The Style Trial.

{the finishing touch} courtesy getty images.

I have never been one to skimp when it comes to maintenance. I was busted cutting my own bangs at 4 years old and for stealing my mom’s Lancome lip gloss in the 3^rd grade (apparently it wasn’t appropriate for elementary school). I can even remember using eye make remover at an age when I wasn’t even wearing eye makeup, but it was the thought that counted (I wish I’d known baby oil was the way to go). My point? I have always been thoroughly enticed by everything and anything beauty related. I dye my hair every month, get weekly manicures, buy fancy skin cream, and I cannot ever imagine a day without makeup! Both my skin and hair are extremely dry, sensitive and prone to freaking out so I have tested countless products in an effort to smooth and soothe from head to toe. I also have strong feelings about the need for spf, I’m pro-sunless glow, and I am always flashing colorful nails. Most of my favorite products can be found at any drugstore, but I do splurge at the suggestion of my hairstylist (she’s a Bumble girl), dermatologist (Rx’s are a necessity) and makeup artist (she taught me to embrace quality brushes). It’s not like I’m incapable of being a “wash ‘n go” kind of gal, but I needn’t be one when there are so many beneficial products to take advantage of. Check out a sampling of my most treasured treatments.

{it takes a village}

photos: style.com

Perhaps this post should be titled “M.I.A.” because where have I been lately? More like, where haven’t I been?! Be it styling disco themed fashion spreads or getting my freak on at the infamous <<do over>>, my spring has totally sprung! How fitting that I’m really feeling the bold brights that are so relevant right now. My current uniform consists of coral tops + slightly cropped white Ava’s + nude sandals. Now not everyone should wear white pants (I feel like I’m breaking my own rules with them), but DO get yourself a pair of nude pumps immediately! Not only do they slim and elongate the legs, but they go with everything! More importantly, when it comes to color only pick one bright item and go totally minimal with the rest of your ensemble (hence, the nude shoe). Seeing as I’m so out and about these days (fierce exaggeration), I hope to scout some haute pink (or blue or green or orange…) helping to spring us all into summer.

cheap thrills.

vintage belts, justreality.com

In a highly un-scientific study, #TOOTZ and I have concluded that the ‘belting’ trend has become a played-out cop-out. Belted cardi’s, blouses and dresses are looking over-exposed and a little too Kim K. for my currently-minimalist taste. If you’re investing in garments that are well-draped and fit properly, then you should not have to belt anything to reveal the hot bod “hiding” underneath. While I would never suggest you quit belting all together (hello, I have one bitchin’ belt collection), I propose we just loosen up for awhile. On the other hand, if you can’t seem to unleash the beast entirely, then at least make the switch to a sleeker strap and avoid the wide, stretchy/leather combo’s that only add unnecessary bulk. Ask yourself: is my belt adding to the plate or distracting from the main entree? There is a fine line between good and bad, so here’s a guide to make belting a cinch!

photos: style.com

A special style shout-out to Eden Dawn over @ Po Mo’s Shop Talk for her Style Trial shout-out. #FollowUsBothOnTwitter and watch out for our spring fashion fling in the April issue of Portland Monthly.

charlie's angels = fashion heaven.

The day has finally come where I can boast that 70’s fashion is in full bloom. Though I wasn’t established until 1980, the previous decade’s feathered hair, bow-tie blouses, secretary dresses, bohemian bags, earthy baubles and high-waisted bell bottoms get the best of me. Images of Charlie’s Angels, Saturday Night Fever, Studio 54 and Dazed and Confused have always resonated with me, and I’d toss my every belonging in exchange for a vintage Halston gown. The Marc Jacobs Spring 2011 collection followed by the recent Gucci Fall 2011 show have thrown the grooviest of trends into the mainstream, and now it’s time for us to do the hustle. Start by investing in denim flares that will instantly balance your hips and pair them with an updated retro platform sandal. The marketplace is flooded with a bell for every bottom so take your pick and get your groove on.

dare to flare?

zanna roberts rassi, photographed by scott schuman for the sartorialist.com

The winter-into-spring fashion transition is one rough ride. Though chiffon florals are blooming inside, temperatures are still dropping outside. How’s a girl to dress when her heart longs for spring but her hands are freaking freezing?! Enter: Zanna Roberts Rassi. She is the senior fashion editor of Marie Claire magazine, and she is currently kicking all of our asses in the style department (maxi-skirt alert!). Zanna is tall, lanky, British and much wealthier than all of us. Yes, it’s pretty impossible to identify with her, but that doesn’t mean we can’t learn something from her globe-trotting style. She’s mastered the art of mixing masculine and feminine silhouettes using gorgeous monochromatic color stories. A lesson of fashion from A-to-Zanna is the perfect way to guide us towards spring.

zanna zing!

yes, please.

As February’s unofficial mascot, I tend to take my birthday month for all it’s worth. I started the party with a trip to San Francisco, aka my sister city, for a stay in the lap of luxury! In order to arrive in style with easily interchangeable pieces, this vacay involved some serious outfit preparation time! I tend to OVER pack in general, but I had quite a few events on the agenda ranging from cocktail parties to play dates with my nephews. To focus my inspiration I chose to style stalk my current muse Olivia Palermo, and I took hints from her playfully eclectic-meets-urban sophisticate signature look. I jumped way out of my silhouette comfort zone and raised all hemlines to mini’s (plus black hose of course), and I ditched my military parka in favor of a city sleek leather jacket. My suitcase was maxed with funky flats (maybe even a ‘hook or two!) and fancy daytime layers. In the end my pocket book ached from a couple of impossible to pass up investment pieces… but sometimes the birthday girl just needs to OWN it! Oh snap, Toots!

daytime dazz included.

baby it's cold outside.

Greetings all! I apologize for the lack of recent updates; however, in my defense I’ve been on a bit of a much-needed sabbatical. Case in point: a long overdue reunion with my college roommates. I’ve needed to check Denver off my trips-to-do list since 2006,  so it was time to pack a hefty suitcase and get on a Rocky Mountain High. First stop: pedi’s (I’m loving lavender), then a tour of Casa de Andi (no more “slumlords” in sight), followed by: a glass of wine, freezing my arse off, a sample life coaching session (a must!), a bottle of wine, a styling session (note: choose  long, bold statement sweaters over cropped, ruffled cardigans), yet another freezing of the arse but blue sky + sunshine all the while. I then switched ‘hoods and headed to a 90′s rock revival costume party with R-Dawg and Sklllz. Thankfully the coolest professional photog was on hand to capture all of our grunge glory. At 24 degrees, my leggings + shredded Levi’s shorts + plaid shirt ensemble left me cold as ice, but let’s be real: I’d show up for a party that fun in freakin’ Antarctica if it meant I’d get to relive some great college memories. I’m so glad that I over-packed (as usual) because I couldn’t stop piling on the layers to keep warm (did I mention it’s bitter cold there?!). As I said Adios to my collegiate crew (R-Dawg has actually put her Spanish degree to work!), it dawned on me that we’d accomplished nothing but fun times. Living the leisurely high life sounds like my entire Colorado collegiate experience… no wonder I had to transfer to graduate!

warm spring neutrals + skinny pants tucked into cute boots + sun protection + chic layers = one savvy traveler.