The holidays are here, and lets face it stress is here too.  Your already long list of things to do has now tripled.  What exactly does Auntie Helen want for Christmas?  Can I bake four dozen cookies for the office or will they even suspect I stopped at the supermarket?  Well before you bit your nails to the quick with all the anticipation, pamper them.  That's right go get your self an manicure, or take 10 minutes out of your day and do one at home (Burt's Bees Tips 'N Toes Kit, $12.99 at Target).  Then make sure the attention is brought to your hands by accessorizing with a stylish ring.  Big rings are a beautiful trend that will bring attention to those digits.  

Not only will they admire your ring but the nails that say I've got the happy holidays under control.  

Faux Pearl and Stone Covered Globe Ring - Goldstone ($29.99 at Target)

Zirconite Turquoise Pave Cushion Cut Enamel Ring (pictured, $15.00 at Target)

Marvella Ring - Black ($16.99 at Target)

Sterling Steel Red Square Cubic Zirconia Ring with Open Band ($14.99 at Target)

~Anna KS

The other day on the way to work I passed a high school.  I saw a girl headed to classes wearing a yellow shirt and yellow shoes.  Suddenly I was in a time machine that took me back to my teen years when one of my favorite outfits was a pair of yellow hightops and a yellow sweater.   In a way I still yearn for that combination.  Or maybe just the good memories I had while wearing those shoes. 

 

The shoes eventually gave out as well as the sweater.  Lucky for me yellow is back in.  Though perhaps not in the Big Bird way of my younger years.  You can love yellow again but please just try one piece at a time.  

• Liven up the old jeans uniform with a yellow sweater or top.
• Carry a yellow clutch or bag to brighten your week up
• Stay warm with a yellow hat or scarf
• and yes yellow shoes can be worn again, just go for a stylish flat instead of those high-tops...even though they will always have a special place in my heart!

Women's Xhilaration Suzette Button Flats - Mustard (pictured, $16.99 at Target)

Mossimo Supply Co. Knit Hat - Yellow ($12.99 at Target)

Mossimo Supply Co. Core Long Sleeve Crewneck Top - Sun fun Yellow ($8.99 at Target)

Merona Tote - Yellow ($19.99 at Target)

~Anna KS

How can it be the second week of November already?  Eek!  As much as I would like to say I'm thinking of what to get Uncle George for Christmas, selfishly I'm not.  I'm thinking about all those holiday parties and what exactly I am going to wear to them?  

Here are some things I look for in a holiday wear:

• I like to make a statement when I take off my coat so I go for a dress with a sparkle, sheen, pattern, color or embelishment that will catch the eye.
• As Tim Gunn would say "Acccesorize thoughtfully".  If I'm wearing and LBD (Little Black Dress) I like to wear a stunning pair of shoes or a piece of jewlery that makes me stand out.
• Because there will be more than one holiday party I like something affordable so that I can maybe purchase two dresses and rotate them.
• Also I love the holidays because of the ample feasting, to help prevent my fourth trip to the buffet I chose something fitted to help me say no to that last sugar cookie.

Mossimo Black Crossover Empire Dress - Deep Love ($39.99 at Target)

Target Limited Edition Women's Belted Lady Dress - Plum Houndstooth ($39.99 at Target)

Target Limited Edition Womens Monroe Bustier Dress - Ebony (pictured, $39.99 at Target)

Accessorize thoughtfully:

Women's Mossimo Vida Peep - Toe Pumps - Zebra ($26.99 at Target)

Xhilaration Flocked HInged Clutch Wallet - Black ($12.99 at Target)

Knotted Chain and Mesh Cuff Bracelet - Dark Silvertone (pictured,$12.99 at Target)

~Anna KS

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

Every winter this is exactly what happens to me: I go into my closet to put away my summer dresses (sniff a tear away, so sad) and root around in my storage boxes for that cute pair of gloves I remember owning, or my favorite winter hat. THEN, I'll remember that I only have one of those cute gloves left because I lost the other one in an impromptu snowball fight last February, and that the winter hat blew away in the blizzard of '08.

I've never been able to successfully keep a set of matching winter accessories from one year to the next. It's gotten so bad that I get "back-up" winter hats for my birthday (ha ha, I lose those too).  So this year, here's my declaration: I will not lose my winter hat. Or winter gloves. Or my favorite scarf on the subway. This year will be my year.

To raise the stakes even higher, I'm putting it on this blog for all to see. If Public Shame doesn't work, nothing will. And oh yeah, here are some cute winter accessories just because...

1) Arm warmers for when you're typing in the office and your wrists get cold.

2) Ear muffs for those nights when your hair is too cute to wear a hat.

3) A scarf because, well, you need a damn scarf.

4) Sheepskin gloves (pictured) for looking good in a snowball fight.

5) A hat for when it's so cold, you couldn't care less what your hair looks like.

--Karell Roxas
 

It's October! So what does that mean? The beginnings of the first onslaught of Holiday-themed EVERYTHING.  Halloween underwear. Turkey decorations. Candy Cane earrings. So what am I doing to curb this problem? Jumping on the bandwagon. Why? Because I'm a total sheep.  And besides, if you don't do these sorts of kitschy holiday themed posts, people will think you're a heartless non-holiday loving robot who just sits at home and watches kitten videos on YouTube all day (actually, sounds pretty nice to me...).

Anyway, I really hate dressing up for Halloween (sexy witch costume? No thank you) so I usually just try to go with one accessory that's in the holiday spirit. For you, my top 5 Halloween-themed jewelry:

1) Sterling Silver Skull Ring ($36.99) Pictured

2) Black Onyx and Diamond Earrings ($86.00) 

3) Stainless Steel Batman Ring ($34.99)

4) Bangles & Skull Bracelet ($7.99) 

5) Skull Pave Crystal Earrings ($17.99) 

What's your favorite part of Halloween? 

--Karell Roxas

Sometimes when I'm having a hard time putting an outfit together, I'll start by concentrating on just one small thing. Maybe it's a pair of shoes, a belt or even a pair of earrings or a ring. It's great, because once I've figured out what sort of "mood" I'm in the rest comes together much more easily.

So here, in ode to the little things, are four accessories you can use to build an outfit. (One isn't a traditional accessory--but that's what makes it more fun. Start looking at objects in a different way, and you'll add even more originality to your outfits).

1) Bird and Scissor Earring Set ($24.99)  Pictured

2) Straight Feather Headband ($7.99) 

 3) Colorful Link Belt in Pink ($10.48) 

4) MoMa Mini Sky Umbrella ($35.99) 

What's your favorite accessory?

--Karell Roxas