Rachel Zoe Expands Her Empire to a Jewelry Line

Rachel Zoe launches her jewelry line today, available at Neiman Marcus.  Hooray !!!  Rachel Zoe deserves all the success she has won due to her hard work, unique and superb aesthetic, and down-right talent.  Now she brings us her own jewelry  line !  Her styling tricks center on accessories, especially fabulous and bold jewelry.  How fitting it is that she brings us her own jewelry line.  It's about time Mrs. Zoe.

Here is her promotional video for the Rachel Zoe Collection Jewelry:

Full of Art Deco inspirations, tassels tassels and more tassels (so on trend for Fall 2012), and a lot of black and gold combinations, I see many pieces that are collectible, lifetime pieces.  The black and gold pieces are very versatile and will go with many outfits.  My favorites are the bangles and bracelets.  Well, I am totally a bracelet gal -- I even make my own, but even if I weren't I would still covet the Rachel Zoe Collection wrist candies.  I just want to gobble them up.

My blog specializes on "fashion on the cheap" and frugal shopping, but I approve of this splurge.  There comes a time when you just have to throw your budget out the window.  This is one of those times.  The prices for the Rachel Zoe Jewelry Collection (according to The Zoe Report, Mrs. Zoe's own blog/newsletter) range from $165 to $650.  Pretty typical of high-end costume jewelry, comparable to other designer costume jewelry lines.  I don't think it's too bad for the pocket.  As already mentioned, the collection is available at Neiman Marcus.

Check, check, check it out !!!

Geek Chic Inspiration from Two Door Cinema Club's New Video: SLEEP ALONE

Now why is such an adorable boy like Alex Trimble singing about sleeping alone???  He shouldn't know about such things.  I don't know about his personal life or his love life (if I was a teenager, I would know every fun fact about him and Two Door Cinema Club), but just by listening to the lyrics, sounds like loneliness is haunting him on the road.  Nobody said being a successful musician was easy.  Shoot, nothing is easy.  Nursing school is killing me right now, but I knew it would be hard and competative.  I'm sure being rich and beautiful isn't easy either.  Well I feel for poor little hottie potottie Alex Trimble.

I feel even more for his outfit.  I love the entire band's wholesome approach to fashion.  Check out the new video for "Sleep Alone."

They look like studious boys that would have sat next to me at the library when I was doing my undergrad in the 90's during the fall.  Well, they're a bit more dressed up and preppy, as my college days were all about grunge.  Anyway, I still picture them in a library somewhere either reading quietly or quizzing each other.

Their studious, collegiate look is perfect inspiration for Pre-Fall.  Those light crewneck sweaters and cardigans atop button-downs, worn with slim-fit jeans and old-school tennis shoes are perfect outfits for late August and early September.  Not just for boys, but for girls too that don't mind underplaying their femininity.  I love androgynous style like Tilda Swinton's.  It's so edgy and so, so hip.  Unfortunately, only skinny girls can pull off this look.  Pudgy girls/women like me would just end up looking like Pat (old skits from Saturday Night Live via the 90's).

If you are young and thin, feel free to try this look.  Other's perception of your I.Q. might go up.  One thing is for sure, your hipster status will go up.

I Just Subscribed to LIVE FROM THE RUNWAY on YouTube

Ooooooohhhhhhh, I love new fashion finds.  I was looking at my blog, and lo and behold, there was an ad for Live From the Runway -- YouTube.  Of course, I clicked on it !  And me likeeeeee what I see.

I normally view runway shows on Style.com, the VOGUE run/owned Website.  I'm happy with it, but it doesn't hurt to have another source of runway shows.  

If you are cray cray about fashion like I am, you might also like Live From the Runway -- YouTube.  I am not a big YouTuber (I go on it occasionally to view music videos or whatever is going super viral and I want to be in on it), but this will drastically increase my YouTube use.

The feature that had me at hello is the LIVE streaming of the upcoming Spring 2013 Fashion Week starting September 8th through the 15th.  OMG, it's gonna be like being there, except NOT having to pass through hard-to-get-through security check-ins !!!  And you don't need an invite.  I LOVE IT !!!  Great for a fashion outsider like me who is just cuckoo for fashion.

