Sarah McManus Styling

Neiman Marcus Spring Preview

2012-02-23T09:49:00.000-05:00

I had the pleasure of being invited to the exclusive showing of the Neiman Marcus Spring Preview last week and it was fabulous. Among the bright colors and prints, David Chen, Neiman's own Style Director, was there to guide us through the trends. There are some fun things ahead this Spring. Take a look!

The Trends

David Chen showing off this season's color, yellow

A gorgeous model wearing tribals

Can't forget the bags!

Or the jewels!

Le Metier De Beaute's hot neon makeup

I had to buy Shocking Pink for myself!

The Goodies! We all received an exclusive product from Le Metier De Beuate!

Alphabet Jewelry

2012-02-16T11:58:00.001-05:00

Who knew the alphabet would be so popular in the form of jewelry? Get on the bandwagon with the fun trend. Pick out your own initial or one of someone you treasure as I did. Grab a nameplate! There are so many designs to choose from. Layer with other necklaces for a more eclectic look!
1. Ofina Jewelry 2. Crush Boutique 3. EBay

Crush Boutique Opening

2012-02-15T21:44:00.001-05:00

Last night was the opening of Crush Boutique's new location at 264 Newbury Street. It was the perfect Valentine's Day treat with G2O services on hand, prosecco, and heart shaped cookies! The clothes and jewelry are amazing and well worth the trip to this new spot. Some of the designers include Alice and Olivia, Rory Beca, Isabel Lu, and Dolce Vita.

Thank you to Crush for a spectacular evening!

Beyonce After Baby

2012-02-08T19:07:00.001-05:00

Beyonce made her first appearance looking amazing in Monique Lhuillier last night. She accessorized with blue accents in a tribute to baby Blue. Her body looks phenomenal and so does this shiny number. What do you think?

Minty Fresh

2012-02-08T19:00:00.001-05:00

Mint nails are all the rage right now and for the upcoming season! I love how fresh this look is. It brightens any outfit. My favorite is Smush from Urban Outfitters.

The Colorblocking Trend

2012-02-04T08:40:00.001-05:00

Color-blocking is a huge trend right now and personally I love it. Celebrities do too. Taken straight from the runway, it's being interpreted in real life everywhere. It's simple to do and might I say vibrant. Mix bold or pastels together for this unique look. You can do it through a dress or by wearing colored pants and a bright shirt.

Try it through wearing some bold shoes!

Get your dress here at Madewell!

Boston Symphony Orchestra's Debussy Project

2012-02-02T12:27:00.001-05:00

BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA OPENS UNIQUE FASHION CONTEST PROJECT DEBUSSY TO A WORLD-WIDE AUDIENCE
In the fourth year of the acclaimed Project Composer contest (Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and Mozart have taken the limelight in previous years), the Boston Symphony will welcome the participation of fashion fans around the world.
The Boston Symphony Orchestra will present Project Debussy, a unique fashion contest inspired by the music of Claude Debussy, and scheduled in tandem with a BSO concert which includes Debussy’s La Mer, on February 2 at Symphony Hall. The stylish event pits the evening wear designs of 11 local fashion students against each other for a bounty of desirable prizes. Anyone with a Facebook or Twitter account will be able to vote to determine the “People’s Choice” winner, by voting @bostonsymphony or pitching in to a poll at www.facebook.com/bostonsymphony.

HOW TO LIVE VOTE TO DETERMINE THE WINNER OF PROJECT DEBUSSY:

To participate in live voting for the “People’s Choice” winner of Project Debussy visit the orchestra on Facebook to participate in a poll, or tweet the full name of the favored contestant @bostonsymphony on the BSO’s twitter page complete with #projectdeb. The Boston Symphony can be found on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/bostonsymphony and on twitter at www.twitter.com/bostonsymphony. Photos of all evening wear designs will be uploaded by approximately 7:30 p.m. The Boston Symphony will tweet and post on Facebook to announce the official commencement of voting, and voting will close at 9:00 p.m. Votes via Facebook and Twitter will be combined with a ballot vote at Symphony Hall to determine the “People’s Choice” winner of Project Debussy.

Sunday Morning

2012-01-29T14:42:00.001-05:00

Going to brunch at The Gallows in the South End, I decided to bling it up a bit and wear my new Urban Outfitters coat.
Sweater; Urban Outfitters, Jeans; Gap, Shoes; Steve Madden; Necklaces; H&M and Forever21

Date Night: Red Lantern

2012-01-27T20:55:00.001-05:00

After debating many restaurants, J and I decided to hit up Red Lantern and I'm so glad we did. The food was beyond insane and the decor was even better. Even the drinks are fun. Mine was called The Geisha. It was a fabulous night and I recommend it to anyone.

