Stylists in the City

August has launched

2013-03-29T08:00:00.000-07:00

Stylists in the City took a brief hiatus, as did I, when my husband and I fulfilled a lifelong dream and traveled around the world for a year. From our experience we have launched a travel accessories line named AUGUST, after the most traveled month of the year.

We are so proud to finally have gone live this month with our products via www.augustca.com.

The products are inspired by our journey around the world but handcrafted right here in California.

Each bag sold also gives a backpack to an underprivileged student at LAUSD via our "give back" partner Operation School Bell.

Snapshots from our travels to exotic locations like Laos

Our first product - the Marais Market Tote was inspired by our month living in Paris' Marais district. I wanted a functional, lightweight and yet chic bag for hours spent perusing the Marais / Bastille Markets. It's large enough to fit all your finds but has a few carefully crafted pockets to keep you organized.

My hubbie, Charley, and me in Copenhagen.

The Marais Market Tote in Navy

In the Masai Mara in Kenya - photos by Charley

The Marais Market Tote in Grey and Olive.

Please check out our website for "How to Pack" features from celebs and to check out new products!

www.augustca.com

xx, SITC

Maternity Dresses

2013-03-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

A great way to get through the "dog days" of maternity clothing (i.e. last trimester when it's hard to fit into anything) is through dresses. I'm a Rag & Bone jeans and edgy tops and boots kind of girl so this one was hard for me to swallow at first but my dear friend Jessica gave me her hand-me-downs post baby and I'm loving how easy they are to wear!

Jessica ordered dresses from Gilt Group to keep her costs down and got 2 really cute ones I stole from her from a company called NOM. They are tight fitting and people just love when I wear them because then they actually see the baby bump! She gave me a black and a navy / white stripe.

The tightness of the dresses made me nervous so I've been wearing sleeves cardigans over the top to cover my backside :) The one above is Rick Owens and I also have some from Joie and 360 Cashmere. You can throw any longer cardi over the top. The sleeveless is kind of nice as we move into warmer weather.

Dresses are great for showers too! For mine I wore an old Lanvin dress (thanks to a Barney's sale circa 2008 and a generous xmas gift from my step-mother-in-law). Anything with stretchy material and ruching down the sides should be able to work. I like to add slightly "tougher" accessories to any of my feminine outfits. These Siggerson Morrison booties have updated many a basic look through the years. I like to buy expensive shoes and then re-sole, re-sole, re-sole!

xx,

SITC

Maternity Wear Update

2013-03-15T12:40:00.000-07:00

I fit into absolutely none of my bottoms anymore and I'm too far along to be buying things for myself so I've been wearing my loose, elastic waist bottoms but in luxe fabrics like silk and leather from Joie and Georgie. I also cheat all the time and wear my darkest, newest, cleanest LuLu Lemon Leggings in Navy and Black (shhhhhh).

The key to pulling off casual bottoms, especially something like your workout leggings, is mixing it with super luxurious tops, bags and shoes to polish the look.

I've been wearing a lot of my old Stella McCartney T-shirt dresses as tops over my bottoms. They are long enough to cover the areas I really don't love right now and I get complimented on them all the time. Because Stella makes them, they hang just right.

Another absolute key is my cardigans. I've been wearing the above two often (one I bought at Madison in Pacific Palisades on sale and it is Missoni and the other is Joie from Intermix). They are beautiful and a nod to spring colors. They keep me warm, comfortable and covered. I wear long silk and super soft cotton shells under them to keep the look polished as you can be while being 9.5 months pregnant.

The final touch is to wear nice shoes. I've been alternating between by Rag and Bone boots and a pair of Grey Nubuck Stella McCartney wedge booties I adore. They give my look just enough edge and give me a little height to slim out my look. If you absolutely can't bother with a heel right now (I completely understand) I wear Homer's brogues I bought in Spain or a pair of Lanvin flats. Again, adding super nice accessories to your look of basics will help elevate it above the leggings, sweater and running shoes vibe so many Angelenos rock outside the home.

Hope this helps you feel a little more beautiful!

xx, SITC

Maternity Style

2012-10-31T12:38:00.000-07:00

So believe it or not... One of our lovely bloggers here at SITC is PREGNANT, posing a whole new set of challenges for our style blog! We'll be posting some personal pics as well as ones to clothes we suggest where you can try and pull together a look that feels very you without breaking the bank. We advocate using your old clothes and mixing in some key new pieces as well!

Here we go... until April 2013!

