Although we’ve featured bits and pieces of Ruche here before, I wanted to do a full post on some of their lovely women’s fashion trends today.  Have you spent time looking through ShopRuche.com?  It’s one of the greatest things since sliced bread (not even exaggerating).  I love their indie/vintage looks.  My fashion dreams now consist of filling my entire closet with Ruche items… and their JEWELRY is so dreamy, too.  But, alas… I need to quit typing and start showing you why I’m so crazy about them!

Sprouting Up – http://www.shopruche.com/outfits-sprouting-up-c-24_114.html

Even though this shirt has sold out, I had to feature it.  Isn’t it lovely?  And I think it could work beautifully to be made modest with a pretty v-neck/scoop-neck shirt underneath, especially with sleeves that end at the elbow.  It would also look gorgeous with a simple cardigan on top.  You’d want to leave it open, though, so the lovely embellishing could shine through.  I think the thing that draws me most to this outfit is the simple colors (tan/khaki with white linen pants) with the bright pop of blues in the embellishing.  This top would also be fabulous for people like me that need some proportion-compensating for not being as well-endowed in the chest region (a.k.a. members of the “flat like a wall” club).

Picture Frames – http://www.shopruche.com/outfits-picture-frames-c-24_116.html

This is a really great outfit, combo.  I especially am crazy about the belted look in the final picture.  The top is quite loose fitting, but it’s well-balanced by the form-fitting leggings.  This looks like such a comfortable outfit that wouldn’t look sloppy.  It could work well for a day running errands with the kiddos or even a get-together with friends.  Since I’m a food photographer by profession, I have this vision of things that work well as a “photographer outfit” and this would definitely classify as something I’d wear to a shoot.  It would look professional, but still casual enough for my clients to feel comfortable (even though I’d be so drop-dead sexy they’d have a hard time focusing on the food – always a problem… ha, ha).  Just fabulous.

Orange Sherbet – http://www.shopruche.com/outfits-orange-sherbet-c-24_100.html

I also have a BIG thing for orange… oddly enough my high school’s colors were green and orange (lucky, right?).  This orange top is just gorgeous.  I love the pin tucks along the bottom, as well as the vintage embroidery across the bodice.  They’ve paired it perfectly with the chocolate-colored cardigan and sailor pants (aren’t sailor pants AWESOME?!!).  Yes, I’ll take this whole outfit right away please.

Here’s some of my favorite tops: Celestial Embroidery Tank, Poplin Zipper Top, Daisy Wings Cap Sleeve Top and the Bella Embroidered Striped Tunic

And a few fun shoes: Pink Studio Leisa gray platform wedge sandals, Gray Studded Pointy Heels and Rocket Dog “Dart” frayed canvas ballet flats (I love Rocket Dog shoes!!)

Here’s some of their sexy earrings: Up Up and Away Dangling Earrings, Coral Moondrop Swarovski Earrings, Mini Mesh Rose Earrings in Silver, Golden Flower Drop Earrings, Jaded Dangling Hoop Earrings by Ollipop and Golden Daisy Sparrow Drop Earrings

A few rad bags: Box Pockets Purse in Chestnut, Leaf Bag in Avocado and Take Me With You Clutch

I love these necklaces: Not So Typical Diamond Locket Necklace by Thursday Island, Cream Rose Indie Necklace, Cherokee Feather Necklace by Thursday Island and All in a Dream Sparrow Necklace

To-die-for accessories: Chenin Grape Scarf in Chocolate, Sweet Sage Flower Headband, A Straw Hat for Huck’s Girl, Grey Berriflower Headband, Mustard Seed Ruffled Scarf and Astrantia Melody Headband

And now, the grand finale… yummy rings: Flower Child Oval Cocktail Ring by Ollipop, Purple Quartz Daisy Ring by Ollipop, Baby’s Breath Ring by Ollipop, Lost in Time Capsule Cocktail Ring by Ollipop, Lorelei Pearl Ring and Green Leaf Flower Ring

So…. are you loving Ruche like I am?  I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Around Christmas time last year I bought 4 fun hair accessories from Kaang (featured this creative chick’s store in the very beginning of CreatedByChicks.com). Every time I wear ANY of them, I get TONS of comments about how fabulous they are and am asked where I got them. Honestly, it’s been the best discovery since sliced bread to know that on any given day I can take my hair from drab to fab by just adding a clever hair accessory. Girls, you’d be shocked to know what kind of fabulous, dirty hair styles you can get away with by doing this…. shocked.

