Short Sleeves Heat up Winter Fashion

Some women don’t like winter because it’s impossible to show skin. Others don’t like it because it’s impossible to feel sexy in layers of bulky clothes. I think we may have finally found a solution to both these issues. Fresh off the rack this fall season is the short(er) sleeve jacket.

Now, I can’t comment on the functionality of wearing short(er) sleeves in winter, or even fall for that matter, but I will say that I love this look and I endorse it 110%. It’s a great way to differentiate yourself from the crowd of black jackets. And even though silhouettes are generally slimming down this season, the short sleeve can be one way to incorporate a little volume – volume in a place that won’t horribly distort your proportions. To say nothing of the fact that the short sleeve jacket is also a great way to show off your tres chic gloves (also hot this season, so it's a perfect pairing)...what are you waiting for?

Jackets are a big investment, so be sure to choose one that you’ll like for awhile. The short sleeve look could be a trend, but my .02 cents is that it’s a look worth trying. My personal favorite is this metallic gray coat by Charles Gray. It’s available at www.nordstrom.com. The Peter Pan collar and shiny big buttons are great embellishments, but what really makes the coat special is the tailoring at the waist that is complimented by the exaggerated bell sleeves.

Other options are:
Rebecca Taylor - Wool & Angora Swing Jacket - www.Saks.com
Couture Couture - Jacquard Coat - www.NeimanMarcus.com

L, a L.A.M.B Fragrance exclusively at Nordies (Nordstrom)

L, a L.A.M.B. Fragrance by Gwen Stefani Spray (Nordstrom Exclusive)
Her debut fragrance—Gwen Stefani's iconic style goes beyond music, beyond fashion and beyond boundaries. Her signature fragrance is a fusion of masculine and feminine with a luscious floral scent that bursts with sparkling freshness and then wraps you in the warmth of sensual musks. Available in 3.4oz or 1.7oz. Go out and get your bottle today.
Lucky me attended her concert at Verizon Amphitheatre in Irvine, CA last weekend. She rocked it and she is such an honest artist. If you like Gwen, you are going to LOVE her fragrance, L.

Comfort vs. Beauty

Ladies, let me preface this by saying: even though he says you look beautiful in your PJ’s (and you do), it doesn’t mean you should wear them out of the house. Ever. But is your bed, in the presence of your lover, the last sanctuary for beauty and comfort to harmonize?

I mention this because, in the summer heat especially, the main rationale behind leaving your house in little more than your bedclothes is comfort. When you delicately call your friend on her lack of aesthetic cohesiveness, does she ever say, “But this is what makes me feel beautiful”? No. She says, “Well. I’m comfortable.” Whether the offender is velour sweatpants or a tube top, with today’s options, comfort is simply no longer an excuse for frumpiness.

I humbly wish to declare a détente on the war of fashion vs. comfort. I will officially attest that I own 3” heels and suits that are inarguably comfortable. There needn’t be an epic Sophie’s Choice between the two involved. It just takes a tad more effort and yes, cost. But the payoff is worth it, both in your feeling of self-worth and the positive attention you will receive.

Two quick solutions to this conflict are dresses – onesie! brainless! – and denim. Never since chocolate has a discovery more affected women than this tidbit: you can look beautiful in an exceptional pair of jeans and even the laziest of tops. (Lip gloss helps.)

From personal experience, I suggest Citizens of Humanity as just – by a single blue thread – beating out Seven for Mankind in terms of jean comfort. For dresses, simple: cotton; preferably an A-line.

Let us unite and declare peace for the greater good of appearance. Comfort vs. Beauty is a myth. When in doubt, bypass the flip-flops.

For fashionable and comfortable pieces, try www.Nordstrom.com.

The Little _______ Dress

Last summer it was the monochrome of white driving the girls en masse to Sunglass Hut to pick up the newest white-rimmed accessories, or into H&M for the perfect “little white dress.” Even I couldn’t resist the allure. Summer 2006 was white hot – but what about 2007?

This year, I fully expected to see stores turning out the white in droves, encouraging men and women to get their white on before the old-fashioned curtail at Labor Day. But I was surprised by the sudden shift this season from the whites of yore to bold, colorful prints.

Pucci aside, not every woman can carry off loud, saucy colors without a hearty block of a neutral for balance. However, every little flirty sundress I see is this exact cocktail of colors, and the women wearing them all look superb.

Aside from patterns, the other prevalent dress right now is solid bold colors. Everything, it seems but white. You’d at least expect to see some leftovers from last year.

Overall? I like it. I didn’t anticipate it, and I wouldn’t have guessed it, but the colors are working it just as fiercely as the white did one year ago. I myself have purchased a beautiful satin number that’s purple, pink, cream… everything but white. I wore it with my white pumps – from last summer. The dresses have changed, but the white accessories have remained to compliment them. Thank goodness.

I’ve never been able to explain how and why trends shift. Jaded, I accuse the harbingers of fashion of changing their tune every year just to get us to buy new stuff. Maybe we, as shoppers, simply get sick of wearing the same thing every season, and our needs change. Whatever the reason, the moods fluctuate, and I for one will always be watching with awe. I have to wonder… what can we look forward to in Summer 2008?

For great splashy dresses, check out www.Nordstrom.com, www.OldNavy.com, and www.Bluefly.com.

MAC...Limited Edition, Novel Twist Collection

If your a true shopper, like me, than you know that every year, MAC comes out with a really cool limited edition set for the Nordstrom Anniversary Pre-Sale Event. Remember last year, they made some wicked mini purple makeup brushes? Well this time they have created an entire line called MAC Limited Edition Novel Twist Collection. The mini makeup brushes are charcoal gray, and the black boucle cases sport colorful aqua or baby-pink threading.

The collection includes three Lipglass lip glosses ($14 each), two powder blushes ($17.50 each), two beauty powders ($22 each), four lip palettes with three lipsticks in pink, plum, tan and coral variations ($22.50 each), two eye palettes with four unique shades in cool and warm tones ($36 each) a pearlizer plus a brush and a bag ($24.50) and two brush sets in basic or pro styles ($48 each).

Also, remember that the colors are exclusive to Nordstrom for this special sale. If you're a MAC fan, this collection is a must-have!