The Battalion School Boy Blazer

Oh how I love Shopflick.com. Not only are they bringing you the lowdown on indy fashion via video posts, the shopflick team is covering LA fashion week too. There are some really bright lights in LA Fashion but without cool sites like Shopflick, you would never know. If you read me regularly, you know I BARELY talk about clothing. Perhaps you would like to know why? well, it's simple. Clothing is the canvas to your outfit. It's not the beginning or the end. With all the mass-tige brands out there doin it and doin it well. No reason to drop a ton of cash anymore.

When I point to an article of clothing it will A) have major flexibility and B) could be a seasonal item that's important to feature. Today's post is A) the Battallion's School Boy Blazer. Perfect for all season's. Which mean's you CAN wear it every day and still be cool. That's why I LOVE to talk about accessories SO damn much. Not only is The Battalion one to watch, they care about the environment. The Boy Blazer is made from organic cotton and bamboo AND is on sale over at Shopflick.com You know what that means, stop reading and go right NOW!

Style Tip- Devour the lines on Shopflick. Get out of the mall and create your own signature look. Independent designs supported by video. All you gotta do is watch.

www.Shopflick.com

posted by Barbra Horowitz

Are you DYING for the Trends?

Don't worry just cuz you don't have any extra money. In fact, doesn't the age old cliche hold true? "Necessity is the mother of invention" so whatcha waiting for? Orange is going to be HOT HOT HOT this Spring/Summer. Instead of moping that you can't swing for an H & M sundress, do something original. Dye for the trends instead of buying for the trends. Isn't that clever? Well here's how you can get whatcha want with a couple of bottles of Rit Dye. Next time your at Ralph's or Rite-aid...check em out.

Style tip-Last season's not so white's. Gather them up and throw them in your washer, bathtub, pot, garbage can, whatever you feel will not make you crazy. Hint-when dying in the washer, just throw bleach in for a full cycle after. Want extra green points throw in some towels you need to wash.

Double style tip-The greatest thing about dying is you can't ruin ANYTHING you aren't attached too. You can dye anything and everything that's a natural fiber. What's even BETTER is the thread of your original garment will not dye but watch the detail it creates.

Triple Style Tip-Your wardrobe options will triple when you dye a few pieces the same color. New friends to the party.

Final style Tip-The more items you add the lighter the color and visa versa. No worries when you go to wash after you wear, the dye will set but you can always wash alone for the first few washes. I never do.

Epilogue-I want you to begin looking at your wardrobe for the next episode....ok, sorry, listening to Dr. Dre and Snoop, but you feel me. Clothing serves to clothe us but once its over for you, create the next hot trend from what you already own. That's pure street dawg.

posted by Barbra Horowitz

Sample Sale Pick Tues. March. 17th

Um, I mean OHM are you feeling out of balance? Go ahead and align your chakras with Amrita Singh's Amethyst Maharani ring for $35. That's less than a night on the town. The every day enjoyment you will get from looking down at this pretty little ring is SO worth it.

Style tip-Seriously speaking, Amethyst has a very healing effect for you internally. Externally, Amethyst is one of the most neutral colors and makes a nice statement when you're just too tired to think about anything else.

www.ideeli.com

posted by Barbra Horowitz

Sample Sale pick Tues.March 17th

More often than not, your sunglasses are the last place to get an update. I know you lose em the minute you get em. Well these Oliver People's over at Gilt.com won't break your bank not even the one in recession. To see these specs on sale means stop reading and GO RIGHT NOW!! cuz at $118 bucks they will be soo gone. See that sun shining outside nice and bright, go do something for your peeps for a change.


Style tip- Don't be afraid to wear a bigger frame. Jackie O did and it became one of her defining signature accessories.

Double Style tip- When choosing your next shades, always look for hardware on the temples, this is a great way to get more pop to your skin.

www.gilt.com

posted by Barbra Horowitz

Show your sexy shoulders would ya?

Yep, I love me some one arm dressing . I'm officially retiring the one arm silhouette. Enter my new favorite for Spring/Summer. The off the shoulder top. Always in style and never a trend. But, why oh why do I wax on about your shoulder and your arm? Or rather why do I repeat myself constantly? I don't know could be the jew in me or it could be I REALLY want you to get the styling concept of imbalance/balance. If you're trying to conceal a bigger bust or too much junk in the trunk even your hips that you haven't made friends with yet. Wearing clothing that asks the viewer to look right at your shoulder is just plain manipulation on your part. Take this top from Lamixx from Shopflick.com. For only $30 bucks, you have a fantastic silhouette that while sexy on the shoulder, breathes nicely on the tummy. Go ahead relax your gut and watch your shoulder do all the work.

