I’ve done my research for what’s in for Fall 2008 and below is a quickie list I’ve put together for you to begin with. Feel free to add anything I’ve missed!

~FLORAL PRINTS

~DEEP, RICH PURPLES

~SEXED-UP MARY JANES

~SMOKEY EYES IN METALLIC GOLDS

~FEMININE, DAINTY JEWELRY

~BLACK LACE

~LIPS IN BRIGHT COLORS

~UNIQUE HEADBANDS

~PENCIL SKIRTS

~SHEER & OPAQUE HOSES/TIGHTS WITH SHORTER DRESSES & SKIRTS

~TRENCH COATS

~SWEATER DRESSES

~FITTED TEES

~FLARED JEANS

~FEATHERED TOUCHES–ON JEWELRY, HEADBANDS, BELT BUCKLES, ECT.

FALL FOR FASHION–

           FALL FOR PURPLE!

     

Fall 2008 trends are in and they are bold and sexy! We’re seeing goth touches in the form of velvets and lace and fur pieces and trims on accessories like hats, gloves, coats & bags.  Also huge this fall: the cardigan, which is making a quasi-comeback and being worn every which way it can. My way to wear a cardigan? I do the knee-length version, buttoned all the way and belted (a skinny belt looks best) and worn as a dress–super sexy, especially with dark opaque tights and high-heeled ankle boots.

As the designers renewed our fall fashion repertoire with new, saucy selections, they also renewed our fall color palettes as well using lots of purples in their collections. The runways were clad in all hues and shades of purples from violet, lavender, eggplant, and my favorite–deep, rich plum. The purple trend has also emerged in the cosmetic world as well, making its way onto eyes, lips and nails. 

 So if you wanna be a Fall Fashionista, get out there and get purple, people!

As summer is coming to a close and the cooler weather begins to roll in, we Fashionistas will be facing that weather transition challenge: dressing for the cooler weather in the morning and the warmer weather in the afternoon. Can be tricky, no? So I’ve put together a great transition outfit, courtesy of Target.com, one of my favorite shop-stops. A sexy but sweet short-sleeved, gray sweater dress paired with black slouchy boots, and a draped cardigan for the cool morning or cool evening. I added a black handbag with silver hardware to add some playfulness.  

 

 Mossimo Supply Co. Sweater Dress $29.99            MB Drapery Cardigan $24.99

 

                        Mossimo Kat Tall Boots $34.99                                    Angie Lola tote $49.99

I just bought two of these Mossimo dresses from Target and I love them so much! At only $21.99, you’ve got one of the summer’s hottest staples–the maxi dress. Added bonus: you can wear it into the autumn and winter months by adding a wrap, sweater or blazer. The dress comes in four colors–black, red, brown, and navy blue (I bought the black and red). My favorite thing about this dress is its versatility; you can wear it dressed up or down, casual, sexy–whatever style you want–depending on how you accessorize. I’ve put together below my ideas of different ways to wear the black version, complete with shoes and accessories. Everything shown is from Target.com and it’s all under $250. Now that’s chic on the cheap, Baby!

 

Dressy: Isaac Mizrahi Bing Cherry Pashmina Wrap $14.99, Target Black & Gold Cinched Clutch $16.99, Mossimo Danae Zebra Buckle Pumps $26.99, Xhilaration Black & Goldtone Earrings $8.99.

                     

 

  

  Casual: Isaac Mizrahi Liz Gladiator Sandals $24.99, NYC by Perlina Patent Handbag $34.99, Beaded Double-Row Necklace $12.99, @tract Post Snake Hoop Earrings $12.99.

               

 

  

Playful/Rock Star: Mossimo Patsy Wedge Sandals $22.99, Xhilaration Worker Wool Cap $9.99, Angie & Lola Textured Dot Tote $29.99, Xhilaration Hematite Hammered Earrings $8.99

  Total Cost: $247.87

I’ll tell you what her secret is: a fantastic bra! I was chatting with my good friend Michele today and she suggested I write about the importance of wearing a good bra. What is a good bra, you may ask. Well, Michele and I believe a good bra fits well, gives you the support you need and does it all while being super sexy. Where can one find such a bra? Where else but Victoria’s Secret?!

I know what some of you may think when you hear Victoria’s Secret: $$$.  And rightfully so, as VS bras do cost more than a bra you may pick up at a department store. But when you think of the life span of your bras, paying a little more for a good one makes sense. Besides, can you really put a price on comfort?

