Burgundy...The New Black!

I am so excited about this Fall/Winter fashion season because I absolutely love the color trends that are emerging. Orange, green and gold color palates were introduced with such elegance on alot of  runways this season:, However, the color that was most prominent in most designer collections was Burgundy! I love burgundy because the color is so rich and can be worn with almost any color. Burgundy pants, burgundy shoes, and burgundy coats were staples in a lot of collections for the Fall. Even the handbags were burgundy inspired!

This over-sized slouchy coin purse for Miu Miu totally has to make it into my exclusive handbag collection. I adore the kiss-lock closure, it reminds me of the stylish sixties coin purses on steroids! The size puts a playful, spin to an otherwise outdated design. Below, I have included some more burgundy looks from Burberry that caught my eye and a few more things that I have to have in my closet this season...Enjoy! 

Dorm Room Trends 2011!

The month of August represents the climax of the summer season, new fall clothing collections and the relocation of many college students to their various college campuses. This migration brings about a fiery of prepartion, and college students invade department and discount stores searching for the perfect wardrobe, school supplies and dorm room essentials to prepare for their imminent voyage. Many college students are looking for ways to set their dorm room apart and make the space more intimate and stylish. I suggest that you start off with a nice funky bed sheet, fluffy throw pillows and rugs on the floor that will scream comfort and style! Bright colors and funky patterns will make your room a comfort place for you and your visitors. Next, make sure that you have a designated space for comfortable seating and a well-lit study space . The study area is very important because this is where all the genius happens! So choose a corner of the room ,as the study place ,that is by a window, replace the traditional boring wooden chair with a colorful and trendy desk chair, put a nice lamp on the desk and add personal style touches like colorful posted notes and picture frames. Finally, the designated seating area should boast the same style brillance as the other areas of the room. You should invest in beanbags for seating, and a nice TV . Remember, your dorm décor showcases your personality so don't be afraid to experiment and to really put a little bit of you in every area of the space.These few tips can add style to your boring room and make your space a stylish retreat! Below are some nice stylish suggestions and some pictures of some funky dorm rooms that make the cut!

What I am Wearing Today-June 9,2011

Today proved to be a surprising day (60 degrees in June), as far as Chicago weather goes, and I wanted to wear something appropriate for the weather and the season. I was off to my son's end of the year assembly and couldn't quite wear the Maxi dress that I picked out the night before. I wanted to be stylish but yet understated since I was going to be in a gymnasium filled with pre-schoolers, proud parents and teachers. So, I chose these great stretched denim straight legged jeans from Old Navy ($19.50) ; because they are comfortable and appropriate just in case I had to bend or get down on the floor with my little Ian. I also went a little trendy and pulled out this leophard printed shirt ($16) (leophard is all the rage this year) because it is loose fitting and allows me to move around freely. I topped the look of with a brown and blue fedora hat ($16)  that I picked up at target, A light blue coat from H&M ($34 Sale Price)  and these funky black corked heel sandal ($43)  that I bought, on sale from Aldo. I bought everything that I am wearing on sale. If I had not,  the shirt was originally ($29),The Jeans were $29, The shoes were $80 and the coat was $80. In all, the outfit would have cost $224. I paid $129!

Fall 2011-2012 Trends...I know, Already?!

I have always said that Chicago only has two seasons...Winter and Summer! We are just now beginning to be introduced to the summer weather and yet department stores will began to start moving out the summer inventory to make room for the fall fashions in the upcoming weeks! I can't really believe it is June already because now is the time that I stop buying summer flocks and begin to prepare and invest  in my Fall must haves! Tory Burch presented  her Autumn/Winter 2011- 12 Collection during Fall 2011 New York Fashion Week and I absolutely feel in  love with what she presented on the runway. Her Collection was all about “English country" dressing, bold plaids, 70s Fashion, bold colors that included brown, muted orange, taupe, olive green, rust, and soft peach hues. She also resurrected pieces like bell bottom suits, bow blouses and plaid prints and tweeds. Finally... making a come back in her collection were palazzo pants in low-slung pleated and printed versions teamed with silk tops. I am so excited about the resurgence of the classics and retro style...and now the hunt begins!

Handbag of The Week!

