Again to grace the pages of our blog, First Lady Michelle Obama.

Mrs. Obama has a few key elements in her outfits that are always the same, can you spot them?

Mrs. Obama continues to amaze me with stunning sense of style. Graceful, classy, always fitting for the occasion.

Her pieces are simple, flattering to her figure and skin tone. Totally reminiscent of Jackie Kennedy.

More Pics coming soon!

Well, the experts say brown is on the rise for Spring 10. Can’t say I mind, I like brown. Neutral, goes with everything. What’s not to like?

Go cool: 

Makeup artists Matin says cool browns are most flattering: “Warm browns—like orange or brick tinted ones—look beautiful on some girls, but if you don’t have white teeth they can be detrimental to your smile.”

Mauve Tinted Brown:

Instead, makeup artist Gucci Westman says to go for a mauve-tinted brown. “There’s a bluish purple undertone to it,” says the Revlon global artistic director, who applied Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Chocolate Velvet on models at Richard Chai’s spring 2010 show. “I always love how it looks, and it works with just about every skin tone.”

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Get a fresh tube for Spring- $7.99 at your local drugstore.

  Always wanted to wear that little vintage hat in the back of your closet? Now is the time to break it out.

This pic, shot on the streets of N.Y shows you how to mix some bold floral patterns without looking like antiquated wallpaper.

(Please excuse the low neckline…cleavage is not part of your ensemble I’m sure

Do: 

-Cement the outfit with some basic black. The black tights here act as the anchor for the prints. She lengthens her legs by wearing shoes in the same color.

-Mix prints, but keep them in the same color family. Pull a color from your dress, using that to go on.

-Go to a thrift-store and practice. Find some prints and mix and match.

-Wear your hair up. Most vintage hats were designed for women wearing their hair 1)very short or 2) up in the back. Do your hair up, but keep it messy (nice and playful).

Don’t: 

-Wear bulky or textured fabrics, particularly for the blouse. When working with prints, adding a massive amount of texture confuses the eye.

-Go overboard on jewelry. Simplicity is key when working with prints. Maybe a pair of pearl studs- but leave it nonchalant.

Any ideas from the Peanut Gallery? Love it, or wish you’d never seen it?

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Glamorous fashion, with just the right touch of modesty.

I never knew Vintage chic could be this easy! Check out the laidback feel drawn from the peasant skirt. The Ballet flats just keep it “down to earth” and set apart from your normal business causual.

Do:

-Pair and embroidered shirt, or any shirt with texture, with  an floral print skirt for a magpie-chic look.

-Play with colors. Just because the sample is shown wearing earth tones, doesn’t mean you couldn’t do the same with a bright blouse and skirt.

-Layer on a scarf and hat to keep warm.

-Wear flats. Ballet flats, flat boots, anything flat.

-Throw in some jewelry. A cuff, ribbon choker, layered necklaces would all pair well with this look.

Tousled hair is in. Never has so little effort in hair been so popular.

The key is to mix it with ladylike accents.

Do: 

- Use classic accessories, Black Bag, Black pumps

- Pair contrasting fabrics, sharp tailored pieces with frilly draped ones.

- Have fun with your jewelry. Everything from whimsical to super sophisticated works with this look- how do you feel today?

Don’t: 

- try to make it perfect. Put together a really lady-like outift- then mess up one thing. Keeps it down-to-earth.

Photo credit:

Cupcakes and Cashmere

Ever wondered the secret to moist shine rich hair? Often the answer lies not in a specific product but how you apply and rinse your conditioner.

Condition:

Bleached/Highlighted: 

If you hair is currently chemically treated, like me,  you’ll want to condition end to root every time.

Natural Hair:

For natural hair, i only conditioned the mid-lengths and ends every time and the roots about once a week.

 Step By Step

1) don’t worry so much about hitting the top of your head with the mass of conditioner your holding in your hand. Try starting from the ends of the hair, working towards the top. This will help eliminate excess moisture on the scalp which causes that premature oily feeling.

2) Try just conditioning the mid-lengths and ends every time you shampoo and only the top every other time or about once to twice a week. Your hair is healthier the closer it is to the scalp, so the target area should be the mid-lengths and ends as this is where most splitting and damaging occurs  from brushing, hot tools, pony tails, clothing contact, and hair coloring.

