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Masons has partnered with Rock the Runway for Education to present their show. Rock the Runway has supported the Single Parent Scholarship for several years now. Here are a few facts about where your money will go when buying a ticket to our show:

Mission : To help single parents become self-sufficient through post-secondary education.

• Established in 1984, SPSF NWA is a private nonprofit 501 (c) 3 organization dedicated to helping single parents accomplish their educational goals and create a better future for their children.
• We offer scholarships to help single parents pay for the costs of their education and related living expenses
• More than $250,000 in scholarships is awarded each year.
• SPSF NWA receives no government funding. Scholarships are funded entirely by donations from individuals, local businesses, civic and community groups, churches, and private foundations.
• Contributions from all segments of the local community are vital to our continued ability to end poverty for single parent families in Northwest Arkansas.

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We began our venture with creating these beautiful and creative roses out of red poster board! Aren’t they awesome!?

Next, we gathered a few branches that we could bind together to create our version of some sort of bouquet.

After we got the limbs just perfect, it was time to install!

I know it’s a dangerous job, but somebody’s got to do it!

After a few hours of work, the windows were complete! Everyone should come by and check it out! And tell us what you think!

A few days later, we headed over to our mall location! Here are a few pictures of our mall window, complete with another paper dress made of red roses!

Written by: Clay Sasfai

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Working with the bright, highly vibrant and sometimes pastel colors for spring, designers have taken many approaches to the new print and have showcased the print in both a very literal and abstract way.

Here Carolina Herrera has taken a literal approach to her prints but done so in a very modest way. The dispersion of the actual birds are done ever so subtle and draw the eye with the use of bright colors and the gradual multiplication of the pattern.

The Spring 2012 Marc by Marc Jacobs collection also showed some ornithological features. Jacobs took more of an abstract approach when incorporating birds into his new collection. At first glance, flower petals, but then after a closer look you can see that the print is in fact birds.

Other designers are embracing the bird trend as well. Because you know what they say, “birds of a feather, flock together!”

Written By: Clay Sasfai

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Well, after spending the past couple of weeks hunched over my computer screen drooling over the Spring 2012 runway photos, I can’t help but reboot my thought process and take another look at beautiful pastels with a new eye. Somehow this year, the calming colors have electricity.  Like the end of a good cleanse – this spring’s pastels make me feel a bit buzzy.  What’s changed?  Possibly how the designers approached using this soft pallette.  Some used the Fall/Winter color blocking trend and spun it into a diffused version for warmer weather.

Layering them in a “more is more” way, and then combining them with modern silhouettes like drop waist Daisy Buchanan dresses or flowy wide leg pants.  It all makes me wish we could fast forward to April.  Further evidence that this trend isn’t reserved for the Royal family, is Prada’s Spring line.  Arguably the toughest designer girl out there, Miuccia, did almost an entire show in pastels!  Of course she had her edgy Prada take on it, but still! Feminine dresses with tons of pleats and pastels reigned supreme.  It’s clear that girly girls won’t be the only ones joining in on this trend.

We have some beautiful pastels trickling into Masons and I for one, am on board.  The most exciting ones that can be worn (RIGHT NOW!!) are the celebrity favorite ‘it blouses’ by Equipment and the deliciously creamy silk Joie poet blouses.  These tops and others come in a variety of prints and pastels: from sea foam greens to soft blushes and pinks, and more arrive every day. They look amazing with a great pair of jeans and your favorite boots.  It’s fun to have the hope of spring peeking out in the winter months.  Stop by and see this new trend in all it’s glowy newness.  No better way to beat the mid winter blues!

Written by: Christin Archambault

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For the beginning of the New Year men’s denim has really taken off on the denim trend and we are starting to see new twists on this oldie but goodie fashion staple everywhere.

From super tailored to big and oversized, 2012 is ringing in all kinds of denim looks that we see everyday but they are redone with modern updates, patterns and colors.

For the colder months that are still ahead of us, a great look would be to throw on some great jeans and a denim jacket. One tip with this, keeping it modern, would be to make sure your denim blue’s are different shades. You should avoid the infamous Canadian Tuxedo at all costs. You can also take it up a notch, like Johnny Depp, and grab an oversized coat (so big for 2012), a scarf and fedora to create a more SoHo, rocker look with your jeans. 

If this un-kept shabby chic look is not working for you, you can also opt to brave the cold in a more classic, more tailored look. A great flannel, a lined sheep’s wool denim jacket and cool boots are a great way to pull off this look. Another option would be to throw on a great sweater or a puffy vest to finish of this classic, All-American look.

You can be as creative as you want with your denim, guys. From down in the dirt to the office, a good pair of denim, however it’s worn, is a great staple piece that’s always laying around and can be worked into almost everything.

Written by: Clay Sasfai

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Woody Allen’s newest film: Midnight in Paris, held the recurring theme of a “golden past”, and it came to play with the idea that any time period of the past was better than the current, standing most true in terms of fashion.

In the film Owen Wilson (Gil) is the lead character who is a writer with a passion for Paris life in the 1920’s. He visits Paris with his fiancé (Rachel McAdams) and her parents, and goes back in time to his own “golden past” meeting characters played by Marion Cotillard, Adrien Brody and Kathy Bates.

