StyleWhipped

Daily Devotion: Marc by Marc Jacobs Knit Blazer

Lately I've been obsessed with the color red. Not ruby, not crimson, not even burgundy. I'm talking red red. A bold, cheery (without being obnoxious), undeniable red that's fun but classic at the same time. I know so many people who find red intimidating "it's too bright!", "it makes me look cheap!", "it clashes with my manicure!". Whatever. I'm convinced there's a shade of red out there for everyone, but for now I'm on the hunt for my perfect red.

At the moment I like to think of it as my Marc by Marc Jacobs Knit Blazer red. Ok, so they choose to describe the shade as "Cambridge". Potato, Potahto. It's gorgeous whatever name you call it. Like the color it's in, the blazer itself is playful and a modern classic. There are no frills with this piece, just a subtle wink of gold-rimmed buttons to keep things interesting. The real beauty is in the fit--slim, sleek and stylish, in all of its cotton, machine-washable glory. How lucky for me that I've found my perfect red in a perfect package!

- Cindy   

Event Recap: Running With Heels Launches It's e-Zine!

Last week, I was so excited to produce and co-host another fabulous Running With Heels party, this time to celebrate the launch of our new monthly e-zine, a virtual magazine of exclusive articles and trend reports on the site. Running With Heels' Editor Morgan Williams hosted along with me, and we were so happy to have our whole RWH "team" there as well...celebrity make-up artist and columnist Nathan Johnson and marketing director John David Robbins.

This event was made possible by our (very!) generous sponsors, and I need to thank them...thanks to designer Galina Sobolev, the party was held at the gorgeous Single Dress showroom in the Garment District where the latest collection of beautifully printed dresses were on display for our guests to admire. Morgan, myself, and lovely models at the event were all gladly wearing pieces from Single, and we were also wearing some of the most amazing shoes from Charles David, another event sponsor. Thank you also to LiV Vodka for providing our guests with delicious cocktails, Your Best Face Skincare for the incredible gift bags of high-end (and Stylewhipped favorites!) products. Lastly, I need to personally thank Dino Aspromatis from Vaser Lipo for completing our list of sponsors and making this party such a success!

Close to 100 guests made their way to midtown to celebrate with us, despite it being about 95 degrees outside! Everyone had a great time mingling with other fashion-industry insiders, celebs, TV personalities, editors, bloggers, designers, and personal friends of Running With Heels. A special thank you to everyone to joined us, walked our red carpet, and have been supporters of RWH since its launch in 2007. Without making a list, you all know who you are...and your presence is always appreciated!

Additional coverage of the party and more photos can be seen on GuestofaGuest.com!

~ Alison

  

Running With Heels: Alison's Fashion & Style Column

Going out somewhere not quite "casual" but not quite "fancy"? Check out my latest Running With Heels column "One Night in Atlantic City: The Birth of Casual-Fab" for some excellent suggestions on exactly what to wear...

Enjoy!

~ Alison

Daily Devotion: Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent Stamped Croc Dunaway Bag

One of my favorite bags right now is the Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent Stamped Croc Dunaway Bag. This is the kind of bag that you can wear every day, goes with just about any look you feel like wearing, and is never boring. Going to work? Not a problem. The croc-embossed leather and simple hardware lends this bag an air of effortless sophistication and class. Going out with the girls? Sure. The simple and elegant origami-like fold detail at the bottom gives this bag instant style clout and an air of creativity. Running weekend errands in a casual tee and distressed jeans? Great. The bag comes with short double handles, a detachable rolled handle that gives a little more length in the handle, and a detachable shoulder strap so that you can wear this on your shoulder or across your body to keep your busy hands free. I love a bag with legs and this one absolutely fits the bill!

- Cindy

Just Found: Evelyn Knight Jewelry

I was writing my Running With Heels column today (which I will of course share with you first thing tomorrow), and stumbled across Evelyn Knight jewelry on the Max & Chloe website (an often go-to site for me when writing because they have gorgeous photography of fabulous pieces at seemingly every price point...). And I have to say, I love this line! Evelyn Knight jewelry uses a slightly darker gold plate, so you get a beautiful contrast to any other light gold jewelry you're wearing (or in my case, my ever-present huge pale gold Michael Kors watch). And somehow, everything in this collection is both substantial and delicate at the same time, making them perfect signature pieces that can be worn constantly. Oh, and one more thing...the earrings? $50. And the CZ-studded cuff? $100. Sounds like a designer I'll be revisiting many more times...!

