Color Block: Label Love DVF

I know it’s just January but the stores and websites are filling up with the bright hues that will usher in spring. Bright shades of the rainbow look to take a place of prominence in many designer collections with color blocking being a major trend. No one has done that better than Diane von Furstenberg, a perennial favorite of mine. Her early spring clothes are simple yet stunning in shades of hot pink, tangerine, yellow and turquoise. Every piece is extremely wearable and will make a versatile addition to your wardrobe. All outfits available at dvf.com.

Image from Gild and Grace (a gorgeous blog).

The back of this dress is black.

Colored Capris are a must for spring!

This is actually a dress that just looks like a two-piece ensemble. So easy and comfy yet so chic.

Stuff Riders Say

SmartPak has released a hilarious new video called Stuff Riders Say and if you ride horses you will certainly identify with it as well as get a good laugh. Enjoy!

Bejeweled

I am currently obsessed with jewelry designer Samantha Wills work, from the large cocktail rings to the art deco earrings to the “you are my anchor” necklace/bracelet combo. Every piece from this Australian designer has a certain “je ne sais quoi” that is refreshing and appealing in a crowded jewelry market. A gorgeous mix of vintage charm and modern style make these pieces incredibly unique and statement-making. Simply Stunning! Available online at SamanthaWills.com.

Large and In Charge:

Rings:

Earrings:

Cuffs:

You Are My Anchor Necklace: Samantha Wills created this piece for Valentine’s Day. This stunningly simple necklace has a plain round pendant (that can be engraved) that hangs in the front and an extender piece with a small anchor that hangs on the back of the neck. You can also remove the anchor piece and wear it as a bracelet. Certainly a sweet message.

How To Wear A Denim Shirt

Wearing a denim shirt is essentially a no-brainer but wearing it without looking man-ish and maintaining your femininity can be a little difficult. A well-made, soft fabric denim shirt will instantly become a staple for your wardrobe that has the flexibility to be worn year-round.

The first thing to consider when buying a denim shirt is the fit, buy one that has a feminine fitted shape that hugs your curves and defines your waist in order to avoid looking like you stole it from your husband’s closet.

Denim shirts looks amazing when paired with black pants (tucked into wide leg trousers with sky high stilettos or worn with ankle-length capris and ballet flats). Keep your accessories feminine, think brightly colored shoes, dainty belts, an armful of bangles or layered necklaces.

Jewelry instantly glamorizes denim:

Go a step forward in feminizing a denim shirt by wearing it with a pencil skirt in everything from a plain fabric to lace to sequins. It will also look great paired under a sweater, untucked with the tails hanging out, overly a brightly colored skirt. Try wearing a denim shirt under a sleeveless dress for a fun winter look.

Replace your standard white or french blue button-down shirt with a denim shirt when wearing a black, gray or tan suit. It will provide an unexpected pop of color and texture.

Wear a denim shirt as a jacket over a sleeveless, glitzy, going out top or party dress.

A denim shirt is also a perfect barn staple, looking instantly chic worn with the collar popped up, a string a pearls and your breeches and boots.

Go Sultry

If you haven’t bookmarked makeup maven Bobbi Brown’s blog, Everything Bobbi, do so immediately. It is an addictive read that will keep you coming back for the great beauty advice, step-by-step makeup guides and interesting tidbits about life, truth and beauty.

In honor of Friday and the long, holiday weekend I am happy to share Bobbi Brown’s 12 Steps To Sultry Eyes. Go out and rock this amazing and dramatic look this weekend. Check out the 12 steps by clicking here.

Color Yourself Pretty

Kick the winter doldrums by adding a pops of color to your winter wardrobe. Bright, cheery colors contrast nicely with the grey, dreary landscape and can’t help but put a smile on your face.

Chase away the chill in a canary yellow pea coat. This sunshine color will brighten up your black and gray winter uniform as well as spread cheer to whoever passes your way. Available on sale at jcrew.com.

Why trudge through the day when you can skip light as air in colorful leather ballet flats? They will pair easily with cords or jeans as well as pop against black or gray tights. Available from jcrew.com.

Or go preppy and colorful with Kate Spade’s green and navy striped flats. Available at katespade.com.

Colored jeans will continue to remain hot well into spring and these skinny Joe’s Jeans come in 55 different colors. Find your fave color to wear now and later when the warmer weather comes calling. And as an added bonus they are a flattering mid-rise style (8 1/2 inch rise) that you can wear tucked into jeans, rolled with flats or stacked with heels. Available at joesjeans.com.

Trade in your dark leather tote for this cheery striped canvas bag from Rebecca Minkoff. It will carry all your essentials as well as remind you of warmer days. Available at rebeccaminkoff.com.

Last but not least, brighten up your cheeks and lips with Josie Maran’s Argan Color Stick. It imparts a rosy glow that brightens up your whole face making you look fresh, young and well-rested. Available from sephora.com.

