Telegram: Celebrity Closet Sequels -Recycle and Reuse

Although celebrities are more than capable of buying the crème de la crème of designers’ pieces to stay not only up to date with the latest trends but also get the best staple pieces out there, stars have just as much difficulty saying their goodbyes to some closet favorites as we all do.

As my mother always suggested, “One purchase in means one purchase out.” Of course in terms of love this is should be the motto of a decent woman, but when it comes to a shopoholic, how does that suggestion even hold any sort of merit? It’s like saying you have to have dinner before you’re allowed to have dessert. Well, I like the freedom of enjoying my dessert before the main course like a 10 year-old would. And I’ll have a soy latte while I’m at it, thank you very much.

To learn on fashionistas, Selena Gomez and Olivia Palermo's closet staples they continue to revisit, make the jump to my post on: Zooshoo's Blog

Xx. J

Telegram: Style Tips for the Everyday Girl: How to Rock the Bralet.

While the summer heat continues to rise, so have the hemlines of skirts and shorts for the practical girl. But now, the "bralet" has made a comeback into today's fashion, offering us another fabulous tactic to cool down. Ice cream melts but the bralet's purpose doesn't fade off quite so quickly. Since the days of Marilyn Monroe and the retro girl, these tops were first introduced to feminine swimwear with a figure flattering motive.

Runway fashion such as Dolce and Gabbana (above) has been obsessed with pushing the bralet into the spotlight for the globetrotter in all of us who love boasting a resort worthy look when vacationing off. 

Question: "How does the everyday girl rock the bralet with class and sass?"

Answer: Here are 4 Ways to Wear the Bralet!

Tip #1: Know When to Cover Up

Exhibit A: Queen of the crop top, Miley Cyrus is the definition of LA street style. 

Miley lives and breathes grunge and rock n' roll in her everyday wear. It's safe to say she practically sleeps in a cropped top, let alone a bralet.

Do like Miley, and throw on a leather jacket for that rocker feel that perfectly minimizes the "wow" factor from the bralet. Pair it with a pair of high waisted, vintage-like denim cutoffs and a pair of booties and you have the perfect combination of dressed down.

Here's a perfect compare-and-contrast moment for you...

Exhibit B: Jaime King (above) at the CW Upfront 

The blazer adds a perfect menswear touch to her retro look and just enough cover up to still keep it sexy without being too revealing. Baring her shoulders with the blazer, the look walks the borderline of vulnerability. Throwing on the blazer adds a classic touch and is actually pretty cute!

Question: How do you know when to cover up to hit that perfect balance?

Answer: The secret to the bralet is knowing how to tone down the bold statement top. It's all about balance! If your shoulders are bare cover up on the bottom. If you're wearing shorts and showing a good amount of skin below the waist, then throw on a blazer (like Jaime King, above) or a fitted leather jacket to show less skin above.

Tip #2: Soften the Look with a Flowy Maxi Skirt

Exhibit A: Actress, Jamie Chung at an event for REVOLVEclothing

I absolutely adore her choice of wardrobe pieces to dress up the look. Rather than wearing a tight fitting bralet, she chose a boxy crop top that bared enough of her arms and midriff to leave a little more to the imagination. Her black tulle maxi skirt was helped keep the look clean and chic by minimizing the amount of skin she shows below her midriff. And those color block ankle strap baring heels? Right on the mark with the latest trends, keeping the look modern and fresh. Just when you thought she couldn't have done more to this stunning look, her gold gemstone collar is the perfect regal element to even drive Cleopatra herself green with envy.

Tip #3: Keep it Young and Fresh... Pair with an A-Line Skirt

Exhibit A: Festival style walker, Lesley at Coachella (photo by Tres Awesome)

Music may feed the ears, but Lesley's look simply feeds the eyes. She took inspiration from the designer's resort runways to the valley by playing matchy-matchy from top to bottom. Matching patterns helped keep her look clean and uniform. But it's her pairing of the bralet with an above-the-knee, A-line skirt that kept it fresh, youthful, and oh so not "Little House on the Prairie-esque". Loving the touch of edge with the silverware. And no, I'm not talking about dining utensils.

