Fall Fashion Must-Have! "LBB's"... Little Black Booties!

Am I the only one or how come it always happens that I see something and are really turned off by it at first, but then, the more you look at it, the more it grows on you until you become obsessed with it? That happens to me ALOT, I must admit. In almost every case it’s a shoe which I first hate, then like, and finally LOVE! 

Sometimes, in order to be able to see a shoe’s full potential, you have to see it on a person’s feet. That was definitely the case with Lace Up Booties.  The moment I saw the models flaunting them in a mini dress on the runway, I was unconditionally, irrevocably in love with my new LBB's! 

Already plastering the pages of all our favorite magazines, I'm predicting that this attractive yet practical Little Black Bootie will spur the same frenzy as his Little Black Bootie predecessor from last season (and the season before!). 

Sounds like a lot going on in one shoe? Maybe, but it’s a truly a cool mix of elements as the many women who are wearing these boots already know. Classic yet current, lace up detailing is one of this season's most wanted trends.  This style is perfect if you want to add a little edge to your cutoffs, a girly dress, or throw them on with your skinny jeans and roll the cuffs to show your shoes off.  Pair them with tights and skirts, skinny pants, tapered trousers, add an extra pair of socks over your tights, shorts or a mini dress. With so many options for outfits, the lace up bootie trend is insanely stylish yet practical!

Bisous et calin!  (Hugs and kisses)
Nikki

Leather Lust

Leather clothing has made a huge comeback in the past few seasons, and it's not just for bikers any more.  Leather jackets and even leather skirts have become a permanent addition to our regular closet rotation.

The trick to doing leather right is to keep the silhouette simple and the colors neutral. Keep these guidelines in mind when incorporating leather into your own look.

Faux Leather Jacket ($47.80)
Forever21.com

Faux Leather Jacket ($39.80)
Forever21.com

Since leather is an expensive garment, try investing in one key piece like a cropped otorcycle jacket or a leather skirt that can carry you from season to season and year to year.  If the price is still too much for your budget, there are some great faux options out there. Retailers like Forever 21 and Target have really stepped up the look of their faux leather pieces, so much so that most people can't tell the difference between real and fake when looking at them. When buying faux leather, stay away from anything with a lot of sheen to it.  It screams fake and can also can look tacky. 

If you still must have the real thing but don't want to shell out loads of cash, there are second hand stores such as "The Hanger" that sells Women's second hand Designer Clothing.  Check out TheHangerBoutique.org for locations.   You will know you are getting a great quality piece even if it is 20 years old!  Keep in mind also that now is a great time to shop for leather since the weather is still on the warmer side and people haven't gotten the itch to buy warmer clothes yet.  You'll have a much better selection now versus several months from now.
Leather jackets lead the way: bomber jackets, cropped shapes, aviator jackets and vests. Also look for leather shirts, leather leggings and leather dresses. Leather says luxe or bad ass; just choose your weapon...

Bisous et calin!  (Hugs and kisses)
Nikki

Meet my New Boyfriend...

Boyfriend Blazers!

Not just for the office anymore, the boyfriend blazer has brought the blazer front and center this season and is a much more sophisticated homage to your man’s closet. 

We started styling cocktail dresses and skinny jeans with boyfriend blazers a few seasons ago. Then this year the runways were laden with different versions of the blazer. It’s not surprising that pretty much every store, from discount to designer, has at least a few options to choose from. Of course, you can also visit your favorite guy’s closet...just make sure to put it back where you found it. 

Boyfriend blazers are super versatile. You can wear them with almost anything. And, they fit many different types of styles; feminine or edgy, a boyfriend blazer will most likely work with your outfit. Boyfriend blazers are also not age-specific. The same blazer can look quite trendy on a 16 year old or exceptionally classy on a woman in her 70's.


How To Wear a Boyfriend Blazer


Boyfriend blazers are essentially fool proof to style. Here a few key pointers to remember…

• Go One Size Up

A boyfriend blazer is meant to look like it really is your boyfriend’s blazer. Thus, it should be slightly larger than a tailored blazer that you might wear with a business suit. Most boyfriend blazers are made to fit this way, but keep that in mind when you’re shopping for one. It should be fairly loose through the middle so that when buttoned, you would be able to fit your arm between the blazer and your body. It should also be a little big on your shoulders. Instead of looking to make sure the seam is at the end of your shoulder, find a blazer where the seam is a half inch to an inch beyond the end of your shoulder.  Don’t go TOO big, though! You don’t want to look swallowed by your blazer.

• Roll Up The Sleeves

One of the characteristics of the boyfriend blazer is rolled up sleeves. If you’ve tried on one of your favorite guy’s blazers and it didn’t look quite right to you, it might have been because this piece was missing. Rolling up the sleeves adds your own little touch. It’s like you ransacked your man’s closet and styled it up a bit to suit you.

• Avoid Shoulder Pads

 If you want to make an old blazer work as a boyfriend blazer, lose the shoulder pads. This is also important to remember when shopping for boyfriend blazers in your Grandmothers closet.

Style Boyfriend Blazers With…

Boyfriend blazers can be worn with pretty much anything. Any cut of jean, dresses of any length, skirts, shorts, you name it…


However, there are a few ways to wear boyfriend blazers that will set you apart from the crowd. In a good way. Here are the most stylish ways to wear boyfriend blazers.

• With a dress or skirt that is just a couple of inches longer than the blazer.
• To make your blazer look like it was styled intentionally for your outfit, wear a dress or skirt that is just slightly longer than your blazer. One to two inches is a safe bet.
• With skinny jeans and tall boots.

