What's Hot for Spring/Summer?

I love shopping...shocking, right?! Online, offline, womens, mens...I do not discriminate. And frankly, it's not just about buying a tangible item. Window shopping is so under appreciated. Each season there are so many new reasons to shop. The trends are ever changing. Some you may like and some, well not so much. BUT different brands and designers have so many different interpretations of the trends. You are sure to find a piece that suits your personal style! Here is what is rockin' the runway this Spring/Summer:

1. Flesh tones: Ahhhhh, my personal favorite this season! From peach to blush, taupe to ivory, cool neutrals make a modern minimalist impression. This is such a simple trend that really speaks volume about your personal style. Mix and match different shades of neutrals and fabrics. Throw in some metallic and take your daytime look to night time glam.
2. Sheer beauty: Show it with out SHOWING IT. Create a provocative look with translucent fabrics. Layer your sheer pieces to create a modest opaque look.
3. Shine on metallics: This is the mother of all trends. Whether your key piece is metallic or you are using a metallic accent to give impact to your outfit, your destined to add shine to any look.
4. Black summer: Black is your new summer hue -- need I say more?
5. Geometry: What does grade school math have to do with fashion? Geometric prints offer a modern aesthetic that needs to be added to your wardrobe. Whether it's stripes, triangles, circles, spots or squares, you are sure to look sharp! Make sure to let the print do the talking, keep your hair and makeup simple.
6. Fancy pants: Hit your real life runway in the latest line of fanciful pants. Jumpsuits are back in every guise from the trousergown to ankle cropped and tuxedo variations. Harem pants are in focus as are the always flattering ankle crop. Have you seen the "mc hammer" pants? VERY trend. I like 'em. Not sure how to wear them...but I see them everywhere. I just ordered a pair... BCBG has a very reasonable priced pair that seems to be quite comfortable.
7. Easy chic blazers: Kick back oversized blazers with pushed up sleeves. I love the big easy mood. It's time to loosen up and play with proportions. Mix oversized top with shorts or skinny pants.
8. Fringe benefits: The 1920s roared back onto the runway this season and "fringe" is all the rage. No need to overdress this trend, a simple clutch makes the perfect accent.
9. Crayola color: Spring summer 09 is alive with color! From chartreuse to bluebell, wild strawberry to kelly green to lemon yellow and fire engine red. Children's crayola colors are sprayed over everything from evening gowns to day dresses. This season, color in your look to suit your mood. The brighter the better!

Seda France

Well, I may have been born in "Paaah-reee", but with 2 kids under the age of 3, the only way I'm getting to feel "french" these days is by lighting a Seda France candle. We've had several different candle and fragrance lines over the years, but I have to say, Seda France is my personal favorite. These hand poured candles were inspired from the classic design element that is over 200 years old, commonly called Toile. I stumbled on this line when the "french tulip" was gifted to me a few months ago. I light it VERY regularly...it's my way of relaxing at the end of my hectic day. One day it hit me....why not bring these candles to iniam. So, I'm happy to say that these beautiful candles and their many different fragarances are now available at iniam!

Rutzou

I'm in love! Yes, my 5 year anniversary is in a couple of weeks, but no...I'm not talking about my husband. I'm talking about Rutzou. What's Rutzou you ask? Well, aside from being one of the latest additions to the iniam line up, it's a BEAUTIFUL Danish line based out of Copenhagen.

For those of you who know me...I fall in love a lot. At least several times a season. Can you blame me though? One of the perks of my job is getting to see collections by designers who really know how to mix fabric, color and detail in a way that really gets my fashion juices flowing! Rutzou is no exception. The designer, Susanne Rutzou, founded the company in 2000 and launched her first collection in August of that year. Her latest collection is exquisitely contemporary and cosmopolitan. Susanne’s latest designs exemplify what Danish fashion is most renowned for: design-oriented clothing priced within the means of everyday consumers. I like the sound of that!

While the individual collections vary in their expressions and inspirations, they all share a similar aesthetic outlook and basic philosophy. They're aimed at the strong willed, independent urban woman who have a keen interest in design. The clothes are both feminine and sensual and characterized by clean lines and bold details.

This jewel of a line has already had a successful start here at iniam. Seems like it's not just me that's falling in love!

What's in Your Closet?

How many times have you looked in your OVER FLOWING closet and said to yourself, "I have nothing to wear?" Your clothing racks are packed and your drawers are barely shutting -- you'd think it would be easy to find something to wear. Instead, you either keep coming back to the outfit you wore yesterday, or you try and coordinate and outfit around that "clearance" skirt you bought last season. In the end, you're sitting on your bed in your underwear with no clue what to wear.

In my days of helping my clients "clean" their closets, here are a few tips I picked up along the way. Getting dressed CAN be fast and easy!

1. Let it go: Look, if you haven't worn a piece of clothing from your closet in a year, then it's time to get rid of it. By getting rid of those "dead" pieces you can make space for the things you do wear and for things you may need to add. Get'em out! Use the space for "active" clothing.

2. A deal is not always a deal: How many times have you been at your favorite store at clearance time and talked yourself into buying something that was originally $450, on sale for $230 and then an additional 50% off. It might have been a size smaller, but what the heck. 6 months later it still has the tags on, and it is starring you in the face! Don't buy things just because you got a great deal. Challenge each piece you buy. A great price doesn't mean you are more likely to wear it.

3. Live in the moment: Separate summer and winter clothes. It can be overwhelming when you look at ALL your clothes at once. Seems like you have so much to choose from but at least half of it is not wearable at the moment.

