reLYME

Blake Lively Pegged as New Chanel Ambassador

reLYME — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 10:31:04 EST

I was half-tempted to begin this post with, What the..., but decided against it.

Gossip Girl's favorite blonde, Blake Lively, was selected by Karl Lagerfeld to be the ambassador for Chanel's new Mademoiselle handbag line. The campaign ads, photographed by Lagerfeld, should make their rounds in April.

Now, of course, Lively would not be someone that I would've guessed to fill this role, but Lagerfeld does indeed always have a vision. He is quoted as saying of the actress, “She’s a kind of American dream girl...She’s full of life.”

Surprisingly enough, I am looking forward to peeping the ads when they're available. Lively is a different face than we've seen in the past, but for Chanel, who constantly tugs at this girl's heart strings, can I handle different?

What are your thoughts on Blake Lively as the face of Mademoiselle?

*Photo credit: Courtesy Photo

Fashion Resolutions: 2011 Spring Must-Haves

reLYME — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 16:13:59 EST

The following post was masterminded by Heather, reLYME's new and adorable fashion-obsessed contributor:

_____________________________

New Years Day resolutions have always been my Achilles heel. I absolutely refuse to make them anymore since, without fail, I will either ignore them or feel guilty for my self-improvement incompetence.

However, January fashion resolutions are another story. This is the month I purge my closet of things of which I need to let go (I only wish purging my life of bad relationships was as easy!) and look to the future. What looks good on me? Honestly? And what is merely wishful thinking (black leather jeggings, anyone? Let those garbage bags go, my friends. Let them be free in their native habitat. The landfill).

This is also the time to be informed of next season’s trends and start deciding which ones your body type can pull off. A number of other fashion blogs have covered (extremely well!) the 2011 spring trends, so I won’t go over everything again. I’m sure as informed fashionistas you know the drill for next season: elevator flats, high wasted voluminous trousers, and clean crisp lines a la Chloe or Miu Miu’s last collections (or what A Dubs calls “Neo-Minimalism” in this month’s Vogue). If it has a frill, toss it. Get out your neon yellows, oranges and greens. Platforms, platforms, platforms (think space age, not the 70’s). And how could I forget the huge patterns that almost look like abstract art? In short--get ready to get modern.

Instead of going over every trend in detail, here are a few practical ways you can integrate them into your wardrobe. These are all steals in my opinion, so there really is no excuse for procrastination.

So, here it is, for your viewing (and purchasing!) pleasure: reLYME's MUST HAVE list for Spring 2011! And all six are under $300! Honestly, does it really get any better than that?

1) Manicure: Chanel nail polish in Black Pearl, $25.

This stuff might seem a bit on the pricey side for nail polish, however, it is seriously worth every penny. This is the nail color for spring.

2) Trouser: Alice + Olivia Linen Eric Pant, $264.

High wasted and wide-legged without swallowing your figure whole, these pants are easy to walk in and also cut the dramatic line that will be necessary come spring. Available in black and white.

3) Blouse: Vince Cowl Neck Satin Blouse, $220.

Angular but feminine, this blouse is classic with a twist. I love the dramatic drape effect.

4) Blazer: T by Alexander Wang, $175.

Once again, love the angles! The back makes this piece interesting, but the front is fitted and modern as well.

5) Shoe: Sam Edelman Wynn, $180.

The curve of the platform, as well as the asymmetrical design, gives this boot a modern feel while the black zipper detail gives it an edgy punch.

6) Bag: Urban Outfitters Cambridge Satchel Company Briefcase Bag, $158.

For real leather this is a steal. Briefcase bags and men’s wear accessories will be huge in the spring, and this bag gets you down to business in style.

And that, ladies and gentleman, are our six must-haves. Do you agree with the list? Have any additions I missed? Let us know! Also, as a side note, Net-A-Porter is having a massive sale right now. And I don’t care how low your bank account is-that’s why God invented VISA (that’s what I tell myself, anyway!).

Happy shopping!

Sugarcoated: Sweet Coats for a Chilly Winter

reLYME — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 17:10:17 EST

I remember last winter, cropped coats were everywhere, and I shuffled through the bitter chill in my long coat. I refused to buy a new shorter coat since mine was warm, however. Then, mine was 'accidentally' thrown into the wash and, long story short, it's now a cropped coat.

Bottom line is this: long overcoats are back as evidenced by celebs like Halle Berry and Stella McCartney:

To face the colder months ahead, I'm weighing my options for a heavy coat. Here are a few of my faves:

French Connection, $300

Banana Republic, $211

J.Crew, $150

*Celebrity photos courtesy of Getty Images.

Ann Taylor Spring 2011 Lookbook

reLYME — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 16:45:18 EDT

Ann Taylor recently previewed the Spring 2011 collection at the Gramercy Park Hotel Rooftop in New York City, a lookbook that I just can't get enough of.

The collection is luxurious, romantic, and feminine and features yummy pieces in neutrals and nauticals. I am especially digging the jackets.

