot items is like a fashion modern warfare!

Start by making a list of what you need, want, and people you plan on buying for; for Christmas, Hanukkah, or whatever gift-giving holiday you celebrate.

Than visit the website www.blackfriday.info to see who’s offering what. This will help you to compare the items on your list to the stores that are offering the best promotions for those items. Keep in mind the traffic on the roads will be chaotic so try choosing stores that will offer more than one item on your list.

The Internet is really participating in black Friday this year by offering on-line discounts. Some of these offerings are even starting as early as tomorrow so consider shopping online for Black Friday for some of the items on your list.

Once your list is paired with places to get the best deal, it’s time to dress the part. Ladies leave the heels at home! Make sure you wear comfortable shoes such as flats or Ugg boots and a cross-body handbag, keeping you hands-free to grab the goods.

Aside from a careful plan-of-shopping action, here’s another survival tip to help execute your plan successfully. Places like Best Buy and Walmart offer amazing savings on appliances and electronics. However, they only receive a small stock of that merchandise. So when they advertise $300 for a 52″ LG Flat screen, they only have about 7 in stock. So unless you are prepared to be camping outside starting…now, don’t waste your time!

So remember, when shopping this Black Friday have a well constructed Shop Plot, dress in shopping battle gear (flats & cross-body handbag) and try not to get ambushed. Stick to the mission!

Happy Thanksgiving!

FML! Get Over that Heart Break

They say that hearts are made to be broken. This must have been a man that said that because a woman, whole-hearted individuals that we are, loathe the process of hopeless love. Although promises are broken, regrets and mistakes become memories made and lessons learned. But in order to ease the pain, and the process of getting over that heartbreaker, there are crucial resources that will help lift your spirits and become you again. Because lets face it, you lose yourself when going through a break up.

FML! (Fashion, Music, Life)

Fashion has evolved since the 1900s and has become a lifestyle for most. The way we dress influences so much in our lives. Our moods are persuaded by the type of shoes we have on or the handbag that we carry our whole life inside. So when you find yourself feeling not so pretty there’s nothing like a sale that will lift your spirits. Depression might sway you to grab the sweatpants and baggy shirt but stop right there! Don’t do it to yourself. Know your worth and express it in the way you dress! So pull out those Louboutin’s and paint the city red

Music aside from fashion is by far the best therapy ever! Listening to up beat happy songs that make you wanna dance where ever you are will keep your spirits free and clear of any bad thoughts. Stay away from the slow depressing songs!

The last acronym in my transformed FML, which is most commonly know as (Fu*k My Life), but in a break up situation Fashion, Music and Life sounds so much better. Power dress to make you look better, listen to music to make you feel better, but most importantly live life, better than before!

This means spending time with great people, meeting new great people, traveling, shopping, and everything else this world has to offer. Don’t subject yourself to nights in alone watching lifetime television in your sweatpants, fuzzy socks and a ponytail. Get up and get out, and remember let fashion, music, and life inspire you to become you again!

Innovation, Right at the Palm of Your Hands

Being a fashionista, and a blogger, it is my job to spend time flipping through magazines and pop television to scout out the hottest trends and styles. So last night I was watching one of my favorite shows The X Factor, and aside from the amazing talent on this show, I spotted a trend that I absolutely fell in love with! Nicole Scherzinger, from the infamous pop group The Pussycat Dolls was rocking a hand bracelet. Confused? I will explain.

The hand bracelet lies around the palm of your hand instead of on the wrist. I’m always a sucker for unique accessories that set their self apart from the rest. So thanks to Google, I searched high and low on where to find this hand bracelet. Jewelry brand Prive Jewellery is the master mind behind this design.

Established in 2009, two sisters set out to create a new, powerful brand that enhances a women’s natural beauty. From colorful stones, diamonds and unique shapes, the inspiration is stemmed from worldly cultures. The Prive Jewellery line creates breathe-taking pieces from rings to necklaces. But the real show stopper piece that made me do a double take was the Hand Bracelet. This is a first for the fine jewelers. It’s innovative and stands out in the crowd.

The hand bracelet really redefines the traditional bracelet. These magnificent pieces are sold in Paris, London, Los Angeles, Florence, Moscow, St. Barts, and Courchevel, in some of the best stores. The Prive line can also be found online at www.montaignemarket.com or www.caratime.com. Be sure to visit the Prive website at www.privejewellery.com.

So I may have spotted this look on Pussycat Doll superstar Nicole Scherzinger, but Prive Jewellery has styled many other celebrities including Lindsay Lohan. When it comes to accessories it’s all about making a statement and telling a story while doing so. And with a piece like a hand bracelet added to your look, it will be the fashion topic of the night. I know what I will be on the hunt for on my next shopping adventure!

The Scent of a Man!

There are many ways to seduce a woman and it’s not with a cheesy pick-up line. A well-dressed man will catch a girl’s eye. Nice hair will have her wondering. But the scent of a man will have her longing for more. A man can provoke a woman to do crazy things, like fall in love or even learn Kama Sutra. But there’s nothing like the cool, robust aroma of a man that will have her feeling like a school girl all over again.

It’s always important that a man be well dressed and looks like he didn’t just throw anything on. But whether he’s in a three-piece suit or jeans and some fresh clean sneakers, if he smells like a gym bag than it’s a deal breaker.

So gentleman, here are some delicious cologne options that will have your girl, or lady for the night, not being able to get enough of your sweet scent.

John Varvatos Vintage
Mmmmm! My #1 Favorite scent for a man. This Vintage scent is distinct and unique with a rugged edge. It is very masculine with a touch of spice, leaving a warm leathery aroma. Going out for a night on the town or a first date?, this is the recommended scent that will leave a statement.

