Met Gala 2013

The recent 2013 Met Gala, also known as the Costume Institute Ball, drew hoards of celebrities to the red carpet to celebrate the opening of this year's fashion exhibit. The Met Gala is sometimes referred to as "the Oscars of fashion," with stars striving to create the most impressive possible looks for the red carpet while honoring the theme of the exhibition. The Met Gala has been an annual event since 1948, when the Costume Institute was founded, though it has been held in different parts of the museum over the years. The Gala is regarded as the top annual social event in New York City, and tickets are highly coveted among the social elite. Located at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the venue is the largest museum in the United States, one of the three largest museums in the world, and contains one of the most remarkable art collections on the planet. The Met was founded in 1870 by a group of American businessmen, financiers, artists and thinkers who wanted to bring more art and art education to the American people.  

This year, the Costume Institute's fashion exhibition is titled "Punk: Chaos to Couture," and the theme was clearly a challenged for the glamorous set. While the edgier stars had fun with the theme, studding themselves with spikes and fishnet and streaks of color in their hair and makeup, many stuck to safer looks. Check out the slideshow for a glimpse of what stars wore on the red carpet! Stars like Miley Cyrus, Nicole Richie and Anne Hathaway had punk hairstyles and hardcore sleeves for the event. 

Black was the color of couture. Carrie Mulligan, Taylor Swift and Jennifer Hudson looked stunning in their dark frocks. The artsier the better for the Met Gala. Alexander McQueen creations graced the red carpet. The bolder the better for this event.

White cut out dresses were also tres chic for the 2013 event. Oliva Wilde and Rita Ora wore revealing gowns that showed their style as well as their figures. The midriff bare is a sexy statement for the night to celebrate art and beauty. 

A pregnant Kim Kardashian adorned a printed gown to avoid her most recent color block issue on the cover of People magazine. Solange and Amanda Seyfried also looked stunning in printed fashions. The floor length dress with the high slit is classy and chic. Showing some skin while looking reserved is a great way to balance fun and class.

Among the best dressed were Katie Holmes, Blake Lively and Beyonce, of course. Katie Holmes looked stunning in a scattered white dress. The tattered look makes her look edgy and young. Beyonce looked amazing in a firey black number that complimented her shape. Blake Lively also drew the eye to her train that looked like feather work. 

The worst dressed went a little too far for the occasion. Kristen Stewart went with a pant suit while Rooney Mara wore a dress that washed her out with her darker lips. It is a night of celebrating costumes, not wearing them. Keep a look out for the 2014 fashions!

50 Things a Woman Should Own

Thanks to The Good Life For Less blog, we have a definitive list of 50 things a girl must own. Your closet needs only a few staple items to make your wardrobe complete. Follow the list below for a complete purchase list.

1. oversized sweater 2. oxford shirt 3. ballet flats 4. embellished top 5. chambray top 6. maxi dress 7. versatile scarf 8. sentimental jewelry 9. trench coat 10. little black dress 11. a signature manicure 12. something outrageous 13. a carryall bag 14. sunglasses 15. cropped black pants 16. knee high boots 17. well-fitting jeans 18. everyday flats 19. clutch 20. sun hat 21. a classic scent 22. watch 23. simple tank 24. braided belt 25. casual shorts 26. wool coat 27. party dress 28. black leggings 29. simple skirt 30. pencil skirt 31. large purse 32. rain boots 33. statement necklace 34. something leopard 35. cardigan 36. skinny belt 37. neutral pumps 38. tunic 39. white tee shirt 40. black blazer 41. striped top 42. a lady-like umbrella 43. a floral top 44. safari-style jacket 45. white pants (or jeans) 46. fun sandals 47. casual shoes 48. leather jacket 49. black turtleneck 50. denim jacket

Check off your list right now!

Rick-Rack is Adorable

Rick rack is a darling pattern that is coming backin a big way. These zig-zags are similar to a chevron pattern and look adorable on clothing. Usually seen on dish towels and hair accessories for children, rick-rack has been showing up on dresses, chic shorts and tops for women. This funky pattern is great for spring and summer.

Rick-rack is a fun 50s look for women that has found its way onto runways. Rick-rack was used to trim flirty dresses and aprons. The trimming looked darling and along pockets. Today, it still outlines hems on the neckline, bottom and waits of dresses.

