The Country Music Awards Strike Again: Martina McBride's Confused Look

I try and be nice, I really do. My mother and father raised me to be a sweet girl, but sometimes the fashionably challenged push me too far. And this time, Martina McBride is the culprit. What on earth was she wearing to the country music awards and even better, why does it seem that this awards show is always the most confused fashion wise?

I know these people have stylists, I really do. They are rich, they are famous and yet, they seem to miss the ball quite often. I am all for the overdone look of country even if it might not be my thing, but at least get it right. Nashville is a far way from Hollywood, but beautiful clothing travels well and designers are eager to show off their best pieces. Stylists are the middle man, so either Fed-Ex never delivered the package or the stylists never received the message. The tragedies are obvious.

Oh, Martina. Why the over-done beach tunic? A Vegas pool for a pina coloda maybe, but an awards show? To add insult to injury, you (or your stylist) paired it with a peep toe pump. A PEEP TOE PUMP!!!! When has '50s style chic and Vegas showgirl beachwear gone together? Your very overdone Native American style earring are doing nothing but overwhelming your already insanely embellished neckline. At least you wore your hair done to mute the gaudiness of this ensemble. The ring on your pointer finger and layered bangles, although a crime, go almost unnoticed against the other atrocities of this look. And for my final blow, I will bring attention to the fact that you are a wrinkled mess. Oy, my eyes hurt.

Photo courtesy of tvguide.com

Tall Women Can Find Pants That Fit!!!!

One of my favorite clients is 6' tall and hot. Unfortunately, the world of clothing is not her best friend. She has tons of trouble finding any pants that don't end up looking cropped. Note to designers: Not all women are between 5'2" and 5'8". They also are not all 115lbs. This may come as a shock to them, but I will continue to try and get the message out there!

As always, I have put on my detective cap and found a store that caters to tall women. Unfortunately, like a lot of major stores, it only caters to them on-line. Alas, at least there is a way to find pants that you can even wear heels with! Crazy, I know.

Banana Republic is fantastic about having an amazing range of sizes... on-line. Big, tall, wide, skinny, this store actually does have it all. When I come across sizing problems, I always turn to their on-line store for both men and women.

This fabulous pair of wide-leg white pants is a perfect option for a taller gal. The amazing thing about this style is that they look the best on taller women and they aren't even available to them! Listen up my over 5'10" friends, you are the only group of women that can sincerely get away with wearing flats and wide leg pants and look completely hot. Your legs will still look a mile long because they are! How fabulously amazing. So stop complaining that you can't find pants, know that you can go on-line for incredible styles and enjoy your mile long legs.... While the rest of us are bitching that we have stumps, you can gaze at yourself lovingly and smile:)

Pleat Front Wide Leg Pants
$110.00

Green Goddess: Hot Summer Accesorries

I found this necklace and I almost died. Sometimes when I find beautiful things my heart literally skips a beat and I often feel faint. It is a very strong reaction. I then gather myself and realize that for a certain amount of money, I can feel that way everytime I put it on. And people ask why you need so much money, ha!

This eight strand green shell necklace is a beautiful creation. It is big, bold and most importantly, not all that expensive. For $150 you can own this amazing summer necklace that will make any of your simple ensemble sing. The color is outrageously amazing and the multi-strand design is spectacular. Can you tell that I like it?

Owning stand out pieces actually makes getting dressed much easier. I know a lot of people veer away from loud accessories such as jewelry, shoes and bags, but those are really the easiest pieces to style! It allows you to not think about your outfit... at all! You can put on a basic all white ensemble and then your amazing stand out piece will do just that, stand out! Sometimes your clothing can be the backdrop to your outstanding look.

Shell Candy Necklace- Green
$150.00

Hi Brow Beach Fashion: Nantucket Style

Oh to be WASPY. You may not come from this pedigree of a background, but you certainly can look like it by choosing the right pastel pieces. It is so beachy and fresh, yet ostentatious in a twisted way. You just look like you got the Benjamin's. Hell, rock it if you can... Talbots apparently stays in business for a reason.

