Accessories

Stella & Dot Giveaway

February 2, 2012 By Karen 23 Comments

It’s time for another jewelry giveaway! I’ve featured Stella & Dot several times, and it is one of my favorite lines. Thanks to consultant, Kyla Glass for sponsoring this Giveaway. Coincidentally, Kyla became a consultant last year after seeing on the post on my Style by Karen Facebook page. She fell in love with the earrings I pictured and signed up shortly thereafter. Kyla and I have common friends, but had only met a couple of times. Since then we’ve become friends through Facebook, my blog and now our common interest in S & D. I enjoy helping women kick off a business and am happy to be featuring this company once again.

I look forward to the new catalog each season to see the unique styles. I love reading about the background that goes into each design, and it’s fun to hear about the inspiration that drove the designs.

“New ideas are everywhere… from vintage stores & art galleries of faraway cities to urban sidewalk graffiti to the fresh vibrant colors of a farmer’s market produce display.”
- Blythe Harris, CCO

In addition to vintage feel, I think one of the best features of this line is the mixture of silver and gold. Many styles are available in both. I went through my silver phase like everyone else. Believe me, there are certain pieces of silver jewelry that I’m very drawn to. Certain outfits just scream for a bold piece of silver jewelry.

But, I like to mix it up. I encourage you to embrace some gold in your wardrobe. Gold looks beautiful with warm colors; lately I like it with just about everything.

MEMO: Gold is everywhere and it is IN!

Rather than show individual pieces, I went to the S & D blog so you could get some ideas of how to wear the jewelry. Wow, look at these combinations. Stunning!

The Stella & Dot site is easy to navigate and the shop area is divided into category: Necklaces, bracelets, earrings and now even handbags!

There are great videos that show even more ideas. Don’t forget the sale category. I love the Cascading Chain and own the la Coco Chain Both are winners.

Now to the Giveaway. Kyla is giving away a $25 Gift Certificate AND the Chloe necklace.

I will choose TWO winners. To enter, make a comment and tell us about your favorite piece of jewelry and why you love it. Contest ends Wednesday, February 8th at 9 PM PST.

My favorites? Too many to show. Last fall I did a Series What I Wore for a Week. Almost every day I wore a little S & D. Many of those pieces are still available.

This year I want that statement necklace shown in the Casual Friday layout above. I also am very partial to the blue shown with tangerine in the Date Night layout. I am happy to answer any questions about the jewelry and please feel free to contact Kyla through her website.

I can’t wait to hear about your favorites!

Filed Under: Accessories, Giveaways, Jewelry

Red Hot for the Holidays

December 19, 2011 By Karen 1 Comment

Red Hot by stylebykaren featuring dkny dresses

Dkny dress
$250 - stylebop.com

Party blouse
$55 - modcloth.com

High collar coat
$150 - modcloth.com

TOMS red shoes
$54 - toms.com

Hunter tall boots
$125 - nordstrom.com

Vince Camuto stiletto heels
$108 - heels.com

MICHAEL Michael Kors michael kors tote
$199 - nordstrom.com

Dorothy Perkins red jewelry
$17 - dorothyperkins.com

Worthington red necklace
$20 - jcpenney.com

Post earrings
$19 - jcpenney.com

Agate necklace
$100 - jcpenney.com

Tulle Clothing ruffle scarve
$35 - modcloth.com

Filed Under: Accessories, Layouts

Accessorizing Your Holiday Outfits

December 6, 2011 By Karen 1 Comment

‘Tis the season. Holiday parties are right around the corner. What should you wear? I’ve noticed this year that women are seeking ways to add a little glitz without going ”over the top” for their holiday events.

Two years ago I wrote about the sequined cardigan and last year it was the sequined tank. Both are still stylish options.

If you want to make an outfit you have in your closet look different, and give it a little holiday sparkle, consider some accessories. It is also a great choice if you don’t want to spend a great deal on a new holiday outfit.

There are lots of great accessories out there. For this post I went to White House Black Market which I feel has very affordable and fun accessories. Take a look and let me know what you think.

