Jumat, 30 April 2010

Links a la Mode: The Independent Fashion Bloggers Roundup

links a la mode

When Fashion Gets Ethical

Edited by Retrochick

The ethics of Fashion can be a blurry area. With so much to think about when we buy, from construction to provenance, how can we pick our way through such a minefield of issues and emerge with our ethics intact?

We all have a duty as consumers to be as informed as possible about the purchases we make, and this weeks Links à la Mode can help. Amongst this weeks picks Fashion in My Eyes talks about locally made fashion, Style Eyes discusses Organic Cotton, Hello Beauty buys some recycled sneakers, Oranges and Apples sorts the wheat from the chaff in second hand clothing and Shrimp Salad Circus brings you natural make up.

Once your done being educated we also have a good smattering of fashion frivolity to be getting on with too, and there’s even more on the original forum thread!

Links à la Mode : April 29

  • Avant Garb – Dedicated Follower Fashion grills Sandra Mendoza-Daly of Debutante Clothing
  • Betsey J – Why do we feel it’s necessary to financially compete with our fellow bloggers? Is it really worth it?
  • Dramatis Personae – Interview with Indie Designer Ureshii– fabulous made-to-fit clothes for the modern gal!
  • fashion in my eyes – Made in… Buying for the label
  • Glossary – Fashion 101: Back to Basics
  • hello beauty! – my new eco-sneakers, which are basically a jumble of hemp, recycled plastic bottles and car tires…
  • House in Tillford – Fur isn’t fashion! My rantings about fur
  • Idiosyncratic Style – Swoon-worthy Spring runway trends
  • Independent Fashion Bloggers – How to Contribute Articles to a Blog or Magazine
  • La Moda Dubai – Photoshop isn’t the only to manipulate a photo
  • Le Quaintrelle – Outfits inspired by Michael Kors Resort 2010 collection with pieces out of my own closet.
  • Mystery Creature – Look great for a sleek and sophisticated summer wedding with these 1930’s inspired wedding dresses
  • Oranges and Apples – Taste and secondhand clothing: sorting the wheat from the chaff
  • Out Of Order – Interview with Marisa of New Dress a Day
  • Retro Chick – The Lost Art of Dressing Up
  • Return to Sender – Little black dresses for the FATshionista.
  • Ship-shape and Bristol Fashion – These days knock-off trends are common place but is cheap fashion still a taboo?
  • Shoe A Day – How does fashion fit into Earth Day?
  • Shrimp Salad Circus – Get high-fashion makeup looks for less with all-natural, afforadable handmade mineral versions!
  • Style Eyes Fashion Blog – Organic clothing – should I bother?
  • Style Symmetry – 5 Days of Symmetry Challenge ~ Wear a 100% Vintage Outfit
  • The Coveted – Why Say Never? Chambray Jumpsuit & Clogs
  • Rabu, 28 April 2010

    Garden Spells

    Who can resist a book that opens with "Every smiley moon, without fail, Claire dreamed of her childhood. She always tried to stay awake those nights when the stars winked and the moon was just a cresting sliver smiling provocatively down at the world, the way pretty women on vintage billboards used to smile as they sold cigarettes and limeade"?

    Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen is the perfect summer escape and is worth adding to your summer reading list. Reading Garden Spells made me want to run around in floaty, floral dresses, wish for the 4th of July, and plant a magic garden. Below is an outfit inspired by the book.

    Sabtu, 24 April 2010

    Giveaway


    Don't forget the last day to enter the Rent the Runway Giveaway is Sunday, April 25th by midnight. In April, first time renters are eligible to receive a second style free with the code TRYRTRAPRIL.

    Jumat, 23 April 2010

    Links a la Mode: The Independent Fashion Bloggers Roundup

    links a la mode

    Fashion has Brains

    Edited by Ashe

    Every week I am always surprised by the selection of posts we receive here at IFB. I think back to before I started my blog, the discrimination I felt working in retail and adoring fashion, because it was shallow and it wasn’t academic. Now I look at the community I am a part of and think– how could anyone accuse fashion enthusiasts of being shallow? Or fashion designers, lovers of style? Indeed, like any frowned upon medium or niche, fashion has brains; it has ingenuity, it has controversy, it has creativity, and it has depth.

