JewelMint

For those of you who have been living under a rock, you MUST go check out JewelMint.com for its awesome assortment of on-trend jewelry designed by Kate Bosworth and her stylist, Cher Coulter.  One of the many things I love about the site is the fact that Kate and Cher describe their inspiration for each piece and how they would style it.  It's like having your own style team there with you when you go in to make a purchase.

I love the site so much, I ended up purchasing the Versailles Earrings to wear on my wedding day.  

Photo courtesy of the talented Kevin Barre

As much as I love the earrings paired with my formal wedding dress, I also love that I can wear them again and again with jeans and a cute jacket for a night out.

 

 I mean, how AMAZING does Kate Bosworth look in the photo below?!  These earrings are so versatile!  Be sure to check out the inventory of fabulous baubles at JewelMint.com and be sure to look out for the sister site, ShoeMint.com brought to you by Ms. Rachel Bilson, coming soon!

And leave a comment below letting me know which piece is your fav and how you would style it!  

Visible Panty Line

Friday morning on my way to work, people were calling in on the radio to discuss this article on CollegeCandy.com, "The 10 Types of Underwear Every Woman Needs," and it got me thinking...what are the essentials? 


What you wear underneath your clothes can be just as important as what you wear on top.  I mean, no one wants VPL (Visible Panty Line)!  True story: When I was in high school, I told my mom it looked like she had 4 butt cheeks!  

The solution here is simple: either wear a thong or a pair of undies that are designed not to show underneath your clothes (Calvin Klein's have been highly recommended for this purpose).  One of the most comfortable thongs are from Hanky Panky.  Celebs have sworn that they are the only thongs comfortable enough to wear while pregnant!  Having never tested this theory myself, I will just have to trust that pregnant women know what they're talking about!  Plus, the line is so darn cute that you will literally love wearing them!  They even have a Collegiate line, so you can show some team spirit right down to your skivie's!  A tip I got from watching one too many episodes of America's Next Top Model is that every model that goes on a go-see should be wearing a nude thong.  Real life translation:  The nude thong ensures that you will be able to wear anything on top without looking like you have "4 butt cheeks" and without being able to see the color of your underwear through your clothes.


Spanx are another essential undergarment that every woman should own!  Celebs swear by them to get them ready for the red carpet.  While they are not the most attractive thing to be seen in, they smooth over every bump and make a woman's curves seamless. They even have a line out for men!


Another item I think is absolute GENIUS is the Miss Oops JAKs.  Worn over jeans and under tops, it looks like a tank top underneath your shirt.  It prevents crack attack because we all know Crack is Whack (I couldn't help myself)!  The brand also makes Boob Tubes and several other female emergency products--hello Show Stoppers! 


One thing you may or may not have already thought about is whether or not to wear underwear as outerwear.  Celebs like Anne Hathaway, Blake Lively and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley have been giving us quite a chic eyeful on the red carpet lately, and quite frankly I love it!

In these photos, the celebs have chosen to bare all in a sheer dress or skirt, but you can also choose to wear a sheer shirt if you are a little too timid for this trend.  

I don't know about you, but completely baring it all is a little to risque for my day-to-day life.  I mean, where would you wear this?  To the grocery store?  That would cause quite a commotion at the check-out line...  That being said, there is a way to tone the look down while still playing into the trend.  Think more about layering than showing off your bra and undies.  I mean, seeing just a peek of a lacy bralette underneath a white button down or v-neck sweater would be just sexy enough.  I also like the idea of catching just a glimpse of an outrageous colored bra underneath a black dress or shirt.  Or try wearing a corset style top with a pencil skirt and cardigan or even a sheer blouse on top.  The key is to keep the pieces elegant and tasteful and only show a little at a time.  No granny panties or cartoon underwear please!  Save those for laundry day!


For more inspiration, be sure to catch the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show on CBS Tuesday, November 29th!

Le Smoking Shoe

One of the latest trends is what some people are calling le smoking shoe or le smoking slipper, and it looks like this...

ASOS, Click here for similar

Now, while some of you might be hesitant to try the trend, you should remember that it is no longer just for men in smoking jackets. Olivia Palermo has worn a version of le smoking shoe from the classic brand, Stubbs & Wootton.

Take a cue from Miss Palermo, and wear yours with skinny tapered pants (I am OBSESSED with these- very Victoria Beckham!) and a ladylike jacket for work, or show off your footwear and give your feet a break for the evening in these elegant flats.  These would also look AMAZE with skinny jeans and a cute tee or button down.  If you feel like playing into the expected, pair the shoes with the lady equivalent of the men's smoking jacket.  This velvet blazer from JCrew is so chic! And this velvet blazer with contrasting satin trim from Topshop would be head to toe perfection!

