Maya H., Author at Blueprint for Style | Monica Barnett

Invest in a ‘Haute’ Coat

And if you decide to take the plunge, consider this Missoni Osiride reversible striped coat ($1125); available at Outnet.com. The trend this fall is to be conservative with our spending but not with our fashion — this coat works after-hours with a pair of navy blue leggings, or at work with black or grey, wide-leg trousers with cuffs. Given the multicolored wool and mohair-blend stripes, it doesn’t require a lot of accessories other than a stunning black/graphite handbag. The self-tie belt

2009/10/22

Is It a Surprise that Celebrities or Entertainers “Look Stunning”?

Or, better yet, why is it a surprise that celebrities and entertainers who make millions and spend even more “look stunning”? The next question to ask — what would they look like if they were me?! Two ladies come to mind — Rihanna and Katie Holmes because they are both in the news and rags often for being so ‘fashion forward’ and ‘looking stunning’ in their outfits. If you had millions at your disposal, time on your hands in the

2009/10/21

I’m Off to Valencia so Manage Without Me

That’s right — I’m off to Barcelona and Valencia, Spain for a birthday vacation so, in the interim, Blueprint for Style will be posting infrequently until next Wednesday, October 28th. WAIT – it doesn’t mean I won’t be posting, it just means I won’t be doing nearly as many daily posts…unless they’re related to my Spanish fashions so there will be plenty of posts to see! Barcelona is Spain’s second largest city; and Valencia is Spain’s third largest city, home

2009/10/21

Now We all Have an Atwood!

Ladies have Brian Atwood — see the boots posted on Tuesday — and now the men have their Bryan Atwood too! Bally designer Bryan Atwood says “Put on a pair of bad shoes and it doesn’t matter how nice your suit is.” And he says to start with brown “For dress shoes, I tend to stay away from black. I prefer colors like cognac or cigar; you can see the details of the shoe, and they go great with any

2009/10/21

I’m a Plain Jane…Most of the Time

So the items in my closet typically fall into the category of extraordinary normal items or fabulous regular items. These items are typically made normally, have very few embellishments, are monchromatic or color-blocked but made special by the little details or the phenomenal fit or its pairing. These Brian Atwood Matrix leather boots are $1,170 at net-a-porter and I consider them to be an item to ogle over — the rich chocolate brown coloring, the 5.5 inch heel, the ruching running

2009/10/20

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Pink Tip

Pink is worn best by those with cool (blue) undertones because the pink which is warmer works to balance the cool, blue undertone. If you have darker hair, you can do more vibrant colors but blondes and lighter-toned brunettes will see better results with lighter pinks! The easiest way to incorporate pink into your wardrobe this month or period is through accessories such as a belt. Below are a few options and suggestions: A thin pink belt works great in contrast to

2009/10/19

Recession-proof, Style Savvy Scoop

Go through your closet and write down (1) what you have a lot of, (2) what you have none of, (3) what is the predominant color, and (4) what is the overwhelming style [If this is difficult, hire a Personal Stylist who can do it all for you in about 3 hours] Make a list of the top 5 items you LOVE (without regard for price or availability) Next to the Top 5 “I ♥” items, estimate price and availability Now

2009/10/15

ID: DtB

Code Name: Down to Business (DtB) Given Name: leather briefcase Alias’: briefcase, satchel, bag, brief, carryall, luggage Uses: to carry secrets; to trade war stories; to conduct worldwide transactions Mission: to complement the man about town Ideal Agent: savvy businessman….or mover-and-shaker Fallback: Trafalgar leather business case, $168 Deadline: set to disappear….very soon! .

