April 2012 | Blueprint for Style

Features & Series

Our Favorite April Posts

This month we garnered quite a bit of engagement from our readers, so yay!! Here’s a quick recap of our favorites {and yours too}: Don’t Get Played by Plaid ~ how men can wear plaid Animal Print Swimsuit Trend & One Piece Hits ~ the latest swimwear trend & tips for hiding the mid-section A Dirty Little Secret ~ my secret….revealed! Gents & Cargo Pants ~ a look at men’s updated cargo pants Peplum Power ~ the feminine peplum trend & a few great pieces

2012/04/30

Tops

The Winner of the FAB Designer Blouse Is…

We got quite a few entries and had a blast doing the contest via Facebook, but alas the time has come to choose a winner and there can only be one…..SweepsMama! She gets a lovely Presenza blouse and one month membership to b-styled by blueprint Style Club ~ congrats!! She loved our Deconstructed Chic look….

2012/04/30

Beauty

The Winner of the Lifetherapy Giveaway Is….

This contest was super easy to enter and our winner announcement is loooong overdue….Vanessa Martinez is our winner! She’ll not only get my favorite item {nourishing body rub} but hers as well {Lifetherapy Chill Pulse Point Oil Roll-on Perfume}.

2012/04/30

Contests & Giveaways

Swimsuit Sweet Spot

Across the last month, we’ve done a four-part series on swimsuit savvy trends and dealing with our less-than-ideal shapes. What did you learn? For me, I’m doing animal prints! That said, Susan was kind enough to not only give us everything we need to make the right decisions, but a $50 gift certificate to put that knowledge to good use at In Style Swimwear. To get it, just… like InStyleSwimwear on Facebook like Blueprint for Style on Facebook tell us

2012/04/27

Men's Matters

Don’t Get Played By Plaid

It’s doable and tell me this contemporary plaid blazer with collarless shirt isn’t HOT! Wearing plaid doesn’t have to be professorial, geeky, loud, or stuffy. Gucci under the guidance of Frida Giannini has flourished and while this particular combination may be out of your price range {blazer, $2,350 and shirt, $510}, consider the possibility that plaid is a new classic. Here’s a Gucci Prince of Wales check blazer, ASOS Slim Fit check blazer, or Peter Millar Vespa sportcoat that captures the

2012/04/27

Travel

5 Must-Do’s in Argentina

I’m heading to Buenos Aires this fall and I’m psyched ~ it’s the ‘Paris of the South‘, so I’m planning for good music, fabulous fashion, great food, and everything in between! I will undoubtedly do a post of two while there but let me begin to drop a few bread crumbs from time to time. Today are the five must-do’s as told by American Airlines: Take a tango lesson~ you can go “group” for under $25/pp at Escuela Argentina de

2012/04/27

Transportation

BIG Time with Chevy

“Goody goody gumdrops” is what I said when GM informed me that I’d be driving their 2012 Suburban 4WD LTZ…and then I saw it. It was huge, all black and shiny–I was in instant like! Truth be told, I wanted to try out the Cadillac SRX Crossover because it appeared to have more of my natural aesthetic — sizable, noteworthy but not over-the-top, powerful, and slightly understated, so i did experience a bit of dismay at first. I went online

2012/04/26

Style Tips

Swimsuit Savvy: Animal Print Trend & One-piece Hits

For my last swimsuit post, I saved the best for last—animal prints! Animal prints are timeless, and since designers always introduce their own spin on them, they always look unique. If you’re a one-piece swimsuit devotee and are tired of wearing the same old styles, look for those featuring fierce animal prints and innovative designs. Many one-piece swimsuit styles feature boring colors and typical silhouettes. For something fresh, try a one-piece with a colored animal print, chic asymmetrical design or

2012/04/25

Bottoms

Club Monaco for Men

Not only has Club Monaco finally created an e-commerce site, but they’ve bolstered the men’s section. First, a few ground rules: they do casual and dressed up casual they do slim to medium-build men very well (huskier types….not so much except for the tops) they do muted colors and earth tones That said, here are some of their best looks for March, April & May ~ find some inspiration to add a layer, throw on a different style tee, or

