My Hypothesis on FitFlops

I’ve been seeing more and more of FitFlops on the streets (yes, surprisingly even in NYC) and I’m not quite sure what I think about them. So I’m going to break it down in this post… If you own a pair- I really want to hear from someone who wears them- please email me or leave a comment!

Evidence/Research: Reviews on the FitFlop website that range from:

• “After only a couple of weeks of wearing my new oasis fitflops, my hip felt like new!” – Amanda, NY

to…

• “I can feel my muscles toning and baring bad weather I wear them in and out of the house and i am now pain free” – Kate, London

to…

• “I went from a size four to a size two and for the first time in years I am wearing shorts!” – Irene, NY

So what I gather solely from these reviews, is that they ARE comfortable, they DO have some toning effects, and customers love them. Even the customer reviews on Amazon.com, (where FitFlop marketing can’t interfere with negative comments) were considerably high.

Croc Boot

The Results: In contrast to my hatred for Crocs, the style of FitFlops is not that bad if these shoes are comfortable and they really do what they say they do. Afterall, they are flip flops– they aren’t claiming to be a “shoe” or making ugly children’s rain boots just because some people are crazy enough to buy them. In fact, if FitFlops really are working, then I wish MORE people would wear them. The atrocious excuses for shoes that I see on my commute would be much better off if they were replaced with FitFlops.

Conclusion: I’m going to go ahead and say that FitFlops are going to gain a lot of attention and brand awareness (AKA: $$$) by next summer- especially with their Twitter presence and big city Ad Campaigns in New York and London. And to my own surprise- I’m going to tell you that it is not a sin to buy them. If I had any money at all to spend on an extra pair of non-Heels, I would try them myself. These are my top 2 picks:

WalkStar FitFlop in Tokyo Purple

Walkstar III FitFlop in Oyster

A Quick Swimwear Q & A

Q: I need to find a bathing suit (online) for this weekend. Any good suggestions??? I have looked all over the stores and cant find anything. Victoria Secret was my best hit but wondering if there are other good stores out there…

A: These are a few of my favorite sites for suits…

Figleaves.com Favorite Brands on the Site: Vitamin A & Figleaves Swim

Everything But Water Favorite Brands on the Site: Vix & Carmen Marc Valvo

InStyle Swimwear Favorite Brands on the Site: Salinas & Michael Kors

Molly Brown Swimwear Although I have never used this site, it features many of the Sports Illustrated suits. My Favorite Brands on the Site: Letarte & Despi

Salinas

Carmen Marc Valvo

Vitamin A

Michael Kors

Letarte

Figleaves Swim

Despi

Lingerie Done Right- Not Done Repetitively

While I do love Victoria’s Secret and other mass marketed lingerie brands, sometimes I want something more unique. There is just something about wearing a cute/sexy/flirty bra that makes the day brighter- even if you are the only one who knows you are wearing it! These are some of my favorite brands (sans-VS):

Honeydew Intimates

Honeydew Intimates Anchor Set

I recently discovered Honeydew Intimates– a line of pretty intimate apparel with a flirty and sexy twist. The newest collection for spring and summer includes bright colors, girly prints, and great selection of cuts and styles! From polka dot thongs with cute bra-strap adjustable sides to ruffly boy shorts, there is a fit for every girl. My favorite set this season is the anchor boy short and bralet set, shown to the right. After realizing the great prices, the next thing I realized when I first tried Honeydew Intimates was the comfortable and luxuriously soft fabrics! Even wearing the g-string, I felt like I had nothing on. Honeydew Intimates has a bunch of cami sets as well- which I may be investing in soon considering my new obsession. Check them out on honeydewintimates.com!

Follow Honeydew Intimates on Twitter: @HoneydewIntimates

Natori Bukhara Robe

Natori

My Natori robe is my favorite thing to get ready in- it’s super soft and light weight and the cut is flattering, unlike a big fat bath robe. Natori is a bit more expensive, but they are definitely quality products with a great sex appeal. Natori has all sorts of intimate apparel and even different collections (including the great robe pictured), and they can all be found here.

