StyleWhipped

Danielle Aspromatis: Tied Up with a Bow

I really need spring to arrive...I am craving light, fun wardrobe options and most of all, my printed spring tops. A print can change a whole outfit! Which is why I love a guy who can think out of the box and add a little print to his outfit...sure you can add a pocket square or some funky socks for a subtle approach, but for the more bold party-goer or groom, try a printed bow-tie for maximum effect! No, it's not for everyone, but I do love this look for a certain type of style and it definitely sets a man apart from the rest of the crowd!

To buy a great bowtie, visit Bonobos.com, a company that prides itself on not only style but fit (that's a whole other article focused on Bonobos' great fitting-clothes for men!) 

They have great ties and bowties in the accessories section, like this madras plaid bowtie, $75

And this more subtle navy and white striped bowtie, $58

 

For those of you out there that don't see themselves wearing a bowtie but want a great printed tie, I love this unique cotton linen striped tie, $78

Now all we need is some sunshine and some warm weather....Spring, we are ready for ya!

-Danielle

 

Ready. So Ready.

For Spring, that is. I am seriously, seriously ready. I want to stop having to wear boots and furs and taking an extra ten minutes to get out the door as I look for my gloves and put a coat on my little dog. I need some sunshine and warmth asap...but in the meantime, I am going to start my Spring shopping so I am prepared for that first truly lovely day!

And the very first thing I want to buy is this gorgeous, saturated salmon-hued dress from my beloved Diane von Furstenberg. This short-dress-long-sleeves shape is one of my favorites, and can be styled to flatter almost any body type (need a defined waist? add in a belt! don't want to show off that much leg? add in opaque tights!). It also works nearly all year long...for now, I would wear it with black tights, dark closed-toe platforms, and a furry jacket. The fabulous little cut-outs along the neckline add both visual interest as well as show a bit of skin so that you don't feel 100% covered. And once the weather actually warms up? Bare legs, nude heels, and a great pendant necklace are all you need with this. You can even dress it down with metallic flats, a fur vest instead of a jacket, and an oversized handbag. And that beautiful color I mentioned earlier? Fantastic on everyone from porcelain-skinned redheads to tan brunettes and everyone in-between...

So c'mon, Spring...hurry up. Because I am so ready.

~ Alison.

Don't Step on Them

Two years ago, I went to Graceland because my sister has always been obsessed with Elvis Presley. While we were there with our adorable father, he actually busted out his blue suede oxfords so we could all laugh at ourselves while we constantly sang "don't step on my blue suede shoes..." So imagine my delight when I stumbled upon these two-tone blue suede stilettos from Prada...

While browsing at Jeffrey NY in NYC's Meatpacking district the other day (my friend was late, which means I immediately went to the store's beautifully curated shoe department for some alone-time with my lovers...), I instantly gravitated towards a pair of two-tone turquoise blue suede sandals from Prada. Normally, Prada is hit-or-miss with me when it comes to shoes, but these were absolute perfection. The gorgeous shades of blue, the 6-inch heel and almost 3-inch double-stacked platform, the perfectly proportioned peep-toe...I was in heaven. The only thing I wished was different was the ankle strap (I've bought too many ankle-strap heels these days and know that once summer and short little minidresses roll around, I'm not going to want anything but leg-lengthening looks...meaning no ankle straps, please!).

And then, low and behold...these babies come in a different version, available at Bergdorf Goodman! In a standard peep-toe pump silhouette, everything else about these is still the same. The saturated but subtle turquoises, the heel height, everything. And that ultrafine suede, because of its hue, is workable all year long (imagine these with a strapless white mini dress and a tan in the summer...but with skinny jeans and a black satin top now!), and the elegant style will never feel outdated. 

Just don't step on them...;)

~ Alison.

Danielle Aspromatis: St. Patty's Day Cure

St. Patty's Day is coming up soon and for any of you who plan on throwing a little party to honor both St. Patrick AND beer manufacturers (!), I have a little fun "extra" for you. Almost everything can be quickly ordered online for delivery before the weekend, and your guests will get a kick out of taking a favor home. With just a few green and white items and a cello bag, you can let your guests leave with a "hangover cure" gift bag to nurse themselves to health following excessive drinking and partying this weekend...

First, start with a a gusseted cello bag...You can get these at your local Michael's too, but for those who don't have time, visit Amazon.com for an order of 100 for $9.99.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Any green ribbon will do but I really love this contrast grosgrain ribbon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then, fill with your goodies! Twinings Tea right from your supermarket (to detox!), Shamrock cookies (also from the supermarket or your local bakery), Chocolate "coins" from the leprechaun's pot, Peppermint Lindt truffles, and of course after all that junk food and alcohol you need antacid tablets!

