Stilhetto Styles You Need For Spring

These two shoes would glam up your entire summer wardrobe. Although I believe these shoes are worth the splurge, if you don’t, you’ll also find comparable looks at every price point.  The traits you should hunt  for:

• Sky high heels
• Classic color – I’m into brown and gold over black and silver
• A little something special: studs, bows, buckles

Other shoe trends to look out for:

• Wedges
• Mesh
• Denim
• Zippers
• T strap flats

The shoes shown above will transcend trends and you’ll get a couple years out of them for sure.  Brand names aren’t a guarantee, but you can bet they will hold up for at least two solid years.

For instance, here are the “trendy” shoes I’ll be wearing this spring and summer, and they’re all from previous seasons:

Left to right:

• Sergio Rossi (trends: denim, strappy)
• Michael by Michael Kors (trends: gray, zipper)
• Marni (trends: sexy casual sandal, brown, platform)

As for my metallic, I think I can get one more year out of these Sergio Rossis:

I get compliments on the studded heels every time I wear them even thought the over-sized gold buttons are dated.

Now, I realize no one wants to wear heels every night.  These days, trends lend to a more casual attire so you don’t always need a high heel.  That’s where the wedge comes in.

I just picked up this pair by Dolce Vita ($180) – they are  the PERFECT summer shoe!!  The soft leather wedge works for day and night, gives your leg length without a super high heel, is a classic with a little character (aka the zipper), and works with 8 out of 10 outfits you’ll wear this summer.

in Fashion, Mis, Shoes, Trends, Tuesday - Fashion & Beauty
on Feb 9  0 Comments  by Mary Rambin

Hey Dudes, these bags are for you!

By Kallah Maguire, The Stylist

I know you’re hard on your messenger bag, backpack, fill in the blank, that you beat up on a daily basis.  What if I told you that I know a brand that makes awesome dude bags that are durable and cool looking at the same time?  Would you be promising me chocolates and flowers to get the name?

Ok, ok!  It’s Billykirk, a brand conceived and designed by two brothers that knew what they were going to call their company before they knew what they wanted to sell!  Billykirk is handcrafted by Amish leather workers in Pennsylvania, and then finished by the brothers themselves.   You know the Amish don’t mess around when it comes to quality, so it’s no surprise that Billykirk is one of the highest quality leather bag and accessory lines out there today.

Their prices range from $65 for small leather accessories to $345 for the leather bags.  So whether you are riding your bike over to Scoops on Heliotrop for some hand-made ice cream, sailing in Santa Monica over the weekend, or want to be the coolest dude on your next camping trip, Billykirk has something for you. 

Feel free to send me Valerie Confections and flowers anytime  ; )

Billykirk

Billykirk.com

Stockists

Meet the designers and hear about their brand and inspiration – video

Read the Billykirk blog, and join their fan page on Facebook

Images courtesy of Billykirk.com

Valerie Confections

ValerieConfections.com

3360 West 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90004 map (213) 739-8149

Also carried at these fine retailers, stockists

Follow Valerie on Twitter @ValerieConfctns, and become her friend on Facebook

in Accessories, Contributor, Dallas, Fashion, Featured Posts, Houston, Kallah, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Men's Clothes, New York
on Feb 9  0 Comments  by Kallah Maguire

Meet Soul Cycle’s New Rockstar

I can’t remember the last time I sweat as much as I did last night in Melanie’s spin class at Soul Cycle!

When she took my classes, she was the obvious rockstar (who truth be told was a stinger rider than I was).

Last night she commanded a packed room with an incredible playlist and perfectly choreographed class.

I’m checking the schedule at all of the NYC locations to see when I can get back in her class asap.

check the schedule here!

in Cities, Fitness, Monday - Fitness, New York
on Feb 9  0 Comments  by Mary Rambin

Overlooked Arms — By Kelley, Our Trainer

The muscle I obsess most over is my shoulders… I feel like an amazing shoulder is the key to a great arm!  Not only does a well-defined shoulder separate the bicep and tricep and make the whole arm harmoniously balanced, but we all know  a well structured upper body always makes the lower end appear smaller!  Here are some great moves to get the shoulders to pop:

Shoulder Press: This is a staple exercise: start with the weights at 90 degrees, pushing them up and together.   Try for a weight that only allows 10-15 reps before failure. *Avoid this exercise for those of you with low back issues.

• Start with an athletic stance with soft knees
  -Elbows at 90 degrees
  -Core engaged: belly button to spine
• Finish by pushing the weight overhead keeping your core engaged and your shoulders “anchored” away from your ears.

Heavy Lateral Raise (straight-arm):  Pick a weight above 10lbs.  Arms are straight, hanging by your sides.  Imagine you are standing between two brick walls that you are trying to push down with the backs of your hands.  The weights will not, and should not reach the top of the movement.  10-15 reps to failure.

• Keep your shoulders “anchored” (i.e. don’t let them pop up toward your ears
• Neutral wrist (i.e. don’t let the wrist break back)

Light Lateral Raise (Straight Arm): Pick a light weight that will allow you to fully extend both arms to the top of the movement (3-5lbs.). Burn the middle of the shoulder out with this weight. Try for 20-25 reps. (see pic for Heavy Lateral)

Rear Deltoids (Delts): Don’t forget about the back of the shoulders.  In a bent over position, with a light weight, extend the arm out to the sides of the body (pinky finger to the ceiling).

• Starting position:
  -Foot extends back far enough that you are able to establish a neutral spine (flat back).
• Ending position:
  -Keep your shoulders “anchored” or pulled away from your ears.
  -Keep your core engaged or your belly button pulled into your spine.

Try these four exercises in a row with short rests between sets (1 minute).

in Contributor, Fitness, Kelley, Monday - Fitness, Photo, Upper Body
on Feb 8  0 Comments  by Kelley Davidson

Tailor Make His Valentine (MTM Reader Discount)

They always say the best Valentines are the ones you make.  But before you reach for the macaroni and glue gun, visit ProperCloth.com.  On this site, you can customize a shirt you love and he needs with a few clicks for $100.

You choose the fabric, collar, cuffs, and size.  Obviously if you don’t know his size, you’re going to have to do some investigating, but the end result will be worth it.

MTM READER DISCOUNT:

SIGN UP USING THIS LINK

AND RECEIVE $10 OFF YOUR FIRST PURCHASE.

NOT EXCLUSIVE TO VALENTINE’S DAY.

in Discount Codes, Fashion, Fashion websites, Men's Clothes, Mis, Tuesday - Fashion & Beauty
on Feb 7  1 Comments  by Mary Rambin