Fantastic Florals for Summer!

imageSummer has finally hit, which can only mean one thing: less is more. With the warm sun beaming down, layers of clothes peel off and you are left with lightweight, functional threads. This summer, I am filling up my closet with floral prints. From dresses to tops to bottoms, floral prints bring a feminine and flirty edge to your style. Brands are producing all cuts and designs to cater to every woman’s personal taste. Vintage, bohemian, retro, street, contemporary – you name it! – Karmaloop.com has it all. One of my favorite designers, Brian Lichtenberg, has just released his Stripe Legging in Floral, a smooth stretch legging with contrast diagonal panel stripes on one leg. Rojas’s summer collection features pretty vintage floral pieces such as The Linen Vintage Floral Sweetheart Bustier, The Linen Vintage Floral Angle Hi Mini Skirt and The Linen Vintage Floral Sweetheart Dress. BB Dakota has also produced the cutest summer dresses like The Garner Silk Habotai Maxi Dress, The Smith Roses Silk Dress and The Bridgit Dress. For more collections and styles, check out Karmaloop.com and our new look book!

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Havaianas For Summer 2009!

imageSince the Brazilian brand Havaianas in 2001 was introduced in the Netherlands there’s a big hype created around the brand. Havaianas flip-flops are true must-haves for your summer wardrobe. And the flip-flops are available in all shapes and sizes! The new collection for Summer 2009 is unique and surprising. The range has grown in variety compared to previous years. The collection is characterized by warm and summery colors, with shades of purple and gold. You also see the latest trends of this season in the sandals, like natural motifs (animals and flowers), the Roman style (braids and straps) and slippers with a wedge heel. The prices vary from 12 to 50 Euros. Since the Summer of 2007, we consistently absolutely love Havaianas flip-flops. They are really nice to your feet and have a thick sole which makes them comfortable and flexible. These hot new designs make it even more tempting to go stock up on Summer essentials now!

Click to check out more info about the Summer 2009 Havaianas from our friends at Girlscene.

Hot In The Hive: Ceci Est Un IT BAG from Longchamps

imageI think as “fashionistas”, we would all love to keep up on the latest “It” bag, dress like the latest “It” girls and always wine and dine at the latest “It” restaurants and lounges. With technology and society going as fast as it is, however, the latest “It” is always changing too. So, unless you are Paris Hilton or have the time and money like she does, you probably aren’t snatching up every $700+ bag that fashion gurus say you “must have”! There is a simple, chic and way more affordable way to have an “It” bag resting on your shoulder at all times. Longchamp is introducing their “It” bag, a durable, practical and super-chic tote that you know it an “It” bag because…. well, it says so! A picture of a stylish bag shape is printed onto the tote with the words “Ceci Est Un IT BAG” scrawled across. “Ceci Est Un IT BAG” translates into English as “This is an IT BAG!”. These “IT BAG”s come in varying sizes available in a white/ black or orange/black color combination. All the bags are trimmed in cowhide leather and start at $160 and go no higher than $500 for even the largest one! Check out Longchamp and get yourself the gift of the everlasting “It” bag now!

Price: $160 – $500
Who Found It: idabone was first to add the Longchamp “Ceci Est Un IT BAG” to the Hive.

CHANEL: Coco Chanel The Film & Advert With Audrey Tatou

imageCoco Chanel’s life is one of the most well known stories of our generation in Fashion, a international icon and the founder of one of the most prestigious Fashion Houses in the world. It’s old news now that Coco Chanel’s life is being made into a film, and finally the end is coming soon. To celebrate and promote the film Audrey Tatou is featured in a short ‘preview’ in the new Chanel perfume advert. As well as this film, Karl Lagerfeld has directed several short films including one titled ‘Dressing Room’ with Lara Stone on the website. Watch the advert online now at Haute Mimi for more hot international fashion and style stories.

What to Wear: Meeting His Parents!

imageYou’ve been with your guy for a while, and things are getting serious. His parents are coming to visit. He wants you to meet them. Try not to panic. You’re charming! Guy knows that you’ll wow them. Now, to decide what to wear! A few recommendations: wear something flattering, but not revealing. Don’t show too much cleavage or too much leg, but hey, work your assets all the same. Choose a classic style like Calvin Klein’s Laser Cut Ruffle Shirtdress. Something that will flatter your curves, but also says, hey I’m a good girl and I would make a great mother to your grandkids. If you’ve got a killer dress already, I recommend one pop of interest and color with your jewelry. Wearing something like Kenneth Jay Lane’s Garden Cuff is great because if all else fails, it’s a conversation piece. Check out my slideshow for lots of options to meet his parents!

