StyleWhipped

Danielle Aspromatis: In Blume

I know, I get very over excited by party decor....But sometimes I find something that is so versatile and clever that it makes me smile. Inexpensive with many uses is key in party decor and it's a such a plus when a decor product is eco friendly as well! (My footprint-conscious husband is going to love this post!)

I stumbled upon a company called BlumeBox, and their motto is "Think Inside the Box." The founders of this genius company wanted to do away with all the glass vases that were taking up space in their cabinets. So they came up with "blumeboxes," which are made of earth friendly materials and are, in a sense, colorful, fun vases that ship flat, are easy to put together, and store flat. They add a pop to any table or party room and they are very affordable! And as they say on their website, www.blumebox.com, they really do "Kick Glass" (haha!)...

The ideas and possibilities for blumeboxes really are infinite, so let me just post a few from their website (see website for photo credits on the "ideas in blume" section) so maybe some of you will get as excited about blumeboxes as I am! Parties, weddings, BBQ's, or just around your house, these clever little boxes deserve an applause!

- Danielle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joseph Ungoco: Fit to Be Tied

Give yourself the royal treatment with a skinny tie from the VJNY Collection by Jesse Chao. Tie aficionados and sports celebrities alike have been aware of his classic Vittorio J line for years. Both lines embody the company's motto of "Classic. Royal. Goods.", but the VJNY line has a slightly younger - if only at heart - sensibility that appeals to today's urban fashionisto. This is no Billyburg hipster skinny tie. The tie measures 3" across at the widest point, but the taper the ties ensures that even a full Windsor know fits nicely under the collar of your Dior slim-fit shirts. 

Combining the classic materials and patterns with a street-wear sensibility yields cheeky patterns featuring crowns, fleurs des lis, and the brand's signature crowned skulls. I own a "Delancey" and wear it often, proving the maxim held by newly minted royalty everywhere that "a crown goes with everything." One of my other favorites is the rep stripe smattered with a Jolly Roger insignia. You don't have to be a Yale Bonesman to buy one, but wearing one shows the world that you're a member of an even more elite secret society - fashion's first adopters! And with the ties in this collection priced at $69, I can see your own "collection" getting started rather easily...

-- Joseph

(click on images to enlarge for detail)

Danielle Aspromatis: Get Your Kicks

It's nothing new that grooms and groomsmen want to be comfortable on their wedding day...grooms have been sporting sneaks on their wedding day for a long time. A lot of grooms even are nice enough to purchase Converse as a gift for their groomsmen (I got my nephews Converse to wear for my wedding and everyone thought they looked SO cute!).

But what about the bride that wants some cool casual comfort for her wedding day to be able to dance and kick off her heels? Remeber the bridal sneakers in the movie "Father of the Bride?" I thought those were SO cool when that movie came out! For any style-conscious bride in 2012...from a vintage bride to a glam bride, custom Chucks can be the answer! If you go to www.converse.com, you can even customize your kicks with "bride," "bridesmaid," your wedding date, "Mrs," or whatever you want! Right now I'm looking at the white rhinestone encrusted ones I have in my closest and kicking myself for not wearing them on my wedding day! 

If you have a friend that is getting married, get her shoe size and customize a pair for her as a gift! I promise as she is dancing and on her feet all day and night, she will thank you! Not to mention it's a fabulous photo opportunity..check out a few of my favorites below that I found. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-Danielle

Guest Writer Emily Long: What To Wear To Work

Love it or hate, Corporate America is here to stay. From the shouler-pad touting suits of the '80's to the Reebok's-and-socks trend of the early '90's, looking professional and put-together but maintaining some semblance of personal style (all the while trying to be comfortable), has always been a challenge. With America's movement towards more casual than business, the line between what is appropriate, trendy and flattering is increasingly blurred. So how do you make this happen? How do you dress for work like you deserve a promotion but still incorporate some of the latest trends...like neon and floral-on-floral?

Having worked in "white-shoe" environments in ultra-style-conscious NYC for nearly seven years, I like to think I've developed some guidelines for looking chic yet slightly fashion-forward at work. And generally, I have a couple of principles I stick to:

Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize! These often underestimated pieces deserve a standing ovation - simple touches like a great leather belt or layered chunky necklaces can transform any outfit from 2005 to 2012. Each season I invest in a few good pieces and wear them throughout the year. Check out this necklace from J. Crew...

Embrace the uptown/downtown philosophy. No, I'm not talking about above 60th Street and below Houston. I'm talking about funky up top and business on the bottom. I have an amazing pair of tangerine orange trousers I love to wear to work. But when I style them, I keep it very simple with a crisp white button-down and rich brown pumps. The same goes for my neon yellow sandals - I keep the rest of my outfit classic with muted colors and minimal accessories. Sequins at the office? No problem! I pair my sequin-embellished cream blouse with slim-fitting cigarette pants and neutral pumps, and I'm ready to go. These pants, from Alice + Olivia, are a perfect example...

