Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Why Don't You...?

…lock eyes with a handsome stranger? Who knows, by this time next week you could be having a clandestine tête-à-tête at a chichi café with the cutie in question.

…perch a pretty tiara atop your head and scoot off to the corner store? Do not allow yourself to become flustered should someone question what you are the ruler of; simply give them a coquettish wink and proclaim…“my destiny!” It is, after all, the truth!

…save retail therapy for tomorrow and instead go berry picking? Discreetly stuff your mouth full of as many as you’d like, allowing the juices to stream down your face and stain your fingertips!

…dig out your old Baby-Sitters Club books, burrow under piles of blankets, and read them cover to cover via the illumination provided by a flashlight?

…play detective and solve your own fashion-inspired mystery? Investigate the bevy of Balmain booties at a blissful Beverly Hills boutique; examine the Erin Wasson X RVCA Give Me Rapture Sweater you’ve had your eye on for ages; sift through the selection of sass & bide stunners at the exclusive shop down the street. You’re not obligated to buy; but doing so would be the ultimate victory, Miss Super Sleuth!


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Tumblr for the picture.


Don't forget to enter the Real Fashionistas Wear Aprons Giveaway for your chance to win a fabulous retro/vintage apron from Christa Taylor.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Tightwad Tuesday: Paige Premium Denim Vermont Vest for Less

Dolls, please do not even begin to tell me that we have learned all of nothing from the Spring 2010 runways! Even if only a handful of shows were viewed by your kohl-lined peepers, you are aware of the fact that the catwalk was a virtual goldmine of denim served up via everyone from preppy Ralph Lauren to saucy Dolce & Gabbana; making one fashionable factor extremely clear…a wardrobe void of denim fit to see you through the sprightly spring straight through to the end of your romance-filled sultry summer is an absolute no-no of the worst possible kind!

Don’t get me wrong, my loves; I am not instructing you to cast off your non-denim accoutrements, or go completely in the opposite direction and drastically drape yourself in head to toe denim. Take my word for it, neither is a very good idea. The truth of the matter is every girl deserves a divine piece of denim in her wardrobe to add a pinch of pizzazz to anything in her closet which falls flat, yet retains the ability to be downright fabulous if only given a chance – from a flowy floral frock to a standard white tank. And no form of denim seems to be as capable of accomplishing all of the above, and then some, better than a vest. Specifically, Paige Premium’s Denim Vermont Vest.

Darlings a vest, especially those crafted out of denim, is a universally flattering item which juxtaposes between rugged grunge and refined glamour depending upon how you style it. Not one ounce of these factors is lost upon Paige Premium’s pretty.

Embellished with an ever so slightly rebellious fraying about the sleeves, and constructed out of a blend of caicos-colored cotton and spandex, the Denim Vermont Vest possesses all of the qualities of true denim; yet harbors the resilience of well-loved leggings used for afternoons spent luxuriously lounging around your humble abode. If only the price tag were as lavish as the design in question.

Yes dolls, I know, the $189.00 required to make the Denim Vermont Vest your own would keep you in true stunning splendor for the remainder of the year; yet the triple digit asking price has the potential to leave your struggling bank account hanging on by a thread – a worry you need not have with the AE Denim Vest.

For $29.95, American Eagle’s Paige Premium look-alike gives you the chance to make your denim dreams a reality, at a price that leaves you with some extra cash so you can indulge in a little fun in the sun!

Tell me, kittens…will you be a big spender and go for Paige Premium, or be thrifty and spring for American Eagle?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Revolve Clothing and AE for the pictures.


Don't forget to enter the Real Fashionistas Wear Aprons Giveaway for your chance to win a fabulous retro/vintage apron from Christa Taylor.

Monday, March 29, 2010

Play It Again, Sam

The Gift of a Black Heart - Said the Whale
Make Her Mine - Mayer Hawthorne feat. Intuition
Miss Meredith - Kiss Kiss Kiss
Rules Don’t Stop - We Are Scientists
I Don’t Mind - Slumber Party
Airplanes - Local Natives
Under the Sheets - Ellie Goulding
In the Sun - She & Him
Standing Where You Left Me - Erik Hassle
Positively 4th Street - Bob Dylan

What song has left you with the urge to say Play It Again, Sam this week, my loves?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Tumblr for the picture.


Don't forget to enter the Real Fashionistas Wear Aprons Giveaway for your chance to win a fabulous retro/vintage apron from Christa Taylor.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Style Secrets: Rachel Leigh

A girl never forgets her first designer purchase; remember that, dolls. See that well-coiffed fashionista skipping along the sidewalk, Chanel 2.55 dangling from her dainty wrist; or the skinny jeans wearing hipster whose feet are stuffed into classic black pumps, proudly displaying the signature cherry red sole synonymous with Christian Louboutin? Ask either how they obtained their decadent designer wares, and, without question, a brilliant tale recanting how these pretties came to be in their possession will come tumbling out of their lusciously lacquered lips. As for me, the name Rachel Leigh will forever stand out in my mind, for my very first designer purchase came courtesy of Ms. Leigh via her Romantic Headband.

Darlings, you know I’m not the biggest advocate of impulse buys; but that is precisely how the Romantic Headband came to be in my possession. All it took was one glance upon the delicate, winter white lace constructed headpiece, and I was instantly overwhelmed with whimsical musings of settings wherein such an accessory would stop people in their tracks; which ran the gamut of charming tea parties complete with bow-adorned gloves a la Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland to chic soirees held on Park Avenue involving handsome suitors, and the wardrobe of Cecily von Ziegesar’s Blair Waldorf. And thus, the purchase was made.

So of course I was thrilled to have the chance to discuss style with the lovely Rachel; because just as one never forgets her first designer purchase, it is absolutely impossible to allow the style secrets of the person behind such a gorgeous creation to escape one’s memory!

What is your number one style secret and why?
RL: My style secret is entirely about having confidence (understanding your personal style is part of this) and looking polished.

Regardless of weight or body type, it's about understanding and embracing who you are, dressing to accentuate your assets and conceal your weaknesses and more than anything, carrying yourself with confidence.

