Cheers to Chai - A Review of The Latest GO International Collection - Part 1

On a quiet Thursday night I walked into Target hoping to see the new Richard Chai collection a few days early. Well luck was definitely on my side, because about 75% of the collection stood quietly on the racks. Surprisingly, there was no Richard Chai signage to accompany the goods, just the signage from the Private Label 2 collection. The three racks of Chai's clothing looked orderly and

A Sunny Stroll

Sometimes you don't notice the details of the neighborhoods in which you live and drive until you get out of your car and walk around. Such was the case when I took a stroll through my beachside community recently. It's amazing how much more I noticed about the houses when I was walking versus driving. Various forms of architecture from Craftsman to Victorian and even quaint Spanish-style beach

Selita Ebanks

Selita Ebanks attends The Cinema Society and Sony Cierge screening of 'The Wackness' on June 25, 2008 at AMC Loews 19th Street in New York.

Selita Ebanks has me wanting to wear leather for the first time since 1992. This look is effortlessly stylish without all the pretension. And now can we focus on the clutch? If anyone knows who makes it let us all know. The Givenchy heels she has on are a wardrobe must but I'm guessing most of us can't fathom spending $900 plus on them so check out the Steve Madden copies below...

Steal Selita's Style...

Blazer: Modern Tux Jacket, $110, www.topshop.com

Skirt: Silk Raw Hem Leather Mini (shown without hem), www.nexternal.com Heels: Ginn, $199.95, www.stevenmadden.com

Necklace: 40 Multi Bead Cord Necklace, $8, www.wetseal.com

Clutch: Danni Pomegrante Clutch, $36, www.amiciaccessories.com

Top: Cotton Seamless Knit Camisole, $48, www.maxstudio.com

This look requires maximum attitude but minimum styling effort. Let the leather skirt and the Givenchy Strappy Open Toe Ankle Bootie knock-offs do all the talking whilst the laid back cool of the tuxedo blazer and the statement bag add the finishing touches. Your probably wondering where you could pull off such a look, but a house party or cocktail hour on a rooftop bar are the perfect venues to debut your ultra cool side. Have fun!

Duality Now Open In Downtown Ventura

During my weekend visit to the Watermark restaurant and W20 bar in downtown Ventura, I noticed that a new clothing boutique called Duality is now open at 576 E. Main Street. Unfortunately, I haven't been in to browse yet, but a glance in the window (and a photoshoot with owner Dana Ceniceros in the July issue of Ventana magazine) revealed that they stock fashion-forward men's apparel. After

A Look At Target's GO International Private Label Collection 3

Please click the image to enlarge.A quick browse of Target's website revealed that new images of their GO International Private Label Collection 3 are available. (They were posted July 25th, I know, I'm a few days late.) Just as I'm awaiting the arrival of Richard Chai's designs, Target keeps the ball rolling with yet another Go collection. I imagine this one is to hold us over until Jonathan

Introducing ShopRuche.com...

Above: Floral Flutter Shirt, $24.99 and Navy Bow High Waisted Skirt, $27.99 all available at www.shopruche.com

Left to right: A Chillier Summer Sweater Dress, $34.99; Navy Bubble Corset Dress, $19.99; Purple Voile Tunic Top, $19.99; High Waisted Black Skirt, $29.99 all available www.shopruche.com

Left to right: Renew the Oldies Blouse, $26.99; Red Riding Hood Button Skirt. $20.99; Mustard Doc Bag, $34.99 all available www.shopruche.com

Welcome to Ruche - the modern women's boutique with a vintage touch. If you like your clothes unique but reasonably priced, Ruche has so many of this season's hottest looks for you. My favorite items so far are their Floral Flutter Shirt (shown in the first photo) and their Heart Charm Necklaces but if you have a more ecelectic taste, Ruche has you covered. Use the code "summer" to get a 10% discount through August. If you need further convincing, check out photos from their Lookbook in the sideshow below...

