little style hunter: 2010

Monday, May 17, 2010

Find the Perfect Polish for Your Summer Footwear

Almost every summer footwear option, from sandals to peep-toe booties and lace-up heels, give you the perfect opportunity to indulge in another big trend for Summer ’10: nail polish. Here, Lynda-Louise Burrell of new London nail spa NailGirls has taken the guess work out of choosing the right pedi color for your new footwear.

For lace-up or cage heels: "Teal (still going strong this summer), a ballet pink (one with a slight irridiscence shimmer), purple (a light lavender hue) all look great on all skin tones and work perfectly off of the neutral browns, grays, and blacks of most lace-up and cage heels." Kelsi Jagger Juno Heels, $125

Grecian sandals:  "The nude trend has been huge this spring/summer 2010. They complement gold, silver and bronze metallics of this summer's gladiators. Just find the shade to suit your skin tone--they're perfect for day or evening." Cynthia Vincent Odeon Sandals, $250

 Ankle cuff sandals: "Metallic/shimmer colors like Gold, Silver, and Matte Grey look particularly great with a matte top coat and really work with the embellishment like grommets, studs, and buckles on the shoes."  Nine West Captivate Sandals, $49

Lynda-Louise also offers a tip to update your current polish: "Applying a matte top coat gives any color a more fashion forward edge. Remember when applying your matte topcoat always load a generous amount of the product onto the brush and with a light touch, brush on the topcoat first in the middle of the nail, then down either side. Do not continually rebrush over the nail as once the topcoat is dry all of those brush strokes will show up!"

Two New Online Shoe Exclusives To Scoop Up Now

Restocking your summer footwear options just got a little more exciting with two new online offerings.

We love a good designer collaborations. That's why we like these newly available Pierre Hardy for Gap denim espadrilles ($60). Other styles include bigger, exaggerated wedge platforms in soft neutrals and denim, all accented with ankle wraps and floral bows.

With all the money you saved on the Gap espadrilles above, you can splurge a little. Also new to the Web, along with the relaunch of YSL.com, is a collection of online exclusives. We're partial to these amazing chic platform sandals ($795).

Where She Shops: West/Feren's Alison Pawling on Her Summer Essentials

It has only been a year and a half since designer Alison Pawling launched West/Feren, but the Brooklyn-based handbag company is already expanding. Pawling is now offering a collection of leather bracelets and belts--all lined with West/Feren's signature print--and they're selling out quickly.

Pawling lives in Brooklyn and manufactures the line in New York, so the designer knows this city up and down. Here, Pawling highlights her favorite boutiques for summer essentials:

When summer time comes around, I like my clothing arsenal to be stocked with the most comfortable key pieces, so I can survive the NY summer heat.

Comptoir Des Cotonniers
I find shorts to be the most frightening transition of summer. I put them on during the styling process each morning, and I cringe at the sight of these foreign, and newly uncovered legs! Fortunately, I tried on these incredible shorts at Comptoir des Cotonniers, and am no longer afraid to show my stems on the streets of Manhattan. They are perfectly high waisted, and have a great cuff at the hip, which is very slimming.
155 Spring Street
New York, NY 10012-5208
(212) 274-0830
comptoirdescotonniers.com

Madewell
One important key to looking cute, even when its 150 degrees and humid on the streets of NYC, is to have a perfect, ‘non flip flop’ shoe you can wear without socks. This season, I chose a cute lace up oxford shoe. They look great with a short floral shirt, or even a skinny jean. I found my pair at Madewell.
486 Broadway
New York, NY 10013-2631
(212) 226-6954
madewell1937.com

Olives Very Vintage, Brooklyn
I go to Olives on Court Street in Brooklyn to find some staple vintage cotton prairie dresses and skirts that I know will get me through the hottest of days. Some vintage shops require a serious commitment of both time and energy in order to sift through the racks--but Olives is beautifully edited and always manages to be season appropriate.
434 Court Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231
(718) 243-9094
olivesveryvintage.com

Reiss

Reiss is the store I save my money to shop at. I know that I will inevitably fall in love with something there, so I stash some money away and hide out until I see something that I must have. This originally UK brand has an AMAZING FIT. You are bound to find some beautifully tailored, their jackets and blazers are great for dressing up and down. Great pieces for transitioning from day to night.
313 Bleecker St
New York, 10014
(212) 488-2411
reiss.co.uk

Zero + Maria Cornejo Swimwear Launches, Provides Solution to Tropical Overload

Just like her architectural, minimalist clothing line, Maria Cornejo's new swimwear will have city girls beach-ready this summer.

While we featured one of Cornejo's suits in our "Top Ten Swimsuits for Summer," earlier today Style File posted images of the six looks available, and we like what we see. While the bikinis won't work for every body (literally), the three one-piece suits are fabulous options for those looking for more coverage. We love the color blocking and cut-outs found across the collection--but what else would you expect from Cornejo?

