The Little White Dress

Posted on March 30, 2012 by thatgirlwhoboughtthejimmychooboots

We have all heard of the LBD and always praise it’s special and unique time-saving qualities. We also, all have one – or too many that we may care to admit – in our closets. They serve as our go-to piece for last-minute dates, multiple versatile looks, and easy on-the-go outfits. But, what about the LWD? With spring on our wedge adorned heels, the little white dress is indeed an essential to any woman’s spring wardrobe. Instead of donning your favored dark-colored dress during the warm spring and summer months, opt for this much lighter and brighter option.

What’s great about the LWD, as well as the LBD, is that they come in a variety of shapes and styles. There is a perfect one… or maybe three… out there for everyone. Choose your favorite hem, lace pattern or cut (the list of possibilities goes on and on!) to tailor your never-ending needs. By using a simple white dress as a canvas to color your outfit, you can create endless combinations that will showcase your own signature look. I personally have two favorite ways to embellish my LWD.

For day, I would play it up and add fun splashes of turquoise and aqua-marine colored jewelry to enhance a fresh, flowy white cotton dress. Add on simple jeweled sandals and a natural colored straw farmers tote for an easy-going look. For night, I would opt for a more body-con dress and switch into all gold and white jewelry for total chic sophistication. This simple color-way adds the right amount of breezy-summer elegance that will withstand through the hot and humid nights. Add on some strappy gold sandals and grab a textured clutch, and you’re ready for a lovely summer night.

When Louis Vuitton Met Marc Jacobs

Posted on March 28, 2012 by thatgirlwhoboughtthejimmychooboots

For 15 years now, Marc Jacobs has been captivating the elegance and class of Louis Vuitton as the creative director for the luxe company. While keeping his own brands running without any falter, the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris, France, decided to pay tribute to this imaginative visionary and his journey within the Louis Vuitton brand.

The exhibition explores the two innovators roles in Louis Vuitton’s 143 year history through two different floors, one dedicated to each fascinating creator. You begin as if you were in a black-and-white TV show with the chic antiquity of Louis Vuitton’s age and the flawless elegance of Parisian fashion during the country’s passion for Haute Couture. Then you travel along through a Technicolor film of the world of Marc Jacobs who is credited for giving a new vision to the LV brand. Through branding, advertising and multiple artistic collaborations, Jacobs created a new and improved Louis Vuitton company that would be marked in the books as one of the greatest luxury brands.

The exhibit’s dedicated floor to Marc Jacobs resembles a tumbler page, if you will, with videos, images and any other paraphernalia that inspired the cutting-edge visionary over the years. The homage is a thematic story about the steps Jacobs took to turn this brand into a legendary fashion house, as well as the energy and attitude he used to do so. Marc Jacob’s first collection at the luxury brand was a play off of Louis Vuitton’s history as a company. Jacobs only created pieces that were black, white and gray, and decided to omit the infamous “LV” logo from the collection. By drawing inspiration from an 1860′s Louis Vuitton gray canvas trunk, Jacobs came up with a delicate collection that had an over-powering effect. All the details were on the inside – just like the inside of a functional Louis Vuitton trunk.

Marc Jacobs and his team were very involved in the creative process of the exhibit, and definitely demonstrated a hands-on approach to the project. They took on the daunting task of creating something new and modern without disparaging the two centuries that have passed. The epic combination of these two designers creates a unique combination of fashion through a historic journey that leaves me with bated breath as to what will come next from the new aged Louis Vuitton.

Beauty Basics

Posted on March 26, 2012 by thatgirlwhoboughtthejimmychooboots

Our faces go through so much daily drama – between the suns’ rays, harsh moisturizers and our regular make-up routines – they are, I believe, one of the most important parts of our body that we generally lack to take care of properly. Here are some of the essential beauty Do’s and Don’ts of taking care of your precious visage.

DO’S

Always apply moisturizer. Not only will a daily moisturizer prep your skin for even foundation and a balanced look before applying your make-up, but it makes your skin softer and pliable. Moisturizer is essential for increasing the skin’s hydration, and is still required even if you have oily skin.
Blend it till it’s gone. Take the time to really blend your make-up together in order to give it a chic, unified look. An uneven distribution of product is the automatic giveaway to poor make-up application, so blend it in until you can’t see it anymore. Arm yourself with face, eye, and cheek blending brushes to obtain a flawless look.
Pencil it in. This is a step that many women tend to forget when applying their lipstick. Always shade lips with lip pencil before applying your favorite pucker enhancer, whether it be lipstick or lip gloss. By applying lip pencil before hand, it will keep your lips looking shaped and on-point all day long.
Layer it on. This may be the one instance where I encourage you to layer on any type of make-up. Apply that third coat of mascara to really add drama and volume to your eyes. Wiggle the wand from side-to-side and watch how the volume and length of your lashes extends to the skies.