Whether your look is feminine, girly, edgy, or tomboy, looking polished is integral to having great style.


I rely on leggings and pants with a skinny-fit to keep myself looking and feeling polished on a daily basis. How do you keep yourself looking polished, darlings? And tell me…what was your first designer purchase?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Rachel Leigh for the picture.


Don't forget to enter the Real Fashionistas Wear Aprons Giveaway for your chance to win a fabulous retro/vintage apron from Christa Taylor.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Smitten Saturday

The Girl in Pearls Dolls, a time comes in every girls life when she must ditch diamonds – if only for a single evening – and replace them with the more classic, yet understated preppiness of the diamond of the deep sea…pearls. As someone who flocks to sparkly baubles like a moth to a flame, however, I find this a difficult task. Therefore, if one is expected to become the girl in pearls for any period of time, the pearls in question must be drop dead gorgeous and worthy of taking the place of sparkly bits that shimmer and glimmer in any situation.

Kenneth Jay Lane’s Nestled Pearl Necklace is a wondrous representation of a piece of frippery that does pearls justice by making them stand-out in the form of long, glistening layers; putting a sophisticated yet youthful spin on a classic. There’s no question that Free People’s Pearl & Chain Nested Necklace will make an unspeakable statement when paired with a luscious LBD. And really…what better way to stop people in their tracks, mouths agape, than by proudly displaying Free People’s Pearl Encrusted Gold Cuff around your wrist. Ready to transform yourself into the girl in pearls, darling?

Café Fashionista in Wonderland My love of fairytales has made it nearly impossible for me to entirely grow-up. Part of me will forever be stuck as a child awaiting all sorts of magic to take place in my bedroom once night falls, the curtains are drawn, and I am supposed to be drifting off to dreamland. If it wasn’t Wendy from Barrie’s Peter Pan, it was Alice from Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Her curiosity always intrigued me; but even more, I was quite envious of her time spent at the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. Despite the fact that I primarily drink coffee, I am in complete and utter adoration with all things influenced by tea – from parties to cups and everything else imaginable. Therefore I see it completely necessary for me to spend a day in Alice’s shoes – sans the White Rabbit, sadly – at Alice’s Tea Cup.

So the Queen of Hearts won’t be around to try her hand at beheading me, and the Cheshire Cat won’t be there to grin at me mischievously or tell me riddles; but the whimsy experienced at the Park Avenue palace complete with petit fours, crumpets, and a spread of other mouth-watering desserts is bound to make me feel like Café Fashionista in Wonderland. Care to fall down the rabbit hole with me, kittens?

DIY Darling It pains me to admit such a thing, but no matter how many times I attempt to perfect my own version of a style spotted on the runway, it ends up turning out less than fabulous. Step-by-step instructions, diagrams, photographs…any and all bits put forth to assist me in creating sheer splendor fall flat in my disastrous DIY endeavors. It has led me to believe that I am simply not cut out for crafting. I suppose my talent lies in putting pen to paper; not scissors to fabric or similar undertakings. But it’s hard to accept such an inartistic fate. I long to don frippery that has formed via my very own fingers; thus, I am relying on P.S. – I Made This… to help me channel the DIY darling lurking underneath my naïveté facade.

The Preppy Patch Necklace with just a few snips and a dab or two of glue seems the ideal way to add a little Blair Waldorf with just the tiniest hint of Jack Sparrow to my jewelry drawer. The Art Deco Headband, a homemade tiara-like hair accessory sporting the same type of romance and innocence as a Rachel Leigh original may be the simplest project due to the sheer fact that it requires nothing more than a glue gun. And a fabulous Rachel Zoe-inspired Faux Fur Vest is bound to keep me warm and looking wonderful through the fall and winter months. Ready to get in touch with your own DIY darling, loves?

What were you smitten with this week?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Tumblr and Free People for the pictures.


Don't forget to enter the Real Fashionistas Wear Aprons Giveaway for your chance to win a fabulous retro/vintage apron from Christa Taylor.

Friday, March 26, 2010

Real Fashionistas Wear Aprons Giveaway

Here’s to hoping that I’m not the only one who received a few styling tips from the likes of Beaver Cleaver’s beloved mother June during adolescence. Before the term fashionista had even been thought up, Mrs. Cleaver was displaying characteristics of a fabulous fashion maven via her never-ending supply of kitchen aprons; all of which made the transition from unfussy cooking uniform to stunning hostess attire with complete ease. It is this effortlessness alone which just goes to show that real fashionistas wear aprons; and now one (1) of you has the chance to make one your very own.

Café Fashionista has teamed up with Portland, Oregon designer Christa Taylor to bring one (1) of you fantastic foodies the apron pictured at right – a kitchen accessory that will make you look fabulous even when you’re in the midst of cooking up a storm (or simply sneaking a few spoonfuls of cake batter before popping your prize-winning dessert into the oven!).

To Enter the Real Fashionistas Wear Aprons Giveaway:

Visit Christa Taylor and choose your favorite item.

For one (1) entry, leave a comment on this post between now and Thursday, April 1, 2010 at midnight PST stating which Christa Taylor item is your favorite.

For two (2) entries, Twitter about this giveaway, and leave a comment on this post stating which Christa Taylor item is your favorite between now and Thursday, April 1, 2010 at midnight PST with your Twitter URL.

For three (3) entries, become a follower of Café Fashionista on Blogger/Google Reader/Google Friend Connect/Twitter, and leave a comment on this post stating which Christa Taylor item is your favorite between now and Thursday, April 1, 2010 at midnight PST (if you are already a Café Fashionista follower, please say so in your comment).

I will randomly pick one (1) name out of a hat (who knows, it could be yours!), and announce the winner on Friday, April 2, 2010.

Good luck everyone!

This Giveaway is open to U.S. Residents!


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Christa Taylor for the picture.

The Seasonable Fashionista Giveaway Winners

Less than a week has passed since the chilly winter officially transitioned into sunny spring; therefore now is obviously as good a time as any to bestow a copy of Mireille Guiliano’s French Women for All Seasons upon three (3) of you fashionable foodies! Congratulations to…

…shopgirl of Sugar and spice and all things nice, Jen of A Little Bird Told Me…, and Jasna of FashionJazz! With this book in tow there’s no doubt in my mind that the three of you will be living the yummiest existence imaginable year-round!

