Friday, July 30, 2010

I know we're feeling the extreme heat of summer, but the new season is just around the corner. Labels will start accepting Fall Consignments starting August 7th!

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Hot Trends to Cool the Summer Sizzle or Cool Styles to Beat the Heat

Baby it’s hot. Sizzling hot. The dog days of summer are here. I hardly can bring myself to do anything other than lounge by the pool and sip cool cocktails. And have you noticed how hard it is to feel “cute” when it’s so hot you can fry an egg on your car seat? And the humidity….I won’t even go there.

Feeling a little like a lazy dog (perhaps that’s why they call it the dog days of summer), I knew I needed a little pick-me -up to make it until Fall. So I did what any smart girl would do…I went shopping. After all we still have at least two full months of HOT weather. No need to think about Fall yet.

Here’s what I found to take the sizzle out of the temperature and redirect that sizzle to me!


Flirty sun dresses: Summer is meant for sundresses. Obvious-right? Whether it’s a maxi, a strapless or a flirty spaghetti strap number, a cute sundress can make you feel like a cute girl regardless of the heat or humidity. Ladies…sundresses are meant to be loose and flowly. Leave your spanks in the drawer! I found this David Meister polka dot sundress. It’ll be so fab with flip flops for a stroll to the Saturday market or paired with a little cardigan for work.




White Hot! That’s right…Anything white. A minimalist look to add instant cool to your style. But we're not talking about fussy, Wimbledon “white”. Add a little gold and bit of glitze to go from your mother's white to fresh, young white hot. White jeans, white skirts, white shirts look fantastic paired with a little gold like this little dress/long top. And don't forget to add a little touch of gold to your accessessories like this little handbag .




Sheer Lightweight Tops- These little darlings keep me cool in and out of the car all day on sales meetings. With a breezy silk blouse or top, I can take it from day with a pencil skirt and belt, and into night, paired with a short pair of shorts or white jeans and big earrings. Plus there's nothing like an easy silk top to transform you to feeling your sexiest self by revealing just a hint of skin without giving away anything you wouldn't want a client to see!



Show off those suntanned legs- Let's face it - we all would kill for longer legs, no matter how short or tall, there is something about a long stem to help every gals overall look. And, my secret weapon for that is definitely a NUDE shoe. There is nothing like 'em, whether in a sandal, wedge, heel or peep toe, a shoe in a neutral shade of tan or cream will only lengthen the leg and draw the eye up and over making me feel irresistably airy no matter what the humidity is doing to my hair!




Summer Sandals- I’m not talking about those hard to wear heels- Flats my dear. It’s too hot to hobble around in uncomfortable shoes. These sandals by Lilly Pulitzer are perfect for the pool, running errands and even a summer concert.




Bigger is not better- Get rid of that HUGE handbag- Carrying around that load is enough to make you HOT. Lighten up. Opt for a smaller size. Fall's "it" bag is bringing back sophisticated ease with the messenger-style. But, before we conform to the fall work-savvy style - live it up for the rest of summer with a feminine clutch in fun, punchy fabrics and colors!




We’re headed up to Lake Keowee for the weekend with a few other couples. Can’t wait to get away and float in that cool mountain lake! Bags are packed. I am so happy to have added a little pick me up to my summer styles. I feel certain I’ll be the cutest girl there…well at least the coolest!




Cheers fashionistas!
Lulu LaBelle




Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Too hot to handle!

FINALLY!

After working like a crazy woman for six months, it is time for my summer vaca. This is what I have day-dreamed about every afternoon since Christmas. In just two days, I will be headed to the beach for our annual family beach trip. And this means…an excuse for some shopping. Along wit


h the requisite bathing suits, I needed some cute cover-ups, skirts, sundresses, flip flops and a new handbag. I can’t go to this uber chic resort without the proper attire! Let’s face it, my work-wear won’t cut it pool side.



Sundress
I feel certain Mr. Labelle has made some fab dinner reservations. I definitely need a new sundress and finding the perfect one is not always easy:
Fabric- must be a soft cotton that will breathe easily in the Carolina heat like this little dress
Shape- must accentuate my waistline while at the same time be loose enough to keep me cool


Accessories- you’re never fully dressed without the right accessories-these must not be too overpowering. Check out these cute necklaces.
Shoulder cover- And because it’s always cold inside, you must be able to wear a little wrap or cardigan to take the chill off indoors.



I think I found the perfect dress- check out this cute little strapless number that's totally unique since I got it at Labels and totally me- and look at these cute shoes by Betsey Johnson. I love the way this combo makes me look- tall and curvy!