A boyfriend blazer layered over a fitted shirt, skinny jeans and tall boots is a very classy, sophisticated look that women of any age can wear.

• If your boyfriend blazer hits below your butt, button it and wear it as a tunic over leggings.

Splurge vs Steal

Halogen Boyfriend Blazer ($128)
Nordstrom.com

 

Hinge Cotton Twill Boyfriend Blazer ($43.90)
Nordstrom.com

"Shut up and Lace up!"

Traditional lace takes a more modern turn for fall in unexpected places and in trimmings. 

Pearl Lace Boots ($210)
Topshop.com

This fall we will be seeing the "Dark Romantic" trend that involves alot of  black lace whether it be in black lace leggings or tights, lace-covered dresses, jackets, and blouses. For the most fashion-courageous ones, There is a fun variety of lace accessories like shoes, bracelets and clutches.  Accessories are a fun way to keep up with the trend but in a more subtle way, less outspoken way.

So lets hop on the Lace bandwagon,  shut up and Lace up!

Bisou et Calin! (Hugs and kisses)



Nikki

  






Splurge vs Steal

Splurge

Normakamali Black Lace Skirt ($350)
Normakamalicollection.com

Flash Forward Blackout

 Are Fashion designers depressed? Judging by the predominant colors one might start to wonder; this year the runways were depressingly dark. The omnipresence of dark garments — be it cotton, fur, leather, or wool — left me wondering if the current economic climate hadn’t affected both the designers’ bottom line and their source for inspiration. Fall’s fashion forecast however looks promising, with clothes that are highly fashionable and realistically wearable.

Perhaps it’s a sign of the times — people are distressed and counting pennies, i'm not surprised that we’re seeing these signs translate to fashion; black is completely appropriate and timely. After all, it’s conducive to sad times, and it masks those extra pounds we’ve gained courtesy of emotional overeating. Plus, dark garments have transformative powers. The second you throw on something black, you’re instantly fashionable and magically stand taller. Right? It’s true.

Naturally, I can’t wait for the day when the phrase “in these economic times” is a distant memory. But, I think it’s safe to assume that we are all affected — designers included– by the downturn. And therefore, it’s logical to see collections that are designed to sell. Hey, black is forever hip!

Bisous et calins! (Hugs and Kisses)

Nikki

Color:  camel tones dominate the palette a dose of masculine gray and black

Key Items: skinny pants with a riding aesthetic, cozy cardigans,
Biker Boots

Key Accessories: structured handbags, driver gloves, pearls

Splurge

Prada Motorcycle Boot SPLURGE VS STEAL

Availability: Prada Motorcycle Boot ($850)         NeimanMarcus.com

Steal

Steve Madden French Flat Boot  

Pair them with: Biker-chic styles are a great contrast with feminine fashions, and add edge to any outfit. But their continued popularity may also be due to function as much as to fashion. After all, the key to these flat boots is that they’re a practical, posh way to dress down delicate luxe looks. 

These boots are so comfortable and actually wearable!  They toughen up that little summer dress with so little effort!  Throw on a floral dress, a contrasting oversized cardigan and you're ready to rock these boots!  Don't forget the accessories!

Availability:  Steve Madden French Flat Boot

($126) Asos.com

Not Just Grandpa's Cardigan...

Push that wimpy little sweater to the back of your closet this season. The newest sweater silhouette is an oversized cardigan. Hitting anywhere from below the hip to knee-length, the oversized cardigan is the perfect option for milder days, especially living in Sunny California; I can pretty much assure you that amongst my 10+ Black Cardigans alone, every single one of them is put to good use. Both for function and for style.  They are also perfect for evenings that are too chilly to go sweaterless, but for those of us who want to maintain style. 

 Bisous et calins! (Hugs & Kisses)
Nikki


SPLURGE VS STEAL


Trouvé Roll Sleeve Drape Pocket Cardigan ($78)


Pair it with: Slimmer bottoms: skinny jeans or leggings tucked into tall boots which are ideal. Because it's such a bold shape, you can easily carry off stronger pieces of jewelry with it like statement necklaces, layers of necklaces and big cuff bracelets. One way to look taller and slimmer is to wear a layering tee or long-sleeve tee. Make sure to keep the jeans and top tighter fitting as this will make you appear slimmer. Always choose the right size...noone wants to see a muffin top. If you're a size 8, buy a size 8, not a size 6. Im not being mean, Im being honest. You'll feel better about yourself knowing that you will be able to breathe and that the only thing people will be looking at is your fabulous sense of style. 

Today I'm rocking "Style Steal" #2's Black Cardigan Vest!  I outfitted it with a lightweight Marc Jacobs cropped silk tee and a black Zara Pencil Skirt.  To accessorize, a Swarovski Lariat Necklace that can be seen below.  Fashion doesnt have to cost you a fortune, you just have to know how to put it all together!

 

Boho Chic!

My first post, Yipppeee!!! Since I have NO time to sit down and actually write a book in its entirety, also because I have way too many ideas to write a book about just "One Thing" in particular, well maybe someday, but for now I find this therapeutic to compile everything onto one page for juicy reading.  A page that will consist of my favorite things ever-Style!  Fashion! Food and Everything Freaking Fabulous!!! 

“You do anything long enough to escape the habit of living until the escape becomes the habit."

The immediate gratification with material things was what gave me the compulsory stimulant that my life needed to keep on track. I knew that from the beginning I had a problem, but I couldn’t stop...shopping takes me to my "Happy Place," and thats all I really want is to be happy, doesnt everyone?

For all who know me, and in the words of Coco Chanel, "A girl should be two things: Classy and Fabulous."
”Bisous et câlins! (Hugs and Kisses)
Nikki