3 Flavors of Jelly--With Everything But the Butter & Toast...

While I may simply adore attention, I actually detest unwanted attention. Allow me to explain; attention that I can't control makes me embarrassed and awkward. The root of my social anxiety is kindergarten. My kindergarten class loved to do morning exercises, where the whole class would stand up and "shake out" our energy like we were made of jelly, one limb at a time. On one hot summer day, we were shaking our legs, when my jelly sandal took flight across the room; everyone turned...and stared. Though, I couldn't blame my super fashionable footwear, helloooo, social anxiety!

As you probably know, jellies have made numerous style come-backs since my youthful social trauma. In middle school, my beloved friend, India, had a killer pair of stack-heeled jellies that were glittery to boot! Ahhh jealousy, the green-eyed monster. Then, just a couple of years ago, jellies were back on the scene, this time popular as flats. While I wasn't sure I'd ever see them again after that, I'm happy to announce: jellies are BACK--and better than I ever, I venture to say. This time, their main selling feature is the fact that they are waterproof and thus immune to the damaging effects of rain, unlike most flats that get utterly destroyed in a downpour.

So, like the diligent fashionista that I am, I have searched high and low and come up with my three favorite flavors of jelly...

If you like your jelly with a twist, then you will looove the Jelly Raffia Flats by Tory Burch. The pale grey color is a welcomed alternative to basic black and is also a perfect summer neutral. The blinged out flower at the toe makes these jellies anything but boring--and also has that bejewelled look going for it. I'm not sure how well the raffia flower detailing will withstand a sudden summer shower; depending on how important the waterproof component is for you, this may or may not defeat the purpose of this particular pair of jellies. Still, the flower is sweet and feminine, yet completely neutral in tone so it won't compete with your outfit. Price tag: $77--on sale!

If you're not sure you can commit to the genuine jelly look, then start by taking baby steps--and see how things go from there. These Jelly Capri Sandals in metallic gold from J. Crew are a fun, flip-flop version of the standard jelly flat. And what they may lack in surface area, they make up for in glitter (and what fashionista doesn't love glitter, am I right?). Price tag: $19.50--on sale!

Beyonce may suggest that you "put a ring on it," but if you're one of those girls who likes everything in her life to be neatly packaged, then put a bow on it! The New York "Obi" Jelly Shoes by Kate Spade in fuchsia give the jelly flat a more grown-up look, featuring a sling back, peep toe, and contrasting bow detail. While we may have had our qualms about Tory's raffia flower, Kate's irresistible little bow is made of ribbed rubber! Translation: waterproof like whoa. Price tag: $60

So there you have it, three flavors of jelly that have everything but the butter and toast! The best part? Each and every one is under $100 so you won't blow your summer wardrobe budget. If you live in New England like me, then you know we're destined for a few thunderstorms this season, but your footwear doesn't have to be collateral damage this year. Dress to impress with a pair of jellies, and you'll be--appropriately--sugar sweet.

Images, in order of appearance: (1) Jelly shoe quote, thanks to 1337 Mama (http://www.1337mama.com/); (2) Collection of jelly shoes, image thanks to 944.com (http://www.944.com/) (3) Jelly Raffia Flats in pale grey by Tory Burch $77 (marked down from $110), available online (www.toryburch.com); (4) Jelly Capri Sandals in metallic gold from J. Crew $19.50 (marked down from $29.50), available online (www.jcrew.com); (5) New York "Obi" Jelly Shoes in fuchsia by Kate Spade $60, available online from Bloomingdales (www.bloomingdales.com).

Survive Wedding Season In Style (Without Breaking the Bank): A How-To Guide

One of my nearest and dearest friends attends weddings each summer like it's her job (and as far as time commitments go, it sort of is). Starting around this time each year, her summer schedule gets booked with fabulous wedding events scattered far across our great nation. So it was only appropriate that, with wedding season commencing, I pick her brain on how she survives, both in fashion and without breaking the bank. I assure you that, due to the combined force of her sheer genius and classic style, you're most definitely going to want to read on!

