Holiday Shopping - The Wild Child

It's the fourth week of the gift guide and giveaway I'm doing with Christina of Candybox, Jamee of Confessions of a Marc Addict, Chelsea Rae of Pink Rock Candy, and Dara of Secretista. This week our theme is the Wild Child. You may recognize the typical Wild Child for her unpredictable, bold choices in personal adornment. One day she might wear neon pumps, a graphic tee, and ripped jeans. The next day she might be in printed sunglasses, statement jewelry, and head to toe animal prints. She's fearless when it comes to experimenting with trends, and she prefers bright colors, eye-catching prints, and fashion-forward silhouettes. Her style icons might include Lady Gaga and Rihanna. Below, some ideas on what to buy the Wild Child.

1. Zebra peasant top, Wet Seal, $19.50
2. DVF506S sunglasses in orchid, DvF.com, $125
3. Pink & black half gloves by Taryn of Skinny Girls Don't Cry, $25
4. Green leopard bowband, Clash City & Co., $10 - $14
5. Qupid System-136 pumps, Urbanog.com, $23.80
6. Diamante She Wolf ring, Fredflare.com, $75

If you'd like to win items #3 and 4, head on over to Jamee's blog to enter. The contest ends Friday, and the winner will be announced on Monday. Good luck!

For more ideas on what to buy the Wild Child in your life, check out the gift guides of my fellow bloggers:
See Candybox's gift guide
See Confessions of a Marc Addict's gift guide
See Pink Rock Candy's gift guide
See Secretista's gift guide

One of a Kind

Jewelry designer Julia Bristow was kind enough to email me about a great holiday event taking place in Ventura, CA. It's called the One of a Kind Christmas Show. It begins on Friday November 27th, and it involves three full days of holiday shopping, live music, food, runway fashion shows, hula dancers, a light show, food vendors, live animals, Santa, face painting, live music, comedians and movies. There will be one-of-a-kind items for sale from carefully chosen vendors. Julia will be giving a 30% discount on all jewelry items and new items not yet listed on her website.

Anything that involves both shopping and fashion shows is certainly going to entice me. I love events like this. I'm certainly not going to be battling mall crowds this weekend.

The One of a Kind Christmas Show is a charity event by Help USA Homes in partnership with United Way with proceeds going to help the homeless - a great way to kick off the holiday season, help others, and get some holiday shopping done.

Holiday Shopping - The Romantic

As you may know, I'm partnering with Christina of Candybox, Jamee of Confessions of a Marc Addict, Chelsea Rae of Pink Rock Candy, and Dara of Secretista to create a weekly gift guide and giveaway. This is the third installment, and our theme this week is the Romantic. Super feminine details including ruffles, bows, and floral prints are key to the Romantic girl's style. She prefers girly silhouettes, sweet details, and soft, pale colors. She feels most comfortable wearing things such as ruffled pumps, a floral print scarf, a delicate hair clip, or a frilly skirt.

1. Floral volume-sleeve tunic, Dorothy Perkins, £20
2. Pearl and crystal necklace, Much Pink, $22
3. "Emiliina" floral scarf, dELiA*s, $14.50
4. "The Garden" hair clip, Teacups and Tadpoles, $18
5. "Curator" skirt, Modcloth, $69.99
6. Him and her votives, Jayson Home and Garden, $15 each
7. Jeffrey Campbell "Michelle" pumps, Solestruck, $119.95

If you love items #2 and #4, you're in luck. For a chance to win the Much Pink pearl and crystal necklace and the Teacups and Tadpoles hair clip, visit Candybox. The contest ends Friday, and the lucky winner will be announced on Monday. Good luck!

To see more gift ideas for the Romantic girl in your life, be sure to check out the gift guides of my fellow bloggers:
See Candybox's gift guide
See Confessions of a Marc Addict's gift guide
See Pink Rock Candy's gift guide
See Secretista's gift guide

LF's Fall Fashion Show

Last night I attended the fall fashion show put on by LF at Blush in Santa Barbara. It was enjoyable but brief, and filled with many of my favorite fashion trends on the rise. Perhaps the buyer/stylist at LF is reading the same blogs as I am, because many of the looks resonated with me. They featured pieces favored by some of the most popular fashion bloggers. For instance, the Jeffrey Campbell "Potion" boots, the Sam Edelman ankle boot/wedges (sans harness), and plenty of sheer pieces echoed a lot of the looks I've been seeing on many fashion bloggers. Here are some of my favorite shots from the show.

