Friday, December 16, 2011

winter a la mode

Winter is here. Snow is not.  Regardless, we press onward into the holiday season, dreaming of cable knit sweaters, delicious warm beverages, and a stroll through our (imaginary) winter wonderland.  Dream on, my friends. If your a sucker for all things cozy like me,  here's some festive imagery to inspire you this Christmas.














Wednesday, March 9, 2011

fringe on- fashion a la mode

Ah, so blogging has come to a stand still for a solid week.  The leave of absence, however, didn’t mean our wheels have not been spinning.  What initiated this recent exploration into the world of “fringe” was my landlord’s jacket that has been hanging in the garage since we moved into our humble abode (pictured below).  This white, somewhat hilarious, fringed jacket often has me wondering, could one of us actually rock this? Well, it may be a stretch (It does belong to a male) but it was the muse that had me looking into different ways fringe is being worn in spring 2011.





Fringe is being featured this spring 2011 and being worn in a sleek and smooth form (sorry for those of us like me who love flappers, the roaring 20’s and literature like the Great Gatsby.)  But no worries, fringe is being displayed through jewelry, shoes, purses, shoes and other forms so feel free to get creative in your selection process.
Nate's Jacket he left in our garage.






topshop
urban outfitters
urban outfitters
topshop
topshop
urban outfitters

Friday, February 25, 2011

Roses Are Red, Unless They Are Gold- fashion a la mode

Every season we are left playing the same game we played the season before. Guessing which of the metals we will be wearing. I was told a couple years back, while on a shopping trip in Nordstrom, that silver was not my metal. Mind you, I was wearing silver rings, earrings and a watch. Ouch. Every since that fateful day, I have tossed all of my silver to the side for the other metal, gold. I wear my great-grandmother’s gold ring on my right hand ring finger every day, and resort to gold necklaces, charm bracelets and earrings when I wear jewelry out. A lot of my friends will comment and say that I am one of the only people that wear gold, it’s an “old” thing… whatever that means. Well- listen up friends. Gold is in and it is big. Ha.

Tiffany&Co.


Rose gold jewelry has taken the Spring 2011 jewelry scene by storm, leaving all the silver to sit in your jewelry boxes and tarnish for now. More exotic and feminine than the usual yellow gold we are all used to seeing, rose gold comes in style in big statement pieces. Heavy necklaces, huge watches and hefty earrings in the classy shade of gold are everywhere. Urban Outfitters, Bloomingdales, J. Crew and Tiffany’s are among the stores carrying these must-have accessories. Michael Kors’ rose-gold Glitz Watch is stunning, if you can only buy one piece, try and find that or something similar.

Michael Kors
Forever 21

I am left smiling really big over this, I am finally able to wear all of my “old” gold jewelry and blend right in with the spring trends that I am hoping carries over to summer, fall, winter…

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Taking Charge of the City- fashion a la mode


Olivia Palermo, famous for being American socialite, model, and cast member of the reality television show, The City, has recently been named one of the 50 most stylish New Yorkers on stylecaster.com.  After stumbling across this article, I proceeded to search the web to get a peek at what she has been wearing in 2011.  (I mean, is she worth all the hype?)  Ah, what I found out is that she is indeed a fashion icon and worthy of recognition.  She seems to be right on board with the new fashion trend of pretty feminine things and such including high-waisted skirts (long and short), fun floral prints and flouncy sleeves (and look at her in those maxis). You name it, she is debuting on the streets of the big apple.  Check out some of these recent snapshots of Olivia and you too might be convinced.  











So yeah, most of us don't all get the paycheck that socialites and MTV star's receive, however with a little guidance from our ever so helpful blog, we too can take charge of our city (watch out Arden Hills!...I mean that's a city too.)

 

Better With Age- music a la mode

Tuesdays. Tuesdays are so good for us music lovers. The coveted “Free on iTunes” from Starbucks comes out every Tuesday and you better believe I am not going through the drive-through to get my Americano these days. Also on Tuesdays, new music is released on iTunes itself. This past Tuesday, famed English songwriter Adele, released her new album “21” and I am impressed.



In 2007, we were introduced to the bluesy sound of “Hometown Glory”, Adele’s first single. Instantly, people were hooked by the then 19 year old who seemed to come out of nowhere. In 2008, she released her creatively titled “19”. This album, and her appearance on SNL later that year, lead to her winning the coveted Best New Artist and Female Vocalist of the Year awards at the Grammy’s in 2009. Some of us still haven’t gotten “Chasing Pavements” out of our heads…

“21” is a little bit different than “19”, think classical meets country meets contemporary roots meets blues (the country came from her touring in the American south where she blames Rascal Flatts and chain smoking to her new country addiction). But the CD still has all the punch the first album had. She has a breakup under her belt, and has kicked her drinking habit that went along with this boy. Her first single “Rolling in the Deep” already made VH1’s Top 20, at number one, in the beginning of this month. And “Someone Like You” has been climbing those UK charts furiously and fast. According to the Official Charts Company (I didn’t know there was such a thing) Adele is the first artist, since the Beatles in 1964, to have two top five hits at the same time in both the Singles and Albums categories.


