August 2015 | Blueprint for Style

Dresses & Outfits

co-LAB Style Conspiracy

So Kayla, of Freckles in April, and I slaved over this collection ~ we surveyed people (namely us!), we combed the style blogs and magazines, we went back and forth with each other – to curate this seven piece collection of fall items that ANY working woman could use as a base to get through the season. The items included: Print/patterned skirt Jersey throw-n-go dress Dark denim bottom Cream/white sneakers Versatile layering sweater Bad-hair-day hat (similar one) Fabulous button down

2015/08/31

Bottoms

Buy. Wear. Wash. Repeat.

Fall is fabulous because it means you can look cool…and still wear boots, right? But seriously, fall is when we see “casual” move into effect and for most guys that can mean a step down in style. STOP! Casual doesn’t have to mean grungy, unkempt, or recycle old college crap. Casual just means you’re ready for anything but still comfortable. Here are your five pieces to make date night, grocery store runs, Saturday meet ups, and Sunday football doable… My

2015/08/31

Food & Restaurants

On The Road: Food Market in Denver

Acorn. Babettes. Beet & Yarrow. Boxcar Coffee. Roasters. Collegiate Peaks Bank. Comida. Crooked Stave. Jennifer Olson Photography. Slow Food Denver. The Proper Pour. Super Ordinary. Wunder Werkz. Yacht Club. All at The Source…in Denver. It’s supposed to be THE place if you’re a foodie. Not to mention several other hot spots and boutique lifestyle retailers. It’s the Denver version of Union Market!

2015/08/28

Accessories

Shoe Designer: Francesco Russo

He’s been designing shoes for over 20 years Originally from Puglia (Italy) – born in 1974 He’s responsible for creating Yves Saint Laurent’s The Cherry and The Tribute His shoe line has a strong graphic and architectural component to them MY style notes Adding a pair or two to your shoe wardrobe equals the implementation of elevated essentials They are more than the norm but not inordinate…if you consider $500-600 an investment I’ve had a chance to try them out

2015/08/27

Beauty

The Prettiest, Coolest MacGyver-esque Must Have

I preface this post by saying I fashion myself a mini-MacGyver… So check out this hair clip! It’s pink so it’s pretty and it’s functional especially for me as I ‘get it‘ during my Solidcore classes but STOP… It’s also a bottle opener, nail file, ruler, screwdriver, and scraper!!!!! And yeah, it comes in silver and black but just IMAGINE the cool points you’ll get when you’re at a picnic and your beau can’t find his bottle opener – pop

2015/08/25

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Ready for the Weekend: Gym/Weekend Bag

Your girlfriend ever say, “let’s roll to the beach for the weekend?” and you found yourself looking for a bag to throw all your stuff in? I saw this camouflage-print nylon gym bag and instantly feel n love: – it’s pink! – it’s camouflage – it’s nylon (so it can be wiped down) – it’s big enough for swimsuits, dress, shoes, & toiletries

2015/08/21

Accessories

Eight Under $50

From time to time, I find things that I deem “a steal” either because there’s only a few left, the price is too good to be true, the item utility for the price is a winner, or it’s just something that will simplify my style and wardrobe. Unlike my earlier years (per my sister), going forward I’m going to try to “share” more…. [show_boutique_widget id=”290404″]

2015/08/20

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Wine-o: Belle Glos Pinot Noir

It’s dark, yummy and full-bodied without being tannin-y (if that’s a word). During a recent three-day trip to Kent Island, myself and two girlfriends spent time in a lovely bay house, taking in scenery, laughing and doing quite a bit of drinking. Two of the bottles we tore up were Belle Glos Pinot Noir (2013 Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County) and I’m in love…although I likely cannot afford to be since it runs almost $50 a bottle online! You’ll get

2015/08/19

Accessories

My Bracelet

I’ve gotten a lot of compliments on my recent purchase – this Chloe rounded cuff bracelet. I’m in love with it and started out wearing it everyday – until I realized that I am not nearly as dainty as I thought. The clean designs picks up nicks quickly so you have to be careful. Until I can slow down on my ‘roughhousing’, I only wear it when I’m going out…but still equally in love with it. It’s no longer available

2015/08/18

Furnishings

Dive Watches

An advanced ‘thank you’ to Esquire‘s Big Black Book for these fun facts…. the 1926 Rolex Oyster is generally considered the first water-resistant watch the Oyster also introduced the screw-down crown and a screw-in winding arm that sealed out water blue is the most visible color underwater (as it’s the last part of the color spectrum to be absorbed) diving watches used to be radioactive because they used radium and tritium! NO watch is waterproof and, at one point, it

2015/08/17

Home & Interiors

Ready for the Weekend: Matches

I know…it sounds weird but I fashion myself a mini-MacGyver (remember the television show?). Therefore, I always carry matches and when I’m out-and-about, I look for cute ones. This matchbox struck my fancy and seem to work well too! BTW – they came in handy a couple of weekends ago when trying to light a bonfire!! And who doesn’t like a little leopard in their life?

