What's in Store

Lucite is showing up everywhere this season, but there is a bit of confusion about what it actually is. So here’s the skinny: it’s plastic. DuPont invented Lucite in 1931 and started manufacturing everything from airplane windshields to jewelry with it. The plastic is still used for a million things, including accessories. The pieces out right now seem both modern and vintage, and are easy to work into your wardrobe.

Necklace

Load up Lucite necklaces and wear them with everything from jeans and t-shirts to day dresses at summer weddings. Mix shapes and sizes to capture the eclectic vibe of spring fashion.

Heels

It may not always feels like you’re walking on air, but in Lucite heels it will at least look like you are. Combine the Lucite trend with the wedge heel trend to appear twice as stylish with half the purchases.

Purse

My problem with most plastic purses is that everyone can see what’s in your bag. If you choose a printed one, your contents are concealed, but you still get the look of the season.

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Is that Angelina? Jennifer? Hilary? No - it’s you! Want to learn the coveted secrets to look like Hollywood’s hottest stars in your hometown this spring? Telling us what’s hot and what’s not is Joanna Schlip, celebrity makeup artist and author of Glamour Gurlz makeup book, who has created looks for Ellen Pompeo, Sophia Bush and, yes, even Hilary Duff. Joanna also created The j-gurlz Fund to support and encourage girls in their personal development. Through innovative education, mentoring, and hands-on opportunities, j-gurlz empowers young women to realize their true and unlimited potential. All proceeds from her book benefit The j-gurlz Fund and its related programs.

Learn her tricks of the trade with the Schlip-tips listed below.

- Dariana Lau, What’s In Store Blog

Joanna says –

First, focus on the overall look of your face - not feature by feature. 2007 will be the year that skin makes a comeback - not the dewy skin of years past, but a matte, healthy glow will be crucial to achieve this year’s hottest look. Heavy foundations and thick powders that were popular 15 years ago will stay in the 1990s where they belong, and natural looking skin that appears “finished” will embrace the modern day. After all, everyone looks good when you strive for an ultra-smooth, healthy complexion.

One of the most important factors in your skincare routine that should remain constant everyday is SPF, SPF and more SPF. Protecting your skin is always “in” and not only should you look for it in your makeup products, but starting with a tinted moisturizer that contains SPF guarantees a double whammy. Tinted moisturizer is also a great tool if you have troubled skin - try Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer. It has an SPF of 20, which blocks both UVA and UVB rays.

Take a good look at your own face and the issues you may have - whether it be dark circles, breakouts or other problems - a step in the right direction is finding a great palette that can help you look good in any circumstance. One of my favorites is the Physicians Formula Concealer Palette - the colors are universally flattering and can hide exactly what you want hidden.

Spot concealers are also a great tool to store in your makeup bag. It’s as easy as this - find your flaws or imperfections and touch them up! Many people don’t know the simplicities of color correction so I’ll let you know what colors work to do what you need.

•· Green - conceals pimples and redness

•· Yellow - conceals dark undereye circles

Don’t overcompensate, though, in order to hide your flaws or you may end up with a caked-on look. Use less products to achieve the look you want. Try Physicians Formula CircleRX for dark circles and ConcealRX for spot treatment.

In 2007 more attention will be paid to details - the classic, tried and true touches will still be important, but overall, there will be a greater range of popular looks.

Take advantage of product technology in makeup now, so that your makeup will look completely natural even though you’re wearing makeup. For example, when applying foundation or tinted moisturizer, work towards a buildable base. And now with all the new Mineral makeup and the removal of talc in loose powders it gives you the ability to produce buildable, lightweight finish to customize the coverage you need. Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Loose Powder was one of the first powders that removed talc from its formula and its results are flawless.

Another big makeup trend this spring is bronzer - but not bronzer worn in a traditional way, but instead, worn as blush. Bronzer is one of the most overrated and underused products, but when used properly are great for bringing out the dimensions of your face. If you apply it strategically (such as a bronze shade with a tint of pink) you will notice a huge difference in your overall look. A great product to achieve this look with is Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips in Malibu Strip.

In regards to eyes, the popular trend this spring is not the smoky, smudged eyeliner look of last year, but is a more defined look with the liner applied close to the lash line to give the eyes definition. Try Elizabeth Arden Color Intrigue eyeliner in Onyx.

Some of my favorite metallic eyeshadows that are also making a huge comeback are MAC eyeshadow in White Frost, Tarte eyeshadows in Whisky A Go-Go and Sweet Valley High and Elizabeth Arden Color Intrigue eyeshadow in Sparkle.

As for your brows, a manicured fuller brow is key to keeping your look up to date. I like the brow defining pencil by Giorgio Armani to fill in any holes or add thickness and follow with MAC Brow Set Gel in Clear using the motion up, over and out.

And last but not least - lips. Keep it simple with a beautiful gloss with a vintage twist. Elizabeth Arden’s Sheerlit Red, Prescriptives Rain Gloss in Fig Splash or Giorgio Armani Midnight Lip Shimmer in # 3. Remember, when using a bright color when it comes in the form of a gloss, you can always get away with a little bit more.

From catwalks in Milan to runways in Paris to the red carpets in Hollywood, achieve celebrity looks in your own town - just be the savvy consumer and recognize that there are great products in both department stores AND drugstores.

