5/6/2013 Darling Of The Day: Ashley Madekwe’s Checkered Topshop Jumpsuit!

Usually when I post something for Darling Of The Day, I share look-alike pieces that are much more affordable than what a celebrity is wearing. However, Revenge actress & style blogger extraordinaire Ashley Madekwe (who is making her second appearance in DOTD) calls on the pajama trend for a recent red carpet in support of a Topshop event. She showed up in the brand’s check dungaree jumpsuit ($110.00), which is currently available for purchase online. Yes, it’s a lot higher than I would pay, but the one-piece has a lot of versatility & plays with the same light flirtiness of a maxi dress.

To complete this look without breaking the bank, I’ve selected affordable pieces from Forever 21, including the essential layering tank ($2.80) in white, Love pendant necklace ($1.80) in gold, & lacquered geo hinge cuff ($5.80) in cream / white. Also, other pieces to build the outfit include the strappy faux leather heels ($22.60) from GOjane & Lulu Townsend flower snap box clutch ($34.95) from DSW. I also wanted to share that Ashley’s showing off some major toe cleavage & her pedicure looks fantastic with this season’s greatest color trend. To achieve this look, I recommend the salon formula nail lacquer ($6.00) in mint condition @Ulta.

What do you think about Ashley’s stylish overalls? Would you wear this look? Do you follow Ashley’s style blog, Ring My Bell? For more celebrity posts, check out the most recent update from Top 10 Celeb Sightings, Olga Kurylenko’s latest red carpet looks, Gwyneth Paltrow’s promotional tour frocks for her latest cookbook, spring floral looks inspired by Elizabeth Olsen & Miranda Kerr, & Scarlett Johansson’s Marie Claire cover shoot! Happy Styling!

4/01/2013 Darling Of The Day: Taylor Swift’s Preppy & Cozy Sweater Look In NYC!

During a recent stay in New York City, country crooner Taylor Swift exited her hotel in a black long-sleeved cable knit sweater, cropped burgundy trousers, lace-up flats, & a leather tote bag. The usually feminine singer / songwriter shows off her preppy style, despite not having received the memo that spring is in the air. Of course there are just a few chilly days left in New York, but it’s not joke (on April Fool’s Day) that Taylor’s look is classic, effortless, & easy to pull off.

To put together an affordable version of this outfit, I selected the Sonoma life + style cable knit sweater ($19.99) in black from Kohl’s, which can also be mixed with a pastel pleated skirt, or worn over a floral sheath dress. Also, the Marisa straight leg pants ($26.93) in empire red from LOFT can offset softer pieces like a silk ruffled blouse, sequined tank & boyfriend blazer, & solid tee with a statement necklace. The accessories are perfect for any season, including the H-Trosuer flats ($59.95) in black from Steve Madden, faux leather zip pocket tote ($45.00) in orange from Dress Barn, & floral square sunglasses ($5.80) from Forever 21.

What do you think of Taylor’s look? Do you like mixing menswear pieces to your everyday outfits? Are you shopping for loafer flats for the spring? For more Darling of the Day posts, check out Drew Barrymore’s look during her recent appearance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Revenge actress Ashley Madekwe’s black & white ensemble, Nikki Reed’s chic take on menswear, & Diane Kruger’s Stella McCartney pants in Berlin! Happy Styling!

3/26/2013 Darling Of The Day: Copy Drew Barrymore’s Spring-Ready Look By Alice + Olivia & Rag & Bone!

During an appearance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Hollywood’s glamorous flower child, Drew Barrymore, hit the stage all smiles in a rag & bone Hillary blouse ($395.00) & Alice + Olivia by Stacey Bendet 5-pocket skinny jean ($198.00). The actress & wine entrepreneur looks youthful, on trend, & ready for spring in this outfit, which features some really famous & acclaimed luxury brand names in fashion today. Spending that kind of dough on separates can work if your main focus is quality, but for the rest of us, we can admire Drew’s polished & flirty look with similar separates that cost less & can mix well with other wardrobe staples any time of the year!