2009/10/15

ID: 007 Stretch

Given Name: leggings Alias: tights, form-fitting pants Colors: every one imaginable, prints, stripes and the list goes on Styles: fabric, zipper (LnA), sequin (Sir Alistair Rai), printed (Diana von Furstenberg), leather (Helmut Lang), velvet (Members Only), snakeskin (BCBG), leather (Gareth Pugh) Fallback: black (Ann Taylor, $38) Last Seen: on the streets; on the runways in Milan, Paris, New York, London; on the everyday jane (or joe); on rock stars and celebrities Mission: travel the world in search of skin Ideal

2009/10/15

The Shoe that Every Woman Covets

Yep — I’m talking about Christian Loutboutin’s (the red bottoms) and while they are not on sale right now, he will be doing a special shoe signing on October 24th, 1 pm to 4 pm at Neiman Marcus in Tysons Galleria! WAIT — while you don’t have to, it’s recommended that you pre-order your shoes now (Tina can take your order but, won’t charge your card until October 23rd) and each customer can only have one pair signed no matter how many are

2009/10/14

Designer of the Week: Emanuel Ungaro

I have a few dresses by Emanuel Ungaro and I love them — I love them because they’re all simple with wonderful detailing and little extras, and are fabulously feminine without being to girly! Emanuel Ungaro was born in Aix-en-Provence, France to Italian parents in 1933 As a young boy, Emanuel loved to sew! (The design world is so twisted) Emanuel went to Paris at 22 and started designing for House of Cristol Balenciaga (those lovely bags) by age 25 Emanuel

2009/10/14

Hi-Ho Silver…..

…Or Silverado, as in the Chloe Large Silverado Handbag at Portero for a small penance of $785. Portero is an authenticated market for pre-owned luxury goods (read…used), and of all of the similar sites, Portero is far-and-away the best! Now, remember that my birthday is coming up in less than two weeks so, anyone who is feeling benevolent should feel free to send this my way….it’s in very good condition which means it has very few scratches or markings. I’m

2009/10/14

If Someone Gave Me $1,000 for Fall Fashions, I’d Get….

Items from Michael Kors. I am not a huge Michael Kors fan but, I just got a peek at his Fall Autumn Leaves items and I’m officially a believer in Michael Kors….and he can stay on that tv show he has now! [nggallery id = 32]

2009/10/14

Way to be Slick…and Sleek

Ladies (and gentlemen as well), summer is officially over as the winter weather reports from the west come through and brisk evenings have settled in. Fall and the inevitable winter mean we need a little extra meat on our bones to keep us warm but we don’t necessarily want to show that extra meat on our bones so CHEER FOR SPANX! Ladies, I’ve happened upon one must-have: the Slim Incognito Shape Suit ($98)! Now I have not tried it yet but,

2009/10/13

Love, Love, Love This Item – Must, Must, Must Have It

Leather jackets come in all shapes and sizes, and colors, and styles but this one is a keeper! It’s $590 at net-a-porter and let me tell you why: The sand color is perfect for fall and spring The jacket is well-balanced: biker toughness of the jacket is offset by the femme cowlneck The cowlneck allows you to wear it when the weather isn’t ideal because you have some neck-protection It’s fairly embellishment-free except for the zippers It’s by Doma….a trusted

2009/10/13

Feathers for Everyone

The use of feathers whether as part of a skirt or boots is ripe for ridicule this fall but, if you want to join in the feather-follies but do it with panache, let Blueprint recommend this pewter necklace with feather design. It’s got some weight and presence but isn’t too much as to overpower a simple shift dress or evening dress with a full faille skirt. At a mere $120 at Ted Baker, it’s perfect for this fleeting fall fashion

2009/10/12

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Pretty in Pink

Do you remember that movie with Molly Ringwald? I do…she wore so much pink that, today, I think I’d gag if I tried to do it! But I digress….What’s more ‘pretty in pink’ than skivies so, today’s tip on how to incorporate pink into your wardrobe has a wonderful side benefit for the partner in your life! The options go from cheap-and-tawdry to prim-and-proper. Here is a sampling of a few that I think might get a rise from the

2009/10/12

Dear Blueprint…Need Help!

