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

The Comeback of Cash or Perhaps the Cache of Cash

Until about a year or two ago, it was “in” to flash your platinum card or the most ostentatious card you had when paying for a meal or tossing back a brew. However, with the advent of a recession and the new “in-ness” of frugality, that’s all out the window. What does this mean for the card-toting cadre of high-rollers? You have three options (well presumably more but, for the sake of time, space, and attention span, let’s stick with

2009/08/04

Men It’s Time!

Men, It’s Time…Literally!! To kick off our Men’s Week, Blueprint for Style is focusing on one of the most critical elements of a man’s wardrobe – his timepiece. By itself, the little piece of wonderment says lots about what you are and who you are not and, what you live for and how you make it happen but also a little of where you’re headed and how you plan to get there…some much from something so small!!

2009/08/03

It’s Men’s Week!

This week Blueprint for Style will have several posts and topics about what’s important to the guys including key style tips, how to properly ‘grease’ someone’s palm, how to master the white shirt, and the latest fall fashions (September is just 4 weeks away)! Men we want to hear from you….

2009/08/03

Next Week: The Men Have It

Most of the week of August 2nd will be dedicated to all things remotely related to men. Guys – listen up and make sure you get what you need! Ladies – read and get some pointers to ensure your man is looking top notch! Have a great weekend!.

2009/08/01

SHOE-bee-doo-bee-doo!

The title has nothing to do with the post….but it’s catchy isn’t it?! For our final day of Shoe Week, Blueprint thought it wise to leave on the ‘good foot’ (LOL!) so, wanted to provide the shoes that every stylish and sophisticated wardrobe should not be without. Unlike yesterday’s shoes that were fun, and more trendy and whimsical, the following shoes are ones that should be purchased with a cobbler in mind, your credit card in hand, and a good friend

2009/07/31

Winner of Contest #1

Question: How long has Blueprint for Style been around? Answer: “about two years” Correct Answer: 23 months Winner: Rnett .

2009/07/31

SHOE-string Budget: Shoes Under $100

In an effort to be fiscally responsible which is, admittedly, not one of my favorite past-times and to offer some insight into remaining stylish amidst this economic crisis, today’s Shoe Week post is for those shoe finds under $100!!! While they may not get you through every occasion, you’ll have about 75% of them cover….with a few extras for those special outfits! The most common sites (bookmark these!) include yesstyle.com, piperlime.gap.com, modcloth.com. revolveclothing.com, flyjane.net, heels.com, bakersshoes.com, and lorisshoes.com…let the games

2009/07/30

Shoe I Stay or Shoe I Go?!

Yesterday the ladies got to pine over some of my favorite shoes (now you know how I feel!) while the gentlemen got to take a look at the most expensive shoes for men — it almost makes it ok for the ladies to purchase more than 1 pair at any sale! For some reason, I’m sure the experience of looking at shoes did not move any of the men the way it moved the ladies….again, blasphemy!! Well today we continue on with Shoe

2009/07/29

10 of the Most Expensive Men’s Shoes in the World

In honor of Shoe Week, Blueprint researched some wonderfully made but, pricey shoes and thought it worthwhile to share. Most men do not have the same love affair with shoes that women have; in fact, for fully 78% of men, shoes are a necessity rather than a luxury….blasphemy! What separates these shoes from the masses is not only the quality of the leather used but, the time, effort and craftsmanship put into every detail including the soles, stitching, fit and shaping,

2009/07/28

Kicking Off Shoe Week: Let Me Count the Ways in Which I Love Thee!

Recently I was golfing with a friend in Miami and had the good fortune to have great company and good conversation. I had to purchase golf shoes for the outing and as I looked down at them on a lengthy Par 5 (the new Nike Women’s Air Summer Lite II happen to be the lightest and best ventilated shoe out!), I smiled inside and giggled on the outside….I loved my new golf shoes!! During our conversation, we somehow got on

2009/07/28

“Business” Attire & Dressing for Success

So, I am just back from a conference in Miami, Florida for the week and as much as it’s a vacation location and the weather dictates something “light”, there was no reason to forego the basic tenets of business attire and professionalism. Enter your friendly (and knowledgeable) Image Consultant whose job it is to focus on development of a framework for managing your personal style.