Skirts
Summer is meant for cotton skirts. Here’s what I am packing to wear to the pool and out doodle bugging around the island:
Tropical print- Sometimes it’s really fun to look a little west palm and wear a some fun print Lilly!
Hippy chic- Pair it with a white tank and some Sam Edelman sandals to get an effortless summer look
Solid A-line- There’s nothing better than a good solid skirt that can go with a simple t-shirt or flirty top
Blue Jean- No matter how old I get, I still love a blue jean mini-skirt.

Accessories
Alas…Mr. LaBelle keeps me on a tight budget and I can’t go too crazy buying the latest trends. So I will work with what I have by adding a few new accessories:
Sunglasses- Don’t forget trendy shades…they complete the look!
Bangles- Do bangles make you feel as sexy as they do me?
Sandals- Sexy sandals draw out your inner diva. Find a great pair that will go with everything like these.
Straw Bag- Grab a cute straw bag, throw in a towel and you are ready for the pool…leave out the towel and throw in your wallet…you are ready for a little shopping!
Cowboy Hat- Don’t forget a hat to cover your pretty little face! I good straw hat is always a nice way to protect yourself from the sun. Nothing is worse than a few wrinkles.

I must run. I need to make a last minute trip to Target for some sunscreen and trashy magazines. Gonna use some beach time to catch up with what Brad and Angelina!

Cheers fashionistas!
Lulu LaBelle


Tuesday, July 6, 2010

American Girl Style

Cheers! To America!



Don’t you just love a July 4th celebration? Friends, food and fireworks. And quite frankly, nothing is cuter than seeing all of the children dressed in their red, white and blue waving flags and sparklers to celebrate America’s birthday. Of course there is also the fun of getting dressed up in my red, white and blue as well.

To kick the day off we went to a neighborhood pool party cook out. The hostess decorated with red burlap, galvanized buckets, red and white geraniums and tons of flags! I knew this would be a festive occasion but had a hard time deciding what to wear: this cute red skirt with a Carmen Marc Valvo knit top and casual Stuart Weitzman flip flops or this flirty find from Labels, my Nannette Lepore sundress. fter all that deliberation, I ended up wearing these flattering white jeans with this fresh little top. How lucky were we that the weather wasn’t too hot and humid?


Ya know, calories don’t count on holidays and nothing is better than a good cookout- hotdogs, burgers, chips, dips, watermelon and banana pudding. I sampled a little everything…I totally forgot to pace myself for the evening ahead. Does it get any more American than that?




After an afternoon with friends and children and a quick nap, it was time for a cocktail party. A friend rented the Soby’s loft space for a swanky celebration…and best of all a perfect view of the fireworks. I wore this festive navy cocktail dress by Laundry and carried this cute gold clutch. I wish I could claim to be the best dressed at this affair, but I must admit, I fell in love with this fab summer sundress my friend Chloe wore so effortlessly. She looked like the picture of summer with her long blonde hair casually pulled back in a low pony tail. Let me also just comment that there were really fabulous accessories galore…everyone was trying to dress up their summer white to add a little July 4th sparkle to their ensembles.

The sun finally set on the Greenville skyline and it was time for fireworks. Call me a sentimental fool, but fireworks always make me cry. The cheesier the better. Crank up a little Lee Greenwood, “Proud to Be an American” and I am a sobbing girl so happy to be free and to live in Greenville.

The hostess, who left no detail unturned, passed raspberry champagne cocktails to toast as the fireworks began to light up the sky! Wrapped in Mr. LaBelle’s arms, champagne in hand, a little tear began to crawl down my cheek. What a perfect ending to a perfect day of celebration with good friends and neighbors.



Cheers fashionistas!
Lulu LaBelle

PS - I couldn’t leave the party without the champagne cocktail recipe. Thought you might want to try it sometime!

Raspberry Champagne Cocktail
(www.epicurious.com)
2 1/2-pint baskets fresh raspberries
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons raspberry liqueur
1/4 cup cognac or other brandy
8 sugar cubes
1 750-ml bottled chilled brut champagne
Fresh raspberries


Combine 2 baskets raspberries and 2 tablespoons sugar in medium bowl. Mash berries lightly with fork. Let stand 15 minutes. Mix in liqueur and brandy. Pour into jar. Cover and let stand in dark cupboard 3 days. Strain raspberry mixture, pressing on solids with spoon to extract as much liquid as possible. (Can be made 1 month ahead. Cover; chill.)


Place 1 sugar cube in each of eight 6-ounce champagne flutes. Pour 2 tablespoons raspberry mixture over each sugar cube. Pour champagne over to fill glasses. Garnish each with raspberries and lemon peel.