Fashion Friday: Obsessing Over Ankle Straps

15 Mar

I’ve come to love what I once thought of as the ultimate faux paus for petites – ankle straps. Turns out they are just the ticket for Spring, and this trend had legs… Or at least the ability to elongate legs. Whenever I find something I love, I become a collector. Case in point: it went from Air Jordan’s in middle school (I own 13 pairs), to The North Face jackets and backpacks in high school (too many to count and since have all gone to charity), then on to designer denim in college and todays impressive (and unfortunately much more expensive) designer shoe and handbag collection. Problem? Maybe. But the best problem ever, if you ask me ;)

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From top: Valentino Rockstuds, Manolo’s, Alexander Wang and Christian Louboutin’s

Back to ankle straps – this reoccurring fad in footwear is not only flattering, but functional. The attention to detail provides extra support and ease for the wearer. But, as a means to address the “what once was a potential fashion faux paus” there’s a few rules to follow when finding the perfect pair (or 4):

  • The skinnier the strap = the skinnier your legs look. Trust me.
  • The lighter the color of the strap = the longer your legs look. Nudes, metallics and flesh-tone hues will never fail.
  • Bold, thick straps = edgy, tough and much more challenging to pull off. Proceed with caution.

Don’t have the desire to get on board with ankle straps? I have a fashion forecast for summer, and I predict these babies will make a BIG comeback: anklets!! Slip into your ankle strap-less pumps and throw on an anklet for a similar effect. Will you dare to wear?

Stay tuned and stay stylish.

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MS Pub Crawl 2013

5 Mar

MS Pub Crawl

It’s that time of year again! Time to get your drink on in support of the fight against multiple sclerosis. The 8th Annual MS Pub Crawl is from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. (or later depending on your booze endurance) this Saturday, March 9th in Ballard. This event, organized by my good friend and fundraising guru, Molly Johnston, has raised over $55,000 in support of research and programs working to find a cure for M.S. and help families currently dealing with the disease.

This crawl is no joke. All the money raised goes directly to the National MS Society, and all the participants know how to party. For realz, yo. We be drinking. Not sure where the thug life grammar came from, but it felt good.

Thirty dollars gets you in, with a t-shirt and drink specials at every bar on the crawl list. Below is the list of participating bars, and a link to register. Come join me and the approximately 300 other awesome people who will be in attendance. You can think of it as training for St. Patrick’s Day drinking with the added bonus of doing good for the community. Who can say no to that? Bad people, that’s who. (Just kidding, you’re all wonderful, no matter if you attend or not. Xoxo… but you should probably come.)

BAR LOCATIONS, Drink Specials valid from 3-10pm
Kings Hardware @ 3pm to get your t-shirt
The Loft
Hattie’s Hat
BalMar – 6:30pm for RAFFLE TIME!
Azteca (nachos anyone?)
Market Arms
*reminder – as soon as you check in, you can head to any bar on the list!

Instructions to register:

Click link below

Select “Other amount meaningful to you” and write in $30 (or if you’d like to donate more that the minimum, select any other option)

Include t-shirt size in personal note section

Fill out rest of form and submit

Click here to register for the MS Pub Crawl >>

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Fashion Friday: 5 Minute Face

1 Mar

I’ve never been into makeup – the cosmetics department has intimated me for as long as I can remember, besides I like to think of myself as a natural beauty – but there’s something to be said for possessing an arsenal of go-to products to perk you up after a night on the town, or a Monday.

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Rebecca Minkoff monogrammed pouch with my go-to products for a 5 minute face (see details at left)

If, like me, you enjoy scoring a cheap thrill from Bartells but get heat from your coworkers – I advise you to find a balance. Don’t be afraid to venture into the land of black spandex, bright lights and false eyelashes if it’s in the budget. Just be clear about what you’re looking for and how much time and money you’re willing to spend. After experimenting, I’ve found some favorites that may fill a void in your current routine.