Rick-rack looks stunning on the front lines of tops and sweaters. Lilly Pulitzer loves the pink and green combination. The pink rick-rack is a flirty way to dress up a simple dress. The zig-zag looks great on the opening of a sweater as well. A short trip to the craft store can make this look affordable and unique.

These frocks are fearless with their rick-rack trim. This vintage look is cute for prom or a chic day at the country club. Lining the bottom with rick-rack is a cute way to draw the eye to the fuller skirt. Zig-zags at the middle and top make this look cheeky and fun.

This simple addition is fun to sew on a number of clothing items! Pants, shorts and children dresses all look adorable with rick-rack additions. Select colors that compliment or stand our on a base fabric and go to town! Enjoy your zigging zagging fun.

How to Travel Light

Now is the time where summer heats up and the flights take off. Many of us plan family and summer vacations when the weather is nice and friends and children are out of school. But what to pack!? Many of us over pack for trips and end up lugging heavy bags around with clothing we don't even wear. How can we avoid this mess? By planning ahead and selecting versatile ensembles, we can eliminate clutter and travel lightly!

The first thing you must do as a traveler is select items that can be re-worn again and again. The trick to this is to pick simple pieces that are not obvious if you wear them two days in one week. A sturdy pair of cute jeans can go a long way and create a plethora of outfits. No one will know the difference if you're wearing the same pair more than once a week. The same goes for a good cardigan and sandals. Try to limit yourself to one or two pairs of shoes that go with everything. Gravitate towards neutral colors for all of your looks.

You should also know what your plans are when traveling. If you're traveling for fun or for pleasure, your suitcase will look very different. For business travel, you should select things that don't need much ironing. A pair of black slacks will go a long way. A slouchy blazer and two long sleeve blouses can be reworked for a pencil skirt or pant ensemble. One pair of flats, a pair of heels and one bag completes your travel needs!

If you're going for a more casual trip, you should pack some of your fun pieces. You only need about 14 articles of clothing to mix and match and make over 30 ensembles! You can also accessories to make your outfits appear different. Know the climate and events you'll be attending to plan accordingly. Try the Travel Fashion Girl blog for more ideas on casual travel outfits. 

Overall, follow the five tips listed above. Pack versatile pieces that mix well easily and be sure they re a thin fabric that makes your suitcase light. Avoid dry clean and iron necessary items and pack comfortable functional items. Finally, accessories are small easily packable ways to change up your outfits. 

For more travel tips check out the One Suitcase graphics here for versatile outfits and ideas! Visit blogs Outfit Posts and Styling in Style  for the full stories!

Enjoy your travel this summer and remember to pack light!

Coral Galore!

Coral is the hottest color for summer 2013. This fun and funky hue is perfect for skirts, dresses, tops and home design! Its ocean roots and vibrant tones make the color perfect for a casual daytime outing. The orange-pink color makes you look tan and flirty for summer by bringing out the browns in your skin. You can go neon or lean more towards a salmon but this feminine color is a must have for this season.

Coral has been gracing runways and models for years. The orange mimics the sunlight of sandy beaches of summer and the pink is reminiscent of Key West coloring. Coral looks great on any skin tone and is flattering to most body types depending on the fabric. The dress option is the most fun for summer. You can find sleeves for a day to night ensemble or short and slinky for a summer night.

If you don't want to be 100% adorned in coral, you can pick your favorite item, top or bottom! Coral jackets are cute for any season! They add a much needed pop of color in fall and winter and are chic and appropriate for spring and summer as well. A coral blouse looks stunning with jeans or white skinny pants. A skirt or pants with a coral coloring is a fun way to flare up your wardrobe. A plain T-shirt or tank will look brand new with your spunky bottoms!

Don't forget about your coral accessories! Watched, jewelry and handbags look stunning in coral. They add a much needed color hue to a boring work ensemble or plain white summer dress. Kate Spade makes fabulous coral accessories and you can find the bauble necklace almost anywhere online.

Coral shoes are also a hint of color that will jazz up an outfit. You can wear skinny jeans, a plain black dress or a pair of white shorts to compliment these pumps. Wedges and heels are great to show off your legs in summer and the pink is super feminine.