2015/08/14

Food & Restaurants

On The Road: Wilhelmina in Amsterdam

Next time you’re in Schiphol Airport or passing through, look for and purchase the old-fashioned, Wilhelmina peppermint candies. Stamped with the Dutch queen’s face and made with pure peppermint oil, they’re really good. I tried them many years ago and haven’t seen them since….

2015/08/13

Calvin Klein underwear, panties, boy shorts

Lingerie

POLL: Which Panty Do You Prefer?

I’m lounging with my girlfriend at her place on Kent Island this past week with nothing but grassnand trees as far as the eye could see. Jodi dips her foot into the pool to see what the temp is and I’m watching…. She exclaims it’s super warm and starts dancing because she wants to get in. Only problem is she doesn’t feel like going all the way back to the house to change- seize the moment! So she takes off

2015/08/12

Denim

Trending: Denim

It’s back but actually, it never left – I’m talking about denim. Denim for jeans but also shirts, jackets, dresses, blazer, sport coats, ties, shoes and sneakers, handbags and more! You already have jeans and probably another denim item but if you’re debating taking your denim to work, consider the following three rules: dark denim only your denim should be free of whiskering, embellishments, etc only one piece of denim per look Given my love for denim, you can

2015/08/11

Grooming

MANly Monday: Simple Style Advice

Whether you’re heading to a wedding, work event, or awesome-sauce party in the Hamptons, the advice stands… Either way, “black tie” means you’re going someplace formal! If you need help with the concept, head to The Black Tux, a curated site with everything from suits to cufflinks to shirts and shoes.

2015/08/10

mens suiting, professional suits, what to wear

Grooming

#MensWear2Work Advice

2015/08/07

Denim

Denim Love: AG Denim

Have you ever even heard of AG Denim? I have but I suspect it’s because I love denim and jean material. Yul Ku started this brand 15 years ago with Diesel cofounder Adriano Goldschmied thinking eco-friendly from day one! They even utilize this ozone technology process that eliminates 56% of the company’s water and chemical usage Energy-efficient washing machines are used The aged look is created by hand using a grinder They donate scraps to make gloves and interior padding

2015/08/07

scents, Elizabeth & James, black & white

Beauty

On The Road: Travel Beauty Essentials

I’m recently coming off the road from a four-day girls #roadtrip to Connecticut and New York. Compliments of @BuickUSA, we got to ride in style with the new Buick Regal (drove like a dream!). But when I arrived at the destination, I need a beauty pick-me-up and my travel bag wasn’t up to the task. Lucky I had one of my beauty besties with me and she and I hit Sephora like there was no tomorrow…. My new 8 travel

2015/08/05

Furnishings

When It’s Time To Buy A New Wallet

Well you’ll know for sure it’s time to buy a new wallet if you don’t have one now. I mean, a rubber band doesn’t count and neither does you keeping your cards in a stack. Crumpled cash or loose change in your pocket means you’re more apt to lose it if it’s not in one place – a bad look! If you have a wallet from “back in the day” or something that you recall from your childhood, it’s time

2015/08/03

Our Blog

News, Articles & More

co-LAB Style Conspiracy

Buy. Wear. Wash. Repeat.

On The Road: Food Market in Denver

Shoe Designer: Francesco Russo

The Prettiest, Coolest MacGyver-esque Must Have

Ready for the Weekend: Gym/Weekend Bag

Eight Under $50

Wine-o: Belle Glos Pinot Noir

My Bracelet

Dive Watches

Ready for the Weekend: Matches

On The Road: Wilhelmina in Amsterdam

POLL: Which Panty Do You Prefer?

Trending: Denim

MANly Monday: Simple Style Advice

#MensWear2Work Advice

Denim Love: AG Denim

On The Road: Travel Beauty Essentials

When It’s Time To Buy A New Wallet

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