Sometimes all roads lead back to black.

From the most classic combo in the books, has emerged a new twist…make that Windsor knot… bow tie… collar dude…

So fresh that it’s seen nightly on the likes of {insert mega-scale age odometer here} Halle Berry, Sarah Jessica Parker, Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, Emma Watson, Lady Gaga, Kate Moss, Kim Kardashian, the {so} black {so} white menswear trend can be pulled off at any age!

{Jill Stuart blazer; DVF feather headband; Zara lace top; Marni at H&M sequin collar; H&M shorts; vintage sunnies; Kardashian Kollection for Sears bralette; Nicky Hilton rings; black bow pin (on left sleeve) and fanny pack from Japan; Alaia boots}

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On a canned soup budget…

Grab your go-to-man’s trusty white collared shirt {oversized tunic style}. Buy a long 1 inch wide black ribbon from a local craft store and tie it in a bow around the neck {dainty detail}. Celebrate the “no pants party” by adding matte black tights to complete the look. Extra artsy? Affix two matching gold rivets to the tails of your bow to polish the tie into a classic Vogue moment!

On this week’s lunch money…

Good thing menswear is so.hot.right.now; it’s available at all of your favorite street-style mall stores like H&M, Zara, GAP, Urban Outfitters, and Anthropology. Check out my {cheap (ha!) as a 1 lb. lobster} H&M shorts (see above) and try to tell me you prefer a warm baked chunk of tail dipped in butter… Well, with these prices, you can actually have both…

On, well… not really on a budget…

Fill that gas tank with “regular” and put the pedal to the splurging metal. Head to luxe-land…Barneys, Saks, Bloomies {Rachel Zoe Collection- check!} and get your splurge on. Best to invest in a classic black and white combo menswear top with a removable bow tie/tie/sash. Why? {two-fer alert, two-fer alert!} That little removable detail will take you a long way…you can pair it back to any other top in your closet!

Lesson learned? Playing around with menswear is almost as fun as men playing around in heels.

xoxo, elshane

As days become longer and the weather slowly turns a little warmer (for some of us!) our eyes and hearts are set on spring!  And what is more ‘spring’ than florals?!?  We know, we know, “Florals?  For spring? Ground breaking.” as spoken from Miranda in The Devil Wears Prada.  But this year designers really have taken florals to a whole new level—specifically in the floral pant.  We remember when these floral pants (with stirrups!) were a hit ages ago and they are back this spring/summer in a major way!

H&M Floral Pant

1) Floral Pant – H&M 2) Floral Jacquard Swirls High Waist Skinny Jean – Reiss

Not yet ready to dive deep into floral skinnies??  That’s okay, you can tread lightly with these gorgeous floral patterned dresses, tops, skirts and accessories!

LOFT Floral Dress

Macy’s Rachel Roy Top & Skirt – available at select stores and Macys.com

Rebecca Minkoff Floral Print Dress

1) Blue Floral Tube Romper – Delias 2) Glitter Floral Card – Papyrus 3) Floral Stretchy Bracelet – Forever 21 4) Vivienne by Vivianne Tam Floral Print Dress – Dillard’s 5) Bucket Floral Shirt (for him!) – French Connection 6) Field of Flowers Wildflower Blossom Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath – Philosophy

Create your own florals: Spring planting tips!

• Check your planting zone (you can Google an easy to read map) to see which flowers will grow best in your area’s weather.
• You’ll need great tools to get started (pruners, digging shovel, garden rake, garden hose and/or watering can).
• Spring is the best time to plant perennials so that they can get acclimated to their surroundings before the summer heat.
• Plant according to instructions provided by your local nursery.
• Plant when the soil and air are warm.
• Don’t over-rake your garden (this causes the soil to become too thin).
• Lightly water your soil one hour before planting.
• Add mulch to your garden to help avoid weeds, and to keep your soil and roots cool.
• Make sure there is enough drainage for your garden.

 Here’s to a colorful spring; both in your closet & your yard!

Kelli and Lisa

I might be the utmost qualified ladylove to touch in on this subject; I cry at every Zales commercial ever aired.

The elshane motto of a brighter life is woven stems from catering {lewks} for specific celebrations, and Valentine’s Day is high up on the mega list of favorite holidays to play dress-me-up.

