Fab Find: Navy is the new black

Seriously, gals. Navy is the new black.

Your drab black pants? Keep 'em in the closet for a while. Navy is where it's at.

I've been rockin' a pair of Gap navy pants a few days these past few weeks and I've been getting so many compliments on my outfits. (someone told me at Starbucks last week that I "look like a page out of a style magazine." I had a moment. She made my life!). My pants are hemmed for flats, so when buying new pants always, always consider what length you want; or hem to perfection. Too short or too long? No-go.

In terms of pairing, mix navy pants and dresses with other items in your wardrobe, even black. It makes pink, purple, red and yellow POP and looks fabulous with various patterns. Don't be shy; your top doesn't need to have navy in it and no, you don't need to wear navy shoes... grey, silver, gold, brown, they're all a gorgeous fit. No more matchy-matchy.

For example, I recently paired my navy pants with this Tucker for Target blouse to rave reviews. On a related sidenote, I'm ordering you to purchase this blouse for just $20 (!) at Target right now. It's available on line or check out the store's 30 percent off racks. I don't love the pants paired with it in this picture however pants, skinny jeans or tucked into a skirt (maybe orange for a bold look?) will make you instantly chic. A fan of Tucker's clothes complimented me thinking this was the real thing. She was shocked -- and then darted to Target -- after realizing this was the designer-for-less look. The quality practically feels like the real thing.

Point being with this blouse is that it's not an "instant" match to navy pants but the mauve totally works with navy. Look in your closet, and just start pulling items that could work.

And, if you're looking for something a little more fun and flirty, check out this adorable American Eagle midnight navy and black-trim dress, a steal at just $39.50.

You can pair navy with black, but it just has to be in the right situation and there has to be a difference between the tones. Of course it's ideal when the matching is already done for you, in the case with this adorable dress that has a slight shine to it. You can even wear this daytime with a cute blazer or cardigan. 

Now, go get your navy on!

Fab Find: Case Culture

A few weeks ago I was asked to review fashionable cases for my iPhone by a company called Case Culture. Have to admit I was a little hesitant because as a kind of clumsy gal (understatement of the year!), I didn't really want to part with my hard case in favor of one made of a softer stretchy silicone --- even if it was just to test.

Fortunately, no worries here! Success!

After two weeks of roaming the world with two of the styles --- including a few drops along the way, of course -- these cases are keepers! With styles available for five versions of the Blackberry as well as the iPhone, the cases are clearly more durable than I originally thought. Thinking it should be called Case Couture instead of Case Culture, my only wish is that they have more styles to choose from.  I've been sporting the black and white "whimsical" case (see left) as well as the pink "cure" case (see below), where 15% off the proceeds are donated to support research for a cure to breast cancer. A company with a heart? Love!

 

They also make sorority and fraternity cases, which if I was back at UF could totally picture myself wanting to sport my letters with the one object that never leaves my side. You feel the same right? This iPhone is practically glued on to my body so it's critical that it reflects my personal style. Plus, at just $9.99 each these are a freaking steal! Think these would be a fun gift for someone (esp. a college student with their letters). Best of all, you can buy two or three for the cost of one case at the Apple store (and avoid an awfully horrific line to check out!).

http://www.caseculture.com/

@caseculture