SEEING RED. . . .SOLES

Shoes Pictured from Saks, Neiman Marcus or Net-a-Porter

There is nothing like fabulous shoes to get me motivated and cure my writers block. . .especially when those fabulous shoes happen to from Christian Louboutin!

Since opening his first boutique in Paris in 1992, Christian Louboutin has flown to the top as one of the most coveted shoe designers of the century! His signature red soles are the epitome of style and wealth. The red sole itself came about as a "happy accident", Louboutin explains.

"I did not really choose the red sole. It’s more like the red sole came to me and had to stay with me. It started as a happy accident, which I kept. I was very inspired by pop art so all my drawings were really full of colors. So the first prototype arrives. It’s very very very very similar to my designs so I was very happy. But something was missing. Thank God I had this girl with me who was painting her nails. Grabbed her nailpolish… thank you to Chanel for that! (laughs)… I grabbed the nailpolish and I painted the sole. I started immediately in my shop to have the red sole the same season."

Thank goodness for that "accident", it is the red sole that has helped sky rocket the Louboutin brand and make his shoes so easily recognizable. Unfortunately. . .the red sole comes with quite the lofty price tag of $500 to more than $1000 a pair!

Guess what? TOMORROW Gilt Groupe is having a Christian Louboutin sale!!! This is nearly unheard of. . .I have scoured ebay as well as clearance sales at Saks, and it is nearly impossible to find a decent Louboutin for less than $250! Based off the wonderful pricing on past Gilt sales, I fully expect most shoes at the sale to be priced at less than the $250 mark!

Follow the below link to sign up with Gilt Groupe!

http://www.gilt.com/invite/lprattes

TIP: Louboutin's tend to run atleast a half size to full size small. . .so if you are typically a 7, order a 37.5 or 38!

I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Mr. Louboutin myself when he came to Atlanta for an event at Jeffrey's this past October. He signed the bottom of my coveted Louboutin's that I bought in Paris 4 years ago at his flagship store! On my shoe he wrote: "Pour Lauryn, Devine. Louboutin"

I spoke with him in French for a few minutes, and just by that brief meeting I can tell what a kind and friendly man he is. I, along with my shoes, was featured in The Atlantan as well as Atlanta Peach Magazines. It was an experience that I will never forget!

GO GREEN FOR ST. PATTY'S DAY!

Eco-friendly clothing: the first word that comes to mind is burlap sack. However, eco-friendly clothing has come a long way. Eco-friendly fashion designers now produce stylish, fashion forward clothing lines that look the same as any other clothing.

What exactly does eco-friendly mean? Eco-friendly means that the clothing is made with organic materials that can be replenished as quickly as they are depleted.

We all need to do our part to help our environment. So when buying basics, such as tee's and tanks, why not buy an eco-friendly version? As you can see though, eco-friendly clothing can be super chic as well!

There are a variety of websites to buy eco-chic clothing. A few of my favorites are:

• Verdessence
• Embodies
• Nimli
  

All Things Green!

With St. Patrick's Day right around the corner I have one thing on my mind - the color green! Typically when I'm trying to find something green for St. Patty's day I have such a hard time, but not this year. I found a variety of fabulous green items that range in price as well as style.

So what does this influx of green mean? It means that green isn't just for St. Patrick's day anymore. Green is definitely a hot color for spring this year, and I love the cheerful addition that it adds to an outfit.

Check out all the great options below!

1. Banana Republic Top 2. Anthropologie Belt 3. Tory Burch Sandals 4. Express Skirt and Top 5. Single Dress 6. Newport News Coat 7. Urban Outfitters Skirt 8. Tracy Reese Dress 9. Karen Kane Shirt 10. Old Navy Cardigan

So, when wearing green what can you match with it??

Green pairs really well with yellow. You can also pair green with navy, white, black or any other neutral shade.

If you are wearing a green skirt look for a shirt with a pattern in it that also pulls in some green. Look for a shirt with a larger pattern that includes white which will not overwhelm the skirt.

