Monday, March 31, 2014

Celebrity Spring Fashion Trend: Overalls

(photo: Michael Rozman/Warner Bros.)

It's the fashion trend that has been gaining popularity, seemingly over the last six months. Currently everywhere, we're starting to see more and more celebrities appearing in overalls.

No while this may be a bold fashion don't for some, many celebrities and fashionistas are exploring the overalls as a major fashion do for the moment.

It's simple really, most often found as a loose fit piece, the overalls basically cover your top to bottom fashion needs. Treat them much like the way you would treat a pair of jeans, paired with a simple either flowing top, or formfitting crop, and your is nearly complete.

(photo: Bruce/Famelynet Pictures)

We like the way Sarah Jessica Parker and Selena Gomez have paired their overalls with heels, gently folding the cuff of the overalls to show the slender ankle, therefore maintaining femininity with this baggier fit look.

If you're in an even more casual mood, then wear your overalls the way Emma Watson and Victoria's Secret model Alessandra Ambrosio wears theirs, with a pair of chic flat slip ons.  Animal print give a fun flirty look to a casual fit, and sleek leather flats slightly dress-up the casualness of the black overalls on Emma.

(photo: Ramey Photo)


Either way, though, wearing overalls generally is going to be considered a pretty casual look, not necessarily the most transitional ready piece if you're looking for something to go from day tonight.

(photo: Pacificcoastnews)


So what do you think of overalls? Will you give this fashion trend a try? We're not sure how long this trend will stick around, as it seems to be on the briefer side of fashion trends, but you never know. It is after all, pretty comfortable.

Posted by: Spankie

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Friday, March 28, 2014

Congratulations to this week's winner, Desiree Andrews!

Thank you to all who entered our weekly Free Shoes Giveaway. 
Congratulations to this week's winner,  Desiree Andrews
To enter our weekly Free Shoes Giveaway, visit our Facebook and follow the instructions.
Good luck!

Friday, March 21, 2014

Spring Fashion Trend: Ripped Jeans

(photo: chictopia user SECRETLITTLESTARS)

Spring is here!  Finally!  And what transitional piece is screaming spring fashion to me this season?  Ripped jeans!

Yes my loves, ripped, torn, tattered jeans.  They might just be one of the best ways to transition from the cold months to the warmer months.  Why you ask?  Well, they'll keep you warm being that spring still tends to have cooler spells, but not too hot, as they've literally got built in air vents for breathability!

Ripped jeans are typically associated with laid back, sporty fashion due to their casual feel, and depending on the cut of the jeans, can come in a wide array from skinny to boyfriend fit.  That's what's so great about this style.

(photo: chictopia user  EJSTYLE)

To create a more sporty look, try pairing boyfriend jeans with a comfy pullover, sweatshirt, or even jersey top.  Pairing torn jeans with an anorak jacket and shoulder bag is a great daytime casual look.

(photo: chictopia user MIAMIYU)

And adding heels makes this type of look more fashion forward.  Check out my current Australian girl crush Micha in her extreme cut jeans and leather booties:

(photo: chictopia user MICAH)

But if you want to add a chic element, try pairing it with a dressier blouse or black leather jacket, and wear black or dark hued jeans.  This takes the casual look, and transitions it to something dressier and perfect for a going out evening look.

(photo: chictopia user  THEBRUNETTESALAD)

Or match your shredded jeans with a floral blouse or loose fit airy top to define feminine elements to create a lovely juxtaposition with the toughness of the cut jeans.

(photo: chictopia user LONELYCOLOURS)

Don't forget, if you want the look to feel more chic and less loungy, wear heels.  They'll instantly elevate your look.

What do you think?  Tag me in your ripped jeans photos here:

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Posted by:  Spankie

Congratulations to this week's winner, Bianca Lara !

Thank you to all who entered our weekly Free Shoes Giveaway. 
Congratulations to this week's winner, Bianca Lara 
To enter our weekly Free Shoes Giveaway, visit our Facebook and follow the instructions.
Good luck!

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Hello Kitty and Playboy???!