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“What is important in a dress is the woman who is wearing it.”
Yves Saint Laurent

When I was little, I had black patent leather tap shoes that I loved and wore everywhere. Then I had a couple birthdays and learned that what is charming on a child is not so charming on an adult. Luckily, patent leather is all grown up this season. So take a shine to some patently stylish accessories.

Shoe Shine

With everything from scarlet to bottle green to aubergine available this season, there’s no reason to stick with black heels. Keep your patent leather shoes shiny and conditioned by rubbing a little Vaseline into them periodically.

In the Bag

Remember in Funny Face when Kay Thompson’s character pronounces spring fashion is “dull, dreary and depressing,” right before she sings Think Pink? I feel that way about a lot of business bags. But not this time! What could be more fun than a glossy, shiny, sensible patent leather bag for work?

Belt Line

There are a number of practical reasons to wear belts- accentuate a waist, fake a waist, keep your pants up, etc. They’re also in fashion this season, which is practically a reason to buy a new one. Wear it over dresses and fine knit sweaters, a la Tippi Hedron. Or, pair it with fluid trousers and boots for a modern Katharine Hepburn.

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After a whirlwind New York trip this week, I finally have some time to digest all I’ve seen. New York women sure know how to dress, but more importantly, they know how to accessorize. I’m a staunch believer that the right accessories and accoutrements can make any outfit, especially if they include a real statement piece like the large Nine West metallic bag Constance White featured on TV earlier this week, a pair of red patent leather platforms, or a bold and bright cinch belt.

My favorite accessories of the season are the Lucite jewelry we’re seeing everywhere in clear and vibrant colors. I actually just bought this long necklace with clear Lucite chunks from Ann Taylor while in New York. They sell another Lucite necklace and a pair of matching earrings too. So far, I’ve worn it with anything from dark solids to whites or subtle stripes.

Don’t settle for just clear pieces. Check out this set of two, thick Lucite bangles in a deep pink, from Shopping.com merchant, Newport-News, which will add fun to any outfit.

Celebrities of course were the first to sport the look…I LOVE these crystal bead earrings that Jennifer Aniston wore in March in Beverly Hills. They’re by Castaway Jewelry and are set in gold and can add a touch of sophistication to an otherwise low-key outfit.

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If you have a question you’d like us to answer, please send us an email.

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This morning, Constance White, eBay’s Style Director, appeared on television shows across the country.  The topic: spring fashion trends. 

According to Constance, the key items women should invest in are a trench coat, a metallic handbag, a pair of Lucite platform shoes, teardrop earrings and a versatile spring dress. 

According to Constance, this spring, the hot trends include:

A light color palette with several bright, bold colors

As dictated by the top designer lines, the color palette for spring is light and bright with some key pale neutrals like white, silver, gray, off-white and yellow. We’ll also see some knock-em-dead bold brights such as true purple, fuschia, orange and kelly green.

Metallic bags and clutch purses

Metallic bags in various styles will be everywhere, from high-end lines like Chloe, but also from more affordable, everyday brands like Nine West. Clutch purses are trendy this season, in styles that can easily go from day to evening.

Cropped jackets and trench coats

Every spring light coats are key, but this year we’ll see more fashionable takes on the traditional trench coat. Designers have created trenches in beautiful hues and also bold, nature-inspired prints such as leaves, flowers, insects and animals!

Platform shoes and flats

Affordable shoes abound this season with platforms in heels and wedges, and particularly in patent leather or with a Lucite heel. Dainty flats are also a hot look as they go well with most outfits and can be found in a ballerina style or a dressier, open-toed style in this spring’s colors, metallics or nature-inspired prints.

Drop earrings and hair combs

Feminine accessories set the stage for glamour with hair combs and brooches with bright flowers, jewels and other natural elements such as colorful insects.

Strapless tent and trapeze dresses

Dresses add a touch of sophistication to any outfit, whether for work, leisure or socializing. Mix and match accessories and shoes to take the same dress from work to play. Casual, yet elegant dresses in strapless or trapeze styles keep a feminine silhouette without hugging too much skin.

Tailored shorts

Shorts and pants will take on a very tailored and fitted look this season with dressy trouser shorts in a Bermuda length that can be worn to the office, to cropped cigarette-inspired pants for a classic put-together ensemble.

What’s going out of style?  Constance said peasant skirts, chandelier earrings, bangle bracelets and pointy shoes.

Stay tuned for our top product picks in each category.  In the meantime, feel free to share your favorites.

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“And you must tend to the garden of your closet.”
Me, paraphrasing Voltaire, 1694 - 1778

Nature is a fan of super-sizing things. Dinner plate sized dahlias, peonies the size of small dogs, frisbee sized clematis. And of course, the largest flower of all, the Rafflesia arnoldii (Corpse Flower) has a 3 foot diameter and weighs almost 15 pounds! While none of these may be in your garden, they can be in your wardrobe. Oversized floral prints are in full bloom this season. If a bud garden is more your style, use silk or rhinestone flower brooches to spruce up your lapels, skirts or handbags. 

Coat

Brighten up your outfit with a cheerful coat. You can wear it over jeans, chinos or work pants for instant panache. A mid-thigh length works with skirts as well.  

Shirt 

Put a little spring in your suit with a floral print top. Keep it conservative with pearls or add artisan jewelry for more texture. Wear it with jeans or solid colored skirts on the weekend.

Skirt

Don’t be afraid to introduce more color. A coral or turquoise top looks fresh and cool with a brown and white skirt. Red or yellow paired with a black and white print is crisp and modern.

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