Summer trends: Bright colors and gold accessories

Matthew Williamson Dress: $1,850.00
Brian Atwood Heels: $770.00
Phillippe Audibert bracelet: $475.00
Yves Saint Laurent ring: $195

It's time to get out your bright colors and gold accessories! Prep your closet for spring/summer--with bright colored ensembles---or just paint your nails fuchsia!

Lust vs Must: Statement Necklaces

These gorgeous necklaces are very on trend for this season--but if you cant afford the designer price tags, look below for more affordable options:

More Fashion Inspiration for SS 09

Vera Wang Cameo Embellished Necklace, 8,031.72
Loeffler Randal Boots 750.00
Temperley London Dress: 492.50
Day Birger et Mikkelson Vest: 300.00
Rokit Painted Leather bag: 82.11
American Eagle Fedora: 24.50
Oasis Bangles: £14.00
Modcloth Ring: 11.99

Matthew Williamson for H&M- Debut is tomorrow!

Matthew Williamson is the latest designer who has been commissioned to do a special summer collection for H&M. With an eye for unique prints, Williamson's collection is bold, edgy, and flavorful. Get ready, because tomorrow 4/23/09, select H&M stores will open their doors for you check out the new collection.

He first emerged as a fashion designer in the late 90s in London as has picked up quite a following since. Celebrities such as Lindsey Lohan, Sienna Miller, and Kate Hudson.

In mid-May, H&M will be the premiere location to have Williamson's first ever collection designed for men as well. Ladies...and gents, get ready to be wowed. While the price point is a bit higher than traditional H&M pieces, but if you are in the market to purchase a timeless piece, it will be well worth it. If you are close to an H&M go check it out tomorrow, 4/23/09. Just be careful not to get lost in the the crowds!

Bathing Suit Trends 09: Part 3

From the top left

Beaded cutout swimsuit: Tara Matthews, $340.00

Embellished one piece: Carmen Marc Valvo, $198.00
Bejeweled String Bikini: Tara Matthews, $400.00
Jewel trim bikini: Victoria's Secret, $48 and $46

Embellished bikini: Victoria's Secret, $48 and $20

Embellished bathing suits are a huge trend for Spring/Summer 2009. Any silhouette can be embellished- which makes finding your most flattering suit a breeze!

Bathing Suit Trends 09: Part 2

From the top left
Halter tankini with front drape: Badgley Mischka, 179.00
Strapless blouson swimsuit: Marc by Marc Jacobs, 179.00
Bandeau top with skirt: Carmen Marc Valvo, 159.00
Ruched strapless dress swimsuit: Juicy Couture, 160.00
Tiered tankini swimsuit: Juicy Couture, 182.00

For Spring/Summer 2009 designers have come out with tons of new silhouettes. We have the swim skirt and dress as well as bathing suit tops that can look like your street clothes. So we have a whole new way to layer our swimsuit look. Throw a pair of shorts with a tiered or strapless bathing suit top. Or wear a sheer tunic over a bandeau top and skirt swimsuit.

Bathing Suit Trends 09: Part 1

Starting with top left (clockwise)
Tie Dye: Vix, $148.00
Geometric: Trina Turk, $146.00
Floral: Lucky, $102.00
Plaid: Burberry, $240.00

Ikat: Forever 21, $25.60

There are tons of popular prints this season for us to choose from. Go for plaid if you are feeling preppy, ikat if you want to be exotic or floral if you are going for a sweet look. Bikinis are also fun to mix and match! Wear a printed top with a solid color bottom or vice versa. And if you are feeling really daring- mix and match different patterns!

Spring fashion Inspiration

Philip Crangi necklace: $1,670
Fendi Strappy platform sandals: $705.00
Marc by Marc Jacobs cotton trench coat: $530.00
D&G Dolce & Gabbana Silk-blend shorts: 386 euros
Lanvin crystal cuff: $1390.00
Vila Ruffle Shirt: 25 pounds

Update your wardrobe for Spring 2009!

