Best Swim for Summer 2013

Best Swimsuits for Summer 2013

Best Teeny Bikini 

Best Fringe

Best Floral

Best Nautical

Best Ombre 

Best Feminine 

Best Sparkle 

Best High Waist 

Best Push Up

Best Print Mixing 

Best Value

Best Natural

Favorite Overall =) 

Best Sporty

Best Animal Print 

xo

H

Trendy Tuesday: Mirror Belts & Mod

Mirror Belts

Mirror Belts are a new-new trend that is just hitting the market now - the belts themselves are hard to find too! I lucked out one day at Marshall's seeing a skinny silver metallic belt by Steve Madden - Score!

I love the belts because it creates an interesting feature to any style - it can be thick or thin, gold or silver, casual or dressy. It almost creates this polished look that is completely unexpected. 

This is where it all began. I was watching The Golden Globes and saw Jennifer Lawrence in this dress with this belt and I nearly died -  I loved it! 

I find it to be particularly appealing with the color red - although black and white is nice too - red really makes it pop. 

Here is a really casual use of the mirror belt (above) whereas, below it is much more dressy. 

Mod Trend: Mad Men Style

The Mod Trend is in. Daring as it may be - it sparked from the Tv series drama: Mad Men - and has really taken off (especially on the red carpet) 

From the Print you wear (see checkered above) to the hair style you choose - the 60s are in full swing.

Using a full skirt is a great way to capture the look if a sleek twiggy up-do is too risky for you. The Mod Siloutte is perfect for any body type as it really celebrates a woman's body and can make you feel beautiful - without showing too much. 

This has to be my favorite of the Mod Trend so far - I love the full shirt and the wide shoulder straps - it compliments her so well and the colors are perfect for spring! 

xo

H

Yellow, Navy & Leopard

Yellow, Navy & Leopard 

xo 

H

Trendy Tuesday: Mint

Mint

Mint is a great, easy, happy spring trend that has been around for about two years now - but is not showing signs of going anywhere. From jewelry, weddings, home decor, to evening gowns and skinny jeans - it is truly everywhere you look. 

It gives a fresh, clean feeling that looks good on everyone. I like it during the warmer months because if I have any sort of tan at all - it makes it pop! 

This fabulous Mint leather strap watch can be found at Lord & Taylor - Don't have one near you? Order online! Price point? Under $100!! 

Essie is my beyond favorite nail polish brand - its so rich in color and easy to put on (I do my own nails weekly so it's important for it to be easy and high in quality!) This is Essie's Mint Candy Apple - they have a few shades of mint in their collection but they're all good (some more greenish, some more blueish - all minty!) It just depends what speaks to you! 

Honestly, I think Kate Middleton has been in every single one of my Trendy Tuesdays so far - talk about trend setter! This is so pretty and classy - It really shows you how to pair mint with neutrals in order to accomplish a classy, simple look. 

Bringing it back 60s style! This is a Retro Rotary Telephone! It was just found online - I am not sure you can purchase this anywhere - probably at an antique shop or flea market. So cute right?! Too bad I don't have a land line...

More fabulous trendy girls in the finest mint - I love Extra's Maria Menounos's dress the best - The different shades of mint in the chiffon material looks romantic and gorg. 

Marianda Kerr looking breezy and beautiful as always

These are awesome! I need some mint earrings - These were found on Etsy.com actually and after a bit of research - Etsy apparently has TONS of mint earrings just like this! Also, with silver base instead of gold - if that's more your thing =) 

Minty Macaroons. Yum.

Oh gezz - not only do I want to wear this to the many upcoming weddings I have this year - but I am also tempted to throw my bridesmaids in this beaut! Cannot track down where the heck this is found (saw in google images) If anyone knows - help a sista out!! 

This is a cute look as well - wearing mint with all black - this allows the mint to really shine - also can be worn while filling the gas tank! Who knew?! 

Now for some home decor in the fabulous mint green. I wish I could do this room - maybe one day- the vases on the wall and amazing - so daring! I wonder if I could pull it off?

OOOOOH calming - doesn't it make you want to have a spa day?!

Pretty in Mint - I find these tulle skirts to be coming deeply into fashion as well - I'd love to throw this on with a white J.Crew tee and a jean jacket - Hello Spring! 

Nice Top - this girl is all over pinterest in this getup - its almost an edgy-mint green look - very unique!

Took my engagement photos this Saturday - they're being edited now and should be to me by the end of the week - stay tuned and I will post them as soon as I get my hands on them! Can't wait! 

xo

H

Two Trends Tuesday: Emerald Green & Print Mixing (Contest)

|  Two Trends Tuesday  |

Emerald Green

According to Pantone, the color of 2013 is Emerald Green - Love it! I got lucky considering green is already my favorite color - I have plenty of this shade in my wardrobe. I have an emerald green scarf, (that I wear way too much) two emerald green purses, pants, coat, and leather jacket! I am set!! 

The draw to this shade is definitely that it is bold, yet looks good on every skin tone. It's been seen in home decor, makeup, jewelry, nails, and most importantly fashion! This luxurious color has been included in both Oscar de la Renta and Michael Kors lines. 

Celebrities are also getting the hang of this shade- wearing varieties from a deep, dark shade in a sports coat, to a bright springy- happy color, like Kate Middleton is wearing. I love this color and I think anyone can pull it off easily! Go get some in your closet before the next color comes out =)

Print Mixing

Now this may be scary to some - but once its mastered, think of the possibilities for your wardrobe! So many new things to try! The most basic was to accomplish (or practice) this trend is pairing stripes with a floral - thats 1st grade stuff. From there, working in different textures can be fun- or animal prints! The possibilities are endless and the main key is to be confident in your choices - if you like it together, then who cares what anyone else thinks! You have to wear it - not them! 

My personal rule of thumb - and I do admit to shying away from this trend more often than I should (time management issues) - is to take a piece with a small, tight patterns and then another piece with a larger bold pattern - all in complementing colors. A good example is to look above and see the center brunette girl with the leopard pencil skirt and the white blouse with little animals (?) on it. We all know white goes with all so we are good there- then you see the skirt with is clearly a tight, busy, small print - and the top, very airy and open - not too daunting to the eye - they go unexpectedly, fabulously together! 

Go for it! 

I am going to hold a CONTEST for those of you awesome enough to pull off this print mixing look!

Send pictures in your best to thevillaalphie@gmail.com and I will post the top 5 winners on my blog!! Include with pics: 

Your name, age, location and any additional info about yourself! 

xo

H