StyleWhipped

Aunt Jerry would approve...

When I was a little girl, my parents knew that I would grow up to be obsessed with fashion, considering at every party they threw, I would crawl around trying to touch all the women's beautiful high heels. And I I always immediately went straight for my Great Aunt Jerry's...a super-cool lady even today at 93, she always had beautiful, girly t-strap heels that I just adored. There's always been something about that 1920's-inspired feminine-but-naughty silhouette that continues to appeal to me (needless to say, I have read The Great Gatsby over and over...and over...). There are countless t-strap heels in my closet, just updated for the 21st century with high platforms, 5-inch heels, and oversized embellishments.

So when I spotted these black suede "Paris" platform t-straps from Elizabeth & James (a huge favorite for both Cindy & I lately), I instantly flashed back to one of those parties where Aunt Jerry was wearing one of her signature pairs. Now of course, these are perfectly suited to 2010 with their 1-inch floating platforms, 4.5-inch skinny heels, and an unexpected laser-cut overlay on the back of the heel. And t-straps aren't only gorgeous, but fairly practical as well...they are an ideal way to have the stability of an ankle strap with the flattering silhouette of a pump, and create an amazing look with this season's popular patterned hosiery.

~ Alison

I'm Wearing These Tonight!

A couple of weeks ago, we had a very rainy Sunday in Manhattan. Really, really rainy (like, so rainy I made my little dog wear her little rubber booties so her feet would at least stay the tiniest bit dry). I figured there really wasn't anything else to do except hop in a cab and head up to my beloved Bloomingdale's for the afternoon. Now normally, I pretty much refuse to shop on the weekends (way too crowded and unpleasant), but I was in need of some serious retail therapy.

Unbeknownst to me, there was a massive sale going on at said Bloomingdale's, making my retail therapy that much more...well, therapeutic! In the end, I walked away with over a thousand dollars worth of clothing for a mere two-hundred-and-fifty bucks. Major score, I have to say. Of course, the one thing that wasn't on sale is the one thing I just had to share with Stylewhipped's fabulous readers.

From the Bloomingdale's house brand Aqua comes what might just be the most perfect denim leggings ever. On the planet. Seriously. They come in navy as well, but I am 100% in love with the black ones that I bought. Not only do they fit like the most perfect skinny jeans, but are just as soft as your oldest pair of leggings. They have denim finishes and styling, and are OK-TO-WEAR-WITH-A-SHORT-TOP (yes, Cindy, I just said that...and I meant it!). There's just something about the way these fit that eradicates the need for the ominipresent-with-leggings long tunic. Trust me. Oh, and they are $78...most definitely well-worth it, even not on sale. I also wasn't kidding when I said "I'm Wearing These Tonight"...I am...to see my most favorite band...it's a big night, and these make this 4'11" mini look like I have the legs of someone who is 5'8"...so yup, absolutely wearing them tonight ;)

~ Alison

Daily Devotion: Banana Republic Lace Bib Necklace

There's no denying it, lace is big right now and it only seems to be getting bigger. It makes for gorgeous gowns, cocktail dresses and tops, and adds a perfect something as an accent to something otherwise plain or dull. But let's face it, it's not for everyone. I've been warming up to it again over the past 6 months or so, but no matter how brilliantly it's been utilized, there are still people who make that scrunchy face when it's mentioned. It's too frilly. It feels scratchy. It's too fancy. I feel like I can't breathe with it on. These are just some of the comments this material still evokes.

Luckily, for these folks, there is a way to indulge in this trend by way of cheat- the Banana Republic Lace Bib Necklace. Delicate gold plated metal is finely woven into a beautiful necklace of "lace". But unlike your traditional lace, this version won't have you feeling as though you might swoon, or make you squirm like a 6-year-old in church!

- Cindy

Daily Devotion: Young Fabulous & Broke Star Top

I have tops that I love that I'll wear over and over again, and I have tops that I love that I'll only wear a few times. The tops that I wear often are the ones I feel totally at-ease in. They're the ones I automatically reach for when I go into my closet. The tops that I don't wear often tend to be the ones that are a bit of a stretch for me. Meaning they're not easily my style, but I'll take them out when I feel like shaking things up a little. The Young Fabulous & Broke Star Top is one that I'd wear over and over again.

What I really appreciate about this top is that it's stylish, but in a totally casual and laid-back way. With its easy silhouette and tank layered underneath, it's got the feel of your favorite Saturday morning tee. But it just so happens to be a tee made of silk chiffon that's covered in fabulous black sequined stars! With pieces like this, there's just no excuse for looking grungy...um, unless that's the look you're going for.

- Cindy

Perfect bag alert...courtesy of Antik Batik...

Antik Batik is constantly putting out downtown-cool, rock-and-roll-influenced, bohemian-yet-polished pieces that I instantly swoon over. And they present them at often-affordable prices, which is still so key these days.

Their newest one that I'm becoming increasingly obsessed with is the "Lola" beaded bag. With a coy take on studding, this tiny black bag has brass-tone beads adorning a random, asymmetrical section of one side and a tough chain strap. It's both cleverly edgy and dress-up fabulous...and its super-friendly pricetag of $190 makes me not hesitate to click "add to shopping cart"!

Need a little styling help with this one? How about pairing the Lola with black skinny jeans, a slouchy tank top, sequined jacket and bright suede heels...perfect for a night on the town. Not heading to the latest nightlife hot-spot? Dark blue denim flares, a sleek turtleneck sweater (also key in this awful, 17-degree weather!) and a cropped fur jacket work for a creative meeting or a lunch date on the weekend...with the Lola as the perfect accessory, of course!

