F.B.I. Fashion.Beauty.Inspiration

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Beach Chic Cover Ups

Beach Chic by aprilrain007 featuring genuine leather handbags

Today is officially summer which means time to hit the beach but finding that perfect swimsuit is just as important as finding that perfect cover up, sometimes you gotta cover it up. Designers have really stepped it up this year, designing chic but versatile cover ups.

Years ago oversized T-shirts and beach towels tied in a knot around your waist used to be the rage. Nowadays, however, swimwear cover ups have become a trend that just might be around for a long time. Why? Sexy lingerie stores and swimsuit shops across the nation are displaying sheer and exotic garments that will not only cover up a bikini but they can now be used as seductive robes or fashionable items to wear at the beach resorts, on boats, and while dining at a seaside restaurant.

Many designers are also choosing to add sheer dresses, shorts, and tiny skirts to their swimsuit cover up inventory. So, you can accentuate specific parts of your body with a cover up, and you can disguise or hide other parts of your body that you'd rather not be exposed while you're at the pool or the beach.

The first thing you'll need to do before buying a cover up is to figure out what part of your body, you want to cover up. Also, choose a color in the cover up that matches a color in your swimsuit.

The best cover ups and summer dresses can go from beach to swank restaurant and beyond. It just takes a little imagination and having multitasking clothing is a big help when packing for a trip. If a beach cover up can't be worn with more than one type of outfit -- don't buy it!

Look for pieces that are versatile like sundresses and tunics. You should browse until something looks like it will go with other travel clothes. There are nightgowns that look like maxi dresses, cover ups that work as jackets, and sheer caftans that could rock at nightclubs. Play with it!

Here are some examples:

Sheer cover up - can be layered over a simple tank dress or a tank top with a pair of jeans.
Maxi dress - can be worn with a fabulous sun hat to a cruise-ship, pool, but by adding huge earrings, and an armload of Boho bracelets, the same dress can be perfect for dinner.
Sundress - is appropriate for a beach wedding. However, add platform sandals, don a giant glamour ring, and clip some tropical flowers into one's hair, and the same dress can be worn for a night of clubbing.
Strapless dress - looks great in a solid or a pattern, it can go from day to night just add some cute strappy sandals.
Silk caftan - looks good on any body type, pick a vibrate pattern think tribal.
Lace dress - use this as a swimsuit cover up. Then, layer it over a simple dress or a cami with denim cutoffs.

Cover ups that seem to be very popular right now are the short tube dresses, flowing caftans, semi-sheer tunics, shirt dresses, flirty skirts and sweet-looking sundresses.

Cover Ups by aprilrain007 featuring silk tops

Hit the beach in style!

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Shorts & Seashells

Shorts & Seashells by aprilrain007 featuring pleated shorts

When temperatures heat up, chic shorts become an integral part of our warm-weather wardrobes. Some of our favorite summer memories is grabbing our shorts, heading to the beach & digging for seashells. That's why we are delighted to bring you a cultivated selection of the very best for summer 2012.

Versatile summer outfits that look more complicated than they really are start with an arsenal of interesting bottoms -- specifically, shorts. Whether spotted, striped, pleaded, cuffed or splashed in all-over print, they will make any plain, white tank or T-shirt look like a complete outfit with very little effort, and your favorite summer sandals look positively inspired....we love shorts!

We think expanding your collection with new, sophisticated styles is a smart idea this season. The structured jacket teamed with a pajama-inspired shorts is a cool city-girl look and offers a fresh way of wearing summer shorts. While casual denim cutoffs or classic cargos are closet staples. With that in mind, we rounded up a number of shorts for you to try, including luxurious lace-trimmed pairs and sportier versions. We invite you to peruse these fashionable picks, perfectly suited for all summer festivities. We're quite certain that none of these lovely pieces will fall short :)

Bermuda

With their tailored silhouette and demure hemline, knee-length Bermuda shorts are an ideal style to wear to the workplace. Elevate them with a sharp blazer and t-strap heels, for the office, or swap in a simple silk tank and espadrilles when you want a more dressed-down ensemble.

Slouchy Pleated

If you're after a figure-flattering silhouette, just tuck a snug top in, pleated shorts with a waist-tie to balance the proportions of a fuller leg. We suggest a top in a punch tropical or floral print.

Lace-Insert

Feminine shorts trimmed in seductive lace bring a touch of boudoir appeal to you outfit. As a stylish and unexpected alternative to a dress or skirt, wear them paired with a silk camisole and strappy heels for an evening out.

Sporty

Sports style was in competition as the top trend for spring/summer 2012, with labels like Alexander Wang, Ruffian and Y-3 featuring mesh fabrics and uniform-like outfits in their collections. Channel the look with athletic-inspired shorts, then temper the sporty vibe with a slightly feminine blouse for a surprising contrast. A tucked-in button-down shirt in a bold hue in another splendid option to balance out the shorts' casual vibe.

This is the no-brainer way to make an impact, and all it takes is putting on a pair of shorts in the morning -- seriously, so easy!

*Happy Summer*

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

CFDA Awards 2012

The Row by aprilrain007 featuring stretch leather pants

The 2012 Council of the Fashion Designers of America Awards took place, June 4th @ Lincoln Center in New York City. It was a big night as the CFDA's 50th golden anniversary, brought out the premier designers. The awards are like the "Oscars" of the fashion industry, as they recognize top talent in the business with a series of prestigious awards and honors.

