Spring Trends from Bluefly Stylist Tanesha Smith

Spring is quickly approaching & I could not be happier. I'm sure I am not the only one ushering in warmer weather with open arms, so here to get us on track & give us some fab scoop & tips is Bluefly.com Stylist, Tanesha Smith!

1. What are the hottest trends for spring?

Spring 2010 is all about the return of the Girlie-Girl. The in-your-face technicolors & aggressive shoes of the last few seasons have given way to super-femme ruffles, pretty pastels & diplomatic neutrals. But this girl’s no pushover – razor sharp edge abounds with cut-outs, military details, & leather.

Pastels

Neutrals

Military

Ruffles

All Weather Leather

Cut outs

Read the rest of my interview with Tanesha after the jump!


2. How can women at any age wear these hot spring trends?

Forget age & focus on fit – & I’m not talking about size here. If it doesn’t fit your personal style, leave room for interpretation of the trend. Par example, flirty floral dresses in micro-mini lengths may be in, but they may not be your best look. It’s okay to go for a hem that you’re more comfortable with.

3. What is one spring trend that is worth the splurge?

Definitely a pair of outrageously perfect wedge heel sandals.

4. How can women make over last season’s look for under $50? Under $100?

Invest in one or two key pieces – I’d recommend a lightweight leather skirt & wedge heel sandals -- then rock it with your fave closet picks e.g. By day, wear your leather with a broken in tee, cropped blazer & your everyday shoes. For some extra trend cred throw a cheapie vintage military pin on the jacket. By night, polish up with your wedges & a sequin tank.

I want to thank Bluefly & Tanesha for our spring trend scoop. You can shop for these trends & more on Bluefly.com. Sassy Peach readers will be more than ready! As an added bonus, jump ever further ahead to see what was on the runways for the fall 2010 season. Check out the video from Bluefly & WWD below:

Continue Reading...

Chicago Designer Chosen as Oscars Design Challenge Finalist

Chicago couture designer, Elda De La Rosa is one of nine designers chosen as a finalist in the Oscars Designer Challenge 2010. One designer will have their original gown worn by one of the Awards escorts as she brings the statuettes onto the stage during the Academy Awards this Sunday, March 7th.

The gown by De La Rosa titled Lucero (meaning 'shining star' in Spanish), is bluish/gold in color & made of iridescent, silk taffeta &, like the entire 2010 Alta Gracia Collection, inspired by the strong, yet beautiful & feminine women who have influenced De La Rosa's life. Specifically, she tapped into the classic, tailored, vintage look of the 40s, where structure met femininity. Throughout the collection, she uses luxurious fabrics, including wool & silk blends, taffeta & charmeuses.- Excerpt derived from Elda De La Rosa Couture press release on Marketwire.com

The winning gown will be announced during the live arrivals show "Oscars Red Carpet...2010," that will air on ABC on Sunday. If you would like to see the other eight designs check out the Oscars Designer Challenge page. This is a very exciting opportunity for a Chicago native & I wish Ms. De La Rosa the best of luck!

Continue Reading...

The Sassy Peach Visits the New Marc Jacobs Chicago

Today I stopped by the new Marc Jacobs Collection store located in the Gold Coast. The atmosphere was very upbeat & full of excitement & glasses of champagne. President of MJ Robert Duffy was on hand speaking to everyone & doing interviews.

My favorite part of the 3,000-square-foot store had to be the chandelier above the cash register that looked like delicate blown glass fixtures. Friendly staff buzzed around taking care of customers & handing out awesome gift bags. I enjoyed my time at the store & suggest you go check it out if you are in the area.

Check out a few more random shots after the jump.



Marc Jacobs in a book on display


MJ messenger bags


Chandelier above register


Front table


Mr. Robert Duffy

Continue Reading...

Grayce by Molly Sims

If you are in the need of some new, great accessories then I say look no further than jewelry line Grayce by Molly Sims. The line will be introduced on HSN & hsn.com tomorrow, February 25th from 12p-1p & 9p-10p.

The statement necklaces below are probably my favorites from the collection. You can rock them with just about any outfit to take it up a notch or two. Check out a few more pics after the jump!

Continue Reading...

Live Video Chat with Rebacca Minkoff!

One of my favorite handbag designers Rebecca Minkoff is hosting a live video chat on her website tomorrow, February 25th! Tune in to ask her some questions at 3p EST.

If you would like to get your questions in ahead of time you can do so now at minkette.com. This is a great way to get to know her & ask any questions you may have about her inspirations & get behind-the-scenes scoop, so ask away!

Continue Reading...

New Marc Jacobs Store Opening Feb. 25th

A rendering of the new store Photo courtesy: Metromix Chicago

To all my fashionable Chicago ladies & gents, a new Marc Jacobs store will be opening here on Thursday, February 25th. The new store is located in the luxurious Elysian Hotel at 11 E. Walton St. This will "marc" Jacobs' second foray into the city of Chicago, the first being the Marc by Marc Jacobs boutique in Wicker Park at 1714 N. Damen. This seems like the perfect place for a new MJ footprint & I cannot wait to lay my eyes on it.

Continue Reading...

Haute Spread Highlight: Rose Cordero

Young model Rose Cordero is literally a rising star & is proving just that in this spread for Vogue Paris. Enjoy the rest of the gorgeous shots just as much as I did, after the jump.

Continue Reading...

Purple Lab on HSN Tonight!

The pioneers behind Huge Lips Skinny Hips (Purple Lab cosmetics) are making their debut on HSN tonight!

The owner, Karen Robinovitz, whom I met in NY last September is making her dream come true & I fully support that.

Definitely check out the website to learn more about the brand & shop the products.

Tune in tonight at 8pm-9pm EST!

Continue Reading...

