March 30, 2009

Let’s talk about tan, baby, let’s talk about you and me!

Ok so spring has sprung and summer looms soon…meaning short shorts and bikinis. All in all, its time for skin to be shown in all its glory. I don’t know about anyone else but my legs haven’t really seen the light of day since September. I’ve recently started tanning (in a bed) again. I know I know, skin cancer in a box. But I don’t abuse it, and go about once a week. Thus, I’ll take my risks. Shout out to the girls at Tru Tan, they are always super friendly and always dressed adorable.
Anyway, I’ve tried the Mystic Tan thing and last time I did it (2 years ago) it left me so streaky and orange that I swore never again. So, this weekend my little sister came to stay and she wanted to tan…..well she’s too young and I’m not going to be responsible for her being a tanning bed head too! So, I caved in enough to try a sunless spray tan again, one called Versaspa. We headed to Tru Tan (shout-out!). I tried the Versaspa and whoa! It’s unlike Mystic Tan at all; it’s SO SO much better! Here are a few features:

You get:
• Air blow dry after every treatment
• Completely mist-free application environment
• Guaranteed flawless and even applications
• Guaranteed natural-looking results
• Three health and beauty solutions from which to choose
• Mix and match treatment options
• Mist for full body, just face, or just legs

http://www.versaspasystem.com/businessowner/why-versaspa.html

It literally sprays then dries you. You get out with immediate results and no drying off! I put my clothes right back on with no orange left on them. The tan develops over then next few hours and unlike the Mystic tan, you can shower after Versaspa when you develop to a color you are happy with. I, of course wanted to see how dark I got. The tan is so even; no streaks and no orange areas. My face and hands got pretty dark; but after I washed my face, just enough came off to make the color more natural look. I do wish I had washed my hands sooner than I did cause at the moment they look a little to bronzy. Not orange though! Nothing on me is orange!! It was really amazing and I write this to totally recommend Versaspa sunless tanning!

Versaspa is available at Tru-Tan in Tyler on Troup Highway next to Casa Ole; to find a location near you click here!


I’ll post before and after pictures soon!

Happy Sunless Tanning!

March 26, 2009

What can Brown do for you?

The UPS man dropped off a package a little while ago decked out in all his browness, when i happened to look down and notice his feet! Ups takes their uniform seriously! They even have brown UPS socks with the golden label on them!



I find this hilarious and endearing all at once! What an honor to represent your company from head to toe! Literally! At least these guys know that they always match! Haha!
Enjoy!

March 25, 2009

Designer of the week-Betsey Johnson

I happen to LOVE Betsey Johnson. So of course it was time to feature her as designer of the week. Betsey does a little bit of everything: clothing, jewelry, accessories, handbags, and shoes. I have a few Betsey pieces, 2 pairs of earrings, a necklace, and a cocktail dress. I simply adore every piece!

New York designer Betsey Johnson has built her long-standing career in fashion by following her own set of rules. Known for her celebration of the exuberant, the embellished, and the over the top, Betsey has been rocking the fashion industry with her unique and original designs since the 1960’s. Her commitment to remain true to her one-of-a-kind vision has afforded Betsey continued success in an industry known for its fickleness. (Betsey's Bio)



Her designs have been on Hollywood gals like Carrie Underwood, Katy Perry, Eva Longoria, Paris Hilton, Rhianna, Kate Moss, Jessica Simpson, Lauren Conrad, Beyonce, and Agyness Deyn.


In 1978, she formed a partnership with Chantal Bacon and started the Betsey Johnson label, as it is known today. There are over fifty Betsey Johnson stores worldwide. The year 2003 marked some exciting licensing endeavors for the company, taking Betsey’s signature prints and whimsy to new audiences with categories including shoes and lingerie. She continued this trend and has since added handbags, belts, cold weather accessories, eyewear, watches, jewelry, swimwear, legwear and a fragrance thus effectively emerging as not only a clothing designer but a top American Lifestyle brand.

“Making clothes involves what I like…color, pattern, shape and movement…I like the everyday process…the people, the pressure, the surprise of seeing the work come alive walking and dancing around on strangers. Like red lipstick on the mouth, my products wake up and brighten and bring the wearer to life…drawing attention to her beauty and specialness…her moods and movements…her dreams and fantasies.” – Betsey Johnson


Wwd.com said of her Fall RTW 2009 Collection

Betsey Johnson transformed her Seventh Avenue showroom into a Fifties malt shop and served up some of her favorite recipes: pouf skirts, corsets, classic rose prints and plenty of sequins. What looked fresh was a knit ensemble; a cropped cable-knit sweater and satin corset over a pointelle skirt that ballooned over a crinoline, as well as some graphic color-blocked sweaters à la the Eighties. Yes, there’s an appetite for Johnson’s sense of fashion fun — she will be partnering with Opening Ceremony for a reissue of past hits.
Her crazy style will keep me and her many fans intrigued for years!
In the Tyler area, Betsey Johnson designs can be found at the following locations:
Spinout on 8th Street (clothing)
Dillards at the Tyler Square Mall (jewelry, handbags)
Macy's on Broadway (Jewelry)