    This week I want to celebrate those putting fashion and intellect together, to show that there’s more than meets that glittering eye…

    Oh, and if you’re looking for something to do this summer… IFB is looking for interns!

    Links à la Mode : April 22

    • Agent Lover: – On The Search For The Perfect Retro Bathing Suit!
    • Alice in Stilettos: – Interview with Edgy, Up-and-Coming Designer Chelsea Sutrisno
    • Bay Area Style File: – Interview with Model turned Eco Friendly Beauty Brand owner Josie Maran.
    • Bobbins and Bombshells: – Fashionable History: Lilly Dache – A True Fashion Success Story.
    • Denim Debutante: – Meet US-Made NAEM Denim and Win Your Own Pair
    • dramatis personae: – Back to the Future
    • Fashion Pulse Daily: – Cynthia Rowley for Roxy Spring 2010
    • For Those About to Shop: – Crystal Renn’s inspiring story of transformation may make you think twice about modelling industry:
    • krameymartin: – Being pregnant doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your fashion sense. Check out this post to learn how to jazz up simple maternity pieces.
    • La Chanelphile: – “The Allure of Chanel” by Paul Morand with Illustrations by Karl Lagerfeld
    • M.I.S.S.: – The Rag Trade: The Sale Mentality. This week’s article looks at how we will get consumers to break the sale mentality and pay full price again.
    • Night Watch: – DIY Tutorial: Burberry Prorsum F/W 2010-11 Inspired Blazer
    • Oh, the Places You'll Go!: – ASOS Curve Models – Plus, or not plus enough?
    • Oranges and Apples: – Some thoughts on weight, fat activism and health
    • Poetic & Chic: – Hamish Bowles, European Editor at Large for Vogue, visits the de Young in San Francisco to announce a new Balenciaga retrospective slated for spring 2011.
    • Retro Chick: – Made To Measure – Dresses for those who aren’t a standard size
    • shrimp salad circus: – DIY Spring Flowers Headband/Belt for Under
    • The Coveted – Craving Miu Miu Clogs?
    • the fashionate traveller: – Discovers the emerging Japanese fashion trend Dolly Kei, as seen through a visit to Grimoire, Shibuya’s premier vintage store.
    • The Fashionista Lab: – I gave up shopping and gained a new perspective on using and building my wardrobe (hint: shoes are important)
    • True Queen: – Warning: Men In Skirts – Examining a taboo trend that attempts to go mainstream

    • Kamis, 22 April 2010

      Things i LOVE Thursday


      Reading Wuthering Heights
      by Emily Bronte

      Watching My Brilliant Career

      Working on set



      Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin
      (Thank you Velvet!)

      Sleeping in


      Spring

      Rabu, 21 April 2010

      Where is My Mind

      "Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect.
      It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections."
      -Unknown

      Selasa, 20 April 2010

      I Heart Purple Cowboy Boots



      I have always loved cowboy boots. I remember when I was little going to the boot outlet with my family so we could find the perfect boots to wear when the rodeo came to town. Purple being my favorite color, it was imperative that we found boots in that illusive shade that lived up to my high, childish expectations. With their slight heel, pointy toe, and elaborately decorated leather, cowboy boots still add sass to any outfit. However, ever since the cowboy boot incident of 2008, which proved that my boots were not made for walking (and left me with a huge blood blister to prove it), I have avoided wearing them. But, now it's time to bring back the faithful standby. I'm thinking floral, summery dresses worn with tough, western style boots. Now I just need to find the perfect purple pair...

      Minggu, 18 April 2010

      Rent The Runway Giveaway

      Shopping for a special occasion can be rough. You want to splurge on the perfect designer dress but are short on cash. Enter Rent the Runway, an online boutique that rents the hottest selection of designer dresses and accessories for a fraction of their retail cost.

