08.07.07
My Blog Has Moved to www.erinstafford.com/blog
My blog has now been incorporated into my website. Please find it at www.erinstafford.com/blog.
Thank you,
Erin
08.01.07
More Fall Fashion for OC’s Women
Here’s a few more things to look for when you are planning your fall wardrobe:
Long Leather Gloves – I know here in Orange County, that we don’t need gloves, but if you find yourself in a cold city this fall, invest in a pair of long leather gloves. Find a pair of opera length leather gloves and pair them with shorter sleeved jackets and coats. You’ll be stylish and warm!
Piped Blazers – We’re bringing preppy back this fall with the return of the piped blazer. They are instant classics with contrasting trim that can be worn over a solid dress, with jeans, or dress pants. This blazer will add just the right amount of oomph.
Camel Time – There is nothing classier than a beautiful camel wool coat, fantastic bag, or great pair of loafers. This fall update your camel pieces and pair them with almost anything…especially the leopard prints I mention below.
07.31.07
Fall Fashion Preview for Orange County Women
In case you haven’t noticed, while we’re outside sunning ourselves on the beach or by the pool, the stores are now filled with fall merchandise. Wool skirts, coats, tights, long sleeves, they’re everywhere you look. Although you couldn’t possibly think of wearing them right now during the heat, this is a great time to buy for fall, as you have the widest variety of sizes and styles.
Here’s what to look for this fall.
Hot shades of purple and pink – find yourself a great statement clutch, a pair of shoes, a couple bangles, or a loud scarf in either of these eye popping colors. Save the head to toe look for the kids, but embrace these bold colors through your accessories to stay modern and on trend.
Cobalt blue is back! – It was in a couple years ago, and is making a come back this fall. As this is an easier color to wear than the hot pinks and purples I mentioned above, you can indulge yourself a little more. Find a great cobalt wrap dress or a wonderful winter wool skirt. You’ll be turning heads in no time.
Add a splash of leopard! – Although many other animal prints are on the market, leopard is the classic. Add a dash of leopard print in a belt, a great pair of heals, or an amazing scarf. Pair these accessories with all black or all white for a truly classic yet modern look. A little leopard goes a long way, so keep it in your accessories.
07.29.07
Orange County CABi Fall Collection Party
I just returned from Christiana Parsons’s CABi Fall Collection luncheon and fashion show. What a treat. Not only was her house amazing, set high in the Orange/Anaheim hills, but the decorations and her attention to detail in planning the event were really top notch. Every table was beautifully decorated in the CABi colors of white and hot pink, with hot pink fans at every place, napkins tied with pink ribbon, and gorgeously dressed mini mannequins and rose petals as center pieces. My personal favorite were the husbands/wait staff who were adorned in black tee shirts with hot pink writing that read “CABi Hunk.”
I enjoyed mingling with the women at the event and viewing the new collection as a fashion show. It always makes it more fun. The fall collection has amazing pieces that can be worn to the office, out to an event, or for a relaxing weekend. CABi offers great style, design, and fit for a very reasonable price. Not only do the pieces look great, but they are so easy to mix and match. If you have not experienced CABi yet, you really must do so.
To contact Christiana about her latest collection please contact her at www.christiana.cabionline.com or posh1@sbcglobal.net. Make sure you let her know that I sent you!
07.23.07
Boxy Tops and Pencil Skirts for OC Women Over 40
Boxy tops and below the knee pencil skirts are all the rage right now for women over 40. It’s perfect for the end of summer and can be worn in or out of the office.
The skirts hem should just skim the bottom of the kneecap. To balance the longer length, pick a curve hugging cut; woven fabrics work well here.
Choose a top that’s structured, slightly roomy through the body, and hits at the hip; short or three quarter sleeves keep the proportions right.
For the most flattering look, definitely opt for heels. And since the feel of this outfit is so pared-down, go for simple, architectural jewelry, like a cuff and hoop earrings.
* from Lucky magazine August 2007
07.13.07
Leggings…Are They Still In? Were They Ever?
Leggings…some people love them, some people hate them. Most people that lived through the leggings of the 80’s aren’t really into the leggings that made a come back earlier this year. What do you think?
I have to say that they are pretty practical. If you are wearing a sundress during the day, but it getts cooler in the evening, as it does here in Orange County, chuck a pair of leggings into your bag and put them on when it gets cooler. That way you don’t have to change, you still look summery in your dress, but you have some added warmth. The leggings take up no room at all in your bag or purse either!
07.05.07
Summer Sandals in the OC
I know living in Orange County we can all get a little lazy when it comes to wearing flip flops everyday in the summer time. I am guilty of this all too often myself. This summer I am really trying not to wear them everyday. They are fine if you are going to the beach or heading to the pool or at a VERY casual occasion. But the reality is, there are so many cute, dressier, flat, comfy sandals that you could wear just as easily. Invest in a couple pair of these. Wear them with your sun dresses, skirts, linen pants, or jeans and you will look much more put together and little less beach bum.
07.01.07
Wearing Linen This Summer
Wearing linen can be a bit of a battle. Do you struggle to keep it wrinkle free or do you just embrace the wrikles and let it flow? I opt for the latter approach.
My theory is that linen is supposed to wrinkle, so why fight it? It’s like curly hair…why straighten it and then get annoyed when it doesn’t stay straight…it’s supposed to be curly!
Keep in mind that linen is a casual, summer fabric. I know they make linen suits, but one should be aware that they are never as formal as their wool counterparts. It is also not advised to mix linen into your fall or winter wardrobes. I know here in Orange County, we can get away with wearing linen in the winter, but make sure your look is consistent from head to toe. Don’t try to wear a linen skirt with tights and boots…as it won’t work! If it’s 80 degrees in November, by all means wear linen if you feel like it…just keep the whole look summery.
White linen pants are my personal favorite. I love how they look, how they feel, how comfortable they are, and how easy they are to pair with a sexy little tank top for a slightly dressed up look in the evening. Be aware that most white linen pants are a little see through, so plan your underwear accordingly.
One more thought on linen. I find the head to toe beige linen look a little too “granola tree hugger” if you know what I mean. If you are going to wear beige linen keep it either on the top or the bottom. Don’t wear it from head to toe, unless you’re really into that nature look…but I can’t imagine it working well here in the OC.
06.29.07
Check Out My New Website
Check out my new website that just went live yesterday. You can still find it at www.erinstafford.com.
We still have a few more pages and photos to add over the coming weeks, but most of the site is up as we’d like it.
I hope you enjoy it! If you do, tell your friends!
Erin
06.28.07
Baby Boomer Beach Attire
I realize I’m talking about the beach, bathing suits, and beach attire a fair amount, but it is summer and I am in the south of France, so it just seems so appropriate. I also know that most women over 50 dread the thought of getting in a bathing suit or exposing their arms in summer dresses or tops. Fear not!
There are so many cute sundresses, skirts, and tank tops on the market right now to accomodate all body shapes and sizes. They can all be used or adapted to look fabulous on you.
I don’t know about you, but I find that a lot of sundresses and beach attire are see through. I fought it for ages trying to wear modest underwear or slips, but the reality is, when it’s hot you don’t want to be wearing a slip! My theory is just wear your bathing suit under these dresses if you are in a beach or pool environment. Then it doesn’t matter if your straps stick out or if your bathing suit can be slightly seen underneath. It actually can look a little sexy. It’s a nice solution to the battle of the slip.
This obviously doesn’t work for every situation, but for a casual beach or pool scene, it’s perfect.