March 24, 2009

Don’t of the Week-Overdone Patterns

Patterns are great all year long, and as the spring flowers bloom patterns come in bright pretty colors! Yet, people abuse this lovely trend so violently! Take a look:

1. Floral patterns are great! Just not mixed on top AND bottom with the same pattern. Makes your eyes sore! With big prints, keep it one piece.
2. Stripes and plaid are great patterns. Just not together and in clashing colors.



3. Again, florals are great! But patterns this opposite start looking clownish. If you’re brave enough to mix patterns, keep them in the same color family.
4. Paisley is always cute; but I’m not really sure it works for pants. I have a hard time looking at any florally/paisley pattern on pants much less pants this tight.

I don’t think this outfit is terrible, because she is keeping with the same colors in shades. Though, a solid color with either piece would have been much more flattering. And too tight never ever works on anyone!

The crème de la crème!

EW!!! This is a never ever “who in the world let her buy/wear those?!?” cut them up and use them as a rag DON’T. It looks like she sewed some scarves together to make pants. Scarf like pants will/always will be a don’t!


Patterns are a good thing! Don’t be afraid to wear them; but if you second guess your choice, wear something different. If you’re not comfortable, you think everyone else will noticing your choice too. Patterns are fun, especially for spring! Play with them until you feel right with it. Happy Spring!

March 18, 2009

Designer of the Week-Erin Fetherston

I first saw Erin on The Rachel Zoe Project when Rachel attended her runway show. I also remembered Target featuring her as one of their Go International designers.



“Erin Fetherston is the designer behind the four-year old namesake label, Erin Fetherston. A bay area native, Erin moved to France to pursue her love of fashion after graduating from UC Berkeley with a bachelor of arts in 202. In Paris, Erin studied fashion at the Parson’s School of Design. Upon completion, she promptly went to work on the creation of her own collection which she debuted during the haute couture shows in Paris in January 2005. Soon there after, Erin shifted her collection into ready-to-wear, accenting the transition with projects like “Wendybird”, a film she conceived with Ellen Von Unwerth that start Kirsten Dunst wearing her Fall/Winter 2005-2006 collection, and “Urban Flowers”, a photography exhibition shot by Von Unwerth featuring girls like Zooey Deschanel and Karen Elson in Fetherston’s Spring 2006 Collection.

(Spring Collection 2009)
Erin has recently relocated her business from Paris to New York, where she has been showing in the Bryant Park tents for the past three seasons. Erin’s clothing has been seen on the likes of Zooey Deschanel, Anne Hathaway, Winona Ryder, Cameron Diaz and Kirsten Dunst. The collection has received honors from the UPS Delivers Fashion’s Future Initiative and the Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation. Fetherston is honored to have been considered as a finalist for the Vogue/CDFA Fashion Fund this year. Fetherston also received nationwide acclaim for her Target Go International Collection for Holiday 2007. (Erin-Biography)”









Style.com said of her Fall 2009 Collection:
Tonight's collection was, in Erin Fetherston's own estimation, her "most graphic to date." Gone were the floaty princess dresses of seasons past, and in their place were a number of tailored toppers—little tweed peplum jackets and Empire-waisted jacquard riding coats—paired with skinny wool trousers. These looks were inspired by The Nutracker's tin soldiers and other tales of toys springing to life (after all, it wouldn't be a Fetherston show without a dose of whimsy).



This designer is at her strongest when she reins in the preciousness. A lambskin swing skirt, part of her first foray into leather, and a black tuxedo jumpsuit with plunging neckline had real chic. Barring a too-long series of polka-dot tulle party dresses, Fetherston pushed herself—successfully—to offer more than her standard fare. (Style.com)



She has also been featured in numerous Fashion publications.
Vanity Fair (Sept. 08) Teen Vouge (March 08)



Her whimsy collections are sure to wow fashionistas for years! I myself look forward to what she's doing next!

March 17, 2009

Don’t of the Week-Mean Green

So since today is St. Patrick’s Day, we might as well be festive with this week's Don’t!


Now you have to wear green today or you’ll get pinched. Ow! Don’t wear your green the wrong way. So here we go:


#1 Don't put green in your hair! Unless you're under 10 neon colored hair is not that cool. If you do want a bright color chose something like a pink or purple and put it in small streaks on the under side of your hair, that way its not super noticeable. Avoid big chunks and lime green!

