Weigh in on your favorite looks hot off the runway from Diablo Women, a night of food, fashion, and fun.

I can almost hear my favorite Wham! song, “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go”, while eating frozen yogurt with my college BF (boyfriend) who is now my H (husband) of 25 years! The spring trends of 2012 have taken me back to my “bang-wall” days—a serious fashion déjà vu.  So, what do you do when trends come back, and in some cases, haunt you?  Follow these tips to successfully navigate the ‘80s AGAIN:

*Wear ‘80s trends in small doses, especially if this is your second time around.  Bold floral prints are everywhere this season—jackets, tops, bottoms and accessories.  Start with one bold piece, and complete the look with modern elements (photo 1), not a jumpsuit featuring a head-to-toe ‘80s garden of delight (photo 2).

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*Color, especially neon, was a must-have in the ‘80s, and it’s back like crazy.  My favorite take on color this season are jeans in every shade of the rainbow.  Kelly green jeans (photo 3) are a fun and easy way to put POP in your wardrobe.  A hint about neon:  make sure the color compliments your skin tone.  Otherwise, a girl can appear less chic, more sick.

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*Lace is back.  This time, it’s more lady-like and polished than the edgy way Madonna wore it thirty years ago.  And, if you prefer an even more classic look, a lace top (photo 4) with colorful pencil pants will give you more of an Audrey Hepburn vibe. Who doesn’t love that?

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*Lastly, do not grab your old clothes out of the attic (or heaven forbid, your closet!) and wear them again. Over the course of the last 30 years, life experience has taught me one thing…I am not a girl anymore. As much as I would love to fit into my acid wash Guess jeans with the ankle zipper, I know that my sense of style has matured.  And I like it!  However, I will enjoy watching my 20-year-old daughter find her way through the colors, floral prints, and over-sized, off-the-shoulder tops, and she’ll emerge just like I did, with her true personal style intact.

Finally…If I see you wearing a scrunchie, I’ll have to “Get Physical”!   Yikes!

One:  Watch What Happens…Live!

Two:  Any “Housewives” Reunion Show

Three:  The Adorable…Andy Cohen

If you watch any of the greatest shows on television (“Top Chef”, “Flipping Out” and of course, “The Rachel Zoe Project”), then you know the man behind the madness…ANDY COHEN.  Well, guess who’s coming to Danville?  Yup, the Bravo executive producer turned “Housewives” Reunion referee turned author will be appearing at Chow on May 16 at noon for conversation and book-signing, brought to you by the cool kids over at Rakestraw Books.  See the link below:

http://www.rakestrawbooks.com/cohen.htm

Tickets are $40, and include lunch, an amfAR donation and $10 discount on Andy’s new book, “Most Talkative–Stories from the Front Lines of Pop Culture”.

I’m sure he’ll dish the dirt on ALL the “Housewives”…and I can’t wait to hear the behind-the-scenes scoop firsthand!  Join me.

Twenty-something clothing designer, Erin Fetherston has hit the big time.  She showed off her new spring collection to the crowd at Neiman Marcus, Walnut Creek, and many of the audience members were family and life-long friends.  Erin was raised in Piedmont, and Broadway Plaza was “her mall”!  So, when she was told by the Neiman Marcus buyers that a new East Bay store was opening, her immediate response was “Well, then you HAVE to carry my line in Walnut Creek!”  And now they do…local girl makes good

Inspired by the 1960′s, particularly Mia Farrow, Erin’s collection is fresh, youthful and modern.  There’s an element of sweetness, but it’s also very sophisticated, and all pieces cost under $400.  Take a look:

The crowd looked good, too!

Finally, Erin, with her signature platinum bangs/bob, with Neiman Marcus-WC General Manager, Jamie Broadhurst and PR Manager, Meghan Murray.

Welcome home, Erin!

The season’s next big event is just around the corner!  Wine, Women & Shoes is THIS Thursday, March 29 at 6pm. Grab a friend (or a bunch of them), and enjoy delicious food and wine,  plus the best shoe shopping EVER.  There’s also going to be a mini-fashion show featuring clothing from The Men’s Wearhouse…WHAT?!  You’re not into men’s fashion? Well, you may be once you’ve checked out the models–some members of the Hayward Fire Department will be there, and firefighters are ALWAYS good looking!  Hope to see you there

Neiman Marcus, Walnut Creek rolled out the pink carpet on March 8, and the gala to kick off its opening was a major success!

First, the store…Visually stunning.  Detailed and thoughtful.  Sleek, yet welcoming.

This long-awaited luxury department store hosts a most impressive art collection, featuring hand-selected pieces from Northern California, and many from the Bay Area.  Lighting fixtures are not just bulbs; they’re glowing orbs!   Paintings are mixed media creations that are unique or whimsical or just plain stunning.  General Manager, Jamie Broadhurst called the design concept “a merger of nature and fashion.”  What delighted me the most was the flurry of acrylic butterflies that hover just overhead as I ascended to the 2^nd floor on the escalator.  When they catch the sunlight, it’s magical!

  Artist, Deaneane Niebergall

And the clothes are spectacular!   There are the wonderful stores-within-a-store, dedicated spaces for designers like Michael Kors, Stella McCartney and Chanel.  Don’t let this scare you, as there are lots of very “wearable” lines like Theory and Vince.  Opening the store in the spring was literally a “bright idea” because each display is incredibly colorful and enticing thanks to the biggest trend of the season–color.  A department new to NM is “NM On-the-Go” with designer active wear (like Zobha), perfect for the gal who just can’t get around to changing out of her yoga clothes during the course of a busy day.  The merchandise seemed to reflect the East Bay’s relaxed lifestyle, however, there is contemporary professional attire from lines like Lafayette 148. I’m a “sucker” for dresses, and I loved the selection Neiman’s has for daytime, cocktail and formalwear.  A wonderfully appointed “girlfriend fitting room” area will certainly be a go-to spot for my clients and me to enjoy when I host an event later this year.

The gentlemen have not been forgotten.  There is a men’s’ “apartment” in their fitting room area fit for a king with television, refreshments and a comfy seating area.  Designers such as Zegna, Armani Collezioni and Loro Piana are well represented.

Don’t miss the cozy NM Café that serves healthy and gluten free items such as salads, sandwiches and entrees, with a famous NM popover with strawberry butter…some menu items are even Walnut Creek inspired.

And now, the event…

The gala that celebrated our newest member of the East Bay’s retail family was in a word, outstanding.  It was a sell-out, and proceeds from the $200 ticket sales benefited four local non-profits, including:

Diablo Regional Arts Association (DRAA)

Junior League of Oakland-East Bay (JLOEB)

Monument Crisis Center

The Taylor Family Foundation (TTFF)

The entertainment did not disappoint.  Brooklyn Rundfunk Orkestrata took over the Ladies Shoe Salon, and had guests dancing amongst Prada wedges and Loubautin pumps.  Audrianna Cole accompanied herself on guitar while singing what I call “quirky girl songs”, and she put her own spin on them nicely.  Upstairs, DJ Kelly Cole played more great dance music and Phat Strad, a rockin’ techno strings quartet were not only crazy talented, but fun to watch.

  Singer/songwriter Audrianna Cole

I’ll describe the food as “De-lish”!  Dim sum, and oysters, and horseradish mashed potatoes, and mac & cheese (3 different kinds!), and sliders and chicken satay, and…whew!  You get the picture, right?  Caterer, Barbara Llewellyn, expertly varied the choices, so that there was something for everyone.  If only I had lined my handbag with a plastic storage bag…I would’ve enjoyed the leftovers for days!   (Sigh)

Finally, the people watching was one of the biggest highlights of the evening.  The crowd was dressed to the nines, and while many were elegant in timeless black attire, others took the opportunity to show off their style in blues, pinks, purple and white.  Check out some of the attendees in their finery:

After a fabulous night at the ball, this Cinderella’s face was washed,  the dress went to the dry cleaners, and her tired feet slowly recovered.  I can’t wait to see what’s next at the new Neiman Marcus, Walnut Creek!

Will you be attending the swankiest party in the East Bay this spring?  If so, check out the do’s and don’ts from DiabloMag.com.  I think the experts’ advice is spot on!  I’ll be there…hope to see you, too!

How To: Dress for the Neiman Marcus Gala

Turn heads at the opening party for Walnut Creek’s newest high-fashion outpost.