Orginally being from Connecticut it is completely amazing that I have never been to Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard. I make up for it by going to Newport, R.I. and Cape Cod. I must tell you though, the overwhelming differences are just that, overwhelming. People imagine a land of hoity toity individuals that travel around in their Mercedes going from lawn party to lawn party.. Ok, that is partly true for certain areas, but not the norm!

If Nantucket or Martha's Vinyard are your final destination, then hitting up the local Talbots, or at least looking like you did, is a fashion must. It is truly a great experience when you can actually be someone else for a weekend just by changing up your style. You are still you, just with a pastel ensemble on. Acheiving this look is really not all that hard, it is just about the simple basics of what makes up a fancy and beachy Nantucket look.

Please refer to this very happy (and rich looking) couple pictured above. The key is to be simple yet casually elegant. Simple jewelry (bigger stones, yet not to ostentatious if you got it) is a must.
Nothing overly funky or attention grabbing are key adjectives to live by. Cardigans and shawls for layering are the only go-to pieces you should have with you. In fact, I think that is all they sell there:) Top it all of with an oversized pair of fabulous sunglasses and you are ready to sip a very fancy drink at a very fancy lawn party.

As for men, they key is light and airy pants that for some unknown reason are slightly short. I swear. You want to show off your loafers with no socks. Tucking in your pastel button down with a ribbon style belt or rope belt is cinching your Nantucket chic. Aviator sunglasses and a very expensive watch with make you look like one of the good 'ol boys.

Now you are ready to roll with the other power couples in Nantucket. No one will ever know the true amount in your bank account as long as you look the part....

Photo courtesy of Nantucketbrand.com

The Best Flip Flop Ever

The Reef flip flop has been one of my long standing favorites. There are a few go-to pieces in my life that have lasted me through the years and have quite simply been the best purchases ever. These amazing little gems are definitely one of them.

A surfer brand at heart, these shoes have been hitting the beach for years. Luckily for the rest of the overly fashionable world, the brand is starting to venture into fun and sassy styles. I have a pension for anything and everything gold and when I came across these suckers in Florida, I was smitten. They look SOOOOOOO much more expensive than they are. They actually even look like wood once they are on your footsies! The greatest part is that are actually rubber.... Oooh, comfy.

The reason Reefs are a definite piece to own is much more like a list than a point or two. Let me explain with a little story.... Back in '01 when I was studying in Auckland, NZ I was hiking overnight (yes me) and I was in desperate need of a pair of flip flops. I got to the bottom of the mountain dirty and gross, the clouds parted and there it was, a tiny surf shack. There were barely any shoes left except for one shiny pair of blue reef flip flops in my size. They were clearly destined to be mine. Eight years later I still wear my fun purchase proudly. They have seen everything (I will not go into detail) and they keep on ticking. I cannot tell you how many times people have stepped on the back of them and they have yet to rip. How many of your flip flops have ripped apart? Exactly.

The second fabulous thing about them is that they DO NOT need to be broken into. They do not require bandaids or any type of first aid in order to allow you to wear them. They are comfy from the moment you put them on your feet. For less than $30 bucks and years of wearability, is there a better deal in town? I think not.

Reef Wispy Gold Juniors Sandals
$24.00

Elizabeth and James by Mary-Kate and Ashley

It truly does amaze me that these two young girls, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, have created and maintained an empire. When am I going to watch them crash and burn damn it!?! The other insane factor is that I actually like everything that they are doing from the way they dress (alright, it is not always perfect!) to their two clothing lines. Yes, I said two. Thank God they decided that acting should be the smaller sub-set of their careers because I really do think that fashion is their strong suit. Two very talented, pint-size gals.

They run both Elizabeth and James and The Row. Elizabeth and James has some very chic and classic foundation pieces while The Row is more of an upscale line of t-shirt style garments. Either way, my high-end clients love their stuff. It isn't even a faux pas to wear this stuff, they actually sell it at the best stores in town. Full House stylin' has come full circle!

