Handing Over the Fashion Reigns...

Two things always signify fall to me, classes beginning again and Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in NYC. Well I can successfully report that I survived my first day of classes and sit giddy with anticipation over fashion week, meaning that Fall really has arrived. Unfortunately, it's arrival means the end of my time interning at Hilldale. That's right, I am officially handing over the blog reigns to another fashion savvy blogger.

However, I couldn't do so without first leaving you with a few helpful hints to keep in mind when piecing together your new fall wardrobe.

1. Argyle is the print of the season. Love it. Own it. Rock it. Preferably on a sweater.

2. Tasteful lace. Buy a shirt with flirty lace the reveals just a touch of shoulder or a little bit of back. This will also be a great
piece for layering as our weather gets colder.

3. This Fall it is all about the waist. Accentuate it with a tailored pencil skirt, cinched trench coat or leather belt.

My final piece of advice...no matter what pieces you invest in for Fall, make sure they compliment your personal style and make you feel like a million bucks. If you love them and feel great in them, then you will wear them with confidence and a smile and that is the best look of all!

Ciao Bella!

Simply Golden

So summer is in full swing, and between the madness of class, a couple jobs and all the rain we have had my tan is not as golden-brown as I would like. While some of my college-aged cohorts spend their mornings lounging by the pool or throwing around a frisbee, I have been spending my hours inside classrooms and office buildings. In a desperate attempt to look bronzed in my swimsuit this Fourth, I took the necessary measures and found a tanning bed.

While browsing through tons of offers at numerous tanning salons in Madison, I remembered my boss Leslie had mentioned a well kept Hilldale secret. Edward's Salon, a quaint little beauty parlor in the basement of Hilldale that offers more than the best perm in town; they have a tanning bed. Now, I know what you're thinking, "Who doesn't have a tanning bed these days?" Most places do, but few are rarely used (Edward's cliental are mostly sassy silver foxes) and inexpensive to boot!

I made my way over this afternoon to find out if the rumors were true. After filling out a tiny bit of information and paying a measly five dollars, I can officially report that my skin is now bronzer and more swimsuit ready for the weekend! I will definitely be investing in a package for the summer. Twenty five dollars gets you six tans, while $35 gets you ten. So get over to Edward's Salon for a little glow and enjoy the holiday weekend flaunting your best summer accessory!

Spring Jewelry Tips and Tricks

I am a firm believer that jewelry can make or break an outfit and is worn best when the piece is a reflection of it's owner. I wore a pair of huge, chunky plastic earrings to our Sadie Hawkins dance my freshman year of high school. Although today I would not be caught dead in them, that night they were the perfect compliment to my outfit and I wore them with my head high and a giant grin on my face. My point; wear jewelry that makes you feel like a million bucks, and you will personify that image. With that in mind, here are a couple hints for matching your jewelry with your wardrobe.

1. If you are wearing a dramatic piece, make it your only piece. I love bright colored gem stone necklaces and sparkling chandelier earrings, but wearing more than one of these items at a time is overwhelming.

2. Wearing a simple, understated outfit with a bright necklace or earrings will draw attention to your face. I love using this trick on a first date, when you will be talking during a sit down dinner. It is a great way to play up your natural beauty and draw attention to your eyes and smile.

3. Gems are a hot commodity this spring. After a winter season filled with chunky cocktail rings, I am excited for a more natural trend. Beautiful precious stone necklaces, in shades such as cobalt blue and sapphire are a great addition to any spring outfit. Dress down the trend by pairing a necklace with a simple cotton sundress or dress it up with your favorite party frock and sassy pumps for a night out on the town.

Looking to add some new pieces of jewelry to your collection? Stop by Woldenbergs to peruse their many different collections. Here are a few of my favorite pieces.

It's All in the Details

Having finally tucked away our mittens and peacoats, you are probably in the market for a spring jacket. Some of the hottest coats for spring come down to the details. From girly ruffles to cowl necks, it is the little touches that set certain pieces apart from the rest.

This spring trench by RoFa Moden features ruffled sleeves that update a classic, making it both modern and feminine.





This blaze orange jacket by Cole Haan reminds me of something an adventurous hiker would wear...if she was also avid fashionista. With it's dramatic cowl neckline, a feature rarely seen on this type of apparel, this jacket makes a fabulous statement for spring.





Find both of these spring jackets, along with many others, at Terese Zache.

Press C9 for an iPod Shuffle

Skittles and Dr. Pepper are two of my favorite vending machine treats, but imagine a vending machine that feeds...iPods? Yes, you heard me right, iPods, along with digital cameras, earphones, and video cameras. All are available in the new electronic vending machine found in Macy’s. The machines, called Zoom @ Macy’s, are a product of Zoom Systems of San Francisco and have been released in over 180 Macy’s around the country. The machines are equipped with a touch screen that allows customers to browse pricing and then pay with a credit card, before an robotic arm grabs the product and safely delivers it. Although a much bigger impulse buy than a bag of M&Ms, these iPod products come calorie free. Enjoy!

