WHIMSY

Today is September 1 and for me, it’s the unofficial end of summer. Yes, I know that we still have the Labor Day weekend to look forward to, but somehow, turning that calendar page to September has a final feeling.

One of the things that is guaranteed to cheer me up is the fact that soon I can break out the fall wardrobe. But since we are still in the midst of a major heat wave here on the East Coast, I guess it’s not quite time for the transition to leather jackets and over-the-knee-boots!

In fact, transitioning from summer to fall is always something of a challenge for me. What can I keep? What needs to go? And just how long can I wear white? So this year, I asked some of the most sought-after stylists in the business for real transition tips that we can all use!

Colin McDonald is a New York Style Editor for Examiner.com. He has worked alongside some of most influential stylists in the industry today like Mary Alice Stephenson, Patti Wilson, Adam Glassman, and even Joe Zee! Colin has created fashion magic on a variety of editorial shoots and sets including The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Colin says think of transition from summer to fall in terms of layers.

• Go through your wardrobe and keep some of your basic pieces from summer. As the weather starts to change, go ahead and add some of your fall pieces.
• That favorite cotton v-neck t-shirt you wore all summer and just can’t part with? In the fall, layer it with your wool boyfriend blazer, cashmere scarf, skinny jeans and oversized fedora.
• If you’re uncertain about color, pair likes with likes.  Monochromatic is a trend we will be seeing more of this coming fall, so don’t be afraid to look uniform.

Katharine Polk’s work has been featured in Vogue, Glamour, InStyle, Elle, and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, among others. She has styled for photo shoots, editorials, and runway — her career even extends to the world of television. Katharine styled a fully-accessorized 14-look fashion show previously on America’s Next Top Model and a 27-look show on the Lifetime series Blush.  As for celebrity dressing, she even styled Emmy winner Bruce Gowers (‘Best Director’) as well as the 2007 American Idol, Jordin Sparks- both on their award-winning nights.

Katharine says that opaque tights or stockings are a great and inexpensive addition to your wardrobe for fall. Tights are super versatile and are great for turning a summer outfit into a fall look! The great thing about black opaque stockings is that they are warm and slimming as well.  They also make your legs look long and thin!

• Black opaque stockings with your floral summer dress:  It becomes a chic bohemian look to go out in. You get to re-use your favorite floral summer mini all fall just by throwing on some opaque stockings.
• For the office or school, grab a loose sweater dress and black stockings.
• A fun easy, day-look would be your black stockings with a cream or white linen short day dress. The black opaque tights contrast the linen and add a little toughness.

• For an evening look, pair your black opaque stockings with a tailored chic print mini and some great platforms.

Susan McNeill is a wife, mother, author, entrepreneur and social activist. In addition to Style on a WHIM Susan also writes for It’s how you play the game! , Success Won’t Wait! and Susan Said What?!

Even though we’d rather camp out at the beach and enjoy every last minute of the summer sun, fall is fast approaching. Luckily for fashionistas the world over, there’s plenty of fall fashion to look forward to (hello, boots and blazers!), even if we’re not huge fans of the cooler weather to come.

To celebrate the unofficial last week of summer before Labor Day hits, and it’s no longer kosher to wear white (though I hear breaking fashion rules is a new fashion rule…) we here at Style on a WHIM wanted to offer up a HUGE package to ONE reader that’s simply BURSTING with cool products we’ve had a chance to review over the past three sultry months!

Included in the package:

Berry Ball
Tt Collection teal t-shirt
Sunglass Warehouse oversized sunglasses
Absolutely Audrey shoe clips
Crochet Couture Necklace
OKA b. flip flops
KattFive Creations beaded hair tie
WHIMSY ring with Eastern Trading Murano glass bead
Rumba Time watches in light blue and white
Shondra Leigh Repeating Squares metal mesh cuff
Kushyfoot toe cushions
Kushyfoot lace foot covers
Strappys decorative bra straps

The total retail value of all the goodies is approximately $575!! You’re crazy if you don’t enter to win this great box of stylish summer fun!

Here are the rules:

1. MANDATORY COMMENT – Please visit the links above, then come back here and leave a comment below about which item is your fave. (1 entry) Please note: the Absolutely Audrey shoe clips haven’t been reviewed yet, but you can still comment about them — the link is to their website!

2. Subscribe to Style on a WHIM via our brand new Google Friends Connect option, 5 entries (please leave a separate comment for each of the five to let us know)

3. “Like” us on Facebook (5 entries, please leave a comment to let us know)

4. Follow us on Twitter (5 entries, please leave a comment to let us know)

Hurry!! The contest ends Sept. 15 — winner will be announced Sept. 16!!