A quick summary of trends seen on the runway includes:
1. studded ankle boots (inspired by Isabel Marant, of course)
2. flared-leg jeans (yes, they're back!)
3. sheer panels and lace fabrics
4. fringe
5. leather skinnies and moto jackets
6. velvet blazers
7. moto jeans
8. distressed denim
9. ripped socks
10. over-the-knee socks
11. cropped, sharp-shoulder jackets
12. body con skirts and dresses
13. sequins
14. cropped tops
15. neutral hues such as black, gray, silver, etc.

© 2009 Fashion Trend Guide. All images and written content in this post is the property of Fashion Trend Guide and may NOT be republished or reproduced in any manner. (That includes you, kmccreative.com! Stop stealing the entire contents of Fashion Trend Guide and republishing on your site! Not only is it tacky and dishonest, it's illegal, even if posts include a link to Fashion Trend Guide, and I'm filing a DMCA report right now.)

A New Starr

In this uncertain economy, any garment that can be customized and worn in a variety of ways is a smart purchase. So when I learned about Hayley Starr's versatile "LW" long-sleeved wrap dress, I knew it would be a fun dress to configure in different ways. I have the knee-length version (pictured below in the middle) in black and mint green (which is reversible). It features two belt-like ties near the neckline and two around the waist. I've already spent half an hour in the mirror criss-crossing the ties in myriad ways for a variety of looks. The durable jersey fabric is amazingly comfortable and will work well for all seasons. With so many ways to wear it, the dress has an impressive cost per wear ratio. It's unlike anything else in my closet. I think it will work equally well when worn with a cropped cardigan and sparkly flats for a lunch date, with some strappy heels and chunky rings for a night on the town, or with a tailored blazer and suede platform pumps for an office-appropriate look. Hayley's collection of five dress styles can be tied and twisted in up to an impressive one-hundred and six different ways. (Seriously, the variety of combinations is endless.) With such versatile designs, she's found a way to make women of all shapes, sizes and styles feel beautiful, creative, and unique in her pieces.

The Bohemian Giveaway

Just a reminder of the Bohemian-themed giveaway we're doing this week. For a chance to win a pair of Juma pants and a Squasht by Les petal headband, visit Pink Rock Candy to enter. The contest ends at 11:59 PM EST on Friday, and the lucky winner will be announced on Monday. Good luck!

Closet Confidential

If you're an avid reader of fashion blogs, it's likely that you've come across the hilarious blog Daddy Likey. As a longtime reader and fan of Winona's Daddy Likey blog, I was excited to learn that she's written a book called Closet Confidential - Style Secrets Learned the Hard Way. I was even more excited to get my hands on a copy. If you're like me (and many others), and you find Winona's blog both entertaining and mesmerizing, then you'll love her new book. In it she covers topics such as: finding the perfect pair of jeans for your body type (and Maslow's Hierarchy of Jeans), dressing for special occasions, an A-to-Z shoe guide, and Einstein's Theory of Handbag Relativity. Her advice is so practical and helpful, and reading her book is like having your funniest friend telling you anecdotes and giving you style tips. Just be warned - if you're reading this book in a public place (such as at the airport, in a waiting room, or while at work), don't be surprised to see people glancing over at you to see why you're laughing.

Holiday Shopping - The Bohemian

It's Monday, and that's good news because it means another holiday gift guide and a chance for a lucky reader to win fabulous gifts in our giveaway. As you may know, this holiday season, I'm teaming up with Christina of Candybox, Jamee of Confessions of a Marc Addict, Chelsea Rae of Pink Rock Candy, and Dara of Secretista. This week our theme is The Bohemian. The Bohemian loves to play with patterns and fabrics. She typically favors pieces with retro appeal, in addition to vibrant colors, retro prints, funky accessories, and loose silhouettes. The Bohemian also adores all natural bath and beauty products. Think along the lines of Nicole Richie's free-spirited, 1970's-influenced style.

1. Silver peace glitz ring, Fossil, $34
2. Kurta pants, Juma, $150
3. Leather fringe vest, Forever 21, $39.80
4. Zum Bar "You Pick 3" gift pack, Indigo Wild, $16
5. Minnetonka lace-up moccasin boots, Net-A-Porter, $90
6. Petal headband in Mocha, Squasht by Les, $28
7. Printed tube maxi dress, Old Navy, $29.99

For a chance to win the Juma pants or the Squasht by Les petal headband in Mocha, visit Pink Rock Candy to enter the contest. The giveaway ends Friday, and the winner will be announced next Monday.