Red Lantern
39 Stanhope Street

Kate Moss for Mango

2012-01-25T11:23:00.001-05:00

I am loving these new ads with Kate Moss shot by Terry Richardson for Mango. She is the new face for the brand. Stunning.

Trip: Flower Power

2012-01-20T09:50:00.001-05:00

I absolutely adore flowers. They just make me feel good. They can change a room and the vibe even with just one bouquet. I had a houseguest and I just had the need to go buy some gorgeous flowers. My go to is the Boston Flower Market. They know how to do it right. The woman who runs the shop is Lisa and she is a gem. I got all these for $10.00. It's located at 591 Albany Street and worth a stroll.

Just Tried: OPI's Nail Strips

2012-01-19T20:27:00.001-05:00

I recently tried OPI's Nail Strips. They're just like the Sally Hansen Salon Effects Strips but actually don't wear as well. They're quite pretty thought, right?

And the Golden Globe Goes To......2012

2012-01-16T09:30:00.000-05:00

Elle McPherson was a standout last night. She looked absolutely amazing in her Zac Posen fishtail gown. The bangles were an unexpected, unique, cool touch. The bodice was amazing in detail and she shined with that fabulous body. Can we all look like Elle?

Nicole Richie always knows how to make an ensemble her own whether it be on the streets or a red carpet. This metallic Julien MacDonald was breathtaking. The halter style was unique to the night and her makeup was flawless as usual.

Nicole's hair was spectacular.

Reese Witherspoon was one of the few who chose color last night and it worked! Another Zac Posen creation, this was a big hit on the carpet along with her tousled waves. Gorgeous!

J'adore Dior. Charlize Theron looked beautiful with her Dior Couture gown. The slit up the side and ruffled detail were fabulous. She wore vintage Cartier jewels with the headband being a delightful touch.

A Light Lunch

2012-01-11T10:09:00.000-05:00

H&M leggings and hat; Gap satchel, AJ Morgan sunnies

It is getting cold again so here is a little inspiration. On a trip to Coppa Boston, I decided to wrap it up with my new Gap sweater given to me by Mom at Christmas. Take a peek at my other accessories.

My own collection of necklaces

Michael Kors Watch

Alex and Ani bracelets

Original MaryJane Doc Marten's

Frye Kind of Day

2012-01-09T09:36:00.001-05:00

I adore my Frye boots and yesterday was the perfect time to pull them back out!

Lace Tights

2012-01-05T16:35:00.001-05:00

Lace tights can really jazz up any outfit like these from the Hanes collection.

Turquoise and Pink

2012-01-05T12:53:00.001-05:00

My favorite color combination is by far turquiose and pink. Here is a little inspiration.

What I Want Now:

2012-01-05T11:34:00.001-05:00

This dress is perfect for a night on the town or a first date. It is chic and affordable ($89). I want it!

Ottoman Makeover

2012-01-04T13:46:00.000-05:00

BEFORE

My ottoman needed a little makeover. I had been debating about buying a new chair or finding something to cover it with. Urban Outfitters to the rescue! I found this amazing quilt that adds a Moroccan feel to my living room. The best part is it was on sale for $14.99! I travelled up to Newbury Street to pick it up and I am in love. What do you think?

AFTER

Rihanna: Fashion Queen 2011

2011-12-30T17:33:00.001-05:00

Rihanna has had quite the year professionally. She is also quite the fashion chameleon. She is my pick for Fashion Queen of 2011. Sporting bright red locks for most of the year, she recently went back to brown and is spending her holiday in Barbados. Let's take a look back at some of my favorite outfits.

Trend: Eyeglasses

2011-12-30T17:22:00.000-05:00

Eyeglasses are super trendy. I bought two new pairs this year that I am in love with. They can really frame the face and add a whole new dimension to any outfit. Stars love this trend too whether they are prescription or not. There are so many different styles and frames to choose from. Personally, I like a thicker, bold frame. Take a style risk this year and grab yourself a pair of lenses.

Megan Fox

Eva Longoria

Alicia Keys

Glasses don't have to break the bank either. Cheap eyeglasses can be found! I have discovered a great affordable site for my readers to use to find the perfect pair of discounted glasses. GlassesUSA offers high quality frames and lenses and a 110% lowest price guarantee, 100% satisfaction guarantee along with a generous refer-a-friend program. Additionally, you can stay up-to-date on all GlassesUSA.com happenings through their Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/glassesusa) and Twitter feed (@GlassesUSA).

