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Super Chic, Super Cheap #2

We’ve said it many times before, but dresses are as easy as buying penny candy at the corner bodega!  We like this Embroidered Peasant Dress from Forever 21 ($29.80).  While you’ll have go up a size or two to account for your 20+ years on the teeny-boppers, it’s great for the slimmer set to wear as a stand along dress, for the full-figured to wear as a long shirt over a pair of slim fitting jeans or leggings, or for the pear-shaped

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Trendwatch: 70s are the New 10s

Hidden knees.  A slightly 70s, below-the-knee hemline is the New Length according to Ms Philo, and she is the style lawmaker right now.  You might want to think about wearing it with a precise polished leather top to keep things the sharp side of dowdy, mind. Style 411:  below the knee can look dowdy indeed so focus on keeping the top half fitted or funky!

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The Manly Basics of Fragrance

Think small The life span of a bottle of cologne is one year.  Even if you haven’t gone through the whole thing, after twelve months buy a fresh one; you don’t want to wear a stale fragrance. Test in increments When shopping for a fragrance, try two at a time at the most, one on each arm.  Sniff your shirtsleeve between tests to clear your palate.

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Night on the Town for the Full-figured Tall Woman

We at Blueprint for Style recognize when “we couldn’t have said it better ourselves” and Sam Saboura does just that!  Take a look at the video and focus on the key takeaways: Prints and patterns — they can work no matter what size you are  just ensure your prints are in line with the size of your frame Balance— if you’re heavier in the middle, look for items that provide balance and proportion so the eye isn’t drawn to that

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Cosmetics Giveaway

Blueprint for Style is giving away makeup this week!  A large part of being stylish is not just the way you feel on the inside but, frankly, how you look on the outside….and luscious lips always help!!  To make this giveaway possible, Blueprint for Style is partnering with FSL Cosmetics. To win your own lipstick or lip gloss, simply (1) follow FSL Cosmetics on twitter and (2) add a comment to any post on the Blueprint for Style website.  If you

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Winner of the Vintage Gold Necklace

Contest:  (1) registering on the Crazy Hot Clothes website and (2) answering the question, “What was Alexander McQueen’s full name and how young was he at his passing?“.  additional entry and increase your odds of winning by (a) following Blueprint for Style and Crazy Hot Clothes on twitter, and another entry by (b) following Blueprint for Style and Crazy Hot Clothes on Facebook! Dates: Mar. 8th – Mar. 12th Prize: Gold vintage multi-strand necklace (sponsored by Crazy Hot Clothes) Winner: Kimberly C!!

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Target & Jean Paul Gaultier: A Marriage of Everyday & Anything But

The reviews have been mixed but Blueprint for Style‘s assessment of Target‘s debut of Jean Paul Gaultier was unremarkable…unfortunately.  We were pleased that the sizing was adult-friendly (read: generous) but the material looked and felt a little cheap! The March 7th debut was met with limited fanfare (think Anna Sui, Alexander McQueen collabs….). The collaboration seemed to reinforce the ideal that if you truly want designer duds, you have to pay designer prices (on sale or clearance, of course)!  In

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Top 10 Fall 2010 Trends from Paris, London & Milan

[We’ll re-visit these later this summer…but for now, just read and absorb!  Provided courtesy of Refinery29.] Damask & all-over appliqués: reminds me of furniture and old luggage Electric blue: we already knew blue was hot but this color is super vibrant 70’s suits: will be an excellent balance of masculine and feminine!! School-teacher skirts: longer, yes! fuller, yes!  will require balance to pull off properly Digital painting prints: it’s “tribal prints” with a digital flair Lace blouses: reminds me of

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Feedback from Felicia Y.

Hi Monica, I asked for your help for a professional event where I didn’t want to look too young or old.  It’s easy for me to dress others but for me, I wasn’t sure what to do for myself.  You prescribed a bright funky colored cardigan with slacks.

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Lindsay Lohan & Emanuel Ungaro – Together No More!!

More big (and delightful) news: Lindsay Lohan has apparently been removed from her position as “artistic director” at Emanuel Ungaro.  If you weren’t aware, then-president Mounir Moufarrige hired Lindsey believing there was no such thing as bad press (to our dismay).  Well, Moufarrige was replaced in December and during Monday’s Ungaro show in Paris, Lohan was a no-show leaving Chief Designer Estrella Archs to take the applause alone. When Lohan was interviewed later, she eluded to legal issues and was

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Alexander Wang’s T by Alexander Wang Line Expanded for Men

Alexander Wang is on fire right now — the designer can do no wrong!  So, to continue capitalizing on that success, the designer is broadening the offering of his hugely successful T by Alexander Wang line to men: he’s adding tees, shirts, and sweat clothing for men that will be available at Opening Ceremony and Saks Fifth Avenue. Style notes: the tees are amazingly comfortable but….we’re not sure softness and comfort are the main goals to be achieved during sweat-garnering

