StyleWhipped

Please SEE Yourself Into My Closet...

This one...this one I want for myself. I'm not just sharing it with you out of the goodness of my heart, or because it is my job as the Editor-in-Chief of this magazine. But because I really, truly want it for myself. And what is "it," you ask? "It" just might be the most perfect clutch bag to ever see the light of summertime...

From See by Chloe (a perennial favorite over here at Stylewhipped), this not-so-little number (it measures a user-friendly 14.5" x 7" x 2") is my ultimate summer combination of slightly off-white and metallic rose gold. The off-white leather (called "bliss" by the designer...who is clearly super-duper smart...) goes with every single neutral and saturated color in your wardrobe during the warm months. The rose gold accents are chic, fashion-forward, and just "different" enough to make everyone turn around and look twice at what you're holding in your hand. And because it isn't white-white, you can use this all year to bring a little bright spot into an otherwise all-black Fall or Winter outfit. 

But back to now... Pair this with rose gold jewelry, a fabulous mini dress and sky-high heels for a night out to keep it glam. Take it out to lunch during the day alongside a perfectly fitted pair of jeans, serious platform sandals, and a flowing sleeveless top to make it boho-chic. And picture it tucked under the arm of a light brown fur jacket when the cool weather comes back around (sorry, it does have to eventually).

And then picture it in my closet. Because honestly? That's clearly where it really belongs...;)

~ Alison. 

Danielle Aspromatis: Bridesmaid Wish-list...

Picking out your bridesmaids gifts should be fun! Your girls, your support system, your family...they deserve to get something really unique for being part of your day. If you are at a certain age and have been part of your girlfriends wedding parties for years, you may already have a lot of "wedding day" jewelry, tote bags, makeup bags and the like.

Giving a gift of jewelry doesn't mean that's what you want them to wear on the day of your wedding. Let your girls personalize their dresses by accessorizing it how they would like with their own jewelry and get them something that is cool, new, and that they really will use on a daily basis. With monogram jewelry being really big still, and braided cord bracelets still on the scene, I like this Tai Pave intial bracelet from Neiman Marcus, $115, in either black or gold. No, they are not going to wear it to your weddding but I guarantee you will see everyone wearing this for days and nights to come. Layer it up with some other chunky bracelets or put it on the same side as your watch to get that eclectic feel to your look...the more you layer with these the better! 

-Danielle

More Pink, Please.

I am often (ok, very very often) called a Barbie. And I am 100% ok with that. I have super blond hair, am usually tan, kind of permanently standing on my toes like a Barbie doll, and always have glittery make-up on (really, even at 10am). But most importantly, I am completely in touch with that girly gene in me that loves pink. I like pale pink, bright pink, dusty rose, magenta...you name it. I will never, of course, be one of those scary women who wears too much of it at once...being a stylist, I clearly understand the importance of having one pink item (whether it's a piece of clothing, a handbag, my jewelry, etc) be the standout focal point in an outfit. Pink dress? Nothing else pink, please. (NOTHING.) Pink jeweled necklace? Try it with a black & white ensemble so it really gets noticed. And when your outfit itself is pink? Well, read on...

Karina Grimaldi brings us this adorable (but not at all cute-sy) pink embellished mini dress. It is really, really pink (it's such a bright, vibrant, totally Miami-ish hue that it is making me happy just writing about it...), so it needs to be the star of the show. You can wear it alone as a mini dress (it is REALLY short, so get that spray tan out and run a couple extra miles!), or layer it over your skinniest white jeans or black leggings. Keep accessories to a minimum (all that embellishment acts as a major statement necklace), sticking to linear drop earrings, an oversized watch on its own, and maybe a smattering of ultra-thin diamond rings on a few fingers. But embrace the pink...it is feminine, flirty, happy, attention-grabbing and actually really flattering on so many skin tones. Just let it be the one and only pink thing you step out of the house wearing that day.

And if anyone suddenly calls you Barbie, just remember...she DID have a dreamhouse. And Ken. ;)

~ Alison.

Black & White...and Perfect All-over...

Diane von Furstenberg is one of my all-time favorite designers. I love her as a visionary, as a woman, as a business person, and as a fellow believer that life and fashion should be fun, glamorous and easy-going. While I was out on Friday night in the Meatpacking District of NYC with my friend Jill, I made her stop while I started snapping pictures with my phone of all the new pieces in the DVF store's windows. There was an all-over sequined long-sleeved romper that might just have to be one of my "investment pieces" this season. However, all-over sequins might not be up everyone's alley...

