No matter what the season, yellow has always been one of my favorite statement colors. From Cher’s iconic outfits in Clueless, to the classic happy face sticker, there’s something about yellow that catches the eye, and demands attention. Personally, much of my wardrobe consists of black & white go-to pieces, and I’ve found that bright yellow is a fantastic accent that adds cheerfulness and whimsy to many of my favorite outfits.
In early Spring, my favorite handbag line COACH launched their brightest bag of the season, the neon Taxi Tote, pictured above. (You can view more photos of this rad bag, in my previous article about why I’ve become such a huge COACH fan, here.)
Now, for summer, they’ve come out with another line of sunshiny cuteness! I just spotted the Swagger Wristlet(with convertible long strap, to make it a crossbody bag!) at our local COACH store at Boise Towne Square…
Coach Swagger Wristlet with long strap
Seriously, how adorable is this?? Light and sweet, with just the right touch of metal accents. It’s the perfect little summer mini, if you’re looking for that Pop-of-color to add to your everyday wardrobe! In honor of the sweet Swagger’s bright cuteness, here are the Top 5 Reasons You Need a Yellow Bag.
Swagger Wristlet, Coach. $275
1. Yellow is NOT Trending. And it possibly never will! You know what’s great about that? It will never go out of style. It’s a classic, bold color that will always stand out as a fashion piece!
Mini Satchel, Topshop, $48
2. Yellow is Iconic. French Fries. Bart Simpson. Smiley Faces. Lemonheads. The Submarine the Beatles all lived in… Enough said! Yellow makes a statement that people remember.
Prince Street Mini Satchel, Coach, $295
3. Yellow is good for you, like drinking lemon water! Hear me out… I would never claim that carrying a yellow bag provides detoxifying health benefits, because that would be irresponsible. But I would recommend trying one on, just to see how you feel. Lighter? Airier? Smilier? See!
Moschino Camera iPhone case, Nordstrom, $85
4. Yellow is Cheerful. Look at the dotted bag below. Come on, isn’t it CUTE? When you scrolled down did you smile, and suddenly want to touch those little candy dots, hoping you could peel one off and pop it in your mouth? Then I’ve made my point. Next!
Luna Crossbody Bag, Marc by Marc Jacobs, $398
5. Because, Cher. Like seriously, as if you even needed the last four points! This is the only one that really matters.
XOXO,
Tanya
With 2015’s trend towards 70’s fashions, it’s no surprise to see one key 70’s trend making a major comeback: the Jumpsuit. First invented in 1919 by designer Florentine Thayat, whose goal was to create a subversive and futuristic fashion piece, jumpsuits have long been seen as quirky, unusual, and frankly a little rebellious. It’s like saying, Ok, I’ll come to your fancy ball, but I’m going to wear pants. And not only that, but I’ll wear them so well and be so comfortable, you’ll want to shed that straitjacket corset dress and come join me!
Jumpsuits are flamboyant, but also extremely comfortable and easy to style around! For these photos, I wore a black Jackie O jumpsuit from Black Halo, and simple gold jewelry. All I had to do to change the look entirely was alter my handbag and shoes!
Jumpsuits can also be a fantastic styling tool to work with your body type. I’m a strawberry, or upside-down heart, meaning busty on top but narrow through the hips and booty. This jumpsuit gives me a great curvaceous shape that evens out those proportions, by adding volume to my lower half, fitting snugly up top, and clearly defining my waistline. I’m kind of obsessed with it – thank you Black Halo!!!
It seems like every brand, store, and fashion line is selling jumpsuits this season (read more about why, here), and I highly recommend you go shopping for one! Be adventurous – try it out! You might be surprised at how comfortable and effortless they can be. They’re available everywhere right now, from high-end couture designers to this cute $35 patterned summer jumpsuit from H&M.
Some important things to look for in your perfect jumpsuit are:
1. Length. A wide-leg jumpsuit can be incredibly elongating, but only if it’s the right length! Choose one as long as you can, but NOT touching the ground. You don’t want to ruin it, or hide your shoes completely! If it’s a fitted jumpsuit, go for ankle length to show off your shoes, or longer if you want a little “scrunch” right above the shoes.
Peek-a-boo, cute shoes!
2. Fit. Look for a jumpsuit for your body type! One that’s fitted through the hips, booty, and legs but has more volume up top is great for “pear” bodies. An hourglass body type can pull off either style. For all body types, play with proportions on sleeve length, neckline, and where the waist hits for the perfect fit.
3. Color. When in doubt, go with solid color. If this is your first time in a jumpsuit, get black. Once you’re more comfortable with the style, amp it up with florals, patterns, and bolder prints!