Brighten up the barn with a cheerfully colored and patterned halter from Red Haute Horse. Your horse might not care but it will at least, make you smile. I particularly like this green and pink style with mini skull and cross bones pattern. Available at redhautehorse.com.

Zip The Zap

We are in the midst of blanket wearing season and if static is making your horse a little uneasy every time you take off and put on his blanket, try this super easy trick to zip the zap. Fill an empty, clean spray bottle 1/3 full with liquid fabric softener and then fill the rest of the bottle with water, shake to mix. Then spritz the mixture liberally on the outside and inside of the blanket when you take it off your horse as well as before using it for the first time after it is washed. Your horse’s blanket will smell delightful and be static free.

If you are worried about allergies you can use a “free, clear” version of fabric softener.

On a personal note (or if you are not a horse person) and are fighting static every time you brush your hair, try spritzing your hair brush with hairspray before brushing. It does the trick!

Fashion Wishes 2012

Happy New Year! I can’t believe another year has come and gone! This new year has got me reflecting on the past and future of fashion and I have a few fashion wishes for the new year. Just a few items and trends that I wish would change in the upcoming year.

Number 1: Goodbye mile-high, platform stripper shoes. Hello ladylike heels. Manolo Blahnik happens to agree with me too!

Dainty is Divine

Number 2: Designer Collaborations: I am just so over the much-hyped designer collaborations which often produces inferior, cheap clothes (priced higher then their quality even suggests due to the designer’s name). You’re not fooling anyone, everyone knows you bought that Missoni sweater at Target or that Karl Lagerfeld dress at Macy’s. Plus, half the stuff shows up on e-bay.

Karl Lagerfeld’s Collection for Macy’s was the worst!

Number 3: Real Housewives Hair/Kardashian Hair: You know the type, long fake waves of hair cascading down overly-tanned shoulders. The look is totally unoriginal and no one should aspire to look like any of these women. Jennifer Aniston’s bob and Emma Watson’s cut just look fresher and more unique.

Just Say No!

Better:

Number 4: This last fashion wish is sadly just a pipe dream but maybe someday designers, editors and photographers will learn to embrace the female form and stop using overly-skinny anorexic models and instead learn to design clothes that fit a wider range of shapes and sizes thus celebrating women. I am not talking about just plus-sized models but models that wear a size 6, 8 or 10, average size.

What are your fashion wishes for 2012? New Trends? Old Trends?

Warm Up

Winter has just begun and we are facing some of the coldest weeks of the year, brrrr! One thing is for sure, no matter the weather or temperature my horse still needs to be ridden and worked everyday. When the mercury dips and the wind howls I reach for my winter breeches and bundle up. My trusty winter breeches from Kerrits and Irideon help keep me extra warm in the saddle.

I bought my first pair of Irideon Wind Pro Riding Breeches last winter and have worn them like crazy, adding two more pairs along the way. They are the riding equivalent of your favorite soft, fleecey sweatpants. Stretchy, wind and mud resistant outer give way to a cozy Polartec fleece inside. Thick and warm without being overly bulky, you will wear them to ride in as well as work in the barn. Available online at EquestrianCollections.com.

Kerrits Sit Tight N Warm Breeches are the newest addition to my winter riding wardrobe and let me tell you, it was love at first wear. They are also insulated with soft, plush fleece and feature a wind resistant outer that will protect you when frosty weather strikes. The flat, wide elastic waistband is comfortable and flattering (while holding you in, in all the right places). Available online at Kerrits.com.

An Equestrian Christmas

Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas And All Through the Barn…
by Jackie Arns

Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the barn,
All the creatures we sleeping, all safe, snug and warm.
The feed pails were hung by the stall doors with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas would soon be there.

The ponies were nestled all warm in their beds,
While visions of carrot cakes danced through their heads.
The Arabs, the Thoroughbreds and even the Apps,
The jumpers and hunters were all taking naps.

When out in the paddock there arose such a clatter
I awoke in my stall to see what was the matter.
I moved to the window quick as I could
To see where the noise came from, if I could.

The sight I beheld as I gazed out that night
Was a beautiful horse all whiter than white.
He wore a red blanket so nice to behold,
His hooves how they sparkled all glittery gold.

With swift certain motions to our barn he came,
And silvery moonlight danced from his mane.
More rapid than racers his hoof beats they came,
And he neighed and he snorted and called us by name.

He was our Christmas, a ghost-horse of white,
Who has come to all horses, since that one special night.
A gallant example who served man so well,
Especially those with whom a baby did dwell.

For those special horses who shared stable and stall,
To give comfort and warmth to the Savior of us all.
Now thinking of them, he entered the door,
To distribute among us his gifts and more.

Down the aisle he came, his hoof beats so light,
And he stopped by each stall in our stable that night.
Gifts he did give to all in our barn,
More heart or more courage, or to be free from harm.

He spoke not a word but went straight to his work,
And he filled all the feed pails then turned with a jerk.
And nickering softly on gold hooves so bright,
And giving a nod he went into the night,
And I heart him neigh as he went out of sight…

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good Ni-i-i-i-ight!