The short list: Short dresses are much more versatile than long ones. In fact, few weddings (even those irresistible black tie affairs!) are formal enough to require a long gown. So, keeping it tastefully knee(ish) length, you'll find yourself with a functional yet fabulous dress that you can actually wear to non-wedding events as well.

Rock the rainbow: Invest in several different colored pashminas or wraps. In addition to shielding yourself from potentially chilly evenings (especially if the wedding you're attending is beach side) at summer weddings, the very same dress worn with a different wrap assumes a fresh, new look.

Make déjà vu work for you: If you're a social butterfly, chances are that a few of the weddings you're attending will have totally different guest lists. So be a budget babe! After all, you only need different dresses for the weddings that have overlapping friends (please note: your date doesn't count as overlap, obvi). No overlap? Well then, the same look is fair game.

Think ahead: Don't wait until you absolutely need a dress for an event to buy one, because that's wear you will end up spending the big bucks on a pricey dress and/or rush shipping. Since smart spending is always in style, be prepared by stocking up on wedding-appropriate garb in anticipation of wedding season. But remember: as my wedding guru reminded me, When buying a dress on sale in the fall, winter, or spring, be sure the dress has that light, happy 'wedding feel', as opposed to a 'holiday party' style cocktail dress.

The bottom line is budget: Sometimes a fashionista will find herself in a pinch, with a quickly-dwindling fashion budget (tear). At times like this, re-wear a dress, especially if it's a few months later. Remember, as fabulous as you love to look, the wedding is about what the bride is wearing. And not for nothing, never underestimate the power of accessorizing. Wear a bold, statement necklace, and wedding guests will be too distracted to notice your dress. But if your fashion etiquette has you feeling sheepish about double-dipping, alert your besties about the reappearance of your dress ahead of time. Chances are, they've been in your shoes before and won't bat a mascaraed eye.

So there you have it, all of your wedding wardrobe woes: solved. So now the only item on your wedding to-do list is to enjoy that cake!--and maybe even sneak a second piece... No judgment here.

Special thanks to MBJ for her infinite and fashion-forward wisdom. May we all be all be as lovely as she!

Images, in order of appearance: (1) Bride and groom, image thanks to the Digital Photography School (digital-photography-school.com); (2) Silk Tricotine Cecelia Dress in blue hydrangea $225 by J. Crew (http://www.jcrew.com/); (3) Colored pashminas, image thanks to eCrater (http://www.ecrater.com/); (4) Vintage wedding dress, image thanks to Kaboodle (http://cn1.kaboodle.com/).

Mod About You

At brunch this past Saturday, my fashionable (recent social work school grad!) friend, India, was wearing an irresistible shade of pink on her nails. After living in the realm of black and grey nails for months, I was finally ready to move away from classic noir and into something a bit lighter, brighter, and infinitely more...pink! I can happily report that Mod About You, one of the latest and greatest from the nail care experts at O.P.I., was exactly what I was looking for.

While some may claim that a picture is worth a thousand words, I feel that the image of this perfectly pink nail color hardly does it justice. What sold me is its true opacity. I struggle with most pastel pinks because they have a bit of transparency that makes them wear thin in a few days--and then you just need another manicure (sigh)! This pink is different. Mod About You walks the line between cherry blossom and bubble gum pink--yet packs a pinky punch that a fashionista can never go without! You may have to try it to believe me, but I guarantee you'll be sold--and utterly mod about Mod About You.



Image: Mod About You nail color by O.P.I., photo thanks to Amazon (www.amazon.com).

Your Beauty Secrets: Revealed!