At this point I'm 18 weeks with my first pregnancy so just growing out of my clothes. It's a little tough as everything just fits wrong and so far I haven't found maternity wear I love so I'm still messing with my old clothes and I got a few things for my birthday I'm mixing in.

Here's a photo of me taken the other day after running errands, taking a meeting, having lunch with a friend and heading to an ultrasound.

My first attempt (post morning sickness) of an outing:

(sorry for the double photo, I just had to include the one where my puppy photobombed me!)

I have a very casual retail consulting job so I'm able to wear practically anything but I like to look stylish and put together as I'm advising clients on fashion and business.

I'm finding I'm loving any pants with an elastic waist (I owned a few!) but I've been finding ones in silk and faux leather so I'm not in anything that looks like Juicy sweatpants.

You can also layer tons of jewelry and a cardigan (or better yet a great blazer) over this outfit as it's super simple and black and white to make it your own. Personally, I added a Stella McCartney tuxedo jacket in blush and black and this Banana Republic chain necklace I have to toughen it up a bit.

Here are the basic pieces and where I bought them:

Gap Body

Elyse Walker

Barneys

Stella McCartney

Banana Republic

This is the basic make up of my outfit: Gap Body drop waist pants, mine are old and silk but something like these pictured can be dressed up. I bought this Vince silk blouse in black and white and have been wearing them under and over everything. They drape nicely, will grow as I bought a size bigger and they cover my butt, a must as I get bigger and bigger...

I added a pair of Lanvin flats that I've owned for years. I'm a huge proponent of nice, expensive shoes (I've sold so many happy clients on this as well as my mother-in-law). Buy them at the twice annual Barneys wharehouse sale and you can get a deal on a pair you will own forever.

I'm a heels girl but great flats seem to be easier these days...

Next week I'll post some great birthday gifts I received that I'm working into the wardrobe!

xx,

SITC

always the bridesmaid, never the...

2012-10-03T19:08:00.000-07:00

It's that dreaded time of year for so many of us...WEDDING SEASON...Here at Stylists in the City we thought we would add to our recent styling of a girlfriend as a guest of a wedding and help those of us who are...BRIDESMAIDS.

Ahhhh... the tradition, the tears, the... uh... dress?

Many a bridezilla has lost her head and put her friends in horrible dresses, matching shoes and made them all look alike and... terrible. So... here's how to make the day have a look all your own without going off the reservation and disappointing the bride.

#1 - stear her towards JCrew's bridesmaid styles - they are easy and something you may even wear again, plsu they're pretty easy on the budget - the one above is $215 - and as a bonus POCKETS!

#2 - ACCESSORIZE - try this season's hot necklace - the bib (as featured in a previous SITC post), it makes a statement but it still pretty so as to not distract from the bride! Where it alone with no other jewelry or add a large cocktail ring if you just must gob on accessories...

#3 - ask to wear your own shoes - it saves money, you'll be more comfortable and it's a way to add your personal style to a bridesmaid dress without being too noticeable (in case your bride is the "matchy, matchy" sort)

Packing in Layers

2011-12-09T03:17:00.000-08:00

As many people start to get packing for a cozy holiday at home I have a few tips for you to hopefully help you keep yourself in the overhead as checking at the holidays can lead to fashion disasters with lost luggage. With tens of thousands of miles under my belt in just the last 6 months I have learned a few things along the way.

The true key to packing is layers. It always feels disjointed to me when I'm putting it in the bag and a little like you're simultaneously packing too much and absolutely nothing but with the right layers it can turn a small bag into tons of outfits that feel different and cool enough for you.

This photo is taken in Scotland where it actually stays a bit cool in the summer. This is my basic color palette all year round mixed with some black and so I have developed a wardrobe of interchangeable neutral items that are drapey, just the way I like it, but also made of great materials from great brands. I then layer them in interesting ways for casual to elegant occasions (a good swipe of Tom Ford's red lipstick does wonders for a neutral outfit to take it fro day to night).

This is a sweater from 360 cashmere, a T-shirt from T by Alexander Wang and a tank by James Perse, all staple brands for me. I wore these Rick Owens leggings, that I bought in an amazing boutique sale in Amsterdam, to death on our Northern Europe Tour because they go with everything and / or under everything.

Vince makes great lightweight sweaters that are another packing staple of mine. They roll up into nothing but have just a hint of style to a basic sweater to make them cool but wearable over and over. Accessories are another way to mix up your outfits when you are packing for several weeks into a small carry on. A few colored scarves, a couple interesting pieces of statement jewelry can make a big difference. Again, this is where I advocate neutral colors and items that can be worn different ways via accessories and people don't really notice you're wearing the same sweater (well, besides your hubbie).

