In the Nude

This is not a post about actually being naked (sorry to disappoint you), but instead it is about wearing things that make you look like you could be.  Nude (or beige/taupe..) is by far the sexiest color of the season and has been popping up everywhere from dresses to sunglasses and beyond.  Creating a look that is natural and calming, nude or buff beige is our color of choice for a vintage, yet modern, Spring and Summer wardrobe.  Here are some great ways you can incorporate this trend:

This nude dress, available at Top Shop, is simple and perfectly work appropriate. This dress features feminine  draping, a high neckline, and would look great accented with a skinny belt to emphasize your hourglass figure. 

It is said that nude, skin colored hues on your feet help elongate your legs and make you look taller.  Create the illusion of height with these strappy beige heels, from Zappos.

The perfect accent to your sundress this spring/summer?  A nude cardigan! Get the look of bare shoulders while covering up with this pretty embellished cardigan, from Mod Cloth.

Springtime in the office means breaking out your flowy skirts!  We love this "barely there" colored skirt, from Urban Outfitters, and all that pleating to add that retro style.

This certified vegan satchel, available at DSW, would be the perfect addition to your spring wardrobe. This neutral colored bag can go with nearly anything and it can fit all your essentials and even a book (kindle? ipad?) in case you find yourself with some down time while on the go.

Now, you can't very well wear strappy nude sandals to your next meeting or interview.  But, you can embrace the nude while still looking completely professional if you opt for something like these Steve Madden pumps.  These pumps are sexy but are also graceful and conservative enough for your office attire.

Dark frames can sometimes feel a little harsh with your summery whites and airy colors.  Lighten up with these retro looking nude frames.  Available at Forever 21, these sunnies are sure to brighten your face while keeping your eyes well protected.

Nude nails are very in this season. It gives a very subtle but polished look, which is perfect for the work place, but is also a big trend with weddings now. Of course, what hue is right for you varies depending on your skin tone, but we recommend adding a little pink undertone, such as Malaysian Mist by OPI.



XOXO

Jen & Saira

Hats Off to You!

With all the Royal Wedding hoopla last week it wasn't hard to get caught up in the romance, the extravagance, and of course, the hats! Sure, some of the guests and royal family had hats that were a little over the top (see Princess Eugenie and Beatrice), but others were chic and definitely tasteful.   Most of the time we think of hats for baseball games, old ladies, or as a cure for a bad hair day but the Royal Wedding has us excited to try some for every day or formal occasions. Here are some very wearable head ornaments for spring and summer.

Not only is a floppy black hat the easiest way to achieve instant elegance, it is seductive and mysterious -reminding us of old Hollywood glamor.  Wearing black to formal events is typically, but wearing a hat like this will insure you don't get lost in the crowd.

Who says fedoras are just for gangsters (or pimps?).  This girl looks cool and casual in this straw fedora from Nordstrom with it's pretty and romantic oversized flower.

You don't need to go on safari to wear a cool hat!  This simple white hat, adorned with a fun leather strap and buckle, will look great poolside or while roaming those flee market aisles. Available at Urban Outfitters.

Straw hats are all the rage, from floppy to fedora, they come in a wide variety of style and give you that carefree, laid back look.  We like this hat from Free People because it's a little bit country but has a great old fashioned shape and chic, feminine bow.

 

Another great straw hat is this one from Banana Republic.  It's a fun hat with a large brim and is detailed with a pretty, delicate eyelet pattern.  Careful though, reviews say this hat is great but runs a little large so order the smaller size if in doubt.

Love the straw style but looking for something bolder?  Go with stripes and instantly modernize your look!  We love this citrus striped hat for it's bright, sunshine color that is sure to add a little punch to the spring and summer palette.

Not the laid back, straw loving, farm girl?  Show your a little edgy and go metallic from head to toe!  This sexy and dramatic hat, from Bloomingdales, would be a greatway to jazz up an outfit with it's sexy, floppy style and metallic silver sheen.





XOXO,



Jen & Saira

Royal Wedding Recap

They came, we saw, and William and Kate conquered. Although we didn't wake up at 5 a.m. to watch the festivities, we did DVR it and were very pleased with the results. Turns out, all the hype was worth it -- the Royal Wedding did not disappoint! From the build up to her arrival, to the long walk down the aisle and the double kisses on the balcony, the entire day was magical. And while we're sure all you dolls have read up on the event already, here are our thoughts on the wedding:

There is no doubt about it, Kate Middleton was absolutely stunning on her big day. Decked out in Alexander McQueen, the Duchess's style was regal, understated, elegant, modern, and classic at the same time. This dress is reminiscent of Grace Kelly's wedding gown (which is our favorite royal bridal style) and the timeless look will keep it from looking dated in the history books. It's interesting to note how the v-neck is Kate's signature look, and the neck and bodice of this dress reminded us of the blue dress she wore to announce their engagement. Well done, Duchess!

