Bay Area Fashionista


Spring 2014 trends: crop tops

Crop tops came into fashion in 2013, and for spring 2014, the 1980’s style is back with a vengeance. Crop tops are everywhere for spring 2014 and being paired with skirts, shorts, skorts and pants in the same fabrication for a suit-like ensemble. In addition to being the top half of the “new suit,” crop tops are also being shown with workout clothing and as casual tee-shirts for a lazy weekend day.

There were fashion editors and insiders everywhere at New York Fashion Week sporting crop tops while attending the fashion shows for fall 2014. Despite the snow, these wearers of crop tops paired their spring 2014 “shirt of the season” with pants, skirts, tights and boots in an attempt to keep warm. The crop tops were often paired with a bottom made from the same fabric as the crop top. Matchy-matchy!

This is one trend from the 1980’s we have not seen make a resurgence in the last twenty-something years. Crop tops were hot for several years in the mid-1980’s to late-1980’s until the waistlines on denim began to sink below the waist and the hip hugger returned from the 1970’s. That was the death of the crop top.

We are starting to see waistlines on denim begin to rise, and as the waistline rises towards, gasp!, the waist, the crop top is gaining momentum as the new “it” shirt of the spring 2014 season; and most likely the summer 2014 season. This is one runway trend which is already a hit on the streets.

I found a few fabulous crop tops around the web and assembled them into the shopping widget below. I hope you love them! Happy shopping, and stay fabulous 😉


Laura Mercier Creme Cheek Color in Praline for Spring 2014

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Creme Cheek Color in Praline c/o Laura Mercier

Laura Mercier’s new Creme Cheek Color in Praline for the spring 2014 season is the perfect hue for the season’s color palette. This dark peachy color plays well with both orange hued lipsticks as well as shades of pink. It also works beautifully with neutral eye shadows and natural eye shadow looks. Perfection!

The creamy texture of Laura Mercier’s Creme Cheek Color is new for me. I normally use a powder cheek color with a brush. The creamy texture is amazing because it goes on smoothly and lasts all day without needing to be reapplied like the dry powders I am used to using. This is a huge plus for me! Also, despite the fact that it is a cream, Laura Mercier’s Creme Cheek Color does not clog my pores; it is lightweight! Love that!

I am now a huge fan of Laura Mercier’s Creme Cheek Color and look forwarding to trying new colors every season! For spring 2014, Praline is the perfect hue and will match both brightly colored apparel as well as pastels. I look forward to wearing Praline everyday this season!

Laura Mercier’s Creme Cheek Color in Praline is priced at $24  and can be found online here and here.


Street Style Trends for Spring 2014: slip-on sneakers

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Photo: Slip-on Sneakers: Joie

The casual flat has a new rival for the spring 2014 season; the slip on sneaker. This skate-style sneaker began emerging on fashionable feet last fall and for the spring 2014 season has been the ultimate go-to casual shoe for style-savvy women everywhere. Fashion editors and insiders alike were spotted at New York Fashion Week attending shows in, gasp!, slip-on sneakers! This was not due to the snow; slip-on sneakers do not grip the ice and are not ideal for snowy conditions. These casual shoes were worn for show and comfort.

Slip-on sneakers are so hot for the spring 2014; they are flying off of store shelves! Designers such as Prada, Christian Louboutin, Lanvin, Saint Laurent, Philip Lim, Alexander McQueen and more have designed their own version of the traditional skater shoe for the spring 2014 season; and they feature pricing which rivals fine leather flats! It is clear on the street, and on store shelves, that the slip-on sneaker is the ultimate casual shoe of the season just out-pacing the flat d’Orsay shoe; another hot spring 2014 footwear style.

Spring 2014’s slip-on sneakers are fabulous shoes for Fashionistas who need a comfortable walking shoe on casual days. Since designers have created their own versions of the skate shoe for spring 2014, even the most discerning shoe lover will find a style on the market which suits her discriminating taste.

Slip-on sneakers are adding a little bit of street edge to the spring 2014 wardrobe. Traditionally, this shoe is associated with teenage boys on skateboards who hang outside coffee shops and turn outdoor stairways into skate parks. This season, expect the fashionable feet of 20-somethings, 30-somethings, 40-somethings and older to be spotted in the same shoe style as any die-hard skater near the local high school campus. Of course, the teenagers will be wearing Vans while Fashionistas will turn towards Prada, Christian Louboutin and the like.

Of course, in every fashionable crowd, there is a women looking for 100% authenticity. Do not be surprised to see a 40 year old woman wearing a Marc Jacobs top with 7FAM jeans and a pair of Vans. After all, Vans are the real deal and it does not get more authentically street than that. 😉

I found a few fabulous pairs of comfortable and beautiful slip-on sneakers for the spring 2014 season around the web and assembled them into the shopping widget below. I hope you love them! Happy shopping, and stay fabulous 😉