A Day in the Life of a Stylish Blonde

Merry Christmas

2009-12-26T14:57:00.000-05:00

Hello All,

I just wanted to say Merry Christmas, and I hope you all had a wonderful day celebrating our Saviour's birth with the ones you love! Have a happy holiday season, and I will be back in the new year!

Take care,
-SB

How To: Pack Your Suitcase

2009-12-18T21:57:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone,

Sorry I'm a day late on this, but it's Christmas time and preperations are getting hectic around here!

Alright, for today's post, let's talk about packing your suitcase. Now, let's assume you're going for more than a day or two. You should have a suitcase that you check at baggage as well as a carry on.

Carry-on - make sure you pack all the things that you couldn't live with out if your luggage happened to get lost. This usually includes the necessities of makeup (although make sure you are in the right range for allowed liquids), toothbrush, toothpaste, extra pair of panties, as well as any valuables such as jewelry, and of course money and all travel documents. When I travel I try to make sure that my carry-on is just a nice large purse so that I don't have to drag too many things through the airport. A girl can only carry so much! Then, pack a few things to keep you entertained, be it your ipod, books, magazines, or knitting - if you're like me and find it soothing, or are trying to finish off that hat for your Mom's gift.

Suitcase - now there is a science when it comes to packing your suitcase, you can't just throw everything in there and expect to arrive in good condition. It just doesn't happen that way. So first things first, pack all your tolietry items (that you didn't pack in your carry-on) as well as all other leakables, in plastic baggies and place in the zipper compartment that is away from your clothing. Last thing you want is something to explode and leak onto your silk gown...eek!

Next you would place your shoes (in their own baggies) into the bottom of the case, layer with heavier items such as jeans, and bulky sweaters, then top with lighter items like dress shirts, gowns, dresses, dress pants, etc. To use every available space, roll up thinner sweaters, tops, jammies, etc, and tuck them into the little cracks here and there. Also a word of advice, when packing your intimates, place them in a drawsting (non-see-through) bag so that if you get selected for luggage check, you won't be super embarrased by everyone seeing your lacy panties or bras on display. Another thing to do if you have anything that has beading on it, or even just for your special dresses or tops, is to turn them inside out when packing them so they don't get snagged on anything and get damaged. If you want to be extra careful, after turning them inside out, you can also slip them into dry cleaner bags. And my last word of advice is to unpack everything when you get there so that you can limit the amount of wrinkling, I know it's a pain, but it saves you so much time ironing in the morning...trust me, you'll thank me later!

-SB

P.S. One other thing, tie a bow or scarf onto your suitcase so you can quickly identify it at the baggage claim! You'd be surprised at how many people have a suitcase that looks just like yours!

Holiday Travels??

2009-12-16T15:23:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone,

Since the Holidays are fast approaching, I thought for the next few days I would write about packing and some travel tips and tricks. Many of you will be traveling to spend the holidays with family and friends, and I thought you could use some advice on doing it effortlessly and in style.

Today we will focus on what you should pack. First of all, let me just say, it's best to stick to the basics, especially when packing for traveling to a cold destination, otherwise you risk your suitcase bulking up quickly. This includes colour - black, brown and cream are best. You can add a few pieces of colour, after all the holiday season is about being merry and bight! Just make sure that you can wear them with mulitple looks - this is the key to packing successfully.

For cold destinations, you should pack:

A turtleneck, a v-neck sweater (or whichever shape accentuates your body type) as well as a cardigan. Then pack some tank tops and lacy camisoles for layering underneath.

Two pairs of jeans, one dark and one light, as well as a pair of trousers, black is best, but dark grey or pinstripe will work as well.

A party dress, or two is always needed for this time of year, but you could also pack a nice black or dark grey skirt and pair it with one of your sweaters for a fancy dinner or get together.

Pack some hosiery, in black to go with your dresses or skirt. And here's a little tip from the north - you can wear tights under your pants while out in the cold to keep you warm, trust me, it works.

Accessories are a traveler's best friend because they are easy to pack and are a great way to change up your looks - belts are great to cinch bulky sweaters in at the hips or waist, you can dress up a simple black dress with some great sparkly jewelry (and yes, it can be costume!), and scarves are perfect to add some colour to your outfit, as well as double as a wrap to keep you warm on the plane, in a chilly restaurant, or even while sleeping if your a bit chilly in the night.