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Payless & Christian Siriano: Part Deux

Yes, it is correct.  Months ago, the collaboration between Payless and Christian Siriano (the winner of season four of Project Runway) was unveiled to an eager and, apparently, disappointed public.  Well, be assured that public sentiment counts because after “great shopper outcry”, Siriano’s demented talon heels are in stores now!  Here’s the skinny: $79.99 a pair Available at local Payless shoe stores with most stores having a few pair per size Style notes: Lady Gaga-esque, not for everyday and likley best

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Trash Your Closet for Spring!

You heard right – the best way to welcome spring is by ‘trashing your closet‘.  You’ve got tons of stuff in there that doesn’t work, is too big, a little too tight, represents the glory days (never to be regained)…and, frankly, no room to stash your new purchases. So, today Blueprint for Style is bringing out the big guns and giving you a few keep tips to prepare your closet (and your wallet) for spring: Make space on your floor (or

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Winter to Spring Transition Piece – Fitted Jacket

This one is by BCBG and is $50 at TheSampleSale.com!  It’s great to layer over a long tee during the week or the weekends….perfect with jeans, army pants or pencil skirt after work….and then pop it on top of your shift dress and you’re ready for dinner. It’s ideal in color, cut, material (3% spandex), and styling [available XS – XL]!!

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Crazy Hot Website & Clothes

Yep, Crazy Hot Clothes is a website dedicated to fun, haute designer and vintage clothing for ladies.  Every item is hand-picked and and items are added regularly.  I happen to love this site…..and not just because I scooped a vintage metallic clutch for under $20! Since the site is “fire”, Blueprint for Style decided to partner with Crazy Hot Clothes to do a giveaway!!  Starting today thru Friday at 2pm EST, you can be entered to win this vintage multi-strand gold

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Winner of Handbag Cover Giveaway

Giveaway item: handbag cover Retail value: $22 Contest rules: post a comment to any Blueprint for Style article and join the HerStylzShop newsletter Contest dates: March 3-5 Winner: Ellen Gray…congrats!

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Using a Jacket to Exude ‘Tough Chic’

I’m a fan of leather jackets (and I’m sure I’ve mentioned this on more than one occasion….remember I have one that has covered at least 100K miles?!).  Anyway, I digress…. Swirl by Daily Candy is having a sale on leatherwear designer, Lyndsey Butler‘s goods called Veda….and might I say, she has nailed this ‘tough chic’ feel in her jackets.  There are 11 different styles with prices ranging from $179 – $399. Please click and check them out — the one pictured is

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Super Cheap, Super Chic Shoe

A winter white shoe is hard to come by, and even harder if you want it to POP and have some pizazz (without the look of your childhood Easter outfit…you remember?!) This Lorna shoe by Hive & Honey brings us one step closer to savvy and a huge leap closer toward spring, and all for just $89!  The color is called “makeup”: it has a 4-inch platform, an almond-shaped toe, and a reptile print!  For all of us in need of

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Giving Away a Gentleman’s Deck

Yep, you heard correctly!  Blueprint for Style will be giving away a Gentleman’s Deck to one lucky reader.  The contest starts today (why not start on a Friday?) thru next Thursday, March 11th; to be eligible just post comment to any Blueprint for Style article and you’re entered….that’s it! Good luck!

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Super Chic, Super Cheap…Boots!

I’m sure we’ve discussed this before but, color is the way to force spring to come!  And using these beautiful Gianna Meliani suede boots to kick it into high gear helps — sueded, inner zip closure, leather sole, narrow toeline and a conical 4.1 inch heel. Plus at only $98at Yoox, this super chic boot is super cheap to boot! Note: currently available in sizes 6 – 10!

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Use Color to Move Into Spring

I love color so, this tip on transitioning into spring is easy: use colors, prints and patterns.  This AE gingham print shirt ($39.50) is great under a sweater with jeans for the weekend….by itself with some slacks on date-night….on top of a white tank with a black belt and some slacks during the week!! Soft woven cotton Classic oxford styling Single breast pocket Full button-up front Comes in blue plaid as well! Favorite fit (note: this is AE so, I’d

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Snake This into Your Wardrobe

We’re all sick of winter — it’s been long, relatively unmanageable, and downright obnoxious!  To welcome in spring properly, let’s add a few items to our wardrobe that won’t soon be replace like this vintage Whiting & Davis snake belt necklace ($104). While I am not a fan or frequent peruser of eBay, this is where you’ll need to go to find this piece.  But, with this necklace that has an adjustable clasp and malleability, it’s a terrific conversation piece.

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