Follow Natori on Twitter: @NatoriCompany

Figleaves

Figleaves Trellis Bra

Figleaves.com is a great place to buy a variety of intimate brands. But did you know Figleaves has its own brand, as well? And they recently expanded their offerings into a clothing line! I still haven’t ordered any of their great new dresses, but they are worth taking a look. The bra pictured to the right is the Trellis Embroidered Bra by Figleaves.

Follow Figleaves on Twitter: @FigleavesHome

Business Casual Turns Business Fashionable

I’ve worked in offices with professional attire, business attire, and business casual dress codes. By far the most atrocious attire is business casual. 

For some reason, crossing the line from “business” to “business casual,” generally means going from business appropriate to “i just woke up and picked up whatever was on the floor.” I don’t care what the actual dress code is for a business casual environment, if it says “casual,” people tend to forget the “business” part and dress however they like until management sees too many t-shirts or witnesses one too many muffin tops. 

Of course these assumptions don’t apply to everyone. But regardless, Business Casual Must Turn Business Fashionable. Keep reading to find some Spring 2009 work wardrobe items:

Victoria's Secret Ruffle Front Silk Chiffon Blouse

TOPS

Ruffles, Patterns & Day-to-Night

Ruffles, layers, patterns, all sorts of colors (and neutrals) are in style this Spring.  All of the tops I have shown here can be worn from day-to-night as well. If you pair any one of these with a cute pair of linen shorts and high wedge heels, you have an outfit for Friday night!

Victoria’s Secret Ruffle Front Blouse– This neutral, feminine top can be paired with any color pant! 
$68 Victoria’s Secret 

 

Express Short Sleeved Shirt - Dot Print

     

Express Keyhole Ruffle Top

Express Short Sleeved Shirt  This classic short sleeved button down comes in every color- stock up!$49.50 Express

Express Keyhole Ruffle Top

Can’t go sleeveless in the office? Wear this under your suit jacket! $49.50 Express

Victoria's Secret Christie Flare Pant in Stretch Cotton

Pants

Wear what fits you well

Different styles of pants are “in” this spring. Wide-leg, skinny leg, ankle cut, etc. So if you find a pair that fits you well (length, hip and waist) buy it in a few colors! Victoria’s Secret has some of my favorite pants:

Christie Flare Pant in Stretch Cotton

$39.50 Victoria’s Secret

Available in a dozen colors!

Skirts & Dresses

Black & White, Prints & Versatility

Dresses are so versatile that they are an absolute necessity in a work wardrobe. Adding a simple cardigan to a night-on the town dress can modify a dress so it is work appropriate. The following are some highly versatile dresses I found for just that kind of occasion.

 

    

Milly Sheath Dress

Anne Taylor Loft Split Neck Ruffle Dress

 

 

 

 

 

Milly Sheath Dress (above white)

Sheath dresses are classically fit and season-less. This dress is actually backless and gorgeous- so wear a cardigan to work and take it off for that date at an outdoor cafe!

Milly, $375.00  Nordstrom

Hype Strapless Floral Dress

Ann Taylor Loft Splitneck Ruffle Dress (above black)
Black and white are hot “colors” this season- so don’t be afraid to wear black (or ruffles). $69 Ann Taylor Loft

Hype Strapless Border Dress (left)

Everyone loves floral prints this season and they aren’t hard to find! This dress comes in the color shown and a turquoise color.

$139.00 at Zappos

     

Belted Skirt

 

 

 

 

New York & Company Belted Skirt

This cotton skirt is so simple it can be paired with anything plain or patterned. 

$39.95 New York and Company 

Shoes
Nudes, Prints, and Flats

Nudes extend the leg. Prints dress up a plain/solid outfit, and flats make shorter dresses and skirts more appropriate for work. 

