Stylin' Summer

M.Patmos Knit Top $280
Anna Sui Crochet Shorts $180
Jeffrey Campbell Wedges $166
House of Harlow Handbag $286
Yves Saint Laurent Cuff $348
Asos Straw Hat $25

This combination incorporates some of the trending elements from Summer 2012 that will also ease us into Fall 2012. Definitely an outfit that I can see myself wearing from now into the first part of Fall. 

Crochet

This summer, crochet isn't just about your grandmother's hobby; it's hot and trending! While some people can pull of the head-to-toe crochet, I suggest that it is more flattering when it is subtle. That's why I have chosen to pair these gorgeous Anna Sui crochet shorts with a more casual and classic blouse. 

Wedges

We're going to be soaring high this fall. In anticipation of the fall trend, Look out for my post "Escalated Fall" later this week for more details on this Fall 2012 trend. Wedges such as these are not only comfier than stilettos, but are a great way to elongate your legs, especially when paired with tiny shorts.

Hats

Whatever you do, make sure you have your headwear ready for this summer. Hats are BIG! Not only are they a way to add a stylish edge to almost any outfit, but they're also great for protecting your face from those potentially harmful rays. 

Gold

As previously mentioned on my post Golden Eye we'll be glittering in gold come fall. So why not be ahead of the game by incorporating elements into your summer wardrobe? I love this gold chunky bangle as a way of adding a little shine to the outfit. 

Fringe

Tassels and fringes have been around for a couple of seasons now. Ruffles have been added to the mix this season. I always like to find a way to incorporate staple pieces from previous seasons into current trends and outfits, such as this gorgeous bucket bag from House of Harlow. 

So fresh and so MINT!

Jumping into a pool, the ocean, or a shower, is not the only way to stay feeling fresh. This summer, mint is cool! So get fresh with it! 

Here are some of my personal favorites:

Elkin Mint Skull Bracelet $70
Seven For All Mankind Mint Super Skinny Gwenevere Pant $210
Vespa Mint Green illustration from Etsy
Diane Von Furstenberg Mint Green Sudan Wedges $175
Mint Vintage Stripe Print Tee $12
Miss Heartbreaker PolkaDot Dress $39

For a bohemian chic look, I would recommend pairing a pair of mint skinny jeans with a lacy blouse, or a top with floral prints. Alternatively, work the romantic look by matching the mint with another pastel color, such as salmon, or a baby yellow. I think these are great combinations that you can only really pull of during the spring and summer months, so I recommend you take advantage!


Feel free to incorporate the minty fresh with one of this season's other trends: bright colors! Whether it be neon, or color blocking, minty green is a tame enough color that you can vavavoom it up with a bright splash of color. My personal favorites? Black & mint for a more sophisticated look, maybe more appropriate for the office, and bright pink & mint for a more playful, fun, summer look that is sure to show off your extra color.


While these are a great way to get a subtle minty flavor, don't hold back from the "total look." Mint Green is a subtle enough color in and of it self, so you can wear it head to toe, either in the form of a maxi-dress, or perhaps a pair of mint green skinny jeans with a mint green polka dot blouse. I would recommend that if you do take this route, you add a splash of color, or contrast with your accessories; sunglasses, purse, jewelry, shoes, watch or belt.


I'll keep you posted on what I pair with my favorite mints. Please share yours too!

Sizzling Summa..

I'm heading to the beach today for the first time this season! Breaking in the beach season if you will! Whether you will be enjoying the sun's rays on an exotic island, a local beach, or the closest pool, make sure you do your summer loving in style!

If you are at a loss for what the bikini trends are for this summer, you're in the right place. For starters, we're in luck ladies; there are a vast array of styles and trends this summer so I am confident that we can all find something that works with our own personal sense of style, and comfort zone.

Here are some key words for summer 2012: metallic, tie-dye, ruffles, fringe, vintage, one-shoulder. Now let's take a look one by one..

1. I hold Rihanna responsible for this trend, and I absolutely love her for it! I have my fringe bikini packed and ready to go! Additional bits such as a fringe, can add weight to that part of the body, so this is perfect for girls like me who are smaller up top.


2. This stunning bandeau bikini pays hommage to the metallic/mermaid influenced trend. Very bond girl if you ask me, and sure to catch the eye!


