Spring 2011: Walk This Way

If you don't know now then you must seriously be on another planet. The 70's are EVERYWHERE! I haven't seen a trend permeate the zeitgeist so thoroughly since the 90s when plaid flannel and DocMartens were appropriate office attire.

In celebration of the current funky state of affairs, I compiled a picture-list of shoes sure to help you get your groovy-ness back. Peace!

White and Shining Armor, $129.99

Aw, Strap!, $119.99

Well-Received, $104.99

Season of Love, $109.99

Shape Your Heart, $118.99

Kiltie Pleasure, $141.99

Recap T-Strap, $107.99

I can't resist a cute oxford! Let There Be Delight, $129.99

Eye in the Sky, $144.99

The good news is those platforms will provide some much needed relief to keep your dogs from barking. Stay cool my friends!

Image(s) courtesy of Modcloth.com

Spring 2011: Matthew Williamson Arrives at Macy's Impulse

There's definitely a sweet spot in my heart for capsule collections. I remember my first purchase like it was yesterday: a green cotton tank top with a white, chain-link design by Proenza Schouler for Target. That was well over 3 years ago but I still have and love that top! Since then, I've thought designer collaborations were the greatest invention since sliced bread! These days I try to go visit- and purchase- a collection whenever possible. I love being able to have new, innovative designs available at my fingers tips and for a fraction of the price. Now, the king of the jet set has touched down at Macy's, just for us, bringing with him an orchestra of bold, boho-chic pieces.

Not a "basic" in sight...it's refreshing!

In an effort to bring their customer more fresh fashion, Macy's brought in Matthew Williamson, a designer with a penchant for bold prints and bits of glitz for round two of their burgeoning capsule series. Matthew's capsule collection is right on trend with loud color, easy silhouettes, and a 70's influence that's hard to resist, all available at the trendy/contemporary Impulse department of Macy's.

I am in LOVE with that yellow-shouldered, leopard top!

Some of these pieces are just too cute to resist! But that's the thing with capsule collections, they're "limited time only" situations. Better get there quick as this arrival has been buzzing around the internet for a few days now...pieces are sure to run out.

 

 

Matthew Williamson, man with the Midas touch

For now Matthew Williamson has the floor- no pun intended- but stay tuned as Macy's will continue shuffling in new designers every few months to keep their Impulse section up-to-date.

I wonder who will follow in the gilded footsteps of this great designer??

Image(s) courtesy of Google Image Seach

How To Series: How to Prevent Hanger "Bumps"

9You know, in the shoulder!

Have you ever woken up in the morning, excited to wear that new sweater only to pull it off the hanger and see that it sprouted wings over night? And some days if it isn't a flying sweater it's a pointy blouse? Solving clothing conundrums should be in a stylists' bag of tricks and Beyond Black has got a solution up our sleeves. There are actually a couple of ways to help keep your clothing grounded and more appropriately rounded to your shoulder.

No-Pucks, nifty hanger attachments available for both wire and plastic hangers.

If you've got a closet filled with traditional plastic hangers, or even a stack of dry cleaning wire ones, these little "hanger accessories" are available to slope your hangers into an appropriate shape. Snapping them on essentially helps shape your hanger into a softer, curved angle meant to mirror the natural slope of your shoulders. Hangers with the more abrupt and angular shape make for more profound angel wings. 

How No-Pucks looks once attached to a wire hanger

The best way to capitalize on what you already own would be to buy an accessory that improves it, much like the No-Pucks. Then again, if you want your hanger to work for you, all the time, without an attachment, a thicker hanger will also work.

You should remember to match the weight of the item to the thickness of the hanger. If you have more coats and jackets, make sure your biggest hangers are reserved for them. The smaller strapped tops will do just fine on thinner hangers.

Of course, there is a back-end issue here as well: once you've fixed the hanger problem, how do you keep the shirt on? Those nice wooden hangers are quite slippery and unless you're hanging a crew neck, everything else is going to fall right off. The good news, The Container Store has you covered. (and on a totally separate side note, I LOVE the Container Store! Go visit one and you'll find out why).

Fuzzy strips keep shirts from slipping off

Only $1.99, these hanger strips are self-adhesive and will not only keep the shirt from slipping, it will also help hold it in place over the slope, thus further ensuring your shirts remains the proper shape.

Whichever direction you decide to go, each offers a perfectly good solution. Your clothes shouldn't be flying away anytime soon.

