I’m loving the maxi skirt trend I keep seeing in magazines and lookbooks this Spring. The problem is, these suckers are hard to find in stores. You can still find a maxi DRESS no problem, but a maxi SKIRT is another beast entirely.


First though, let’s have a little chat. The maxi skirt trend this Spring does not just refer to long skirts.
Maxi skirts that are stylish this Spring have a few things in common –
Length – Your skirt should graze the tops of your feet. Tea-length skirts are NOT what we’re talking about here. Those are still just a bit too Little House on the Prairie.
Fabric – This is a casual style. Look for skirts made from soft jersey materials for the ultimate maxi skirt option.
Style – The maxi skirt trend is pretty boho chic. Look for skirts that have a fairly low waist (right at about your hips), with a little draping or swinginess at the bottom to spruce things up a bit.


To sum things up, something like this is NOT the style we’re talking about.

The length is wrong, the fabric is wrong, the style is wrong. This is more like a skirt you would have worn to church in the 80′s….not a style for today’s maxi-skirt trend.


Here are a few options that ARE on trend…

Splendid Knit | Haute Hippie | Anthropologie

I’m sure more options will start popping up as the season progresses. Let me know if you find anything!


What do you think of the maxi skirt trend?

One of this Spring’s top trends can be a little tricky to pull off. Go too long and you’ll channel the 1950′s poodle skirt. Go too short and you’ll look like a Dallas cheerleader. Without the right top or shoes, the look is just off. Here are some tips and considerations for wearing a full skirt.

Louis Vuitton | Vena Cava | Ruffian

Length

As I mentioned above, length can be a critical factor for pulling off this trend. Make sure your skirt is neither too short or too long – go for something right around your knee or slightly below.

Anthropologie | Urban Outfittters | ModCloth

Top

The full skirt will naturally accentuate your natural waist. Wear a fitted top that is either tucked in or cropped to just below the waistband on your skirt. For an added bonus, wear a belt at your natural waist.

Shoes

Though you can wear heels with a full skirt, this will make the look a bit more vintage. If that’s not your intent, go instead for ballet flats, riding boots or strappy sandals.


What do you think? Is it just right or still a little too vintage for you?


Last Year – Bottega Veneta Fall 2010
Two Years Ago – Charlotte Ronson Fall 2009 and BCBG Fall 2009

Good hair color isn’t cheap – you want it to last as long as possible.


Here are 7 tips for extending your hair color.

Tip 1 – Color Dirty Hair

Don’t wash your hair right before having it colored. Dirty hair is easier for your stylist to work with but, most importantly, the natural oils found on dirty hair help your color adhere better.

Tip 2 – Wait To Shampoo

After having your hair colored, wait to shampoo for at least 24 hours. The longer you can wait, the more you will allow the color to completely absorb in your hair follicles.

Tip 3 – Extend Your Shampoos

This is true whether you have colored hair or not. The longer you can go without shampooing your hair, the more the natural oils in your scalp will work to moisturize your hair. Feel like your hair is too oily to go more than one day? Try to wash your hair every other day for a week. It will be oily at first, but eventually the oils in your scalp will begin to regulate themselves and your scalp will become less oily. Make sure to brush your hair every night to brush the oils from scalp to ends – this will help keep your hair nice and healthy and will also make your scalp less oily.
If you can shampoo your colored hair every 2 or 3 days instead of every day, you will extend your hair color monumentally.

Tip 4 – Color Gloss Between Colors

I mentioned this in ‘Establishing A Spa Routine’. Having a color gloss applied between your color treatments will give your hair a shiny gloss and will also make your roots less noticeable in those last couple of weeks before your next color.

Tip 5 – Use A Color Safe Shampoo

As you’ve probably noticed, shampoo the biggest culprit when it comes to fading hair color. Use a color-safe shampoo to extend the life of your color. I recommend Aveda’s Color Conserve, Fekkai’s Color Care or Clairol’s Shimmer Lights.

Tip 6 – Avoid Hot Water

When rinsing your hair, avoid super hot water as this has a tendency to strip your hair. If you can stomach it, switch your shower all the way to cold when rinsing your hair. This will also help to close the cuticle and make your hair smoother and shinier.

Tip 7 – Condition

Moisturized hair will maintain color a lot longer than dry, brittle hair. Extending your shampoos will help to keep your hair soft and sleek as will sparse use of blow dryers, flat irons and curling irons. In addition to those tips, make sure to deep condition your hair once a week.


What do you do to extend your hair color?


Photo Credit – marie claire

Soft, Smoky Eyes

A soft smoky eye takes your regular, daily eye shadow and bumps it up a notch. Create a smoky look by wearing more of your usual heather, gray, brown or green shadow and applying it into your crease and down along the edge of your eye.


Is this wearable? – Absolutely. Soft, smoky eyes should be your go-to style for nights out on the town. You can easily add a bit of shadow to your everyday look to achieve this look.


MORE – The Soft Smoky Eye Trend

Orange Lips

Orange, matte shades are the hottest lipstick options for Spring 2011. Find a non-shiny, non-shimmery lip color in a coral or red/orange shade. If you’re not so sure about going orange, try it out with an orange/red shade first.


Is this wearable? – As with all red lips, you run the risk of looking like a clown. Find a shade that works with your skin tone and make sure to keep the rest of your makeup simple. Concealer, black eyeliner and mascara are just about all you’ll need. I highly recommend consulting with a makeup professional about the shade and accompanying makeup.

