Style Lush

New York City Ballet-Inspired Nail Polish

By Janet

Debuting this Spring is a collection of nail polishes from OPI, inspired by the New York City Ballet. I've said before: I love to infuse a tiny bit of ballet-inspired style to my everyday wardrobe and these nail colors are just the ticket.

The colors (and their cute, clever names):

Barre My Soul: A sheer beige
You Callin' Me a Lyre? A soft pink
Don't Touch My Tutu! A sheer white
Care to Danse? A genteel lilac
My Pointe Exactly: A sheer gray
Pirouette My Whistle: Silver sparkle!

If you aren't feeling the softs and sheers, OPI is also introduing 12 shades inspired by the state of Texas. The names are equally clever and include: Austin-tatious Turquoise, Don’t Mess With OPI, and Big Hair Big Nails. 

Black Lacquer Rings

By Leah

I woke up this morning with the phrase "black lacquer ring" in my head. I have no idea what that was about, but when I thought about it for a second I realized what a cool accessory that would be; you (or maybe just I) don't see a lot of black rings out there these days. I love that they can take on different looks--classic to funky--and go with a range of trends, from neutral or neon. I especially love the idea of a black ring in spring and summer. 

Forever 21, for less than five dollahs!

Vintage, from Elephant Caravan on Etsy ($25)

Vintage bakelite bubble ring, from Anciennes on Etsy ($35)

Crazy-Affordable Chevron Rugs

By Leah

A million years later, I'm finally catching up with the rest of the world and have bought my first piece of chevron decor. I don't even care if this makes me sooooo 2000 and LATE; I LOVE IT.

Listen, I know I wrote about a rug last week, but I have to share this great deal: I saw this rug on the Urban Outfitters website and couldn't believe they were selling a (cute!) 5x7 rug for under $100. I bought it partly just to see if it was too good to be true.

It showed up within a week, and you guys, it's awesome. The design is printed on only one side (not woven through with different colored material, if you care about such things), but otherwise the quality seems pretty top-notch to this non-afficianado rug purchaser.

It comes in two sizes (5x7 and 3x5, the latter of which is only $39, if you can believe that), and you have your choice of a bunch of cute colors--so many it was really hard to decide which one to get, especially since I'm using it in my craft room, which currently has a design aesthetic called Cardboard Boxes Everywhere, meaning it's basically a blank slate.

Now that I've done a quality check on one, I'm seriously thinking about getting another for the front porch just so I can buy a different color. ZIGZAGS EVERYWHERE. (Hey, is anyone still wearing their Missoni for Target stuff? Just wondering.)

Anyway, get yours now, before the rugs go out of stock/go out of style/get all bought up by meeeee. 

Update: I couldn't stand it and totally just bought one for the front porch. 

Lovely in Lace

By Janet

Perhaps it's all the Valentine's Day stuff in stores that has me suddenly obsessed with things like pretty paper doilies and, now, lace. Doilies you can wear! I just love the feminine, romantic look of lace. If you are nervous about looking like a grandmother, pair a lace top with skinny jeans or layer with other pieces so  just a hint of lace peeks through. Here are a few pretty lace pieces:

Lace Medallions Tank, Anthropologie

Lace-Stripe Chiffon Tank, Old Navy

Lace Dolman-Sleeve Top, Old Navy

Merino Tatted Lace Sweater, J. Crew

Keep in mind that lace snags easily so your lace garments should be hand washed (or washed on a delicate cycyle if you, like me, don't do hand washing) using a mild detergent.

Trending: Colored Tights

by Christina

Whether you've got a holiday party coming up or are already getting tired of your winter wardrobe of black-on-black, adding colored tights can seriously perk up your outfits. There are so many colors to choose from.

And when paired with a colored shoe, your whole outfit comes alive. I wore a pair of fuschia ones recently with grey shoes and it made this dress that I've had for a while look completely different.

I personally love this trend and am hoping to get a few more colors in my stocking! Blue and yellow especially.

Have you tried this look? What are your favorite colored tights?

(image via little green notebook)

Polish Trends

by Christina

There is some crazy stuff going on in the land of fingernails lately. I've gotten used to the colors and the glitter and the new take on a french manicure with two colors rather than just white tips and most recently the shatter trend. But now it's just gone off the deep end. Some of what I've seen is sort of cool, this one for example.

Pretty but then I checked out the blog associated with the design. Letthemhavepolish.com and holy balls,this would take hours. So, that's one that I like but there are so many that just have me shaking my head...... What is that?

And these?

Pencils, really. Really?

And the sock monkeys? These make me giggle, I will admit they are a little cute but still, they are sock monkeys, on your fingers.

And last, the ugly dolls.

