Life in I Style Fashion Event - A. Taghi

Tonight I went with my friend Jessica to a "Fashion Event" at A. Taghi Fine Apparel for Men and Ladies Shop on Westheimer.  The event was hosted by Esquire Mag (The editor was there) and Life in I Style.
I was a little put down when I found it, it wasn't an actual Fashion show, but just a shopping event for Fine Italian clothing, but I still had a great time.  We mingled with other people there, browsed the Womens' Boutique and sipped on fine wine.  They had catering from Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse.  The food was great, (minus the incident where I dropped the stuffed mushroom.)  All it in all it was great time. 

How to dress for Fashion events? When attending Fashion events, I automatically assume I need to dress up. Yet that may not always be the norm.  It depends on the mood that the host is trying to achieve.  Just be sure to read the invitation, and maybe check with the RSVP host on attire if it is not described on the invitation. I have been to more casual events, where it's just jeans and cute top. But in any case, standing out at a Fashion event is never a bad thing.  If you can and depending on price, it's always suggested wearing an item from the designer, or "shop" that is putting on the event to show support.  As you can see I did not do this for A. Taghi's Event, as this was the first time I had heard of the store.

I really enjoy going to fashion events, and I'm going to try to go to many more, in preparation for Houston's First Annual Fashion Week (Nov. 2010).  If you are really into Fashion, you should try and go to some events in your area.  It's a good way to network.  Try googling "Fashion Events" or checking out some magazines.   Also try your city's newspapers & magazines.  Houston has "H" and "Houston" magazine that advertise for all types of events in Houston.

Ensemble
Dress: NY&Co
Tights: Macy's
Shoes:  Carlos Santana (Macy's)
Necklace:  NY&Co
Bag:  JcPenny's

~S

Purple and Green Abstract

A case of the Mondays! NOT!  This purple and green shirt is in empire shirt and pulls away from the stomach. I like the shirt but it pulls away a little too much...might make you look preggers. So I added the vest to add some shape.  3 looks for the vest.  Fully buttoned, fully opened, and mid-buttoned.  The Key Item in this outfit is the shirt.

Ensemble
Shoes:  Target
Pants:  NY&Co
Shirt:  NY&Co
Vest:  NY&Co
Shades:  Red Frame (pick up anywhere that sells shades)
Earrings:  Lucite danglers
Necklace:  S- for Shalanda  (Christmas Present)

Brown and Black

A fashion rule that likes to be thrown around is "Never wear black and brown together".  This is pretty much saying all neutrals should not be worn together. If we never wore neutrals together, how would we dress?? I disagree with this fulheartedly. I believe both colors work well together. Now it does depend on the brown.  A darker brown works better than a lighter brown, but still who made this rule anyway!?!?

Ensemble
Jeans:  Luck Brand Jeans
Tank:  New York & Co
Jacket: Don't remember
Shoes:  The Shoe Department
Jewelry:  Vendor at Shecky's Girls Night Out

Be The Next Big Stylist Contest - Piperlime

I entered Piperlime's Contest called "Be the Next Big Stylist".  The winner gets an appearance on The Rachel Zoe Project TV Show and gets to assist her in styling a celebrity. The contest involves styling 3 different looks using the software and clothing options piperlime has on their website.  Here are my entries...

Look #1
Picture this: It's your client's 10 year high-school reunion.  There'll be friends she hasn't seen for years. People to impress. Maybe even an ex-boyfriend (or two).  Show us how you'd make her look great...and feel great too.

Dressed to Impressed by Shasielove featuring Joan and David shoes

Items in this set:
Velvet by Graham & Spencer Vanessa Dress - Seagull, $125
Elizabeth and James Slick Suiting Elizbeth IV Blazer - Navy, $395
Women's shoes/bags: Joan & David Flipp - Red patent, $200
Hoss Intropia Emile Handbag - Gray, $170
House of Harlow Thick Stack Bangle Bracelet, $51

Look #2
Your client is a high-powered exec.  Her day? A meeting with the vice president. Her night?  A much-anticipated date with a new guy. Put together a look that goes from day to night.

