Tag Archives: Kohls

11/10/11 Darling of the Day: My Girl Crush on Pippa Middleton (In Zara) Continues!

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I’ll admit my girl crush on Pippa Middleton.  It’s right up there with Scarlett Johansson, Kristin Davis, & Gwyneth Paltrow.  If you didn’t notice already, this weekend was big for Style Darling in that I posted my first-ever single Style Darling gallery, featuring the famous British sister.  Here she wears this dress with seams ($79.99) from Zara, which is available for purchase by buyers in the United States!

I had high hopes of turning this into a post for The $100 Challenge, but seeing as how the dress is costly, that wasn’t going to work.  However, since we’re darlings on a budget, it is okay to splurge every now & again on a special piece.

There are just a few chic pieces to complete the look, ones that you may already have if you’ve followed any of my posts so far this fall!  For example the single-button metro stretch jacket ($48.96) from New York & Company is an essential piece for any occasion.

It was easy to find the next five items which really bring out Pippa’s figure & the edginess in the dress.  @Forever 21, the studded suedette ankle boots ($32.80) are just the wow factor needed to punch it up.  Also, the buckled leatherette handbag in brown ($34.80) is functional b/c of its adjustability.  There’s one sale that you can’t miss & that’s on the sunglasses like these ($3.99), which are marked down from $5.00.

For a staple piece of jewelry, take a look @Kohl’s to see the gold mesh tone ring ($11.70) by Jennifer Lopez, which is also available in silver tone.

Would you spend $80 on a dress like this?  Do you admire Pippa’s modern & minimalist style?  For more on Pippa, be sure to check out the gallery, as well as where to find look-alike flats, inspired by Pippa & how to replicate her casual chic style.  Happy Styling!

Inside A Style Blogger’s Closet: How I Styled A Summer Dress ($8.74) For Fall!

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I took a recent trip to Target, just to return something & pick up some tortilla wraps, but of course I was swayed to check out the clearance section in the women’s clothing department.  Despite my protest against buying yet another dress since I clearly have no closet space for it, the $8.74 price tag made all the difference when I saw the Converse One ‘Adna’ Dress ($34.99 online).  Not to mention, that the only two dresses on the rack were in a Medium, so I didn’t think it would fit.  But then again, I did recently lose some weight, so I ducked into the fitting room to try it on. Now, this is me, at home with my new dress friend, smiling like it’s Christmas day!

I bought the wide stretch belt by Minicci ($12.99) a while back from Payless, of course with a coupon when it was on sale for $7.99. Also, the crocodile tights ($9.80) were another recent coupon purchase from Kohl’s by Simply Vera Vera Wang. I got 20% off just for being a cardholder!

The cardigan is a last season clearance purchase from Old Navy (I’m sure it was under $12).  Since the dress is pretty lightweight, the heaviness of the knit cardigan is a perfect match to add some texture & make it fall-ready! My staple sunburst necklace comes from Park Lane Jewelry, in which I received at a discounted price since I reaped the benefits of hosting a jewelry party two summers ago.

I bet you’re all wondering about the shoes.. They’re from Payless by Lela Rose.  I bought them about two winters ago, probably for around $38.00, but I’m sure that there was a BOGO 50% off deal in there somewhere!  I’m a big fan of black & cream, so this is a perfect uniform for me this fall.

I’m especially proud of the closeup on the headband since I made it myself, with a basic fabric-wrapped headband from a dollar store, as well as ribbons & lace from stores like Michael’s, Walmart, & Joann’s Fabrics & Craft Stores. I love all the different details in this look, knowing that it’s not too busy or bulky.

What do you think of my first official outfit posting?  All together it probably cost just over $100, but all of it can be mixed & matched with different outfits.  I can’t wait to see how this dress looks next summer with some wedges & an updo!  If you like looks that can be switched up b/w seasons, check out The $100 Challenge! Happy Styling!

Basics for a Bargain: Slip Into A Sweater Dress with Inspiration from Angelina Jolie, Nicole Richie, & Cameron Diaz!