Already a follower?  Just leave us a comment that you follow. Good Luck!

Also — don’t forget to enter the other Style on a WHIM contests that are running right now!
Shondra Leigh “lace” earrings contest (ends 9/8)
New Standard T-shirt contest (ends 9/3)

-Keri

One of my favorite trends that’s really gaining ground this fall is a style of delicate jewelry that mimics lace. A romantic at heart, I adore whimsical jewelry and these openwork pieces feel fresh for fall.

And apparently, I’m not alone! InStyle (September 2010) recently featured some amazing pieces from some of the most recognized names in the industry. Spectacular earrings from Pomalleto, 18K white gold sparklers from Penny Preville and some dramatic drops from Cynthia Bach. Unfortunately, I don’t have an extra $26,475 for the Loree Rodkin “chandelier” earrings (but they are available at Neiman Marcus, just in case you do!). So, I began to search for the same look, but with a price tag that’s slightly more palatable.

My solution? Metal mesh jewelry from Shondra Leigh! The line incorporates a great openwork feel and is crafted of sterling silver and goldfill. My top three picks can be worn alone or together and complement both weekend casual wear and office ensembles.

First, I love the Mixed Metal “Crocheted” Square and Pearl Necklace, pictured. Many of the Shondra Leigh pieces have clever allusions to other mediums – from crochet to plaiting to braiding. The necklace is crafted of 14 goldfill squares on a blackened silver chain and is adorned with white nugget pearls. 32” long, this would be a spectacular necklace against a crisp white blouse this fall. Retail $262.00

Next, I adore the Repeating Squares Cuff. The cuff shown is created using sterling silver with goldfill accent squares and features an easy-to-use tube clasp. Measuring 7.5 inches long x 1.5 inches wide, this cuff is wonderfully lightweight and comfortable to wear (unlike some cuffs I’ve tried recently). The blackened silver looks especially lovely paired with the fall season’s bright jewel tones. Retail $210.00

Finally, my top pick is a pair of Square Earrings. These great openwork earrings allow you to rock the lace trend and still keep you bank account intact! Using the “crochet” method, Shondra Leigh has created a beautiful pair of earrings that will undoubtedly become your go-to faves. Retail $60.00

The Shondra Leigh line is available at boutiques and fine jewelry stores across the country. For a store locator, visit Shondra Leigh Jewelry or shop online.

Better yet, win a gorgeous pair of square earrings (pictured) from Shondra Leigh. Retail $60. It’s easy, so get started!

1. MANDATORY COMMENT – Please visit Shondra Leigh and let us know which piece is your fave. (1 entry)

2 Subscribe to the Shondra Leigh newsletter (Please leave us a separate comment for each of the five here to let us know, 5 entries)

3. Subscribe to Style on a WHIM via our brand new Google Friends Connect option, 5 entries (please leave a separate comment for each of the five to let us know)

4. “Like” us on Facebook (5 entries, please leave a comment to let us know)

5. Follow us on Twitter (5 entries, please leave a comment to let us know)

Already a follower?  Just leave us a comment that you follow. Good Luck!

Susan McNeill is a wife, mother, author, entrepreneur and social activist. In addition toStyle on a WHIM Susan also writes for It’s how you play the game! , Success Won’t Wait! and Susan Said What?!

Photos courtesy of Shondra Leigh Jewelry.

In case you haven’t heard yet, today is Global Forgiveness Day. The holiday originated in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and was started in 1992 as a time to forgive and to be forgiven. This is now an international event and I think we all agree that a little more forgiveness will help make the world a better place!

To celebrate this special day I found the String-Ring™. This clever ring is not only a beautiful piece of jewelry, it’s also a constant visual reminder. The ring is designed to be threaded with a colored string, each of which is coded to remind you of a particular act of kindness. For example, blue represents tranquility and reminds you to be patient. Orange represents energy and enthusiasm and reminds you to laugh as often as possible. And silver represents wisdom and reminds you to forgive!

Each String-Ring is crafted from the highest quality silver and comes with 20 replaceable colored strings, a jute bag, and polishing cloth, as well as a list of color meanings. The String-Ring is available in sizes 4 -10 and will adjust up or down to ensure the perfect fit. Retail: $28.95

The String-Ring is the brainchild of artist Tina Mansfield who in 1996 set about to create a kindness program in her son’s classroom. It seemed to Tina that everywhere she looked she came across rude behavior. She decided to find a way to teach the children to be kind and compassionate when aggressive behavior is exhibited everywhere you look. Since tying a string around your finger is an age old visual cue, the symbolism resonated with Tina and the String-Ring concept began to take shape.