Invest in a few good blazers, and don't look back. These magical pieces have the ability to evolve almost any look from "meh" to amazing in two seconds flat. Whenever I have a big meeting coming up and I need to feel locked & loaded...boom, blazer time! If I want to wear a trendy blouse or a summer dress that is otherwise too casual, blazer-town brings it together. Find the store that has a few styles that look the best on you, and begin stalking. This one from Club Monaco completes the whole look I've featured here...

And lastly...Dress for your body, regardless of the trends. If you're on the short side and long skirts are not generally flattering, midi-lengths are not going to work for you...ever. Trend, schmend - if an article of clothing is not flattering, it should not be worn. Period. Having an understanding of your body and what shapes/cuts look best on you is the foundation on which to build any wardrobe. Skirts with a high waist tend to look best on me, so over the years I've amassed quite the collection and each time I put one on, I feel amazing! 

So there you have it. These few, simple rules will make your work-look anything but simple! 

- Emily

Golden Table

As any regular Stylewhipped readers (or any "regulars" in my life) know, I am a yellow-gold fanatic. I rarely wear silver or platinum, and am currently contemplating painting one wall of my living room metallic gold. Yellow gold is warm, sunny, goes with my blondeness and obsession with the beach...and in some circumstances, is a great way to add a little new-ness and extra chic to your life, wardrobe...and yes, even your tabletop...

Stealing a moment from our resident interiors expert Sherin Botros, I couldn't help but share my latest obsession: gold utensils! Tabletop trends haven't changed much over the past ten years, but just recently this one has made a huge splash. Designers who are expanding their brands with home design collections have been some of the first to really jump on this. Case in point: my personal favorite, Diane von Furstenberg. Her home collection includes this amazing set of silverware...yes, in gold! The "Night" collection is incredibly refined and elegant but also bold and super modern, with simple lines that create a subtle but glamorous statement. The opposite of tacky, gold-filled '80's decor, this is more along the lines of "hmmm, maybe it's real?" because this beautiful trend could easily fit in on-board the world's most amazing yacht or at the most posh restaurant in St. Barth's. Or...hopefully...in my apartment...;)

~ Alison. 

In Short...

It is once again HOT in New York City. Like, 99 degrees and crazy humidity. Stylewhipped writer Rebecca Gordon and I had drinks this week, and commiserated over our shared inability to add a belt to our outfits just because it would make us even hotter! We both only want to wear loose, flowy pieces that are made from the most light-weight fabric imaginable. However, no one wants to look like they're only wearing muumuus all summer (!), which brings me to these...

I understand that short shorts aren't eveyone's "thing," but if you have the courage (and the legs!) to pull them off, this is one of your best wardrobe staples for this kind of weather. These, from Stylewhipped fave Elizabeth & James, are 100% silk so they are going to easily float just away from the body and keep you super cool in these insane temperatures. And because they are navy (instead of black), they feel summery and uber-chic. So when it comes to styling, well...these work as part of a gorgeous yet totally casual outfit with a white wife-beater, flat metallic sandals and some bohemian-inspired, layered delicate jewelry. Want to dress up these red-carpet-worthy beauties? Pair them with a silk top in hot pink or grass green (to pick up the colors in the subtle print on the shorts' panels), serious platforms in gold leather or navy patent (this is a moment when "matchy" is good!), and two pieces of statement jewelry (go for earrings and a cocktail ring...a heavy necklace will just make you feel warmer...). 

So in short...wear shorts. Short ones. (And I promise to stop attempting to make "short" puns.)

~ Alison.

Danielle Aspromatis: Slap it on Me

I always have people emailing me great party and decor ideas....but this tip from my oldest friend Ann really IS a clever idea for all of us that grew up in the 80's! I love everything about the 80's...Madonna, George Michael, the clothes, the music, the movies (Who doesn't love Jake Ryan from Sixteen Candles?!) Not to mention the fact that I practically jumped for joy when leggings came back into style!! So for all of you that grew up in the late 80's and early 90's, you MUST remember slap bracelets. They were that craze that came after troll dolls but before Hypercolor T-shirts (ahhh remember those?). Because elementary kids and junior high kids typically take things too far and get in trouble, these slap bracelets ended up ultimately getting banned by schools all over because kids were slapping them onto each others wrists too hard and getting hurt. They were so cool though for their short lived life! 

At a wedding that my friend Ann recently attended, there was a huge board of different color slap bracelets and instructions to grab the color bracelet that correlated to how you know the Bride and Groom. This clever detail could also be easily incorporated into a shower, engagement party, or even bachlorette party! It's fun, interactive for your guests, and takes your guests that grew up in the 80's and 90's back in time.

Check out the picture from the wedding she attended. The sign says "You've traveled near and far, now tell us who you are!"...Love it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-Danielle

Jennifer Corcione: What Was "Lost" Can Now Be Found....

