Anything But Average

This summer will thus forth be known as the “Summer of Prints!” I don’t know about you, but I am not as excited as I once was at the sight of stripes or mere dots! I want excitement, I want fresh, gimme unique!  Here are some of my top picks for summer prints!

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{STELLA JEAN zebra printed skirt} {NICHOLAS KIRKWOOD Floral Printed Silk Block Heel Pumps}
{AVIÙ sheer sequinned sleeveless blouse} {TOPSHOP Aztec print crop top by Hand of Gypsies}
{STELLA JEAN Caffe High Waist Pants} {BURBERRY The Bloomsbury in Hand-painted Leather}
{J.CREW Collection Gilded brocade short}
{MCQ ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Crocodile Print Bodycon Skirt}
{AX PARIS Floral Rose Shorts} {MSGM Floral Printed Pointed Pumps}
{MARA HOFFMAN Printed swimsuit} {SWATCH VINTAGE printed round frame sunglasses}
{ANCIENT BRAND Extra Oversized Kente Cloth Print Button Earrings via ETSY}

What is the most outrageous print you will be rocking this summer?

Cannes 2014 Best Red Carpet Looks

I love having a constant flow of red carpet looks filling up my feeds, but that will be ending as the Cannes Film Festival wraps up, but we still have thousands of Red Carpet looks to gawk at, and to sift out our faves!

There have been some power houses on these red carpets, including Blake Lively, Jessica Chastain and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, all of which had multiple hits at the Festival.

I love the diversity of the looks Cannes has to offer. From daytime to evening, we good a full display of gowns, cocktail dressed, and separates. Take a look at my picks for the best dressed!

{Click any image to launch slideshow for a closer look}

Blake Lively in Gucci {plus it doesn’t hurl to have that accessory on your arm!}

Jessica Chastain in Alexander McQueen Fall:Winter 2014-2015

Freida Pinto in Oscar de la Renta Fall:Winter 2014-2015 and Jimmy Choo heels

Zhang Ziyi in Stephane Rolland

Amber Heard in Vionnet

Julianne Moore in custom Louis Vuitton

Marion Cotillard in bespoke Christian Dior, Christian Louboutin heels and Chopard jewelry

Blake Lively in Gucci Première, Casadei heels and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry

Jennifer Lawrence Dior 2015 Resort

Sofia Coppola in Valentino Pre-Fall:Winter 2014-2015 and Chopard jewelry

CHLOË GRACE MORETZ in Chanel

Eva Herzigova in Dolce & Gabbana Spring/Summer 2014 and Chopard jewelry

Jessica Chastain in bespoke Atelier Versace, Roger Vivier shoes and Tesiro jewelry

Karlie Kloss in Chanel haute couture Fall/Winter 2011-2012 and Bulgari jewelry

L’Oréal Paris muse Natasha Poly in Oscar de la Renta Spring/Summer 2014

Nicole Kidman in Altuzarra

Cate Blanchett in Givenchy Fall/Winter 2014-2015 and Chopard jewelry

America Ferrera in Erdem

Rooney Mara in Calvin Klein Collection

Audrey Tautou in bespoke Prada and Chaumet jewelry

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in Emilio Pucci

Cate Blanchett in Delpozo

Riley Keough in Valentino

Cara Delevingne in Roberto Cavalli

Sofia Coppola in Michael Kors

Mia Wasikowska in Valentino

Jennifer Lawrence in Dior Haute Couture

Marion Cotillard in Maison Martin Margiela Couture

Tao Zhao

Cara Delevingne and Jessica Chastain

Cara Delevingne in Chanel

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in Gucci

Jessica Chastain in Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci

Toni Garrn in Redemption Choppers

Who was your favorite look from the Cannes Red Carpet?

Cannes Most Iconic Dresses

MediaRun is at it again! They have created this collection of the Most Iconic Dresses from Cannes history. {You may remember their collection of the Dresses of Best Actress Oscar Winners}

Tomorrow I will have my collection of my top pics from the Cannes 2014 Film Festival many Red Carpets, until then, tide yourself over with this!

The ‘Ugly’ Trend

We all have ghosts of fashion’s pasts that haunt us. I can pictures some neon color-blocked windbreakers paired with day-glo print leggings, accessorized with a fanny pack and scrunchy, creeping up from my past. But now there is new trend celebrating all of fashion’s rejects. Are we embracing the ‘uncool’ and reclaiming them all in the name of fashion?

One of my favorite bloggers Leandra Medine, creator of Man Repeller, who has labeled herself as such, “who outfits herself in a sartorially offensive mode that may result in repelling members of the opposite sex.” Medine has been wearing overalls, shoulder pads, jumpsuits, and clogs since long before anyone ever mentioned the ‘Ugly’ trend, so perhaps she is partly responsible.