Curvy ladies, you can pull this look off too!!! Check out this stunning Michael Kors jumpsuit I found at Nordstrom.com – it’s 40% off right now!!
4.Go short for summer. Rompers are the summertime version of the jumpsuit, and are HUGE right now in major fashion hubs! They’re super cute for daytime, but a romper can also be very elegant for a night out on the town. Add a necklace and sandals, and you’re done!
5. Check your booty! A jumpsuit with a high rise can lead to the dreaded “mom butt” if you’re not careful! Check the mirror, and make sure the jumpsuit doesn’t make your posterior look longer and flatter than it really is.
6. Layer, layer, layer. Think of your jumpsuit as a version of the LBD (Little Black Dress) every woman should have in her closet. It’s a basic piece that you decorate, to fit your style, your body, and whatever event you’re wearing it to!
7. Have fun. You’re going to feel a little subversive in your jumpsuit, but if it fits well, you’ll also feel very elegant and chic. Be confident! Rock it! And when those ladies in the tight, fussy dresses are staring you down, just smile and give them a happy wink.
XOXO,
Tanya
Gold ring: Coach (Something similar here) / Black ring: I confess this is the metal tag that came attached to the Black Halo Jumpsuit label! Couldn’t help it… had to wear it! 😉
Ah, can you feel it? Spring is here! And all across the fashion runways and grocery store magazines, you’re seeing it: the 70’s are back, baby! Bell-bottoms, lace-up tops, clogs, nature-inspired jewelry, paisley prints, patchwork, suede detailing, and fringe – they’re everywhere, and it feels so good! It’s all music festival vibe and Boho chic; even Coachella is getting in on the act, with their new collaboration line with H&M. I know, I gasped when I heard of it, too. Can’t wait to see what they come up with!
My favorite part about this trend, is that you don’t necessarily have to rush out and buy a ton of new fashion pieces to rock it; chances are, you already own some of these things, buried deep in your closet. Or your mom does… Or ask your grandma, ha! How ever you get ahold of them, wide-legged jeans and trousers are a must-have this season. All styles are acceptable (the more creative, the better – get crafty with them), and for summer we’ll see the trend transition into loose Bermuda shorts, culottes, and one-piece rompers.
Remember, high-waisted jeans are more authentic and less 2001, so don’t get all Britney-Spearsy and tummy-baring… That can wait until Summer! It’s still chilly outside, at least in my neck of the woods. Which brings me to my top tip for transitioning your Winter wardrobe into Spring: a statement jacket. I scored this dusty pink faux fur coat on clearance at Forever 21, on their end-of-season sale. It pairs perfectly with my Paige bell-bottom jeans from Piece Unique, and these Hailey Bob and Ecru blouses that were also on clearance, at Ruby Lou Boutique! The necklaces are from Urban Outfitters, the long one is here , and the short collar one is now on CLEARANCE in the store!)
In my Coach article last week, I used a transparent jacket to add pop to a basic spring outfit. In next week’s article, I’ll show how a classic jumpsuit can be styled multiple ways, just by changing what you put over it, all with inexpensive items you might already have in your closet! So stay tuned, stay warm, and stay HAPPY!
Unless you live under a rock in the USA, you’ve probably heard of Coach. They’ve been around since the 1940’s, starting out as a humble shop in New York where six leatherworkers crafted billfolds and wallets by hand. In the 1960’s, Lillian Cahn, who co-founded the shop with her husband Miles, convinced him to start creating women’s handbags. He scoffed in the beginning, but their first design, inspired by the paper tote bags she carried as a youth during the Depression – delivering her family’s handmade pasta noodles to customers! – became an instant classic, amassing loyal customers and propelling Coach into the Luxury goods arena.
Over the years those loyal customers have grown with the company, collecting classic bags with a deep appreciation for their workmanship (still handstitched, after all these years!), beautiful style, and lifetime warranty.
But in 2014 Coach veered into new territory, hiring Stuart Vevers as their creative director, a younger and more urban designer than Coach fans are accustomed to. The classic styles are still available, but Vevers has added a plethora of fashion-forward designs that push the boundaries of the typical customer’s comfort zone. Will fan loyalty hold fast, with this evolution of edgy, gritty, rocker flavor on handbags, couture clothing collections, and a newly-acquired shoe line (Stuart Weitzman)?
Time will tell. But I for one find this new Coach fascinating!