2009/07/27

Featured Designer: Tabitha Simmons

Tabitha Simmons is a British model-turned-designer and she is debuting a “quirky-chic collection of haute heels”. The shoe collection hasn’t quite taken off in the States yet but, they are at net-a-porter.com and my favorites are the multicolored suede platform pumps! The suede and wedge construction mean they’ll be perfect for fall; the loafer-style buckle and contrast stitching keep it very chic and business-like; and the 4.5 inch heel just says “sexy’…. .

2009/07/27

Swim-suitability….

Ok, so as of yesterday, I am just returning from a vacation in Cancun and this post comes out of necessity — I have been witness to a few fashion/style crimes that make this post fun to share! Mismatched but matching tops and bikini bottoms are a YES…at least you have something on! Men in speedos is very European — and some style tips we can leave there! One piece bathing suits can be sexy — you just need to show

2009/07/22

“IF” I Had $2,000, Here’s What I’d Get!

Similar to our recent article on Madison’s shopping manifesto, Tucker (our fictitious but charming Fashionelle) wants to turn his everyday uniform of dress slacks and staid button-down shirts into something a little more hip and flexible. Tucker is at a point in his life where he wants to do more international travel, and do more hanging with his guys at some of the annual golf events and music festivals. Let’s run wild with Tucker’s money!

2009/07/22

Jeans–Need We Say More?!

Boyfriend, dark wash, hipster, cropped, skinny, low-rise, trouser, bootleg, slouch, tapered, harem, stretch, distressed, capri, bell bottom, destroyed, straight leg, flared, stonewashed, high-rise, classic, cigarette, high-waisted…with all of these adjectives, which ones do you wear when, and with what?! A few tips to help to determine which ones when, and with what… Darker wash goes into evening easier than stone- or light washes

2009/07/20

“IF” I Had $2,000, What Would I Get?

That question can be answered an infinite number of ways but, for our purposes, we’re going to take debt elimination and empire building off the table….and focus on what Blueprint knows, STYLE! For the sake of argument, we’ll assume Madison (our fictitious but savvy Fashionista) has a closet with most of the building blocks and wardrobe fundamentals but, her conundrum is how to spend her cash (or plastic) on a few key transition items that will alow her to use her business attire and power

2009/07/18

Can Animal Print Be Tamed?

That’s the first question and we suppose the answer has to be “yes” because it’s everywhere! So the second question is “how?” Blueprint for Style used its innate style sense and then went on the hunt (LOL!) for some back-up, and here’s what we’ve come up with for the stylish and sophisticated set: 10. Use it sparingly at one time – too much of anything is a bad thing!

2009/07/17

Top 5 Rules of Leisurewear

“Leisurewear” is a broad term used to describe, in this case, clothing used for lounging or casualwear. Here are a few fun facts for the stylish and sophisticated set! Sleepwear does not equal leisurewear. Leisurewear should not be synonomous with “what I had lying around”. Leisurewear should not consist solely of team jerseys (unless you are tailgating or at a team spirit-like event). Leisurewear can be coordinated and look nice, and doesn’ t have to be slouchy and oversized. Leisurewear should be

2009/07/16

How To: Move From the Latest Fashion Trend to Classic Style

Sometimes it can be difficult to take what we see on the runways, or in the magazines and television, or on our favorite celebrity personality and make it work for us. Performing this trick isn’t particularly difficult if you remember a few notable points: Listen to your gut — if it says that shirt feels a little tight then put it back or find a larger size! Runway items are not meant to be worn “as is”— that’s why each

2009/07/16

Style for the More ‘Bountiful’ Beauties

When we say ‘bountiful’ beauties, we are referring to the more voluptuous of us that cannot so easily slither or wiggle into a size 6 or 12 (nowadays people in general seem to be getting bigger and wider, and it is now thought that the average dress size is nearer to measurements of bust 41 inches, waist 34 inches, and hips of 43 inches. These measurements correspond to a size 12, (UK size 14))…yet, for some reason, most mainstream clothing

2009/07/15

Bomber Jacket – A “I-Gotta-Get-This”!!

