Happy new year..!!

It's September, fashion's official start to the new year. It's also my FAVOURITE time of the year. I love layers; camis with tanks and t-shirts under a chunky knit and leather jacket! Okay maybe that's too much. But, living in endless 30+ degrees does make me yearn for 12° days. Trench coats, scarves, knit berets how I miss thee! Okay while I sit here and dream of brisk days past, let me fill you in on the top 2011 fall fashion trends and must-haves.

Maxi Skirts + Cozy Knits

This unexpected combination is the perfect way to bring your summer clothes into the fall season. Wear it loose as seen on the runways of Tracey Reese, or belt it up like Olivia Palermo.


Desert Boots

Clark's Desert Boots  for Banana Republic
Now $89.99

Old Navy $37

This 70's staple reinvents itself every fall. This year we see the classic desert boot done in leather over the traditional suede by Clark for their collaboration with BR. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Old Navy decided to add height bringing these affordable booties to the next level.


Capes & Ponchos

(L) Rapsodia (R) Rachel Zoe

In that perfect time of year when we can leave the house with just a light jacket, try incorporating a new outer layer into your wardrobe instead. I know a poncho can be a little intimdating, we don't want to look like walking tents. But now there is such an array on the market, try the uber-modern cape from Rapsodia or go more classic and figure-friendly with this belted poncho from Rachel Zoe.


Mad Mod

Banana Republic's Mad Men collection

You love the TV show, now with Banana Republic's fall 'Mad Men' collection you can bring 60's chic into the office. 


Sheer shoulders

(L) Mackage
(R) French Connection $148

For night's out, the new sexy is all in the shoulders!

Peplum Silhouette

Kate Moss shows us her exaggerated peplum silhouette in a fashion spread

Look 1: Alice+Olivia Kylie $368
Look 2: Alice+Olivia Belted $396
Look 3: BCBGMAXAZRIA Strapless Peplum $278 

Kate Moss shows us the extreme end of this silhouette, but I've also included some real way pieces to incorporate into your wardrobe. This is a great silhouette for the girls who want a more pronounced waist. Although you are adding more volume to your hips, your cinched in waist is where you'll draw the eye and give yourself that all so sexy hour glass figure. 


Untamed Tresses

Girls rejoice! We can drop our damaging heat tools and go for a more "au-naturel" look.

Pinned-up Pony

Take your normal pony and bring it into fall by taking the base and pinning it under the hair, as seen on the Vera Wang runways. 

Thakoon

Spice it Up

Fendi

Look no further than your spice rack for fall's hottest palette; burnt reds, mustard yellows and olive greens.



Polka dot tights

This is a big step for me, I do not like patterned tights or polka dots persay. But by somehow mixing them together as seen in magazines and on uber-fashionable actress Emma Watson, it does make a charming combination.


Metallic Eyes

(L) Models shimmered on the runways of Chanel
(R) Get the look with Cover Girl's Intense Shadow Blast 

Make your eyes sparkle and pop with silver/blue shadow.


Leather skirt

Club Monaco

A hugely predominant trend for fall was the pencil skirt. To bring this look into 2011, find one with leather details as seen on this Club Monaco skirt. 


Bow neck

3.1 Phillip Lim

(L) Steffen Schraut 

(R) French Connection $198

 

Tie it up for a bit of sophistication. Going into the new season, we see that our favourite bow-tie tops from Spring can still be worn into Autumn. 

Shearling

Leather jacket by Mackage
Jean jacket by Rapsodia

Nothing says fall has arrived more than a little shearling. This luxurious trim is great on a light jacket or vest. 

Fashion Infraction Friday: Just because it ZIPS, doesn't mean it FITS..

A common fashion mistake I see women making is trying to squeeze into a sized too-small garment because they want to give the illusion of a smaller silhouette. This is probably one of the worst things you can do! In fact, it creates the exact opposite impression. Barely-buttonable shirts, muffin-top inducing jeans and too tight sleeves actually make you look bigger, and not too mention, so uncomfortable! 

I find that my shirts and even more so my pants can be anywhere between 2 sizes depending where I shop. 

Don't dwell on the number, find clothes that fit YOUR body. Comfort is confidence!

Fashion Infraction Friday: Clearly visible..

What does everyone think about seeing a girl's bra straps sticking out the sides of her shirt? I am not a fan. I get that it's summer and racerbacks are in and, but have we not seen endless infomercials about how to keep this situation under wraps?!

Even more frightful is a mixmatch colour set, ie. black tank/red bra. OR my ultimate citation-worthy offense.. plastic bra straps. I cringe people! They are not invisible, they do not go unnoticed. 

Quick fixes:

(L): Hook-Ups bra clips, turn any bra into a convertible
(R): La Senza 'Beyond Cleavage' clip-able bra

The rules according to B..

Always put your best foot forward.. and never let them forget you are a DIVA!

I love glitter pumps! I guess they remind me of disco balls that let me boogie down anywhere I step, and are fitting with the 70's trends seen all over the runways. To give us more proof that her lifestyle is nothing like that of our own, Beyonce rocked these 6-inch crystal-embellished Christian Louboutin Daffodil pumps courtside to the NBA All-Star game in LA. Yes, to a basketball game! But it's Beyonce people, there's no shimmying through the rafters for her.

Shoe envy. 

Fashion Infraction Friday presents..

Dark lipliner/light(er) lipstick

This seems like a pretty obvious one. But you may be surprised how prevalent this 80's flashback is, especially in my southern stomping grounds. (I've seen women applying lipliner without a mirror! Or worse, wearing lipliner on its own, shudder) In addition to giving your puckers an ashy look, the even more offending mistake I see is thinking that lipliner is an alternative to restalyne. Lipliner should never go above or beneath your actual lips for that stuck-on pucker face. Please.


Anyone who knows me knows that I am not an advocator of using lip liner at all. But what numerous beauty blogs will tell you is that the purpose of lipliner is to ensure your lipstick stays on all day. 


So if you simply cannot drop the liner all together find a shade that is sheer or the same colour as your lipstick. The proper way to use liner is to follow the natural shape of your lips. If you want extra staying power, fill in your lips with that same shade as if it were lipstick, you can finish the look with just gloss or apply lipstick of the same colour.  

When in doubt, drop the lipliner, step away from the lipliner!

Introducing..

This week will be vanessa angelique's first ever, Fashion Infraction Friday! The most common fashion mistakes I see women making, and solutions to not fall into future faux-pas. Don't get caught committing these offenses!


Oh Mischa, Mischa, Mischa.. I have a feeling we'll be seeing a lot more of you..

Attention recessionistas!..

To quote the one and only Samantha Jones, "Two years of bad business and this bullsh*t economy and I'm done - we need to go somewhere rich!"


So maybe we can't all jet off to the new Middle East to escape the money woes of the western world, but while we're waiting for the economists to dig up that hole all the money is stashed in, I've become a huge advocate of looks for less.


Taking inspiration from my favourite designers, I have created a line of silver statement jewelry that incorporates my favourite looks with my own personal flare, and of course for much less!

The first piece is a 100% sterling silver wishbone on a thin silver chain, $55. (I saw this same look in-store and online starting at $110 to $225!) Every piece is custom-made, so size of pendants and length of chains are made by request.


If you've got a piece you would like custom-made please send me an email with the symbol, image or cursive initial. One-of-a-kind pendants are a great way to personalize your style or a meaningful gift for that hard to shop for girl.


Fast delivery for Canadian customers; orders can be placed until July 20th for delivery July 24th.


Contact - vanessagroppmair@hotmail.com