Q:

Lately, I’ve noticed the trend of layering jewelry to create a nice mix of metals, tones, and textures. Sometimes it looks really good and sometimes it just looks bad.

How do I accomplish a tastefully done layered jewelry look?

Is there a way to accomplish this on a budget or do you suggest investing in higher quality jewelry to get that polished, but stylish and updated look?

A:

Layering jewelry is definitely a way to spruce up any outfit since clothing isn’t the only thing in your wardrobe that becomes more interesting and fun when you layer. Jewelry looks even more fabulous when you layer it right!

In fact, one easy way to figure out which pieces might work well together is to just pay attention to how jewelry is layered in the photos that accompany product shots when you shop online or browse catalogs and magazines.

Scroll down to see some examples of our favorite layered bracelet, and necklace looks this season…

Bracelets:

Pieces above clockwise from the top right corner:
1. Harlow Bangle, $32. Mixed Metals.
2. Copper Cupchain, $39. Available in Rosegold.
3. Rhea Bangles $79. Available in Rose Gold.
4. Clover single wrap , $39. available in Silver.
5. Bardot Spiral Bangle $49. Available in Silver or Gold.
6. Renegade Cluster Bracelet, $59. Available in Gold.
7. Pyramid Double Wrap Bracelet, $59. Available in Green or Cognac Brown.
8. Revival Bracelet $34. Available in White.
9. Tribute Bracelet, $36. (proceeds go to Breast Cancer), RoseGold/Silver Combo.
10. Vintage Twist, $39. Available in Silver, or Mixed Gold/Silver.
11. Studded Trifecta Wrap $59. Available in Black.

Statement Necklaces:

When it comes to layering up top, you can layer delicate pieces or be bold with a colorful statement piece that will go with a lot of your wardrobe:

Pieces above from left to right:
1. Zahara Bib, $248. Color blocking Trend.
2. Campari, $128. Red/Gold.
3. Bamboleo, $228. Mixed Tropical Colors.

Delicate Necklaces:

‘Delicate Necklaces’ can be worn alone for a little detail or layered to make a little more of a statement:

Clockwise from the piece on the left:
1. Starry Night, $98. Available in Gold.
2. Ever After, $49. Available in Silver or Gold.
3. On the Mark, $49. Available in Gold.
4. After Midnight, $89. Available in Gold.

Designed by Mondo Guerra, the winning dress features a bateau neckline, tie at back waist, slant pockets at sides, a ruffled hem and is made of 100% silk.

We feel that the mix of colors and prints were well executed and love how Nanette ‘finessed’ the silhouette to fit her clientele.

It is currently retailed at $298 with 100% of the profits going to the Save the Garment Center Organization and you can get the dress at Nanette Lepore Boutiques (and online where it is already SOLD OUT but available for back order with an expected ship date of May 15th, 2012).

Click the thumbnails to see all the lovely details (in a new window):

To watch bonus footage of runway judging of Mondo Guerra from Episode 10 with guest judge, Nanette Lepore, click the play button (to watch it on hulu):

Extended Judging of Mondo Guerra | Project Runway All Stars
Web Exclusive (s.1 : ep.10)|02:07

]]> http://tristinstyling.com/archives/1384/feed 0 http://tristinstyling.com/archives/1384 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Tristinstyling/~3/jxPrbDREdnQ/1363 http://tristinstyling.com/archives/1363#comments Thu, 08 Mar 2012 13:26:25 +0000 admin http://tristinstyling.com/?p=1363 Elizabeth Suda, designer and founder of Article 22, a Brooklyn based sustainable design company that creates goods that tell stories and solve problems, is on a mission to create economic opportunity for traditional artisans that lack market knowledge and access.

One of her projects is Peacebomb, a jewelry collection made by Laotian artisans from Vietnam War era bombs dropped on Laos, the most heavily bombed country in history.

Peacebomb is about turning negative to positive: artisans reshape the bombs and we buy them back.

Witness the story of peaceBOMB: bracelets made from Vietnam War bombs. Learn about the Laotian artisans who make them and take action. Just by wearing a peaceBOMB bracelet you support artisan livelihoods, raise awareness about the ‘Secret War’ in Laos during Vietnam and the efforts of NGOs advocating to ban the use of cluster munitions:

Taking a market oriented and design driven approach to sustainable economic development through handcrafts, she partners with NGOs and traditional artisan communities to capacity build upon pre-existing skills sets and develop small businesses in a way that is natural to local lifestyle, environment, and culture. She co-creates authentic, beautiful and meaningful products for a discerning international market. Then, she tells their story.