Put them all together and you have one cute take away to what is hopefully a party you can remember...uh, I mean TO remember.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-Danielle

Guest Writer Emily Albright: Footwear Essentials for the Working Girl

Hi, my name is Emily and I’m a shoe addict. And although I’ve reformed my ways, I once had so many packages arriving from online shoe shopping that I had to split up the deliveries between my apartment and my office (so as not to appear completely crazy to the outside world, obviously). And, ok fine, I was on a first name basis with everyone in the mailroom, and if we’re being completely honest here, I maybe high-fived a few of the delivery men when it was a particularly sought-after package. But who hasn’t, right?

And really, can we women be blamed? I mean, with endless options for all of life’s requirements – casual weekend outings, fancy nights on the town, going to work, getting to work (aka commuter shoes – and no, this should not include sporty gym shoes), special occasions, and don’t even get me started on seasonal shoes – boots and sandals add a whole new dimension to this discussion – it is nearly impossible to survive on a few pairs alone!

However, shortly after realizing that storing off-season shoes in my faux fireplace was not in fact the norm, I attempted to pare down my immense collection. I quickly came to the conclusion that tailoring my work wear into a few fail-proof staples was not only easier than I thought, but a much-improved system! Over the years, I’ve narrowed the scope of my footwear into six basic staples that meet all of my professional needs without breaking the bank or taking over valuable real estate in my apartment! Without further ado:

1)      The basic black pump. I know, this sounds almost too basic to list, but there are so many possibilities for this timeless workhorse. And if you invest wisely, you’ll only need to buy one pair to last you years (I’ve had the same pair since 2009, and they still look and feel amazing). I love the basic black pump in patent with a round toe like these from L.K. Bennett, and with a subtle rocker-chic detail, this basic from Rachel Zoe gets an instant update.

2)      Nude, aka black pump’s brother. I know what you’re thinking and stop right there, nude shoes are meant to be worn year-round, not just in the spring/summer. Did anyone else notice all of the stylish women wearing nude shoes with black tights at fashion week? Just think of them as a fashion-forward alternative to black pumps. My man Cole Haan does it right.

3)      Animal print. I love me some animal print almost more than life itself. And more importantly, animal print is never not in style, and it goes with practically everything. I can’t get enough of this round toe beauty from J. Crew. Plus, there are many, many options outside of the classic leopard print – snake print is so beyond fabulous, a la these killers from Alice + Olivia.

4)      Color. A bright, bold pop of color is a constant go-to for me, and it is such an easy way to dress up a monotone outfit. The trick to wearing a colorful shoe is pretending like it’s a basic, and just throwing it in the mix with any outfit! Mint is all over the scene this spring, Kate Spade's round toe version even includes a to die for bow. Neon is the trend that just won’t quit – I have a pair similar to these from J. Crew and I bust them out at least once a week.   

5)      I’m a firm believer in taking advantage of a printed shoe to spice up an otherwise mundane outfit, or to add depth to an already fab ensemble. Polka dots from Kate Spade are easy to work into your weekly mix and add interest without being too loud. These little black and white booties from Nordstrom are adorable and can be worn so many different ways! I’m also loving these lace look-alikes from Alice + Olivia.

6)      Metallic. For me, metallic footwear is every day wear, another alternative to black or nude shoes. Whenever I seem to have trouble finding just the right shoe to wear, metallic to the rescue. I love gold, silver, rose gold, bronze – the list goes on. This pale gold number from Loeffler Randall could not be more perfect, and these silver winners from Chloe have French-chic written all over them.   

Good luck, fellow shoe addicts!

- Emily

Pinkberry Please

I personally don't get the Pinkberry craze because I don't eat frozen yogurt. But I am well aware that Pinkberry has a huge following and people who eat it are DIE HARD loyal customers. So when I saw this image, I thought wow, those yogurt crazed fans would love to have a Pinkberry station at their next party! How cool?!

Great for this spring and summer's upcoming birthday BBQ's, outdoor parties, and as a dessert supplement to any indoor function as well. Offerings and prices vary but store, but you always have two different options depending on your budget: The "full service" option includes a Pinkberry team to come set up and stay to present your guests with Pinkberry goodness. The "drop off" option includes exactly what it sounds like...delivery of your flavors and toppings for you to arrange on your own Pinkberry bar at your event, and guests can help themselves! This would be great to mix the yogurt bar with a candy bar, dessert bar, pie bar, or "yogurt sandwich bar" that is supplemented with cookies. What a refreshing and fabulous touch!

Now only if the weather would warm up so a frozen treat would not sound so ridiculous!