And why is this night different from all other nights, we ask? Because on this night, we dress for our significant other(s) (it’s 2012, peoples!), or the imagination of one(s). Trends are left in the dust of classic sex appeal. Edginess may have gotten you the date, but your inner {Sofia Vergara} is paying the bill tonight…

(Jennifer Behr for DVF turban; DVF maxi; vintage necklaces and handbag; TopShop boots)

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Table For Two…

Steak and Martinis? A dress, of course, is required. Red, of course, is required. Leave the cliché comments at the babysitter’s door. Tonight you are dressing for the ultimate date night of 2012. You are your best self: the dress, the hair, the makeup, the shoes. Leave no step behind. Take the diamonds out of the safe. Bat those lashes and deserve that second drink without a peep…

“Roughing It” with Ham Sammies? A more low-key dinner out is often preferred by most Valentine-goers because of the clockwork overpriced holiday menus. {Ru-uude!} Doesn’t mean your wardrobe should reflect that change of sassy pace. On a night like Valentine’s Day, the fantasy of romance is between you and your partner– there is no one else in the room tonight! Stand out with a body-con pencil skirt and low cut printed top. Add a bright heel to keep your partner’s eye wandering…from head to toe.

Posing as Chef Betty? Nothing says female empowerment like a home cooked meal! Light candles, dim the lights, and serve up your famous Saucy Special in a dramatic non-formal maxi dress (chiffon, silk, or cotton). And, don’t forget the heels! If you are bringing the restaurant “home” into the kitchen, keep all restaurant rules in play tonight. Last time I was in a restaurant shoe-less was, well, last week in Tokyo, Japan… So unless you’re searing sea bass and slicing sashimi, stay stiletto strong!

The Brooding Bunch? For every whimsical Sally running through daisy gardens with effervescent fervor, there is a crew of {hit the beat, DJ!} To All My Single Ladies! who will gather together this evening and reflect on bad dates, celebrating their fabulousity! {You go gurl!} Forget red and black: go bold! This is your time to celebrate yourself: go Green {with envy} for your untouchable swagger cool. GAP and Joe’s Jeans make green denim that skinny-fy any leg and add a winter zaa-zaa-zoorific to a snowy or shiny backdrop. Bring the look home with a wildly entertaining top and rewarding accessories.

And what will I be wearing? I’m going Chef Betty on this holy night. Meaning… while my Beef Tenderloin Tips and Truffle Mac n’ Cheese are a-roastin’, I’ll be doing a swift oil-proof rapid quickfire change into a beachy chiffon pink snow leopard maxi and tough chick booties. Hair long and wavy, heavy on the eyelash, and strong on the ’07 Malbac.

Ambiance and all smiles.

xoxo,

elshane

And here rolls around 2012 with a red carpet bang! The Golden Globes brought golden goddesses from near and far {from the tops of Beverly Hills, to the dunes of Malibu}.

I was at the Beverly Hilton for the weekend: prepping looks, fitting gowns, styling and accessorizing. I even hosted a style segment for Fashion TV Canada, straight from the scene of the red carpet. My pretty predictions? Spot on!

So, let’s skip the sweet talk and cut right to the fashion…

Nude: Piper Perabo and Giuliana Rancic (pictured above), Charlize Theron, Jessica Biel, Kate Beckinsale, Elle McPherson, and Nicole Kidman brought the birthday suit trend front and center this carpet.

Where it works: Nudes are best as a statement look: think chiffon nude shirtdress with nude patent pump.

Where it doesn’t: Nude shirt and jeans? I’ll pass on the {anti}sass.

Red: The hot trend of the 2011 Emmy’s was back with a striking force. Reese Witherspoon did it {gorgi-er} than ever, with bedhead and “clean” makeup. Angelina Jolie did the unthinkable… made white satin look chic. Oh, Angie!

How to interlace red into your wardrobe? A shoe, a handbag, a lip. Red-ccessorize!!

Head Gear: Michelle Williams and Charlize Theron left no pore behind!

Where it works: A friend’s wedding, a dinner date, a holiday jaunt.

Where it doesn’t: The office, the school parking lot, the mall.

