Thursday, October 27, 2011

Suz on Style's Handbag Bonanza

Hello Suz on Style readers! I apologize for the style delay. But, enough about me...let's talk handbags. Welcome to.....


Suz on Style's Handbag Bonanza!!!




Hold on to you totes, clutches and satchels, were blowing the zippers and clasps off the hottest fall handbag fashions.




The Pippa.

That's right. The "Pippa." Does anyone not love her? In fact, she is such a popular fashion plate, British designer Modalu renamed the famed satchel Pippa carries on an almost daily basis to the "Pippa." You can order it at http://www.modalu.com/






She also has the exact same bag in a snakeskin version.





In true fashion, designers on this side of the pond are also trying to cash in on the popular bag design. Both J.Crew and Kate Spade have shockingly similar bags at shocking prices to boot! If you want the "it" bag for work, it's the "Pippa."








This version from J.Crew is called the Biennial Satchel and is $348.00. Kate Spade's version is called the Grove Court Lainey. It is $425.






The Cross-Body Saddle.


That's right. The Saddle Bag is back bitches! (And I'm not talking about the kind on your thighs.) Every major handbag designer has put out a cross body saddle bag. My favorite is the budget friendly version from Fossil. You know Fossil, the watch designer? Fossil has come out with a great line of handbags called, "Vintage Re-Issue." You can check them out at www.fossil.com. They are also carried at Nordstroms, Macy's and Piperlime. There are other great saddle bag options at J.Crew, Ralph Lauren and Coach, just to name a few. Gidde-up!




Fossil Vintage Re-Issue Crossbody and Coach Madison Crossbody



J.Crew Rigby Saddle bag, Rebecca Minkoff Crossbody and See by Chole Crossbody.






The Envelope.

That's right. Envelopes are not just for mailing letters to your Grandmother anymore. Envelopes are going to be your new go-to bag for evening, day and everything in-between. Envelopes are most often thought of as clutches; however, this season plenty of designers are showing them as shoulder bags as well. I love the J.Crew envelope shoulder bag in leather. The envelope shape is structured and yet lady like. Envelope yourself in this beautiful design.







Oh look! Pippa carries an envelope clutch, too!






These beautiful envelopes are from J.Crew, French Connection, BCBG and Tory Burch.



The Fold-Over.

That's right. The fold-over. (Not to be confused with the comb-over.) The fold-over is another cross-body bag with a fold-over top for a sleeker look when worn cross-body. The fold-over design usually comes with a second carrying option. Either as a regular shoulder bag or a tote. I have yet to find a handbag design house this season that does not have a fold-over option. It's like a two-in-one bag. Double your pleasure. I love the designs from Tory Burch in this category. There are also some great options from Fossil again and Coach.



Dang it, that Pippa is stylish! Check her out in a fold-over style from Prada.



Tory Burch, Coach and Fossil.


Now, go out there and buy yourself a new handbag. You deserve it!


Til next time,

Stay Stylish!

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Suz on Stripes

My perrenial favorite summer trend? The Nautical trend. Maybe it's because I generally tend to gravitate towards the "preppy" look, but I seriously can not get enough of the navy and white (with pops of red?) for summer.
It's a super versatile look and anyone no matter your age, size, gender canwork it.
Here is a sampling of some of my favorite nautical inspired pieces out this season (there may be a couple of these in my own closet).






These pieces make me want to take up sailing.
Feeling inpsired yet? If not, look to your favorite celebs for their takes on the nautical look.





All you need is a pair of jeans or shorts and a striped shirt, ala Cameron Diaz. Or a fun striped dress like J.Lo. Just wear a crisp blue blazer with jeans or shorts and you're ready for a day at the yacht club ala Pippa Middleton.

Ahoy!

'Til Next Time,

Stay Stylish!


Saturday, April 9, 2011

Suz on Fingers and Toes

Ever feel overwhelmed when you stand in front of the rows and rows of colors at the nail salon or in the drugstore aisle? Suz to the rescue! Read on for the hottest trends in nail colors for spring 2011!


