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Guest Blogger on The Graduate Wife
An old childhood friend asked me to guest post on her blog, The Graduate Wife. Head on over to see my tips for simplifying and consolidating your closet! A typical closet clean-out and wardrobe edit comes with a fee, but I shared some of my secrets today in this post.
Stay chic!
Annie
Hint of Mint
Sherbert and ice cream colors were painted across the fabric palettes of spring 2012 runway collections: pale tangerine and corals, baby blues, aquas, and shades of mint green. These soft and feminine hues pop against the deepest olive skin tones, yet gently flatter the fairest and most delicate skin colors.
Mint (ice cream) green is so delicious. Don’t you agree?
from left, images 1 & 3 – Vera Wang, images 2 & 4, Jenny Packham (image via here)
Pretty, graceful, and elegant, this organic shade is a must in my book for spring.
Tara Jarmon Polka Dot Silk Dress, $630
Topshop pleated skirt, $76 – can’t get enough pleats. The straight, vertical lines are so lengthening and flattering, plus, a pleated skirt drapes in such a way that it flatters a woman’s waist.
Topshop Drape Front Top, $72
D&G Layered Tulle Mini Skirt, $630
Irene Neuwirth mint earrings, $10,680 (ooh, a girl can dream)
Tibi pleated silk chiffon dress, $550
Chloe patent leather clutch, $1,395
Stay chic,
Annie
Peplum Party
Spring 2012 runway collections were scattered with the peplum (pronounced PEP-lum) silhouette, from Chanel to Jason Wu to Vera Wang and Givenchy. This feminine detail was often seen worn by the late Jackie Onassis Kennedy during the Kennedy Golden Era, and boasts a ladylike and waist-accentuating effect.
images via vogue
image credits: Rodarte; Vera Wang; Jason Wu
Peplum-palooza:
A) Mulberry metallic peplum top, $600 B) Alice + Olivia Peplum skirt, $198 C) Alice + Olivia peplum dress, $264 D) Alice + Olivia Mary peplum strapless dress, $330 E) Kalmanovich peplum dress, $1,030 F) Tibi Peplum jacket, $495 G) Giambattista Valli leopard peplum top, $1,430
The key to wearing this ruffled detail is to keep your body proportions in mind, as well as the size and placement of the peplum. If you have narrow hips (straight/ruler/boy-shaped) you can wear a fuller, flared or more dramatic peplum. If you have a small or defined waist, you can wear a peplum skirt with a slim fitting bottom. If you’re fuller throughout the hips or backside (as many of us are), remember that ruffles draw attention; however, the peplum can be very flattering on a hourglass shape. Just remember to stick with a sleek and fitted silhouette, all you curvy ladies.
Two of my fashion favies, Olivia P, and Emma Stone, rocking the peplum:
Palermo wears a peplum top that hits at her natural waistline. The peplum is more subdued, and she wears it with a slender bottom (black pixi pants). In this color-blocked dress, Emma Stone wears a more dramatic peplum on her hips. images via google
What do you think of the peplum? A yay or nay for you? Will you be sporting it this spring? Remember, not every trend is for everybody, nor is it for every BODY.
Stay chic!
Annie
March Style Promotion
Want to win a free hour Wardrobe Consult and Style Assessment? To all you fashionistas and jewelry lovers alike, I’m running an exciting special and promotion for the month of March!
Here are the terms:
- Book a Style & Stella party with me for the month of March, and your name will be entered into a raffle to win a one-hour Wardrobe Consult and Edit with A Chic Critique. (Details: I’ll go through your closet, give you wardrobe and style tips for how to dress for your body type, make accessorizing suggestions, and help you put outfits together. This one-hour consult is valued at $75).
- Jewelry Trunk Show & Style Party must be booked and held during the month of March for your name to be entered into the giveaway.
- Still need an additional incentive to book? The average Stella & Dot hostess receives $250 in free jewelry and 4 half-off items! Need I say more? The editors of Vogue, Real Simple, and Marie Claire all have their eye on Stella & Dot right now.
Contact annie@achiccritique.com for more information, and to get your style party on the books!
Stay chic,
Annie
Wedding Wednesday #3: Let Them Eat Cake
As Franc Eggelhoffer (from Father of the Bride) always said: "This is what I sugjoost. I sugjoost that we select a keck furst." - Okay. "You know, cuz de keck...vary often determun vhat kind of wedding that you end up having."
