Cover Up (Just A Little) This Spring With A Lightweight Shrug!

imageDaylight Savings may be upon us, but even on those days when it stays sunny until 9 PM, it’s still not quite hot enough to make you sweat at just the thought of an extra clothing layer. You know those perfect spring nights where the temperature is still in its in-between stage… and you spend 20 minutes in front of your closet trying to decide whether or not to ditch the jacket? Enter the lightweight shrug, the spring fashionista’s savior for those awkward-weather nights. They provide just the right amount of coverage for your bare arms and shoulders without obstructing the view of your cute top. Opt for a neutral color in light jersey or a really fine sweater blend when you want a go-to you can throw on on your way out, or make a statement with the shrug itself in a bright color or flashy sequins. Take a look at the slideshow for 10 ways to cover up comfortably this spring!

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Bag Of The Week: Kooba Jagger Bag

imageI wonder which Jagger this bag may have been named for. Is it Mick Jagger for his rock and roll style and propensity to bare his chest? Or is it Bianca Jagger, known for her chic downtown style? Nonetheless, this versatile bag by Kooba is perfect for any occasion. The sleep shoulder bag’s roomy interior appears when you unzip the sides and front to hold daily essentials such as your laptop and even an extra pair of shoes. Later, pull up all the zippers to create a smaller compact bag for a nighttime look! The bag comes in classic black or white which will definitely go with your professional work attire to any outfit fit for Studio 54. So go ahead, channel your inner rock and roll persona and make the Jaggers proud.

What: the Kooba Jagger Bag
Price: $595
Where to Buy: shop.kooba.com
Who: facadeindreams was the first to add the Kooba Jagger Bag to the Hive.

Liberty of London x Target

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Lending a little High Street charm to America’s beloved retail chain, Target’s collaboration with Liberty of London hits shelves nationwide this Sunday, but we had the chance to check it out yesterday at a NYC pop-up.

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The collection—reinterpreting Liberty’s limited edition Merci line for spring at a lower price point—plays to both brands’ recent successes with similar collaborations. The upshot, floral-printed apparel for men, women and kids, as well as accessories, bedding, stationery, furniture and bicycles done up in paisleys and other patterns by the centuries-old fabric company, fills the space to the brim. Along with blooming flowers (like daffodils and hydrangeas), props, and build-outs all keeping to the theme too, the shop itself has the dizzyingly gorgeous effect of a classic all-over Liberty print.

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Running through 13 March 2010, the pop-up is not to be missed.

See some of the shots from our visit to the shop, as well as some photos from Refinery29, in the slideshow below.


Clear Accessories That Are Nowhere Near Invisible!

imageWhile you may opt to leave the lucite platform heels for the… errr, pole, less frowned-upon clear accessories are making a wave in the pool of upcoming spring trends, and they’re looking anything but cheap-o. Clear lucite and plastic, traditionally not the most luxe of jewelry-making materials, are sprouting up everywhere we look in the realms of sunglasses, watches and beyond, and I think the effect is totally refreshing! Think of clear pieces as 2010’s answer to white accessories, except without the constant worry of accidental barbecue sauce spills or inevitable grass stains. I love the way clear jewelry reflects the sun, whether in the form of baubles or bangles, and it’s a way to still get that “iced” look without spending thousands on actual bling. Of course, while I’d gladly take real diamonds any day, clear pieces have a more versatile and casual daytime spring look — and I dare you to find something it won’t match! Take a look at the slideshow for my favorite clear accessories for spring!

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Silk And Satin Shorts For Every Occasion

imageBefore I discovered the appeal of dressy shorts, the only shorts I owned were a few clingy black pairs with stripes down the sides, courtesy of the Nike store. These days I find myself gravitating towards pieces that, to be honest, feel like pajamas, made work-appropriate with tights and heels. Kimchi Blue’s scalloped pair is eerily reminiscent of the Chloe shorts that Kate Bosworth and Chloe Sevigny made us realize we needed, and at just $24, we don’t need to be convinced! Sonia by Sonia Rykiel’s bow-adorned pair mixes menswear styling with feminine flair for a sweet skirt substitution, and Diane von Furstenberg’s kelly green shorts practically scream “spring!” and are on sale to boot. Click on my slideshow for 8 pairs to take you from the bedroom to the boardroom, and even the bar after that. Just saying!