Me, rockin’ my very fun, Kaang butterfly headband, with my sweet friend Brooke at Anastasia’s Attic.

Me (bein’ snazzy with my Kaang pink flower clip) sitting between two of the most hilarious chicks whom I’m so lucky to call friends, Kristina and Steph (on a SassyScoops.com review).

So, now I’m the biggest fan of funky hair accessories on the planet.  My oober-hip friend, Carina, has been rockin’ them for awhile (she’s always ahead of the times) and I tell you what: she always looks fantastic and polished.

Today I was hunting for more fab hair accessories and came across a really fun new designer called Feather & Bloom.  I really found some great pieces that would brighten up any bad hair day, instantly.  Check them out (as always, click on the pic to be redirected to that item in their store):

CALIGO pink feather headband – $24.00

SALLY beige feather headband – $22.00

EVA rose flower hair clips – $24.00

RAQUEL chartreuse feather headband – $18.00 (cuz green is my FAVORITE color – love this!)

ENIGMA beige flower hair clip – $28.00

AMY purple feather headband – $22.00

Aren’t these fun?!  I’m definitely crushing over them and adding them to my wishlist.  I especially love the ENIGMA beige flower clip because it’s so stunning and would go with just about anything, quickly dressing up your hair.  But there’s soooo many fun choices that I had a really hard time not putting even more in (I know… such a long post today).

Thanks for inspiring us with your creativity, Feather & Bloom!  We’re diggin’ it!

What hair accessory is your favorite from Feather & Bloom?  Have you branched out and tried a funky, feather headband yet?  Do you dare wear flowers in your hair?  What’s your comfort level with hair accessorizing? Do you need some ideas on what to pair all of these with? You’d be surprised at how much can “go” with fun, bright colors like a lot of the hair accessories featured here today.

Disclaimer: no one paid for the promotion of these two fabulous stores… just my own adoration driving this post.

Maybe it’s spring in the air, maybe it’s my ever-growing belly or maybe it’s just me being a girl who loves updating my wardrobe.  Whatever it is, I’m really psyched about fashion right now (more than normal, perhaps).  I went online and did a maternity search on Etsy and… to put it nicely, there wasn’t much that I found attractive or appealing (to put it more bluntly: for a laugh, check out Etsy’s maternity selection.. wow.).

The search – randomly – did lead me to a super-chic designer who makes all her own patterns and supports local New Zealand mills for her fabric.  Without further ado, allow me to introduce you to Cat and her fabulous women’s fashion dress designs.  Ooh, la, la!  They are magnifique and I think you’ll adore them, too!  (As usual, click on the pics to be redirected to Cat’s Etsy shop, Cast Couture).

Navy Flattering Frill Bust Dress with Pockets – $60.00

Salmon Pink Wrap Neck Empire Dress – $60.00 (can work well as maternity dress also & wouldn’t that be stunning?!)

Fab Camel Cozy Cowl Hoodie Tulip Dress – $62.00 (I LOVE this with the leggings!  Looks comfy, chic and stylish!)

Rust Stunning Pleated Lily Dress – $55.00 (even though this is too short for my wardrobe, I LOVE the style of it!  I would bet Cat could make a longer version upon request.  It would also look phenomenal with leggings.)

Navy A Line Twist Dress – $62.00 (you can specify what kind of sleeves you’d like this dress made in – cap, elbow length, sleeveless or full length)

Isn’t Cat one talented creative chick?  And even though she’s shipping from New Zealand, shipping only costs $6.00 to go to anywhere outside of New Zealand.  Isn’t that insane and amazing?!  I’m dying over her style.  I love how she creates all her own designs and patterns.  I’m also a huge fan of how she works to support local mills in her products.  Cat is an example of why, in general, I think women in business are so valuable to the communities in which they live: most women entrepreneurs love to give back and support those around them.

Thanks for your inspiring creativity, Cat!  We love your Cast Couture shop and all your fresh, chic styles!

