Color is Good! Seriously, why is the black shoe always the go-to?

OK, I am that weird one who ever rarely wears black shoes. Whenever I throw on black shoes with an outfit I always feel that it looks too heavy for me. I always go for my nudes or tans or brightly colored shoes. Color is supposed to be mixed up- wearing a bold color outfit with a bright colored shoe is very chic. Purple with red, yellow with red, Green with purple....looks modern and fresh. Leave the black for fall and winter. The weather is brightening and everyone is coming out of the woodwork to welcome Spring. Mix up your shoes, you will be surprised at what colors look insane with other colors. Contrast is your friend! My favorite colors to combine at the moment is navy and yellow. A navy dress with satin yellow shoes...to die! You will get compliments and people won't forget you. If you want to start out safe, I recommend going with a bone or nude color for summer. These by Kelsi Dagger are plain ridiculous and the platform with the strappy ankle is fabulously in at the moment. And as if they weren't cute enough-they are under $100 at Nordies...sweet.

Isaac Mizrahi: Remember him??

How could we forget the eclectic styles which Isaac Mizrahi created in the 80's and 90's. I recall finding an luminous turquoise blazer of his at Off 5Th in Costa Mesa, CA and thinking that was the deal of the lifetime. I still have it. The fabulous logo with the bright pink star...I loved him to bits. Back then, being a regular fixture on MTV's House of Style and making the frequent cameo in fashionable movies, he was the Marc Jacob's of the industry. What happened to him? Besides staying below the radar and selling his grandiose name to Target he was still remembered as a fashion icon designer. I am elated to see that this year is going to be a Mizrahi year. Not only is he co-host of the new Bravo show, "The Fashion Show" starting May 7th, but he was appointed Creative Director of Liz Claiborne back in January. God knows Liz needed that. Hopefully he can bring that hum-drum line back to life. So far,it looks promising.

Providence Night Out

Last week I attended an event at a chic little lounge which was secretly located in an alley. I felt like I was back in LA looking for it's location then felt like I was in New York when I walked in. I am fairly new to Providence and have been going out and seeing what this boutique city has to offer. So far, I have been impressed. The people are friendly, the events are full and the fashion is as diverse as the area that I live in...which I love. The best thing about fashion is that everyone has their own definition of it. And here are three different ladies with three different looks that worked perfectly on them.

What I loved about Erin's ensemble is it was simple and chic with a flair of metallic. There is something that I have always loved about black and denim. Denim is a great way to balance out the black from looking too formal. Erin's metallic bag however is what caught my eye and really made this stand out.

I am obsessed with gold studding right now and gold on black-well, you know how I feel about that combination. Pure fab. The adorable cocktail waitress not only had the trend going but she had the gold bangles on both hands which I loved and her hair was done perfectly with a retro feel that made this entire look fun. And she was a joy...personality makes it.

The minimalist feel of Courtney's outfit stood out to me. Most of the time you don't need a lot going on to make an outfit work. Every girl needs a black pencil skirt and black pointed toe pumps; it's the basis of sexy chic and will never go out of style.

Golden Girl

I am a huge lover of massive gold jewelry. If you told me 7 years ago that I would heart gold jewelry I would have told you to go stuff it. I was so addicted to silver and never thought I would ever sport a gold bangle...ever. Times do change and so does your taste. Many of my close friends still have yet to jump on my bandwagon but there is nothing better than a huge gold cuff or gold chandelier earrings to make you sparkle.

If you do want to venture over to the gold side and not sure where to start, it's best to take baby steps. I don't advise that you go and sport a massive gold choker with a dollar sign in the middle or get gold grillz, I'm talking start with gold hoops or a pair of gold flat sandals. Gold hoops seriously look great on everyone and every skin tone. However, if you want to dive in and just do it here are some of my favorite statement pieces in gold for this season. How can you resist! And when you are tan, gold looks superb!

Bauble Necklace by JCrew

Cocktail Ring by Alexis Bittar


Pearl bracelet by JCrew



Earrings by Argento Vivo

Latest Obsession: Rebecca Minkoff Handbags

I am trying my best not to drop money on one of these gorgeous handbags. I have been watching Rebecca Minkoff for some time and am loving her latest creations. The only thing that stinks about these handbags is the price. Starting at $600 a pop is not really in the budget right now- but it's nice to look and dream because you may find something similar for a lot less money. My Nordstrom card must stay in drawer...must stay in drawer...


"stud devote" tote

"mini-MAB" bag

the "nikki" studded hobo

Going Nude

Every season there is a color which will be a trend. Last spring was orange and everything was orange (which isn't such a bad thing in my opinion). However this spring I am thrilled to see that nude has finally caught on. It's everywhere from summer scarves to blouses to shoes. This color makes any outfit look whimsical and fresh. And best of all it looks best when you are tan. Hello summer! One thing that I am thrilled about is how the nude shoe has caught on.

Many who know me personally know that I am obsessed with the nude shoe. I remember buying my first pair of patent leather nude slingbacks with my good friend Jelena. We were in NYC and we found them in Century 21. That was back in 2002 and they are still in my closet and I still wear them (I should have retired them years ago considering their condition but I can't bear the thought of putting them to sleep just yet). Since then I have been a serious lover of the nude shoe and own more than few. I object to wearing black shoes any longer! The nude shoe should reign over the black shoe, and I will tell you why: Nude stilettos elongate you like you never thought possible. They keep your line clean and modern and make your legs look super sexy and super thin. Now, anything that makes my legs look thin...sign me up!

This color trend is not just hitting haute couture and runway shows. You will find this color everywhere. You don't have to be a super fashionista in order to put a pair of nude shoes or a beautiful nude ensemble in your closet. This is a color that will not go away, this color will become a staple...finally.

Style and Attitude: Part Deux

Last year my article in Color Magazine called, "Style and Attitude: They really do go together" received great responses from readers who felt this resonated with them. My main reason for this article was to express my feelings to fellow stylistas on how being a fashionable man or woman does not necessarily mean you are stylish. I wanted to write this today as a follow up to this article since many may have not seen it. I feel this is one of my favorite works because it greatly reflects my feelings on being a stylish individual.

I have met some stunning, fashion-forward women in my former careers and out on the social scene. However, many if not most, of these beautiful women's depth didn't go further than the thin leather of their Coach bags. Being fashionable is easy. All you have to do is drop a few bucks on a trendy handbag or a pair of Prada pumps and you are fashionable. However, to be a person of style you have to have the right attitude. A stylish woman doesn't have to boast the logo drenched handbag and pay a grand on a pair of trousers. A woman can look good in a blouse from H&M and a vintage Gucci clutch she found in a consignment store. It's the attitude and the presentation of your inner self that makes your style. What you wear is only a delicious bonus.

Last night I was out in Boston in a trendy new bar in Copley. Great place to view lost of fabulously put together women. Sadly, many of these women did not smile and would stare at other women as if they owed them something. You can have the best outfit or the best hair cut but if you are rude, judgemental or unapproachable the outfit and hair doesn't even matter. There is nothing more memorable than meeting a put together woman with a friendly and confident attitude. I am lucky to know a lot of women like this and call them friends- and I only hope that this characteristic spreads because a stylish, confident woman is never forgotten.