Accessories

Brim It On

18 May By Natalie Davis-Castro 2 Comments

feminine. sophisticated. summery. mysterious. There’s nothing quite like a sun hat to make a girl feel beautiful, every closet should have one, simplistic and easy to style its a definite staple for the warm weather seasons. With intentions to finally tackle the neon trend I ended up grabbing mine from Tropical Trends. Put on your swimsuit grab a towel and flip flops and you’re ready to hit the beach, be mistaken for a southern belle, or meet your best girlfriend for brunch fully protected from those pesky UV rays.

I do love my Tropical Trends floppy style with a 4-inch brim. It has a self sizing tie to adjust to your head size and is offered in four color variations….all natural with different trim tipping the brim, including black, tea, turquoise and fuchsia. Each trim will be easy to incorporate into your summer closet. On top of all its fashion benefits, it carries the UPF Sun protection factor of 50 plus which is just what today’s savvy women want as added protection to their daily summer outdoor routine! Another great advantage is its pack ability and recovery. It is light weight and bounces back into shape 1-2-3, therefore it can be easily stored in a beach bag or taken away on vacation.

Filed Under: Accessories, Beauty, Spring Trends, Style, Stylist Pick, Summer Trends Tagged With: Natalie Davis-Castro, San Jose Personal Stylist, Summer, Sun Protection, Sunhat, Tropical Trends

Fashion is turning Feline-tastic!

17 May By Ariana Moshref Leave a Comment

felineblogpost Love it, hate it, but you can’t deny it–felines are taking over fashion. You may or may not have noticed the cat craze that is entering the fashion world, but I can guarantee you will soon. Designers have been churning out cat inspired clothing, and stores are taking notice and following suit. Nordstrom, for example, has been featuring feline-centered clothing items. In my quest for cute, affordable clothing at “teenage” stores, I have noticed the cat obsession in full swing. Popular women’s store Brandy Melville has come out with a few cat items, but Urban Outfitters takes the cake. I have noticed cat clothing for both men and women, as well as multiple accessories such as phone cases and head pieces.

So why the feline fixation? Think about it…cats are sleek, sly, dainty, and they do what they please. Sounds a lot like the typical woman, right? Dogs are a man’s best friend, they’re not all that physically consistent. Cats, for example, all are roughly the same size and shape. This makes it easy for designers tomake products such as cat ear headbands. This is why you don’t really see too many dog headbands–because how is a designer supposed to know what shape dog ears the public wants? Additionally, cats are easily distinguishable from their shape, even if they don’t have a face to identify them by. On the other hand, not too many people would be able to differentiate between a husky and a wolf if all they saw was a shape. This is why women are attracted to cats, because they so closely replicate themselves.

Being a bona fide cat lover and person since before I can remember, I can say I think I will be following the feline fashion fad. It’s fun and playful for the summertime. Now let’s just hope my cat doesn’t develop any jealously when he sees me wearing a shirt with a different cat’s face on it!

What are your thoughts on the feline craze? Are you going to sport it, or let this one pass?

Stay Darling!

Filed Under: Accessories, Clothing, Summer Trends Tagged With: cats, Fashion, felines, trends, Urban Darling

RAVE: Alex & Ani Accessories

15 May By Ariana Moshref 1 Comment

raveblog1

I’m the type of gal who does not accessorize much on a daily basis. Aside from a basic pair of stud earrings, my two favorite rings, and my Tiffany heart pendant, I just prefer to spend more of my time and energy perfecting my clothing, rather than my jewelry. The fact that I have found a jewelry company that I love enough to write a blog post praising them says a lot.

Let me introduce you to Alex & Ani, an eco friendly accessories company that claims to give off “positive energy.” It promises that all products are made in the United States from scrap metal materials. The company produces rings, earrings, and necklaces; but my favorite are their bangle bracelets. Each bracelet is adjustable (fits any size wrist without sliding off), and features a unique charm (there are hundreds to choose from). The bracelets are available in both gold and silver, to satisfy anyone’s taste in jewelry–personally, I’m a silver person. There is literally a charm for everyone! They make initial charms, zodiac symbols, sorority charms, sports team logos, and monuments from major cities, just to name a few. Golden Gate Bridge anyone?

One of my favorite parts of the bangles is that they are thin enough to be stacked together and worn all at once. Or, you can wear just one by itself, or with some of your other favorite bracelets. They transition very well from day to night, which is a major plus if you’re going straight from the office to your dinner plans.

The best part about Alex & Ani is the price! The bangles shown in my pictures were all between $24-28 each. Considering the quality and style of each piece, I think that is a steal. The prices do vary, depending on the type of item and the materials used, but everything is very fairly priced.

