BOY CHANEL

I saw this new line on a style blogger's instagram and fell in love. Chanel's new bag line called "Boy Chanel" is inspired by, well, boys. Clean, bold, simple but appealing... who wouldn't love. Here's what Karl Lagerfeld has to say about this collection:

Karl Lagerfeld suggests this with a new interpretation of boyish charm saying, “Chanel used men’s underwear to make dresses; she had this boyish attitude, in fact it is the very spirit of Chanel. She got it from Boy Capel, the great love of her life, which, incidentally, explains why the new bag is called the Boy Chanel.”

OPULENCE & OSTENTATIOUSNESS

It's more than okay to glam it up this season with showy pieces like this. Put fancy-like jewelry like this on top of a t-shirt and throw on a blazer for a trendy, modern look.

HOW TO BUY A SUIT!

Sales guys will try and sell you just about anything. Become informed, and you don't have to worry about that.

1) Figure out why you're buying it. Is it for a special occassion? Is it for job interviews? ( in which case you don't want to spend too much) Or do you want it to be versatile? (use the jacket with jeans, etc.)

2) Start at a department store & take a blunt friend with you. Ask for a salesman when you're good and ready (after you've tried on the suit and walked around a bit)

3) Know your size! No, it's not that simple. Everyone has different preferences on how they want their suit to fit. Read on and I'll explain.

4) Shoulder pads should HUG your shoulders & they should NOT protrude beyond yours.

5) You should be able to button the suit comfortably. Conversely, there shouldn't be more than a fist's worth of space between the button and your chest.

6) With your arms hanging straight down, you should be able to cup your fingers under your suit jacket. Shorter styles (which are huge right now) are okay too. It's never okay to have a super long jacket (which can make you look frumpy).

7) Decide how many buttons you want (the two button suit is the most in style right now & has been for years). Not everyone can pull it off, but if you can, go for the ONE BUTTON. It's super trendy and sleek.

8) Know the vent in the back of your suit jacket!
    1) Center vent: Classic and modern. Can't go wrong.
    2) Side vent: More European-- a little edgier
    3) No vent: Just plain wrong! It's not the 80's.

9) ASK for a shirt and tie to try on if you're not wearing them already.

10) Consider the pants. They shouldn't be too high or too low for your taste.

11) If your pants are an inch or so too tight or too large on your waist, the tailor can usually fix them. Any more than that measurement and you're asking for trouble (tailors can't work miracles)

12) The tailor can fix the sleeves and a QUARTER INCH of your cuff should show. Sometimes the jacket also needs contouring to compliment the torso. Don't be afraid to ask for these things. Sometimes there's a roll in the back of the suit jacket (on your upper back near the neck). Ask the tailor to correct this as well.

13) Now the pant break. FULL BREAK, HALF BREAK OR NO BREAK? It's a matter of taste. I prefer no break but you must do a slimmer pant for this. I hate full break. You can do a half break if you're not too comfortable with no break.

FALL/WINTER TREND: LEATHER!!!!!!

Don't be surprised if most of the stores you visit this fall/winter have plenty of leather pieces and leather accessories to choose from! It's one of the biggest trends this fall. I like to go the animal friendly route & wear faux leather. It's also much cheaper!

                                                   100% VEGAN LEATHER DRESS!!!!

AMAZING SKIN TREATMENT

OK, so I'm no beauty blogger nor do I claim to be a beauty expert. But, I am a consumer who is always striving to better my skin and I've found this facial peel that is too good to keep to myself. It is not like those severe types of peels you can get at the clinic (which I do not like). It literally gets rid of all the dead skin and brightens instantly. I use it about once or twice a week depending on how my skin is doing. The price is a bit steep but TOTALLY worth it. You can pick it up at Sephora or Ulta for about $68.00. It is called the microdelivery peel by Philosophy.

Dolce & Gabbana 2012: AMAZINGNESS

Inspired by caped priest coats, golden embroidery, choir boy cuffs & religious gorgeousness filled Dolce & Gabbana's fall 2012 runway. I could not help but post about their collection because they have consistently won as my favorite for the past few seasons. AMAZING!!!! So much of Italy's richness in this collection.

