Cheap or Chic

I know I’m a little late posting about Coachella fashion, but that’s because this post isn’t actually about Coachella at all.

For some reason, on the way to the desert some girls lost all sense of good style and threw own the most random assortment of items to get their signature Coachella “look”… and don’t you find it funny that their “look” is basically worn by every single female attendee at the festival: headscarf/headband, ripped up tee, cutoffs, army/ankle boots and some one-off accessory…so much for individual style!

Anyway, I digress…what I really want to discuss is this whole crop top trend and this was one of the only pics I could find illustrating the trend! So my question to you is, do you love it?  Do you hate it? Would you wear it and how old is too old to rock it?

Since the 80’s are so strong this season, I’m not at all surprised that shorter shirts are in style and while I hated the tight fitting crop tops of the 90’s, I’m kind of into the baggier, trapeze crop tops I’m seeing out there.

But that’s the key with this look–the shirt has to be loose, so I would consider buying one size up if you find a top you like. I also prefer the tops paired with jeans vs. shorts but that’s just a personal preference…I might change my mind once the temperatures hit 90 degrees this summer!

I bought the F21 striped shirt below in a M instead of my usual S and I have to say, it’s the perfect fit.  I’m also on the petite size, so it’s exactly a “crop top” on me.  There’s absolutely no belly showing unless I raise my arms in the air!!

But I’m no hater, so if you have a perfectly flat belly like Alessandra Ambrosio does above, I think these shirts are super cute and perfect for the Summer!

More Forever 21…

Boat Shoes…Top-Siders…call them what you want, but they’re one of the hottest footwear trends this season when it comes to keeping your feet comfy and cute all Summer long!

OK, so they’re not the most attractive or sexiest pair of shoes out there and they totally remind me of something my father would wear, but they’ve appeared in every fashion magazine from Glamour to Lucky and they’re starting to grow on me!

If you’re looking for a stylish way to retire those mile high stilettos and get your geek-chic look on this Summer, adding a pair of Top-Siders to your shoe collection (how cute are the ones pictured above from Free People) just might be the thing to do.

Now if you really want to show of your Top -Siders this summer opt for a bright shade of Raspberry like these from Sperry Top-Siders. They also come in other bright colors and they’re perfectly updated for the new season in shiny patent!

What I love most about these shoes is that you can pair them with just about anything…jeans, shorts, or even a simple summer dress..and they’re a totally unexpected alternative to flats!

After-all geeky just might be the new sexy!!

More Steve Madden…

I’ve seen these written up as a million different names–silk shorts, tap shorts, flutter shorts, etc…but I’m going to go with my favorite for the purpose of this post.

Tap shorts are basically a slinky, satin-y pair of shorts that look like a dressed up version of your favorite Summer staple.  At first sight, these looked a little too much like silk boxer shorts but this pair from Urban Outfitters made me change my mind and give them a second look.

I think they look super cute with the ruffles but I think I’d even give this pair from F21 a chance–I saw them on a girl in Philly and she looked adorable in them!  She was wearing them out and I like them as a fresher alternative to a short skirt or a dress!  There’s something very 70’s retro chic about them!

What do you think? Will you rock these tap shorts outside of a dance studio?

More Forever 21…

It’s been quite some time since I’ve seen the “skort” trend and I have to say that I was shocked to see it hanging in my local Forever 21.

In the store it was really hard to decide whether it was cute or not? I mean part of me was like “omg is this really what I think it is” while the other part was like “would I even consider wearing something like this“…

I tried it on and decdied to pass, but now looking at it online in this pic, I’m re-thinking it!  It’s definitely cute and I’m pleased to see that this new skort is fashionably updated with modern details like pleats and hidden side pockets in a very chic oatmeal color!  

So…if you’re interested in purching this little comeback trend you can pick it up at Forever 21 for only $19.80 or if you’re not, you can stick to wearing this style on the tennis courts only!

