Eavesdropping and the Bermuda Triangle

Sometimes it pays to eavesdrop.  It's not hard these days, when it seems as if everybody is conversing on their phones while shopping.  I was at Target this week (one of at least 4 trips) and overheard a young mom talking to a friend on her phone while strolling through the ladies clothing area.  I usually try to tune these conversations out, but something she said grabbed my attention...the words "spanx", "swimsuit", and "fabulous".  (Screeching of tires sound here).  What was that?

Yes, it's not three words one often hears in a single sentence.  But it caused me to turn my cart around and follow this young woman to the section I have been rolling my eyes at for at least a month (seriously...bathing suits on display in February???). Entering a swimwear section is like being sucked into the Bermuda triangle.  Some women never make it out alive.

Why are swimwear area dressing rooms so dark and dingy? And that horrible fluorescent lighting...

I hate swimsuit shopping.  Really hate it.  Get my drift?

I wasn't even at Target to shop for myself.  But something deep within me said "Face your fears, you must." So channeling my inner Yoda, I ventured into into the deep abyss.  The treasure I soon found was a swimwear line called "(love your) Assets", made by the wonderful Sara Blakely.  She is the genius who invented Spanx, who also has a more inexpensive line of shapewear at Target called "Assets".  I recommend them to clients all the time. 

The swimsuits in her line are really cute, but best of all they have a slimming liner to trim the tummy and hips.  Some of the suits also maximize the bust (even better!).  They are priced at $49.99 and are going fast.  I had to hit 2 stores to find my size in the style and color I wanted.  Some may think the price is too high for Target, but the suits are well made and very flattering.  A few styles even have really adorable built-in skirts.

Assets Tankini

Assets Halter Swimdress

Assets Push-up one piece

The best part of this story?  I found a swimsuit and coordinating cover-up in one glorious shopping trip. (Plus great lighting in the dressing rooms!)  No anxiety, no fuss, and no tragic downward spiral in self-confidence.  I survived the Bermuda triangle of swimsuit shopping.

Assets one-piece in bloom print.  What I will be wearing at the pool this summer.

Here's the link to see the entire Assets collection:

http://www.target.com/sb/women-clothing-swimwear/ASSETS-174-by-Sara-Blakely-174/-/N-5xtbwZ5t1wo

Here's a little silliness just for you:

Happy Shopping!
Cari

Assets photos courtesy of Target.com

Idol Fashion

I admit it.  I am a big fan of American Idol.  I thought I would quit watching once Simon Cowell (the truth teller) left for that other show...but I like it even more with the new judges.

Every year I have my favorite contestant, and this year it's Joshua Ledet.  This guy has SOUL and talent beyond measure. See my favorite performance of his here: (Notice Jennifer's beautiful structured Roland Mouret orange dress when she stands to applaud...love it!)

http://www.americanidol.com/videos/season_11/performances/?keywords[]=joshua+ledet

 I love Joshua's gospel-infused tone and style.  He also has a good personal style of tailored separates which he can interchange from week to week.

 
What I truly love about American Idol is that it combines my love of music with my love of style. 
One of my favorite moments of each American Idol show is when the judges make their grand entrance.  I even make my family rewind the DVR if I've missed it. Just what kind of crazy patterned ensemble will Steven Tyler be wearing?  Will Randy have another hipster blazer and beaded necklace on? What kind of fresh-off-the-runway frock will Jennifer model...and will she be able to sit down in her judges chair in it?  (I personally loved this shimmering Dolce & Gabbana dress as it's sexy but covered up.)

I also get to see the season-long transformation of the contestants.  This season one contestant in particular underwent a huge transformation.  Erika Van Pelt arrived at Idol with a big voice but a lack of style.

She received a mini-makeover within the first few shows...but I think she ended up looking a little like Stevie Nicks.

Last week, American Idol announced that Tommy Hilfiger would become the show's "resident image advisor".  (More fashion on Idol...yay!) He met with each contestant and recommended changes for their overall style and wardrobe.  Tommy wanted Erika to make a big change in the hair department, to match her "rocker image" she's always wanted.  Here's what they came up with...can you tell she gave the singer Pink as her style inspiration?

What do you think?  She looks like she loves it! I like how it shows off her beautiful jawline, but the color is very severe.  Reminds me of Momma (Kris) Kardashian.  I like the structured leather jacket and drapey shirt,but not the leather pants. Miss Erika is a lovely woman, but she often chooses the wrong shapes and silhouettes for her body, like the dress shown below. Sadly, after having the guts to chop her hair off...she got sent home.  Kudos to Erika for being such a risk-taker.  You go, girl!

Lose the boots, add heels.

Mr Hilfiger strongly suggested that Phillip Phillips (yes, that's his real name) wear more color and structure.  Phillip thinks it's all about the music and he's not into all that "image" stuff...so he wore an outfit in the worst color for television, according to Hilfiger (grey).

