Cocktails Anyone?

Ah... the ever adored 'Cocktail Ring' is an absolute favorite of 'Crayons and Cashmere.' Whether wearing your favorite jeans, or a gorgeous little black dress, throw on a bold, blinding cocktail ring, and the power of transformation is undeniable! This glittery friend of ours brings us even that much closer to FABULOUS! Waving it around at a party while you are mingling, or twirling it on your little finger is absolutely one of the best ways to amp up your 'style' and make a statement. Fun Fact: "The term 'cocktail ring' emerged during Prohibition, when women would wear large, bold rings to illegal cocktail parties. A woman would flit her hand around, drawing attention to the bauble, to let you know that not only was she drinking illegally, she was doing it with style." (Nina Garcia, 'The One Hundred") That makes it even MORE fun to wear!! The great thing about the cocktail ring is that it does not have to be real- in most cases a great big piece of fake costume jewelry is preferred! Therefore, you don't have to spend the 'ca-ching' to get the 'bling, bling!' Can it get better than this?! So be BOLD, ADVENTUROUS, FABULOUS! Get your bling on!

xoxo,

Crayons and Cashmere

A piece we adore....

Touchstone Crystal: 'Blue Diamond Ring'

Tights!

Fall weather has finally come to CA... Time to put on the tights ladies!! Don't rush to put away those mini skirts or spring dresses. Just add a pair of tights and a boyfriend cardi, and you are one chic girl. Black opaque tights have been walking the streets since the early 60's, and have graduated into all colors and textures. These 'leggy wonders' can lead way to an ultra edgy outfit, or a miraculously longer, slimmer looking leg (Yes please!)! Wear matching color tights and boots (ex: black tights, black boots) to create a long, sleek line. Throw on a mini with tights, and bypass the thought...'Is this skirt too short??'

Here are a few favorites:

J Crew: Metallic Ribbed TightsNordstrom: Commando Opaque Tights Nordstrom: SPANX 'Bloom' Lace tights (My Favorite!!)

xoxo!

Crayons and Cashmere

Riding the Clutch....

Happy Monday all! Today we are sharing our love of the Clutch (and we're not talking cars here!). The clutch purse is a girls best companion for a night out on the town. With the holiday party season approaching (and a bachelorette party for someone very special), we have been on the lookout for an oversized clutch, because we would love to carry a little more than just our license... This has been easy to do because a clutch purse comes in all shapes, sizes, colors, and materials! A bright color, or a great animal print clutch will add glamour and excitement to a black cocktail dress! Have fun with your clutch and make sure it is big enough to hold all of your essentials- cash, credit card, license, lipgloss, and of course cell phone! The clutch is your new best friend, especially because it will fit snuggly under your arm, keeping your hands free to hold your cocktail! Cheers all! Here are a few clutch purses we adore...

xoxo,

Crayons and Cashmere Street Level 7797

Betsey Johnson 'Climbing Cheeta'

Chic Active Wear?!

Yes, we said "Chic" active wear... sounds a bit odd, but yes, it has been done by Heidi Klum. We are die hard "Project Runway" fans and almost fell out of our seats when we saw the last episode in which Heidi asked the designers to create three looks for her new active wear line, "HeidiKlum for New Balance" being sold on amazon.com. Now, who has not had a day where all you want to do is throw on that pair of "black stretchy pants" (agh!) and a hoodie?? Trust us, we've been there... Well, now it can be done with style! Heidi's designs are effortlessly chic, and claim to feel "amazingly soft" against the skin. For this line, they chose to use a cashmere blend fabric which gives the garment a luxurious look and feel. Honestly, many of these pieces can be worn straight from dropping the kids off at school, to the gym, then to your next meeting. Here are a few of our favorite pieces...

"Project Runway" winning design, by Andy south: this flattering long sleeve dress features asymmetrical charmeuse inserts and has a banded bottom. Just gorgeous!

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Shoe "Bootie"

Ankle boots have been walking down the runway since the fluorescent days of the 80's. These fabulous little "shoe booties" started peeking out of trouser legs, and have now graduated to skinny jeans and skirts! Feeling a little flirty, and a bit 'punk"... throw on a pair of ankle booties with your favorite cocktail dress and walk into the party like you OWN the place! Pair them with a pair of black tights and you're ready for the Fall. If wearing ankle boots with pants, a great trick to make your legs look miles, and miles long, are to keep the colors the same. Black skinnies tucked into black booties will keep your legs going, and going! So, for your next cocktail party, or night out on the town, take little risk and enjoy a little shoe "bootie!" Flaunt your fabulous legs!

xoxo,

Crayons and Cashmere

Fashion "Heals!"

