Elegant Chic

What is your go to style for fall? Feel free to share your style tip.

How To Pick The Right Handbag For Your Lifestyle

There is alot to consider when picking the right handbag, your bag should fit your lifestyle, your budget and your sense of style. From totes to wristlets, make this your guideline when you’re on the hunt for the perfect bag.

 

140124 KH – Charcoal

This bag is quite versatile, given the different carrying options. It’s great for anyone who doesn’t have time to change her bag often. You can easily transform this bag from day to night and work week to weekend.

 

1406772 PN – Maroon

Backpacks are BIG this year. This is great if you want to go hand-free during a busy off-duty days. Perfect for running errands or a day out in town.

 

 

140397 BY – Black

The tote is the best option if you want a grab-and-go bag. You can throw everything inside which is why this style is also ideal for traveling. It will fit your electronics, magazines, beauty products and cardigan. Everyone needs one in their collection for work  and travel.

 

140685 KL – Royal Blue

Keep your hands free when you are on the go. This messenger can go from day to night. Perfect for any occasions.

 

140121 KL – Turquoise

 This wristlet comes with a removable strap providing you with different carrying options. A perfect choice when you are grabbing a quick brunch with your girlfriends. With the right ensembles, this also makes a great accessory on a night out with the girls. Perfect size for your phone, lipstick, cash and a vanity mirror.

How To Wear: Statement Necklaces

Statement necklaces have been a huge trend for a while now, and it doesn’t seem like they are going away anytime soon. The best way to wear a statement necklace is to pair it with a plain dress or T-shirt, you want your necklace to stand out and transform a plain outfit into something special. Keep the rest of your look clean and sleek, let your necklace make the statement. Here are some ideas as to how you can style a bold necklace.

 

Chambray with neon 

   

Solids with multi color

  

 

Black basic with art deco

     

 

Girly with elegant 

    

 

Animal print with bold 

   

 

The Art Of Perfume

Coco Chanel once said that a woman should apply perfume in the areas where she would like to be kissed. While that’s most likely true, we have some guidelines you can follow as well.

Apply at the pulse points

Pulse points are locations on the body where the blood vessels are closet to the skin. For example, the inner wrists, base of throat, behind ear lobes, in the cleavage, and inner elbows. These places will react with your body heat and continue to emit scent throughout the day. Avoid rubbing the wrists together after application to prevent ‘crushing’ the scent.

Perfume your hair

Misting your hair with perfume will leave a gentle scent throughout the day. Only spray perfume to freshly-washed hair, or else the natural oils will affect the odor. Apply perfume at a distance since perfume contains alcohol and can be drying to your strands.

Moisturize your skin

Scent will fade faster if your skin is dry. Apply fragrance – free moisturizer to your body before spraying on your favorite perfume. Layering products of the same scent is also an effective way to make your perfume last longer. Purchase the body lotion from your favorite eau du parfum, apply the lotion before spraying on the perfume.

Always apply perfume before putting on your clothes and jewelry. Some fragrance will leave stains on fabrics, metals, and pearls.

6 easy, natural ways to lift your mood

Sweat it out

Studies have shown that exercising is effective at relieving mild to moderate depression. Physical activity releases the feel-good chemical dopamine, which increases our sense of well being. If you are a little stressed out, try aerobic activity. Workouts counteract stress-related memory loss by speeding up production of new nerve cells in the hippocampus, the brain’s memory processing center.

Tweak your diet

The Omega-3 fatty acids in your diet, such as salmon help the brain respond to signals from the mood chemical dopamine and serotonin. Vegetable and fruits work in combination with Omega 3s to protect the brain from harmful inflammation that can trigger depression.

Sleep it off

As the old saying goes, early to bed early to rise makes a man healthy and wise. It is important to have 6-8 hours of sleep per night. People who suffer from insomnia have a higher risk of developing depression compared to those who are well rested. Lack of sleep can also trigger weight gain.

Meditation 

Some studies suggest that regular meditation reduces the recurrence of depression as effective as medication. Aim to meditate for at least 15 mins once a day in the beginning, 45 mins is the ideal length.

Let in the light

Have you ever seen a depressed person at the beach? Didn’t think so! This is because sunlight is key for regulating your biological clock, which affects mood, sleep and energy. Sunlight provides the Vitamin D we need in our body, low vitamin D can lead to fatigue, depression, aches and pain.

That’s what friends are for

Research suggests that having a close circle is critical. People who are lonely have increased levels of depression. Socializing with friends can have as positive an impact on health as quitting smoking, working out or eating right. Hugs are also a great stress reliever.

Style Your Home With These Insider Designer Tips

Want a new look for your home but don’t know where to start? Home styling can be a pain in the neck, but with these insider tips, your life is about to get a whole lot easier.

1. Go for odd numbers 

Always accessorize with an odd number of objects. The trick is to make your decor look styled, but not too perfect. The coffee table look best with three groups of accessories on top.

2. Layer rugs

Here is a little designer secret, try layering two rugs together for a bohemian vibe, or layer a larger plain rug directly under a smaller patterned one. It will give your space instant designer cred.

3. Books as decor

If it’s in your budget, splurge on books with beautiful covers for their aesthetic value. Treat them like accessories and stack them on tables.

4. Try diagonal seating

If you have a particularly large or long and narrow space in your home, try placing your furniture diagonally. It visually fills out the large space and keeps things looking fresh and unique.

5. Think outside the picture

Create a gallery with objects other than pictures frames. Visit your local flea market and vintage stores for trays, mirrors or plates and place them onto your wall.

