Dear Devotee:My Top 10 Spring 2010 Must-Haves

Photo from: strawberryblueberry

A while ago, I put up a post asking you all to feel free to contact me with suggestions, questions and advice and ellie commented:

...So have you found anything out there that is a must have this spring? I did see some scarves that might brighten what I have, but then I thought..I'll get hot in that or spill something on it...

A while ago, I did a post highlighting the major trends for Spring 2010 here, but that was just giving you a general idea of what to expect ( and what I thought was lovely). But as the weather gets warmer (barely) and the time for intense spring shopping nears I realise we will all need a more definitive of what would be good to get, so I've put together this spring 2010 must-have list below:

Key outfit pieces

1. A Chambray shirt: The Americana take on the classic white men's shirt, this piece is a definite spring 2010 favorite. Through it over your cute floral dress or digital printed playsuit (see below) to reinvent your outfit.

2. Brown cargo pants.

3. 80s pop slouchy tees

4.White jeans with blue wash: I tend to favor dark washes because they are easier to dress up and down, but I must say that lighter washes have definitely stolen the show for this spring. Styles to look out for are the ripped and patched jeans.

5. Lace, lace and more lace: Lace details are definitely a must have for this spring, and they are a big enough trend you should shop around for a major clothing item that is part lace. Go for lighter shades for a dreamy day look and darker tones (like black) for a rocker chic/boudoir reminiscent night look.

So those were 5 of my spring major item favorites but since spring is mostly a period of transitioning I sometimes feel that the key to creating an on trend spring look that still reflects you is through your accessories, which is why it was so difficult for me to narrow it down to five. That being said, here are 5 spring 2010 accessories that no style maven should be without:

1. Floral print fringe scarf

2.Navy blue military style jacket or vest with gold details.

3.Patchwork print and light blue tote.

4. Spring leather jacket: This jacket has a warmer tone and is lighter in weight than the its autumn/winter version. Think carefree indie girl at woodstock festival instead of hard-rock chic.

5. Brown cow girl boots: Channeling your inner Americana.

Finally here is my hodge-podge mix of Spring 2010 hits for those who are in search of concepts to work with:

1. Polka dots

2. Chambray (shirts most especially)

3. Bows of all sizes

4. Pastels and blush colours

5. naval strips and military details

6. warm-toned spring leather

7. lace

8.spots of bright colours

9. light blue denim

10. Florals and digital prints

Ellie don't be afraid to get those cute scarves. I know that this season seems to be all about the pastels but if you are worried about taking care of them, this season's floral and leopard prints as well its "spots of bright colour" are definitely the way to go. Hope this helps.

Don't forget to enter my Abazias Diamonds giveaway by leaving a comment under the post darlings.

Love you all and Stay inspired,

P.S. So let me know what you think. What are your spring 2010 must-haves? How will you transition your wardrobe into spring? Feel free to let me know what you think in the comments below.

Trendlight: My Faves for Spring/Summer 2010

My darling devotees,

I simply can not wait for winter to end and spring to come anymore. A large part of my impatience though, is not because I despise the cold, or because I am tired of wearing my boots, lovely as they are, everyday (both of which are true). No darlings, the source of my impatience stems from the fact I have a strong desire to see the stores revamped with their Spring/Summer merchandise. I mean, Fall and Winter clothes are great and all but nothing beats the immense variety of colours, cuts and styles available to us when the weather gets warm. So, in order to get a sense of what I would be likely to find in the stores, I hit up Style.com for their interpretations of the season's trends. According to Style, there are 4 major trends for this season and they are :

Marching Orders (Utilitarian)

Clean Energy (White from head to toe)

Game Theory (Sports wear obsession)

The Big Reveal (lingerie inspired wear, a lot of lace)

Pattern Play ( various prints)

And Pastoral Interlude.

Of all the trends they listed, the two I love the most are Pastoral Interlude and Pattern Play in that order. Why do I love them? Well...

• My personal style is something called Boho-Whimsical, which just means that I love mixing gypsy skirts, peasant tops and the likes with whacky polka-dot prints, random bows and butterfly brooches. Don't believe me? I will definitely see about doing outfit posts in the near future.
  
  
• I don't know what you think about when you hear spring but after a pretty neutral winter, all I can think about is colour and plenty of it. I will wear white but it will be as a backdrop to my rainbow acccessories. I probably won't be doing the utilitarian thing because army green and khaki tend not to work on me.
  