Which is why I just had to feature this DVF dress, the "Keoni Two." In an on-trend and always-chic black & white sepia print, this lightweight cotton number will get you through now, the entire summer, and into fall. It's perfect for work (add a blazer with a nipped-in waist), a date (add in your highest strappy stilettos), or Sunday brunch (try metallic flats and a little shoulder bag). The combination of slightly puffed sleeves and cinched waist are insanely flattering, while the loose skirt with a scalloped hem is forgiving but doesn't swallow up your figure. And that black & white palette is a perfect opportunity to add in a great pops of color...a bright yellow clutch, pink peep-toe platforms, jewelry with cobalt blue stones, or even a dove grey cropped leather jacket on a Fall night.

Thanks, Diane. You make our wardrobes, yet again, perfect all-over.

~ Alison.

Tie One On

A big trend in the last few years has emerged for brides to buy two wedding dresses...one long, elegant traditional wedding gown for the ceremony and first half of the reception and one short, fun dress for the 2nd half of the party and for the after party if there is one. This double dress concept is great if you have an unlimited budget ...which most people don't! Also, in my opinion, you only get to wear your wedding dress once, for one day, so my advice is love the dress you buy so that you don't want to take if off at all!

However, if you want to update a more classic dress halfway through the day or evening, one thing you can do after your ceremony is to add a sash or a jeweled belt to it. This adds that extra something to your dress and makes it "party ready." Sashes and belts can be purchased at all bridal shops, but one particular one that I love is from The Wedding Main St. Priced right at $175, this can completely change the look of your wedding gown and also can be reused in the future. Opt for a silver, black or champagne ribbon and you have an update for your little black dress! It's also a great piece to have an pass down to a friend or family member for their wedding...it's a perfect "something borrowed"!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-Danielle

Rally the Troops

This is a funny time of year...it is alternately hot, cold, muggy, clammy, sunny, windy, rainy - and often all in one day! You know that when even the stylist has a hard time getting dressed in the morning that it's a bad scene weather-wise! And I think outerwear is one of the hardest things to master...it's too warm for even your lightest wool coat, but it's not quite warm enough for your lightest denim jacket or vest. I most often opt for a leather jacket...I have one that is lined, one that isn't, and a number of others in various colors, styles, and finishes. But I think my favorite for this time of year is the one with the leather body and cotton canvas sleeves. It gives off the cool-girl vibe of a cropped leather motorcycle jacket, but keeps me from totally overheating because of the breathable cotton sleeves. It's great with a cute scarf in the early morning, on its own during the day, and perfect when layered over a really fine sweater in the evening. 

So when I saw the "Marco" jacket from PJK Patterson J. Kincaid, I was immediately enamored. Not only was it the reverse of my leather-body-canvas-sleeves version with its leather sleeves & details and cotton canvas body, but it is a gorgeous, on-trend, feminine-meets-masculine, urban-meets-glam combination of black and army green. And since an all-black jacket can look a little dark/heavy for spring (especially this year when everything is frothy mint green and cool coral), the chic and edgy olive army green lightens this up just enough without making it at all too girly. And while my off-white cotton canvas sleeves are permanently getting dirty (I live in nyc...I'm not sure I should have expected anything less...oops...), this shade of green will only age and look perfectly worn-in with a little city-dust on it ;)

~ Alison.

Danielle Aspromatis: Just Rose-y...

With the wacky weather we have been having this spring, and less buds and blooms on the trees this April, I am seeing more roses turning up on people than in the garden. Flowers come and go in popularity with jewelry, and it seems they are on the upswing this season for not only parties and events, but for every day wear too. Whether you are pairing either of my two finds today with an elegant black dress or skinny jeans and a t shirt, both go with virtually everything and can add a lot to any outfit.

Sometimes I am looking for a cool non-dangly earring but I am sick of putting the same old studs in my ears. Plus, simple diamond studs are not always appropriate and they actually can get a little boring after wearing them day in and day out, for everything from work to the gym to a wedding. So I love these rose studs from Betsy Johnson. Sparkly and cute and priced right at $25 from Macy's, you just can't go wrong with these...

For a more elegant-yet-chunky take on the rose, I love this cuff from the David Tutera line. This piece is more of a statement, is more unique, and can go with any outfit from a bar to a ballroom...

So take some time this spring to smell -- er, shop -- for roses!

-Danielle

Everything's Coming Up Gucci

And roses. But mainly Gucci with roses...

Here's the thing. I rarely feature pieces from Gucci. Not because I don't love Gucci. (Trust me...I loooove it. Does someone not love Gucci? Now I'm confused...) But I don't because I usually prefer to feature smaller, newer designers who I want to expose our readers to. However...everyone once in awhile, there is a piece that speaks to me for some reason or another, and I just have to share it. HAVE TO.

