America's sweetheart, Cameron Diaz in town for an appearance on the Daily Show, and possibly a visit to faux beaux Arod?

How to Avoid Falling Victim to Fashion Faux Pas

Trends can be tricky to decipher.  Each season brings in a rush of trends.  Some have staying power, some do not.  The key here, is that you figure out which ones will last longer than a nano second so that you make wise investments.  Perhaps even more important than staying power, however, is that you only adopt trends that work for you.  Lifestyle, work dress code, age all factor into whether or not a trend is right for you.  The flood of see-through lingerie pants coming into the market right now is a perfect example of a fleeting trend; and one that isn't appropriate (really for anyone) but specifically for someone past their 25th birthday.  I'm here to help you navigate the trendy waters. Stay tuned each month for an update on what's out there in the market right now and tips on trends. So, how do you avoid looking like a fashion victim, avoid wasting money, and keep you closet manageable?  Here are some tips and tricks on the latest trends.

SHORTS - Every year a different bottom exudes feminity, the skirt, the dress, the pant, this season it's the short.  Lucky you, they're comfortable and easy to wear.  Opt for pair with a little length to them (four inch inseam should really be the minimum for this trend.)  Try them in a silk or linen to elevate the look, and pouf! now shorts can work with heels.  Pair them with a wedge heel for an of-the-moment-chic that channels the glam days of the 1950's.

ROMPERS & JUMPERS - These can seem like a trend for the twenty somethings, but there are styles that work for all ages.  If you can't resist the printed camisole/short romper look slip on a denim or leather jacket to add coverage.  If you feel like this trend is too young for you, I recommend trying on a strapless/pant combination or halter top/pant combination.  The pant trend for jumpsuits has either been wide leg, which is ultra slimming, or slightly harem inspired with a tapered calf.  The latter is totally on trend, and I think it will last a while, but if you're looking for something classic go with the wide leg look.

SHOW YOUR STRIPES - Stripes are omnipresent, but this season they are making a big statement.  You can find stripes in the obvious places like t-shirts, but this season also expect to find them in scarves, handbags, pants, shorts, jackets, you name it.  I've abandoned the old adage that horizontal stripes make you look wider, it's simply not true.  A tip: try this trend in slouchier styles.  If the silhouette hangs right it will be flattering not fattening.  So don't be shy ladies, show your stripes!  I know every woman has a few stripes in her collection.  Below are some suggestion for new ways to add some stripe to your wardrobe this season.  For the truly fashion forward, go for the mix and match look, by mixing wide stripes with seersucker, or contrasting thin stripes.  The same wide stripe in varying colors of the Tory Burch tote and scarf below are another great example of way to mix stripes.  Pairing these two accessories with a simple outfit would be super chic.

What's in store for you next month?  A review of the utilitarian trend.  Stay tuned for more.  Anything you're interested in hearing more about?  Leave a comment!

We cherish too, the Poppy red

That grows on fields where valor led,

It seems to signal to the skies

That blood of heroes never dies.

-Moina Michael

Memorial Day is such an important holiday, and I hope each and every one of you takes a moment to appreciate all that the troops have done for our beautiful country.  Try to squeeze that moment in sometime between the beach and the backyard barbecue, I'm sure you can manage.

THE SCHEDULE

Beach or Pool Party - you need an outfit that's no muss no fuss.  H&M is doing a sale on bikinis right now!  J. Crew also has fantastic swimwear. Try one of those options for a last minute swimsuit fix.  Now for the cover ups.  Denim shorts are comfortable, and completely on trend at the moment.  Size up for slouchy pair, a la the boyfriend look; BONUS: loose shorts are so much more flattering over a bathing suit than a skin tight pair of Daisy Dukes.  Tunics and caftans are simple and chic.  Take a cue from the Queen of Understated Elegance herself, Tory Burch, who's famous for her high quality tunics.  Calypso is another brand that makes achieving beach chic easy.   On a budget?  Old Navy has some cute and affordable options.  Don't forget your SPF!

