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Go 4th with Style
Happy 4th of July weekend, fashionable readers. What are your go-to essentials for a hot holiday vacay?
4th of July weekend Getaway packing list:
A) BCGeneration Aztec, $98 (perfect for toting around your sunnies & magazines or book club read)
B) Aubin & Wills striped cotton tank, $70 (a classic)
C) Steve Alan Carla straw fedora, on sale for $75.60 (stylish and a skin-protector)
D) Missoni Hugo Beach Towel, $205 (Missoni is a print-master)
E) J Brand low-rise rigid denim shorts, $150 (easy & cool)
F) La Roche-Posay Anthelios SPF 60, $29.50 (voted best sunscreen in Allure for 2011. Say no to wrinkles & sun damage!)
G) Sunnies – my favorites right now are any of Karen Walker’s. “Perfect Day Crazy Tortoise,” $210, by KW
H) Tibi silk crepe de chine playsuit, $300 (sophisticated and effortless, yet casual). Pair with some gladiators or flats like these:
I) Dolce Vita Bree, $130
J) Melissa Odabash Equador Bandeau Bikini, $170 (bright & uber-chic)
K) Dolce Vita Idalia, $99
image via google
Happy 4th of July! Have fun and be safe – and don’t forget to stay chic.
Annie
I’ve Got the Blues
After getting lots of positive responses from my “Shades of Gray” post a while back, I decided to do a turquoise and robin’s egg blue inspiration board. Turquoise emotes a bright, happy energy, and I’m drawn to it’s ‘cheerful’ disposition, if you will. Whether you use a turquoise accent piece in an all white kitchen, or perhaps as a throw pillow, it makes a warm, inviting statement. A favorite color for summer!
Additionally, robin’s egg blue happens to be one of my favorite chic and of-the-moment nail polish colors for summer – always refreshing, and looks great with a tan. Try it with white jeans on vacation in place of your usual hot pink or coral.
Here are some of my favorite pieces in this color palette. Enjoy:
First row: Neiman’s, Turquoise Mirror, $295; Privileged NYC Turquoise Pendant Necklace, $80; robin’s egg blue floors from my Pinterest board (google images)
2nd row: Lisa Marie Fernandez color block triangle bikini, $345; image via google; Ippolita large turquoise drop earrings, $995; turquoise Doxa lamp (price unknown) via here
3rd row: Nicholas K Spring 2011, image via Refinery29; Tracy Reese for Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Barracuda, $6.99, available in February at drugstores nationwide; Priti NYC in Forget Me Not, $12.50, available at Priti NYC‘; Ippolita rock candy 18-karat gold turquoise ring, $2,800
What colors inspire you? If you like pretty and stylish things, too, don’t forget to follow A Chic Critique on Pinterest!
Stay chic,
Annie
Monogram Me
I’ve never been one for monograms (shocking, seeing that I’m from the South where we’re known for our excessive tendency to stamp our initials on anything and everything we own). Done well, they can be elegant; however, they always seem a bit expected, even trite. A bit too “cutesy” for my taste.
These chic necklaces have me reconsidering my stance on monograms.
Jennifer Zeuner Large Swirly 3-initial pendant, $264 (also comes in sterling silver)
West Avenue Large Monogram Necklace – from Max & Chloe, $210
Blaire Eadie (Gap merchandiser and blogger extraordinaire) is partly to blame. As you can see, her monogram necklace is subtle yet makes a statement: nothing ‘cutesy’ here. If you like what you see, she’s wearing a Max & Chloe number (above).
image via here
Miss Taylor Swift and Lauren Conrad are fans of Jennifer Zeuner’s monogram pieces, which have been around for a couple of years.
The verdict is out: I’m obsessed with monogram necklaces (these, in particular). Sweet, simple, and the perfect addition to your accessory collection. Do you like to wear your name proudly, or will you be keeping your monogram under the radar? I won’t.
Stay chic,
Annie
Arm Party
Have you all joined the arm party yet? This mix-and-match bracelet trend is on the up and up.
I love the juxtaposition of textures, shapes and sizes – a diamond link next to a rough leather band, positioned next to a vintage oversized watch, topped off with jeweled encrusted cuffs. Silver mixed with gold, brights mixed with neutrals. The end result? This eclectic, frenzied display of arm candy somehow manages to look chic and polished.
image via here
image via here
image via here
image via here
How to wear it? The more, the merrier. Don’t be afraid to mix hard metals with supple leathers, high with low, or bold bangles with a subdued, classic gold watch. David Yurman next to Forever 21; rough chain links next to pearls. You get the idea.
Here are a couple of different looks I put together:
Depending on your personality, you can add a string of pearls, some neon bands, or a vintage cuff. Mix it up and have fun with accessories – showcase your own personal style, be it funky, retro, sophisticated, feminine or glam.
Stay chic,
Annie
Guy Style: Suit Up
When it comes to menswear and swim trunks, we’ve reached a consensus over here at A Chic Critique: classic always wins. Although board shorts and hawaiian prints are constantly trending, streamlined, simple cuts in primary colors are what I like to see. Think reds, blues/navy, golden yellows and hunter greens.
Some of my favorites picks for all those hot days by the water:
Mr. Prepster. Boating or yachting around the coast, anyone? Chucs Printed Swim Shorts, $250
Mr. Take It Easy. Polo Ralph Lauren Traveler Volley Swim Shorts, $75
The Guy Next Door. A casual, loose fit perfect for lounging poolside or grilling out at the lake. Vilebrequin Morea Mid-length swim shorts, $170
The Vacationer. Classic cut + a print full of personality. Orlebar Brown, Graphic Print Swim Shorts, $215
The California Boy. Bold, bright and athletic. Polo Ralph Lauren Swim Shorts, $77.78
What’s your swim trunk personality? More of a surfer dude, or a country club cronie?