 
Considering that we are keeping the J-CAB Fashion Laws in mind (J-CAB is me by the way–Jonathan Christian Alexander Bell), then we’ll dive right into some suggestions for trendy summer must-haves.

1)   Sheer Fabrics – This is so appealing to me particularly because I love to layer. Layering in the summer is difficult due to the heat. However, sheer materials allow you to add layers without compromising your health (no deaths by heat stroke). You can find sheer fabrics used in a multitude of ways: tight sheer pieces, layers, and the much sought after delicate, feminine draping. I say having a sheer piece in your closet this summer is one way to have something new, inexpensive, multi-purposed, lovely-cute-<insert your desired look>.
2)   Sunglasses – It is SUMMER. Sunglasses are one of the greatest summer accessories. They add a cool, fun factor to your outfits while serving a very useful purpose. If you haven’t already, you should take time to identify the shape of your face. This is going to play a critical role in HOW a pair of glasses look on your face. There are plenty of guides out there on which types of glasses go with what facial types. Do a little investigating before you purchase a new pair. Also, don’t purchase expensive glasses. If it keeps the sun out of your eyes and looks cool, go for it. The best two pairs of glasses I own came from Aldo and Dillards. I paid $12 and $40. You don’t have to spend $400 to get a nice pair of fashionable glasses. Start with your utility glasses. One pair of black-rimmed glasses. One pair of white-rimmed glasses. One Pair of brown-rimmed glasses. After you have the basics, have fun with them.

NOTE: Accessories are termed accessories for a reason. They are meant to complement the entire look. Your sunglasses should never be the focal point of your appearance. It should simply contribute to your “style.”

3)   Vests –Vests are amazing. Vests add an element of class and serve as the perfect accent piece. Vests come in a wide variety of styles. You should be able to find one that fits your personal look. A vest is one way to stand out as a unique individual. That’s about all I have to say about vests. I highly endorse them.

Well, those are 3 of the “must-have” suggestions I have for you. I have more, and maybe Christa will give me the honor of sharing more ideas with you later on. I do have one final suggestion.

Do:

Experiment: When thinking about fashion this summer, remember to take some time to experiment.

Imagination is your best friend in fashion. If you have some time to shop, try on tons of items and take pictures of you in them.

Go home and open your closet and aim to put together combos you have never worn before. Mix colors, patterns, lengths, and layers. More than likely you will find a new favorite outfit each time you try this. If you can learn the art of mixing and matching your clothes, you will find that one new item added to your wardrobe equals 10 or more new outfits.

Until next time – J-CAB

Jonathon Bell, friend and fellow entrepreneur, is a man of impeccable taste. When he gives a suggestion- a girl with any style sense definitely listens. But not only is Bell style savvy, he’s modesty savvy.

This is a rare find girls, it is with pleasure that I present two posts by this style giant- admire and enjoy.

Ladies,

Its summer! This is the season of fruition, fulfillment, happiness, and beauty. As you embark on all the wonders and majesty that summer adventure holds in store for you, allow me to offer a little advice on what to adorn yourself with along the way. When contemplating fashion, one must always take two very important factors into account.

1)    Style is more than fashion; Style is you, your personality, your image, and your beliefs. According to John Fairchild, “Style is an expression of individualism mixed with charisma.” I like to put it like this: “The style that you create is the lenses through which the world perceives you.” What you think about you is what the world will see in you.
2)    Fashion must and always will follow style. A simple example that everyone can relate to is a mannequin. When you see a dress on a mannequin in a store window, you try it on before you purchase it. Why? Well, because you want to see how it will fit you, and most importantly, how it will LOOK on you. And we all know that clothes in themselves possess no value. The value is in the wearer of those clothes–you. Whether you’re wearing a $1500 pair of shoes from Dolce and Gabbana  or a $15 pair from Payless, there is no price that can be put on you and the “way” you wear them. Fashion fades, Style is eternal.
Got the foundation? Check back Monday for 3 style tips that will take you from plain to perfect.

Groovin’ with the Bermudas- (like the one’s sold here: Beach Bermudas -shameless plug for our products

Nancy from Something Marvelous gives us a visual lesson in classic Summer style: