We’ve been hearing about the Spring trends since way back in September. After the NYC Mercedes Benz Spring Fashion shows, we ironically headed into Autumn and Winter dreaming of all things Springy! Thoughts of fun geometrics, tribal prints and fabulous colors like cobalt blue and mint green warmed our souls as we braced ourselves for colder weather. And it seemed like forever until the Spring would actually arrive. Well we wait no more! Spring is just days away and no two fashionistas are happier than The Style Duo.

So here are some fabulous finds that we are coveting right now. Hope it inspires you to do some fun Spring shopping of your own. This is our favorite time of year to clean out our closets and then hit the stores. Why not add some bright colors, great textures and interesting patterns into our wardrobes this year? Now is the time to reinvent ourselves just a little. Happy shopping!

Cobalt Blue is flattering on almost all skin tones. Loving this peplum dress! Talulah dress $190 Neiman Marcus

Add a dose of Spring Sunshine to your look with this bright yellow Balenciaga bag; $1145 at www.balencia.com

This dress has won us over. Minty Fresh and Passionate Purple Colorblock! Boundary Mariah Colorblock Maxi Dress $246 at Neiman Marcus.

Tom Ford Lipstick in “True Coral” at Neiman Marcus. No one makes a better lipstick!

Geometrics goes sexy and stylish with this Tbags Los Angeles Sleeveless Top with Fuschia Beads. $194 at www.zappos.com

High Wedges are ALWAYS in style. We are coveting these Christian Louboutin studded stunners! $695 at Neiman Marcus

Embrace the tribal trend with this ornate Bib Necklace $52 at www.cusp.com

Oscar night is a fashionista’s Super Bowl and this year celebrities scored high points with their fashion choices. Many stars lit up the red carpet with ensembles that sparkled and shined. We loved Kerry Washington’s coral Miu Miu glowing gown and Naomi Watts’ Miu Miu silver asymmetric futuristic stunner. Another trend that ”blew” on to the red carpet was the color blue. Reese Witherspoon looked amazing post pregnancy in her Louis Vuitton sapphire number and Jennifer Hudson looked fabulously fit in her blue Cavali head turner. And whether you loved it (or hated it) Jennifer Lawrence definitely made a statement in her dramatic, pale, bride-like Dior couture gown. Hollywood glamour was out in full force this year and 2013 Oscar fashions definitely deserve an award all of its own!

Something must be in the water in Hollywood because celebs are popping up (or should we say out?) on talk shows, concerts, newspapers, and magazines announcing that a baby is on board. And celebrities know better than anybody that pregnancy is not the time to deny themselves fashionable clothing and even sexy attire. They know that the paparazzi are out in full force trying to snap pics of baby bumps. It happens so often that it becomes more routine for these starlets than their gynecological appointments. We here at The Style Duo believe that all women from Hollywood and beyond should embrace this happy time and flaunt their growing bellies. So what’s in style for this Spring/Summer for expectant mommies? We are seeing lots of bright colors and fun bold prints for tops and dresses. Body hugging clothing is a fun way to show off the muffin in the oven. Paired with fitted blazers that cinch high at the waist, form fitting options look polished, simple and fun. Designer jeans are also super popular for pregnant women and top denim designers such as AG, JBrand, and Joes are showing comfy but trendy skinnies and boot cut styles at A Pea In the Pod and other well known maternity boutiques. Fitted tanks, halters and v necks look great with jeans and even denim shorts. We all know shoes can be tricky during pregnancy with swollen feet and fears of falling. Sneaker wedges and flat embellished sandals are great choices for staying on trend this season. As for bathing suits, wearing regular bikinis with the belly out for all the world to see, is the way to go. Of course most women go up a size or two on top so opting for swim separates is the best choice during this time. Most of all, preggos should wear extra sun screen and a happy glow! Congrats from The Style Duo!

BIKINI BABE WITH BABY ON BOARD! WAY TO GO JESSICA!

JESSICA’S BFF, CACEE COBB SPORTING AN EARLY BIKINI BUMP!

PENELOPE LOOKS CUTE AND COMFY IN HER PLAID SHIRT, SKINNIES, AND WEDGE SNEAKERS!