Wearing a green top? White shorts, pants or a skirt look FABULOUS with this! You could also pair it with jeans, or black.

When it comes to shoes I am a huge fan of a nude shoe when wearing a bright color like green. A nude pump or sandal will also help make your legs look longer and leaner!

Swimsuits for YOUR Body!

Well girls. . .it's official. . .swimsuit season is quickly approaching. The sudden influx of people at the gym certainly gives that away! The hunt is on for the perfect swimsuit this season, and I have compiled some guidelines for choosing the best swimsuit for your body type!

All of the suits below are from Victoria's Secret. Not only do they have one of the largest collections of swimwear, but I love how easy it is to mix and match tops and bottoms, and how most bottoms come in a variety of cuts. This makes it extra simple to find the best suit for YOUR own body. Another perk of buying top and bottom separately is sizing. Most of us aren't perfectly proportioned, which means we might wear a different size top than we would bottoms!

Large Chest

For those whose chest is on the large side, finding an appropriate swimsuit can be a problem. Both of the above swimsuits are great, and stylish options for women who have a large chest.

The black swimsuit to the left is a great option for those who need a lot of support. The cups have an underwire as well as removable padding, making the suit fit more like a bra than a swimsuit. Note that the halter is thick, instead of a thin string. This gives more support, and is more comfortable than having a thin string cutting into your neck and shoulders.

The suit on the right also lends support. Note the thick band below the cups. . .this helps keep the suit in place, give you support and keep the girls locked and loaded. If you want a triangle style suit, look for styles like this one that have that band under the chest, this will also help prevent "under boobage" from peaking out the bottom!

Small Chest

A small chest is one of the easiest problems to fix when looking at swimsuits. The Victoria's Secret Miracle Bra Suit collections makes it even easier. The suit on the left is part of this collection, and includes padding to help the girls out. Adding a pattern to the chest helps emphasize it as well.

Another perk of a small chest is the ability to wear a bandeau top! Because people with a small chest don't need extra support, a bandeau top works perfectly without falling down!

Another way to make a small chest appear larger is ruffles. Victoria's Secret has several suits with ruffles on the top. This is an easy trick to add size to your chest!

Wide Hips/Big Booty

A Pear Shape is one of the most common shapes of women. . .and one of the most common complaints. Well, you can't change your shape, but you can use these tips to help take the focus off of your lower half.

Both suits have something in common: attention grabbing tops. The suit on the left pairs a solid bottom with a detailed top. This brings the attention away from your hips and up towards your face. Likewise, the suit on the right has a pattern on the bottom, but the sequined top still draws the eye upwards. Almost any suit at Victoria's Secret can be mixed to work like this. Just find a top you like, and then check out the solid bottom options in a matching or contrasting color!

Another great thing about both suits is the tie bottoms. Suits without tie bottoms tend to be a problem for pear shaped women as they usually cut into your sides. When selecting tie bottoms make sure that they offer full front and back coverage. Nothing makes your hips look wider than a small front portion and a foot of tie wrapping around your sides. Note how on both these suits the front panel extends all the way to the hips.

Stomach

The absolute BEST way to hide a tummy is to wear a one piece or a tankini. The good news is that both of these have come a LONG way over the years, and now are not only trendy, but really cute! Look for detailing around the bust and hips to draw the eye away from the stomach.

If you really are set on wearing a bikini, look for bottoms that are a little higher cut. This doesn't mean mom bottoms, but just avoid a scoop bottom.

Petite or Strait Figure

If you are petite look for swimsuits that don't cover you up or overwhelm your small size. Go for smaller patterns as opposed to large patterns.

For strait figures the suit on the left is perfect! The ruffles on the top and around the hips help to add curves and give you a more hourglass figure. Look for detailing like this that will help add some shape to your strait figure.

Everyone

1. Buy your size: All too often I see women wearing swimsuits that are a size too small! Just go one size up to avoid muffin top, and other bulging that isn't flattering.

2. Try on, try on, try on: There are SO many different styles out there that you have to try on different things to see what will work best for you.

