Classic and Affordable Designs

One of my absolute favorite sterling silver jewelry designers is Judith Ripka. Her pieces are stunning and classic. I remember walking by her store in Manhattan and drooling in the window. WELL, she has a more affordable line at QVC! She is all about getting several looks from one basic piece. For example, I now own one of her chain link necklaces (shown, above), and began collecting her pendants that can be interchanged with one another (for example, a black onxy and a mint quartz one). The reasons I love her pieces are that they make a statement, and they are done with such impressive detail, down to the lobster claw clasp in the shape of a heart. So, the next items on my wish list from her collection will be a watch, earrings and a cuff bracelet (I've got alot of wishes). Her earrings and rings are probably the most affordable. I like the idea of her earrings because they also do double duty. She makes very detailed sterling silver hoops that can be worn alone or with a charm hung from them. See some of Judith Ripka's earring below and look at her entire collection at http://www.qvc.com/.

Her mesh pattern hoops with removable flower charms are $64.14.

The sterling hoops with the ascher cut charms are $69.96.

The onyx bead circle hoops are $49.32.

The hoop earrings with three charms set is $89.94.

Stylish Person of the Week: Denise

My pick for stylish person this week is Denise! Denise is the editor-in-chief at http://www.cleveland.com/. She is wearing her favorite, black, go-to jersey knit skirt from Ann Taylor, a feminine white cami from Target, and a black pashmina she bought off the street in New York City. Her striped tote was FREE with a Lancome purchase. Speaking of pashminas and scarfs, they are a HUGE trend this summer. For some, it's hard to imagine wearing a scarf in the heat. But the scarfs currently being sold are made with light-weight materials, like linen. So, just like you can imagine wearing a short patterned scarf around your neck (and many still do, because this style has become a classic), the scarfs for this trend are a little longer and can add a finished look to your outfit. Also, wearing this trend is a great option for air-conditioned places, because you can then use your pashmina as a wrap to stay warm!

Let's look at who's offering affordable scarfs to help us get this look:

If you want a scarf similar to the one Denise is wearing, http://www.forever21.com/ has a linen weave scarf in seven different colors, including black, for $10.80. The store also sells the pretty striped metallic scarf below for $7.80.

http://www.oldnavy.com/ has linen blend scarfs in five colors for $10.00. They also offer four patterned lightweight knit scarfs like the one below for $8.99.

Ode To Chuck

I've heard several times recently that it's the 100 year anniversary of Converse. The first time was from the sales clerk at Famous Footwear when I went to buy my son new Chuck Taylor shoes. He wore a couple different pairs of high top Chuck Taylors as a baby, and looked so cute and stylish. We got compliments all the time on them, and I loved how they looked with his cute little boot cut jeans. OK, for the record, baby clothes (mainly for boys) have come a long way, and even though I have had girl envy (I salivate at all the trendy girls clothes I see at stores), I have satisfied my craving to buy shoes and outfits, for my son. Anyway, I digress. That's the great thing about the very popular Chuck Taylor all star style at Converse- they are cool, appeal to a wide audience (sporty and rocker types alike) and have stood the test of time. The Chuck Taylor style came along somewhere in the 1920's and were named after a popular pro player on the Akron Firestones basketball team (I am from Cleveland, so even cooler).

Check out the Chuck Taylor styles available for Men, Women and Children everywhere! Or go to the Converse website yourself (where you can even design your own), at www.converse.com.

These classic high tops are available in lots of colors for men for $42.00 at http://www.zappos.com/ .

Target now carries Converse shoes and clothes (think sporty dresses, shirts and shorts). The Women's pink slip-ons and yellow polka dotted shoes are $34.99 at http://www.target.com/.

There are several toddler and kids styles at http://www.famousfootwear.com/, even with velcro straps (LOVE those), for $24.99-$29.99.

Covering Up In Style

Well, I wrote about swimsuits, so I figure I'd follow with swimsuit cover-ups. There are cover-ups out there that are pretty enough to wear with other things besides your swimsuit. I have a tunic style cover-up from last season that I sometimes wear with capris. Even though it is a thinner material, as some are, I make sure to wear a substantial tank underneath. So, think of the cover-ups I am featuring as doing double duty for you. In that regard, some may be worth the investment.

The Land's End shirtdress cover-up is $59.50, the hoodie dress is $40.00 and the giraffe print tunic dress is $69.50; both are available at http://www.landsend.com/.







































The Portocruz crinkle cover-up and the Sonoma burnout tunic are both on sale for $12.00 at http://www.kohls.com/.

