Recently my baby daughter has taken up hang-gliding to bad its from my beautiful dangling earrings!  Before my ears start looking like an elephants, I have to banish anything but stud earrings to the jewelry box.  But like "mom jeans" and "mom haircuts", earrings that are safe from little hands tend to make me look like I'm one step away from wearing baby food-stained pajama pants to the supermarket.  And while I love Aunt Sandy's gift of pearl earrings I don't want to look like a grandma all of the time.

I actually saw a father and teenage son yesterday dressed both in plaid.  Pop was wearing the standard old-man flannel shirt and son was in a new hip fitted plaid shirt with skinny jeans.  It was fashion evolution in action.  Plaid is back and its uniting fashion across generations!

Fall has fell, and there is no escaping the change of seasons now.  But if your not ready to say goodbye to your cute summer dresses and tops, break out some cardigans.  They stretch out your budget, closet and pleasant summer memories.

Most mothers have a lot of things that they are juggling--babies, jobs, dwellings and the all-important tasks like remembering to shower.  So, ladies, I have to say that sometimes I see that being a hot mama has fallen by the wayside.
So, I was pleased the other day when I met one of my friends looking very mom-tastic!  This mom of two (one of whom is only five months old) was dressed in denim, a sweater and an outstanding pair of strappy red heels.  Well done hot mama!  Just a touch of red made the outfit POP.  Red is a psuedo neutral, so you can wear those strappy reds with just about anything and still look well put together.

Women's Mossimo Ikia Dress Shoes - Red (pictured, $8.04 at Target)
Women's Mossimo Ivette Ruffle Dress Shoes - Red (pictured,$ 9.98 at Target)

Or, if you don't feel you can teeter like a tot check out these flats:

Woman's Mossimo Supply Co. Odell Ballet Flats - Red Patent ($12.99 at Target)
Woman's Merona Madalena Suede Ballet Flats - Dark Red ($19.99 at Target)

Biceps are big these days. Michelle Obama makes headlines every time she wears a tank top! In the galaxy of stars that surrounds me in Southern California, I admire Jessica Biel's toned guns the most. There's no way to get them unless I hit the gym, and there's no way I want to do that unless I'm looking absolutely fabulous. Instead of wearing sloppy sweats to the gym or as you run around the neighborhood, give yourself some exercising pizzazz by dressing the part. No, you're no Michelle Obama or Jessica Biel, but you can be just as fabulous. All you need are some chic workout clothes.

Time to retire the old sweats, ladies! Work it out in these great pieces from Target! And the best part is, they're under $15! Mix and match them with each other or with the "sloppy" pieces you already have (they'll jazz up any ensemble).

• C9 by Champion Yoga Long & Lean Tank in Hopeful Pink (pictured, $14.99 at Target.com)
• C9 BY BG Twist Tee in Lilac ($12.99 at Target.com)
• C9 by Champion Cargo Skort in Black ($6.98 at Target.com)
• Mossimo Yoga Pants in Ebony ($14.99 at Target.com)
  

--Anna KS

Maybe I'm feeling inspired from my shopping/makeover weekend with my boyfriend last week (FYI: he hated every minute of it, but he looks damn hot now!), or maybe I've just noticed way too many shlumpy looking guys out there, but I woke up this morning itching to write this blog post. There are just some things guys don't seem to know about getting dressed and how, by golly, they should look when they're out with the stylish women in their lives.

 

For the man who needs some fashion help, here's some random thoughts, so you can start your journey down the very tip of the lookin'-good iceberg. (Feel free to discreetly print this out or email it to a guy in your life who needs a hint. And actually, this could totally apply to some ladies out there too):

 

1) Please, please make sure your clothes actually fit you. No, your belt on the very last notch does not mean those pants that are two sizes too big look like they fit you. And no, that oversized shirt doesn't hide your gut, it actually accentuates it. If you wear clothes that fit you, it will probably make you look skinnier (trust me on this one).

2) If your clothes are 10 years old or older (ugh), do. not. keep. on. wearing. them. Yes, that super thin t-shirt might be comfortable, but I can see your flesh underneath it.  And no, holes are not attractive (especially not in your underwear--buy new ones!)

3) A jumpsuit, sweatsuit, sweat pants, basketball shorts, tank top or hoodie are not suitable wardrobe pieces for a night out to dinner. Go put something on that doesn't have elastic!

4) Say it with me: You need different shoes for different occasions. I know you're all about quick and easy, but those ratty sneakers you wore to the gym will not work with the nice jeans and v-neck sweater you just threw on for our date to the movies.

 

And hey, if all else fails, just go shirtless.

