winter 2011


Fabulous and fashionable umbrellas

One of the more cumbersome parts of a rainy day is the need for an umbrella. Fashion savvy men and women spend time on their hair and putting an outfit together, the last thing anyone wants to happen is to look like a bucket of water was dumped on top of their head. Although a hooded rain jacket can sometimes do the trick, hat head can happen easily, therefore ruining a perfectly good hair day. What every fashion conscious man and women needs is a fabulous and fashionable umbrella.

Say goodbye to a boring black umbrella! Unless you are taking public transportation or plan to be outdoors where you might need to place your umbrella on the ground, there is no need for a black umbrella. Black umbrellas are a must for any umbrella collection as they serve a practical purpose, but, when a black umbrella is not needed to hide the dirt, a fabulous umbrella is in order.

There are plenty of ways to express your fashion savvy knowledge through an umbrella. There are classic umbrellas such as the nova check umbrella from Burberry or a signature G umbrella from Gucci and there are also fashion forward designer umbrellas such as the patterns from Marc Jacobs. These are both good ways to express your fashionable side as the sky opens up.

There are also umbrellas which fit into the current trends. A vintage umbrella is a great way to match your umbrella to your vintage, fall outfit. Why not use a 1960’s umbrella paired with a mod dress and fabulous, brightly colored rain boots! A vintage floral umbrella can easily blend with the current feminine trend and carry you into spring when the rain showers appear and you are wearing spring’s hot floral print trend. A floral umbrella can even spice up a solid, pale colored outfit; another trend for spring 2011. A floral vintage umbrella can also double as a parasol when the sun is shining bright in the spring and summer.

Getting married during the rain? There are even wedding umbrellas to match that fabulous Vera Wang wedding gown! Why not use a petticoat white umbrella which can easily double as a parasol in warm weather.

Although umbrellas are practical and a necessity of life when it comes to a rainy day, there is always a reason to find a fabulous and fashionable umbrella. Even better if that umbrella can double as a parasol in the warm weather. Classic and fashionable umbrellas can be found at stores such as Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom. Unique umbrellas can be found at umbrellas.net. Happy shopping and stay fabulous. 


Rain boots for fall; stay fabulous even during the worst storms!

Rain boots and rain shoes are one of the more difficult items to find while shopping for fall. Although the rainy season has not started yet here in the Bay Area, this is the perfect time to shop for rain gear since the stores are fully stocked and many Fashionistas are not thinking about the wet weather just yet. Every year, Bay Area Fashionistas wait until the first rain storm to run to the mall for rain boots, rain shoes and other wet weather essentials. By the time everyone arrives at the store for rain gear,all of the good items are gone! That is why the best time to shop for rain boots, rain shoes and rain gear is right now; before the rain comes.

The biggest challenge for a Fashionista on a rainy day is staying true to his or her personal style yet remaining as dry as possible. That last thing anyone wants to do is wear a fabulous pair of leather boots when the rain is pouring down out of the sky! The best solution for remaining dry and leaving the Prada boots at home is to invest in a fabulous pair of rubber boots; and not the ones from a fishing store!

Chanel has the most incredible pair of rain boots for fall 2010. Chanel’s rain boots hit about mid-calf and feature two camellia’s on the outside shaft of the boots. There is a goldtone Chanel insignia on the flowers making the rain boots not only functional but fashionable! Although the price tag is high for rain boots at $395, as long as Chanel’s rain boots are not worn while walking through a river on a fishing trip, they should hold up for several years; making the Chanel rain boots a good wet weather investment purchase.

Gucci is also offering a rain boot for fall with a 2″ heel in black, green or bordeaux rubber. The boots are sleek and offer straight lines which helps to make them easy to pair with any wet weather outfit. Gucci’s rain boots are $270. Burberry also offers rain boots for fall with their signature nova-check at $225. There are also rubber lace rain boots by Valentino for $295 which are lavender and sassy.

The largest selection of rain boots comes from Hunter. Hunter offers everything from traditional rubber or “welly” boots in a variety of colors to motorcycle inspired styles with straps and buckles. The Hunter line of rain boots can be found for under $225 at Neiman Marcus.

Staying dry and looking fabulous can go hand in hand. There is no reason to throw on yellow fishing boots as soon as the sky opens up. Chanel, Gucci and Hunter offers fabulous and fashionable solutions for Fashionistas in the Bay Area and beyond. Happy shopping and stay fabulous. 

ChanelBoots1

Chanel rain boots fall 2010.
Photo copyright 2010 Bay Area Fashionista


Gold Pendant Necklaces for Fall

Gold pendants are hot for Fall 2010. With the vintage and minimalism trends in full swing for Fall, jewelry has not been shining bright. Aside from pearls, jewelry has taken a backseat to the lady bag handbag trend and kitten heel shoe trend. With the return of minimalism, gold pendants are the simple alternative to pearls this season since they are understated and can easily be worn with all of this Fall’s trends.

Gold pendants were the necklace of choice for Fashionistas earlier in the century as well as in the latenineties. Fashionistas chose pendants which were either simple, yellow gold or small with diamond chips. The gold pendants that were popular were either flat circles with a special engraving such as a zodiac sign, or they were a playful shape such as an initial or horseshoe. This Fall, gold pendant necklaces are making a huge comeback in similar fashion to their last run. Jewelry designers are showing circles with engraving, shapes with texture and surprising shapes which will add personality to any Fashionistas wardrobe for Fall.

Jewelry designer Ippolita has a small and simple 18K yellow gold pendant set as a charm on a chain link necklace which is sold separately. Sonia Renee is showing a throwback to SATC by bringing back the name tag necklace  in 14K gold. David Yurman will take your heart away, and much of your hard earned money, with his fabulous yellow gold heart pendant necklace. KC Designs is showing several different yellow gold pendants with diamond encrusted designs inside of a circle such as this paw print gold pendant. Heather Moore has mixed together the military trend and the gold pendant necklace trend by creating a birthday gold pendant that contains your personal birth information. That is not a necklace that should leave anyone’s sight! Talk about identity theft. . .

Yellow gold is at a high price, especially for Fashionistas who are on a tight, recession budget. Thankfully there are options for the cash-strapped and style-savvy. Cookie Lee, a jewelry designer who offers fashionable jewelry at fabulous prices, is showing two very pretty yellow gold pendant necklaces for Fall that are right on trend. This is also a trend where you can easily shop your closet. Perhaps you have a yellow gold pendant from ten years ago in your jewelry box waiting to be worn! Yellow gold pendants are, in general, a classic piece of jewelry. They can easily be worn with the 1950s, 1960s and minimalism trends for Fall and they are also a staple, classic necklace. Happy shopping and stay fabulous.