The Style Exchange

Loafing Around

Elle — Fri, 25 May 2012 17:18:38 +0000

I love my new loafers!! (Well, I love the idea of them, they have yet to arrive from ASOS). My favorite part? The gold buckle is a horse! Whimsy and structure meet. Aaaaah-mazing.

ASOS

Asos, Bertie Lexi, Donald J. Pliner

I love how femininity meets androgyny with the loafer, as compared to the purely lady-like ballet flat. It makes a girl look like she knows where she’s going. They make a guy look determined as well, and I do love a determined man.

Conditioner. Body Style

Elle — Fri, 25 May 2012 02:46:20 +0000

New Obsession! First of all, I love LUSH Cosmetics. The smell, the products, the packaging, the mantra, the employees, perfection.

Today I went in to grab a new face mask (they have a shelf life of only 2 weeks, AND you have to keep them refrigerated so they don’t go bad!) and of course they talked me into buying the whole store. I’m part owner these days (they owe it to me). What I left with might be my fave thing yet; Ro’s Body Conditioner. That’s right, like the stuff you use after shampoo to make your hair all soft and lovely, but for your skin. Wash. Slather on. Rinse. Glow. BIG tip: post shave. All the benefits of lotion sans the too-goopy-for-summer feel, plus the scent of rose. Duh.

Denim Lover

Elle — Wed, 23 May 2012 02:20:55 +0000

The perfect daytime (and whatever, nighttime too) jacket? The jean jacket. By far. Throw over a cute shiny dress to tone it down for shopping. Pair it with a slightly different colored pair of jeans for an ironically unironic Texas tuxedo (my fave). Even give yesterday’s outfit a twist when you feel uninspired. The denim jacket is my go to, day and night, when it’s a tad too chilly to bare arms or when I want to wear lots of bling to work.

Look from Chicagolooks.blogspot, Cheap Monday

Levi’s (perfect), look from Chicagolooks.blogspot

Speaking of work and weather, just today 5 out of 7 of us girls walked in wearing a denim jacket (you know where we get our inspiration, no?). Obvi, because the temperature floated in the mid-60′s all day!

The Casual Cut Out

Elle — Tue, 22 May 2012 13:44:14 +0000

While People watching in Lincoln Park this weekend I noticed one trend over and over- the cut out dress worn in a blaze of mid-day casual glory. As first glance I saw what I felt should have been worn for a night out with the girls or at some dimly lit lounge. After watching them flood by for a time… I felt the same way. The first pic (Evil Twin) seems casual enough to go anywhere, but I’m not convinced about the cut out’s daytime wearablility.

Dresses by Evil Twin and Miss Selfridge

Dresses from Pixie Market and Sparkle and Fade

Eyewear Trends Jump into the 80′s

Elle — Tue, 22 May 2012 02:17:14 +0000

How do you feel about the new, super trendy, round frames that are popping up on fashionable faces recently? Should they stay in ’86 or make there way into our daily lives?

The Old

Duckie from Pretty In Pink

The New

ASOS round glasses

The Warby Parker Monroe

Vidal Sassoon

Elle — Thu, 10 May 2012 13:30:38 +0000

The ever amazing Vidal Sassoon passed away yesterday at the age of 84. His work has always inspired me, in hair as well as fashion, but he has touched so many.

Curls Too Late

Elle — Thu, 10 May 2012 02:50:26 +0000

Just this morning I was struggling to curl my hair with a flatiron. I have all the right tools and products… but what was I doing wrong?! Well, today at work I find this video in my inbox from Refinery29…

Flatiron Curls

Watch This Video!!! Great tips for easy(ish) curls.

It’s such an easy way to get those seemingly unattainable, sexy, loose curls that so many girls seem to rock these days.

If you are anything like me, your hair wont hold a curl if it is several days old, our hair is way too soft and fine for that. I like to shampoo and lightly condition that morning, and dry it with an arsenal of products for umph and volume.

Right now I’m all about the Aveda and Bumble and Bumble.

I use Volumizing Tonic for a great root boost, then i liberally apply Bb Prep to my ends, Followed by Phomollient to the mid-shaft and ends of my hair. (And this is just for the blowdry).

If you have thicker, or damaged hair, use your favorites, like Bb Tonic and Aveda’s Smooth Infusion Glossing Straightener.

And finally. It’s time to curl! To coat each section before curling my fave hairsprays are Air Control and Does It All. Both are so light and workable, never too strong. And for finishing, other options besides Taylor’s pricey (yet amazing) Moroccan Oil, are Aveda’s Light Elements Smoothing Fluid and Bumble’s Brilliantine.

Pedi Time

Elle — Wed, 09 May 2012 14:26:36 +0000

During a trip to Florida for the weekend I was able to experience a taste of the approaching summer coming to Chicago. Aside from the sunburn and my sudden jorts obsession, I realized that I am completely lacking in the summer shoe department. And the nice looking toes department.

The sandal search begins. I started with Target, Asos (the best part is you never have to leave your couch), and Steven Madden.

Flower platforms from ASOS and Aldo

More prints from Steve Madden and Target

Just a touch of color from Madden Girl and Target.

I’m not complaining here, but it’s hard to get away from platforms. And prints. And brights. But who cares! it’s all so summery and trendy. I especially love the last two picks, featuring just a glance of the colors that make your outfit up-to-date. Easier to wear than the tribal for flower patterns, but never boring. Perf.

Runway to Red (gray) Carpet

Elle — Wed, 09 May 2012 02:51:01 +0000

Here is a wonderful example of taking a runway dress and using it in “real life” (quotes because, let’s face it, a star studded event only qualifies as real life for a select few).

Elizabeth Banks looks modern yet demure in this fabulous Matthew Williams piece. The neckline is in wonderful, unexpected contrast to the cutouts and breakaway hem.

Have We Met?

Elle — Tue, 08 May 2012 14:14:10 +0000

The Costume Institute Met Ball 2012. Theme this year? Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations. I have looked through some of the photos on Style.com and usmgazine. So far, so beautiful.

Camilla Belle In a beautiful Ralph Lauren, But my favorite aspect of the look? The deep purple lip with the light, shimmery dress. Lana Del Rey in Joseph Altuzarra. I love the sheer black cape. So stunning.

My favorite hair inspiration and the newlywed, Carey Mulligan in Prada. Karolina Kurkova in Rachel Zoe. Loving the matching turban! These dresses are some major displays of all that sparkles.

Hey Anja, could your Anthony Vaccarello gown show a little more hip? Mary-Kate’s The Row dress is very nun meets geisha in a very modern way.

Brights!!! The ever stylish Diane Kruger is not a disappointment in this feather adorned Prada. And January Jones wears Versace well.