Now, I have a confession to make: I’m a fairly recent fan of Coach. Late to the party, I know… Seriously, they weren’t really much on my radar, until a couple years ago when a friend gave me a little gold handbag with the Op-Art C’s embossed on it. Cute! Then this last fall Coach’s Fall 2014 runway collection burst onto my Instagram feed. Swoon! Shearling-trimmed wedge booties, capes, metal tassles, plaid, and dark moody colors dominated the runway. And I fell in love!
When you see a handbag that makes you gasp, you form an instant emotional connection with it. It can’t be helped! And that’s the connection Stuart Vevers brings to this brand.
This Spring, COACH has turned up the wattage even more (Watch the runway video here, or click the photo below), with neons, edgy shapes, striking lines, and metal trim morphing onto classic Coach shapes. The expansion of their clothing line is another brilliant move, and the results are no less than stunning. I found myself going through the slideshows, thinking “I want that, and that, and that, and I’d totally wear that…” on almost every piece. The colors, the shapes… Everything about this collection is sheer delight! Stuart Vevers has done something few designers can pull off: nailing the perfect balance of Classic and Urban.
Personally, I like to think my own style is a mix of Classic and Urban, so the “New” Coach resonates with me! I adore structured lines with a flair for retro, like their newly-launched Swaggerbag, available in large, mini, pebble leather, and metallic – 24 colors & sizes total!!! I love them ALL, but for this shoot I chose a classic Tote (in very un-classic neon!), because seriously, a bright yellow handbag is the perfect cheery go-to for a grey day! Just looking at it makes me smile. 🙂
Keep rocking what you’re doing, Coach – the fashion world just sat up and took notice!
XOXO,
Tanya
What to wear, when you’re not in the mood for a ton of effort? Stripes + Denim + Hat = Fab Look! Most women have some type of striped piece in their closet, and of course some denim. Put them together, and you get a laid-back ensemble with a hint of Parisian chic! Now, you may have heard that horizontal stripes are a no-no, because they make you look wide. The key is to use those stripes where you want to widen, and use a jacket or sweater over the areas you want to slim down! I have narrow hips, so I chose a cropped jacket; this makes the stripes stand out – and widen me visually – right at my hips. See?
I’ve had great luck lately at the crazy-awesome winter sales happening around town, so finding fab styles on a tight budget has been fairly easy-peasy. That always perks me up!
Earlier this week I scored a destroyed denim jacket at Urban Outfitters for only $20 – gotta love those clearance racks! Ruby Lou in Eagle is having a 50% off winter sale; I picked up a couple lovely blouses you’ll see in photos soon, and this rad wool Soho fedora that will go great with EVERYTHING from now until the weather warms up, lol! For Boise, that’s around… March, sigh.
H&M, extra 30% off Clearance, Winter sale up to 70% off! Forever 21, Sweaters starting at $11.99! Swank Boutique – Redline markdowns on winter fashions from Free People, Wildfox, etc. – 20-50% off! Fancy Pants in Boise – Winter sale through Friday, 30-60% off clothing, 50% off ALL shoes! Victoria’s Secret Semi-Annual Sale (ends tonight at midnight!)
Piece Unique & Shoez – Weekend winter MEGA-clearance sale on new AND consignment racks throughout the store, 75% off and more on TONS of items!!! Open 10am-6pm Satruday, 12-5pm on Sunday
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Follow me on Instagram for daily sale alerts & fab fashion finds!
Brrrr, the temperatures in my neck of the woods just plummeted, and we’re scrambling to bust out all our winter gear! Just in time, indie-retro-cool site Modcloth.com issued myself and a few other bloggers a fashion challenge: Show us how YOU work LAYERS!
As a girl with curves, layers can be a particular challenge; put me in a puffy coat, and I feel like that little kid in the Christmas Story, waddling down the sidewalk until he falls over in the snow and can’t get up…
Don’t fall down… Don’t fall down…
I’ve learned the trick to layering is in understanding your body, and for me that means keeping an emphasis on my waist. I’m just so happy that the big trend in winter coats this year is BELTING them. Yessss! All of the above pieces are urban-classy, totally my style, and have a defined waistline, no matter how many layers I add. And that coat – swoon! Nothing beats the winter blues like a siren-red coat!
Stay warm out there, my friends!
XOXO,
Tanya
Shop Modcloth’s selection of cozy, gorgeous sweaters for chic layering here!