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It’s fall, which means that it’s time to take out your favorite knits & sweaters.  The easiest way to start your outfit is with a sweater dress, both comfy & chic.  I’m on the prowl to get one for myself, now that I’ve discovered that I too can wear leggings!  Like it was really such an epiphany lol! Anyway, you have your basic black dress, basic cocktail dress, but what about your basic sweater dress?  You can pair it with tights & knee boots, or flat boots & a crossover bag, a scarf & sunglasses, or some opaque tights & a belt.

To get a little inspired for this basic, I’ve found a slew of famous faces donning the very fall-forward look.  Cameron Diaz slipped into a Bottega Veneta with color Jimmy Choo sandals at the premiere of Knight & Day last year.  Heather Graham sports a black & white striped Diesel turtleneck sweater dress with metallic pumps. Oscar-winner Catherine Zeta Jones wore her gray sweater dress with leggings, a short-sleeved cardigan, slouchy boots, & a scarf while running errands on a chilly November day in New York City.  Lauren Conrad attended an event for Kohl’s in her black sweater dress with matching gladiators, by LC by Lauren Conrad.  Nicole Richie also did some self-promotion wearing her own House of Harlow 1960 ankle boots & a dark green sweater dress at a signing for her book, Priceless.  Angelina Jolie enjoyed a night out in Manhattan, wearing a navy cableknit sweater dress by Loro Piana with Salvatore Ferragamo knee boots.  And way back in 2006, Eva Mendes was super stylish, wearing this Max Azria turtleneck sweater dress with killer brown knee boots & stunning silver cuff bracelet.

These seven sweater dresses will instantly update your dress collection for the season & impeccably show off your figure!  @Macy’s you can find this Style&co. sweater dress / cableknit tunic ($26.98) in espresso.  The ‘Happy Place’ black & taupe sweater dress ($49.00) from Lulu’s is a little more sexy & wild for a sweater dress, but with the right black tights & black patent leather pumps, you’ll look fierce in this 80’s-inspired dress! The third pictured above is the one I want!  I’ve never actually bought anything from Dress Barn, but this cabled sweater dress with envelope collar in fern ($39.99) best represents my style in the form of a sweater dress!  The neckline is modern & flirty, but the cableknit calls on everything I love about preppy style.

I thought it was fitting to find this next dress @Forever 21, which is a burgundy ‘Angelina’ sweater dress ($27.80), since I featured Ms. Jolie up top. The matching belt is super cute & allows for its wearer to mix it up with something in leather.  The dress is also available in cream for the same price.  While clicking around my favorite store, White House Black Market, I saw that the black bateau neck sweater dress ($29.98) was marked down from $100.00! I should warn my readers before clicking that it is only available at this time in size: XL.

As for my fuller figured Style Darlings, I went nuts when I saw the ivory cabled sweater dress ($49.00) @Dress Barn, which I definitely want for myself, but it’s not available in my size.  This would look very chic with a gold belt & metallic ballet flats for a day at the office, or spice it up with something red for the upcoming holidays.  Also, the gray ruffle front sweater dress ($64.90) isn’t necessarily a bargain @Avenue, but is sold in sizes 14-28. It’s professional enough for work, but dressy enough for a special occasion dinner with your beau.

Check out my previous Basics for a Bargain posts, featuring classic items like leather pants, pencil dresses, & more! Do you have a sweater dress?  Where did you get it? Would you wear one of these sweater dresses?  Which celeb looks best in a sweater dress?  Happy Styling!

Luxury Look-Alikes for Less: Earrings by Alexis Bittar Vs. Jennifer Lopez for Kohl’s!

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I just so happened to be clicking around on the Intermix site, which sells the jaw-droppingly stylish brands like Zac Posen, Diane von Furstenberg, & See by Chloe.  I knew that I hadn’t made a jewelry-based post in a while, so I took a click on over to the earrings & found so many gorgeous luxury pieces by designer, Alexis Bittar.  Personally, I’m not a big earrings Style Darling- I wear my glasses everyday, therefore I stick to studs so that my head doesn’t look too much like a Christmas tree.

Anyway, I found two pairs of chic drops which reminded me of Jennifer Lopez’s line @Kohl’s, for which I’ve written amply about here & on Culture Mob. In looking at the prices of Alexis Bittar’s very elegant earrings, I knew that they were out of reach since I’m on a super tight budget (I’m planning my next trip to Italy in January & I’m in super savings mode- especially after my last dress purchase!).