Dinner Party - I have a feeling every woman has something in her wardrobe that can work for this occasion.  The key here is minimalism.  Make it a simple patio dress and carry a big scarf to cover your shoulders when it gets chilly.  Not into the maxi dress look?  Cropped jeans, a button down (for the prepster)/embellished top (for the chicster), and a cute pair of summer-is-here-wedges are a perfect substitute.

Monday's Backyard Barbecue - Ahhh, can you hear that?  It's the sound of a Monday spent outside of the fluorescent lights of your office.  Cherish it.  I love the monochromatic look for a holiday like this one.  Kick off your summer white program and accessorize with gold jewelry, or take a hint from Moina here and throw on a red bracelet.  Make sure to carry a tote and be prepared with a swimsuit and sunscreen, just in case :)

Happy Memorial Day Everyone - and HAPPY SUMMER! xoxo

The handbags:  I have an affinity for handbags.

The situation: 31 handbags

The goal: cutting this obscene number down by at least 1/3

I'm getting started with the handbags in similar shapes and shades.  This is an easy place to cut back.

Black bags.  I'm losing the Michael Kors, the Kate Spade, and the no names.  Why?  The Kate Spade is a rectangular shape that I don't love, and the Michael Kors' lining isn't attached so when I go to pull out my wallet I pull half the bag out with it.   Unless you're lucky enough to find a fantastic generic bag that's high quality enough to pass the test of time and meet all of your handbag needs, these tend to just collect dust and use up space.  This leaves me with my oversized black Marc by Marc Jacobs Tote it's chic and great for errands around the city, but it works overtime as a beach bag and weekend bag too.  I sold the excess bags for a whopping total of $300.

Tans and neutrals.  Perhaps this is  category that not everyone needs.  Personally I adore neutrals because I love to wear white and I love to wear black.  A great neutral bag that goes with either, and adds contrast is never a bad thing in my book.  However, my beloved Chanel bag, which I purchased on a trip to Paris, is the leader of the pack here.  Everything else can go.  How many neutrals does one girl need?  Even I would say keep it to one, maybe two if they serve different purposes (EXAMPLE: mini bag and tote.)

Fun bags.  I can't get rid of my teal Stella McCartney's 2009 summer/pre-fall collection.  It's bright and adds the perfect pop of color to my fairly common uniform of black or white.  Allow me to take a moment here ladies: each and every one of you needs a bag like this.  It's amazing the lift in spirit you can get simply by wearing cheerful colors.  Plus, these bags tend to be unique so you can expect lots of compliments! White bags.  These just don't work for me in any way.  Donating.  Maybe they work for you.  That's fine, but keep it to one perfect white bag.

Clutches.  I pick these things up like I pick up packs of bubble gum waiting in line at CVS.  It's ridiculous.  A few of mine are vintage and I'll never let them go, but there are plenty that I should pass on to new homes.  For starter's I only need one black clutch, so I'm opting for my vintage croc print leather.  I'll sell one, and donate the other.  After I've sorted that out, the only other clutches that I need to keep are my: Old white clutch from Anthropologie a million years ago with coral embellishments.  Why? This works as a neutral right down to the coral embellishments that seem to go with everything summer spring related.  A neutral AND interesting.  It's a keeper. Red suede Tory Burch clutch.  Why?  Every girl needs a little touch of red in their wardrobe. Turquoise vintage pill-box clutch.  Why?  Well, for starters it's vintage... if that weren't reason enough it's a chic shade of turqouise AND it's roomy as far as clutches go. Silver beaded clutch for the holidays.  Why?  Silver goes with just about everything (sometimes even its close cousin gold, sometimes - do not get carried away here!) I can rely on this metallic maven to get me through the monotony winter holiday parties, as well as summertime soirees. This leaves me with 9 clutches that I can either donate or sell.  Impressive right? And with that handbags are done.

T H E  C L O S E T  E D I T O R

Meet My Closet

I edit closets.  It’s not a full time job, at least not yet, but it’s what I love to do.  I call it being a closet editor/stylist/wardrobe consultant and (because I blog about it) /blogger.  People bring me in to assess their closets.  I factor in their lifestyle, their work, and then I help them realize what clothes they have that they don’t need, what clothes they don’t have that they do need, and how to re-purpose existing clothes in new ways that makes their wardrobe feel brand new again.  I offer to take the excess to thrift shops, or sell it on eBay.  I also provide personal shopping services to help people fill in the gaps.

