Adorn yourself in a daring combination of jewelry - raw stones, intricate bead work, feathers, crystals and leather. These are pieces that connect you to the powerful Boho movement as well as our beloved earth. These downright earthy and decadently glamorous pieces are available on many well-visited websites as well as tons of indie boutiques online! Lovemadds, Free People, and Made with Love in Brazil are great resources for these pieces if you really want to tap into the natural aspect of this trend, while sites like Pretty Black and Erica Weiner offer a different Bohemian approach incorporating rhinestones, faux tiger teeth and other wildly interesting imagery. If you think you already own some pieces that fall into this category, then go get them! Combine looks reminiscent of Sienna Miller and the Olsen twins - looks that emanate wild freedom, yet have been beautifully put together. Other style icons who are glammed out boho style and may offer some inspiration are Rachel Zoe, Nicole Richie, Maggie Gylenhall, Carrie Bradshaw and Kate Moss. The Boho style, full force, may not be for everyone, but you can certainly find your niche with the wide varieties it has to offer. Things to look for when picking out Boho jewelry are the use of lavish icons and imagery, bold stones, flowing pieces like fringe and strands of leather or fabric, lots of layering and grouping, wild use of color, and an over all look of achieving a perfected look through minimal effort. We Boho chic queens like to give off the idea that we just threw on whatever was on top and came out looking marvelously planned out.

Boho pieces in this observation (clockwise):

He refers to himself as “an outsider artist”, but I think he’s the purest form of an artist that there is. Jordan Betten may not have any formal training, but his absorption of life and all the characters in it helped him find an outlet in his raw talent. It’s his experiences that have given his art existence, and the utter reveal of his core in his work has brought him great success. The free-spirits of the world were among the first to feel the magnetizing nature of his designs. So, it’s no surprise that the Rock & Roll culture loves his stuff. Jordan has created a label that is perfectly suited for some of your favorite bands. Lost Art is sexy, earthy, edgy, and cool. When you look at his work, you become intent on seeing more. It is soon obvious that you’re seeing more than Jordan’s art, and for a moment you’re a voyeur looking into his soul. That is the kind of experience you only get when someone becomes one with their craft. You may be wondering how you can become part of the magic that he creates… grab one of his T-shirts or Tank tops. That way, his art can serve as an inspiration to you daily.

At first, I was speechless. Now, I’m wondering what designers were thinking when they designed the high-waisted skintight short shorts. There are very few woman who can wear them, and millions who really shouldn’t wear them. A basic rule of thumb is, if it looks bad on the model then it probably won’t make you look great either. I actually like a high-waist. I think it accentuates curves, and emphasizes one of the best parts of the female body. However, it doesn’t have the same appeal when it’s paired with a tight short. It goes from elegant to trashy in an instant. The proportion of a high-waist should be paired with a wide leg pant, because it makes the waist look even smaller. The shorts emphasize the widest part of a woman’s leg, and because they are so tight they cut into the skin making the leg appear fatter than they actually are. So, I’m back to my original question… what were designers thinking? Let me know what your thoughts are, and point out if I’m way off base with my assessment. How many of you would embrace this look?

if you must:

We’ve all been there, too busy to get dolled up after we hit the gym. So, how do we do it without looking a mess? Easy… plan ahead. Pack a bag with a fresh pullover or wrap shirt, include some flip-flops, so you can get out of your sweaty sneaks, face wash, and your favorite make-up. Don’t go overboard with the make-up, you want to look sporty. Remember to choose pieces that dry easily and quickly. Wear sleek bottoms that work as well outside the gym as they do in. Or, you could always change into a pair after the workout. With all the new yoga clothing out there, you’re bound to find a perfect pair. Toss your hair back in a low pony-tail, throw on some shades, and you’re good to go - for a few hours anyway.

gym clothes in this observation:

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1. The Slouchy Boot
This sexy style boot looks great going into fall. Tuck in a pair of jeans, and throw on a long cardigan and you’re understated gorgeous.

2. Patent Leather
No need to put away your patent leather from spring, unless it’s in a spring color. Designers are shining up wool and cashmere with a pop of patent for fall.

3. Leather Bomber Jacket
The leather bomber jacket is also going strong into the fall. It will look great with a pair of jeans, a tee, wrapped with a scarf.

4. Ruffles
Ruffles remain! A ruffle top will look great under your leather bomber, or a long cardigan. Pair it with skinny jeans, some slouchy boots, and you’re on it!

5. Skinny Jeans
At times we all wish the skinny jean would go away, but you’ll be glad they’re around when it’s time to tuck them into your tall boots. So, don’t burn them yet!