Photo: Style File

Sex and the City 2 Cast Wardrobe? Oh, Around $10 Million

There are people who can't wait to see SATC2. There are others will avoid it at all costs. There is a third party--a minority--that is interested in the film from a shopping and style perspective. (We're not telling which camp we fall into.)

If you're on the fence about seeing it, the New York Post has compiled a slideshow of the upcoming fashion finds, as well as a tally: roughly $10 million. If you ever grumbled about impossible ratio of size, location, and price of Monica and Rachel's apartment on Friends (maybe we're dating ourselves here), then those multimillion dollar closets are certainly beyond unrealistic.

But maybe we'll just forget about that, because there are many, many "unlikelys" in SATC. We'll just settle in for some serious style--with everything from Chanel to Matthew Williamson and Oscar de la Renta--on May 27th.

And should you be in the market for Bradshaw look-a-like pieces, don't forget the invite-only “Sex and the City”-inspired sale at Decadestwo May 20-23. The shop will be set up according to character, with clothing and accessories divided by personality--for example: a Jenni Kayne dress worn by Carrie in season two for $225. It's slightly more affordable than the two tickets to the Radio City premiere that are up for auction and already at $4,250!

Photo: NYP

Memorial Day Prep: Fabulous Hostess Gifts

LP: This would be a series ("Memorial Day Prep") that I would feature once every few days until the holiday. This post is a national one, as these can be ordered--there's enough time to receive. Later posts would be NY-centric/buying in NY. Also, this would be a slideshow on your site.

If you're lucky enough to escape your usual confines this Memorial Day--and relying on the hospitality of a friend of family member who has opened their doors to you--we have advice: Don't come empty handed. Reciprocate your host's thoughtfulness with a little thank-you of your own. Here, a few off-the-beaten-path hostess gifts that will have them saying, "Please come again."

Downtown Cookie Company Cookies
Choose from seven flavors or opt for the variety box. These homemade wonders will let your host off the hook for dessert--if she begrudgingly chooses to share. $24/one dozen

Miller Harris Flower Water
Lighten any room, refresh the linens...even use as facial tonic. These multi-purpose fragrances are all-around pretty; the brand's packing is even more gorgeous.
$30; choose from three scents

Maptotes Stationery
Tell them where you come from--or remind them of their urban locale while away from home. Brooklyn and Manhattan are sure winners, but the multi-city card is universally appealing, too. Love the twine hang tag and brown-paper envelope.
$4 each

Cowshed Lazy Candle
Don't know your hosts very well? Can't go wrong with a candle. This version is enviro-friendly and sets a calm mood with sandalwood, chamomile, and jasmine (hence the name "Lazy").
$49

Col. Littleton Camp Bracelet
If you do know your host(ess), and she can appreciate the handmade things in life (A Brooklyn lady, maybe?), we love this rough Western ID bracelet. Good news: It ships same day, so you'll have it in hand by the time you pack your bags.
$34

Tiffany Playing Cards
The ultimate hostess can stock her game room with luxury playing cards--right next to her bar cart and cocktail apron. $30

Chocolate Editions Chocolate Bars
Bundle a handful of these homemade gourmet bars with a ribbon; bringing a touch of NYC by way of the unusual flavors--caramel, Neapolitan, tangerine--is plenty gift enough.
$10 each

Roost Farmers Market Baskets
The traditional produce basket gets an upgrade in bone china. Perfect on the kitchen counter, your host can display fresh finds all summer long in these Jonathan Adler-meets-Gristedes finds.
$28 each

Rag & Bone Expands Footwear Collection

Around this time next year, shoppers will have more than 30 footwear options from Rag & Bone (20 for women, 12 for men). Designers Marcus Wainwright and David Neville are expanding from their six current options this season to quadruple that for spring 2011, telling WWD that they love that they can offer an "interesting, designed product that’s not necessarily designer price points." (Thank you. We love that, too.)

In addition to offering additional designs--which will range $300 to $500--Wainwright and Neville will have a new spot in which to offer them: Rag & Bone's first shoe shop, which will launch in Nolita in July.

Photo: WWD

Shopping Details: What Happened Over the Weekend

Gucci unveiled its equestrian wardrobe for Charlotte Casiraghi (aka, Grace Kelly's granddaughter). Unfortunately, you can't get your hands on your own: It was specially designed by Frida Giannini. [The Telegraph]

Fortunately, you can have this: Isabella Blow's wardrobe. The style icon who, who passed away in 2007, helped launch Alexander McQueen's career. Her wardrobe includes 90 of the designer's looks, along with Manolo Blahnik shoes and Philip Treacy hats. [NYT]

Jewelery designer Stephen Webster is looking at NYC real estate for his first U.S. boutique. Unfortunately, he doesn't like what he sees. [Racked]

New touchscreen windows at Selfridges allow shoppers to try on virtual 3D watches. No more dealing with pesky salespeople! [Telegraph]

Macy's is getting a makeover: The Herald Square location is getting a new look, inside and out. [WWD]