Watermark And W20 - A Look Inside

Like thousands of others, I headed to downtown Ventura, CA on Saturday night for an evening of music, entertainment, and a preview of the long-awaited Watermark restaurant and its rooftop bar called W20. After waiting in line for an hour, I stepped inside Ventura's newest hotspot and was pleased that there was room to walk around, admire the murals, chat with locals, and have a seat at the bar

Style Flashback: Denise Nicholas

I first saw Denise Nicholas when I was just six-years-old in the movie A Piece of the Action alongside Sidney Poitier and Bill Cosby. I thought she was so beautiful and wanted to dress like her and be just as sassy! About a month ago I caught the same movie on BET J and was blown away all over again by her elegance. Nicholas began her television acting career in 1968 but most of you will remember her as Liz McIntyre on the TV show Room 222 (for which she received two Golden Globe nominations) or as Harriet DeLong in In the Heat of the Night. Nicholas wrote six episodes of the dramatic show, In the Heat of the Night and thus began her second career as a writer. When that show was cancelled, she enrolled in the graduate Professional Writing Program at the University of Southern California proving beauty and brains can coexist. Her first novel, Freshwater Road, was published in 2005 to critical acclaim and was selected as one of the best books of 2005 by The Washington Post, The Detroit Free Press, The Atlanta Journal Constitution, Newsday and The Chicago Tribune. Nicholas is also recognised as a social activist who was involved in the American Civil Rights Movement. These days Nicholas continues to write and resides in Southern California.

Dog Days Of Summer

In addition to being an avid shopper, I've always had a soft spot in my heart for dogs - large breed dogs, that is. So I went to a local "pooch parade" by the beach to watch dogs do tricks and agility competitions. Watching various canines run through tunnels, jump over obstacles, and balance on teeter totters was just the thing to entertain me on a warm summer afternoon. And the dog fashions

Get it Shorty!

Halle Berry pictured outside of her beach front home in Malibu, California on July 15, 2008.

Beyonce arrives at Nice Airport on May 19 2006 Cannes, France.

Brandy attends the LG and Jermaine Dupris Fusic Party for BET June 27, 2006 in Los Angeles, California.

Julissa attends AllHipHop.Com's Relaunch Celebrity Bash at the Newspace August 03, 2006 in New York City.

Don't let mini skirts have all the fun. Another way to let your legs breath is to don a bare of thigh skimming shorts. Wear them for a shopping trip, to travel or even on the red carpet (ok, maybe a party since most of us aren't famous). The best thing is, if you get the right pair of shorts they can take you seamlessy from day to night. Look to the ladies above for proof postive that shorts are the way forward!

My Picks!

Top: Bow Tie Linen Short, $17.80, www.forever21.com; Button Tab Linen Short, $44, www.topshop.com; Amber Pleated Short, $17.80, www.forever21.com
Middle: Sasha Gauze Short, $26.50, www.delias.com; The Banded Short, $19.50, www.alloy.com; Twill Matalot Short, $56, www.topshop.com
Bottom: Chino 3" Short, $39.50, www.jcrew.com; Belted Twill Shorts, $15, www.oldnavy.com; Cotton Twill Shorts by Vince, $145, www.net-a-porter.com

Shorts are perfect for day AND night. Wear flips flops for daytime chic (Halle and Beyonce) then switch to heels for evening glam (Julissa and Brandy). I personally love to wear shorts with crisp, sleeveless shirts i n the summer - especially shirts with "puff sleeves". If you don't have a washboard stomach like myself, my I advise you to invest in shorts with a waist. Low-rise shorts are not our friends!

What To Wear - A Summer Celebration

With summer in full swing, it's time to get out and enjoy outdoor events such as summer festivals, flea markets, concerts, and fairs. Whether you're rocking out to your favorite band, celebrating the sunshine, or enjoying your region's local festivals, there are plenty of ways to stay cool and stylish at the same time. Channel a cool, beach-girl vibe by wearing your swimsuit as a top and then

Two For Twenty

A pair of jeans for only $12.50 - sounds too good to be true, right? Unless you're a diehard secondhand shopper or thrifter, you probably can't find jeans near this price point in very many places. During my recent visits to Forever 21, I had seen some skinny jeans for this amazingly low price. As I contemplated trying them on, I thought that the fit would be poor, but I was actually quite

Bernos.Org

Above & Below: Models wearing the Bernos range of t-shirts available at www.bernos.org.

Now that summer is in full swing I never seem to have enough tees. If you're anything like me, even your t-shirts have to make a fashion statement. Enter Bernos. Bernos is an innovative clothing company that creates high-quality, eye-catching t-shirts featuring African themes. The word "Bernos" is taken from an Amharic word referring to a one-piece cloak. The heavy wool “bernoose” was standard dress for Arabs who immigrated to North Africa and many in Northwest Africa wear variations of the original design today.

I believe the Bernos founders all hail from Ethopia, hence the African-influenced designs. On average, t-shirts cost just $20. Visit www.bernos.org to browse their full range of t-shirts for women and men.