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Shoe Of The Week: Camilla Skovgaard Collar Sandals

imageI’m usually really not a fan of platforms with tracking on the bottom. I mean, what’s the point? You’d have to be a complete fool to actually try hiking anywhere in heels, and either you or your shoes would likely die in the attempt (I’m not sure which would be worse). But for some reason, I’m totally digging the zig-zag bottoms of these sandals by Camilla Skovgaard. The tracking-inspired soles clearly are just for design and not function, and I actually love the way the edgy jagged pattern offsets the softness of the tan leather and the femininity of the slouchy belted design. While I’d rather get married in clogs (yeah, right) than trek any farther than two blocks in these bad boys, for once I’m kind of buying the whole hiker-inspired trend! Well, not literally buying it — that’s one heck of a price tag.

What: the Camilla Skovgaard Collar Sandals
Price: $545
Where to Buy: Saks
Who Found It: xgalexy was the first to add the Camilla Skovgaard Collar Sandals to the Hive.

Beauty How-To: 10 Different Types Of False Lashes And What They Do For You!

imageNow that false eyelashes have really hit their height as a beauty trend and have become more everyday-acceptable than their exclusively-for-Vegas-showgirl roots, a falsies virgin can’t help but be overwhelmed by the endless array of styles that bombard her at the “beauty bar” every time she enters a Sephora. Aside from the obvious feather-embellished and loopy rainbow fringe courtesy of Shu Uemura’s Tokyo Lash Bar, even the multitude of natural lashes can appear crazily intimidating. Criss-cross, short and dense, long and tapered, sectional… why the heck are there so many different kinds, and why don’t any of them actually look like normal eyelashes at all? The first step in banishing the lash confusion is to have an open mind; what looks flashy or scary (and sometimes even spidery) in the package won’t actually look like that on your lids. And while this isn’t a step-by-step guide to applying lashes (still working on it myself — practice makes almost-perfect), it can help you with the first hurdle: choosing the right type to play up your peepers. And remember — as long as you treat them with care, they’re reusable, so you don’t have to spend on each individual use! So if you’re already armed with the desire for fluttery fringe and plenty of patience, check the slideshow for a selection of 10 different lashes and what they do exactly!

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Hot In The Hive: Customizable Canvas Necklace

imageI’ve never really been into jewelry-making crafts, save for that small collection of ratty friendship bracelets I’ve made over the years at summer camp, but this Customizable Canvas Necklace is igniting a spark of creativity I never even knew I had! Each necklace (either silver or gold-plated) comes with a needle and coordinating thread so you can “embroider” your own pattern, icon, or message. Don’t have any necklaces to match your new top? Make one! Can’t wear that “Bobby” necklace that your old boyfriend gave you because, well, things with Bobby didn’t quite work out? Well, this necklace lets you start over and brag about your new guy in just a few stitches. Of course, this requires that you actually have the time for a mini art project every time you want something new, but it’s certainly a cool idea!

Price: $80 for silver, $95 for gold
Who Found It: xgalexy was the first to add the Customizable Necklace to the Hive.

Stylehive’s Stylescopes Find Your Perfect Pop Of Color!

imageMarch is already in full bloom, so that means it’s about time you kicked those winter blues, no matter how stubborn and un-springy the weather may still be! If you’re not ready to take on the season’s brights full-on just yet, the style stars say you’re destined to at least start embracing a cheerier color palette little by little. So why not try transitioning last season’s wardrobe with fresh pops of color? A little flash of color can do wonders in revamping go-to wardrobe staples that have begun to look “blah,” even if it’s just a tiny accessory or beauty item. Not sure which hue is the best fit to suit your fashion future? Stylehive’s Stylescopes are here to help, as always! Leo girls can brighten their outfit from the inside out with a magenta bralette, and Pisces ladies will turn to their water sign roots with cobalt blue tights! Check the slideshow to see which color your sign is destined to rock this week!

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Recession Chic: 10 Flat Booties Under $100!

imageI’ve been in pursuit of the perfect pair of flat boots for so long that I’ve recently had to modify my search to the perfect pair of short flat boots, given the updates in shoe trends and the passing of more than one season. But even with my more specific and refined target purchase, I’m still having a hard time making up my mind and settling on one ideal pair. Sure, our favorite fool-proof boot brands like Frye and Dolce Vita have loads of options in every color and type of embellishment, but what if it turns out that I’m totally “over” the trend after just a few uses? What if I have my sights on a different pair before these ones even come in the mail? Lucky for us recessionistas, the flat ankle boot craze has caught on and expanded to incorporate more affordable brands in its arsenal of suppliers — Report, Steve Madden, Aldo — so you can indulge in an edgier pair for just a fraction of the guilt… or buy more than one and still stay under the cost of that designer pair you’ve been drooling over! Check out the slideshow for 10 pairs of flat booties — all different, and all under $100 a pop!

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