Lao metal smiths who engineered bracelet molds for the Peace Bomb bracelet. Photo: Article 22.

Learn more about their products for peace at:
http://www.peace-bomb.com

Q:

I’m a 40 yr old stay-at-home mom with 2 kids (4 & 8). I am heavier on the bottom, with a bad knee. I want to project a more stylish yet functional look but am fairly conservative and my budget is $1000. What do you suggest for a daytime and date-night look?

A:

Your body type can be described as the triangle body type where your hips are wider than your shoulders! Balance out your wider hips by making a statement up top with fun prints or pops of color and jewelry or scarves. Click here to watch a great video that shows you 25 Ways to Wear a Scarf in 4.5 Minutes! !

Because you’re a busy mom of 2 young children, we’ve picked out some fun and sophisticated pieces that will be easy to pull out of your closet an onto yourself with ease!

Scroll down for our suggestions with links to our suggestions in a number of price ranges…

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For dresses choose pieces that have more of an a-line shape. v-neck and slightly lower necklines are ideal because they serve as a frame for accessories such as necklaces, and scarves:

When it comes to jewelry, you can make a statement but keep it simple with delicate pieces that bring a nice pop of color or shimmer to your neckline:

For tops, bring attention to your other assets by choosing more detailed tops that feature fun prints or a nice solid pop of color, or ruffles!:

Because skinny or tapered leg jeans will make your hips to appear wider, go for a straight or boot cut leg to balance out your hips when dressing your shape in a pair of jeans:

When it comes to shoes, there are a number of stylish but ultra comfortable options to cozy your feet into, even better, comfortable shoes = better for your knee!:

triangle body type image above from instyle.com.

Congratulations to tristinstyling client, Erin Fitzgerald, for making the list this year out of over 700 nominations!

Here is a cut and paste from chicagobusiness.com:

Erin Fitzgerald
Dairy Management Inc.
34, senior vice-president, sustainability, Dairy Management Inc., Rosemont

It may come as a surprise to many that cows rank right up there with cars and coal-fired power plants as major factors in global warming. Not to Erin Fitzgerald, who heads up environmental initiatives for the farmer-funded Rosemont non-profit that runs the American Dairy Assn. and other milk industry groups, including hers, the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy.

Worldwide livestock production in general accounts for more greenhouse gas emissions than the transportation sector, according to a 2006 United Nations study, and with milk consumption projected to rise 80% by 2050, that’s a problem the dairy industry has had to confront. Hired four years ago to promote increased consumption of milk, Ms. Fitzgerald must convince dairy farmers that their long-term growth depends on reducing their cows’ methane output.

“The dairy industry has gone from a defensive position to an offensive position,” says Doug Young, a dairy farmer from New York who serves on the industry’s Sustainability Council. “She’s been a big part of making that happen. She’s just a natural leader in terms of people wanting to work for her.”

At her urging, the dairy industry now aims for a 25% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. “We’ve done the science, and it also makes good business sense,” says Ms. Fitzgerald, who in her spare time works with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America program, mentoring the pre-teen daughter of a single mom from Aurora for the past four years. Cutting emissions by a quarter is a realistic goal if at least 1,300 farms each invest $1 million or more in “digesters,” essentially mini-power plants that convert manure into biogas that can heat homes, she says. “We hope to be leaders for all of agriculture.”

HOW SHE UNWINDS: “I like the smell of food. It kind of stimulates your creativity.”

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Click the image below to watch Erin’s videos (Yep! She got an EXTRA FEATURED video!) or to see a complete list of the 40 under 40 class of 2011:

Scroll down to buy one (or all) of our favorites this Fall in Winter…

Anyway, the only thing we weren’t too crazy about was the massive size. Can you imagine the weight of that thing!? Chloé leather is not light!

Now, for all you lovelies who don’t need to carry a house around in your handbag, we suggest treating yourself to the Marcie Small Braided Hobo that we’ve seen on Reese Witherspoon.