- Danielle

Grey Area

I have a (guy) friend who always, always rocks grey jeans. It's sort of his "thing" and every time I picture him in my head, he is wearing his omni-present greys. And while is he also one of those guys who claims to not really care about "fashion," wearing grey jeans -- and wearing them in a chic way -- is actually quite fashion-forward. It shows you can think outside of the jeans-are-supposed-to-be-blue box, gives you a little bit of a rocker-y edge, compliments just about any skin tone, and can actually have the same slimming effect as black. 

So I started thinking that most guys really do need to have at least one pair of grey jeans in their wardrobe. But, just like blue, there are a million and one shades of grey out there. So what grey should you choose? And what does each shade "mean" when you incorporate it into your wardrobe? Well boys, read on...

This super hot pair from Diesel are for the fashion-conscious guy. They are a rich, saturated grey that can be dressed down with a pair of Converse, a simple white t-shirt, and an army green jacket. But they are really well-tailored, and that dark uniform wash allows them to also be dressed up with a light-colored dress shirt, a black blazer, and great black shoes (think a little shiny and a little pointy...):

Want more of a fun, really casual-yet-still-stylish pair that work best for a date at a dive bar or to set you apart in your creative, it's-always-casual-Friday office? These from Citizens of Humanity keep the little kid in you alive and work best with a worn-in plaid shirt, a knit cap and low-profile, hipster sneakers:

Dream of being a rockstar but can't sing worth your weight? No worries. These incredibly destroyed, fitted, and sexy greys from AG will instantly transform you. They are meant to be a little too tight, a little too hole-y for the average guy, and totally rocker-y. Wear them with a graphic t-shirt, army boots, some hyper-masculine jewelry and a scowl (!):

And last but definitely not least...I haven't forgotten about you true fashionistos out there. Those of you who always wear a blazer and the latest Gucci shoes. Those of you who are dapper and dressed to the nines, but also really "get" fashion and know that a great pair of jeans with a "formal" metallic finish work just as well on a dinner date as they do on a red carpet. Snag this gorgeous pair from John Varvatos before everyone else:

So you see, this is a good "grey area" guys...and one that with a little guidance (ahem...), you can make perfectly black & white...

~ Alison.

Layered Love

Everyday, I wear an oversized men's watch, layered with some combination of chunky and delicate bracelets. My left arm now no longer feels right without the weight of both the big watch and the multiple bracelets. My go-to combination, whether I am wearing a yellow- or rose-gold watch, is a bracelet of oversized clear crystals, a yellow gold skinny chain bracelet with a bar of pave diamonds, and a stretchy bracelet of hematite beads with a rose-gold and pave CZ disc. I then change things up from there, substituting others in, or completely altering the look when I need to be really formally dressed. 

The stretchy hematite bracelet is from a line of pieces sold on Max & Chloe, one of my favorite online jewelry retailers. Available in so many different permutations (onyx beads, grey crystal beads, tiny white pearls) with so many choices of details ("faith" in pave CZ's, pave CZ'd crosses), you are bound to find multiples that you absolutely have to have (and wear all together!). These make fabulous gifts (to a girlfriend, your mom, yourself...), and even with their varied tones of gold or silver, they all work with each other in a cool, boho-chic kind of way. Additionally, they are tiny & delicate, so their messages are quiet (perfect for making someone look just a little closer to see what you are really wearing...). Two of my favorites are an onyx-beads-and-rose-gold-&-CZ-skull (tough but still cute) and a hematite-beads-and-yellow-gold-CZ-"love" (sweet but still subtle). Wear these two together, on their own, with other pieces, next to something big and oversized...you name it, they work!

~ Alison.

Danielle Aspromatis: All About the View

When it comes to restaurants and event spaces, a good view is worth its weight in gold....and a city panoramic view is just priceless! Enter The Waterside...a restaurant and catering event space in NJ on the Hudson River with the best views I have seen of Manhattan in all of New Jersey!

Nestled in North Bergen, the Waterside is a tasty restaurant, a chic spot for drinks, and an experienced wedding and special event venue all wrapped into one! The restaurant's menu features everything from a raw bar to steak and everything in between....and the same goes for their extensive and flexible catering menus! Whether you are hosting a shower, birthday party, wedding or corporate event from 20 to 220 guests, you will be stunned by the granite ballroom floors, elegant chiavari chairs, and choice of dozens of linen colors! The colors are neutral and all the spaces are light and bright...modern but with an elegant, tasteful appeal. Check out a few of my favorite pictures that showcase their spacious and stylish event spaces..