Image(s) courtesy of containerstore.com and hangerproducts.com

Anglomaniac Fever- A Wardrobe Stylist Weighs in on the Fashions of the Royal Wedding

iPhone pic of Us Weekly cover

Two good friends of mine got married in Tulsa last weekend, to each other.  On my way to the "oil capital of the world" I did a little bit of light reading on the plane (see above). Using the Us Weekly as my trusted source for all things British I eagerly flipped through the pages wanting to know all the details of the Royal Wedding.  I was merely a babe when Diana and Charles got married in 1981, so this is my real first exposure to the grandness of a Royal wedding.  Actually, it was not that long ago I married my own Brit...

... and learned first-hand a thing or two about traditional English weddings...  But my walk down memory lane will have to stop there because, I'll be honest, the planning days leading up to the wedding were the best of times, and the worst of times (planning this intimate shindig gave me my first gray hairs).  I can only imagine what goes into planning the Royal Wedding.  What I do want to touch base on was the fashion for the event that would forever cease my being as Jennifer Held. My husband Scott and I agreed, as far as the budget was concerned,  that we could each pick one thing that was so important to use that we really wanted to spare no expense in that department.  Big surprise to no one (you are reading my fashion blog) I chose the dress as my top priority.

Choosing the I do this for a living so it had better be perfect dress is no small task.  It takes a lot of patience, Spanx, and some know-how to get it done without loosing your sanity... no Bridezilla here folks.  Unlike Kate, I did not have famous designers vying for my attention.  Here are two of her dress options below:

Us Weekly

Us Weekly

Which dress will she pick?  You'll have to wait until April 29th, 2011to find out for sure.  While I'm sure it won't be the 2011 equivalent to Diana's large and in charge over abundance of silk and tulle fashion victim dress of the 80's with poof sleeves, it will have to have a certain amount of modesty to it.  While I'm never a big fan of looking like you're hiding in your clothes (or in this case a cake topper), she will have to be mindful not to show too much skin and wear a bra.  Remember the blown-out-of-proportion bra-less scandal?

Although their fairy-tale wedding won't end in a kiss- which isn't allowed in Westminster Abbey- I have no doubt it will be a princess' fashionable happy ever after.


Back on the plane reading my authority on all things British (Us Weekly), once I was done drooling over Kate's dress options, I got to thinking about what I would wear to the Royal Wedding... and how different that might be from what I was about to wear to my friends' wedding in Tulsa.

on the left in the green DVF dress from Bloomingdale's

While a jade green silk dress cut above the knees may not be acceptable in Westminster Abbey, it was a real hit in Oklahoma.  Which just begs the question, what would you wear to the Royal Wedding?

FYI- If you love my green DVF, check out this
GoJane dress as a cheaper alternative $11.95!!

 

Spring 2011: Ear Candy

Sometimes it's not what's on your arm that counts as candy but what's on your ears. In time for spring, check out some truly sweet auditory ornamentation sure to make your lobes lovely the entire season through.

AKKAD, HSN, $49.95

Forever 21, $4.80

BaubleBar, $110

BaubleBar, $162

GLAMOUR, HSN, $19.95

Heidi Daus, HSN, $149.95

Justine Simmons, HSN, $29.95

Libby Edelman, HSN, $13.27

Hutton Wilkinson, HSN, $39.95

Sheila Fajl, HSN, $19.95

Telio, HSN, $69.95

Turquoise & Marcasite, HSN, $54.90

Are you salivating over the sweetness yet?!

Image(s) courtesy of baublebar.com, hsn.com, & forever21.com

Gilt Groupe Invites You to The Wedding Shop

If you're going to the chapel and gonna get married but haven't started the process yet, save the date for April 14-17 and get thee to a computer for the event of a lifetime.

Your golden Gilt ticket

Starting at 9am PST, flash-sale giant Gilt is once again launching their successful wedding shop for all of you about to tie the knot. A promise to shop, save, and stay stress-free, Gilt is bringing all brides & Co. unparalleled access to products and services that might otherwise be financially unobtainable. Just like your fiance, Gilt is the total package. Bridesmaid dresses, honeymoon deals, gift ideas, invitation services, and wedding gowns are just a few of the types of discounted bridal swag you can score.

Though if you find yourself feeling overwhelmed with laying out the details, I know someone who can help, especially with the most important piece of the entire process- the dress. Beyond Black is here to assist you on your big day and take this sartorial burden off your shoulders. We've got lists upon lists of resources available to you with the insider knowledge of where to buy, when to buy, and how to get it cheaper. We'll help you narrow down your options based on the most flattering silhouette, fit, and style for your body type, personality, and should you wish it, your venue. Not to mention, we also have hair & makeup services to complete your look to make sure you're ready, head to toe. We'll be like your stylists-in-waiting. To us, happily ever after begins with the beautiful blushing bride, confident in her wedding dress. After that, your new husband will understand and sing the praises of the more contemporary wedding adage:
 

Image(s) courtesy of Gilt.com & waltsense.com