New Year Sale:
Take 55% off any pair of glasses! Code: Best2011 (Basic single vision lenses included and upgrades are available for an additional cost.) 
Take 10% off any order of prescription glasses. Code: Blog10

Barbie Basics

2011-12-28T11:57:00.001-05:00

One of the most fun presents I got this year was a Barbie Basic. They are model-esque Barbie dolls and look more like real girls with various hair styles and black clothing options. My mother bought me the one with my exact haircut. It is pretty hilarious. They make cute little gifts.

Beauty and Fashion Tips for Winter

2011-12-21T09:09:00.001-05:00

Winter is here once again and do you know what that means? It'll be hell for our skin, hair, figure and style. The constant juggling between the cold dry air outside and heat inside our homes and using the wrong products will surely wreak havoc on the skin we maintained for the whole year.The cold winds outside will blow away our hair into a beaten wirey mess. Attending weekly (or even daily) parties and munching on sugary and fatty holiday foods will lead to unwanted pounds. And of course, the drab winter clothes and limited wardrobe will definitely cramp our personal fashion style. But don't fret because of you take note of the following, none of these problems would really matter:

Moisturize, moisturize and moisturize

Since the dreaded cold air outside leads to our skin being dry, it is best to regularly treat your skin with moisturizers, especially lotions and creams. You can use some body lotion before leaving the shower. As long as you moisturize yourself before leaving the house, you can rest assure that your skin will be safe. Switching to a heavier cream will also guarantee your skin's protection. Look for lotions with alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) as they will really help you in preventing having dry skin. As for facial cleansers, go for the creamy ones like Neutrogena Deep Clean Cream. If you follow these, you won't definitely need a facelift when you're older and you want to rejuvenate your skin which you mistreated when you were younger.

Hair Care

Everytime we go out on the street, the harsh winter wind will blow away our hair. This is due to negative ions seaping into our hair resulting in individual strands repelling each other. In order to combat this, always use a mild shampoo and conditioner to wash away the negative ions. Wearing a fashionable bonnet or headwear will also help so your hair wouldn't look like you've just seen a yet.

Have a Bite

It can't be helped that everyone wants to celebrate the holidays with us because we're fabulous. December for a lot of us means hanging out with friends, officemates and of course, family. That also means that all of these events will have seemingly infinite amounts of food and maybe booze. You don't need a product here, just good old fashioned self-discipline. I mean, come on. You know what that Christmas ham tastes like as you've been having that for years. A little bite is enough to satisfy your taste buds. With all the different side dishes and treats surrounding you, a little taste of each would be enough. As for alcohol, be sure to go drink the ones with the least carbs and alcohol content so you won't feel bloated. And a glass or two may be enough since getting wasted isn't the main objective of get togethers, it's the stories we share with our loved ones and feeling good is all that matter. So, a little self-control would suffice and if you don't have one, well better start practicing now or you'll be sorry the day you'll get a lipo to get rid of the fat you stored throughout all those Christmas parties...

Smashin' Fashion

When it's winter-time, the characters on TV would usually wear drab clothes and coats. They also come in three boring colors; gray, white, and black. It doesn't have to be like this for us girls. We can still be stylish despite wearing layer upon layer of clothes. This is even a great opporunity to dress up once we realize that we have more clothing options. Just look into your wardrobe (or even your parents and siblings) and look for different coats and even leather jackets. Mix and match according to your own sense of style. You can wear those boots you haven't worn the whole year. Even the old Christmas sweaters your granny has been giving you every year can still have purpose (unless they're really hideous). And most importantly, accessorize! Go put on some bracelets, earrings and sunglasses to complete your look. Now go out there and show that cold winter wind that us ladies can fight back and still look ridiculously fab!

Leather, Leopard, and Shearling

2011-12-16T17:02:00.001-05:00

Just in time for Winter, my new shearling coat arrived. On this particular day, I paired it with my Forever 21 leopard flats and my trusty leather, GAP satchel. This bag has been going with me everywhere this season. It fits everything I need to fight this crazy weather.

Sally Hansen Effects Nail Polish Strips

2011-12-13T10:52:00.001-05:00

I am a big fan of Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips. Let me tell you that they really work! The brand just came out with many more options in various patterns and colors like this one called Brattlesnake. It is a reptile version and very unique which is why I chose it. Lasting for about five days if you are not doing heavy housework, they are sure to get your nails noticed. Find them at any drugstore. I found these at CVS for $9.99. Instructions are included and it takes about ten minutes. The best part; no drying time.