The quality is top-notch and any piece is worth being your splurge item for the season. They are long-lasting basics that will get you through the fashion storm well into the future. I promote spending money when it is completely useful and realistic and shopping the Elizabeth and James line (named for their siblings) is totally worth it.

Elizabeth and James Comfort Technical Chiffon Dress
$495.00

Rachel Bilson Does Shorts-Chic Right

Rachel Bilson might be one of my favorites little fashionistas in Hollywood. She just always seems to get it right and put your own spin on it at the same time. She is young, trendy, hip, stylish , sexy and fun, all without looking like she is trying too hard. And she is now writing a column for InStyle as well so clearly others agree!

This outfit is a perfect example of how she effortlessly pulls things together. It is really just basics that she put a twist on. Everyone within her age range should own these foundation pieces, jean shorts, a white tank top and a longer sweater. The combination of throwing them together with easy longer chains and an off-set color of brown shoes is the difficult part. Or is it? Her outfit seems so simple and yet there is the touch of interesting, calming colors and earthy materials that make it her own. Her choice of an over-sized purse make it completely accessible and a realistic ensemble for everyday fashion.

Rachel Bilson always seems to get it right and this is just another glowing example. So pull out your basics and see what simple and chic combinations you can come up with. You may not have paparazzi following you around to document your every look, but isn't that what Twitter is for anyway?

Photo courtesy of urbanupdater.com

A Rockin' T-Shirt

Summertime is seriously about ease. It is hot and humid and not everyday is meant to be a fashion show. This DOES NOT mean that you can't look cute everyday! I own about a million t-shirts to just "throw on" when I am not feeling all that fancy because I am busy sweating (so hot, literally).

Roxy is one of my favorite brands that is still not so mainstream.... This is if you don't live near a beach. It is the greatest surfer brand that I discovered years ago when I was backpacking through the sandy parts of the Australian coast. Love it and the brand. It is easy, chic, fun and most of all, surfer sexy. What the hell is surfer sexy you ask? A bit of sass, a bit of color and the perfect fit. Putting on one of their garments instantly makes you feel like you are actually capable of riding a wave. Even if you still can't, at least you will look good.

Picking up fun t-shirts along your travels, be it through your own town or the world, is a no brainer. There will never be a reason not to own fun and fitted gems. But, there is a big no-no to this rule: Do not get all of the free and or bad local "this is where I went on vacation" t-shirts. They will linger in your drawer as possible pajama shirts and even then they most likely will not get worn. They end up overflowing out of your dresser and finally you succumb to giving them away with tears in your eyes because of the overwhelming memories. Oy. Just buy cute fitted t-shirts and you will avoid this entire drama!!!!

Roxy Feathery Goodness Tee
$24.50

Something Borrowed: Vintage Veils

Let's talk recession proof wedding style. Is there any better way to look fantastic and give a shout out to your mom than with her borrowed veil? I think not! You have covered three bases in one, something borrowed, acquiring a headpiece and spending NO money! I love innovative styling!

Many women have nothing to do with their beautiful gown and veil after the big day. They pack it up and tuck it nicely underneath the bed hoping that one day they will have a daughter who will wear it proudly. One huge problem, the likely hood that your daughter will not only be the same size, but actually like the dress is next to impossible! Styles come and go and trying to don a dress exactly as it was around 30 years after its original wear is a difficult task.

So, what better way to show off your mother's beautiful wedding taste than to re-wear her veil and skip over the dress. There are options to re-work it in order to modernize it without taking away the heartfelt sentiment. Adding in a new head piece such as a broach, comb or crown is the simple way to make it your own and still show mommy that you love her.

Everyone is trying to cut corners no matter where the spending is happening, so why not think outside of the box for your wedding day as well. There are plenty of vintage pieces lurking around your grandmother and mother's closets so jump on them fast! Work them not only into your wedding look, but your everyday look as well!