Looks sharp, guys.
Annie
The LWD (Little White Dress)
Summer is an ideal time to show off your bronzed legs and arms – why not in a lovely white frock? The little white dress (LWD) is quickly becoming another wardrobe must and style staple. Chic, elegant and polished, white dresses are unfussy and sophisticated. Whether you opt for a cocktail dress or a day dress, make no mistake: you can’t go wrong with white.
Bright “white, white” is a hard color to pull off, but it can be done. Winter whites and off-whites look beautiful against a peaches and cream complexion (pink undertones), whereas those with olive and golden undertones in their skin can typically pull off a “bleached” white. Self-tanner, anyone?
image credit: 1; 2; 3; 4
Splendid stretch cotton & modal-blend T-shirt dress, $110
Versatile t-shirt dresses and simple knits like this (above) should be at the core of your wardrobe. White goes well with a tan, as well as bold, bright accessories (i.e. a clutch or sandals).
Tibi sequin-embellished asymmetric silk dress, $375
Get your party on in this rockin’ white number by Tibi (the sequin detailing is to die for).
Elizabeth and James Anita Kimono Maxi Dress, $485
Put this E&J on my lust-list. A dreamy, easy, vacation piece.
Antik Batik Embroidered Cotton Dress, $245
+ platform chunky sandals & bangles.
Mui Mui Ruffled cady shift dress, $903
The ruffle adds an unexpected touch and sophisticated polish to a basic shift dress. I love this for a going-away dress after a wedding, or for an engagement party.
J. Crew Heirloom Cotton Dress, $495
Annie
Michelle Armas
Happiness is…
a Michelle Armas painting.
“Sari”, Acrylic, 20 x 20
“Rose Gold,” Acrylic, 16 x 20
“Cassandra,” Acrylic, 20 x 20
Prices available on website. Click here to see more of her lovely paintings, prints and more.
A piece of colorful, whimsical artwork is a wonderful way to make a sophisticated statement in your home – in a dining room, a foyer, or over a bed. Because Michelle’s paintings are so vibrant, I like the idea of juxtaposing the painting next to a neutral color (a stark white, pale gray, etc.).
In here, perhaps. (image via Skona Hem). Just a wee pop of color would do (although this dining room is close to perfection).
Stay chic,
Annie
I heart Karen Walker
It’s June, folks – that means it’s time for backyard BBQ’s, music in the garden, and long drives at sunset with the top down. My go-to summer essentials? SPF 30, a wide-brimmed floppy hat, and a chic pair of oversized sunglasses! In addition to laying out and romping around the city this summer, you might see me sporting my Karen Walker sunnies.
Karla donning her “Deep Freeze” KW’s. image via here.
“Perfect Day” Sunglasses, about $180
Karen Walker, you say? Move over Chanel, Gucci and Ray Ban. Haven’t been introduced to her yet? Get ready to believe in love at first sight, because her eyewear collection will knock you over. Celebrities like Alexa Chung, Joy Bryant, and Florence Welch all wear and adore her shades. She also happens to be one of the most sought-after, prominent fashion designers in Hobbiton New Zealand.
New Zealand: home, sweet home to fashion designer Karen Walker. Okay, so she doesn’t actually live in the Shire. Sue me. (google images)
Her sunglasses are fabulously modern and chic; I like the “retro” vibe many of them have, harkening our ears and eyes back to the 1960’s. My favorite pair is the “Deep Freeze” – large (but not too large), and rectangular shaped. In tortoise shell, these could be considered a classic go-to pair of sunnies for your collection: they ooze sophistication. Another lovely choice is the “Perfect Day” pair, if you like the dramatic, “cat-eye” shape.
Blair Eadie wearing the “Deep Freeze.”
Street style and some Karen Walkers from here.
Karla in her Deep Freeze KW’s.
And last, but not least, Miss Blair in her Deep Freezes. Do you love?
I love how Walker’s designs blend timeless shapes with a current aesthetic. Aren’t they to die for? To say I am obsessed would be an understatement.
KW sunnies are available for purchase from Barney’s, or online from Shop Bop and Gargyle.
Stay chic (and safe from the sun),
Annie
Shades of Gray
I’m not sure if it’s my current obsession with OPI’s “Skull & Glossbones,” (the perfect manicure shade for summer), or the soothing effect of Benjamin Moore’s “Cliffside Gray” (thanks, Katie Lee), but I can’t seem to get enough of gray. I even styled my bedroom after Miss Lee’s house, which is replete with this color. From rich purple grays to understated blue and white-grays, this color palette is both soothing and current. Chevron pillows, statement cocktail rings, and washes of bedroom color all look cool and effortless in a shade of gray.
Some favie gray pieces and inspiration for you:
Top row, from left: Madeline Weinrib Organic Gray Chevron Pillow; Jolie B. Ray Moonstone Cocktail Ring, $2,400; Maison Scotch Leather Shopper, $178
Middle row, from left: Katie Lee (Joel)’s guest bedroom (image via Google) – color on walls is Benjamin Moore’s Cliffside Gray – this is the color on my bedroom walls!; OPI “Skull & Glossbones,”; Essie “Great Expectations“
Third row, from left: Soft Joie Redmond Long Skirt, $118; Marc by Marc Jacobs Faceted Ring, $68; Twelfth St. By Cynthia Vincent Jaden Sandals, $245
Can anyone guess the bottom right picture?
Another reason to wear gray? It’s timeless, versatile, and acts as an instant neutral: wear anything gray against a pop of vibrant, summer color to balance your look. Tired of your basic black and white pieces? Take the modern route and go gray. I’m in love!
Stay chic,
Annie