So celebrate Global Forgiveness Day in style. You can easily order online for a very thoughtful gift, but you’ll be tempted to keep if for yourself (I’ll forgive you if you do!).

Susan McNeill is a wife, mother, author, entrepreneur and social activist. In addition toStyle on a WHIM Susan also writes for It’s how you play the game! , Success Won’t Wait! and Susan Said What?!

My daughter leaves for college in less than 48 hours.  And, the sheer amount of clothes she has somehow amassed over the last few months is nothing short of incredible (the X-Cargo top is definitely going on top of the truck). But no matter how many tanks and tees she seems to accumulate, she has a few go-to faves that she wears over and over. Snarky, silly or just designed to make you smile, her must-haves always include witty tees by New Standard.

Not only are tees by New Standard adorable, the company also has an unusual business model — buy a shirt, support the artist. Their tees are brought to life by a global collective of both established and up-and-coming artists.

Two tees that will be heading off to the University this year include a turquoise one designed by Gemma Correll from England. Pugs Not Drugs, pictured, is a perfect example of what New Standard is all about. Quirky and eye catching, the illustrative style is (according to Gemma) inspired by everything from the world around her, to animals, to coffee, and to sugary breakfast cereals! This tee is a V-neck made of pre-shrunk 100% combed cotton jersey. It’s available in sizes extra small through extra large. Retail $28.

A little edgier, the This is Why I Sing tee in white is designed by Concrete Rocket for New Standard. This graphic artist, based in Singapore, gives the tee a bold, modern edge with a stark black and white color palette, but also a retro vibe by using an image of vinyl. Like Pugs Not Drugs, This is Why I Sing is made of pre-shrunk 100% combed cotton jersey. It’s also available in sizes extra small through extra large. Retail $28.

Not only does New Standard make great tees for juniors, they also have a complete men’s line, a detail that celebrity stylists everywhere have already discovered. In fact, you may have seen some of their designs throughout last season’s American Idol series. They were often sported by Idol winner (and my pick from Day One) Lee Dewyze!

So, now that you’re hooked, I know you’re wondering where you can find your own. Well, New Standard tees are available at stores just about everywhere — from PacSun, to Deliahs, to Urban Outfitters, plus so many more. For a complete list you can visit the New Standard retail stores. Or, if you’d rather shop online, browse through the entire line of both women’s tees and men’s tees at the New Standard Clothing online store. New Standard even offers free shipping on all orders over $75!

Best yet, New Standard has offered to host a giveaway for one lucky Style on a WHIM reader. The giveaway ends Friday, September 3 and there are loads of ways to enter, so get started!

1. MANDATORY COMMENT – Please visit New Standard and let us know which tee is your fave. (1 entry)

2 Like New Standard on Facebook. Leave a comment here and don’t forget to show them some love on Facebook, too! (5 entries)

3. Follow New Standard on Twitter. Be sure to leave your Twitter handle in your comment (5 entries)

4. Subscribe to Style on a WHIM via our brand new Google Friends Connect option, 5 entries (please leave a separate comment for each of the five to let us know)

5. “Like” us on Facebook (5 entries, please leave a comment to let us know)

6. Follow us on Twitter (5 entries, please leave a comment to let us know)

Already a follower?  Just leave us a comment that you follow. Good Luck!

Susan McNeill is a wife, mother, author, entrepreneur and social activist. In addition to Style on a WHIM Susan also writes for It’s how you play the game! , Success Won’t Wait! and Susan Said What?!

It seems that statement necklaces are here to stay… at least through fall! A quick flip through my new InStyle Magazine confirmed that huge, multi-strand necklaces are still a “fashion do.” From some of my favorite stores like bebe, White House Black Market and Express, with necklaces, it appears that bigger is better!

Much as I love a fabulous necklace, sometime they’re a pain in the neck – literally. Several of my chunkiest, multi-strand necklaces are so heavy that I need to take them off mid-day.

If you “feel my pain” never fear, I recently found a solution that is both smart and beautiful – from Elizabeth Green’s Couture Crochet. These eye-catching necklaces are actually made of colorful and (most importantly!) lightweight ribbon. Plus, the clever design allows you to easily adjust the length to work with any neckline.

My favorite color combination for fall are the brilliant reds, oranges and yellows showcased in the Firefly necklace, pictured. This stunning necklace looks effortless, whether it’s paired with jeans and a tee or a work ensemble.

These great pieces are also quite affordable. The Firefly necklace retails for only $16.00 and all of Elizabeth Green’s lovely pieces are available online at Couture Crochet.

