Hot for Fall: Wide Leg Pants

Dahlings, my fall shopping suggestions continue. Last post I highlighted the ladylike handbag and I think you’ll start to see a trend here. This season is all about a return to easy ladylike glamour. And there’s nothing more glam than a perfect fitting pair of trousers. So bring on the wide leg trousers. With some heels and a fitted shirt, wide leg pants can elongate the legs, but other times they can make you look just a tad overweight so a word of warning if you want to try this style and you're on the short side.

Here a few tips to wearing this look:

•If you are hippy, wide leg pants are a blessing. They skim the thigh area creating a straight line from hip to ankle that is extremely flattering. There's nothing like a well-cut, wide-legged pant to make your legs look a mile long.

•Not into trousers? Try a wide leg jean. I have one from the Gap ( I know I always talk about Gap jeans, they fit me well, what can I say) that I absolutely love.

•You can't judge them on the hanger. You have to try them on.

•Avoid the extreme wide legs and stick with the modified versions.

•Steer  clear of side pockets, wild colors, fancy fabrics and dizzying patterns. Stick to a neutral solid like black, gray, beige, navy, or brown.

•If you're not tall, wear your sky-high chunky shoes (not skinny stilettos) for balance.

•Emphasize the waist to balance out your silhouette. Don't wear wide leg pants with a roomy top, keep it fitted or add a belt.
 
Expand your horizons dahlings. There's nothing more liberating than  these pants!

Hot for Fall: Ladylike Bags

Dahlings, as I mentioned in my last post, I’m so looking forward to picking out a couple of choice pieces to spruce up my fall look this year. And over the next couple of days I’m going to feature the items I think are worthy enough to make their way into your closet. But remember to always do you; wear what looks good on you, fits your lifestyle and most importantly, fits your budget. Here’s one of several looks I’m loving this fall: The Lady Like Handbag.Until recently, the kind of handbag your mother might refer to as a "pocketbook"--and the word itself--was definitely a no go for the fashion set. But with fall's fresh approach to elegant, ladylike dressing as result of the Mad Men Effect, you won’t want to turn away from these handbags.


It’s time to give the slouchy hobos and oversize totes a rest this season. This vintage-inspired ladylike style-- topped off with a handle or two-- all look right with of-the-moment fashion, but also go well with just about everything in your closet. It's worth investing a little more into these types of handbags.  Because of their classic shape, they are bound to never go out of style. 

Here’s five to love.

1. Rachel Satchel

2. MICHAEL Michael Kors Handbag, Hamilton Chain Tote, Large

3. Furla-onyx croc embossed leather 'Yolande' medium shopper

4. Sorial medium tote

5.Halogen® 'Work' Leather Shopper

Six Items From Last Fall To Keep This Fall

Hello Dahlings, despite the fact that we are finally getting some summer heat here in the Bay Area, I’m getting really excited about fall shopping. It just brings me back to the days when I was in junior high and high school getting ready for back to school shopping. I would always get so excited imagining the “new” look I would put together with all the cool clothes I would get to impress my classmates. Then reality would set in when my mother would reveal the dreaded shopping budget, which in no way was going to be enough to put my supermodel look together.

I’m no longer shopping for back to school but fall shopping still evokes the feelings of new possibilities, a promise of a new more styilsh me. And hello, lets not forget the endless style possibilities fall fashion brings. Needless to say it really makes it hard for a girl like me to stay on a budget. And based on what the stores are unveiling it’s going to be a great season. Look for my fall shopping series in a couple of weeks to clue you in on what’s hot and not for fall. But I can tell you that many of last fall's styles are still going strong this year, which means you can renew, reuse and recycle a lot of the stuff that's already ( hopefully) in your closet. Here are the items with staying power this season:

Military Jackets - The military beat marches on with buttoned jackets, blazers and vests that add structure and polish to the simplest of outfits. This style is surprisingly versatile and can be worn with some many pieces and it works for just about every body shape. This is definitely a must have if you have sloping shoulders, because this look really gives you that extra structure.

Blazer-If you’ve been reading this blog for some time, you know that I love, love blazers. They are a great finishing piece when you want to look effortlessly stylish. And almost, almost just about everyone looks good in a blazer.I love this one from the Gap.

Skinny Jeans-It took me awhile to grab on to this trend primarily because I didn’t think I was skinny enough to wear them. But I have three pairs now and I wear them quiet frequently. And thank goodness this look still reigns for fall. Check out the Gap's, Always Skinny jean and Target’s Mossimo skinny jean in black. A word of warning; if you are extremely pair shaped, you may want to think twice about the skinny jean. You can wear it but it's best paired with a long tunic, cardigan or shirt that reaches past the hip so as not to draw attention to that area.

