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Hive 5: Summer-Friendly Equestrian Looks

2008-07-25T14:06:00Z

Do you fancy pastoral prints, obsess over fitted blazers and ogle at sleek leather boots? I know I do. And while its easy to pull off “equestrian chic” during the fall and winter months, I have only just come up with a way to translate my favorite equestrian pieces into my more laid-back summer style. The key is to pair bright colors and delicate fabrics with more tailored pieces like fitted pants and blazers. The flattering combination of tall leather boots and jeans may go together like horses and hay, but the addition of a delicate printed camisole on top will give you a look that’s both stable-chic and summer-friendly.

And what about the unlikely combination of boyish coats worn over dresses that is popping up all over the Hive? Pull on a fitted dark or tweed blazer (I have a great one in my slideshow!) over one of your favorite summer dresses for a versatile equestrian-themed look - no jodphurs needed!

For more ideas on how to stay stable-chic all summer long, jump on over to my slideshow and tally ho!

Street Style Steal: Stay Away From Casual Fridays Like She Does

2008-07-25T11:54:00Z

I’ve spent the past three weeks searching the streets of NYC for the appropriate clothes to wear to the office and have yet to find that perfect look! That is, until I discovered coconutkiss in Style Diary. She clearly doesn’t let being cooped up in an office stop her from looking fierce and fabulous! There is nothing more intimidating than combining looks with brains! If you want to get her beautiful, business buys check out my slideshow.

Hive 5: Be a Queen in the Animal Kingdom

2008-07-25T02:08:01Z

Sure everyone loves animals, and animal print is great, but why not show off more than their skin? Instead, opt for cute animal inspired apparel- we just love their little faces. You loved it so much as a kid and now you can have a much more age appropriate (and better fitting) version! Alright, so I don’t mean go out and buy a Björk swan dress lookalike, but a foxy Insight bathing suit, a quiet-as-a-mouse Marc ballet flat, or a panda dress that will hug your curves can surely enhance your outfit and not scare away small children. These cute-as-a-button animal pieces will definitely put a smile on your face, well, unless you’re Cruella De Vil, of course. Stop by the SLIDESHOW to see a couple of choices from the Hive’s wild kingdom.

Celeb Style Sale! Get Lindsay Price’s Powerhouse Pink Dress For Less

2008-07-24T23:48:00Z

Ever since landing a role on Lipstick Jungle, Lindsay Price’s style has taken a definate turn for the fabulous. Back in April, Lindsay showed up for the Tao Beach Grand Opening in Vegas looking absolutely striking in a hot pink and black Notte by Marchesa dress- definitely one of this season’s hottest color combos. Now you too can get in on this super hot look for a not-too-terrible price because it’s on sale! Act fast, most sizes are still in stock!

Get the Look: Notte By Marchesa Pleated Chiffon Dress, Was $795, NOW: $556.00.

Stylehiver Spotlight: “KimmiK” Specializes in Sweet-As-Candy Finds

2008-07-24T22:07:00Z

Stylehiver KimmiK must have sweet tooth because her Hive is full to the brim with eye candy. This fearless Hiver isn’t afraid of bright hues or fabulous color one bit, in fact, she searches out the sweetest pieces around like a kid in a candy store (more like a Shopaholic in a half-off sale). To the right I see a Burberry royal purple trench coat and to the left I see an ‘Atomic’ Beaded Dress by Matthew Williamson. Yum! And if these things don’t give you a sugar high, surely her Miu Miu platforms will. To get a taste of KimmiK’s Hive go to the SLIDESHOW.

Links & Thinks: Thursday’s Top Style Stories!

2008-07-24T21:03:01Z

Celebs celebrate Singer22, Cavalli to open club in Dubai, a special day for MJ, and more!

Nicky Hilton & Lindsay Lohan Celebrate Singer22.com -Couture In The City

Roberto Cavalli opening Cavalli Club in Dubai -Style Dash

Is Marc Jacobs Tying the Knot? -Fashionista

Abigail Lorick to Fashion Week! -Fashionista

Luxe Holiday From Victoria’s Secret -Fashion Wire Daily

Jewellery Made of Tights - Precious Stone Stocking Accessories -Trend Hunter

Road Test: Skineez Skincarewear … The Garment That Promises To Smooth And Shrink -She Finds

Jil Sander Smells -Fashionista

Style Poll: Catwoman-y Jumpsuits, So Hot Or So Not?

2008-07-24T20:05:00Z

While Catwoman the movie was a flop, Catwoman the fashion trend-setter is apparently a hit! It started with eternal fashion icon Gwyneth Paltrow who got heads turning and tongues wagging at the LA premiere of her flick Iron Man in a plunging Stella McCartney one piece. Then came Selma Blair who rocked a black Marchesa jumpsuit at the LA film festival. And recently, Dark Knight star Maggie Gyllenhaal got in on the action wearing an open back Stella McCartney number to the film’s London premiere- and I’m pretty sure this is just the tip of the iceberg. I really can’t decide about this trend, sure it looks great on these gorgeous stars, but will it translate for the every day gal? I have yet to see a jumpsuit anywhere other than a red carpet, so it’s a tough call.