The concave teardrop earrings are $245.00 & the oval chain link pave crystal earrings in rose gold are $210.00.  While I highly recommend these styles to go with an LBD, blouse & skinny jeans look for a girl’s night, or a cocktail dress for a late-night party, they’re out of budget.  If you’re seeking just as dazzling earrings without the genuine gold price tag, take a look at the gold tone mesh drop earrings on sale for $21.00 (originally $28.00) & rose gold tone simulated crystal drop earrings for $15.00 (originally $20.00), both by Jennifer Lopez for Kohl’s. The latter pair is also available in gold tone & silver tone for the same price too!

Since I’m not quite at the point where I can drop a few hundred dollars on a whim for jewelry, it is nice to look around & see what’s out there.  I receive emails from the official Alexis Bittar website & frequent her fun & fashion forward blog as well.

Check out previous Luxury Look-Alikes for Less posts where you can shop for less expensive items similar to major brands like Dolce Vita, Salvatore Ferragamo, & Kate Spade!

Where do you find your favorite fashion jewelry pieces?  Would you wear rose gold drop earrings?  Do you like Jennifer Lopez’s line for Kohl’s?  Are you familiar with the Alexis Bittar brand?  Give me your feedback & comments! Happy Styling!

8/23/11 Darling of the Day: Kerry Washington’s Wild Side in Express & Christian Louboutin!

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Actress Kerry Washington recently made an appearance at Jennifer Klein’s annual Day of Indulgence party wearing a mix of affordable & luxury brands.  The wild leopard short-sleeved blouse is from Ann Taylor which she paired with Express red jeggings.  Last week’s guest judge on Project Runway was also sporting lace-up booties by Tory Burch & carried a Christian Louboutin clutch.

The balance of animal print here is very edgy, yet still elegant for a day event.  Red is a sometimes risky color to pair with leopard, but here we see Kerry pulling off the look flawlessly with some feminine flair.

It was hard to find the original blouse worn here, but I discovered that it is currently out of stock, since it was an item from an earlier season.  However, @Ann Taylor, you can find this leopard print trench blouse for $88.00.  That’s a high cost for a top, but if you’re looking to stay as true to the inspired look, that’s the best way to go!  I was able to recover the exact Zelda red jeggings from Express, which cost $69.90.  These are also available in other colors & with embellishments like studding.

@Payless, Christian Siriano‘s new line for fall has arrived & this includes the modern harness ankle boot for $69.00.  While this also may seem like a lot of money to spend on a pair of shoes, sign up at the store’s website to get coupons emailed to you & news on all the latest sales so that you never have to pay full price for a luxury pair of shoes like these!

The final touch comes from Kohl’s.  The leopard clutch by Relic is a great deal for $31.90, marked down from $58.00.  It’s a classic piece to wear with your favorite LBD or for something as chic & tailored as this day look.

For more on Kerry Washington, check out her two previous appearances on Darling of the Day from back in January @Sundance & in November in a sexy all-black look.  In addition, if you’re an Ann Taylor shopper, check out my recent post about the brand’s newest spokesmodel, Demi Moore.

Finally, just to keep with the fabulousness of leopard (& all the other beautiful animals of the jungle), take a click on over to last week’s post about affordable animal-inspired accessories in Quickie Darling Deal & Steal! Happy Styling!

Quickie Darling Deal & Steal: Jennifer Lopez Debuts New Line for Kohl’s!

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Seems like Kohl’s is really stepping up their style, what with designers like Vera Wang, Lauren Conrad, & Dana Buchman leading the way, but the big news is that Jennifer Lopez has joined the Kohl’s family (yeah Marc Anthony too).  Her merchandise isn’t coming out until this fall (sometime in September), but you can keep this link among your favorites to get the first look.

Courtesy of Oprah’s O magazine, here’s a look from the line, as well as a YouTube video below, featuring both Jennifer & soon-to-be ex-husband Marc discussing their vision for their respective lines.

By the way, this marks the first official video post on Style Darling!  I’m super thrilled that the site is finally moving up to the next level!