Happy Monday all! This weekend, in honor of Breast Caner Awareness Month, we attended an amazing event hosted by St. Jude Medical Center (their 21st annual fashion show), "Imagine...A Walk Among the Stars." The true"stars" of the show shared one thing in common, they were all survivors of cancer. These AMAZING women and men strutted their stuff down the runway, presenting beautiful garments provided by Macy*s. We were honored to be invited to this event by a very special "runway model", our dear friend Kari. Kari was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 29, and has been "strutting her stuff" ever since! She, along with Corrine and Erin's grandmother, Anne, have been extremely inspirational in our lives and have shown us when life hands you lemons, you better "squeeze" them and make the best damn lemonade you've ever had! All three of these beautiful, extraordinarily strong women have survived cancer, and we are so blessed to be on this journey in life with them.

Todays post is to show that fashion can truly heal, in making a person exude confidence, like many models of the show had done on Sunday! We thank them for sharing their stories with us. This is what TRUE beauty is......

xoxo,

Crayons and Cashmere

Ballet flats

Ballet flats are a girl's best friend. Whether it's a night out to dinner, or a day in the classroom, they are forever chic.... and comfortable! Think of the classiness of Audrey Hepburn in her impeccable black ballet flats. Oh, how we love her... There are many options for a girl to choose from. Of course, you cannot go wrong with a pair of black flats, but also throw in a little FUN with a bright, bold color, or even the ever so adored animal print. From Tory Burch, to Gap, you can find a pair of ballet flats to fit every budget. Here are a few we adore...

right: Sam Edelman 'Caper' Flat

Another option: Tory Burch 'Reva' Ballerina Flat Norstrom.com

Be Bold, Wear BOOTS!

In honor of our FIRST comment (thanks Jules!), we are all about boots today! In the early 60's, women began wearing Frye chunky boots in a bold defiance of the 1950's restrictive femininity ("The One Hundred" Nina Garcia). Since then, women have been strutting their stuff in boots. Heeled, flat, chunky, or wedge, throw theses puppies on with jeans tucked in, or with tights and a dress, and you are one uber chic girl. We adore wedge boots, the ultimate in comfort and chicness... Here are a pair we are lusting over...

Absolutely gorgeous, these boots are from "House of Harlow" piperlime.com

Shoes, Shoes, and More Shoes!

Here at Crayons and Cashmere, we can't get enough of SHOES! Yes, we love shoes! This is one area of your wardrobe where you should be willing to splurge. Especially if you are on your feet most days... "Hello teachers?!" Every woman should have a great pair of flats (be it ballerina, nautical, loafers, moccasins, etc…), heels, boots, and sandals. These magnificent "Sole" creatures can transform your whole outfit and attitude! Ever notice when you throw on a pair of heels, you automatically stand taller, straighter, ready to conquer the day! With the above mentioned four styles of shoes, you’re ready for any occasion. With the right sole foundation, it can lay the ground work for a solid and confident you. Flats and sandals might be the most comfortable yet; versatile. There are many brands out there that fuse sophistication with comfort, and most can work with any outfit! Now boots, don't get us started on boots! Probably our fave.....Throw on a pair of great wedge boots and you might be able to walk a 10 K! Boots are great for the fall and winter seasons. Last, but certainly not least, heels, high or low, are great for giving us that extra height advantage and confidence , not to mention great calf definition. Ah shoes... our love affair will never end.

“A woman with good shoes is never ugly. They are the last touch of elegance” ~ Coco Chanel

October is Here!

It is October first, and the official start of "National Breast Cancer Awareness Month." We have had some very special people in our lives who have been diagnosed with, and survived breast cancer. We are so thankful for these amazing women and the spread of awareness and education. Here are a few of our favorite tee's inspired by this amazing cause...

The limited edition GUESS by Marciano “Love, Laugh, Cure” T-shirt, $68, comes with the inspiring message: Love who you are, Laughter is the best medicine, and work to find a Cure for all the women battling breast cancer. And 100% percent of net proceeds will be donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure (with a guaranteed minimum donation of $25,000). Available in GUESS by Marciano stores and at www.guessbymarciano.com.

(Thanks K for this!)

. Keep A Breast is For Lovers tee

Spread the love and have an amazing weekend!

xoxo,

Crayons and Cashmere