Tried & Tested: Body Central's Boyfriend Blazer & Gold Leaf Dangling Earrings

I continued to rifle through our Body Central swag bag this week, and busted out their Boyfriend Blazer and Gold Leaf Dangling Earrings for work.

Body Central styled this blazer casually in their spring catalog -- pairing it with jeans and rolling the sleeves up to reveal contrasting striped lining -- but I chose to wear mine with a silk shell, velvet pants, and black pumps.

The well-cut blazer features a notch lapel, single-button front closure, and puffed shoulders (for a bit of femininity).

Later in the week, I paired the leaf earrings with my favorite orange shirtdress. The earrings are really lightweight, and didn't make my ears tender like large-ish earrings normally do. They also occasionally clinked together and chimed, creating soothing noises throughout the day.

The verdict? Both items are worthy style steals, with the blazer priced at $26.90 and the earrings costing just $6.00!

S.S.W. Asks: Have you shopped Body Central's spring collection?

Jackie

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BELLA Makes a Move!

As many of you know, Lynnie and I are Fashion Editors for BELLA, a New York-based beauty and wellness magazine, for whom we also author "The Style Report". As the magazine gears up for what will surely be an exciting second year, it has moved to a new website (http://www.bellanyc.com) and Facebook page. The magazine is also releasing a BELLA app that will allow you to read issues on your Apple iPad, Amazon Kindle Fire, and Android Devices. Update accordingly so you don't miss an issue!

Jackie

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"Five Unique Wedding Rings"

Tired of the same old, same old when it comes to wedding bands? Check out my most recent post for Bridal Guide magazine. You’ll find five unique wedding rings that will have you saying “I do!” Step out of your comfort zone and slip on a stunning band!

Lynnie

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Gemstones… are a Girl’s Best Friend!

To say, "I adore gemstones," would be an understatement. During college, I would kill several hours in between classes watching GemsTV, a live show (that ended in 2010) which featured stunning genuine gemstone jewelry (T.M.I.?). Thankfully, Anjolee, a high-end jewelry manufacturer dedicated to providing top level customer service, has filled this void.

I arrived home from work today to find an adorable red box waiting on my doorstep! Inside was the beautiful Perfect Gemstone Link Bracelet, featuring 2mm citrine gemstones (my birthstone!) in 10-karat yellow gold.

I immediately fastened the tennis bracelet on my wrist. So delicate and elegant, I loved how it complemented my white and yellow gold watch. This tennis bracelet has now become one of my wardrobe staples!

If you are searching for genuine gemstone tennis bracelets to call your very own, check out Anjolee’s website. All of their jewelry can be custom made according to favorite metal type, diamond quality, carat size, and bracelet length.

Jackie and I are also huge fans of their diamond tennis bracelets (I mean what girl doesn’t love diamonds…). Founded in 1977, Anjolee has the largest online collection of tennis bracelets in the U.S. They also offer 30 day returns, free shipping, free gift with purchase, free gift packaging, and they include a certificate of authenticity with every diamond purchase. Whether you are searching for a simple diamond tennis bracelet, a flashy, red carpet-worthy bracelet, or something else that sparkles (diamond necklace, anyone?), let Anjolee add some bling to your life.

Here are my top picks:

Stylish Circles Diamond Bracelet, starting at $4,018.61

Timeless Dreams Diamond Tennis Bracelet, starting at $1,486.17





Antique Oval Diamond Necklace, starting at $3,421.82



Lynnie

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Chic on the Cheap: More Jason Wu and Dita Von Teese for Target

More exciting Jason Wu for Target news! A commercial for the line was released this week, and it features some of the collection's best pieces as well as a super cute and very mischevious cartoon kitty. Check it out here:

And in other Target news, burlesque star Dita Von Teese has designed Von Follies, a limited-edition lingerie consisting of balconette bras, garters, and bustiers in silky satins. The collection hits Target stores in the U.S. and Australia on February 26th -- shortly after the Wu debut -- and is inspired by Von Teese's own lingerie collection. "I wanted to design pieces that are tributes to my vintage obsessions, to make them beautiful and functional, while modernizing them for everyday wear," said the starlet. Preview some looks from the collection on Von Teese below.

Jackie

P.S. Don't forget to check out our exclusive JewelMint offer and get 50% off your first order with code NY1001, courtesy of the Mint Brand Ambassador New York team. Offer expires 03/31/12.

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Tried & Tested: JewelMint's Midnight Soiree Ring

Now through March 31, 2012, enjoy 50% JewelMint jewelry with Style, She Wrote's exclusive discount code NY1001, courtesy of the Mint Brand Ambassador New York team.

I used our code last week to buy JewelMint's Midnight Soiree ring for just $14.99! (All JewelMint pieces are normally $29.99 each.)

The ring arrived this past Saturday in a super cute box with a description of the design inside.

I wore my new bling to dinner at Isabel BYOB with The Rescue Baker that night, and despite my new bauble's big-ish size, it didn't cramp my dining style. (Read: It stayed put while I scarfed down chips and guacamole. Yum!) I also thought the green gem paired well with my red-orange polish.

S.S.W. Asks: Have you shopped JewelMint yet?