  
• They are just totally adorable. See...

(All images from Style.com)

I think these styles are also reminiscent of the 60s and 70s style scene, a scene I absolutely adore. I think the pastoral interlude options are probably going to be seen as boho-folk or country chic soon just because the clothes look very similar to the boho-folk trend of 2006. No matter what they are called, one thing is for sure: they speak to the romantic in me and are definitely my faves for Spring/Summer 2010.

Love you all and Stay inspired,


P.S. So let me know what you think. Are these trends you could/would follow? What's your fave for Spring/Summer 2010? How would you rock your favorite trend? Feel free to let me know in the comments below.

Trendlight: Princess Pea Coats

Picture from: Overstock

Is it a dress? Is it a coat? I don't know dear readers and quite frankly I don't care. These coats are the sassy and fabulously feminine way to look gorgeous in the deathly cold of the winter while keep toasty warm. Since, I came back from Christmas holidays, Boston has gotten distinctly warmer, and I think this may be the reason for the switch from the thick North Face parkas that were dominant in December to these cuter and categorically more chic forms of outerwear. Either that, or people just decided to take advantage of the after-Christmas sales period. Whatever the reason be though, I am hugely ecstatic because of the result. Their mix of stylish elegance and quirky modernity gives me shivers and reminds me of something a present-day princess would wear for an informal occasion. Dearest devotees, I implore you to indulge and submit to the powers of cuteness of this trend. But if you're not entirely convinced yet here are a couple more reasons to hunt for your own princess pea coat.

Picture from: Guess



1. They are fabulous seasonal transition pieces: Since they are still warm coats but not bulky in nature, they are the perfect pieces to aid in transiting your wardrobe into spring. A lot of them come in really bold colours and prints that make you stand out against the dull winter days left and hail in spring as it comes. They are also really good for dressing up and down your winter outfits, in case you need to go from day to night.
Picture from: Forever 21



2. They come in a budget-friendly price range: Check Forever 21, and Macy's for easier to handle prices. If you want to splurge on the perfect one though, do it!





3. They are really good potential signature pieces: Right now, everyone is abuzz with the need to find a signature piece and I could not agree more. Your signature piece represents your personality in a physical way and becomes a key component of your personal style. The variety of colours, prints, cuts and styles of these coats available makes it really easy to find pieces that truly reflect your personality, and therefore would make a great signature piece.
   

Talking to you about my love affair with these coats has increased my desire for one. Pleated, belted, plaid and red princess pea coat, here I come!

Love you all and Stay inspired,

P.S. So let me know what you think. Would you buy one of these adorable coats? Do you already have one? How does it look? Feel free to let me know in the comments below.

Trendlight/How to Rock: Feathers and Flowers and Bows oh my!

I'm not exactly sure when it happened but somehow, over the course of the winter, statement hair accessories have risen to the top of many a stylista's must-have list. From big beautiful bows to dainty feathery hairbands, these statement hair accessories add instant glamour to any outfit and are quite easy to wear well. I adore them! When I cut my hair short at the beginning of winter, I was looking for something to accessorise and play up my new haircut and when I got to So Good Jewelry on Newbury Street I was astounded by the selection. They are like cocktail rings and dearest devotees, I love cocktail rings. If you haven't already bought some I totally recommend that you do while sales are still on because these are really good transition pieces that you can use to accessorise as it gets warmer.

How to rock

Like I said before they are relatively easy to use but here are a few tips on how to work them into an outfit.

1. Let them take centre stage on your face: I find that when you wear a really gorgeous hair accessory, earrings and make-up should be more low key, so that they don't have to fight for attention.

2. Pick a complementary or contrasting colour: Either will make a statement.

3. Be conscious of your hair style: It goes without saying that certain pieces go better with certain hair styles. Find the one that works best on your favorite hairstyle or get a variety like I have.

4. Try using using pieces in unusual ways: Why don't you work a scarf into your next updo? Or you could try attaching a flower pin to a gorgeous but simple headband.

5. Redefine the meaning of perfect occassion: Wear a vintage pearl and silver wedding-esque piece on a fun night out or a glamourous evening feathery band to class.

Photos from: glitz4girl.com and pluma

Love you all and Stay inspired,

P.S. So let me know what you think. What do you think of this trend? Do you own any fabulous hair accessories (vintage or otherwise)? How do you rock them? Feel free to let me know in the comments below.