Ok, it’s not a style must-have but, I can picture at least four different scenarios in which this bomber jacket ($526) would set off an outfit…. Scenario #1: long jean skirt, tall Phallon riding boot, junk tee t-shirt, and my bomber jacket! Scenario #2: cream full skirt, cognac-colored wedge heels, white tee, and my bomber jacket! Scenario #3: skinny jeans, multi-colored ruffled top, some flip flops, and my bomber jacket! Scenario #4: black pencil skirt, black fitted shirt, black tights and

2009/07/13

So Much to Share, So Little Time!

Everyone needs to check out Uptown Social Magazine– get a subscription as soon as possible. They’ll be running an article this week on German travel……it’s haute and if anyone is headed there, (after all, it is once again the mecca for fashion in Eastern Europe), you’ll need the insider information that will be provided! Well Blueprint for Style has lots to say but, we try to balance that with what we think you, the reader, wants to hear. With so much

2009/07/13

The Best Personal Style Possible – Summer Skin!!

(Guys and gals) Read on — you’re wondering why a style blog is talking about beauty BUT a large part of presenting the ‘best’ you is about presenting your best ‘game face’…..after all, it is the first thing people see when they see you! I consulted with the owner of Skin Beauty Lounge, an upscale spa in the Capitol Hill area of Washington, DC and she had this information to share about how to weatherproof your skin for summer:

2009/07/10

1stdibs – A Site for All Things Couture & Vintage

If you are a collector (or just a lover) of all things vintage, rare, couture, and/or collectible then head to 1stdibs and check out the clothing, jewelry and watches, and furniture, lighting and decor! While you’re there bookmark the page – they get new listings often!! .

2009/07/09

Ongoing Discussion: What Is Fashion? What Is Style?

I have often used the words “fashion” and “style” interchangeably but, I’m not sure they mean the same thing….or do they? The Fairchild Dictionary of Fashion says fashion is, “a sociocultural phenomenon in which a preference is shared by a large number of people of a particular style that last for a relatively short period time, and then is replaced by another style…“. Fairchild defines style as, “in fashion, an individual and distinctive type of dress, coat, blouse, or other

2009/07/09

Our Blog

News, Articles & More

The Comeback of Cash or Perhaps the Cache of Cash

Men It’s Time!

It’s Men’s Week!

Next Week: The Men Have It

SHOE-bee-doo-bee-doo!

Winner of Contest #1

SHOE-string Budget: Shoes Under $100

Shoe I Stay or Shoe I Go?!

10 of the Most Expensive Men’s Shoes in the World

Kicking Off Shoe Week: Let Me Count the Ways in Which I Love Thee!

“Business” Attire & Dressing for Success

Featured Designer: Tabitha Simmons

Swim-suitability….

“IF” I Had $2,000, Here’s What I’d Get!

Jeans–Need We Say More?!

“IF” I Had $2,000, What Would I Get?

Can Animal Print Be Tamed?

Top 5 Rules of Leisurewear

How To: Move From the Latest Fashion Trend to Classic Style

Style for the More ‘Bountiful’ Beauties

Bomber Jacket – A “I-Gotta-Get-This”!!

So Much to Share, So Little Time!

The Best Personal Style Possible – Summer Skin!!

1stdibs – A Site for All Things Couture & Vintage

Ongoing Discussion: What Is Fashion? What Is Style?

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