(yes, I know yesterday I wrote I may not be back for the rest of the week posting, but consider this a sporadic attempt to write and not an “I’m fully back” post… *wink*)

For those of you who know me IRL, you’ll know that I LOVE wearing comfy maxi dresses.  It’s my absolute favorite clothing item and I’m thinking I can TOTALLY get away with wearing them all through out my pregnancy, too (will just have to watch the cuts and lines in each dress to be sure I don’t look like I’m wearing a tent).  Today I was browsing Target for something else and came across the Liberty of London maxi dresses.  Let’s just say, I’M IN LOVE!!!  I’ll take one of each, please.

Check them out:

Liberty of London for Target Halter Maxi Dress – Turquoise Isis Print - $34.99

Liberty of London for Target Smocked Top Maxi Dress – Pink Mark Lg Scale Print – $34.99

Liberty of London for Target Smocked Top Maxi Dress – Blue Grand Royal Print - $34.99

Also, I was perusing DownEast Basics the other day and came across this GORGEOUS maxi dress.  I love the lines on this and especially loved how they paired it with such a heavy necklace.  It really balances the look.

Oceanfront Dress – $34.99

So there you have it: I’m obsessed with maxi dresses and would be perfectly happy to wear one every single day of my life.  For those of you looking for the modest way to do this, I recommend wearing a simple, form-fitting modest t shirt, like these from ModBod (Tip: Stick to neutral tones like black, white, cream, etc. unless you find a top that matches the print colors perfectly.  The goal of the undershirt is for it to BLEND with the dress, rather than look like two very separate pieces.):

Perfect V Neck by ModBod – $21.95 – works best and looks the nicest with any maxi dresses that also have a v neck; try to pair your under shirt to have a similar neckline as the dress to keep things looking uniform and polished (and stop people from immediately thinking, “wow! She’s wearing an undershirt!” and instead thinking, “wow!  She looks foxy!”

Perfect Cap Sleeve with Lace – $21.95 – I’d buy this one to do a double-duty by wearing it under a maxi (with a square or round neck) and then wear it under a jacket or something else later (where the lace could show)

One of the things I LOVE about maxi dresses is that they can easily look dressy or casual.  For a casual look, just toss on flip-flops and simple jewelry.  For your hair, you can keep it really simple, wearing it down, in a pony tail or a loose top-knot.  Putting a cute scarf or headband on would easily add a breezy, carefree look to it, too.

For a more dressy look, wear kitten heels or ballet flats and add bigger, snazzier jewelry.  Then, you could even add a fancier headband (like the feathered ones I love to feature here).  You know how I’m also nuts about those. *wink*

Aren’t maxi dresses fabulous?!  Ooooh, la, la!  They rock my world!  Have you worn them before?  Are you feeling daring this spring/summer to try them?  You should!

Note: There are a LOT of poorly designed maxi dresses out there that are anything but flattering on the wearer (no matter what body type you have).  Be sure to watch for nice, tight, flattering lines for your figure and don’t go for maxi dresses that have too full of a skirt (often looks like a poofy tent).  Also, not all prints are flattering on every figure and skin-tone, so don’t go crazy with your maxi dress purchases.  If you’re new to the maxi dress, try a solid black or chocolate knit fabric one first and then when you can tell how to make that flattering, you can branch into the printed fabric maxi dresses.

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.

Yes, it’s true.  I’m pining for a “mom bag.”  This needs to be a sassy bag that fits all my stuff with ease.  I want to fit my wallet, phone, keys, business card holder (need to make and print my cards to put in it, though) in it for quick access.  I also want to be able to toss a spare diaper and some wipes, a snack for the kiddos and possibly a sippy cup in it.  There don’t need to be holders for all of these things, but it does need to be convenient.  I’ve had mom bags that are sooo ginormous that you lose anything that goes into it.  At the checkout line in the supermarket I feel like Mary Poppins searching through my giant carpet bag just to find my wallet to purchase my groceries (everyone in line is rolling their eyes behind me).  I’d almost rather have a small bag and an additional diaper bag (most likely to leave in the car, not actually carry around with me) than have that kind of experience again.

So, today I went hunting on Etsy and found some fabulous, boho-chic, handmade bags that are sassy and could fit what I’m looking for in a “mom bag.”  Check ‘em out (click on the pics to be redirected to the item’s site):

Truffle bag in teal by Morelle – $225.00

The Market Bag in Gunmetal Gray by Moop – $93.00

Turquoise Linen everyday purse by Sinem Inugur – $30.00

Burgandy canvas everyday purse by Bayan Hippo – $36.00

Which bags did you like the most?  I’m noticing that the basic shape of all of these bags is similar and I LOVE it!  Also, the colors are all really trendy for the Fashion and Color Trends for 2010.

Have you got a “mom bag?”  Any advice for finding the perfect one?  What features are a must?

p.s. For those of you wondering where my blog design services and info went, I’ve recently decided to stop offering my design services for hire.  Things have gone so well, so quickly that I just can’t keep up.  Thank you for your support and love in this endeavor!  Things will continue on as normal here at CreatedByChicks.com, minus mentioning my design projects.  Love you all!!

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.

