StyleSaveur is a "Love Her Style" Blog Award Winner!!

So excited to bring you this news ... StyleSaveur has won an award! One of our favorite bloggers, The Obsessionista, bestowed the "Love Her Style" award upon us. I'm humbled by the award and can only hope to live up to its premise - "Fashion expression should speak; volume, LIFE, and character...which is exactly what these ladies showcase daily!" 

A very sincere THANK YOU to The Obsessionista, an award winner herself. I'm in very stylish company, so be sure to check out the other winners:

... a reflection by Tuesdai

ADDIKTED2FASHION

RippedNylon

Coley's Closet Cravings

Adventures of Black Orchid


Thank you to all of my readers for your continued support! *applause*

How To Plan Your Spring Wardrobe

It's officially Spring! I know, I know ... it doesn't feel like it in New York City right now (48 degrees?!?), but it is. That means it's time to start packing away our shearlings, sweater dresses, and Uggs to make room for lightweight leather jackets, floral shift dresses and sandals. But don't run to Bloomingdale's just yet! In life if we fail to plan,we plan to fail and that goes for fashion too. Having a clear plan of action will save you money and leave you with a well edited closet, which makes it easier to get dressed. 

To prep you for Spring shopping, I've compiled the below process for planning out your wardrobe. The steps come courtesy of one of my favorite style guides - Style 101: What Every Stylish Woman Should Know from the editors of InStyle magazine.

Step 1: Create an Inspiration Board

[Image courtesy of profreshstyle.com]

Since you're all fashionistas, I'm sure you've poured over the latest issues of InStyle, Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and other fashion magazines to learn about the Spring trends, see new items available from your favorite designers or see what your favorite celebrities are wearing. Take it one step further and tear out the looks that you want to imitate or buy - both from fashion spreads and advertising. You can also print out looks from your favorite bloggers (I've been inspired by The Glamourai, Swank Heights and Fashion Bananas.)

Tape/pin/paste the looks to a bulletin board or, if you don't have one, purchase a thick piece of foam/core board from an art store and post it on your closet door. As you populate the board, take notice of what trends you're gravitating to and what items emerge as YOUR must-haves (not what everyone else is telling you to buy.)

Step 2: Edit Your Current Wardrobe

[Image courtesy of instyle.com]

Now you know the look you're aiming for this Spring, but don't go shopping just yet! You should first take the time to go through your current wardrobe, inspecting and trying on clothes from last Spring and last season to see what's still in style, what fits and what flatters you most. This goes for shoes, bags and accessories as well. 

Go through everything and separate your closet/dresser drawers into four piles - Keep, Repair/Alter, Donate, Trash. The Keep pile should consist of items that fit, flatter and remain stylish. Pieces that still work, but need new buttons or could be taken in a few inches should go into the Repair/Alter pile. Items that are still in good condition, but don't fit or are no longer your style should go in the Donate pile and be given to a local Salvation Army or consignment shop. Anything that is beyond repair should be in the Trash pile. 

This could take up a good portion of your day and emotions might run high since you may have to part with items that hold sentimental value so make this part fun! Pour a glass of wine, play some music that makes you feel great, do whatever keeps you in a positive state of mind.

Be organized when putting your Keep and Repair/Alter items (once they've been repaired/altered) back in your closet - organize clothing by category and then by color from light to dark, neatly place bags on shelves (stuff them with tissue paper and use the dust bags that came with them), shoes stacked in clear boxes. For organized closet inspiration, check out Making It Lovely blog or visit InStyle.com's gallery of celebrity (shoe) closets.

Step 3: Do Some Styling

[Image courtesy of Cupcakes and Cashmere]

Once you've edited your closet, it's time to become your own stylist. Start creating outfits based on your inspiration board. What outfits can you already create? Lay them out and photograph them to create your own Spring Look Book. Purchase a photo album to house the pictures of your looks and store it prominently in your closet for reference whenever you think you have nothing to wear.

Note the items missing from your wardrobe. Is there a Boyfriend Blazer in most of your inspiration looks, but you don't own one? Do you need certain accessories to complete some of your looks? You'll need this information for the next, and final, step.

Step 4: Make a Wish List

You've found your fashion inspiration, edited your closet, and determined what was missing from your wardrobe. There's only one step left before you head to the mall ... creating your Spring Wish List.

Separate a sheet of paper into two columns - Need and Want. In the Need column, write down those items that you won't be able to do without this Spring. Ideally it should be populated with wardrobe staples that will get a lot of wear or pieces needed to complete several of your inspired looks. If it's not absolutely necessary, like a 3rd pair of wooden platform wedge sandals, then it goes into the Want column.

Make sure to keep your Wish List with you when you do your Spring shopping, which prevents impulse purchases. I completely understand how you can be distracted by a statement necklace that you just have to have, but purchase your key items (e.g. your Need list) first before moving on to the fun stuff.

Once you've completed all of these steps, you're ready to go shopping with your Wish List in hand. I tend to add an extra step by researching prices online at some of my favorite stores to make sure I stick to my budget. Why pay full price for a wedge sandal at Saks 5th Avenue if I can get a similar style at Ann Taylor for 30% less? 

You're now armed and ready lovelies. Happy Spring Shopping!

