Cosmic Chanel dresses

Designer dresses

Hot Leather In the City

It is officially fall and the weather is finally cooling down, so now is prime time to rock your favorite fall trends. Last year, we posted about the faux leather trend, and this year the trend continues. Today's focus is on faux leather dresses,  which we absolutely love but are a bit wary of pulling off. Our theory is that you can start off gradual with just some leather embellishments and then before you know it, you will be clad head to toe in leather like Angelina Jolie on the red carpet.

1.  The Limited | 2. DKNY | 3. Aqua | 4. Urban Code | 5. Urban Hearts | 6. Top Shop

 XOXO,

Jen & Saira

Peplum Love

Our favorite fashion trend right now is the peplum look. It makes your waist look teeny tiny and tastefully covers up the tummy, giving a girl the perfect silhouette. Of course, the peplum look is not for everyone -- just take a look at Kim Kardashian. That said, we absolutely love how the peplum looks feels both 80s throwback and sci-fi futuristic at the same time. Our motto is, you never know until you try!

1. Top Shop  | 2. Oasis  | 3. Urban Outfitters | 4. H&M | 5. Anthropologie | 6. Aqua

XOXO,

Jen & Saira

Fresh Faced Florals

As Meryl Streep's character says in The Devil Wears Prada, "Florals? For spring? Groundbreaking..." And we get it, it's a bit overplayed and cliched, but there's a reason for that! Large floral prints remind us of Kelly Kapowski -- effortlessly beautiful, carefree and casual. If you don't want to look too Laura Ashley, then dress down your look by mixing prints, throwing on a military jacket, or adding a pair of lace up boots. Otherwise tousle your hair, put on a charm bracelet, and in no time Zack Morris and A.C. Slater will be vying for your attention.

1. Mod Cloth | 2. Free People | 3. Asos | 4. Urban Outfitters | 5. Citizens of Humanity

XOXO,

Jen & Saira

Lovely in Lace

We love love love white lace for Spring. It's so fresh, classy, and romantic, and when worn right brings out your inner Kate Middleton. The trick is to find a look that isn't too demure or over the top, and with just a touch of sexy. For a sweeter look, go for soft curls and delicate accessories. Or vamp it up with some red lipstick or black accessories. Who said lace is only for doilies?

1. Free People | 2. Asos | 3. Charlotte Russe | 4.  Bhldn | 5. Forever 21 | 6. Mod Cloth

 XOXO,

Jen & Saira

The Shape of Love

To continue with last year's tradition, here are our favorite heart-shaped items to commemorate Valentine's Day. From tops to accessories to home decor, we love heart-shaped anything (especially chocolates). And if this post doesn't fulfill your heart's desire (!), then check out assorted hearts, a pretty and sweet blog that shares random images of the universal symbol of love.

1. Top Shop | 2. Asos | 3. Delia*s | 4. Aqsa | 5. bhldn | 6. 8000 Nerves | 7. Yardsale Press | 8. Forever 21 | 9. Urban Outfitters

<3

Jen & Saira

Deeply Yours

Is it nearing the end of January already?! Valentine's Day is approaching which for some means adding an insane amount of red to your wardrobe. Our snarky side hates color coding holidays, but then we go ahead and do it anyway. If you want to be a little festive but not seem over-the-top-weird, then forego the candy red and instead try on a deep, rich red / maroon / burgundy for a more mature and professional look. The rich full color adds drama to any outfit, but is still understated enough to wear in the office. Plus, the deep red hue tends to look good with every skin tone.

1. Victoria's Secret | 2. Bettie Page | 3. Urban Outfitters | 4. American Eagle |

 5. Steve Madden | 6. Ralph Lauren | 7. Express |

XOXO,

Jen & Saira

Glitter Me This

Alright, so we know everyone is focused on Christmas and Hanukkah right now, but we are obsessed with New Year's Eve! This is mainly because one of our good friends is getting married on the 31st and we are determined to celebrate in style. For us (and most retailers) New Year's Eve means sparkles, sequins, and glitter -- the more, the better! This year there are so many styles to choose from, so drape yourself in some festive wear and celebrate the new year in style.

1. BCBG | 2. Top Shop | 3.  Asos | 4. Aidan Mattox | 5. Banana Republic | 6. French Connection | 7. Cynthia Steffe 8. Express

Let the countdown begin!