Photo courtesy of Queensofvintage.com

Sass N Style: Over 40 and Fabulous!

Leighton Meester: Best Dress at MTV Movie Awards

Well, it is better late than never..... I knew I had a post to write! This dress may have been controversial because of how many cut-outs there were (her tush is definitely exposed), but I thought she looked amazing. And this is my blog to rant and rave on, isn't it? I love a place where my opinions are king!

This girl is hot, let's just face it. She is obsessed with wearing really short things and why not? She has the awesome legs to pull it off. Plus it doesn't hurt that she is young and at the top of her career. Bitch. Just kidding Leighton, I love you.

This dress by Emilio De La Morena is one of the hottest pieces I have seen in a while. It definitely hits the mark without revealing too much (aside from a hint of a butt cheek as previously mentioned). It is the LBD gone insanely right. Clearly you cannot be any bigger than a size 4 to wear this very tight little number. Leighton seems to have been working out.

Her boots are Brie by Brian Atwood and damn girl, they are HOT. It is a little late in the season to be wearing booties, but she seems to do it effortlessly. I have a "no boots past mid-may" rule, but she has broken it well. They are quite simply the perfect compliment to her sexy mini. They are actually a purple suede that you can't see in this shot. Ug, another rule broken and done so well. I also try and veer away from suede in the warmer months. But as they say, rules are made to be broken and I say, "especially in fashion". If you can make it work, then you really are the fashionista you claim to be!!!

Photo courtesy of JustJared.com

Great Blog: The Daily Julie

Yes folks, I have found another great blog. Why do I love this blog? First things first, lots of fashion. From Julie's everyday ensembles to her favorite finds, she has a quirky and eclectic sense of style. And, as she so eloquently puts it, "I'm just a 27 year old southern woman trying to navigate her way through life."Real, stylish and most of all, fun! Check her out at The Daily Julie.

A Bikini for DDD! That's right, I found it.

I love to help a friend out and this was my most recent query, "Where the hell do I find a bikini that will fit my medium sized body and size DDD chest???". Well, I found it. And why not share it with the world since I am sure there are many other busty women who have this same annoying problem. You want to look hot on the beach, show off your curves and not be spilling over. I don't think that is too much to ask!

Well curvy ladies, Shoshanna Loenstein is here to save your day.... And accentuate your God-given gift! Who is this amazing designer who has made a career out of helping busty women in this world? You may remember her from years ago when an older Jerry Seinfeld picked up a hot NYU student who was a mere 18.... Well she is all grown up now and has a thriving fashion design company. She is also a member of the "over DD" size club and felt the very pain that all of the others felt while out shopping. So, she did something about it.

This bikini is a perfect option for curvy ladies who want to feel secure and sexy at the same time. Nothing is going anywhere in this style top. It gives you wide coverage while showing a bit of cleavage because of the cinched center. As opposed to a plain bandeau top that leaves you with one big boob, this top is complimenting the bust perfectly. You can now run down the beach Bo Derek style and not worry about anything going anywhere! Braids not included.

Shoshanna "Tulum" Floral Bow Bandeau Bikini
$118.00

Brunch Fabulous: A Stylish Morning Tradition

Ah, the morning after. It is often daunting to try and be stylish after a long night of fun. It is the time when people feel it is alright to put fashion aside and just pull out what is closest and easiest to get to. Stop! Just stop right there! Simple fashion is just that, simple. So I just don't want to hear anymore excuses about how it was too difficult to find something cute. Summer is quite possibly the easiest and most convenient stylish season of all and brunch is the perfect time to show it off!

The sundress will forever be the one piece wonder that exemplifies class, elegance, trend and style. It is the brainless wonder child of designers all over this great earth. For as much as women love to fuss over their outfit, there are some days that we just don't. Love thy sundress. It is the answer to all of your, "I don't feel like getting dressed today" prayers.

