Joelle's Top 10 Fall 2011 Purchases

First off I would like to give a shout out to my friend MrS. E (Elysia) who runs a wonderful blog on scrapbooking and other crafts called MrS. chiEvous Crafts. Check it out at: http://mischievouscrafts.blogspot.com I just won a wonderful Valentine's Day card from one of her contests and cannot wait to give it to my Sweetie this Valentine's Day. Thanks!

I thought I'd share with everyone the Top 10 things I bought recently for fall. It is my hope that these will inspire you to revamp your wardrobe, accessories, and make-up to add a bit of current trends.

Leather Flared Skirt from eBay $51.16 If you don't want to hit eBay (I am not sure as to why you wouldn't!) you can find one that is a bit shorter at Danier for $89.99

Silver Sequin Skirt $25.00 from eBay I found some at Forever XXI that were around the same price, but way shorter.

Leather Pants from eBay $24.00 You can find a similar pair at Danier for $129.00

 Chili Tingle Lip Tint from LUSH $8.95

Cropped Wool Blend Peacoat from Old Navy $55.00

Men's Madras Shirt from Old Navy $9.99

Leather Clutch from eBay $11.56 These can be found almost anywhere for $25-$50

Sequin Top (yes I see a pattern of shiny purchases as of late) from Forever XXI $21.80



Aqua Black Lace Dress from eBay $24.50 Similar ones can be found everywhere from $50-$100

Shoeties from WALMART $25.00 I cannot find a photo on the net so I will take one of them tomorrow when I am awake. I find that all of this shopping can make you exhausted! *wink* And with that I am off to bed. Goodnight and sweet dreams of chasing down a great deal!

Joelle

Skirting The Issue

Fall 2011 may be well known as the season of the longer skirt. This is wonderful especially because our climate gets rather chilly and mini skirts with tights don't keep us warm enough. Midi-length or "tea length" as well as Maxi-length (ankle length) skirts were seen all over the runway months ago at various fall/winter 2011 fashion shows, so I thought it would be a good idea to discuss these skirts in more detail.

Midi-length or “tea length” skirts finish somewhere between the bottom of the kneecap and the bottom of the calf. Form fitting midi skirts were very prevalent in the 1940’s. They were popular in flared silhouettes in the 1950’s. And they were popular in just about every silhouette in the 80’s. For women who are shorter than 5'7" who want to wear this trend, it will work better to keep the skirt at a just-below-the-knee length and keep the silhouette slim and narrow.

Maxi-length skirts finish off at the ankle. At one time only worn by bohemian artsy types or as formal evening skirts, they are now very mainstream and come in solids as well as the familiar patterns. This length is also not a look for everyone. Once again shorter women should stick to shorter skirts (knee length and up) or else you will look like you're lost in the skirt or dress.

A good idea if you're on the shorter side is to wear knee-high boots with a skirt. To create a longer, leaner line, make sure that there's either no gap between the top of the boots and the bottom of the skirt or wear tights that match the boots and skirt.

Whether you choose midi or maxi what is popular right now are slim skirts with a high slit, full pleated skirts, and skirts shorter in the front than in the back (often called shirttail hem, tapered hem, or cutaway hem). The trend for patterns for Fall 2011 are plaid, graphic prints, polka dots, florals, or some sort of embellishment - sequins, beading, etc. To be in style choose chiffon or some other sheer material, wool, satin, or even leather. Current colours are bold like cobalt blue, emerald green, royal purple, lemon yellow, fuchsia, metallics, or stick to basic black if you must.

To make yourself look taller and thinner, once again I will repeat - wear knee-high boots and make sure that there's either no gap between the top of the boots and the bottom of the skirt or wear tights that match the boots and skirt. With a slim midi or maxi wear pumps or kitten heels with pointy toes because they will make your legs look more shapely. With a full skirted midi or maxi, try wearing a ballet flat or wedges and steer clear of pumps because they are too sexy for such a cute skirt.

Hope this inspires everyone to select the skirt that's in style and right for you!

Joelle

Joelle's Favourite Top Ten Accessory Trends For Fall 2011

Today I'm writing about my favourtite accessory trends for fall 2011 in no particular order. One more thing you should know is that the most sought after purse this fall is the clutch.

1. Fringe

A black leather purse with studs is rock legend worthy while a brown suede one will appeal to the boho hippy chick. Also look for fringes on shoes and boots.

2. High Heeled Loafers

These wicked shoes are not for schoolgirls anymore. Pair them with wide legged trousers or a sexy pencil skirt.

3. Embellishment

Glitter has moved from pm to am this fall. Choose from lace, beading, sequins, rhinestones, glitter, and jewels on shoes, purses,

4. Colour Blocking

Still going strong it appears that colour blocking is here to stay walking down the runway on purses and shoes.

5. Python

This print is as popular this fall as leopard used to be showing up on purses, gloves, shoes, and boots. To be fashion foward, wear it in an unexpected colour.

6. Gloves

They're baaack and taking fall by storm. Choose from dangerous lace up leather, python, polka dots, lace, faux fur, and the list goes on. While black elbow length seems to be popular, as always there is pretty much every length and colour available.