And, don't forget, we start giving away some FREE STUFF next week!  If you or your friends haven't added us to Facebook or made any recent comments be sure to encourage them to do so and be entered to win.  Win what, you might ask?  Well, we'll be sure to give you a little preview over the weekend.  But, to peak your interest, we can say we have some great gifts from Glamourpuss, Orange Tabby Press, Naki Nagi, Wink and Flip, Heaven and Earth LLC, Yardale Press, KC Tararuj, Danielle Rizzolo, and even MORE wonderful artists!  Check out these artists here and be sure to try to catch some of them at the BUST Craftacular this Saturday and Sunday!

XOXO,

Jen & Saira

Are You A Gypsy Warrior?

We are so excited for our friend Michele Bezoa (co-founder of the Gypsy Warrior brand along with her pal Nicla DiCosmo) for the grand opening of their flagship store! We've featured Gypsy Warrior products on our site before (and included it as part of our 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway last year), but today we wanted to share some of our favorite finds that are available online. We love Gypsy Warrior for its ability to blend the old with the new, the edgy with the classy, and the boho with the rock and roll... in other words, the gypsy with the warrior! If you're in New Jersey, be sure to check out the boutique located on 43 Hudson Street in Ridgewood, NJ 07450, or shop online. Just be sure to act fast -- there are some hot items!

1. Brass Multi Chain Stud Necklace | 2. Luna Dress | 3. Drape Across Mocha Dress | 4. Ivory Crochet Poncho Shawl | 5. Suede Fringe Bag | 6. Tassel Dress | 7. Braided Feather Headband | 8. Sheer Angel Sleeve Dress

Happy Shopping!

XOXO,

Jen & Saira

Peter Pan Style

We love Peter Pan collars this season. We love the soft, demure school girl look that can still be sexy and professional. Think Michelle Williams and Carey Mulligan, ever graceful, stylish, but with a little bit of edge. While this look can be a bit youthful, pair it with a pencil skirt or sexy heels to give it a grown up look. Also, steer clear from barrettes and headbands... that may be overkill.

1. Alloy | 2. Forever 21 | 3.Yes Style | 4. Asos | 

5. Top Shop |6. Nordstrom | 7. Urban Outfitters | 8. Modcloth

XOXO,

Jen & Saira

Spring 2012 Mercedes Benz Fashion Week: Ralph Lauren

We love Ralph Lauren's spring collection, possibly because it's reminiscent of The Great Gatsby (and you know we love our Gatsby). We love the soft, pale pastels and the fluttering dresses, which create such beautiful and romantic look. There were way too many pieces to choose from, so instead we focused on our favorite part of the collection: the evening dress. We wish we had some sparkly event to go to where we could wear these gorgeous, beaded, floor length dresses without looking ridiculous or over-the-top. This may be one of our favorite evening wear collections.

Image Credits: New York Magazine



XOXO

Jen & Saira

Spring 2012 Mercedes Benz Fashion Week: Bill Blass

So we're not going to lie, we had no idea who Bill Blass was until we started blogging about Fashion Week. But now that we found him, we love him! His collection has strong, vibrant colors and is really ready-to-wear.  The collection had a strong nautical theme without being too gimmicky (only a few anchors and stripes overall), and we really loved the simple prints. Like Victoria Beckham, the collection had a very preppy and athletic feel that we could see rocking in real life.

Image Credits: New York Magazine



XOXO

Jen & Saira

Spring 2012 Mercedes Benz Fashion Week: Victoria Beckham

No longer known as Posh Spice, Victoria Beckham has created an empire. She is one of the few designers who creates classic looks that people will actually wear. off the runway without looking like they're trying too hard. This season her collection varied from mod to preppy chic, with slim fitting dresses to sexy-yet-boxy military style coats. While we wish the color palette was a bit more diversified, we love the monochrome look and expect to see the high halter neck dresses on all the celebrities this season.

Image credits: New York Magazine

Vera Wang Bridesmaid Collection

 The old saying, "always a bridesmaid, never a bride" doesn't quite have the same meaning when the bridesmaids are decked out in Vera Wang.  Vera Wang's highlight anticipated Bridesmaid Collection with David's Bridal was revealed earlier this summer. Ranging from $150 - $250, these dresses are sleek, stylish, and incredibly affordable. The dresses come in a variety of colors to fit your palette, and range from elegant gowns to flirty frocks, perfect to fit every wedding style. Take a look!

XOXO,

Jen & Saira

Summer Whites

Take heed, ladies! Memorial Day has come and gone, so now's the time to dress yourself in  crisp, cool, classic whites. To celebrate, make it a point this week to add a little bit of white to your usual blues, greys, and blacks. Be it a sexy white dress, a sweet white button down, or some white pumps, let loose and relax as summer time is officially here!

