Designer Spotlight-Silent Gypsy

Nov 6, 2010 by Clueless Fashionista

More accessories!! Designed and owned by Monique Malkowski, Silent Gypsy features accessories that are both pretty and edgy at the same time. Most of the pieces are silver or made up largely of silver and any of the pieces would make a great addition to your accessory wardrobe. Monique took some time to share her thoughts on what inspires her to design as well as about fashion in general.

What inspires you to create?
I do not turn anywhere specific for inspiration, but rather inspiration comes to me organically. If my mood is right and I am feeling positive energy in my life, my design ideas come together.

What is one tip you would give to an up and coming designer?
I would definitely tell any up and coming designer not to follow trends, but to utilize your own unique aesthetic. Designers tend to give in too easily to what is hot at the moment, which is when you forget your own sensibility – something that never goes out of style.

Finish this sentence:
Fashion is a glimpse into your true personality – use it as a creative outlet to express yourself.

Share a favorite quote that you use as a creative inspiration.

“Discipline is just choosing between what you want now and what you want most.”
—Unknown Author

Make sure you take some time to visit Silent Gypsy. You will definitely see something to catch your eye and since the holiday season is rapidly approaching, it’s a great place to visit for unique gifts. Your friends will love you for getting them a piece of Silent Gypsy!

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How do I wear that trend…patchwork

Nov 4, 2010 by Clueless Fashionista

Patchwork is a fall trend that can easily go from chic to costume if it isn’t done properly.  I wouldn’t suggest wearing patchwork head to toe in any capacity unless it’s for Halloween or some type of visual production. However, it is a cool trend and by wearing one patchwork piece, you can easily add a pop of color (or several colors) to your outfit. Here are some suggestions for how you can wear the patchwork trend, even you less adventurous types.

1. Accessories: This is always the easiest way to incorporate a bold trend into your wardrobe. If you get a great patchwork bag and make it your winter staple, you don’t have to worry about doing anything else patchwork. Also, a cute patchwork headband can add something special to a simple outfit.

2. Shoes: This is another easy way to incorporate a bold trend. Plus, it allows you to maintain a basic (but well fitting) wardrobe and use your shoes to pop.

3. Skirt: If you’re a little more adventurous with fashion, a great patchwork skirt like the one in the picture can be very fun. You can pair it with a solid colored top, tights and a cute pair of heels or boots.

Now these are just a few suggestions to incorporate this trend into your wardrobe. I would love to see how you do it. Please feel free to send a message using the contact form here and you will be sent the email address to share your picture.

If you want to dive into the patchwork trend with a cute accessory and aren’t sure where to go, here is a great purse from this super cute online boutique, Shop4Sparkles. It’s cost friendly already plus Clueless Fashionista readers get a 20% discount using the code CLUELESS20 until November 11. Just click the purse to go to the website and while you’re there, browse around. There are some great accessories at wonderful prices!

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Boutique Spotlight-Juliet & Company

Oct 29, 2010 by Clueless Fashionista

I am an accessories fan. Well, a new fan of them. In the past, my accessories consisted of earrings and the occasional bracelet but I have come to realize how a great necklace, bracelet, ring combo can really make an outfit pop! Juliet and Company is a great online boutique featuring some wonderful accessory pieces. Plus, they sell bridal accessories that are reasonably priced and super pretty all at the same time! So for you brides planning those summer weddings, here are some great choices for bridesmaid gifts as well as your special wedding pieces.

Juliet and Company was founded in 2009 by Juliet Elizabeth and inspired by her desire to find affordable wedding accessories for her own special day. She took some time to share what inspires her to create her pieces and fashion in general.

What inspires you to create?
Fashion inspires me. I love to create jewelry that mixes with the latest ready to wear. I always ask myself, what piece would I love to wear that will complete this look?

What is one tip you would give to an up and coming designer?
Design wearable pieces. Create whatever unique style inspires you – whether it is edgy, feminine or over-the-top – but always design items that women can really wear.

Finish this sentence: Fashion is individuality and personality.

Share a favorite quote that you use as a creative inspiration.
“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.”
-T.S. Eliot

So visit www.julietandcompany.com and check out their pretty, romantic jewelry and while you’re there, pick up a pearl necklace to add to your collection.

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How do I wear that trend…velvet and velour

Oct 26, 2010 by Clueless Fashionista

Velvet is back! Well by back, I mean for the second fall season in a row. So if you took the challenge I presented last year and got yourself some velvet, rejoice because you made a sound style choice. Velvet and velour made appearances on the runways of Fall 2010 fashion weeks so it made my fall trend list as well.

I’m on the look out for a some online shops that sell budget friendly velvet and velour items so if you come across any, please share! I’ve been keeping an eye out for some and haven’t found any yet. Now it could be my location that’s causing the challenge since I’m based in Atlanta and our temperatures are still over 60 degrees on a regular basis. So please share your shopping tips!

Since I’ve touched on the velvet trend previously, I won’t belabor the point here much. Here is a link to the previous post I wrote: How do I wear that trend…velvet. So click on it and read away!

However, I did notice that I while I mentioned wearing velvet in your hair as a head band or barrette, you can also wear velvet and velour as accessories. Velvet offers more options because it can be worn casually or dressed up. If you wear velour pants or a velour jacket it tends to look more casual like these velour suits.

However, this is a great way to look polished while dressing down as long as the velour you wear fits properly. I’ve seen women wearing velour that is way too tight or way too loose. Fit is important.

