expression through nail color

I have been obsessed with bold nail colors ever since I started regularly painting my nails about three years ago. I am extremely interested in studying colors and the subtle differences between tones (originating from my experience in architecture, playing around with the Pantone color palette for years, and my recent experience in watercolor painting). I see a choice of nail color as a way to express myself and the color with which I am currently most fascinated.

Each season I look forward to browsing through the huge nail color section at Ricky's NYC to find the color to which I am most drawn. I usually return to the store multiple times to ogle the colorful display and read the playful titles on the bottoms of the bottles (Tasmanian Devil Made Me Do It, Light My Sapphire) before making a decisive choice about my new signature nail color.

For the last six months I have been committed to a nail color that is gray with a hint of lavender. Purple was a big color this winter and I have always been draw to everything gray.
You Don't Know Jacques! by OPI

My pick for nail color this season is brown...not a dark chocolate brown, but a milk chocolate brown with either a purple or scarlet tint or a metallic gold sheen. I would stay away from browns that lean more towards nude so your nails don't appear to be made of flesh.

I'm Fondue Of You by OPI

guest blog on splendicity

I am excited to share that my blog post about wedding rings has been published by the new fashion website Splendicity. I will keep you updated on my weekly guest blog posts for them!

Wedding Bells Rings by Stacie Midori Designs

felix rey for target early release

(images courtesy of nitrolicious)

Once again, Target has pulled a sneaky tactic and released its designer line at at retail store before the official launch date. I spotted the Felix Rey for Target handbag line at the Atlantic Avenue store in Brooklyn on Wednesday, March 4, when the launch date is supposed to be March 29. If you are interested in snagging these bags before they are gone, I suggest checking your local Target now because by March 29 they could all disappear.

Addressing the same issue, I was actually at Target for the first day of the launch of the McQ line which, judging by the completely empty racks in the McQ section, must have also hit the floor many days earlier. Get your calendar straight Target...some of the fashion-obsessed mark our calendars for these things...

The designers Lily Band and Sulaika Zarrouk designed the line of Felix Rey for Target bags with a crisp structured feel of thick linen with beach-inspired designs and large gold shell clasps. Although I can't attest to the length of time that the bags will hold up, I did appreciate that the bags seemed solidly constructed. I was extremely tempted to get the beautiful coral bag...I just have a hard time keeping white fabric bags clean...

u.s. topshop flagship opening

(images courtesy of Topshop)

Finally we can start counting down the days (again!) to the official Topshop opening in Manhattan. The multi-floor storefront at 480 Broadway, just south of Broome St, has had billboards up for the last year advertising the imminent arrival of the store, but now the opening date is finally upon us. Topshop will officially open its doors on Friday, April 2 (which also happens to be my birthday!)

For those of you who haven't heard of it, Topshop has a similar concept to U.S. stores like Forever 21 and H&M, which offer cutting edge fashion at affordable prices. The stores bring in over 300 new styles each week, so the looks are fresh and current. The store is largely associated with Kate Moss and the website displays a detailed breakdown of the "shopping experience," which includes 11 different sections to target different customers with different style, size, and price requirements.

I am completely overwhelmed by the idea of this store, so I am thoroughly excited to check it out as soon as it opens. Until then, we can shop on the new U.S. version of their online store and sample a few looks in a sneak preview slideshow by NY Magazine.

forever 21's plus size line

According to the LA Times, Forever 21 is launching a plus-size line in May called Faith 21.

I think the plus-size market is largely ignored by designers so I am very happy to see that a store that offers such a wide selection of affordable styles is addressing this issue. I hope that Forever 21 comes up with beautiful and flattering designs to fit women of all sizes. I believe that everyone should feel that they can dress as fashionably as they would like to and not be limited by the sizes that stores offer.

"..the average American woman is a size 14, with many who rarely find cute and inspiring clothes, especially when the majority of designers don't often produce beyond a size 10." (LA Times)

If this line is successful, perhaps it will draw more attention to an area of fashion that is highly under-developed...

alexander mcqueen for target

(Information and Images thanks to nitrolicious)

Only two more days until the much anticipated Alexander McQueen McQ line hits Target stores online and around the country!

The collection debuts on March 4 and I will definitely be at the Flatbush Target to check it out and report back. You might have seen the ads previewing the collection that feature the creepy Blythe doll, but some bloggers have snagged us all a sneak preview of the entire collection! Price range from $19.99 to $129.99.

target trench

I was at Target today and usually I just check out the "Go International" label, but on this trip I also spotted lots of cute items by the other brands that they carry in their Womens department.

I loved this navy patterned double breasted trench by Merona for $39.99.