Still scrambling to snag a head-turning gown for Neiman Marcus’ March 8 gala? Ken Downing, fashion director for the store, and Danville-based pro stylist Carolyn Rovner offer sure-fire tips for ensuring you rank among the best dressed when Neiman Marcus opens its doors. Even if you’ve waited until the last minute to finalize your look, you can still grab a form-fitting dress in an eye-catching hue, find a fashion steal, and ensure your guy can take creative liberty without looking clownish.

Getting Creative

Carolyn Rovner, the winner of the Diablo’s Best Personal Shopper title in 2011, offers valuable advice for dressing for the big night. First off: decoding the ambiguous “creative black tie” suggestion. “Technically, black tie means a gown and tux, but you can be creative and add more fun and flair,” she suggests. “The vibe is fun and festive. You’re not going to wear the same dress here as you’d wear to a White House dinner or to meet the queen. The key is to have fun and not be too somber or stuffy. It’s a fashion thing. Think more red carpet.”

Tickled Pink

Or pink carpet, as the case may be. Ken Downing, Fashion Director for Neiman Marcus, is most excited for spring’s pinks, right down to the pink carpet at the opening gala. From hot and shocking to the palest blush tones, he recommends different varying the saturation to avoid looking like Barbie.

“Go short in flirty and feminine hot pink with a pale blush shoe,” he recommends. “Add a clutch and a dramatic earring with colorful stones in more shades of pink to embrace the season’s shade.” He also appreciates pairing it with a pop of color. “I love the bright accent of a yellow accessory with Pink. Yellow is the new neutral!”

From Diablo’s “The Muse,” March 2011 / photo by Christopher Kilkus

New Hues

If pink isn’t your shade and yellow makes you cringe, Rovner urges you to still consider a colorful frock. Vibrant spring colors like purple, Kelly green, turquoise, and orange are always unexpected. And you can break into color with a muted hue. “Designers showed a lot of pastels on runway, in jellybean colors like peach and misty green. If that’s your style you’d be right on trend.”

Updating the LBD

Add pops of color to the classic LBD. “Black is a constant and always sophisticated,” says Downing. “A bold and brilliant color for a shoe and clutch is daring and dramatic.”

Rovner also offers easy ways to update the timeless staple. “While a black dress is appropriate 99.9% of the time, this is your opportunity to have a bit of fun. My personal philosophy: wear black with purpose, not by default. If you’re going to wear black dress, wear a rocking black dress—with sequins, an interesting design, or embellishments.”

She also recognizes accessories can be an easy way to introduce color. “If you’re going to wear black, at least do a strong, colorful shoe, whether it’s pink or cobalt. Really add a fun pop of color, but then that’s it. Everything else is played down.”

Great Lengths

If you’re looking for length, Downing suggests prints and florals to keep it playful. “I love a dress cut close to the body that celebrates a women’s curves. Prints, a major trend, make wearing a long dress all the more fun. Floral patterns are also everywhere and super romantic in flowing chiffon.”

Flatter Your Figure

Rovner turns to a fitted bodice and full skirt to accentuate the waist and flatter most figures. Sheath styles with ruching on the side either create a waistline for someone who doesn’t have one, or gives someone curves and looks a bit more feminine on less curvy frames.

Halter styles can be flattering on women with broad shoulders and good arms. “Dress your strengths,” she recommends. “If you love your legs you can wear short dresses, remain more covered elsewhere. If you don’t love them, feature your bust line or waist. In terms of silhouette, go with what works.”

Accessorize

Don’t skimp on the accessories. “Dramatic earrings make every night out one to remember, and will bring attention to your gorgeous smile,” says Downing. “This season, bigger is definitely better when it comes to choosing earrings.” If you shy away from chandeliers, make a statement elsewhere. “A great diamond stud is always in style, just be sure to wear a wrist full of bangles bracelets and cuffs.” Downing isn’t shy about his love of bold gems. “I adore the glitter of jewelry! More is more! Less is a bore!”

From Diablo’s “The Muse,” March 2011 / photo by Christopher Kilkus

Rovner also advises only drawing focus to one accessory. “You can’t pop with the bag and the shoes and the earrings. If you’re going to accessorize with jewelry like a statement necklace, quiet the earrings and quiet the rest.” Jewelry choice also depends on the dress. “Don’t compete with what the dress has going on.  With a halter, I’d do an earring and bracelet or ring. A cocktail ring has a lot of opportunity and potential to make an outfit. Do something really bold.”

For the Guys

As for the fellas, Downing recommends keeping it traditional, with a twist. “Gentlemen always look sharp in a tux, classic with a bowtie (bowties are a major trend this season).” Or go alternative. “Wear your tuxedo jacket with a dark denim jean and a narrow black tie—super cool.” And menswear doesn’t just belong to the guys. “Tuxedo dressing, or ‘Le Smoking’ as the late, great Yve Saint Laurent referred to it, is a chic alternative. A woman in a sexy take on the tuxedo is always in style.”

For Rovner, execution is key. “The key is no clip on bow ties. If you don’t know how to tie a tie, stop by a men’s store and have someone tie it for you. It’s just way too ‘prom-y’ to have a clip on.” But she also welcomes creativity. “I would say, if a gentleman has an interesting tuxedo jacket, whether in midnight blue or black watch plaid, go for it. If you want to go with fun necktie or bowtie, just don’t make it too gimmicky and steer away from looking too wedding.

Fashion Steals

Dressing for a black tie affair doesn’t require shelling out a chunk of cash. Places like Dress: Luxury Attire for Less, in Oakland, can be a great place to score enviable finds, like the floor length, gold-sequined dress with a mermaid bottom that Rovner scored for $75 on sale. Also, Rent the Runway is a valuable online resource for designer styles you can rent for a night, but you need to be more flexible when unsure of sizing.

Are you intimidated or overwhelmed by discount stores? Not me–I’ll shop anywhere! Marshall’s, DSW, Ross, TJ Maxx, Nordstrom Rack and Loehmann’s are proverbial treasure chests to me.  In fact, some of my favorite pieces…my cognac leather jacket ($149.99), crystal jeweled evening shoes ($12), and Vince Camuto orange pencil pants ($39.99) were “jewels”.  Here are some tips to help you navigate the madness that is discount shopping:

*LOOK FOR DESIGNER BRANDS.  Michael Kors, Juicy, Laundry, Free People, Tahari, Calvin Klein and Nike items are plentiful!  Sure, there’s cheap stuff.  However, if you search carefully, you will find good quality items, and save a ton of money.

Recently, I found a navy jersey Maggie London dress at Marshall’s. I snatched it up quick!

Just one week later, I took this photo at Nordstrom, Stoneridge:

IT’S THE SAME DRESS!  Except one thing…mine cost $39.99 and the other one is $138.00!!! That’s a $98.00 savings! Can you believe it?  The SAME designer, fabric, color…everything! This happens more often than you’d think; all you need is patience and luck.

*BE FLEXIBLE.  The chances of finding a specific item are slim. Approach the store with a devil may care attitude, and see what comes of it.  It could be a swimsuit cover-up, workout shorts, a cocktail dress or a winter coat…you never know.

*SHOP OFTEN & RANDOMLY.  The merchandise changes frequently, so if you have a spare 1/2 hour before you pick up the kids, pop in and see what’s in stock.  Hit one area of the store–shoes or handbags, etc. if you only have a few minutes.

Discount stores are certainly not the only places to shop.  Boutiques, department stores, online and even E-Bay can offer lots of great pieces for you to add to your wardrobe. It’s just fun to buy treasures that don’t cost a fortune…good luck and happy shopping!

What was your favorite find (and how much $ was it) at a discount store?

When posed with the dilemma of what to wear to a monthly meeting or school function or volunteer shift, the Vista Oak NCL patronesses have it all figured out.  Sometimes, the location of a meeting (ie: country club) has wardrobe restrictions…mainly, a NO denim policy.  That can be frustrating…we rely so heavily on our jeans, don’t we?  I recently presented “Update Your Style/Wardrobe Essentials” to the chapter, and was delighted to see how they (effortlessly!) solved the age-old quandary:  What do I wear to a meeting when I can’t (or don’t want to) wear jeans?

Their solution:  A skinny black pant

Check out the ladies who all had the same bright idea.  Each rocked her look in her own way, and with a great fitting and versatile piece like a skinny black pant (or jean or legging), they all look sharp and put-together.  Way to go, ladies!

Check out today’s post on Diablomag.com:

Ditch those Capris, buy something with polka dots and wear only what you love, says Danville-based personal shopper Carolyn Rovner.