Are you excited about Jennifer Lopez teaming up with Kohl’s?  Don’t forget that with Kohl’s credit card, you get serious rewards, including discount deals & their sales are always amazing! Even if some of the items start off at a great price, they get even better as the fall season sales begin.  When the line finally debuts, I’ll be all over it!  Will you?

Check out my full article on Culture Mob for more detail of the launch of this line! Happy Styling!

Luxury Look-Alikes For Less: The Big Jewelry Post Featuring Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, & More!

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Who doesn’t love fashion jewelry?!  For starters, the real thing is fabulous, but when you can find luxury look-alikes like these, who’s thinking about dropping some serious dough?

During my search, I came across these blue-stone hoop earrings.  One pair is $695.00 @Bergdorf Goodman, whereas the other comparable pair is sold @Kohl’s by the Candies label for under $10.  These are the perfect pop of color to bring out any eye color, especially with a boldly printed maxi dress, or if you’re sporting a ruffled blouse & skinny jeans for date night!  Next, if you’re looking for animal-inspired accessories, check out the Ikat bangle by Kate Spade from Neiman Marcus, however it runs $128.00, whereas the white leopard option is a mere $5.80 @Forever 21.  If you’re wearing solids like a sultry red, or a bright cobalt mini dress, here’s where animal prints work best in your accessories.

If you’re into two-finger rings, a la Gwen Stefani’s Rock Steady phase, check out what designers Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen have designed for their label, Elizabeth & James.  The sea urchin two finger ring costs $175.00 @Bloomingdale’s, but is comparable in the rock star chic sense to the Candie’s crystal two finger ring from Kohl’s for $11.20.  Lastly, I wasn’t intentionally looking to feature a second pair of earrings, but I couldn’t get over how similarly these drop earrings are & just had to make room for them! Between Nordstrom & Forever 21, both pairs show off gold tones, but vary in price from $4.80 all the way up to $262.00!  These are the perfect finishing touches on a look with upswept hair or a messy ponytail!

Check out our previous Luxury Look-Alikes posts for more great affordable ways to recreate these stylish finds!  Is there a piece that you’re looking for, but can’t find for less cash?  I can’t make any promises, but I’ll do my best to try & find it!  Happy Styling!

8/3/11 Darling of the Day: Jordana Brewster Goes Casual in Lavender Shorts (Dedicated to Laurie)!

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For my friend Laurie’s birthday today, I decided to post a cool, casual look that reminds me of her!  I especially wanted to post something with shorts since both Laurie & Ms. Jordana Brewster have such great legs!

Here we have the Fast & Furious star taking a stroll in L.A., wearing a cute ensemble of a classic white button-down shirt with lavender belted shorts, shades, & flip-flops. This look is nothing short of polished (no pun intended).

To start, head to Express for the shirt, which is also available in nine different colors.  Watch out for the store’s end of the season blowout sales when basic items like this are marked down to practically nothing!  A crisp button down can be a 365-day investment under a cardigan with dark denim jeans, or paired with a sleeveless sweater vest & pencil skirt. I found @Forever 21 look-alike shorts for only $13.50, which also come in white, black, & khaki, if you’re looking to sport a casual shorts look for the rest of your summer days with babydoll tops, racerback tanks, & graphic tees!

To complete this outfit, I’ve compiled affordable accessories, including a $9.50 belt & stylish bag for under $20 from Charlotte Russe, $5.99 flip flops from Payless that you may be able to find cheaper during the store’s next BOGO 50% off sale, & rectangular sunglasses from Forever 21 for $5.80, which will save you a bundle instead of getting a designer style! I picked out a silver loop ring from JC Penney which costs $19.99, reduced from $40.00.  Also, while you’re there, check out the crystal wrap bracelet by MixIt for only $6.00 (originally $15.00).  A menswear-inspired watch from Kohl’s is the last finishing touch to an ensemble perfect for a picnic, family gathering, or walk about town shopping with girl friends!

For more celebrity-inspired looks, check out previous Darling of the Day posts, including Drew Barrymore, Amy Adams, Eva Longoria & more! Happy Birthday Laurie! Happy Styling!

Basics for a Bargain: Pencil Dresses Inspired by Olivia Wilde, Dianna Agron, Emma Stone, & More!