I’m totally loving the color and the studs on this jacket, but the length not so much…

This is one of those items that I’m going to have to check out for myself in person before I give my final verdict but I am seeing more and more of this style and it definitely caught my eye!

I think the styling in the pic is throwing me off a little…if you look at the full picture on the Forever 21 site, that t-shirt is way too long and this might be one of those jackets that looks best over a dress and not with separates. Remember people…it’s all about getting the right proportions!!

So what do you think? Is this a style you’d rock or is it a pass…leave us a comment and let us know!

Blame it on Valentine’s Day or on the fact that I’m kind of bored with my make-up routine, but lately I’ve been fascinated with ruby red lips.

I came across this picture of Ashley Olsen-who love or hate her- looks undeniably gorgeous in this photo…

Problem is, I don’t have her coloring in any way, shape or form so I’m at a total loss when it comes to finding the right shade. Every counter person I’ve ever been too has made me look like a clown instead of the 50’s pin-up girl look I oh-so desire.

So I’m asking yall for help…if you’ve got olive skin, blond hair and brown eyes, is this a look you can even try?  What are you favorite red lipsticks?? And more importantly, how do you make it last all night??

I found this one above from Victoria’s Secret that looks really pretty but when it comes to shopping online for lipsticks, I don’t recommend it…this is one of those times to hit up your local drug store or a Sephora!

While the thought of exposing this much skin right now makes me shiver, thanks to the sub-freezing temperatures we’ve been having for the last FOREVER, I’ve been seeing this cut-out detail trend on everything from tights to dresses and it needs some serious discussion.

Should the cut-outs only be on the back? Maybe only on a dress? Or is that too risque and should we keep them on tops only so you can tone down the look with a jeans or trousers??

This coral number from ASOS retails for only $42 (plus $6 flat rate shipping to the USA!) and it definitely caught by eye, but I’m wondering if it might border on the trampy line…in a good way?

Like many things in fashion, sometimes all it takes to transform a dress from street to chic is the styling.  I would keep my legs bare with this dress and go for a classic nude pump.  I’d also keep all of my accessories super simple and lady-like to balance the super-hero/vixen-y look of the dress.

What do yall think?  Is this trend here to stay? Do you dare to bare with all of these sexy cut-outs?

The good news is whether you’re on the fence or totally gung-ho on the cut-out craze, here are some inexpensive buys that you can experiment with…

While part of me finds the idea of these a little to Ice Capades-y the other part thinks they’re beyond fabulous and a must have!

These sparkly tights/glitter hose/call them what you want  have gotten some serious air time over the last week with stars like J.Lo wearing them during her SYTYCD performance and SJP wearing them on the season finale of Watch What Happens Live.

They look amazing on both women, but as always, I wonder if they’re appropriate and even wearable for us regular folk??  My plan is to wear them for New Year’s Eve or for a black tie event I have coming up in January…but I’m not sure if they would work for just a normal night out.

I’m a huge fan of the textured tights movement and they’ve become an essential part of my winter wear, but what do you think? Are you into the sparkly legwear or should they be left on stage??

I’m ecstatic that there is actually a pair of skinny “jeans” out there that will not cut off my circulation…and they’re now knows as Jeggings! Ah, what a fun word to say!

My first instinct was to make my jeggings more of a casual, day type look with long blazers, baggier t-shirts, bangle bracelets and maybe even a hat thrown in the mix… but upon further thought I realized that these babies are perfect for those nights out when you have “nothing to wear”and I can totally see them looking fierce with my new sequin jacket!

My only request is that you DO NOT TRY this trend with any kind of  body suit or form fitting top.  This look is all about playing with proportions and if you do tight on bottom, there is really no need to do tight on top!  That would just create a tight mess and no one has that good of a body…well unless you’re a VS model who reads this blog and then you’re free to wear whatever the hell you want!

This is a really fun style that is comfy and surprisingly chic so feel free to play with it and make it your own!  So what do you say girls, can you handle jeggings?