Jackie

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Fab Finds: Lela Rose for Payless Colorblock Booties

Looking for a bootie that will match every outfit in your cold-weather closet? Lela Rose's colorblock booties for Payless are it! The multi-tone platform shoes are made from grey, tan, and black pebble faux leather with a 4-inch heel and lightly padded insole. On sale now for $38.99, they not only cost a fraction of the price of other colorblock booties, but they are a great buy in terms of cost-per-wear (the cost of item ÷ times you will wear it).

Jackie

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Hot or Not? Urban Camouflage

Yesterday The Cut reviewed these brick-patterned suits from Jean Paul Gaultier and Moschino's Fall 2012 menswear collections, writing, "masonry: not yet a trend, but definitely a thing." In fact, brick-patterned clothing has been "a thing" since the early twentieth century, perhaps because the pattern underscores the primary function of clothing -- namely, as shelter for the body.

In the late 1980s and 1990s, high-end fashion designers like Todd Oldham and Patrick Kelly used brick prints in their women's collections. In 1986, costume designer Adelle Lutz created "Urban Camouflage Clothing" (above) for the David Byrne comedy True Stories. As the late great costume curator Richard Martin wrote in his seminal work, Fashion and Surrealism, Lutz's designs sough to resolve the separation between clothing and the external world by making their wearer part of their environment.

In 1929, the Italian painter Giorgio de Chirico adapted this architectural element for costume and decor designs for the Ballets Russes' production Le Bal, covering the legs of female dancers with brick-printed hosiery, while Marcel Rochas used the design for this woman's trompe l'oeil jacket in the 1930s (above).

Brick clothing (and people) also appear in Surrealist artworks from the mid-twentieth century, perhaps most notably Man Ray's Imaginary Portrait of D. A. F. de Sade, II (above, 1940). Today, the Chinese artist Liu Bolin (below) camouflages his clothes and himself into his surroundings to protest artistic censorship by the Chinese government, who shut down his studio in 2005. (Because you can't suppress what you can't see, right?)

Now that we've had our history lesson, we want to know:

S.S.W. Asks: What are your thoughts on Gaultier's and Moschino's latest menswear designs? Would you wear brick-printed suits? Comment below or on Facebook or Twitter.

Jackie

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F4T: "Youthquake!" at the Museum at FIT

Giorgio di Sant’Angelo, ensemble, 1968

For one month only (March 6 – April 7) see, Youthquake! The 1960s Fashion Revolution at the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology. This exhibition examines the impact of youth culture on 1960s fashion through over thirty garments, accessories, videos, and other media from these years. During this decade, contemporary youth and street styles created by subcultures such as the Mods and the Hippies rose to prominence over designer fashions. The show explores this shift, beginning with the decade’s emerging designers and their pioneering boutiques, before examining how their youthful designs were interpreted for the mass market and high-fashion ready-to-wear, such as this luxe hippie look by Giorgio di Sant’Angelo. Not only will this show broaden your understanding of 1960s fashion, but your attendance will support emerging museum professionals, as the show is and curated by graduate students of FIT’s Fashion and Textiles: History, Theory, Museum Practice program.

Jackie

P.S. Don't forget to check out our exclusive JewelMint offer and get 50% off your first order now through 3/31/12.

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Tried & Tested: Body Central's Floppy Wool Hat

Happy Wednesday, S.S.W. fans! As you can tell by this early morning picture, I'm happy we're half-way through the work week. Not only does Wedneday bring us all one day closer to the weekend (wahoo!), but I got to wear my new Body Central Floppy Wool Hat from last week's swag bag for the first time on this particular Wednesday. Here's a clearer shot:

I paired my new chapeau with an H&M turtleneck, and a vintage skirt, belt, and cowboy boots. I've never really considered myself a hat person before, but I have to say this floppy hat was fun to wear and super warm -- definitely a plus in the cold Northeast. I was worried about my hat flying in the wind, but (thankfully) it stayed firmly planted on my head on my short walk to and from work.

Get your own on Body Central's website for just under $20.00 ($19.90), and keep an eye out for more Body Central product reviews in the coming weeks!

Jackie

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"Aloha, Honeymoon: Real Bride's Guide to Hawaii"

Photo Credit: Ko'a Kea Hotel & Resort, Hawaii

When Michael and I prepared our budget for our upcoming honeymoon in Hawaii, we tried to anticipate all possible costs, and not just account for the resort and airfare. Learn what costs you should anticipate, access our honeymoon budget guide, and get details about our trip in my latest "Real Brides" blog post for Bridal Guide magazine!

Lynnie

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Jackie's Picks: My JewelMint Showroom

Last week, Style, She Wrote. told you about JewelMint, a members-only jewelry collection inspired by vintage and runway gems that is designed by actress, Kate Bosworth, and celebrity stylist, Cher Coulter.

To use JewelMint, log onto their website and take their Style Quiz to access a personal showroom with jewelry just for you. Each month, you will get new pieces to shop, and each piece is just $29.99 with free shipping. Use this exclusive code for S.S.W. readers -- NY1001 -- at checkout, and get half off your first item, courtesy of the Mint Brand Ambassador New York team. Offer expires 03/31/12.

I took the Style Quiz last week, and found beautiful rings, bracelets, necklaces, and pins in my showroom. Here are my favorites...

World's End Earrings

Fifth Avenue Earrings

Casablanca Necklace






Hayden Necklace





Lady Noir Rings







Lost Treasure Bracelet

Jackie

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