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Pencil dresses are the perfect way to accentuate your figure!  What’s even more fabulous about a dress like this is that you can show off some serious leg without worrying about a short hemline.  No matter your accessories (platforms, peep toes, belts, or chandelier earrings), a pencil dress recalls Old Hollywood & never goes out of style.

Transformers: Dark of the Moon star Rosie Huntington-Whiteley dons a feminine lace Dolce & Gabbana frock with neutral stilettos to a press event in Shanghai.  The softness of the lace details adds dimension, as well as creating a longer legline.  Emma Stone is trendy in a belted black lace pencil dress by Tom Ford, paired with Fred Leighton jewelry for the New York premiere of Crazy Stupid Love.  The Change-Up star Leslie Mann rocked a LWD with sequin accents by Marchesa with a gold clutch & Jimmy Choo peep toes.  Dianna Agron promoted Glee in a velvet Stella McCartney peplum dress & towering YSL platforms.  Lastly, super Style Darling of the moment, Olivia Wilde of Cowboys & Aliens went siren red in a knee-length Antonio Berardi pencil sheath with satin Brian Atwood pumps.

I’ve selected some super cute & affordable pencil dresses that are the foundation to any cocktail or work look.  We’ll start with the printed belted sheath dress from Macy’s by Charter Club, which costs $44.99.  If you break out your store card & check your local newspaper for coupons, you can reap the rewards of this great deal that can be made to look more professional with a blazer or jazzed up by switching the belt for something metallic.  Also, click here to see this dress is available in sizes 14W – 24W.  Next, @Victoria’s Secret, you can find a form-fitting tee midi dress for $59.50, that can be dressed up or down with just a few simple accessories, but really makes an impression as a stand-alone LBD.  Kohl’s sells this illusion brush stroke dress by AB Studio, which looks like a blouse & pencil skirt, but it is put together in one fashionable piece for only $41.30.

For my fuller-figured Style Darlings, I did find a mega sexy red dress from Torrid which runs in sizes 16-26.  No wonder it’s called Stop Staring! Red Millions Dollar Baby Dress, although it costs $120.50 (which is a lot for our budget, but this is definitely a dress that you can get a lot of miles out of for work or a wedding!).  It can be downplayed for a day at the office with a printed cardigan or simply worn for a fancy night out with black patent pumps, like those pictured.  Over @White House Black Market, I came across an affordable steal of a dress- the white jacquard strapless dress for $39.98, marked down from $158.00! It’s perfect to wear this season or it can be saved for the holidays with a sequined bolero cardy.  Over @ASOS, this cafe creme cowl front pencil dress costs $46.55.  The dress just calls out for a subtle, but complimentary animal print, like a leopard belt or chunky cut-out booties.  Also, it kind of reminds me of the slinky, nude dress that Carrie wore on her first date with Big in the first season of Sex & the City!

For more celebrities wearing pencil dresses, check out Rachel McAdams & Uma Thurman at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival in Red Carpet Review, as well as a Darling of the Day post featuring Sophia Bush wearing Ann Taylor. For more Basics for a Bargain, check out my post on pencil skirts inspired by Jennifer Lopez & Kate Bosworth, as well as denim dresses like those worn by Pippa Middleton & Reese Witherspoon! Happy Styling!

7/25/11 Darling of the Day: Pippa Middleton’s Casual Chic Day Look!

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Pippa Middleton is making her second appearance here on Style Darling in a week (previously featured wearing a denim dress in Basics for a Bargain), so you know there’s some serious stuff going on with this famous British sister!  Pippa was caught out & about in May, strolling around London in a super hip, yet easy ensemble which includes a basic black blazer, red top, & skinny Hudson jeans.  She accessorized her look with Gucci sunglasses & a Modalu handbag.

During my search for comparable & affordable items, I was able to out together two looks for both Women’s & Plus Sizes.  These include blazers from Target & Torrid, tops from Bebe & One Stop Plus, & lastly, skinny jeans from Express & Torrid.