Fashion for Haiti

Ms. Beyonce is the face of the Fashion for Haiti charitable campaign of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. The $25 t-shirt goes on sale tomorrow, February 16th at retailers nationwide with net proceeds benefiting the Clinton Bush Haiti fund.

The t-shirt can be found at these retailers:

3.1 Phillip Lim // Academy of Art University Gallery Store // Adam // Alice + Olivia // Ankasa // Anna Sui // Araks // Barneys // BCBG Max Azria // Bergdorf Goodman // Betsey Johnson // Billy Reid // Bloomingdale’s // Botkier // Buckler // Burberry // Calvin Klein Collection // Calvin Klein.com // Catherine Malandrino // Carolina Herrera // Coach // Charles Nolan // Chrome Hearts // Cole Haan // Colette // Cynthia Rowley // Deborah Marquit // Dennis Basso // Derek Lam // Devi Kroell // Diane von Furstenberg // DKNY // DKNY.com // Donna Karan // Donna Karan International // Elie Tahari // Foley + Corinna // General Nutrition Corporation // Generra // Gilt Groupe // Giuseppe Zanotti Design // Helmut Lang // Henri Bendel // Intermix // J. Crew // J. Mendel // James Perse // Jeffrey New York // Jill Platner // Jill Stuart // John Bartlett // Kate Spade New York // Kenneth Cole // Links of London // Lisa Perry Style // Loomstate // Lord & Taylor // Lorraine Schwartz // Lyn Devon // Macy’s // Malia Mills // Michael Kors // Mimi So // Missoni // Manolo Blahnik // Nanette Lepore // Neiman Marcus // NeimanMarcus.com // Nordstrom // Norma Kamali // Odin New York // Oscar de la Renta // Philanthropist // Polo Ralph Lauren Retail // QVC // RachelRoy.com // Rag & Bone // Ralphlauren.com // Rebecca Taylor // Robert Lee Morri // Rock & Republic // Rogan // Rue La La // Rugby.com // Saks Fifth Avenue // Saks.com // Scoop NYC // Selima Optique // Shelly Steffee // Sigerson Morrison // Slow and Steady Wins the Race // Style Shop at FIT // Stuart Weitzman // Swarovski // Swarovski Crystallized // Talbots // Ten Thousand Things // Theory // Theory Japan // Thom Brown // Tommy Hilfiger Stores // Topshop // Tory Burch // Tracy Reese // Trina Turk // Uniqlo // Vera Wang // Vivienne Tam // Yigal Azrouel // Zappos.com // Zero + Maria Cornejo // Zoe //

Check out the commercial below featuring the best of the best in the fashion business:

Continue Reading...

Laura Mercier on HauteLook!

Tomorrow, February 16th, HauteLook is featuring a sale from fabulous makeup line, Laura Mercier. These must-have makeup & skin products will be 50-68% off retail prices for HauteLook members! Choose from a wide variety of the brand's most popular makeup, body washes, skin products & candles. In addition, each order comes with a free deluxe sample of the brands legendary Tinted Moisturizer.

HauteLook is free to join & no invite is required. Don't miss out on this one!

Continue Reading...

R.I.P. Alexander McQueen (1969-2010)

It is with great sadness that I report beloved & fearless designer, Alexander McQueen, is dead at the age of 40. WWD reported early this morning that McQueen was found dead in his London apartment of an apparent suicide. I am truly saddened & disturbed by this news, as is the entire fashion industry. Today marks the official start of New York Fashion Week and McQueen's presentation was set for today at 3pm, but of course has since been canceled.

Prayers to McQueen's family, friends, team & employees. The industry has lost a great & he will truly be missed.

Continue Reading...

Nordstrom Spring Cosmetic Trend Show

If you're in the Chicago area you should attend Nordstrom's Spring Cosmetic Trend Show at The Shops at North Bridge! The spring show features the latest in skincare, fragrance & makeup for the new season. Industry experts will be on hand providing tips, enjoy light refreshments & get a complimentary consultation or makeup application after the show.

The show takes place on March 6th.

7:30am - Pre-show
8:00am - Trend Show
10:00am - 7:00pm - Complimentary makeup applications & skincare consultations

Tickets are $15 + tax & the ticket price is redeemable towards your skincare, makeup or fragrance purchase during the event. To RSVP call the Nordstrom Concierge at 312.464.1515 ext. 1690. Space is limited.

Continue Reading...

Celebrate the Month of Love with Rachel Roy!

Designer Rachel Roy is spreading the love on Twitter in the month of February. Beginning today, February 3rd, Rachel will be doing a weekly Wednesday Exclusive Twitter Giveaway.

How do you enter you ask? Well, follow Rachel on Twitter at http://twitter.com/Rachel_Roy & she will Tweet the details! Everything starts at 1:00pm through midnight EST.

Best of luck to you!

Continue Reading...

Exclusive Rachel Roy x Estelle Facebook Pop-Up Store

In July I reported that Rachel Roy & Estelle were teaming up for a limited edition jewelry collection for this spring, & now there is more news.

You can be the first to shop this brand new collection featuring big & bold pieces beginning February 9th! For 3 days only Rachel will host a "digital" pop-up store on her Facebook page, debuting the collection weeks before it enters stores. The collection includes a range of statement necklaces, funky rings & cool ear cuffs--all a culmination of inspiration & styles from Rachel & Estelle. Better yet prices range from $34-$50, not bad.

If this is right up your alley fan Rachel on Facebook now & be the first to shop this limited edition jewelry collection. You will also have the chance to score an ultra exclusive full finger petal ring (pictured below) that was designed to be sent to Rachel & Estelle's closest fashion & music insider friends. This ring is only available through Facebook & cannot be purchased anywhere else. I'm definitely hoping to get my hands on it!

Continue Reading...