For coats, you should pack two if there is room. One dressy and one more casual (this is if you're not wearing your casual one on the plane or in the car).

a nice pair of dress shoes that can go with all your dressy outfits is great, as well a a pair of warm boots for those walks in the snow.

You will also need a pair of gloves (black leather ones are always great) and mittens if you want (I love me a good pair of adorable coloured knitted mitts!), a hat or two - a beanie, newsboy, wool beret, or an ear-flap hat - whatever works for you. And even though it's not summer, you HAVE to have a cute pair of sunnies - from my opinion, the bigger the better!

For hot destinations (for those of you lucky enough to escape the snow and cold) you should pack:

Bikinis - yes multiples - you will be in them for the majority of your trip, so you should have enough cute ones to rotate.  I would suggest wearing them in place of underwear and a bra most of the time, because you never know when the moment for a swim will arise!

Tunics, caftans and cute sundresses are perfect for throwing on over your suit for a quick lunch or trip into town. Tunics look especially nice worn with white shorts or white pants.

A sarong for wearing over your bikini at the beach, as well as a belt (raffia, chain or leather) which you can use to turn that sarong into a dress.

A couple pairs of shorts (white, linen, or jean) and a nice pair of dress pants - white is perfect, but a natural coloured linen works too.

For colours, you should go with anything bright and light - white is especially great because it looks fabulous against a nice tan.

For shoes you pretty much only need a couple pairs of flip-flips (dressy and non) and if you feel the inclination (or have trouble walking in flats and just do much better in heels, like me) you can pack a cute pair of strappy heels for dressing things up a bit. These are especially nice when going out for dinner. Espadrilles and open-toe wedges work as well.

Also, if going to a resort, you should remember that most of them have a dress code for dinner, so make sure you have something that is dressy as well as appropriate (read-not too revealing) for when dining.

For accesssories - hoop earrings (gold looks great against tanned skin), anything ethnic and bangles are great - just make sure that it's ok to wear such things where you are going, some places tell you not to wear too much jewelry because it makes you a target for muggings. I wouldn't wear anything of real value either, incase it gets stolen or ruined while at the pool or beach. This is the best time to break out your costume jewelry!  And of course you need a great pair or two of sunnies (yes, I will say it again - the bigger the better) as well as a cute sun hat (the bigger the better here as well). A nice scarf that you can tie around your neck, in your hair or even for belt is great, and if you can swing it, bring a couple different ones.  (By the way, nothing works better to conceal hair that's a bit messed up from the beach, as a nice scarf tied around it).

And most important for either destination, make sure you leave some extra room for those presents you'll want to be bringing back with you, and if you can't make extra room, pack a nice fold-up bag to use to carry home your treasures. :-)

I hope that this has helped you, and tomorrow I will be back with some tips for packing your bags!

-SB

Winter Hair Tips

2009-12-12T08:30:00.015-05:00

Happy wintery saturday blog readers,

I've got a great tip for a beauty crisis, or should I say hair distaster that comes along with this wintery weather we're having. Recently a tweeter tweeted Instyle.com and asked for a fashionable solution to what is known as "touqe hair" (at least in this part of the country). All this winter weather has marked the official beginning of "touqe hair" or what's better known as "hat head," so I thought I'd give you the link to what Instyle recommended to help keep you and your hair looking fashionable and not so flat. They asked celeb hairstylist Mark Townsend for tips, and these are his suggestions, which you can read here.

There are a few tips about which knitted winter hats look best with which hairstyles that you should know:

Beanies - best with long, sleek hair

Beret - best with short or tucked away hair
Newsboy - best with sleek ponytails

Now that you know how to combat all your hat-related hair troubles, I thought I'd show a few cute pics of some winter hats to inspire you on how to incorporate them into your wardrobe!

A Day Brightener

2009-12-11T08:30:00.001-05:00

Hello bright fashionistas,

There's nothing quite as day brightening than an touch of neon in this dreary winter weather we're having! We've been dumped on majorly with snow over the last few days, so I'm looking for any way to see a bit of brightness in my day, and I think I just found it! It would be Roland Mouret's Rainbrow Project exclusive to net-a-porter, which features Mouret's signature sculptural shapes in shocking hues. Mouret's been quoted by WWD saying, "This collection is...easy to wear and to take from daytime into cocktail hour." I can't think of a better way to add some cheer to the wardrobe!! You can check out the entire collection here.

