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bellastraniera
a.k.a. Marcy Swingle - obsessed with food and fashion.View my photography website.
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Tag Archives: guides
Last-Minute Fashionista Gift Guide
Help! You have a fashionista on your list and you haven’t even started shopping yet. No worries: The whole world of fashion revolves around pulling it together at the last possible minute.

Here are a number of baubles, accessories, books and other last-minute gifts sure to please the chic lady in your life. These gifts are either available online for immediate shipping or offline at a store near you – and many are under $100. (more…)
Fall 2010 Trend: Fair Isle
It started last year with Pendleton Meets Opening Ceremony, the collaborative label that appeared on fashion-forward individuals around town. The pops of color and Navajo patterns were a welcome respite from the sea of black and gray clothing last winter. Now patterns have gone viral for fall 2010, the most popular being geometric fair isle patterns, a tongue in cheek reference to the checked and snowflake-patterned L.L. Bean sweaters of the ’80s. This new generation of fair isles takes on intricate patterns ranging from traditional nature themes to abstract cowls and skull patterns.
For reformed preps, the trend is irresistible. Keep in mind that a closet full of monochromatic plain sweaters is going to feel excruciatingly boring by January, so add some jolts of pattern and color to your wardrobe with one or two of these 15 great fair isle sweaters. (more…)
Shorts Story: A Dozen Perfect Pairs
If there’s one must-rock article of clothing for summer 2010, it’s got to be shorts. From super casual to extra fancy, they’re popping up everywhere dresses and skirts used to rule, including polo games and even the red carpet. Flowy or cuffed cuts are incredibly flattering even on non-leg-models, and a staple pair of jean shorts (or two) will take you from beach to BBQ. Bonus: there are still many inexpensive pairs to be had, and a lot of designer pieces are now on sale.

12 great pairs from Topshop, McQ, Vena Cava and more. (more…)
Must-Have Summer Shoes 2010
As much as we love ogling fabulous Balenciaga stilettos, flats are what we actually wear for a day of strolling around the city. In the summer months, they can be sneaks, espadrilles, sandals or ballet flats: the main criterion is comfort.

Of course, that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice on style, as we saw on a recent day in Union Square. Here are some of the biggest trends in flat summer shoes for 2010, as seen on the street and in the stores. (more…)
Sheer Black Patterned Tights
Like it or not, Valentine’s Day is nearly upon us, so it’s time to start getting in the mood. As seen on the cover of WWD, sheer black tights in floral, lace, and polka dot patterns are sexing up legwear for evening. They’re more fashionable – and more practical – than bare legs, so you can look hot even when it’s 10 degrees outside.

Of course, the French have been on the forefront of this sexy trend, so channel your inner belle du jour with Givenchy’s Autumn Floral Lace Tights ($18). (more…)
Retro Swimwear at Anthropologie
If you can bear to think of bikinis at this time of year – or if you’re lucky enough to escape the cold – some choice retro swimsuits have just appeared at Anthropologie. By designers like Vix, Seafolly, Lenny, Don Marysia and Salinas, this ’40s to ’60s-style swimwear is almost universally flattering and really makes a statement on the beach.

Vowed you’d never wear a skirted bathing suit? Never say never: take a gamble on this ’40s-style Salinas Stacked Odds Bikini ($58 top and $78 bottom). (more…)
Cold Weather Essentials
Unfortunately, it takes more than a cute pair of earmuffs to get through a New York winter. Bundle up but still look cool with these cold weather essentials: hats, scarves, boots and coats that are as functional as they are fashionable. We found the top-of-the-line picks – and some cheap chic substitutes – to get you through til spring.

Lots of practical-fashionable winter hats are available at Searle. Go the luxe route with this Paul Leinburd by Crown Cap Arctic Raccoon Hunter’s Hat ($498), which looks a lot like the fur hat Rihanna wore recently. (more…)
Gift Guide: What to Buy a Fashionista
If you haven’t shopped yet for the fashionista in your life, fret not: Rachel Zoe Fedexes entire suitcases to Europe overnight. Contrary to popular belief, fashionistas are easy to shop for – we all want the same things – yay! But these things, usually designed by Miuccia, Alexander, and Karl, can be quite expensive – boo.

Fortunately, most of us have already adjusted to the discrepancy between wants and means. Fashion is really about celebrating a fabulous lifestyle at any price point. Giving sparkly, luxurious, girly things can be as simple as finding a fancy small leather good or a pair of super soft socks. And if in doubt, there’s always a gift certificate to Topshop. (more…)
Gift Guide: What to Buy a Foodie
Anyone whose extra-curricular interest borders on unhinged obsession is hard to shop for, whether that interest is golf, video games or Louboutins. Food lovers are no exception. First, divide them into three groups: the cooks, the eaters who who wish they cooked more, and the eaters who don’t cook. (Plus a splinter group: the wine lovers, a.k.a. the “winos.”)

As a rule, you are better off shopping at specialty stores for anyone with a specific interest, i.e., just as you probably shouldn’t shop for high-tech golf clothes at Macy’s, you’re better off going into Sur La Table and asking what’s new and cool than getting another fondue set from Crate & Barrel. (I have three of them.) Here’s a full list of gift ideas for foodies, starting at $5.50, after the jump. (more…)
23 Chic Holiday Party Dresses
Don’t pout, procrastinators: It’s not too late to find the perfect cocktail dress for the holidays. There are still plenty of covetable frocks at stores like Bloomingdale’s and Pixie Market and sites like Net-a-Porter, which offers same-day delivery in New York. We found 23 of the best party dresses across key trends like sequined boho glam, the LBD, and bright colors. And with several dresses ringing in at under $200, it’ll be hard to buy just one.
Color is key from resort going into spring, but there’s no reason you can’t start wearing it now. This one-shoulder teal dress from Thread Social ($495) at Net-a-Porter stands out from the crowd. (more…)


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