To see more gift ideas for the Bohemian girl in your life, be sure to check out the gift guides of my fellow bloggers:

Candybox
Confessions of a Marc Addict
Pink Rock Candy
Secretista

New Jewelry

Last night I was pleasantly surprised to find a small package on my doorstep. Upon opening it, I found an adorable keepsake bracelet by Nicole Richie for bebe. (Yes, she's collaborating with bebe!) The starlet's House of Harlow jewelry line became available on bebe's website as of November 6, and in stores as of November 10, with 25% of sales donated to the Richie-Madden Children's Foundation.

I love the stamped design on the ring, which can be appreciated much better up close. Right now I'm seriously eyeing the onyx ring, priced at an affordable $59. Taking inspiration from Nicole Richie's hippie-inspired style, I imagine wearing it with a shimmery black manicure, long wavy locks, my DIY headpiece, and a bohemian maxi dress.

image via bebe.com

LF Fashion Show at Blush in S.B.

When I was shopping at LF recently, I was completely stoked to see this flyer on their counter. They're going to have a fall fashion show next Thursday the 19th at one of my favorite places in Santa Barbara to lounge - Blush. The show starts at 9pm and Blush is located at 630 State Street. I expect to be posting a trend report and photos at the end of next week...

Dressed

With the holiday party season fast approaching, I've been on the lookout for fun, on-trend dresses. I've become slightly bored with the floral strapless, full-skirted styles that I stocked up on this summer. Right now I'm drawn to solid colors and anything with cutouts, multiple straps, and a sleek body-hugging silhouette. While browsing Bebe's website last night, I came upon these three party-appropriate selections that I'm drawn to.

The Cross Beaded Banded dress on the left has inspired a possible future DIY project. If I get motivated, I could use the eyelet (a.k.a. grommet) tape I bought in September and stitch it to a strapless top or tube dress for a similar effect. The Strut It mini dress appeals to me because it features my two favorite colors, blue and black. The low price point also has me on the verge of buying. How awesome would this dress look with textured tights, an armful of sparkly bangles, and towering wedge ankle boots? On the opposite end of the price spectrum, the Colorblock Cutout dress would be a splurge, but I how can I resist the sultry peek-a-boo effect of the strappy details?

The Classicist Giveaway

Just a reminder of the Classicist-themed giveaway that we're doing on the Secretista blog this week. The contest ends this Friday, and the winner will be announced on Monday. So if you'd like a chance to win the Rachel Leigh earrings or the Juma jacket, please head over to The Secretista to enter the contest! (You can also read about the giveaway on Teen Vogue's blog.)

Head Case

image via asos.com

After seeing this gorgeous headpiece by Nicole Richie's jewelry line called House of Harlow 1960 (on Asos), I lamented the $329.65 price tag and then decided to create an inexpensive DIY version at home on Saturday evening. While my headpiece may not be gold plated, it was constructed from a ridiculously cheap necklace chain I picked up at Michael's. It basically consists of a 21" circular chain (and lobster clasp) with a 7" piece of chain bisecting it. After some experimentation, I've decided it looks best when worn with my hair parted in the middle so that the center chain lines up with my part. Since I've only worn it out to dinner, I'm still wary of how secure its precarious placement is atop my head, and probably won't be hitting the dance floor while wearing it anytime soon unless bobby pins are involved. Along the lines of headbands worn across the forehead, the idea of wearing a double-stranded beaded or rhinestone necklace as a headband suddenly seems so appealing for a glamorous, bohemian vibe.

Holiday Shopping - The Classicist

With the warm weather we've been having in California, I can hardly believe that Thanksgiving is fast upon us, and that means the traditional start of the holiday shopping season. I'm excited to announce that I've partnered with four other fashion bloggers to bring you a weekly gift guide and giveaway. Starting this week, we'll feature a different theme, and this week is The Classicist.

For the classicist woman, the perfect winter outfit is made up of a pencil skirt, a silk blouse, pumps, and perhaps a tailored blazer. Think along the lines of Victoria Beckham's style. The classicist enjoys clean lines and simple, timeless shapes. Her style is understated and elegant, and her wardrobe is composed of pieces such as structured jackets, feminine blouses, sleek pencil skirts, pearls, ladylike tote bags, and streamlined footwear. She eschews trends for investment pieces that will never go out of style.