1. Asos | 2. Steve Madden | 3. J. Crew | 4. Top Shop | 5. Heidi Roland | 6. Urban Outfitters | 7. Banana Republic | 8. Free People | 9. Mod Cloth

XOXO

Jen & Saira

Bridesmaid Look Book: All Dressed in White

The Royal Wedding has got us thinking: why can't the bridesmaids wear white too? We understand that the bride is the center of attention, etc. but in a way, having your bridesmaids dressed in white makes them blend in rather than stand out in their bright colors. It's a classy and elegant approach to dressing your bridesmaids, and may be preferred by brides who are into neutral shades or want to keep things simple. Here are some ideas:

Keep it short and sweet in this knee length chiffon dress from BHLDN. We love the sheer neckline and sweet bow detailing, and just wish they had this in a miniature version for the flower girl! Of course, just make sure your shade of white dress doesn't clash with your maids!

For a sleek, modern look, dress your girls in this simple sequined trim dress by Ralph Lauren. It's a wonderful compliment to a more minimalist bride, with just a bit of dazzle to make it more than your every day white dress. This is definitely a great look if you're going for an icy hot winter wedding.

Of course, you don't need to dress all in white. Throwing on a fun print is a great way to add some color without cluttering up your all white theme. In our opinion, this look seems best fit for when you just have one bridesmaid, or if you want to make your maid of honor stand out and leave the rest of the maids in all white.

Similarly, dress your girls in white (or off white) but add an all-over pattern to set them apart. We love this retro style dress from Mango, and think it's perfect for low key spring or summer weddings.

This basic pleated skirt dress is perfect for a casual summer wedding. It reminds us of the black and white look at the mom's wedding in Because I Said So, which can be elegant and sexy or simple and casual.

This may be one of our favorite dresses of the lot. It's short and sassy, with lots of pretty details around the neckline to create a charming overall look. Plus, this dress works for all seasons and wedding styles, so you can dress it up or down with the right hairstyle and jewelry.

If you haven't noticed, almost all of our selections are cocktail length, as choosing a floor length white gown for your bridesmaids can be very tricky. We think you can only really put it off if (1) the dress is much more simple than the wedding dress and (2) the bride has a lot of confidence.  For instance, this simple floor length gown from J. Crew (which is actually a wedding gown), would look great with a fuller or more detailed wedding dress. It's all about making them different enough so that the bride stands out. If Kate and Pippa could pull it off, so can you!

XOXO,

Jen & Saira

Lovely in Lilac

Despite the fickle weather, we're desperately trying to incorporate spring colors into our wardrobe. One of our favorite shades for the spring is lilac (or violet... we don't really know the difference). It's fresh and sweet, and can really brighten up your wardrobe. Ignore the weather, and add some spring to your step!

We call this dress the "Sexy Easter" dress. This two-tone color block dress from American Apparel is an ideal look for the spring. May we suggest a cropped black blazer to give this a retro 80s feel?

Don't have much uses for tight, sexy pastel numbers? Then try this grey / lavender skirt from The Limited. It's a professional but feminine, and is a great way to freshen up your wardrobe.

With all this rain we've been getting, you need to protect your tootsies! Grab a pair of these short rainboots by Ilse Jacobsen and you'll be singing in the rain! Oh, and did we mention they have fleece lining?

 This sleeveless tea dress from Top Shop is perfect for work or play. Add a fitted blazer and pearls and you're set for work, or throw on a pair of gold hoops and strappy sandals and you're ready for a hot night on the town.

Tired of the regular old smokey eye? Add a pop of color with the purple smokey eye set from Sephora.  It will be sultry and romantic, just what you need for perfect "come hither" eyes.

Every girl needs a versatile dress that can be work at the park, out to dinner, for a garden party, whatever! This tiered ruffle dress from Old Navy definitely fits the bill, and will guarantee you a few compliments.

These lilac pumps are a must have this spring. They will look wonderful with a light gray suit, white dress, or black capris. We would steer away from pairing the pumps with a matching lilac dress and / or blouse. The most matchy-matchy we would do is matching jewelry, and even that's pushing it!

XOXO,

Jen & Saira

Sparkle Into the New Year

The new year is just around the corner, so we decided to take a little break from all of our Christmas posting to focus on the party of the year. New Years Eve is a big event, whether you like to party out in Times Square, host a dinner party, or snuggle up in front of the fireplace. If you plan on going out, then you have to wear at least a little sparkle and even if you're not going out, it can't hurt to get a glitzy... it is New Years after all. So here are some ideas on how to sparkle and shine this New Years Eve:

This dress by Eva Franco makes us wish we had fancy New Years plans that involved more than playing guitar hero and drinking sparkling apple cider. It's a gorgeous velvet v-neck dress with layers of gold and silver stripes that will make you you look wonderfully festive. We would love to see this dress with some flashy jewelry and magenta peep toe pumps... let's make it happen.