Regardless of whether you actually pick out your cake first or not (I would suggest securing your venues, photographer, and band first), it’s true that it does reflect the overall tone and flavor, so to speak, of your wedding reception. Years ago I worked for a wedding & event planner in Nashville, and during our initial meetings with brides, we would ask them to describe the wedding of their dreams in just three adjectives. How would you like your wedding to look and feel? What’s the vibe and aesthetic you’d like? We’d hear responses ranging from “down-home, Southern, and quaint” to “glamorous, opulent, and elegant.” Your cake should reflect these adjectives.
Then there’s the question of fondant vs. butter-cream and the overall flavor(s) of your cake. To tackle this question, I would most definitely schedule a tasting with two to three different reputable wedding cake bakers.
Here are some lovelies to whet your appetite:
Simple and understated.
Prefer the less traditional approach? Why not offer various cakes and flavors to your guests? With a panoply of choices, every guest is sure to be satisfied.
This is a very classic and traditional cake in my book. The ribbons, color, and flowers could all be customized to your color palette, and the pattern could even reflect some detail from your dress.
Sweet, feminine, and floral.
Hope you had a happy & love-filled Valentine’s day!
Stay chic,
Annie
Ocean of Color
Rich, blue-green jewelry is in abundance for spring – signaling the promise of warm weather, vacations and resort-wear ahead. These ocean-inspired jewelry pieces are organic, natural and earth-inspired.
J. Crew Marina Necklace – wear with white jeans! $125
A Peace Treaty, Tubar Ring, $132
The Serenity Stone Necklace, $198, from Stella & Dot (as seen in People Style Watch). 12 carat gold plated, mix of smooth, faceted glass stones and turquoise & dyed jade. A gorgeous, versatile statement piece for summer!
Diya Chandeliers, Anthropologie, $298
Lust-worthy Irene Neuwirth earrings, $3,370
I love how refreshing these shades are: simple, yet classic and sophisticated. Colors like jade, aquamarine, and ocean-blue will complement your neutral basics and really pop against your black and whites for spring!
Stay chic,
Annie
Wedding Wednesday #2: Mix & Match Bridesmaids
As a wardrobe consultant, it’s my job to steer my clients towards silhouettes and cuts that are figure-flattering. As we all know, there’s no “one dress” style that works for every figure (I’ve yet to see one) – so I would be remiss if I ever forced a singular dress style onto a variety of body shapes and sizes.
A must-see in ACC’s book. Go. rent it. now.
The daunting task comes when choosing a bridesmaids dress that every bridesmaid will love. A shade that flatters one woman’s skin tone may be disastrous against another skin tone: likewise, one skirt style might slenderize one woman’s frame, while overwhelming another.
My solution?
1) Pick a color palette and length (short, long, etc.). Let your maids shop for and pick out their own dress, staying within the defined color scheme. This way, they can dictate the price, cut, silhouette and fabric. The pro? Each dress will reflect each individual bridesmaid’s style personality and preferences, but the group color scheme and length will be harmonious.
flowers & decor – Brocade/Hillary Robson – image via Skip Hopkins – styling & wedding design via A Chic Critique
image via google
image via Stephen Devries
2) Pick one designer – then pick one fabric, color and length. Let each girl choose the actual style & silhouette that she prefers. The result is a unified effect with varying styles.
image via pinterest
image via google – Jose Villa
If you’re the sort of bride who likes uniformity and wants to capture a sense of oneness amongst your maids, this idea might prove a little counter-intuitive or unappealing. Different strokes for different folks – the important thing is to do what makes YOU happy! Having all the maids wear the same matching dress is always a classic and beautiful choice.
Stay chic,
Annie
Meet Stella & Dot
I’m excited to announce that A Chic Critique has recently partnered with Stella & Dot!
Stella & Dot is a fabulous line of luxury, boutique-inspired modern jewelry and accessories – you may have seen their pieces featured in Vogue, In Style, ELLE, People, Lucky, US Weekly and Redbook magazines as well as The Wall Street Journal and the New York Times. Their pieces have been worn on the wrists and necklines of some of today’s noted celebrities like Giuliana Ransic, Heidi Klum, Kelly Ripa, Penelope Cruz, and Barbara Walters, and featured on TV shows such as The Today Show, Oprah, The View and the Bachelorette. Their irresistible custom designs are runway-inspired, sophisticated, artisan crafted and handmade, as well as lead and nickel safe. Exclusively designed in NYC, these pieces can be ordered directly from A Chic Critique’s own Stella & Dot website at http://www.stelladot.com/sites/achiccritique.
via S&D
the Leona – a favorite of mine for clients! As seen in Lucky Magazine. $98
I’ve been fawning over Stella & Dot’s jewelry for years; additionally, I have been putting my clients in their on-trend statement necklaces, cuffs, earrings and cocktail rings at every opportunity I get. At reasonable price points, they have collections geared towards every style personality, whatever it may be: classic, bohemian, preppy, simple, feminine, edgy, and/or glamorous. For more fabulous pieces, visit my website, or you can check out their Spring 2012 Collection & Look Book here!
