Anticipating Mrs. Lauren Conrad

Photo courtesy of LaurenConrad.com

Lauren Conrad got engaged over the weekend and I’m already giddy with anticipation of seeing which dress she’ll choose and how gorgeous she’ll look on her and William Tell’s Big Day!  Not to mention what she’ll wear to the various pre-parties – engagement, bridal shower, bachelorette…  Oh, I hope she shares some personal style #WhatIWore blog posts from each celebration.  She’s already said there will be lots more wedding content on LaurenConrad.com.

After looking at countless wedding dresses, I could imagine Lauren in a variety of styles, but I'm sure it will be a pretty, yet elegant gown, something that's traditional with a modern twist and styled perfectly.  So in celebration of the future Mrs. Tell, here are a few dresses from the latest collections that I think she would find lovely & chic!

In case you were wondering, her "love" ring is from Sydney Evan Jewels.


Alvina Valenta
 

 

Amsale
 

Christos
 

 

 

 

Hayley Paige
 

Johanna Johnson
 

Kelly Faetanini
 

Lazaro
 

Lela Rose
 

Maggie Sottero
 

Marchesa
 

Romona Keveza
 

Val Stefani
 

Vera Wang
 

Winnie Couture
 

Photos of dresses courtesy of their respective designers

Gladiators: Style Secrets from Olivia Pope

Olivia Pope has impeccable style.  She continually looks polished, professional and powerful.  If you’re captivated by ABC’s Scandal, like I am, then this isn't news.  But did you know you can steal her style for a fraction of the cost?  Gladiators, this is how:

Achieving effortless elegance is as simple as black and white.  It’s a timeless combination.  Black colorblocks or lace add a modern twist and accentuate curves on Olivia Pope. 

Ivory and black sleeveless lace dress by A.B.S. by Allen Schwartz, Bluefly, Sale: $204.79

Black and white colorblock cap sleeve belted 'Victoria' dress by Single, Bluefly, $129

Sand and black lace waist 'Alexa' dress by Single, Bluefly, Sale: $86.40

Scarlett Shutter-Pleat Lace Dress, JCPenney, Sale: $66.99

Mix and match textured and patterned suit separates with solids.  Try paring a multi-colored jacket with a trouser in a matching solid color.  It's not as conservative as a solid colored suit, but it still looks powerful.

 Boucle plaid jacket, Express, $108

Studio stretch wide waistband Editor pant in gray, Express, $79.90

Camel is the new black.  Try a camel suit in a slim cut to stay fashion forward, but not too trendy in the office.  It's such a warm and flattering color on many skin tones.  Also, consider different textures like Ms. Pope.  Her jacket appears to be a soft wool, while her pants are a smooth fabric.  The variety adds a welcome surprise to the monotone suit.

Collection suit in camel, The Limited, $158 and $79.95


  

Experiment with mixing neutrals, unexpectedly.  Olivia pairs a pale gray drape neck top with ivory pants and a long gold necklace.  You may tend to keep your grays with white, black and silver and browns with off whites and gold.  But, as you can see, combining these pale shades works just as well.

Olivia Moon drape neck sleeveless top, Nordstrom, Sale: $9.97
Ultimate double weave barely boot Columnist pant in canvas tan, Express, $79.90
Long bead and chain necklace, The Limited, $29.95

This season's all about statement coats.  Did Ms. Pope inspire this trend?  Try a unique shape, like this folded lapel wrap coat.  Olivia's was a breakout star in itself.

Draped wool coat, Banana Republic, $225
Dianne Tote, Banana Republic, $250


 

Invest in a statement coat in a new hue.  Coats are now available in a variety of colors and prints.  Leave the basic black and pick one that speaks to you.  Or go for winter white.  It's a nice break from the typical dark colors of winter but it will last from season to season and it's one of Olivia's signature shades.
  

Fit-and-flare wool coat, Banana Republic, $250

Trade your jacket for a cardigan.  A neutral cardigan in a luxurious knit, softens workwear, but still looks professional.  Here Olivia mixes neutrals unexpectedly again - beige & gray.

St. John's Bay fine-gauge cardigan, JCPenney, Sale: $24.99
The Ashton blouse, The Limited, Sale: $24.98

Stun in elegant evening wear, that's flattering to you.  Olivia Pope knows what's flattering to her body type and skin tone.  Follow her suit.  The detail at the top adds interest to this classic empire waist strapless gown and accentuates her waist. Champagne complements almost every complexion, especially Olivia's.

Chanett Champagne Long Dress, Windsor, $84.90

Cream Elegant Column Sweetheart Dress, UWDress.com, Sale: $109.99

Match your bag to a pair of long gloves.  First, notice how sharp Olivia looks with matching gloves and satchel.  Second, she looks even more chic with the short sleeved  jacket and high gloves.

Tobacco Tiered Leather And Silk Lined Long Gloves, Bluefly, Sale: $87.97

Searight handbag in cognac, Aldo, $50

Enjoy Scandal tonight and be sure to take style notes from Ms. Pope.  I know I will! 