Another Vince sweater in Copenhagen. It gets a little chilly there even in the dead of summer but these ligtweight sweaters are nice to layer over skirts, shorts and jeans at night because of their shape and weight.

I have these exact same sweaters here with me in Paris and I'm layering them over and under a whole winter wardrobe as well. They are a bit expensive but my mileage out of them is great!

Happy Packing!
xx, SITC

Bloomers

2011-12-06T08:33:00.000-08:00

All the cool girls in Europe were rocking these oversized denim cut-offs.

This girl went walking by in Barcelona. As with the girls in Amsterdam gladiator sandals were everywhere as were crossbody bags and effortless, light hair and make-up to beat the heat.

Sorry for the Hiatus folks!

2011-12-03T06:11:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the hiatus dear readers! LQ and I took a little break while I travel around the world and she started a new job. But SITC is back! I am going to update with some fashion and travel tips from around the world and LQ can update you on all the fabulous finds from wantful.com!

This post isn't exactly seasonally relevant unless you're headed down-under for the holidays but I wanted to show some of the styles I saw from the globe and a few outfits I've put together. With limited space in bags and heading to the most fashionable cities on earth it has been tough to try and keep up. These are my attempts :)

The women in Amsterdam are GORGEOUS and so fashionable. They are effortless and all outfits must be bike ready. I love this girl's easy topknot, sideslung bag and sandals while her bright stripes make her ready for anything.

As I've traveled I've been much more inspired to try out colors and patterns. Not easy for a girl with a wardrobe of 99% neutrals... I'm not sure how the results worked out :)
(this top is Equipment - very light, airy and can pack into nothing)

This is in Barcelona. Keeping cool and stylish is tough for an SF girl but this lace skirt again folds to nothing and can easily go from day to night. The rest is my signature grey. The good thing about neutrals is the ability to mix and match easily using little space in a bag AND if you wear the same top twice in different ways no one really remembers.

How do you pack for a year around the world? With Seattle based Filson Luggage! American made, World traveled.

Gerona, our home away from home. A printed skirt helps add color and print to the mix while keeping it away from the face, an advantage for the print and color phobic like me. These JCrew sandals got me through my endless summer (june to november)

MUCH more to come!
xx, SITC

Sienna Miller...

2011-04-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

We LOVE Sienna Miller's style! She always seems to look chic & cool yet effortless from day to night. From the hair to the clothes to the accessories, Sienna has got a style to steal!

XO,

SITC

Spring Beauty Must Haves

2011-03-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

We've been blogging quite a bit lately about new spring wardrobes but getting ready for spring requires more than just a quick shopping trip. Hopefully we've all kept up with our New Years Resolutions and taken off those extra holiday lbs and we're ready to emerge renewed and gorgeous! This week SITC gives you a few must have beauty items to get you ready!

We've blogged about Garden Head before so head to Etsy and buy yourself a new floral headband for summer concerts and to get a new spring outlook on life. It's a great way to liven up even the most basic outfit. The best part is they look great on short hair (as seen on company founder Sabreen above) and on long hair for a boho chic look.

Chantecaille Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 15 is a can't live without product. It gives you coverage, moisture and SPF all in one product and it instantly gives skin both a glow and a perfect complexion. Use every morning under make-up and you'll be wowed with the results.

When Tom Ford launched his lipstick women in the industry swooned for the amazing colors and the chic packaging. Try it for yourself to fall in love with the perfect texture and long lasting color. We love the shades of red for spring because with no other make-up you look fresh and ready for anything.

The long winter months have probably dried out your skin. Do yourself a favor and pick up a bottle of Sunday Riley's JUNO OIL now and start using nightly for "porcelin skin" by spring care of both Patented Native American Botanicals and Labratory Science.

Finally, there is nothing like Chanel polish. Each bottle is an absolute collectors item (and limited editions sell out FAST). We love the blue color above inspired by San Tropez!

It's almost spring!
xo, SITC

Tan Time....

2011-03-18T09:00:00.000-07:00

There is something about spring that makes us want to add tan/khaki/mauve etc. to our wardrobe....whether it be a blouse, blazer, maxi skirt or an amazing accessory.

XO,

SITC

Guest Contributors

2011-03-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

Stylists in the City is excited to annouce that we are guest contributing to the fabulous Dallas Shaw's blog - Dilly Dallas!

Check it out:

http://dillydallas.blogspot.com/

Layering of Lace

2011-03-11T08:00:00.000-08:00

While the last time your may have worn lace was as a childhood Easter dress (thanks mom), try it now as LACE is everywhere this spring!

xo, SITC

Effortless Style Continued...