For all of you non-Spanish speakers that means “blond”…

I seriously had no idea who this person was when I saw her picture!  I stared at the screen wondering who is this blond person standing in the middle of all the Kardashian sisters!?!

As a natural brunette I can honestly say that not everyone looks good with their god-given hair color.  I happen to look way worse with my dark locks and have been hitting the bleach since 2001.  BUT, that doesn’t mean everyone should do it and the jury is still out on this one.

I think Kim is gorgeous and could probably pull off any hair color but it’s definitley going to take some adjusting.  What do you think? Is this color on her Cheap or Chic??

I’ve recently came across these Rainbow colored heels by Brian Atwood and had to pause. Though I totally love Brian Atwood’s apparel line, I’m not too sure if I love these shoes just as much….

I keep asking myself, “can I pull off rainbow iridescent heels”? Aaahh? Not so sure! Not to mention these colorful babies are $460! Thank goodness they’re way out of my budget, but even if they anywhere near affordable I’m not so sure I’d even purchase a pair. Would you?

For the first time EVER, I had an “am I too old to wear this” moment this weekend…and the item in question was my favorite pair of cut-off jean shorts.

I wasn’t going anywhere special or trying to make a style statement, but I wanted to look cute and summer-y and in my mind, nothing looks cuter (and sexier) than a pair of cut-offs on a hot summer day.  In a way they signal that the summer is finally in full swing, but this year they also signaled that I’m getting older and beginning to walk that fine line between what’s acceptable and inappropriate for someone of my 29 years.

Now don’t get my wrong, I’m totally from the school of “if you got it flaut” it (in this case “it” being legs)…but within reason!  You can’t be the only person that thinks you got “it” and you need to have a high-level of self awareness of what truly looks good on your body.

I do not think that everyone can or should be allowed to wear short-shorts, but I wanted to put it out there…is approaching 30 too old to wear them?  Does it depend on the woman in question?  How short is too short?

In my case, I went for it and I actually felt really good about it!  I threw on a men’s V-neck, some gold gladiators and went on my merry way feeling very youthful and chic!

So if you do decide to take the short-short route, I suggest you balance them out with a loose tee or even a cute peasant top with a flat sandal.  And if you’re in your earlier twenties, I would even say it’s totally fine to pair them with heels…I love the pics above w/Nicole Ritchie in her heels/wedges!  She still looks ab-fab without looking the least bit trashy!

And check out these affordable and appropriate denim shorts below…

After taking a break from her Lauren Conrad Collection, Laguna’s biggest star is already back in business.  She’s teaming up with Kohl’s to launch the “LC Lauren Conrad” brand in 300 stores nationwide come October.  And while the line will start with apparel only, it could expand into footwear, jewelry, handbags, intimates and sleepwear …wow, she’s out to make some serious cash!  What’s next, an LC line of cleaning products???

So why Kohl’s…Conrad explains, “My family has always shopped at Kohl’s, so I’ve always known about them and I think that they do a really great job.”  Hmmm…I don’t know if I’m buying that for one second…I’ve never seen her or any of her frenimies going into a Kohl’s on The Hills!!

Lucky for us, prices for the line will range from $20 to $60 and they clearly represent a much more modest price point than the totally over-priced Lauren Conrad Collection!

I’ve profiled many of Lauren’s looks on this site and I do think she has a great style about her, not that it’s super original, but she alwasy looks super cute and chic so I will definitely be checking out her collection in the Fall…what about you?? Are you excited for this collection?  Will you give it a chance?

Here’s one of my favorite celeb-reality stars walking the red carpet at the Bravo A-list awards in a Marchesa gown.  I would typically shy away from a gown like this because I’d be scared that I would get totally lost in all the layers and layers of fabric, but on her teeny-tiny frame it actually hides the fact that she’s probably 20lbs underweight and makes her look healthy and radiant!

What do you think of Rachel’s look?  Do you love it/hate it …or think it’s a little of the “been there, done that” nature?  IMO,  I would have liked to see something a little more daring from one of my favorite stylists, but she does look really pretty!