Long Cardigan- So what’s not to like about the oversized cardi?? Comfortable, stylish, and functional. If you didn’t have one of these for last fall and winter, I’m not sure how you made it through the cold months. If you’re among the few that still has to snag up a long cardi, do it for sure this fall. And invest in a good quality one by choosing natural fabrics.

Leopard Print-This trend is for the bold not the wall flower. I love leopard print in doses not an all out head to toe ensemble; have some restraint. I love leopard print accents in the form of a belt, a scarf or cardigan. I'm really yearning for these leopard print flats right now.

Booties- The bootie made a huge splash last fall and it continues to reign as key footwear this fall season. I mean how much did we love the bootie?? So versatile, so easy, so many styles to choose from. Loving these wedge booties.

So Dahlings hopefully you have one or more of these pieces in your closet for rotation as fall descends upon us. Stay tuned for the items I think should make you shopping list this fall.

Flying In Style

Okay Dahlings, summer weather is no where to be seen in the Bay Area so I’ve been hitting the road in search of it. I went on two trips to South Lake Tahoe, once with friends the other a week long trip with the Family. Vegas was a hot blast and LA, while not as sunny as I expected-was a much needed break from the daily grind. Although my surroundings was polluted temporarily when I ran into the Jersey Shore Cast in the hotel lobby. But I digress. Tonight I’m off to hot ass and muggy Columbus, Ohio where I will be attending a friend's wedding. Needless to say I’ve been on the road a lot this summer and have been making some strong observations on maintaining a reasonable presentation en route to your destination. When I was at LAX last week I was really dumbfounded by the way people presented themselves at the airport. I for one believe that you should never forsake fashion for comfort when traveling because you can truly have both if you try.  I know it can be a bit tricky toeing the fine line between frumpy and fabulous so here are my style tips for a fashionable bon voyage.

Style tips:

Dress in comfortable monochromatic knits. I’m not one for matchy-matchy looks but one of my favorite and easiest ways to dress when traveling is in one color theme. Use accessories to add contrast and interest. For instance I like to dress in all black when I travel. My go to look tends to be black skinny jeans, long stretchy cotton black tank topped off with a long drappy cardigan. I add silver flats to breeze through the airport. My white coach tote bag and a pair of sunglasses finishes off the look. I’m not advocating for the same color head to toe but a gradation on one neutral color like cream, gray, olive etc. The plus side to dressing monochromatic? It makes you look thinner, taller and pulled together.

Nix the sneakers. Holding up the security line to untie them will make you no friends. And really, I'm not a big fan of wearing sneakers outside of a sports related activity or the gym. Instead go for a chic pair of flats that you can slip off easily. If you’re traveling to warm weather location, I would choose a pair of wedge mules ( no flip, flops, not only does that look lazy but is actually dangerous due to the high toe stubbing possibilities).

Going on a long flight? Skip the Jeans. Choose a soft pair of leggings and a versatile waterfall cardigan. They feel like PJs but still allow you to look put together.

If there's one travel accessory worth spending money on, it's a good leather carry on. They last forever, look better the more you beat them up, and instantly upgrade your look with a touch of luxury.

Dress in Layers. It can get steamy standing in a crowded check-in line and chilly in an air-conditioned plane. To prepare for both situations, dress in layers that can be peeled off or added as needed in the airport and on the plane. For shorter flights I I love wearing a stretchy blazer over a long tee and stretch straight legs or skinny jeans. Add a scarf for those chilly moments for an effortless look.

Please, please no more velour suits or sweat pants. Thankfully I’m seeing this less and less but my god that is a look that has to die, die, die!!!

Finally KISS. Keep it simple stupid. Leave the elaborate jewelry in your bag, keep everything streamlined to keep your travel fuss free.

Anyway Dahlings, all this is to say that true style does not take a day off. I’m off to catch a plane. In Style, of course.

ASOS.com is Coming to America

Dahlings, most of you know by now that I love online shopping. I adore it. I think over 70 percent of my clothes are purchased online. That’s why I’m so excited to find out that one of my favorite online shopping sites,ASOS.com, the UK's "largest multi-brand, contemporary e-tailer", will finally be getting a US website!

Come September, we're going to be able to shop on ASOS.com, which boasts an inventory of 37,000 styles for men and women, with 1,500 new styles added each week. And the U.S. site will have even more options if you can believe it. Over the last couple of years I’ve purchased several to die for tops at ASOS.com. but it takes FOREVER to get your order and the returns are nothing short of a complete hassle. The new site will better handle shipping and returns from American customers. September is right around the corner but if you must have a little something from the ASOS.com  now, they are offering FREE standard shipping both ways to the U.S. until the end of August. Here are my five drool worthy picks...for now.

1. Lace up wedges

2. Tailored dress

3.Leather satchel

4. Cape coat

5. Belted Cocoon sweater coat