Fashionably,

Kate



Photos courtesy of ABC or their respective retailer

From My Guy’s Perspective: Emmys 2013 Best Dressed

I’m sure by now everyone is so over the Emmys fashion.  But I’ve been a little preoccupied and didn’t get the chance to share my reaction to the evening’s stars – the gowns!  Or rather my guy’s perspective!  Better late than never?   So here goes, just a little late.

For the Oscar awards earlier this year I presented a top 5 best dressed list… from my guy’s perspective.  Since it proved to be a hit, Carlton and I collaborated again to bring you this Emmys post, in our typical style, fashionably late.  (I didn’t get this name for nothin’!)

Anna Gunn in Romona Keveza

Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images

 

Brooke Burke-Charvet in Herve Leger

Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images


 

Julie Bowen in Zac Posen

Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage

 

Kerry Washington in Marchesa

Photo by Jordan Strauss/AP

 

Lena Heady in Alessandra Rich

Photo by Jeff Vespa/WireImage
 
 

My Top 5 Choices
 
I was pleasantly surprised with Carlton's choices.  He mostly chose romantic styles but surprised me with Lena Heady's fashion forward lace dress.  While I agree that Carlton's choices are gorgeous, Heady and Kerry Washington's dresses are some of my favorites, here are five of my own.
 

Allison Williams in Ralph Lauren

Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

 

Heidi Klum in Versace

Photo by John Shearer/AP

 

Leslie Mann in J. Mendel

Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Michelle Dockery in Prada

Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Taylor Schilling in Thakoon

Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage

In Celebration of Ariel

While accessorizing this sea foam skater dress from Akira in Chicago, my friend & photographer Gina and I realized the look reminded us of The Little Mermaid's Ariel. Coincidentally, the Disney classic is being re-released on October 1, 2013!

My First Birchbox

I received my first Birchbox in the mail!  

What is Birchbox? Their website says: “Join Birchbox and receive monthly deliveries of high-end beauty and lifestyle samples from top brands. It's the best way to discover new products and buy with confidence.”  All for just $10 a month!  Plus, if you fall in love with a sample, then you can go to birchbox.com to purchase the full size product with free shipping. 

I joined to learn about these new products and to share them here with you. 

September’s box included:

• Ruffian Nail Lacquer in Fox Hunt, exclusive to Birchbox 
• Dr. Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm
• Dr. Lipp Original Nipple Balm for Lips
• Beauty Protector Protect & Shampoo
• Beauty Protector Protect & Condition

All of these products have four out of five star ratings and hundreds of reviews.

I was so excited to share my first Birchbox with you that I haven’t even tried all of the samples yet!  I did try the Dr. Lipp Original Nipple Balm for Lips and the Dr. Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm.  The lip balm has a thicker consistency that seemed to last longer and moisturize better than others.  I’m looking forward to trying it as the weather grows colder and my lips grow more chapped. 

I really like the beauty balm!  It’s a moisturizer, sunscreen with SPF 45, anti-aging cream and light coverage makeup all in one!  This could save me five minutes every morning, which means five more minutes of sleep!  Happy girl.  The coverage was ideal for a daily foundation and a little goes a long way.  I added some concealer to my nose and under my eyes, topped that with pressed powder, bronzer and mascara and headed out the door.  I may have to buy the full size, even at $39.  Four products and five minutes of beauty sleep?  Totally worth it.

Stay tuned for more beauty product reviews from my Birchbox!  For more information about Birchbox or to subscribe, click here.

Fashion Friday Guest Post on "Focused To Be Fit"

Happy Friday, friends!  My friend Lauren from “Focused To Be Fit” asked me to be a guest writer for Fashion Friday on her healthy living blog.  From rebellious street wear to traditional American pastoral I provided a summary of Fall 2013’s fashion trends.  Read the post at focusedtobefit.com!

Stay tuned for more fall fashion, style inspiration and outfit ideas right here!

Fashionably,
Kate


Rebellious Street Wear
 

For more fall fashion trends go to "Focused To Be Fit"

That's What She Wore: Marlaina Stone & Nautical Stripes

Going back to work after a long weekend is always a challenge.  On the weekends I often enjoy getting dressed, but the morning of a work day, especially after a long weekend – ugh.  So here’s some fashionspiration for the 9 to 5ers from my friend, Teresa Costanzo, president of Card Advertising,Inc.

She’s wearing a gorgeous necklace and bracelet by Marlaina Stone from Leo Marks Jewelers on Secor Rd.  She paired the statement-making jewelry with a navy peplum top and striped skirt.  What do you think of this chic nautical work wear?

The Details

Top: Banana Republic
Skirt: Banana Republic

Necklace and bracelet: Marliana Stone at Leo Marks Jewelers

Shoes: Anne Klein at Macy's

Thanks to Teresa for being so chic at work and Gina of beatbeatheartbeat.com for taking her picture!