Heres how I achieve the 5 minute face:

  • YSL touché éclat
  • Anastasia brow wiz and growth serum
  • Benefit they’re real mascara and eye bright
  • Elf blush
  • Benefit hoola bronzer
  • MAC lipstick

The above will give you a natural look – I love this because it’s achievable, approachable and appealing. It’s not to say you can’t go all out with a smoky eye or bold red lip on a special occasion, but think girl-next-door with flawless skin and an infectious glow for the everyday.

Stay tuned and stay stylish.

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Hope on the Slopes: a ski and snowboard event benefiting cancer

26 Feb

Hope on the Slopes

It’s that time of year again! This Saturday, March 2nd, Stevens Pass is hosting its annual Hope on the Slopes event, a 24-hour ski and snowboard extravaganza. Stevens Pass stays open for 24-hours for the HOTS participants, and the day is filled with games, races, music, etc. I attended last year with a team of friends, and we had such a blast. The money raised from the event benefits the American Cancer Society in its mission to help cancer patients and their families with information and support, to fund research that leads to improved treatments, to educate the public about cancer prevention and early detection, and ensure everyone has access to life saving cancer screenings. Very important stuff. So if you were planning on heading up to Stevens on Saturday, I can’t recommend enough that you spend the extra dough to participate. Not only is riding the mountain at 11 p.m. pretty nifty, it’s for a great cause. I will be riding for Michelle, Nana, Grammy, Uncle Tom and my friend recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Who will you ski for?

Register today!

 

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Fashion Friday: Find you Inner Foodie

22 Feb

I never thought of myself as a foodie until recently. Maybe it’s the natural progression of time, but just a few years ago you’d be hard-pressed to find more than a bag of baby carrots, egg whites and a bottle of vodka in my fridge. Today’s another story – I’m stocked up on a myriad of fresh fruits and veggies, lean proteins and the fixings for leather pant friendly (this is a fashion segment) gourmet meals. It’s been a transition for the best as I settle into my late 20′s and focus on health and wellness instead of partying (don’t get me wrong, I still party, just not as hard or as often).

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From top: fresh oysters, dinner detailed at left, and breakfast with the addition of pumpkin pancakes

When I’m not obsessing over NYFW trends, the latest fitness craze or finding the perfect casual weekend attire, I’m obsessing over food. I used to live for take-out and depended on Whole Foods, the local Greek restaurant and teriyaki joint to supply me with a seemingly healthy dinner. Now I chef up a version of these, and more – without breaking the bank.

Some of my favorite simple bikini-ready friendly meals are outlined below:

  • Breakfast: prosciutto and spinach omelet with sweet potato hash
  • Snack: green smoothie (my latest favorite is the perfect blend of ginger, kale, banana, mango, flax & chia seeds)
  • Lunch: Mediterranean tuna (made with EVOO, dill, capers, scallions, lemon juice and cracked pepper on a bed of arugula)
  • Dinner: steamed mussels and clams with seared sea scallops in a homemade tomato sauce with fresh basil and parmesan
  • Dessert: flourless black bean brownies sweetened with stevia and topped with smoked sea-salt

I hope this inspired you to find your inner foodie.  Now hit the grocery store, put on that frilly apron and cook up something that would make you momma proud!

Stay tuned and stay stylish.

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Shred for Stevens Day

19 Feb

Shred for Stevens Day

Shred for Stevens Day

 

I’m a little late to the posting party, but if you’re up for some Tuesday night skiing I highly recommend heading up to Stevens Pass for the Shred for Stevens Day event taking place today. Half of the lift ticket proceeds will benefit the Ski Hill Memorial Project, a fundraising program commemorating avalanche victims Johnny Brennan, Jim Jack, Chris Rudolph and Daniel Zimmerman. The 24-month campaign aims to raise $500,000, which will be used to enhance The Leavenworth Ski Hill and forever immortalize the lost Leavenworth locals. A pretty neat project, if you ask me.