Pictured on the LEFT side below, The Marcie Small Braided Hobo’s delicate braiding and a woven top-handle add rustic appeal to this rich leather design, crafted in a sleek flap-front silhouette. It measures 10″W X 11″H X 2½”D and retails for $1,560.00 at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Feel like a “G &1/2″ before taxes is too much to drop on a handbag? No worries! We know where you can get the PERFECT alternative (keep scrolling).

Pictured on the RIGHT side above in gray, The Claire Satchel by Diva Designs features textured leather like material, brushed gold hardware, cell and sunglasses pockets, and two interior storage pockets. It measures 13″W X 11″H X 5″ and retails for $85.00 at Shop Suey Boutique (tristinstyling subscribers, don’t forget to use your 20% off code)! Wanna see it in action? take a look at the video below:

Scroll down to take a look at or get yourself some of our favorites below…

Nanette Lepore:

Nanette Lepore: 50% off Holiday Collection by tristinstyling on Polyvore.com

Anthropologie:

Anthropologie Today: Add’l 25% off and Complimentary Standard Shipping by tristinstyling featuring a wrap robe

*Standard shipping with $75 minimum offer is valid for domestic shipments only and does not apply to previous purchases.
Offer expires on 12/22/10 at 10 A.M. EST. Additional fees apply for overweight, express or overnight shipping. Need to get it there by December 24? See full details at www.anthropologie.com

Q:

I just rented The Proposal and loved this orange bag (pictured left) that Sandra Bullock was wearing.

I thought it would be a perfect day to night bag to wear to work and after for cocktails, but when I looked it up, I was disappointed to find out that it’s retailed at thousands a piece with a waiting list that stretches for years!

Is this true?
Why so expensive?
Is there any way to get it cheaper?

A:

The only way to quickly get your hands on a Birkin once you get enough bacon together to get yourself one, is if you buy a pre-owned piece from a trustworthy seller or website. Ebay can be too risky when it comes to high ticket items like Birkins so we suggest buying from sites like Fashionphile or Portero.

The Orange 40cm Birkin, with Gold Hardware that Margaret Tate (Sandra Bullock) is wearing in ‘The Proposal’ is actually Bullock’s own that she wore to fell better about the purchase.

When asked, “What is your shopping indulgence?” in an InStyle interview by fan, Christina S. in Hicksville, NY, Bullock answered, “At the end of every film I buy myself something. I’m frugal and I have to have saved for it. I once bought a big orange Hermes bag, but the guilt that followed from buying it lasted a year. I used it in another movie I just shot, ‘The Proposal,’ so I feel better about it.”

Why so expensive? Take a look at how each lovely piece is handcrafted by Hermes artisans and tell us what you think TOTALLY WORTH IT or A TOTAL WASTE?:

It’s a perfect size measuring at 13 x 13 x 6 with loads of pockets inside and out. Our favorite part of the bag is the adorable removable front clutch with detachable shoulder strap so you can leave the baby’s things (or luggage if using it as an overnighter or carry-on) behind in a snap!

This bag does not compromise function for fashion with exterior features such as the water resistant, full Italian cowhide leather, and 18k gold-plated signature hardware for a rust free easy pull!

The spacious interior features soil-proof lining, snaphook for keys, two bottle pockets, and two zipper pockets.

The only con is that the $300 price point might be out of budget for some women but we say it’s a great investment. Consider the fact that you will be using this bag every single day for the next few years:

# Full Italian Cowhide Leather
# 18k Gold-Plated Signature Hardware
# Removable Front Clutch with Detachable Shoulder Strap
# Lower Zipper Compartment Featuring a Plastic Zipper Pocket
# Embossed Honey Logo on Bottom of Bag
# Water Resistant Exterior
# Soil-Proof Lining
# Hidden Magnet Closure
# Interior: Snaphook for Keys, Two Bottle Pockets, Two Zipper Pockets
# Exterior: Two Side Pockets, Back Zipper Pocket
# Zipper Pull Top Closure
# Included Accessories: Shoulder Strap, Stroller Straps, Changing Pad, and Drawstring Storage Bag, Leather Stroller Straps with Separate Storage Bag, Separate Soil Proof Changing Pad, Drawstring Storage Bag
# Measurements: 13″L x 6″W x 13″H
# Front Clutch-12L x 1.5W x 5.5H