Power Exec Date Night by Shasielove featuring Juicy Couture outerwear

Items in this set:
BB Dakota Flora Denim Sleeveless Dress - Rainstorm, $85
Juicy Couture Peplum Blazer - Black, $200
Vince Camuto NARLA Slip On High Pumps, $70
Women's shoes/bags: Big Buddha Monterey - Black, $50
Kenneth Jay Lane Strip Pyramid, $50

Look #3
Your clients best friend is getting married. (Yay!) She want to look amazing, but definitely doesn't want to overshadow the bride.  What do you put her in?

Wedding Day by Shasielove featuring Nine West shoes

Items in this set:
Sunner West Side Dress - Red and black, $295
Joie Santana Batwing Cardigan - Caviar, $195
Nine West Ebbytide Sandals, $60
Street Level 77977, $69
Kate Spade Multi Pearls Ring, $70

Well these are my entires. Let me know what you think and wish me Luck!!
~S

April Showers

We all know the old catch phrase:  "April Showers bring May Flowers".  Well April is fast approaching, so make sure you have your rain ready gear.

Mini-Umbrellas (Target $12.00)

These are great if you don't plan on spending a lot of time out doors, nor feel like lugging around a big umbrella in your hand or around your wrist all day. Most mini-umbrellas should fit into your handbag.  Make sure you keep the sleeve that they come in, so that you can put the umbrella in the sleeve, after use.  If you are like me, and can never get the umbrella to fit back in the sleeve, consider carrying a freezer sized ziploc bag.  The last thing you want to do is have the contents on the inside of your bag become wet.   Have some fun with it too, pick a fun pattern and then a solid one, mix it up.

Regular Umbrellas (Target $12-24)

Picture this...knee length yellow raincoat, black rainboots, and the cutest umbrella accessory ever.  Now I tend to stay away from the tall umbrellas, because they are a nuisance.  Especially the ones with the cane handle...what can you do with that? But on extreme days, it become necessary to pull out the excalibur umbrella.

Raincoats (Express, Macys, Target - $89-$150)

To head into spring, you need a trenchcoat.  Everyone needs at least 2 trenchcoats...one for the Spring...and one for the Fall.  I recommend lighter, brighter cheerier colors for the Spring (Pinks, white, tan, yellow, orange) and darker colors for the fall (black or brown).  Buy the coat first than find great umbrellas to match!

Rainboots (DSW $40-$60)

Rainboots are not the most attractive pair of shoes, but they get the job done. I personally like to stick to the basics when it comes to rainboots because then I can throw them on with anything.  Basic black, or the black and white print.  But I plan on investing in some fun color rainboots too.  It's spring, and this is when color matters most.  After the dreary days of winter, don't be afraid to add some color to your wardrobe.  It actually is a good investment to spend some $$ on high quality rainboots.  You want them to actually keep your feet dry. 

Rainhats (Target)
I personally would opt for a rainjacket with a hood, or just an umbrella, but some like hats.  I recommend bucket of floppy hats to protect your hair from the raingods :)

Happy Shopping!
~S

RODEO HOUSTON - Brooks and Dunn

On Saturday, I went to the rodeo, and not the rodeo that is the name of the entire thing for the month of March, but the ACTUAL rodeo event.    Apart of the rodeo was the Brooks and Dunn concert.  I don't really know there songs, but I  thought I would at least recognize one song. I thought I did, but then I was like...uh maybe not, but either way it was cool it was their last rodeo tour.   I have to say I had fun at the rodeo but I probably will not go back.  A horse was injured and had to be put to sleep because of the bareback racing, and I do not like that, so that was my first and last rodeo :-/...oh well.

Here is my outfit:

My original plan was to go out and buy a pair of cowgirl boots to fit in...but then I didn't feel like spending $200 bucks for boots I'd probably only wear once or twice a year.  This is the Cost Per Use conundrum that you should remind yourself of when shopping.  I probably will still buy a pair, but some cheap ones from Macy's or something.  It worked out because it ended up being a rainy day anyway, and I wouldn't have wanted to wear $200 boots in the rain...