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Fashion Friday: Glamed up Basics

15 Feb

For those days when you’re running late or feeling lazy during morning dressing, reach for a basic and build from there. From a seemingly casual updated sweatshirt to a classic white tee, this is the perfect canvas for standout jewelry, killer accessories or an embellished topper.

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F21 Sweatshirt, J Crew necklace, J Brand jeans, Gucci shoes and Michael Kors watch

After a valentine’s day filled with too many sweets and too much bubbly, this morning was the perfect day to pair a sandblasted sweatshirt with a statement necklace, slouchy jeans and gold Gucci platforms. I know the notion of a sweatshirt and high heels sounds like an oxymoron, or may bring visions of an early morning streetwalker - but you’ve got it all wrong.  We’re not talking hoddies and lucite - think fitted crewnecks and booties. 

Here’s a few things to look for when updating your basics:

  • Slim or slouchy silhouettes
  • Unique treatments or detailed stitching
  • Most importantly – a flattering fit

Once you nail the updated basics, pile on the scarves, jewels and unexpected extras. Just remember to remove one before you leave the house a la Coco Chanel.

Stay tuned and stay stylish.

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My Valentine: King Felix

14 Feb

After yesterday’s tearful love fest for the city of Seattle, its fans and (believe it or not) the Seattle Mariners, Felix is my Valentine today. He doesn’t know it, but he will in about 30 seconds.

In a Seattle Times article that ran yesterday afternoon after Felix signed a $175 million, seven-year contract with the Seattle Mariners he said, “I don’t do this because I care about the money. I do this because I care about the people in Seattle. I do this because I love this city.” Complete with tears and a message that he will not disappoint anybody. Great!

So for you, Felix, here is a small Valentine’s Day poem:

Roses are red,

Violets are blue,

Thank you for signing on for seven more years.

And if you could, give us another perfect game, too.

felix

Thanks, Felix! And Happy Valentine’s Day from all the Belles!

Send an e-Valentine, Courtesy of Woodland Park Zoo!

13 Feb

Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day – just in case you’ve been living under a rock! While I’m not a huge proponent of sending flowers or chocolates, I do enjoy letting the people whom I care about know that I love them. Which is why I wanted to pass along this adorable idea from the Woodland Park Zoo.

Rather than purchasing a card, you can send an e-valentine to a loved one! For free! How cute is that? They have four options featuring either a peacock, a monkey (sorry I have no clue what kind this is!), lions or meerkats. The process is made so simple, too, so there are no excuses.

SO, I encourage you to get out, share the love, and have a splendid day!

Happy Valentine's Day from the Belles!

Happy Valentine’s Day from the Belles!

Fashion Friday: Inspired

8 Feb

I’ve been feeling uninspired lately – and as much as I’d like to attribute it to the weather (SAD is very real, especially in the PNW) and the unreasonably uncomfortable 3 week bout of bloat I’ve been fighting (don’t ask), I won’t.  Just as despair was beginning to sink in, along came the mailman.  Enter total transformation of mind, mood and outlook (thank you mom and dad for the annual subscriptions to Elle, Women’s Health and People Style Watch).  And so the inspiration began…
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I’ve come to enjoy the simpler things in life: reading a hot-off-the-press magazine, “designer” tea, white ceramic salad plates and perfectly tailored basics. Not terribly inspired, right? After recharging my batteries I came up with a few ways to inspire the everyday essentials – from my wardrobe (and yours) to the bookcase and beyond:

  • Silver – the metallic of the season
  • Pastel hues – especially mint green and blush
  • Black and white
  • Grace: A Memoir by Grace Coddington
  • Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And other concerns) by Mindy Kaling
  • Anything from teavana - I love the blueberry kona pop and monkey picked oolong 
  • Lucite details – shoes, jewels
  • Subtle floral prints
  • Jewelry inspired and mini watches
  • Vintage mirrors 
How do you get inspired?
 
Stay tuned and stay stylish.

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