     

Nine West Fender Peep Toe Pump $49.99 @Ninewest.com

Anne Klein- $45 @ 6pm.com

Cynthia Vincent Pump

Cole Haan Air Ballet Flat

BCBGirls Silver Flats

 

Style vs. Savings – Spring Shoes

THE STUDDED STRAPPY SANDAL

MANOLO BLAHNIK (Style) VS. NINE WEST (Savings)

Manolo Blahnik Studded Strappy Sandal $895

Nine West Kentaro Studded Sandal $89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WINNER:  The Nine West Kentaro is a great deal – while the studs are not as prominent, both shoes have a 4 inch heel and are in a great neutral color. I choose SAVINGS.

THE RUFFLED T-STRAP SANDAL

NANETTE LEPORE (Style) VS.  STEVE MADDEN LUXE (Savings)

 

Nanette Lepore Savage Lover Stiletto $375

Steve Madden Luxe Brake Ruffle T-Strap Sandal $74.94

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WINNER: The Nanette Lepore Stiletto offers a more rigid ruffle and more delicate straps while the Steve Madden Luxe Sandal has a rounded ruffle and thicker straps around the ankle and toe. The Nanette Lepore seems dressier and would be perfect to dress up a sun dress and wear to a spring wedding. The Steve Madden sandals have an edgier feel and would be great with a mini. I love… both. TIE.

THE METALLIC CUT OUT PLATFORM

DIOR (Style) VS. NYLA (Savings)

 

Dior Extreme Cutout $780

NYLA Shika Cutout Platform $79.95

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WINNER: While the NYLA has all of the same details- all the way down to the studs placed strategically in the same places- this shoe is just too bulky. The Dior Extreme is just the right balance of rock star and glam- STYLE.

EXOTIC PRINT PLATFORM

PRADA (Style) VS. Nine West- Boutique 9 (Savings)

PRADA Jeweled T-Strap Platform $1100

Voula by Boutique 9 $160

 

 

 

 

WINNER: The Prada sandal is full of details that only a designer shoe can offer- a jeweled t-strap, (natural python leather!), and a bamboo heel. But- the Boutique 9 Sandal is gorgeous and while it still isn’t a total steal at $160- I feel like it would be more wearable. This was a toughie but: SAVINGS wins.

Alexander McQueen for Target- A Miracle for the Fashion-Oriented and Money-Lacking

 

Alexander McQueen’s McQ line for Target   hits stores on March 4! Alexander McQueen is one of my favorite designers- he is innovative, cutting edge, and he hosts the most dramatic and exciting fashion shows year after year.   New York Magazine’s the Cut! interviewed McQueen about the conceptual aspects and design of the line. My favorite excerpts included McQueen stating:

” I think the idea of mixing luxury and mass-market fashion is very modern — wearing head-to-toe designer has become a bit passé.”

“It’s a new era in fashion — there are no rules. It’s all about the individual and personal style, wearing high-end, low-end, classic labels, and up-and-coming designers all together.”

“Fashion and style should not be exclusive to the luxury market or to those who have a certain amount of money.”

New Yorkers will be getting a sneak preview sale of the collection Saturday, February 14 through Sunday, February 15 at St. John’s Center on Houston Street. If this line is anything like Thakoon’s recent line at Target– it is going to go fast. So I’ll be there next weekend, trying to buy this dress and the blue booties on this page.   Don’t miss out on this great collaboration!

He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not

I am not getting jewelry for Valentine’s Day- I already received a beautiful ring for Christmas and my V-day gift is coming in March with a trip back to Chicago… BUT- many of your boy friends/ husbands/ etc. are probably still looking for jewelry/gifts for you girls– so why don’t you drop him a hint? There is nothing better than a unique piece- one that you won’t see 12 times a day when you walk down Fifth Avenue (cough cough… Tiffanys… cough cough)… so…

Go Euro… Astley Clarke is a great jewelry store from the UK that offers a wide range of gems, diamonds, and styles. Here are some great picks from their site:

 