Hive Q&A: Latest Project Runway Castoff Dishes On What Went Wrong

2008-07-24T19:08:01Z

While the premiere episode marked a revival of the old, the second episode of the hit show Project Runway explored something new. At first, the challenge seemed easy enough: Design a cocktail dress with your model as your client. However, it wouldn’t be Project Runway without some twists. Firstly, the materials had to be eco-friendly, and secondly, the models, not the designers, would be purchasing the fabrics- cue the panic! While the models struggled to determine how long a yard is, the designers stressed over what they’d be forced to work with. Some were pleasantly surprised, while others were forced to push their creativity thresholds to the limit to make it work. To determine how well the designers could appeal to the young and fabulous, it was only fitting that one of the most glamorous young stars out there was the guest judge- actress/Vegan shoe designer Natalie Portman.

In the end, Suede scored the big win, wowing the judges with his innovation and creativity, and Wesley was out got the boot on account of sloppy construction and poor fit. I just spoke to the ousted designer for his take on what went down. Read on for his regrets, his take on jufge’s critiques, and what’s up next for him.

Stylehive: What were your thoughts on this challenge?
Wesley: I was nervous going into it from the start because I don’t like to not have control or some sort of say in like fabric choice and stuff like that. Especially when it’s something like this- it’s very important that you do well, so it was rough to have someone else in control of that.

Stylehive: What was your reaction to Natalie Portman coming in as a guest judge?
Wesley: I was really excited that she was gonna be the guest judge. I think she’s a beautiful young actress and I would love to dress her one day, obviously not in the dress that I made yesterday, but I just think she has a great style and she’s very classic and. beautiful, so I was excited.

Stylehive: The judges were pretty harsh on you, what was going through your mind when you were standing up there listening to their critiques?
Wesley: To be honest, I had a lot of the same issues and thoughts going into it, and I knew I was gonna be on the bottom so I kind of prepared myself for that. I mean I could see where I went wrong with the design, but you just get to a certain point when you’re working on it where you don’t have a lot of leeway with fabric and you have a limited amount of yardage and you just have to commit to the design- I just had to finish it to show something, I couldn’t just not show anything. I mean it was hard to hear them put my thoughts into words and hear it from someone else. But I mean they’re people with opinions and everyone makes mistakes- but like I said, I had some of the same issues going into it before they even said anything.

Stylehive: If you could go back, what would you do differently?
Wesley: If I could go back I would have done just a safe, simple silhouette with minimal seaming. When you look at the episode, you see that there are two other people who have the same exact fabric and same exact color as me, so I was kind of competing with them as well. We already had Joe who was doing a very simple silhouette, so I didn’t want to do that and have us be too similar, but I didn’t wanna go in Leanne’s direction- she was trying to be drastically different from Joe. So I was trying to find a middle place and I just messed up, you know? If I could go back I would have just done something safe rather than worry about being too similar to Joe, that would have been less of an issue than getting kicked off.

Stylehive:Both you and Leanne received similar feedback from the judges- why do you think you were the one to go?
Wesley: Well to be honest, with my fit- it didn’t fit very well and Leanne’s was impeccably sewn so I think that that;s why I went home and she didn’t.

Stylehive: What’s next for you?
Wesley: Well I’m definitely gonna use this to my advantage- it’s better to be talked about than not talked about at all- I believe it was Oscar Wilde who said that. I mean I went from no one knowing me as a designer to everyone that watches the show kind of recognizing me as a designer , so I want to use that to my advantage. I’m looking to start my own line with Daniel- one of the other contestants form the show- we’re planning on working together. So it’s all very up in the air right now, but hopefully something will work out.

Sidenote: Last night on Watch What Happens: After the Sew Wesley revealed that he and Daniel are now an item! Aww! Click here to check it out!

Sexy Style: 5 Hot Sleepwear Pick for Hotter Summer Nights

2008-07-24T18:08:00Z

While the Lifetime network continually shows holiday films as part of some sort of “Christmas in July”, long robes and flannel pajamas are a distant memory for those of us in the northern hemisphere. The hot summer nights of July demand shorter, lighter and sexier sleepwear than those cold, snowy December evenings. Fortunately, there are many options for those of us who like to lounge around in stylish things during the evening hours. Light fitting chemises and babydolls in colorful prints abound this summer and it’s easy to find a stylish piece for almost any situation. Check out the slideshow for 5 great summer sleepwear picks!

Home Style: 11 Outdoor Lighting Ideas To Create the Perfect Mood

2008-07-24T17:03:00Z

As every stylish gal knows, lighting is everything. Skin never looks as flawless, eyes never as sparkly, necks never as slender as in the forgiving glow of candles, lanterns, and other outdoor lights. Perfect lighting can transform any outdoor space into a magical spot for a meal, party, or romantic tête-à-tête. From modern, light-up cube stools to festive string lights to Greek Isle-worthy lanterns, check out my slideshow for lighting ideas that’ll keep you and your outdoor space looking sexy into the wee hours of the night.