Rave: Gold Detailing for Summer

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I’m a loyal silver girl, but when I noticed more and more gold coming into stores for summer clothing and shoes, I couldn’t help but try it out. Now I’m hooked! In the past week, I’ve gotten my hands on two adorable pair of summer sandals adorned with gold. Flip flops are nice and all, but each summer I make sure to treat myself to a couple pair of nicer sandals to spruce up my outfits and show off my pedicures!

This first pair of sandals by Dolce Vita, I got on sale (!!!) at Nordstrom for $45 a couple days ago. The black leather is buttery soft and super comfortable. I love the gold plating on the toes, because it adds a special element to a pretty basic sandal design. I know a lot of people aren’t crazy for mixing brown and black, but this sandal is very versatile and can work with a ton of different outfits.

golddetails3These were the sandals that made me fall in love with gold details! They are Steve Madden, and I got them at Nordstrom for $49. They are pretty comfortable, but do require some breaking in, as the strap is slightly stiff at first. The sandals are very simple, but the gold dresses it up a bit, which I love. This specific sandal came in A TON of different colors. I would like to eventually get my hands on a second or third pair. I think these are perfect for summer, and the rosy nude color matches pretty much everything! Since I usually stick to basic colors, I know I’ll be getting a lot of use out of these over the course of the summer.

What do you think of gold detailing? Will you try this trend, or are you too much of a loyal silver fan? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

Stay Darling!

Fashion is turning Feline-tastic!

felineblogpostLove 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!

RAVE: Alex & Ani Accessories

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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?

raveblog3One 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!

Roll Call: All Kate Spade Lovers!

Anyone and everyone that loves all things Kate Spade will be delighted at the news that the online site is conducting a secret sale until tonight (Wed. May 15th at 11:59 PM PT)! All you need to do is enter your email address and zip code, and you will be granted access to the sale. Keep in mind that all sale items are online only, and final sale.

Click here to access the site.

Happy Shopping!

New Kid on the Block

Hi everyone! My name is Ariana, and I am going to be a summer intern for Urban Darling. I am so excited to get started!

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!

Be Inspired!

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"Good things come to those who wait..."

“Good things come to those who wait…”

Good things do come to those who wait, but what about when you can’t wait?  When your inner drive won’t allow you to wait?  You indeed have to go with the flow of life, but sometimes you just need to go out and get what you want. Sometimes it means dressing for where you want to be and not where you are.  Be unique, but be inspired by what you see and what moves you to get to where you want to be!

"Better things come to those who go and get them!"  -Sonya Forsythe-

“Better things come to those who go and get them!”           -Sonya Forsythe-

I am inspired every day by my own life experiences, what I have to do that day, what others have done,  great quotes, a heart felt movie or a good book, fashion magazines, and life in general.  I dress in a way that is going to make me feel great about what I have to do to go out and get what I want.  It may mean being particularly colorful one day, and dressing sleek and professional the next day.  I am going with the flow of life while accomplishing goals at the same time, so my days are never one in the same!  I allow my styling choices to work for me, and give me a kick start to the day when I walk out the door… Yes, clothing can sometimes do that!

Show your unique style that inspires you to reach your goals by entering the Diet Dr Pepper One of a Kind sweepstakes for a chance to win one of thirty amazing stylish prizes that will certainly add to your unique style style inspiration!  You can enter daily to increase your chances of winning!

Belting this blazer and the leather ruffle on the shoe gave me a way to express my personality while dressing professionally.

Belting this blazer combined with the leather ruffle on the shoes, gave me a way to express my personality while dressing professionally.

Diet Dr Pepper is a one of a kind taste, and I believe in one of a kind style, so it’s a match made in heaven.  Let’s celebrate what makes us unique, ourselves, and one of a kind.  The three grand prizes for this sweepstakes include 18K gold, rubies and sapphires, so what’s the hold up?  Enter here!

With delicious one of a kind taste and zero calories, Diet Dr Pepper is as unique as you are. We know it’s a long road to get to who we’re meant to be. Along the way, we make choices, we make mistakes, we get up, and we keep going. And like an amazing work of art, we become one of a kind. At Dr Pepper, we celebrate all that makes us an original, from your unique style to adventurous spirit. To check out more one of a kind stories, watch our films at www.youtube.com/drpeppervideos.

A distressed denim jacket paired with white denim jeans, a Beatles T-shirt and a floral wedge to put my unique stamp on the look!

A distressed denim jacket paired with white denim jeans, a Beatles T-shirt and a floral wedge to put my unique stamp on the look!

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Diet Dr Pepper via Glam Media.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Diet Dr Pepper.

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Oscars 2013 – Red Carpet Fashion Recap

Hi Darlings,

Can’t believe another year’s Oscar season has come and gone. As always there were high highs and lowwwwwws.  Here’s my take on THE red carpet event of the year.

[Read more...]

9 types of style – type II – Sexy and Bold

Sexy and bold

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Ladies with this style are no strangers to the word ENTRANCE. They know how to work the sidewalk like a runway and you’d never be able to call them boring or bland. They love loud colours, bold prints, daring cuts, bling and feathers.

[Read more...]

What’s in a name? Wardrobe stylist vs personal stylist vs fashion stylist

Ever wondered what the difference is between a wardrobe stylist, a personal stylist and a fashion stylist? Yeah, me too.  [Read more...]

Intuit Feature #2: When’s the right time to start a business

Urban Darling’s second profile for Intuit’s For the Love of Business series is now live. In this segment, founder Corinne Phipps discusses the right time to start a business, how she got started as a personal wardrobe stylist, and money management: [Read more...]