FALL TREND 2012: BANGS!!!!!

Blunt bangs appeared all over the runways and magazine covers this season. Celebrities like Katy Perry & Katie Holmes were seen sporting bangs and I was inspired to cut mine! I also saw this trend at the Elie Saab, Versace, and Marni shows. Not only do bangs look great with a bright lip, but they bring attention to a great feature...your eyes! Be careful though... blunt bangs are not for everyone. Those with a small forehead should avoid this look.

FALL TREND ALERT: SHINE!!!!

You just gotta ignite...the light....and let it SHINE. This is one of my favorite trends for fall 2012. Some of you may quickly begin to speed walk in the opposite direction, or even run as if you're partaking in a marathon when spotting a pair of tin foil like trousers at the mall. Stop it. Don't be afraid. Take a deep breath, grab a latte & remember this post. The shine trend is actually quite fun & modern if done properly. Don't pair your luxe shine items with other shiny items. If people wanted to see a Tin Man, they would rent The Wizard of Oz. Instead, choose a shiny garment that appeals to you and pair with something understated, subtle or matte; keeping your accessories to minimum. Oh & men can rock this too!!!! Check out these pants & cool "shine" jacket I found at American Apparel for this trend.

                                                                          

           YES                                                                                           NO                                                                                                             

                   

                 

                    

                  

                                                                                                                                               

     

MISSONI FEVER

I've been obsessed with the Missoni brand for as long as I can recall. The brand, developed by Ottavio Missoni in 1953, is famous for its knitwear and crazy colorful patterns. The most recognizable pattern is the zig zag like striped pattern which I simply adore. Missoni is also known for their geometrics and abstract florals, in a kaleidoscope of colours. M Missoni is a less expensive line that you may find at Saks, Neimans or Nordstrom. Definately worth the investment because their pieces can often become classics, not to mention, favorites in your closet.

And get this, about 30 Missoni hotels will be open by 2012; A project introduced in 2005!!!

How exciting; I could only imagine what it would be like to stay in one :)

HERE ARE SOME AMAZING PICTURES OF THE ULTRA TRENDY  HOTELS! GORG <3



BECOME A COLOR BLOCK-KING QUEEN!

It's no surprise that one of my favorite trends this spring/summer has been the fun color blocking trend. A lot of us are scared to look a fool while trying to pull this look off. Here are a few tips on how to get it right!


Some of my favorite color combos are

Shades of ORANGE and PURPLE

OBSESSED!

IF YOU WANT TO BE REALLY DARING ADD A PASTEL BELT IN A COOL COLOR IN THE MIDDLE!

Shades of  GREEN and SHADES OF PINK

If you want to wear a bright color, but don't want to play it safe, pair with a neutral color (top or bottom) and add metallic accents like shoes or a belt.

Shades of THE SAME COLOR FAMILY

Try pairing together different shades of reds or blues 

Add white and gray or nude/tan accents!

THIS TREND ISN'T ONLY FOR WOMEN,

MEN CAN DO THIS TOO!

PAIR A BRIGHT PAIR OF PANTS WITH A LIGHT/WHITE OR NEUTRAL TOP

PICK UP PIECES WHICH HAVE COLOR BLOCK ACCENTS

PLAY IT SAFE WITH NAVY, YELLOW AND WHITE FOR A NAUTICAL LOOK!

SOLE SOLUTION; Getting rid of the salt residue on your shoes!

For those of you who live in cold climates, you know how painful it is to tip toe your precious shoes across the ice patches and the dreadful salt residue that basically eats at them! Ugh! The horror! A friend suggested to me that I should take an old tooth brush, some steam and vinegar to the rescue. So I did! and it worked :) Hold your shoe close to some steam (whether it's a steamer or just running hot water from your faucet); Dip the tooth brush in vinegar and brush away that evil salt.

Good luck!

Niss :)