Polo Blue
This is a more casual scent. Great for daywear or hanging out at a Sunday funday activity. It’s a mixture of amber and melon accents, letting off a warm sweet and inviting scent.

Axe
Great for casual wear as well. Although the commercials have women running after a man wearing Axe, a woman should never really do that but she will sure be thinking it in her mind. wink, wink!

When it comes to impressing a girl, it’s not always about what you say. It’s about how you present yourself. A man that takes that extra step to coordinate his outfit and most importantly smell mesmerizing will make an impression that is a lasting one.

OPI Shattered-Idea?

I stopped getting fake nails when I came to the realization that well -their fake. I could no longer justify paying for plastic nails when I can grow my real nails for free. Now I have the luxury of changing my nail color everyday if I want to, with no concerns of acrylic washing away. So I have become a bit of an OPI freak and probably own more than half of their collections. Depending on my outfit or mood I have a wide variety of colors ranging from Pink a Doodle to Lincoln Park After Dark. But the recent addition to my nail polish fancy is the new OPI Shatter!

I painted my nails gold and applied one coat of the black Shatter. I stared at my nails while the black dried and literally Shattered right before my eyes. It was amazing! Technology has officially taken over the world.

The idea of OPI Shatter is trendy but the aesthetics was -not so much. I have to say I was very disappointed. I jumped on the band-wagon from all the hype but wasn’t impressed with the final results. It looks like I took a sharp object and scrapped my nail polish off. I know it’s supposed to look Shattered but to me it looks like a hot mess.

I am not ruling out the Shatter, I still think it is pretty cool that a nail polish can do that and applaud the innovative minds that created this concept, but Shatter is definitely not an everyday color, unless you are Lady Gaga. The OPI Shatter collection is more of an “It’s my Birthday” color; very occasion specific.

But that is my opinion. I would love to her yours!!!

Is Traditional Fashion Lost?

There once was a time where women were forbidden to reveal any part of the body that was considered to be sexual. Over the years, fashion rebellions of the 60s and 70s reinvented the way a woman should look by breaking all the rules that started the fashion phenomenon. Women’s clothing went from layers of corsets, chemise and petticoats with leg of mutton sleeves to hot pants, mini-skirts and leotards. But has the revolt gone too far? Where did all the traditional women go!

When Mary Quant introduced the mini-skirt in the 60s, this changed fashion forever. Music influenced the punk rockers and the disco dancing queens to dress in a way that expressed the times. A woman’s body was no longer sacred and was pretty much available all over the dance floor.

With this thought in mind, I decided that instead of window shopping this weekend I did my second favorite past time, people watching. I had a list of places to go from bookstores to Wal-mart to cocktails with the girls and I have to say, the traditional women is lost in translation. I saw women wearing plunging necklines in a business suit. Women have a hard time as it is proving their worth in the corporate world, showing off your goods isn’t going to get your boss to take you seriously.

Cleavage + Corporate = INAPPRIORIATE!

The fashion disasters didn’t stop there. As I waited for a dressing room in Forever 21 to become available, I spoke to a shopper in line about her clothing selections. She was shopping for a date and had a few dresses to try on. One dress was shorter than the other and screamed “I’m helpless” or easy for that matter. I had to save this girl from humiliation. As nice as my New Yorker attitude could be, I put in plain words that her dress choices were a mess and she needed to reconsider, immediately!

Studies have shown that men actually prefer women to be more covered up when on a date. This makes the undressing part more exciting. That is if he said all the right things.

Whether you are on a date or at the office, think traditional when deciding what to wear. Showing off your beautiful curves is one thing but revealing your goods for all to see; not so much. If a poker player exposed his hand upfront he would never win the pot. So ante-up and cover up!

Summer Forecast!

Rain today?, Sunny tomorrow? I’ll leave that prediction up to The Weather Channel. When it comes to fashion, I have the forecast for the summer season! Thanks to my shopping addiction, I spend my weekends at places like Nordstorm and Forever 21. Lately, I have been doing a bit more window shopping but that doesn’t mean I’m not making my “shopping list”.

So I’ve spotted a few trends for the summer season that I had to share. This year is about relaxing and portraying a women’s natural features.

Long flowy dresses are a must wear for a night out to dinner. Soft colors are in almost ever designers summer collections but you will find pieces with paisley prints and even animal prints. Zebra print is a hot one right now. I have a zebra bathing suit for this years visits to the beach.

Linen shorts will be scattered with a chance of pairing it with a linen fedora hat. Oh and don’t forget your aviators in all kinds of colors. Remember adding that pop color with accessories is a great way to enhance your look.

So this summer whether your soaking up the sun or relaxing in the shade, be sure to let your natural curves flow free with loose clothing and soft colors.

Store recommendations to find some of these looks: Old Navy, Macys, Nordstrom.

Birthday Colors

It’s my birthday! So the usual indulgent ritual of shopping and eating fun stuff like chocolate covered strawberries has already begun. This is the one day each year where being “high-maintenance” is completely acceptable.

I always begin my birthday week with shopping. This is just the right therapy that will put you in a positive mood. Of course I’ll be wearing some fabulous dress in a daring color but it has been questioned –by a male- that certain colors may be too daring!

I beg to differ…

A birthday to a female is much more than just the day you were born, it is the one day where you should be spoiled and felt loved. Attention is demanded so instead of wearing a cheesy “It’s My Birthday” hat, wearing a bold color will help you stand out in the crowd. This is when wearing hot pink and glitter is encouraged.

Colors set the mood of every occasion, especially when it comes to fashion. Black is known for powerful and serious, white is more delicate, and hot pink, well now that’s “a blast in a glass” –curtsy of Jersey Shore.

So on your day, be bold, be daring and have a good time in whatever color you choose to wear.