First, I picked the Merona pintucked long sleeve blouse ($16.08) in black Target, which is availble sizes XS – XXL. Not only will wearing this lightweight blouse look great with a patterned pant, but consider this for dressing up a denim skirt, headed to the office in a leather pencil skirt, or want to keep a monochromatic rocker look with liquid leggings & pointy toe heels. Also, I’ve been raving about floral pants for quite some time now (& really patterned pants all together), as seen in previous posts including Ashley Madekwe in Mulberry, pieces from Rihanna’s debut collection for River Island, must-haves for your spring break vacation, & Diane Kruger’s Stella McCartney look. Here, I’ve selected two pairs of floral pants from Forever 21, including the Aloha floral ankle pants ($22.80) & plus size rose print skinny pants ($24.80), which share a cimilar color scheme to Drew’s. Not to mention that these feminine flower-power bottoms will look darling mixed with a striped top & cork wedges or a polka dot peplum top & peep toe pumps, if you’re daring to try something new!

For more celebrity-inspired posts, check out Marion Cotillard’s return as the face of Lady Dior, Nikki Reed’s embellished blouse look for less, Beyoncé’s debut ad for H&M, & behind-the-scenes with Katie Holmes for her Allure cover shoot! Happy Styling!

3/24/2013 Darling Of The Day: Revenge Actress Ashley Madekwe’s Mulberry Look On A Budget!

I’ve been getting really inspired lately by all of the fabulous ensemble looks that celebrities are donning on the red carpet & for special events. Case in point: Revenge actress & style blogger, Ashley Madekwe, at a dinner in Los Angeles for the English brand Mulberry.

Spring is (sort of) in the air & I can’t wait to let go of heavy knits & layers, so that I can start to embrace lighter & softer fabrics to pair with sandals! There’s so much about this outfit that I love, including the mod black & white color scheme. The clean & classic color combination is always sensational for any age & shape if you’re on your way to a special occasion. The peplum look isn’t going away & it’s especially perfect for spring if you’d like to add feminine, figure-hugging details to your wardrobe. Not to mention that printed pants & jeans are so hot right now & can work for a variety of looks while at the office, going on a date, or headed out with friends.

To start, I found the Green Envelope 3/4 sleeve peplum top ($34.99) from Loehmann’s, which I realize isn’t short-sleeved like what Ashley is wearing, but the price is pretty amazing for such a fashionable staple that will look great with a pencil skirt, dark denim jeans, & leather leggings. Also, the Copper Key animal-print ankle pant ($17.40) from Dillard’s is practically identical to the luxury brand. The accessories that I choose include DSW‘s Mia Bennet reptile pump ($54.95) in black, the Apt. 9 Emma Satchel ($39.99) in white from Kohl’s, & the lacquered diamond shaped earrings ($3.80) from Forever 21.

Would you wear leopard print pants? Do you like Ashley’s outfit? What are your must-haves this season? For more posts featuring celebrity style, check out Nikki Reed’s menswear look for less, Amanda Seyfried & Jessica Alba’s recent red carpet appearances, the neon trend as seen on Freida Pinto & Kristen Stewart, & the stylish ladies of Oz the Great and Powerful. Happy Styling!

3/22/2013 Darling Of The Day: Nikki Reed’s Embellished Blouse Look For Less!

This week, actress Nikki Reed, of The Twilight Saga fame, hit up Justin Timberlake‘s Target-sponsored release party for his latest album, The 20 / 20 Experience, in a long-sleeved white blouse with stud embellishments on the collar, curve-hugging black skinny pants, towering platforms, & added a bright pop of color with a turquoise clutch. Her look is hitting all the right notes here & I love the simplicity in her menswear-inspired outfit with some trendy touches that any Style Darling can pull off. The prove my point, I went seraching for similar items to complete an affordable outfit that a woman of any size can sport.