I couldn’t get through the film without noticing the impeccable fashion. The costume designer, Sonia Grande, did a fantastic job capturing both the fashion of today as well as the dramatic edgy trend of the 20′s. The film is so stylish because these characters were stylish, and not in fake way. They were revolutionary innovators and true artists, and their spirit was reflected in what they wore.

1920’s attire is also a current trend for Spring 2012. Drop-waist flapper dresses are a big up and coming trend and Marion Cotillard’s character makes it timeless.  Embellished headpieces are also a big trend right now and are reflected in the movie as well.

Sonia Grande, the costume designer discusses her vision with Marion Cotillard’s character, the seductive 1920′s muse:  “Adriana is romantic, idealistic, feminine and a dreamer, but also exquisite. She’s a delicate muse to artists and intellectuals in the ’20s.” As for where she found the treasure trove of a wardrobe,  she explains ”Costume pieces were found through a “tireless search of half the world’s antiques in Paris, London, Madrid, Buenos Aires and their sultry boutiques.”

Below is a sample of Ralph Lauren’s Spring 2012 line which is clearly inspired by the roaring 20′s flapper girl. I highly recommend watching this movie, not only because it’s great, but to also bring out your inner fashionista and get inspired for this beautiful up and coming trend!

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Sometimes you have to push yourself to forget the old rules in order to achieve a new aesthetic.  Dressing can be an art form, and mixing prints has taken on a life of its own. It’s an educated style, but an easier lesson than you might think. When we accomplish it, it quite simply rocks.  You can’t deny the fearless girl who takes chances and dresses with confidence.  That’s exactly what this trend celebrates, and we can’t get enough.

There aren’t any rules to this fun mix {truly} but if you still feel a little hesitant, start simply with a few guidelines.  Keep in mind these are NOT rules – just a beginner’s cheat sheet to help you get started…

1) Begin by choosing patterns that share a neutral background, like brown, black, white, or gray.  Graduate to the same color story – meaning the patterns have a color or two in common, but not necessarily the background.  For example, if you’re mixing a navy stripe shirt with a floral Spring skirt, it’s a no-brainer if a similar blue is part of the floral print. For some advanced extra credit: abandon the color scheme completely and do complimentary colors instead – like turquoise and navy or yellow and gray.  Just avoid the clash (I’m looking at you Red and Green).  We want to be stylish, not LOUD.

2) Combine organic prints with structured prints – like swirls with stripes.  In our humble opinions, stripes are a basic neutral almost.  They are familiar to the eye and can therefore work with anything from floral to polka dots to leopard prints to military prints.

3) Vary the scale of the prints.  Mix a small neat print with a bold one – micro gingham with bold flowers; tiny polka dots with big oversized stripes; or even stripes on stripes as long as they are not the same size.

4) Own it! You have to wear this trend with attitude.  You can wear as many prints as you like just as long as you’ll be confident with what you’re wearing. Everyone can remember a time where we fidgeted all night because our outfit choice left us feeling less than secure. Let’s not repeat that here.  Be brave! Or….. throw on your biggest and darkest sunnies and do a quick dry run in your mixed prints to Starbucks and back!  Share your pictures and let us know how it goes!

Written by: Christin Archambault

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Since its beginning the brand has lived up to its buzz and has received praise in magazines such as Vogue, Elle and Harper’s Bazaar as well as being a popular item amongst fashion bloggers.

Nicole Ritchie is almost always sporting a pair of sunglasses and it has been rumored that she personally owns more than 500 pairs. So it was only natural that Nicole has included her own line in her collection.

“Sunglasses are the cornerstone to completing a look… I view them as fun masks to accessorize your face…They also come in handy when you can’t be bothered with makeup.” -Nicole Ritchie

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Going from left to right starting at the top, our favorites include:

SPANX Tight-End Tights: They come in opaque black, purple, and black texture. Perfect for a sister, mother and don’t forget the in-laws! $26 – $42

TOMS Sungalsses in Aviator, Wayfarer and Oversized: Unisex and perfect gift for your loved one as well as a person in need of eye care. $135

TOMS shoes for men, women, youth and tiny: Another double gift for your loved one and a child who is in need of a pair of shoes. $29 – $89

Deepa Headbands: Great stocking stuffer or gift for your fashionable friend. $48 – $72

Brighton Charms: Perfect way to personalize a gift to your loved one. We have tons of charms to choose from to make your charm bracelet a memorable one. $10 – $20

iPad Cases: Our Urban Expressions iPad cases are a great inexpensive gifting item for those who have an iPad. $48

French Connection Leather Gloves: It’s getting cold outside! So get a man in your life some nice leather gloves this Christmas. Great stocking stuffer! $58

Tano Handbags: You can’t go wrong with a Tano. We have so many different styles and colors to choose from,  one of these leather bags would make the perfect gift for any woman. $132 – $248

House of Harlow Sunglasses: With 5 different styles in this line by Nicole Ritchie, you can find the perfect frame for your girlfriend, sister or any fashion forward friend! $122 – $144

Michael Kors Watches: With both men and woman’s styles this makes a great gift for anyone! $225 – $250

Angel Court Jewelry: This vintage inspired jewelry line are all one of a kind pieces that make a great unique gift. $88 – $428

Tom Ford Sunglasses: Tom Ford Sunglasses are a luxurious mix of sleek and chic. The sunglasses are full of detail and quality yet something new and different. $358 – $450

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