3. It wouldn't be a revival of the 80s without a little tie-dye. If you don't feel comfortable adding it to your day-to-day or office wardrobe, why not have some fun on the beach with it? This little number also incorporates the ruffle trend.


4. For bustier ladies, who might be nervous about the support of a regular bandeau bikini: the solution has arrived in the form of the gorgeous one-shoulder bikini. Nervous about tan lines? Simply pull the strap down when you are laying out.


5. Vintage bikinis, in my opinion, are pure genius. They were created to stylistically and structurally sculpt our bodies to look like we are all pin up girls! Definitely a good choice if you want to accentuate your curves.


6. As you saw from my previous post, gold is a big trend for this fall. But don't be afraid to be ahead of the trend game by rocking a metallic gold bikini like this gorgeous piece, to perfectly transition from a summer to a fall trend.


For all you bargain hunters, keep in mind that the Victoria's Secret Semi-Annual Sale started on Tuesday (June 12th) and they carry most of these trends at affordable prices! I recommend that you get in to a store, or online, and snag a few staple items...both for the bedroom, and the beach.. ;)


Remember life is a beach, so play in the sand!

Golden Eye

Aberjhani wrote "Dare to love yourself as if you were a rainbow with gold at both ends." It'll be easier to do that this fall with the reemergence of gold as a trend. Whether it's a subtle splash of gold in your make up, or a dramatic sequined dress, we can all glow in gold!

Golden Eye by djfshn featuring stiletto high heels

Moschino crepe dress
$839 - net-a-porter.com

Faith Connexion slimming pants
£933 - stylebop.co.uk

Prada sandals
£390 - flannelsfashion.com

Pour La Victoire stiletto high heels
$265 - heels.com

Stella mccartney handbag
€1.395 - colette.fr

Michael Kors gold clutch
£740 - net-a-porter.com

Stylish Mullets?

No I'm not talking about the cringe worthy hairstyle. These are mullets in the form of skirts and dresses.
As far as I'm concerned, the most famous mullet dress is the wedding gown worn by Stephanie Seymour in the video for the 1992 Guns N' Roses hit "November Rain." Remember this?

I'll be honest, at the age of 11, I thought that this was the most beautiful and original thing ever! And swore up and down that when I got married, I too would have a mullet wedding gown. Most of you will probably be happy to hear that I decided to go with something a little different. What do you think?

Vera Wang, "Gemma" Fall 2011

While I went a different route with my wedding gown, I do think I will be incorporating a few of the mullet pieces into my summer wardrobe. For example, I love this mullet skirt from MANGO 

MANGO, $49

They've paired it with a loose fitting blouse and some strappy heels, but this would also be great with a fitted tank, and some flat sandals. 

This pretty turquoise mullet skirt would be great with a white tank, a denim jacket, some brown wedges, and accessories such as bangles or a long necklace.

 TOPSHOP $80

URBAN OUTFITTERS $69

I'll be the first to admit that I would never have thought that a mullet could be stylish, but there you go; another case of never say never. The final decision is yours, to mullet or not to mullet?

A Celebration of Vidal Sassoon

Kätlin Toompalu is an up and coming hair stylist who is currently located in Oslo, Norway. She was kind enough to talk to me about the "A Celebration of Vidal Sassoon" event that she was a part of on May 31st, 2012. 
But before we get to that, I wanted to comb through some of the finer details about the late legend.

The British hairdresser revolutionized the "wash and wear" philosophy. "With a great haircut they could shake it, brush it, do whatever they wanted and it would fall into place. This changed the craft." and it really did; the intricate styles of the 1950s made room for a more manageable hair routine for women.  I would guess that he would appreciate the growing trend of the DIY hairstyle tutorials that are available on Pinterest and the like. 

Sassoon's influences went beyond external beauty, specifically when he opened the Center for the study of Antisemitism. He also played a significant role in the real efforts following the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina.

He passed on May 9th, 2012 after his two year long battle with leukemia. 

Kätlin has been training at Adam & Eve in Oslo, and is ready to make her mark on the Oslo fashion and beauty scene. You heard it here first! 
She was kind enough of to take some time out of her busy days to talk to me about her experiences...Thank you Kätlin!