My Quest For Pretty: The Hoodie

Inspired by my Life's A Debate Post on Does This Come in Pretty, I have decided to embark on a mission to find the prettier versions of all life's essentials (and not-so-essentials). However since we do not all have access to the same stores and stuff and since we all have different tastes, I am just gonna give you a low down of what I think is lovely. Feel free to give me your own thoughts and opinions too.




My Top 5 Favorite types of super pretty hoodies :

1. Plaid and tartan prints: Ever since I saw my current favorite hoodie at the store I knew it was the one. A good plaid print (especially if its black on a white background) has the ability to transform a simple hoodie into something unique, classy and potentially whimsical in style. This style is very big right now so you are likely to find the perfect one for your personality.
   
2. Polka dots: I LOVE polka dots! Big or small, multicoloured or single toned, they are just the thing to add that extra punch of fun to any outfit. And although I believe in mixing prints, I have to admit this is something one should be careful with. (More on mixing prints successfully soon to come.)
   
3. Asymetrical and funky cuts: This is a more avante-garde way of getting a lovely hoodie. Granted it might be harder to find, but you can be rest assured that when you do find one with unusual sleeves, a longer cut, or achitectural shape, that you will stand out and in a good way.
   
4. Bright, bright colours: With the fast approach of winter and the abundance of rainy, dull and overcast days, there is no better way that I can think of to radiate your inner sunshine than by wearing a brightly coloured hoodie. I favour colours like aqua blue, rose violet, and other jewel tones for the fall, but yellow, orange and other warm colours work well too.
   
   
5. Unusual materials: You can break away from the traditionally cotton hoodies and try out something a little more unique. For example some people like to reuse knitwear and turn it into other clothes, and you could try using old sweaters to make a 'new' hoodie, that will truly be one of a kind. If DIY isnt for you though, Etsy is a always a safe bet to find that funky piece that will make your wardrobe.

(Picture from: Mark My Name on flickr.com )

Love you all and Stay inspired,

P.S. So let me know what you think. What are your favorite trends in hoodies right now? What is your personal style? And what stores do you think have gorgeous hoodies right now? Feel free to let me know in the comments below.

Trendlight: The Quilted Bag

Left over from the waves of bohemian chic that defined last season, the quilted bag, as a result of its versatility and transitionability, has not only lingered on the streets but grown to serious trend status over the past couple of months. And with the presence of traditionally bohemian and hippie trends like florals on the runways for this season, I have no doubt that it has the potential to be the new 'It' bag.Although the most dominant label associated with this trend is Vera Bradley, several similar bags have been found in major stores and small boutiques alike.

I absolutely love this trend, and not just because my style has a predominantly bohemian vibe too. I also love these bags because, they add an instant punch of colour and style to even the simplest of outfits. With the amazing print found on these quilted bags, even an otherwise plain outfit can look stellar. Another reason I love them is because they are so soft and easy to carry (see comfort and style). Finally, and most importantly I think, is that they can be found in a wide range of styles, prints and prices. There's just so much variety available, especially if you know where to look. As of now, I have a quilted backpack, tote and ID wallet (backpack from Staples and tote and ID from Barnes and Nobles). And in case you fall in love with this trend and want to decorate and equip your dorm/room/locker/desk with similar Vera Bradley stationery and luggage pieces , you can. However, if going all out there and investing in the larger pieces is not your thing, they have several smaller pieces such as cell phone purses, ID wallets and clutches available too. Either way you look at it, this is sure to recapture the essence of summer as winter nights draw nearer.

(Both pictures from Vera Bradley website).

Love you all and Stay inspired,

P.S. So let me know what you think. Is this a trend you would try/ have tried? Does it fit in with your style? And how would you rock it? Feel free to let me know in the comments below.

How to Rock: Over-the-knee Boots

Pictures from: couturesnob and chic chocolate

From the streets of New York to the runways of Milan, over-the-knee or thigh-high boots have been everywhere lately and are one of this seasons hottest accessories. Ever since they came out on the Spring/Summer 2009 runways they have been seen on everyone from Blake Lively to Sienna Miller. On the F/W 2009 runways, this trend held its own among the power shoulders and leather gear of the 80s revolution and now its going to be in all the major high street stores this fall.
Personally,I think thigh-high and knee-high boots have always oozed sex appeal. They've never really been girl-next-door kinda shoes and have practically always been associated with the more "exotic" industry (ahem).When worn right they can add inches to your height making anyone look like as leggy as a gazelle. But when worn wrong they can make you appear to have shrunk (not a good look on most). This style of boots were my first fashion love and it fills me with nostalgia just looking at them. Over the years, I've gone from ankle-length to knee-highs, calf-length and back. I know that one shouldn't allow the winds of fashion to influence your personal style, but this season's boots are so hot, its highly unlikely I'll pass up on this trend.