Victoria’s Secret website offers so many types of bras that it can be somewhat overwhelming to choose which is best for you. Michele and my suggestion would be to first visit a VS store and have a sales lady there measure you; you may think you know your bra size but you’d be surprised to find out that many women are wearing the wrong size, which can explain the discomfort they have when wearing a bra. Wearing the the bra size that is the absolute closest to the size of your “girls” can literally change your life! If you don’t happen to have a VS store near you to be measured at, you can use their Bra Guide to help you find which size (and style) is best for you.

You can shop by the VS collections, such as Very Sexy, Body by Victoria, BioFit Uplift, Classic Push-Up, Victoria’s Secret Pink, ect., and you can also shop by style, such as Demi, Full Coverage, Wireless, Convertible & Strapless, ect. They also offer a Bridal Collection for all you wives-to-be out there who wanna feel super sexy on your wedding day and look super sexy on your honeymoon. Give that hubby of yours a wedding night he’ll never forget!

They have many more brands and styles listed on the site. Prices range from about about $34-$58 depending on collection/style/price. 

 Check out the 100-Way Strapless Convertible Bra and the 100 ways to wear it below (click on the “ways to wear it” picture to enlarge it).

 

Thanks, Michele! Love ya!

Wearing scarves all seasons has been a steady trend for a few years now. We’ve been seeing them this summer more than ever and have been seen on celebrities such as Jessica Alba, Lauren Conrad, and especially Cameron Diaz.  Men have even picked up on the scarf trend, with hotties like David Beckham and John Mayer rocking a man-scarf. 

So how do us regular folk rock that scarf and still look cool on a hot day? Just follow the three F’s: Fabric, Form, & Fashion!

Fabric: Lightweight materials such as linen and silk blends are the best fabrics to keep cool and look hot.  

Form: The most popular form of wearing a scarf are wrapped loosely around the neck (like David B.), wrapped around the back of your neck and hung loose down the chest (like Cameron in the black and white scarf), or wrapped around the the neck once and hung down the front of your chest (like Nicole Richie). 

Fashion:I believe you can put a scarf with just about any fashion style you want, whether it be with pants, shorts, or dresses and skirts. Furthermore, I don’t think there is any style of fashion that omits the scarf either. You can make it casual, dressy, sporty, sexy, grungy, boho, preppy…and so on. The sky’s the limit so get creative!

Check the links  below for my pick of the best summer scarves.

Love Quotes Scarves at pinkMASCARA

Scarves for $15 and under: Forever21

The animal print scarves are very cool at Simply Scarves

This funky Coach scarf will go with anything in your closet!

Lots of beautiful styles and patterns to choose from at ASOS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One night a few weeks ago, Ally and I were getting ready to go out together at my house when she looked in my closet and gasped.  She was appalled by the amount of clothing, shoes, and accessories I had stuffed in there.  “You better have this closet cleaned out before we go shopping again!” she told me.  I just laughed her off but, unfortunately, every time I saw her after that (which is every day) she would ask me if I had cleaned my closet.  Of course, the answer was always no.  After a while, she got tired of watching me purchase new clothes without getting rid of anything and dragged me in there to get it done. 

Two and a half hours later, I had four black garbage bags full of items to be taken to Goodwill (and Ally had a few “new” things to take home to her own closet).  I have so much room in there now that I was able to put everything on its very own hanger! I can also see what I have now which helps me to get dressed quicker.  

 

 

 

Melissa’s Tips for Closet Cleaning & Organization:

~If you haven’t worn it in the last year, get rid of it.  It’s not likely you’re going to wear it anytime soon.

~If it doesn’t fit—whether it’s because you’ve gained or lost—toss it.  Keeping it in case you fit in it again takes up space for new items that you can fit into now.

~If you have any items that are similar to each other, choose the one you like best and get rid of the other (For me, this philosophy works on all things except camisoles since I wear them almost every day in the summer).

~If you are holding onto an item due to sentimental or nostalgic reasons, take it out of your closet and put it away with your other valued items (my place is my hope chest).  Just because it is clothing doesn’t mean it needs to be in the closet if you’re not going to wear it.

~Get rid of any shoes with scuffs that cannot be repaired, even if you love them/they’re your favorites/they’re Manolos!  

~Keep all your items categorized together: pants with pants, dresses with dresses, tanks with tanks, and so on.

~Color coordinates you items in their categories.  This is not about being anal retentive. It’s about convenience.  For example, you have on your salmon colored mini and you know you want to wear a black shirt with it.  Instead of searching through all the shirts to find the one you want, you only have to look through the section of black shirts.

 

Happy cleaning, Fashionistas!