Have fun with this trend and try them in a bold leopard print...

ASOS, Click here to purchase

or fun studs...

ASOS, click here to purchase

How would you wear the trend?

How to Wear a Slip Dress

While a traditional slip is for wearing underneath one's clothes and would fall into the category of lingerie or underwear, the slip dress is more wearable and acceptable as outerwear.  Topshop makes a lovely version below.  Click here to purchase.  I also love this one and this one from Free People.  The pink color plays up the girlishness of the trend.

WHAT NOT TO DO:
To keep from looking like you just stepped out of a Victoria's Secret catalog, the trick is to keep the slip dress free of any frills or lace, as you could easily associate that with actual lingerie.  Also, anything too short or low cut is a no-go.  Basically, anything that looks like this...

 ...is best left to the bedroom.


WHAT TO DO:
Your best bet is to stick to something simple, like the silky knee-length version from Topshop pictured above.  Pair it with a longer blazer, heels, and a long necklace (this one is stunning) and you can actually wear the look for work!  The longer, boyish blazer juxtaposes the femininity of the dress and gives you enough coverage so you do not feel like you are stepping out in a nightie.  Add tights if you still feel a little too exposed.  The blush tone of the slip dress from Topshop above would go great with a grey blazer or even wear it with a blush blazer for a head-to-toe monochrome look!


Another way to wear the trend is with chunky boots and a cozy knit to give the look edge and texture.  I imagine curling up by a fire and reading a good book in this toggle sweater from American Eagle. 


If you want even more texture, this look goes great with this season's shearling jacket for ruggedness or a faux fur trimmed ladylike coat to glam it up!


INSPIRATION:
Here, Kate Moss circa 1990s makes the look seem effortlessly sexy without looking tarty with boots for a laid-back grunge-cool look.  LOVE!

The Metal Choker

 

This great Dannijo choker is available at Shopbob.com in both gold and silver (click here for gold and here for silver).  The metal choker is making a come-back on the runways of some of the biggest names for fall/winter including Michael Kors and Ellie Saab to name a few.  The look is modern and minimalistic.  You do not need anything else.  The necklace is the statement here.   I love how at Ellie Saab the choker was paired with a low cut floor length gown, giving it a 70s vibe...

Or with luxe furs creating a nice juxtaposition between the softness of the fur and the cold/hardness of the metal choker...

Or how Michael Kors paired it with a minimalist pant suit and white button down...

The look could easily be recreated.  Here is a cheaper version from FantasyJewelryBox.com for only $48.95.  

I love the idea of wearing these with metal cuffs, one on each hand--very Super Woman chic!  I love these by Michael Kors new jewelry line, or there are these on sale for $37.90 at Nordstroms!  They come in 4 different colors! 

For an easy way to wear the trend, take Michael Kors' lead with grey pants, a white button down and silver choker and you have a very tailored and modern, minimalist look perfect for the board room!

Leave a comment letting me know how you would wear it! 

Navajo Inspired

Sweater by Old Navy

Long-Sleeve White Tee by H&M (similar here)

Emma Legging by DL1961 (available here)

Minnetonka moccasins (Click here to get yours)

Ray Ban Wayfarer Sunglasses (available at Sunglass Hut)

This outfit reminds me of an outfit recently worn by Kate Bosworth.  The influence is very Native American-inspired, hence the moccasins.  Even though my sweater is more Fair Isle than true Navajo, I thought it was close enough to replicate the feel of the look.  The prints are actually pretty similar between the two styles.  

I got my sweater a few years ago from Old Navy,  but they still have a good duplicate here.  I found an alternate here at Fred Flare.  Or try this cozy red one from Kensie. Forever 21 also makes a great one here.

The whole look is so simple-- just take a Native-American inspired printed cozy sweater, wrap up in it, throw on some skinny jeans, and add moccasins!  Remember to keep your proportions in check when wearing a heavy knit on top.  You want to keep your lower half more fitted and maybe accentuate your waiste with a belt.  What a chic look for running errands on the weekend or snuggling by a fire with a hot chocolate!  I can see this look being very nice après-ski!

If you feel that a sweater is just too much for you, you can always accessorize with fun Native-American inspired accesories and jewelry (how cool is this piece?!).  Or try a simple bracelet like this one.  Feathers, fringe, turquoise, stones, and arrowheads all lend a very Southwestern feel.  Oh, and anything Pendleton is a must!

Look inspired by...