Fashion: Bold & Beautiful for Spring 2012!

Spring has finally Sprung here in the Northeast! All the shops are bursting with the hottest spring looks! It's the perfect time to start picking up a few bright & bold pieces to jumpstart your winter wardrobe and give you a sunny boost. I love a Pop of Color in a flirty tunic to go over leggings, a funky maxi dress, brightly colored purse or shoes...and of course, lots of bold & beautiful jewelry too spice up your style.

SEXY SPRING JEWELRY:
I am loving Stella & Dot's Spring Collection with it's beautiful silver statement necklaces, bold gold looks, and splashes of turquoise, coral and navy stones seen all over earrings, rings and necklaces. Pictured above are the multi-colored Serenity Necklace, silver Stevie Necklace and gold Bianca Tassel Necklace. Now you can rock these Spring Looks by visiting my online store today! www.stelladot.com/melissarush

The Medina Bib Necklace (pictured above) is the perfect piece to add to your wardrobe for a casual, yet eye-catching new spring look. I love it so much, I wear mine a few times a week!

The Amalfi Collection is rich with gold necklaces & earrings, a splash of turquoise & jade green... reminiscent of an elegant holiday on the Italian island of Capri that you will love all spring & summer. The Capri Chandelier earrings in turquoise (or coral & red) are a must-have to your wardrobe.

The Savanna Collection is inspired by the African safari...with both silver & gold looks, accented by rich coral and navy tones. My faves are the Bahari Necklace (pictured above)... and the Campari Necklace with luscious coral beads.

NAUTICAL NAVY and WHITE:

I have always been a fan of the classic Nautical Look...the essential navy blue & white stripe Parisian sailor top worn over some crisp, white cropped pants and a pair of bright red espadrilles. I lived in this look last summer on our trip to Martha's Vineyard, and love a pop of Coral, Green, Red or Yellow in my stripes as well.  I have seen some cute striped dresses in cotton at stores like Old Navy, Express, as well as adorable handbags, hats & shoes to complement your wardrobe as well.  I love stripes of any kind...thick or thin, diagonal or horizontal.  There is a stripe to suit most every body type (especially for the pregnant ladies!), just be sure the fit is good and flattering for your shape. 

COLOR BLOCKING:
The trend this year is Color Blocking, a fun look on dresses & tops with splashes of coordinating colors that work great on every body type!  I love this look which is a more refined version of those daring & bold '80s looks... and easy to find at reasonable prices at Express, H&M and many other retailers. Great for kids and maternity wear as well!

“From Tommy Hilfiger to Marc Jacobs, designers have released their Spring 2012 collections with designs that have striking, bold color block patterns. Not only is this style flattering to all body forms, but color blocking is very versatile when it comes to pairing. Dark oranges, reds, pastel colors, violets and indigos are going to be big this year, so stock up on clothes with these hues as they will be in style all year long.” -International Business Times

Source: au.ibtimes.com 

MAY EVENTS in Boston!

Hello Friends!
Here is big list of fun springtime events happening in Boston! Maybe i can put my dancing shoes on again before my baby bump gets too big??! LOL! Don't know how long I'll last...but a girl can always try! I so miss being able to see my feet! :P There are plenty of ideas to go around, and of course, I can always EAT! See below and let me know if anything looks good to you! xo mel


CHECK OUT THE ARTS -- OUTDOORS!

SoWa Open Market...and the SoWa Art Walk both open this weekend...
Join us as we kick off our 7th season at the SoWa Open Market! Saturday and Sunday, May 15 & 16, 10AM -5PM.
This is our biggest season opener to date, featuring 140 indie designers, crafters, artists, musicians, farmers and much more. We've moved down the block to a new location.
Now at the humongous parking lot at 460 Harrison Ave at the end of Thayer Street.
The market will be open every Sunday through October 31, 2010, excluding 3 major holiday weekends (May 30, July 4, and September 5).
Official Site: http://www.sowaopenmarket.com


SoWa Sundays
Here you will find all the details for fun arty and foodie events!
www.sowasundays.com


SoWa Art Walk
www.sowaartwalk.com
The SoWa Art Walk takes place in late May each year and is a weekend-long standing invitation to visit the artists in their studios. This year, the SoWa Art Walk will occur on Saturday and Sunday May 15+16, 2010 from 11:00am to 6:00pm. Creative stores, cafes, boutiques and some of the city’s finest restaurants take part in the SoWa Art Walk by opening their doors all weekend, hosting artists who display on their walls and offering special event discounts.