As far as finding these little gems in the Bay Area, the company is gaining a lot more popularity, which means the bracelets are being sold all over the place. I have gotten some of mine from Nordstrom; they are also sold at Bloomingdales, and I have been seeing them in local boutiques. There is also an Alex & Ani store in San Francisco on Union Street.

Finding new jewelry is always special, but I especially love supporting Alex & Ani because of the values they stand for. I hope you will look into this company and fall in love with the jewelry as much as I did!

Filed Under: Accessories, Bracelets, Eco fashion Tagged With: Accessories, bracelets, eco friendly, jewelry, rave, trendy, Urban Darling

Kathrine’s Getting Married – Part 1

13 May By Kathrine Eldridge 6 Comments

Never thought at 42 years old that I would be planning a wedding, but here I am, getting married (again) in August. The last time I got married was when I was 28. Yes, a lot has changed since then. Two kids, moves back and and forth between Chicago and Boulder, Colorado, a new home, are just a few. The biggest change with this wedding as opposed to the last is that we are paying for it. It definitely puts things into perspective. No, I don’t need the chocolate fountain, 8 bridesmaids, or need to invite every person I have ever met.

My fiancée (a country boy from Arkansas) turned me on to country music and it became something that we love sharing with each other. So to extend that theme, we are getting married in a barn. Just hear me out here for a second. Sounds a little rustic but it’s actually very charming. The barn is part of an apple orchard in Indiana. The ceremony will take place in the orchard and the reception will be in the barn. (And yes, it’s air-conditioned and very civilized.)

One thing that hasn’t changed with the wedding planning is the excitement of getting the dress. In December of this past year, my mom, sister, and I went on the hunt. I ended up finding a beautiful lace dress by Paloma Blanca. Just this past week, I had my first fitting. Being the high maintenance gal that I am, I wanted to make some changes to the dress. Originally it was a strapless dress. I am not a strapless-kind of gal but I loved the neckline. I ordered extra lace to add some straps and bought a rhinestone belt to be sewn in at the waist. Originally it came with a flower at the waist (not a flowery kind of girl) so the belt gives it a more sophisticated and modern look. A good mix of city and country. Just like me and my man. I digress. The belt hasn’t been sewn on yet and we just did a mock up of what the straps will look like with plain fabric. Here are some pics from this first fitting.

My next venture is to find accessories to go with the gown. While at the fitting, I found a gorgeous rhinestone headband I plan on wearing with my hair up. Initially I was thinking of wearing a tiara with no veil. Princess in a barn? I don’t think so The bling in this headband gives me the sparkle that I love and works great with the gown. I think it ties in nicely with the belt as well. I need to focus now on finding beautiful earrings and a bracelet. Any suggestions? Here are pics of the headband.

Lastly, I need to find gorgeous shoes with a very small heel. Comfort is key with an all day event like this. I am planning on wearing cowboy boots (keep an open mind) during a choreographed dance that me and my fiancée are doing at the beginning of the reception. It’s a cross between a two-step and a rumba. (We have been taking dance lessons for almost a year now.) During the fitting I wore the cowboy boots because I knew I would be wearing them. The boots have a heel height of 1 and 1/2 inches so that’s the heel height I need for my other shoes. Again, I would love to hear your thoughts. (I am secretly pining for a sparkly pair of gorgeous Jimmy Choo shoes or Louboutins. Pretty sure they don’t carry the type of heel.) I am open for suggestions!

I plan on doing another blog later so you can see the finished product. I am excited to see how it all comes together. I’m sure you all are wondering if my fiancée will see this. Bad luck to see the bride in her dress before the wedding! I’m not really hung up on that idea and we are planning on practicing our dance with the dress before the big day. I am more nervous about tripping over my dress during our dance than him seeing me in the dress before the ceremony. Less than 3 months until the big day!

The wardrobe stylists at Urban Darling have one goal: to build a wardrobe you can count on™. Try us. You’ll love us.

Filed Under: Accessories, Boots, Bracelets, Clothing, Earrings, Fashion Intel, Shoes, Style, Stylist Pick, Wardrobe Stylist Tagged With: Accessories, bracelet, cowboy boots, earrings, heels, lace dress, Paloma Blanca, rhinestone belt, rhinestone headband, shoes, strapless dress, wedding dress

Vision and Fashion, the Frugal Way.

4 May By Natalie Davis-Castro 2 Comments

So it’s official, ‘Geek Chic’ and “See-Through” glasses are now back in vogue, although Ive never really fallen out of love with them and call me biased, but I will always be in to that brainier-than-brainy look that a thick acetate glasses gives off. There’s always been a style icon sporting the glasses whatever the current trend. From Buddy Holly to Jarvis Cocker the solid design has given the wearer that sartorial edge and a more than sufficient fan following. This year, the glasses appeal has spread across both genders with women cashing in when it comes to topping up on their style status.