2011-03-04T08:00:00.000-08:00

In January we gave you a few tips to build a wardrobe of must have items in order to create the most sought after quality... effortless style! (the list : striped tee, trench & leather jacket)

This week we're adding another "must buy" to your list. LANVIN FLATS!

Like many wardrobe building staples this week's suggestion is an investment piece, but it will add instant chic in an effortless and comfortable (!) way to your closet.

Classic black will never go out of style and goes with everything. Here Kate Moss adds the flats to variety of outfits from skinny jeans to a black dress.

Printed versions, like the above leopard print, can add easy style to an all black ensemble.

Follow Niki Hilton's lead and pair a bright red pair that can add a little fun to every outfit.

Save up!
xo, SITC

p.s. can't possibly cough up the cash? Grab a pair of Gap's city flats and stick them in your purse for when your heels are too much!

Brights!

2011-02-25T08:00:00.000-08:00

With spring right around the corner we're getting excited for one of SPRING / SUMMER 2011's biggest trends - BRIGHTS!

This bright colors were everywhere on the runways. This Jil Sander bag is a perfect brightener to rainy spring days.

Shoes are a great way to test a trend and these Lanvin flats are perfectly colored while being comfortable too!

If the Jil Sander price tag is a bit tough to swallow, try this bright blue Marc by Marc Jacobs hobo style.

Love the trend? Not afraid of color? Go head to toe in Michael Kors. This will a great buy now for all those summer weddings!

Happy Shopping!

xo, SITC

New Lengths

2011-02-11T07:00:00.000-08:00

When you think of maxi skirts you probably either think of a) Little House on the Praire or b) The Summer of Love. This spring, however, designers were showing the combo in a fresh new way. Jil Sander specifically showed us how to incorporate 2 of springs freshest ideas 1) neon and 2) maxi lengths. The best part of this trend is it can relate to day wear OR to evening wear with the simple addition of LQ's favorite fashion piece - the white t.

The Endless Search...

2011-02-04T13:29:00.000-08:00

... for the perfect T.

For the downtown girl: T by Alexander Wang.

Classic, California, Cool: James Perse

Cute, Effortless, Every-girl: Splendid

Slouchy, Edgy, Drapey Pockets: Kain Label

Elegant, Drape, Fabric: L'Agencie

Happy Hunting!

xo, SITC

Your New Year's Resolution... Effortless Style

2011-01-26T16:46:00.000-08:00

Welcome to 2011! To start off the year we're getting down to the basics. Think of those women who's style you admire... what is common amongst them? sienna, kate, gwyneth??? Somehow they make it seem effortless even when we know if took effort. So how do you pull this off in your daily life? How do THEY do it? Well, with the help of STYLISTS of course ;)

Ok - some (actually) helpful tips... 3 at a time... to build an effortlessly stylish wardrobe.

Just in time to revitalize your already dwindling New Year's Resolution!

Stick to the classics of the season - spring and summer are great for Stripes - try white / blue nautical ones from Splendid, JCrew, Gap, St. James or Petit Beateau. Buy a new one each spring to update shape and fabric but wear your old ones too, since classic stripes never go out of style.

Take a hint from Gwyneth's GOOP site and buy a classic trench. You'll own it forever and it adds instant, classic chic to jeans, your striped tee and flats. Invest in Burberry or try Banana Republic or Jcrew for a preppy twist on this forever staple.

Last tip for today - the leather jacket. This is definitely an investment piece but the right one can last a lifetime. Use your own personal life and taste to pick black / brown, hooded / motorcycle, studded / streamlined / drape collar... Spend some time and pick quality - you only need one.

More to come...

xo, SITC

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

2010-12-23T10:18:00.000-08:00

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

We're off for two weeks for some inspiration but we'll be back in 2011 with more tips and advice!

Wishing all of our readers and Safe, Happy and Stylish Holiday Season!

Love, SITC

xx, Lauren :)

xx, Jenna ;)

Holiday Gift Guide

2010-12-03T11:15:00.000-08:00

Here at SITC we're making a list and checking it twice for all the best gifts for the season.

We've gathered a preliminary list of what we're giving this season with more to come!

Below Jenna's list:

These Jcrew notepads are so cute and only $10! I'm giving one to each of my NorCal girlfriends. There are 5 different colors and sayings like "Lovers I've Met and Liked", "Hipsters I've Met and Liked" and "Artists I've Met and Liked" so you can personalize each gift.