3. Mix and Match: We are all built differently. Mix and match different tops and bottoms to find the fit that works best for your body. Small chest, big hips? Go for a ruffled, print top and match with solid, tie bottoms!

Rants and Raves!

Last night I went to the Fox Theater in Atlanta to see my wonderful cousin, Colt Prattes, perform in A Chorus Line National Tour! The show was fantastic, and Colt was amazing! He plays the part of Al, a Broadway dancer auditioning for a part in. . .the chorus line!

Middle Row, Left Headshot: Colt Prattes
Bottom Row, Rt Headshot: Hollie Howard

A 2 hour show with no intermission, the show is very different than other musicals. The cast spends 90% of the show in a call line at an audition while the director goes down the line asking questions regarding each characters backgrounds. The audience hears the stories of each character, and why they decided to be a dancer. The show covers topics from homosexuality to gonorrhea to tits and ass. This is one show you don't want to miss!

If you are in Atlanta be sure to get tickets for the show, they will be at the Fox Theater through Sunday, and then they are off to Washington, DC. If you aren't in Atlanta check out their website for shows in a city near you!

Look like a Celebrity, for less!

The Oscars were just over a week ago, and already designers have come out with cheaper versions of the gowns celebrities wore on the Red Carpet. Typically these gowns are called "Celebrity Inspired". . .but I have to say, there is nothing inspired about these. . .they look IDENTICAL to the real deal.

Most of the gowns worn by celebrities on the Red Carpet retail somewhere between $10,000 to upwards of $150,000 (Penelope Cruz's vintage Balmain)!!!! Edress Me has these celebrity look-a-like gowns that will cost you only $200 to $400! I am blown away by Edress Me's version of Eva Longoria Parker's red Reem Acra for the Golden Globes. They also have a more body friendly version of Jennifer Lopez's Marchesa gown she wore for the Golden Globes as well!

Spring Fever

Spring may not be here just yet. . .but it is all I can think about these days! I am checking weather.com daily to see when it will begin to warm up enough to bust out my Spring clothes! One of my favorite things about Spring is the dresses! Not only are they pretty, and flattering, but they are such an easy outfit! No mixing and matching tops and bottoms, just throw on a dress, jewelry and heels and go.

Another great thing about dresses is that they can easily go from the office to cocktail hour. Depending on the conservativeness of you office, a dress can be a great option for Spring. When wearing a dress to the office there are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Make sure you aren't showing too much skin: this means leg, chest and back! It's okay to wear a sleeveless dress if you throw a cardigan or jacket over it for the office.

2. Make sure it's not too tight.

3. Make sure the material is appropriate. Don't wear casual fabrics to the office unless you have a casual dress code.

All of the dresses below are appropriate for the office (depending on your office dress code) with a cardigan or jacket, and can go strait from the office to drinks, dinner or dancing after!

1. Anthropologie Dress: I love this dress and think it can be great for day and night! For work wear with a colorful cardigan, black heels and sophisticated jewelry. For night change into fun heels, colorful jewelry, and a clutch and you are ready to go!

2. Shoshanna Yellow Dress: Another great dress! This doesn't require a cardigan for work unless your dress code doesn't allow shoulders to show. In that case throw on a black jacket or cardigan. For shoes go with a neutral heel. For cocktail hour throw on a chunky bangle and a patterned heel, or even go with pink!

3. Suzi Chin: I'm typically not one for floral, but this year I can't get enough of flowing floral chiffon dresses. For the office: yellow cardigan, neutral heel.

4. Milly Dress: This dress may be stretching the boundary of office appropriate. . .but I loved it. . .so I had to put it on here!

5. Banana Republic Dress: The structure and sleeves to this dress make it appropriate for just about any office. There is no need to add a cardigan or jacket, just wear with nude shoes so as to not fight the graphic pattern of the dress. For evening throw on a metallic sandal and some bangles.

6. JCrew Dress: This dress would look great with a slim fit, 2 button blazer and nude pumps for the office. For night lose the blazer, add a gold bracelet and metallic heels and you are done!