My girl Jane Austen once wrote, It sometimes happens that a woman is handsomer at twenty-nine than she was ten years before. This is often true--and often the result of our personal beauty secrets! But just for today, let's get loose with our definition of "secrets" and spill them, shall we? Having received so many fabulous answers, we could be here all day--but allow me to reveal five of your most fabulous beauty secrets. And just so we're clear, if ever there were a time for a drum roll, it would be now...

1. Do you dream of clear skin? One of the most infamous and (conveniently!) inexpensive beauty treatments ever: Bayer aspirin masques. A small handful of aspirin dissolved in your hands and scrubbed over you face, neck, and décolletage while in the shower is my beloved fashion guru's secret route to glowing skin. And while we can't all make it to the spa on the regular (sigh), I'm almost positive we all have a bottle of aspirin in the ol' medicine closet.

2. Say it with color! For those of you who don't have time to accessorize, a little pop! of color can go a loooong way. Amp up your look with a bold orange, a super-saturated blue, or a springy pink or yellow. As one fearless fashionista explained, these colors speak for themselves and require very little in the way of accessories!

3. Don't you just looove luscious lashes? A quick lash blast is possible with carefully applied eyeliner underneath your top lashes. The result: an instant boost that makes lashes look loads thicker!

4. You can have Marcia Brady hair every day! Even better, substitute her 100 brush strokes for this handy home remedy: olive oil. For shiny, healthy hair, generously apply olive oil to your hair (before washing) and wrap it in a warm/damp towel for as long as long as you can stand it (and don't be impatient!--15 minutes minimum). Then hop in the shower and shampoo as usual. Even salons can't replicate this kind of shine!

5. When in doubt, add more. Do you ever have one of those "blah" days when it feels like the only beauty remedy at your disposal is a pair of giant sunglasses that eclipse your face? Well turn that frown upside-down by rocking your favorite shoes, your most comfy jeans, a killer scarf, huge earrings--in short, everything but the kitchen sink! Sometimes fashionistas have to be fearless; don't be afraid to pull out all the stops.

You should know, reading all of your beauty secrets was like stumbling upon buried treasure in my back yard--so many fashionista friends, so much fabulous advice! Perhaps the best part about your expert beauty tips is that they are all possible with items already in your wardrobe, pantry, or first-aid kit. The truth is, sometimes high fashion is available on the cheap. So, lovely ladies, thanks for sharing--and until next time, I hope these five fabulous tips can help you look even more beautiful than ever (if that's possible!).

Images, in order of appearance: (1) Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, photo thanks to Born Today (http://www.born-today.com/); (2) Girl washing face, image from Beauty Chameleon (http://beautychameleon.com/); (3) Healthy hair, image from The Daily Green (www.thedailygreen.com); (4) Fashionista with all the frills, image thanks to Major(ISH) (http://www.majorish.com/).

Camo Crazed

It's no secret that I love and adore camo (sorry, Momma--this is one trend I didn't outgrow), and this week I happily stumbled upon my latest camo obsession. Spending the last couple of nights at Boston's bi-annual Stylefixx event with my tee-shirt line, lolly.brand, another tee-shirt touting vendor caught my attention by transporting her gear in an over sized camo print Hervé Chapelier shopper.

Shown here (left) in a smaller tote size, the shopping bag version is really where it's at. Sized to accomodate practically everything--I'm talking a magical Mary Poppins bag here--the shopper measures nearly 20 inches long, 12 inches high, and 10 inches wide. These are ideal dimensions for what I fondly term my "bag of life," which is basically whatever over sized purse I'm rocking on a given day. Not to mention that the camo print will be very un-camouflaged amidst sees of solid colored Longchamps and the like (not hating--but just saying).

I was first introduced to Hervé (yes, we're on a first name basis--are you jealous?) by my adoring and fashion-forward Momma when I was in high school. In fact, I still have my navy and pink tote, which is in amazingly good condition for being 10 years old now. While leather handbags may be known for aging just as well as a fine wine, I must confess that there is something to be said for good ol' man-made Nylon. Not only is it washable, but it's super light and utterly durable. For a gal on the go, those are major pluses. AND not for nothing, Nylon is faaaar more affordable than the (albeit more luxurious) leather handbag alternative.