Mystery: Hey my closet looks like an Armed Forces officers’ closet — just khaki, grey and black! What can I do to add some color really quick and without much hassle? Solved: First, you need to realize that your closet is likely monochromatic or without lots of color for a reason: either you don’t like color, it doesn’t look good on you (although I sure that’s not it), or you do it for ease of dress. For our answer, I’ll

2009/10/07

Winner of Contest #6

Question: Give Blueprint the painstaking details of what would go into your weekender for a 3-day fall foray to Montreal QC Canada, and why. The best ‘packing job’ wins! Answer: part of the answer included a long scarf, booties and a flat tote — with details about their use, versatility and several “if-then” scenarios! Winner: Assata of AssataSAYS.com Prize: $100 Saks Fifth Avenue gift card .

2009/10/06

Men’s Travel Essential

Fellas you travel — and you travel often! One of the biggest complaints I hear is that your men’s furnishings didn’t make it in perfect condition so, let us help! Click on the link to Beyond the Rack, and grab one of the leather tie holders ($29)…..zip closure and 2 snap shut tie securing bands Need I say more…..it’s an essential!.

2009/10/06

For the Tough Chic Chick

Well tough chic is one of the predominant themes for fall fashion and the upside is that it allows ladies to mix up their outer prim-and-proper along with their inner biker-chick…and stay fashionable. However, to remain stylish and still be able to wear the same pieces next year, Blueprint advises buyers to lean a little more heavily to the prim-and-proper slightly (just a tad). Here are two great examples of tough chic boots that are hip and very now, but will also

2009/10/06

NYC Style & Beauty Session- Nov. 14

Blueprint for Style in conjunction with Mischo Beauty, Rebecca & Drew, Skincando, Ginger & Liz Colour Collection, MADEJewelry, and ideeli.com (to name a few) is throwing a small and sexy style and beauty session in midtown Manhattan on November 14th! Attendance is being limited to 40 individuals to ensure one-on-one attention for makeovers, mini-manicures, and lash sets….and chock-full-of-goody goody bags (discounts and treats worth over $200)! Click below for details on how to get your ticket to this event! [nggallery id = 31].

2009/10/05

HELP! Must…show….restraint….

Ok I’ve been searching high-and-low for the perfect grey handbag for fall (and going forward) and I have been unable to turn up anything that I absolutely love — until now! This Costume National handbag is a wanna-must-have but at $893 (on sale), I need it to go down just a tad more. The rich navy and green leather patches at the base and the contrasting closures of the purse provide just enough contrast so it’s not boring but, are

2009/10/05

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Pink go Kapow!

I wanted to kick off Blueprint for Style’s ode to Breast Cancer Awareness Month right… Pink is very ‘girly’ if you will…but we have to learn how to toughen it up a bit. One of this fall’s fashion themes is definitely ‘tough chic‘ so, let me show you how I’d make pink-go-kapow! [nggallery id = 29] Marc Jacobs printed leather dress, $2,495: sure the paisley print isn’t so tough and you’re thinking ‘that’s so soccer mom‘ in the back of your

2009/10/05

Our Blog

News, Articles & More

Invest in a ‘Haute’ Coat

Is It a Surprise that Celebrities or Entertainers “Look Stunning”?

I’m Off to Valencia so Manage Without Me

Now We all Have an Atwood!

I’m a Plain Jane…Most of the Time

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Pink Tip

Recession-proof, Style Savvy Scoop

ID: DtB

ID: 007 Stretch

The Shoe that Every Woman Covets

Designer of the Week: Emanuel Ungaro

Hi-Ho Silver…..

If Someone Gave Me $1,000 for Fall Fashions, I’d Get….

Way to be Slick…and Sleek

Love, Love, Love This Item – Must, Must, Must Have It

Feathers for Everyone

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Pretty in Pink

Dear Blueprint…Need Help!

Winner of Contest #6

Men’s Travel Essential

For the Tough Chic Chick

NYC Style & Beauty Session- Nov. 14

HELP! Must…show….restraint….

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Pink go Kapow!

Send us a message