Red Carpet Review: 2013 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards Featuring Katy Perry, Jessica Alba, Fergie, & More!

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Last night, young Hollywood celebrate the biggest hits & most popular kids in show business for the 2013 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards! Normally, this isn’t an event that I’d cover for Style Darling, but there were some pretty fantastic style moments on the red carpet, celebrating the brightest colors, busiest patterns, & most flattering silhouettes for spring. This includes favorites Jessica Alba in a printed Mary Katrantzou dress with pointed toe bowed heels, as well as a midriff-baring Katy Perry in a printed Herve Leger by Max Azria two-piece outfit with black pointy toe pumps. Also, in tow was a very pregnant Fergie also wearing a colorful Mary Katrantzou dress with neon ankle strap sandals & Victoria Justice in a printed Pia Pauro dress with coral ankle strap sandals by Aldo. The big winner of the night was Kristen Stewart who surprised in a checkered top & shorts outfits by Osman with black patent Christian Louboutins.

Which looks are your favorite from the red carpet? Are you on board the bright & colorful pattern trend? For more from Red Carpet Review, check out posts including Nikki Reed’s appearance at Justin Timberlake’s album release party, black & white looks on Amanda Seyfried & Jessica Chastain, the ladies of Oz the Great and Powerful at the film’s premieres, complete coverage of last month’s Oscars, & the red carpet from the Grammy’s. Happy Styling!

Red Carpet Review: All The Sparkle & Color From The 2012 American Music Awards!

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The American Music Awards are still airing, but if you’ve missed any of the red carpet festivities, then you can check out the highs & lows here on Style Darling.  Some of my favorite performers hit the stage, including Christina Aguilera & Pink, both who made stunning statements on the red carpet in lavender & bronze, respectively.  Also, some noteable appearances were made by an Old Hollywood-inspired Carly Rae Jepsen in Gomez-Garcia, Nicki Minaj in neon Monique Lhuillier, & the always gorgeous Carrie Underwood in a purple gown by Abed Mahfouz.

Who wore your favorite looks? What was your favorite part of the show? Do you agree with the winners? For more from Red Carpet Review, check out posts including the Breaking Dawn Part Two premiere & MTV’s European Music Awards! 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!

Super Style Wishlist: Elizabeth & James Accessories & J.Brand Jeans from Madison Los Angeles!

I recently spent a couple of days home from work with a bad case of the sniffles (thank you, sinus infection!), but that didn’t stop me from curling up in bed with my laptop, in search of some great style inspiration!  I meandered over to Madison Los Angeles, a website known for selling luxury brands like Alexander Wang, Bottega Veneta, Vivienne Westwood, & Halston Heritage.

I put together this super chic look for a professional or night affair.  A jacket can do wonders, especially over such a bright & sparkly top- & here at Style Darling, we do not shy away from sparkle!  The Sass & Bide By The River Tee ($192.00) can be mixed with any number of bottoms, including a pencil skirt, tucked into something denim, or worn with leggings & knee boots.  For this look, I went with a dark wash J.Brand 10″ Tonal Jeans Dynamite pair ($192.00) because they’ll really allow for the top to pop!  The Parker Cropped Jacket  ($415.00) has enough flair to cover up the very loud top, but also created interesting proportions since it’s short than the top.

As far as accessories go, I love the look of the Matt Berson Grey Jardin Ankle Booties ($230.00).  They’ll tuck the jeans in just enough & help elongate the legline.  The Mulberry Alexa Bag ($1200.00) is the perfect hue to contrast all the neutrals going up against the glittery top, but also adds some more texture & it can hold all of your favorite daily necessities that you carry around!  While you’re out & about, running from meeting to meeting or fittings to happy hour, the Elizabeth & James Lafayette Sunglasses in Tortoise ($158.00) make for an old Hollywood way to protect your eyes from the sun.

Since there’s already so much going on with this look in terms of shine, I picked subtle pieces of jewelry, including Jacquie Aiche Oxidized Starburst Studs in 14K Gold ($650.00).  Whether your hair is up or down, these studs are just the right bit of polish to add some personality to the already posh duds.  Lastly, Lucky Star Jewels ‘Ivana’ Stretch Ring ($70.00) is a gorgeous cocktail ring to wear for an after work affair, meeting with the girlfriends to chat about your day over martinis.

The total for this look comes to over $3100.00 (insert jaw-drop here), but pieces like a sparkly tee, dark wash skinny jeans, gray ankle boots, & a cropped jacket can be found for much, much less at stores like Kohl’s, Topshop, H&M, Avenue, Payless, & Forever21.  Again, this category is just for the dreamers… We know this is out of our budget, but there’s nothing wrong with seeing what’s out there in the style world from which we can be inspired!

Be sure to check out all of the posts in Super Style Wishlist & if you love luxury finds, but can’t afford them, take a look at Luxury Look-Alikes for Less to see how you can wear identical styles without paying too much!  Happy Styling!

Luxury Look-Alikes For Less: The Big Jewelry Post Featuring Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, & More!

Who doesn’t love fashion jewelry?!  For starters, the real thing is fabulous, but when you can find luxury look-alikes like these, who’s thinking about dropping some serious dough?

During my search, I came across these blue-stone hoop earrings.  One pair is $695.00 @Bergdorf Goodman, whereas the other comparable pair is sold @Kohl’s by the Candies label for under $10.  These are the perfect pop of color to bring out any eye color, especially with a boldly printed maxi dress, or if you’re sporting a ruffled blouse & skinny jeans for date night!  Next, if you’re looking for animal-inspired accessories, check out the Ikat bangle by Kate Spade from Neiman Marcus, however it runs $128.00, whereas the white leopard option is a mere $5.80 @Forever 21.  If you’re wearing solids like a sultry red, or a bright cobalt mini dress, here’s where animal prints work best in your accessories.

If you’re into two-finger rings, a la Gwen Stefani’s Rock Steady phase, check out what designers Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen have designed for their label, Elizabeth & James.  The sea urchin two finger ring costs $175.00 @Bloomingdale’s, but is comparable in the rock star chic sense to the Candie’s crystal two finger ring from Kohl’s for $11.20.  Lastly, I wasn’t intentionally looking to feature a second pair of earrings, but I couldn’t get over how similarly these drop earrings are & just had to make room for them! Between Nordstrom & Forever 21, both pairs show off gold tones, but vary in price from $4.80 all the way up to $262.00!  These are the perfect finishing touches on a look with upswept hair or a messy ponytail!

Check out our previous Luxury Look-Alikes posts for more great affordable ways to recreate these stylish finds!  Is there a piece that you’re looking for, but can’t find for less cash?  I can’t make any promises, but I’ll do my best to try & find it!  Happy Styling!