2012/04/24

Furnishings

Mobile Men’s Fashion

Recently Conde Nast Traveler did a piece on 11 mobile stores to visit and we were intrigued…and now fully engaged! Last week, we highlighted Bootleg, a women’s footwear shoegasm in Austin, TX. This week we checked out Aetherstream out of San Francisco, CA ~it’s kinda like the SWAT team of Aether’s bricks-n-mortar outfit. Aetherstream features tailored, technical lifestyle apparel for men. It’s weekend and outdoorsy gear that is anything but grungy ! more rugged individualist. We haven’t been inside but

2012/04/23

Accessories

A Dirty Little Secret…

I have to confess something….from time to time, I find fabulous items and I don’t want to share them with you! Is that bad? am I supposed to share all of the cool stuff I find with you all….and then I see you and we’re wearing the same thing?! Do you even like what I like? Sometimes the items I snag are because I love them not because they’re inexpensive/”a steal” but simply because I saw it and “had to

2012/04/23

Men's Matters

It’s That Time of Month…

What were you thinking?! April is the month to purchase rain gear. Move quickly before April showers are gone, sunshine is hear, and prices go up along with the mercury! go high-end with Burberry London go with fun colors by Helene Berman get edgy with black leather by Romwe go classic with J.Crew go all-out and throw caution to the wind with Dsquared2 Either way, hop to it and search for what you love. Guys we didn’t forget about you

2012/04/21

Bottoms

6 Things We Want to Share This Week

The summer Olympics are three months away but, Ralph Lauren unveiled his Olympic and Paralympic designs this week that consisted of all white with red & blue accents. They are available at Ralph Lauren for purchase. Not to be outdone, Stella McCartney released her summer Olympic designs for Great Britian’s team ~ the first time a fashion designer has been given that honor {GB’s look better!} Kehinde Wiley {pictured above} is a New-York based artist whose claim to fame has been streetwise

2012/04/21

Beauty

Therapy For Your Skin – And Win!

I love giveaways especially those where I get to give you what I love {satisfies my desire to believe that everyone loves what I love} and you get to choose what you [think] you’ll love, thus is the case with our latest giveaway done in conjunction with Lifetherapy {you met her last week here!}. I met Lynette Lovelace a couple of years ago while luxuriating at a Robert Verdi gifting suite for NYFW ~ Lifetherapy was one of the fun brands

2012/04/20

Accessories

Going Wild Over Wedges

Spring trend ~ wedges! Every designer and retailer has them in multitudes…and possibly because I’ve been inundated with it, I have succumb to wanting a pair. These Aldo Drewel wedges are perfect: high heel is not too chunky the toe cap is short (to show toe cleavage) the colors are spot-on (Aldo has navy, black, natural and purple [$80]; ASOS has orange, green and navy [$107]) Because I’m all into versatility and multiple use, I’m opting for the natural color…

2012/04/18

Bottoms

Gents~ F** The Spring Cargo Pants Trend!

Yeah I know what you were thinking…I was saying “funk the spring trend!” as in funk it out and don’t stick with the ordinary. This spring’s trend include cotton and shiny double-breasted suits, striped sweaters, white pants (as always), suede wingtips, bomber jackets/trenches/parkas, and cargos. Today it’s all about cargos…. they’re on the comeback they’re more fitted/slim the pockets are more forward-facing they’re available in more colors {than the traditional olive/khaki} they’re still everything casual…except Our top five picks {based

2012/04/18

Sun & Sand

Swimsuit Savvy: Floral Print Trend & Downplaying A Bigger Bust

It’s that time of the week again! Today we’re talking floral print swimwear. Although floral prints are always on-trend, this season they’re back and better than ever! Floral prints are feminine, flirty and always adorable, but if you have a bigger chest, finding swimwear that’s also in style can be a daunting task. See below for some tips and to see some fun floral print styles: Think of underwire as your girls’ best friend! Without a doubt, swimwear with underwire,

2012/04/18

Contests & Giveaways

Winner of the Footzyrolls

She posted her comment to tell us how she’d use her newly acquired Footzyrolls; she follows Blueprint for Style (and now Footzyrolls); and now she’s the proud owner of two pairs of super comfortable/foldable/toteable Footzyrolls ~ my favorite Hamptons in cool colors plus her faves! Congrats to Cindy B!