1. Could you tell us a little bit about the fashion scene in Oslo?

To be completely honest with you, before I started the school I  had no idea about fashion. I just tried to find something comfortable and warm to wear, I think that is what most of the Norwegians think as well. Walking around, I sometimes wonder if they cared enough to look in the mirror before heading out.
From my point of view it's definitely new and developing, younger generation and men might be more interested in it, but overall I don't think it matters much to them.

2. What were your experiences with the show and what was your role?

As you know, I'm a student at the hairdressing school Adam and Eve and this was our graduate show. Vidal Sassoon is most known for his wedge-bobs. The theme of the show was clear with the sharp angles and glossy straight hair.
Our budget was 0 and we had a week to find the models/sponsors and put the entire show together. Me and 2 other girls were responsible for the clothes. For the girl models we used the new Summer collection from Oasis. 
In total we had 22 models, so most of us were responsible for cutting/styling one of them.

3. What was the highlight of the event for you? 

The highlight of the show for me was when it finally started. The excitement of sharing with others what we've accomplished after just 4 months in school. The positive feedback from audience. The entire week was just amazing. 

4. What if any predictions do you have for hair and beauty trends for the fall/winter?

 I think it's going to be all about the black eyeliner, statement lashes, simple plaits (braids), natural looking haircolour or the complete opposite - short and edgy with lots of different colours.

5. What is your favorite summer trend and why?

It's got to be bright colours, bold prints and dip dye hair looks. It just makes everything more cheerful, especially when it decides to rain for a couple of weeks. 

6. What (if anything) do you think makes the fashion, beauty, style scene in Oslo different/unique?

People aren't afraid to be themselves and they don't get judged for it. I think that says it all.

7. How did you get into the industry, and what advice would you have for those trying to break into the industry?

Well, I wouldn't say I'm entirely in the industry yet, perhaps with just one foot. There's definitely a lot more work to be done. Patience, positivity, passion and confidence are the key words though. 

It seems that the fashion world in Oslo is up and coming, but certainly one that we should keep our eye on. Well who am I kidding...some of my token pieces are from Oslo. Don't miss out..

Neon; noble gas or noble trend?

It seems like every where I turn, I get the sneaking suspicion that the 80s are back! Well, at least when it comes to fashion trends.

One of my favorites is the burst of color that has flashed back into our lives in the form of neon. Neon made a return to the catwalk last fall and winter during the Spring/Summer fashion week shows.

The neon craze of the 1980s is most often associated with graffiti, street wear, ravers and other trends that you might cringe at the thought of. However, trust me when I say, neon is back with a much more sophisticated flair!

I am especially excited about how the neon pieces that I have recently added to my wardrobe, will look with the bronze glow that I hope to acquire this summer! But don't fret, even if you are not one to bask in the sun's rays, there are certainly elements of this trend that are for everyone!

When it comes to neon, remember that there are subtle ways to incorporate this trend without looking like a glow-stick. Here are some to keep in mind:

1. Bracelets, belts, or a clutch are a great way to incorporated neon in a subtle yet sophisticated way

2. Minimalist make up allows you to bring in some of the playful elements of the trend without looking like you're giving Cyndi Lauper a run for her money.

3. Don't wear all the trends (or pieces) together at once! Think a flash of the 80s versus Material Girl!

For those who are perhaps uncomfortable with the boldness of this trend, I recommend adding one or two staple pieces in the form of accessories.

Ann Taylor Bracelet $89

Ann Taylor Loft has a variety of pieces to accessorize your outfit, from bracelets, to shoes, and clutches.
I love this bangle which could be pieced with a black pencil skirt and black blouse to add a fresh hint of this trend, allowing you to work the trend into your office wardrobe.

Illamasqua in Smash $14

Drugstores and higher end department stores all carry a variety of neon nail polishes for those who would rather a more subtle splash of the 80s. You can also find a lipstick or a gloss to get your neon fix!

Mease 56 by ALDO $80

My most recent neon purchase was these amazing pink puppies from ALDO. I LOVE them! So far I have only worn them with a little black dress have brainstormed a number of other outfits that I plan on pairing them with including jeans and a tank, and miniskirts.
















Always remember that you are the best judge of what works for you. Like many other fashion trends, this one is about confidence, which comes from being comfortable with what you're wearing. So find what works for you!