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Designer Spotlight: Cynthia Rowley

It is not very often, that I come across a designer or a brand where I like practically every single piece. Lately, when shopping, I have been drawn to pieces by Cynthia Rowley. What I love about her pieces, is that they are very versatile but classy – that is they can be worn or used in a number of ways, without losing their initial style or look. Cynthia designs not only women’s clothing, but also men’s clothing, children’s clothing, eye wear, handbags, shoes, sewing products, along with many other products. Pictured below is a Cynthia Rowley coat, which I recently purchased.

Cynthia Rowley Tag

TJ Maxx, Cynthia Rowley Wool Coat, $49.99 (orig. $100)

Cynthia Rowley Wool Coat Details

What I love about this coat, is first of all that it can be worn with anything, and is perfect material for fall. Secondly (and this is my favorite aspect), I love the detail – the detail on the sleeves matches with the detail around the neck. Tres chic!

Fall Love

There are so many reasons I am in love with the season fall. While many others may be wishing that the weather was still warm and sunny, I am completely enamored with the changing of the seasons. Not only is the weather brisk and beautiful, but Fall is the best season for style! Here are my top four reasons to love this season.

1) Beautiful weather. What could be better than brisk blue skies and colorful leaves? Falls natural colors are just too pretty to ignore.

Fall Decorations

2) Boots! Yes, I have an obsession with boots (and jeans, and bags, and jackets…) If I could, I would wear my boots year round – that’s how much I love them. Seen below are a pair of boots that I have just discovered online. I love the tassels located in the back – adds a little extra “oomph.”

store.alloy.com, Taho Tassle Boot

3) Jacket season! I love layering, and Fall gives me the perfect excuse to do just that, with a great selection of jackets and coats to choose from. Seen below is a beautiful INC pea coat I recently purchased, except in mustard yellow instead of red. What I love about this pea coat is the color and the cut.

Macy's, INC Double Breasted Knit Crop Pea Coat

4) Scarves, scarves, and more scarves. Scarves are a great way to accessorize any outfit, but can also be used for more practical purposes such as fighting off the cold. I rarely ever leave the house without a scarf. For the Fall, I tend to wear more neutral colored scarves, because they match with more. Seen below is a silk Batik scarf from Indonesia. I love that this scarf is decorated in neutral colors, but also with intricate designs.

Overstock.com, Silk 'Carnations; Batik Scarf

It Pays to be a Shopaholic

I have found the perfect reason to continue my shopping addiction. Statistics show…shopping is good for your health! According to the September 2011 issue of Women’s Health, women who shop more frequently may be prolonging their lives.

Quote of the Day

“The proper words in the proper places are the true definition of style.”

-Jonathan Swift

Jersey Shore Getaway

This weekend my boyfriend (who writes for vorochta5.com, check it out!) and I ventured to the Jersey Shore for some much-needed R&R (and no, unfortunately we had no encounters with Snooki). I grew up spending my summers at the Jersey Shore (specifically Wildwood), and was very excited to be visiting again. It’s always nice to return to a place of familiarity, and the beach always reminds me that there is a much simpler and quieter way to live. Here are some pictures from the weekend.

So relaxing.

Wading in the water.

I must brag a little about the top I am wearing in this photo (once a shopaholic always a shopaholic…). I bought this BCBG top at Lord & Taylor on clearance for around $13.00. What a steal!

Tandem bike riding.

Taking a break from riding a tandem bike – honestly, this is so much harder than it looks!

Hope you all enjoyed your weekends.

Orchira UK

I have stumbled across a fabulous online store, Orchira, dedicated to selling pearls. I have always been a little in awe of pearls, and how beautiful and delicate they appear. Pearls add an extra touch of class to an otherwise plain outfit. What I love about Orchira, other than their fabulous jewelry, is the way the site is split up into convenient sections such as “Designer Jewellery,” and “Fashion Jewellery,” and each of these sections is split up into more sections. This really makes shopping so much easier. Here are three pieces, one from each section, which I fell in love with.

Panache Redefined

This bracelet is made out of silver pearls, turquoise and white beads. It can be found in the “Pearl Jewellery,” “Shop By ColourWay,” “Cool silver” sections.

Brandenburg Concerto

This necklace is made out of black oval pearls. It can be found in the “Designer Jewellery,” “Browse Collections,” “Essentials,” sections.

Nocturne No 225

This necklace is made out of silver pearls and a brooch pendant. It can be found in the “Fashion Jewellery,” “Ideas By Occasion,” “Mother’s day,” sections.

To view (and purchase!) beautiful pearl jewelry, visit the Orchira website.

Wall Art

I have always loved words (probably why one of my majors was English!). I especially love words, when they show up where they aren’t expected. For example, in artwork. Here are three pieces of art I found in the store the other day, which I absolutely loved – gives the art a whole different meaning.

The meaning of life is quite simply, whatever you want it to be.

Love is like oxygen. You can’t live without it.

To laugh often and much. To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children. To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure betrayal of false friends. To appreciate beauty. To find the best in others. To leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child or a garden patch. To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to be a success. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Miss Ukraine

As a Ukrainian, I would like to dedicate a post to congratulating Miss Ukraine, who was the runner-up in this years 2011 Miss Universe!

Olesya Stefanko, Runner-Up, Miss Universe 2011

Olesya Stefanko is 23, and from the Carpathian Region of Ukraine. She is currently pursuing a law degree in Odessa, Ukraine. Beauty and brains.

Congratulations to Olesya and all the ladies who participated in the pageant.

Fashion, Beauty, Lifestyle – DC Expo

This past weekend, my friends and I attended the Fashion, Beauty, Lifestyle, expo in Washington DC, hosted by DC50. It was a fun event, which showcased products by Stella & Dot, Bebe, Salon Virage (along with many others), and even included a meet and greet with Nigel Barker. Unfortunately, we missed out on the meet and greet, but we did get the chance to browse through designers, watch a “What Not to Wear” type  of event on stage with stylist Monica Bartlett, and watch the fashion show (my favorite event there).

Heels.

LOOK at those heels!

My favorite dress at the event.

Fashion Show

Monica Bartlett, Stylist tips.

One question that an audience member asked stylist Monica Bartlett was, “Is it okay to wear white after Labor Day?” Her answer was that yes, white is in style after Labor Day, but there are 3 rules.

1) Don’t wear white from head to toe.

2) Mix it up (for ex: wear a white top with dark pants).

3) Try to keep white above the waist.

Of course, there were exceptions to these rules such as, if someone lives on the West Coast where the weather is significantly warmer.

Hope you all enjoyed your weekend!