Lust of the Week | Giuseppe Zanotti Striped Satin Court Shoe

As I checked out Savoir Flair's daily email this afternoon I was transported to Shoe Heaven. I'm in LOVE with the multi-colored stripe detail of this satin peep-toe platform pump from Giuseppe Zanotti Design. This is definitely a statement to add to your shoe collection and will serve to up the style quotient on almost any outfit choice, from a white shift dress to cropped pleated pants.

This darling of a shoe is on sale now at FarFetch.com and there aren't many sizes left so hurry. Happy shopping!

Centric's Model City

So I'm definitely on the late show, but I'm loving Model City on Centric. After years of watching the struggle of females in the modeling world, its great to see how the other side of the gender coin deals with the pressure to be beautiful.

Unlike other model shows on-air right now (ANTM, Models of the Runway) this is not a competition show. Model City is a real life look at this lives of experienced models - Ibrahim, Wendell, Nelson and Zeric - and novices - Henry and Salieu - as they navigate New York City and maintain or build their careers (all are signed with RED Model Management.)

This IS reality TV so of course there is drama: Ibrahim and Wendell are top models in the game and therefore don't get along due to the neverending competition for jobs, Zeric is a gay black man ... 'nuff said, and Henry decides to drop out of college against the wishes of his Ivy League-educated sisters. As luck would have it all the models are in committed relationships, with Wendell being the live-in boyfriend of supermodel Sessilee Lopez.

Despite the lack of prospects, these beautiful black men are a pleasure to watch. Model City airs Thursdays at 8pm on Centric.

Spring into Love with RACHEL Rachel Roy

Rachel Roy, one of my favorite designers, released the Spring 2010 Lookbook for her RACHEL Rachel Roy collection and it does not disappoint. Entitled "Love is...", RRR continues to showcase its artsy roots and youthful exuberance.

RRR is a line that I often source for funky one-of-a kind pieces - an oversized asymmetrical tee, a casual dress with a graffiti print, a v-neck top with a built-in chainlink necklace - and the Spring collection provides several options. I love the lambskin Shredded Back Biker Jacket ($249) and the Cropped Cargo Pocket Trench ($149).

You can check out the lookbook and purchase items at rachelroy.com.

Runway Report | Pucci FW 2010

It was extremely difficult to pick my favorite looks from this collection as I was in awe at every look that came down the runway. For Fall, Pucci should be the collection that all of young hollywood sources for their red carpet looks (in place of the overdone Herve Leger bandage dress.)

 

It was all about the super short dress in this collection. Several options were provided, all in lengths that only the most daring could pull off. Yet, somehow the pieces still came off as sophisticated ... with an edge. Black was the key color of the collection. Not basic black ... textured black that glistened with sequins and sprouted with feathers. The leather and fur trend for the season also continued here, with several fur jackets and leather accents making their way down the runway.

The show wasn't a total blackout. Splashes of color appeared in golds, greens, blues and reds - the latter in a full on ensemble of high-waisted pants, sheer blouse and leather cropped jacket. All of the looks were accessorized with cage-style black platforms.

I honestly loved every piece of this collection and would kill to own just one of the minidresses. I think I'm daring enough to pull it off. How about you?

Photos courtesy of The Cut.

Lust of the Week | Alexander Wang Denim Oxford Shirt Dress

I fell in love with this Alexander Wang dress while window shopping on shopbop.com and I cannot get it off my mind. Chambray denim paired with a draped white skirt, joined by a grosgrain black ribbon. Its classic with a twist - in other words just my style.

At a price point of $425, it's expensive but not beyond the scope of reality. Sadly, its not made in my current size (ranges up to a size 10 ... which is prob more like an 8.) However, I'm tempted to purchase the dress and hang it in front of me while I'm on the treadmill! The things we do for fashion.



Photo courtesy of shopbop.com.

Runway Report | Dolce e Gabbana FW 2010

The Dolce e Gabbana show opened with a short video of the designers crafting and fitting the looks in the collection, a behind the scenes look at the creative process and an introduction to the collection - Sicilianità, Sartorialità, Sensualità (Sicilian, Stylish, Sensual.)

The video continued as the first models took to the runway in basic black suiting. If anything the jacket was the key piece of this collection, paired with lingerie style camisoles, slim pants and sheer pencils skirts. I was surprised to see so many suits, but there were several options in including knit versions and Chanel-style boucle. Lace was another key element, appearing as accents or full on in impeccable dresses and skirts. A super short houndstooth wool skirt with lace trim appeared and I immediately fell in love. Bursts of florals were featured on dresses and coats.

The mostly black collection did feature some splashes of color with pleated and draped velvet dresses in deep red and forest green, red and gold satin shifts, and bright colored under-dresses paired with black lace. There were also some fun and sexy pieces - coin covered rompers and jackets, lots of hotpants, sheer skirts, leopard print in skintight dresses and corset tops (often paired with the polka dot skirts).

Can't forget accessories as several models came down the runway with a new take on the doctor's bag - black leather with coins or fur trim, all-over camel colored fur. LOVE them.

The show ended with what I thought was a fitting tribute to all of the people who worked on the collection, shown on the video screen for all to see as the last model walked off the runway. The finale showcased every model, dozens of them, in a blazer and hot pants as they walked off the runway (including Chanel Iman and French Vogue cover girl Rose Cordero.)

Theatrical and technically beautiful, I loved this collection. It definitely is a departure from the more overtly sexy collections of the past, but its still classic Dolce e Gabbana in the details. There's so much of this collection that I would love to own for Fall.

Photos courtesy of The Cut.