MerGirl

MerGirl creates the most fabulous retro inspired clothing. Available at Smashing Darling, all of the pieces are made from a polyester knit...a wearable, wrinkle-free fabric that is flattering to most body shapes. The pieces are designed to be dressed up or down and easily transition from day to night with a quick change of accessories. Simple, fun, and funky. Check out more of the collection HERE.

The 615 Project

The 615 Project is a really cool fashion label that uses beautiful fluid silk jersey to create really gorgeous and wearable fashions. Unique details, beautiful craftsmanship, and unexpected materials really make all the pieces stand out. I love the contrast of the solid color silk with the kimono sleeves and patterned cuff detail in the Xenia top ($178) and Xenia dress ($220) pictured above. And, I am positively obsessed with the racerback top on the cream silk Miranda top ($128). It is sexy in a classy and understated way. See more of her line at Smashing Darling.

Let's Bone

Wow. This fabulous corset halter top by designer Pinar Eris is made for a night on the town. Sophisticated and sexy, I love the daring deep neckline and the shocking pink color. Handcrafted with flexible steel boning, this top is designed to shape your waist perfectly. I would wear it with simple black trousers, but I love the picture of the model with the matching skirt! Available at Smashing Darling, you can see more of her expressive, avant-garde and totally feminine designs HERE.

Filling A Need

September is Breast Cancer month, and I am always happy to promote and feature products that either help to find a cure or provide a service to survivors of it. So, I was happy to come across Wear Ease, a company that designs and manufactures post-mastectomy lingerie for women to wear after breast or chest surgery. The Dawn camisole (featured below) is a cotton camisole that has been designed to be worn home from the hospital after a lumpectomy or mastectomy because it features elastic support for the healthy breast and two drainage pouches (front and back). What I especially like is that it is feminine and pretty and doesn't look like you just left the hospital.

The Lexie gown, featured below, is made of charmeuse and lace, and features bilateral soft pockets to hold breast forms comfortably in place. Available in pink or black, this gown is beautiful and designed to make a woman feel feminine and sexy post-surgery.

I also loved this Isabel camisole (below) with the beautiful lace accents around the hem and bodice. Very versatile, it can be easily be worn with a suit to work, layered with jeans for a stylish, chic weekend look, or with black trousers for a sexy night-out look. No one would ever know that this elegant camisole features comfortable support and bilateral soft pockets to hold breast forms.

Owner Sarah Lorenz's goal is to give breast cancer survivors lingerie that enables them to dress independently, helping them to maintain their dignity and femininity...all with beauty and style. Mission accomplished. Check out more designs HERE.

Urban Luxe

Tiina Teaspoon is one of my favorite designers on Etsy. I am always looking to see what new pieces of cutting edge fashion she will have in her shop. And, of course, I am never disappointed. This Kolme dress is another example of something that I would kill to have in my wardrobe. If I ever had a place to wear it. Sigh. But, a girl can dream can't she? This stunner is handcrafted from bamboo jersey, which makes it ultra soft, and hand-dyed with tea. Gorgeous. See my previous lusting HERE and visit her shop HERE.

Emmy Style

Laura Bennett, one of my favorite designers from the 3rd season of Project Runway (I mean, hello, she is a mother of 6!!) was part of the MSN Style Studio Glam Squad interviewing people on the red carpet of the Emmy's on Sunday night. I thought her designs for the season finale of Project Runway were brilliant, and, quite frankly, that she should have won! The ensemble she wore to the Emmy's was fabulous! Apparently she started making a dress but decided, at the last minute, that she was going to cut it up and make a shirt of it. The finished product...a shirt made from nude gossamer fabric with graffiti beaded letters of black fire polished beads and sequins. Elegant, edgy, and totally wearable. This is something that could easily be worn off the red carpet. I can't wait to see when she comes out with a collection!