Style Tip- Notice how the model in this pic is wearing a very tiny short short. Always consider your proportions when styling. big over small, small over big. Styling is all about opposites. Don't be afraid to show a different side of yourself. Shoulders are quietly sexy without giving it all away. Have you loved up your shoulders lately?

www.shopflick.com

posted by Barbra Horowitz

Looking For Love?

How's your love life these days? Are you in the" not so much" camp or are you joyously updating your Facebook status as we speak? Either way, check out Free People's love bird tights. Whether you're lovin your love life or singin the blues. Couldn't you and your legs use a little love?

Style Tip-This tight is right on for all the reason's I love to write about. When getting dressed, pairing a pair of tights such as the ones featured above says "Hey, I'm interesting, I'm adventurous not to mention how the graphic is like a beautiful tattoo. The use of skin and texture with the tights as well as the graphic creates a great visual effect. Your eye knows not where to stop while looking at your body as a whole and not as a part. Imagine that!

www.freepeople.com

posted by Barbra Horowitz

More Sample Sale PIcks-Thurs. Feb. 26th

"I just posted below about patent leather no longer trending as strongly in handbags but that's not the case with this season's must have slim belt. If you haven't been watching all the awards shows, you might not know that the slim belt placed on your waist is HUGE! Every season the best way to keep your wardrobe current is by adding one new trend to your outfit. Clients always comment "but I don't care about being trendy". You don't have to be trendy but you do have to stay current. One new piece can revive your whole wardrobe. So simple. Check out Mark Jacobs grass owl belt. Use a bright belt like MJ is showing and I guarantee you and your wardrobe will be smiling.

Style Tip-Consider pairing a belt on all of last season's dresses as well as your blousy baby doll tops for a fun update. Learning to use what you have with what is happening each season will stretch your wardrobe farther.w

www.ruelala.com

posted by Barbra Horowitz

Sample Sale Pick Thurs. Feb.26th

The right handbag means confidence, power and the glue for a great outfit. Have you noticed how the Olsen twins as tiny as they are, wear the biggest handbags possible? Not only do they wear the big bag, they know how to hold their bag,.Sublminally sending the signal "don't mess with me." I want you to send the same signals at a fraction of the price. Don't take your hard earned money and plunk it down on an overbranded status handbag. Do, click on over to Gilt. com and pick up Bagdley Mischka's large patent merlot tote for under $300 bucks.

Style tip- Patent is not trending as strongly this season but the extra shoulder strap is. Go for the unexpected, choose a fun color like the merlot shown above. One great thing about colored patent, you can wear it all year long, costing you pennies a day.

www.gilt.com

posted by Barbra Horowitz

At least Style happened after the Oscars.

I don't know about you but this year's Oscar fashions looked more like a wedding convention than red carpet Hollywood glamour. I couldn't figure out who was the bride and who were her bridesmaid's. Usual style stars Sarah Jessica Parker, Penelope Cruz, Nicole Kidman sadly didn't deliver. Making matters worse, designer John Galliano for Frida Pinto, Prade for Jessica Beil and Rodarte for Reese Witherspoon created dresses much more suited for the runway than the red carpet.

If you read my blog regularly you know I love to write about Marisa Tomei. This cute, sassy, sexy actress 9 times out of 10 rules the red carpet. If Versace had created Marisa's stunning Oscar dress in old Hollywood red or this season's icy grey, Marisa would have won best-dressed all evening long. These days an award as coveted as the golden statue.

The evening thankfully wasn't a total bust. Marisa a devotee of Indy designers chose to wear after the Oscars, CFDA nominee and my good friend Juan Carlos Obando. Thanks JC for giving me ONE dress I could get REALLY happy about. The nude palette paired with strong color blocking and slight asymetrical shoulder were fresh, innovative and the RIGHT dress for Marisa's tiny frame.

Style Tip-When hiring a stylist or trusting your best friend, don't be afraid to double check their opinion. If you're having professional pictures or video taken on a very important evening, Shoot both film and video beforehand. What is right for camera may not be right for film.