Sick of and uninspired by your clothes? Well here is a way to reuse what's already in your closet with some styling modifications to keep you on trend for Spring 2009! And the good news is: you probably already have most of these items in your closet! So check out the photos below for some fashion inspiration!

Trend to love: Peacock Feathers!

Of course us Culturistas are big fans of the Peacock feather motif---but now in stores, we have been seeing them on purses to necklaces to dresses. So check out these great finds from Top Shop, H&M, and Forever 21.

Get Loose- Harem pants!

The last thing anyone wants to wear in the heat is something tight and uncomfortable. Although it is completely acceptable to often wear minimal amounts of clothing in hot and humid weather, I sometimes opt to wear something a little less revealing that is loose and airy. This spring harem pants are popping up all over the place. From the runway to the street, this is a fabulous option that can be worn in dressy and casual environments.

I purchased my first pair during my trip to Thailand two summers ago. At this time, they were a practical choice of clothing to wear in tropical Bangkok and had not yet been incorporated into runway collections. I'm not gonna go as far as tooting my horn to say I had the idea first, because lets face, we all know Aladdin is responsible for starting this trend! When you start sprucing up your spring and summer wardrobe, don't forget to give harem pants a try. They already can be found at forever 21 for those of you savvy spenders out there.

Spring Break Fashion Inspiration

It just became spring a week ago- and if you're like us, you are already dreaming of a tropical getaway full of beaches, cocktails and relaxation. With a mixture of high and low prices you can achieve the perfect look!
Bathing Suit: Wet Seal, 19.50
Kaftan: Monique Leshman, 553.00
Sandals: American Eagle, 29.50
Necklace: Monica Vinader Marie, 390.00
Ring: Kenneth Jay, $250.00

Matthew Williamson for H&M

Matthew Williamson's line for H&M will be released April 24th! And I am waiting with baited breath. Typically the designer lines for H&M translate well (which is more than I can say for Target! *achem Alexander McQueen*) and it looks like this one will too! Looks gorgeous!! Watch the designer speak below about his first collection with H&M.

Celebrity Stylist Tara Swennen gives some Recessionista tips

[Tara Swennen with actress Lucy Hale on a Teen Vogue shoot]

Tara Swennen is one of the most sought after celebrity stylists. Her clients include, Miley Cirus, Rumer Willis, Eric Dane, Jordana Bruster and Kristen Stewart. Here she gives us some must-have tips for recycling last years Spring wardrobe!

Quick fix for favorites that feel dull…

Re-dye pieces to bring them back to life. Shoe repair stores can re-dye most accessories such as shoes and handbags or do it yourself and save even more. Most convenient stores sell clothing dyes that you can easily use at home.

Recycle footwear for added comfort…

Brands such as Airplus offer affordable products for making old shoes fit like new. Use Airplus ‘Sure Steps’ for worn out and slippery soles, or Airplus ‘Steppies’ for stretched out shoes. Give shoes a good polish and they will be as good as new.

Tailor old pieces for a fresh fit…

Try things on before recycling them to make sure they fit properly. Most women simply skip over ill fitting pieces but once tailored to fit you will be much more inclined to throw it on again.

Readjust lengths for a new look…
Turn a knee length A-line skirt into a short and sassy mini, make a long sleeved blouse into a cap sleeve top or even add a ruffle to dresses for a new twist.

Look to current trends to rethink your outfits…

Be bold when mixing and matching prints and patterns. Pair a small print with a larger one or a bright color with a fun graphic or texture for an updated look. If you think outside the box you can create a multitude of new looks.

Host a girls "Swap" night…

This is a new trend among friends. Order pizza, drink cocktails, and bring your least used items to swap with friends. Remember, one person's junk is another person's treasure.