Wool Couture

Everyone needs a few statement pieces in their wardrobe. Something to throw on over a pair of ordinary jeans so that you always look WOW! The designs of Magic Happens are exactly that. Hand crafted from felted wool, each garment is one of a kind and drenched in gorgeous radiant colors. Prices start at $195 for a vest to $395 for a jacket, a splurge for sure, but what a way to stand out in a crowd. See more of her designs HERE.

Easy Style

I just did some browsing at Max Studio and I am loving some of the looks from their look book. This is one of my favorites...The voile origami pleated shirt, paired with the wide legged, high waisted pants, is perfect for work when paired with the eco-friendly soybean and cashmere short sleeved sweater (as shown left). Take off the sweater though, add some stilettos, some long dangly earrings, and some red lipstick, and I am set for some drinks after hours. Elegant, sophisticated, and downtown chic.

Precocious Sweaters

Canadian designer Melody Cebula makes these really cute mini sweaters, with or without a hood, from recycled sweaters and sweatshirts. Available in a ton of great color combinations, I love the contrast between the different fabrics and the silk tie bow. This is a great transitional piece...easy to wear right now while the temperatures are still warm, and a great layering piece for the Fall. How cute with a long sleeve t-shirt underneath and some boot cut jeans or dress it up a bit with some black wide leg pants and a white tank underneath (I saw a cute sequined one at Express!). Available for $80 at Precocious Boutique.

Cool Site of the Week--Customized Girl

Customized Girl is a cool on-line boutique out of Columbus, Ohio that specializes in custom t-shirts. You can use images from their design workshop, or you can use your own images for a truly personalized piece of clothing. The range of products (hoodies, tanks, sweats, tees, even doggie tees!), in tons of colors, and for every member of the family (men, women, infant, kids, even maternity!) is quite staggering! And, the prices are completely reasonable!! Check out their styles HERE and get started customizing your own clothing.

Redefining Modest Fashion

Fashion Designer Christa Taylor is on a mission to redefine modest fashion. Her designs, trendy, feminine and well-priced, are proof positive that clothing can be beautiful without being suggestive. I think this detailed black coat dress, with the contrast white stitching, is fabulous and would be totally office appropriate with some cute slingbacks. Add a pair of flip-flops and a tank-top underneath, and you have an easy weekend brunch look. And now, through September 1, Christa Taylor is having a great contest where one lucky winner will receive a $150 shopping spree. Click HERE to find more information!! Who says Modest can't be cute?

Cool Site of the Week--Frock Boutique

Frock Boutique, a beautiful boutique in downtown Houston, has now opened a wonderful online shop filled with the same chic and totally wearable pieces from hip indie and up and coming labels. The mix of brands is fantastic: silk tops and tunics from Yumi Kim, vividly patterned dresses from T-Bags and sweater tanks from Stacia. Bonus: Right now everything is on sale (30% to 50% off!!). Check out more HERE.

All Tied Up

Beautifully handcrafted from recycled ties, this amazing dress by designer Nicole Du Vent of Re-Tied is a stylish and funky way to wear menswear! This floor length gown would stand out at any formal affair. Not sure if you could pull it off? I would pull my hair into a chignon and add a pair of classic and simple earrings to make it uniquely elegant. The intricate detail of the dress eliminates the need to pile on jewelry! You could wear this on the streets by adding a jean jacket and some knee high boots. (okay, so Fall is still a couple months away, but couldn't you just imagine how cool this would look?) See more of her unique designs HERE.

Cool Site of the Week--B.Dazzled

B.Dazzled is a great new on-line boutique that provides a wonderful selection of funky and hip accessories from up and coming designers from around the country. Clothing, jewelry, even gifts, can be found at this eclectic little shop. Some of my favorites are this rhinestone-adorned, tea-dyed tank, so cute and sassy, that would look perfect with some wide legged trousers and a chic pair of wedge flip flops. Add this great metallic leather bracelet, available in silver or gold, and you have an easy-going, but fabulous looking outfit! Check out more HERE and start shopping outside the mall.