Please e-mail me at cafefashionista@yahoo.com with your mailing address to claim your prize.

Thank you to the winners, and to everyone who entered Café Fashionista’s giveaway!


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to We ♥ It for the picture.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Thrifty Thursday: Miu Miu Cork and Leather Wedge Sandals for Less

Darlings, regardless of what you may or may not have been told over the years, wedge sandals are not merely a maybe or might when it comes to footwear and the fashionista; au contraire, kitty cats, they are of the utmost importance to one’s burgeoning collection of shoes. As essential to one’s year-round wardrobe as dripping ice cream cones, or funnel cake piled high with powdered sugar are to a day at the county fair.

But I digress; to put it in simpler terms, wedge sandals are the footwear equivalent to the diamonds adored so much by Marilyn Monroe…a girls’ best friend. They proffer the same sort of height found within your sophisticated stilettos; yet retain a splash of effortless, bohemian elegance that your pumps simply don’t possess. And no pair compares to the fabulous free spirited finesse showcased upon Miu Miu’s Cork and Leather Wedge Sandals.

Crafted out of a mix of supple brown leather and an earthy cork sole; Miu Miu’s Cork and Leather Wedge Sandals contribute a down-to-earth, folksy aesthetic to your look du jour which invokes thoughts of sing-alongs hosted shore side around the flickering glow of a fire, lead by a scruffy boy strumming languidly upon an acoustic guitar.

But no, it is not just the frame of mind, or hippie era that the Cork and Leather Wedge Sandals transport you to the moment you slip them on; the true piece de resistance of their grooviness, I’ll have you know, lies within their ability to lengthen your legs courtesy of their rich, yet natural tones – a characteristic destined to make any girl jump for joy!

Sadly no jumping – or leaping, skipping, and any other sort of behavior exhibited when excitement is in full bloom – will be taking place. For, while absolutely mesmerizing in their design, the $650.00 price tag which comes attached to these wicked wedges leaves much to be desired. Luckily Rosegold’s Women’s Casey Wedge serves up the same sort of style as their high-end counterparts for a fraction of the price.

While not the cheapest form of footwear on the block; for $168.00, you can have Miu Miu good looks at Rosegold’s ravishing prices!

Your turn loves…will you be thrifty or suckered into putting on your spendthrift cap?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Net-A-Porter and Amazon for the pictures.


Don't forget to enter The Seasonable Fashionista Giveaway for your chance to win a copy of Mireille Guiliano’s French Women for All Seasons.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Why Don't You...?

…fill up on frosting? Everyone knows that the frosting is the best part of any dessert; therefore, accidentally-on-purpose forget the cake mix at the supermarket, and instead buy containers of cream cheese, caramel, and milk chocolate frosting. What to do next? Dig in, of course!

…write your autobiography? Darlings, there is absolutely no question in my mind that you are destined to be superstars in the very near future; get started on your memoirs early!

…spend the day chasing butterflies? Slip off your towering Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent Luella Zip Wedge Sandals, top your luxurious locks with a pretty sunhat, and run freely through an open field after your newfound fluttering friends!

…search for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? Do beware of leprechauns, kitty cats; they’re rumored to be quite vicious!

…flashback to another era – in terms of style, that is? Go sixties mod a la Twiggy via spider lashes, and mini dresses. Play the role of twenties flapper with feathered headbands and fringed frocks. Allocate the use of faux fur vests and empire waist dresses to channel your inner seventies haute hippie. Or simply be a maniac by styling yourself in eighties-inspired off-the-shoulder tops and legwarmers. Dolls there are times when modern style is completely overrated – this is one of them!


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Cindy Whitehead for the picture.


Don't forget to enter The Seasonable Fashionista Giveaway for your chance to win a copy of Mireille Guiliano’s French Women for All Seasons.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Tightwad Tuesday: Herve Leger Josephine One-Shoulder Foil Dress for Less

Kitty cats what is it that they say regarding the painless removal of band-aids – one should rip it off quickly, as opposed to slowly tearing it away from the skin, correct? If only removing thoughts of the bandage dress from one’s mind was as simple a task. But alas, so is not the case; and for good reason!

Darlings, the bandage dress is not something that should easily slip from one’s thoughts, as it is a style that every girl should have hanging in her closet, regardless of how often it is deemed appropriate to be trotted out to tantalize the senses of random passersby as you wow the world with your wardrobe during a daring girls’ night out or enchanting excursion complete with cute boy, a dozen red roses, and a candlelit dinner for two. Throw in a shimmering metallic hue, and there’s no question that you’re on the road to refined elegance in the fabulous frock department – case in point, Herve Leger’s Josephine One-Shoulder Foil Dress.

Try as you might, my loves, I truly cannot imagine unearthing a design which embodies the same sort of bliss proffered by the majestic Josephine, as she goes where no bodycon beauty has ever gone before.

Josephine does not feel relegated to sticking to just one seductive characteristic; quite the opposite in fact. Instead, she is constructed with thoughts of making the wearer feel as beautiful as she looks by not only hugging each and every curve to create a slinky silhouette; but by fulfilling the ultimate in come-hither techniques by allowing one’s shoulder to play peek-a-boo via the coquettish, toga-inspired aesthetic – a trait which ensures that you look like the glittering goddess we all know you to be. If only Josephine’s price tag were a little less influenced by the goddesses of yesteryear.

At $1,690.00 – now on sale for $844.99 – it is quite unlikely that we will have the chance to call Josephine our new BFF; nevertheless, we still have the chance to make her sleek style our own courtesy of the Metallic One-Shoulder Banded Dress from Express.

Only $79.50, Express’ elegant Metallic One-Shoulder Banded Dress is every bit as stunning as its high-end counterpart; with the added bonus of being priced just right for the beautiful bargain hunter!

Is today the day for you to please the big spender within; or will you play it cool and be thrifty?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Saks Fifth Avenue and Express for the pictures.


Don't forget to enter The Seasonable Fashionista Giveaway for your chance to win a copy of Mireille Guiliano’s French Women for All Seasons.