-SB

Image Source: net-a-porter

P.S. Just a quite little note, WWD is reporting that Zac Posen is scheduled to design a capsule collection for Target's Go International series premiering in stores and online starting April 25, 2010! And don't forget, Rodarte's collection for Target's Go International series is debuting December 20th. You better start planning now because this collection is being predicted to sell out fast.

Fun Giveaway!!

2009-12-10T08:30:00.002-05:00

Hello fashion-forward princesses,

I know we are a little ways into December already, but I wanted to share with you a cool giveaway I just came across (yes, I know I'm behind on my updates, but I'm working on it). For the entire month of December, Instyle.com is giving away free nail polish (over 1,200 bottles!!) in all the hottest shades by the hottest brands on their Twitter page (twitter.com/instyle) every weekday at 1:00 PM EST. All you have to do is is be one of the first people to re-tweet their special message and you'll win. How easy is that?? You can browse through the shades for each day here and be sure to mark your favourites on your calendar so that you don't miss out!!

-SB

Image Source: instyle

New LV Ad Campaign Face and An Auction

2009-12-09T11:59:00.000-05:00

Hey my dear blog readers,

*I'm so sorry I didn't post monday or tuesday, time just seemed to have gotten away on me and before I knew it, it was wednesday morning!! But I'm here now, so lets get on with it :-)

Louis Vuitton has a new face for their Spring/Summer ad campaign, and this time they are choosing to forgo the celeb route in turn for a back-to-basics Brigitte Bardot looking supermodel Lara Stone. I'm loving the look of the ads so far, and I can't wait to see what's next from them!

On to some very exciting news...if you haven't heard already, Kerry Taylor auctions is auctioning off some of Audrey Hepburn's clothing and accessories! I haven't gotten a chance to look through it all yet, but I seen a ton of Chanel quilted bags that I would adore!! What would be a better surprise Christmas gift for the Audrey-lover on your list than a piece from her very own wardrobe??? And even if you cannot afford one of these little luxuries, it's still great fun to just look around at all these amazing pieces. They are also auctioning off some of Marie Helvin's (who was one of the first supermodels) wardrobe, so it's a can't miss auction! You can check them all out here.

Have a great day everyone!!
-SB

P.S. It's good to be back!! :-)

Image Source: Instyle

Hats Offf!!

2009-12-05T08:00:00.000-05:00

Did you know that a hat can be a great way to finish off your look, or even give your regular outfits a different feel? I find them the perfect thing especially when you're having a bad hair moment. A lot of times I keep one tucked into my purse just in case things go wrong with the 'do during the day! These are the types of hats I keep seeing popping up this fall. They are super adorable, and a nice way to keep your head (and even your ears) warm in the chilly wind. They're the perfect thing for right now and even into the coming months. I'm working on knitting myself a gray one like Rihanna is wearing! So hop on out there and pick yourself up a cap or two, or even better, knit one yourself!

-SB

A Little Holly

2009-12-04T08:00:00.003-05:00

I don't know why, but when I came across this picture I had to post it on the blog. There's just something about the way "Holly Golightly" looks right here. I adore the hat and the sunnies...I don't know, but there's a little part in me who wishes I could be like her.

-SB

Green Ruffles

2009-12-03T08:00:00.003-05:00

I adore this dress! It is so cute. The ruffles...the fans at the top...just amazing. How great would that be for a holiday party??

-SB

Image Source: Just Jared

Comfort Dressing

2009-12-02T08:00:00.001-05:00

I love how Halle Berry always looks so chic while wearing comfortable clothing. She really knows how to pull it off and look fabulous. I think I need to take notes!

-SB

Image Source: Just Jared

Honouring the Heroes

2009-12-01T08:00:00.002-05:00

What a gorgeous dress Carrie Underwood wore to the 2009 CNN Heroes awards. The colour is just so stunning, and I love the necklace!

-SB

Image Source: Just Jared

A Little Miley Winter-Wear

2009-11-30T12:08:00.000-05:00

Now I know that this picture is from last year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, but I really love this outfit that Miley has on. One reason I like to watch the parade each year is to see what winter-wear the celebs are sporting. It gives me great ideas for my own outer-wear. I really think the winter white coat Miley is wearing is so cute, and the riding boots just add a great touch. The hat and flip-top mittens are something I think I might try knitting for myself, and the plaid scarf finishes the look of gorgeously. It's a great chic, yet playful look. Perfect for the cold weather!

-SB

Lovely Knits

2009-11-27T22:56:00.001-05:00

How pretty eh?