Now, how to rock these Fabulous shoes?


Like most accessories, these shoes can be highly versatile, you just have to know when enough is enough. Here are some tips to keep in mind when getting ready to flaunt your new boots:


With skirts: This is when the boot-to-leg proportion thing becomes very important. If you're wearing these boots with a skirt, it's best to wear the boots with matching tights so as not to
break your silhouette. Otherwise, use a long cardigan or boyfriend blazer without a belt to ensure that your legs are the focus of the outfit.


With tunics and dresses : Go all out Rocker Chic like Vanessa by teaming a dark studded or glitzy dress to stay on trend. Or you can go the other way and rock thigh-high boots with cute tunics and flirty dresses to channel your inner Bohemian. Its the perfect way to transition smoothly into fall.


With skinny jeans : This is practically my favorite look of the season! Just throw on one of the extra-hot-right-now plaid shirts or draped tops with bleached grey skinny jeans tucked into black thigh-high boots for a look that is totally fashion-forward. Or simply follow the lead of Blake Lively and tuck your favorite pair of skinnies into a complementary pair of thigh-highs to look catwalk ready.




Warnings and Words of Wisdom:

• Be wary of stilettos to avoid veering into hooker territory.
• If you are curvier pull-on boots and stretch skinnies might be enough to convince you to try out the last look.
• Let a common base or colour pull the whole outfit together.
• Work with textures instead of contrasting colours in order to create a flow.

These were just a few of my ideas on how to rock these boots. I hope I've inspired you to experiment with them and give them a shot if you haven't bought them or to actually wear them if you have.


Love you all and Stay inspired,









P.S So tell me what you think. Is this a trend you are willing to try? If so, what are your favorite ways of rocking it? And do you think it's an "investment piece"? Feel free to let me know in the comments below.


(last two pics from: flickr)

How to Rock: Ankle Cuff Heels

These shoes are hot, sexy and have totally made my transition to fall fashion a lot more exciting. Since one of the major themes of the Fall/Winter 2009 season is the strong shoulder trend of the 80s, for balance to be maintained, it follows that strong shoes like the Ankle Cuff Heel must also come into play. I must confess that at first I didn't really like this trend. I thought that the shoes were a bit strange and indecisive. I mean it looked like a cross between a heel and a boot! But once I laid my eyes on the gorgeous chocolate brown Qupids(via en ala mode on the left I was converted. They are made out of faux croco-leather, and are absolutely fabulous.


Now we've seen it. We love it. How do we rock it?



Well, I've been thinking and I have come up with three major ways to rock these heels:


1. Biker Chic: Definitely one of the most obvious ways to rock this look is in a biker chic fashion. The strong edgy aura given off by the cuff of the darker shoes definitely coincides with the total edginess of biker chic. Just thrown in a studded bracelet, some leather and metallic jewelry (all popular pieces right now) and you can totally chanel your inner badass.






2. Eighties Revolution: Another way to rock Ankle Cuff heels would be to incorporate it into an 80s- inspired ensemble. Since 80s fashion is going to be a major theme in fall, why not don a strong-shouldered blazer, with a pair of dark skinny jeans and complete it with some gorgeous ankle cuff heels? That way you embody the best of the 80s.






3. Sweet vs Edge: In fashion, the best outfits are made up of pieces that either complement or contrast each other.So a good way to rock the ankle cuff would be by contrasting it with, a truly feminine outfit. Think cute LBD with lace details and sexy black ankle cuffs.




Warnings and Words of Advice:

• The cuffs on these heels tend to emphasize the size of the ankle so if your ankles are on the thick side the best way to wear these would be by teaming them with leggings or fishnets to make your ankles appear slimmer.



• Finally, since the shoes are usually statement pieces, the best way to rock them is by working with them and using them to step up your outfit.
  

