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Winter Style Tip

Forget trying to hold it together in the middle of the winter blues — for instant chicness, simply belt your coat!  A few belt options include: J Crew leather equestrian belt, $29.50 (equestrian brown, approx 1-inch, brass metal ware)..,my favorite! ASOS metal keeper skinny belt, $8.62 (tan, approx 3/4-inch, brass metal ware) J Crew oval buckle belt, $29.50 (multiple colors, approx 1/2-inch, nickle metal ware) Aldo offard skinny belt, $20 (black, approx 1/2-inch, silver metal ware)

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Red Hot, Recession-proof Handbag

  What? Furla Aster Metal Struzzo Satchel Where? Guiltlesspurse Color? Red leather Price? $372.50 (regularly $745) Worth the Spend? Yes! Why? It’s the perfect color red to wear with all black work suit…or to rock with a camel shirtdress on Saturday…or some jeans and white shirt with a tartan plaid wide belt.  Versatile, edgy, chic and colorful!!

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Fashionably Fun!

Today’s fashion find happens to be fashionably fun as well…..this Elie Tahari Julia driver is $124 at Zappos Couture! Petal-like embellishment Soft patent leather upper with leather lining and insole Rubber driver sole Comes with a dust bag Beautiful saffron color will make any day just a tab bit brighter!

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Jewelry MADE for You

I have a few of their pieces from their Laced collection but, MADEJewelry had just come out with another collection.  In honor of some terrific jewelry, Blueprint for Style is featuring 4 pieces from their most recent collection, Love & Hate. Be Me (Bracelet, $42 $29.40) Black satin ribbon, silver-plated links, gunmetal chain, silver-plated chain. Length 8″  Hate Me (Necklace, $58 $40.60) Black satin ribbon, silver-plated  links, gunmetal chain, silver-plated chain. Length 28″

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One Love-ly Sabrina Love Handbag!

Sabrina Love handbags are from their namesake Sabrina Love whose background is in fashion styling and costume design.  While over in Europe, she honed her love for supple leather and came back to the US to realize her vision.  Her purses and handbags represent the best in Italian lamb leather and imported hardware. If you haven’t heard of Sabrina Love, shame on you but know that these handbags have been featured in publications from In Style to Daily Candy to Lucky. They can be

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Because Black is a Basic

I have been on the proverbial ‘hunt’ for a basic black flat shoe that would not look basic, could be worn across several occasions including everyday, wasn’t too plain that I got bored, but wasn’t too over-the-top that it lost the ‘basic’ feel, and didn’t cost a ton because undoubtedly next season I’d want something different…all to no avail until now! On Shoes.com, I found an adorable black flat shoe by Seychelles, the Petticoat for $62 ($82.65 less 25% using

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An Inflated Pump!

When I saw this shoe, I fell in love for lots of reasons (see below) but was quickly dealt a harsh blow when I caught a glimpse of the price!!  But for those in the monochromatic family — this shoe is absolutely perfect with everything you own!! Color: the black, anthracite, and grey block coloring is blended perfectly and increases its wearability Heel: high enough to be versatile but substantial enough for those who may occasionally falter in the stiletto Material: suede means I

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Red Hot Chili Peppers!

That’s what these shoes represent….thus the color name, “chili”!  Fire engine red is just a little too much to rock on a regular but, the more subdued chili can be the stylish woman’s version. Style Notes:  the Taneala Pump is complete pepper — chili-colored patent leather pump, cork-covered platform, and contrasting black heel! Price: $96 Why? Every woman should cater to her inner-hussy on occasion and these shoes make it simple!  Our ode to Hester Prynne and her scarlet letter…. Think ahead: A perfect Valentines’s

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Jump Through Hoops for These Hoops

Designer: Traci Lynn (hoops) Style Notes: pierced hoops; diamonds on the outside and the front inside (so all the bling shows!); silver metalware Price: $45 Why?  They are perfect for everyday and for “After 5” occasions…and until you can grab the real thing “fake it til you make it’!

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Look Haute…and Stay Warm!

These cute booties are the perfect combination of style, rugged chic and function!  Think — stroll through the park in the middle of February or a Saturday afternoon outing where you will need to do more than house-to-car and car-to-function walking.  They have a haute high heel, a shearling lining to ensure your pedicured toes are safe and warm, and little detailing like constrast stitching and dark brown trim to stay fashionable. What more could you ask for?  And at only

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Try and Wrap Your Arms Around This..or Get Your Neck Wrapped

This necklace by Fallon is Laura Ashley meets Cindy Lauper….and we love it!  The pearls, chains, and charms all come together in the perfect storm so that any jean or black outfit is ready to get rocker chic!  It’s called the mixed deadly pearl necklace, has been spotted on Rihanna (as if you needed a reason), and is running $176.