A Culturista DIY

[Elizabeth and James bracelet]

Ever since Elizabeth and James' new line came out for Spring-we have been thinking about it. They have this really cute wood beaded bracelet/necklace that I decided to make one inspired by it. Instead of the $150 price tag it probably cost around 10-15 dollars to make.

Materials:
You need a pack of small wood beads (using 40)
8 cone shaped beads
elastic invisible thread
1 crimp bead
Sissors
Crimp tool OR flat nosed tool

Directions:

I decided to use more ethnic looking cone shaped beads instead of the simple and modern ones from Elizabeth and James. But first you need to cut out your thread to 26 inches. Then you start beading---add 10 wood bead and then insert two cone shaped beads (little side facing each other) Once you get to the end you take your crimp bead, thread it through one side and then thread the other side into it--so it creates and x shape. Pull it as tight as you can. Then take your crimp tool or flat nosed tool and flatten or crimp the bead. Cut the remaining ends off and you're done! So easy!

Hanky Panky Thongs for Petites

You might be a big fan of Hanky Panky thongs but frustrated at their "one size fits all" description. One size does not always fit "all." Hanky Panky started making plus sizes a while back---but what about petites?? Well now they are introducing their famous Signature Lace Low Rise Thong in Petite fit (sizes 0-4) in the US this season. They will be available at shopbop.com or 18 dollars each.

Lust of the week: YSL "muse" clutch

$1,995 at YSL Boutiques

As you know, us Culturistas have been obsessing over zippers for Spring 2009. This gorgeous zippered Yves Saint Laurent clutch is our lust for this season!

New Elizabeth and James Spring 09 collection released

From the Elizabeth and James Spring 2009 collection

The twin designers behind Elizabeth and James, Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, have released their Spring 2009 collection on their website. The line is very similar to their own style---which most of us love love love--- and has a series of casual separates with an attention to detail.

It's quite pricey---but I would love to get my hands on that sleeveless blazer and mini skirt suit (seen below) for $425.00.

You can buy Elizabeth and James pieces at Shopbop

MAC Cosmetics + Hello Kitty= Love!

MAC Cosmetics and Hello Kitty have joined forces for a Spring 2009 campaign. The makeup collection came out just a few weeks ago at the beginning of February. This fresh take on makeup and fashion brings out the gothic girly girl in all of us. There is heavy emphasis on the two different types of women which is apparent in the two lines: Hello Kitty Mild and Hello Kitty Wild. Both are sweet, innocent, however capable of being edgy and b-a-d. The lines offer bold colors and soft pinks.

As a child of the 90s I appreciate this partnership. In elementary school, all my watches, backpacks, and pencil cases were Hello Kitty (and sometimes other Sanrio characters.) The first real lipstick I bought at age 13 was MAC Freeze which is a retired color. I never stopped buying MAC and will always have a soft spot for Sanrio.



This campaign also offers fun accessories with a signature Gothic hello kitty such as a makeup bag, bracelet, key chain, and tote. However as fun as they are, those items that were under $20 are already sold out and the remaining stock is upwards from $40 so not the biggest bargain.

With all that said,I am a big fan of this unique makeup campaign and the next time I buy an eye shadow it will definitely be from this collection!

What do all of you think?

For more info, check out the MAC website and register for their sweepstakes. You might win a Swarovski adorned couture dress or some free makeup!

MAC Hello Kitty Campaign

Forever 21 Swimwear!

Looks like Forever 21 is starting to sell swimwear. The two pieces are all sold separately (which is a fabulous!!) and they are 12.80 for each piece and $22 for the 1 piece. Here are some pics of the new spring collection below:

I LOVE that paisley bohemian suit at the top of the page, but I am a little disappointed at the lack of variety in shapes. They are the same boring triangle top. But if you need a cheap fun swim suit for the weekend Forevs is a great resource! My fav. website to shop for bathing suits? Definitely Victoria's Secret

Shop swimwear now at: Forever 21