Guest Post at The Embellished Life!

Believe it or not, my loves, dating and shoe shopping go hand in hand with one another. Think I'm joking, darlings? Wrong; I would never lie to you! Find out how to score the boy, the fabulous footwear, and a second date with the cutie in question in Beauty and the Feet, my Guest Post over at The Embellished Life. After all, it's impossible to find the perfect boy until you've snagged yourself the absolute perfect pair of shoes!


Fashionably yours!

Monday, March 22, 2010

Play It Again, Sam

As You Are - jj (Red Mitchell)
Lover I Don’t Have to Love - Bright Eyes
Ice Cream - The Sound of Arrows
Dancing With Tears In My Eyes - Ke$ha
Teardrops - The Xx
This Too Shall Pass - OK Go
Here We Go Again - Pixie Lott
Confetti - 1,2,3
Lost Things - A Fine Frenzy
Electric Feel - MGMT

What song has left you with the urge to say Play It Again, Sam this week, my loves?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Tumblr for the picture.


Don't forget to enter The Seasonable Fashionista Giveaway for your chance to win a copy of Mireille Guiliano’s French Women for All Seasons.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Style Secrets: Meg Cabot

You can blame her, you know; Meg Cabot that is. After all, she’s the one responsible for my incessant urge to wear dazzling jeweled tiaras wherever I go. Come to think of it, she is accountable for many of the slightly quirky habits I’ve retained from my adolescence, given the fact that much of my formative years were spent holed up in my bedroom, my nose buried deep within books I believed to be written entirely about me, a la The Princess Diaries. Fine, so I lacked the royal title, or the height of Princess Mia; but, at the time, I was a Doc Marten-wearing vegetarian navigating the vile waters of high school algebra who believed that she was my fictional counterpart – as I’m sure many of you did; don’t even try to deny it!

But I digress; darlings, we may not, in all actuality, be Princess Mia (or, for that matter, the plus-sized, ex-pop-star-turned-Assistant-Dormitory-Director-slash-amateur-sleuth Heather Wells of Size 12 Is Not Fat; the Winona Ryder obsessed gossip columnist Melissa Fuller of The Boy Next Door; Em Watts/Nikki Howard, geek-turned-supermodel, of Airhead; or even the glitter loving fourth grader Allie Finkle of Allie Finkle’s Rules for Girls), but indulging in the work of Meg Cabot is, and forever will be, synonymous with reading a note from your best friend – one smuggled from hand to hand under the shelter of a wooden school desk scarred with carvings depicting the names of prior students and fellow classmates alike; each minute message full of mysteries meant for your eyes only.

And what do we do with best friends, my loves? Ask them for advice on style, of course! Meg herself has been kind enough to share her number one secret with us!

What is your number one style secret and why?
MC: Wear what makes you feel good, not what other people say is the latest trend. A lot of times what's "in" isn't necessarily right for YOU (Louboutins? The girls on Sex and the City might love them but I've never found a pair I can walk in comfortably. And what's the deal with khakis? I've yet to put on a pair that don't make my butt look gigantic).

Just find what feels good (while still making you look good, of course), even if it means not going with the hottest designer. Who knows? Maybe you'll be the next trendsetter!


You know those fringe boots that so many have cast to the wayside, lovers? I believe that I'll be playing trendsetter by donning them with denim cutoffs - a throwback to the bohemian styles I adore so much. How will you show your trendsetter colors today, kittens?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to The Unquiet Library for the picture.


Don't forget to enter The Seasonable Fashionista Giveaway for your chance to win a copy of Mireille Guiliano’s French Women for All Seasons.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Smitten Saturday

For the Love of Lace Here’s to hoping that my utter adoration for lace in terms of fashion doesn’t come as a surprise to any of you, kitty cats; after all, it’s a fabrication that will forever be on the tip of my tongue. Lace is the quintessential way to channel one’s femininity; an ethereal, romantic construction which invokes images of Jane Austen’s spirited heroines; afternoons spent sipping tea in posh parlors while accoutered in layers of petticoats; and the ravishing beauties of Anna Godbersen’s The Luxe traipsing up and down Fifth Avenue, majestic parasols held high over their perfectly-coiffed heads. But don’t be fooled dolls; lace is a multifaceted material which harbors the ability to juxtapose between refined and rebellious – as visible via American Apparel’s Lace Tee.

Lovers I have forever been…smitten by the versatility of American Apparel’s designs. Their seemingly simple ability to meld into any given situation, and rise to the occasion at all times has forever left me flabbergasted; thus the reason I was so thrilled when AA sent the Lace Tee in Black Leaf Flower my way. Delicate in its crafting, the Lace Tee is the epitome of decadent architecture that will see you through winter, spring, summer, and fall, serving as a loose-fitting layering tee for blissful afternoons spent frolicking on the beach, or a seductive style to top a sinewy pencil skirt come nightfall. Ready to lace it up, kitty cats?

Mix It Up There are very few things that I heart in life as much as a good old-fashioned mix tape. While cute boys are often hesitant to put pen to paper and write the girl of their dreams (or girl of the moment) a sentimental love letter, many are more than willing to spend hours upon hours searching for songs that make them think of the one they’re currently devoted to – something which, in my mind, may be even better than a petite note which divulges oft-times fleeting moments and romances. Thus the reason why I’m currently plagued by an obsession with Cassette From My Ex.

Crowded with sixty tales of love, loss, heartache, and crushes, Cassette From My Ex is a charming compilation full of witty stories and soundtracks penned by the heaviest hitters in music and journalism – from Rolling Stone’s Jancee Dunn to The New Yoker’s Ben Greenman, and The Magnetic Fields’ Claudia Gonson. It’s a trip down memory lane that makes you sentimental for the eight tracks which have since been replaced by compact discs and digital media. And honestly…who can really resist nostalgia like that?