I absolutely love when I can get a stylish leather handbag for under $100! I found this great Deux Lux Tribeca Woven Hobo at a fraction of it's $125 price tag. This  amazing bag is just perfect for my spring/summer wardrobe. This bag is vegan “leather” and is a true over sized hob; which is  perfect for me because anyone who knows me knows that I like BIG bags. This bag is totally versatile and can be used as an overnight bag for those weekend trips and can hold your beach wear, your kindle and even an extra pair of shoes ! I found this bag at Marshall's for just $49!!! Talk about a steal!!!

My Spring/Summer 2011 Fashion Bucket List!

Since we are in a recession, I vowed to myself that I would shop conservatively and not splurge, too much, on my spring/summer wardrobe. However, as I've been perusing the department stores, there have been at least three things that have made me want to just throw caution to the wind and indulge in fiscal irresponsibility!
I am not going to give into my spending desires; however, I wanted to share the fashion items that I covet the most with you so that I will be held accountable if you see me sporting any of these items!!!  

 

1. Calvin Klein Tribeca Structured Satchel - This bag doesn't look like much in the photo, however, this bag screams classic. No matter how much the fashion trends change from season to season, this bag will never go out of style.

2.Christian Louboutin snake skin shoes - All I can say is WOW!!! I absolutely love these shoes. I can't find them in any department stores, so I had to hunt them down on the Christian Louboutin website. I do not know how much the shoes will leave you in debt, but I do know that a pair of Louboutins will cost you at least $1000.


3. Tiffany and Company Silver Necklace with a lock Pendant - These pendants are so beautiful but will set you back quite a penny. The necklaces and pendants start at $400 and can go up to $2000!!!

 

I am going to hold firm and not go out and buy these three items; but before the summer is over...One of them will be mine!













Win a $150 Visa Card...Take the Style Journals Challenge!

In an effort to promote The Style Journals blog and generate more traffic to the site, we are having a contest! We will give the winner of this challange a $150 visa gift card so that you can get the hottest accessories for the spring/summer fashion cycle. Many department stores have agreed to give us exclusive insider information on upcoming sales and promotions in their stores if The Style journals blog can generate at least 150 followers. We have already been successful because over 1,500 people have visited our site so with your help we can translate these "views" to followers. This is what you have to do:
CONTEST BEGINS: March 16, 2011 at 12:00a.m.
CONTEST ENDS    : March 30, 2011 at 11:59pm

Step 1: You have to get your friends and family members to become followers of my blog. Everytime one of your friends joins the blog, it will be counted as 1 entry. The person who gets the most entries by March 30, 2011, will receive a $150 gift card!

Step 2: When the person you refered to the blog joins, THEY HAVE TO LEAVE A COMMENT after this blog so that they can say who directed them to the site. This is extremely important because If they join but do not leave a comment specifing who refered them to the blog, they will not be counted as an entry.

Step 3: Once all of the new members are tabulated and we determine who the winner is, we will notify the winner by email and will post it on the blog on April 5, 2011.

Rules:
1.Contest is open to my facebook friends and current followers ONLY!
2. There can only be 1 winner. in the event that there is a tie, there will be a contest given to break the tie.
2. Style Journals is not responsible for any problems with your entrys, including technical failures or incomplete, late, or midirected entries.
4. Acceptance of a prize constitutes the winner’s consent to the use of his/her name and likeness by Style Journal for promotional or advertising purposes.
5. Style Journals reserves the right to disqualify any person tampering with the operation of the Promotion or otherwise violating these rules.
6. Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, terminate or modify the Promotion if it cannot be completed as planned, for any reason.


Operation

One winner will be chosen  from the comments on the designated post to win a $150 USD gift card  to be sent via mail. The winner will be selected and notified via email (if applicable) on 3/30/11, and must claim their prize within 48 hours of initial notification. If selected winner does not respond within that time frame, a different winner will be chosen based on the same criteria as above. The winner will be posted at stylejournals.blogspot.com on 4/05/11. Style Journals will send the Prize to the winner’s requested physical mailing address, and is not responsible for delays or loss due to customs, shipping carrier, or any other uncontrollable circumstance.



Participation

By participating in this Promotion, you agree to be added to StyleJournals email list. Your information will not be shared with outside parties.

Contest will run from March 16 - March 30, 2011( Ends at 11:59 p.m. on 3/30/11)