Want to win your own? Contest ends 9/1. To enter:

1. MANDATORY COMMENT – Please visit Couture Crochet and choose your favorite piece. Leave a comment here (1 entry)

2. Subscribe to Style on a WHIM via our brand new Google Friends Connect option, (5 entries)

3. “Like” us on Facebook, 5 entries (please leave a comment to let us know)

4. Follow us on Twitter, 5 entries (please leave a comment to let us know)

Already a follower?  Just leave us a comment that you follow.

Susan McNeill is a wife, mother, author, entrepreneur and social activist. In addition toStyle on a WHIM Susan also writes for It’s how you play the game! , Success Won’t Wait! and Susan Said What?!

Jeans have been a staple in American women’s wardrobes for decades. And, I’m sure that Levi Strauss never envisioned the fashion revolution he was starting when he created his first pair of “cowboy trousers” back in 1873!

Today, that revolution has gone one step further. Vintage Revolution denim is a celebration of timeless style with just a dash of spirited rebellion.  When creating new styles, the firm’s designers use pieces from their library of original denim to understand just how jeans were designed (and perfected!) in the past.

Back then, each piece was made from start to finish by a single craftsman and the finished product was a personal masterpiece. Vintage Revolution jeans celebrate this integrity of product and rebel against “assembly line jeans” and the “fancification” of denim.

But don’t be fooled into thinking that Vintage Revolution offers one-size fits-all-style. The firm offers more unique fits and great colors than the law should allow! Boot cut, skinny, boyfriend and more… if you can’t find your personal style at Vintage Revolution, you shouldn’t be shopping!

Although the combinations are vast, the skinning jeans are my hands down favorite. More flattering than the boyfriend cut and hipper than the boot cut, these are a great choice for weekend wear in a wash and dressed up for going out I a darker hue.

The best part about Vintage Revolution is that once you find the cut that’s most flattering for your figure, you can order the jeans in a dozen shades. No more searching for the perfect pair of jeans in the wash or color you need.

Now that’s my kind of revolution!

Susan McNeill is a wife, mother, author, entrepreneur and social activist. In addition toStyle on a WHIM Susan also writes for It’s how you play the game! , Success Won’t Wait! and Susan Said What?!

Bad hair day? Color gone wrong? Just chronically late for class? A hat can be the perfect answer when you want to arrive looking fabulous, but only have minutes to get ready. (After all, the guy in your European History class really is cute!)

My favorite solution is the women’s fedora, a trend that is showing no signs of slowing down. The classic fedora has a retro, Humphrey Bogart feeling, but today’s women’s fedoras are substantially more playful, including the Ms. Collete, pictured.

The Ms. Colette is a custom-molded fedora made from a wool blend in suiting pinstripe fabric, with leather trim details. This fedora is perfect for fall in a yummy chocolate brown and has an antique brass d-ring, studded detailing and a custom-printed lining. Throw this hat on and you’re set!

The Ms. Collete was created by nobis for their Fall 2010 Collection. nobis is a Canadian company (and those Canadians definitely know a thing or two about cold weather wear!)

The firm manufactures amazing lifestyle headwear and outerwear — from gorgeous down parkas for my next ski trip, to hood-scarves for playing in the snow, to super stylish berets and beanies.

nobis has been steadily gaining attention since 2008. This year alone, their gorgeous pieces have been featured in New! magazine (UK), Chatelaine (Canada) and Cosmopolitan (USA), just to name a few!

To see the entire new line for Fall 2010 inlcuding women’s men’s and even kids’ pieces, visit nobis. You can also shop online (so convenient!) or find a store near you with the easy-to-use nobis shop locator.

Best yet, WIN nobis fedora of your own! The Lorane, pictured, is made of luxurious linen with cute cotton plaid trim. An anti-brass d-ring, grommet and custom printed lining complete the detailing. The Lorane retails for $75 (USD) but can be yours free through this contest. So, enter today!

To enter:

1. MANDATORY COMMENT – Please visit nobis and tell us one thing you learned about the company. (1 entry)

2. Subscribe to Style on a WHIM via our new Google Friends Connect option, 5 entries (please leave a comment to let us know)

3. “Like” us on Facebook, 5 entries (please leave a comment to let us know)

4. Follow us on Twitter, 5 entries (please leave a comment to let us know)

Already a follower?  Just leave us a comment that you follow.

Contest is open until midnight on August 31^st and the winner will be notified September 1^st.  Good Luck!

Susan McNeill is a wife, mother, author, entrepreneur and social activist. In addition toStyle on a WHIM Susan also writes for It’s how you play the game! , Success Won’t Wait! and Susan Said What?!

Photo courtesy of nobis.

