The Accessory Short List

I saw one of my favorite stylists on "The Talk" today. Lloyd Boston. He spoke about the "classic" accessories a woman should have in her wardrobe. The main thing to remember is that classic pieces, including accessories never go out of style and is something you should reach for in your closet. The secret is to wear them so they look current. He suggests four items.
Read more below.

Last Call For White Pants

The never ending question: Can you wear white pants in September? Yes! It is an old wives tale that you can't. It's really a climate thing. In California they wear them all year round but here they just look out of place in snowy 30 degree weather. So while we do have to hang them up for a few months it is still very warm and sunny in September so go ahead and wear them. Just a couple things to keep in mind as we are transitioning into fall. Wear your denim ones instead of the really light cotton ones. Wear peep toe or closed toe shoes instead of strappy sandals, especially in the evening when it is a lot cooler. Add a cardigan or light jacket. Switch up your top colors to grey, black or brown. Leave your floral summery tops aside now and hang up the white jeans at the end of the month.

with a lightweight jacket

with a lightweight leather jacket

Sam Edelman shoes

I SHOPPED MY CLOSET FOR ALL ITEMS.

Fab Finds: More Fall Shoe Trends

One of the trends in flats this fall looks like this one with a strap around the ankle. You want to show the strap so wear them with  straight dress or skirt but I think they would look the cutest with skinny jeans or leggings. The high heel one would be nice with slacks or dresses and skirts of course. Check out the beautiful bag below. Treat yourself! Have a great weekend and enjoy shoe shopping.

Find this look:

Flats: Hologen at Nordstrom
Bag: Sam Edelman at Nordstrom
High Heel Shoe: Franco Sarto at Nordstrom

Ruffles

This girly blouse is an oldie but a goodie. It's an old J Crew one and I really wish they would bring it back in different colors. I usually wear it with faded jeans because I love the contrast between a frilly blouse and a pair of worn down jeans. Just add a cute cropped jacket in the fall and voila. Here is a summer look with it.

Find this look:

Blouse: J Crew. Similar 

Skirt: Club Monaco
Shoes: Nordstrom

A Little Bit of Detail

I love bling! This is truly my favorite summer top. I've had it for maybe three years and I only pull it out a couple of times in the summer so that it is still special and fun to wear. Last night we went into Old Town Alexandria to a very cool place called Virtue. The atmosphere was awesome and food yummy. Next time we will have to go earlier in the afternoon to enjoy all the great boutiques and cool little shops Old Town has to offer. I would honestly love to try each and every restaurant too.

Find this look:

Top: Cache (similar)

Pants: Zara

Shoes: Aldo

Lipstick: Laura Mercier (Clementine)

Nail polish: OPI (Atomic Orange)

Bangles: South Moon Under

Mad Men Style

If you've checked out Mad Men on television you would know that, of course, I am crazy for the styles on the show. This dress is a Ted Baker design and I love their pieces. I just discovered them last year when I found the style of trench coat I had been looking for. They are a London designer and offer unique and quality pieces. This style of dress may be trending right now, but in my opinion, it is a keeper.

Find this look:

Dress: Nordstrom (only in stores) but similar style here

Shoes: Nordstrom (old)

Clutch: Nordstrom (old)

Pearl Neckaces: Nordstrom (3 different strands)

Fab Finds: J Crew Shoes

Take a look at some of the new shoes at J Crew. These would be awesome

 with a pencil skirt, capri or toothpick pants.

Love with pencil skirts, pants and jeans!

...with capri's, mini pants or pencil skirt.

Find this look:

J Crew

Guy Style: Nick

I thought it would be fun to do something totally different and feature a guy. Of course, he is one of my very favorite guys. Nick is the lead singer/songwriter in a band and I have so much fun styling him. We have totally changed up his wardrobe. No longer will you see him in Polo shirts and preppy pants which is totally fine with me. It's a lot more fun.

Find this look:

Shirt: Guess

Jeans: American Eagle

Shoes: Aldo

Black and White

Black and white is so classic isn't it? And easy, right. This post was really inspired by the new fun shoes I recently acquired. The white pants are light weight and I live in them during the summer.

