Look We Love: White, Pastel and Neon!

If you didn't have time to adjust to the blazing speed of the neon trend this summer, here's a chic and simple yet very effective way to experiment with the look without spending major dollars on a whole new wardrobe.  

Ingredients:  1 cup solid tailored basic on top, 2 cups bold pastels on bottom, and a dash of neon pop accessories.  Bake at 400 degrees and voila!  You have one killer look to close out the summer as we prep for fall.

This look showcases a brilliant mix of both color blocking and pop of color techniques.  The white on white with the top and blazer are classic summer staples that will always be on trend, while the pastel peach jeans give that feminine, flirty splash to the outfit.

And then the jewelry.  By adding a neon element like the necklace and bracelet above, you're saying "hey, I'm a girl who knows how to have fun, and keep it classic all at the same time!"  Not a statement to take lightly.

Finish the look with a neutral bag and shoes, and your recipe is complete!

Now dig in :)

Posted by:  Spankie V.

(photo: chictopia)

Eva Longoria's Top 1 Style Tip

If there's one thing Eva Longoria knows best, it's fashion.  And if we refine that statement, it's fashion for petite frames.

Eva Longoria may seem larger than life in the spotlight, but she's tiny in real life.  Standing at five-foot-two, her uber petite frame requires specific tricks that make her wardrobe work for her.

So what's her secret for looking fashionable flawless at her size?  Tailoring!  

"If you're a small person you have to alter everything" she said at a recent campaign launch for Lays.  So what does she do?  She tucks, trims, cuts and alters nearly every piece in her wardrobe, including jeans, dresses, T-shirts and more.

"I focus on proportions."  Eva says she takes in the waist on everything so that her petite frame doesn't get lost in the garment, and shortens the lengths of jeans and skirts.

This may sound like a lot of work to all our petite readers, but trust us (and Eva!) it is well worth it.  And if you find a great tailor, the cost is pennies compared to the outcome.  

So what do you think?  Will you give tailoring a try?

Posted by:  Spankie V.

Look We Love: Crop Tops for Fall!

Just because summer is coming to a rapid close (harrumph!) doesn't mean those ultra femme styles have to be shoved in the closet for fall!  Case-in-point, the crop top!  I don't know about you, but I've been loving the resurgence of the crop top, especially when paired elegantly with a high wasted bottom like this polka dot skirt, or perhaps some edgy denim.

What I really love about the fall update on the crop, is the sleeves.  As the weather begins to cool, the cropped long sleeve top is the perfect transition.  You can still pair with high waisted bottoms, perhaps pants, and have the feel of the summertime sprinkled in your wardrobe.

To take this look fully into fall, I would pair the skirt with some leggings/tights to warm up the legs, or perhaps some socks with those to-die-for metallic loafers.  Did I mention metallic shoes will be all the rage?  You have officially been notified!  I'd also add some warm pieces like a leather jacket, or a large wool scarf.

So what do you think?  Tell me how you'd rock your crop in the fall?

Posted by:  Spankie V

(photo: Chichichicjb)

UrbanOG Blogger Spotlight: Katherine Martinez

Welcome to August! As you may know, we feature our absolute favorite fashion blogger every month. This month, we are proud to present Katherine Martinez as our August blogger of the month. 

There’s no denying that Katherine Martinez has such a refreshingly, unique style. We love her ability to stay trendy yet affordable, but we wanted to know more so we sat down with Katherine to get inside the fabulous mind of this fashionista.

  

Take a glimpse of Katherine’s awesome closet on her blog, “La Petite Marmoset!"

Joy Gryson’s Bags for a Cause!

Joy Gryson is adding some new bags to her accessories empire, and we’re simply drooling!  And best of all, they’re for charity! 

Her new collection IiiBeCa just launched at Scoop NYC last week, and there are 4 chic and fabulous new bags a part of that collection.  They are wonderfully practical with lovely items like crossbody bags and squared totes. 

Part of the sales from each bag will go to 3 charities, the 911 Memorial fund, Family Focus Adoption Services, and the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, founded by Joy’s mother.

Fashion just got a whole lot more fashionable!  Which is your favorite bag?

Posted by:  Spankie V.

How To Wear It: Mixing Florals

If there's one thing we know for sure this fashion season, it's that florals are definitely IN IN IN!!!  And I'm not just talking any florals, but floral pants in particular.  

You've seen them practically everywhere these days, from fashion shows, to celebrities, to kids in summer school, to grandmas in the park (yes it's true!).  So this universally bold and ultra feminine summer staple is now getting the ultimate one-two punch!  Mixing with florals up top!

It may seem like a daunting task at first, blending such a bold pattern with more of the same, but there are a few simple tips that will make this look a breeze to pull off.

The key is to combine 2 principals:  pattern size and color palette.  When mixing 2 of the same pattern, keep one on a larger scale size, the pants pattern, and use a smaller pattern for the matching top.  This way the pattern is visually broken up into two pieces rather than a head-to-toe look.

The second thing to consider is keeping the colors relatively in the same color palette.  If you went drastically with another color scheme for one of the pieces, the colors might start to feel like they're fighting with eachother, which causes stress to the on-looker.  Keeping with related hues brings balance and harmony to the look.

Ground the look with some solid shoes and accessories to give the eye a place to rest and the look is complete!

So what do you think?  Will you try mixing up your florals?

Posted by:  Spankie V.

(photos:  Beware_of_My_Heels)

Looks We Love: Retro Swim

 

Yes yes, I know I know... Summer is more than half over by now... which is exactly why I'm all revved up and ready to talk some more swimsuit fashion, coz I like to squeeze every last drop out of my fun-in-the-sun season.

This time, I'm all about the retro swimsuit.  Not only do they flatter most all body types with their more forgiving amount of fabric coverage, but they just add a fun touch of flirty and unexpected elegance to the pool.  And who doesn't want that?

Here are some of my fav throwback looks!

 

This classic 2 piece comes with a fun, bandana style print!  I'm in love with the full bottom cut, high on the leg to elongate them, and the tie in the center bikini detail.  And the best part, this bandeau style cut comes with thick straps which provide tons of support!

Here is the same cut in a lovely picnic esque blue checker print, and lastly, the feminine full coverage one piece.  This comes with a frilly neckline and petite peplum waist to give any throwback girl that hour glass look!

What do you think?

Posted by:  Spankie V.