7. Long Earrings

From delicate to bold, feathers to chains, long earrings are everywhere this fall. To showcase these works of art, keep the rest of your outfit simple with no other accessories.

8. Winter White

Don't worry about what your Grandmother has told you - it's okay to wear white after Labour Day! This season designers are making sure you try it out by creating many different styles of purses, shoes, and boots to choose from.

9. Fur Trim

Once again it can be fake! Fur is showing up on purses, shoes, collars, necklaces, belts, hats and more.

10. Hats

I LOVE hats so much and hope more people start wearing them. This fall you can chose from millitary, pillbox, fedora, wide brimmed, beret, and pretty much every other style you can think of. Seen over and over again - any type of hat trimmed with fur.

Zeke the fashion conscious canine will be back tomorrow to let you know of a new style faux paw. I'll see you Monday. Have a good weekend!

Joelle

Joelle's Favourite Top Ten Beauty Trends For Fall 2011

Today I'm going to share my favourite beauty trends for fall 2011 in no particular order.

1. Flushed Cheeks

Don't pile on the blush, instead make it look like you just came inside from a cold day.

2. Pops of Colour

These bright colours will make you forget that the days are getting shorter. But just choose either your eyes or your lips so you don't look like you belong in the 80's.

3. Nail Trends

The colours to go to for fall are dark and mysterious or natural. You can't go wrong with purple, plum, blue, teal, wine, red, black, silver, pewter, grey, or beige. Make the normal french manicure more modern by using an opague neutral colour like beige instead of pink and black tips instead of white. Also try out the half-moon manicure (shown above) which is very popular.

4. Turquoise Eyeliner

Why not give your black a rest and try this bold colour to line your eyes? An extra bonus is it will make blue or green eyes pop.

5. The Kitten Eye

If you think that the bold cat eye is not for you, why not try the kitten eye? It is pretty much the same look except you make the wing of the eyeliner stop a bit shorter.

6. The Metallic Eye

Each fall the metallic eye seems to be popular. While silver or pewter is always a great look, spotted on many runways were gold shadowed peepers which looked beautiful.

7. Purple Lips

Red lips are still very popular this fall, but this year they got some serious competition from the rich purple lips seen on the runway. If you are scared to try this, go for a lighter plum lipstick.

8. Strong Brows

They are back with a vengeance. No more bleaching or plucking - yay!

9. The Smoky Eye

Another fall favourite in browns, blacks, and pewters, but this year the purple smoky eye is a great addition to your evening out make-up arsenal.

10. Nude Make-Up

The trick here is to wear make-up, but make it look like you're not wearing any. This tends to confuse men so why let them know?

Wednesday I will be back with my favourite top 10 fall 2011 accessories. See you then!

Joelle

Joelle's Favourite Top Ten Fashion Trends For Fall 2011

Fall is coming and there are many trends to consider if you wish to update your wardrobe. I haven’t listed all of them, just my personal top ten favourite trends for the fall 2011 season in no particular order.

1. Prints

With polka dots, tribal, plaid, paisley, floral, graphic, abstract, and python (the new leopard) to choose from, why wear a blah solid?

2. Menswear

Women in menswear always turns a few heads. If you’re feeling brave, include a vest with your suit. For a feminine touch, add a frilly blouse under your suit. And grab some high heeled oxfords!

                            

3. The 60’s

They’re baaack! Throw on a dropped waist tunic, a mod shift dress or brocade bell bottoms and embrace your inner Mad Men woman. Remember if you wore the trend in the actual 60’s, take a pass on it now.

4. Bold Colour

This one is mostly for the brave women out there because you are going to get noticed, even from far away. Find some bright pink, orange, deep purple, teal, taxicab yellow, crimson, or cobalt blue. Wear one piece (for example jeans) in a bright colour and keep the rest of your outfit plain. For the super brave, wear more than one colour in unexpected combinations.

5. Leather Skirts

While the leather jacket will always be in style, this fall leather skirts are also sharing the spotlight. They look great in pencil, mini, and a-line. Pair one with your favourite cashmere sweater and black opaque tights.

6. Fur

For my vegan friends, yes it can be fake! Fur is showing up as coats, collars, skirts, and on boots. Feel free to take a cue from designers and buy real fur that looks fake or fake fur that looks real.

7. Black and White

Solids or patterned, black and white is here to stay! Here’s a tip to not look like a waiter, wear the black on top and the white on the bottom to channel your inner Jackie O.

8. Metallic

Not just for accessories anymore, metallic is showing up as skirts, dresses, coats, and even suits and jeans.

9. Capes

This trend has been seen everywhere this fall. Capes have run the gamut from casual ponchos to attire fit for an evening gown. If you’re under 5’8”, go for a shorter cape so you don’t look frumpy.

10. Jumpsuits

Yes this little 70’s number is back with a vengeance. If you are scared to try this daunting one-piece, go for a solid colour with a thicker fabric. Staying monochromatic will make you look taller and thinner. Keep an eye on this trend because jumpsuits are currently walking down the runway for spring 2012.

Well, that's all she wrote! Sorry for putting this up so late in the day, but it was a lot of work to complete. See you Monday!

   Joelle