Sel de la Terre in Back Bay

Here are some fun events i found at Sel de la Terre in Back Bay, connected to the Mandarin Oriental...Sel de la Terre offers the rustic country fare of Provence & surrounding Southern France. Fresh local bounty is the motivation behind our creative, yet rustic menu, and the warm and comfortable atmosphere of Sel de la Terre makes it the ideal place to enjoy a meal no matter the occasion.

NOTE: While i'm current not in the market for any of the big dinner/wine pairing events (being prego, I can't enjoy the wine!) but the Mini Burger Mondays sounds good! Visit site for more details: http://www.seldelaterre.com

Triple crown Parties
We're celebrating a month of racing with a trio of soirees in our downstairs bar. One drink minimum to bet on a horse. Prizes are based on odds - win one of our award-winning bar bites, including arancinis, sandwiches or a famed SDLT burger!
May 1 - Kentucky Derby; 6-7pm
May 15 - Preakness Stakes; 6-7pm
June 5 - The Belmont Stakes; 5-6:30pm

Mini Burger Mondays!
$2 sliders every Monday from 5-7pm! Click here to view the menu
Cookbook Dinner Series-On the last Sunday of every month, unwind from the weekend with Chef DiBiccari as he cooks up dishes from our chefs' most influential culinary artists from around the world. Enjoy four courses with wine pairings and light commentary for $45 per person. 7pm
{ 05-30 } Wine Mondays: Simple Wine Pairings with Seasonal Menus by Frank McClelland
{ 06-27 } Bouchon by Thomas Keller
{ 07-25 } The Fat Duck by Heston Blumenthal
{ 08-29 } Momofuku by David Chang

Wine Wednesdays
Every Wednesday at 7pm.
4 courses - 4 wines - $44 Each Wednesday, guests are treated to a selection of wines inspired by changing seasons, wine regions or varietals paired with a four-course tasting menu composed of Chef DiBiccari's rustic French cuisine. Guests are seated at large tables that foster lively conversation, while Wine Director Erik Johnson leads an engaging, informal talk touching on the highlights of the evening's wines.


GET UP and DANCE!

Wolfgang, our resident DJ and man about the South End sent along these awesome dance events. I LOVE that these events are FREE! what could be better than that?!

... a few fun events coming up with DJ Francesco and friends spinning this month. hope you made it to the premiere of heartbeats last Friday? Great party at 28degrees! If you missed it - here is your chance to make up for it :) Ciao, Wolf


From DJ Francesco Spenga:

Friends, Night Crawlers, Insomniacs, Dancers, DJs, Househeads....Lots happening in May. This month I'm throwing all of my regular parties, so hopefully I may see some of those who I haven't seen in a while :) I don't have all the flyers done yet, but doesn't mean we can't start spreading the word.

1) Friday May 14th, Heartbeats at 28 Degrees, One Appleton St, Boston (South End), 9pm-1am
**No Cover, No List

The opening night of Heartbeats in April was euphoric, and I'm still feeling it. Seems everything just came together that night and it's definitely one of my most memorable parties to date. You never know when you'll have one of those types of nights, but youjust learn to enjoy them once you realize they're unfolding in front of you. If the next one has half the vibe of the first, it will still be a killer party.

This night is a little different in that I can take a break from house and play a bit of funk, soul, Latin, Italian, Brazilian, and yes, even some Serbian Gypsy music...but inevitably the house music tugs at me like a crying child and I have to give in.


2) Friday May 21st, UNITY at The Good Life, 28 Kingston St, Boston, 9pm-2am
**No Cover, No List

My partner in crime Enrique Florendo and I will be spinning all night, after DJ Do JaJa (Milan Vatovec, NYC) kicks off the night around 9. Come early to chill out and here his sound (more classic funk and soul than house, if any). Then Enrique and I tag team on the decks from about 11 til 2. I love this night in that anything goes, both on the turntables and in the realm of dance moves. Some of you people are amazing the way you move. It's inspring to see from our perspective and once we get to that level in the night the symbiosis between DJ and dancer is evident.
**No Cover - No List - No Dress Code - No Dancer Left Behind - Just Deep House Grooves From Our Soul to Yours