Watemark To Open With A Splash

I've got great news for fans of Kevin Costner, Ventura, CA area residents, and folks like me who have been waiting patiently for the Watermark restaurant to open in downtown Ventura. Former Ventura resident and Hollywood heavyweight Kevin Costner will be premiering his new movie, Swing Vote, in downtown Ventura this Saturday, July 26. Here's the lineup of events: The Watermark and Kevin Costner

Tip Of The Week - July 21

Given my constant shopping behavior, today's tip of the week is about closet organization and is inspired by my bulging closets. Despite never having enough room to store my clothing and accessories, I am an organized soul who, if asked, could potentially find a specific item in my wardrobe in under one minute. (Not bad considering I have 2 closets and five dressers, right?) While it's my dream

Kelly Rowland

Kelly Rowland attends the World Premiere of 'Sex And The City' held at the Odeon Leicester Square on May 12, 2008 in London, England.

Kelly Rowland looked stunning in this purple dress by Donna Karen at the London premiere of Sex and the City. Everything about the dress is perfect from the length to the color. Though her hair is looking a little "Cleopatra-ish", I think she looked better than the stars of the movie! Scroll down to the next post to see how you can copy this chic look.

Steal Kelly's Style

Above: Stretch Satin Gathered Bow Dress, $180, www.oasis-stores.com

Earrings: Sterling Silver Genuine Marcasite Drop Circle Earrings, $19.99, www.target.com

Clutch: Julie Baby CRIC Emboss, $250, www.loreleinyc.com

Heels: Vince Camuto Nora T Strap Sandal, $129.95, www.endless.com

I've always preferred sliver accessories to gold - they instantly modernise an outfit! These accessories are not cheap, but you buy them once and wear them for a lifetime. For more affordable items check out www.oohboutique.com or www.target.com. As for the Oasis dress, it actually comes in two other colors... jewel green and classic black. The original dress that Kelly is wearing is approximately $2000 by Donna Karen.

Reader Favorites

While soliciting reader opinions on what I should wear is not something I do often on Fashion Trend Guide, I wouldn't mind getting my readers' opinions on which outfits they prefer for an upcoming night on the town. I'm going out this weekend (think hot, crowded, sweaty nightclub) and since I have plenty of time to decide what to wear instead of scrambling to get ready with only a few hours

Fresh Picks For Fall

My fall catalogs have arrived and I'm feeling the influence of the 90's this season. Refined grunge, plaid prints, motorcycle jackets, sturdy boots, and boyfriend-fit jeans are just a few of my favorite trends to try out this fall. I'm also being slowly drawn to the prep school/geek trend, with its shrunken blazers, boyfriend cardigans, sweater vests, glasses, jumper dresses, printed headbands,

Betty B. Brings The Beach To Downtown Ventura's Retail Scene

When you think of the stereotypical southern California lifestyle, sun, surf, and laid-back style may come to mind. Ventura (a quiet beach town north of Los Angeles) is certainly no exception. With its famous surf spots, its up-and-coming downtown cultural area, and sunny yet mild weather, Ventura is asserting itself as a place to find great dining options, art galleries, live music venues, fun

Tip Of The Week - July 14

Today's tip of the week is inspired by an email I received from a reader who inquired about how to wear her summer dresses in the fall. As an avid fan of layering, my advice is to ward off the chills by pairing your dresses with tights, boots, fitted sweaters, blazers, peacoats, or thin turtlenecks. Sometimes I like to wear thin T-shirts under some of my dresses to keep warm and lend them a more

Just My Cup Of Chai

After having a browse through the image album of Richard Chai's upcoming collection for Target's GO International line, I've decided that the pieces I'm anticipating the most are the long grandpa cardigans, the graffiti rose print garments, and the skinny jeans. If this collection stays true to Target's form, then there will be more pieces and colorways in the collection than the image album

I'm in London!

Hi ladies,

Just dropping in to say I'm in London on vacation for the next two weeks. I haven't had much access to the internet (too busy making the rounds to my favorite British stores) but I'll be updating early next week. My next stop is Topshop - no visit to London is complete without a trip to the infamous Topshop.

Cheery-o chaps!