#2 Don't do this at all! The lime green plaid, the puff jacket, the matching design, eye overload! If you chose to do lime green plaid, leave it on one piece. Like a blouse or a cardigan, or maybe even shoes. Avoid it on pants and avoid it in matching pieces.

#3 Don't wear turquoise green tights and a puffy green jacket. First, these tights are a don't ever. I'm all for wearing colored tights BUT these tights remind me of the wicked witch of the west. So only break these out at Halloween!

#4 Don't, just Don't. The boots aren't bad and might be adorable with a black skirt or skinny jeans. But these pants.....no words....except that it reminds me of a bad dance costume from 4th grade! Yikes!


#5 Don't wear green on your feet in flat sneaker form! You might be mistaken for a leprechaun.




DO: wear a little something green! It will add a little festivity to the day with out being cheesy! Wear some jewelry with a hint of green, like a broach on a cardigan, or a ring with a green stone. Break out an emerald tank underneath a jacket, cardigan or blouse. It doesn't have to be much. As you can see from above, a little green goes a long way, and too much goes way farther!



Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

March 15, 2009

Rain Rain…go get cute rain boots!

So last week it was sunny and 80 degrees, Friday it was rainy and 38 degrees. Got to love the changing seasons! Since it was so rainy, let’s pay tribute to the boots that don’t get worn that often but when they do are definitely worth the money!

RAINBOOTS!!!!

Ok, first thought: ugly bright yellow rubber, not so anymore my friends many retailers and designers have taken that rubber to a whole new level and made the rain boot not only practical but cute and chic!

From stripes to polka dots to plaid, it makes every girl want rain more often!


Designer Brands like Coach and Burberry have gotten in on the trend too:
Now, if you’re not willing to drop $200 bucks or even $59 bucks on rain boots, check out a few from Target’s selection. That’s where I got my ADORABLE black and white polka dotted ones last year from only $20!!! They have had the polka dot for a few years and even come out with some new designs too.

Here's to rainy days!

March 11, 2009

Designer of the Week-Alexander McQueen

Alexander McQueen showed his Fall/Winter 2009 Collection today in Paris!

His designs have been seen on Victoria Beckham and Brittany Snow.






Brittany’s was from McQueen’s line for Target for only $69.90! I’ve actually tried this dress on and it was adorable and very chic! Even better than in the picture.






“Alexander McQueen is known for both the emotional power and raw energy of the shows as well as the romantic but determinedly contemporary nature of the collections. Integral to the McQueen culture is the juxtaposition between contrasting elements: fragility and strength, tradition and modernity and fluidity and severity. An openly emotional and even passionate viewpoint is realized with a profound respect and influence for the arts and crafts tradition. Alexander's collections combine an in-depth working knowledge of: bespoke British tailoring, the fine workmanship of the French Haute Couture atelier and the impeccable finish of Italian manufacturing.” (About McQueen)



Spring/Summer 09 Collection Pieces

One Shoulder Dress (black) Column Gown (green) Smoke Print Dress

“Alexander McQueen is one of fashion’s few for-real artistic geniuses. His collections manifest the wild wanderings of his imagination and emotional state into high theater in which his sartorial wizardry always equals the fantastical visions of his psyche.”(wwd.com)





Womens Wear Daily calls his new collection “Masterful. And plenty unsettling.”


His designs are intriguing and beautiful. With them, he evokes a sexy darkness.







March 10, 2009

Don't of the Week-Denim Overload

Ok, today's don't is another pretty simple one: don't overload on denim! It's never flattering and you look much sillier than you even know.



Point 1:
Denim shirt AND denim shorts! Double whammy! And the start of a "Texas Tuxedo" All one color; all unflattering.














Point 2:

Long denim skirt,1/2 denim vest, and other fabric to hold it together. Its a cowgirl who got messed up by a bull and had to stitch her clothes back with little to nothing. Poor woman, POOR bull!










Point 3:
Mixed denim washes. Was she going for equality with the light and the dark? Either way, its confusing.





Point 4:
Watch out someone attacked this man in his mixed denim with a bedazzler!! Crudely designed, avoid "statements" on the back of denim jackets especially!










As you can see, too much denim is not a pretty thing! Don't wear more than one denim piece at a time! It is sensory overload. Mixing denim washes looks like you got dressed in the dark. Tand Matching denim exactly looks like well just a mess. And the whole "make jeans a skirt by adding fabric" well it looks a little tacky! Just avoid it. Wear one denim piece, like jeans or a jacket or a vest and play with accessories and color to have a great outfit. A denim jacket over a flirty dress, or skinny dark jeans with heels always makes a lasting statement.


all pictures courtesy of Glamour Don'tspotting.

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