If you are not planning an event, take advantage of the restaurant and their extensive a la carte menus. And as soon as this cold weather finally leaves us, this is the perfect spot for outdoor dining!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And the night continues for drinks and music!

 

 

 

 

 

 

To stay connected to The Waterside for updates on events and what's going on at the restaurant and bar, "like" them on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/watersiderestaurantandcatering

-Danielle

Jennifer Corcione: A Little Bit of February...

February is always one of my favorite months, because it has my favorite form of GTL… Grammys, Tunes, and Love! On February 10^th, like millions of others, I curled up on my cozy couch and prepared for a night of epic live performances, tear-jerking moments, and some of the best acceptance speeches I have ever heard. For those who know my Twitter handle (@jennyrockstar), I managed to ‘live-tweet’ during the entire show. Of course I couldn’t help adding massive amounts of exclamation points at my favorite wins (Mumford and Sons!!!!!), coupled with witty tweets about the celeb reactions in the audience and various wardrobe “no-nos”. (On a related note, Editor-in-Chief Alison and I were SO close to creating a Taylor Swift drinking game based on how many times the camera panned to her. Sheer hilarity.)

But most importantly, the music! The performances and nominated artists were as diverse as they are talented. From artists just emerging on the scene (how amazing was “Carry On” by Fun…seriously?!?)  to returning artists (:::cough, cough::: Justin Timberlake), my boyfriend Matt and I relished in every little part of the show. (And even though it wasn’t shown on the main event, I do know Matt was happy to know even Brian Wilson, one of his all-time faves, won a Grammy too.)

If The Grammys weren’t enough, Valentine’s Day shortly followed, coupled with every attempt made to squeeze love into anything and everything possible. Even greeting cards have now become a means to propose to your significant other. Don’t get me wrong, I love the idea of sharing love with those who mean the most to you, but aren’t there 364 other days to also worry about? (However, it didn’t stop me from being a cheesy romantic, even on the actual holiday.)

Yes, February was full of momentous moments, from Grammys to Valentine’s (and everything in between), there were several opportunities to find and appreciate music in all its forms. And as a special treat, to bring together all the wonderful parts of February for each and every one of you, here’s a special Jenn’s “Little Bit of February” playlist:

1)      Phil Collins – Groovy Kind of Love: What would romance be without a little throwback to this great cover? (It was originally performed by The Mindbenders.) Also, it has partially solidified my love for the show New Girl, especially since this song was used in one of the early episodes of the first season.

2)      Alabama Shakes – Hold On: There’s nothing sexier than a band that can give me the gritty rock sound with a female lead! Cue lead singer Brittany Howard on Saturday Night Live singing in a Brian Wilson-esque style, making her Gibson howl in sync with the rest of her bandmates. And for anyone that missed Howard’s performance at the Grammys for the Levon Helm tribute, it was magical!

3)      The Lumineers – Ho Hey: This may be my favorite song of 2013 (so far!) It’s perfect in every way that one can imagine. It’s got the best rhythm, the words are endearingly romantic, and by the end of the night, it’s a great drunk song. And if you want to go one better, be sure to listen to their self-titled album! (Each song on there is enchanting and comforting – be prepared with to chill at home with some lit candles and a glass of wine.)

4)      fun. – All Alright: The band fun. is everywhere right now…and it’s amazing! And while I do love all their hits at the moment, this particular track off the album Some Nights resonates stronger with me than ever. As lead singer Nate Ruess laments about loss and coping, there’s still that hope that everything will be just that…alright.

5)      Alicia Keys – Girl On Fire: I am in love with this song…and even Alicia Keys just a little. (As a fellow pianist, she amazes me with what she brings to music – it’s refreshing!) Also, her Grammys performance with Adam Levine? That was pretty hot.

6)      Rihanna – Stay: While I may not agree with her life choices, there’s no doubt that this heart-wrenching track about loving someone against the odds is one that I just can’t stop listening to. The Grammy performance was wonderful, but the music video drives the emotions home even more…check it out here.

7)      Miniature Tigers – Easy As All That: Best known for their indie pop sound, Miniature Tigers have become my favorite go-to for car music. And once you hear this catchy little tune, they might become your favorite too! (Trust me, you’ll find yourself singing along after hearing this track at least 2-3 times.)

8)      Imagine Dragons – It’s Time: One of my fave finds thanks to Glee (and Darren Criss killed it!) That signature mandolin lick, the rhythmic clapping you find yourself trying to perfect, and a chorus so hauntingly familiar for every 20-something attempting to figure out their life after college…it’s all there.

*********************************

February brought musical opportunity unlike any other! I hope that all of you take time to embark on your own music journeys and discover your own playlist.

- Jenn