Pastels: Say it ain’t so! Did I call it or what! Heidi Klum, Tilda Swinton and Jessica Alba brought New York Fashion Week front and center with their risky and oh-so-right moments. For those who graciously followed my New Year’s Dressing recommendation—feel free to tweet at my girls Heidi {H-diggs} and Jessica {J-Bombs} and send them a pic of your very own pastel moments. Be sure to date the photo from 2011 and let them know who da original boss!

And what didn’t we see on the red carpet this year? Again, an elshane pat on the back, peoples! My New Year’s Dressing tips, once again, a slam dunk. Sequins, beading, embellishment… So 2011!

Lastly, we can’t forget men’s fashion. {Wake up}! Although a more strategized, by the books craft, a tuxedo can detail small quirks that strongly set one apart from the next… Are you ready to hear what all the fuss is about?

This very carpet, the {real} men (like Matt LeBlanc) sported a full cutaway collar. With tips pointing towards the man’s shoulders instead of belly, this new trend screams “the gym is …. that way!”… It’s such an easy fashion update to the good ol’ tux hanging in the back of your husband’s closet. Valentine’s Day present?

All in all, impressed with the fashion this Globes season? Ehhh. Looks like everyone’s saving the good ones for the Oscars!

xoxo,

elshane

(NastyGal sheer top; DVF bralette and shorts; vintage hat; H&M sunnies; Christian Louboutin handbag and boots)

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Everyday I’m shuffling!

You know that Party Rock video? The uh-mazing wardrobe choices… think drop crotch pink leopard pants, neon printed tees, wide rim glasses and huge Afros… These LMFAO bandmasters grabbed 2012 by the ball drop!

Can’t we all be so lucky? If I hear one more New Year’s Resolution pertaining to caloric intake by way of cheesecake… I might just go Chicken Vindaloo on your thighs. Let’s be creative: touch our inner soul this year with some positive changes for 2012… inspirations that will lead to a beautiful New You. Dr. elshane calls for a Rx of fashion overdose: we’re all trying something new this year!

Here’s a rundown of some fun fashion moments of 2011… you’re not too late! This doc guarantees a hippin’ hop in your step if you try one of these trends:

+ Sheer Genius: Forgo the “cami included” the next time you wear your sheer chiffon blouse. Opt instead for a printed tank or {age appropriately} just a black demi strapless bra. (A demi- style strapless bra gives off a demure note, as opposed to a regular bra = Street Walker!)

+ Tight End: Calling all printed tights! Me? I prefer sheer black with a Swiss dot. Print on print? Of course! Wear your printed tights with a printed dress. Rule? All prints should stay in the same size frame.

+ Metallic Bond: A metallic shoe is the end all, be all, ladies! No excuses. It’s the new basic black.

+ Color Code: Colored denim is the biggest pant trend of 2011. This look works for all ages and all seasons. I love red denim paired with a black leather jacket. Or a cobalt blue jean with a grey sweater and silver kickers. Joe’s Jeans makes 55 colors!

+ Eye Candy: MUST alert! Have you treated-yo-self lately? Fresh frames are oh-so-fly. Stay current in 2012 by updating your eyewear. A thick frame is the only road to fashion acceptance. Square, round, cateye… black, tortoiseshell, colored. There’s a shape and size for each of you. Splurge it up, do it up nice, and leave that narrow rectangular frameless pair on your neighbor’s front stoop.

Party people!

xo,

elshane

(BCBGeneration jumper, necklace (worn as headpiece), belt; DVF bracelets; Nicky Hilton rings; Kelsi Dagger boots)

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My favorite part of New Year’s? Run{way}ing into the party in the same dress as everyone else! Sparkle-o-fun in a wine spritzer!

Who are we kidding here? That is the biggest {party foul} {buzzkill} {Debbie downer} {fashion suicide} in the elshane handbook.

So…the approach to the No-Fail, No-New Year’s-Beige-me, No-Way? A punch!

1. LBD: If your NYE lewk involves an LBD {little black dress}, hurrah, hurrah! How très chic! A punch and a splash is all you need to keep your… photos on Facebook a frequented subject of conversation…

     *A punch? A bauble-y bib necklace in a rich jewel tone will light up your face like a Christmas tree! Try searching for costume jewelry from brands like Dannijo, Kate Spade, Lizzie Fortunato Jewels, and J.Crew. *A splash? The weather outside is… flippin’ frightful! Doesn’t mean your overcoat and scarf have to follow suit. Add a faux leopard coat (try Club Monaco, ASOS, DKNY) or a shimmering swirly lollipop of dreams colorful scarf, from Theodora & Callum, Pucci, or Diane von Furstenberg.