DON’TS

Fight on. Having extremely pale skin myself, I know how important it is to protect your beloved exterior. Never skip on the SPF, even if you don’t think you need it. In order to fight against the sun’s harsh rays, use a foundation or moisturizer that already has SPF in it for an easy way to incorporate it into your make-up routine.
What line? Yes, I’m talking about your brow line. This is part of your face ya’know, so therefore it needs to be another aspect of your daily routine. You want to keep a uniform look for your face, so touch up those brows a bit by adding any type of brush on gel that will groom and add shape to your brows. I find that clear mascara works just fine.
Wash it away. Never, EVER, go to bed without removing every last trace of make-up from your face. Not only are you removing the aged make-up from the long day, but also all the free radicals and loose oils that happened to make their way on to your lovely face. It is a much needed refreshment to your skin at the end of the day, and your face will certainly thank you for it in the morning.

Sundae Fun-day

Posted on March 24, 2012 by thatgirlwhoboughtthejimmychooboots

With the gorgeous weather we had yesterday and the soaring temperatures, I couldn’t bring myself to stay inside and not enjoy soaking up the premature rays. In order to celebrate the lovely, almost summer-like weather, I thought I’d share another one of my favorite spring trends. We all know that pastels are on-trend for the spring, but what’s the best way to incorporate them into your closet? By choosing your favorite sherbet flavor, of course! From strawberry pink, to lemon and peppermint, you can’t go wrong with choosing one of these pretty cool colored jeans. Wear them skinny, cropped or cuffed – either way they’re sure to sweeten up your closet.

I would rock out my favorite ice-cream colored denim with a preppy white button down shirt under a cozy sweater for a laid-back, chic look that’s great for the weekend and off-duty days. To further define this mellow yet totally dapper guise, I would pair these Miu Miu jewel encrusted sneakers, a pair of ladylike sparkling earrings and this Chole blush leather shoulder bag to complete my stylish outfit. All these lovely sherbet shades are sure to make a delectable palette. The hardest part of this ensemble will be choosing your favorite flavor for a sundae fun-day look.

Reckless in the Springtime

Posted on March 21, 2012 by thatgirlwhoboughtthejimmychooboots

It’s official – Spring is here and definitely in the air. Having survived the first day of Spring with a few minor sunburns, I am happy to say that I’m ready to get my spring on and pull out all of my fun colored clothing and jewel embellished sandals. With it being about 75 degrees for the past two weeks on the East Coast, I’ve had to make some detours in my usual spring closet to prepare myself for the unusually warm weather, but this Tom Binns Fauve Pastel Necklace hasn’t slipped my spring-set mind.

Although the weather had me slightly confused as to whether I should be preparing for Spring or Summer, I haven’t lost track of all the pastel inspired offerings that designers have developed for the upcoming season. Tom Binns has been creating undeniably gorgeous and extravagant pieces for quite some time now, and this Fauve Pastel necklace doesn’t fall anywhere short of my expectations. The hand-painted pasted Swarovski crystals scream glamour and decadence all over. The distinctive tiered design creates a perfect blend of feminine and edgy that will leave people gaping at your uncanny sense of conventional accessorizing. The combination of all these unique qualities makes this piece the finest option to adorn any outfit. The best accompaniment to this show-stoppping necklace, you ask? I’m envisioning a simple white tank-top, with a rosy pair of skinny cropped jeans and a pair of nude wedges to finish off this reckless yet also tamed ensemble.

Check Out those Sunnies

Posted on March 19, 2012 by thatgirlwhoboughtthejimmychooboots

As a well versed traveller and a not-so-light packer, I’ve come to recognize some of the key pieces that a girl can never travel without. For me, one of those items are pairs (emphasis on the plural… see the “s” there) of sunglasses. Even for a week home on break from college, I have never been able to pack less than three pairs of sunglasses – each uniquely different in style, color and size that accompany multiple outfits and moods. These are the three basic pairs that I think every woman should be equipped with, and the ones that I never take a trip without.

First, are the classic aviators. For these, I would go with the original Ray-Ban Aviators. The aviator sunglasses were originally created in 1936 by Ray-Ban for pilots to protect their eyes while flying. So use what the experts use – they have a simple frame with a lense about two to three times the size of the eye. These frames add a laid-back coolness to any look and are always in style. Throw them on when going to the beach, gym or with your favorite edgey get-up.