      How it Works
      1. Pick the piece you would like to rent
      2. Schedule a delivery date
      3. Return the item in the provided pre-paid packaging

      Plus, Rent the Runway will send your dress in a second, back-up size, so you don't have to worry about fit. Also, there's no need to dry clean since Rent the Runway takes care of that, too.

      Here are some of my favorite picks:

      Rental $150, Retail $1,595


      Rental $200, Retail $2,250

      Rental $35, Retail $288

      Rental $50, Retail $450

      Rental $50, Retail $395

      Giveaway Details
      To win the $25 gift certificate, visit Rent The Runway and leave a comment below about which piece you would like to rent. Get another entry if you follow my blog. If you don't have an invitation code let me know and I'll send you one. Don't forget to leave your email address! Winner will be picked by random drawing. Contest open until midnight, Sunday, April 25th.

      Jumat, 16 April 2010

      Sound the Alarm


      When I read Gala Darling's review of the ila Dusk personal alarm, I really wanted to get one and was so excited when ILA Security Ltd offered to send me one to review. The ila Dusk comes in different designs and is about 3 inches long. The alarm looks inconspicuous like a car starter or charm and can be attached to your keys or bag. However, when you pull the pin out, the alarm emits a high decibel, female scream that will shock your attacker and get people's attention, so you can make your escape. I've been very tempted to pull the chain and test the loudness of the scream, but the alarm is meant to be for one time use, and I live in a populated area, so the scream test will have to wait. I am very happy that the alarm has not gone off while I dig around in my purse for my keys, so no need to worry about accidentally setting it off.

      Now a personal alarm is no replacement for learning self-defense, and I believe that everyone should have some basic defense training. (To learn about the importance of self-defense and how you can defend yourself, check out Just Yell Fire.) However, I think the ila Dusk personal alarm is a great tool in your personal safety arsenal.

      The ila Dusk is currently available in the US at The Handpicked Gift Store for $29.95.

      Personal Alarms - ila Dusk - GMTV - Jacqui Hames


      How do you stay safe? Do you own a personal alarm?

      Links a la Mode: The Independent Fashion Bloggers Roundup

      links a la mode

      Fashion is Booming


      Style cares not about the economy, so we continue on, falling in love with a fabulous pairs of shoes, lbd, and the perfect little cardie. New boutiques, designers, ideas, and innovative, avant garde concepts continue to emerge, and we can't help but start a new love story with our latest DIY project, amazing vintage find, department store score, or simply a fabulous floral umbrella. And so, as the title suggests, fashion is booming, creativity is soaring, and we can take a big exhale and shove our worries aside - it's time to allow ourselves to get excited about wearing some new or all-time favorite spring-weather garments and accessories.

      As expected, there was a fabulous round-up of links in the forum as well, all worthy of your eyeballs!

      [Note from Jennine] Oh, and if you're looking for something to do this summer... IFB is looking for interns!

      Links à la Mode : April 15th

      • 39th and Broadway - An Interview With The Person Who Really Determines How Your Clothes Fit!
      • Chic Steals - What happens to a piece of clothing once it is donated to a charity such as Goodwill?
      • Dedicated Follower of Fashion - Explores the new Spring/Summer Collection from Stylesmith:
      • Denim Debutante - Three Things You Probably Didn't Know About Your Jeans
      • Evoluer - My best friend & I came across mint condition vintage Chanel at the local thrift store!
      • Fashion Pulse Daily - Discovers a new way to think about dress via Linda Grant's 'The Thoughtful Dresser'
      • Fasshonaburu - Need inspiration on fun color combination? Try looking at wedding palette articles!
      • For Those About to Shop - Breeyn McCarney's eco-conscious collection finds beauty in despair
      • House in Tillford - An interview with two big blogs: learn from their experience on how to grow your own blog
      • Idiosyncratic Style - Recycled Style Project: DIY paperclip necklace
      • Independent Fashion Bloggers - Microsoft Launches KIN : The Social Media Phone
      • Maple Sucre - The Women x Women Exhibition: Inspiring Young Women to get Behind the Lens
      • M.I.S.S. - The Rag Trade: Wear it Now or Wear it Later
      • Oranges and Apples - Ways of wearing vintage
      • Retro Chick - Video Tutorial: Vintage style victory roll fringe bangs
      • Some Kind of Style - Mr. Sartorialist In Town...
      • Style Eyes - Couture: What's the Point?
      • The Coveted - March Springs, April Showers.... Floral Umbrella for Spring
      • TheWellAppointedCatwalk - Suneri on Newbury
      • TheWorkingWardrobe - Battle of the Blazers: 25 different blazers for 25 different styles and body types
      • TrueQueen - Can Sweat Pants be Sexy?
      • Tweet - Simon Ekrelius: Chalk, Mirrors and Confessions
      • Widespread - An Interview with a new SF based store who gathers inspiration from the world
      • Kamis, 15 April 2010