The Art of Lace

Beautifully crafted of fine ivory lace, this gorgeous top by Autumn Russell is the perfect piece for summer!! The unfussy cut, in the most luxurious fabric, is so sharp and sophisticated and would look absolutely fabulous with a pair of jeans and some strappy sandals! The luxe fabric, with the wide waist tie band, just hugs the body and the wide waist tie band perfectly accentuates the waistline. A one of a kind, handcrafted, couture piece...it is just so gorgeously modern and sophisticated. A splurge at $280, but, without a doubt, a timeless addition to any wardrobe.

Back to Cool

I recently came across the website of Makool Loves You and just fell in love with the unexpected, low-key, but totally cool clothing made by the owner/designer Anisa Makhoul. I have always been a fan of wrap dresses (super flattering to every shape) and this Queen Anne's Lace is to die for. The gorgeous mint green color is fabulously contrasted by the amazing red trim and the addition of the delicate screen printed flowers is a quirky, but elegant, twist. A bargain at only $98. Add this fun and funky Acrobat Messenger bag by Babbu (I love the fun candy striped handles and sides) and you have a great outfit for a day out! See more unique handcrafted designs HERE.

Cool Site of the Week--Maneater Threads

A fabulous selection of women's clothing and accessories can be found on the site of Maneater Threads, a great on-line boutique showcasing collections from established and up and coming labels such as Art Nouveau, Geren Ford, and Made her Think. Their selection of dresses, which I love love love to wear during the summer, are to-die-for and are perfect for sultry summer nights. Best of all, most can be worn casual or fancy depending on your choice of shoes and accessories. Two of my favorites are this lilac lace tunic by By Francine (a mini-dress for the bold or a tunic for the rest of us), and this silk dress by Candice Held (a bold mix of colors and prints for a modern bohemian look). Plus, starting in July, Maneater Threads will be donating 5% of their sales to a different nonprofit organization, starting with the American Refugee Committee, with an emphasis (but not limited to) women’s issues, international relief, animals, and the environment.

Down the Rabbit Hole

An eclectic black and white pattern on silk chiffon forms the backdrop for this easy and uncomplicated, yet totally modern and sexy, kimono dress by Annakim Violette. Detailed with vivid pink lined sleeves and pink buttons, this dress looks like something out of Alice in Wonderland. One of a kind, this dress would be perfect for a tea party with the Mad Hatter. Or just a nice Sunday brunch. See more of her unique sense of style HERE.

Fun in the Sun

Today is the first day of summer. That means warm weather, picnics, grilling out on the patio, and swimming pools. Now, don't scream because we all know what that means as well. Yes ladies...swimsuits. Take a deep breath. I know, the thought of wearing a swimsuit causes dread in many women. And, don't even get me started on the whole business of going to the store and trying them on. Enter the hand made swimwear from Los Angeles designer Harajuku, a fabulous collection of swimwear that sells all the tops and bottoms separately, so you are ensured a perfect fit. There is also a wide range of colors, patterns and styles, from moderate, yet still lean and flattering, to skin baring and ultra sexy. Don't make summer a time of fear...Have fun in the sun with a swimsuit as individual as you are. Check out more of the fabulous options available HERE.

Cool Site of the Week--Sans Soucie

A basic pair of panty hose gets a modern makeover with the clothing collections of Sans Soucie. Meticulously handcrafted from reclaimed hosiery, the line is filled with body conscious tops, skirts, and dresses in amazingly rich and vibrant colors. I had the pleasure of seeing some of San Soucie's pieces in person at Gina's Gallery, a really cool local boutique here in Cleveland, and was instantly impressed with the unbelievably flattering drape of the pieces. Plus, I love the unexpected details such as exposed seams and contrast top stitching. Pieces range in price from $20-$595.