4. Versatility: Look for versatile pieces that can be worn in multiple ways. Keep a balance of classic pieces such as the classic suit, a great-fitting pair of jeans, or crisp white blouse that can be worn as is for a clean sophisticated look or then spiced up when paired back with the seasons hottest fashion trends. Having great fitting well made basics is the best building block for a fool proof wardrobe. You can wear the most basic trousers, tshirts, sweater all while reinventing the outfit each time you wear it with different accessories -- scarf, long layered necklace, shoes, cocktail ring, handbag...there are so many options.

6. Storage: Make sure you can see all that you have. So often we forget what we have because it gets buried in the back of our closet or underneath a big pile of shoes. Check out the Container Store or IKEA for storage inspiration. The key is to create a manageable closet so that you can see what you have and put it to good use.

Does Dry Cleaning Work?

I love beautiful coats and embellished blouses just as much as the next girl. But...I HATE dry cleaning. When I do laundry, I separate darks/whites, dry cleaning (most all of which is my husband's stuff) and then the hand wash pile...technically that pile SHOULD go to the cleaners, too. My husband thinks I'm a freak because I insist that dry cleaned clothes aren't really "clean." Think about it. There is no WATER used which explains why it's called "dry cleaning." And frankly, there isn't any soap used, either.

Basically, visible stains are pretreated with a catalyst, of some sort, to loosen the stain. Next the clothing is put in a machine that looks like a normal washing machine. A fluid called (PERC), a colorless, nonflammable liquid, NOT water, is pumped through the basket. Throughout the wash cycle, perc is continually pumped through the washer as it is turned back and forth, "washing" the clothes like a normal washer. The perc itself is filtered out to remove dirt from the clothes, then pumped back in to the washer. At the end of the cleaning cycle, the clothes are spun very quickly to get rid of the cleaning fluid.

Let me put this in perspective. When was the last time you washed your DIRTY hands with a chemical and then referred to them as "clean"? Absurd, right? Same thought applies to your clothes.

I'll be the first to admit, I dry clean many things. I wouldn't dare put my Phillip Lim coat in the wash! For pieces like that I turn a blind eye and just drop them off to the cleaners. BUT, I do challenge each article that has been labeled dry clean ONLY. I've opted to wash as much of what I was directed to take to the cleaners as I can. I'm not sure what 'perc' can do for smelly armpits or a sweaty blouse after a night out dancing?

So that brings me back to my original thought...are my dry cleaned items really clean?

Attitude

Many of you know I had my second child almost 5 months ago. Let me just say it has taken a toll on the "beauty" and "style" portion of my life. I have gone to Rite-aid with throw up on my HUSBAND'S thsirt (I would wear my own tshirt but then you would see my 'love handles'....that's a whole other blog entry) to pick up diapers, more times than I should admit. I pick up my son at school with out any make-up, my hair in a bun and my wardrobe, well let's just say it's a smidgen better than my PJs.

This is not a pity party. My whining is not an attempt to score re-assurement in the comment section. It's more a call to action for me and for all of you. We need to take step back and TRY and find a few moments in our INSANE day to look out for "ME"! Say it..."I NEED TIME FOR ME". This is not directed to just moms, but rather ALL women. Between careers, families, friends, and life responsibilities, I feel that sometimes our personal needs fall to the wayside. Making time for you, so you feel good on the inside is KEY to looking fabulous on the outside!

The next question is what is it going to take for a little self love? Here are a few suggestions:

1. Meditation: you need some alone time to be with just your thoughts. A little time to reflect on goals and aspirations.
2. Exercise (24 hour fitness has a 30 min program...I just joined!). And not necessarily to lose weight but merely to find some alone time to focus on you. The losing weight/getting toned is a BONUS!
3. Sleep...you don't need to be a rocket scientist to figure this one out.

Now here are few "superficial" suggestions. They always make me feel better!

1. Wear nice lingerie. Doesn't have to be pricey just something pretty so you feel good underneath your clothes. A little something sexy/beautiful will give you boost.
2. Hair accessories: Tie your hair up with a jeweled headband or use a silk scarf to tie it back. It looks stylish and effortless all in the same step.
3. Blush and lip gloss: You can almost put that on while driving (don't do that). It takes 30 seconds and you look put together.
4. Pick 2 fool proof outfits: Whether you are tired or in a hurry, it's great to have a "go to" outfit. Make sure to have two -- one dressy and one casual. That way when your in a bind, you know you will look great!
5. Eyebrows: This is a personal favorite. When my brows are done, I feel like a million bucks!

No matter what your lifestyle is like, it's important to focus on you!

Varina

Varina, rina, fo fina -- fi fy fo fina...

This flat is a great twist on a classic! Salvatore Ferragamo's footwear is synonymous with ladylike sophistication. The Varina flat is part of their iconic collection, which between you and I is not always what I'm dreaming about when it comes to new shoes. BUT, this flat is EXACTLY what I want! What's not to love? The bow-clad flats come in all sorts of colors like fuchsia, red, blue, orange, white, soft pink, black, gray etc. The shoe itself is patent leather (so you know it will hold up well) and the gros grain bow is a great contrast. I of course (at the risk of being boring) want these in black. It's a great all rounder shoe. I'm excited to cuff my overly long skinny jeans and then throw these darling little flats on. In an ideal world, I would have them in several colors! Red and fuchsia are a great burst of color for any outfit and the black...well, it's black.

Whether you are wearing skinny, boot cut or wide leg pants/jeans...or even a short skirt or dress these flats will definitely add a POP to your outfit.

Any tips on how to convince my husband i NEED 2 pairs?