A sexy black sequined top may not be for everyone, but we think it would look great with a pair of dark jeans and boots (or pumps if you're headed to da club). The wonderful thing about a basic tank is that you can dress it up or down as you see fit. Just don't go overboard with the jewelry; your shirt will shine enough without giant chandelier earrings. And when in doubt, add red lipstick!

If you really want to shine, pair the sequined top from Express with this sequined skirt from Anthropologie! The full tulle skirt reminds us of Black Swan, except in a fun, non-psychotic way. This would also look great with a cap sleeve blouse, a scarf, and some cute ballet flats.

A bolder skirt option is this blue and black sequined skirt from Forever 21. It would look great with black tights and booties or a slim fitting blazer. Sure, you may only wear this skirt once in your whole life, but it's only $20 and you're only young once!

Dress up your eyes this New Years Eve with the Glitter Eyes palette from Sephora. It provides all the tools you need to get sparkly, sultry eyes that are sure to get all the boys swooning. The best part is that it comes with a little instruction booklet, so even if you lack skills in the makeup department, you can still come out looking like a rockstar.

A more casual option that we can see ourselves wearing is this loose fitted sequined top from Top Shop. It's a bit more modest than our other suggestions, except for sexy racer back.  It will definitely be more comfortable than a sequined skirt, and you can wear it with dark jeans and flats for a comfortable but chic night out.

A small sequin bag that can store your lipstick, cell phone, cash, and Tide-to-go is just the thing you need if you plan on party hopping on the 31st. It has a dainty little strap and will go with almost any outfit. Plus, you can reuse it for the next wedding you have to go to.

Even if you're just staying in, you can still dress up (a little) by throwing on some sparkle nail polish! That way your nails will dazzle, even if the rest of you is covered in flannel, Rufus Humphrey Style.

 We think the gold nail polish would look great with this fitted, spandex dress from American Apparel with hold embroidery. It has just a touch of sparkle, which is great for those of us who tend to shy away from shiny things. Be sure to wear it with gold hoop earrings, plenty of attitude, and a pair of Spanx.

 We're huge fans of this sequined vest from Victoria's Secret. It would look great with a casual tank (pictured above) skinny jeans, and ankle booties. Add a long necklace, some loose curls, and you're ready for a sexy and fun night on the town.



All that glitters IS gold!



XOXO,



Jen & Saira

Holiday Style: Office Holiday Party

Tis the season of presents, snow flakes, mittens, and office holiday parties! Depending on your office, the holiday party can be very simple (takes place during lunch on the day before Christmas Eve) or extravagant (takes place at the Empire Hotel where all your clients are invited). You know your office style best, so when dressing up for the office holiday party, carefully consider the timing of the event, the guest list, and the venue. Here are some ideas to get the ball rolling:

If you're office is fairly casual, you can easily get away with a simple, festive cardigan.  This one, from New York and Company, has just the right amount of sparkle to spread some Christmas cheer.  Pair it with a nice grey skirt like in the photo and some black tights and heels and you'll be comfortable and stylish all throughout your work day.

Need something just slightly less casual but still polished and professional?  Add a little pizzazz to your otherwise boring office attire and go for ruffles, metallics, and varying patterns this holiday season. The combination of textures adds a level of luxury and the warm winter white and gold creates a luxurious and sophisticated holiday look.

Want to be a little more cozy? This tweed, cowl neck dress from MANGO is wonderfully versatile. How you wear it depends on your office style and your personal flair. Wear it casual with an oversized belt and booties with hoop earrings,  or dress it up black pumps and tights and silver bangles. Either way, you're sure to look chic and warm.

 If your holiday office party takes place right after work, leaving you no room to do a wardrobe change, then pick an outfit that is work appropriate but is still dressy enough for an after-work gathering. This tweed, cowl neck dress from Mod Cloth is a perfect choice. It's modest and sensibly cut, so you can definitely wear it to work with flats and a cardigan without feeling over done. Then after work, throw on some heels, ditch the cardigan, and add some jewelry and you're ready for whatever the night brings!

Another great dress option is this silk petal dress from Banana Republic. Depending on where you work, you could wear this dress during the day with a blazer with your hair throw up in a messy bun, and then take down your hair (literally) for the office party. We really like how this dress looks with black tights (as shown on the model), but you can also wear it with high boots to make it more casual. We also suggest adding some red accessories to get into the Christmas spirit!