The first principle of design that we will feature is proportion, or the size relationship of parts to the whole. Note, in this jacket example that the arrangement on the figure to the right has much more balance vs. the one at left.

Raspberry Fleece Jacket by Erin Alexandra Klym – $121.00

For example: the size of your hand in relation to the size of your arm. Or a clothing piece in relation to the whole outfit or body.

This concept can apply to colors as well; do the colors complement each other? Or is one color ill-proportioned to the other by having too much of a really intense color in comparison? What we want are dimensions that relate to each other, attract our viewers, and give a pleasant or complete feeling.

Tiger Lily Moccasin Navy by Darlingtonia – $129.00

The feeling of completion and pleasantness can be done with any style preference. Funky, all-natural, feminine, girly, frilly, classy, boyish….anything – as long as you follow the basic principles of proportion.

Some people seem to have a natural ability to know what works and what doesn’t, so what about the rest of us? Are there any basic rules or ways to find out what works if you aren’t a natural? Luckily there are! Throughout civilization, artists, mathematicians, psychologists and even philosophers have studied to find out what is naturally appealing to the human eye and mind. There are a lot of theories, but one that is best known and applied is the golden mean. Discovered by Egyptians, Greeks, renaissance (Notre Dame) and many other civilizations.  It is one that is found in nature in seashells,

in ferns,

Fern Ring by honeybee, Amy Moore Designs – $68.00

and even the human body.

So, here is a basic math version of the golden mean (section): 3+5=8, 5+8=13, 8+13=21, etc… What does that mean? If you look to the right of the image above, there are lines that help you visualize the proportion. The blue line equals roughly 5/8 of the white line. This proportion not only works for men, but for women as well.

What do you do if you don’t have an ”ideal” figure? No worries, my next Fashion Friday post will teach you some tricks and optical illusions to help you give your body a well-proportioned look.

For more images and examples to train your eye, go to http://feng-shui.lovetoknow.com/The_Golden_Ratio or http://goldennumber.net/goldsect.htm

Why the FAD is bad. Don’t get me wrong, fashion is wonderful, but Fads and Fashion are totally separate things, and it is time to point that out! First of all the definition of Fad, a fad is something that is trendy, has no or very little element of design to it, and will go out faster than it came in. Those pictures that you hate in two years and wonder “what on earth was I thinking, I looked awful in that, but it was ‘in’!” that is a FAD.

Oversized T-shirts with biker shorts, hemp necklaces with no shirt and leprechaun shoes, tuck in that giant T-shirt, add a belt, black jeans and more leprechaun shoes! Cool? FAD!

Fashion on the other hand follows elements and principles of design (look them up in a design book, or just keep reading this post each week, because I am going to highlight one of the elements or principles each week). Fashion is something that also is catching and soothing to the eye of the general audience, and will continue to be used in different ways throughout the decades.

Fashionable: Bon Voyage Navy Pleated Skirt Dress from Shabby Apple – $78.00

Here is an example of a fad that you will hate yourself someday for wearing: Uggs and capris!

Some of you may hate me already for just writing this because you have worn them and jumped on the fad wagon. But let me point out why this fad will fade fast and how it is reckless abandonment of elements and principles of design. Some of you might say the rules are made to be broken, but not ignorantly ignored and that’s what this fad does. Don’t worry though if you’ve made this mistake; we have all made plenty!

1. Line and figure flattery- The wonderful thing about design is you can accentuate any figure and bring out beauty of the wearer with lines, colors, and patterns. But if you misapply or ignore design then you will exaggerate and pull out the worst of a figure.

Notice that nobody’s and I mean nobody’s figure looks very nice from the hip down with this combo. That is because it creates two very LARGE tubes equal to the hip tube (the largest point on your lower half). Also it gives you a 1-2” visual of skin at THE THICKEST PART OF YOUR LEG!!!! Creating the visual image that your calf is as large as the widest part, all the way up and down!

She may look “cool”, but her calves look humungous! (and I’m guessing they aren’t really)

The lines that cut right at your calf also visually shorten your leg to make you look like a munchkin. (Notice the girl on the right) Whereas, if you are wearing full length skinny jeans, tucked in with uggs, it lessens the effect by visually carrying your leg down into the boot rather than the boot being part of the leg. But if you have short legs already, just skip the uggs there are plenty of other options! Even if you wear fitted capris it still has a chopping effect, too many horizontal lines making very wide, short legs! We all know by now horizontal lines shorten and widen!