The best part about marrying the heir to the throne is that you can wear two dresses and no one thinks you're extravagant.  Kate opted to wear Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen again, and again she looked gorgeous. This dress was definitely more modern than her ceremony gown, but still lovely and elegant. We can't believe how tiny her waist looks, and as cute as the mohair shrug is, we can't help wondering if it got all over Prince William's perfect black tux.

It looks like Kate's little sister, Pippa, is officially England's new darling. While we don't quite agree that she stole the show from Kate (I mean really, you can't ignore the tiara and veil), we do think she was one of the most chic bridesmaids in the history of all weddings. Also wearing Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, Pippa's simple, ivory colored dress with the cowl neck turned a lot of heads, including Prince Harry's we hear. We also loved the green dress she changed into for the reception, but she was just perfect at the ceremony.

Something about seeing the two princes together in their military outfits made us all teary eyed. Maybe its because we've grown up with them, or maybe it was all the commentary about their mother, but those two boys (or young men, we should say) really know how to tug at our heart strings! It's really very touching how well they seem to get along, and together they represent a young, healthy, and strong royal family.

Aside from the newlyweds, David and Victoria Beckham were definitely the best dressed couple. Apparently Becks wore his medal on the wrong side and never actually put on his top hat, but he looked so dapper it really doesn't matter. As for Victoria, surprisingly enough she had one of the more sensible hats of the day, which is saying a lot (althoughwe aren't quite sure how it is sticking to her head..)! While we wished she smiled more, we loved her custom made Victoria Beckham dress, which framed her baby bump nicely.

Last, but not least, is the Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth herself. She was absolutely a ray of sunshine today, all decked out in yellow, and she really seemed to be enjoying herself. We wonder every time the crowd sings "God Save the Queen" if she feels secretly awkward, or really enjoys having everyone sing to her while she politely pretends to listen. We think it's the former.

And they all lived happily ever after!

XOXO,

Jen & Saira

Lovely in Lilac

Despite the fickle weather, we're desperately trying to incorporate spring colors into our wardrobe. One of our favorite shades for the spring is lilac (or violet... we don't really know the difference). It's fresh and sweet, and can really brighten up your wardrobe. Ignore the weather, and add some spring to your step!

We call this dress the "Sexy Easter" dress. This two-tone color block dress from American Apparel is an ideal look for the spring. May we suggest a cropped black blazer to give this a retro 80s feel?

Don't have much uses for tight, sexy pastel numbers? Then try this grey / lavender skirt from The Limited. It's a professional but feminine, and is a great way to freshen up your wardrobe.

With all this rain we've been getting, you need to protect your tootsies! Grab a pair of these short rainboots by Ilse Jacobsen and you'll be singing in the rain! Oh, and did we mention they have fleece lining?

 This sleeveless tea dress from Top Shop is perfect for work or play. Add a fitted blazer and pearls and you're set for work, or throw on a pair of gold hoops and strappy sandals and you're ready for a hot night on the town.

Tired of the regular old smokey eye? Add a pop of color with the purple smokey eye set from Sephora.  It will be sultry and romantic, just what you need for perfect "come hither" eyes.

Every girl needs a versatile dress that can be work at the park, out to dinner, for a garden party, whatever! This tiered ruffle dress from Old Navy definitely fits the bill, and will guarantee you a few compliments.

These lilac pumps are a must have this spring. They will look wonderful with a light gray suit, white dress, or black capris. We would steer away from pairing the pumps with a matching lilac dress and / or blouse. The most matchy-matchy we would do is matching jewelry, and even that's pushing it!

XOXO,

Jen & Saira

Saira's BHLDN Dream Wedding

Now that you saw Jen's "dream wedding", it's time for Saira to share. While we both have similar styles, Jen's look is a bit more soft and romantic, while Saira's can be more casual or hip. The wonderful thing about BHLDN is that it encompasses both our styles, and everything in between, to create unique bridal fashion that everyone can enjoy.

