The Cincy Style Bloggers group (and plenty of fashionable guests) had a blast at last night’s Holiday Style Bash! Thanks to all my lovely blogging buddies for their help planning the event–more pics to follow!

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Last night, I met up with several local style bloggers at 4th Street Boutique to discuss planning some sort of fun shindig, before heading to Saks to get beautified.

Ashlee of a.mello style, Victoria of paperdoll, Kasmira of What I Wore Today, and Erin of Bobby Pin Brown

Marsha of Style Edit, Betsy and Becki of Folk and Feather

Me and Courtnee might have enjoyed a glass of champers…

Ashlee gets glam(mer)!

Marsha getting the 411 about Bobbi Brown products

As is to be expected when free champagne and makeovers are involved, we had a great time! A few of us are headed to the Midwest Fashion Week finale show in Indy on Saturday–are you going?

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I finally had a chance to catch up on my Bloglovin’ reader (sort of), so I thought I’d share some of my favorite street style photos:

TOP ROW:
A leather collar immediately turns any look badass (Fashion Copious); I can’t wait to wear this full mini + slouchy sweater combo once the heat calms down–no, really, CALM DOWN HEAT (Paulinemma); I swear a good hat and proper blazer can make almost anything look better (Easy Fashion)

BOTTOM ROW:
A slouchy top and short-shorts looks downtown-chic when done right (Chloe et sa boite à conserves); Combining black-and-white prints is the easiest way to get into the pattern mixing game (Stockholm Street Style); See, THIS is how you wear a bra top in public, Sue Ellen Mischke (Sam Is Home).

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The Internet serves us in many ways: it’s home to a wealth of information (just Google it), it’s a way to connect with people around the world (social networks!), and it’s a repository for ignorance (YouTube commenters). One of my favorite perks of all this newfangled technology is the ability to virtually people-watch stylish folks around the world–aka cruise Street Style blogs*.

Everybody knows about The Sartorialist and Garance Dore and Jak & Jil, but there are so many other street style sites out there. I figure it couldn’t hurt to share a few of my favorites:

STREETFSN

STREETFSN: Packed with detail and lifestyle shots of the streets of New York and various Fashion Weeks worldwide.

Stylesightings

Stylesightings: Stylish women and men on the streets of Milan, Paris, Seoul, and New York.

Citizen Couture

Citizen Couture: Women on the street, including bloggers, models, and fashion industry insiders.

The Photodiarist In Color

The Photodiarist In Color: Style diary of a New York-based photographer with an eye for black and white and color images.

Mr Newton

Mr Newton: Street style photography and reflections on city life.

Street Peeper

Street Peeper: Men and women (and the occasional blogger/editor/celeb) on the streets of London, New York, and Paris.

The other side

If you’re at all interested in shooting street style photography, I highly recommend reading Dorothy of Polka Dots’ informative and insightful post Shooting Fish at Fashion Week.

*It took me forever to create this post because I kept getting distracted and  looking at the pics. Now you won’t get any work done either, haha!  YOU’RE WELCOME.

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I’ve been hard at work on the upcoming issue of Style Sample Magazine, due to drop (I say that as if it’s an album, yo!) at StyleSampleMag.com on August 4th.  Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out!

Here’s a peek at the cover:

Let’s hope I get the rest done by deadline! I sense a loooong weekend ahead…

Read these, too:
Style Sample Magazine #2
It is Done
Closet Remix!

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While browsing CincyChic one day, I came across the information for the Red Pink and Blue fashion show. Red Pink and Blue was developed by Candace of Art of the Spa to raise awareness and educate women about common women’s health issues–specifically heart health (red), breast health (pink), and diabetes (blue). A fashion show, you say? I’m there!

Fellow blogger Tina of Florida Girl Meets the Midwest and I decided to hit the event together. Amy, the Editor-in-Chief of Cincy Chic, was kind enough (and adorable in her long pink dress and matching earrings) to give us a behind-the-scenes tour!