Exhibit B: Selena Gomez at the Kids' Choice Awards

Selena had fun with this look by mixing patterns between her top and skirt. The look she donned surely helped her make a sexy statement, but wearing an A-line skirt helped her keep her look age-appropriate rather than being too risqué. Her skirt's mirrored embellishments along the skirt and waistline added a luxurious touch to her ensemble. And what about those coral closed-toed, woven textured pointed pumps? Love...

Tip #4: For Those Lazy Days... Pair with a pair of trousers

Exhibit A: CW's 90210's very own, actress Shenae Grimes

If I could choose the second in line to the crop top throne, it'd be Ms. Grimes. Also one who is frequently spotted wearing cropped tops in her everyday wardrobe, here she is in all her practicality showing how easy it is to rock the look even when preparing to jet off to the airport in a pair of patterned trousers. Even better? What about that studded leather jacket? So appealing and effortless who wouldn't love this look?

Xx. J

Telegram: Styling Tips- the Understated Cool

Recycle and Reuse Your Neglected T-Shirt:

VS model and new girlfriend of Adam Levine, Behati Prinsloo is the queen of casual cool. Even when running about in the city that never sleeps, she manages to make even the most random T-shirts look street chic cool. Have an old T-shirt laying in the back of your closet? Though it's been neglected by your compilation of hanger-worthy purchases, it still holds more potential than you would expect. Do like Ms. Prinsloo does and pair an old shirt with your favorite pair of black skinny jeans and your favorite pair of worn in sneakers. Freshen up that sexy bed hair with a dab of Bumble and Bumble's Texture Creme to add an extra oomph to those tousled tresses. Throw on your favorite shades and you're ready to hail your next yellow cabby.

Freshen up a basic, casual black dress:

Vampire Diaries' lead, actress Nina Dobrev is one too familiar with the casual cool look. Even in this shot of her in an issue of Nylon Magazine, she looks at ease in this comfortable look that seems to pay tribute to the Rat Pack. Throw on a wide plaid print button-up that adds a boyish charm to the look. Don't have one? Steal one from the boyfriend and it makes the look even more tastefully authentic to the definition of "cool". Throw on your favorite pair of worn in All Stars... bundle last night's curls into a perfectly undone top bun and you're ready to roll!

Mix Temperatures:

Tube socks were never meant only for the breadwinner of the family. Do like Mila Kunis and make a play for different shades of gray. Nothing screams sexier than the "girl-next-door" in a cozy sweater to cuddle into paired with denim cut off shorts. Guaranteed your hubby wouldn't mind being a couch potato with you in this cuddle-worthy look.

Don't be afraid to "Recycle and Reuse" your favorite Fall statement pieces:

Spider Man's newest leading lady brings her inner New Yorker out with this look that's mixed with a touch of British flavor à la Kate Moss and Sienna Miller. I have always been absolutely obsessed with mixing black, grays, and neutral tones. Nothing says classic more than this color block selection. Pair your black trousers with a striped cardigan like Emma to add consistency to the color throughout your look. Want to spice up the look a bit? Do like Emma and pair your look with a pair of modernized oxfords with subtle shimmer.

Simply Chic: 

Ashley Olsen has always been the model of classic chic in the simplicity of her looks. Sure she enjoys accessorizing her outfits, but she was never a fan of the crazy baubles. Classic solid pieces in classic, basic colors may seem boring laying in your closet, but when mixed properly, it's ever so chic and easy to style. Ashley mixed her navy knit with a pair of gray acid wash skinnies. To add that signature Olsen touch to it, she keeps her sandals simple, adds dainty rings, and a bold yet simple, matte gold cuff. Luxurious yet classic and ever so simple.