BY KRISTEN HANEY

New Year’s resolutions made with unbridled enthusiasm and quickly bemoaned as difficult to keep, sometimes need the help of a professional. If revamping your wardrobe (so opening your closet is no longer an exercise in despair) tops your list, we’ve got some essential and actionable guidelines from style maven Carolyn Rovner.

Rovner began her fashion career at age 14, offering honest advice to uncertain shoppers as she worked as a fitting room checker in her home state of Michigan. She’s since built a successful style consulting and personal shopping business with C2Style, which celebrated its 10 year anniversary and a Best of the East Bay win last year.

Below she shares her tips for ensuring you don’t stumble as you search for sartorial perfection in the upcoming year, whether that means finally ditching those Uggs or introducing a punch of color to your staples.

What is your advice for women looking to revamp their style in 2012?

First thing, I’d tell them to increase their awareness of fashion, style, and clothing, either by looking at magazines or around at the people they see. Take notes about what you’re interested in, styles that you’re drawn to. Next, go into your own closet. Be ruthless. Get rid of anything you know you don’t like. The question that should be repeated is “do I love it?” You should love everything in your closet. This also applies to what you buy. If you don’t love it when you buy it, you’re not going to love it six months later. Finally, one of my biggest challenges is helping clients see themselves in a fresh and more youthful way. A lot of women dress much more maturely than they need to or should. They’re dressing ten years older than they are.

What are some good style resolutions women should make for the New Year?

1. Make sure you have a purpose for your purchase: a destination, an event, or an item it will go with.
2. Ignore the size that’s on the tag. Buy for fit. Dress your body for today; don’t dress for ten pounds less in a few months. Sizes are all over the board.
3. Promise to take clothes that need to be altered to the tailor right away, either in-store or over the next three days. Make friends with your tailor (Rovner turns to Helena at All Apparel Alterations on Railroad Avenue in Danville). People need to understand that a pair of off-the-rack pants fitting is like hitting the lottery.
4. Toss items that don’t fit, that are worn out, pit-stained, pilled, have holes, and anything that you didn’t wear for two seasons. Forget how much you love it.

What trends should women ditch?

One closet at a time I’m trying to get rid of Capri pants. They make a petite woman look shorter and a taller woman look like she’s grown out of her pants. You can get a better effect by wearing Bermuda shorts or an ankle pant. I can’t wait to see Uggs go away. When you succumb to that you’re sacrificing your own personal sense of style. That’s what I try to get my clients to do, to look outside of what everyone else is doing and ask “how can I stand out and express myself, have a little of my own flair?” Also, tights with cut off jean shorts, boxy sweaters and blouses, and ugly bulky comfort shoes. I understand people need them but they’re so many cute options. Finally, when people wear leggings as bottoms and you can see their lady business. I don’t want to see your butt cheeks.

What essentials should everyone have?

This sounds strange, but a daytime dress that’s funeral appropriate. So many times I’ve pulled out this hideous black dress from clients’ closets and they say “that’s my funeral dress” and it’s a tent. Let’s update the funeral dress. Choose a piece in gray, navy, or black that fits you and looks nice. Other essentials include a nice pair of dress pants, a trench coat, and a go-to top or cardigan that you can wear with dress pants, a pencil skirt, or jeans — a good pair of dark wash in a skinny or trouser fit, depending on which silhouette works. Neutral pumps in black or nude are also really important. And finally, add a lovely cocktail dress, but not necessarily in black. It’s fun to walk into the party in purple.

What trends are you most looking forward to and how should we wear them?

Some of the spring trends are kind of out there. I like to focus on trends that are realistic, like polka dots and paisley, which are fresh for spring and different from the typical nautical stripe that’s “in” every spring. I also like bright colors, like orange and turquoise, which I bring down a bit with neutrals such as white, khaki, or navy. And there’s also a return to the classic ballet flat. Expect pleated skirts, both structured and flowy, and maxi skirts to replace the maxi dress that’s been popular in the past. The best way to pull off these trends is to add them to a really basic, classic foundation piece. Combining a great pair of white jeans with a bright top can make you trendy without being way out on the limb; you’re kind of closer to the tree. Mix trends with the classic and dabble in new prints and colors with accessories.

Posted at 09:00 AM – Jan 19, 2012 in Diablo Style | Permalink