        Things i LOVE Thursday


        Teaching my last skating class of the season

        Taking voice lessons



        Watching The Proposal and An Education

        Homemade meatballs


        Sunshine

        Making summer plans

        Selasa, 13 April 2010

        A Little Movie Inspiration

        Period movies always inspire me to dress better. I recently watched Chocolat and An Education and fell in love with the costumes. Both movies are set within a few years of each other, but the looks are very different. Chocolat takes place in a small French village in 1959. The look is very romantic with circle skirts and cardigans in soft, muted colors, and the makeup is clean and matte with a dark red lip. Louis Vuitton's Fall 2010 collection reminded me of some of the looks in this film.

        Chocolat - France, 1959



        An Education is set in England in 1961 and features looks that pull from both the 1950's and the 1960's. The movie is about a girl in transition, so it makes sense that the clothes in the film are evolving, too. Shift dresses, pillbox hats, and liquid eyeliner become staples as the story progresses. Luella's Spring 2010 collection offers a modern take on the early 1960's look.

        An Education - England, 1961

        Senin, 12 April 2010

        diy: Flower Hair Clip

        I'm so happy it's spring! Flowers are blooming and so are the trees. The sun is out, and soon the pool will be open. In honor of spring, here's a quick and easy tutorial for a flower hair clip.

        Supplies:
        large silk flower
        needle
        thread
        scissors
        rhinestones
        glue
        small sequin applique
        ribbon
        bobby-pin or barrette

        Step #1 - Cut off plastic stem and remove plastic pieces holding the flower together so that the back of the flower looks like this.

        Step #2 - Sew a small sequin applique in the center of the flower making sure to catch all layers of the flower and sew them together. Decorate by scattering small rhinestones across the petals and glueing them onto flower.

        Step #3 - Cut 2 inches of thin ribbon and form a loop by folding ends over each other. Sew loop to back of flower.

        Step #4 - Slip bobby-pin or barrette through loop.

        Step #5 - Wear in hair!


        Minggu, 11 April 2010

        Make Your Own Prom Dress

        Making your dress for prom? Enter Jo-Ann Fabrics 2010 Prom Contest and be eligible to win $50,000 cash for college. If you're still looking for pattern ideas, Simplicity 3878 has vintage flare; McCall's M5850 is short and sassy; and BurdaStyle Benedikta will look great dancing the night away.

        Own Your Look :: Jo-Ann 2010 Prom Contest Inspirational Video


        How to make your own red carpet dress.

        Jumat, 09 April 2010

        Links a la Mode: The Independent Fashion Bloggers Roundup

        links a la mode

        Pretty, Pretty

        Edited by Jennine Jacob

        It’s official, Spring is in full swing… we’ve all shed our winter fluff and there’s a certain buzz in the air… well, other than the pollen count. Like every week, we have a wonderful selection of links, but the recurring theme here was making ourselves pretty, whether it be donning floral prints, DIY embellishments, watercoloring, even bunny ears or refreshing the ol’ makeup pallette with the new season’s colors.

        Oh, and if you’re looking for something to do this summer… IFB is looking for interns!

