Trends in Fashion Accessories

Fashion accessories are typically the easiest and cheapest way to update an otherwise outdated outfit. For the broke high-schoolers and twenty somethings, accessories are sometimes the only fashion items that are affordable. Tried and true, incorporating seasonal accessories make enough of a different to take on outfit from bad to good. Follow our posts on the latest accessories trends here!

Top Ten As Seen On TV Kids Gifts

Kids know what’s cool.  Whether they’ve seen it on TV, or at a friend’s house, give them the gift they really want.  From Pillow Pet Dream Lites to the Cotton Candy Maker you’ll be sure to delight them with these top ten gifts from the As Seen on TV store.
  1. Spark their creativity!  Young artists will love Magna Color.  With a unique pen, kids can color in stencil designs, and place colorful magnetic dots to form a picture.  Then, with a pair of 3D glasses, the designs transform to 3D!
  2. Give the gift of quality time with My Lil Pie Maker! Cooks can incorporate their little helper in the kitchen to make sweet and savory pies in miniature form.
  3. Make bed time fun with Pillow Pet Dream Lites!  These pillow pets turn a dark room into a starry night sky and make bedtime comforting and restful.
  4. Slushies without ice or blenders, that’s Slushy Magic!  No fuss no muss, so kids and parents can enjoy!
  5. The Claw makes the journey half the fun!  Like a miniature version of the arcade game, the claw tests your joystick skills to reach for miniature toys or candies.  Great for parties or playtime, the Claw provides hours of entertainment for the whole family.
  6. Friendly Songs Customized Child Music Kit lets kids play music star with a personalized CD Kit for recording and creating a customized CD!
  7. Gift the young scholar the Homework Caddy and eliminate the guesswork out of schoolwork organization.
  8. Criss Angel Magic Platinum Kit teaches budding to advanced magicians Angel’s best kept secrets with instructional videos and cards for plenty of mind teasing fun.
  9. Butterfly Garden shows kids the metamorphosis of a caterpillar to a chrysalid, and then finally a Painted Lady butterfly.  Larvae will take five weeks to develop, but when the time’s right kids will love the joy of then releasing them into the wild.
  10. Delight the kid in every adult or impress the little ones with this Old Fashioned Carnival Style Cotton Candy Maker.  With air spin design, the candy maker produces tasty candy floss – great fun for the whole family.

Fall 2012 shoe alert

Flats For Fall 2012

I REALLY like shoes. I’m a big fan of classic and comfortable looking shoes that can transcend seasons. I frequent shopstyle.com looking for the greatest sales. Shopstyle has the best filters, making online shopping SUPER easy.

Today, I’m interested in flats that are over 60% off. These are the best options out there right now…all under $80!

image of flats for fall 2012

from top to bottom:

Sage Ballet Flat in aztec print $78 by Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent at Goldyn.

Nillia Flat in black $65 by Ted Baker at Ubran Minx.

Ballet Flat in light green $69 by RAS at Yoox.

Emilie Flat in red $72 by Joan & David at Amazon.

Eloise Loafer in blush $70 by VC Signature at The Shoe Box.

Botswana Flat in orange $79 by Diane Von Furstenberg at shopbop.

Elsa Flat in vibrant blue $60 by VC Signature at Vince Camuto.

Jewelry Looks For Summer 2012

Q&A With Janette of Simone & KoZ

image of Simone & KoZ weekender bag

I had the privilege to spend a little time with Janette Simone of Simone & KoZ Handbags the other week. I learned a lot about Janette and her unique leather products. For starters, the mission behind her high quality, handcrafted designs is to provide women the opportunity to be noticed wearing a unique one-of-kind bag.  Here is some additional insight I gathered!

StyleBust: How did the concept of Simone & KoZ come about?

Janette Simone: This is a bit of ‘an out of the ordinary’ story. I was unfulfilled working in a conventional role in Australia so I took a quantum leap by immigrating to California where I ‘gave birth’ to my company Simone & KoZ. Being a lover of all things animal hide, I collaborated with a designer and created a collection of handbags that push the boundaries combining the traditional with the outrageous while remaining beautiful and timeless. I recognized a niche where I could provide women with a completely unique, animal hide handbag that assures individuality and exclusivity.

SB: Is your background in the fashion/accessories industry?

JS: Other than being an avid fashion consumer with an eye for detail and style, I do not have direct lineage to the fashion industry. This is a newly created part of my life journey which allows me the pleasure of offering women another way to express their wild side by accessorizing with animal hide handbags. My handbags are a conversation piece; they are also functional and designed to accommodate a woman’s lifestyle needs.

SB: Describe your current collection.

JS: Handbags are not just a fashion statement anymore. So, my collection is designed to be large, sturdy and functional to support the many needs of today’s lifestyles. Currently, my focus is on three sizes of goat-hair/leather bags. The ‘My Everything’ handbag – aptly named because it’s a basic part of my everyday toting essentials that easily carries my iPad and so much more. I love the ‘Overnight Desires’ cabin bag because it’s an easy, throw-everything-in bag for those quick (romantic?) weekend getaways and the ‘Travel With Me’ bag is a superb weekender that is large enough to pack everything you could possible need. I can’t forget the ‘Me & You’ that is just a fun, cross-body, non-gender specific satchel with room for you iPad that appeals to everyone.

SB: Where can we buy your bags?

JS: I’m selling my bags at Wonderland SF, Shoes for the Stars in LA, and at simoneandkoz.com.

SB: How is your line different than the average handbag lines out there?