Steven Tyler thought he's help Phillip out, and he threw one of his signature rocker scarves to him.  Note that Phillip then proceeded to toss the scarf to girls in the audience...ha!  Phillip will be loved by fans no matter what he wears, but I recommend he get out of the henley/shirt layering rut and add some color to those earthtones.

Another contestant that I hope Mr. Hilfiger can help is Elise.  I LOVE this girl's voice, but her dresses make me cringe sometimes. Elise is on the left in this photo.  She just needs to be polished up, and I recommend she lose the hair flowers and hats.  No props necessary for a talent as big as hers.

To Elise's right is Skylar, the country girl of season 11.  She's also having trouble in the style department.  The dress she wore last week added 10 pounds to the hips of her petite frame.  She has beautiful hair, though.  My hubby was hoping her humongous earrings didn't get caught on anything...can you imagine the bloodshed?

I have a good friend who is a fan of Colton's this season.  He's got a well-defined persoanl style and a closet full of the skinniest jeans known to man.  I'm even getting used to the hair.  He wears a lot of cowl-necked tees and scarves.  Colton is confident in who he is, and as Jennifer Lopez says,"looks pretty when he sings".  (He's growing on me, Karen Masso!)

My favorite fashionista on Idol this season is Jessica Sanchez.  She's got a voice like Jennifer Hudson and she could win this thing.  She knows how to dress her petite frame, and has a style sense beyond her years (she's 16!).  I loved her performance dress and hairstyle last week.

Diva in training

Here's another favorite look of mine from Jessica.  Steven Tyler loved these high waisted sequined pants...and amazingly, I agree!

Here's hoping that the Idol contestants take heed to their "resident image advisor" and end up looking stage-worthy, yet still true to themselves.  I don't want them going too Hollywood on us. 

Whose style do you admire?  Leave a comment and let me know!

Happy Shopping!

Cari

All images from www.americanidol.com

Color of Spring

Remember when you were little and you would open up a new box of crayons?  I can remember the fresh, waxy smell and my favorite color..."cornflower blue".  Spring fashion is all about color, from lemon yellow to cobalt blue.  It's time to pay homage to Crayola and add a little color to your wardrobe.

The easiest way to do that is to buy a pair of bright hued jeans.  Ankle length, boyfriend style, or skinny jeans are popular at any price point and can be found in every store right now.  I wore mine for the first time last week.  Pair them with a neutral like grey, navy, or white if you wish to tone down a super-bright pair. 

Forever 21 $15.80

J Crew jeans, $125 (wishful thinking!)

If jeans aren't your thing, there are plenty of colored khakis and shorts to be found.  Just be sure they have a little spandex in them so they hold their shape.  I love the color of this pair, as it reminds me of my "cornflower blue" crayon.

Gap Broken-in Khakis, $49.95

Loft Marisa shorts, $39.50

If bright pants reminds you too much of the 80's, then how about a cute colored handbag?  I have this yellow one on my spring shopping wish list.

Kohl's Vera Wang $59.40 on sale

Francesca's Collection Pink clutch, $38

A super inexpensive way to add some color this spring is to wear a bright skinny belt with your denim, shorts, or skirt.  Target has a lot of great colors for $12.99 each.  I hit the jackpot recently when I found cute belts at Forever 21 for less than $4!

Forever 21 polka dot belt, $2.50

If you are a shoe person, try infusing some color in your outfit with a bright colored wedge sandal.  Tangerine is Pantone's color of the year, so you could be super trendy and wear these this season.

Bandolino cork wedge $44.95 at DSW

Whether you wear a bright neon or a pastel this season, have fun with color in your wardrobe!

Happy Shopping!
Cari

Who Cares Who Won...Here's What They Wore

What an enjoyable evening for this fashion-lover last night!  Popcorn, M&M's, and the downstairs TV all to myself to watch the Oscars.  I have to say I was impressed...no real fashion-flops to be seen as the stars were dressed to impress. Who was your favorite on the red carpet? 

My favorite moment of the night was when Octavia Spencer won Best Supporting Actress.  She was absolutely divine in her Tadashi Shoji form-fitting gown.  I loved it when she said, "I'm freaking out!" in her acceptance speech.  I only wish her co-star, Viola Davis, would have won an Oscar as well.

Silver, cream, white, and nude were popular colors last night.  Milla Jovovich should get an award for being best-dressed head to toe.  Her hair, red lips, Elie Saab gown, and jewels all worked to absolute perfection.

Rounding out my top three best dressed is Jessica Chastain.  Not everyone can pull off this ornate black and gold gown, but she looked gorgeous in this unique Alexander McQueen creation.

Gwyneth Paltrow managed to make my best AND worst dressed list.  Her Tom Ford ensemble included a cape on the red carpet (blech!) but thankfully she later removed it to present an Oscar.  The dress underneath was rockin!