If you click on the following YouTube link there is a "subscribe" tab on the upper, left corner of the video.  Enjoy if you partake of this fashion event.

Time to Transition Your Closet From Summer to Fall

Ah alas, it is August and is the last month of Summer 2012.  What a Summer it was !  There was lots of fun to be had via fashion.  I hope the urge to wear pastels, an exuberance of florals, color blocking and the Spring/Summer staples of nautical and head-to-toe whites are out of your system.  Or almost anyway.

With September (my favorite month) around the corner and Fall/Winter Season creeping into the picture, it is time to prepare your wardrobe for the colder months.  I just did so two days ago.  Maybe hold on to putting out all your bulky sweaters just yet,  Just start to bring out your darker colored garments in the Fall/Winter palette.  Hello forest green, mulberry, and wine.  And of course my Fall/Winter best friend, black.

I am looking forward to layering and looking slimmer in those darker palettes.  I don't know, i think it's easier to look chic in the Fall.  Blazers just make it so easy to look chic.  It is just the perfect finishing touch.  Great for when you are in a rush -- just throw on a blazer.  No time for piling on the accessories, the blazer will fix that.  So this is the item to bring to the front of your closet or in a prominent area.

Summer to Fall Transition by pinkcowboyboots-mariacaquino featuring a zipper jacket

Keep those light layering scarves around, even the florals.  It is a great transition piece.  As much as I love scarves, I can't wear them too much in the Summer -- It just makes me sweat TOO MUCH !  Ughhhh, sweating is so not fashionable.  But with the temperature starting to cool in September, what a perfect time to wear those light scarves.  Plus it is the perfect bridge between Summer and Fall.

There might be an item in your closet that didn't get much play in the Summer -- that white oxford button-down shirt.  Well, bring it on out.  You'll get plenty of use out of it in the coming months.  While you're at it, bring forward those other colored tailored button-down shirts.  Perfect now for wearing alone or with a blazer or that scarf.  The button-down will start to tailor your look.  As the Fall/Winter months require more clothes, the look is more tailored.  By starting to wear your tailored button-downs late in the Summer, it is the perfect transition to the Fall/Winter months.

Keep these three items in mind when transitioning your closet from Summer to Fall/Winter.  When you prepare your closet, have the items you will use the most, the most handy.  This will help getting ready in the morning, or for whatever occasion, faster and easier in the next couple of months.

Enjoy the remainder of the Summer.  This song is my end-of-Summer song for 2012.


 

Flaunt Your Smile and See What You Get

Today's post is inspired my baby sister's Television debut in the show, "The Doctors," on NBC.  My baby sister was a part of the episode, "Hide It, Fix It, Flaunt It," and it aired this week.  Too bad I missed it, but luckily the segments she was in was available for viewing on The Doctors Website.  My sister Michelle filmed it last year and even she didn't know when it was going to air.  My Mom's friend saw the full episode in Michigan and was surprised to see Michelle;  that was how we heard the show finally aired.  Michelle didn't get to see the episode either.

The "Hide It, Fix It, Flaunt It" show reminded me of the importance of smiling.  It is a friendly, open, and welcoming facial expression that communicates, "Hey, I'm a nice person.  I'm going to be nice to you."  The single act of smiling can elicit many responses, usually positive ones.  In basic, day-to-day interactions with the world, a smile can get you a friendly reception.  People are more likely to deal with you in a pleasant, friendly manner.  Before I continue, this may be common sense to you, but believe me, some people are completely oblivious to this.  Try this exercise when you are doing errands with several destinations.

1.) Don't smile at the attendant at your first destination.  See what kind of a reaction you get.
2.) Smile at the attendant at your second destination.  See what kind of a reaction you get.
3.) Repeat Step #1.
4.) Repeat Step #2.
5.) Reflect on which elicits a response that you like and would like to get more of.

