2011 Menswear Spring Trends

You may or may not be aware that men are strutting the runways right now as designers debut 2011 spring collections. So, I've pulled some of my favorite looks so far and have listed my trend predictions. Here we go...

1. White on White - I would say this fresh and clean look works for right now too. It's a nice change from all khaki/all gray/all black.

2. Gingham - This year is all about madras prints and plaids. Next year, preppy, picnic gingham will take over. It looks especially awesome juxtaposed to a leather, bomber jacket.

3. Leather jackets - this is a trend that is going to carry over from the fall. So, if you haven't scored your leather motorcycle jacket yet, you better get on it!

4. Gray blazer - A light shade of gray works for winter and spring. So, a gray blazer is a great investment that will carry you through 2011.

Happy Birthday | Stella & Dot Winner

It's weird to think that 26 years ago I was just a wee little thing with a giant head of hair and just cared about sleeping and eating. Now I care about God, my marriage, my family, my friends, my PR job, my budding biz, my Wendy-doodle, and still find time to eat and sleep in between. haha!

I feel SO blessed to be alive, breathing, dreaming and living in a country where I'm free to do it all...and guess what, guys? I have paying clients!!! That's is SUCH a HUGE, happy birthday gift. If you told me back in March when I went part-time at my PR job and moved forward with AVE Styles that I would have paying clients as soon as June, I would have stared at you speechless for an hour with nothing but a giant smile on my face. Well, the smile is definitely here, but there isn't any time to stare off into space because I'm busy as a bee. I've never been more thankful to be busy!

Many of you reading this have helped give me this birthday gift over the past several months. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Most of all, thanks be to God for bringing me into this world!

And now onto sharing this awesome bday with a reader......(drum roll)....

MORIAH SUNDE!!! Miss Moriah is going to stand out from all the other Minnesotans with this cute piece. Enjoy it, Moriah. We all expect some pictures!

Menswear Monday: The Summer Uniform, Part 3

The Slip-Ons Since Alex has already ably discussed boat shoes, let’s get your dogs into something a little more casual.  The whole goal of this series is to be 1) comfortable 2) effortless and 3) stylish, pretty much in that order.  These elements should become outfits simply by grabbing a pair of pants, a shirt and shoes, nothing more.

Shoes don’t get any easier than slip-ons.  After all the effort your mom spent on teaching you to tie your shoes, forgo that effort and slide into something with elastic instead of laces.  The color can be basic, like these Vans Classics, or more flashy like the Zuriick Ake.

This is where you get to bring some color and character into the previously monochrome proceedings.  Patterns and stripes are definitely in-bounds.  For some real individualized style, Vans and Converse both offer customizable slip ons, in the aforementioned Classic and timeless Chuck Taylor and Jack Purcell styles, respectively. - Rob Hays

Sarver Maternity Shoot

Lindsay's Maternity Shoot

Lindsay Sarver, who will always be Lindsay Ruscello to me, recently won the Mother's Day contest that I partnered with Tina from Live Love Photography on (past post), and she couldn't have been a better choice. I've known Lindsay since she was a senior in high school back in 2002, and I got to be her roomie my last year of college.

She has always been a mother to her friends and family, and has the biggest heart for the homeless and disabled. A couple years back she spent a year in South Africa where she and her husband fell in love, and she gave everything to those in need over there.

Now, Lindsay and Ryan are about to welcome little Gabriella Ray into the world any minute, and she is just glowing with delight as you can see from these pictures.

Tina from Live. Love. Photography did her hair, makeup and photographed her. She is SO talented, and constantly exudes delight and joy. It's hard not to smile for her. haha.

Styling for this shoot was all about comfort because temperatures were already rising, and when you could give birth any minute, have swollen feet and you're trying to keep your makeup from melting you just want clothing to be easy and comfortable.

Cotton. It was all about cotton. I loved this deep fuchsia dress Lindsay was wearing the day I saw her, and I knew she HAD to wear that for her shoot. It's always great to have a nice pop of color for photos.

We wanted to keep the shoot fairly casual since it was going to take place outside, so I chose a denim skirt from her closet and a cute gray top that gave an appearance of texture. Ryan also happened to have picked out that shirt from the store and it matched her beautiful African wedding jewelry. (It's always nice to wear things that have a story behind them or a special significance. It makes for better stories. haha).

Tina happens to also be a hairstylist, makeup artist and owner of her own salon. She surely is a jack of all trades, and I encourage you to follow her blog and take a peak at her website.

Pregnant women are just GORGEOUS aren't they?!!! I can't stand it!