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

Week Four Dazzlers

OMG – I can’t believe we forgot to make the announcement of who won two pair of ShoeDazzle shoes on Friday! Every week in July, Blueprint for Style in conjunction with ShoeDazzle is giving away two pair of shoes to two lucky winners! Friday’s winners were…. @AngeButterfly~ Angie is a shopaholic and a girly girl..and now ready to join the ShoeDazzle and Blueprint for Style family! @ladyboarder9669 ~ Cindy is into all things fashion and beauty and, of course, snowboarding!

2011/07/25

6 Things We Want to Share This Week!

As if Olsen Twins’ line The Row hasn’t gotten enough recognition and grown tremendously, they’ve just designed cashmere, plaid, and herringbone versions of Toms shoes! Quite cozy and comfy for the fall season to come, snag yours now! Karl Lagerfeld has already collaborated with clothing lines like Diesel and H&M, so it will be no surprise when his affordable collection for Macy’s sells out. The first photograph appears in the August issue of Vogue – a simple $109 floral dress. Kanye

2011/07/23

Best Swim Coverups

It’s summer – we’re all hot (especially if you’re on the East Coast right now) – a beach or pool is calling your name – and you want to answer! Do, but once you’re done be prepared by stepping out of the pool in style with these fabulous swim coverups. Perfect to Cover Up Your Mid-section

2011/07/22

Five Libido Killers!

Salt – high blood pressure can cause erectile dysfunction according to a recent study from Tulane University Soy – the bean’s esotrogenic properties decrease testosterone level according to a Harvard study Canned Food – cans have a lining with BPA. Men exposed to BOA are 4x more likely to report erectile dysfunction Trans Fats – major no-no for cardiovascular health upon which successful erections are dependent Sugar – after a blood-sugar spike, testosterone levels decrease by almost 25% according to

2011/07/22

The Best Email Ever!

Thank you to Yahoo! Mail for sponsoring this post about staying connected. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do. Where were you when you received the best email ever? What was that email about? Mine was back in early 1993 when the concept of email was still slightly obscure if not outright “strange”. And it was slightly anti-climatic as well. I had just graduated from the University of

2011/07/21

70’s Iconic Look

Minimalist (note hair and jewelry too) Easy Glam Feminine Billowy Tops (read romantic, sophisticated) Wide-leg Trousers

2011/07/21

Gentlmen Start Your Engines….

Here are the top virility boosters: Dark chocolate ~ loaded with flavonoids that dilate your arteries Garlic ~ increases nitric oxide production Ginger ~ improves blood flow Pistachios ~ high in arginine which increases nitric oxide production Nutmeg ~ contains myristic acid which stimulates production of nitric oxide Oysters ~ richest dietary source of zinc which improves blood flow

2011/07/21

Designer Brunello Cucinelli’s Fall 2012 Collection

Brunello Cucinelli has long been my most favorite designer: the use of fabrics, the feminine and soft lines that caress and highlight the body, the edgy use of layering, and the rich textures and contrasts are all trademark Brunello. Here’s a glimpse of his ready-to-wear collection. The countryside of Umbria is where Brunello Cucinelli calls home…more specifically, a restored 14th century castle in Solomeo, Italy. This collection was inspired by cashmere and has expanded beyond the initial coveted cashmere to include designs for

2011/07/20

The Ultimate Sex Shake

The American Journal of Cardiology did a recent study that found you can improve your erectile function by consuming more omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, calcium, folic acid and foods that boost testosterone (dah!), so we caught wind of this recipe from Details Magazine and had to share: 1 cup blueberries 1 whole frozen banana 1 tbsp ground flaxseed ½ cup plain yogurt ½ cup whole milk 1 tbsp spirulina powder (type of algae) Blend it and then…get it on! Here’s

2011/07/20

Back-to-School Must-Have Fall Accessories

Blueprint for Style recently contributed to Wendy Rose Gould‘s terrific sneak peek at the must-have back-to-school fall accessories. Click the pic to read all about what’s hot and in for the colorfully confident chiquita this fall on typeF, a Tyra Banks endeavor!

2011/07/19

Sorry To Talk Fall But You’re Going to Love This!

It’s 100+ degrees in the Washington, DC area so the ideal of looking at anything for fall (or anything that would add to the already scorching heat sounds ludicrous), but you’ve got to see this hooded moto jacket by A.L.C. The detachable canvas hood means you can go weekend to weekday date; the ox blood color is what’s hot this fall; and the slash pockets, zipper cuffs and epaulets add the edge to chic.

2011/07/19

Sex & Style

When was the last time you spotted a gentlemen sans swagger, sex appeal, or confidence and thought, “He’s hot!”? Keep thinking…. I’m sure you’ll conclude as I did that it was a rarity if that. Fashion and style are inextricably intertwined to sex, and while I cannot hypothesize which one came first, I can say with certainty that an okay man with a bit of swagger and sex appeal usually catches my eye well before the dapper don without ‘umph’.

2011/07/19

Week Three Dazzlers!

Every week in July, Blueprint for Style in conjunction with ShoeDazzle is giving away two pair of shoes to two lucky winners! This week’s winners are…. @SS_Dal~ a super positive Texan tweeter! @SmplyDab ~ a BIG tweeter & mom (200,000+ tweets) who’s up on all the giveaways BUT – – it’s not over…you have four more chances! You can still be entered to win just do the following: Tell us how many pairs of summer shoes you own Subscribe to Blueprint

2011/07/15

GQs Wedding Rules

GQ provided this list of new wedding rules – and we love them! Wedding Rule Do’s

2011/07/15

Get Fingerprinted!