Wow. Looks like she does get better with age. This self-proclaimed “heartbroken soul” singer, certainly shouldn’t have a broken heart after learning that. 

Monday, February 21, 2011

Outside the Lulu Box- fashion a la mode


While in yoga this morning, I was really struggling with focus. It could have been that I hardly got any sleep last night so I was tired or the fact that I could hear tons of cars whooshing past the windows outside. Whatever it was, I found myself not focusing on the music, my breathing techniques or my vinyasa poses, but focusing on the other people in the class, and their clothes…

Now usually, I would sit here and preach about how wonderful Lululemon is. They are, seriously. They can turn boring black pants into a fashion statement and make you look good while you sweat in a room that is 98 degrees. I will admit I am a little biased and usually choose that brand before looking at anything else when at the Corepower Yoga Studios, or I scoot over to West End and go to their big shop. But today, I saw a lot of really great stuff that didn’t have the beloved stylized ‘A’ embroidered on the side.  So after class, there I was, the girl in the locker room asking all these strangers who were trying to get ready and get out of there, what they were wearing. (Imagine how uncomfortable they must have felt as I was approaching them while undressing and trying to dry off from our Hot Yoga Fusion class- my apologies but HEY it’s all for the blog!) The majority of women I asked (unfortunately I couldn’t go into the men’s locker room and ask them) said they were wearing a brand called prAna. Instantly I came back to my apartment and began some online shopping. I went to their website and the first thing I see is a picture of someone rock climbing with a quote saying, “Tell me, what it is you plan to do with your one wild and precious life”. I actually might use this quote in the future.

prAna has good stuff. From yoga clothes to other active lifestyle clothing, they seem to have everything a man, woman and child could want. Cool colors and patterns and all fairly well priced, it’s a yogi’s dream website! I realized that I even own some of their ‘Burnout’ headbands, without even knowing it was this brand. (The headbands, by the way are a great purchase. My unruly, sweaty hair is kept in place my whole practice with these.)



prAna is an ancient Sanskrit word that means vitality of the spirit, life and breath, and all of their clothes are organic and fair-trade. Makes you feel good while looking good while doing something good for your body. prAna is an all around good brand that I am happy I looked into, even if I did ruffle a few feathers while finding it.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Bedazzle your feet- fashion a la mode


Today is a monumental day.  The snow is melting due to exceptionally warm weather for a Minnesota February.  And guess what?  Today I could actually walk on pavement without sloshing through piles of snow.  Well, for the most part.  I immediately got excited about the fact that I don’t have to wear boots everyday and big wollen socks (as much as we love the sock/ boot combo).  I busted out an old pair of flats and went to school feeling on top of the world. 

Good news. Ballet flats, especially ones that are embellished with details, embossed patterns and sparkle, are all the rage.  Another variation of flats for those of you with a little more spunk is oxfords, which are popping up all over the place.  The cool thing about this trend?  Ballet flats and oxfords are EXTREMELY comfortable and can be paired with just about anything (jeans, leggings and skirts).

So there. Bedazzle yourself this spring. Check out some of these killer ballet flats and oxfords we found in our travels.  

(Shoes below are from Gap, Jcrew, Top Shop and Miu Miu but if you don't have the dough to drop on a pair like these, stores like Forever 21 have oxfords and flats for around $20! Now that's a steal.)

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Ladies and Gents, Nicole Anderson.

So here it is.  Nicole, the other half of our blogging team, is about to be revealed.  She was born in Minnesota, but luckily escaped from the tundra for a some years and lived with her family in Orange County, California.  There she resided in Laguna Hills before it was even the cool, reality-show laden, place to be.  Her artistic flair in life is currently being enhanced by her education in art history/ studio art with an emphasis in photography and painting.  Talk about ambitious. Perhaps her creative eye is what makes it easy for her to throw together amazing outfits for every occasion.  After all, fashion is one of the most fun types of art, isn’t it?
This girl is one of the most hilarious people you will ever meet.  Her commentary on life always has me dying of laughter.  I often think, how does one girl have so much action going on in her life all at once?  She seems to be a walking magnet for good times (you laugh but its true). So this interview is conducted in a random manner and I start by asking what her pet peeve is. Her response? “Whispering and grinding”...she paused to think for a second and then said, “but the funny thing is I whisper all the time”. 

Nicole’s inspiration?  Her fashion icons include Rachel Bilson and Dianne Kruger.  Some of her favorite go-to musicians are John Mayer, Miranda Lambert and Adele...or anything she can crank up and of course, sing to.  On the top of her lungs, I might add.

Besides Nicole’s interest in fashion and photography (you should see the pictures she takes), she is an avid yogi.  She has a deep love for Davanni’s deep dish pizza but says that it goes against her yoga lifestyle, perfect.  