 

This has been a PSA fashion rant for all the well-meaning but totally clueless dudes out there. And big hello to all the gentlemen who read this and thought, "That ain't me." You make me smile every time I see you on the street (well, your fashion sense and your nice butt). 

 

Do any of you ladies have any other tips for the fashion clueless? Let me know in the comments!

--Karell Roxas

Photo by: trymenow

I'm feeling a little...poofy today, and it's making it really difficult to be excited about getting dressed. I feel like everything accentuates my poofy parts instead of my not-so-poofy parts. So what's the one thing I reach for to help with this problem? A trusty belt!

 

A belt, tied at your natural waist or a little above your natural waist (at the narrowest part of your torso, where your ribs connect) is an instantly slimming trick that anyone can do. Depending on your outfit, you can go with a wide belt, narrow belt, buckle-less belt (e.g a sash or ribbon) or something else entirely. The options are endless!

 

Here are my top five favorite belts:

1) Striped Wide Belt ($9.99) 

2) Black Patent Skinny Belt (Looove this! $12.99) Pictured

3) Mossimo Natural Belt ($16.99) 

4) Double Strap Equestrian Belt ($16.99) 

5) Trouser Buckle Belt ($12.99)

 

Do you have any tips on how to wear a belt?

So, that conversation we had yesterday about stocking up on staples made me realize we need to take some time to praise a Fashion Do that will never go out of style: The Little Black Dress. There's no need to talk about its versatility, usefulness or amazing super powers (who KNEW you could look that good?), but we can talk about one thing: taking one little black dress and accessorizing it 4 different ways.

 

Here's our version of eco-friendly "recycling." Take your favorite little black dress and:

 

1) Accessorize with multiple necklaces. Throw on some earrings and some gloves and you're ready for a glamorous night out. (See picture for an example.)

2) Wear with colorful tights, flats and a big oversized handbag for a stylish weekend outfit.

3) Go vintage and pair with a cloche hat and buckle shoes. Hello 1920s!

4) Pair with a scarf tied around your neck or waist to add a punch of color and surprise to the simple black backdrop.

 

Do you have any tips for accessorizing a little black dress?

 

Photo by: Geishaboy500

Your wardrobe has to be a little like your pantry. What's a meal without staples like salt, pepper, ketchup or flour? Now it's time to check out your Fall wardrobe to see if you have enough of the good stuff. And hey, you've been meaning to find a great pair of jeans that really fit, right?

 

Here are my top 5 staples every wardrobe should have:

 

1) A Pack of White V-Neck Men's Undershirts (They don't have the packs on sale online, but you can walk into any Target and find them in the Men's underwear section. I prefer Hanes tagless!) I love these for their versatility and comfort. They can act as a longer layer underneath a shrunken cardigan, or as a go-to top for those days you're feeling super casual.

2) Black Tank Tops ($8.99) Remember this discussion we just had? Don't make me say it twice.

3) One Colorful Coat in a Classic Style For example, this blue trench coat for $39.99 (pictured). It's a great way to bring color to an outfit without having to try too hard. And you can wear it every day since it's such a classic style.

4) One great fitting pair of jeans Nothing's more satisfying than having a pair of jeans you can rely on when you're just not sure what else to wear. Make sure it's not too trendy (e.g. too skinny a skinny jean or too wide a wide leg) so that it'll work as time passes by. Here's one I like: Mossimo Black: Premium Denim Jean ($29.99)

5) One Little Black Dress This is basically a whole 'nother blog post, but if you don't have this staple in your wardrobe, you need to go out and shop RIGHT NOW! I love this one: Mossimo Black: Pleat Neck Dress ($29.99)

What are your style staples?

--Karell Roxas

Maybe it's because the weather is getting increasingly colder here in NYC (45 degrees last night! Eeek!) or maybe it's because I was feeling under the weather last week (can one cure the common cold with a martini? The answer: No), but I've been all about one thing lately: Comfy comfy comfy.

 

It's not like I've stopped caring what I look like, I've just been caring more about the ease of wearing it, and the way it feels. So today, in ode to my comfy-clothes-lovin' self are my top 5 picks for what to wear when all you want to do is sit on your couch under a blanket:

 

1) Shaun White 4 Target Cardigan ($27.99) Doesn't it always seem like guy's sweaters are more comfortable?

2) Purple Flannel Top ($15) Pictured

3) Double Layer Knit Gloves ($10.99) Can't be comfy if your hands are cold.

4) Sherpa Lined Hoodie ($20)

5) Nick & Nora Pajama set ($24.99 for the set) 

--Karell Roxas