2. Mass/visual mass/density/weight- Even if you wear slender capris and you believe your leg doesn’t look like a massive tube, or you don’t mind the cut at the thickest part of your leg, there is a visual mass that is not balanced and it is brought to those “clodhoppers”. The weight of denim and other fabrics covering balances the weight. Right now the visual emphasis is on the silhouette as a whole and up towards your lovely face.

Notice how much stuff these women are carrying up top and they still don’t look balanced! They look cluttered, unorganized and unaware that the primary thing you notice are the massive boots, and you are distracted too much to notice what lovely springy dresses and faces they have. Exaggerated visual weight at your feet is just confusing or weird to most people’s psyche when they look at you. So it is not soothing or lovely, it’s just a fad.

3. Seasons! – Okay, I know we are all sick of snow and would love to wear our capris, but if it is too cold then it is too cold. If you need some spring in your life but it is too cold, use brighter colors, light cotton with lots of layers, floral patterns, and of flower headbands.

Fashionable: Tropical Escape necklace by Rachelle D. – $29.50

Seasonal clothing is there for a purpose, not just for comfort it also makes others comfortable and is visually satisfying. For instance, how would it look if you showed up wearing Eskimo clothes to a Luau in Hawaii? Or how about just the opposite what would you think of a person walking around in a bikini out in the snow? If we go against the weather and all common sense, it is usually because we want special attention put on ourselves and go to extremes because we are insecure. This isn’t a psychologically appealing concept right now. Most people want to know people who are not caught up in themselves and are not going to extreme to find attention. Seasonally Uggs and Capris look confused, and even if the weather is confused, we don’t want to be completely blown around by it or be as confused as the weather.

What looks do you think are fads right now?  What fashion fad have you participated in and then regretted later (we’ve all done that)?

This post is a continuation of my previous Fashion Friday post.

Increased consumer education in a shaky economy is a common cycle or trend throughout fashion history. We are headed for some really amazing times in fashion and in our future! I can’t wait to see the creativity and intelligence that burst out of the ashes of the economy!

Tuesday Morning Hairpin Set by Hot Pink Chick – $14.00

Handcrafted, One-of-a-Kind
Because we value supporting our economy and neighbors, consumer education is going up. We want to know that we’re getting quality items that will last. We want to know who makes it – that there is a real person behind it that we can trust, because we have a distrust for the “too big to fail” companies and their motives. Quality is important now – not quantity. You know you aren’t wasting money on corporate handouts and large overhead.

Large Boulder Opal Necklace by Sandrandan – $24.00

Though we will see a variety of items from the internet moving across the country, we will see the spectrum moving closer and closer to home. We have already seen the influence bloggers can have because we trust them. It will just get closer to home as we want to meet those we are putting our trust in. We need to get to know people so that we can understand their motives. Are they just out there to make a buck? Or do they really care about and understand their customers and products.

Rosette Jersey Scarf by Sue Bradbury – $24.00

We will also move toward locally-made because the well educated, jobless people in our communities will start making better products of their own, with higher quality, cutting costs. Sellers will look at “how low can I get the price?” instead of “how much can I charge?” We will get a lower cost, better quality item from someone we trust. Basically it is BACK to the AMERICAN WAY.

Monument Earrings by LKFarnsworth Studio – $19.00

Be sure to subscribe and Google Friend Follow CreatedByChicks.com to never miss a Fashion Friday installment!

I’m so excited to feature Sarah Ward’s jewelry company, Blue Bijou jewelry, today!  I realize that I’ve been featuring a lot of jewelry recently, but I think you’ve GOT to see some of the Blue Bijou pieces.  Don’t you just love jewelry, though?  I mean, honestly, it’s like shoes – no matter what your weight, it always fits.

Also, in so many cases it seems that the jewelry makes the outfit.  I spoke with Sarah recently about this and am sure she agrees.  Sarah is a professional image consultant and specializes in helping people look their absolute best.  Also, Sarah is always up-to-date on what trends are happening and incorporates this into her jewelry pieces, so you can be sure that anything at Blue Bijou is going to fit the 2010 fashion, style and color trends.