The next pair of sunglasses that I think every woman should be equipped with is a fun, colorful pair that is versatile with many outfits. For Christmas, I received a pair of big, round, purple Miu Miu sunnies that accompany multiple outfits in my closet and always add a touch of fun to my look. Sunglasses are a great way to add a pop of color to any ensemble in a chic yet subdued way, making a colorful pair of sunnies a must in any woman’s closet.

Lastly, I think a versatile big-frame, gold-toned pair of sunglasses will make every woman feel rightfully equipped when journeying out into the sunny days of all seasons. If you’re like me and are a fanatic about matching the metal of your jewelry to all parts of your outfit, belts and shoes included, then you’ll know how important it is to have a pair of sunglasses that match every metal genre. Also, I think it’s great to have a big, over-sized pair of sunnies for when you’re tired and don’t feel like showing the results of long weeks and late nights. This is definitely a basic pair of sunnies in my book that I never go on a trip without. With these three fabulous options, you’ll have all your basis covered. Now the only problem you’ll have is choosing which one of these fabulous sunglass options to wear, hmmm…

Neons, Neons Everywhere!

Posted on March 16, 2012 by thatgirlwhoboughtthejimmychooboots

It is becoming apparent to me that neons are indeed back in style and surging through department stores and spring wardrobes. I have to say, I’m not sure how I feel about the whole neon trend – I don’t think it worked out too well in the ’80′s, but let’s see if our aged fashion gurus can make a better showing of the neon movement. I believe the key to wearing neons is to not put an outfit together where every component is a neon color – you’re just going to be walking around looking like a gaudy neon sign. Instead, choose one article of clothing to accentuate one of the many vibrant hues, and maybe contrast it with another bright color, but then leave it at that. So far, the best way I’ve seen neons is when slashed with one other neon color, usually with a bag or piece of jewelry, and then paired with neutral items.

You can go for what I like to call the “all-out” look, and sport a body-con dress, like this neon chartreuse one from Michael Kors, and pair it with bright accessories and a pink neon clutch. I think these black and white leather cuff sandals, also from Michael Kors, will accentuate the dress beautifully, while also adding some edge to the look. For the jewelry you can always opt to keep it minimal since you’ll be aglow in this bright hue, but if you were feeling daring, I would add on this Tom Binns neon yellow paint splattered necklace. This shocking neon ensemble is sure to make a head-turning statement.

However, if you’re feeling a bit blinded by the blazing neon color palette, you can still play along with this spring trend by adding it in small doses. You can add a fun pop of neon color with a cool clutch, or even a neon encrusted belt. Another great neon option is this denim jacket by Christopher Kane and J Brand. This versatile stretch-denim jacket is a great way to incorporate the neon trend into your closet, and will create an instant cool factor to any look. It comes in this lovely neon persimmon color, as well as bright tangerine. One last simple way to add neon into your wardrobe is to don a pretty pair of neon pumps. This pair from Brian Atwood will give your piggies an extra boost of mega-watt punch that will leave you feeling the effects of color confidence all day long.

Tip-toeing through the tulips

Posted on March 14, 2012 by thatgirlwhoboughtthejimmychooboots

WIth this warm weather outside, how can anyone not pull out all their spring clothes… or even shop for some new ones. With fun, sun-dresses on my mind, I came across this preppy floral frock while searching and found this one from Dolce and Gabbana at the top of my list. The array of bold prints made a statement in Dolce & Gabbana’s SS12 runway, and this lovely silk dress is a standout from the line. The playful aesthetic from the show is not only resembled through this punchy floral print, but also in the ruffled shoulder straps and knee skimming hem. As I was sitting outside in the lovely 70 degree weather looking online at cloth… I mean getting work done, I couldn’t help but imagine myself literally tip-toeing trough tulips in this fun, floral printed dress. With hopefully some more warm and sunny days ahead, sun-dresses should be on everyone’s minds and wish-lists for spring.

To complete my day-dreaming, spring look, I would add a great pair of chunky sandals in a coral color to make the other colors in the dress pop. Some funky dangling earrings, and a stack of colorful bracelets to again pick up all the lovely spring colors in the dress. This merry-making dress gives you a chance to embrace your fun-loving side, so go all out with it, fun colors and all… Oh, and don’t forget your sunnies!

Trends on Trends on Trends

Posted on March 12, 2012 by thatgirlwhoboughtthejimmychooboots

I know everyone’s minds have been racing with new ideas planned for Fall since fashion week season has come to a close and everyone has had the chance to thoroughly stalk style.com and all of the designer’s fall collections. But let’s not forget about the next season that I hope will be here quite soon. With Spring vaguely tickling our minds, I thought I’d share some of my favorite trends that I look forward to incorporating into my spring wardrobe.

