SHOP RASTA GEAR NOW!

Springtime symbolizes many things: birth, re-birth, new beginnings, growth, romance, etc., but this year, for me, spring simply stands for the season before summer. And with summer, comes reggae, which has been all I’ve been listening to for the past several weeks. I have found so many cute rasta-colored accessories and clothing, which I have included in my Rasta Wear for Girl’s buyer’s guide.

Once you see how cute these things are (um, a.k.a. the Rasta Bow Hair Clips!), I guarantee you’ll be switching your iPod to Legend quicker than you can say “I shot the sheriff.” Make sure you check out all the products I hand-picked for the guide - there’s definitely more than one page’s worth of rastafari-approved gear up on there!

SHOP PICNIC DAY NOW!

Poll: Will you wear a dress or shorts to Picnic Day this year? Vote now!

Every year in April, my alumni college town hosts “Picnic Day.” This all-day event is “designed to showcase the richness and diversity of campus life, as well as the community” of the small town and has been a tradition for the past 95 years. It’s super fun to walk around town and celebrate springtime with friends literally from morning ‘til night. Picnic Day is one of the major events of the city which everyone knows about and practically everyone looks forward to. You’re going to be seen, so you’ve got to look cute!

I will be taking a drive up for my 6^th Picnic Day this weekend and I can’t wait to see all my old friends! My Picnic Day Picks buyer’s guide is full of tops, dresses, shoes, and accessories that are perfect for a day in the sun, whether you’re going to Picnic Day, or you’re hosting your own picnic in the park! The key is bright colors, light fabrics, and comfortable fits.

SHOP MORE PICNIC DAY PICKS HERE!

Pictured, from left: Not Rated Women’s Jammin Jelly Flat, Simple Woven Dress, Elastic Lotus Bracelet, Dark Wash Bermuda Short, Embroidered Flower Plaid Top, Petal Earring, Cavalry Twill Patch Pocket Pants, Stripe Boy Tank, and Stuart Weitzman Women’s “Cleopatra” Gladiator Sandals.

Gold is my new passion when it comes to flashin’ fashion. And I’m not talking about the 24 carat kind. I’m talking the shiny, reflective, metallic variety. Why I have not yet purchased a gold lame’ bikini is beyond me.

It really is better late than never, though, as there are now so many contempo designers flashing back their clothing, shoe, bag, and jewelry lines to gold’s glory days of gaudiness. The result is flashy, yet somehow classy. I love 2009! Anything goes! And I say go for the gold. Sexy gaudy gold, that is.

Seen here: Marc Jacobs Quilted Metallic Leather Stam Satchel, American Apparel Shiny Legging, American Apparel The Shiny Sash, Just Cavalli Just Joy Logo Ring, and Louis Vuitton Graphic Wedge Sandal.

See tons of my favorite sexy gaudy jewelry too! So hot! Trust me, you want to see this.

While looking into the perforated boots trend this morning, I came across a pair of Free People Oxford Ankle Boots, which inspired me to create the Anne Frank 2009 and Anne Frank Shoes shopper’s guides.

Wartime fashion, including makeup, hair, and jewelry, has always intrigued me. The boxy, yet flowy collared knee-length dresses with feminine hourglass cuts are flattering to all body types. They have a lasting elegance that combines style and practicality. The overall style and fabrics of the early 1940’s were simple, due to shortages from the war, but the women always found a way to spice up their looks with dark matte lips and elaborate curls, (even if their ringlets were peeking out from under a hat or Rosie the Riveter headscarf).

Today, I’ve created some Mod-Vint (modern-meets-vintage) “Anne Frank” looks that merge early 40’s fashion influences with 2009 flair. The look is formal and feminine, yet comfortable. Spritz on some Chanel no 5 or l’Air du Temps and you’re good to go: modern vintage is SO Anne Frank!

Shop the shoes here!

Shop the clothes and accessories here!

Summer is right around the corner, which means it’s almost time to think about picking up a few new cute dresses. If I lived in a hot climate, I would live in in dresses ALL THE TIME. Usually, in SF, when I throw on a dress to go out for the day, I end up totally miserable and shivering by 2 in the afternoon. But this fact hasn’t stopped me from buying amazing dresses. I can’t help myself!

By far, my favorite online store for dress shopping is Mod Cloth.  Mostly vintage inspired, the dresses are all totally unique and affordable; the most expensive is less than $200. A lot of the dresses are by Max & Cleo, the formal line of BCBG, who make amazing dresses with interesting silhouettes.

Here’s my faves (from left to right): The Total Betty Dress, The Swiss Miss, The Marlene Dietrich, The Live Concert Dress and The 4th of July Dress. Check out more about these picks and more great dresses- Dresses!!!

