Royal Hatness

Unless you live under a rock, you are all aware that today was the day of the ROYAL WEDDING!! Many of us set our clocks bright and early and watched in awe as the Prince and Princess arrived for their special day. Not only did Kate look elegant and regal, she looked truly happy and grateful for all those who came to support and watch this history making day! Now, of course the moment fashionistas around the world were waiting for.....the big reveal of Kate's wedding dress! Kate looked absolutely stunning in her designer dress by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. Although all the fashion hype for this wedding was focused around Kate's dress, I want to talk about the newest fashion trend that is sure to emerge on the scene soon after today.....the FASCINATOR!! Yes, these are those funky, silly looking hats that almost all the guests sported to the royal affair! Wouldn't it be so fun to find the perfect occasion to rock this British style! I just stumbled upon this great website which offers all types of great headpieces, including fascinators!! ETSY is a wonderful website which has thousands of handmade, vintage one of a kind pieces that will make you want to start wearing your very own Fascinator! What do you think ladies.....can we rock this trend in the good ole USA? I say, why not! Can't think of any ideas on when and where to pull this off? Create a fun Girls Night where everyone comes wearing their own custom headpiece! Serve cocktails, cupcakes and all sorts of girly treats at this British themed girls only event! If you don't think you are ready to wear the full on fascinator just quite yet, try a feathered hair accessory or colorful birdcage veil for your headpiece debut! Are you a funky bride looking for something new?? This website has so much to offer for the bride, her bridesmaids or special guests who want to make a fashion statement!

Here are some of my favorite headpieces and fascinators from this uber cool website!

Ok girls - who is with me on this trend??? I need some followers so I am not the only one bringing this Royal tradition back to the states! There were so many great fascinators showcased at the royal wedding today it was super hard to pick my favorite! Here are a couple pieces that grabbed my attention and had me wishing I was at the Royal Wedding today myself!! These ladies were definitely not afraid to get their HAT ON!!

Cheerio my fashion femmes!


XoXo,
Rachele

Natural Beauty

Nude/natural tones are a new trend this season that is popping up all over the place. Nude tones can be found in shoes, skirts, tops, dresses and just about anything else you can think of that goes on your body! It is always fun to wear bright, colorful pieces during our short-lived New England summers, but I recommend you integrate some natural pieces into your collection to be on point with this lovely look. These natural additions to your closet can also last much longer than just a couple months! That is the great thing about this trend....it will stay in style! All these great pieces can be worn straight through into the Fall. Here are some of my favorite natural-toned looks from various stores you probably already shop at!

Check out this minimalist shirt dress by Ann Taylor Loft. This look is priced at $69.50 but the LOFT is currently offering 40% off right now! You can rock this to work and then meet the girls for happy hour while still looking naturally chic! Not to mention, this would go great with the wooden bracelets from my last blog Accessorize Yourself!

My next favorite way to wear this trend is with a lightweight sweater. Check out this top from a hip designer called Hive and Honey, currently offered at Piperlime! I just bought this piece myself and can't wait to wear it. I plan on wearing a plain white tank under this light-weight knit, while pairing it with my army green skinny cargos and some wedges! This is a great sweater that can be worn all summer and also into the fall with a blazer over it! Love, Love my new purchase!

Want to go more girly with this look? Check out this vintage lace dress from Forever 21! Cute, chic, simple and can be combined with one of your Statement Necklaces!

Last but not least, the nude shoe! I love my pair of patent leather nude pumps that I purchased from Aldo last summer. Nude shoes elongate your look and make your legs look never-ending! Aldo has soooo many great neutrals to choose from. Here are a few of my top picks!

Alright ladies, time to go NUDE!! I hope you adore this trend as much as I do! It is a great way to let your natural beauty shine through and show the world how striking you really are. No fuss....just you...completely as is! Have a great weekend everyone!

XoXo,
Rachele

Accessorize Yourself

This weekend I got my first special request to blog about great places to buy some hot accessories that make your outfit pop! So, of course, I was more than willing to oblige to this request and get down and dirrttty on the places to buy some hip accessory essentials this summer! There are so many ways to jazz up an outfit nowadays it is impossible to just focus on one piece! From belts, to bags...watches and earrings....necklaces, rings and bracelets....I can go on forever! I am obviously a sucker for them ALL... but I have decided to focus this post on the easy breezy summer accessories that will make any girl feel great and light on her feet this season!

First, one of my favorites, wooden bracelets! Yes - I said it...Wood! Now, I know my hubby is in construction and you are all thinking I am taking a page out of his project management book for this one, but...you are so wrong! This tribal trend is OH SO HOT and is one of my favorite ways to accessorize my summer looks! You can opt to purchase one big bangle and just wear that, or stack smaller colored bracelets to give yourself a little more wrist action! Here are some great wooden bracelets from Kohl's that everyone can afford to buy this season!

Now, let's talk about a trend that is everywhere this Spring and Summer....the STATEMENT NECKLACE!! This is definitely a bold look that requires confidence and attitude! The key is to let the necklace be the focal point of your outfit. Wear a simple White-Tee or your favorite LBD and then put one of these bad boys on and you will look like such a trend setter!! Piperlime comes through again with some great pieces to put you on the style scene!

Last but not least, my biggest accessory weakness....WATCHES! During the summer I love to wear tons of GOLD and WHITE! Guess has some fabulous choices that are great for summer and yet still look chic enough for your 9-5. Is your birthday coming up?? Do you have a graduation party to go to?? Not only can you get one for yourself but these also make great gifts! So, go ahead...get em while they are hot! All these beauties are under $150! Here are some of my favorites I am currently drooling over right now!