Bright Eyes

Bright, show-stopping colors are the latest for eyeshadow colors. Look for reds, purples, blues and greens. MAC has the best options for beauty store finds. You might also look at costume and theater makeup shops as they carry a constant supply of just about every color – plus, these apply much thicker as the trend prescribes.


Is this wearable? – Not really. If your style matches the spirit of this trend, you’ve probably already been wearing your makeup like this. For the average girl, this is a bit over the top. If you really want to go for it, wear it for a night out on the town. And, make sure to apply eyeshadow primer.

Natural Blush

Natural blush, in golds and peachy pinks, give you that sun-kissed look like you just got off the beach. Keep the rest of your makeup simple – a light coat of mascara, one natural shade of eyeshadow, clear lipgloss.


Is this wearable? – Absolutely. Of all the trends listed here, this is definitely the most wearable. If you’re a pink blush kind of girl, move to a blush with more gold or peach hues for a different look. Consult with your favorite beauty counter to find one that’s right for you.

What do you think? Which makeup trend will you try this Spring?

I’m not sure you should listen to me on this subject. Just the other day, while I was shopping RueLaLa’s Saucony boutique for new shoes, my husband peered over my shoulder and asked if I was planning to buy new workout tops as well. Apparently, according to him, some of mine are looking a bit ‘ratty’. So this is basically a shopping opportunity for me as well. Hmmm….

What NOT To Wear To The Gym

First of all, let’s discuss what NOT to wear to the gym.
Leotards – Though trends from the 80s have come back in other fashion realms, leotards and legwarmers are not stylish options for the gym.
Baggy Shirts – Likewise, the super baggy hand-me-down styles from the 90s are also not suitable (or practical) options.
Ill-fitting Pieces – Whatever you wear, make sure it FITS. Clothes that are too tight will make you uncomfortable. Clothes that are too loose will just get in your way.
IPhone – You do NOT need an IPhone at the gym. Focus on your workout, not the latest gossip. Plus, the girl on the treadmill next to you doesn’t want to hear your conversation. Trust me.

Key Pieces To Wear To The Gym

Well-Fitting Sports Bra – Wearing a sports bra that fits well is imperative for a few reasons. Obviously, you want a bra that’s tight enough to make exercise comfortable. That being said, you also want to make sure your sports bra isn’t to tight or restricting. Constricting sports bras have a tendency to chafe and pinch.


Slim-Fitting Tops – Tanks and tees that are slim-fitting are more practical than their baggy counterparts that get in the way of weight machines and show your tummy during ab workouts. For intense workouts, wear racerback tanks and tees made with moisture wicking material. For lighter workouts, I like to buy the packages of men’s fitted undershirts and tanks – they’re cheap and fit well.

Appropriate Bottoms (according to type of exercise) – This is one of the major issues I see women have at the gym. If you’re going to be lying on the ground doing crunches, don’t wear loose running shorts that will show your business. There. I said it.
Running/Cross-Training – Since you don’t need to worry about the weather at the gym, shorts are always an option. Wear either loose running shorts or short compression spandex.
Weight-Lifting/Floor Exercises – When weight-lifting, you want bottoms that won’t get in the way. Since you’ll be lying on a bench (often facing a mirror), you also want to make sure your shorts are not loose and revealing. Wear spandex, capris or yoga pants.
Yoga – To give you fluidity of movement, wear yoga pants or spandex.
Spin Class – Spandex, spandex, spandex. Pants that are loose at the bottom will just get in the way – loose shorts will chafe – spandex (just above knee length) will provide the coverage and flexibility you need to make it through your spin workout.


Shoes – Wearing the right shoes can prevent injuries. For the first time, purchase your shoes from a knowledgeable specialty shop. Chat with the shoe expert about what your needs are, what your typical injuries are and how you exercise. Listen to their recommendations so you will be able to shop on your own (at discounted stores or online) the next time.


Socks – Make sure to wear socks that provide enough cushion to prevent blisters and calluses. At the same time, make sure your socks are moisture-wicking to prevent athlete’s foot.


Cold Weather – Though cold weather won’t affect you nearly as much when you work out at the gym, you’ll definitely want to wear layers for coming and going. When you first arrive at the gym, do a quick warm up while still wearing your jacket and pants. Walk on the treadmill for a few minutes or hop on the elliptical. Your muscles should be warmed up before you do anything strenuous or you could injure yourself.


Accessories – Headphones, a towel and a water bottle are your essential accessories at the gym. Headphones will keep you focused and motivated (and able to ignore the IPhone conversation next to you). Have a towel on hand for your sweaty palms and sweat drips (it’s also good gym-etiquette to wipe your sweat off benches and machines when you’re done). And, a water bottle will keep you hydrated.


A Note About Makeup – If you can stand it, don’t wear makeup to the gym. A fresh, clean face is absolutely acceptable at the gym. If you MUST wear makeup, go for a sheer foundation and light coat of smear-proof mascara. Seriously – that’s all you need.


A Note About Spandex – Yes, spandex is in. And, not just for bikers. Spandex makes a lot of sense if you think about it. It doesn’t get in the way, it’s comfortable and it’s not too revealing. So, don’t worry…you won’t look too 1980′s if you wear spandex. Unless they’re neon green, of course.


Hope this helps! Happy exercising!