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.

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’!

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!!

Today I’m getting so excited for my sister-in-law who is getting married tomorrow.  However, I’m also heartbroken that I won’t be able to attend the wedding since it is too far to take all 3 or our toddlers.  Luckily, my husband & brother-in-law will be in attendance, however.  Maybe some miracle will happen within the next 24 hours & I’ll be able to be there, but regardless, I thought it would be fun to highlight a creative chick that specializes in creating bridal hair accessories.  If I were to do my wedding all over again, I would be choosing something fabulous from these favorites, created by Jill of BE Something New. (click on the pic to be redirected to the images original site)

Pink Silk Rose Headband – $50.00

Messy Bow & Rhinestone Headband – $36.00

Romantic Feather Headband – $32.00 (can you tell I have a thing for feathers in fashion right now?)

Rolled Rose & Vintage Lace Fanticy Headband – $45.00

Honestly, if you had the right occasion & outfit, these hair accessories wouldn’t necessarily be exclusive to bridal.  I bet they’d look gorgeous even with a chunky cream-colored sweater & some skinny jeans (of course with some ballet flats, also).  Or you could wear them for a night on the town with a foxy dress & heels.  I’m completely in love with these hair accessories/headbands.

What would you wear them with (if not for your wedding day)?

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!