For the accessories, I really lucked out on bargain-priced items with a pair of sunglasses for $5.80, lace-up booties for $6.99 (YES $6.99!), & a camel shoulder bag for $32.80, all @Forever 21! As for the jewelry, the pair of drop earrings are from the Simply Vera Vera Wang collection @Kohl’s for $9.00.  Lastly, Charlotte Russe was my go-to resource for the rhinestone necklace, as well as the flower wreath ring & intertwined rhinestone ring, both $4.00!

These are the basic items that are the foundation to any great outfit.  She remains classic, chic, & very cool in this look that can be worn for a casual day at the office, running errands on the weekends, or even if you’re headed out to a quick meeting at a trendy cafe.  I recently had the argument about cardigans being so much more fabulous than blazers, but here is where the opposite is true.  I love how adding a blazer to a primary-colored top & basic pair of jeans (any style- flared, skinny, straight, or wide), adds a little more polish to the typically casual outfit.  Be sure to check out more Darling of the Day posts, including 48 photos of the Style Darling, courtesy of In Style’s Photo Gallery! Happy Styling!

7/18/11 Darling of the Day: Leighton Meester for Vera Wang’s Lovestruck!

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Leighton Meester, the newest face of Vera Wang’s Lovestruck, looked super stylish & accessible in a pleated blush blouse, paired with some seriously sexy leather leggings at the fragrance’s London launch party.  A departure from some go-to black trousers, this look is incredibly easy to translate into your everyday life.  Not to mention that the Gossip Girl star is wearing some killer Brian Atwood sandals & a special leather-looking Dannijo bracelet.  These are essential for when you head out to the bar, for an interview at a trendy office, or an after work event.

I’ve turned this look into two comparable outfits, giving a shoutout to my plus-size Style Darlings!  While I couldn’t find a pleated blouse (I’m sure they’re out there in soft blush, nude, & gray hues), here we have a tailored ruffle top from The Limited, as well as a smocked button front shirt from Avenue.  On the bottom, try out leggings with a faux leather panel, or plus-sized Baby Phat leggings, which can also be paired with basic tees & a vest, or dressed up even more with a corset top or a belted tunic top.

The best lavender strappy sandals that I could find are these fun t-straps by Type Z @Zappos for $53! They’re perfect for underneath a floral maxi dress or to add a pop of color to an LBD. The only accessory that you’ll need for this look is a bejeweled mesh cuff by Candie’s, available @Kohl’s!

Style Darling has technologically come a long way, but take a look at the last time we featured Ms. Meester as a Darling of the Day.  If you love all thing stylish about Leighton, check her out on In Style on their Star Finder to see who she’s been wearing on the red carpet & for special events!  Happy Styling!

Quickie Darling Deal & Steal: Lauren Conrad’s Newest Collection @Kohl’s!

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Summer is in full swing, but all the department stores are getting geared up for fall.  The only good thing to come out of those silly MTV reality shows about the pretty people living up in some hills is the fabulous & fashionable Lauren Conrad whose line LC by Lauren Conrad is sold @Kohl’s.  Her latest designs are causal, breezy, & super sweet.  These items, thanks to a sneak peek from In Style, look very easy to add to your (affordable) fall wardrobe wishlist.  These are just four of her latest looks. I love how each of them can be worn for several different body types & occasions.

Starting from the right to the left, the gray rosette chiffon top (which is also available in purple) is on sale for only $20!  This can be tucked into a pencil skirt for a night out with the girls, or worn casually with denim shorts & wedges!  I naturally gravitate to gray, I guess, but I just love this striped maxi dress, currently marked down from $60.00 to $45.00.  It can go from day to evening with just the switch up of a few accessories, like a chunky belt & platforms, or a thin chain necklace & jeweled sandals.  Eyelet, like in this blouse for example, isn’t a fabric that is easily translatable b/w seasons, but paired with these cuffed linen shorts, your look hits all the right faashion notes.  With a crochet shoulder bag & some neutral espadrilles, your ready for a day date or family barbecue!  Lastlty, I picked something with some pattern like this floral chiffon top, which is marked in half to $18.  This top is the perfect length & is very forgiving around the waste.  Happy Styling!

6/25/2011 Darling of the Day: Charlize Theron in Head-To-Toe Dior!