1. Pretty in Pastels – Pastels give off a soft, romantic, feminine and fresh look that is the perfect way to get spring on our minds. With any delicate color such as mint and baby blue, this light, soft-hued palette will put a crisp pep-in-your-step. This trend is all about mixing-and-matching the soft muted colors and adding in super feminine, sparkling elements. You can even mix in contemporary tones with this light palette to give your look a modern feel. For a fun twist on the pastel trend, try pairing a long mint tulle skirt, with a neutral tank, cropped beige cardigan and a pair of old glamour heels. With this look, you can never forget your ladylike accessories.

2. Cream of the Crop – Stomach-skimming crop tops have made a scene on the runways, and have definitely made a standout statement on my trend list. This trend doesn’t mean that you’re going to be baring your stomach for all to see -with crop tops, it’s all about proportions. Mix your bra tops with high-waisted pencil skirts, or a high-waisted flared pant. If I haven’t totally turned you off yet from the idea of possibly exposing your stomach, add on a long knitted cardigan or a boxy jacket, and you’ll have a retro-style spring trend on your hands.

3. Globe Trotter – From punchy patterns to bold colors, this trend has all areas of the map covered. Anything from tie-dyed to woven embroidery, raffia work to beaded finishes, all different materials and techniques are used. You can mix and match these different tribal inspired pieces with your everyday jeans and heels, but if you want to go for the “all-out” world traveller look, sport an embroidered blouse over pattern shorts, a pair of raffia heels and a fun, eclectic cuff for an added touch of tribal chic. With this trend, clashing is definitely doable, and most definitely encouraged.

4. Roaring 20′s – Think Great Gatsby and fabulous flapper dresses. We all have a flapper dress hiding in the dregs of our closets from past Halloween’s, but this spring it’s all about bringing back the roaring 20′s. With its seductive inspired elegance, flapper dresses, drop waists and satin slips are all back in style.This trend is all about the details, so go for the deco heels, the chandelier earrings and the jewel encrusted clutches. They will add a serene antiquity to the rich, feather adorned, slinky silk dresses of the season.

5. Domestic Goddess – For all those stay at home moms, or even those who aren’t, there is no longer any excuse to not get put-together in the morning, and this trend is your calling. Structure and properly tailored pieces is just a glimpse of what this spring look has to offer. Candy-colored tweeds and prim floral designs are all taken from the 50′s inspired style dresses. A cute, tweed mini-dress, pearls and a pair of kitten heels is all you need. Delicate floral designs and refreshing neutrals create a sexy yet sophisticated style that should not be taken for granted. And ladies, please remember to match your accessories to your dress, you wouldn’t be considered a housewife without them.

Pucker Up, Baby

Posted on March 8, 2012 by thatgirlwhoboughtthejimmychooboots

How to do the red lip, right. This is not the easiest look to pull off, and does indeed require some patience and practice. I found this how-to video from MAC Cosmetics to be extremely helpful in crafting the perfect red lip. There are four essential utensils you’ll need in order to achieve this sultry, chic and powerful look. The main item you’ll need is obviously the lipstick - this may be the most time consuming part of the whole red lip process because you really need to take the time to find the right color for your skin tone. My pale, almost ghostly-white skin needs a blue-red lipstick in order to balance the pigments in my palette. An orange-red color would be more suitable for those who have darker skin tones. And for those who have skin tones in-between can stick with a true red for the best effect. These guidelines are just a general rule of thumb, but if you want more of a pop for your lips, go for the brighter hued reds. Also, you have to be aware of the rest of the make-up on your face. Keep the blush and eyes simple – a neutral-toned blush and some black eyeliner will do just the trick!

Now the rest of the items you need to prepare for your stellar lips are pretty simple. You’ll need a lip pencil that is a similar shade to the lipstick color that you chose. The lip pencil will help shape, line and fill-in the lip. Then, you’ll need a lip primer to wear underneath your lipstick. It adds a little bit of moisture to the lips so they won’t get chapped as well as smoothes and refines them. This will give your ruby smackers a long-everlasting look. Finally, you’ll need a lip brush to help apply the lipstick. Now that you have all the equipment you’ll need to create this timeless and glamourous look, I’ll let Caroline take it away with The Art of the Red Lip, just don’t forget to pucker up for your beauty shot.

That Girl who bought the Jimmy Choo Boots

… and her journey to become the ultimate fashionista

Monthly Archives: March 2012