Saturday Night Live's Seth Meyers hosted the event and poked fierce fun at the crowd's expense. "Fashion and comedy go together like bar mitzvahs and John Galliano", he joked in his opening monologue, later joshing that Karl Lagerfeld is launching a new TV show called Are You Fatter Than A Fifth Grader? Maybe Fashionistas do have a sense of humor?!

Twin tycoons Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen won the fashion industry's top trophy -- Womenswear Designer of the Year - for their high end line, The Row, a luxury apparel brand named after London's historic Savile Row. This means that the twins have successfully grown from child stars to authentic fashion designers.

The sisters naturally wore the latest designs from The Row's Resort 2012 collection. Mary-Kate's hair was dyed dark brown, and she wore a long-sleeved black silk dress with a sash and a high-low hem. She accessorized with Louis Vuitton black suede peep-toe heels and a black purse by The Row with a silver layered necklace. Ashley wore a plum-hued silk V-neck dress, also from their resort collection, with a willowing ruffle down the middle, silver cuff bracelets Manolo Blahnik heels and a bag by The Row.

A list of winners:

Menswear Designer of the Year - Billy Reid

Accessory Designer of the Year - Reed Krakoff

The Swarovski Award for Emerging Talents awards - Joseph Altuzarra (Womenswear), Phillip Lim (Menswear) and Tabitha Simmons (Accessory)

The Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award - Tommy Hilfiger

The International Award - Rei Kawakubo

Fashion Icon Award - Johnny Depp

Oh, and Johnny Depp accepted his Fashion Icon Award via email. Really Johnny? Not even a video acceptance speech? That's just plain rude!

CONGRATS to all the WINNERS!

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Pastels

Check out the Nordstrom half-yearly sale for Women & Kids.

This is a sale, you do not want to miss!!!

Nordstrom by aprilrain007 featuring drop earrings

With Summer fast approaching, it's time to LIGHTEN UP!!!

Pretty pastel fashion is on trend with several designers showing looks for Spring and Summer in these pale hues. Influential designers featured pastel fashion for Spring/Summer 2012, including Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Marc Jacobs, Rebecca Minkoff and others...

To wear this look in a modern fashion, combine different colors in pastel separates. Consider it a paler take on the ubiquitous color-blocking trend. More is more - look for colors such as pale yellow, blush pink, icy blue, light lavender or cool mint.

The upside for the Spring/Summer 2012 pastel trend is that it's both light and appropriate for the season, perhaps a bit reminiscent of candy. Pastels are also called "Candy Colors." You will look delicious!!!!

It would be easy to add a touch of light color with pastel fashion accessories, such as a handbag or jewelry in pastel hues. Or you could add the trend by applying pastel nail polish or makeup.

Girly girls: this one's totally for you!!!

Pastels by aprilrain007 featuring set of bangles

Happy Shopping!!!

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Floral

The arrival of spring means a return to the warm and welcoming outdoors, where flowers blossom in the yard and the sound of birdsong fills the air. The season heralds a return to lighter and brighter colors along with trend setting floral prints. We curated a handful of options, you'll certainly want to sport this spring into summer.

Floral by aprilrain007 featuring wooden platform shoes

When the sun is out, anything is possible! Grab a bike and enjoy the fresh air. The warmer weather brings out the natural beauty in all of us. Throw on a chic head band and let your hair hang loose. Ditch the liquid foundation, your skin will thank you! Add some sparkle to your lids with Urban Decay glitter eye shadow. And don't forget about your lips, they need protection too. Our go to lip care is Burt Bees, we can't get enough of this stuff. Bring out the natural beauty in you!

Natural Beauty by aprilrain007 featuring turquoise jewelry

Monday, April 2, 2012

Colored-Denim

Our Favorite Trend

Got the blues? Lighten up ladies! Make way for pretty pastel hues like lavender, guava, mint and buttercup yellow denim in cigarette and boot cut styles, which tend to be the most flattering for all figures. While primary colors like red and blue are easy to pair with winter’s blacks and grays, ensembles that incorporate these soft and sweet shades can be a bit tricky to figure out. We're here to help.

GO NEUTRAL

Yes, this rule still holds true in the warmer months and is the easiest and safest way to wear colored denim. The best neutrals for the season are ivories, peaches, whites, and light grays. Look for shirts that have an asymmetrical neckline or hem as the imbalance in proportion against the skinny colored denim will draw the eyes up and lengthen the torso. Feeling risky? Incorporate a printed neutral such as leopard – a pop of print on an accessory like a belt or shoes is best!

USE THE COLOR WHEEL

Keep it all in the family. Start with your colored denim (in this case consider the green a mint green and the yellow a buttercup yellow) and go to the left or the right to find your pairing color. If you want to add a third color to your look, just keep moving around the color wheel. Three is a good stopping point for colors when color blocking.

Complementary colors work, too. Create an outfit from the opposite side of the color chart. Start with your denim color and move exactly across the color chart to pick the color. Pair a lavender top with buttercup yellow jeans and a cotton candy pink blouse with your mint green jeans. The last option is to go monochromatic. Wear your denim with a different shade of the same color. Pair a tangerine top with guava jeans and a deep violet with your lavender. Be bold, be experimental, be fresh.

Everything looks better in COLOR!!!!