Do you have holiday events that require a little dressing up or will your get-togethers be casual and comfortable?

Filed Under: Accessories, Formal Dressing

A Little Leopard Goes a Long Way

September 22, 2011 By Karen 8 Comments

In Style’s Top 50 Fashion Tips tells us… “Own at least ONE thing that is leopard.”

Leopard is one of my favorite patterns. It goes with black and several shades of brown. I like it in small doses. I think it adds a little “punch” to an ordinary outfit. It’s a great addition to all the camel you will see this fall.

If you don’t feel like being draped in leopard dress quite yet–start small: Belts, scarves, bracelets or a small handbag. Then think about adding shoes, a sweater or top.

Leopard never seems to completely go out of style. I was visiting with my sister-in-law recently and I mentioned my next blog post. She is a leopard fan and listed several pieces she’s had for years. Leopard pieces can be tucked away and brought out and worn in a different way years later.

Leopard print is everywhere and you won’t have much trouble finding it. A little leopard goes a long way!

Here are some accessories from Accentuate Boutique. The belt adds some interest to this black tunic sweater with texture and color.

You can never go wrong with a leopard handbag from Hobo!

Lodis I-pad case and wallet clutch.

Next, a few fun things from White House Black Market:

What do you think? Do you have a leopard piece or two in your closet? Are you ready to add more?

Filed Under: Accessories, Fashion trends

Gigi Hill Bags Giveaway

September 8, 2011 By Karen 13 Comments

It’s been some time since I introduced Gigi Hill Bags. If you are fairly new to my blog, or don’t remember that post, you’ll want to go back for a review. Be sure and use the CONTACT US feature at the very bottom of the home page. This will bring you directly to Brenda in case you have a question.

Brenda is offering a $50 Gift Certificate to one lucky reader. All readers will receive 10% off their order when they mention Style by Karen. Details for this will be shared when the the winner is announced.

Here is the Look Book online. There are also great videos corresponding with most styles.

Now I’ll highlight some of their newer patterns and styles. What hasn’t changed? Gigi Hill continues to offer quality fabrics, practical styles that are so multi-purpose!

I have my eye on the Lucy a.k.a the train case. My makeup/toiletries travel system needs an overhaul.

Next, I loved the Hayley Lap Top bag which is ideal for a 15 inch computer or I- pad.

Their Messenger bag, Carol, is perfect for a diaper bag and business bag. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a design that is so versatile it could be used for both.

Check out the Olivia handbag and the sized up version– the Ingrid!

As I’ve been noting, Cross Body is the way to go for ultimate convenience. Here are two different size choices in this category. Barbra and Mae.

Enjoy browsing the site. There are bag choices to showcase everything from business cards, to sunglasses to jewelry. Let me know what caught your eye. All comments will be entered and winner will be chosen Tuesday, September 13th at 9 PM PST.

Brenda told me I needed a Gigi Hill update and I know that I’m going to have a really hard time choosing!

Check out All Things Chic for some great looks from Loft–one of my favorite stores! Be sure and take a look at all the other Fashion Friday posts.

Filed Under: Accessories, Giveaways, Handbags

What I Wore: Day 5

September 2, 2011 By Karen 3 Comments

Today I’m combining a look with one of In Style’s 50 Best Fashion Tips of all Time: When you find a flattering style, buy in multiples. In Style used Jackie O as an example. She brought new meaning to the sheath dress back in the early 60′s and had multiples.

If you know me well, you might be surprised about this choice from the list. I’m always ~~preaching~~ encouraging variety. My clients have heard me say many times, “Do not buy the same thing three times over!” Yes, we all need several black and white layering pieces, but there is a limit. I see so much redundancy in closets. I’m not against the same style in another color. Make an effort to give it a different look.

This year I keep finding flattering dresses. They are comfortable to me. They camouflage my middle and I can feel very casual or dressy depending on the style. Dresses didn’t quite make my “Things I Love” series but I LOVE DRESSES! I previously had a thing for skirts, but as my middle thickened, I found them harder to wear. Don’t get me wrong–there is nothing better than a great pencil skirt (preferably ponte knit) and you’ve seen me in a few.

