V-Style

Abonita Scarves: Fashionable Headscarves

I adore scarves and every way we ladies have toyed with them. I love a gauzy scarf thrown around the body, a small scarf tied around the neck a la Susan Sarandon in Thelma and Louise, and I particularly fawn over those scarves worn on the crown of the head that you see in leggy bathing suit spreads or on Beyonce'.

There is a problem with the latter though. Every time I try to wear a scarf like that it ends up falling off, or I have to use bobby pins or I can’t find the right size scarf to make this damn thing happen.

I found the solution in Abonita Scarves. After being diagnosed with cancer Bonita Sands endured chemotherapy and lost all her hair. Having been a fashionable woman, Bonita decided to invent something that would cover her loss of hair and still look fabulous.

She designed a patterned headscarf that can be worn in four different ways with an adjustable headband that secretly snaps in the back. It completely stays on, I tried it, through dancing, boating or any other jolting activity and you can wash it after these sweat inducing jaunts because it is made from cotton or rayon. As for the patterns, although you might spot some cheesy patterns on the home page of the website, don’t let it fool you, there are many chic patterns available to shop.

Side note: Sands will donate 10% of Abonita Scarf sales from her website to the American Cancer Society.

Best Blogs This Week

Stiletto Jungle explains how to buy and apply false eyelashes. 

All About the Pretty is excited to learn more about Paris with I Do It in Paris. 

All Lacquered Up - Sally Hansen is going HD - Hi-Definition and ALU has your first look. 

Allie is Wired reports that Victoria's Secret supermodel Miranda Kerr and Orlando Bloom are tying the knot. 

Bag Bliss lists their favorite sellers of pre-loved and limited edition designer handbags. 

Bag Snob is obsessed with CHANEL Paris-Moscow collection for Fall 09! 

Beauty Snob: Skin saver for the whole family-- Rosa Mosqueta Oil! 

Coquette loves the sculptural fashions of Liza Rietz's Spring/Summer Collection. 

Second City Style thinks Memorial Day Weekend is the perfect time for a Celebrity Style Smackdown! 

Shopping and Info helps those who want to channel Angelina Jolie in Cannes. 

The Shrimpton Blog's mini history of wild child designer Elsa Schiaparelli! 

StyleBakery.com is giving away a gorgeous Kooba Blake bag worth $645, enter to win! 

Stylehive has six ways to make your beauty routine a little more eco-friendly, and the products to help you and the environment along the way. 

The Beauty Stop goes behind the scenes of Cameron Diaz's gorgeous Vogue cover. 

The Shoe Goddess finds out what happens when you leave shoes within reach of a Great Dane puppy! 

The MakeupGirl shows you how to get Angelina Jolie's sultry makeup look from the Cannes Film Festival.

Leighton Meester Wears Jimmy Choo Glenys

The Glenys sandal proves that Jimmy Choo is a top contender when it comes to high-end creating high style. This time last year Dior extremes, made popular by Sarah Jessica Parker in The Sex and The City Movie, flooded the side walks. Call me a soothsayer, but I say Choo’s heeled sandal is going to be this summer’s kick.

Celebrities spotted in these zippered goodies range from Nicky Hilton and Hillary Duff to Gossip Girl's  Leighton Meester who looked fabulously feminine chic in her Christian Cota garb and Jimmy Choos.

The sandals come in either snake or leather.

The Light Blue Summer Suit By Banana Republic

Banana Republic’s light blue suit in linen and cotton is a divine choice for the gentleman who wants to stand out this summer… or any other summer for that matter. Wear it to next month’s wedding (whether it is your own or not) or your next dressier occasion. To look your sharpest, pair it with a nice white shirt and thin black tie with high style black dress shoes. If you are feeling loose pair it with the white button front or a sold indigo colored button front with no tie.

You can also wear this two-button suit in a professional manner if you work in a creative environment like an ad firm, magazine or suit store. Extra style clue: If you want to pair it with brown shoes, a rich chocolaty brown would look best.

Bejeweled Flats Can Dress Down a Dress

I recently had a female client come to me with a very common problem. “I know what to wear to work and I know what to wear on a night out, but I don’t know how to look stylish in comfortable clothes.” Her main issue turned out to be shoes. She didn’t understand you could wear a flat that is both comfortable and stylish. She didn’t understand that wearing a dress didn’t mean you had to automatically wear heels.

The decorated flat is a wonderful way to dress a dress down as well as fancy up a basic look. Instead of reaching for tennis shoes or flip-flops when you are wearing jeans and a tee, grab these affordable Report Kasia flats in light grey with fun jewels and studs. You could also pair them with this silk Ikat-print dress from Banana Republic to make a more stylish look for day. The fabric is so cozy, but the pattern and style will make you a fashion plate. 