I majored in English in college and have always loved to read just about anything I could get my hands on. My tastes are varied (my husband says schizophrenic) but I enjoy the history of Alexander the Great every bit as much as Confessions of a Shopaholic. This means that our house is filled (filled!) with books, including hundreds of beloved classics from my college days.

Now my daughter is off to college (an English major, just like mom!). Of course, I wanted to send her off with some fun new clothes and just by luck stumbled upon the perfect solution for “wordies” like us! Out of Print Clothing makes clever tees that are designed for the well read college student — or one who just wants to impress the professors!

Out of Print Clothing celebrates the world’s greatest stories — from the Catcher in the Rye, to Lord of the Flies, to Atlas Shrugged and many, many more. The shirts feature iconic (and often out of print) book covers. Some are definitely classics, and some are just curious enough to make great t-shirts — but they are all striking works of art. Made of a cotton/poly blend the tees are distressed, just like a well thumbed book.

One of my favorites is the Slaughterhouse Five t-shirt. Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut is the story of anti-hero and POW Billy Pilgrim and the firebombing of Dresden. I remember this great novel as one that actually captured the attention of my entire class and sparked some serious debates. The t-shirt is emblazoned with artwork from the first edition dust jacket by cover artist Paul Bacon. Retail $28

My other top pick is the Hound of the Baskervilles tee. In this iconic work by Arthur Conan Doyle, the indomitable Sherlock Holmes and his sidekick Dr. Watson take on a supernatural beast. The novel was originally serialized in The Strand and the t-shirt art is from one of the 1902 first edition UK covers by George Newnes Ltd.   Retail $28

The best part about Out of Print Clothing, though, is their dedication to spreading the joy of reading through their tees. Since there are many parts of the world that don’t have access to books at all, the firm is working to change that. For each shirt they sell, one book is donated to a community in need through partner Books For Africa.

You can shop online at Out of Print Clothing for women’s tees or shirts for the guys. Or give the gift of reading to a friend or loved one —  just send an Out of Print gift certificate.

So, what’s your story?!

Susan McNeill is a wife, mother, author, entrepreneur and social activist. In addition toStyle on a WHIM Susan also writes for It’s how you play the game! , Success Won’t Wait! and Susan Said What?!

It seems that every newspaper I open and every television commercial I see lately is touting “back to school” necessities. Not sure about you, but I’m just not ready for back to school yet!

Although I hate to say goodbye to summer, I know I need to at least get started. And this year, back to school for our family means sending our oldest off to – gasp – college. Along with extra long dorm sheets, a coffee maker and a dozen blue books, my daughter needs what every girls needs. Shoes!

Not any shoes will do, however. She has very definite tastes and preferences, so one way we can always agree is to head to Payless Shoe Source. She gets the style she craves and I get a price that I can live with!

Since the University of Delaware has a sprawling campus, she’ll need lots of flats. Stylish, but practical, our top three choices are flats that would be perfect with a short skirt, long skirt, capris, jeans … really just about anything.

First, we both adore the Audrey Knot Flat. This is a fabulous little flat from American Eagle that has a bold, knotted detail. American Eagle flats are really comfortable and have a round toe and padded insole. Pictured here in a soft dove grey the Audrey Knot Flat is also available in black. Regularly $19.99, these are now on sale for only $12.99!

Next, we agreed that the Bloom Flat is the cutest shoe we’ve seen in a long while. This is another flat from American Eagle and features a soft jersey upper and a whimsical fabric flower detail. These are super lightweight and have a flexible outsole — perfect for walking to class. In addition to the choice of black, pictured, the Bloom Flat is also available in lilac. The Bloom Flat is now on sale for only $12.99 (regularly $19.99), so we might just have to pick up both colors!

Finally, the Brice flat is is a slightly dressier flat for sorority mixers and other campus events. This spunky plaid flat by American Eagle has a sturdy canvas upper and a cute strap detail. The Brice flat is available is the purple and blue pattern pictured, and would make the perfect pair of shoes for the transition from summer to fall. Retail $19.99

With so many choices, she might need a bigger closet!

Are you a Payless fan? Now you can win a trip for two to New York City and an All Fashion Pass for a runway show and a personalized tour of Christian Siriano’s design studio in the VIP in NYC Sweepstakes courtesy of Payless ShoeSource.

Enter Once. Some restrictions apply. US only (void AK, HI) 18+. Contest ends 8/15/10, so enter today!

Susan McNeill is a wife, mother, author, entrepreneur and social activist. In addition toStyle on a WHIM Susan also writes for It’s how you play the game! ,Success Won’t Wait! and Susan Said What?!

Photos courtesy of Payless Shoe Source.