Dress: Cache

Jewelry: Stella & Dot, InPink.com; Divine Decadence Vintage, Pearls from Accentuate

Shoes: Lily Atelier, Sofft

Bag: Gigi Hill (I use this bag, the Sophia, ALL THE TIME for my laptop and a variety of other things. Check out their site for even more great sizes and patterns. Gigi Hill Giveaway coming soon!)

In the two poses I switched the jewelry AND shoes. This is a dress you could layer on the jewelry if you chose to and I probably will. The Stella & Dot Chelsea is a favorite. It catches a lot of light, sparkles; the photo doesn’t do it justice. It is simple, yet a statement. I have on a pair of vintage earrings which you will see more of in the post coming this weekend.

I purposely switched to the brown Sofft shoes that I’ve worn to death for three years. I still love them, but here is a great example where neutral shoes elongate the leg. The bracelets from InPink.com are a statement by themselves and really break up the brown, so I kept the necklace simple–two tone pearls and gold hoops.

I pop in Cache every so often. It’s a store that has more dramatic styles and bolder colors. I had NEVER stepped into Cache until 3 years ago during my stylist training. In July they had 50% off with an additional discount on multiples. Yes, I bought the very same dress in two different colors!

I realize I have a place to wear dresses. If you feel too dressed up, look for casual styles that are more versatile. I will show some before summer ends.

The wrap style dress works well for me. I think it hides a good ten pounds. I also liked a draped neck as I’ve found the typical sheath with a higher neckline to be unflattering on my body type.

Here is the other color dress taken with the point/shoot camera. I was in a hurry as usual and off to work. (My hydrangas are crazy tall this summer!)

I’m wearing the same necklace with statement earrings and a simple bracelet. I have only worn this version one time and I’m working on giving it a different look.

Same dress–note the differences between professional photos/snapshots. Let me reiterate–angle, lighting and posing. A topic for another post…

Thanks to all of you who kept reading the last five days! I appreciate your e-mails. One last note, my web designer and blog mentor wrote, “I think you should use the large vs medium option for the photos unless you don’t want giant photos of yourself which I understand! ”

Well Sherra, I am not sure what I was thinking because all week I’ve been frustrated that I couldn’t show enough details. Cropping just wasn’t doing the job! I went back and changed the photos. If you look at the posts again on the home page of my blog, I think you’ll see more details. As far as being worried about the giant photos–I guess I’m over that now!

So what do you think? Are you willing to give dresses another look?

All Things Chic has some great looks in python. Check it out!

Filed Under: Accessories, What I Wore

Best Fashion Tips of All Time

August 11, 2011 By Karen 5 Comments

Once a year In Style Magazine comes out with a special “Makeover” issue. It usually hits the stands the end of July. I believe it is actually an extra issue. This year Rachel Bilson graces the cover.

An article that caught my eye was entitled, 50 Best Fashion Tips of All Time. I thought it would be fun to start a new short series to take the place of my, “Things I Love..” and feature a TOP ALL TIME TIP once a week. Not to worry, I’m not covering all 50 simply because I don’t feel that passionate about ALL 50.

I tried to find the article online for you to skim, but it doesn’t appear to be available. It seems that other fashion bloggers had the same idea when I did my search. There were many versions all In Style inspired.

It won’t surprise you that I chose to start with accessories. I’ve talked about adding color in several posts the last year.

My First All Time Top Tip: ACCESSORIZE IN BRIGHTS

Many women feel more comfortable in neutrals. They feel very conspicuous in bright colors and don’t want to stand out. I understand. Add your color with accessories. Add the color with 1-3 accessories but I would not add more than 3 pops of color. I like keeping some accessories neutral. For example choose shoes and a handbag in two different complementary colors. Start with a darker color that might appear to be a little more safe, yet still catch a little attention. Dark green, purple or burgundy might be a good choice. This is a good stepping stone before adding yellow or bright red.

I like to add color with jewelry, but for this post I kept it to handbags and shoes.

Hobo International Seychelles (love the texture!)