There is no layering, no blousing, no tucking, no anything to make this fantastic garment just that, fantastic. It is simple elegance at its best and requires nothing more than a cute pair of shoes, maybe a bobble or two and a bag. Pulling together these pieces should not hurt too much.

So don't fret about your fabulous brunch ensemble, dress to impress in the most simple way possible, a sundress. Your friends will quickly compliment you on how fabulous you look even though your prep time was most likely less than 20 minutes. Everyday does not have to be a fashion show even though you can always look like it!!!

Banana Republic Cotton Embroidered Shift Dress
$98.00

Trendy Fun: Top Shop hits the Mark

Top Shop is quickly becoming one of my favorites. I just went there last week (I wanted to avoid the craziness when it first opened) and it was definitely a fun experience. Positives: Fun and trendy items that were not TOO expensive. The quality is better than H & M. Negatives: Slightly TOO expensive for what you actually expected. The overly trendy pieces scarred me and are apparently their best sellers! Oy.

What I did find though are some cute and sassy pieces to brighten up your wardrobe immediately. This isn't exactly the place you go for foundation pieces, but if you are looking a pick-me-up piece, this is your spot. It really was a pretty good experience even if I did get yelled at for being a stylist. Apparently this very fancy store has their own in-house "style advisers" who don't want you stepping on their toes. Truth be told, sales people always welcome my presence because I bring them lots and lots of money. Hello 20 year old salesgirl, I am here to make you money so stop your whining. Alright, I feel better.

This cute sailor dress is just an example of the fun and cheeky garments Top Shop is now offering NYC. A one piece skirt and top combo, it is a mindless pick for those days that getting dressed seems overly daunting. The fit was actually fantastic and the material was quite comfortable. It is a complete knock-off of a Theory dress, but isn't that why you are shopping at Top Shop anyway? If short skirts aren't your thing then this store is not for you. I could not find a skirt past my client's lower thigh in the entire store. Seriously.

So, if you want trendy and cute clothing that is mid-range quality with mid-range prices, this is your store. Have fun dressing like Kate Moss.

Stripe Block Poplin Dress
$90.00

Personal Styling at it's Best! Shopping with Someone Else's $

Sometimes I have to pinch myself. Everybody has their good days and their bad days, but overall, my life is pretty ridiculous. Let's be honest, I designed it that way. Here is a basic fact: I get paid to shop with other people's money. Now here is the way I read that: I get paid to shop until my heart is content feeding off the thrill of the hunt and loving beautiful clothing, enjoying the rush AND actually making money to do it. Isn't buying it more than half the fun anyways?

When you love all things fashion related, shopping on someone else's dime really does help feed your addiction. Example number one: Do you see the ten pairs of shoes pictured that I bought, but didn't personally pay for? From Louboutin to Prada, they make me salivate just looking at them. I often joke that I have not made it until I am actually able to shop like one of my clients. No, my closet is not full of Louboutin's:(yet).

Now although shopping at Barney's is always a treat, I do shop mostly at the more realistic stores on a more realistic budget. My speech goes something like this, "I shop anywhere from Loehmann's to Neiman's, it just depends on the client's budget". Truthfully, the best shopping is done when you mix it up. Why do you think high powered celebrities love to hit the flea markets? They have all the money in the world and even they love to get a good deal.

So, if ever you are shopping in NYC or Chicago and coming soon, Columbus, OH, I am there to guide you:) Hell, I also travel to your great parts of the universe. As one of my fabulous clients told me yesterday while shopping at Top Shop, "I don't shop without you, why would I when you buy all of the "right" things and I actually wear it all?" A good ego booster never hurt, but I really do hear that all of the time.

Truthfully, the best part about it all (aside from playing with pretty clothes) is that people leave feeling differently about themselves. I actually feel like I have done some good in this world by slowly boosting people's self-esteem and letting them see how fabulously beautiful they really can look!!!!