Today I’m featuring the fabulous creative chick, Chante’, of Black Satin Shoes.  Her tagline is, “Perfect accessories to wear with your black satin shoes.” I don’t even own any black satin shoes, but now I think I better look into it because all of her accessories would be SOOOO perfect for a lovely night out.

From her profile I found this tasty bit of info that I loved: I love making things that are fun and girly on my off time. I love bows and pearls, so you will find that a lot of things i make are based around that. I also have the problem of wanting to keep everything i make, but who does not.

Doesn’t she sound so fun?  I love that she struggles to sell her creations because she loves them all.  I can totally see why, too.  Here’s a few of my favorites from her shop (click on pics to be redirected to that item in her store):

Kerry Anne (mustard yellow) – $17.00

Pink Cluster Shoe Clips – $17.00

Camille Headband – $18.00

Red Velvet (shoe clips) – $17.00

Serraphina Headband – $19.00

Cream and Gray Cluster Shoe Clips – $16.00

Now I bet you’re just like me, itching for somewhere fancy to go – heck, even going to a movie could be fancy enough to wear heels and pull out some of Black Satin Shoes’ shoe clips!  And the headbands… oh, the headbands.  I think I’m in love with the boho chic look.  I think I could get addicted to buying these fabulous headbands very quickly (already am getting near the “too many” danger point).  Loving your creativity, Chante’!

Color palate for 2010 women’s fashion:

If used correctly, color can be one of the first elements of design to catch our eyes. What colors will be the sellouts this season?

Let’s begin as we always do – with a little psychology. First, we are beginning to value eco-friendly products, and we consider ourselves more informed about, and caring for, our environment. Also, the economy is going to play into our mindset. When we have less money to spend on doctors, we consider preventative health care. When we want an overall healthy, happy, life (despite the economy), we turn to exercise and a more healthy way of eating/living. If these mental pressures and attitudes continue (which they will barring any extreme unforeseen event) we can predict the colors for the year. They all add up to a high regard for natural, clean, renewable products. So, the colors we will find appealing will be clean, natural, and renewing: soothing blues and greens.

2010 Spring color trends will be muted and pastel, greens and muted lilac or sky blue, accented with a red raspberry/fuchsia.

Bo Ho Chic Sea Glass Necklace by New Sprout – $32.00

Fuchsia Agate Nugget Earrings by djames designs – $59.00

As we move through spring and into summer 2010 color trends, aqua and a variety of deep blues, which give the relaxing feeling of scuba diving on a tropical island, create an escape from the humdrum of a slow economy. Add in the yellow of tropical fish, or orange of a mango, and we move into the full color palate for summer.

Rare Ocean Petals. Rare Yellow, Cobalt and Lime Seaglass on Sterling Silver Necklace Chain by Ocean Blue Seaglass – $34.00

Violet Sparkle On Tangerine Dichro Cubes Earrings by Helix Elemental Jewelry – $9.00

Further into summer of 2010 we will see color trends with more radiant and vibrant tones of purple, fuchsia, tangerine, and a hint of lime green.

BEBE- rosette brasage for the art of imagination by Miss Ruby Sue – $35.00

Boutique Child Girl Spring Flower Power Emerald and Violet Bonnet Newsboy Brim Cap Knit Hat by Deusprovidebit – $36.50

Fall/Winter 2010 colors to come next week!  Be sure to subscribe to CreatedByChicks.com so you don’t miss the next installment in this 2010 color trends series! Also, we’d love you to Google Friend Follow CreatedByChicks.com (sidebar box)!

I am on a mission to find the BEST hair accessories around & share them with you!  I’m sure I’m not the only one who gets bad hair days.  I’d also bet that I’m not the only one who gets tired of the same old hair do every day.  Today I’m featuring the fabulous designs of Jennifer Birge that are sure to add pizazz to any hair do, any time.

Check out these lovelies (click on pic to be redirected to item in Jennifer Birge’s store):

The Sumptious – $11.00

The Aristocrat – $31.00

The Retro – $24.00

Little Holiday – $8.00 (threw this one in cuz I love it & am already getting soooo excited for the holidays.  I think we all “need a little Christmas” this year – don’t you think?)

Laylah – $20.00

I’m tempted to keep featuring creative chicks that spice life up & give us sexy hair days every day.  Would you like that?

Jennifer Birge’s designs are DEFINITELY a newfound fave!!  And her product pictures are completely stunning!  Love your creativity, girl!!

I am a huge fan of the Boho style, especially all the fun headwear!  I went perusing on Etsy today & found some really great items created by some clever chicks.  Check out my finds from today’s featured chick “kaang” (click on the pics below to be redirected to kaang’s store):

Lesley Flower Headband – $11.50

Madame Butterfly – $19.00

Dear Miss Lizzie Feather Hair Clip – $15.50

Sarah Peacock Feather Clip – $9.00

Julianne Red Orchid Flower Headband – $17.00

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I look at these designs & think “I could never pull that off.”  But, we CAN pull it off & look freakin’ gorgeous!!!  I love how it’s a simple fix to dress up your hair-do.  Think of one of these gorgeous, inexpensive hairpieces as your replacement for the pony tail.  Roll out of bed, comb your hair & throw one of them in to look & feel super-chic & sexy.  Go snag some at kaang’s store & get your sassy on!