So there. Have I given you enough reasons to join the camo craze? Just remember who told you first.

Images: (1) Shopping bag W49925 in "foret" by Hervé Chepalier $118, available online (www.hervechapelier.com); (2) Hervé Chepalier tote-sized camo bag, photo thanks to www.syuhari.com.

What's Your Beauty Secret?

What's your beauty secret?

This is a poll that I've been wanting to take forever so I'm hoping you can help me! Here's the story...

A while ago, it occurred to me that I spend a great deal of time reading fashion magazine articles that tout other people's advice on beauty and fashion. It wasn't until recently that I realized that I have a wealth of fashionable resources--on speed dial! So for my sake--and She's Come Unheeled, of course--I was hoping you might be willing to share your secrets.

So tell me, what's your beauty secret? Whether it be a miracle cosmetic product, the most amazing pair of jeans, or heels that make you look like you have legs for days....I want to know about it!

Send me an email, or post a comment online. And as usual, thanks so much for your help!!

XOXO,
Lolly


Image: Marilyn Monroe, photo thanks to Cure Sector for the Soul (mvpyimao.wordpress.com).

The Things We Do For Beauty

Given my penchant for sky-high heels, you may not be surprised to learn that I have uttered the words, "Beauty is pain" on numerous occasions through out my lifetime. However, even crazy masochistic fashionistas have to draw the line somewhere. More precisely, there needs to be a limit to the things we do for beauty. Let me explain...

Catching up on my Fashion & Style headlines from The New York Times earlier today, the words "long lashes" caught my attention. As a lover/coveter of looong, luscious lashes, I'm always in search of the latest and greatest mascara. That being said, I simply had to read this article, which as it turns out, discussed the truth about Latisse.

Now, I know you've seen the ad on TV--the one where Brooke Sheilds touts the benefits of the eyelash drug as the solution to inadequate lashes? Initially, I was curious about the product, but my personal code of beauty conduct simply does not include any measures that I deem remotely sketchy or utterly invasive (think: implants, Botox, and the like). For me, Latisse fell into this category. I mean, I can always have eyelashes applied at the Mac counter if I'm really craving dramatic lashes, but I'm not about to apply some mysterious serum to my lash line, especially when the possible side effects include the risk that my green eyes will turn brown--FOREVER.

Some might call me paranoid, but it seems that my doubts are not unfounded. Hello, remember the part when Brooke advises viewers to "ask a doctor if Latisse is right for them?!" Well, according to the Times article, Latisse is widely available without a doctor's prescription--often online, and with as little as a credit card number. For these individuals who fail to consult their physician, the unwanted side effects can be a rude awakening. One woman had a deep purple discoloration appear on her eyelids and beneath her eyes, making it look like she "hadn't slept in a month." Other side effects, in addition to the permanent brown iris pigmentation I mentioned earlier, include: redness; itchiness and irritation; reactivation of dormant eye inflamation; and even ingrown lashes, which is when lashes get so long they scratch the cornea (ouch!).

The real question is this: are long lashes really worth the risk? As Dr. Andrew G. Iwach, Executive Director of the Glaucoma Center of San Francisco, states in the Times article, Let’s say you use the product once inappropriately, or outside the approved guidelines, you might get away with it, but this drug is being applied repeatedly over weeks, months and potentially years. The consequences, or risk of consequences, add up over time.

I, for one, will NOT be using Latisse. But for those of you lovely ladies who opt for the Brooke Sheilds approach to long lashes, please be sure to seek medical advice first. As Dr. Iwach concludes, When it’s something as personal, something so critical as vision, you don’t want to cut corners.