This includes the pyramid stud collar blouse ($22.80) from Forever 21, as well as their plus size studded collar Georgette top ($24.80), which is available in sizes XL – 2XL. Both of these tops can work perfectly with a textured pencil skirt at the office, under a blazer with leather leggings for a girl’s night out, or with dark denim jeans & ballet flats for a chic day out on the town. I turned to Old Navy for the bottoms & happily found the Diva skinny jeans ($29.50) in Black Jack, which are sold in sizes 0-20, with short, regular, & tall inseams, & in different washes including dawn, authentic, & rinse. Of course we know that the darker the wash, the better the look, but I’m always excited to share Old Navy’s selection in sizes when it comes to staples like skinny jeans!

As for shoes, I included two options: the nubuck platforms ($24.70) in black from GOjane, as well as Payless‘ Brash Kosmic platform pumps ($24.99) in black, which is a wide width option for those who have difficulty fitting in narrower shoes. I also added two clutch bags since I wasn’t able to find a studded match for the one that Nikki carries, but I loved the contrasting textures & color combination found in  Duro Olowu‘s snakeskin foldover clutch ($30.00) @JC Penney, as well as the simplicity of a patent exterior with Charlotte Russe‘s textured patent envelope wristlet ($12.99) in teal.

Lastly, the final touch to this look is Nikki’s rings which are always a fun way to accessorize any outfit, especially when there are so many subtle details like the collar & on the bag, which is why I thought the Jennifer Lopez silver tone simulated crystal stack ring set ($16.80) from Kohl’s was a good investment if you like to mix up your digit decorations.

While the combination of pieces comes to just over $100, this is still an affordable look inspired by a celebrity on the red carpet. For more red carpet fashion ideas, check out previous posts including the latest Top 10 Celeb Sightings gallery featuring Stacy Keibler & Jessica Alba, neon looks as seen on Beyoncé & Kristen Stewart, the ladies of Oz the Great and Powerful on their stylish press tour, & a complete look at this year’s Oscars red carpet! Happy Styling!

10/19/2012 Darling Of The Day / The $100 Challenge: Freida Pinto’s All-Black, Affordable Look!

Even though colorblocking is still a big trend for fall, there are also a lot of monochromatic looks happening on the runways, red carpets, as well as the street.  Of course, you have to pick the right hue to pull off the look effectively, but one color that is exceptionally flattering & seasonal is black.

Slumdog Millionaire actress Freida Pinto always looks beautiful & polished.  As the constant epitome of feminine style, I was surprised to see her all-black menswear-inspired ensemble, but then I realized that it was such a great template for a streamlined & affordable look.  The essential relaxed blouse ($19.80) from Forever 21 was a natural fit to work with this outfit, & can be paired with any office, day, or date look.  Throw this on with your wildest metallic leggings, sequined mini skirt, or favorite boyfriend jeans & you’ve instantly got a timeless piece working with your wardrobe no matter the season!

I’ve been eyeing Old Navy‘s rockstar super skinny jeans ($29.50) & even picked up a similar pair in forest green, but these black skinnies are the perfect way to show off your shape if your top has some volume to it.  Also, these jeans are available in an assortment of playful hues & a variety of sizes, while select colors are even marked down to $22.50! Lastly, GOjane was my first stop when it came to finding textured heels.  The woven design leatherette pumps ($26.10) offer a subtle touch of detail without breaking up the monochromatic feel, or taking away from it.

Of course if all-black isn’t your thing (& it really shouldn’t be more than maybe once a month), punch up this look with an embellished cardigan, silk blazer, metallic pumps, or statement gemstones.  This post also qualifies for The $100 Challenge in that the total (before taxes) comes to $75.40, which means that if you’re looking to spend only $100, there’s still room for enhancement with a studded clutch & drop earrings!