Man Bag and Man Purse Kill The Briefcase

Messenger bags, satchel, man bag, man purse, murse. The briefcase is dead killed by laptop cases, and something else. Yes sir, the purse.

After a certain age the backpack starts to look amateur and the briefcase looks old fashion and becomes too heavy for one hand to lug if your laptop is inside. And then you have the laptop case, nice but sometimes sterile looking, sometimes clunky and sometimes too specific to your computer needs. What about that book I’m reading? What about my Ipod, phone, keys, wallet, planner and protein bar? What about I just don't want all my stuff in my pockets sometimes?

For all these reasons and more the man purse is rising in popularity. It is not to say all or even most men are embracing it - my boyfriend is carrying a backpack, but with Seal and uber masculine Hugh Jackman toting them about town you can’t help but notice their presence.

If you are a fella itching to carry a… purse, don’t be frightened. Put the fear of public scorn aside and have the balls to walk into your local man bag store and declare, “Get me something with a strap. Get me a purse!”

If that sounds like a terrible idea to you just call it a bag and call it day. Below are some stylish bags that are masculine, utilitarian, comfortable and stylish. I assure you carrying these bags will get you noticed, not mocked. 

Korchmar Magnetite Brief 

Ducti Sail Utility Messenger

Fossil Mason E/W Messenger

Fossil Sierra E/W Messenger

Damiro Executive Sport Computer/Messenger Bag

Taylor Swift Wears French Connection Floral Skirt

I don’t listen to country music therefore I have never heard any music by Taylor Swift, but miss thing here knows how to pull off sweet chic. The higher waist floral skirt with short and full hem looks amazing with her casual tucked and pushed white button front shirt.

It always gets me excited to see the perfect outfit. Everything is on point in both the trend perspective and classic appeal. Swift’s outfit has a modern floral print and lines that would have worked years before now and will work for years after today.

If interested in purchasing the skirt, contact French Connection and ask about their “Fairytale Flower” skirt.

United Colors of Benetton Makes Men's Jackets

A man's perfect summer jacket needs to be light weight way, fun and masculine. United Colors of Benetton’s yarn-dyed checked cotton jacket with contrasting details is perfect for this. This preppy chic outwear is incredibly versatile so feel free to pair it with your jeans, casual pants, shorts and a T-shirt of your choice.

To ensure you don’t go too preppy try not to wear it with polos, golf shorts or chinos.

Costume Institute's Model as Muse Gala

Hollywood has the Oscars. The fashion industry has the Costume Institute Gala. This year the Met's Gala featured the exhibit The Model as Muse, which inspired all the towering beauties and the ones who dress them to gather in one place. 

Besides the fact that the event is based on high fashion, with co-chairs for the event including Kate Moss, Marc Jacobs, Vogue's Anna Wintour and Justin Timberlake, you know you will be drooling all over the red carpet with all the incredible looks.

Besides a few odd balls like Julien d'Ys, men stuck to chic tuxes and suits, while the women had absolutely incredible variety that ranged from extravagant gowns to short and simple sheathes.

 My winner of the evening is Jessica Stam, in Rodarte with Nicholas Kirkwood shoes who met my criteria of having an all-together attractive look that was still cutting edge. 

Anna Wintour in Chanel Haute Couture.

Anne Hathaway in Marc Jacobs with Van Cleef & Arpels and Genevieve Jones jewels.

Diane Kruger in Chanel Haute Couture and Chanel Fine Jewelry with Joshua Jackson in Dolce & Gabbana.  

Katy Perry in Tommy Hilfiger.

Kirsten Dunst, in Chanel Haute Couture and Chanel Fine Jewelry with a Salvatore Ferragamo clutch.

Elizabeth Hurley in Elie Saab Couture with Van Cleef & Arpels jewels and a Leiber bag. 

Madonna, in Louis Vuitton and Anna Hu Haute Joaillerie.

Carolina Castiglioni, Milla Jovovich, Consuelo Castiglioni and Guinevere Van Seenus all in Marni.  

Mary-Kate Olsen in Christian Lacroix Haute Couture. 

Roland Mouret with Catherine McNeil, in his design.  

Tom Ford in his own design. 

Zac Posen with Helena Christensen in his design with a Genevieve Jones bag.

Michelle Obama Loves Jason Wu

Jason Wu is the designer behind Michelle Obama’s inaugural gown as well as two other dresses she wore for major public appearances (her Barbra Walters Interview and the cover of Vogue's March Issue). But besides the fact that the first lady has been sporting his garments, Jason Wu is noteworthy for more than just high profile association. His clothing is beautiful. Classic shapes with modern twists and bits are the essence of Wu. I am loving his fun colors, unique prints and the feminine skirts. Just one note: skip the hats he put on his models for the spring runway show – it really ruins the effect of the chic frocks.