I'm not saying for a second that the people behind these designs aren't insanely talented, it's not that at all. I just don't get it. I did go outside of my normal comfort zone and get a mani with OPI's Rainbow Connection this weekend and I loved it. My hands looked like christmas ornaments, but, 24 hours later it was pealing off in chunks. A professional manicure at my regular salon and it was pealing. Lesson learned? Glitter isn't flexible and when your nail bends, it wont like normal polish. That was a bummer. I really did love it which has me wondering if its just a matter of time before I go to the dark side of #2 pencils? Stranger things have happend.

What do you think? Am I off the mark with thinking that this trend is a a little extreme or do you love it?

(images via the daily nail and let them have polish)

Peacock!

By Leah

About a month ago I bought a shirt at Target that had tiny little peacock feathers over a navy background. It's not the sort of thing I'd normally pick out, but it was on sale, and the peacock motif made me feel like I was getting away with something--maybe because it's animal print without being, you know...animal print.

While looking for a link to the shirt, I found almost nothing else peacock-patterned at major retailers that wasn't completely hideous (these rain boots from Target are pushing it), but there was a ton of great stuff to be found from--who else?--our friends at Etsy. Here's small sampling:

Peacock pendant ($8.95) from The Pendant Emporium.

Smoky crystal peacock ring ($15.65) from Angeltodora98.

Peacock feather earrings ($4.99) from I Am Superstar.

Wooden peacock necklace ($16.00) from Juniper Rush.

Custom painted peacock Toms shoes ($149.00) from Blake Barash.

Peacock pumps with crystal ($60.00) from Paris XOX.

Custom printed peacock feather dress ($24.00) from Wear Yeti.

Handprinted peacock shirtdress ($40.00) from Seal Maiden.

Peacock tie ($30.00) from Cyberoptix.

Reclaimed redwood peacock clock ($65.00) from Nica and the Newfie.

Henna-inspired burned wood peacock spoons (3 for $38.00) from Greenwood Creations.

Peacock pillow cover ($45.00) from Pop O Color.

Peacock hip flask ($16.00) from Lezlee Elliott.

Reader Question: Pairing Tights with Open-Toed Shoes

By Janet

Reader Roz sent in the following:

I'll be wearing the outfit [below] in about a week and a half in Toronto, so it will be chilly which is why I'm thinking tights, but a) the shoes are open-toed, so is that ok? and b) the shoes are grey, so I feel like grey tights would not allow the shoes to stand out.

 

Can you wear tights with open-toed shoes? Absolutely! While wearing open-toed shoes with tights was formerly a fashion faux pas, the combination is totally workable in 2011. I'd suggest you follow a couple of rules. First, opaque tights are key--stay away from sheer hose when pairing with open-toed shoes. Second, avoid tights with reinforced toes. Even better if you can find a pair with minimal or no toe seam.

The safest combination is to match the tights to the shoes--but finding the perfect shade of gray may be difficult, if not impossible, and a perfect match won't show off those gorgeous ruffled heels. Instead, make a bold statement with a pair of colored tights in a pretty fall hue. Depending on your taste, mustard yellow, navy blue, or plum tights would look gorgeous with the cream and gray ensemble.

Most importantly: own it! The rules of fashion are made to be broken. 

{Images: La Posh Style, Kate Spade}

Bookcase trends: Rainbow or Neutral

by Christina

This is gorgeous!

So pretty. It's a rainbow, it's bright and cherry and how in the world do you find a stinking book when you are looking for one if they are organized by color? Am I right? So this has been going on for a while, a few years maybe, but now? Now people are doing this!

I get it, it's neutral and quiet. It looks sort of nice and libraryish, but really? Really? What if you need a book? What if you're in a hurry,, like, say, someone calls you from Who Wants to be a Millionaire and the answer is in one of your books BUT WHICH ONE! WHERE IS IT? Okay, so, pretty unlikely scenario. Is that show even on anymore? And I'm sure you can just look it up online. Whatever.

The reason I'm writing about these is to get your take on them.Do you like this trend? If so which one, rainbow or neutral.( Have YOU read ALL of your books? Cause, dude, good luck...)

(Images via pinterest)

Store Spotlight: Francesca's Collections

By Sara

Imagine my delight when I recently found out one of my favorite local accessories shops has locations in pretty much every state. I can share the love with so many people! I've been a big fan of Francesca's Collections since I moved to Chicago after college and have found some really lovely pieces over time. What I love most about Francesca's is that the prices are very reasonable and the items they carry are spot on the current trends. I don't like to spend too much money on anything too trendy and Francesca's always delivers.

The shop carries clothes, bags, jewelry and all manner of accessories to complete your look. Some of the clothes can err on the "young" side but a little digging can turn up great, long-wearing items like the Cozy Up Wrap ($38) below:

 

I have this cardi-wrap in black and wear it ALL the time. I'm also digging the bright red Washed Ashore Bag ($54):

Or how about this adorable turquoise necklace to spice up a basic white shirt and jeans:

The website doesn't even come close to showing all the goodies that the store has so if you have a Francesca's Collections nearby head on over and snap up some little lovelies for your wardrobe. Maybe you'll find something great for yourself AND a friend (hint, hint).