While the weather on the East coast works out its kinks before summer's big reveal, I'm enjoying wearing my favorite transitional pieces like a lightweight Vegan leather crop jacket from Free People and an almost-sheer maxi skirt from BCBG. Throw in a patterned Kate Spade Vespa and I call it The New Biker Chic.
Clockwise from top left:
1) Free People Vegan Leather Jacket
2) House of Harlow Pyramid Necklace
3) J.Crew Pia Calf Hair Pumps
4) BCBG Maxi Skirt
5) J.Crew Edie Purse in Leopard
You’ve heard of the arm party, now you can get your hands in on the fun, not only with artful manis (which you can read about here), but by wearing a stackful of rings!
Celebrity hands and style mavens are piling on the rings for more fun than a 3-ring circus! Jennifer Zeuner is a celeb fave, along with House of Harlow and Catbird, as seen on The Glamourai, and now available at Anthropologie. Some of the coolest designs are delicate, dimuinutive bands and initial rings that can be wore on most any finger. Catbird sells their artful rings in sizes 3 to 9.
(click to enlarge)
The Sunnies Outlook: The forecast looks good for summer’s It-accessory. Sunnies are really having their, well, day in the sun with so many fun styles to try on! Here, in a supersized edition of my shoppable trendspotting feature, I've collected and curated everything from retro, pin-up-worthy pairs and jetsetting stunners to sporty, neon and quirky, patterned picks, like bohemian ikat and sweet florals. So, which styles will be the focus of this season’s editorials and street style shots? I’ve zeroed in on six key trends to look out for: Retro-Rounded, Pastel, Neon, Cat's Eye, Printed and Embellished Luxe.
I spy my favorite -- the purr-fect pink cat's eyes from Kate Spade--do you see yours?
Featured top to bottom:
Row 1 Retro Rounded: House of Harlow Round Dainai; Victoria Beckham Round; Diane Von Furstenburg Elizabeth & James Wooster at Shopbop
Row 2 Pastel: Ralph Pink Fade at Bloomies; Ray-Ban Green Wayfarer; Juicy Couture, Tory Burch Round Orange
Row 3 Neon: Michael Kors Caicos; Matthew Williamson Neon; BCBG Tasi in Blue Sapphire, Urban Outfitters Neon Yellow Wayfarer
Row 4 Cat’s Eye: Asos Cat’s Eye Diamante; Kate Spade Angelique; Tory Burch Classic Cat’s Eye; Elizabeth & James Lafayette
Row 5 Printed: Christian Dior Striped Aviator; Juicy Couture 517, Dolce & Gabbana Floral, Topshop Ikat
Row 6 Luxe Embellished: Miu Miu Glitter Shades; Elizabeth & James Embellished; TopShop Glitter Arm; Urban Outfitters Embellished
Shop everything from retro and round to cat's eye and wayfarers in the season's eyepopping neons, stripes, prints, pastels and more below.
Every girl loves an arm party but sometimes a strong singular cuff is all you need to make a statement that’s chic. Sleek gold or silver polishes things up or get a bit edgier with the latest hardware encrusted with semiprecious stones, crystal, druzy and pyrite. Kelly Wearstler’s Pyrite Cuff is my absolute fave but check out Max & Chloe’s pyrite offering for a slightly more affordable version plus see more of my top picks for the season's best statement-makers below. And be sure to tell me what you think as I'm thinking I'll make Artful Alternative a regular feature!
CURRENTLY COVETING:
Kelly Wearstler Pyrite Cuff $445 here
ARTFUL ALTERNATIVE:
Blydesign Pyrite Cuff $142 at Max & Chloe here
I’d like to share with you some pretty, fanciful ways I display jewelry and accessories, using hooks, jewelry trees and shadowboxes to save space & decorate a bit at the same time. Not only is it unique and utterly girly, but it gives a bedroom a boudoir-y, glam dressing room kind of feel. Or, the vibe can be very boho depending on what type of accessories you use, like printed scarves, hats or beaded necklaces versus shiny pendants and pearls. Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters, where I bought mine, always have great hooks for this purpose. And I think the Pottery Barn shoe ladder is a pretty way to display my most prized heels! Don’t you? If you’re looking to save space in your jewelry box or have a few extra pieces that just won’t fit, a jewelry tree is the way to go. You can see some of my own jewelery displays below. Tell me what you think.
I like hooks displayed alongside my closet for ease and a vintage vibe. I created a corner, that I'd like to think, Penny Lane from Almost Famous would be comfortable in, using hats & scarves hung next to some oversized dark blue velvet drapes. I got this last idea to line shadowboxes with wallpaper hung over my bed from one of my favorite blogs, Ish and Chi, out of Australia. I took the idea one step further though using pretty scrapbooking paper then pinned some shiny danglies and floral studs for a fun twist. Shop more gorgeous ways to display your jewelry below.
All-over brights & pops of color have prevailed on the runways & in fashion editorials now since early spring. If you think things are about to take a subdued turn for fall, think again. While we may be used to summer shocks of color fading into more earthy neutrals, browns & reds to match the changing scenery, this seasons ablaze with rich & radiant color, so there's no hope of fading into the background. Here are five ways to capitalize on the color trend, mix things up, and make it work for you.
COLORBLOCK GRAPHICS
MONOCHROMATIC
JEWEL TONES
ACCESSORIES
BLACK & WHITE
PHOTO LOOKS: JASON WU AT NEIMAN MARCUS; BCBG MAXAZRIA AT NEIMAN MARCUS; SACHIN + BABI COLORBLOCK AT NEIMAN MARCUS; JILL STUART COLORBLOCK DRESS AT SHOPBOP.COM; MONOCHROMATIC AT BCBG.COM; MONOCHROMATIC AT CLUB MONACO; MONOCHROMATIC AT CLUB MONACO; JEWEL TONES AT BCBG.COM; MILLY DRESS AT BLOOMINGDALES; HALSTON HERITAGE DRESS AT BLOOMINGDALES; ACCESSORIES FROM NINEWEST.COM; BLACK & WHITE ALICE & OLIVIA DRESS AT SHOPBOP.COM; BLONDE AMBITION PLATFORM AT SHOPBOP.COM; 2011 FALL FASHION COLLECTION AT YSL.COM
SHOP THE TRENDS COLORBLOCK GRAPHICS, MONOCHROMATIC, JEWEL TONES, ACCESSORIES AND BLACK & WHITE...
xoxo,
The Artful Shopper
Bohemian influences like fringe are everywhere, from Coachella to the Catwalk. Add some fringe to your wardrobe this summer with unfinished, crochet details on dresses, bags, caftans and delicate tops. Think Edie Sedgewick or Grace Slick, then take it to the beach where filmy, floaty fabrics in crisp, cool whites and sun-drenched corals reign. Here are my top picks for fringe benefits.
Eye on Eyelet, Lace & Crochet. Ultra-femme cutouts are cropping up everywhere from tee-shirts & dresses to bags and even housewares. Crochet, lace and leather in the purest whites and ivories are the freshest picks for hot summer days. Here are my favorites for the prettiest ways to wear cutouts.