2. PASTEL: You heard it straight from elshane! Pastel! No, not shimmery golds and silvers… unless you want to be oh-so-Beige this NYE. Calling all warm, soft, sorbet-inspired Pastels! Take notes from the Spring 2012 runway collections like Louis Vuitton, Calvin Klein, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Rachel Roy: stretch your bad ankle and leap into 2012 fashion-foot-forward! Orange-Creamsicle-Punch- you glad you heard it here first?

3. X-FACTOR: {Reference my photos above} Are you surprised I chose this look for New Year’s? Probably not, because it’s just so punchy-kewl from head to toe! Spelled Easy E: effortless, extravagant, elegant, e-sexy, this look guarantees all eyes on the prize, all in the most shimmering light! No haters can hate, all lovers can love: a sexy jumpsuit that shows just the right amount of winter white skin, and leaves just enough room for three remaining slices of 2011 cake. (Take an Easy-E jumper home from designers like Robert Rodriguez, BCBG, Tibi, Vince).

So there you have it. New Year, New You, in a punch!

(Photo 1: Malibu beach, summer 2011; Photo 2, 4, 5: vintage turban and belt, Free People top, MinkPink dress, Kate Spade necklace, Cutler & Gross sunnies, CC Skye cuff, LF socks, Jeffrey Campbell shoes, Photo 3: a necklace display at a Los Angeles flea market, fall 2011)

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I always say, “Life is greener when it’s candy colored,” yet it’s funny how something so simple can be so feared! COLOR! Mixing it, matching it, mismatching it… what direction to take, what paths to avoid? Bright reds and pale greens… for me? Deliciously perfect for an afternoon of shopping, spending, splurging! Please, yes, thank you! Yet they can make someone else utterly nervous, distressed, and insecure. My heart melts for this widespread panic; I’m gearing up in my Swarovski crystal-embellished armor (you think I’m lying…ha!) and fighting it to the core—my sweet colorphobics!

Isn’t it, after all, that color is what brightens our day? Makes us smile? Adds a glimmer of peace and luster to an otherwise dull palate of boring shades of grey and beige?  (A fashion synonym for boring is, in fact: BEIGE!) To conquer your color palate is to conquer your confidence.

Wearing two colors in one look, also known as color blocking, can instantly rev up your style. Start using the basic color wheel to experiment with mixing brights. Primary colors: Red, Yellow, Blue, can each, separately, be mixed ferociously, fearlessly with a secondary color: Orange, Green, Violet.

Think…

• Red and Violet: Score!
• Blue and Green: Score!
• Yellow and Orange: Score!

Rich, deep tones (primary colors) work well with lighter tones (secondary colors) because they don’t compete for the same attention—they compliment one another. Colors encompass qualities like hue (the actual color), tone (the lightness or darkness of the color), and chroma (the saturation, purity and intensity of the color), and the more you fancy yourself a Master Leprechaun of the rainbow, the more secure you will be while color-block dressing. Go bold, or go {Beige}!

Although it sounds so easy on script, going into your closet and grabbing two items from opposite ends of the rack {don’t we all color coordinate our wardrobe?} is a battle of textbook dressing vs. pushing the envelope. But a shimmery ocean blue silk top with clean-finish grass green skinny jeans and a lilac-infused Lucite cuff is a recipe for instant success, and that is undisputable your Honor!

There is, however, one glittering evil temptation that a fashionista must remember as a DON’T: the risk of dressing in the colors of your local sports team. An LA power chick should not wear yellow and purple together, same goes for a chic New Yorker in blue and orange, and a cutting-edge Floridian in sea foam green and orange. Gasp, horrors, O-M-G if your fashion is mistaken for… {costumery}!

Like all things in life, there is a time and place for everything. Going Beige is downright chic for an office meeting, a dinner with the in-laws, and a job interview…wait, all of those events sound like a snooze-fest…go figure {Beige}! So for a greener life, a life with butterflies, rainbows, lollipops and smiles, throw some candy color into the mix!

xo, elshane