To provide some credibility let’s start with my closet.  For my full time job, and entrance into the wide world of fashion, I work for a lifestyle brand who makes contemporary American sportswear.  It’s a reflection of my personal style, which is a good thing and a bad thing.  I love working for a brand that I’m so inspired by each day.  It’s a bad thing when we have an employee sale.  I could drop an entire paycheck easily, I have enough self control not to, but  I wouldn’t mind it.  So here I am.  Post employee sale.  Broke and with a closet bursting at the seams.  Looks like it’s time for me to edit.  I fling my closet doors open, hide my new purchases in my kitchen, and tackle this monster. Four years of working for designers, I’m a pro at this.  I start with shoes.  They’re so easy.  Shoes are so trend motivated.  There are the classics: ballet flats, espadrilles, tall boots (not to say that the classics can’t be edited, they can and they should!).  Everything outside of that group operates on a trend.  The classic black pump?  One season it’s pointy toed, the next it’s rounded.  One season it’s a 4 inch stiletto.  Next season it’s a 5 inch platform.  Let’s begin editing.

• Booties: Au revoir booties-that-come-up-to-the-ankle.  This season they’re scooping below the ankle, making the original version look clunky and unchic.
• Sandals: well first things first – the adorable tan gladiator flats that got destroyed at the Kenny Chesney lawn concert last summer are clearly never going to have a second life.  Buh Bye.  Next: silver gladiators – why did I EVER buy you in the first place.  Every time I put them on I take them right off.  The guy at the shoe store offered me a 20% discount if I bought them along with the other two pairs of sandals I was definitely taking home.  What can I say?  It seemed like a good idea at the time.
• Pointy toe heels: I bought a pair of Pradas as a college graduation gift to myself a few years ago.  After 3 wears they stretched out.  Now if I wear them I spend the whole time trying not to walk right out of them.  Definitely unchic.  Selling them.  I’m also going to give up on the patent leather grey and purple platforms with a slightly pointed toe.  I found them in a shop window walking home from a bottomless mimosa brunch.  At the time, apparently I couldn’t feel my feet, because these guys are at least a size too small.  I had three out of towners visiting me that weekend, and they were kind enough to help me tidy up my apartment before they left.  Somehow in the mix, someone threw away the shoe box with the receipt, so they’ve been collecting dust since Kim’s 23 birthday.
• Extras: I have 3 pairs of tan ballet flats.  I’ll keep the straw with patent trim, and I’ll keep the Tory Burch Reva Ballerina Flats.  I’ll say sianara to the third pair that has the same color scheme as the straw and patent (they’re just not as cute!)  Riding Boots.  I have a pair of black ones that I’ve just never loved.  Time to let them go.  I have two pairs of brown tall riding boots.  A girl only needs one.  I’m going to keep the classic pair without any hardware (hardware can look so dated when it’s out of season).

What am I leaving myself with?  About 5 pairs of ballet flats (they’re such a lifesaver in Manhattan).  One pair of tall brown riding boots, one pair of light brown high heeled boots, one pair of black high heeled Michael Kors boots, one pair of cowboy boots (specific I know, but sometimes they’re exactly what I’m looking for), two pairs of Havaianas – my flip flop of choice, a pair of black pumps, tan Gucci pumps, tan Jimmy Choo mules, my beloved Coach wooden wedges with brown leather T straps, Tory Burch gladiator pumps, Steve Madden gladiator pumps (which I would absolutely consider giving away if I didn’t always get compliments when I wear them).  I also have one pair of high heeled wedges (for days when I need to look dressed up, but will be on my feet all day) and two pairs of booties.  This gives me a plethora of options for work, weekend, and everything in-between.  I have my classics, I have my trendier pieces, and I have something for every occasion.  I could use a bone colored pair of shoes, but other than that, I’m pretty much covered in the shoe department.  Now it's the handbags' turn.

Handbags are my weakness.  I have a collection that could put the likes of Kate Spade to shame.  Let’s take a look… Back in a few…