DRESSING ROOM : Party time! Now, what to wear ...
Posted on Thursday, November 20, 2008
It’s late November. The Thanksgiving turkey looms. The Christmas trees are showing. Garmin, the Global Positioning System company, is running commercials featuring the newest of its funny “Carol of the Bells” -tuned jingles.
But you still don’t know what the heck to wear to all those parties coming up, do you ? No need to panic. Here are a few suggested products, from various collections, to help you get all prettied up. Blackberry Bloom, Clinique. Inspired by one of the company’s lipcolor shades, this collection is described as “a wearable and sultry collection that highlights a beautiful glowing face accentuated with a sexy, dramatic eye.” Limited-edition offerings include Fresh Bloom Allover Colour in Blackberry Bloom; Colour Surge Eye Shadow Super Shimmer in Black Coffee, Black Amethyst and Black Smoke; High Impact Mascara and Kohl Shaper for Eyes in Black Honey; Full Potential Lips Plump and Shine in Sugarfull (along with Blackberry Bloom ); a makeup-brush set; and Clinique’s venerated Aromatics Elixir Perfume Spray. Prices range from $ 14 to $ 50.
Clinique also offers a Party Red collection — several of its lipsticks in various shades of red, the limited-edition Kissable Dual Ended Full Potential Set, a lip-gloss set, liners, shadows, mascara, eyeliner brush and Clinique Happy Perfume Spray, $ 14- $ 49. 50. Avon. To brighten this time of year, Avon came bearing bling... big time. There’s a bold mix of faux stones in Kenneth Jay Lane’s Jeweltone Statement necklace ($ 40 ) and earrings ($ 15 ). More imitation stones glisten at the bottoms of the Jeweltone Hoop Earrings ($ 14. 99 ). A stunning, double row of crystals surround the face of the Ladies’ Sparkling Chronograph-Look Watch, cream or black, $ 24. 99. And the sleek Geometric Long Jet Beaded Necklace ($ 19. 99 ) makes an elegant statement. My faves ? The Bejeweled Multirow Ring (caramel, berry, teal, clear and grape, $ 14. 99 ) and Bejeweled Stackable Bangle Bracelet (same colors as the ring, also $ 14. 99 ). Other goodies abound.
Sigerson Morrison for Target. This design duo created a gaggle of fetching party shoes. Try the Glam Crystal Booties ($ 39. 99 ), black suede, zip-up ankle boots embellished with blue or silver studs and bearing three-inch wrapped heel; or the Divya Suede Stud Pumps ($ 36. 99 ), three-inch heeled pumps also featuring studs and offered in black / gold, black / purple or black / silver. For those who’ve had to give up the heels, there are the Roxie Jeweled Flats ($ 29. 99 ) in metallic aqua, purple or silver faux leather and featuring a clump of faux jewels over the toe area. (Pump versions of the Roxie and flat versions of the Divyas are also available. Some styles can be had only at target. com ). Liz Claiborne. Classic-style Christmas season standouts include a black-and-white houndstooth wool-blend jacket and skirt ($ 159 and $ 89 ), a stretch-blend shawl-collar jacket in a more subtle houndstooth worn with a black stretch pencil skirt ($ 149 and $ 79 ) and a black sequined bateau-neck shift dress, $ 189.
More to come... ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE
Has the economy cut severely into your fall / winter ’ 08 clothesbuying ? Turn to the tried-and-true way to jazz up the pieces you have — accessories. Tanya Holloway, assistant manager at Accessory City in Little Rock, gives the lowdown on affordable fall trends when it comes to these sartorial side dishes.
“The color of the season is purple,” she says. “With so many different shades and tones everyone will be able to find their perfect purple.
“ It is easy to dress up a traditional fall outfit with a colorful fashion necklace or a great oversize fashion scarf,” Holloway adds.
About those scarves: “A great trend that has been seen on many celebrities is tying your scarf around your waist or draping around your neck,” she says. “These techniques will add a dramatic look to any outfit.... Even if you can’t afford to buy a new handbag, you can also use these scarves to freshen up that handbag.” Scarves at the store start at $ 4. 78. Another wonderfully cheap trend: an opera wallet (slim, flat ). These start at $ 12. 92. The best thing about inexpensive accessories is that you can afford enough of them to assign different looks to the same outfit. So sure, go ahead and wear that black sweater dress twice in one week. Accessory City is located at 912 S. Bowman Road, Little Rock. For more information, call (501 ) 217-0990.
CALLING ALL KORTOS A Fashion Designer Casting Call will take place 3-6 p. m. Dec. 7 at Park on the River, 12001 Crystal Hill Road, Maumelle. Designers are encouraged to try out for a chance to be one of eight chosen to participate in the forthcoming second annual Designers’ Choice Fashion Preview in Little Rock. Hopefuls must bring three complete garments; a portfolio or pictures of their work; and photographs of themselves no larger than 5-by-7. Designers will also have an opportunity to participate in fashion-show workshops presented by Korto Momolu, Project Runway Season 5 ’s first runner-up. For more information, call Theresa Timmons-Nooner at (501 ) 247-5497.
FOR THE GUYS (SORTA ) Central Arkansas Radiation Therapy Institute will be the beneficiary of the Barbara Graves “A Men’s Night Only” Fashion Show. Men are encouraged to come out 7-9 p. m. Dec. 3 or 4 to Barbara Graves Intimate Fashions — Breckenridge Village, 10301 Rodney Parham Road, Little Rock — and shop for their significant others. Each evening will include informal modeling of elegant sleepwear and robes. Wine, hors d’oeuvres and soft drinks will be served. Reservations are $ 15 each, and all ticket proceeds will go to CARTI. For more information and to make reservations, call (501 ) 227-5537. DRESSING ROOM PICKS / PANS
My husband and I are each enjoying a Sankofa Bird Bracelet ($ 14 ) from Sinegar Ethnic Imports (JoySinegar. com ). Handcrafted in Ghana, the thin, golden, open-ended brass bracelet has a center design in the shape of the mythic Sankofa bird, a symbol of the Akan people of west Africa. (Sankofa means “it is not taboo to go back and fetch what you forgot,” meaning one should go back to one’s roots in order to move forward. The bird is shown flying forward but looking backward with an egg, symbolizing the future, in its mouth. ) A final jog-set mention: The “Queen” Warm-Up Jacket and Pant ($ 69. 95- $ 79. 95 ) from the Midnight Velvet catalog (midnightvelvet. com ). This midnight-blue velour leisure set is detailed with shimmering golden trim and a golden crown applique on the front of the hooded zip-front jacket. The pants have a drawstring waist. It’s quite a snazzylooking set. Unfortunately — after waiting about two months for the delayed shipment of the set — I was disappointed to find that it runs small. Those who want it should order a size or so up.
Has cold weather rolled up on you and you’re still without basic fall sweaters and tops ? It happened to me, so I went a-scrambling and found some long-sleeved mockneck sweaters by Westbound, $ 24 each at Dillard’s stores. The tunic-length cotton sweaters feature ribbed cuffs and ribbing accents on the outer sleeves and sides. The fit may vary a bit between colors — I did well with a dark-brown large, but did better with extra-larges in beige, white and purple. Dressing Room is published biweekly. Send news releases to Helaine R. Williams, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, P. O. Box 2221, Little Rock, Ark. 72203, or e-mail:
hwilliams@arkansasonline. com
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