Animal prints have held steady for the past few seasons but with this new crop of wild things hitting the market, you can really express yourself in tribal fashion.

Muxo by Camila Alves Totisse Cross Body Bag

 

 

 

 

Wicker Park Clutch

 

 

Pair these native inspired handbags with animal print and tribal blouses, dresses and accessories.

Hedwig Blouse

Tribal Bead Cuff

Marc by Marc Jacobs Concrete Jungle Print Dress

 

 

Celebrities gone wild!

Paris Hilton, Nicky Hilton and Liv Tyler show their animal instincts in Lauren Moshi tees!

Some trends never make it off the runway — and with good reason. But colorblocking is making a big splash from Prada to Chloe in a variety of fashion categories including apparel, jewelry and handbags.

Colorblocking is a visual technique that posits brilliant blocks of color all over in one stretch of hue or contrasting colors. The result can be bold or subtle. I love this exotic clutch by Julie K.

Natalie Sleek Clutch in Brown Exotic

We’ve grown accustomed to putting some handbags away at the turn of the seasons as styles change from whimsical in summer to more romantic and sophisticated in the fall. But for Fall 2008, pretty much anything goes. While toting a big straw bag is probably not the best way to accessorize for a brisk fall day, a small rattan clutch with serious hardware is still au currant. Of course trends like jeweled clutches are more appropriate as the mercury drops but fun wristlets and slouchy hobo bags and oversized satchels like the Lily Satchel by D&G will transition seamlessly.

We’ve all been warned of the new charges airlines are charging for whatever they can think of — checked baggage, primo seats (in Coach!) and food. I’ve even heard that some airlines are thinking about charging for water. So what’s a savvy traveler to do?  You can grin and bare it, or you can find ways to cut corners and conserve.

Why does it seem like the fashion powers-that-be are always contradicting themselves? If it looks like a duck and walks like a duck ...

So one minute you have to match your handbag to your shoes and the next you absolutely should not perfectly match your accessories. It's a crazy world out there and who can keep all the fashion rules straight? They're always changing any way! Here are some fashion "DON'Ts" that are really fashions DOs!

Wear more than one pattern at a time

Obviously, you have to use some discretion here. You don't want to wear a leopard print dress with a zebra scarf. Choose a main pattern and let other patterns compliment it. Scarves, when worn correctly, are a great way to accent a great pattern on a dress or skirt. Actress like Kate Bosworth knows how to mix and match patterns.

What does your handbag say about you?

Like the clothes you wear, your handbag sends a message. Whatever style handbag you carry, make sure that you take good care of it and keep it well organized. If you take your bag with you to meetings and you’re always riffling around looking for pens through a scuffed up handbag, you won’t send a good message.

In general you can gauge pretty accurately a women's level of "flashiness" by her handbag. If she's carrying a zebra print bag, she wants to get noticed. Chances are she's single and likes to take chances. A woman with a humongous tote that's virtually empty, spare the essentials, enjoys being pampered and knows what she wants. On the other hand, a girl whose handbag is filled to the brim is on the go and doesn't like to be left unprepared. She could have kids, too, so having a mobile drugstore comes in handy.

So you've got your dream bag ... what does it say about you? Keep reading and find out!

What's the most versatile accessory? Nope, it's not a handbag or a pair of shoes. Silk scarves can instantly create multiple looks from the same outfit, tie back your hair, double as a halter top, swimsuit coverup or keep your shoulders warm on a breezy evening. They travel well (you can tuck them into your handbag, carry-on or suitcase) and they never go out of style.

Handbag Styles

A handbag is a handbag right? Wrong! There are many different styles out there. Here's a quick look at the most popular styles right now.

The Shoulder Bag

Photo: Zac Posen Daisy Bag:
eLuxuy.com

With the exception of clutches and handheld bags (bags with handles too small or short to be worn over the shoulder), most handbags fit into this category. Every woman should have at least one shoulder bag in her wardrobe. They’re practical (but that doesn’t mean that can’t be stylish!) and come in handy on shopping trips, out running errands or for the office. They free up your hands to carry other items.

Handbags 101

If you’re like most women, you love to shop. We have so many options, however, making smart buying decisions when it comes to handbags is not as easy as it once was. There is not just one It Bag or style that’s en vogue. And not everyone can afford dozens of bags in all shapes and sizes, so it’s important to choose wisely. The good news about having so many options is that there are a variety of styles and price points, so you can find the one that works best for you.

Handbags should match how you dress and your lifestyle

Before buying any handbag, think about your wardrobe and lifestyle. Are you more sophisticated with a polished look? Do you have a corporate job and attend a lot of work events and travel for work? Or, do you have more a casual work environment, like a yoga studio or spa? Your handbag should reflect the way you dress and fit your lifestyle as well. If you hit the clubs on a regular basis you will probably have different needs than a mother of three (then again, maybe not!).