Sheer Luck

Marc Jacobs and Luca Luca filled their Spring 2008 runway shows with layers upon layers of floating transparent fabrics, everything from tops to skirts to pants made their debut, deeming sheer looks as one of this seasons hottest trends. Silk organza, tulle, chiffon and liquid jersey are just few of the fabrics being incorporated this spring. The almost-risque trend is best worn discreetly (under a blazer or jacket) or layered (over a slip or cami), as I did with this chic top by Carlos Miele, found at Woldenberg's. If you are still not confident about the concept of transparent clothing, incorporate a piece into your look subtly by purchasing a top with sheer sleeves or ruffles.

Globe Trotting

I would love to say I have ridden a gondola in Venice, scaled the Great Wall of China or had tea with the Queen in England, but in reality, I have yet to leave the United States. Luckily, one of spring's hottest trends is global inspired prints and silhouettes. Now, with a little exotically inspired styling, I can look like I've traveled the world after just one afternoon of shopping! This kimono-inspired shift with bell sleeves and cinched waist may look like it came from Japan...but it's actually found right here at Jan Byce! Indulge your inner jet setter this spring and scoop on a few items with international flavor, but make sure to maintain a balance in your outfits and pair the items with more neutral pieces.

Singing in the Rain

Puddle hopping and umbrella toting will become common place in the next few weeks as melting snow and rain showers make everything extra wet. With all the precipitation, there is no better transition jacket from winter to spring than the trench coat. This coveted classic gets a revamp this spring, with detailing that adds femininity and charm. Those who already own a trench should consider adding a brightly-colored number that will add some pop and pizazz to their wardrobe. You will certainly turn heads if you indulge in this red stunner by Burberry, that I found while perusing Woldenberg's new spring arrivals. However, if you do not already own one of these fashion staples, invest in a classic tan, black, or cream colored trench that will transition from year to year. Find one that falls at mid-calf level, with a crisp, tailored fit. I love this classic black trench with bow front closure by Cole Haan, available at Terese Zache.

Not Just Your Average Joe's Button-down

Another fashion must this spring season; the shirt dress. Shirt dresses mimic men's wear styles, while maintaining a subtle femininity. Many incorporate collars, button fronts and cuffed sleeves and define the waist with a belt or tie. The perfect addition to your spring wardrobe, this is a silhouette that can easily be taken from the office to happy hour with a quick change of shoes and accessories. This polka dot shirt dress by Anni Kuan features a tied waist and delicate button front detail. It is one of the many chic spring frocks arriving at Terese Zache on an almost daily basis.

Bold and Beautiful

Every spring, as dark cumbersome winter ensembles are shed, bright and cheerful wardrobes once again begin to emerge! This season bright, vibrant colors are the hot ticket. To pull off such a strong statement, pair one colorful piece with neutrals to balance the look. Wearing more than one bold item at a time brings the outfit from fierce to fearful. One of my favorite ways to incorporate brilliant color into a wardrobe is by adding a scarf, such as these I found while perusing the fresh arrivals at Rupert Cornelius. Scarves add an effortless chic to any ensemble and allow you to incorporate a new spring fashion trend without dramatically updating your whole collection of clothing.

Springing Forward

Spring will have officially sprung March 20th and that means it is time to start evaluating the new warm weather fashion trends. So what are the hottest looks for spring? Floral fashions with punchy, bright colors will be seen everywhere in the coming months. For more fashion dos for spring, check out my posts for the next two weeks. Each one will be dedicated to a spring fashion trend and will feature pieces found right here at Hilldale.

In the meantime, give your closet a spring cleaning, using tips from InStyle magazine found at: www.instyle.com/instyle/trends/hotfinds/0,,1175636_1,00.html. Cleaning out your closet clutter makes shopping for new spring looks even more enticing! I recommend sorting all your clothing into three piles: one to keep, one to mend, and one to give away. Keep all items that fit correctly and that you wear on a regular basis. Items that need to be hemmed or mended should go in a pile to be tailored as clothing that fits well, no matter the style, is ten times more wearable and flattering. The last pile should consist of items you have not worn in the last nine months, do not fit correctly or are out of date. Donate these items to Goodwill, your sister or a friend. Giving your closet a good spring cleaning will make you will feel better about yourself and your wardrobe moving into the spring months!

Keeping the Tempo

Wednesday night I was invited to attend a fashion show and trend preview at Terese Zache with the ladies of TEMPO, an organization encouraging the advancement of women to executive positions in business, public service, academia and the arts. Terese, having just returned from a trip to New York City, showcased some of the hottest looks for spring, noting up and coming trends along the way. Members of TEMPO modeled the looks and received many cheers and whistles from the group as they strutted their stuff on the imprompto runway.


I was very excited about two particular looks for spring. The first was this all black ensemble by Iris, featuring high waisted pants and a cute bolero crop jacket. High waisted pants are making a comeback and I really love this pair with its crisp lines and tailoring. Paired with the cropped jacket, the dressy outfit could just as easily be dressed down with a fun bright colored top.


I also fell in love with this flirty silver wrap dress by Kay Unger. This dress, flattering to all body types, is perfectly cute with its fun polka dot print and full skirt. I believe dresses will be appropriate everywhere this spring, not just for special occasions. Designers are creating dresses that can be worn from running errands in the morning to informal dinners in the evening, a trend that I am loving!

The event was certainly a success, as I overheard many TEMPO members commenting that all their events should be this fun! There is something about a glass of wine and a small fashion show that puts everyone in a great mood! I'm now more excited than ever about all the spring fashion that we will start seeing in the stores in the next couple weeks and months!