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Which Singing Star Rocked The Badass Biker Look?

imageWhen it comes to leather, there’s a fine line between who can really pull it off and who should literally pull it off and donate the duds to the nearest Goodwill. Especially now that summer is nipping at our heels, I’ve been surprised to see so many stars still donning the leather look while roaming the red carpet — some even decked out in the fabric head-to-toe even throughout the sunniest days of late May. From aspiring rock-chick Taylor Momsen to cutesie R&B crooner Jesse McCartney, it’s tough to say whether some of these artists are really digging their leather loot or are just trying too hard to convince us that they have a rebel side. Is it officially time to hang up the motorcycle jackets and liquid leggings and embrace some more breathable material, or is there a whole slew of dominatrix-inspired trends just around the corner? Vote below on who you think looks good enough in their leather to be allowed to wear it for a little longer…
Photo Credit: PR Photos
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Tulips, Pansies and Flowers For Your Hair!

imageWhat happens when you combine some of the biggest names in fashion with…floral design? On May 14’s Tulips & Pansies: The Headdress Affair event in NYC, I got to see the results of that unlikely pairing firsthand, as designers including Tory Burch, Thierry Mugler, Lilly Pulitzer, Alvin Valley, and Zang Toi partnered with some of New York City’s top horticulturalists to create one-of-a-kind, uber-chapeaus made entirely of flowers. The finished product? Simply stunning. Painstakingly weaved orchids, red roses that spilled from a bustle in a graceful blanket, and twigs that were fashioned into shapes straight out of a Tim Roth film were just some of the highlights I tried to capture with my meager little 8.0 mpx. Some of the creations just had to be viewed in person, though, to really appreciate the extraordinary level of detail and work that went into each headdress. After the fabulous runway show, I ran into designer Zang Toi and PR doyenne/”The Hills” favorite Kelly Cutrone, and even got to try Zang’s headdress on, wherein I decided that the models must also be thick-necked linebackers in disguise because, Holy Cow, it weighed at least 25 pounds (the tilt I’m sporting in the pic is not at all an attempt to be coy)! Yet the fact that the night was in honor of Village Cares New York (VCNY), a not-for-profit organization serving individuals with HIV/AIDS in need of medical and rehabilitation services, must have made the weight quite a lot easier to bear. Check out the slide-show to view some of the fab headdress creations!

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Style Notes: Summer Music Festival Outfit Ideas!

imageTo me, the sweet smell of summer is synonymous with outdoor concerts and festivals. My hometown of Chicago never disappoints with a positively booked calendar from mid-May until late September. So, next question, obviously: what should I wear? I’ve gotten this down to somewhat of a science. First, make sure you choose fabrics that breathe and will not leave weird tan lines. Second, try dancing. Are you comfortable, or are you readjusting? If you find yourself pulling at your clothes, move on to something more simple. Third, are you comfortable? Then go! I love to go with a cotton jersey or linen dress, or mid or Bermuda length jean shorts with a cute sleeveless top, like this Free People Rebecca tunic. I’m definitely picking up the Dolce Vita Camden dress for this summer – comfortable and classic! Check out my slideshow for some great summer concert style ideas!

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The Personal Touch: Hand-Painted Vintage Clothing for Fashionistas

imageLet’s not kid ourselves…not every piece of vintage clothing we see is totally unique. When you’ve been buying and wearing vintage clothing as long as I have, you occasionally find yourself shopping the thrifts or online sites and seeing something very familiar. It takes just a moment and then you realize you either have the exact same item in your own closet or you’ve sold it in the past. And I’m always surprised how frequently this actually happens. So that’s why I’m a complete sucker for any hand-painted vintage pieces–each one is totally unique. And there’s something very special about wearing a custom-made piece that exhibits someone’s artistry. Just click the slide-show to see some amazing hand-painted vintage selections.

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Sexy and Sweet Dana-Maxx Collections

imageIf you are looking for fun, flirty looks with hints of color in all the right places, Dana-Maxx’s collection is just your style! With a scoop of strawberry sorbet or a cupcake in hand, Dana-Maxx’s Spring/Summer clothing line will make any boy’s heart melt. Dana-Maxx’s collection captures the style conscience, fashion forward, woman who is looking for high quality pieces that are feminine, glam, and sophisticated! The timeless designs reflect the kind of woman the designer is herself; strong, sexy, fun, and fearless. The Dana-Maxx collection can easily adapt to fit different lifestyles, and her pieces can be worn alone or coordinated, for an easy transition from day to night. Each style focuses on a very close attention to detail and compliments a woman’s body. The collection ranges from size 2-12 and is sold at select specialty stores across the USA and Canada at a very reasonable price point! Dana-Maxx Pomerantz, founder and designer of Dana-Maxx, began her career working in design for icons Betsey Johnson and Marc Jacobs, then started her own company in early 2007.
To see more of Dana-Maxx’s designs or to learn more about the designer herself go to http://dana-maxx.com

From our friends at WhatsWear.