Find this look:

Shoes: Nordstrom (Franco Sarto)
Top: INC (old)
Pants: Zara

A Vintage Look

I really wanted something special to wear to Kaelynn's graduation so I had this dress made. The seamstress/designer is amazing. Just tell her what you want and she will design it. There is a real advantage to relaying an idea to someone from pattern to color and fabric. You end up with a dress exactly as you pictured it AND it's fun! 

A little detail like this bow makes it special.

Nude shoes, so as to not compete with the vintage look of the dress.

Find this look:

Shoes: Nine West

Dress: Designs By Velma

Email her @ www.VELMA.LEE@comcast.net and please let her know I sent you.

Pop it with Pink

When I saw this pink jacket, I thought I died and went to heaven. I love the color, it has a Jackie O look and I had to have it. It is definitely a statement jacket so toning it down with neutral colors underneath makes it shine. A multi-colored  blouse would look great as does pairing it with all black.

Nude shoes are another great staple. They go with everything.

Find my fashion:

Jacket, t-shirt and pants are all from Zara

Shoes: Nine West
Bracelet: Tiffany
Brooch Pin: (old) Cache

Fab Finds: Nine West Sandals

So cute for the beach, pool or cookout!

Find my fashion:

Nine West

Memorial Weekend!

Memorial weekend is the unofficial first weekend of summer. Ahhh...finally! Hope you are having a great one.

Fab Finds: Studded Sandals

I'm starting a new column every Friday called Fab Finds, where I will feature something I love each week. I LOVE bling on shoes. On anything really. There are a lot of beautiful sandals with a lot of bling out there. These are great because of the neutral color. Think of the possibilities. They would look great with a maxi skirt or dress. Think how cool you would look in these at a dinner party. Oh yeah.

Sam Edelman Georgina Sandal at Nordstrom.

Fabulous Friends: Lisa

Here is our Fabulous Friend Lisa. It was a rainy and cool day when we shot this but she was radiant in her bright and beautiful outfit. Great and fun color combo. Love her sense of style and she always looks so put together.

Photography by Blaire Butcher

Find Lisa's Fashion:

Shirt, sweater and shoes: J Crew
Pants: Fossil, old (similar)
Bag: Coach, old, (similar)

10 Fashion Staples: The Black Pump

#10 The Black Pump. Most of you probably have at least one pair of black pumps. Not me. I don't think I have owned a pair since I worked in corporate America 22 years ago. I attended an event this weekend which called for a pair of black pumps I thought. I ran out and got the platform patent leather ones above. Now before you go and say that there is no way you would wear a heel that high, hold on sista! The platform totally cancels out the 24" heel. I looked and looked and looked for a lower heel but nothing I tried seemed stylish enough. I have always thought that the platform pumps are cute, stylish and vintage looking. You know I need my vintage fix sometimes. Anyway, go on...try them. They are surprisingly comfy. BTW, in my next life I am going to buy the dress and bag.

links down below

10 Fashion Staples: Slim Black Pants

#6 Slim Black Pants. Moving along ladies. Need I say more? All year round staple. Even though now that I take a look at them again, they look a little blue. Hmmm, if I am color blind just please pretend they are black. Dark blue is good too though.
Links down below.

10 Fashion Staples: Cashmere Sweater

#5 The Cashmere Sweater. It is a bit awkward to post this one because I am way over cold weather. However it is a staple that we should all have several of. I wear mine to death and keep a lightweight one handy for the summer. I can't bear the blasting air conditioning everywhere. My favorite one is a black one. I wear it several times a week in the cold months. I don't ever want to part with it so I just keep mending the holes. I always buy them at the end of the season on sale. By the way, I wanted to point out that some of the items in these collages are very expensive. They are just featured to give you ideas ladies. However, sometimes a girl's got to splurge right?

10 Fashion Staples: Black Pencil Skirt

#3 The Black Pencil skirt. You don't have to be a Twiggy to wear this classic shaped skirt. Timeless, elegant and a great "go to" piece for any occasion. They are usually worn long like this one, to the top of the knee or to the bottom of the knee. This longer version looks best on taller ladies. If you are petite go for the shorter version. Depending on the occasion, wear it with a blouse or even a tee shirt. Belt it too. You go sexy mama!
other pretty cowl necks here
read more for links down below.