To preface this month’s column, I need to rewind back to approximately a year and a half ago. While I may love music and own an extensive collection of more musicians than you knew existed, I am extremely picky when it comes to my favorites. The criteria is simple: the music must be just as good live as it is on the album, the material be strong quality, and the “full package” engaging me to want to listen to more of it. (Granted, if the musicians are decent looking, that never hurts either!)

So imagine my surprise when after a year and a half of performing, my favorite west-coast indie rock group Bonnie Dune (finally) released their first album, The Lost EP. Even though I have been content with my bootlegs of studio and live versions of the band’s tracks, it’s more than just about the music. It’s about Justin Wilczynski, Seth Roberts, Joshua Kerr and Cory Monteith (yes, the Glee guy) delivering songs that feel like pages from my own diary transformed into an album.

True, there are only eight tracks and most of them have been heard several times over through fans clamoring for every bit of the guys they can get their hands on, yet it works. (Well, that and I can’t get enough of those songs I have played hundreds of times over!) The tracks intimate precise selection and perfection in simple melodies, passion ever-present in the soothing timbre of Wilczynski’s vocals. The album tells a story we’re all familiar with: love, loss, friendship and the journey of self-discovery. (In fact, The Lost EP hits so close to home that my first tattoo may be lyrics from “Sailboat”, a tale of growing up and holding on to those things we love.)

Aside from the album, I was fortunate to see the band perform in Hershey, PA last year (and snag a super-cool VIP wristband to meet the guys), an experience I will always cherish. Also featuring Jacob Wick (The Honey Trees) on keyboard, the live show was not only amazing; it was full of love for the screaming throng of fans and glimpses into the friendship between talented (and sweet) musicians. Even after a rigorous ½ hour set, each VIP recipient was greeted with a smile and a “thank you for coming” (at the very least.) Some fans shared gifts, pictures, stories, even a joke or two with the guys. (Josh and Cory, I’m still waiting on a karaoke night!)  

To snag a copy of The Lost EP (or share it with all of your friends), you can find it on iTunes here: The Lost EP. Although I love every single track, I encourage you to not only listen to “Sailboat”, but also feel free to check out “Better View” and “Quiet Confidence.” Maybe you’ll find what once was 'lost' too. 

~ Jenn

P.S. – Minus the full band photo, the rest of the pictures featured are from my experience at Hershey Park…enjoy!

 

 

Danielle Aspromatis: Blocking & Brights

BCBG ALWAYS gets dresses right....bridal, cocktail, evening...everything is always right on-trend and beautifully made. They definitely got the colorblock trend right this season - I am in LOVE with their blocked dresses, both short and maxi! If you are looking to buy something for a party or wedding this hot summer season, go for colorblocking and brights and look no further than www.bcbg.com.

I am guilty of the same thing most women are: when I have a wedding to go to, I yank one of the many black dresses I have out of my closet. Take a chance and go a little bold this season, especially in the months of July and August!

The Catrina Color Blocked Evening Gown, $358, is bright, sexy and airy in pink and red chiffon. The back detail is absolutely stunning!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I found this blue/black version on www.bloomingdales.com, also for $358. With the black incorporated, it's a no-brainer with what shoes to wear and the deeper colors can take you from the summer all the way into the late fall...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If short is your thing, check out the Kira One-Shoulder Pleated Cocktail Dress. $328 for a short and sexy colorblock. I love all the gorgeous blues this season!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-Danielle

Perfect Plaid

After premiering our latest editorial on Monday (did you look at it?! well, you should!), I am on a little bit of a menswear kick. After falling in love with the plaid shirt featured on our shoot's model, I went on the hunt for one that would work now and also into Fall (yes, unfortunately us "fashion industry" people are already thinking about next season...don't worry, I'm not happy about it either...). Namely, I was looking for a plaid with white as its dominant color, a fabric that was lightweight but not overly summery, and a fit that would look just as great with the sleeves rolled up now as it would with them full-length when the cooler temperatures roll in.

A quick look around Stylewhipped-favorite RevolveClothing.com brought me to a fantastic, fills-every-prerequisite plaid shirt from LA-based designers LIFE/AFTER/DENIM. Their "Isle" shirt (in the color Stoned) has a base of white in the plaid, keeping it light enough for the remainder of summer, is made from 100% cotton to keep you cool now and work well as a layering piece later, and has subtle but important detailing with contrasting plaid inside the cuffs (only visible when you roll the sleeves up). Now, the merchandisers over at RevolveClothing have shown this shirt styled with pink-ish-salmon cotton chino pants...this wouldn't be my first pick for the majority of men (!), but rather I'd go with a pair of either dark, straight-leg jeans and good shoes...or bootcut, lighter, slightly destroyed ones. The dark denim will help you dress the shirt up for a date. And the destroyed, faded jeans allow it (along with a pair of flip-flops) to work just as well for the bonfire party on the beach. 

Not bad for a little plaid.

~ Alison.