Wearing is Believing

Get Dolled Up Like Barbie!

Barbie has been a style icon for 50 years - so it’s natural that she should inspire a new cosmetic collection from Stila!  Stila Loves Barbie’s fall 2009 collection features bright, bold palettes that are sure to make you pop!

The Barbie Loves Stila collection features new shades of classic Stila products, like Lip Glaze and Smudge Pots.  The Smudge Pots come in bold shades perfect for a night out, with fun names like Cobalt Clutch and Purple Pumps.  My personal favorite - the Little Black Dress Smudge Pot, a black-with-iridescent-pink-shimmer that almost looks deep purple when applied.  Stila fan favorite Lip Glaze is easy to apply, even without a mirror, and who can resist colors named “xoxo” or “Pucker Up”? 

Want to recreate an iconic Barbie look?  Paint Cans give you the key products you need to do it.  From the first Barbie in the 1950s, with her red pout and slinky, sleepy eyes, to the sun-kissed glow of Malibu Barbie (above left) and the foxy glam of Barbie in the 80s, you can play with your favorite doll’s look with no guess work involved.  The Talking Palette even walks you through creating the classic pink Barbie eye, step-by-step!

Have fun getting dolled up!

Booties, Baby!

It’s true that everything comes back in style eventually.  I threw away all of my ankle boots in the late 1990s, along with the vests and tapered jeans I so often wore with them in the early ‘90s.  Spotted on runways and in stores as summer turns to fall: ankle boots.

I can’t say I’m thrilled that booties are back -- and this time, they’re being paired with eveningwear.  Stars like Sandra Bullock (left) and Kristen Cavalieri (right) are wearing black ankle boots with cocktail dresses, dresses normally worn with strappy, delicate shoes.  To me, it looks like one of these things is not like the other - boots feel clunky and out of place paired with a cute little dress.  And beyond that, the only person I’ve seen pull them off without looking stumpy is Leighton Meester, who made granny boots look seriously stylish on Gossip Girl.

Still, if you’d like to try a pair, there are a few really cute options out there.  For fall, it’s all about soft suede versions.  I like Betsey Johnson’s Kilburn, a black ankle bootie with a rosette accent, and Tahari’s Gerry, which comes in elephant grey and purple, two of the season’s hottest colors.

What do you think of this trend?

Trendspotting: Romantic Ruffles

One trend that’s here to stay, at least through the fall, is ruffled tops.  A very feminine twist on the traditional men’s tuxedo shirt, this fresh look can go casual, or be dressed up for a night on the town. 

Pair a more casual button up version (like J. Crew’s Frances stripe ruffled tuxedo shirt, at left)  with your favorite jeans for the perfect laid back look.  J. Crew’s dressier Scattered petals tank works equally well with jeans and peep toe pumps as it does with a fitted pencil skirt.  My favorite take on the trend is BCBG’s sleeveless ruffle top, available in two of fall’s hottest colors - azalea pink and a royal purple.  Tuck it into a slim black pencil skirt for a perfectly pulled together look, great for  after work cocktails or dinner.  The BCBG top also looks great under a fitted jacket (as seen at right) - leggings make it more casual.

No matter what your style, a touch of romantic ruffles will add dimension and pop to your wardrobe!