So, without further ado, here are a few of my favorite Blue Bijou jewelry pieces (click on the pictures to be redirected to the item in her store):

Joy – $25.00 – Gold leaf with 2 Swarovski bicone crystals on gold 16″ necklace with lobster claw clasp.

Sarah – $15.00 – Dazzling circular filigree earrings with gold shepherd hooks.

Brindee – $20.00 – A new twist on the classic Y shape necklace, this leaf lariat with green and pink faceted beads will compliment your V-neck beautifully!

Ruth – $36.00 – Glorious Amazonite and Sterling Silver Bead Bracelet with a Sterling Silver Toggle Clasp.

This last piece is from her Turquoise Color of 2010 collection.  There are many more lovely turquoise pieces that would be such a fast, easy update to any wardrobe.

It was SOOOOOO difficult to only select a few of Blue Bijou’s pieces to feature as I love so many of them!  Be sure to take a peek at Blue Bijou and I’m certain you’ll fall in love with them, too.  Thanks, Sarah, for your lovely creativity!!!

To understand what will happen in fashion, especially the 2010 fashion trends, we need to understand what has happened in the past, what cycles take place, and what determines “fashion”. In the next few Friday posts I will be breaking these concepts down. These are concepts that not everyone in fashion knows, but give us the ability to see and predict future trends.

Here is a little fashion history for you. About two hundred years ago fashion had been repeating itself every 50-100 yrs! As technology and communication expanded throughout the 20th century, fashion began to repeat itself in 20 yr cycles, of course always with a new twist on the old concept. In the past decade, because of the expansion of the internet and communication, fashion has become a hodgepodge of previous time periods and modern culture. But there are still patterns and cycles to be found. Mentally, it is a bit difficult for us to repeat a fashion that we followed 5-10 yrs ago, because it is still too fresh in our memories for us to consider it “new” or “in”. So, 20 yrs is still the general rule of how often fashion repeats itself. This is one of the first cycles of fashion.

But think back 20 yrs to 1990; are we really following that theme? Not really. Why? The next major factor in fashion cycles comes from cycles in the economy: during 1990 we were still in an economic boom. * Fashion is the projection of shared values and experiences of a population. What major events that affect large populations of cultures, countries, and the world will set the tone for shared values to be projected into fashion. The economy is hitting every country, everyone. So, therefore, it is a major player in fashion. So, looking back at the economy, let’s look back 20 more years to the 1970’s. Do we see any similarities? Yes!

Vintage Womens Soft Brown Leather Heeled Durango Boots from Pigeon Recycled – $18.00

Stuart Weitzman boots spotted on FashionTribes.typepad.com

The 1970’s was a low decade for our economy – similar to ours today. Now if the 1970’s took some fashion ideas from 20 yrs earlier, let’s look at the 1950’s. Not as much similarity. Again, it was a good economic period, keeping up with the Jones’ was the mentality, so we can’t compare it to our economy now. (But take a moment to think of what values we might share with the people of the 1950’s and you will probably find a fashion that would suit you today).

Custom 1950s inspired dress by Michelle Tan – $85.00

Let’s continue our look back 20 more years in the timeline. The 1930’s. BINGO! We find lots and lots of examples of things that are “in” today, and that will likely grab our attention in this upcoming year of economic struggles.

We will go into more depth on the 1930’s in future articles. But for now, trust me that the headbands and slouchy tops that we adore now are all from the 1930’s.

Giant Dwarf // Rosette Fascinator // Elastic Headband // The Swan by Giant Dwarf – $30.00

Vanilla Bean Blouse by Anthropologie – $128.00

Build Your Own Candy Thief SPARKLE BAND by The Candy Thief – $39.00

The Aristocrat Off White Felt Flower Elastic Headwrap or Headband Hair Accessory by Jennifer Birge – $31.00

What about the decade of 1910’s? Another great year for us to take ideas from, because of the similar shared experiences.

Next week we will be discussing other major factors that determine what is considered fashionable.  Be sure to subscribe to CreatedByChicks.com to not miss any of the 2010 fashion trend updates, along with the psychology behind them.  We’d also love you to Google Friend us!

p.s. Check out our past post “Bridal Hair Accessories and Headbands” to see even more examples of 2010 fashion trends, inspired by the 1930′s.