Let’s see for ourselves how ‘ugly’ fashion can be!

Culottes

Not quite a skirt, not just pants, yet still not a skort!

 

SHOP CULOTTES

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{RIVER ISLAND blue floral print culottes} {THAKOON ADDITION wide leg culottes}
{CHALAYAN jersey-crepe culottes} {TOPSHOP culotte shorts} {TOPSHOP palm print culottes}

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Mom Jeans

We’re sorry mom, we guess you’re cool again!

SHOP MOM JEANS

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{H&M mom jeans} {RIVER ISLAND light wash slim mom jeans}
{TOPSHOP moto vintage high waisted jeans}

 

Pool Slides

Not just for the pool anymore!

SHOP POOL SLIDES

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{RIVER ISLAND black metal trim cross strap mule sandal} {STEVE MADDEN boundree platform sandal}
{TOPSHOP hi pool slide sandals} {MSGM embellished pool slide sandals}
{RIVER ISLAND black cross strap pool sliders}

 

Overalls

Overall, a great look!

SHOP OVERALLS

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{RAG & BONE box overalls} {MINA + OLYA wide leg denim overall}
{FRAME DENIM Le Garcon 711overall} {MADEWELL upstate short overalls}
{STELLA MCCARTNEY denim overall jumpsuit} {CURRENT/ELLIOTT ‘Wanderer’ distressed overalls}

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Fanny Packs

Let your hips do the carrying.

 

SHOP FANNY PACKS

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{JOYRICH angelic rich floral bum bag} {MARNI embellished belt bag} {STEVE MADDEN Bbelter}
{CLEOBELLA rebel fanny pack} {KARL LAGERFELD Printed canvas belt bag}

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Socks + Sandals

Take Pool Slides one step further! Watch out Dad’s of the world!

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SHOP SOCKS + SANDALS

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{TOPSHOP Emilio Cavallini floral socks} {O’NEILL tamara wedge}
{WALTER VAN BEIRENDONCK ‘Garden’ socks}
{ASOS HARVEST Leather Flatform Sandals} {TOPSHOP duck egg pom pom trim socks}
{BCBG Max Azria runway cassius wedge sandal} {J.CREW sunglasses socks}
{ARTURO CHIANG Gypsy Leather & Hair Calf Mixed Media Strappy Sandals}
{MISS SELFRIDGE Peach Check Socks} {ALEXANDER WANG Sara Slingback Sandals}
{TOPSHOP Black Broderie Pop Socks}
{AEROSOLES Ginspiration High-Heel Sandals with Lizard Printed Accents}

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What do you think of these trends?

…Bring May Flowers!

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A post shared by amanda montie •art + lifestyle (@amanda.montie)

Happy May lovelies! I hope that April showers did in fact bring you beautiful May flowers. And if not, we will! Yes, florals can be a bit of a spring cliché, but who doesn’t want to wear a gorgeous floral print this time of year? They make us happy, bring us joy, and clichés be damned, we’re doing it! Especially these floral prints that will make you stand out in the bunch.

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{KENZO VINTAGE floral bodycon dress} {J.CREW Sleeveless Drapey Top in Cove Floral}
{ALICE+OLIVIA flower print maxi skirt} {TOPSHOP Paint Floral Print Flippy Skirt}
{DOLCE & GABBANA floral print trousers} {DELPOZO Floral-print silk-gazar dress}
{MARC BY MARC JACOBS Frances printed silk crepe de chine dress}
 {VANS Authentic Lo Pro Floral Trainers in Violet/True White}
{KENDEL cateye sunglasses} {TOPSHOP Floral High-waisted shorts by Oh My Love}
{RIVER ISLAND Navy Print High Waisted Trousers}

I went a little floral crazy today! I bought a new Kate Spade floral iPhone case to alternate from my Betsey Johnson floral case, while wearing a floral print dress! FLORAL FEVER! Here is my new iPhone case!
http://instagram.com/p/ndmeHYMLVP/

How are you wearing your May today?

Advanced Print Mixing 101

Last week we touched on a mild mixing of the prints… Now for those of you risk-takers, who want to try something a little more bold, here are some great looks on how to mix it up and make it work!

1. Treat stripes or dots as neutrals. 

A fantastic jumping off point!

Stripes and florals are so fun together! {source: Fashion Indie}

For this look the dot is used as a neutral.

Stripes aren’t overly bold, so they work with most other prints.

Here the stripes are a little more unique, but still work well with a print.

2. Keep to similar color stories. 

This will keep your eye from jumping around,  and creates a flow within your outfit.

Keep the color families consisstant between both prints.

This one is a little more subtle, but your eye is still drawn to the similar colors.

3. Proportions are important.

Micro prints and visual textures can mix will with the bolder prints.