Even a Lady Can Keep a Look Grounded Without the High Heels:

Even the queen of style only suited for a classic lady, socialite and model, Olivia Palermo knows how to spend a weekend in an understated cool look. How cute does she look with her dashingly handsome German model of a boyfriend, giving her a lift in a bicycle meant for a romantic weekend ride? Even in a pair of metallic, magenta-lilac All Star sneakers, she manages to keep the look clean and sleek by choosing to rock her liquid leggings rather than the standard black cotton leggings. Top off the leggings with a nice blouse and a simple cardigan and you have the perfect mix of a proper lady stirred in with the modern trends to keep it looking hip.

Coffee is the Best Accessory:

As silly as it sounds, making a run for your morning cup of joe serves more of a purpose than giving that pound of a caffeine fix when your mind hasn't fully accepted it's morning yet. A comfy tee, comfy sweats, and a lounge chair is the best definition of a day of ease. Throw up your hair into a messy bun, put on those big black shades, and slip on a mix of dainty, vintage inspired gold rings and a bold turquoise stone ring to make a silent tribute to the Olsen Twins. No guarantees that paparazzi won't be hiding behind bushes trying to sneak a snapshot of you thinking you're just another celebrity doing something as mundane as getting your morning coffee fix.

Xx. J

Telegram: Chapter 2: "If You Were Mine..."

The Subject: City Classified Yoana

If you were mine, how would I style thee?
You bring out my inner 80's child in with your simplicity yet flash of modernity with the strapped detailing along the heel. Appropriate for the weekend and as flexible as can be with its style compatibility with all sorts of pieces lying in your closet. Simple enough to keep the look clean yet complex enough to add an easy kick to a look that can invite even the funnest prints to play along for the day. Make the jump to read in full: Zooshoo's Tumblr

Xx. J

Test Running: The Wedge Sneaker

A couple weeks ago, I posted my reasoning on the logic behind wedged sneakers. I had observed the purposeful design of the shoe and had devised a theory behind these recently hyped about modern sneaks. Given that it is in my nature to volunteer myself as the test bunny to all my fashion theories, I was eager to purchase my first pair to prove even to myself that these high-fashion sneakers serve a purpose in assisting the illusion of an instant elongation of the legs (as its most famous counterpart, “the high heel” has done since it kicked the kitten heel to the curb). 

What I love about my new purchase? The contrast of textures from the shiny, black patent material to the studded detailing wrapped along both sides of the ankles!

I do loathe those moments when everything I throw on seems to not feel quite so right. You know, those “off days” when you wish you could just roll out in a brown paper bag. Oh, the paper bag urge — the epitome of simplicity yet quite inappropriate enough for the public eye to set its sight upon. After rummaging through my closet, I end up throwing on the “casual-of-the-casual”. Everything seems fine until I am about to run out of the door and hit the last concern I wish to think about: THE SHOES.

Then comes the avalanche of concerning questions. Heels do not seem appropriate enough to pair along — almost an awkward combination to imagine, like eating filet mignon with a glass of milk. Lucky for me, my catastrophe can now be avoided with these new kicks that just seem to be sporty enough to mesh well with the casual vibe of my day’s look without having to jeopardize my height. I hope I have proven myself to be a woman of my word. As you can see, I choose to put my money where my mouth is. I won’t believe it until I see it. The verdict? A must buy. I repeat, a must buy!

Xx. J

Telegram: the Start of a New Series, "If You Were Mine..."

The Subject: Qupid's Lana-269 Tassle Sandal

If you were mine, how would I style thee?
Well, make the jump and see what I have concocted with this pair of summer-appropriate, bright-to-the-eye sandals. What I can promise you is, I never run short. You always go big, or go home! Zooshoo's Tumblr

Xx. J

Telegram: MTV Movie Awards 2012 Celebrity Style Staples

To tell you the truth, half the time I never watch award ceremonies. Simply because I can catch the ridiculous happenings, embarrassing moments, or glorious award winning moments in Youtube clips about 00:15 seconds long. I tune in for the red carpet arrivals, glance at who's wearing what and already feel like I saw the awards ceremony itself. Well, here are my Top 4 Fashion Favorites from the MTV Movie Awards that I so watched :) To make the jump, click: Zooshoo's Tumblr

Xx. J