WITH JENNA AND CHANNING AS THE MOMMY AND DADDY, THIS BUMP IS GOING TO BE A BEAUTY! AND WE LOVE THIS BLUE EMPIRE WAIST TEMPERLEY GOWN.

LEAVE IT TO KIM TO GO MATERNITY TRENDY IN A YELLOW, LACE AND PEPLUM NUMBER BY STELLA MCCARTNEY. STUNNING!

KATE DEBUTS HER ROYAL BUMP IN A GORGEOUS GREEN ALEXANDER MCQUEEN MAXI DRESS.

We at The Style Duo often preach how confidence is the best style choice one can make! But after this Thursday we may have changed our minds. While confidence can make a girl look her best, we now realize the best style choice is charitable style. And that means giving back to a good cause, a family in need, a town devasted by a hurricane, etc. There has been alot of tragedy recently in the news and we are so humbled hearing about our friends forming groups to help those who are suffering. We can’t tell you how many of our facebook friends and close pals are doing their best to devote their time and money to those who really need the help. We at The Style Duo say that you all are “DUO’s” for reaching out and doing your part.

This week we were asked to help style a fashion show for a wonderful cause, The Epilepsy Foundation of NJ. The event was called “I Love Lulu” and we had beautiful mommies and teens model fun clothes from the boutique Femebot in Ridgewood NJ. Many local business took part in the event and it was great to see how people could come together for a common goal. The night was fun, fashionable and fulfilling! And we were so glad to be a part of it. Check out the pics with the link below and remember to get out there and do some good. You will feel more beautiful than ever!

http://www.bergen.com/people/I_Love_Lulu_Femmebot_holds_fashion_show_benefit_in_Ridgewood.html

The 42nd Super Bowl is here and football fanatics all over are as psyched for the game as fashionistas are for fashion week in New York City. And while fashion might be the last thing on the minds of the most loyal Ravens and 49ers fans, we here at The Style Duo can’t help but think about cute outfits tailgaters and ticketholders should don while attending the biggest game of the year.
Well of course wearing team jerseys are probably the best way to show support and spirit on game day, but why not choose trendy skinnies and wedge colored sneakers that are all the rage now to go with the team apparel. Since the weather is going to be beautiful in New Orleans and the game is inside the Super Dome anyway, you can even wear a team tee shirt with a very light leather jacket over it , cute denim shorts, and ankle booties. Just because the day is supposed to be about sports, why forget about being fabulously fashionable?
And for those who don’t care about wearing team clothing, cashmere hoodies, light flannels and bright colored casual dresses with a denim jacket on top are cute and comfy options. Guys too can get fashionably football ready with graphic tees or henleys , worn in slim jeans and neon sneakers.
Although we are not placing any bets on the game, we are certainly betting on a stylish halftime celebration and we can hardly wait to see the celebs and their outfit choices. Three cheers for Football and fashion!!!!

Support the 49′ers in your cool red wedge sneakers by Ash!

Look cute rooting for the RAVENS; splurge in these Guiseppe Zanotti wedge sneakers!

There are so many great boyfriend jeans options right now. Wear yours with a comfy hoodie and you are ready to cozy up for a good game!

Hoodies are great because they are cozy and warm. Wear a stylish tee or tank underneath.

There is almost nothing as elegant in fashion than clothing made from… or embellished with… lace. As little stylistas playing in our mom’s closet, we were totally obsessed with her long white lace gloves. It represented feminine style like nothing else. We would spend hours playing dress up, while having to take turns with those gorgeous gloves. It was probably the first thing we ever really fought over. This year, to our liking, lovely lace was seen all over the Spring 2013 runways. And now that spring is right around the corner, we here at The Style Duo are getting excited for this ladylike trend to emerge in some new ways. Lace skirts, dresses, and tops in beautiful hues will be all the rage. Don’t be afraid to get all laced up in canary yellows, bold oranges, and precious pinks. Accessories like lace handbags, shoes, and scarves are showing up in stores all over and are great ways to embrace this timeless trend. We have already snatched up some great lacy purchases and even now as grown up stylistas who share clothes we will probably have some arguments over who gets to wear them first!

Your hair is perfect, your makeup is flawless and you feel like a million bucks! Those are the nights when every fashion choice and beauty decision fall into place. And as stylists we hope we are making more of those magical nights happen for our clients. But EVERYBODY has an occasion where even with all the prepping and preparing you still make a fashion faux pas. Hopefully they don’t happen too often! And last week’s Golden Globes was no exception. Some stars got it oh so right and some unfortunate celebs got it oh so wrong! But that just goes to show that even the most stylish gals can slip up (yes Halle Berry, that means you!) Yet, isn’t it better to take chances and be a little daring than blah and boring? What’s the fun in always playing it safe all the time? And if your fashion choice goes from DUO to DONT; just reapply a little lipgloss, smile and go with it. And know that next time you will get it right!

Jessica Alba is a DUO in a coral Oscar De La Renta trumpet gown and dazzling jewels.

Halle Berry is a DON’T! But at least she tried to shake it up a little. Her face is gorgeous, her body is flawless but the dress is a hot mess!

DUO: Kate Hudson makes basic black look anything but!!

DON’T: This striking blue Naeem Khan would look beautiful on a more statuesque girl like Nicole Kidman . On this Nicole it looks like she is wearing her mother’s dress! But kudos to Richie for experimenting with color. Next time she should try a strapless cocktail dress in this periwinkle! Just an idea….

Jodi Foster’s gutsy speech and classy gown were both DUOS!

Sienna Miller in Erdem was a DON’T. This dress would’ve worked better for the hostess of a backyard brunch instead of a starlet on the red carpet. But Sienna did embrace the color and floral trend and there was a feminity to her look.

The moral of the story is sometimes when you get it wrong, you might actually be getting it right. Fashion is about making statements and sometimes the statement should be I gave it a shot, I turned some heads, and made people think. Next up The Sag Awards, The Grammys and The Oscars!

With the Golden Globes starting in just a few hours, we at The Style Duo are so excited to see our favorite celebrities wearing stunning gowns in jewel tones, neutrals and and even some prints. We predict alot of color tonight with some gorgeous white gowns mixed in. Some bold graphics and black and white prints just might make their way down this year’s red carpet. We hope to see gorgeous hairstyles and glowing makeup. It is always so fun to see who really knocks it out of the ballpark with confidence, true style and poise. We look forward to bringing you all of our favorite looks in next week’s blog. But here is our favorite all time Golden Globe look from 2009. In a vibrant Reem Acra, lavendar gown; THE WINNER IS…..

OLIVIA WILDE!

ENJOY THE SHOW!!

This Spring we will have fashionable days of colorful brights and nights filled with black and white prints. Trends will blow in from season’s past like 90′s grunge and 80′s super short minis. Shoe’s will run the gamut from pretty flats to lady-like pointy heels to funky wedge sneakers. Trendy colors will be blue and green, (similar to the last couple of seasons) with a pop of yellow to brighten our skies and purples to evoke a calming breezy effect. And other influences will blow in from the far east, giving us an oriental style. Lace will be all the rage! All in all it will be a whirlwind of flirty, feminine, colorful chic!

Catherine Malandrino gets it right again this Spring by bringing green back with a bang!

Jenny Packham shows us how yellow can brighten up the runway this Spring.

Pointy toe flats as well as heels are hot this spring.

Philip Lim brings 90′s grunge back in a way that screams more chic than messy!

Lauren Conrad keeps it flirty and fun in lace.

Black and white in DVF wrapping = spring beauty!!

Dear Our Fashionista Friends,

This time of year it is highly likely you will be invited to a special event; whether it be a wedding, holiday party, New Year’s Eve Gala, etc. And the stores are full of great festive options to make dressing up fun this holiday season! But when you get the invitation and the dress code says semi-formal or casual chic, suddenly we all get VERY confused.

First, breathe and try to relax. As we always say there are really no fashion rules as long as you are comfortable and confident in what you are wearing. But we wanted to help simplify these mystifying dress codes for you. Take a look at our EHOW.com video segments, “FINE CLOTHES” (link below) and hopefully we will make dressing easier and more fun for you this special time of year.

http://www.ehow.com/video_12253715_can-style-black-lace-dress.html

Happy Holidays & Happy New Year!

Fashionably yours,
Mindy & Paula