Going “Green” has revolutionized fashion as designers are more environmentally conscious. Not only have we seen more designers utilize fabrics like bamboo in apparel, designers are moving onto accessories. Alex and Ani embraces this idea through their patented bangles made of 100% recycled materials and are entirely made in the United States. Alex and Ani’s designs support the environment and encourage social consciousness. We love Alex and Ani’s expandable bangles in “Russian Gold”. Celebrities, major fashion magazine editors, and the finest department stores and boutiques across the country adore the concept and design. Who said you can’t be fashionable and eco-friendly at the same time?

I’m loving matte nails right now.  Best way to make any nail polish matte:  OPI Matte Topcoat $12.50.

New Delivery of Free City at Standard Style Boutique. These sweats are not just for looking chic at the gym. Pair them with great basics and take them anywhere.
Find yours at Standard Style Boutique at Town Center Plaza or on the Country Club Plaza.

Recreate this killer look by lining the inside of your eye (closest to the nose) with white shadow and liner. Blend out and start the darker shadow just before the apex of your eye. Line the outer eye on both top and bottom with the dark liner and use the darker shadow to blend a smokey winged tip.

I am obsessed with this new MAC tinted lip conditioner.  I love lipstick and gloss but in these dry winter months I need something that will moisturize my lips as well.  So voila, I found my new favorite lip product!  It has the consistency of a balm but the color of a sheer lip gloss.  It even has SPH 15, which is always a plus, and is formulated with shea butter, avocado extract, wheat germ oil and vitamins A and E.  It is simply heaven in a jar!  Even better is comes in 6 colors from a brown, to a coral, to a hot pink, so there is one for every skin coloring.

The New York Times reports:

Alexander McQueen, the British fashion designer known for producing some of the most controversial collections of the last two decades, was found dead Thursday morning at his apartment in London, according to Ed Filipowski, a partner in the public relations firm KCD. Mr. McQueen was 40. The cause was apparently suicide, though Mr. Filipowski said Mr. McQueen’s family had not yet made a statement about the cause.

Read the full article here.

When I was a kid my dad always carried a briefcase, and I loved it. It seemed to have such a sense of importance, like secrets were held behind its locks. This is where my love of bags comes from, a love that has grown in the past few years. So when presented with the opportunity to get a hold of the Apolis Activism + C.C. Filson Philanthropist briefcase Matt and I jumped.
This bag is so much more than just a bag, it’s a story. Constructed in Seattle by 100-year-old manufacturer C.C. Filson Co. (famous for making gear for miners, loggers, and hunters) with cotton from Jinja, Uganda as a part of the charity Invisible Children’s Ugandan cotton initiative (created to provide opportunities for Ugandan industry to grow), it’s the perfect combination of classic construction mixed with modern social awareness. Continue Reading…

Chapped lips? Try KiehI’s  LIP BALM #1. I wear my Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1 in Mango everyday. The scented lip balm trio comes as a gift set at Kiehls.com. What a great Valentine’s Day gift idea!

Taylor Swift seen here walking through the airport in a Marc by Marc Jacobs dress (in her signature color).
You can find this dress at Standard Style Boutique in Town Center Plaza.

What style of swimwear and accessories will you be wearing this season? One of my favorite trends is: The Cut-Away Swimwear, which is taking their cues from the cut away fashion trend. This is one trend that isn’t for the wall flower but can styled to ooze both sex and sophistication. Cutouts will make you feel both young and hip. If you’re not as daring, try a coverup with cutouts. Another must have for 2010: Continue Reading…

I recently popped into the much raved about Dolce Baking Company in prairie village and I must say I was impressed!  Not only were the sweets to die for, but the bakery was welcoming and had such an authentic, local feel.  The company is owned and operated by Erin Brown and has been open since the fall of 2007.  It is the perfect place to stop and grab a coffee and cinnamon roll (which are phenomenal) on the way to work or a sweet treat on your lunch break.  They are also well-known for their delectable cakes for weddings and other special events.  If you are looking for new place to meet friends or satisfy your sweet tooth, try Dolce!  I’m sure you will enjoy it as much as I did.