Celebrities Sir Elton John, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Elizabeth Hurley rallied in support of breast cancer research at the recent Breast Cancer Research Foundation’s Hottest Pink Party Ever 2008 held on April 8, 2008 at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York.

While Elton John brought down the house with an exclusive performance, celebrities danced the night away—and wrote hefty checks—all in the name of breast cancer research. An estimated $5 million was raised from the event.

Elizabeth Hurley (BCRF’s resident emcee), who arrived wearing a sari, and Gwenyth Paltrow in a pretty pink strapless gown, were among the honored guests at the party, where tables went for between $20,000 and $100,000. In addition to Hurley and Sir Elton, several stars came out to support the Foundation, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Padma Lakshmi, Project Runway winner Christian Siriano, Carson Kressley, Katrina Bowden, Lipstick Jungle's David Alan Basche, Tommy Hilfiger, Donna Karan, Vera Wang and Celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito.

Want to do your party to help raise awareness and research funds for breast cancer? Belisi Fashions Luxury with Meaning program donates a portion of sales from its breast cancer awareness products to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Show your support … wear pink!

Breast Cancer Awareness Products

Pink Products , Pink Neckties, Pink Scarves

:: A. Covington for The Divas Dreams

Spring is finally here and summer is within sight. And warmer weather means more wardrobe options and summer vacations.

A silk scarf is a must-have accessory for spring and summer (especially for the beach to keep fly-aways at bay). Scarves make for a great travel accessory too. They're lightweight and don't take up much room in handbags or luggage, and you can use them to create different looks from the same outfit.

I bought my first LeSportsac six years ago and it’s is still my favorite lightweight tote (my DVF being my favorite heavyduty travel bag). It’s classic, practical and stylish. It gives hope that we can live without leather … okay, maybe not. It comes as no surprise that environmentally responsible designer Stella McCartney has designed a collection of bags for LeSportsac, which will debut on LeSportsac.com in February (right around the corner ladies!).

Whether you're a student, work in the corporate world or are an artist or designer, a computer is a big part of your day. If you're anything like me, you like to personalize things, especially when it comes to accessories. As a writer, I bring my laptop with me virtually everywhere. Even though I have it in a sleeve, it gets tossed around and eventually scratched up. Not cool! And while my Mac is trendy, it looks like everyone else's Mac at the coffee shop. I take time selected jewelry that expresses my individual style, why not extend this philosophy to all of my accessories?

So the Golden Globes was an hour long "press conference" ...  we can still critique what celebrities wear right? Of course! Here is my list of the best-dressed actresses:

Katie Holmes

Nicole Kidman

Reese Witherspoon

Lucy Liu

Jessica Alba

Rachel Bilson

Unique ways to wear scarves

Caitlin Dowd (actress Bonnie Sommerville) of the hit show Cashmere Mafia proudly sported a growing trend of wearing silk scarves around the wrist. In the episode "Conference Call", Ms. Sommerville sported a silk scarf around her wrist. All of these ladies are trend setters. This fashion forward cast is all about playing up their female assets with sexy skirts and bold accessories like scarfs, gloves, bracelets, necklaces, oversized sunglasses, and statement-making Gucci handbags. What I love about this show is that each character's storyline is interesting, without any character outshining the other (at least not yet anyway). Comparing the wardrobe from the upcoming Sex & the City movie to that of the Cashmere Mafia make the SATC ladies look like they're shopping last season's sample sales. Oh and Women's Murder Club? Forget about it. 

::A.Covington for Belisi Fashions

Designer sales delivered to your inbox

Go ahead, shop it to me. No seriously. Shop It To Me is a new service that sends you emails when your favorite brands go on sale in your size. It’s like a free online personal shopper. While there are only certain designers to choose from, they have some really good ones like Prada, Ella Moss, Tahari, and Gucci from retailers like Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales, Banana Republic, Zappos and Bluefly.  You’ll get an email either daily or weekly (depending on what you choose) when designer jeans, dresses, skirts, tops, shoes, handbags and jewelry go on sale in your size.

::A.Covington for Belisi Fashions

Give yourself a mini fashion makeover

Resolutions take on many forms; the good news is that they don't all have to include giving up cheesecake and your morning lattes.

Now is the time to set your fashion New Year's Resolutions, and start 2008 with your best (and most stylish) foot forward.

1. Clean out your closet. As the nights get colder, you need something to do right? Why not get a jump start on Spring cleaning? Donate, consign or give away clothes you haven't worn in a year or are too big/small.

Best Gifts for Men

When it comes to buying gifts for men, the rules are pretty simple. Unlike women, most guys like getting gifts that make their lives easier. If it means one less trip to the mall, all the better. If it entertains them, it’s a winner. While women like gifts that make them feel pampered, men like gifts that give them more time to do the things they like doing (i.e., having fun). So if you buy them a new work wardrobe, that means they can spend more time, you guessed it, having fun. Whether it’s enjoying their wine collection or playing video games.

