Imogene's Fabulous Fashion Friday, March 2nd: A "How To Wear" those Super Sized Spring Scarves

Happy March!  It's still chilly but we're all dying for springtime colors!  So today, I'm going to show you how an oversized bright patterned scarf will liven up your look and put a little "spring" in your step in just minutes!

Start with a basic spring color teeshirt, then add the season's hottest new trend: Huge colorful multi-print scarves:

Spread out the scarf in front of you, assess its size and find the "middle".

I love the two-tone print, it's so elegant and will add depth to the final wrapped look.

Begin to "scootch" up the scarf in your hands being sure to keep the "tails" even on both sides.

Drape the center of the scarf in front of your neck and put the tails behind you.  Be sure to leave a loose drape in front to create a springy cowel neck feel. 

Criss-cross the tails behind your neck, then bring them forward in front.

Pull the scarf tails down, and voilà, Instant Cute!  

Notice the way the buttery-yellow band in the fabric peaks out here and there.

We finished with a huge pair of bright gemstone earrings. I chose a pair of lemon yellow agates to pick up the bright yellow flowers in the scarf.

You can purchase these one-of-a-kind handmade oxidized silver & gemstone earrings by ShayD Designs at our sister shop, Ponytail Jewelry Studio, $49.

And how about a pair of butter-yellow cat eye sunglasses to really kick it up a notch!

Our model has fashioned the ultimate new accessory for spring, too: a huge top knot.  So haute!!!

Now that you've mastered this easy technique, try it with other bright, striped or polka dotted scarves.  Here's a blue version inspired by calm oceans and blue skies:

I chose a turquoise-blue teeshirt that was a shade lighter than the blues in the scarf.

The scarf forms a soft frame around her face, perfect to showcase these huge blue Lace Agate double-hooped sterling earrings*

*Earrings handmade by LM Inspired (available at Ponytail Jewelry Studio, $65)

The drape of the scarf strikes a perfect balance between exposing the neck while still allowing the "V" neck to be visible. (In other words, the super sized scarf does not swallow up the model, it frames her!)

And lastly, how about a sassy "kelly" green version, perfect for a pub crawl on Saint Patty's Day!

This polka dots gradient scarf is $18, the all-cotton tee is just $16.

These jingly dangly bright green agate-daggers with white flecks earrings match so perfectly.

Get these one-of-a-kind handmade gemstone & sterling silver earrings at Ponytail Jewelry Studio, $36.

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Try this easy fashion pick-me-up this weekend.  Be sure and try the huge top knot and/or daringly huge earrings, too.  You will feel and look amazing for such minimal effort!

Yours in Style,

Imogene

xxxooo

Antionette's Fabulous Fashion Friday, Feb 24th: How Romantic

With springtime around the corner and a romantic feeling in the air, bold reds and coral pinks are coming in strong. I want to share the perfect way to wear this fun color with a gorgeous line of feminine frocks by our new brand Mika Rose.

The first dress is a rich vermilion wrap dress in a soft, flowy jersey.  Its lady-like length is classy and elegant, perfect for a spring wedding or a morning brunch.

Wearing high heel boots with a "lady-like" length dress helps the legs seem longer, and not disproportionate. The light springy color of the boot makes it fit right in with the romantic vibe of this dress.

Wear a delicate necklace that doesn't compete with the bold reds in the dress. Besides, such a simple and elegant piece of jewelry speaks for itself!

Copper and Silver Eternity Rings Necklace by Seville Designs borrowed from our Sister-Shop Ponytail Jewelry Studio ($48) http://ponytailjewelry.blogspot.com/

And the back is ever so sweet with a simple bow at the waist.

These Kenneth Cole high heel boots are absolutely perfect for early spring!

"Wish You Were Here", by Kenneth Cole ($168, Now on Sale $121)

The second dress I'd like to show you is a bit more fun and flirty. The red in this dress is a bit more orange, making it a gorgeous rosy coral. This modern dress looks like it's right out of Old Hollywood.

There are a few layers of subtle ruffles in the skirt that make the dress so flattering.

The layering, reminiscent of Grecian drapes, makes the dress feel so deluxe.

And in the back, gathered waist accents the A-line hem. So pretty.

The same dress in a different color, lends itself to a romantic, almost rustic tone. I love how such a simple color brings out all the details in the dress, the eye focuses more on the ruffles and drapes.  

In the back, the ruffles from the sleeves catch the eye and matches the delicate gathering at the waist.

From close up, you can see the fabric in dress is actually tiny black and taupe stripes. I absolutely adore details like that.

WOW, the Seville Designs necklace really shines within the deep V-neckline!

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Be romantic this spring, and dress yourself up in a feminine and lady-like dress! 

Vous êtes beau!

Antoinette

Here Comes the Sun...

Looking forward to springtime? So are we! We have some beautiful and bright new accessories to get you in the mood for spring! 

Gorgeous, Colorful Spring Scarves -- $16-$18

Bright Yellow Handbag -- $48
(More Bright Colors in Store!)

