Fox 45 Baltimore: Bags That Go From Day To Night

Most women typically use large totes and satchels during the day and reserve their beautiful small clutches for the evening. But there so many times when we need one bag to function for day and night events right? So on yesterday's TV segment over at Fox 45 Baltimore I shared some of my favorite bags that can easily transition from day to night. 

Special thanks to Danielle Nicole, Rent The Runway, and Kotur for providing the fabulous bags for the TV segment. 

Shop some of my favorite day to night bags below

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Style Tip: How to Belt A Scarf

Burberry F/W 14

I love wearing scarves in the fall and winter because they are warm and cozy, add some interest to any outfit, and they can be styled so many ways. {see my video tutorial on Huffington Post} 

But have you tried this new way to wear a scarf? The belted scarf look was seen on the Burberry F/W 14 runway and Olivia Palermo has embraced this styling trick as well. Earlier this week I styled a long tunic top with a belt from Shawlux and one of my clients also gave this styling trick a try as well. {see last image below}

 What do you think? Are you a fan of this new way to wear a scarf?

Styling Tip: Use a thin belt that is a complimentary color to your scarf and be sure the scarf isn't too thick. This look works best with a thin chiffon or cashmere scarf. 

Olivia Palermo 

Image on the left via In Style Magazine

Left-me and Right-my client 

STYLE PROFILE-Blythe Harris of Stella & Dot

Happy Monday!

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to visit the Stella & Dot Design Studio in Soho. It was so much fun checking out all the jewelry and I got to see what goes on behind the scenes as well as a sneak peek into the spring/summer collection.  Below is an interview wtih Blythe Harris, Chief Creative Officer and Co-Creater of Stella & Dot. I hope you enjoy the interview and photos from my visit. You can also shop some of my favorites Stella & Dot below. 

Name: Blythe Harris

Current Title/Company: Chief Creative Officer and Co-Creator of Stella & Dot

Location: New York and Sausalito

Stella & Dot is a boutique-style jewelry and accessories company reinventing the home-based, flexible entrepreneurship opportunity for the modern woman through its social-shopping business platform. Stella & Dot offers its on-trend, celebrity and editorial-coveted product line exclusively through a growing network of trained independent consultants (Stylists) across North America, the United Kingdom, Germany, Ireland and France. With a mission to give every woman the means to style her own life,  our innovative social shopping concept brings together the best of ecommerce, social media, personal service and passionate earning to create the ultimate home-based business.

 

1. What does a typical day look like for you? 

 Like most working moms my day starts by getting ready quickly and then getting my kids ready and off to school. I then head to our Sausalito design studio. Stella & Dot has design studios in both Sausalito and New York so a lot of my day is split between working with both teams. I oversee the entire creative vision for Stella & Dot and now our newest brands KEEP Collective and EVER, so I my week is carefully organized into cross-functional meetings, creative reviews, and design only days. So this week, I will meet with the Art department to review selects and look book layout since we just wrapped our Spring ’15 shoot in New York, then I’ll review specs with our NY jewelry team since an important Fall ’15 deadline is approaching, and then go back and meet with our merchandising team to review line plans for both KEEP and Stella & Dot’s upcoming seasons. Lunch is usually a quick soup or salad at my desk, and then more cross-functional meetings to ensure all our upcoming design stories are aligned with marketing. I always try to leave the office early enough to have dinner with my children, then it’s bed time for them, and I’ll catch up on a few more emails before watching my guilty pleasure TV shows.

2. How would you describe your personal style?

Casual, boho chic - I don’t have a ton of time to get ready in the morning so I usually wear a version of the same thing almost every day to the office- jeans usually Marc Jacobs distressed denim, Rag & Bone tee, my Isabel Marant booties, a leather jacket. I’m really into prints at the moment and have been wearing a lot of Thakoon and Suno as well.  And I always add either a statement necklace or 2-3 delicate necklaces layered.

3. What are your favorite items in your wardrobe and why?

My Marc Jacobs or IRO leather motorcycle jacket because it’s a great way to finish the look of any outfit, Isabel Marant booties because they are so comfortable and go with everything, my Stella & Dot engraved necklace with my kids’ initials, and my grandmother Dot’s vintage jewelry. My grandmother has been an inspiration personally and creatively throughout my career as a designer.

4. Do you have any style or beauty secrets to share? 

I’ve been our new skin care regimen, EVER, which comes out in 2015. I may be a bit biased, but I don’t need concealer anymore and my skin just looks brighter. I’m also a big fan of dry shampoo and MAC eye brightening pencil. It’s a life saver! Beyond that, I always try to get plenty of sleep, exercise, and drink lots of water but I’m not sure I follow my advice all that well!

5. How do you spend your "me" time?

Going for a run or hike in my neighborhood or doing art projects with my kids. 

6. What is the most important thing you have learned through running your own business?

 Never accept mediocrity and don’t be afraid to take risks.

7. What is your mantra?

Be bold and always find time to daydream.

Follow Stella & Dot on Twitter and Instagram. 