Smoke and Mirrors I’ve flirted with the idea of red lips; but I find it impossible to forsake my beloved blackest black mascara and dark as night liquid eyeliner for a punchy pout. I would much rather stay true to my love for smoky eyes and a nude lip; if only I could figure out a way to perfect said smoky eye. Don’t get me wrong, kittens, I have the mascara and eyeliner down pat, it is the eye shadow that has me in a tizzy. I truly have no knowledge of such a cosmetic. It has never been a part of my daily makeup regimen; therefore, it is completely foreign to me. Yet I must mingle as one with such a product in order to achieve the look I’m, at present time, coveting with every fiber of my being. So I suppose I should let the hunt begin. The question is…where to start?

Should I get down with a single shade, such as Tarina Tarantino’s Eye Dream Hypershadow in Chain or Butterfly Black, or mark’s I-Mark Custom Pick Eye Shadow in Corset; or should I indulge in an entire smoky kit, like Dior’s 5-Colour Designer All-In-One Artistry Palette – Smoky Design, or Two Faced’s Smoky Eye Palette? Darlings, I simply must admit…selecting the optimal eye shadow may just be as difficult as choosing the perfect boy!

What were you smitten with this week?


Thanks to M Loves M and American Apparel for the pictures.


Don't forget to enter The Seasonable Fashionista Giveaway for your chance to win a copy of Mireille Guiliano’s French Women for All Seasons.

Friday, March 19, 2010

The Seasonable Fashionista Giveaway

Darlings, need I remind you that, while each and every one of us favors a particular time of year (for me, it’s fall!), we must welcome all four seasons with open arms, and accept the special gift proffered from them all. As Yoko Ono once said, “Spring passes and one remembers one's innocence. Summer passes and one remembers one's exuberance. Autumn passes and one remembers one's reverence. Winter passes and one remembers one's perseverance.” These are words to live by, my loves, as they are an uncomplicated way of shedding light upon the beauty of life – year-round!

I know, I know; you may find it simpler to cook the hearty meals required to get you through a long winter, or perhaps dressing for the sultry summer is more appealing than layering for the cool chill of fall. Regardless of your preference, surviving twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, three-hundred and sixty-five days a year is possible – at least according to Mireille Guiliano. Brace yourselves, kitty cats…something wondrous this way comes.

In true seasonable style, Café Fashionista has teamed up with Vintage Books to bring not one, not two, but three (3) of you lovable lambs Mireille Guiliano’s French Women for All Seasons; a follow-up to her bestseller French Women Don’t Get Fat, full to the brim with yummy recipes, and even yummier tips on entertaining, grooming, shopping, exercising, cooking, and everything in between to ensure that you live your life to the fullest from beginning to end!

To Enter The Seasonable Fashionista Giveaway:

For one (1) entry, leave a comment on this post between now and Thursday, March 25, 2010 at midnight PST.

For two (2) entries, Twitter about this giveaway, and leave a comment on this post between now and Thursday, March 25, 2010 at midnight PST with your Twitter URL.

For three (3) entries, become a follower of Café Fashionista on Blogger/Google Reader/Google Friend Connect/Twitter, and leave a comment on this post between now and Thursday, March 25, 2010 at midnight PST (if you are already a Café Fashionista follower, please say so in your comment).

I will randomly pick three (3) names out of a hat (who knows, one of them could be yours!), and announce the winners on Friday, March 26, 2010.

Good luck everyone!

And yes, this Giveaway is open to everyone – U.S. or International residents!


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to The Hippo for the picture.

The Little White Dress Giveaway Winner

Dolls, only two days remain until the first day of spring is officially upon us; and obviously there is no more fabulous way to ring in the start of a new season than styled in a head-turning, jaw-dropping frock covered in feminine ruffles. The Aryn K Ivory Ruffle Dress from TheWhiteDressShop.com fits this description to a T; and now one (1) of you lovelies will be taking it home. Congratulations to…

…Laura Gerencser of Buttons and Ribbons! Here’s to welcoming spring in true sassy style, my love!

Please e-mail me at cafefashionista@yahoo.com with your mailing address and your dress size (S – L) to claim your prize.

Thank you to the winner, and to everyone who entered Café Fashionista’s giveaway!


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Shop N’ Chomp for the picture.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Café Fashionista Featured in SIX7*8th Magazine

Kitty cats you know how much I adore my magazines. While I spend my days browsing blogs on the Internet, the moment night falls there is nothing I adore more than curling up with a colorful glossy, and flipping through the pages until slumber completely overtakes me. Hence the reason why I was so thrilled when Angie Rangel and Carol S. Rothchild, the Publisher and Editorial Director of SIX7*8th Magazine asked me to be a part of their Cool Careers series under the title Fashion Blogger for the Winter 2010 issue.

Despite the fact that I am long out of junior high (SIX7*8th’s target audience), I have been a huge fan of the magazine since its debut back in 2006, and even had the opportunity to be a contributor, and interview The Jonas Brothers for them a few years back; therefore I jumped at the chance to be a part of such a fun project! After what seems like years – but, in all actuality, was only a couple of months – the issue has finally hit stands! I am scanning the interview on here (click the images to enlarge them!); but do go out and buy a copy if you’re able, as the magazine is full of fabulousness that is sure to make you a forever fan – regardless of age!




Fashionably yours!


Thanks to SIX7*8th for the magazine scans, and Tiffany Sorocco (my sister) for the picture of me in the sunnies.


Don't forget to enter The Little White Dress Giveaway for your chance to win the Aryn K Ivory Ruffle Dress from TheWhiteDressShop.com.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Why Don't You...?

…pull the covers over your head and go back to bed? Your bed is your sanctuary; therefore, today you are not to leave it!

…throw a tea party that would make the Mad Hatter envious? Style yourself in a candy-colored frock, order a box of Sprinkles Cupcakes in a variety of flavors, steep the tea (I’m partial to vanilla myself), and let the fun begin. Perhaps Alice or the White Rabbit will even pop in for an impromptu visit and a cupcake or two!

…flirt like it’s going out of style? It’s a known fact that flirting boosts self-esteem; so slick a bit of mark’s Gloss Gorgeous in Lolli upon your lips, blow yourself a kiss in the bathroom mirror, and get your flirt on!

…play the role of Dr. Seuss and host Opposite Day? Up means down; left means right; save…means splurge – go out and buy that Twenty8Twelve Charisse Romper you’ve been eyeing, darlings!