Ok Fashionistas...you can take it from here! I hope these tips have inspired you! Now......Start Struttin!!

XoXo,
Rachele

Deals of the Week

Do you have Spring Fever?? Have you just stored away all those bulky winter sweaters and jackets in hopes of trading them in for some new slinky, spring styles?? I know I have! Here are some exclusive deals from some of the featured stores listed in my "Shopping Guide". Click on these links to access some coupons that can help you ramp up your Spring and Summer wardrobe! Act fast, these offers expire soon!

Save $25 off $75, $50 off $150 or $75 off your $250 purchase at Express! Use Promo Code:1316 now - 4

Express Women's Tees & Tanks - Buy 2, Get 1 Free

Express Women's Swimwear 30% off







Spring Dress Event - Get Up To 50% Off Dresses at Ardenb.com!

Haute Couture at Harold's

Harold's Formal Wear has been a retail staple in New Haven for over sixty years. This local store has so much to offer their customers. From bridal gowns, to tuxedo rentals....prom attire and perfect little party frocks, Harold's is a great place to find your one of kind look for some of the most important fashion moments of your life! This time of the year is definitely one of my favorites. Spring has arrived, the weather is warmer and summer is right around the corner. Not to mention, this month starts the kick off for proms, weddings, graduations, and many other fun and exciting moments where we all want to look our best! That is exactly why this blog post is dedicated to some of these once and a lifetime special occasions! Today, I want to highlight a few of Harold's most fabulous looks for Prom 2011! Now, I know what all my fellow fashionistas in their 20's and 30's are thinking....what about me? I went to prom 10 years ago! Ladies, do not fret. Have I let you down yet?? The looks I am about to showcase are not exclusive for prom princesses. These dresses are so FAB they can be worn to a black tie affair, formal wedding, or any other event where you want to show up looking like a SUPERSTAR! With that said, here are some of my favorite gowns from designers sold right outside your door in downtown New Hay Hay!!

Here are some beautiful gowns by designer TONY B....think RED CARPET!

SEAN COLLECTION also has great styles that will make your night picture perfect!

This is just a taste of what Harold's has to offer. Stop into Harold's today and search for the dress that works for you! I wore one of Harold's jaw-dropping gowns at a wedding last summer and felt like such a DIVA :). Check out how I worked this look and loved every minute of it! Oh yea and that arm candy of a husband...not too shabby!!

So ladies, show this local store some LOVE and stop by today to purchase a perfect piece for your next WOW moment in fashion!

XoXo,
Rachele

How the Celebs Wear the Trends

All the looks I blog about are always inspired by the celebs and worlwide fashion icons that I adore and follow! I will update this post to show how each look is worn by some of the hottest stars that motivate my fashion passion!

Blake Lively shows off her Classic look with a Twist

Fergie is Miami-Licious in this bright BOLD number!

Carrie Underwood looks Haute Couture in this flowy purple number at the ACM awards. You can get this same look at Harold's for a price you can afford!

Eva Longoria looks naughty yet nice in this Nude number! I love how she added green earrings to give this look a lil pop!

My all-time favorite fashionista Sarah Jessica Parker rocked the Fascinator long before the royal wedding!

Audrina Patridge looks hot to trot in this Rachel Rachel Roy dress!

Young starlets Ashley Tisdale and Rachel Bilson rock the Maxi length dress and skirt fabulously while out and about on the town! I especially like the white on white look Ashley is pulling off! Reminds me of my very own look in Miami!

Ashley Greene and Nicole Richie rock the fall leather trends as they hit the town this season!

My all time favorite wedding moment is (of course) Carrie's look on her scheduled wedding day to Mr. Big (which we all know never happened). SJP is one of my fashion idols and always will be! Her bridal style is always one to aspire to!!

While the rest of the world is obsessed with Kim Kardashian, I actually prefer Kourtney's style! Her looks are unique and always on trend. Check out how she rocks one of my favorite fall looks - the Maxi skirt!

 

Classic With a Twist

One of my all-time favorite looks is the ever so chic black and white ensemble.There is just something about it that never gets old. For me, it is like the Cosmopolitan of fashion. Always in style and gets better every time you drink it! Whether you are at work, out on the town or attending a wedding, this go to combination will never disappoint and looks great on everyone! There are countless times that I stare into my closet wondering what to wear and somehow always revert back to this classic. This season, I want to mix things up a bit and add some bold accesories to this timeless look by adding a pop of color! One my favorite things to do is mix and match colors, textures and shapes to create a look that goes from boring to beautiful! To spruce up your B&W faves, try adding an exciting burst of color with a yellow pump or turquoise necklace. Even a red patent leather clutch can do the trick. Here are some cute pieces to mix and match to achieve style success.

First, decide on the main part of your look. Check out these dresses from one of my recent favorite websites LuLus. This website offers tons of cute dresses that you can wear at the beach or out for cocktails with the gals! And the best part ladies, all at a price that won't break the bank.

Next, decide what accessory you want to add to bring this look to life. How about yellow pumps or a bright beautiful, bold chunky necklace? Zappos never disappoints with a wide array of shoes in all colors to choose from. Try these classic yellow pumps by Nine West. Or, how about this pair of Manolo look-alikes by RSVP!! So Carrie from SATC!!

Shoes not your thang? If you want to stay classic in all black and white, add a subtle touch of color with your bag! I love this stunner from Jessica McClintock's line now sold at Macys.

Either way you go, the trick is, don't over do it! Black and white looks great on its own but adding a little something extra makes the outfit yours and makes you stand out from the crowd!

Do you love this look as much as I do? How do you wear it?? Leave some love and share how you rock it out!

XoXo,

Rachele