Amazing Blazers

I've said it before and I'll say it again - you can't go wrong with a blazer. Clearly, I'm a pretty big fan of the cute cover-up. But since today is officially the first day of spring (not that it looks like it here), it's time to liven up the basic go-to with some COLOR! Gone are the days of black & gray - bring some sunshine to your wardrobe with one of the bright options below. You can dress it up or dress it down, but any way you wear it, you know you'll stand out!

Pants with Prints

...You bold enough?

 

If It Suits You..

Whether tailored, over-sized, mismatched, embellished, dressed up or worn down, women's suits have lived an ever-evolving life. But really, when you owe your start to someone like Coco Chanel, how can you NOT be a hit for generations? Unisex fashion is not simply a man wearing women's clothes or a woman wearing men's clothes, but rather it's a blending of the two. While suits will always look quite sexy on men (thank you Clooney, Gosling, et al), I argue that women look just as good - if not better in them.

To be fair, it must be said that the suit may have gotten lost in the black abyss that is the late '90s... But thankfully it found its way back into our hearts and closets, bending genders and being all around androgynous as always.

So enjoy this brief juxtaposition of the suit's early beginnings and more modern twists. As Barney Stinson would say, "Suit up!"

Women's Victory Suits, circa 1940

The Chanel Suit, c. 1955

Bianca Jagger, 1972

Diane Keaton in Annie Hall, 1977

Madonna, somewhere in the '80s

Kate Moss

Jennifer Aniston

Diane Kruger

Alexa Chung

DIY: Polka Dot Clutch

It's official. I'm obsessed with polka dots. In the last month, I've bought a blouse, a dress, and a pair of shorts - each imprinted with dots. And it seems I'm not the only one with love for the perky spots - check out these awesome bags from another MJ I love = Marc Jacobs.

 (if you want to buy these bags, I found them all here, but seriously, why buy when you can diy?)

These bags have inspired my next project: the polka dot zippered clutch! If you want my tutorial on how to make the zippered clutch, you can find it here. And if you want another idea for how to make a clutch super cute with paint, go here.

This is seriously the easiest project ever - I was hoping for something more complicated to really take me away from all the homework and studying I've been doing lately (finals are in a week), but turns out, it took me longer to find pictures and links for the Marc Jacobs bags above than it did for me to actually make my own.

ANY-who.

All you need is:
A clutch
Paint (I chose white, you can choose whatever color you want!)
A dotted paint brush (I got a super cheap one from JoAnns)
Some Adele music and a cheery disposition.

Straightforward/You-don't-really-need-my-help Instructions?:
Using the dotted pain brush, ummm, dot the clutch with paint. Wait to dry, flip over and do the other side.

See! I told you how easy it was. And if you mess up? Use a sharpie.

Seriously. So. Easy.

Happy DIY-ing!!!

Bold Baroque

Someone give Jessica Chastain's stylist an Oscar. This chick knew what she was doing when she chose the beautifully ornate black & gold Alexander McQueen dress for Chastain's Oscar appearance on Sunday. The girl looked good. And her dress was so on-trend, it was practically Anna Wintour.

The Baroque theme was definitely apparent elsewhere this week. After fashion week in Milan, there's one thing to take away from all the fabulously elaborate pieces featured on the runways: gold is the new black. Collections by Dolce & Gabbana, Dries Van Noten, Aquilano.Rimondi and Guy Laroche were positively dripping in gold bullion. Golden embellishments and embroidery paid homage to the excessively ornamented time period, known as Baroque.

By Dries Van Noten:

By Aquilano.Rimondi:

By Dolce & Gabbana:

By Guy Laroche:

(all photos courtesy of style.com)

But how can we incorporate this golden trend into our wardrobes? Easy - here are some ideas:

This Ellery hieroglyphic V front dress here

This black and gold Motel dress found here

Wink gold glitter peep toe booties at Sears

House of Harlow necklace here

Cara Accessories found here