The Dress:

Traditional wedding gowns are gorgeous, but not for everyone. If you're a hippie chick or love the vintage look, then this burnished organza gown is perfect for you. It has a bronze sequined bodice which adds some personality and color to the dress, without being overwhelming or gaudy. The five tiers of silk create a wonderful silhouette, perfect for gracefully swishing down the aisle.





The Jewelry:

Because the neckline of the organza gown is so embellished, we suggest wearing a bracelet rather than a necklace or earrings, in order to avoid too much clutter in the neck region. We think these simple moonstone bangles are a perfect compliment, dressing up your bare arms with just a touch of gold.

The Shoes:



 These peep toe sandals would work for both the brides and bridesmaids (below), adding some color to both ensembles.





The Accessory:

If you can't tell already, a pea / lime green is Saira's accent color of choice.  It would look great with the bridesmaid dresses (below) and tie the whole look together.





The Bridesmaids:

If the bride is dressed simply, then so should the bridesmaids. This short and sweet pleated dress is wonderfully simple, but chic! It is in the same cream colored family as the organza gown, with a pea green sash to add some color. The chiffon neckline gives it a vintage feel, making the bridesmaid the prim little sister to the free spirited bride.



Happy wedding, dolls!



XOXO,



Jen & Saira

Spring Fever

Dolls, rejoice! It's officially spring, so let's celebrate the season with some lovely floral looks available this year.  While floral prints usually exude all that is soft and feminine, it's easy to make these pieces more hip and edgy, or glamorous and stylish.  It's all about the attitude and accessories.  Here are some ideas:

A soft floral printed dress, like this belted dress from Forever 21, can be worn with a light colored cardigan, flats, and soft curls for a very sweet ensemble. But add some stockings, military boots, and eye liner, and all of a sudden you're Little Miss Grunge-Shine, à la Angela Chase.

Who said florals are for kids? Throw on this gorgeous sparkle necklace from  J. Crew, and you'll dazzle even Edward Cullen.  It would look great with a crisp white blouse and pencil skirt for some major style at work, or with your trusty LBD to make a major statement out on the town.

 We consider this dress to be our Dream Dress, as both of us separately fell in love with it on Mod Cloth and are still dreaming of excuses to purchase it.  The soft floral print, lovely pastel colors, and perfect vintage style fit is exactly what we dream of in a springtime dress.  The only downside is the price, but if you have an event in mind to wear this too, then there should be no stopping you.

The wonderful thing about Target is that they tend to have the cutest shoes and accessories, even if for only a limited time. These floral flats by Xhiliration are one of the cutest shoes we've seen at Target for a while, so make haste and grab yourself a pair before they're out of stock.  Saira's already invested in a pair, and for $19.99, so should you.

This floral skirt from Top Shop is so Kelly Kapowski, and we love it. While we don't suggest wearing this with a giant scrunchie, rolled down socks, and keds, we do think this would look great with nude colored peeptoes and a racer back tank, with maybe a long necklace to complete the ensemble.

Crossover bags are very in right now, and we can see why.  They're a nice change of pace from our oversized bags that can be used as a miniature weapon, resulting in an accessory that has both form and function.  If you plan on traveling this spring, or just don't want to feel weighed down, then go for this tapestry crossbody bag by Ecote.  It's just the right size to fit your cell phone, camera, lip gloss, and a pack of tissues (if you have nerdy allergies), and has a rustic tapestry print that is perfect for the spring.

A floral, flowing mini is pretty much our go to outfit for warm weather.  Just wear a plain tee or tank, and you're ready to go.  Delia's has a few nice choices, just remember to go for a size up because we're no longer 16!  Forever 21 is also a great place to look, as they have a number of different prints and colors available, the majority of them for less than $20 a pop!

Just because you're stuck indoors all day doesn't mean you don't appreciate seasons!  For your work wardrobe, incorporate florals with a simple patterned cardigan.  This would look lovely with a pencil or full 50's style skirt and is seasonal but subdued, perfect for a stodgy office. 





Spring is in bloom!



XOXO,



Jen & Saira

Hairstyle Look Book: The Big Bang

Cutting bangs can dramatically change your look, for better or worse. While this look isn't for every face shape, it can be very flattering and stylish. You can make them blunt and dramatic or soft and gentle, depending on your style. The length of your bangs really depends on your personal preference, but those with longer faces can pull off shorter bangs, without looking like a school girl. If this is a new look for you, then we definitely suggest going for some long, side swept bangs, as you can easily pin them back if you change your mind. Here are some fringe styles for you to try:

We just couldn't resist that Chace Crawford and his sexy bangs.

Fringe is your friend.

XOXO

Jen & Saira