I guarantee you smiling at the attendant will get you a more pleasant service.  It may get you quicker service, if that's what you want. (I work in retail, and believe me, when a nasty woman or man comes up to me without a smile and demands I hurry because they are in a rush, I will work slower than a snail drenched in molasses.  My fellow retail colleagues will agree with me 100% and will do the same.)  You may even get perks like more free samples, freebies other people don't get, inside tips on sales or the best time to shop if that's what you are doing (Hey, this is the really good stuff), and better service than the other people in line.  And guess what, next time they see you, they may smile at you first and give you the excellent service you deserve because believe me, as much as companies train employees to give excellent service, there are just some assholes out there that don't deserve even mediocre service.  So flaunt that smile and work that smile !

I won't discuss much how smiling works on the opposite sex, as flirting is not my expertise.  All I know is that MEN LOVE WOMEN THAT SMILE !!!  I learned that from "Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus."  I know how smiling can get you unsolicited attention, and even get you a stalker, so in this sense you have to be choosy on who you smile at.  Don't be a smiling idiot, as apparently, that's how I got a stalker.

If you don't mind getting a stalker, then do be a smiling idiot.  Smiling increases your serotonin levels, a neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of happiness and well-being.  For me, when I am not feeling that well, I fake smile at the mirror for several minutes, and it really boosts my mood.  Give it a try next time you are not feeling your best.

Ugly people benefit the most from smiling.  Let's face it.  Good looking people don't have to do much to be good looking.  Us average and less than average in the looks department have to work harder to be easier on the eyes.  Don't look to make-up and plastic surgery as a first resort.  Your first thing on the to-do list of looking better is smiling.  It's free, and it's good for you !!!  It shows that you have an inner beauty, which is more important than physical beauty anyway.  When I am not smiling, friends always ask me "why are you mad," or "why are you angry?"  My response is, "That's what I look like when I am not smiling.  My face falls angry.  That's why I smile all the time."  I am not good looking, but smiling moves me in the attractive range, and further away from the ugly end of the spectrum.

Smile and the world does smile with you after all, but if you are self-conscious about your smile, the following segments from the "Hide It, Fix It, Flaunt It" episode of The Doctors might help.  Drum-roll please !!!

Today's Coverage of The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Makes Me Want To Wear A Jeweled Headband !!!

I just posted a blog and the TV is playing in the background, tuned in to CNN's coverage of Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee, and all I want to do is go out and wear a jeweled headband.  I already have a pearl jeweled headband, but I want to go get a sparkley one.  I've seen it featured in fashion sites and blogs, and yes, it is on trend for Summer 2012.

Here are some celebrity inspiration.

Get your own.

Row of Bling Headband $14.50 from CLAIRE'S

Sense of Elegance Headband $10.50 from CLAIRE'S

Multi Chain Crown Headband $17.40 from ASOS

Rhinestoned Chain-Link Headwrap $5.80 fro FOREVER 21

Rhinestone Headband $5.80 from FOREVER 21

 

Do your princess moment and put some bling on your hair.  It is so feminine, cute and fun.  Enjoy this flirty trend !

Crafters and Jewelry Enthusiasts Unite !!! STATEMENT JEWELRY MADE EASY

Styled by Tori Spelling has already hit your local craft stores, mainly Michaels and Jo-Ann Fabrics (that I know of.)  Styled by Tori Spelling is a line of do-it-yourself jewelry that allows you to create necklaces, bracelets and earrings as simple or ornate as you want.  There are four collections:  Boho, Noir, Glitz and Glam.  This collection allows you to layer pieces that are also interchangeable from the different collections.









I love the fact that the pieces are easy to put together.  You don't need to be a jewelry hobbyist like I am (see my collection at DeviantART.)  You don't need tools to create these statement pieces.  Yay, good for y'all that don't normally make jewelry.  All you need are your hands and your imagination.

The best part is the affordability of the Styled by Tori Spelling line.  Pieces or elements to create your statement earrings, bracelets or necklaces range from $2.99 to at most $19.99.  Many elements are between $9.99 and $12.99.

I am very excited to get my hands on this line and start creating.  I am a jewelry crafter and a jewelry enthusiast!  Whether you are one or the other, I think you will have fun with this.

Check out the collection at either Michaels or Jo-Ann Fabrics.  If you will be shopping Online, I prefer the Jo-Ann Fabrics Website.  It is more user-friendly and easier on the eyes.