7. Bebe Dress: Add a cardigan or 2 button blazer to this dress for the office. Pair with black heels a simple jewelry. You may also need to add a camisole under the dress to avoid showing too much cleavage. For night loose the camisole and cardigan, slip into some strappy sandals and add a chunky statement necklace.

8. JCrew Dress: I'm not sure if this dress would work with a cardigan or not due to the high neckline. This dress is appropriate for those in a more creative field with a lax dress code due to the bare shoulders. Pair with pumps for the office and sandals for cocktail hour.

The Oscars FASHION REVIEW

The Oscars is one of the most anticipated events in Hollywood. This is the award show of all award shows; the most glamorous event of the year. This year was no exception as stars dazzled on the red carpet. Gowns and bling were bigger than ever!

On major trend on the red carpet was big, bold and colored bling. This is in tune with my previous post about statement jewelry. Bold accessories are a great way to update an outfit, or add interest to a look. Obviously the jewelry seen at the Oscars isn't in anyone's budget, but costume jewelry is an acceptable alternative.

Best dressed in my opinion was Penelope Cruz in Vintage Balmain. I LOVE vintage gowns, and I thought this gown was flawless on her! Runner up would be Angelina Jolie, who looked perfect (as always) in a simple, yet chic, black gown by Elie Saab. Her oversize emerald earrings were the perfect compliment for the gown. I also think Marissa Tomei deserves an honorable mention.

On the worst dressed list is Beyonce wearing House of Dereon. From the print, to the style I thought this dress was just all wrong. I was also not impressed by Vanessa Hudgens or Miley Cyrus. Both gowns were too much for girls of their age -- although I give them credit for dressing elegantly instead of too sexy on the red carpet!

As mentioned last week, online sample sales are a great way to buy designer for WAY less! One of my FAVORITE sample sale sites is Gilt Groupe, an invitation only sample sale! Well, my readers are in luck, you can follow the link below to join Gilt Groupe now!

http://www.gilt.com/invite/lprattes

This week at Gilt Groupe expect sales from some of my favorite designers!!! All sales start at noon, and you better check them out early! Items sell out fast, so shop early and if you like something, buy it, don't wait around.

Upcoming sales:

Monday 2/23: 

• CFDA on the Red Carpet Accessories
  
• CFDA on the Red Carpet Eveningwear
• Hickey 
• Adam

Tuesday 2/24:

• Richard Chai
• Richard Chai Men's
• Isabella Fiore
• Me&Ro

Wednesday 2/25:

• Cynthia Rowley
• Oscar de la Renta Home
• Vince Men's
• Cynthia Rowley Handbags

Thursday 2/26

• Zac Posen
• Tibi
• Badgley Mischka Platinum Handbags
• Ted Baker Shoes

Friday 2/27:

• Michelle Vale
• Ben-Amun
• Ted Baker
• Effortless Outfitting
• Fall Accessories Sale

Saturday 2/28

• Lola3

2009 Trend #3 - Decorative Zippers

1. Lanvin Spring 2009 2. D&G 3. Phillip Lim 4&5. Marc by Marc Jacobs 6. Rory Beca 7. Forever21

As stated in my 9 Trend for 2009, no more hidden zippers; now zippers are used as a decorative detail. From exposed, to contrasting fabric trim, zippers will be a focal point for the back of shirts as well as dresses. I LOVE this trend; I'm typically a fan of anything that draws interest to the back of clothing. Be careful not to over-do the look by no over accessorizing or pairing a zipper back top with a pencil skirt with back detailing as well!

GET THE LOOK


Dress: JCREW
Zippers: Swarovski, Orange, Aluminum

This trend is an easy one to copy on a budget! Go through your closet, what items do you have that might look good with an exposed or decorative zipper? Measure the length of the existing zipper and go to your local craft store and find a zipper that is the same length in a contrasting color or that has other decorative touches. If you can't sew, take the zipper and item to your tailor and have them rip out the existing zipper and replace it with your new zipper, sewing it so that the ribbon is on the OUTSIDE instead of hidden on the inside!

