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.

A couple of weeks ago, I attended the Color Me Spring Fashion Show in downtown Campbell.   One of the stores showcasing their fashions was my favorite downtown Campbell boutique, Simply Smashing.

When I arrived at the event, imagine my delight when I found a chair in the second row with my name on it.   I’m not ashamed to admit that I”m a sucker for any kind of VIP treatment, so this was a good start to the evening.  Once I secured my seat, I headed over to the bar for a complimentary cocktail.  Also a good start to the evening.

The show was held at Villa Ragusa which was the perfect venue for this event.  The room was large, beautifully decorated, and the place was buzzing with energy.  In addition to a couple of DJ’s (who reminded me the classic club jerks played by Will Farrel & Chris Kattan on SNL), there was an MC, and a great band called Gentlemen’s Club playing 70’s jams.

After shows by a few other stores, Simply Smashing was up.  The show was a great mix of two of my personal favorite styles, boho chic & rock n roll, in addition to vintage inspired pieces and flat out sexy dresses.  The models did a great job of working the runway and their energy was contagious.  I thought I might have to get fitted for a hearing aid after all the woo-hooing and whistling by the chick sitting next to me.  Thankfully, no permanent damage was done.

My three favorite looks are shown here.  I’m still mad about maxi dresses, prints and color, and I’d wear both of these dresses  in a heartbeat.

I love the mix of textured fabrics and colors of this gorgeous brown, tan & pistachio dress.  The other cool thing about this dress is that the little belt is actually a couple of pockets, just right for your lip gloss & ID.

This red, white & blue number was divine.  I loved how it was short in the front and long in the back, but  designed in a way that you only see that feature when you walk.  It’s a great update of the high/low style that we’ve been seeing for a while now

The third look here is a great tank which I have been wanting for a while.  It was styled perfectly with the skinny jeans and platform peeptoe pumps.  Hair and makeup was spot on.

The Color Me Spring Fashion Show featuring Simply Smashing was a smashing success!  I’m looking forward to next year’s show.  Now, where’s my purse?  I’ve got shopping to do!

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!

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!

Click here to access the site.

Happy Shopping!

I’m a college student attending Marquette University, and I will be a sophomore in the fall. I was born and raised in San Jose, and am thrilled at the opportunity to work with a local fashion company. I am studying communications with a focus in PR, and my goal is to eventually have a career in PR with an emphasis in fashion.

I have some great ideas for summer blog posts, such as a bi-weekly mini series, where I will focus on certain topics. Some topic ideas I have are:

• organizing tips for various clothing items
• how to “dress for success” at work
• how to make clothing items transition into day-to-night
• how to make clothing items work for different age groups

I can’t wait to get started with the Urban Darling community. Stay darling!

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.

BABY POWDER! Yes, that’s right, baby powder! I don’t always have time to wash and dry my hair; so instead of using those useless dry shampoos, at least I haven’t found one that really worked for me, I discovered something fabulous that works like magic. Just put some baby powder on your hands and work it into the roots in circular motions (do it with to hands, I had to take a picture with one ). Repeat if needed. The powder absorbs the oil and makes your hair look fresh and clean without washing it. A nice side effect, it also gives me more texture. But please make sure that the powder is not showing after you done. Shake it of and brush your hair! I use this trick constantly on by bang because it oils so much quicker then the rest of my hair. Try it out and let me know if it worked for you as well!

PS: I am not saying it will work well after 3 days of not washing your hair, LOL.

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

This Mother’s Day I asked the wardrobe stylist of Urban Darling to share with me pictures with their mother’s or their kids. And here is what they want to share:

And as always there were some celebs who rocked it, and some who, well looked like they got Punk’d.

Starting things off on the safe side, were SJP in this Raf Simons floral gown and extravagant Phillip Treacy headpiece (and crushed velvet thigh high Louboutins) and Kate Bosworth in her pink Balmain mini and gold belt. While neither is incredibly “punk” both are glam outfits and K. Bo’s legs alone are enough to scrape her through on the HOT list.

Another gal who caught my eye was gorgeous Minka Kelly in this grey and chartreuse Carolina Herrera lace creation. Pretty much anyone else would look like their nanny in this demure dress but she manages to pull it off with panache. Not the most punk outfit of the night, but the more I look at it the more I love it.

My best dressed list for the night includes (1) Anne Hathaway with her faux hawk and oddly attractive Cruella DeVille vibe she’s giving off in this lace Valentino gown. She looks HAWT. (2) Taylor Swift’s bad girl geometric embellished J. Mendel gown and smoky eyes the are totally out of character but oh so amazing.  And (3) Blake Lively in her Gucci Premier gown with a black satin contrast rain about 2 miles long. That dress, that stare, that body. VaVaVOOM baby.

These two Burberry clad beauties are Sienna Miller and Cara Delivingne and both are rocking the studded smouldering stare like no one else. Like black and white fallen angels these two really WERKed their outfits to the limit.

On to the bad, Kristin Stewart just looks too… maroon in this lace Stella McCartney jumpsuit accented very vampire-esque eyes and a slicked back ‘do. Gwyneth Paltrow continues her streak of off the wall red carpet outfits with this hot pink Valentino gown with sheer top panel (although no side-butt here). I don’t hate it, but it is both boring and awkward and sure as hell not punk.

For a wildcard, lets check out Nicole Richie’s Gala ensemble.  Keep in mind that she is one of my top style icons, and I give her major props for being bold enough to try this look. However, the weirdly blue afro and embellished topshop turtle neck gown just aren’t hitting the right notes for me. Her wine coloured lips though are DIVINE. Almost all is forgiven miss Richie, ALMOST all.

And now for the VERY BAD. I didn’t know that “punk” also meant cracked out, because that’s clearly how Miley Cyrus interpreted the theme this year. Her sheer gown by Marc Jacobs was one glance away from being censored on the red carpet.

Poor Kimmie K. Her matching Givenchy floral gown, heels and gloves were just a poor poor choice.  As usual her hair and makeup was impeccable but from the neck down it was like a carpet/drapes/rug disaster. Note to self: FLORAL is NOT PUNK.

Macklemore… I mean Mary-Kate Olsen also showed up on the carpet looking less vintage Dior and more homeless in heels. Usually so chic, this robe would have been better left at home. Or in the trash.

I love a good red carpet rundown and I hope you liked my musings as well.

Until next time darlings!

xx