Like I said, no one completely fizzled last night.  There were no swan dresses or crazy Frankenstein hair, but my worst dressed would have to be Sandra Bullock.  Her Marchesa dress was not tailored well.  It was baggy on top and too tight on her backside.  Her ponytail was so severe that it appeared to be pulling her face back.  Great speech in German, though!

Meryl Streep may be the best actress, but she gets a failing grade in fashion.  I have never liked gold gowns at the Oscars, as it makes me think of the actual award statue.  Both she and Stacy Keibler wore gold gowns I personally disliked.  The huge rosette at Stacy's waist makes me crave a cinnabon. (As you can tell, fashion and food are very intertwined in my life!)

Ever had a bad hair day?  I'd like to tell these two ladies to change it up already!  Enough with the lavender/grey hue on Kelly Osbourne and the Mia Farrow pixie-cut on Michelle Williams.

I always stress the importance of wearing the correct undergarments.  You might assume that I am talking about J Lo's purported nip-slip last night, but I am talking about Sheri Shepherd here.  What's up with her cleavage area?  Is that a black bra showing?  She looks great in this color, though.

Last but not least is the woman most fashion reporters love to gush about...Angelina.  She put on quite a show last night with her "slit to there" dress as she presented an award.  It was an unusual enough pose at the podium that the writer who accepted that award poked a little fun at her.

Funny, right?  I just wish that she and Rooney Mara would eat a few hamburgers before they expose their limbs again.  Maybe I can mail them the rest of my popcorn and M&M's.

Do you agree with my Oscar fashion picks?  Leave a comment and let me know.

Happy Shopping!

Cari

Style by Search Engine

This spring, I have been trying to step a little farther out of my style comfort zone.  A great friend and I were discussing maxi skirts, and I was hesitant to jump on that trend's bandwagon.  But then I came across this hot pink maxi skirt at my local Old Navy...on clearance for only $12.49 (orig. $36.94) and I thought "Why not try it?"  I had wanted something bright pink for spring, and this was an inexpensive way to try my luck with the maxi-length trend.

Since my purchase, I have been wondering how I am going to pull this look off.  I know how to style it according to the magazines and fashion blogs...but how will I, Cari Lyons, blend this skirt with my  personal style/closet?  I'm not a carefree, hippie-chic dresser.  I'm more of a classic with a preppy twist kind of style girl.  So I did what any resourceful woman would do...I searched the internet.

I started in the easiest of places, the store where I purchased it (www.oldnavy.com).  If you are considering buying a particular piece of clothing, it pays to read the customer reviews about it.  I quickly scrolled through these and noticed a trend.  The skirt runs large (true) and many reviewers had purchased it after seeing something similiar on Pinterest.  A HA!  You know how I love me some Pinterest!

So I quickly searched "pink maxi skirt" on www.pinterest.com and voila...more than 25 pictures of outfits with maxi skirts.  Easy peasy lemon squeezy, right??  Here are my favorites:

I love the belted look

A dressier option

Pair it w/a striped top

Add a tank and a pop of color necklace

So there you have it...style by search engine!  So easy and fast, because who has time to sit and stare at their closet for ideas? 

See more of my "Everyday Style: Outfit Inspiration" ideas on Pinterest by clicking on the red  "Follow me on Pinterest" button on the right side of my blog's homepage.

Happy Shopping!

Cari





Grammy Hits and Misses

The Grammys are known for infamous outfits (remember JLo's navel-baring green dress from 2000?).  This year it seems the artists played it very safe.  No real "WOW" moments on the red carpet. Here goes my short list of best and worst from last night.

My favorite...Gwyneth Paltrow in Stella McCartney (the designer's name that always makes me want to yell "STELLA!!" like Marlon Brando).  I love the neckline and shoulder-baring aspect of this column gown.  There were a number of metallic belts and collars on gowns last night. (Trend for fall??)

Sequined dresses were a big trend of the night, and Carrie Underwood receives top honors in this category.  Her hair really compliments the back of the dress.

I also liked Kelly Clarkson's dress.  It's really low cut, but so figure flattering on her while she performed. 

Her Superbowl LBD and hair were also amazing, right?

For those of you who are longtime Project Runway fans, Corinne Bailey Rae wore a dress designed by Christian Siriano.  I would have guessed it to be his because of the voluminous ruffles.

I did not like Fergie's peekaboo lace dress.  I see London, I see France, I don't want to see anybody's underpants!



Now here is a diva who had the chance to look absolutely fabulous, but she missed the mark while accepting a Lifetime Achievement Award. Nothing says "old lady" like an ill-fitting pantsuit on Diana Ross. 





I am including the next two just for fun.
I have no idea who "Robyn" is but I had to include her insane look in the mix.  The boots and hair are beyond explanation.

Here is a Russian electronica musician named Sasha Gradiva.  She wore this as a statement against war...or as an attention-seeking device?



I thought I'd leave you with another infamous Grammy ensemble from 2001...Bjork in her swan dress!

Happy Shopping!
Cari