In a sea of sameness Jewelry is one way to set yourself a part. It’s also a subtle way to draw attention to, or away, from areas of the body. Have a fabulous decollete or cleavage? The Gold Y Marquis Necklace by Laura James Jewelry ($110) draws the eye down with a delicate 14k goldfilled chain and dainty marquis shaped gold drop.

While we haven’t seen piles of snow yet, the temps have dropped in many parts of the country. Even temperate climes get a little chilly at night--yes, even in California. Once the snowbanks bog us down, we often go from battling brute force winds to sweltering indoor heat. The best way to deal is by layering and choosing your accessories wisely.

What to wear to a holiday party

It’s that time of year again: holiday parties. Love ‘em or loath them, you still want to be the center of attention. With the holidays right around the corner, now’s the time to snag the dress of the season.

Here’s a list of my favorites. From the little black dress to glittering gold and demure earth tones, there’s a dress here for every taste and budget.

Halloween is right around the corner. Why should it matter to you? Because Halloween is not just a day for kids--adults can get in on the fun too!

It’s your change to chance to show another side of your Diva - and get your partner to join in! First you have to decide what costume to wear.

If you have a party to attend, check to see if there’s a theme, which might dictate the nature of your costume. If you’re locked into a costume party at your kid’s school, that naughty nurse costume might best be left in the closet (for at-home fun). If you’re in a relationship, consider a costume that will compliment your partner’s.

To enjoy that you’re the Belle of the Monster Mash, here are some tips for Halloween Costumes from Shirley of Hollywood:

Bad hair day? Who cares! Throw on one of these high fashion hats and hide those flyaways and frizz. Most of them are slick enough you could make the claim that they are part of the outfit—hence they stay on your head.

Get ready to glam it up this winter with super femme long leather gloves.

Long Ruched Leather Gloves $79.99

Leather Driving Gloves with Knit Top $100

Lord & Taylor Long Black Patent Glove $99.99

Shop these looks at LordandTaylor.com

One of the most annoying things women deal with in the summer is keeping
our hair in check. When it's hot and sticky, nothing's worse than
hair clinging to our foreheads and neck. The sun and sand also wreak
havoc on the vibrancy of hair color. We spend a lot of time and
money getting our locks the right shade of honey, chestnut or auburn,
and a day at the beach can mean a $200 trip to the colorist. And even
though our hair covers our heads, it doesn't mean the sun's harmful rays
can't give our delicate scalps a nasty sunburn--and we all know what
happens when sunburns start to heal--flake city!

So what's the solution? Headscarves! Women and children can wear them
to protect their heads, tie back a ponytail or keep flyaways at bay
when worn as a headband. Silk scarves are a hot fashion accessory right now
but they also serve a very useful purpose for summer.

Belisi Fashions, Jupiter, FL

www.belisi.com

The word is out—wide belts are the hottest fashion accessory for spring—the perfect compliment for the gorgeous dresses slated for spring and summer. Belts look great with many different styles of dresses hitting stores, from free-flowing sundresses to shirt dresses to tunics. Really wide belts (3 inches or wider) are a hot ticket item, as are leather sashes, leather or cloth wraps and stretchy cinch belts. Get one in grey, black, brown, red, white, metallic, and pretty much any vibrant color.

Wide belts add the right feminine touch to shirt dresses, and a more tailored, modern look to shift and tunic dresses—a flirty girl-next-door flair to full skirted dresses for evening.

How to wear wide belts

The key to wearing wide belts is to wear them high, as in right under the breast bone. These belts are meant to accentuate the upper body and cinch the waist, unlike the “old” kind that went through your belt loops to either a) hold up your pants and/or b) accentuate your fanny. If you're curvier, a wide belt is extremely flattering if worn correctly. A wider belt worn high can melt off pounds—no trips to the gym required.

Now that I’ve touted the benefits of wide belts, it’s time to talk about wide belt no-no’s. A belt seems like it’s a simple enough concept for most to figure out. But we’ve all seen the Don’t section in Glamour. Don’t be a don’t: avoid cheap looking belt made of synthetic material, or one that’s too big. If it gaps in the back, it’s not the right belt for you. Likewise, if you feel like you’re about to pass out because the belt is too tight, chances are you’re not suffering for beauty. Get the hint, and find a belt that fits. Don’t wear a wide belt too low, the look is less than flattering. And lastly, don’t over-accessorize. The belt is the centerpiece of your outfit. Think twice about loud jewelry and overly embellished shoes.

Here are some great wide belts to accent your long shirts and spring dresses:

Horn-Buckle Belt

Triple Buckle Belt

Gathered Belt

Flutter Waist Cinch

Wrap Belt

Dresses that look great with belts:
Kimchi & Blue Flutter Babydoll Eyelet Jumper