3) Thursday May 27th, Baci & Abbracci Returns to Lucca Back Bay, 116 Huntington St, Boston, 9pm-2am, **No cover
It's been a while since Jay and I have thrown the B&A party, but it's on again on Thursday the 27th, just before Memorial Day Weekend. I'm trying to convince Lucca Back Bay to throw in some strawberries for the night - who doesn't like free strawberries? They go well dipped in house music :)
**No Cover, No List, No Dress Code, 9-2

Spring Fashions are HERE!

hey ladies!
spring is ALMOST here!! Every month I get Gwyneth Paltrow's GOOP email newsletter...and I love all of the dresses and jackets she has in here...i live in babydoll dresses, as you know! she shows how great it is mixing florals with stripes and military jackets...tres chic! (although she is bone-thin and i hate her. Eat something, girl!) lol

To accessorize these Hot, Spring Looks... Remember to get visit my online Stella & Dot store! Let me know if you are ready to book a Spring Trunk Show for you and all your gal pals! I have dates in March & April open!! I can do Wine & Cheese any night of the week... Mimosas & muffins any weekend! Big Sale going on right now too! Woot! And FREE jewelry for the hostess :) www.stelladot.com/melissarush

ciao bella!
mel

PS: H&M has a lot of these looks right now for cheap! www.hm.com And I love the new stuff at Banana Republic www.bananarepublic.com and Ann Taylor too www.anntaylor.com !

HERE is the text from GOOP!

Spring Fashion:
I just indulged in a teeny bit of spring shopping (ah, the joy that spring could be around the corner!) and I think I may have found the best store EVER...It’s called Hirshleifer’s and it’s in Manhasset, Long Island of all places, and it’s been a Long Island girls’ secret for far too long. The girls at this family owned shop are incredible buyers and stylists — everything from Chanel to Boy, Brunello Cucinelli to Acne. It is so worth a trip out there, I can’t even tell you. If not, you can visit their online shop from wherever you may be. They have an exceptionally good menswear selection too. I thought I would get our girl Annie, a stylist at Elle Magazine, to come help us put together a few ideas for spring outfits. As ever, we goop girls need things that are comfortable, chic and versatile that will go from a meeting to a school run/ballet practice to dinner with ease. See below.
Love,
Gwyneth

Military:
“Classic military shapes and colors were made totally wearable this season, and the key is all in the details. Balmain showed us how to make blazers sexy with slick, skinny leather pants and shredded T’s. If you’re not bold enough to make this statement, soften this look with flirty chiffon tops and tailored blazers, epaulets and other military-inspired details.”



Graphic Prints:
“Forget what everyone told you about mixing prints – more is more this spring! And we don’t mean just plain black and white. All-over prints, stripes, textured zig-zags, tie-dye and embellished fabrics were remixed and refined by designers showing the playful side of fashion.”


Solid:
“Hands down, our most coveted, most transitional must-have for spring is the dress. Put it in a rich royal sapphire color with classic details that DVF does so well – a fitted waist, tiered bottom and flirty cut - and you have a piece that will take you effortlessly from day to night. Gwyneth shows us how to wear it 3 different ways. With a nude heel, throw on a cardigan or make it wintery with opaque tights and a bootie.”

Florals:
“Colorful, romantic florals are blooming everywhere for spring. Stella McCartney made them modern and effortless with mini-knife pleats to create a textural, voluminous silhouette. Mix delicate, micro-flowers with leather to give the sweetness some edge.”

The LWD:
“The little white dress, in all its incarnations, is the perfect piece to pack for all your summer getaways. It showed up in many different forms across the runways, from lacy and vintage-inspired, to crisp cotton frocks that look like they just walked off the tennis court. Balance the innocence of a simple dress with a chic, oversized cape or anorak in tan and camel.”

Annie Ladino is a New York-based stylist, fashion editor, and current contributor to Elle Magazine, where she is working on a book about fashion icons and their personal style. She got her start as a stylist's assistant at just 19 years old, when she moved to New York City to attend F.I.T. She went on to work hand in hand with Joe Zee, the Creative Director of Elle, on dressing celebrities on more than 30 cover shoots. Her work has also appeared in Teen Vogue, Vanity Fair, Vogue China, Purple Magazine, and men.style.com. Annie lives in the East Village, downtown Manhattan where she spends her time watching old French films, practicing yoga and reading astrology charts for her friends.