Joalerie, mes amies
After plying us with some tasty pomegranate vino (thanks Amy!), Amy led us over to the gorgeous silver jewelry glinting in the sunlight at Lisa Robin Jewelry. I spoke to Lisa for a bit about her background in management and marketing consulting and experience in interior design, which means she’s got both the business and creative sides covered.

Believe it or not, Lisa’s signature design was inspired by a door she saw in Florence while on a trip to Italy last year! The combination of classic patterns forged in silver and accented with pale semi-precious stones gives off a subtly alluring medieval princess-meets-wood nymph vibe.  I’m already picturing multi-layered necklaces and bracelets worn with thigh high boots and clouds of lavender chiffon for fall. Think Isabel Marant meets Princess Aurora.

True Survivor
While we were standing there chatting, Amy introduced us to Jamie, a breast cancer survivor who would be modeling a custom-made dress in the show’s finale. Jamie owns Fusion Studio, a fitness and personal training studio in Newport and Jamie is buff. Seriously, I sucked in my stomach and silently vowed to do more push-ups after we talked about her amazing story (she was pregnant when she was diagnosed) of strength and survival.

Kiss and Makeup
We moved on to the makeup counter where the ladies from Saks were handing certificates for free consultations. I need to do that stat–I’ve promised myself that I’d learn out how to properly wear red lipstick without looking like a cracked-out circus clown.

So, ho.
We moved on to the “dressing room” where all of the models were hanging out and spoke to Amy Maynard of Soho, the local boutique providing the looks for the show. The shop itself has been around for 12 years, but former IT Consultant and restaurant manager Amy has only owned Soho for three months.

It’s actually a great story: she was in the shop trying to find an outfit to wear to the Chelsea Handler show, and overheard the former owner lamenting about selling the boutique. Amy immediately decided that she would buy Soho! She promptly put down the dress she was trying on and bought the entire shop instead! How cool is that?

Tina and I have already made plans to commandeer the boutique for a welcome-to-the-hood shopping party. I’ll keep you updated.

Do you need some more coochy?
Tina wanted to stop by the Pure Romance booth to say hi to Tisa, and the big “private dancer pole” box on the table caught my eye. Hmmmm…it is supposed to be good exercise (I heard)!  Tisa is funny and friendly and chatted us up about everything from pole dancing to her hometown in Florida.

Tina was musing about the viability of a Pure Romance bachelorette party (she’s getting married in September) when I overheard Tisa speaking to another customer:

“Oh, do you need some more coochy?”

Wide-eyed and open-mouthed, I gaped at Tina, trying not to panic. What? You can get more? How do you know you’re running out in the first place? How low is my supply?

Thankfully, it turns out Coochy is a body shaving cream that can be purchased via Tisa’s site, sexinthecincy.com. Whew! Had me worried there…

The show must go on (the bridge)
Finally, we headed over to the Purple People Bridge and sat down to watch the fashion show at the end of what has to be one of the best outdoor runways ever.  As the models sashayed down the looong catwalk (they were wearing heels, poor things!) we pointed out the pieces we liked and I tried to take pictures, but it was dark and the lighting on the bridge wasn’t really photo friendly.

Runway images by Kate Messer Photography

There were some really cute -pieces, though–I can definitely see wearing the black jumpsuit with an armful of bangles and dramatic gold earrings, hair pulled back in an assymetrical bun and a slash of deep coral lipstick. Very 80′s YSL. ETA: I just found out that the custom-made caftans the survivors wore are available on eBay!

After the show ended, we thanked Amy and met the darling Linda, the editor of Cincy Chic. There was an after party for the event at Havana Martini, but we were too pooped to attend. However, I will be there for the Past & Present fashion show coming up at the end of July!

Big thanks to everyone who participated in the show and supported not one, but three worthy causes!

Read these, too:
Runway Fashion: Cruise Control
Fashion Math
Wear it Now: Fall 2009

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While I’m much too busy lazy to actually do anything about it, I’ve always loved the idea of do-it-yourself fashion. Unfortunately–or maybe fortunately–the height of my forays into hand-crafted apparel and accessories peaked right around the time of neon puffy paints and Jams shorts.