1. Rachel Leigh Gold Heart Pearl Earrings – Chickdowntown, $69
2. Baggy Sleeved Double Breasted Jacket – Juma, $250
3. Geraldine Woven Jacket, Forever 21 , $32.80
4. Petal and pearl necklace, J. Crew , $59.50
5. Etienne Aigner Jasper tote, Endless.com , $130
6. Va Va Voom skirt, Lulus , $67
7. Patent slingback sandal, Spiegel , $39.99.

Can’t live without the classic yet edgy Juma jacket or the simple and pretty Rachel Leigh earrings from Chickdowntown? I've got great news. My fellow bloggers and I are getting into the holiday spirit by giving them both away (a more than $300 value) to one lucky winner. Visit Secretista to enter and win, and check back each week for a new gift guide and giveaway!

Do you want more ideas for what to buy for the Classicist girl in your life? Check out these lovely bloggers' gift guides:

See Candybox’s Gift Guide
See Confessions of a Marc Addict’s Gift Guide
See Pink Rock Candy's Gift Guide
See Secretista’s Gift Guide

Also, the team at Canadian-based indie label Juma was kind enough to create a special promotion for our readers. Use the code "holiday5" for $40 off any online order at Juma until December 25, 2009. (Please note that prices are in Canadian dollars.)

Feelin' Green

On a whim, I decided to purchase some green nail polish last night from Forever 21. Admittedly, I didn't have high expectations on the quality, as I typically don't get more than a day or two of wear before my manicures begin to chip. In my long-term quest for the perfect shade of trendy Chanel-ish Jade, I've purchased several shades of green over the past few months. First there was a pastel hue (reminiscent of mint chip ice cream and South Beach architecture) by OPI called Gargantuan Green Grape, but I didn't like the yellow undertones. So my hunt for the ideal shade continued. I went on to buy Green Glow by Milani (which has more of an olive green cast) and then Tahitian Green (which is green-blue) by a brand I'd never heard of called CQ.

Of all of these, the Forever 21 version is actually my favorite.

It's called Jade and it's by L.A. Girl. The brush is small (which I like because I have small nails), and the color goes on evenly. It also dries quickly and seems to be holding up fine with the clear base coat, two layers, and the top coat that I added. Not bad for $2.80!

Glam Girl

I just finished a quick and fun read called 101 Glam Girl Ways to an Ultra Chic Lifestyle by fashion stylist Dawn Del Russo. The book features fast and fun tips to inspire you and help you chic-ify your life. Each one-liner in the book is illustrated with charmingly girly sketches. It's a fast read, and offers tips such as:

Tip # 3 - Wear what you love. Don't always go for designer names. Look for splendid pieces in undiscovered boutiques. (I couldn't agree more. Nothing says personal style more than finding unique pieces at boutiques and secondhand shops and styling them your own way.)

Tip # 14 - Learn a second language. French is preferred, but speaking any fluently will up your chic factor. (This is wise advice. I learned Spanish in high school, which is useful and comes in handy almost every day. I also began to teach myself Italian, in the hopes that I'll be able to use it when I visit Italy.)

Tip # 36 - Five minute meditation. (Such a great way to induce relaxation, peace of mind, and to relieve stress.)

Tip # 92 - Secret fix - double stick tape. (This is one of my secret style weapons. I make liberal use of double-sided tape to prevent wardrobe malfunctions, and I highly recommend it for everything from keeping strapless tops in place to ensuring that strappy slingback sandals stay put on the back of my heels.)

Tip # 101 - Believe you can do anything. (I think this is one of the best tips, since it's so inspiring. If you visualize yourself achieving your goals, then you're one step closer to success!)

Plus Six

As much as I complain about the weather still being warm here in southern California, I think the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages. Not only am I able to enjoy more time outdoors doing things like riding my bike and walking the dog, but I can still wear summery sleeveless tops. For instance, I've been getting a lot of wear out of my Christopher Kane for Topshop croc tee and my new brand wedge boots from Asos. I wore the wedges for the first time out on Halloween, and for a towering six inches, they're both easy to walk in and reasonable for a night of walking and dancing. What draws me to them the most is that they can be worn casually, as seen below, or dressed up for evening with my favorite mini dresses and sequined pieces. I love the gold detail on the heel; I think it adds a little bit of glamour to the all black silhouette. My motto for footwear right now is the higher the heel, the better. Somehow the view is better when I'm six inches taller!