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Head Over Heels About this OTK

I admit….I am not a big fan of OTKs (or over-the-knee boots) but, this flat, thigh-high Stuart Weitzman boot has the makings of something beautiful.  Given my recent traveling especially from moderate climates to colder temperatures, these are ideal! Style Notes: 1-inch stacked heel; rubber sole (read: no slipping); 25-inch shaft; 20-inch plus leg circumference for those blessed with more thigh than a little; and back elastic for even more flexibility Designer: Stuart Weitzman Price: on sale for $455 (and

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The Charm of Simplicity

Nugget necklace in black hematite (also comes in silver and brushed gold) Style Notes: The necklace is hematite plated beads using a black satin cord, and rests just at the breastbone which makes it ideal for most button-down shirts Designer: Sequin which is known for fun and contemporary jewelry that covers a range of occasions Price: $42 Or kick it up a notch with ‘diamonds and pearls’ with this Braided chain also by Sequin Style Notes: a little heavier and

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Jewelry Basics

How do we get most of our jewelry: personal purchases or gifts?  With a few exceptions (Ivanka Trump would be one…), over 85% of women get their jewelry through personal purchases.  Blueprint has put together a few tips on how to go about jewelry hunting, what to look for, where to go, and how to make it work. First….is your jewelry purchase about accenting an outfit or adding to your collection?  The answer to this question tells us whether we

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New Years Partying Calls for a Clutch

No handbag or shoulder tote….you need to have room to carry just enough (lipstick, breath mints, cellular, blotting paper & a few business cards).   And this purse by Kooba, available at Guiltless Purse, is ideal — mirrored silver leather, an inner zipper pocket, and 11 inches and 1.5 inches deep so nothing bulges. It’s running $200 but I’m sure I can help you secure it for less if you want it.  Click here…

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Shoes as Art…..

Name: Guillaume Hinfray Medium: Sexy and sculptured shoes Seen where: On pedicured and well-heeled feet across the land…. ( Now: at Gilt Groupe Why: 2010 should be about “investing” in style not blowing money on trendy fashions…and everyone knows art is a terrific investment so why not get excited with ‘every little step you take’?!  This is a former footwear designer for Bottega Veneta and Ferragamo…..how much more do we need to say? Price: $200 is the mean

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What’s Chic and Sophisticated about a Dirty Purse?

The answer is simple: nothing!  Yet many of us are quick to leave our expensive little but sometimes big investments on the ground without concern…tsk tsk tsk. Well the problem is solved with the quick purchase of a purse hanger (or bag holder) like the one from Luxe Link.  The one pictured is the Penelope ($21) but, no fear if this design doesn’t appeal to you because there are tons more where that came from.  With prices ranging from $21 to $25

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Watch the Good Times Roll

Vivre made this wonderful leather watch roll ($175); pieces are safe and secure in this ostrich-textured calf leather jewelry/watch roll with an interior made of Alcantara suede. Holds up to three watches and comes in several combinations (camel/camel lining, beige/cream lining, turquoise/cream lining or black/black lining). For the traveling man…with time to spare!

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Don’t Let This Clutch Slither Past You

  Vivre has this little eggplant python clutch by Sang A on sale (also in chocolate).  The crescent-shaped masterpiece has a folded-over closure anchored with an ebony-toned horn button.  Because it’s handmade (of course), it’ll take a few weeks to order so, get on it. ‘Nuff said…

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Hard-core Bootie with a Soft Touch

I am an openly vocal detractor of the ubiquitous “bootie” but I love, love, love this nubuck suede camel bootie by No.6 ($345).  It is everything rough and tough, chic and edgy, versatile and classy, and completely wearable with jeans, leggings, skirt (I’d recommend tights as well), or a boho dress. The hefty wood heel makes it ready for colder weather, the color keeps it from looking to “heavy” even with a skirt, the grommet hardware makes it tough, the adjustable

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Giving Shade to the other Sunglasses

Blueprint for Style believes style dollars should not be blown on items that can either by sat on and destroyed, or dropped between a car seat and lost forever.  With that said, I am a lover of sunglasses that have panache, great coloring, complimentary shapes, and wonderful coverage….Oliver Peoples, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Costume National, and Tom Ford are stellar examples! Right now, Tom Ford sunglasses are on sale at Beyond the Rackand although the price tag is pricey at

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The Beauty of Casadei

This camel suede cork boot by Casadei ($487) is perfection for fall!  The color is wearable with anything – the 4 3/4- inch heel is sexy – the drawstring detail above the ankle makes it easy to go casual – and the cork heel says “not your everyday boot”. I am feeling this boot — [close your eyes] imagine a long full jean skirt with contrast stitching, opened camel-colored cardigan with a ruffle-front red and blue blouse with a wide brown suede belt

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Tough Luck & Tough Chic

This belt, found at Topshop($80), is a terrific find if you’re interested in the ‘tough chic’ look that is popular this fall.  This belt can be worn with jeans and a plain white shirt, or add it to an open long cardigan to ensure you’re not looking like a Talbots poster child, or work it with a fitted top and long skirt to keep ’em guessing! It’s a great deal at $80 and it allows you to get into the

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Boot Hauteness

This Michael Kors boot is $248 — this grey and black 4-inch platform heel is stellar.  And I’m excited to scoop it….at Gilt Groupe!

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Basic Black Shoes

Today is the last day to take advantage of 15% your entire Shoes.com purchase using promo code TAKE15.  I do not shop shoes.com regularly because, frankly, there are too many shoes and, even more frankly, too many bad shoes but once in a while, you can find something very worthwhile. I love, love, love these Kenneth Cole black patent flats — they are flat and friendly; they are shiny and dress-up well; they are simple and thus are more versatile; and

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