However, my generosity compels me to share some of the best DIY tutorials from talented bloggers across the web. From bib necklaces to Miu Miu-inspired minis, here are some great ways to further personalize your look, glitter not included:

From “The Miu Miu inspired skirt tutorial”, Kingdom of Style

From “DIY: Studded jeans and more”, Miss at la Playa

From “How to: Scissor a baggy shirt into a bitchin’ top”, Cheap JAP

From “Glamourai DIY/Candied Crumbcatcher”, The Glamourai (cover girl for Style Sample Magazine issue 2!)

From “Welcome to my Bleach Party”, Femme Rationale (Style Sample Magazine issue 1 cover girl! Hmmm…is there a pattern here?)

Have you done any interesting DIY projects lately? Share so I can get all excited and then not do it!

Read these, too:
Blogger Jewelry: Rare Jewels
Excited/Exhausted
Casual Style: Sweat Me

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Notice how I didn’t use the over-used, incredibly predictable reference to jewelry as “bling” for the title? You can thank me with cash.

I am heavy into jewelry right now, especially dramatic necklaces. Let’s take a look at the lovely pieces recently seen on a few of my favorite bloggers:

I love this combination of heavy gold necklaces, and the length is perfect. http://theseams.blogspot.com/

This vintage gold necklace is a great accent under blouses as it lies perfectly on the collarbone. http://www.jaylovesvintage.blogspot.com/

Okay, maybe the belt is not technically jewelry, but the punk-ish snake motif and combination of rings is so badass.  http://www.thatschic.net/

An infinity-shaped pendant with dangling accents on a silver chain might sound weird at first, but obviously it works. http://vintage-tea.blogspot.com/

This goth/medieval/dominatrix-inspired necklace is amazing. ‘Nuff said. http://www.wr2bam.com/

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A while ago, I posted about an idea for a magazine for and about fashion bloggers. Well, due to a combination of much-appreciated encouragement and extreme willfulness, I’ve been pushing forward and hope to publish the first issue in April thanks to some very generous and talented blogger-friends.

I am extremely excited/hopeful/stressed/fired up/nervous about this project, and have been vacillating between feverishly scribbling down ideas about all the possibilities and trying to focus on producing the first issue before I become completely delusional.

I’ll keep you up to date on how things are going, and will continue to post news and info over at the other blog. In the meantime, please know that I cannot even begin to express how much I appreciate your encouragement and support, and will do all I can to return the favor someday!

Thank you!

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Do you ever feel like it’s easier to get dressed up than it is to go casual? Sometimes I have a hard time on the weekends because 70% of my wardrobe is work clothing.

Sweatsuits are about as casual as it gets, and I have exactly two pair–they were Christmas gifts. I refuse to wear them outside of the house. As I am vehemently opposed to sweats of the hot-pink-velour-with-rhinestones-across-the-arse variety, I hadn’t given much thought to expanding my casual-wear options to include anything other than the occasional American Apparel tri-blend pullover.

So, I was surprised and more than a little relieved when designers started showing artfully styled sweats/casual wear on the runway:

Photos, style.com

Then I noticed some of my favorite bloggers were in on the game:

Jane of Sea of Shoes, Rumi of Fashion Toast, Juley of Swank Heights

That was enough to drive me to do some online window shopping (screen shopping?). Everything can be mixed and matched since the whole point is to look like you just threw it on:

1. Scarf, Urban Outfitters; 2. Boots, Aldo; 3. VPL knit top, La Garconne; 4. Rider tee, Delia’s; 5. Knit pants, Anthropologie; 6. Jeweled cuff, Forever 21; 7. Stretch-knit shorts, American Apparel; 8. Marni necklace, Brown’s London; 9. Pour La Victoire shoes, shopbop

Perfect for those times when even jeans take too much thought. What do you wear to look semi-presentable on your roll-out-of-bed casual days?

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