Breakfast at Tiffany’s is her all-time favorite flick.  Timeless taste?  I think so.  Nicole is a total summer girl and is currently dreaming of sunshine and wearing her vintage Ray Bans when there is no snow on the ground.  She also believes that layers are too much of a hassle, winter wardrobes, ugh.  She feeds off of her friends and will learn how to play the fiddle in 2011, a new years' goal.  I am excited to utilize her commentary on life in this blog. Wahoo!


Monday, February 7, 2011

Don Your Suit of Lights- music a la mode

In some of the rare moments I have to watch television, I saw a preview for the upcoming movie “Waiting for Forever”. Rachel Bilson, my all-time fashion icon is featured so regardless, I will love it. However, the song from the trailer “World’s Apart” struck a chord in me. One of my closest friends (and avid depressing/makes you cry/emo music lover) showed me the trailer a couple days later at one of our usual Starbucks dates, and told me that she couldn’t find the song anywhere. I was having the same problem. The song “Worlds Apart” recorded by up and coming band The Mostar Diving Club, became an obsession until it was finally released on iTunes, and all was good in the world once I bought it. Now, the song is blasting in my car frequently while I am driving and I have dived (no pun intended) into the world of the Mostar Diving Club. The band comes from Damian Katkhuda, lead vocalist of the band Obi who is on hiatus while he takes on this new project. An Indie band from Europe, they sound like a mix of Gary Jules and Landon Pigg. The simplicity of their guitar use and other eclectic instruments makes this music very easy to listen to.  Simply put, it is soothing and peaceful.


The band's name is derived from a Bosnian coming-of-age tradition where young men dive from an old bridge into the shallow waters of the river below. Seems to me like a very dangerous activity. Damian’s family on his father’s side are all from Bosnia where this tradition takes place.  Clearly this is a very important part of Damian’s past. Start with the song “World’s Apart” like I did and go from there. I can pinky promise that you will not regret listening to this band.


Our Blog's Very Own Queen of New Jersey


Here she is. Our very own Jersey Queen, and no I am not talking about Snooki. Randi grew up on the east coast in New Jersey, and is our resident marketing major, boarding school grad, who is one of the most talented people I have ever met.


As I sit down to interview Randi, I am laughing because for four years she has been one of my dearest and closest friends, and the thought of interviewing her is so awkward. Her and her sister Maggie are in her room, both of them looking effortlessly cool. Randi is in her black skinnies, fur vest, black fingernails, a vintage gold timex (which I need to borrow) and is even wearing her big gray socks. She can honestly put together any item of clothing and make it fashionable- much like her fashion icon Mary Kate Olsen. You can tell everyone thinks she has great clothes- while I am sitting in her room, two of her roommates, at different times, come in to dig through her drawers and find something to wear. Andrew Belle is blasting from her iPod dock, and I swear the duration of the interview we listen to the song “Static Waves” at least 10 times, not knowing later that her iPod was on repeat.  Right now, all she has been listening to is Mumford and Sons, her latest guilty pleasure, so I am surprised they aren’t playing now.
This girl is a dreamer and an idealist. I swear that’s why we get along so well. She is always thinking about the future, but is very in-the-moment as well. Always up for an adventure and trying something new, she is carefree, creative and encouraging. As the better-half of our blog/website endeavor, she is always texting me or emailing me new ideas, flat out, she’s brilliant. Her ability to make anything related to graphic design is unreal, and I watch her as she fiddles around with making our logo; erasing, twisting, and saturating words and pictures until she is satisfied with it. Good designs inspire her, so does people watching. She reads Nylon magazines and the Bible, sings loudly and well at that, drinks soy cinnamon lattes from Starbucks, and talks in her sleep at random. In one simple word, Randi is cool. She is gonna bring big things to this blog, and has big hopes for it. (Love her for that)



So our last question we are wondering about Randi… what do her and the self-proclaimed, other Jersey Queen have in common? Well, nothing, except for the fact that they can poof their hair to ridiculous heights. Hey, the higher the hair, the closer to God right? Poor attempt at humor by me.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Flares?- fashion a la mode

That's right.  Fashion week 2011 declared that high waisted flares and bell bottoms are the next big thing.  Most of us are waiting for spring to try out new looks but there are already plenty of women displaying this fashion on the streets (Kate Moss, Mary-Kate Olsen, Lauren Conrad, and Lindsey Lohan have been spotted wearing them and looking fabulous).

"This style is a modern interpretation of '70s influence which is a key theme for the spring season. To enhance the sophistication of the look, you can pair it with a fitted button down blouse or a light washed denim shirt,” says Solomon, Bloomingdales VP of fashion direction.






If you are looking for an affordable pair, the Gap already has several pairs of these '70s style jeans for sale.

My immediate reaction to this fashion trend was "but what about all  of my skinny jeans?" For all of those skinny-jean devotees, the popular style is by no means over.  The plus side to this new trend is that high waisted, flared look is infinitely more flattering than the skinnies that have dominated for years.

And for all the short girls, fashion experts are saying to pair flares with chunky platform heels and the look will instantly give you legs for miles.  Now, who wouldn't want that?