1. Metallic Blues

My personal opinion is that this is a bit much for the fingers and would be better placed on the toes. But, hey, if you love bold colors on your digits, then go for it!


This color is called, "Slushied." It's from the Glee collection by OPI for Sephora. You Gleeks out there will appreciate that name!




This is, "Midnight Express," by Nars. I love the rich blue hue in this color.




This shade from essie is called, "Coat Azure." Love it.



The last blue color here is also from OPI. It's called, "Austintacious," and is from the Texas Collection.

2. Hot Pink


This color is also from the OPI Texas Collection and is called, "Do You Think I'm Tex-y." I love this color. It would make a great finger or toe color, especially for a hot night on the town.



This shade from Nars is called, "Schiap."



Revlon carries a similar product. This shade is called, "Bubble Gum," and is from their new "scented perfume" collection. I'm not sure how I feel about "scented" nail polish, but the color is cute.


3. Gun Metal


Love your OPI "Lincoln Park After Dark" but want something more updated? Try a gun metal color. You'll get the dark look, but it will have more grey/browns and be metallic. Instantly updated!



This color by Chanel is called, "Black Velvet." When you wear it you have to listen to the song, "Black Velvet" by Alannah Myles from 1988.



Dior offers up this selection called, "Avenue Montaigne Gris." Avenue Montaigne is a nod to the street in Paris where the Dior boutique is located.


This polish is again from the OPI Texas Collection and is called, "Suzi Loves Cowboys." With a name like that, how could I NOT include this color in the post????


4. Pastel Pink


This shade from essie is called, "French Affair." Oui Oui!



This polish is called, "Pink Boa," from Dior.


5. Pastel Purple



This color from Nars is called, "Pokerface." I love the pastel purple trend. I think it's a fun, springy color.


This great color from essie is called, "Nice is Nice." Indeed.



5. Pearl

These are the most demure and conservative colors of the group. These colors would be the most appropriate for a conservative work environment.




This color from essie is called, "Kisses and Bises." Bises is a french term meaning, 'kiss on the cheek.'



Chanel offers this shade called, "Pearl Drop."


Now that you know the top 5 Spring 2011 nail color trends, get out there and paint your nails red! (Er, one of the 5 colors listed on this post.)


'Til Next Time,

Stay Stylish!

Friday, April 1, 2011

Suz on Color

Where has all the color gone? It's springtime, people! (Or at least that is what the calendar says...) Remember the days when springtime meant breaking out of the grey, black and brown rut of winter dressing and embracing color? What says spring more than the happy hues of yellows, pinks, greens, and blues? Alas, when you enter your favorite stores, staring back at you is dull, muted, melancholy colors. Even more, the colors that are being shown right now are very difficult for us fair-skinned beauties to pull off without looking dead.

Here are some examples:





This look is from J.Crew. Does this look like "spring" to you?


What about this one?


Blah! Boring! Where's the color, J.Crew??



Maybe it's just J.Crew you ask? Think again...







This is a "Look We Love" from Ann Taylor Loft. I don't love it. I think it's boring... It's all brown. Where's the look of spring tulips and daffodils? Where is the outfit that makes you want to run through a spring meadow in all your feminine freshness?


This look from Banana Republic is an "Outfit We Love." I think it's fine. I doesn't really say, "Happy Spring," or "Goodbye Winter" to me....but maybe since I live in Chicago I need color and spring more than the average woman. To be fair...there is some color out there. But, it is not as prevelant as I would like. Case in point, J.Crew recently unveiled their Fall 2011 collection. It is jam packed with color. Color, color and more color. The hues are a undoubtedly geared toward fall/winter and not spring/summer, but it's colorwonderful all the same. Where's the color this spring? Obviously, the muted tones are a big trend along with the 'all-white' trend, but I am a sucker for color. Shopping this spring is about as depressing as the Chicago weather -- all grey, brown and melancholy. So come on, let's put a little color back into our lives!
'Til Next Time, Stay Stylish!