Ditch your pencil skirt and go for something a bit more casual this holiday season. This high waisted, paneled skirt from Zara is the perfect length for an office party, showing just the right amount of leg. The basic black makes it safe to wear in the office, but the fullness of the skirt makes it softer and more feminine. Pair the skirt with a simple blouse or a brightly colored cardigan and look perfectly sweet under the mistletoe. 

If you work in a more conservative office, this sleek sleeveless top from The Limited may be a good choice. It comes in a number of different colors,  depending on how bold you want to be. If your office has a stricter dress code, then wear it with a pencil skirt and a blazer. Otherwise, we think this would look really great with the paneled skirt from Zara, pictured above. Just top it off with a red cardigan, and you're all set!

And then for some the holiday party is a lavish cocktail party and time to let loose and cut a rug.  For an occasion like this you'll surely need a fancy and flirty little frock.  We love this LBD because it is fitted and and sexy without being inappropriate. Plus, let's face it, it isn't really Christmas unless there is velvet involved.



Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!



XOXO

Jen & Saira

Holiday Style: Red and Green Are the New Black

 Celebrate the first full week of December by dressing yourself in the colors of the season -- red and green of course! These two colors can pretty much only be worn together during the month of December so be sure to get your fill of this combo before the Christmas season passes us by!  While we're not huge fans of dressing up for holidays (i.e. wearing red on Valentine's day), adding some select red or green pieces into your wardrobe is definitely the easiest way to incorporate a little holiday spirit and get you feeling festive. Plus we love coordinating outfits and cohesive themes so wearing one of these shades is a great way to compliment all the holiday decor!

Nothing quite says Christmas like a bright red, warm and cozy sweater dress.  This one, from Victoria's Secret, is modest enough for your family party but also looks very sexy with the thin black belt.  Pair this with some black leggings and cute flats and you'll be ready to deck the halls in no time!

Look picture perfect in front of the tree this Christmas in this beautiful red and green (ish) print dress from Urban Outfitters. This dress is reminiscent of the dress you wore with the velvet bow in your hair to your great Aunt Mildred's house on Christmas Eve... but in a good way! Add some loose curls, maybe a headband, and definitely some black tights, and you're on your way to looking like your very own Christmas card.

 You can be Santa's sexy little helper in these ruffled peep toe pumps.  Add them to any basic black dress to jazz up your outfit, and get ready to sashay onto the dance floor... or kitchen floor, same difference.

This green satin dress from J. Crew is definitely at the top of our winter wish list, and just may be our dream dress for the holiday season. The rich jewel hemline adds just the right amount of sparkle to this simple satin dress, making it bright and festive, without being over the top. While it's a bit pricier than the picks we tend to share on our blog (we are pretty modest girls, after all), we just loved it so much that we had to share.

Feeling the holiday spirit, but not the satin or frills? Then try on this checked embroidered skirt from Mod Cloth. While the skirt is decorated with horses, not reindeer, we think this skirt would be perfect for Christmas eve with a cute little cardigan and black tights. 

Brighten up your gray December morning with this warm, green, cowl neck sweater from Macy's.  The extra long sleeves and layered neckline is exactly what the doctor ordered this winter.  It would look great with a pair of straight leg black dress pants and a chunky bracelet or ring and don't forget the red lipstick to really pull the look together! Also, you can recycle this sweater for St. Patrick's Day, so everyone wins!

Dressing up in a red satin dress is not for everyone, but dressing up with a red satin clutch is totally doable. Add on some glamor this holiday season with this red, satin rosette clutch available at Macy's. Dress up a beaded black or silver dress, and you'll be set for any holiday party.

For a more subtle way to show your holiday spirit, try out this silk, jeweled bracelet from Anthropologie. It's simple, elegant, and our favorite shade of green!

Stand out from the crowd in this red satin halter top by Ann Taylor. For a casual look, wear it belted with black pants (shown above) or dress it up with a pencil skirt for a chic and polished look. It already has some shimmer, so opt for minimal jewelry, such as small stud earrings or a sparkly bracelet.

Or, looking for a more laid back, casual look?  Show your Christmas spirit while being extra cozy in these fun green leggings!  Paired with a simple cream top and flats or boots, these cheerful leggings can be a really great way to wear holiday colors and ensure you have plenty of room for all those Christmas cookies!



Remember to comment on today's post to be eligible to win a prize in the Paper Doll Romance 12 Days of Christmas!  We picked up some really great items this weekend that we're so excited to give away!  Winners will start being announced once a day starting December 12th.  Best of luck!



'tis the season to be jolly!



XOXO

Jen & Saira