Each of my sister in laws are getting a FEED USA bag this year. They are great for taking to the gym or the farmers market and each bag supports a different cause. I'm giving the original versions that will feed African children in school for a year.

Chanel Polishes are another great gift of luxury for less. They're about $20 (unless you're going for limited edition colors, in which case you can get them on ebay for about $50). You can also grab Essie polishes at Jcrew while you're picking up notebooks. They are $8 and another great way to give a personalized gift, just pick the color you think best represents your girlfriends, like I did!

I discovered these bottles at my yoga class last night. They are vintage recycled Italian water bottles with etched saying on the front like "Namaste", "Gratitude" or "Attitude". Give them to the yogi in your life or to someone who needs some daily inspiration. These are another feel good gift too as you help the planet and your receiver's health.

Check out myownbottle.com for more info.

xx, SITC

Holiday Party Dressing

2010-11-30T09:11:00.000-08:00

December begins tomorrow and if you're lucky that means the beginning of party season!

This year we at SITC are jumping on the sequin trend for the holidays but in a downtown cool way to give it our own twist.

See below for some inspiration as well as ways to get the look for less.

We LOVE sequin pants, yes you heard us right, sequin pants! We BOTH own a pair. Mix them with a beautiful drapey tank or luxurious cashmere sweater for an evening look or a white men's shirt for when you have to dash from the office to cocktails. (p.s. ALWAYS wear with high heels).
Jcrew Sequin Pants $198

Follow Rachel's lead and add a sequin jacket to black or grey jeans for a festive but comfortable and easy to throw together outfit. A killer pair of heels and a fun clutch are all you need. You can even wear a white tee underneath!

Gap Sequin Jacket $128

Anja rocks everything she wears, including the above festive, tight, sequin, mini above. For a more demure look with all the impact try the skirt in black and pair with something more casual on top. You should be careful to add more coverage up top when wearing this look and pair with towering heels for an elegant and festive party look.

Michael by Michael Kors Sequin Skirt available at Nordstrom for $89.50.

If the above are too bold, try a sequin tank from JCrew and mix with black denim, high heels and a tuxedo jacket for just a hint of the trend.

Also, we're in love with TOMs Black Sequin Shoes so slip into a pair for the most comfortable and feel good way to play with sequins!

Happy Holiday Party Season!

xx, SITC

JCrew Spring 2011

2010-11-09T16:01:00.000-08:00

JCrew never ceases to Amaze us.

Creative Director Jenna Lyons has made our mouths water in anticipation and made us plan how we will make the money we will want to spend on her newest collection for JCrew AGAIN!

Grogeous, wearable nuetrals with just the perfect amount of slouch.

This season's oh so cool fishermans sweater with next seasons perfect, printed skirt.

Again... this seasons maxi dress skirt AND sequin trend in one. Wear it to a black tie ball OR with a chambray shirt.

The use of color was trend setting for high end designers.

This yellow short takes a more modern and couture approach to last seasons denim cut off trend.

Check out Style.com for more...

xo, SITC

Lanvin Hearts H&M

2010-11-02T14:51:00.000-07:00

Lanvin + H&M launches 11/24!

This collection from the To-Die-For Designer Alber Elbaz from Lanvin will make you melt!

P.S if you want something from this line, we suggest you start sleeping on the sidewalk outside your closest H&M NOW!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWuQcR0IoQE

I've watched this video 3 times today and it hasn't gotten old!

LOVE IT!

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/alltherage/2010/11/lanvin-for-hm-sneak-peek.html

Birchbox

2010-10-28T11:44:00.000-07:00

Imagine a lovely little box of oversized sample beauty products delivered to your front door MONTHLY!

Now you can with a $10 a month subscription to Birchbox.com! Created by 2 HBS (Harvard Business School) alumni the company just received $12 million in funding so look for more brands and even better boxes!
The above photo is what was included in their last box!

A sampling of their brands...
Happy sampling!
xo, SITC

Fall's Update to the Skinny Jean

2010-10-06T07:00:00.000-07:00

Own every color and style of skinny jeans you can imagine? Still LOVE them?

TRY the SKINNY CORD!

This is a great way to update and warm up for fall!

Piperlime's recent email above got us thinking about the style... so we tried some on this weekend and IMMEDIATELY purchased... They are so comfortable I had to be coaxed out of SLEEPING in them!

JCrew makes a pair with zippers!

We love this style in neutral colors like grey or taupe as seen in the Joe's pair above.

Gap makes a great (and totally affordable) pair - try a bright pair from them!

Happy Shopping,
SITC