(photo: Courtesy)

Well this may go down as one of the most polarizing new collaborations yet:  Hello Kitty and Playboy! Yeah, that was my reaction too!

What do you get when you combine 2 very opposite brands, one marketed from Japan to kids and fashion loving women, and the other from the US, targeted largely for "adults only"?  Well, you get the new limited edition collection from Paris's iconic high-fashion concept store, Colette, of Playboy meets Hello Kitty.  A 16 piece mash up spanning from mugs, speakers, lolly-pops, and iPhone cases, all the way to socks and.... cigarette lighters.  

(photo: Courtesy)
(photo: Courtesy)

Yup.  That's right.  And this mash up was created in honor of Playboy's 60th anniversary, and Hello Kitty's 40th anniversary.  As a result, you see Miss Kitty wearing the signature bunny ears, while she lent out one of her signature hair bows to the bow-tied bunny.  

So now that this collection has your attention, what are your thoughts?  People are either going to love it for its surprise factor, as millions combine love each brand, while others are just plain going to hate it. Colette's creative director, Sarah Andelman, comments that this collaboration is a way for her to relive her childhood nostalgia of growing up with the Hello Kitty brand, and bringing it to her adult world.  

(photo: Courtesy)
 
(photo: Courtesy)

(photo: Courtesy)

So what do you think?  For you is this a playful celebration of youth?  Or does it teeter towards bringing kids into the grown world of what Playboy offers?  Cigarette lighters sending any type of message to kids, or is it merely appeasing the adult fashion enthusiast?

Or is it just something fun to give a smile, and not think about it too much?  You decide!  Leave me your comments letting me know what you think of this new collection!

Posted by:  Spankie
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(photo: Courtesy)

(photo: Courtesy)

Monday, March 17, 2014

L'Wren Scott : You Will Be Missed

(photo: Rex USA)

Gracious, elegant, demure, and kind.  L'Wren Scott was the epitome of class and sophistication.  A designer first, Mick Jagger's girlfriend second, and a charming icon always, L'Wren's tragic passing today has come as a shock to the fashion community, and the stars like Nicole Kidman and Sarah Jessica Parker who adored her and her creations.

(photo: Evan Sung for New York Times)

The immediate impression L'Wren Scott made was with her height.  She was 6'3" tall, and strikingly beautiful.  When she entered a room, one couldn't help but be drawn to her.  But beyond her physically commanding presence, which was balanced by her humor and kindness, Ms. Scott was a natural talent in the realm of designers.  She did not study fashion or apprentice with another designer, but rather became one through the study of living an amazing life.  She says of her growing up, adopted and raised in Utah, that her mother taught her she has to go out and grab what she wants out of life.

(photo: lowerrider)

And she did.  In her 20's she was styling Julia Roberts and working alongside Elizabeth Taylor, and soon started her own collection.  And of course, L'Wren Scott was also famous for her long term relationship with Mick Jagger, for whom she recently designed for.  But make no mistake, her success as a designer is entirely her own.

Nicole Kidman wearing L'Wren Scott's design (photo: Rex USA)

Her philosophy?  That a woman should be seen as beautiful for her confidence and grace, and that the clothes should accentuate that, not distract from it.

And that's what made her so remarkable.  She was striking, yes, but grounded.

"Because it's about the girl.  It's about the woman.  It's not about what I did."

L'Wren Scott, we thank you for your spirit and class.  For your dedication to your art and for living your life as an inspiration to all of us.  You will be missed, but your legacy will live forever.

Posted by:  Spankie Valentine

(photo: Michael Dufour/Wire Image)

(photo: Fairchild Photo Service/Conde Nast/Corbis)

(photo: Fairchild Photo Service/Conde Nast/Corbis)

(photo: AP Photo / Evan Agnostini)

(photo: Joe Schildhorn BFAnyc.com)

Friday, March 14, 2014

Delicious & Healthy! Black Bean Brownies (Easy)


It's finally here!  After a flood of comments on the healthy desserts and snacks video I posted about a month ago, I've got the photo instructional for the famous skinny black bean brownies!  They're ridiculously amazing, sweet, chewy, and best of all, a way healthier option to the regular full fat machine that is the standard brownie!  