~ Alison

Daily Devotion: Nars Makeup Primer

For the longest time, I simply accepted the fact that I would leave the house in the morning with perfect makeup, and then come home without any on. I don't know if I just assumed there was some mystical cosmic force out there that made it happen *poof*, or if I was blacking out in the middle of the day, unconsciously washing my face. I mean...makeup just doesn't disappear, does it? Yeah. It does. And finally I decided to do something about it.

I spent a lot of time trying a lot of primers, and my favorite is Nars' Makeup Primer. The gel-cream formula glides on, providing a beautifully smooth surface for flawless makeup application (on my low-maintenance days, I'll sometimes just smooth some of this primer on to give my face a "finished" look, with just a coat of mascara and a little gloss). Unlike other primers, it doesn't feel heavy or tacky, make my skin blotchy, or cause breakouts. It absorbs quickly, and accepts makeup immediately. And best of all, my makeup stays put throughout the day. So that mystical cosmic force can go focus its efforts elsewhere...like helping women understand that leggings are not pants.

- Cindy     

Daily Devotion: Kate Spade Soda Fountain Stripe Ivy Car Coat

I've come to the realization that I have a very poor coat wardrobe. I tend to get lazy and will wear the same black wool coat all Winter and the same black trench coat throughout Fall. This didn't really bother me until recently when I was watching an old Doris Day movie (I know, I know) and just couldn't get over her perfectly coordinated outfits. Each dress, each gown, each skirt suit had a coat designed to go with it. It was simply magnificent. Everything was so beautifully styled and tailored and perfect. Now, I'll never be that coordinated, nor do I have the budget to get a coat custom designed for every outfit. But I fully acknowledge that I have room for improvement.

A good place to start would be with Kate Spade's Soda Fountain Stripe Ivy Car Coat. In a word, it's adorable. I'm not normally one to sway towards the adorable or precious when it comes to my own style, but something about this coat keeps me coming back for another look. I love the stripes, I love the 3/4 sleeves with the belt detail, I even find myself loving the tiny little grosgrain bows nestled into each of the over-sized buttons. It just works. And so long as I wear it with something more slim fitting on the bottom (please, nothing boxy and cropped!), I can keep my overall look sleek and chic!

- Cindy 

Daily Devotion: Tibi Scalloped Silk-Georgette Dress

On a recent rainy Sunday I happened to be engaging in my favorite indoor sport (get your mind out of the  gutter)-- online shopping. While perusing through net-a-porter.com, I developed an immediate crush on Tibi's Scalloped Silk-Georgette Dress.        

Tibi has this finely-tuned ability to strike that perfect balance of trend, casual sophistication, and glamour. Even though the brand has expanded into other categories, I continue to worship at the altar of their original brand category-- the dress. And this is just a little example of why that is. In a lovely tomato-red (I fully intended to move on from my obsession with red, but it's proving difficult), with beautiful scallop details in a front bib and down the ballooned half-length sleeves, this dress is perfection. I could wear it with black tights and booties in the winter, and switch it up to bare legs and nude or gold platforms in the summer. And to add to its versatility, this effortlessly goes from day to night. It's the perfect investment piece for anyone's wardrobe, and at $300 it's a no-brainer. Like I said--perfection!

- Cindy

Trina Takes On Jewelry

As everyone knows, I am a perpetual Trina Turk fan. Her beautiful fabrics, vibrant prints and sunshine-in-Palm-Springs color palettes (even in the dead of winter) always make me so happy (the way fashion should!). And now Trina has developed a magnificent jewelry collection that is a perfect reflection of her as a designer. It compliments her clothing collections, interprets her overall design aesthetic, and besides being appropriately glamorous and statement-making, it is also wearable and affordable. (Really, the most expensive piece comes in at $258 and the collection starts at just $58!)

The first piece I noticed, fell in love with, and instantly had to own was the massively oversized Faceted Gem Ring. I have the olive stone pictured, but it also comes in a saturated dark purple shade. Set in rich gold-tone (as is the entire collection), it features Trina's signature latice pattern as the stone's setting. Worn on my index finger as often as possible, it has quickly become one of my signature pieces.

Along with gorgeous rings, Trina brings us necklaces, earrings, bracelets and cuffs that are each seriously special. For such a wallet-friendly group, these look like they cost 10 times their price - they are almost all oversized, and come with stones in brand-expected shades like white, coral, tiger's eye and turquoise. Demanding to be paired with a printed, floor-length hostess dress and gold 5-inch platforms (or faded, destroyed jeans and a white wife-beater), this is jewelry that works in Manhattan, in LA, in St. Tropez, and at the Jersey shore. In other words, Trina took on jewelry...and did so beautifully...

~ Alison

Daily Devotion: Essie Nail Polish in Clam Bake

Today I continue our string of Winter defiance/denial with my latest beauty find. One of my favorite pastimes is to stroll through drugstore aisles (Duane Reade, CVS, Rite Aid, it doesn't matter) looking for "treasure". Lotion, lip balm, self-tanner, hair accessories...I try them all. One of my most frequent purchases is nail polish, and my new favorite is Essie's Clam Bake. I'm always going through phases of dark, then neutral then bright polish, and Clam Bake is undeniably bright! A lovely and fiery red-orange, the color complements most skintones and is an instant mood booster. And since I DO NOT have a trip to Aruba coming around the corner (see Alison's post below), every little bit of brightness counts!

- Cindy