**I’d like to take a moment to send a special thanks out to graphic designer / musician / photographer, Nino Vlacich (not to mention boyfriend extraordinaire), for giving me a wonderful one-on-one Photoshop tutorial, without which this blog & a few previous ones would not so stylishly exist! <3 **

Would you rock an all-black look? Do you already own pieces like this in your wardrobe? For more Darling of the Day posts, check out Olivia Wilde, Olivia Palermo, & Anne Hathaway! Happy Styling!

9/29/2012 Darling Of The Day / The $100 Challenge: Olivia Wilde’s Little Black Dress Look For Under $100!

Actress Olivia Wilde is one of the most in-demand beauties hitting red carpets & every time she makes an appearance, the photogs emerge & fashion critics pay attention.  During a recent appearance on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, the former House star dazzled in square neck black A.L.C. dress with Iwona Ludyga Design jewelry & red accented accessories.

Although I wasn’t able to recreate the exact little black dress, I’m crazy for this figure-flattering dress ($34.95) from H&M, which is also available in burgundy.

Luckily, I was able to find affordable accessories to bring this look together, including the metal trim waist belt ($4.80) from Forever 21, the Fioni glitz clutch ($16.99) from Payless, GOjane‘s low cut pumps ($23.80), & the dazzling Apt. 9 gold tone simulated crystal linear drop earrings ($13.00) from Kohl’s.

The total for this bargain look comes to $93.54, which fits perfectly for The $100 Challenge. For more Darling of the Day posts, check out other Olivias, including Olivia Palermo & Olivia Munn! Also, if you’re looking for more fabulous looks worn by Ms. Wilde, check out more images featuring maxi dresses, a Prada gallery, peplum hemlines, as well as her latest look in a Top 10 Celeb Sightings gallery! Happy Styling!

8/24/12 Darling Of The Day: Olivia Munn’s Geometric Dress From KMart!

Up & coming actress Olivia Munn has been making the rounds on the red carpet lately, especially having co-starred in this summer’s Magic Mike & The Babymakers, but also appearing on HBO’s The Newswoom doesn’t hurt either.  She’s getting  a lot of attention for her style, including this look which was spotted walking the streets of New York just recently, thanks to a post found on In Style.

She’s polished & on-trend with a colorful print, classic round toe pumps, & a confident smile, however what’s so great about this look is the fact that the Attention geometric print shirtdress ($17.49) is from Kmart! Look at the price on that dress & how effortlessly she’s wearing it.

Of course this can transition into fall with some dark tights & ankle booties, or even be worn these last few days of summer while running from the beach to a block party.  The dress runs typically for $24.99, but it currently on sale on the store’s website.  It’s available in sizes XS – XL, but also in an autumn orange color scheme as well.

Typically in my Darling of the Day posts, I find pieces to recreate the whole look, however I’m just so excited to share the dress that I will simply refer readers to Payless for the Brash Liv pump ($29.99), Forever 21 for the patent med shoulder bag ($29.80), & round sunglasses ($3.50).

What do you think of Olivia’s bargain dress?  Would you shop @KMart? Don’t forget that this isn’t the first KMart-related post to appear on Style Darling, since I’m a big fan of Sofia Vergara’s line, Sofia by Sofia Vergara & Selena Gomez’s Dream Out Loud collection.  Also, for more on Olivia’s style, be sure to check out the latest Top 10 Celeb Sightings post, images of her alongside Sarah Jessica Parker from I Don’t Know How She Does It, & an Express look from last year’s Darling of the Day! Happy Styling!

7/12/2012 Darling Of The Day / Basics For A Bargain: Anne Hathaway’s Cropped ‘Do, LBDs, & Audrey Hepburn Inspiration!

Anne Hathaway has hit the red carpet with a reinvented classic retro vibe, cad with her pixie cut (for Les Miserables), little black dresses, basic black shoes, & elegance pendant necklaces.  The Oscar-nominee is in full swing promoting her latest film, the major summer blockbuster The Dark Knight Rises. The Style Darling‘s looks are elegant, contemporary, youthful, & worth making her the Darling of the Day.