Sass N Style Facebook Fan Page

Sass N Style finally has a Facebook fan page! Oh please become my friend, I don't want to look like a loser. I am sassy. I am stylish. I am definitely worth being a fan of! I am trying to build a fashion empire while being completely technically un-inclined. Please support me as I need strong encouragement sitting at my daunting computer. Sass N Style wants to be friends with you!:)

She's Stacked... Lots and Lots of Rings

You know I love to layer. Lots and lots and lots of things together is so much fun! Not too much now ladies, let's not go crazy. Just enough to stand out in a fabulously wonderful way.

If you are a follower of this blog you also know that I love to dig in the trenches to find a great new purchase. That piece that jumps out at me and WANTS me to put it on. I usually oblige, why fight it? Flea markets are full of incredible things that are thrown by the wayside like yesterday's trash. TRASH!?! My ultimate favorite is when the vendor just dumps a pile of jewelry on a table with no rhyme or reason and it literally stares up at you so full of sadness. No need to cry jewelry, I want to buy you!

With the stacked ring trend sweeping the nation, the pricetag can sometimes get out of hand. Buying 4 or 5 rings at a time is expensive! So let's think outside of the box here, as I often do, and dig deep into nana's jewelry box. Stop by that estate sale down the street, they clearly don't want it anymore so it is up to you to negotiate! Get those stackable rings and don't buy them all in one place. This is a mission folks and you are on it. Think about it as a treasure hunt for fantastic jewelry. I can't think of a better reason to go on a treasure hunt!

As time passes and your hunt continues, so will your finger full of stackable rings. I have a friend who created her own beautiful stack from ended marriages (not hers:) and childhood presents. All real, all fabulous and (mostly) all free! Her hunt took some time, but it was certainly worth the wait.

Of course if hunting ain't your thing, you can go out and buy a set just like these Juicy rings and call it a day:)

Juicy Couture "Dazed and Coutured" Stackable Rings
$88.00

Sizzlin' Summer Scarves

The summer scarf is hot, hot, hot! Literally, I am hot just looking at it. I have my own personal issues with heat (I don't like it), but I will definitely promote wearing this sassy accessory for less heated individuals:)

I am all about simple. With a season full of less clothing, it is of vital importance that you load up on accessories. It is the quick and easy way to make a tank and shorts look polished. With the summer scarf trend sweeping the world, isn't it time that you stocked up and got ready for the big, bad summer?

I have actually gotten several requests for a Sass N Style episode showing many fabulous ways to tie this little garment. Here is the issue; There is truly only so many ways a loose and flowy summer scarf can rock out. It is literally just meant to be tossed around your neck and look messy yet stylish. This style to the right is probably the most complicated of all of the ties and it really is still only one knot. Simply fold the large square scarf in half, drape the bottom part of the triangle downward and tie behind your neck. And voila, you have a sassy scarf tied oh so sassily around your neck. I am a scarf tying magician!

So raid nana's old stuff (I am sure there is a few choice scarves floating around), go to H & M, even hit up your local Goodwill store. These are all prime places to pick up your next great scarf and there is no need to spend Hermes prices!

Photo courtesy of msn.com

Something Blue.... For Your Wedding!

Rarely do brides think outside the box when it comes to the age old traditions of "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue". Well, here is your chance! I am all about promoting new and fantastic ways to be the most original (and stylish) bride possible. Open your mind, broaden your horizons and just go there... Wherever "there" might be!

I love colored shoes. Be it date night or your wedding night, it is a sure fire way to liven up your look and get hearts racing. Your future husband and wedding guests may be prepared for the big, white dress, but the blue shoes will definitely make a splash. The most fabulous part about showing off your "something blue" in this manner, is that for most gowns you can't even see your shoes until you sit down to take off the garter! I love a good surprise at any wedding:)

So put your traditional side forward and make way for your sassy side to actually get you down the aisle.... The greatest part about purchasing your "something blue" shoes is that they will actually get some use after the big day! Ah, recession proof tradition.

Moda in Blue Pelle Satin Peep Toe Stacee Shoes

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