Swimming In Style-A Summertime Essential

Wearing a swimsuit is not my favorite thing to do, but there are times where you've just gotta do it. I've written about this on my other blog, but it's worth repeating since summer has officially begun! I previously wrote that my favorite swimsuits are from Land's End and that they have the best selection (short and long torsos, regular and women's sizes, as well as mastectomy suits) and great quality, even though they can be pricey. But again, a swimsuit is a basic piece you need in your wardrobe, and I think it's worth it to pay more for swimsuits, and jeans for that matter, if they make you look and feel great. The Land's End suits that I have are mix and match tankinis with skirted bottoms and shorts that I intermix. I feel good and stylish in them, they cover me enough that I feel comfortable, and that's all that matters to me. I think I may never be caught dead again in bikini bottoms, unless I am forced to by knife point. (Although my friend who went to Miami's South Beach last year, said she's glad she did, because that was the norm there).

Since my last blog entry on swimsuits, I have heard from others who've bought other brands that they love, so they are worth looking at.

The swimsuits below are from http://www.landsend.com/. The first one is similar to one that I own. The top and bottom, are $52.50 each. The one piece suit, which has shirring to help camoflauge the tummy area is, $82.50 and comes in four colors. The bikini is $40.50.

The swim separates below are from http://www.anntaylorloft.com/ and are on sale for $29.50 each.

The separates below are from http://www.kohls.com/ and are all on sale for $14.99 each.

Readers, what kind of suits and brands do you love?

Decorate Your Wrist

I recently bought a wristlet from the Coach store with money I had from my birthday. I wanted to splurge "just a little", so I chose a camel colored leather one that was big enough to put my cell phone, keys and money or credit cards in, and it was $98.00! But it defintely goes on my list of "basic" or "staple" items that you spend more on, but will last you a long time (for other things on my list of staple items, look in my Trendy Chic But Cheap blog's archives at http://www.cleveland.com/ ).

I have to say that I use my wristlet ALOT. I mainly use it when I don't want to carry a bulky purse, like to the grocery store, a restaurant, the park with my son, large events with crowds, etc. I also like that it hangs very comfortably on my wrist without fear of losing it. That is also why I prefer it to a clutch or a small bag with handles, because there is no way to hold onto those kinds of bags very comfortably. The wristlet just hangs from your wrist while you're walking or active, and doesn't really obstruct anything. Do any readers out there also own and like wristlets? Let me know!

Check out the other wristlets I found at varying prices on-line:

The camel one is a version of the one I bought at Coach for $98.00; the orange one(also available in other colors) from Coach is $58.00; Go the http://www.coach.com/ to find them.




















The next two wristlets are from Dooney and Bourke and can be found at http://www.nordstrom.com/. The pink one is $55.00 and the green one is $40.00. Both are available in other colors.





















The last two wristlets can be found at http://www.kohls.com/. The bronze one is from Apt. 9 for $18.00 and the silver one is from Candies for $28.00.

Stylish Person of the Week:Emily

My pick for stylish person of the week is Emily! Can you tell she's a teacher friend? Her outfit is from Dillard's, and is the perfect work outfit for warm summer days. It is comfortable and stylish. It reminds me how much I love summer skirts, because they are so easy to wear and pretty. Also, the A-line silhouette is flattering for all body types, especially if you are fuller in the hips and thighs. Let's see what other options Dillard's has in summer skirts:

The Bianca Nygard skirt on the left is on sale now for $45.00 on http://www.dillards.com/ .

The Intuitions banded hem skirt on the right is on sale now for $53.40 on http://www.dillards.com/ .

Channeling Carrie Bradshaw

What's the next best thing to seeing the Sex And The City movie and coveting some of the clothes and shoes (not ALL of them, some were really "out there")? Buying SATC wardrobe stylist, Patricia Field's new line of shoes at Payless! She is added to the growing list of designers out there who are catering to regular folks, like us, on a budget. All of the designers shown below from http://www.payless.com/ have their items listed at $35.00 and below.
(Also, check out my other "Channeling Carrie Bradshaw" article on my other blog Trendy Chic But Cheap, on www.cleveland.com/style .)

Look at what Patricia Field has to offer:

Check out other designers, like Stacey Bendet from Alice+Olivia:

And Lela Rose (LOVE that tote):

Get Dolled Up

Wearing baby doll style camisoles can be very feminine, flattering and current. But it can also be tricky, because you want to make sure you stay true to size in your fit, or you may look preggers! They are very versatile because they can be dressed up or down, and can take you from day to evening. Also, if you get chilly, you can throw on a fitted jacket or cardigan and still look fashionable.

Forever 21 has a great selection of camisoles and tanks. Check them out at http://www.forever21.com/ . The summertime bubble top and striped camisole below ar both $17.80.

The city style printed cami is $26.95 from http://www.nyandcompany.com/ .

The floral camisole below is $44.50 from http://www.gap.com/ and is worn how I would normally wear a camisole, with a fitted tank underneath. Otherwise, depending on the width of the straps, you would be dealing with bra straps showing or a strapless bra (which I tend to despise).

The Mossimo coral Camisole is $12.99 and the Xhilaration green camisole is $14.99 from http://www.target.com/ .