Fashion Fun- Paper Dolls for grown-ups?

I used to be a paper doll fanatic. Not only did I buy paper dolls and painstakingly cut them all out, but I also made my own. But these days I don't have time for those... But I'm reminded of my old paper dolls by a number of tools which can be used to shop and play virtual dress-up at the same time. These awesome tools serve a number of purposes. First- they are just fun to play with. Secondly- it can be hard to visualize outfits when you're shopping, so this makes it easier to see how things might work with other items or with items similar to ones you already own.

So what are these fantastic programs?
The first which I remember finding a few years ago is MyVirtualModel. Its a cool program because you can create a sim that looks like you and then see exactly how you will look in something. The downsides are that there are limited companies that use this program and some of them are hard to use. My favorite is the MVM for H&M...
Also available from MyVirtualModel is Adidas, Lands End, and Sears.
The Adidas site is good for work out clothing, but a little difficult to mix and match clothing between collections. Sears and Lands End are not very fashion forward and not worth the trouble. Hopefully we'll see more companies adopt this program. Another problem is that its almost impossible to layer clothing on this program.

But my favorite web site is.... Polyvore! On Polyvore you can browse thousands of clothes and accessories and drag and resize things to create outfits. It is easy to layer and find lots of items from different stores. You can even use their clipper program to import items from sites not already included. And each item has a click through link if you want to buy it! Lots of people save and publish their "sets". A few companies and magazines also hold themed contests. Here are a few screen shots...

So what are you waiting for? Go check it out and play! (See how I'm using that yellow?! =D)

I'm mellow over yellow...

It seems like yellow is a big deal this season. But I'm not really that crazy about it. I never have been, I have a (possibly irrational) belief that it doesn't look good on my skin. Whether this is true or not, I still can't get past it. But I have to admit that yellow makes the biggest statement. A yellow bag or shoe really stands out and catches the eye. One yellow sighting that really caught me was Hayden Panettiere's ad for Dooney and Bourke. The bright bag really draws you in and makes you want it (or just to look like Hayden). Some people do look amazing in yellow from dresses to tops and bottoms. For example...
1. Denise Richards is radiant in this color, 2. Hayden's Dooney and Bourke ad, 3. Eva Mendes goes bold, 4. Thandi Newton is gorgeous, 5. Hilary Duff looks charming in this mini dress.

However, if I did happen to wear yellow. These are some pieces I would go for...1. I love this light colored Zephyr Top with flutter sleeves from Anthropologie, $29.95. 2. Simple but lovely, is the Coti Dress by Shumaq. You can find it at CoutureCandy, $225. 3. My favorite thing about this Kersh Cardigan is it's puffy short sleeves. It's cute for spring and is such a neutral buttery color that maybe even I could wear it, $15. 4. A coat by Kushcush that is raw silk and has beautiful vintage feel. Also from CoutureCandy, $428. 5. This Lux Christiane Mini from Urban Outfitters is a bold color, it will definitely brighten up any plain white top, $24.99.

But if you're like me and don't think it looks good next to your skin, maybe use it to accessorize? Below are some of my favorites, in a variety of price ranges.
1. Love, love, love this style. I think I would also like them in white, but this color is pretty devine. Secreted Away Heels from Anthropologie, $178. 2. The nice thing about this Designer Details Citrine Hoop Necklace is that you can add some yellow to your look without it being too much, $15. 3. I love this modern looking Concave Enamel Ring, $3.99. 4. A strappy sandal is a great thing to have when you're going to be prancing on sand or grass, heels are just too much of a pain on soft surfaces. Patent is in (as well as yellow), so get these Liz Gladiator Sandals by Isaac Mizrahi for Target, $24.99. 5. Carla Mancini's beautiful yellow Small Clutch is made with Italian leather and definitely "pops" at CoutureCandy, $194. 6. A simple accessory such as the Windowpane Headband from Anthropologie can perk up any outfit without much fuss, $28.

Swimsuit Season is coming, oh my!

I was recently reminded that there is a sun which gives off warmth and light when San Francisco had a strange weekend heat wave. Heat and impending summer seems to make people think about the beach and therefore swimsuits. Every women's magazine is beginning to feature the "Hottest Swimsuits of the Season", "Suits for your Body", and "Get ready to conquer your Bikini by working out 5 minutes a day!" articles. I believe we all see these every season...but I've started to think there is more to swim wear then bikinis. My new favorite for the title of sexiest swim wear would definitely be the monokini.

Such as this one from BECCA swim.
The cutout make it less revealing then a bikini
(especially if you're insecure about your stomach),
but it is more aesthetically pleasing.




It seems the the cute floral thing is in as well. I love
this suit by Betsey Johnson and it would look great
with a flowy white cover-up and leather sandals.





For a less expensive option you should try Target.
They have a fairly good selection of monokinis, all in
the $30 range.





Although they have a limited selection, dELiA*s offers
monokinis especially for those with a long torso. They do
have a a great selection of solid colors, although only a few styles to choose from.






Well thats all for now. Stay tuned as I find my favorite suits in other styles and great accessories to go along with them!

Props to Coco Chanel

Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only.
Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.

-Coco Chanel

I feel this quote epitomizes what I want my blog to say about fashion. I believe Coco Chanel had it right when she said this. I too believe that fashion goes beyond clothes. It is in the way you do things, the way you live. You can live a fashionable life like Audrey Hepburn, or you can lead a horrifically unfashionable life like Britney Spears. It is more then your purse, it is what you carry in your purse. It is more than who you know, but how you treat those you know. Being fashionable should ultimately mean you are your best person possible.

That being said, I would like to talk a little about my ideas for my blog. I have a lot of ideas for it which I'm sure will solidify and become clearer as I go along. Ultimately I would like to have a quality post per day, whether it be opinions, great finds, reviews, or interviews. Right now I am just aiming for 2-3 entries a week, because this is a new experience and I am busy with school and trying to build an acting career.

So please, if you come across my site...comment, click on things, drop me a line, send me your website. I look forward to meeting you!