For more information, click here to read the full article, Long Lashes Without Prescription, But With Risks by Catherine Saint Louis, from the May 1, 2010 edition of The New York Times.

Images, in order of appearance: (1) Fabulous fake lashes, photo thanks to Stylefrizz (www.stylefrizz.com); (2) Latisse advertisement featuring Brooke Sheilds, image thanks to Spoiled Pretty (http://spoiledpretty.blogspot.com/); (3) Saturday Night Live parody on Latisse, image thanks to Hollywire (www.hollywire.com).

On the Top Sider

As spring begins to turn to summer, I've been giving more thought to the areas of my wardrobe that need a little upgrading. One of my favorite summer looks is, as I've mentioned before, the subtle nautical style. Without getting too literal, traditional boating gear makes for fabulous and classic wardrobe staples that no fashionista should ever have to brave a summer without.

Though there are infinite areas of nautical chic that we could discuss (and some that we have discussed before!), today's focus is footwear, with a particular emphasis on these glitzy Sperry Top Siders that take boating to the next level---and beyond. I originally saw these sailor-savvy beauties in the J. Crew catalog a couple of months ago, but I put them on the back burner since it wasn't yet the season. Now, with the season upon us, I'm obsessing about them again and, with the spirit of budget in mind, considering whether or not these shoes fall into the wardrobe "MUST" category. In the interest of fairness, let's weigh the pros and cons, shall we?

On the PRO side: These are not just any Top Siders. Rather, their regal gold sheen takes these iconic deck shoes over to the fierce side. The added bonus is that there is functionality built into this fashion statement, for they're made of water resistant leather with a rubber sole for maximum traction. Nautical fashion that you can actually wear on a boat?!--yes please.

On the CON side: I have already envisioned dozens of outfits around this shoe in my head (my mind is a scary yet utterly fashionable place, you must know), I have to really consider whether or not I will actually wear this shoe... You know what I mean; sometimes you find a must-have item, but then it sits in your closet forever, lacking practical value for your lifestyle. So the big question remains, does this pair of platinum boating shoes have a base in reality? Indeed, I like to think that I would put this sensibly glam footwear to use.

With further consideration to practicality, the Bloomingdales website suggests you wear them with khakis for a classic look or make them edgy with cuffed boyfriend jeans. I'm not really one for khakis (too buttoned up for me--unless they have that fabulous destroyed look to them), but I think these Sperrys would be killer with a pair of weathered skinny jeans, cuffed at the ankle, and a plain white tee (or any tee, for that matter).

As I mentioned before, these shoes are available at both Bloomies and J. Crew (and likely a million other places), and I simply cannot fail to mention that they are $13 more at J. Crew. Why? Well, I'm glad you asked! According to the J. Crew site, their Top Siders feature exclusive details you won't find anywhere else (like grosgrain ribbon at the heel). Indeed, the grosgrain ribbon they speak of seems to be the only discernible difference. Cute it may be, but is it $13 worth of cuteness? I love J. Crew as much as anyone, but unless this irresistible yellow and orange ribbon prevents blisters and chaffing on my heels (debatable), I think I'll pass--but to each her own. After all, who am I to put a price on the details?

So there you have it: all you ever wanted to know (or not to know!) on the Top Sider. So what's the verdict? Are these shoes just too "me" to resist? I'm thinking that might be the case... But please, if you have any feelings on the matter, let me know! Post your comments or send me an email--I mean, this is my WARDROBE that's at stake here. Very. Serious. Stuff.

Images, in order of appearance: (1) Ahoy Sailor!, photo thanks to The Style Spy (http://www.thestylespy.com/); (2) Top-Sider "A/O" Shoes by Sperry $85, available at Bloomingdales (www.bloomingdales.com); (3) Top-Sider® Authentic Original 2-eye metallic boat shoes by Sperry $98, available at J. Crew (www.jcrew.com); (4) J. Crew catalog image of the Top Sider (www.jcrew.com).