        Links à la Mode : April 8

        • Bachman's Sparrow – Wing-Stop! DIY wing-sleeved shirt!
        • Denimaniac – Denim Culture for the Modern Man
        • dramatis personae – Fashion Consultation Giveaway at Style Therapy
        • évoluer – spring flowers
        • Fashion Pulse Daily – Avon Does Fabulous Jewelry?!? Who Knew!
        • Fete a Fete – Guerlain 2010 Terracotta Collection
        • hello beauty! – Bobbi Brown Spring 2010: Color Strips and Natural Finish Long Lasting Foundation (with makeup lesson video)
        • Idiosyncratic Style – I (HEART) Toronto Fashion Week!
        • Intrinsically Florrie – DIY bunny ears
        • Nicky's Rag Tales – Do you need to be a bitch in the Fashion Industry to succeed?
        • Oranges and Apples – Dig for Victory – amazing vintage inspired dresses
        • poetic & chic – Bang Envy Influences : Anna Karina
        • Pretty Shiny Sparkly – A Touch of Vintage & Glamour
        • Retro Chick – Video Tutorial: Mineral Foundation
        • sfindiefashion.com – Punk Jock: Chatting with RosenMunns
        • style, substance & sutton – DIY Embellished Tank
        • Sugar and spice and all things nice – How to… give thoughtful presents for your girlfriends
        • The Coveted – Poll: What do you do when your clothes don’t fit?
        • The Demoiselles – A Glossy View: Ad Campaign Curiousity
        • The Mod One – Fashion’s Future in 3D
        • Kamis, 08 April 2010

          Things i LOVE Thursday


          Reading Jane and the Stillroom Maid
          by Stephanie Barron

          Green grass and buds on trees



          Baking cupcakes

          Watching Sherlock Homes and The Blind Side

          Cadbury Creme Eggs

          Hunting for Easter eggs

          Selasa, 06 April 2010

          Favorite Fashion Books

          Lately, there are so many fashion books spilling out of bookstores it is hard to keep track of them. I am still waiting to get my hands on The Teen Vogue Handbook and The Sartorialist, but here is a list of my current favorites.


          This book is about learning to shop your closet. I got so many ideas from this book and love the simple and low budget beauty ideas.


          After reading this book, I wanted to go on a major shopping spree. From A-lined dresses to zippered hoodies, Garcia lists her must have pieces.


          Mizrahi shows it is possible to have style no matter your body shape. He creates a handful of looks for each of the women highlighted in his book and shows how you can do the same.




          I love all the pictures in this book, which offer a fascinating look into Victoria Beckham's life and sense of style. Plus, she has great style advice.


          Behind the scenes pictures and designer contributions make this a fun book to flip through. The bite-sized tips are insightful, too.

          What are your favorite fashion books? If you haven't already, check out my e-workbook The Fashion Planner's Guide, which is a great companion to any of these books.

          Senin, 05 April 2010

          Prom, Wedding, Graduation Oh My!

          I'm finding it hard to believe that it is already April. Suddenly it's time to shop for the perfect dress to wear to prom, graduation, best friend's wedding, etc. Cocktail dresses are popping up all over the place for prom with blues and other soothing colors leading the way. While I think a short prom dress is a bit anti-climatic, a cocktail dress does make it easier to dance and you can wear it again instead of stuffing it in the back of your closet...

          Sabtu, 03 April 2010

          Piperlime: Be The Next Big Stylist

          If you haven't heard, Piperlime is running a contest on Polyvore to win a chance to help Rachel Zoe style a celebrity. There's still two days to enter, so don't delay!

          1. Your client is going to a 10 year high-school reunion: There will be friends she hasn’t seen for years. People to impress. Maybe even an ex-boyfriend (or two). Show us how you’d make her look great…and feel great too.


          This is a look I styled for a 10 year high school reunion. The look is casual but still stylish saying, "I am successful but, also, approachable." The faux fur jacket has a festive vibe but can easily be removed as the party starts to heat up.