And today, this printed silk-twill halterneck top is that piece. First and foremost, this style, with its deeply-cut-out-shoulder-and-tie-around-the-neck silhouette is super flattering on just about every body type. It draws attention to your face and collarbone and makes your shoulders look more toned than they really are (!). Second (to me at least), there is nothing more chic than an abstract print rooted in black and white. And the wide black stripe at the hip is exactly where you want that slimming feature to be. The print itself is inspired by Gucci's iconic collection of scarves, and, um...look at the print on the top and then look at the flower part of our Stylewhipped logo...clearly Gucci and I were having the same thought at one point! 

This top is also completely backless, which is a gorgeous way to "do" sexy...it's not in-your-face and it's a great part of your body to show off without ever being vulgar. Wear this with skinny black pants or leather legging now and with skinny white pants or jeans all summer. And even though it's backless, this really does work all year...just change up your accessories and add-ons to keep it seasonally appropriate (chubby little furs, booties instead of sandals, heavy jewels instead of delicate, etc, etc...). And feel free to wear it a lot. I mean, it is Gucci after all...;)

~ Alison.

Glitterati

On Saturday night, one of my oldest friends had his first official night out as a resident of New York City. Because he moved into a fabulous apartment in the super-cool Lower East Side neighborhood, a group of us decided to go out around there. And I felt it was the perfect occasion to wear my new 100%-covered-in-sequins tank-style tunic from Parker. In an amazingly chic chevron print of black, grey, emerald and cobalt sequins, this one demands a lot of attention and makes me the most sparkly girl in the room. (Side note: I have always had a secret wish to be a Vegas showgirl...soooo, head-to-toe sequins, crystals or glitter really isn't so out-there for me...)

Because I actually don't want to create a multitude of identical Ali-bots running around, I like to use my own pieces as inspiration for what I suggest to both my clients and readers. Which is why I didn't hesitate for one minute to feature this incredible top covered on the front only in a cool, rocker-y pattern of sequins. The combination of gold, bronze and black sequins on a white crepe tank makes the whole piece less girly and more edgy, and the shape of the pattern vaguely resembles either an oversized cross or the Union Jack flag (each of which makes it just that much cooler). Shown here with black leather shorts (which is a fantastic styling option), you don't have to wait for warm enough temperatures to wear this...try it with your darkest, skinniest jeans or black leather leggings for nighttime, or super faded-out, dramatically flared jeans for a daytime date or lunch & shopping with the girls. Just keep your accessories grounded (think sleek rose gold or hematite rather than adding in more sparkle) and your bag and shoes equally edgy (think black patent platforms, not peep toes with a bow!).

And then be prepared to feel like a serious part of the glitterati...

~ Alison.

Hot White

I have had a long-time, secret love-affair going on with Banana Republic's jewelry collection. I have featured pieces on here and waxed poetic about how on-trend, affordable and gorgeous their jewelry is. Major kudos to their buyer for nailing it season after season, bringing their customers necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings that look much, much more expensive than they are, are great quality, and are superbly current. Just last week, I bought a massively oversized necklace with huge rectangular stones set in gold tone with tiny crystal accents. It think it was only about $59 to begin with, and I got it on sale for about $25. ($25!!) It plays directly into the prominent everything-needs-to-be-stark-white trend this spring, but also came in a vibrant, saturated orange for anyone not quite ready to take the white plunge in early April.

So I thought I'd visit the retailer's website to check out what else they had that I might just have to add to my please-more-white jewelry wardrobe for summer...and I found not one byt two other amazing necklaces. The first, the "Bold Gem Necklace," is quite similar to what I bought, just with round stones instead of rectangular. So because I've gotten so many compliments on the one I got, this is definitely something I will be buying as a perfect gift (who wants one?!), especially at $59.50! And again, if you're not ready for the white movement, this comes in bright yellow, super-trendy mint green, and that gorgeous orange.

But the piece I think is a must-have for me personally is the "Delhi Delight" semi-precious bib necklace...with the palest, almost-white milky aqua calcedony stones, 10k gold-plated finish, and incredible, I-found-it-at-a-bazaar-in-India vibe, this one is worth the $225 pricetag. You can wear this all year long, with so many different looks that I can't even begin to list them all. Easily becoming your "signature" piece, this piece's whole collection is only available for a limited time, so you don't have to worry that every other woman you pass on the street will also have it!

Banana Republic also currently has really pretty, fun earrings, bracelets and rings in various shades of white...so make sure to check out the whole line. And you're welcome...sometimes I don't like to share my secrets ;)

~ Alison.