Personal Style

outfit looks of the week

July 13, 2015

Red, Red Summer

[My new #ShiftaShade Clairol hair color, thanks to James Corbett]

It’s amazing how quickly times goes by…since this is the third summer that I’ve had red hair! As red tends to fade, and I’ve gone to a few different colorists over the past few years, it hasn’t been exactly the same hue…but close enough to not raise any eyebrows! For the summer of 2015, however, my hue is decidedly going in a different direction — lighter, more copper, and with a definite touch of blonde in the mix. Thanks to the incredibly talented James Corbett of James Corbett Studio and the Clairol Color Director, I gracefully made a motion to #ShiftaShade with Clairol’s nice’n easy Sun Kissed Collection in 8SC Sandy Copper Blonde.

[My new color: Clairol Sun Kissed nice’n easy in 8SC Sandy Copper Blonde]

Corbett immediately put me at ease by admitting that he loves doing red hair (phew!), and I knew right away to trust his instincts with making my hair a bit lighter, yet still noticeably red for the summer. The best part about it is that I am just slightly moving within the scale of my hair color, so the results won’t be extreme, but beautiful nonetheless, and since James Corbett works with colors that can easily be purchased, I can’t use the excuse of “I have to make a salon appointment” when my roots begin to show, because I can do it myself, at home!

What do you think of my new color; can you see the #ShiftaShade difference? For reference, see below for a “redrospective” of my hair over the past three summers.

[May of 2013]

[September of 2013]

[May of 2013]

[September of 2013]

[June 2015; with Megan Zeitz of TFDiaries.com]

[Mid-June, 2015]

Clairol’s nice’n easy permanent hair color is available at food, drug, and mass retailers nationwide and online, while you can visit this link to visit James Corbett Studio for hair services.

Full Disclosure: Fashion Pulse Daily received a complimentary service, courtesy of Clairol and James Corbett Studio.

July 6, 2015

The Curious Case of the Summer Booties

by Julia DiNardo

Maybe because I grew up during the era of grunge, but I always romanticized about pulling off a floral printed sundress, hitting right below the knees, with a classic pair of 8-lace black Doc Martens. The look has never quite been right for me, but I like the juxtaposition of the feminine with the tough, the practical with the impractical, underneath the unforgivingly hot summer sun. Usually when the summer weather breaks, my boots, booties, and cold weather foot confections like wool socks and fleece tights have been stowed away, but for the first time in a long time, I’ve left a few pairs of booties amongst my espadrilles, canvas sneakers, and open-toed wedges.

The turn of a naked ankle jutting out from the top of a low slung bootie is just so appealing, and I appreciate them paired with a summery dress or cuffed pair of jeans. These booties are a rare versatile breed that provide endless styling possibilities in all seasons, playing nicely with light and dark colors alike. It’s nice to know that my feet are covered, literally, in a cool pair of booties that have helped me to straddle seasonal style divisions; I hope you find, or have a pair that does the same thing for you too!

In This Look:

Proenza Schouler for Target Racerback Cotton Dress (no longer available)

Sole Society Sky Booties in Wine (c/o)

Kate Spade Hoop Earrings (c/o T.J.Maxx)

Left Wrist: Pyramid Stud Bracelets, all Sorrelli (c/o)

Right Wrist: all Giles & Brother Bracelets via Shopbop (c/o)

Alexis Bittar Ring via Shopbop (c/o)

39DollarGlasses.com Prescription Wayfarer Shades (c/o)

Lips: COVERGIRL LipPerfection Lipstick in Tempt (c/o; no longer available)

Nails: Floss Gloss Nail Lacquer in Wavepool via Birchbox (c/o)

June 29, 2015

Prints Please!

by Julia DiNardo

Once upon a time, I was the Queen of Prints. They defined my style, and I reigned my sartorial kingdom with the most vibrant, unusual patterns, colors, and textures, savoring those unique vintage finds, and constantly on the lookout for new acquisitions at any and every price point. As time went on, and I entered a more professional (read: somber) work environment, many of my printed pieces eventually bade me farewell, traded in for color blocked iterations and an overall more neutral, monochromatic palette. In fashion as well, there are few designers who have upheld them as staples of their aesthetic (Mara Hoffman, Tibi, Missoni, Pucci, Etro), while most have moved past them several years ago.

Still, one of the remaining relics from my “prints” period is this strapless, horsebit DVF dress, which until recently was relegated to the back of my closet. I missed it, and was reminded that prints can bring instant joy, whimsy and personality to a look, and can in all honestly, be considered effortless dressing. It makes selecting accessories a breeze, as you can select for function or need, opposed to fashion.

For this dress in particular, an assumption may be made that because it is strapless, it shall be for dressy occasions, and true, I’ve worn it to a wedding or two. But, it’s light, breezy, 100% cotton, and 1000% comfortable, so it should be able to serve more purposes than weddings and parties. Pared with a stylish but albeit comfy pair of flats and stylish summer hat, it can double as a very chic piece of off-duty clothing, meant for strolling on a weekend, or with a pashmina during the chilly air-conditioned office environment.

I have a premonition that prints will make a huge comeback soon…and strapless too!

In This Look:

DVF Strapless Horsebit Print Cotton Dress (no longer available)

(c/o)

White Straw Hat with Purple Ribbon (from a street vendor in Venice)

39DollarGlasses.com Prescription Wayfarer Shades (c/o)

Sorrelli Hoop Earrings (c/o)

Baume & Mercier Linea Collection Watch (c/o)

Lulu Frost Horseshoe Ring (no longer available)

Giles & Brother Mini Cortina Ring via Shopbop (c/o)

Sorrelli Cuff Bracelet (c/o)

Arrow Necklace via Le Tote (c/o)

Lips: COVERGIRL LipPerfection Lipstick in Tempt (c/o; no longer available)

Nails: Floss Gloss Nail Lacquer in Wavepool via Birchbox (c/o)

June 22, 2015

Making New Friends

by Julia DiNardo

“Make new friends, but keep the old…one is silver and the other is gold.” We used to sing that over and over in my Brownies troop in the late’80s, and in the case of new friends mingling with old…in this look, some literally are silver, and others gold! I’ve found some new brands and pieces that I absolutely adore, that compliment my existing aesthetic, while nicely building upon it with styles that may reflect a trend or two, but most importantly, reflect…me!

New to my accessories game is Shoes of Prey, an innovative concept in which you can design your own pair, down to the smallest of details. You can of course order online, but the really exciting news is that you can create a pair right inside of Nordstrom! The Shoes of Prey Design Studio at Nordstrom is found in six locations, equipped with iPads and sample shoes to try on to get a feel for the the heel height, comfort, and sizing. There’s a dizzying array of fabric swatches to pick through so that you can ensure the perfect color and texture, and the shoes will be made-to-order, arriving at your doorstep in 4-5 weeks. I modeled my Shoes of Prey after a very much loved, but very worn pair in my closet that I didn’t want to say goodbye to, but were literally falling apart. Talk about a combo of the old meets the new! My beloved shoes were reincarnated into a Shoes of Prey style that featured a similar low heel and rounded toe, but with a pop of embossed exotic snakeskin added.

Speaking of, it’s apparently my new thing, as this Isharya wire cuff features something of the serpentine persuasion, artfully wrapped around an agate stone as the center piece. I’ve been a big fan of blue agate for some time now, and snakes — well, I like looking at the imitation of life iteration of them.

If you can’t combine old and new, then what’s the point of holding onto stuff? Especially clothing; if it’s not meant for the mix, then it should go, but when a piece works, surely hold onto it (unless it goes by way of my old beloved shoes, and in that case…reincarnate them!).