…tear up today’s to-do list and be spontaneous? As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Our spontaneous action is always the best. You cannot, with your best deliberation and heed, come so close to any question as your spontaneous glance shall bring you.”


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Tumblr for the picture.


Don't forget to enter The Little White Dress Giveaway for your chance to win the Aryn K Ivory Ruffle Dress from TheWhiteDressShop.com.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Tightwad Tuesday: Rag & Bone Tailrace Shirtdress for a Steal

Darlings, I have no qualms about owning up to the truth; and the truth, at this precise moment, is that I am head over heels not only for chambray, but, specifically, chambray shirtdresses!

There is an element of bohemian elegance proffered via the sophisticated simplicity of the shirtdress; a majestically mussed, refined rumpled, posh playfulness showcased by the design, which makes one look as if they are accoutered in the very same dress shirt their cute boy du jour wore to a chichi corporate affair just last night, as opposed to a freshly laundered cut crafted with the curvy lady in mind. Therefore it should come as no surprise that Rag & Bone’s Tailrace Shirtdress is my new clothing crush.

Harboring a fold-over collar, eight-button closure, and shirttail hem identical to that seen upon dapper menswear; the Tailrace Shirtdress easily juxtaposes between masculinity and femininity in terms of design courtesy of a more fitted bodice which hugs one’s curves, whilst still allowing enough slack to make one feel relaxed, carefree, and fabulous!

Kitty cats, I truly cannot help it! Already my mind is ablaze with styling ideas for the piece de resistance of quintessential spring attire! Today I’ll haphazardly lasso a skinny, woven, cognac-hued belt around the waist and slip on a pair of knee-high, weatherbeaten riding boots for a rustic look; come this evening I’ll slide on a pair of black liquid leggings and sky-high stilettos to radiate effortless grandeur; and bright and early tomorrow morning you’ll see me gallivanting off to a blissful brunch dressed in nothing more than the Tailrace Shirtdress hanging lankly from my frame and a pair of glittering ballerinas for a truly laidback silhouette. All in my dreams, of course.

I suppose I should have let you in on that horrid little secret long ago, lovers; though, in all honesty, I was hoping it would magically disappear. The exorbitant price tag, that is. Beautiful, yes; affordable…absolutely not – for at $325.00 one could buy almost an entire new wardrobe for the amount required to make the Tailrace Shirtdress their own. Not to worry, of course; Ella is here to save the day.

While slightly darker in color, Alloy’s Ella Shirt Dress is just as decadent as Rag & Bone’s ravishing beauty; but at $39.90 a piece, one has the ability to snag it in both colors, and still have quite a bit left over for a glamorous spa day with the girls!

Which role have you decided to undertake on this terrific Tuesday, kittens? Tightwad or spendthrift?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Shopbop and Alloy for the pictures.


Don't forget to enter The Little White Dress Giveaway for your chance to win the Aryn K Ivory Ruffle Dress from TheWhiteDressShop.com.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Play It Again, Sam

Waiting for a War - The Morning Benders
The Last High - The Dandy Warhols
The First Single - The Format
Pursuit of Happiness - Kid Cudi
Starring - Freelance Whales
Hello Seattle - Owl City
Caring Is Creepy - The Shins
Trouble is a Friend - Lenka
Car Song - Elastica
Ocean City Girl - Ivy

What song has left you with the urge to say Play It Again, Sam this week, my loves?

Fashionably yours!

Thanks to Tumblr for the picture.


Don't forget to enter The Little White Dress Giveaway for your chance to win the Aryn K Ivory Ruffle Dress from TheWhiteDressShop.com.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Style Secrets: Doe Deere

Darlings, Antoine de Saint-Exupery once said “All grown-ups were children first. (But few of them remember it.)” Luckily for us, Doe Deere is one of the very rare individuals in this world who has not succumbed to such a dreadful fate. As the self-professed Queen of Unicorns, Doe – a New York City-based model, and makeup artist – has built herself a virtual magical kingdom based around whimsy, imagination, and a love of fairytales, in the form of Lime Crime Makeup.

Harboring the tagline “So Bright, It’s Illegal!” Lime Crime is made up of highly-pigmented lip and eye colors (fantastically known as Candyfuture Opaque Lipstick and Magic Dust), all of which feature fanciful monikers such as Circus Girl, Fairy Wings, and Great Pink Planet – hues that electrify ones pasty pallor in mere moments!

Now, despite the fact that Lime Crime products are being sold in shops like Urban Outfitters and Space NK; and the line boasts celebrity fans such as Avril Lavigne, Katy Perry, and Regina Spektor, you would think that Doe would be unreachable by her many admirers. You couldn’t be more wrong, my loves! Regardless of her busy schedule, Doe posts daily tutorials and advice on Doe Deere Blogazine; and even took the time to reveal her number one style secret…to us!

What is your number one style secret and why?
DD: My number one style secret is not to be afraid of color. A lot of women today are so used to seeing themselves in neutrals, the minute they throw on something bright they go into color shock. Wearing color is not difficult - it just takes some getting used to! To break out of a color rut, start with small accessories like shoes, gloves and hats. Once you feel a little more comfortable wearing color, expand into skirts, tights, coats, and purses. You have a vibrant personality, why hide it behind boring clothes?

Here's to making the world a brighter place! :D


Today I think I’ll allocate the use of a purple frock that has been collecting dust in my closet. How will your wardrobe make the world a brighter place, kitty cats?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Doe Deere for the picture.


Don't forget to enter The Little White Dress Giveaway for your chance to win the Aryn K Ivory Ruffle Dress from TheWhiteDressShop.com.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Smitten Saturday

Twinkle Toes Girls really get the short end of the stick when it comes to dressing for a night out, don’t you think, dearests? While boys are allowed to cover themselves from head to toe, we being the fashionable femme fatales that we are, find ourselves compelled to be daring in our dress, allowing slivers of our soft, porcelain skin to be frostbitten by whipping winds for the sake of style. I don’t know about all of you, but there is one bit of my body that simply cannot be exposed to cutting conditions…my feet!

