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Style is About Choice & Confidence

Style, much like other things in life, is about choice….and confidence but let’s deal with choice first. Flats or heels. Black or camel. Pants or dress. Plaid or plain. Crazy thing is, we’re often defined by the choices we make and nowhere is that more evident than in fashion.  The media spends countless dollars and resources to highlight celebrity highs and lows; and retailers blow millions to get high profile players to endorse their products. And then there’s taste….which is wholly

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Oscar de la Renta Shoppers Spend The Most!

In a time when fiscal responsibility is being heavily pushed, it’s a surprise to find that the average shopper racks up a whopping $3,217 tally at Oscar de la Renta (obviously the recession isn’t affecting everyone). Bundle compiled data received from Citi and the picture provides a look at the top 25 shops in the US that have the highest cash register ring totals! Oscar de la Renta’s New York shoppers spent an eye-popping $3,217  which shouldn’t be hard to believe

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6 Things We Want to Share

It’s almost September again and the fashion magazines’ September issues are out this week! Check out the Battle of the September Issues for what’s hot and noteworthy for fall. THE LUST ITEM for fall footwear is definitely a pair of Miu Miu sparkly booties. They’re just so pretty! A happy  belated birthday to the late/great Coco Chanel! (born August 19, 1883 in Saumur, France) Today and always we celebrate her influence on the fashion world including the infamous scent of Chanel

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For the Month of August….

Fashion dictates that this month’s ‘flash forward‘ is all about….summer and fall (duh!) Summer weather is in full effect (I know because I’m trying to train for a half marathon and the 90+ degree days with humidity are not cool), but retailers are focused on clearing out inventory. Wonderful news for you – – – head to the stores now and (1) price the items you want, (2) purchase anything that is on sale with 50% or more [because while

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Who’s That Girl?

Blueprint for Style has interns….two!  They are both fabulous young ladies who are stylish and fashion-forward in their own right – – – albeit, neither are the same as me, that’s what makes their posts and insights so refreshing.  I wanted to take the time to introduce them and give them their ‘propers’ because they work hard…. The first one to be profiled is Donna who tweets as FearlessBfS and is, in my estimation, a contemporary reincarnation of Madonna back in

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Just In Case You Missed It…..

Here’s a quick recap of the best posts to check out from July: Jewelry Designer, Leighelena, and her giveaway (running thru August 7th) What to Wear When It’s Hot-as-Hell Outside (Men) The Power Blue Blazer Designer, Brunello Cucinelli‘s Fall 2012 Collection (Men) The Ultimate Sex Shake (Men) GQ Wedding Rules (Men) THE Best Shoe for Fall My friend, Alesya, Launches Her Bag Collection

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Mid-Year Style Slump

Every year around this time, I get a little antsy and a lot bored with what’s going on in stores and by designers.  We’re at that inflection point where we’re deep into summer heat typically but the stores are fairly low on hot weather clothing, and many of us are thinking about fall but not ready to look at the heavier items that are popping up in the magazines/stores/online.  What do we do for inspiration? What do we focus our

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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

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ShoeDazzle Stylist Photo Shoot!

I’m normally on the other side of the camera, so this day long photo shoot for ShoeDazzle (done for all of the ShoeDazzle stylists) was a blast!  Everyone says I never show photos of myself so I wanted to share these different looks — enjoy!

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Sleepless from Not Being in Seattle

I’m not sure if you know this, but I used to live in Seattle….for about five years.  While there, I learned many things including how an entire city could empty out to head to the water or mountains and — how to down a dozen donuts in record time!  Yes, I said a dozen, freshly made donuts…. in Pike Place Market.  They come in a brown paper bag and come adorned with your choice of toppings (mine is sugar, of

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Deal of the Day: Art Deco Earrings

This jewelry is one of its kind…for its creativity and vintage feel not to mention the distinctive design.  The designer, Lulu Frost, is no stranger to old world charm, thus no surprise that these earrings are a fabulosu tribute to vintage style, femininity and contemporary design.  These Art Deco Earrings #18 are approximately 1 inch wide and 2.5 inches long – – – perfect to dress up or to show off everyday with your power suit!

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Item of the Week: Chocolate

I’m not a chocolate connoisseur…simply a lover of chocolate with something else!  Sweeteeth, based in Charleston, SC, more than satisfies my desires (and that’s not so easy)!  While they have several items to choose from the PB&C (peanut butter & chipotle) is a piece of heaven.  The PB&C is a mix of grown-up peanut butter, chipotle peppers, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and pink Himalayan salt.