JS: Each bag is unique; no two are alike and no one will have the same bag as you. You will have to endure a lot of ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ as people will literally cross the street to compliment you and ask all sorts of questions about your handbag. That will be your price to pay for having a keen eye for fashion and choosing a completely unique handbag that inspires you. I would have to say that if you don’t want or like attention, it’s probably best not to buy my bags! (big smile)

image of Simone & KoZ Yopu and Me Satchel

image of Simone & KoZ The Everything Bag

SB: Are you manufacturing your products locally?

JS: No, my products are manufactured off shore. I care about the off shore local artisans who manufacture my products and donate a portion of my profits back to their community.

SB: What types of women respond to your line well?

JS: Most women consider their handbags to be a staple wardrobe item. Statistics show that on average, women bought 3 handbags per year and own 7 or more handbags. My exquisite handbags appeal to a broad demographic of women (and men). Specifically, those who like to be noticed wearing trendy, exclusive, fashionable accessories that are on the ‘edge’ and that aren’t necessarily available to the masses. My customers expect to purchase an eye-catching, conversation-starting handbag and demand a well made, quality product. Women want a handbag that supports and assures their uniqueness and exclusivity. My customers have an appreciation for animal hide accessories and want to make an investment in their personal style with a unique handbag. They won’t compromise when it comes to being noticed and standing out in a crowd. It has been said that we may like clothes, makeup and love shoes, but we are addicted to HANDBAGS!

SB: What are the challenging parts of starting your own line?

JS: Probably the biggest challenge has been the shift from thinking like an employee to thinking like a business owner and realizing that all decisions lay with me – right or wrong! Effectively managing my time and resources means I have to strategize constantly depending upon which ‘hat’ I’m wearing at any given moment. It’s challenging to keep everything in balance and to find time to complete tasks while working on growing my business. Fortunately, I am persistent and happy with my chosen profession. I don’t see failure as an option.

SB:  Who are the handbag designers you admire, and what about those designers/designs stand out to you?

JS: Alexander Wang, Prada, Fendi, Burberry, Balenciaga I could go on…..they all exude luxury, fashion and style. How often do you see something like a special edition Swarovski encrusted crystal handbag designed by Chanel? It’s the exciting, outrageous designs and intricate details these designers incorporate into their products that get my attention.

SB: What is you favorite trend of the season?

JS: I like the strappy wedges – you know, the sky-high ones that boost you above the crowd (for height challenged women like me, they’re perfect). Combine the shoes with a print pencil skirt or maxi dress layered with bangles and of course all the great new takes on animal print to create a bold and edgy look. Round it all off with your leather motorcycle jacket….in white! Ultimately, fashion is an individual thing and whatever makes you feel good.

SB: When you’re not working, what are you doing?

JS: Hmm, it feels like I’m always enjoyably working one way or another. I often say that my vocation is my vacation. When I actually do put time aside, I regenerate by being near the ocean.

Fierce Flats

This season there’s a huge amount of fierce flats to choose from, so step away from those skyscraper heels and take a look at the chic and comfy women’s shoes for summer

Flatforms
This season’s opinion divider, you’ll either love them or hate them. Flatforms are an antidote to all the impractical sky high platforms on offer at the moment, and are the perfect shoes to go for if you’re looking for some extra height. The heel is barely higher than the platform sole, meaning you get the comfort of a flat but with a more feminine feel. There are so many styles to choose from including everything from floral printed espadrilles to patent Mary Jane’s. Keep it girly and wear these with bodycon miniskirts or high-waisted shorts.

image of ASOS DILLON Flatform High Tops

image of ASOS WISTFUL Leather Flatforms

Loafers
For those looking for something a bit different to the classic ballerina pumps, loafers are an androgynous alternative. Taking over from the recent trend for brogues, loafers are a great day shoe that can be dressed up or down. For a day at the office pair them with cigarette pants, chinos or a pencil skirt. On your days off slip them on with a pair of indigo or black jeans and a simple white tee. They’re women’s shoes you can experiment with by trying vibrant eye-popping color, leopard print and color-block.

image of ASOS MOTOWN Leather Flat Shoes

image of Osborn Recycled Bag Loafers

High Tops
A great style for those casual, dress down days, high top sneakers are inspired by the sport-luxe trend. This season designers’ have put a feminine twist on sporty clothing, including everything from dresses to parkas and women’s shoes are no different. Opt for high top sneakers in feminine shades of grey or pastel tones. Wear your high tops with skinny jeans and an over-sized tee for effortless cool. Then pair them with cut off denim shorts in the summer months, for a laid-back, thrown-together vibe.

image of ASOS DOODLE Leather High Topsimage of ASOS DUDE Washed Canvas High Tops

So these are the top three styles to look out for this season, what ones would you choose?

Accessories with a Little Sun

Spread a little bit more sunshine this summer with brightly colored accessories that are anything but mellow.

Lime Martini shoes by Joanne Stoker.

 

Digital Fish Square Silk Scarf by Yaelle.

 

 Tile Flourish in Tangerine & Burlap Tote by Made By Nanna.

CW Rosa Tiger Clutch by Carmen Woods.

 

 

Fashion Trend: Suspenders on Women

During the early 1900s it was considered risqué for suspenders to be visible in public.

Since then, suspenders have been featured at menswear runway shows. Occasionally I’ll spot a guy wearing them at weddings, and it’s actually really, really sexy! But unfortunately the men’s suspenders trend hasn’t hit the masses. Lately I’ve been seeing females sporting suspenders. I have to say I like this trend just as much on women as men. Oddly enough I don’t even find them that masculine looking on women.  The look is appealing to me, and probably those of you like me (who have loads of solid colored, basics in their closets) because suspenders spiffy up an otherwise simple outfit.

Here are some of the looks I’m loving.

image of womens suspender fashion trend
You can find suspenders for ladies all over the place online, like Amazon. I’m not a DIYer (I’m too lazy) but if you want to make your own suspenders A Beautiful Mess has a great guide.

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