6. The Clutch
Clutch it, because it’s clearly a trend that’s going to stick.

7. A Long Cardigan
It’s an easy style that’s low key and can work over anything. We’re seeing it well into fall. It looks great over jeans, or belted over a dress.

Hats have certainly been around for a long time, an accessory not all of us wanted to adorn. They’ve have gone from being a little bit prissy and kind of silly to edgy and of the moment. The quickest way to take an outfit from weak to chic is to pop on a cool hat. The fedora has been seen on celebrities galore, from Justin Timberlake to Kate Moss. We’re even seeing a straw version of the fedora replace the common wide brim hat at the beach. You may not think you can pull off the look, but in the right situation, you’ll look great. For example, the zebra emi hat would look great at a luncheon. You’ll come across as confident, and a girl who’s willing to try new things. The summer fedora can be worn to the beach, or around town doing errands. The Eugenia Kim hat is perfect for walking around the city. The Miss Sixty beanie hat adds dimension and intrigue to anything from jeans and a tee to a full black skirt with heels. It’s a good idea to go try on some hats, and play for a bit before determining which look suits your style. When you find the right one, you’ll know and you will rock the look. Have fun!

stylish hats in this observation (clockwise):

Happy Fourth of July! Before you rush out to the BBQ, think about what you’re going to wear. Today is the day to whip out your red, white, and blue. As well as your stars and stripes, in favor of our country. Show flag colors on top, supported by some All-American Levi’s on bottom. Mix that with a celebratory star quilted bag, and classic Ray-Bans. While you’re certainly not looking like you’re at a costume party, you do look festive! Have fun today, enjoy the fireworks, and belt out “Born in the USA” with the Boss!!

patriotic items in this observation:

It’s time to accessorize those bright, bold items in your closet - this is your mix and match challenge! Now, don’t get overly excited and leave the house looking like you just played dress up with a trunk of grandma’s old clothes! Instead, walk out looking like you rose to the challenge of coordinating a well-rounded look. It’s not necessary to match exact colors and fabrics or textures, but rather try to think of an outfit as artwork - giving yourself the opportunity to create a piece, which emphasizes colors and textures that compliment each other. With this outfit, suede grey pumps and a red jersey dress happen to look fabulous together. Choose a clutch that is somewhere in the middle - like the detailed, grey one here with slight red undertones. Mix up jewelry, but stay within one ‘family’ - so if you are going to go with varied textures - romantic script on a cuff, a smooth, simple ring, bumpy bangles, and tiny, yet bold earrings, stay with all gold. Finally, top it off with some oversized shades that are in the same color family as the greys and browns and… Bam! You have just used clothing as your medium to create a well-rounded outfit full of complimenting texture and color!

mixed and matched items in this observation:

Don’t let the placid, gray undertones of this outfit fool you, there is nothing quiet about this ensemble (although it is quite mysterious and intriguing!) Wear this type of outfit when you feel like being a mystery - when you wanna be that gal who looks like she just threw together the most perfect outfit in less than a minute - the woman that everyone would love to watch get ready in the morning. This season’s jumpsuit is a little intimidating, but if you compliment it with just the right pieces then you are looking at an outfit sent from heaven. Pop on some vintage inspired shades, that will add to your unique and mysterious presence. Fill up a soft, piglet-pink, feminine hobo, and slide your feet into a pair of darling shoes, topped off with a giant statement bow. Finish off the look with an “I just don’t care” toss of the scarf around your neck. These scarves look best when they’re messy and tangled.

Voila! You are a mystery girl with an eye-catching, minute-made outfit, or at least they’ll think it only took a minute!

mysterious items in this observation:

What’s more classic than a crisp white shirt? The only problem seems to be finding one that fits properly. For so long, women’s tailored shirts were “tailored” more for men. They weren’t constructed for the female body, leaving us with no shape. Kate Boggiano’s collection is all about a beautifully constructed shirt. Her shirts are contoured to a woman’s body, nipped and tucked in all the right places. There’s nothing sweeter than finding a shirt that fits so well you can wear it as easily with slacks as you can with a pair of jeans. Her shirts are made from the best materials, using the highest quality construction and fitting technology. Aren’t you tired of seeing everyone in the same mass-produced garments? Wouldn’t you rather have something made by an Indie designer who put her heart and soul into her work? Someone who makes and designs clothing because it is their passion? Now, that is a piece of clothing I want to wear.

Note: Check out the just launched new version of Smashing Darling, leading the Indie fashion revolution.

great fitting shirts in this observation: