Spring Fashion Week 2012...Pretty as a Princess

so i think (that's how much i pay attention) that the past few weeks have

been Fashion Week in Paris and NYC.

now, my days of poring over fashion mags are pretty much over.

however, sometimes you can't get away from it...

like when you need something new to wear, 

go shopping, and the store has some CRAZY stuff

that according to the store are "the latest trends"...

or "these were ALL OVER the place

at fashion week."

yeah, whatever:)

Lovely...on a 6' 100lb model.

but what are WE to do?

so i've studied the so called TRENDS,

 and now i'll pass on what i've learned...

to you, me...the average amazing woman who is

supposed to somehow wear them:)

and our fashion MUSE for shabby chicks fashion week is none other than...

Princess Kate!

partly because i really like her style, even if i wouldn't wear some of it

(as if i could:)

but also because in looking at the list of trends, i have seen her in many of them.

the third reason, and the thing i think fashion week missed,

is this is the year of the Summer Olympics in

LONDON.

and WHO do you think all eyes will be on?

Mmmm hmmm...

the Duchess herself.

so there should have been a nod to 

British style/Kate/union jack somewhere in there.

but since there wasn't, i'll fix that:)

okay, here is the list of TRENDS for spring 2012,

from as many sources as i could get my hands on, and in no particular order.

1.  Pastels

2.  Neon

3.  Floral prints and Polka Dots too

4.  Lace and Sheer

5.  Tangerine

6.  White on White Monochromatic dressing

7.  Peplums

8.  Black and White

(proving classics are always in:)

now, i'm no fashionista but i used to think i was, if that counts:)

seriously, i do read, and here is what i have concluded is best for us

average amazing women...

take the colorful trends and use them to add a POP to your wardrobe.

some of you can get away with more than a pop so i'll show stuff for you too.

let's cover pastels today.

i hear people say they "hate" pastels.

too girly, they feel like an Easter egg.

well, guess what?

this year,
F
E
M
I
N
I
N
E
 is in!

see for yourself...

it doesn't have to be the whole outfit, although it can if you want.

but even an accessory or two...like this belt and pastel color block bag.
(by the way, you'll probably see a bit of color blocking this spring)

 maybe it will be some girly, pastel earrings.

supposedly, the NUMBER ONE pastel this year is MINT!

 and looking at these photos, i can see why.

so fresh and pretty!

even the tiniest bit of pastel in your jewelry would update a look.

lovely in lavender.

maybe your pastel will be a pretty pump.

or how about simply using a pastel nail polish to give your look that pop!

and they say you shouldn't be afraid to mix your colors.

see how she has a neutral sweater, jeans, and then a pastel bag, jacket and scarf?

 this mint coat is just gorgeous!

 feminine...

 maybe your pastels will be in one color family, like 

pretty in PEACH!

for early spring...a pastel sweater,

okay...these are killing me!

i hear so many younger girls say they aren't "into" pastels.

well, check these out!

okay, those are amazing!!!

wish i were 20 years younger...at least:)

and finally, did you think Kate's dress was the one and only time she wore pastels?

think again!!!

pink sequined dress, buttery yellow dress, pastel floral dress and the pretty lavender number.

one tip i read was that everyone can wear pastels and look great, it's choosing the right shade.  fair skin looks best in pale pastels, while darker skin tones look best in a slightly deeper/brighter pastel.

there you go...

Trend #1...PASTELS

Trend #2...NEON

and if you think you can't handle that neon, you are so wrong!

take it from me, the original neon 80's girl.

teeny, tiny bits of neon can be fun.

but that's for next time:)

CIAO!

Project Princess ... The REAL Blog Giveaway Post...FINALLY

Kate Middleton...

soon to be

Princess Catherine .

formerly known in British tabloids as

"Waity Katie"

all because she waited 8 years for her Prince.

and now she is just a few days away from becoming his princess.

probably as close as we will get to a real life fairytale.

let's hope it lasts happily ever after!

so Kate...

they say you have quite a style about you.

 I have to agree.

you didn't ask for this style setter label.

 the people gave it to you, just as we do all the time with famous people.

but so far, you're doing great.

 college years aside.

Kate definitely has a great style about her.

and while I hope she is allowed to become her own person,

I don't think she minds at all borrowing from her

beautiful mother-in-law's book of style tips.

 Diana, as she matured, turned into a very stylish beauty.

I think she is honored to be compared to Princess Di...

her fiance's Mum...whom he says he still misses dearly.

misses having someone to call "Mummy".

so sweet.

but back to Kate.

pretty lady...what ARE you going to wear to marry your Prince Charming?

everyone thinks they know...

but few do.

even I think I know.

haha...if only I were kidding!

i really think I have an idea of what she MIGHT wear.

okay...a VAGUE idea...but still...

i have done my homework you know.

for example, all those designers saying she would look great in strapless,

or VERRRY fitted and sleek.

HELLOOOOO...

she is marrying into the ROYAL family,

at WeSTMINSTER ABBEY!

not exactly the place you slink down the aisle in something skin tight.

in fact, from all I have read, the shoulders are to be covered.

somewhat fitted is okay but not overly tight.
If she COULD wear strapless, maybe with a long lacy veil draped over her shoulders,
I LOVE this dress.

but I don't think strapless is where she'll go.

here are some of my choices that make the 

ROYAL DON"T list:

1. the TRASHY dress...definitely a don't...royal wedding or not.

 2.  the TACKY dress...enough said:)

3. TOTALLY inappropriate dress.  IS it a dress? I'm thinking the Queen would NOT approve:)

 Royal Don't #4.  Color.  Dip Dye.  Tie Dye.  no rainbows allowed at the royal wedding:)

one dress that would probably not be considered appropriate for the 

royal bride but that I love and think she would be stunning in is the gown

worn by Carolyn Bessette when she married 

John F. Kennedy Jr. 

 simple, elegant...perfect for Kate...

but not this wedding...not in Westminster Abbey....not when you are marrying

a real life prince:)

yes, she seems to be her own person...

but she also seems to be discreet and respectful of the position she is in.

so...I think Miss Kate will pick something flattering to her slim figure BUT...

respectable, elegant, classy, stylish, timeless.

this dress will be photographed and be around forever...

long after she is gone, as we well know.

 and she will pick something that says to Prince William...

I am your Princess.

I can handle this:)

so here are some of MY ideas...

i hear lace is in style for wedding gowns this year.

i have sources, you know:)

and VINTAGE lace especially.

so...i'm thinking lace.

timeless.

elegant.

Queen Elizabeth wore lace.

and who can forget that other princess...

Princess Grace.

 or maybe something like this...

 it is a LONG aisle and I think the dress does need to make a statement...
and standout a bit.

 i guess i like a few details about this one but not necessarily the dress...

 a bit more fitted but elegant...and she could pull it off at 5'10".

   this one is cool because it would allow her to have a fitted, strapless gown with a lace bolero that is removable.

 but THIS one is my favorite.  Maybe a bit covered up but a statement for sure.
It would copy well...and you know it will be copied.

this just looks like a princess gown to me but I've not been to many royal weddings so...
Okay, so you have my thoughts. 
now we'll have to wait and see when she steps out of that Rolls Royce.
What do YOU think the dress will look like?

a few more notes on princess style...
hats are a good thing.
it seems that Kate likes the color blue.
 she wants to have makeup artists on hand but also wants to do her own make up.
her favorite skincare product is:

Rimmel cosmetics is an inexpensive British line
with some products being sold in the U.S. stores like Target and CVS.
I've used a few of their products for sometime. 
considering their price, they're pretty good.
for a bigger selection,
check online.

 anyway, Rimmel is suggesting various products for Kate...
and I have those products for YOU!!!!!

  Yes, for the Project Princess blog giveaway,
you get a bag full of Rimmel products suggested for the future princess,
shades she likes, and also a few other British goodies.
the Rimmel products are:
1. Fix and Perfect makeup primer, 2. glam Eye Shadow trio  3."Sexy Curves" black mascara
4.  Black eyeliner 5. Lipstick in "Just So"...rosy shade  6. Creamy Lipgloss in Rose Cocoon
7. Lasting Finish nailpolish in "English Rose" (appropriate) 8. "Rose" bath fizzers
I'm imcluding a miniature Union Jack teapot, English Breakfast tea in a red phone booth tin, a surprise piece of jewelry
and our FAVORITE candy bar from England.
at least that's where we discovered it and fell in love.
we have a lot of Europeans and British people near where I live so we have a UK section in our grocery store,
stocked with Aero Bars.
these candy bars have little air bubbles in them so they are very light in your mouth...
YUM-MY!!!!!
before it's all done, I will also throw in a few other things, just for fun.
how can you win?
simple!
leave a comment telling me you'd like to win.
 easy peasy-that's a British phrase:)
no need to have a blog of your own.
open to anyone leaving a comment.
don't be shy.
okay...now we ALL have no excuse for looking like a princess!

come back tomorrow where you can win another
gift package.
this one is themed "Keep Calm and Carry on".
cute, huh?
Thursday's giveaway...Time for tea and cake:)
Friday/Saturday...Shabby Chic giveaway (my favorite British export)
enter for one or for all.
no limit!
Happy Royal Wedding Week.
XOXOXO
Suzanne