Yves Saint Laurent cuff Yves Saint Laurent, gold-toned metal cuff with fingerprint detail; uneven edge at mytheresa.com ($355). Style notes: we love it because cuffs are all-the-rage right now, it can dress up any jeans-and-tee combo, and sets off your LBD too!

2011/07/14

Wedding Sucker!

Seersucker is a southern gentlemen staple, but let’s bring it north. This is very rakish but choose to tone it down with socks, sans suspenders, and sueded brogues or structured boat shoes. Again, “What do I wear for my friend’s Hampton wedding?” – – we love this! Note: Suit, $548 by Tommy Hilfiger. Shirt, $40 by Lands’ End Canvas. Bow tie, $30 by Gilbert & Lewis. Suspenders, $22 by Topman. Sunglasses, $255 by Moscot. Shoes, $89 by G.H. Bass &

2011/07/14

Now You See Them, Now You Don’t!

Line & Dot tank, $70 Hips can be a problem area for ladies, so as the nice weather continues, opt for a top with a kerchief cut or one that hits above the hips to focus attention on the smallest area!

2011/07/14

Men’s Wedding Winner!

It’s wedding season and all the gents are asking “What should I wear?” This medium brown suit is sweet – – the light blue shirt and plaid pocket square finish it off. There are lots of shoe options, but the spectators pictured are haute! Note: Suit, $1,850, and shirt, $355 by Gucci. Tie, $125 by Eton of Sweden. Shoes, $198 by Cole Haan. Socks by Falke. Pocket square by Lands’ End Canvas. Watch by IWC

2011/07/13

‘Trim the Tummy’ Trick

Opt for a top that plays with horizontal and diagonal lines (forget what you heard about horizontal lines being the devil), and create a waist because it simultaneously minimizes the stomach area! Option two is colorblocking tops; and option three is going for color in the middle and darker colors on the outside panels – – whaa lah!

2011/07/13

Best Shoes for Fall

Alexander McQueen brogues Available at Matches Fashion Dark brown punched leather Lace up with leather interior and sole Style Notes: adds tailored finish to any suiting, or works with casual Friday/off-duty wear

2011/07/12

What Does Every Blogger Need?

A Sonystyle Bloggie Touch Camera! I got mine and went crazy….with a 3.0″ touch screen, 12.8 megapixel still camera and web-friendly 1080p HD video, I had a slice of heaven. In a shade of hot pink (so fem!), I was ready for anything during a recent jaunt to Italy (stay tuned for a cool video). Every blogger needs one for quick moments of inspiration, or to video a fabulous runway show, or simply to capture a flash of fashion whimsy. Starting at

2011/07/11

6 Things We Want to Share This Week

Still lusting for stylish finds under $100 then click here for accessories, clothing, and bits n’ baubles that will leave you sitting pretty and your wallet feeling plump! For those of us who wear specs but also understand the charm of a woman with brains, Kate Spade Rebecca readers are ideal. We’re diehard Converse fans, but these Warrior Classic sneakers are fun (and come in blue or red) and only $35. [They’re only available for another 3 days, 2 hours] Signe Vilstrup

2011/07/09

Week Two Dazzlers!

Every week in July, Blueprint for Style in conjunction with ShoeDazzle is giving away two pair of shoes to two lucky winners! This week’s winners are…. @msmorev ~ is a music enthusiast, tech gadget fan, fashion & style obsessed, and a honest & loving mom! @MissingLynxx ~ is an artist/writer/curious cat/fashionista/beauty lover/blogger/chicgeek BUT – – it’s not over…you have the ENTIRE MONTH! You can still be entered to win just do the following: Tell us how many pairs of summer shoes you

2011/07/08

The Divisive Simplicity of Email Love

Thank you to Yahoo! Mail for sponsoring this post about staying connected. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do. When did email become such a big deal? Such an integral part of our everyday professional (and personal) lives? When did it become okay to send job offers via email isntead of snail mail, or “it’s not you, it’s me” communciations electronically? For me, there are still a few

2011/07/08

The Shoes of Resort 2012

Not many of us have use for resort shoes….truth be told, I have a difficult time just separating my summer shoes from spring, and fall/winter collections. But these sure are fun to look at… enjoy compliments of Fashionologie! [nggallery id=57]

2011/07/08

Our Blog

News, Articles & More

Week Four Dazzlers

6 Things We Want to Share This Week!

Best Swim Coverups

Five Libido Killers!

The Best Email Ever!

70’s Iconic Look

Gentlmen Start Your Engines….

Designer Brunello Cucinelli’s Fall 2012 Collection

The Ultimate Sex Shake

Back-to-School Must-Have Fall Accessories

Sorry To Talk Fall But You’re Going to Love This!

Sex & Style

Week Three Dazzlers!

GQs Wedding Rules

Get Fingerprinted!

Wedding Sucker!

Now You See Them, Now You Don’t!

Men’s Wedding Winner!

‘Trim the Tummy’ Trick

Best Shoes for Fall

What Does Every Blogger Need?

6 Things We Want to Share This Week

Week Two Dazzlers!

The Divisive Simplicity of Email Love

The Shoes of Resort 2012