A friend and I were recently discussing what types of outfits are worn by interviewees for a big time fashion magazine job in New York and how these clothes compare to “appropriate” interview attire on the West Coast (a.k.a. the Best Coast). The Miu Miu outfit Jessica Alba wore to the premiere of Sugar yesterday reminded me of office attire you could rock after you land the job (the HR manager might not appreciate the mini skirt, even with dark tights).  See Dress Like Jessica Alba at the Sugar Premiere to see my Alba Outfit look-alike choices, including where to buy the actual Miu Miu Suede Peep Toe Pumps and an exact CZ replica of J. Albs’ engagement ring for cheap!)

The pieces of this look translate to an overall classic appearance with a twist of modern trends (i.e. printed blouse, skinny belt). The end result is an outfit that looks great at any occasion, by day or by night. Very cute.

Inspired by St. Patrick’s Day and the arrival of Spring and the fact that it’s hip to Go Green, I thought I’d focus on things green and grassy. Grass can be used in a household just like a plant to liven up a room. Take, for example, the Daisy Grass Mats - what a great way to freshen up a tabletop, bookshelf or coffee table- the flowers are removable! Embellish your wall with the über modern Piece of Grass Sod Photographic Print or Deer Standing in Grass Print- it comes on recycled card stock with water-based ink. For the bathroom, the Grassy Green Toothbrush Holder cleverly designed to hold almost anything, but really cute for the toothbrush/toothpaste combo.

For outside the home, wear the unique  Grassy Meadow Glam Dress or carry the travel size Grass Umbrella, recently featured in High School Musical.  Just be sure not to mix them on the same day!! Check out some other green products The Grass is Always Greener

I’m basically positive that the only time I have ever stepped onto a skateboard was when I was about 5 years old. And I didn’t even step onto it, I sat my ass down and rolled to the end of the driveway of my neighbors’ front yard. I did this probably about six times before I became extremely bored and went back home to play with my treasure trolls, vowing to never set foot (or ass) on another skateboard as long as I lived. Nineteen years later, I purchased a Nor Cal sweatshirt. Does this make me a poser?

I don’t really care. I needed something with a huge “Nor Cal” logo emblazoned on it for the few unfortunate times I visited Southern California (why can’t Disneyland be up here?). Plus, the clothes and accessories are cute. I say, if you’re proud to be a Northern Californian, it’s okay to rock Nor Cal gear. I especially love the orange and black SF Giants Dugout Nor Cal tee and the cotton/polyester Stateline Handbag! Hot.

I texted my dad the other day asking if he wanted to come shopping with me to help me look for a velour jumpsuit. (His reply to my text was, “Velour?” I replied, “Yes. Velour.”) He accompanied me into 2b and Forever21 so I wouldn’t have to shop alone, and while there was absolutely no velour in sight (I was unpleasantly surprised that a Bebe store had no velour!! What’s going on here?!?), I did stumble upon a navy, pink, and white Twist Dye Maxi Dress on the way out of Forever.

“Let’s get it,” I said before realizing that the weather in the city rarely climbs high enough to justify wearing a dress of any kind without tights or leggings underneath. I didn’t purchase the dress, but I was inspired to compile a list of More Flowy Dresses, designer and otherwise, on Kazowie today.

Long dresses are comfy/casual and glam at the same time and that’s why I love them. Maybe I’ll snag one to keep in my closet for the next heat wave. Hmm…

Fashion week, 2009 has come to an end and among all of the fabulous people, red carpets and glamour, there was a lot to be seen- including Barbie’s First Ever Runway Show! But as we all know, not everything actually makes it past the runway. I’ve created a compilation of what I think will actually show up on real people this fall. I’ll be curious to see which of my predictions make it this fall.

Feathers-Not everyone is going to be wearing the full-on pheasant feather hat, but there will be a whole lot of feathery and bird inspired fashion happening.  I’m thinking lots of feather headbands.

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Chunky Jewelry paired with more feminine pieces.

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High-Waisted Skirts have slowly been making their way back into fashion for the past couple of seasons. I’m pretty sure this look is going to fall into most girls’ closets by September.

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Streamlined Cut Out shapes are going to be all over the place in tops, pants, dresses. You name it.

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Metallics are going to be huge in purses, shoes and accent colors.  I noticed that almost every designer had a shiny metallic dress or evening gown.  Which makes sense because historically, metallics have been a staple in hard times. We still want to shine.

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Jeans Tucked into Boots- This is one of my favorite looks that was all over the runway. This look is here to stay for a long, long time.

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Asymmetric Hems The asymmetric hem kind of comes and goes and comes and goes. They reminds me of my favorite skirt from the 80’s made by UNITS.  The hem line started at mid-thigh on one side and then was bias-cut all the way to mid-calf.  It was really cool at the time.