Winter, spring, summer, or fall, my tootsies can always be found bound in tights or socks that will keep them cozy no matter how low the temperature drops; therefore, yes, I will be donning my pleasing peep-toes for the holiday season, but no, my pedicured paws will not be bare. I shall be perusing a trio of lingerie-inspired girls by the names of Maria, Gloria, and Rita to keep my toes toasty yet tantalizing all at once. Voet Hosiery’s sassy scalloping, luring lace, and magnetizing mesh embellishments turn typical peds into swank selections you’ll be dying to show off to your friends, and don with your most darling pairs of slingbacks, ballerinas, and peep-toes. Which Voet girl is your favorite?

This Magic Moment Perhaps I’m unable to speak for all of you; but the concept of time capsules has forever left me riddled with excitement! There’s something quite enchanting about putting your hopes, dreams, and memories into a box, sealing it with a Juice Gems kiss, and settling it out of sight for years upon years, only to open it later on in life to reminisce, and re-discover your old self. But alas; far too many time capsules are buried underground, never to be seen again. So is not something to worry about with The Moment Jars. As opposed to spending countless hours searching for the perfect pieces to install in your capsule, The Moment Jars provides one with the ability to create as many as they’d like, and share them virtually with the world Online. What memories will you lock away in your moment jar?

Frosty Freeze Kitty cats, why on earth are we allowing Frosty the Snowman to have all the fun? There he is gallivanting through the streets singing jubilantly, a trail of pint-sized pals following closely in his wake, and where are we? Searching for the perfect product to coat our lips, of course! But lip gloss doesn’t always make the cut. Yes darlings, I’ve said it…when it comes to a powerful pucker sometimes we must forgo the slick surface of gloss, and embrace a frosty smooch for a kisser that draws crowds. A hue reminiscent of freshly fallen snow tinged with persuasive pastel or nude shades that play upon your lips in the most luxurious of fashions.

Rimmel’s Lasting Finish Lipstick in Frosted is the perfect present for the golden girl looking to add a subtle shimmer to her nude attitude. For the city slicker who loves bold colors, there’s no better choice than the brazen New York Apple from MAC. And the sophisticate who wants only an ever so slight sparkle will never be able to resist mark’s Pro Glimmer Hook Up Lip Powder. Layer it underneath your gloss du jour for an effect which juxtaposes between coquettish and cosmopolitan. Ready to get frosty?

What were you smitten with this week?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Tumblr and Voet Hosiery for the pictures.


Don't forget to enter The Little White Dress Giveaway for your chance to win the Aryn K Ivory Ruffle Dress from TheWhiteDressShop.com.

Time After Time Orient Automatic Watch Giveaway Winner

With all the hoopla surrounding the film release of Alice in Wonderland, I am not at all surprised to learn that many of you have begun to feel a bit envious of the waistcoat-wearing White Rabbit’s glittering timepiece. After all, such a wondrous trinket is an absolute necessity – especially for the girl on the go who must forever be aware of both her surroundings and pressing schedule. Not to worry my loves; the time has finally come to announce the winner of the glorious Orient Automatic Watch so many of you fell in love with just a few short days ago. Congratulations to…

…Mimi of Class and Fab! Time will forever be on your side with this stunning timepiece wrapped around your wrist!

Please e-mail me at cafefashionista@yahoo.com with your mailing address to claim your prize.

Thank you to the winner, and to everyone who entered Café Fashionista’s giveaway!


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Stardust and Sequins for the picture.

Friday, March 12, 2010

The Little White Dress Giveaway

Darlings by now I imagine you have all heeded Holly Golightly’s advice and found yourself a little black dress that seems as if it were made for you, and only you, in mind; a slinky little number that makes you look and feel like a queen. I have news for you, lovers; your wardrobe is still incomplete! Yes, it’s obvious you’ve got the little black dress covered; but what about the white?

While oftentimes overlooked, the LWD is just as essential to one’s closet as the LBD. It serves as the yang, to the LBD’s yin; the vanilla to the LBD’s chocolate; the Robin to the LBD’s Batman. And now, kitty cats, one (1) of you blazing beauties has the chance to take one home.

Just in time for the white hot summer, Café Fashionista has teamed up with TheWhiteDressShop.com to bring one (1) fortunate fashionista the Aryn K Ivory Ruffle Dress – a flirty piece capable of making you look radiant whether frolicking upon the sandy shore with a cute boy or taking part in a bit of retail therapy on a sultry summer day.

To Enter The Little White Dress Giveaway:

Visit TheWhiteDressShop.com and choose your favorite dress.

For one (1) entry, leave a comment on this post between now and Thursday, March 18, 2010 at midnight PST stating which TheWhiteDressShop.com dress is your favorite.

For two (2) entries, Twitter about this giveaway, and leave a comment on this post stating which TheWhiteDressShop.com dress is your favorite between now and Thursday, March 18, 2010 at midnight PST with your Twitter URL.

For three (3) entries, become a follower of Café Fashionista on Blogger/Google Reader/Google Friend Connect, and leave a comment on this post stating which TheWhiteDressShop.com dress is your favorite between now and Thursday, March 18, 2010 at midnight PST (if you are already a Café Fashionista follower, please say so in your comment).

I will randomly pick one (1) name out of a hat (who knows, it could be yours!), and announce the winner on Friday, March 19, 2010.

Good luck everyone!

This Giveaway is open to U.S. Residents! Winner will be able to choose their dress size.


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to TheWhiteDressShop.com for the picture.


Don't forget to enter the Time After Time Orient Automatic Watch Giveaway for your chance to win a watch from Orient Watch USA.

Quick Fashion Fix Giveaway Winner

Kitty cats, at this very moment I am hoping that none of you has paid a visit to the tailor’s shop in the past week to have your too-loose jeans taken in, or your too-tight black mini let out, for, as you all know, the Adjust-A-Button from bristols6 is capable of doing all this and more for mere pennies compared to what you’d pay a seamstress; and now one (1) of you is about to call it your own. Congratulations to…

…Jen of babbling! Fat days begone; you’re now armed with a quintessential tool ideal for combating any fashion flub that life throws your way!