You can check out the rest of the Ann Taylor Spring 2011 lookbook below:

[gallery=38]

Dive into Scuba by LOFT

reLYME — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 02:33:24 EDT

As a woman in the workforce--that's right...I am one of those!--I am expected to handle an immense workload, balance an organized schedule, and remain the consummate professional, all the while looking the part. Looking tailored and stylish is not always easy to do when you sometimes work 14 hour days. Shirts get wrinkled, hair flattens, and by the end of the day, my makeup doesn't looks so fresh.

Fortunately, I discovered, and have fallen in love with, the most comfy trousers from LOFT, their new Scuba line. The name sounds a little funny, but man are these lovelies slimming! They do flatten and their ultra stretchy, while still maintaining their shape. And I know I already made a nod to their comfort, but I can't emphasize it enough.

In classic LOFT tradition, they come in two fits, the Marissa or the Julie (pictured above), as well as a lean trouser.

At $79.50 a pop, these are CERTAINLY a worthy investment and have kept me looking chic from morning 'til night!!!

Behind-the-Scenes with Bluefly & Project Runway

reLYME — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 04:33:52 EST

If you're like me, you look forward to Thursday evenings for one reason and one reason only: Project Runway! And like me, maybe you've wondered just how the contestants pick out the perfect accessories to pair with their challenge looks.

Well, now Bluefly is giving us a behind-the-scenes look at Project Runway contestants selecting the perfect duds for the runway from the Bluefly Accessory Wall. Check it out:

If You're Not at NYFW This Season...

reLYME — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:25:15 EST

I tend to disappear from fashion.

I can't really explain it, but when my heart is broken by fashion, I often hide from it. For instance, missing out on Fashion Week this season is killing me. I had wanted to go so badly, but circumstances arose that have prevented me from going. So to avoid the heartache, I've avoided the fashion world altogether. Silly, I know.

If you're not at fashion week this season, don't despair. As one who has tasted the sweet nectar of the Mercedes Benz tents, it can seem difficult to find something newsworthy to read about if you're not actually in attendance.

So, what to do?

♥Well, for starters, don't be lame like me. Read the blogs. Keep up on the runway shows, the events. If your friends are there, live vicariously through them, and maybe even share some link love. Just because you're not at the tents, doesn't mean you can't enjoy them from afar.

♥Also, keep doing what you do best. Find local trends, test great products. Just because the rest of the world of fashion is caught up in the runway storm, doesn't mean that your love of all things style should be put on hold. Tell us what you love! And heck, do your own remote coverage.

♥And, for the love of all that is holy, DO NOT DISAPPEAR FROM FASHION. Especially if you stand a prayer of going to future seasons of Fashion Week...posting is a must. Stay active.

Don't worry, I'm now attempting to take my own advice. Happy posting!

*photo courtesy of http://twitter.com/rachel_roy

Red Carpet Worst Dressed (So far): 2010 Golden Globes

reLYME — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 03:50:26 EST

For every beautiful gown on the Red Carpet, are often found three hideous gowns. Many of them left me asking, "Why, why, why???"
And many of these, I wanted to love because of who is wearing them. (Ahem...Jayma Mays.) Alas! Here are what I consider to be 5 of the most awful creations on this year's GG Red Carpet:

Maria Menounos:

Perrey Reeves:

Jayma Mays:

Diane Kruger:

Carrie Ann Inaba:

Thoughts???

Check out more photos of the 2010 Golden Globes Red Carpet below:

[gallery=37]

*Photos courtesy of Getty Images

Red Carpet Top 7 Best Dressed: 2010 Golden Globes

reLYME — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 03:36:11 EST

Whereas this year's Golden Globes Red Carpet won't be dropping any jaws, there are, however, some tactful, tasteful gowns. Some stunning, some innovative, and some classic.
Here are 7 of my picks for best dressed:

Sandra Bullock:

Maggie Gyllenhaal:

Emily Blunt:

Shaun Robinson:

Lea Michele:

Christina Hendricks:

Samantha Harris:

Feedback?
Check out more photos of the 2010 Golden Globes Red Carpet below:

[gallery=37]

*Photos courtesy of Getty Images

reLYME's Link Love: Inspiration Edition

reLYME — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 22:10:20 EST

This weekend's Link Love are posts that made me think a bit, weep a bit, or cheer a bit. I hope you feel as inspired as I did.

IWANTTOWEARIT offers some perspective on the tragedy in Haiti through photographs taken before their world forever changed in Haiti Alive.
Fashion.Style.Beauty makes single women everywhere, including me, feel even more self-assured and confident about our lives as independent, single women in Editor's Commentary: No, I'm Not Married: The "Samantha Effect".
Poetic & Chic reminds us blog and Twitter enthusiasts to be kind and well-informed before putting in our two cents in part two of her series,I Sing the Blogger Electric, Part Deux.

*Photo courtesy of David W. Dunlap for NY Times.