Hot In The Hive: Opening Ceremony Knit Ear Warmer

imageI don’t know about you, but some of my favorite pieces of clothing while I was growing up were the cool knits my grandmother and various aunts made for me. Any of my requests were instantly fulfilled. Rainbow striped beanie? Check. Fuzzy hot pink sweater? Check. These days it’s difficult to wear hand knit items yet still feel like a somewhat responsible adult. Designer and knitting expert Siu Yin Chau has a whole line of handmade knit wear for which I’d gladly trade in my scratchy wool sweaters. One of my favorites is her ear warmers found at Opening Ceremony! Unlike traditional ear muffs that have a hard frame, this version lies flat until you tie it around your head and over your ears. Now I can stuff this into the smallest of purses and still stay warm when I go outside!

Price: $63
Who Found It: lisannebee was the first to add the Knit Ear Warmer by Siu Yin Chau to the Hive.

WhatsWear Is In Color-Block Heaven With These Louboutin Slingbacks

imageWhenever I see a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes, I get a little short of breath. When I saw his latest creation, the Bianca Slingback Platform Pumps, I nearly fell off my chair. These multi-color, patent-leather heels are beyond words. They are glossy perfection. I wouldn’t expect anything less from a red-soled shoe; this pair is a necessity for any closet. Whether you don these heavenly creations on vacation in St. Barths or add a little color to an all-black ensemble at home, you will definitely get your money’s worth in wear time. And when the weather gets warmer, these shoes will also be perfect for spring into summer. Wherever you go, no matter what outfit you wear, the compliments will follow in these platforms’ steps! Head over to WhatsWear for more swoon-worthy style picks!

Beauty Bargain: Get The Givenchy Shimmer Bronzer Look On Any Budget

imageDon’t you just hate it when you flip through a beauty magazine and find a must-have that simply needs to belong in your makeup bag… and then you look at the price? I mean, $53 dollars for a shimmer bronzer palette from Givenchy? Yeah, high prices are to be expected of Givenchy, and the colors are gorgeous, but $53 dollars for a sparkly glow is kind of overkill when there are so many ways to achieve it at a fraction of the cost! MAC’s multicolored powder ($27) may not be as neatly compartmentalized as its far-more-expensive designer counterpart, but it still gives you the same balance of matte and pearl shades. And if you’re still willing to splurge somewhat, Bobbi Brown’s bronzing shimmer block is a fan favorite — at a much more reasonable $38. Check the slideshow for 5 more affordable alternatives to warming up winter skin, for both drugstore and designer makeup budgets!

view slideshow

Socks And Sandals Are Stylish (Together!) For Spring

imagePairing tights and socks with sandals… are you crazy? Maybe I am, but designers have been sending this look down the runways for seasons now and it’s a great way to get out of a winter boot rut! Besides, black opaques go from basic to killer when worn with seriously aggressive platforms and mini skirt. Looking to make your sandals look even more cozy? Try textured tights, like a fine ribbed wool pair. For evening, experiment with semi-sheer tights or ones with a slight pattern like swiss dots. Stay out of granny territory by avoiding anything too sheer or nude. Whatever you choose, keep the shoes and the tights in the same color family to create the illusion of one long line. Whether it’s all blacks or all electric blue is up too you! Once the weather starts to turn a bit milder, try swapping out tights for socks. Burberry Prorsum and Rochas showed models wearing scrunched down socks with sandals. Keep the socks and the shoes a nude or beige color to keep from shortening your leg too much. Now that you’ve got the legwear down, you can’t just throw on any old sandal. Opt for tall, chunky heeled or platform sandals; you’ll need them to balance out the heft of the tights. Anything too strappy and delicate will be overwhelmed. Check out the slideshow for some shoes and tights perfect for this transitional look!

view slideshow

Got Spring Fever? Check Out RVCA’s New Collection At Karmaloop!

imageRVCA’s spring collection is now available at Karmaloop.com. RVCA is a design-driven lifestyle brand free from passing trends. Taking root in American workwear, the brand adds function and fashion for every day and any situation. Keeping it cool and casual, the collection features light woven tunics and sweet tanks. Plaid prints and stripes are also common themes throughout the collection. We especially love The Collette Scoop Neck Dress and The Lonestar Tank. Check the slideshow for the rest of our favorite picks, then get your own at Karmaloop!

view slideshow

Shake Up Your Shoulders With Cutouts, Embellishments, Ruffles, And More!