Monica Vinader- Smokey Quartz Earrings

Yummi Glass- Happy Heart Glass Pendant in Raspberry Pink

 

 

 

Diamond flower ring with white, black and cognac diamonds in 18ct gold

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Graduated Swavorski Pearl Necklace

Eurostyle II: Lily Gardner is a designer I found in Covent Garden, London. I have a piece from her Teatro Lace collection that I absolutely adore and I recieve compliments almost every time I wear it. Try one of these beautiful pieces if you really want a show stopping accessory:

 

Swavorski Crystal Pearl Bow Necklace

 

 

 

 

Lily Gardner Lace Heart on Beads

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I recently discovered the F.N.U.E. (From Now Until Eternity) Jewelry Collection, which would make the perfect gift and a stunning accessory to an outfit for any occasion. The collection is entirely handcrafted and made with 14k gold, 18k gold vermeil, or sterling silver, and includes necklaces, chokers, pendants, bracelets, bangles, cuffs, rings, and earrings (several pieces also feature precious gemstones). The pieces range in price from $45 to $1500.

Designer Halley Barney’s sophisticated collection is divided into five distinct series; the “He Loves Me” Series, the “He Loves Me II” Series, “The Garden”  Series, the “Heart to Heart” Series, and the “Pieces of the Heart” Series.” Each series has its own distinct flair while still embodying the theme of the collection, “Jewelry from the heart, for the heart.” These are a few of my favorite pieces:

Garden Series- Sterling Silver Flower Ring

 

“Cross my Heart” Duo Small Hearts Necklace

“Cross my Heart” 18 K Gold Pendant

“Pieces of the Heart” Sterling Silver Pendants

"He Loves Me II" Daisy Stack Ring

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paris Spring Couture 2009

Spring is in full swing in Paris and the runways are full of beautiful couture designs! Chanel was showing black and white designs with plenty of lace, sequins, and a tripping model. Armani Privé added in some color, florals and metallics and Christian Dior exhibited all of the above plus voluminous skirts and details inside and out. Trend alert: Head pieces, florals, and structured jackets paired with skirts were shown all around.  Black, white, a mix of metallics and a few bright colors made the cut.

Christian Dior

Christian Dior

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chanel

Chanel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Armani Prive

Armani Prive

Spring Fashion 2008: Taste the Rainbow

If you didn’t jump onto the trend of bright yellows towards the end of this summer, you have another chance coming up. Spring fashions have hit the ground running and just about the only color that wasn’t used repeatedly was black. Reds, oranges, every shade of green, bright blues, and even greys were spotted repeatedly flashing down spring preview runways.  

The spring 2008 ready-to-wear pictures were part of a style.com lookbook

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The red dress is a Zac Posen design and the white blouse with sky blue skirt is by Oscar De La Renta. Both are from spring 2008 ready-to-wear collections. Note the silver shoes and simple slicked back hair styles on both models. Silver sandals and other silver accessories will be especially functional with the colorful season ahead. Simplicity and toned down beauty were also prominent on the runway, allowing the clothes to make the colorful statements this spring.

 These silver gladiator style wedges would look great with jeans or capris…

Nine West Heech Sandal

$92.95 on Zappos

  

Colorful accessories can compliment the colors you are already wearing or become the colorful accents to a simpler outfit.

Alexis Bittar Pyramid Stud Hinge Bracelets

$165.00 each at Nordstrom

Even just one of these in a brighter color could liven up an outfit, but the blue and green ones are particularly appealing.

 

 

 

 

This yellow purse is gorgeous and I would be perfect with any spring day outfit!

Francesco Biasia ‘Ruth’ Soft Satchel

$478.00 at Nordstrom

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lastly, I found a fire orange clutch from Nine West for nights out on the town. I don’t usually like orange, but sometimes you have to make sacrifices for fashion, and I do like this bright hue.  

Nine West Foldover Clutch

 $59.00 and get it while it’s hot because these don’t ship until April 30th!