Some favorites of mine from the Spring 2012 collection:
The Sierra Necklace, $148
A bib of shimmering 12k gold finished brass discs drape gracefully from a brass arc. Backed with a 12k gold finished disc chain.
Serenity Stone Drops, $49
Hand cut polished semi-precious dyed jade drops are handset in a shiny 12k gold plated hammered brass bezel. Lead & Nickel Safe. 2 inches. Gold plated brass fish hook ear wire.
In honor of this announcement, I’m running a special for the next two weeks: when you make any purchases (of $50 or more), your name will be entered into a drawing – the winner will receive one free piece of Stella & Dot jewelry! All you have to do is start shopping! At check out, enter hostess name: “Launch Party” (you’ll see a drop-down menu under ‘hostess name’).
I’m always telling clients to invest in wardrobe basics and foundational garments – but add polish and style to any ensemble with statement jewelry, such a bold cuff or killer pair of chandelier earrings. What better way to showcase your sense of fashion and personality?
Stay chic,
Annie
Update: A Chic Critique is now working with clients in both St. Louis, MO, and Nashville, TN! Available for travel. Contact annie@achiccritique.com for your spring wardrobe tune-up, personal shopping trip, or closet edit. Refer two new (booked) clients to me, and you’ll receive a complimentary style assessment & wardrobe consult (a 2-hour value)!
Wedding Wednesday #1: Film Photography
I’ve long been an avid fan of film photography. What I love about film is how raw and organic it is, and how perfectly it seems to capture natural light. Because my affinity for film has only deepened over time, I knew it was precisely the medium I would choose for our wedding. This girl has entire Pinterest boards dedicated to it!
Here are just a few of my favorite shots from some noted (and much loved) film photographers. How brilliant and exquisite is their work?
S-w-oooo-n. Napa wedding by the one and only Jose Villa – featured on Style Me Pretty.
Look at that sunset peaking through, and notice how “organic” these shots look. Obsessed. (images above courtesy of Jose Villa Photography)
Texas-based Ryan Ray’s (who happens to be one of the more thoughtful, sincere and kind-hearted photographers I’ve come across in this industry) work is equally stunning and beautiful. What an eye!
images above courtesy of Ryan Ray Photography
And our dear Nashville’s own Tec Petaja? As Frank from “Father of the Bride” would say: genius. Sheer Genius.
Sucker for black and white film shots…
the two shots above are courtesy of Tec Petaja
One thing I will guarantee: there will be no “posey-posey” traditional church shots of my family and bridal party at my wedding. Loathe. I’m much more apt to gravitate towards candid, informal “formals,” if that makes sense. Tec’s shot above fits the bill.
Can you see why I love it so? I haven’t even touched the tip of the iceberg – there are so many more talented photographers whose work I adore and respect (both film and digital alike).
Stay chic & stay tuned!
Annie
I can’t wait to share the film photographer we decided to go with (after a detailed and thorough search process). His work is beautiful, and I’m anxious to see some of the more tender, candid moments he’ll capture on film.
Baby Blues
One point I’m always stressing with clients is the importance of having at least two pairs of tailored, well-made, fitted jeans: one pair hemmed to wear with flats, and one straight or bootleg dark-wash pair hemmed to wear with heels. Of course, once you have those basics, any supplemental pairs are a welcome addition (skinny, trouser, boyfriend, etc.). Many of you collect jeans like shoes!
I like seeing the seasonal twists designers put on this timeless wardrobe staple. One salient trend the last couple of years has been colored or dyed denim/twill jeans – and fortunately, it’s a trend I can endorse, especially when the color is an electric, cobalt blue. A “blue” jean really acts as a neutral, and although these shades are bolder and brighter than your typical denim wash, they can be just as versatile.
Here are some of my picks for winter, transitioning into spring (any of these would be an excellent choice for early pre-spring in February & March).
Gap 1969 Legging Jeans in Blue, $69.95
Paige Denim “Verdugo” Stretch Denim Leggings, $179
J. Crew Toothpick jean in garment-dyed twill, $108
Blue Essence (Nordstrom) Colored Skinny Jean in Cobalt, $98
Here’s how I would style them:
And:
Two of my clients got a pair this week – a great transitional piece for your winter wardrobe.
Stay chic in those baby blues,