Also, be on the look out for velvet and velour in scarves, necklaces and earrings. It will be a great way to experiment with the trend. Please, please, please do not wear velvet head to toe!

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Designer Spotlight-Joy Fabiano

Oct 22, 2010 by Clueless Fashionista

Handbags are a great way to add a pop of fabulous to an otherwise plain outfit. Founded in February 2009, Joy Fabiano is a company that designs eco-friendly handbags that are also very cute and chic. In my experience, when someone creates something that’s considered eco-friendly, it tends not to be very fashionable. But Rachel Sanches, creator of Joy Fabiano, has found a way to create eco-friendly hand bags that are cute and can be great staples for your wardrobe. The price point is higher than a purse you may get at the local Target but the good thing about a great bag is it can be carried every day. Rachel Sanches took some time to give us her design inspirations and thoughts about fashion.

What inspires you to create?
I was originally inspired to start designing eco-friendly handbags when I realized how much clothing is wasted and trashed every year. I wanted to design something that was “up-cycled” yet still cute and chic! Since starting my line, I’ve also begun designing clothing, wallets and even some canine apparel!

What is one tip you would give to an up and coming designer?
My advice is not to be discouraged if you don’t have formal design experience or didn’t study it in college, you don’t have to have those attributes to succeed in this industry. Also, don’t be afraid to give away some of your items when you’re getting started. The more people wearing your designs the better!

Fashion is not just what you wear; it provides others with a glimpse of who you are.

Favorite Quote “In the end, the customer doesn’t know, or care, if you are small or large as an organisation. She or he only focuses on the garment hanging on the rail in the store.” ~ Giorgio Armani

Take some time today and stop by www.joyfabiano.com and check out these super cute handbags and great dresses!

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Online Shopping Sites by Thread Conscious

Oct 20, 2010 by Clueless Fashionista

Online shopping has gotten really popular in recent years. At one point if you wanted to find great deals on designer duds, you had to scour Ebay and stalk different auctions to land that coveted item. Well you can still do that, but now there are even more options. In fact, if you scroll down the lovely blog here, you will see a badge that says, “Shop It To Me Trendsetter” because that is exactly what I am. Shop It To Me is a wonderful shopping website that sends you emails with sales and shopping deals on stores and designers that you like. It’s a great way to monitor sales remotely.

There’s this wonderful blog called Thread Conscious owned and operated by a lovely lady named Nik. Thread Conscious is a fashion blog that gives tips on how to be fashionable without breaking the budget. As you all know, I’m a big fan of looking good for less so of course I love this blog. Well, Nik put together a post outlining some of the shopping sites that she recommends. Check it out. She actually talks about some sites that I haven’t heard of yet. Make sure you join some and see how you like them, they’re free to join.

Enjoy!

Thread Conscious-Top 6 Online Luxury Shopping Sites

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Boutique Spotlight-Pampered Passions Fine Lingerie

Oct 15, 2010 by Clueless Fashionista

I know that usually I’m talking about the things you wear that people can see. While this is important, what you wear under your clothes is important as well. Have you ever worn some really cute underwear and had the same spring in your step as you do when you wear a really cute outfit, even though no one can see the underwear? It’s amazing how a great outfit underneath your clothes can make you feel just as fabulous as a great outfit. Founded in 2001 by Alicia Vargo, Pampered Passions Fine Lingerie is a wonderful online boutique that specializes in what goes on under your clothes (or alone…).

If you are interested in broadening your lingerie wardrobe (and you totally should be), Pampered Passions Fine Lingerie should be one of the first places you visit. The website is filled with super sexy lingerie and sleepwear for women of all sizes. As someone who falls on the more chesty side of life, I always appreciate a lingerie boutique that sells a wide variety of sizes. The prices are reasonable and everything is super pretty. There are even some items for people who enjoy a little experimentation and role playing in their personal lives! Who doesn’t love that? Alicia took some time to answer the CF Madlibs.

What inspires you to create?
Every day we make a difference is someone’s life, effecting our customers and employees in a positive inspiring way. This is what keeps us going day in and day out, is assisting others wherever we can and “Nurturing people’s Spirits!”

What is one tip you would give to an up and coming designer?
There is so much lingerie that has the same appeal as their competition. Be unique,distinctive, and take a risk, you will be surprised that your brand will stand out from the rest!

Finish this sentence
Fashion is the inspiration to feeling beautiful. Inspiration and confidence comes from within, but the frosting is the outfit. Nothing makes you feel better than when your “lines” are right, you are feeling fabulous, heads turn, and you feel fashionable and beautiful. Tis is a “culture” in itself, and a lifestyle, when you feel this good about yourself, you want to feel polished everyday!

Share a favorite quote that you use as a creative inspiration
1. Don’t ever live beneath your privileges!

2. A woman’s dress should be like a barbed wire fence: serving its purpose without obstructing the view.”
- Sophia Loren

You should make it a point to stop by Pampered Passions Fine Lingerie and check out their pieces and while you’re there, buy something! If you are in a relationship, your significant other will enjoy the unplanned gift. If you are single, there’s nothing like pampering yourself with a nice, new silky robe. Visit them www.pamperedpassions.com. If you happen to live in the Lone Tree, Colorado area, stop by their store 9615 E County Line Rd, Ste D; Englewood, CO 80112. Not only will you be able to see their lovely lingerie selections, you will also be able to be fitted for a bra by one of their specialists.

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