Indigo Elise Cully Rockport Sasha

These selections came from Online Shoes which has a special promo going on right now: 20% off $80 purchase. Use the code 1Joy. I had fun searching their new arrivals. I sure am not ready for fall, but it is fun to look.
Onlineshoes.com

Have fun adding some color. What will it be for you Shoes, Handbags or Jewelry?

Filed Under: Accessories, Fashion Tips

Pearls Etc.

August 2, 2011 By Karen 8 Comments

Congratulations to our Premier Jewelry Winners: Ellen and Linda who were Comments #5 and 8. They will both receive a $25 Gift Certificate. Remember that you can contact Mindy directly if you would like to see a catalog or see the jewelry. Thank you Mindy for sponsoring this Giveaway!

Now to see more on how to wear your pearls and tips on combining them with other pieces of jewelry check out my newest video: Pearls Etc. After watching you will have new ways to wear the 60 and 90 inch pearls. I have a hunch that many of you are going to want that Clip It from Premier. It opens up so many possibilities for your pearls.

Let me know what you think and please contact me if you have any questions about any of the techniques shown in the video. Enjoy!

Filed Under: Accessories, Jewelry

Tights, Hose and Open-Toed Shoes

April 29, 2011 By Karen 8 Comments

Be sure and check out the other fashion blogs at Musings of a Housewife. She has a great post on wearing white to weddings. AND, pop over to my Style byKaren facebook page and weigh in on Kate’s dress!

It’s that time of year. We want to wear open-toed shoes with summer skirts and dresses. But then there is the dilemma: What about the legs? In recent years, hose have gone ”out”. We saw a lot of bare legs with skirts. Now let me clarify, some work places still require hose and many of you didn’t really have a choice. Luckily hosiery designers have come a long way from the ”brown” pantyhose that came in plastic eggs.

Hose are very sheer and much more flattering.

Tights have made a strong comeback the last few years. Fun patterns added texture and interest to an outfit. Yet, I know many women were a little hesitant to go with a pattern. Perhaps designs like this scared them away. There are many more subtle designs so I encourage you to try!

Personally I prefer solid opaque tights in the fall and winter. I do have a few patterned pair and they’re fun for a change. I almost always wear tights with boots/booties as I have more boots than pumps. However, this year I bought a dress that I liked with shoes and boots. Every time I tried my brown tights with the shoes, it just didn’t look right. Patterns weren’t the answer either. What to do?

So I was off to the Nordstrom hosiery department to do some research. I had a nice conversation with the department manager and caught up a little bit on hose. When I described my problem, she had the perfect solution. Tights that were a cross between an opaque tight and hose. As she described it, “you want to see a little skin show through”. This was exactly right. I’m not sure the picture below is the best representation, but I believe you get the idea. Some outfits just call for this look

But now as spring and summer are around the corner, who wants to think about tights? Yet, it can be cold in the spring, our legs are not ready to see the light of day, and many women hate showing their legs all together.

All winter I’ve been wearing these tights with the dots. They are really more like sheer hose. They have been a great option for several outfits.

Colors are getting lighter and I needed another option. I remember the manager at Nordstrom telling me about the fishnet tights. They are perfect for spring–lightweight and light in color. They are a little hard to see in the photos, but check them out in the store.

Many of you in various parts of the country are already experiencing warm weather. Your legs are tan or you’re using self tanner. We’re not quite there yet. (I’ll cover the topic of self tanners in a future post.)

Wearing the sheer tights like the ones shown above brings up the topic of closed and open toed shoes. I did a little research. Some women say they would never wear any tights or hose with anything but close toed shoes. Other fashion sites and magazines show great examples of a tight with a peep toe shoe. Generally the consensus is this:

1. Never wear nude, sheer hose with an open-toed shoe or strappy sandal.

2. Tights (especially with a pattern) are OK with a peep toe or some open- toed shoes/sandals. I found that shoes that showed the least amount of skin looked better with tights. Keeping sandals and tights the same color also was a much better look overall.

Shoes that look fine with opaque tights and patterned tights

Shoes that look better with bare legs NOT sheer hose:

Shoes that could go either way:

Note how these shoes will cover most of the foot, yet they are not a peep toe as shown above. They have a sandal toe and personally I would NOT wear these with tights.