~ Alison.

Daily Devotion: Alexander Wang Matte Jersey Top

I love the cutout trend, but no matter whether we're talking slashed, ripped, shredded, torn, or literally "cut out" in exact shapes-- I need to be careful. If I don't pick the right pieces for my style, or overdo it (so easily done!), I end up looking like some reject from an '80's hair band. Luckily there are plenty of options out there that let me indulge while still keeping my look clean and sophisticated.

Alexander Wang's Matte Jersey Top includes a beautifully precise cage-detail in the sleeves. Along with the elegantly scooped neck and sliver of a back keyhole, this shirt is sheer perfection. It's so easy in all its chic-ness it seamlessly straddles dressy and casual. It looks great worn with a skirt, I could also easily see it paired with a pair of skinny pants and boots, and because the cutouts on this top are so contained and clean I think I could even manage to wear these with gently shredded denim without breaking into a horrid rendition of Livin' on a Prayer.

- Cindy

Daily Devotion: Banana Republic Brooch Cluster Necklace

Brooches are a lovely way to add a little sparkle and personality to an outfit. My mom's outfit. I have seen many a brooch that I admire and maybe even covet a little. But when it comes to actual usage...I just can't do it. I'm sure that women much more creative than I am can think of super chic ways to wear a brooch that looks fresh and new. But for me, I can't seem to shake off the tag of "matronly". They're like the square-toe of jewelry. Of course now that I've drawn that line in the sand, it means that I'll be loving and wearing both square-toe shoes and brooches in a season or two...but I digress.

Banana Republic (one of our best-loved "you got that where???" sources of jewelry) has done us a solid by presenting the brooch in an undeniably cool and modern way with their Brooch Cluster Necklace. It's everything I love about a brooch, but can actually be worn with the latest trends. Throw this on with a tank, boyfriend jacket, distressed jeans and a hot pair of booties, and you're good to go! Oh, and did I forget to mention that this gorgeous necklace is just under $100??

- Cindy 

Running With Heels: Alison's Fashion & Style Column

It's Tuesday! I want every piece of jewelry featured in my Running With Heels "Stylist Studio" column this week! Hopefully you like it all too...so check out "The Perfect Transition: Orange Jewels"!

~ Alison

Daily Devotion: Yves Saint Laurent Golden Gloss

Those who know me, know I'm a lip gloss junky. When I'm in a Sephora or a beauty department, I never leave with just one lip gloss. Even if I'm somewhere where there's only one brand available, I rarely leave with just one. You get the idea. I also happen to be a huge fan of just about anything gold, so no surprise when I had to try Yves Saint Laurent Golden Gloss. This is a beautiful, non-sticky and moisturizing gloss with real flecks of 24-carat gold! Now, in all honesty, I'm not a huge fan of super shimmery lip color. It has a tendency of looking, well, rather cheap and juvenile. But something about the shimmer in this gloss ("something" being the flecks of gold!) just makes your lips look really pretty. I'm not totally sure if this is an everyday gloss for me-- it may be a little bit much for a business meeting! But so far I've worn this out to dinner and drinks with friends, and the combination of the Golden Gloss and candlelight definitely yields a ton of compliments! 

- Cindy 

Bright Lights, Big Wallet

I usually shy away from most accessories that have a huge logo smack in the middle of them. I have also avoided the neon trend for now (except for those neon yellow Louboutin's that I covet everyday...but that's a whole other story...). And then I saw this patent neon yellow wallet from Tory Burch (huge logo and all) and kind of fell in love with it. It's sort of like having your toes painted bright blue...a neon yellow wallet isn't exactly the first thing people are going to notice about you, but it IS a really cute way to incorporate the trend into your look. And for some reason, the only neon I can look at for a prolonged period of time without getting a headache is yellow (yes, I know how old I sound by saying that!). Pink, orange and green just annoy me, but I actually think this yellow is pretty and fabulous and fun. And at $195, the price eludes that I-refuse-to-spend-$200-on-a-wallet mark, but also makes you take good care of it...

~ Alison