Double Your Wardrobe, Double Your Fun

Posted: October 14, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

As I have said before, Fall is my favorite fashion season. Its time for cashmere sweaters, boots and pumpkin spice lattès, which I realize are not technically a fashion piece, but really a great accessory to any Fall day. The one problem I have with the changing of the seasons (besides the weather beginning to get chilly- I hate the cold) is that you don’t get to see the other half of your wardrobe for an entire half year.

Well, this is where you’re wrong, my friend.

Wearing winter clothes in the summer is just plain wrong, especially if you live in a place where summers are sweltering. I push it about as far to the limit as possible, wearing sweaters and my ever-present faux fur vests on a cold day in the office or when the weather dips below 70 (I get cold VERY easily), but even I have to store those cozy clothes for at least two months a year.

Lucky for us, Fall is all about layyyyyerrringggg, virtually doubling your closet. Two of my favorite colors to take from Summer to Fall are red and pink. Pairing a red dress with black tights really makes the color pop, while pairing a pale pink with black tights and a blazer makes for the perfect outfit for a sunny, Fall, pumpkin picking kind of day.

(Club Monaco skirt, twenty t-shirt, White House Black Market blazer, Jeffrey Campbell booties, Versace sunnies, Marc by Marc Jacobs purse)

Let’s Slip Into Something A Little More Comfortable

Posted: October 10, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , | 1 Comment

Ballet flats? So five years ago. Get with the times, people. They pinch the back of your feet, you feel like you’re walking barefoot on the sidewalk, and let’s face it- some people were just NOT made out to look like ballet dancers (though for the record, if you do go that route, ballet flats from Lacoste are your best bet- they’re like walking on clouds, no joke).

Anyway, back to the future  present, and the present is the LOAFER. I know what you’re thinking, the loafer has been around since the dawn of time, but you ain’t never seen a loafer like this one. Introducing the loafer, Jeffrey Campbell style.

Image via hipgirlie.com

Can you say Sparkling and Chic??? These come in an array of colors- INCLUDING TURQUOISEEEE- but including both black and white for those of you who like to keep your feet a little more modest (I do not fall into that category). Since these loafers are Jeffrey Campbell, you can be sure they are comfortable, as are all of their shoes. Seriously, I have a pair with 5 inch heels and two inch platforms that I could run a race in, if I were the type to run races… or run.

So go out, and get your foot shine on. Your tootsies will apprecitate it.

There’s No Place Like…

Posted: October 3, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

Helloooooo readers- cry no more, Sparkling and Chic is back in action. After a short hiatus, I am back to tell the tales of fashion, wisdom and how to go about taking on the mean streets looking fabulous. Just in time for fall (which EVERYONE knows is the best season for fashion), I am back and here to stay. So please, tune in and listen up.

For the grand re-opening of Sparking and Chic, I have decided to share with you some pumps from Miu Miu- which are the very definition of Sparkling and Chic. Please note, my birthday is in 8 days and any and all of these selections are pre-approved presents for myself, but for those who know me, obviously the PINK ones are preferred. 

For those wondering, Miu Miu is a sister brand to Prada and produces some of the BEST accessories and shoes. I still cry over my beautiful, gold Miu Miu aviators I lost in the Lower East Side when I was forced to go into some dive bar in the middle of the day (the things I do for my friends…).

Photo credit: fashionbombdaily.com

Pair any of these pumps with a little black dress and your feet will be the talk of the room. Just remember to click your heels together three times at the end of the night.

Come on Barbie, Let’s Go Party

Posted: February 18, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Michael Bastian's Picnic Ken Doll (image via nj.com)

Ever since I was a little girl, I have LOVED Barbie (can you blame me? I am blonde,  LOVE fashion, and, in fact, was called Barbie the other day while walking down the street). I had a closet full of Barbies (I am pretty sure my favorite was Western Barbie- who wore a TURQUOISE cowgirl outfit complete with hat and boots- a look, I can assure you, I have never tried out) and her accessories as well. Between my older sister and myself, we probably had every new doll that came out for a span of 5 years (mine were the slightly more destroyed ones as I liked to cut their hair). Although I loved playing with my Barbie dolls, and even Skipper from time to time, I really didn’t care much for Ken. He had no fun fashions, so wasn’t he merely an accessory as well?

Flash forward to New York Fashion Week Spring 2011. Ken finally has stolen the attention of the public eye- he showed in fashion week! Kind of. Sunday night at Christie’s Auction House, six menswear designers dressed up their version of a Ken doll and live men stood on pedastals as eat doll offered a different type of date to win Barbie’s affection. The designers involved in the showcase were: Yigal Azrouel, Billy Reid, Robert Geller, Nicholas K, Michael Bastian and Simon Spurr.

Unfortunately for Ken, Barbie was a no-show that night but FORTUNATELY, Ken is now the fashionisto he has always deserved to be.

Nicholas K's Rocking Ken Doll (image via nj.com)

The Family That Styles Together, Whiles (away the hours) Together

Posted: February 12, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , | 1 Comment

For those readers that do not know me personally, I come from a VERY large family that is still growing (3 weddings and a new baby in 14 months). While we are all very loud and opinionated (after Thanksgiving this year, we had a heated “Friends” trivia competition that the entire neighborhood probably overheard), we pretty much always have a fabulous time together.

I also know I can count on any of my numerous relatives if I need something- and that includes style inspiration. Recently during a family get-together, an outfit styled (on herself) by my cousin, Andrea, caught many of our eyes. Faced with the situation of it being winter and wanting to wear a tank dress, Andrea had a conundrum. By pairing a low-backed bodysuit under the dress, Andrea fixed the problem and ended up with a fabulous outfit.

Andrea modeling her self-styled look

This outfit is a great example of how to take a summer outfit and turn it into something wearable in winter, virtually doubling your wardrobe. The bodysuit also adds layers and texture to the outfit, making it that much more interesting to look at. Next time you’re staring hopelessly into your closet thinking you have nothing to wear, try pairing clothes together that you never thought about before and see what happens!

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