Style Profile is a bi monthly style column featuring creative and talented entrepreneurs and business owners. I feature the stylish women behind these successful businesses and brands, their personal style, and share a glimpse into their typical work day. 

Shop my favorite Stella & Dot items below 

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STYLE'N + Tiny Jewel Box

Last week I had the opportunity to work with Tiny Jewel Box to curate a capsule collection consisting of 8-10 of my favorite engagement rings and wedding bands. You can check out my capsule collection along with the Bridal Event from October 16-18th at Tiny Jewel Box. This is a rare opportuity to shop with special pricing {up to 15% off) on engagement rings and wedding bands. So if you're in the market for an engagement ring, a wedding band, or something special for yourself then definitely check out this sale. 

For more details on this event click here!

A few of my favorite engagement rings from the collection 

Alice + Olivia draped shawl collar blazer | Vince drapey tank top  | Vince twill leggings on sale! | Danielle Nicole clutch c/o | Ann Taylor liana pointy toe booties | South Moon Under double chain necklace

Photos by Mary Sandoval Photography 

This post was sponsored by Tiny Jewel Box 

STYLE PROFILE - Jewelry Designer Sophie Blake

Today's STYLE PROFILE features jewelry designer Sophie Blake of Sophie Blake NY. I was first introduced to Sophie and her beautiful jewelry line when I styled Uyen Tang for this recent magazine ediotrial and featured the Zoe cuff. I love Sophie's jewelry because it is so contemporary and edgy. The pieces are inspired by architecture, geometry, and art and all the pieces are handcrafted in New York City using cutting edge jewelry making techniques and the highest quality of materials. 

Name: Sophie Blake

Current Title/Company: Founder/Creative Director Sophie Blake NY

Location: Originally founded in New York and now in Fairfax, Virginia

1. What does a typical day look like for you?

I don’t think I have a typical day (smiling) but I usually start with my cup of coffee since it really wakes me up and gets me going. I usually scan Fashion News, check emails and then I start to prepare to do’s for the day.

Whether it’s finalizing an order, getting on the phone with suppliers, or working on new designs, every day comes with a new challenge and you work through it one step at a time.  I also book appointments, prepare for trunk-shows and work on restocking or re-merchandizing styles.

I think the common misconception people have about designers is that they design all day. The truth is it would only work if you’re designing for someone else. Independent designers wear many hats.  We are the creative, the marketing, the sales, operations all encompassing.  

2. How would you describe your personal style?

My style is clean, sophisticated contemporary. I like solid colors, bit of color blocking. I love to mix textures, leathers with knits, suede with cotton.  Comfort is also important I have to feel comfortable in my clothes. I shop for pieces that are versatile and work with multiple outfits, taking a style from day to night. My go to brands are Vince, Theory, Rag and Bone, IRO, Cop Copine and BCBG. My favorite boutiques to shop in DC and Virginia are Anthom and Redeem.

3. What are your favorite items in your wardrobe and why?

My Rag and Bone black skinny jeans, I can wear them with almost everything. My Vince open back booties (my most recent purchase) and my Midnight blue leather jacket, I purchased it from a small boutique in Rome and I love the softness of the leather along with the nostalgia of traveling through Italy with my husband.

4. Do you have any style or beauty secrets to share?

 Yes, for beauty I am an absolute fan of Trish McEvoy skincare collection. The product is amazing for your skin and makes your face glow. I’ve been using her products now for 2 years and I haven’t found anything as effective as her serums. Since I can’t live without my eyeliner my go to eyeliner is the Givenchy pencil liner. It’s great for a dramatic dark outline.

My style secret is shoes and accessories. You can have the most basic wardrobe but your shoes can transform the outfit, same thing with accessories, especially jewelry. For jewelry however I suggest not to over-stack and over-layer, instead pick one bold piece like a cuff and a pair of small earrings to complete the outfit. If you wear a necklace don’t wear earrings to match but add a finishing touch with a cocktail ring.

5. How do you spend your "me" time?

I love to travel and whenever I get the chance I try to explore a new place. I also love to spa and explore new restaurants, if it’s going with my girlfriends to get pampered or having an amazing brunch downtown. Getting wrapped up in work is quite easy, so making sure to take that alone time or time with your loved ones to re-energize brings balance to the chaos.

6. What is the most important thing you have learned through running your own business?

When you’re starting a business you’re bound to make mistakes along the way and it’s important to forgive yourself for making them and to learn from them to improve for next time. Focusing on the positives and the small wins ultimately bring you closer to success. As they say “Rome wasn’t built in a day” and it’s important to know that building a business takes time. If it seems that others are doing it faster than you, the chances are they’ve been training for it for years.

7. What is your mantra? 

Stay true to yourself and focus on making a change on step at a time. Be honest with yourself, know your limitations and know your strengths and weaknesses, it will help you when building a business and a long lasting brand.   

Follow Sophie Blake on Twitter and Instagram

Style Profile is a bi monthly style column featuring creative and talented entrepreneurs and business owners. I feature the stylish women behind these successful businesses and brands, their personal style, and share a glimpse into their typical work day.