          2. Your client is a high-powered exec: Her day? A meeting with the vice president. Her night? A much-anticipated date with a new guy. Put together a look that goes from day to night.


          This is a look I styled to go from the boardroom to a night on the town. Look professional with a sleek blazer worn over the dress and accessorizes with red ballet flats, black stud earrings, and black tote, which you use to stash your nighttime necessities. For night, pile on the jewelry, switch into some sexy shoes, and grab a slim clutch.

          3. Your client’s best friend is getting married: She wants to look amazing, but definitely doesn’t want to overshadow the bride. What do you put her in?


          This is a look I styled for a country wedding. The wedding takes place outside in the afternoon, so a sweater is great for layering depending on the day's weather. The dress is fun and flirty but won't upstage the bride. The accessories play off the pink and gray color pallet. Ballet flats are ideal for walks down the country lane, and the pink clutch adds a pop of color.

          Jumat, 02 April 2010

          Links a la Mode: The Independent Fashion Bloggers Roundup

          links a la mode

          Thinking Fashion


          Edited by Retro Chick

          It never ceases to amaze me the quality and variety of links that get submitted to IFB each week and how hard it is to pick just 20. Fashion & Style Bloggers are intelligent, thoughtful and insightful people who really understand their subject. Whether it’s Second Hand Shopper questioning the distinction between fashion and style, Shrimp Salad Circus discussing how much of ourselves we should put into our blogs or a whole plethora of posts on the subject of body image.

          Of course, we also love a bargain and this week we have a DIY Pillbox Hat, tips on thrift shopping the Spring trends and a gorgeous giveaway.

          I really would urge you to take the time to check out the links that didn’t make it in the forums. I don’t think there’s a bad post among them….

          Links à la Mode : April 1



          • Alyson Is Neat – Revealing secrets on how to go into a store and not purchase clothing.

          • Awakened Aesthetic – How to live green, without giving up the “unethical” stuff you already have.

          • blackdog finds – How to Thrift Shop for Spring 2010 Fashion Trends:

          • British Style Bloggers – A preview of the finalé of British Style Bloggers’ Body Image Season, including a random and rambling tour of BSB’s head office (aka my house).

          • DailyDivaDish – Spanx for Men: Is shapewear for men really going mainstream? Why I think it’s a bad idea.

          • Despising Life is So Passe – Pillbox Hat DIY

          • Eternal Masquerade – Monroe Monday: A Look At What the Wardrobe Should Mean to Every Woman

          • Grit and Glamour – A signature fragrance is your invisible identity—it becomes part of your brand

          • High Fashion Girl – I write about Lady Gaga like you’ve NEVER read about her before.

          • Idiosyncratic Style – A Peek at the life and style of illustrator Rachelle Scarfo

          • Independent Fashion Bloggers – How to make your blog mobile friendly

          • Oh, the Places You'll Go! – Fatsionable Art and Inspiration from Eva Hannah.

          • Retro Chick – How every girl can be a Princess

          • Second Hand Shopper – Second hand shopper pits the escapism of fashion against the expressionism of style

          • Shoulderache & The Closet – The most expensive wool in the world!

          • Shrimp Salad Circus – How much of yourself should you put ‘out there?’

          • The Demoiselles – Graceful Empowerment Comes in All Forms (including that of eating the other guy’s tacos).

          • The Greyest Ghost – Behind the scenes of the Chanel f/w 2010 ad campaign in NYC with Abbey Lee Kershaw, Freja Beha Erichsen, and Karl Lagerfeld.

          • The New Wave – Going once, going twice, SOLD! A visit to the Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection auction.

          • The Well-Appointed Catwalk – Highlights and my impressions of “Health Matters: Weight and Wellness in the World of Fashion,” a panel discussion I attended featuring Anna Wintour, Michael Kors and Natalia Vodianova.

          • True Queen – Examining the use of fur by designers on the runways of the Fall 2010 fashion shows.

          • Unfunded – Unfunded teams up with the U.K. retailer NEXT for an awesome giveaway!