2012/04/16

Do More, Reveal Less…With Shop Presenza

Do you want a new look for spring? If so, let us help. Blueprint for Style has teamed up with Presenza for the chance to win a stylish sophisticated wrap top! And because we want to make sure you’re spring comes into full bloom, we’ll also be offering you a month-long complimentary subscription to b-styled by blueprint Style Club – advice based on your style profile, delivered right to your inbox. Here’s how to enter: “Like” us on Facebook: “Share” the

2012/04/16

Accessories

Fashion is Food For The Soul

…and if the proliferation of all these food trucks is any indication of what it means to take-the-show-on-the-road then Bootleg is on fire! This mobile footwear fête is located in Austin so you may not be able to make it there straight away but just marvel at the selection of shoes Sarah carries from Esquivel to Camilla Skovgaard. Check out Condé Nast Traveler‘s other mobile stores to visit (we’ll be featuring a men’s mobile store next week)…

2012/04/16

Dresses & Outfits

Peplum Power

Peplums are the new trend and I love it! Peplums are feminine, vintage (very 50s), powerful and pretty. A pencil skirt and blouse are instantly transformed into pretty power when you add a peplum to the top. peplums create shape for those with a more boyish/athletic figure peplums draw attention to the midsection and, more specifically the butt peplums create instant chic and polish Shopping: Forever 21 peplum ponte jacket ($19.80); Dorothy Perkins ivory ponte peplum top ($39); Dorothy Perkins split

2012/04/13

Men's Matters

Rimowa Luggage for Your iPad

This is strictly for the fellas…. Rimowa luggage is this German-made indestructible stuff that’s been around since 1898. Their stuff is no-frills but sleek (albeit a tad pricey at $280), and they now make protection for your iPad! It’s got their signature grooved design, can take a beating and still deliver you in style. You know you’ll buy two or three others that will add up to more than this one ~ so just take the plunge once. This is the

2012/04/13

Beauty

Yummy Scrub!

This is the time to start your summer skin preparedness plan {in fact, you may be a few weeks behind}! Beauty & Cosmetics Maven, Shopping Extraordinaire, and Accessory Designer Lynette Lovelace is the creator of Lifetherapy. Life Therapy was in the making for nine years, but it’s here and besides working to create yummy skin, it’s all about good moods (so says Lynette). In a week or so, we’ll be doing a giveaway on our site of some yummy products

2012/04/12

Sun & Sand

Swimsuit Savvy: Bold Color Trend & Slimming Torso Tips

Happy Wednesday! This week it’s all about color. Bold color is part of multiple 2012 swimwear trends including color-blocking, colored animal prints and colorful geometric-inspired patterns. Designers have reinvented classic swimwear styles by infusing bright pops of color into them. Not only are these swimwear styles fresh, but many also help create the illusion of a slimmer torso. Look for color-block swimwear styles that feature dark, solid colors around the torso and bold contrasting colors up top or along the

2012/04/11

Fashion

Blueprint for Style Hit Tokyo & Fathom Caught It

Fathom is a cool site started by an ex-Daily Candy editor, Jeralyn Gerba, and Pavia Rosati. Fathom is an online travel hub that gives practical advice from places they like, writers they trust (us!), and stories that move them. They do these cool postcards around a theme called “I Travel for the…” {BTW ~ I travel for chance to find something that will make me jump up and down in little circles as if it were Christmas day}. Well, Fathom is creating a Tokyo

2012/04/10

Our Blog

News, Articles & More

Our Favorite April Posts

The Winner of the FAB Designer Blouse Is…

The Winner of the Lifetherapy Giveaway Is….

Swimsuit Sweet Spot

Don’t Get Played By Plaid

5 Must-Do’s in Argentina

BIG Time with Chevy

Swimsuit Savvy: Animal Print Trend & One-piece Hits

Club Monaco for Men

Mobile Men’s Fashion

A Dirty Little Secret…

It’s That Time of Month…

6 Things We Want to Share This Week

Therapy For Your Skin – And Win!

Going Wild Over Wedges

Gents~ F** The Spring Cargo Pants Trend!

Swimsuit Savvy: Floral Print Trend & Downplaying A Bigger Bust

Winner of the Footzyrolls

Do More, Reveal Less…With Shop Presenza

Fashion is Food For The Soul

Peplum Power

Rimowa Luggage for Your iPad

Yummy Scrub!

Swimsuit Savvy: Bold Color Trend & Slimming Torso Tips

Blueprint for Style Hit Tokyo & Fathom Caught It

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