VOILA - a totally custom made, one-of-a-kind look! You can find zippers for $10-$20, and the cost of tailoring should run about the same. New look for just $40!

Look like a Million $$ on a Budget!

You can't go a day without hearing the word: recession. Yes. . .we are in one, but that doesn't mean that you have to look like it. In fact, studies have shown that the way we look can have a direct effect on how we feel, and our productivity level. So how can you look like a million bucks in the middle of a recession?

There are several things you can do to save money this season without forfeiting style.

1. Shop Vintage

1. Lullie Vintage Clothing 2. Taurus Vintage 3. Kaleidoscope Eyes Vintage
3. (shirt, NOT the skirt!)

There are a 2 great things about vintage clothing: the price and the one-of-a-kind find. I have found that spring/summer is the best for vintage finds. There's an abundance of great vintage dresses out there! Check the yellow pages for a vintage store near you, or try online at sites like EBAY (check out my favorite Vintage sellers above!)

When vintage shopping there are a few things to watch out for. The first is size; vintage clothing typically runs smaller than clothing today, so be sure to try on or get measurements before buying. Also, you should NEVER wear vintage head to toe, be sure to mix a vintage piece with a newer more modern piece to keep from looking like you are headed to a decades party.

Online vintage stores: 1. Yoox 2. Posh Girl Vintage

2. Alterations

Chances are if you go through your closet you will find a number of items that you no longer wear. Try them on and look at what you could change to make it wearable. Do you have a pair of flare jeans hanging in your closet that you no longer wear? Take them to a tailor and they can easily change your old flare leg jeans into skinny jeans for a fraction of the cost of a new pair of jeans!

More easy changes to make are sleeve length and neck line. If you are unsure of what you can do to an item take it to a tailor. A good tailor should be able to make some suggestions as to how you can update your item, or tell you that their is nothing that can be done!

3. Sample Sales

It used to be that sample sales were something that only New Yorkers could take advantage of. Times have changed with the start of online sample sales. There are several websites which offer online sample sales: Gilt Groupe, Editors Closet and Haute Look are my favorites. These websites are by invitation only, check back tomorrow and I'll post an invitation link so you can join!

These websites send out daily emails informing of their upcoming sample sales. Be sure to shop early and buy something if you want it immediately. These sales have a tendency to sell out fast! Also, most of these websites offer money incentives if your friends sign up and buy something!

4. Discount Stores

1 & 3: Smart Bargains
Dress: $70
Shoes: $35

2: BlueFly
Trench: $90

There are a lot of discount stores and websites out there. . .and many of them carry overstock of items from THIS season! TJ Maxx is one of my favorites, and they even have a "From the Runway" section which carries high end designers at low prices! Filenes Basement is another favorite! Warning: go prepared to dig for items. Great finds can be made, but it takes a lot of time and energy to find them! Websites such as SmartBargains and BlueFly also offer great deals! Check back daily for new items!

5. Coupons and Sales

With the current economy, retail stores are hurting. This means more coupons and sales for us! Before you go shopping check out stores websites for any sales or coupons that might be going on. Websites such as RetailMeNot.com post coupon codes for online shopping. Check for these before checking out to find great discounts!

6. Budget Stores

1. Forever21 2. Walmart 3. Old Navy

When it comes to basics, there is no need to waste money. Stores like Forever21, Walmart and Old Navy are great for stocking up on cheap basics such as tee's and tanks! H&M is another great place to find great work pieces and the occasional trendy item.

Be careful of overbuying at stores like these though. Don't buy items just because they are cheap, only buy what you need. Also don't dress in Forever21 head to toe, mix a cheap tee or sweater with designer jeans and a nice handbag to avoid looking cheap.

7. Accessorize

As I've mentioned before, accessories are a great way to update a look from past years, or to add interest to an otherwise plain outfit. Check craigslist or your newspaper for upcoming Estate Sales. These are great places to find really unique jewelry and scarves for super cheap!

Buy a really great pair of shoes that are sure to make a statement! Try to find a pair that can be worn with a variety of looks.