Please e-mail me at cafefashionista@yahoo.com with your mailing address to claim your prize.

Thank you to the winner, and to everyone who entered Café Fashionista’s giveaway!


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to SoSoJuicy for the picture.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Thrifty Thursday: Smythe Wool Shawl Collar Girlfriend Blazer on a Budget

Let’s be honest, shall we, my loves? One cannot officially launch spring or summer until they are in possession of an accoutrement that is white, wonderful, and, without a doubt, multifaceted enough to be labeled a wear-with-all. A design that creates a stir whether topping your neutral-toned Nude Look Dress from mark, or a simple pair of Rag & Bone’s The Straight Jeans.

Yes darlings, I am aware of how much you adore your midnight hues, and noir shades – as do I; but come the arrival of warm whether, it is essential for one to lighten their wardrobe in terms of color scheme, if only to properly welcome in the new season. And there is no more perfect way to do so, than with the addition of a sassy splash of white – specifically, Smythe’s Wool Shawl Collar Girlfriend Blazer.

Leave the boyfriend at home today, kitty cats; Smythe’s Wool Shawl Collar Girlfriend Blazer proffers the very same just-pulled-from-the-significant-others-closet personality of the boyfriend blazer, with the added benefit of knowing that it was created particularly with the willowy, curvy shape of the glamorous gal’s silhouette in mind!

Sleek and sinewy in its aesthetic, Smythe’s saucy style is crafted entirely out of ivory wool, and adorned with rolled cuffs decadently displaying a three-button closure upon each one to ensure that you can create three-quarter sleeves with little to no fuss; while the one-button fastener about the front molds a perfect profile which safeguards that you look elegant at all times.

‘Tis a shame the scathing price tag is just as elegant and haut monde as the design, for at $550.00, it seems unlikely that very many would have the funds available to splurge on such a cosmopolitan cut. The same, however, cannot be said for White House Black Market’s Ecru Shawl Collar Jacket.

At just $49.99, White House Black Market’s beauty is precisely what the doctor ordered for the frugal fashionista!

Tell me, kittens…will you be a big spender and go for Smythe, or be thrifty and spring for White House Black Market?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Bloomingdale’s and White House Black Market for the pictures.


Don't forget to enter the Quick Fashion Fix Giveaway for your chance to win an Adjust-A-Button from bristols6.

Don't forget to enter the Time After Time Orient Automatic Watch Giveaway for your chance to win a watch from Orient Watch USA.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Why Don't You...?

…go ice skating a la Kate Beckinsale and John Cusack in Serendipity? No embarrassment allowed – falling down and making a fool of oneself is all part of the fun!

…purposely get all dressed up despite the fact that you have nowhere to go? Slip into a sweeping, floor-length gown, and spend the evening feeling like a debutante. You never know when Prince Charming will knock at the door.

…shelve your typical reading material and delve into a tale penned in a foreign language? Devour Helen Fielding’s Bridget Jones’ Diary in Italian; savor Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea in Japanese; inhale Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice in German; and if you’re feeling truly precocious, take a tryst with Kay Thompson’s Plaza-dwelling darling Eloise in French.

…pull out a stack of pretty stationary and pen an old-fashioned letter to the individual whose style you admire most?

…replace greasy bags of potato chips and salty snacks with posh hors d’oeuvres consisting of Antipasto Skewers, Quiche Lorraine, and General Tso's Chicken Dumplings? Line them up on smashing sterling silver serving trays and invite a gaggle of your girlfriends over for an impromptu gathering.


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Tumblr for the picture.


Don't forget to enter the Quick Fashion Fix Giveaway for your chance to win an Adjust-A-Button from bristols6.

Don't forget to enter the Time After Time Orient Automatic Watch Giveaway for your chance to win a watch from Orient Watch USA.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Tightwad Tuesday: AG Adriano Goldschmied Ex-Boyfriend Short for a Steal

Obviously I’m unable to speak for all of you, dolls; but as for myself, I have always felt that a break-up with a cute boy resulted in quite a bit more than simply throwing oneself headlong into the dating game once again. The true tragedy of such an occurrence lies more within the wardrobe department.

Though we are loathe to admit it, preferring to keep our mark Gloss Gorgeous lips sealed, the truth of the matter is that a break-up literally cuts our beloved wardrobe in half. No longer do we have access to the oversized cardigans that kept us warm on chilly afternoons; the boxy black blazers that balanced our flirty, floral skirts; or the baggy jeans that so perfectly complemented our oxford flats and skintight tanks. Rather, we are forced to rely on the contents of our very own closets – a concept which makes us contemplate rekindling our fizzled-out romance. Hence the reason why I am so obsessed with AG Adriano Goldschmied’s Ex-Boyfriend Short.

Proffering the very same style synonymous with the much adored pieces found buried within the depths of your boyfriend’s bureau; the Ex-Boyfriend Short gives you the chance to retain all semblance of androgynous adorableness, without the unnecessary BF drama.

Decadently distressed and sporting slight whiskering about the front to create that well-worn, weatherbeaten aesthetic that we all know and love, the Ex-Boyfriend Short is a design with the ability to dress your look du jour up or down – depending upon your mood of the moment, of course!

But no; darlings it’s truly not as simple as that. While sinewy, seductive, and sophisticated by outward appearances; the tiny tag dangling from the waistband boasting the wicked triple-digit appraisal of $195.00 is a lackluster addition to the allure of the Ex-Boyfriend Short, rendering it as nothing more than another item to place on our ever-growing wish list. Thank goodness for LOFT!

At $54.50 a pair, LOFT’s Dark Wash Boyfriend Shorts, while lacking the whiskered detailing seen upon the Ex-Boyfriend Short, are just as glamorous as their higher-priced partner in crime; and a complete necessity for your spring wardrobe!

Are you having a tightwad moment darlings, or are you plagued with a craving to splurge?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Piperlime and LOFT for the pictures.


Don't forget to enter the Quick Fashion Fix Giveaway for your chance to win an Adjust-A-Button from bristols6.

Don't forget to enter the Time After Time Orient Automatic Watch Giveaway for your chance to win a watch from Orient Watch USA.
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...