If you are looking for a pair of new eye wear, then you should definitely check out www.firmoo.com! They have lots of great frames for every taste, and I think their prices are extremely competitive. The best part about Firmoo is, to all new customers you get your first pair of glasses Free! Have you heard of Firmoo before? I hadn’t, but am so glad that I got the chance to review my ultra trendy glasses. They have a website full of all styles of frames and sunglasses, all of which can be ordered in prescription and non-prescription. Firmoo values quality and service, so you can be sure that what you order from them will satisfy your taste. My glasses came with both a hard and soft case, making them really easy especially if you a mom on the go. It’s easy to do everything online. From selecting your style to entering your prescription information, everything can be entered hassle free on their website.

I love Firmoo’s vision (pun intended) “Vision – An ideal pair of prescription glasses as a half medical tool to correct vision should be made up of a quality frame and lenses with accurate prescription. Fashion – We offer classic and fashion glasses frames for you to choose from. All of these frames which are quite popular in the world are elaborately picked by our staff from thousands of frames in the market. Frugal way – Our prescription eyeglasses are inexpensive even though with high quality, therefore, everyone can afford it”. Check out my fabulous frames right here, Geek Chic and See Through.

Filed Under: Accessories, Style, Stylist Pick Tagged With: Bay Area Personal Stylist, clear, derng, fashion trends, frames, geek chic, Natalie Davis-Castro, San Jose Wardrobe Stylist

Friday Casual Booties

3 May By Fanny Woo 4 Comments

Booties are a great transition between spring, summer, and fall! Here’s an easy look for a casual friday.

friday casual by stylelittle featuring butter london

Happy Friday!

booties by stylelittle featuring lacer boots

Filed Under: Accessories, Beauty, Boots, Clothing, make-up, Outerwear, Shoes, Spring Trends, Style, Stylist Pick, Summer Trends, Wardrobe Stylist Tagged With: booties, casual friday, fanny woo, polyvore

Build A Wardrobe You Can Count On: Lovely Little Mama

25 Apr By Natalie Davis-Castro Leave a Comment

Enter HERE to win some swag!!!

With so many new trends to choose from, adding to your jewelry collection for Spring/Summer is easier than ever! From vintage inspired jewels, to deep winter colors, to tribal jewelry. Lovely Little Mama has the hottest trends this season and divine picks at different price points! I have been a huge fan of Lovely Little Mama and you might remember my blog about owner Jamie http://www.urbandarling.com/lovely-little-mama/.

: Lovely Little Mama

: Marlowe earrings

: Maxwell necklace

I am head over heels for orange and fushia this Spring/Summer, these are my personal favorites and I cant wait to wear them. The best part about Lovely Little Mama is owner, Jamie’s rule she lives by. “If you’re a mama on the go like me, looking chic and fabulous is as simple as throwing on a gorgeous statement necklace, a great pair of earrings, or a few sparkly bangles. I realized that you don’t have to compromise style just because you’re a Mama”.

Filed Under: Accessories, Bracelets, Earrings, Necklaces, Spring Trends, Style, Stylist Pick Tagged With: build a wardrobe you can count on, giveaway, jewelry, Lovely Little Mama, Natalie Davis-Castro, San Jose Wardrobe Stylist, statement necklaces

“Build A Wardrobe You Can Count On” giveaway

15 Apr By Fanny Woo Leave a Comment

Here’s your chance to start building a dependable wardrobe that works for you and your life! ENTER HERE

Filed Under: Accessories, Beauty, Bracelets, Closet Remix, Clothing, Earrings, make-up, Spring Trends, Style, Summer Trends Tagged With: giveaway, Juice Beauty, Lucky Little Mama, StyleYou, Twisted Silver, Virtual Styling, Wardrobe Upgrade, Whitening Lightning

Dressing for 2: Day to Night Springtime Look

12 Apr By Fanny Woo 1 Comment

It’s Springtime! The sun is out but the weather isn’t too warm which is great for: 1)layering 2)for expectant moms

Tips:

wear your necklace on your wrist as a bracelet(day) and put it around your neck for the evening(night)
layer with a lightweight scarf(day) and layer with a cardigan or blazer(night)
change up your lip color when you transition from day to night-wear something BOLD!
put your hair up or put your hair down…either way, this small change will change up your look
fun flats(day) and fun heels(night)
my day bag is a diaper bag/satchel but switch it up with a clutch during the evening(for this look, I chose a neutral cardigan and neutral clutch because my shoes and top were colorful already)
flowy tops are great for the day and night

What are your tips from transitioning from day to night?