Love You all and Stay Inspired,
Aury

P.S. So tell me. What do you think of these shoes? Is this a trend you would try? How would you rock it? Feel free to comment below.

(Photos from polyvore.com and En ala mode.com)

Trendlight: Asian Fusion

Its that strange time of year again. That lingering time, when all the summer clothes are being cleared out to make space for the autumn/winter lines and almost all the fashion blogs and websites start talking obsessively about the up and coming trends for fall. I mean, I'm all for moving forward in life, but for the fact it is still Technically Summer, I'm not quite ready to jump right into the trends for fall yet. Sorry.


So what's a girl to do, if you're not quite ready to turn in your colourful tops and shorts for your wellies and trenches yet?Well one You could try out this late summer trend dubbed Asian Fusion.


This trend has been popping up in small doses around Europe since the beginning, but even more so now that people are growing tired of the Bohemian vibe. The trend mostly consists of using Asian inspired fabrics with lovely rich colours and prints on satin, to create beautiful dresses and tops, that are quite flattering to most figures. Most of them make absolutely gorgeous "night out" dresses and fabulously sexy tops. Another plus for this trend is the simple fact that it is not overworn so you won't feel like you look like everyone else on the street. Luckily, stores like Yendi, Tally Weijl, C&A and online stores like Oli.co.uk and Metrostyle.com still have some of these clothes in stock.



My friends and I discovered the potential of this look while hunting through various shops on our high street in search of inspiration. We agreed that we needed something different but still in season enough to help us transition into fall too and we believe this is it. This is definitely a lovely trend well worth picking up on, especially if you are one of the lucky few still peacefully relaxing somewhere on holiday. But even if you aren't a little change never hurt anybody.



Love you all and Stay Inspired,

Aury



P.S. So what do you think? Would you rock this look? Have you rocked it already? And do you think it can bridge the gap between summer and fall? feel free to let me know in the comments below.

(Photos- Top right- Metrostyle.com, Bottom left- Oli.co.uk via Polyvore)

Trendlight: The Longchamp "IT" Bag

Caught up in the midst of the crazy whirlwind that is my life in the past week , somehow I have been able to spot an astonishingly hot new trend on the streets of Europe: The Longchamp "IT" Bag. At the beginning of the summer season, when some of my friends obtained and presented these bags to me, claiming it to be the next big thing, it took all of my willpower to not laugh at the idea. I mean, aside from its extremely portable nature, there seemed to be nothing vaguely fabulous about this bag. So you can imagine my Immense Shock, when I realised that not only was this bag a hit, its popularity level has risen to such dizzying heights that even I recently found myself in a Buzzano store, admiring one of these bags in a light blue. Quickly coming to my senses, I hurried out of the store before any of my friends spotted me.

Now don't get me wrong. A regular traveller like myself can definitely see a lot of potential in this bag practicality- wise. It can be carried in at least 2 different ways because of its ability to fold up into a fraction of its regular size, which makes it easy to travel with as it takes up less space. Also, since it has little or no compartments in the actual bag it has a lot more space for you to pack the whole world and the moon, if you so desire. But style-wise it seems a little bland to me. I just don't see enough going on in it by way texture and colour. And the fact that I'm seeing it everywhere (and I do mean everywhere- see left), may just be putting me off it.

But who knows, I'm probably biased (I am totally in love with leather bags and so probably shouldn't judge any other kind). Some people have even found a way to work around the lack of texture and colour by using it as a blank canvas and customising it with stick-studs and pins.

If you feel like this is a must-have bag for you, there a few things you should know. First of all, for those of you who aren't aware, Longchamp is a high-end designer label, which means each bag carries a huge price tag depending on the size. Generally, if you are a college student like me this may be a bit too expensive for you (unless its your splurge item of the moment). If it is too expensive for you , I have seen a few similar versions done by labels like C&A with more affordable price tags. Also , if you are going to get the original and want to customise it, please don't do anything too outlandish that you'll regret. The bag is too expensive for you to over-customise it to the point it becomes unwearable in any other season. Finally and most importantly I believe, if you don't like it Don't Buy It. Even if all the people you know have it, it just is not worth it to buy something that does not reflect you.

Love you all and Stay Inspired,

Aury

P.S. So tell me, have you fallen in love with this trend? Does this bag call your name or do you belong to the camp of "I just Don't get it " too? You can give your response in the comments below.

Photo Credit: All photos from Creative Commons