imageOnce upon a time, I used to raid my mother’s closet for her best ’80s garb and shuffle around in front of the mirror, giggling relentlessly at how ridiculous I looked with glossy patent pumps devouring my feet and a good 6 inches of extra material protruding from my shoulders. I have to say I honestly never thought I’d see the day when my mother’s Goodwill-bound shoulder-padded sweaters would once again become runway gold. But believe it or not, the latest trend in details is the highlighted shoulder, popping up all over the style spectrum with everything from beading and cutouts to serious structure and modern padding. This may sound like another unwisely resurrected trend of the past (*cough* scrunchies *cough*), but emphasized shoulders can look chic and updated, as long as you keep the rest of your outfit slim-fitting and understated. Too much bulk and you may just end up looking like a linebacker… or like you’re swimming in your mother’s wardrobe rejects once again. Take a look at the slideshow for a dozen ways to shimmy in style this season!

view slideshow

Bag Of The Week: The Mulberry “Alexa” Bag

imageIf you don’t know Alexa Chung by now… well, which fashion-less rock were you hiding under? Alexa started her career as a TV host on various shows in the UK and went on to host “It’s On With Alexa Chung” on MTV in the US. She quickly ascended to “it” girl status with her quirky style, often characterized by pairing girly dresses with penny loafers. She even beat out Kate Moss as British Vogue’s Best Dressed of 2009! In the past few months, she’s been seen carrying a Mulberry bag named after her and after months of teasing, it’s finally available in stores! The Alexa Bag is a spin on their iconic Bayswater and men’s briefcase transformed into a messenger-style bag. Roomy enough for all your everyday essentials, the “Alexa” is a chic option for any outfit. Best of all, it comes in two sizes and nine colors! Oh, decisions…

What: the Mulberry “Alexa” Bag
Price: $1150
Where to Buy: La Garconne
Who Found It: facadeindreams was the first to add the Mulberry Alexa Bag to the Hive.

Stylehive’s Stylescopes Sprinkle Style Into Your Rainy Days

imageIt seems like every time the word winter is mentioned, we automatically think snow and what to wear to fend against it. It doesn’t snow everywhere though, and in some places, winter means wind and rain. But no matter what the weather is like by you, these cunning constellations still have the power to predict what you’ll be needing for your busy week ahead! I personally hail from Seattle and if there’s anything you should know about Seattle, it’s that it’s famous for coffee and rain. So while magazines and stores were boasting cozy knits and stylish suede jackets and boots, my fellow rain-dwellers and I were mainly concerned with staying dry and warm and looking cute in the process. Although storm clouds may have put the stars into hiding, their messages are still clear. Check out my slideshow to see some of my favorite wet weather styles, and find the best one for your sign!

view slideshow

Label Love: IRO Spring 2010 Has Chic Essentials Done Right

imageIf you can imagine model Erin Wasson going on a military tour in the Middle East and then stopping in Paris on her way back, you might get an idea of what IRO’s Spring 2010 collection is like. Launched in 2004 by French brothers Laurent and Arik Britton, their initial concept was to establish a simple yet bold pieces that could easily transition from day to night. IRO is just one of those lines that can only be described as instantly, effortlessly chic. And I really don’t mean that in that overused cliched way. Come on, just look at the clothes! Whether it’s the distressed denim shorts or leather motorcycle jacket, all the essential basics are there and done totally right. The collection revolves around mostly separates so mixing and matching is easy. After amassing a cult following, IRO is now easier to find in the US and online. I haven’t seen the spring collection in stores or online yet, but Shopbop has a great selection of their Fall 2009 line right now. Take a look at my slideshow for a look at their upcoming collection.

view slideshow

Let Your Wardrobe Pop With DIYthing’s Favorite Punchy Purple Picks!

imageThe fashion runways have been boasting that purple is the new black… and you may not be totally sold on that concept just yet. But there are many different ways to ease your way into purple this year. Try mixing in purple with accessories like the Double Square Necklace by Blox, which adds the perfect splash of color to your outfit. The Purple Purse by Jolie Jolie over at Smashing Darling is sure to get a few looks as arm candy. And if you’re a purple fan ready to dive right on in, the Phoebe Silk Top by Snoozer Loser NY is the perfect choice. For more ways to incorporate the punchy shade into your wardrobe, check out our purple picks in the slideshow!

view slideshow