Oh... and did I mention... these are gluten free and packed with fat burning protein and fiber?!   And you'd never know it by the taste!

So here's what you'll need:

1 can unsalted black beans (rinsed)
1/4 cup cocoa powder
2/3 cup sugar of your choice (you can use half stevia/half sugar mix, or coconut palm sugar)
1/4 tablespoon instant coffee
3 eggs or 4 egg whites
2 tablespoons cooking oil (olive works great)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup dark chocolate chips 

Can also add natural peanut butter, nuts, vanilla chips, whateva you like!

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Combine all ingredients, except your chocolate chips or mixer toppings, into a food processor or blender.  Either one works great.  




Blend the ingredients until all bits and chunks are out.

Pour mix into cooking pan of your choice.  I used cupcake trays to make them more individual bites for friends.  Then add your toppings or chocolate chips to your liking.




Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes uncovered.  And voila!  Enjoy your skinny, healthier, yummy brownies!  And watch the video below for more yummy recipes!

Try this recipe?  Post me photos of what you make!  Make sure to tag me so I see them!

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Congratulations to this week's winner, Kasey Reyne!

Thank you to all who entered our weekly Free Shoes Giveaway. 
Congratulations to this week's winner, Kasey Reyne
To enter our weekly Free Shoes Giveaway, visit our Facebook and follow the instructions. Link does not work on mobile devices. Good luck!

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Rope Twisted Ponytail Hair Tutorial


I'm in the mood for a fun spring hair tutorial! Ready?!

I like to call this the rope twisted ponytail hairstyle.  I'll show you how to do this hairstyle in six easy steps. If you want to see a video of how I did this hairstyle, I've included that at the end of this tutorial.

Step 1: take your hair and loosely part it down the center and back. The part does not have to be perfect, so don't worry about that.  Gather one of the sections of hair off to the side to keep it out-of-the-way, I'm going to work with the right side to create the twists, but you can work with the left if you like.


Step 2: taking the right side section of my hair, I parted that in half one more time. Then taking the back section of the half, start twisting it upwards towards my face all the way down the length of hair.



Step 3: taking that twisted section of hair I'm going to pull it across the back nape of my neck and bring it over the top of the first parted section of hair that I had off to the side.


Step 4: gathering that loose section of hair into a ponytail, take the twisted rope that you've created, and wrap it around the base of your ponytail, until you run out of rope.


Step 5: with the remainder section of hair that I had on the right side, twisted upwards the way you did the first section, creating another rope. Then take that second row, and bring it along the back of your head, to the left, and begin wrapping it around the ponytail.


Step 6: wrap the entire length of your second rope around the ponytail. Secure in place with an elastic, or bobby pins, and you're finished!


So what do you think of this hairstyle!? Are you excited to try it?! Look below to see the video hair tutorial of this look.


And if you try this creation, I would love to see your photos! Make sure you tag me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter below:

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Monday, March 10, 2014

Louis Vuitton's New Collection!

(photo: Imaxtree)

Honestly, if I were to choose one designer collection coming in the fall that actually epitomized fall, it would be this one:  Louis Vuitton!

And what timing!  This past week market the debut collection for Louis Vuitton by designer Ghesquiere, who has taken over the fashion house after Marc Jacobs exit.  And the new era looks pretty glorious.

(photo: Imaxtree)

Ghesquiere was quoted as being on a quest for timelessness, and honoring the LV legacy.  His fall 2014 collection demonstrated classic A-line silhouettes, fall friendly hues of deep blue, camel, taupe, olive, and highlights of gem tones.  Leather made an important feature to toughen up classically feminine cuts, and the traditional LV luggage was scaled down to mini trunks, something we could all carry around daily.

So what is your favorite look about the collection?  Are you excited for the coming fall?

Posted by:  Spankie
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(photo: Imaxtree)

(photo: Imaxtree)

(photo: Imaxtree)

(photo: Imaxtree)

(photo: Imaxtree)

(photo: Imaxtree)

(photo: Imaxtree)

(photo: Imaxtree)