2. Are you as pumped for a coffee break as we are?

3. Color us crazy, but some of these vibrant combos are blowing us away.

4. Our sleep space could use a revamp. Cue the inspiration to get us there.

5. These luxe hair accessories have us rethinking our everyday ponytail.

Can’t get enough Pinterest inspiration? Check out past boards that caught our eye.  

Not a Member and like The (Style) Guide? You’ll love Rue La La. Join now.

Ah, another year. A chance to start fresh, revamp a workout, kick a bad habit, or pick up a new skill. For many of us here at Rue, wardrobe renewal is at the top of our resolution list. And like all great outfits, we’re starting from the bottom up. While we all have our shoe go-tos (I’m partial to an old pair of square-toe leopard flats), resolutions are all about change. So, from striking patents to exotic fabrics, here are four ways to shake up your shoe routine.

Our Kick Off 2013: The New Year, New Shoes Sale Boutique opens Wednesday, January 2, at 3PM ET.

By Julia Ivins, Staff Writer

Not a Member and like The (Style) Guide? You’ll love Rue La La. Join now.

Denim trends occur in pendulum-like cycles, but with the right fit, you can successfully pull off any style – you just have to be willing to stretch out of your ever-indigo or always-slouchy comfort zone.

Guys, skinny jeans are no longer reserved for angsty bands and hipsters, and color is not just for chicks. It’s time to rock some statement socks and show us what you’ve got. And ladies, welcome the bootcut back into your wardrobe. With a killer pair of heels (or even flats – just remember to roll the cuffs), that pair you save for manual labor (i.e. Swiffering the floors) is ready for a night out.

Find these denim fits and more at our James Jeans Boutique, opening Friday, November 23, at 11AM ET.

By Julia Ivins, Staff Writer

Not a Member and like The (Style) Guide? You’ll love Rue La La. Join now.

Today, in my usual morning flurry, I reached for my (very) predictable heels and noticed a sizeable tear in the leather (curse you, wide feet). It then occured to me: my beloved black pumps are beaten to a pulp from overwear, while my collection of purple heels sits sadly in my closet. Needless to say, it was an ah-ha moment. From neons to crayon hues, color is everywhere this summer, and it’s officially time to mix it up. Using these tips, I’ll show my purple shoe stash some love, without looking like I got a little too crazy with the finger paints.

1. Pop of color:
In the summer it’s so easy to throw on a little white or black sundress with sandals and go. Choosing a color-pop sandal breaks up the monochrome with a shot of fun. Same rule applies to any neutral outfit, wearing jeans and a tee? Throw on a red heel. Done.

2. Matchy-Matchy:
This takes the above tip a little further. Don’t stop with the bold shoes, add some accessories, jewelry, a lightweight cardigan, or even a boyfriend blazer in the same eye-popping hue. Or, if you’re wearing a colorful print, pick one of the accent shades and repeat it on your shoes. Shoes in a print? Pull out one of the colors and wear it on top.

3. Colorblock:
I’ll admit, this is my favorite. Too timid to try kelly green jeans with a sky blue top? Shoes are the perfect way to embrace this look. Try a hue that complements your outfit, but doesn’t necessarily match it. For inspiration, check out these unexpected color combinations.

If three’s a trend (as they say in fashion), I guess five or six is a phenomenon. Such is the case with this structured bookbag from The Cambridge Satchel Company, a UK-based bag maker whose retro-inspired cross-body has become all the rage among fashion insiders.

While the company makes its most popular style in a range of classic colors – from basic black to saddle tan to brick red – it’s the fluoroscent green and yellow hues that are being carried by in-the-know fashionistas. Modeled after a classic school bag, this boxy unisex carryall was given a thoroughly modern makeover in shades so bold they almost glow in the dark (making them really pop against the all-black ensembles worn by most New York showgoers).

I first spotted this bag on Marie Claire editor (and street style blog magnet) Joanna Hillman at the Missoni for Target preview back in June. Then this past week, I noticed no fewer than five other industry insiders, including stylists Susan Joy and Brad Goreski, carrying their own fluro satchels. Which makes sense, since they come in several sizes and are designed to hold all one’s New York Fashion Week essentials in style (bonus points for having your initials monogramed on the flap in gold lettering, as Brad and Susan did).

Why should kids have all the fun? These of-the-moment bags let you channel your inner child in high style – without having to do homework.

Lauren David Peden writes for Rue La La as a Contributing Editor.

BY MAKEUP ARTIST AND KEEP ME BLUSHING BLOGGER SAMANTHA MICHELLE

We’re in denial about any shreds of winter left. Full speed to spring, please. Bright colors! Lighter fabrics! We even spotted a pair of bright pink wedges in our midst today.