Sylvia

Santa Barbara Shopping - End Of Summer Trends

As many shopaholics and fashion-lovers know, this time of the summer typically consists of sales and it's generally a slow time for shopping in terms of finding fresh trends. With a new crop of fall fashions just around the corner, it's no surprise that my time spent browsing the stores in Santa Barbara left me uninspired and anxiously awaiting the arrival of fall staples such as plaid jackets,

Fashion Trend Guide and French Shopping In 805 Living

Bonjour! I am excited to announce that I've been mentioned in the July 2008 issue of 805 Living. If you have trouble getting your hands on a copy, I've scanned in a page so you can have a read. They did a great feature called "805 French Connection" which covers local French-inspired cuisine, winemakers, conversation groups, and shopping. Many thanks to Kathleen Guthrie! The article has inspired

Tip Of The Week - July 7th

It's Monday and that means installment 2 of my new Fashion Trend Guide feature called "Tip of the Week." This week's tip is to use eco-friendly laundry detergent. It will be easier on your skin and your textiles because it's free of dyes and perfumes, and it will be much more gentle on our environment. I'm currently using Seventh Generation Free & Clear, which is non-toxic, biodegradable, and

A Day At The 4th Of July Street Fair in Ventura, CA

Armed with my camera and an appetite for not-so-healthy food, I roamed around downtown Ventura this weekend to check out the very popular 4th of July Street Fair. As this was my first visit to the fair, I was pleasantly surprised by how many vendors were participating. Block after block was filled with live bands, hundreds of vendor booths, people strolling with their kids and dogs, and a wide

4th of July Store Window Style in Santa Barbara

This 4th of July weekend I entertained myself by doing some window shopping along State St. in Santa Barbara. Here are some store window photos for your enjoyment. The first 5 photos above show an abundance of fuchsia and florals at Bebe.Above, a lively strapless floral dress at Angl. Above, bright summer hues at Ann Taylor Loft. Above, a printed tunic and leather messenger bag at Blue Bee Luxury

BCBG Coming To La Cumbre Plaza

Good news for Santa Barbara fashionistas, especially those who are looking to buy a bandage or body-con dress...my weekend visit to La Cumbre Plaza revealed that a new BCBG MAX AZRIA store will be opening soon. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to find an opening date, however, based upon the signage that I saw, they appear to be in the process of hiring. Despite La Cumbre's off-the-beaten-path

American Apparel Coming To Ventura?

There is some potentially exciting news for American Apparel fans in Ventura County, California. A recent visit to their website indicated that they will be opening a new store in downtown Ventura. That means no more driving to Santa Barbara or Los Angeles to shop for your form-fitting basics. While there is no opening date listed, the website indicates that the location will be 391 E. Main

I Like HIS Style!

Ebony Magazine is giving thanks to all those brothas that know how to make us swoon. Effortlessly swagger is innate. It cannot made. And if you don't believe me take a look the four men pictured (four other covers are avialable). Each one has made a mark in our community and the world, for not only being talented, but for being an unapologetic individual. Be sure to grab a copy, or two, this coming Tuesday:

For the first time ever, Ebony magazine presents not one, not two, but eight quintessential covers to celebrate the 25 coolest Black men of all time. Jay-Z, Barack Obama, Prince, Samuel L. Jackson, Denzel Washington, Marvin Gaye, Muhammad Ali and Billy Dee Williams take center stage as they personify Black cool on the covers of this historic collector’s edition. From their sleek, debonair styles to their smooth-as-silk personas, these magnificent Black men have conveyed, captured, and conquered the quintessence of cool while making it appear effortless.

Click on the thumbnails below to enlarge the photos...

Celebrate the 4th At Ventura's Street Fair

The 4th of July holiday weekend is almost upon us and if you're in the Ventura County/Santa Barbara area tomorrow, the Ventura Street Fair is worth checking out. It takes place from 10 to 5 in the downtown Ventura area, just blocks from the beach (it's about 30 miles south of Santa Barbara or 60 miles north of Los Angeles for those who aren't familiar with the area). Temperatures will be nice

Designer Discounts At The Camarillo Premium Outlets

The 4th of July weekend is fast approaching and what does that mean? Well besides a day off of work for the usual BBQs and fireworks shows, that means shopping! For shoppers in the greater Los Angeles and Santa Barbara area, the Camarillo Outlets (which is my favorite place to score designer merchandise at great prices) offers 120 stores with discounts of 25% - 65% off every day. At such low

Pretty In Paris

French women are often admired by fashionistas all over the world for their simple, polished sense of style. For me, the quintessential French-girl outfit conjures up an image of a gorgeous gamine wearing a nautical striped top, dark trousers, ballet flats, and an effortless chignon. If you can't get away to Paris this summer to be inspired by French style, channel the elegance of the City of

Floral Footwear At Target

During my recent trips to various Target stores to inpect the latest GO International goods, I spotted these playful Betsey Johnson-esque peep-toe pumps by Xhilaration. The fabric bows and floral print are the perfect antidote to all those gladiator sandals and flip flops you'll be seeing this summer. Pair them with skinny cropped denim for a 50's-inspired look or go ultra girly with a LBD.