Since I couldn’t pick just one look that I loved, I decided to share the four most recent images of her Audrey Hepburn-inspired style.  Her short ‘do is perfectly understated while these leg-baring frocks reveal that the actress isn’t slowing down her glamour game just yet.  Included in these images are dresses by Dolce & Gabbana, Stella McCartney, & Givenchy, paired with Tory Burch ankle strap sandals.

Since there are so many fabulous details in the dresses above, I’ve found some affordable LBDs to help recreate Anne’s breathtaking noir turn.  First from Forever 21, we have the shawl collar surplice dress ($27.80) & the mesh yoke bodycon dress ($24.80), which is available in sizes XL – 3X. H&M has this belted dress ($34.95) which moves beautifully & can be dressed up with peep toes or worn casually with flats.  To show off your shape, I recommend the ponte knit sheath dress ($48.93) from Express.  If you’re looking to imitate the feel of Anne’s forth look above, head over to Lulu’s for the Motown black dress ($38.00). Lastly, since we are talking about one of the most sought after actresses in all the land, we need to step up our style game just a little & share the Jessica Howard sequin cap sleeve dress ($70.00) @JCP. 

Lastly, to help complete the look, I’ve searched high & low for some of the best accessories. This includes the Forever 21 oval locket necklace ($5.80) & floral pendant necklace ($1.50).  In addition, my shoe choices include the Brash Gemini flat ($26.99) from Payless (which I’ve previously featured in champagne), Charlotte Russe‘s fabric mouse ballet flat ($30.00), sueded ankle wrap pump ($35.50), & Michael Antonio Loveme patent pump ($40.00) @Zappos.

Which of Anne’s looks do you like the best? Would you ever rock a pixie cut? How do you feel about all the black-on-black? All comments & suggestions are always welcome, so please share! Check out more posts like this in Basics for a Bargain, Luxury Look-Alikes for Less, & Red Carpet Review! Happy Styling!

Magazine Must-Haves / Watch This Style: Miranda Kerr Hits Brooklyn For Harper’s Bazaar!

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In the April 2012 issue of Harper’s Bazaar, with actress Mila Kunis on the cover, Victoria’s Secret model Miranda Kerr is featured in a 50s-inspired fashion spread shot in the fine city of Brooklyn by photographer Terry Richardson.  Now I might’ve just flipped through this spread in the past, surmising it up just for the fashion, but now as a full-time writer in Brooklyn (although I’m still commuting home to Long Island), I can appreciate the beauty behind the city that has taught me more about all the reasons why I love the suburbs! Yes, I said it!

However, I think this is an amazing shoot, especially with the regal & vintage designs of Dolce & Gabbana, Oscar de la Renta, Derek Lam, Donna Karan, Bulgari, Van Cleef & Arpels, Elizabeth & James, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, & Prada (just to name a few). There’s so much high fashion going on here, Miranda puts the women of Mad Men to shame! She looks like an even more glamorous mix between Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, and Grace Kelly! Not to mention that below the gallery here is an exclusive video behind the shoot, which was inspired by 1960s Italian actress, Monica Vitti.

I used to obsessively tear out the pages of my favorite fashion magazines to keep in what I like to call an “inspiration book” to help me put outfits together, get motivated to blog, or for that one day way way waaaay in the future when I’d dabble in my own desiging, but instead of collecting the stacks of paper in a super heavy binder, I’ve decided to post them for my readers. What do you think of Miranda’s shoot? Do you recognize these spots in Brooklyn?

For more from Magazine Must-Haves, check out my previous posts featuring Carrie Underwood in Self and Selena Gomez in People Style Watch & Cosmopolitan. Also, for more of Miranda Kerr, check her out in a Darling of the Day post here! Happy Styling!