With Smashbox Cosmetics on our horizon, we turned to Keep Me Blushing blogger, Samantha Michelle, to enlighten us on the color of 2011: sweet, pretty honeysuckle – a mouth-watering, reddish-pink hue. Check out her tips, then let us know if you’ll be up for a little (or a lot) for spring.

I love the color of 2011. It’s happy, warm, and beautiful, and looks great on just about anyone. It’s easy to add this color into your wardrobe and accessories, but don’t forget your makeup bag! Some of you may think this honeysuckle is too bright to wear on your face, but when done correctly it looks so great – especially for spring/summer.

The easiest way to add this color is with nail polish. It looks fresh on fingers and toes – especially on the beach.

Lipstick and lip stain in honeysuckle is so chic. Although this color is bright, it’s absolutely do-able. For long-lasting lip color, fill your lips with the same-color lip liner, then apply lipstick. If this feels a little too bold, a lip stain is a safe alternative.

When wearing honeysuckle on your lips, keep the rest of your face simple. Use foundation and concealer on any problem areas like your eyes, nose, and any blemishes. Bronze all over (Hint: to contour your face, use bronzer on the sides of your nose and under your cheek bones). Use highlighter on your cheek bones, bridge of your nose, arch of your brow, and the corner of your eyes – skip the blush. For your eyes, try a shimmer shadow from your lash line to your eyebrow, and for a nighttime look add black liner to your lash line and the rim of your eyes, then finish with black mascara.

For honeysuckle cheeks, I suggest a cream blush right on the apples of your cheeks and pulled upwards towards your hairline. Set with the same color powder blush. Use lightly and blend. To avoid looking too harsh, skip colored lipstick and opt for nude or a clear gloss. You can do a smokey eye or a natural eye with honeysuckle cheeks. If you want a smokey eye I would do a slate grey instead of purples, greens, or navy.

Have fun with honeysuckle and don’t be intimidated by it. It’s a perfect shock of color for spring days and nights.

BY LAUREN DAVID PEDEN/THE FASHION INFORMER

I first spied it at Wes Gordon’s presentation at the St. Regis hotel on Thursday afternoon. Sixty minutes later, it was standing on a podium at Mara Hoffman’s NYFW outing at The Box. Two hours after that, there it was again stalking the runway at Wayne’s show at Milk Studios. It made a brief appearance at the W Hotels Global Glam event at Lincoln Center later that evening, and reappeared yet again at Tess Giberson’s presentation (also at The Box) the following morning.

By the time it showed up on Costello Tagliapietra’s runway Friday afternoon — less than a full day after New York Fashion Week had officially begun — I knew we we’d gone beyond the “three’s a trend” rule and into bona fide fashion phenomenon territory.

The “it” of which I speak is, of course, the color red — make that RED! — an eye-popping, take-no-prisoners, crimson-meets-vermillion hue of the fire engine/“Addicted to Love” variety.

I’m not sure if it was in honor of Valentine’s Day (which fell during New York Fashion Week) or in tribute to the Heart Truth Red Dress event (which takes place the night before NYFW officially begins) or if this brutally cold winter had every designer in New York gravitating toward a shade that by its very nature signals “heat.” Whatever the reason, red is the color of the Fall 2011 season.

Not for the faint of heart, this bold and beautiful shade turned up on the runways of designers both emerging and established, including Tess Giberson, Chado Ralph Rucci, Mara Hoffman, Diane von Furstenberg, Milly, Altuzarra, Rodarte, Reed Krakoff, DKNY, Michael Kors, Derek Lam, Marchesa, Cynthia Rowley, Proenza Schouler, Prabal Gurung, Peter Som, Carolina Herrera, BCBG, Giulietta, Victoria Beckham, Julian Louie, Tibi, Marc by Marc Jacobs, and… well, need I go on?

There were red skirts, red pants, red dresses, red gowns, red kimonos, red blouses, red vests, red sweaters, red jackets, red coats — even red furs (and a surprising number of them, from different designers). On the accessories front, red turned up on shoes, on boots, on jewelry, on handbags, on gloves, on scarves, on tights, on leggings, and on belts. At Elise Øverland’s Ice Capades extravaganza, one model wore a red plastic (read: cellophane) neckerchief to ward off the chill while Johnny Weir skated in circles around her. Isaac Mizrahi even sent a red cake down the runway (yes, you read that right: a cake).

And let’s not forget the glossy red lips, nails, and eyes (see: Thakoon), which were also in abundance on the New York runways this week. All of which makes me think it’s going to be unseasonably h-o-t come fall. Bring it on!

Lauren David Peden has been hired by Rue La La for her reporting at New York Fashion Week. ]]> http://www.ruelala.com/blog/2011/02/24/nyfw-2011-trend-alert-%e2%80%93-red-hot/feed/ 0