6. Say bye to symmetry

For a major boost in style, mix and match your dining table chairs, sofa or place different night stands on either side of your bed.

7. Add texture with textiles

Add dimension to a room with textiles in different textures. For example, a textured blanket, like a giant fur on a sequined Moroccan wedding blanket.

8. Balance vignettes with color 

When accessorizing small vignettes, try objects with different textures and sizes, and always stick to one color palette. The reoccurring colors will tie the different decorative accents together to create one cohesive vignette.

9. Be bold with wall color

Designers like to get creative with wall colors and they are not afraid to be bold. Deep shades are an inexpensive way to make any space striking. Depends on your preference and the theme of your room, but don’t be afraid to try green, yellow, orange or even red.

Gingerbread Men Cookie Recipe

What is a better way to spend a cold crisp day wrapped in your blankie eating gingerbread men cookies and sipping on hot chocolate? Gingerbread men are cute as can be and making them is a great family activity you can enjoy with kids. Be prepared to get your hands dirty with this recipe.

Ingredients:

– 3 cups flour

– 2 teaspoons McCormick® Ginger, Ground

– 1 teaspoon McCormick® Cinnamon, Ground    

– 1 teaspoon baking soda

– 1/4 teaspoon McCormick® Nutmeg, Ground

– 1/4 teaspoon salt

– 3/4 cup butter, softened

– 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar

– 1/2 cup molasses

– 1 egg

– 1 teaspoon McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract

Directions

1. Mix flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg and salt in large bowl. Set aside. Beat butter and brown sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add molasses, egg and vanilla;mix well. Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed until well mixed. Press dough into a thick flat disk. Wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness on lightly floured work surface. Cut into gingerbread men shapes with 5-inch cookie cutter. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets.
3. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until edges of cookies are set and just begin to brown. Cool on baking sheets 1 to 2 minutes. Remove to wire racks; cool completely. Decorate cooled cookies as desired. Store cookies in airtight container up to 5 days.

Tip: If desired, decorate your gingerbread men with raisins, currants or cinnamon red hot candies for eyes and buttons. Or, colored icing onto cookies.

Photo Credit: Freshbabyshowers

Must Have Backpacks

These two strapping beauties are one of the trendiest accessories you can own this season! They are the perfect way to carry off personal style. They go with everything from denim, tailoring to skirt. A must have in every girl’s wardrobe.

15 ways to wear a leather jacket this Fall

A great leather jacket can make a serious dent in your bank account, but it is also an essential item and has the ability to transform your wardrobe. If you are willing to invest in a good one, you won’t regret it. We have rounded up 15 reasons to justify the idea of spending so much on a single item. Most importantly, 15 ways to wear a leather jacket after your purchase.

1. Wear it with layering pieces

 

2. Take it from Rachel Zoe, Wear your leather with silk

 

3. Chic like Miranda, Wear it with stripes 

 

4. Causal like Jen, try it with black skinny jeans 

 

5. Katie Holmes is sporting hers with a causal t-shirt

 

6. Sexy like a Victoria’s Secret model, wear yours with boots like Rosie 

 

7. Kim K approved! Wear it with sneakers

 

8. Who wouldn’t raid Chanel Iman’s closet? Pair your leather jacket with any LBD 

 

9. Make a statement like Jessica Alba, wear it with plaid.

 

10. Fit for a diva like Mariah, leather jacket with pencil skirt 

 

11. Cute like J.Law, rock your leather jacket with lace 

 

12. Wear it with knit sweater

 

13. Can’t get enough of Miranda, wear it with distressed denim

 

14. Dress like an editor, wear it with printed skirt like Alexa Chung 

 

15. Don’t forget your statement accessories 

5 Spring 2015 Trends To Wear!

Over the last 4 weeks, we have seen many pieces and trend come down the runways in Paris, Milan, London and New York.  While the exact items haven’t even made it into production yet,  we have to wait 6 months until we can get our hands on them. However, we can use these trends as inspiration to do some current – season shopping. There are plenty in the market right now that echos the Spring 2015 trends. Be a fashion leader and stay one step ahead of everyone else.

 

Yes To Gingham

This classic check fabric appeared in the Spring collections by Altuzarra, Oscar de la Renta and Diane Von Furstenberg. For Fall, try to go for a darker shade of gingham in black, navy and brown.

Timo Weiland ginham-front sweater, $295, available at Barneys New York

Bright Me Up 

Shiny fabric and rainbow brights dominated the runway, from Jeremy Scott to Marc Jacobs. Brights are usually reserved for Spring, but you can shop for a similar piece for Fall as a little pick-me-up on a gloomy cold day.

Karla Spetic Knit Sweater, $270, available at Net-a-Porter

Candy – Colored Fur

As seen in Coach, Giamba and more, fur seems to be more appropriate for Fall rather than Spring, therefore, we can totally rock this trend right now.

Fairy Floss faux fur coat, $88, available at nastygal

All In Denim

Head-to-toe denim showed up on the runway at Gucci, Stella McCartney and many more. Denim never goes out of style and they are appropriate for any season, you can’t go wrong by investing in a good quality piece.

Frame Denim Le High skinny overalls, $299, available at Nordstrom 

Sporty Gal

Even if you are not into sport, you will probably find yourself dressing like one from time to time, they can be pretty comfortable on a causal day. Sporty details – from performance inspired fabrications like mesh to athletic-inspired stipes and trims, were important elements at Alexander Wang, Rag & Bone and more. The activewear trend is going pretty strong on the market right now, you can find plenty of sporty fashion at the moment.

Combined Top, $59, available at Zara