Luxurious Cognac Spring Boot
Varuk by Medici -- $156

What makes the Fashion World So Magic? (Hint: it's the people)

One of the best facets of the fashion world are the fabulous, friendly, fast-forward people you meet while working your magic.  And, we met a few dazzling characters while doing our thing at the Magic Show in Las Vegas during Fashion Week.  Some were buying some were selling, but all were feeling that palpable "buzz" of new trends, timeless favorites, bright Spring colors and the promise of sunny days ahead. There was a collective optimism about the economy, which suggests that more than our clothes will be lookin' good in 2012!  Here's a  few highlights:

I-Look's lead designer, Stephanie.  She showed us her favorite piece in the collection, this Royal Blue crepe draping blouse.  Absolutely stunning. We didn't order it but made a note. Should we pick it up? 

A sampling of I-Look's darling, super romantic 1950's inspired, and, dare we just say it: PRETTY DRESSES on order!

Kelly, owner of I-Look collection, offering up more than sweet clothing.

Hey Greg!  Our friendly Steve Madden rep showing off a key style for  Fall.  We ordered this cowboy boot in black.

New, super tall, Steve Madden riding boots incoming this Fall!

Fellow Steve Madden buyers in the buyers lounge eating freshly baked chocolate chip cookies hot out of the oven. (Not kidding, the Steve Madden booth had cookies baking in the back in a little toaster oven, LOVE!)

Tiffany!  Writing up our amazing Spring scarf order from a  new all-cotton line we accidentally found while lost on the trade show floor. What a lucky find!

Gorgeous, lace and 100% cotton scarves by M. We ordered every color.

Michelle!  What a sweetie, writing up our huge Lumiere order as fast as her hands could go, including the maxi dress she's wearing. It looked so cute and comfy on her, we ordered it!

Ooooh, the new casual sparkle: basic boxy tee with insets of mini-sequins, We said "yes" to every color way!

Tanya at Lumiere holding up two blockprint maxi's we picked up for Summer. MaiTai by the pool anyone???

A lovely couple we met at the I-Look Booth buying for their boutique in Washington D.C.  We had very similar tastes and were swapping samples back and forth. (I tried to steal his Italian leather manpurse, which if you look near his hand you can see he had placed on top of my large grey bag, but I was caught in the act!  We all had a good laugh.)

Angela (left) with Breanne and Jolynn from Luxury Rebel showing off THEE killer boot of the season (we bought it in  black).

The Betty Paige Footwear booth: not even kidding, these 12-inch "missing" heel glitter boots were for available for purchase. Sir Elton John would be proud. We did not order these, but walked away with a deep craving to wear them.

One of our favorite reps, the beautiful Samary of Luichiny Shoes, rockin' the leopard print skirt while holding zebra striped 7-inch heeled plats. The season, subtle animal prints in lux fabrics (silks or cotton-modal for example) are everywhere.

Three luscious leather styles we picked up for next Fall. Grey continues to be hot hot hot!

Micheal (handbag designer) and Olivia (shoe designer) for YMI-Blank Generation out of L.A.

Easy, fun print skimmers by YMI.  These little cuties will arrive in-store Mid-June.

Stephanie!! Our gorgeous Vigoss rep writing up a killer spring-denim order.  The first styles arrive next week! (Thanks for recommending the cropped skinny, Stephanie, I think our customers will love them!)

And last but not least, the handsome Brazilian, Morris, sales manager for Henry Ferrera smiling (we hope) because we just wrote a huge order for gorgeous edgy rainboots (not shown, you'll just have to wait until next September to see them!)
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Thanks for taking a quick look at the Kick It season ahead. We barely scratched the surface of what's coming in but you get the picture: it will be fantastic thanks to these and dozens of other amazing people that make this business work!

Kick It's Fabulous Fashion Friday, Feb. 17: Color Trendspotting

We've just returned from "Magic" in Las Vegas on a wonderfully inspiring buying trip for 2012! Here are a few exciting key trends we spotted that informed our choices and lit up our imaginations for a bright and colorful year ahead.

~Royal Blue~

Vivid royal blues made a powerful showing in virtually every major collection we saw
(Photo: BluPepper showroom samples).

~Antiqued "Doily" Whites~

Elegant cream, antiqued whites and pinkish beige in knobby, frilly, lacey and crocheted textures carry forward in a major way for 2012. 
(Photo: Blue*Bird showroom samples). 

~Tangerine Dreams~

 Oranges dominated in virtually every Spring collection we saw, with that pinkish-orange--sometimes called "coral" or "tangerine"--reigning supreme.  The creamy lace insets and trims mixed in with the orange made us dream of  creamsicles on a hot summer day.
(Photo: InaIna showroom samples).

~Bold Primaries~

Lumiere showroom featuring bold primary colors and--in particular--the huge come back of colored denim. 

~Sky-high Platforms at Dizzying Heights~

The seven-inch platform in a rainbow of colors was everywhere (expect on our poor tired feet).
(Photo: Luichiny showroom samples).

Stay tuned for a more in-depth post about our trip, meet some of the interesting people we met and take a look at a few key buys we made for your Spring wardrobe.  A couple of our first orders will be in store as early as next week!