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Of course we all can’t wear head-to-toe Dior like Charlize Theron, but a Style Darling can certainly dream…

However, it is possible to look as dreamingly chic as Charlize does in a textured party dress with a blazer in the real world.  These were super easy finds at some of my favorite stores like Forever 21, Ann Taylor, & Kohl’s b/c adding that strong menswear touch to even the most frilly & feminine pieces makes for a seriously memorable style moment.

This fun taffeta party dress is such a pretty color that will flatter virtually any skintone, especially paired with chunky dark metallic slingback platforms!  Take advantage of its softness & really bring some edge to it with a silver snake embossed belt!

My featured sateen blazer was marked down from $158 to $99, which is a big drop in price & decent investment to make if you’re a blazer wearing gal!  It’s a piece that can be dressed down with skinny jeans, a patterned blouse, & mustard platforms! Also a blazer like this one can be the perfect item to take your work look from 9-5 to happy hour!

Keeping with the all-black accessories, while Charlize is donning a watch by the Dior brand, I’ve found this really pretty crystal stretch bracelet that is fun for  a striped maxi dress in the summer or with a cardigan for the office.  To add a little more sparkle to this fun occasion, I came across a super affordable butterfly sequined clutch for under $13 that will match with virtually any cocktail look & really stand out in a regal & youthful way with your favorite LBD!

But my favorite part of this dress is the faux suede heels that really add more dimension to this already very polished ensemble, especially since they come from a store that offers BOGO $15 deals on shoes!  Check out a previous Darling of Day post featuring Charlize, as well as the whole collection including looks worn by other stylish stars like Amy Adams, Sophia Bush, & Rihanna! Happy Styling!

6/22/11 Darling of the Day: Gwyneth Paltrow is Tailored & Taupe!

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While celebrating the release of her cook book, My Father’s Daughter, Oscar-winning actress & (close to the) top Style Darlings of them all, Gwyneth Paltrow shined in fitted white blazer, button down top, & roll-up khakis.  Her rich camel platforms made this look really professional & fashionable, & it’s also an easy one for Style Darlings everywhere to pull off!  Not to mention, I love how all of these separates are so affordable & can be made versatile by switching up just a few pieces.

For example, take this blazer from White House Black Market & add it to a ruffly floral maxi dress.  Or try the basic white button down shirt from Kohls with red bermuda shorts & slingback sandals.  The pants from Gap would be super cute with a spotted blouse & studded d’orsay pumps.  This novelty necklace from Forever 21 screams Paris & can even call for a striped knit, flared dark denim jeans, & oxford flats.  My favorite part of this whole look is the cognac super chunky platforms sandals from GOjane which can dress up any neutral-inspired look or really tone down some wild brights like a red strapless dress with embellished hoops, or a floral romper & bangles look.

And I’m not the only one who loves this look since I recently found that J (of one of my favorite fashion blogs, J’s Everyday Fashion) also featured it & was able to find pieces in her closet that could be put together in an effort to pay homage to Gwyneth’s very polished presentation of casual chic! Take a look at another Darling of the Day feature of Gwyneth, wearing very similarly fabulous platforms, from back in April too!  What do you think of her style?  What kind of event would you wear this to?  What would you change about it?  Happy Styling!

1/20/11 Darling of the Day: Sofia Vergara at the Golden Globes!

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Not only did Sofia Vergara wow on the red carpet in this corseted Vera Wang honeysuckle strapless gown, but hers is among the first to be knocked off (from what I’ve found). The actress was nominated for her hit comedy Modern Family & although she went home empty-handed, she sparkled throughout the night in dazzling jewels by David Webb.  This is the perfect dress for any curvy woman.  The black sash belt creates a waste & accents the inner va-va-va-voom vixen! 

 

A little extra frosting never hurt a Style Darling.  It would definitely enhance this glamorous Hollywood homage.  Although drop chandelier earrings were big during last year’s awards season, some looks just can’t do without them.  Stack on some glistening bangles & a big cocktail ring, but let your decolletage do all the work, otherwise you’ll look over-accessorized. 

                            

                          

For more of the gorgeous looks from this year’s ceremony, check out In Style‘s red carpet arrivals & this retailer‘s selection of celebrity-inspired gowns from red carpet events. Happy Styling!