Every Fall, I voraciously inhale stacks of fashion magazines, like most people consume Thanksgiving dinner! There are so many fun and fascinating styles emerging on the fashion scene this season! Lately, however, I’ve been changing the way I shop and view fashion – moving away from loading-up on seasonal trendy pieces, and choosing instead to invest in long-lasting, well-made classics that (hopefully) won’t wear out before I grow tired of them. It’s a mental shift in how I utilize my budget, and has been an interesting learning curve…
Recently, instead of buying a bunch of new fall outfits, I saved up & splurged my entire budget on one amazing Coach handbag, the Borough (see photo, above!). I fell in love with its clean, classic lines, hand-stitched workmanship, and luxurious materials. This, I decided, is my first big “investment piece.” I intend to get much bang for my buck from this bag, because of how many times I will use it, year after year! This classic style won’t go out of fashion, anytime soon.
Photo Courtesy of AnthropologiePhoto courtesy of Pink Blush
But then I spotted this dress “Etienne” dress at Anthropologie, and fell in love! Sigh, I’m not going to spend $178, even though it’s oh-so-lovely; my budget is tapped out!
Some time later, I received an email from online shopping site Pink Blush, offering to let me try some of their fun clothes & accessories to highlight on my blog. Lo and behold, I found this Navy Blue Mesh Striped Dress, for only $37! Looks pretty similar to the Anthropologie dress, doesn’t it??
I added a glitzy necklace for $11, a unique bracelet for $13, and $27 Chinese Laundry shoes from Ross, and I’m all set for a fashionable business meeting downtown. My swing coat is vintage from a local thrift store; I paid around $10 for it, seriously!
Put everything together, and my entire look is LESS THAN $100, apart from my Borough bag!!!
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The key to looking luxe for less is in the details. Focus on investing in statement pieces that people will notice; quality shoes, iconic handbags, and stand-out coats are a great place to start! And if you ARE going to buy inexpensive clothes and jewelry, look for materials and craftsmanship that LOOK more expensive than they really are. This is called mixing high and low… And it’s brilliant, because not all of us can afford to wear head-to-toe designer brands every day, like Kim Kardashian.
Do you have a favorite “bargain” treasure shopping find? Tell me about it in the contest below! One lucky person will be drawn at random to receive a $25 gift card to Pink Blush, where a little can go a long way.
Good luck!!!
When Nordstrom’s August 2014 Catalog arrived in my mailbox, I wasn’t surprised to see a plethora of plaid styles throughout the pages. What did surprise me, however, is all the cool and unexpected ways Nordy’s upped the ante on this favorite fall staple! Oh my goodness, how hot and fun are these looks?? I just had to share them with you!
Here are some inspiring Fall Looks, from their August 2014 Catalog. Enjoy!
Which one is your favorite? Will you be rocking plaid this fall? Tell me your thoughts in the comment section below!
BARGAIN HUNTERS: Most of these brands and looks can be found at a discount at your local Nordstrom Rack, also!!! Click here to find the Rack nearest to you.
My friend Hanna is a rep for Stella & Dot, and was showing me some of her new pieces recently. When I spotted this amazing “Pegasus” necklace, I was totally inspired to lean into my medieval-fantasy passions, and style a shoot around the stunning jewelry piece, with a kind of how-would-Khaleesi-wear-it theme. Special thanks to my up-for-anything photographer Jeanne Giltzow for finding us a herd of horses to shoot with, and for braving a crazy dirt tornado in between shots to get these fabulous photos! I’d do this with you again, in a heartbeat.
I hope you enjoy the photos as much as I enjoyed shooting them. Honestly, I didn’t want to take this outfit off; I was ready to jump into a cosplay battle, hahaha! Someone fetch my saddle and my sword; I shall ride out to fight the dragons henceforth!
I guess sometimes princesses never truly grow up. Or geeks, for that matter.
I am personally crazy about Fit & Flare dresses, and oh so happy that they’re a hot trend item for Spring 2014! My body type is a Strawberry, which means I’m busty on top and narrow through the hips. Fit & Flare dressed are perfect for my body type, because they’re form-fitting on top and voluminous on bottom, which balances out my proportions! I spotted this gorgeous lace fuchsia dress at The Threaded Zebra in Eagle, and just had to have it!!!
Fit & Flare dresses can be great for any body type; it’s all about the proportions! They’re perfect for slimming-down curvier hips & bum; a woman who’s a Pear body type should aim for a higher waistline, which will emphasize the bust and elongate legs. A Fit & Flare dress with a slender belt can also help define curves and a waistline, if you’re a Celery Stick or Apple body type. (Not sure which type you are? Read my tips for how to dress for Body Type here!)
Nearly every girl can wear a fit & flare dress – is it any wonder it’s such a hot trend this spring? Enjoy the flowers, the sunshine, and the pretty dresses of summer, my lovelies!!!
Style Spy Girl 