-SB

Image Source: DROPS Design

Grecian Chic

2009-11-26T07:00:00.003-05:00

I haven't really gotten on the whole gladiator sandal trend, but I think I might now! These Belle by Sigerson Morrison Specchio gladiator sandal boots are adorable! And the best part, they are only $250!! What could be better?? Oh, and by the way, they have a detachable leg part, so you can wear them just as sandals as well! I love the way they look on, and this outfit is so cute. Makes me feel like going on a vacation right now!

-SB

P.S. Happy Thanksgiving to all you Americans out there!! Don't forget to Thank God for all His wonderful blessings! Have a blessed day!!

Image Source: net-a-porter

A Little "Pop"

2009-11-25T12:11:00.000-05:00

This Marni ruched suede pochette is adorable. I really like the colour of it, what a great way to add a little "pop" to an outfit. I think it would be so much fun with a black cocktail dress for Christmas gatherings. I also love the way they added it to this outfit on net-a-porter:

Too cute right?

-SB

Image Source: net-a-porter

Lovin' the Cargos

2009-11-24T07:00:00.001-05:00

I found these Sass & Bide "Cracker Jacs" cargo pants on shopbop and thought they would go perfect with the Michael Kors booties I showed you yesterday! What do you think? I personally love them, and I'm really not a cargo pant type of girl! lol

-SB

Image Source: shopbop

Booties to Work In

2009-11-23T20:38:00.000-05:00

Love these Michael Kors booties! How adorable! My Dad runs an aggregates company, so I know all about work boots, and these are the cutest ones I've ever seen. Now all I need is a pink hard hat, and I'm ready to visit him on the job!

-SB

Image Source: shopbop

A Few Favourites

2009-11-21T07:00:00.001-05:00

As promised, I will show you my favourites from Althea and Carol Hannah's collections.

These are a few of my favs from Althea's. She does an amazing job of dressing a woman, and flattering her body.

I love, love, love Carol Hannah's collection. The entire thing was amazing! Like I've said before, I'm a dress girl, so she is a designer after my own heart! Everything that she made was gorgeous, and I found myself wanting a good majority of her clothes!

Well, I hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend! See you on Monday!
-SB

P.S. The best thing...all the looks are being auctioned off here! Check it out!

Image Source: Seen On!

And the Winner Is...

2009-11-20T20:26:00.000-05:00

Well, last night was the final project runway, and Irina won. She had a great collection that she did a ton of work on and it was really well thought out, I really liked it, especially the helmets, they were amazing and just completed the whole show, I thought. Here are some of my favourites:

Tomorrow I will show you my favourites from Althea and Carol Hannah's collections!

Have a great day all!

-SB

Image Source: Seen On!

Messy, Casual, Chic!

2009-11-19T07:00:00.002-05:00

There's just something that I like about this look. I'm not exactly what Shenae Grimes has on here, but I'm really liking it. How about you??

-SB

P.S. You've gotta just love those glasses!!!

Loving South Beach!

2009-11-18T07:00:00.005-05:00

As you can probably tell by now, I'm a big Project Runway fan. When I was in High School I wanted to become a designer, so I love watching how everyone designs their own interpretation of each challenge. It's such a great place to learn and get creative insight.

Since the finalle of this season is tomorrow, I thought I would show a favourite of mine from Carol Hannah's designs. She is the other designer in the final 3 with Althea and Irina. They are an amazing group of designers and I think each of them deserves to win! I'm sure they all will have great careers ahead of them! I can't wait to see what they each do next.

Have a happy day all,
-SB

Image Source: Yahoo TV

Adorable Wrap

2009-11-17T07:00:00.003-05:00

This look with this amazing over-sized sweater wrap is gorgeous. I think this is one of my very favourites of Althea's designs. What a great piece for fall! She is another one of the immensely talented designers on this season of Project Runway. I can hardly wait to see her collection on Thursday!

Have a wonderful day!
-SB

Image Source: My Lifetime

Amazing Aspen Look

2009-11-16T22:31:00.000-05:00

I am so in LOVE with this look!!! Everything about it is perfect. Irena (from this season of Project Runway) is an amazingly talented designer. She's going to go far with her career whether she wins or not.

-SB

Image Source: Yahoo TV

Errand Dressing

2009-11-14T07:00:00.001-05:00

I love this outfit Blake Lively is wearing. It's a great way to show off this season's patterned tights, while still keeping warm. There's a great balance of textures and layers here. I love it!! Perfect weekend wear for running errands around town.

-SB