This photo taken on Easter Sunday shows the nude fishnets and a pair of shoes that are a little “iffy”. They might be a little too open. However, you can see from a distance that these are the perfect look with this outfit especially when I’m not ready to bare my legs quite yet.

What do you think? How do you wear tights and hose with your shoes?

Photo credits: Nordstrom.

Michael Kors and Sofft shoes

Filed Under: Accessories, Fashion trends

Stella & Dot Giveaway

February 11, 2011 By Karen 24 Comments

I had my first opportunity to see Stella & Dot jewelry last fall. My friend Sherra clued me in about this “up and coming” company a few months earlier. When I looked at the website, I wasn’t sure it was my style. I love jewelry. I enjoy checking out new things so when another friend Leigh Anne had her party, I was game!

Stella and Dot consultant Nancy Conway traveled from Fresno, California to show us the jewelry. Immediately I could see the photos didn’t do it justice. I loved it and had a very hard time deciding what to get! I was in major debate. Stella & Dot does a great job of mixing it up. Their jewelry is unique with gold and silver equally represented. Their designers also do a beautiful job of adding many different elements (pearls, chains, crystals and ribbons) Some designs are inspired by vintage pieces found at flea markets, others are trendy & very contemporary. The combinations are fabulous (as is the packaging)! Thank you Nancy, Heather and Leigh Anne for modeling!

Celebrities have been featured wearing pieces in almost every magazine from In Style to Lucky. Stella and Dot is known for “statement pieces”. My definition of a statement piece is a necklace that does just that—makes a statement! When you are wearing a statement piece, the eye is drawn up to that necklace. Statement piece necklaces are usually bold in style or color, are a bit “chunky” with lots of detail. This is one of my favorite tactics for steering the eye away from a flaw.

Don’t see anything you love quite yet? I’d say Stella & Dot’s biggest selling point is choice. If you like jewelry that is more dainty or not quite so bold–they have that too. I believe it’s all about choice when it comes to style, size and metal. Stella & Dot offers it all! Prices range from $20-200 with half the catalog being under $50

In January I convinced my friend Mollie to consider selling Stella & Dot. She was so impressed with every aspect of the company. She couldn’t stop talking about it. To seal the deal, I told her to give Sherra a call. Mollie signed under Nancy and already has her own recruit. I’m pretty sure she is happy she listened to Sherra & I.

It’s so much fun to help other women get started. Now for the Giveaway!

1. For Entry #1: Check out Mollie’s site, find your favorite piece and tell me what you like about it in your comment and you’ll be entered for a $50 Gift Certificate.

2. Entry #2: Check out my Facebook page to see even MORE photos of favorites. “Like” my page and make a second comment here on the blog that you are a fan of Style by Karen and you’ll be entered again. (I love it when you comment on my FB page too, but the extra entry is for the comment here.)

3. Entry #3: Send my blog to a friend or invite them to be a fan on FB and make a comment about who you invited.

It’s a little more work this time, but a chance for triple entries!

Here is the best part. Style by Karen local readers are invited to a Stella & Dot party at my house on Sunday, February 27^th from 2-4 pm. It’s a “Pre-Oscar” Party to watch the red carpet arrivals and see great jewelry. I will be doing a short presentation on how to combine the S & D jewelry together or with pieces you already own.“Glam it up” with Stella and Dot. Come wearing lots of sparkle and shine and of course your bling.You’ll go home with ideas how to layer your pieces and new ways to wear your strands of pearls.

You know the one “lonely” thing about writing a blog is the fact that I do not even know most of my readers! I would love to meet you. CONTACT me for more details and address.

Remember up to THREE comments for THREE entries.

If you live in another party of the country and want to see the jewelry in person, Nancy may be willing to travel so contact her HERE.

CONTEST ENDS, Monday, February 14 @ 9 PM PST. You’ll get a chance to see what I have purchased on Tuesday when I announce the giveaway. We have an extra fun surprise for you so SUBSCRIBE to my blog so you don’t miss a thing!