Susie Bubble is wearing a Textured skirt with this print. The detail of the surface creates a micro print-like detail.

Here the micro dot print works perfectly with the bold print of the pants.

4. Stick with 2!

Other wise you may end up looking like a Jackson Pollack. {Ooh, Paint splatter is a great print!}

Here are 2 florals, any more and this look would get messy.

The 2 prints here create for a pure, yet fabulous look. {And it is also following rule #2!}

These are both strong prints, but I love them together!

 

5. Use solid colors to break up the prints.

Like a belt, a top, or bag!

These two fantastic prints are broken up by the solid white, almost like a palette cleanser between prints.

This look may only have a subtle solid {the bag}, but it really brings this look together.

6. When in doubt… Just have fun!  

Item of the Day: Floral Onesie

Happy Friday Lovelies! I hope your weekend plans are as fun as this swimsuit! If not, you can always get this swimsuit, I think it could make your weekend top notch! Both the fit and print are perfectly vintage, however the vibrancy and cut give it a modern feel. Give me a great hat and some rockin’ sunnies and I am off to the beach!

SHOP THE  I.O.T.D.

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{Anthropologie – Zimmermann Ruffled Malliot}

What are you wearing to the beach this summer?

Double Print Wednesday!

Mixing prints is always one of those looks that make people nervous. When executed well, it can make such a great statement, like our girl Mindy Lahiri. This is a great look for those of you starting off in the world of print mixing. A simple print like a stripe or a polka-dot is an easy pair to a more bold print.

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{Fossil Bridgette Side Gusset Knit Dress} {Carven Cropped Floral-Print Stretch-Cotton Jacket}
{Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Low Sneakers} {Marc by Marc Jacobs Baker Watch}
{kate spade new york ‘cedar street – magnolia’ crossbody bag}
{Miu Miu Round-frame acetate sunglasses}
{Smashbox Be Legendary Lip Gloss in Pout}

{Click any image below to launch slideshow for a better look!}

Share your print mixing adventures this week!

 

A Very Fashionable Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day, lovelies! I hope you are finding beautiful and inspiring ways to celebrate this wonderful place we live! To help you celebrate, here is a collection of some fantastic environmentally friendly fashion. Some of these give back in a very cool way, while others are conscious of what they are taking. Explore through the slideshow to discover more about what these brands are doing to celebrate Earth Day everyday!

 

{Click any of the below images to launch slideshow}

Amour Vert – Francoise Top Ivory {http://tiny.cc/ijzpex} With every purchase, Amour Vert plants a tree through its partnership with American Forest. Bonus!: Amour Vert also utilizes wood pulp in its garment production.

H&M Conscious Collection – Tencel Blend Dress {http://tiny.cc/nc0pex } The collection is made from sustainable materials, for example this dress is made of sustainable eucalyptus.

Etnies – CAPRICE ECO {http://tiny.cc/dpzpex} By purchasing one of the brand’s designated styles, Etnies plants a tree in return. Since the initiative’s inception in 2011, Etnies has planted over 169,000 trees in Costa Rica and Brazil.

obakki – GRAPHIC TANK | PRESERVED IN TIME COLLECTION {http://tiny.cc/qwzpex} The brand’s “Preserved In Time” line donates proceeds to benefit clean water drilling efforts in South Sudan.

MAIYET – Printed silk-crepe slip dress {http://tiny.cc/n60pex} Maiyet is pioneering environmentally conscious with luxury fashion.

Edun – Monochrome Cellophane Check Skirt {http://tiny.cc/xj1pex} Edun follows four principles: respect for the people who make the product; respect for the community where it is made; respect for the materials used; and respect for the consumer who buys the clothing.

Urban Outfitters – Urban Renewal Erin Templeton Pocket Pal Leather Bucket Bag {http://tiny.cc/wn0pex} All items from this line are either Vintage, Recycled, or Remade.

FEIT – WOMEN’S HAND SEWN SLIPPER {http://tiny.cc/8b1pex} Their shoes are made from a vegetable leather and are hand sewn!

 

Sunday Morning Casual

Sunday mornings are for some of the great pleasures in life! Brunches, Farmer’s Markets and also recovering from the night before! Here is a great look for taking it easy, out and about on a Sunday morning. Flats for your achy feet, sunnies to shade your sensitive eyes, a bucket bag to stash the much needed bottle of gatorade or ginger ale, and a turban wrap to hide the hair hangover recovering from last night.

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{MARC by Marc Jacobs Henry Dinky Analog Watch with Leather Strap}
{ASOS Turban Headband} {Moschino Drawstring textured-leather bucket bag}
{Alexander McQueen Swallow Sweatshirt Dress} {Céline Thin Mary sunglasses}
{TOPSHOP Soulmate 2 Part Sandals}

What is your favorite look for Sunday mornings?