As spring deliveries roll in the excitement builds as we open up boxes full of fresh spring styles! My pick for this week is a dress that stands out from the many new and amazing spring pieces. It’s the Beaded Neck dress by Milly. We actually have it at the boutique in “natural” which is a beautiful soft ivory color and great for spring especially since neutrals are so trendy. It has a really form flattering silhouette that keeps you thin at the waist, but the best part of the dress of course is the metal embellishments around the neckline that also carry over to a “V” in the back. I just love this dress because even though the embellishments are youthful and edgy, the fit is ageless and timeless.

We’ve talked about Alexa Chung in the past however this is a look at how she wears Chanel. We love the way she mixes the iconic fashion house’s pieces with her own quirky British flare. Whether it’s a graphic tee under a schoolboy blazer or a combination of necklaces and a broach on a tweed dress, we love her mix!

When you’re planning your next trip over seas keep Barcelona in mind, you will defiantly want to check into one of the several new or refurbished and distinctively cool hotels that have opened there recently including W Barcelona.  The latest hotel launch, capturing a ton of design attention is the Mandarin Oriental Barcelona <http://www.mandarinoriental.com/barcelona/> . Mandarin Oriental Barcelona’s official opening was celebrated in November 2009 with a lavish gala attended by the city’s elite and its hype has lived up to everyone’s expectations.
The hotel’s cool factor is a combination of three elements: The convenience of the central location, the good bones of the refurbished former bank building, and most significant, Spanish-born Milano-based architect, Patricia Urquiola, whose responsible for the interior decor of the 98-room hotel, including most of the furnishings. Continue Reading…

Taylor Jacobson from Bravo’s “The Rachel Zoe Project.”joins Everyday Minerals as a stylist, consultant and (lucky for us) blogger!
Check out her blog at http://www.everydayminerals.com/fan-club/love/511-love-taylor
It seems to us that the people at Everyday Minerals have given Tay Tay a makeup makeover…so far we’re not impressed, but happy to have Tay back in our lives.

Still a staple for spring is the perfect black blazer for layering. It is a key transitional item and can be worn from day to night. Favorite pick is the Elizabeth and James Blazer Elizabeth IV. Here is three ways to style this easy staple for a spring look.

A million Britney puns come to mind when looking at her 2010 Grammy ensemble: Oops, She Did it Again! Or: That Outfit is Toxic, and my personal favorite: 1-2-3, Cover up, Britney! She was unable to recreate the “sheer” magic with Dolce and Gabanna that was achieved in 2001 with her racy-lacy Grammy get-up. Instead of exciting and daring, this fishnet and corset disaster is ill fitting and unflattering.  Maybe next year, Brit.

I am a sun-lover. I despise being cold. I have no idea why I live in the Midwest. When the days begin to grow shorter, darker, and colder, my anxiety reaches a fever pitch. Winter is here. For six long months, I will languish in agony without my beloved sunshine and warm weather. It makes me cranky, lazy, and strangely, hungry? I decided to look into my maladies, to find if they held any merit:
Seasonal Affective Disorder is defined as a “form of depression that occurs in relation to the seasons, most commonly beginning in winter.” SAD, as it’s commonly referred to, (how appropriate) is characterized by the following symptoms: Continue Reading…

Ok so red lips isn’t new by any means however its one of the biggest colors for spring and an easy way to sport it is on your lips.  Anyone and I do mean anyone can pull this look. Three things to remember: Keep your eye make up minimal, your face flawless and shine free, and choose a red that works with your skin tone.

As seen on the runways of Fendi, Prada, and Michael Kors Lucite is a clear trend for fall. Pun intended. The bigger the better and pair the pieces with your preppy and most sophisticated ensembles to achieve the right look.