Now that we have taken note of what colors will be coming in this year, what of the overall fashion? In fashion this overall fit or style is called the silhouette.

In 2009 the silhouette went to loose slouchy tops and skinny jeans. But what can we expect of this next year?

Our mental atmosphere is moving to more natural feminine lines and curves. So at the beginning of the year we will see these slouchy tops with more and more cinching or belting at the natural waistline. (Note: Natural waistline is the thinnest point between your hips and bust; it’s probably a little different for you to imagine it there because it has been a long time since there has been an emphasis on natural lines)

Romantic Flower Top by Lirola – $85.00

As we move through the year we will see less and less fabric gathered at the waist. This excess fabric reminds us too much of the over-opulent attitude which has gotten us into economic trouble. We value sleek, natural lines that emphasis a simple femininity. (But we won’t take it so far as to wear tight clothing that gives the sense of cheap and careless.) We now give extreme thought to all of our purchases, buying something we will wear for years to come.

Silk Chiffon, Vintage Lace Soft Champagne Top by Prizy Sebastian – $95.00

In every silhouette there is an emphasis. Our upcoming emphasis is around the neckline, bringing focus to the face of the wearer.

Organic Seaside Top by Heirloom – $40.00

Then the focus goes to the natural waistline and then the smooth sleek lines of the lower body. This makes the focal point first the Face, then the body’s natural curves.

This 1930’s evening gown has many features that epitomize our thoughts and values. Note: Sleek natural silhouette, emphasis on natural waist, ruffles that bring attention to the face, feminine, simple, sustainable, and beautiful.

Look for modern clothes with these features. If you send me a link to one of your fave’s by Wednesday, 1/20/2010 (antelita {at} hotmail {dot} com), I will work it into next week’s feature. My goal is to have all of our readers doing their own trend forecasting by the end of this year!

— Part 2 in a 2-part series: Part 1 – Fashion Friday Bring in the New Year with Color! (due to technical internet issues, this post is showing today, rather than Friday when it was originally intended) —

As we move from 2010 Spring/Summer weather into Fall/Winter life, the tone in color obviously has a cooler mood. But mentally we don’t totally change from one color to another. So our muted lilac from summer now has a little gray added to neutralize it and calm the intensity. This new deeper purple is called eggplant.  (Click on pics to be redirected to the item in their store).

Hand Woven and Hand Dyed, Pure Wool Shawl by SR’ design – $40.00

The vibrant bold blues will move to a sustainable navy. Navy is a classic for business and most other occasions. More women will be joining the workforce to try to supplement reduced family incomes or take over where a job has been lost. The mature business mentality of both navy blue and dull lilac will be admired for sophisticated occasions.

Stylish soft jersey V neck wrap dress in navy blue and plum by Daniella Besso – $120.00

Velvet Millinery Flowers in Midnight Blue for Fascinators, Hats, Corsages, Brooches, Altered Art by Mary, not Martha – $6.95

The vibrant Raspberry or fuchsia of the summer will be lightened, softened, and toned down to almost a pink; but you can still see the blue undertones that give it a raspberry feeling. This will be idealistic for casual activities. It has a younger, more spontaneous, yet feminine look for daytime clothing.

Crocheted Raspberry Newsboy Cap by Winona Min – $36.00

The vibrant tangerine will also tone down, so much in fact that it will seem more like a vibrant, skin tone. This will be great for layering in different weights with a stark white for contrast and to show off its color.

The eco-friendly green that was so playful in the summer becomes almost a seafoam teal. This color will soften the sharper business cuts of clothing.

Green and Orange Flower Clip by Blue Yodey Baby Boutique – $2.75

Opal is the gem that will tie in any color from this palate – so any piece of jewelry containing this iridescent stone will be the crowning touch of your wardrobe.

Precious Stone Blues by Jellies Jewelry – $188.00

CHA–CHA CELESTE. luminous gemstone charm Ring by Beijo Flor – $49.00

All this month I’ll be talking about 2010 color and fashion trends, so be sure to subscribe and Google Follow (sidebar) CreatedByChicks.com so you don’t miss any of it!