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6 Things We Want to Share This Week

Wrap yourselves up in lightweight scarves this spring!  These lightweight versions will give your outfit a put-together look, without the heaviness and bulk of your wool winter versions. Recently named GQ’s ‘Best New Menswear Designer in America’, Alexander Wang designs a menswear collection featuring tracksuit pants and leather shorts!  Can’t wait to see it in the fall! Live in denial with us over the unfortunate cool weather and browse Glamour’s Shop-A-Matic, which features 120 pretty spring dresses to get you

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Stop ‘White’ Here! The Classic White Button-Down Amped Up!

See that white button-down in your closet? This is one of the most classic and versatile items of clothing that every fashionista should own! It is an excellent piece which can instantly be styled in various ways that you may have never tried – from dress pants to jeans or shorts to any kind of skirt or dress. Although there are a diverse number of ways to go about this item, many people tend to get stuck in the rut

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6 Things We Want to Share This Week

Style icon Elizabeth Taylor passed away this week, but her distinct style will live on forever.  We celebrate her flair for all things fabulous–including her impressive jewelry collection (“Big girls need big diamonds!”), great accessories and plunging necklines The biggest hairstyle trend for this spring/summer is “hair to one side” either in a messy bun or a ponytail. It’s easy and great for warmer weather and any type of hair; just use styling products to sleek your hair over to

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Comparing Women’s Style Magazines

Earlier this week, we took a look at the top men’s style magazines and provided our assessment of who should read what, and what they’re about.  Now it’s the ladies turn – read all about the best known owmen’s fashion and style magazines and learn which is the best one for you if you prefer cultural perspectives, strict love of fashion and clothes, insider information on ways to save on looking fabulous, etc. Afterwards, share your favorites with us….and we’ll

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FYI….A New Brioni

Alessandro Dell’Acqua has recently taken over the reins as creative director of Brioni Womenswear, “I feel extremely proud of the trust and esteem that has been shown to me by Brioni.” (brioni.com)  The designer’s first collection combines feminine fabrication with clean, tailored lines…reminiscence of the label’s menswear heritage.  Think… Neutrals – camel, cream and black Poppy red (color of the season) Weighty gold chains with horn pendants Strappy flat sandals with an earthy edge

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Happy Valentine’s Day

I am admittedly not a fan of this made-up holiday, but I know several people are so Happy Valentine’s Day!  Let me suggest, however, that instead of buying flowers that will wilt too soon or candy that will stay in the wrong places for longer than you’d like, opt for a simpler message: love yourself enough to make yourself feel good, adn then you can ask others to follow suit!

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6 Things We Want to Share This Week

Everyone is talking horizontal stripes after Hailee Steinfeld wore an attention-grabbing striped Prada dress to the Screen Actors Guild Awards AND it’s one of spring’s biggest trends! Say “So long!” to the skinny jean and “Hello!” to high-waisted 70’s inspired flares Fall 2011 trend alert you can start wearing NOW to be super cool yet stay cozy warm: untraditional layers! We’re loving Olivia Palermo in a bright orange blazer–she’s starting ready for a chilly evening in early spring with this

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Top Luxury Fashion Designers

Just Luxe just released it’s list of Best Fashion Designers.  The editor’s list included: Donatella Versace Diane von Furstenberg Tom Ford Alexander McQueen Stefano and Domenico (D&G) Zac Posen Coco Chanel Karl Lagerfeld Marc Jacobs Stella McCartney Are any of these on your list?

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6 Things We Want to Share This Week

Stores and retailers are getting ready for spring already.  Are you? Transition from winter to spring with a colorful sweater. If you scale back on pedis, manis and waxing during the winter, plan to kick it back into high gear now as it takes about two to three months to get back to the norm! My favorite online retailer right now is ApartStyle … for great ‘basically fabulous’ pieces. Spruce up the “jeans & tee” uniform with statement jewelry (think chunky

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6 Things We Want to Share This Week

We’re almost two weeks away from New York Fashion Week (NYFW) and Blueprint for Style will be providing insights and trends to go from runway to walkway. Accessories are still the glue that holds your outfit together and kicks it into high gear. This winter has been harsh especially on the East Coast, so opt for a fabulous facial moisturizer like June Jacobs Age Defying Copper Complex. Winter is the perfect time to get colorful with your overcoat. You need boots

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V-D is Coming Soon!

Yes, indeed Valentine’s Day is around the corner and although I am not a big proponent of this “fictitious” Holiday, it seems as though I must acquiesce because everyone else it.  In all fairness though, it’s mostly the girls that like this Holiday — I’m with the guys on this one…..”what’s the big deal?” So, I’ve made a decision to “repurpose” the Holiday! Instead of focusing on getting roses that wilt too fast, or candy that adds unnecessary stress to

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