So second choice were the rain boots (Key Item Alert).  Rain boots are not the most attractive footwear, but they get the job done in the rain.  With rainboots I like to tuck in my pants, so I knew I was going to wear skinny jeans that would fit comfortably inside.  I still wanted to have that "slight" taste of country so I picked a button shirt, and because it was purple I chose the purple scarf.  The was the end of the outfit and then I remembered it was raining and threw on the hat.  A hat is a good go-to for raindays, either wear it in the rain, or if your hair gets wet, you can throw on a hat to improve your "wet-dog" look :)

Ensemble:
Hat: From sister
Scarf:  NY&Co
Shirt:  Target
Boots:  Roxy (DSW)
Jeans:  NY&Co

~S

Rock Concert

Sooo....I don't always get it right.  Thursday night I went to the Muse Concert, which was also my first ROCK concert ever.  Under the impression that  to go to a rock concert one needs to look like a rocker chick, I went all out....

As soon as my friend Gaby and her husband came to pick me up, I knew I was in trouble.  They were both in denim bottoms, her in a tank and him a t-shirt. Than we arrived at the concert and I could see all the concert goers...most in jeans and a t-shirt...Now normally I don't care if I stand out, I mean that's the whole point of having your own style right? To stand out in a crowd? But...this was my first Rock Concert, and I kind of just wanted to fit in.  So Gaby told me she was bringing some rock band t-shirts with her, so in her car I changed into a System of a Down shirt, took off the necklace and the bangles, and then felt MUCH better!

For my first look:
Tank:  NY&Co
Leggings:  NY&Co
Jacket:  NY&Co
Shoes:  Target
Bangles:  combination of many....
Necklaces:  stole from target shirt that came with them

~S

Casual Friday

At my job we can wear jeans on Friday.  Never being the one to take casual for it's literal meaning, this is my get-up for a Friday at work:

Ensemble:

Jeans:  Old Navy

Pumps:  Target

Jacket:  Charlotte Russe

Shirt:  New York and Company

For this outfit the key item is the pair of jeans.  I don't like to mix light tops with dark-wash jeans.  So normally if I'm going to wear dark jeans, I pick a dark top.  The shirt is actually a halter-top, so to make it more work appropriate I outfitted it with a crop jacket.  Once again being 73F, the jacket was the perfect inner/outer wear accessory. 

The good think about this outfit is it works for outside the office too, if you are on the go :)

~S

Spring Shoe Trends

As much as some of us do not want to be trend-followers, trends do set the tone for being in style...at least temporarily. I like to take a new trend and still make it my own. And even better I choose not to do some trends at all (like the menswear shoes below)! Do not wear something just because a magazine or designer says it's the new "In". One needs to be able to make the decision between what really works for their body, and their style and what works for the runway/celebrities/and those who work in the fashion industry.

In my latest fashion research, the spring shoes have really come a long way. No longer are we stuck with the basic flip flop, mule thong sandal, and jellies (thank goodness...I did NOT do the jellies trend.) Now we can have winter all summer long. From cuffs, to straps, to cut-out, I think my shoe wardrobe is about to triple!

Stores used for pictures: Nine West, Bakers, Payless
To find these shoes also try shopping at Aldos, DSW, Marshalls, Macy's and Target

Cuffed

Embellished

Caged

Neutrals

Menswear

Zippers

Out of all these trends, I do not care for the menswear and the embellished shoes, but that's just my opinion.  Those shoes to me stand out from my own style and I don't "think" I'd wear them.  That's not to say, if I don't come across a cute outfit that uses those shoes, I wouldn't wear them...I'd just have to check them out first.  That's also not to deterr you from buying those shoes. If you have cute outfit ideas for those shoes, go for it!

My favorite are the caged shoes. I love all those straps. I can't wait to go out and buy a pair! I can already imagine outfits for these shoes, and the cuffed shoes.  For the cuffed shoes I envision cute jean shorts with a casual tank, light scarf and a pair of cuffed flip flops.  If you need help choosing an outfit to wear with one of these spring trends and shoes, shoot me a message on here, or on my FB page.

Good Luck with your Spring Shoe Shopping!

~S