Lastly, for a bit of added flare, you can get the coral print look. This style is extremely popular in country clubs and poolsides. J.Crew and other high end retailers only produce a few coral print patterns a year so scoop them up any chance you see them!

Re-wear Your Bridesmaid Dresses

Ever feel like you're Katherine Heigl's character from the movie 27 Dresses? People often say, 'always a bridesmaid never a bride'. Well now, you can turn your bridesmaids dresses into a very wearable ensemble! Every bride always says "you can totally wear this again" which may not always be the case. These dresses are often too formal or too specific to the wedding culture.

Whether you're part of a wedding where all the girls match, or a bridal party allowed to wear their own selections, you can revamp your gown into a dress for any occasion. With these tips, you can turn a chiffon ball gown into a playful daytime frock.

The best way to transform a bridesmaid dress is by adding the right accessories. Boots, sandals and flats dress down almost any dress. Choose a casual wedge or small pump to keep it cute and feminine. A cardigan or jacket can make these gowns look casual with ease. A big bag and fun jewelry can also make the dress look ready for shopping. Last but not least, shortening these dresses does wonders for their wearable transformation.

Thanks to Lola Elise in Colorado, we have some fabulous tips on how to rework these bridal fashions. Each of these six girls are wearing their bridesmaids dresses and matching it to their individual styles. If you can make these dresses blend with your usual looks, they will blend right into your wardrobe. Check out the shots below!

Trading the shall for the black leather is a simple way to transform this red hot rocker dress.

Even without shortening, the teal jewelry, belt and rolled up jacket make this lengthier dress wearable.

Cowboy boots are a simple way to make a dress casual. Change the bag up for a a fun piece of flare.

Shoes can be switched from heels to sandals for a more relatable look.

Taking the length off of a more formal fabric can make it a going out favorite. Black accessories make this feminine look more edgy and fearless.

By wearing your dress a little differently, like an off the shoulder look, can make your appearance more down to earth.

If you're lucky enough to be in a bridal party that elects a convertible dress than you have many optons to re-wear your gown! Companies Muse and TwoBirds make this fabulous dress that can be worn in at least 15 ways! This one dress is wearable over and over to your hearts content! Don't throw those old dresses out, re-wear them.

Brand to Watch: Judith March

Looking for the perfect dress for spring? We have you covered. Judith March is an exciting new collection of young contemporary clothing inspired by the feminine and bohemian styles of yesterday and modernized for today's trend conscious woman. Creator Stephanie Carter has a long history of finding and creating beautiful creations perfect for spring and summer. Vibrant patterns and colors make these unique dresses to die for.

Judith March originally spawned out of Deja-Vu, Stephanie's creation. Her story is inspiring. She was born and raised in Brundidge, Alabama. With a mind that is always racing, and a work ethic that is unrivaled, Stephanie has been imagining the perfect outfit since the first grade. But when nearly 20 years of experience and searching failed to meet her expectations, she poured a life's worth of talent, experience and passion into creating her own clothing line (Judith March) where she now relishes the opportunity to bring her imagination to life on a daily basis. She continued to chase that feeling and when she was 21 years old she sold her mustang for $4,OOO and started her own clothing retail business called Deja Vu. Brimming with ambition and determination, she hit the road and began selling young women's apparel at Alabama country clubs and sorority houses from Auburn to Tuscaloosa. With an uncanny eye for fashion and a devotion to customer satisfaction, Stephanie soon found herself with a loyal following. Fast-forward to today and Stephanie oversees and owns three Florida boutiques in Panama City, Seaside, and Key West, as well as a boutique in Fairhope, Alabama.

Now the brand is growing and popular. The dresses range from all different styles and the website sells shorts and tops as well. High quality fabrics make up these frocks. They are well made and will last a lifetime. The one downside to this fabulous company is they don't have their own locations in every state! However, you can find a vendor with their locations tab on their website. Lucky us!

Whether you're looking for a long church dress or a short tea party look, this brand has everything to offer. These creations will turn heads and rack up compliments because they are not a typical dress you normally find on the racks. Follow the Judith March Facebook page and Blog for more updates and deals.