What's The Bright Idea?

I know, I know. I just wrote about nudes and neutrals being a huge trend for Spring and here I am just days later here I am about to tell you all about the bright side of the color spectrum.

Hypocrite? No.
Schizophrenic? Quite possibly. But that's a completely different issue.

That's the beauty of fashion. Options! Remember what I said about my commitment issues? Yeah, I wasn't kidding.

Bright colors were all over the Spring runways and they're in Shop Girl-accessible stores too. If not now, certainly by the time the Spring merchandise hits the shelves. Not quite ready to go as bold this gorgeous head-to-toe color blocked look by Aquilano.Rimondi? Or the budget for the $2400 price tag?

Fear not! The trend is great in small doses too. Find your own way to wear less-is-more pieces like the ones below:

Madewell Chambray Sunset Shirt in Carmine

$68

madewell.com

Forever 21 Silky Staggered Stacked Skirt

$17.80

forever21.com

Nine West Stylin

$89

ninewest.com

pre-order only right now - ships 4/26

Need I say that these pieces are not meant to be worn together? Bold brights look amazing paired with black. Or as the weather warms, try embracing your Summer whites with these shots of color.

Commitment Phobe

I have been on A LOT of bad dates. Dates that I haven't even made it all the way through, dates during which I have feared for my personal safety and dates that I've known were over the second they began. And at the ripe old age of 27 (just go with it) I am happily...uh, satisfactorily...uh, begrudgingly...meh...single. So I understand that commitment can be scary.

Can I commit to this man or woman for the rest of my life? Can I commit to this look for an entire season? Can I commit to this dress for a whole cocktail party?

Why bother? Get the look without any commitment. Trends come and go in clothing but they also come and go in hair, make-up and nail polish. A hair cut takes too long to grow out if you hate it, most women are comfortable in their make-up routines and know in what colors they look good. The easiest and least commitment-phobic way is trying new colors, new looks and new ideas on your nails.

A few nail trends for Spring below:

You don't have to be a bride to wear a little something blue. 

Pale blue nails hit the runway at Nicholas K.

Do it yourself option:

Dashing Diva Day in the Park

$8

dashingdiva.com

I am a huge fan of black nails. HUGE! When I lived in New York, I would walk into my neighborhood salon and the women who worked there would look up from their tables and all cheerfully say, "Black!" They didn't know my name but they knew I chose it every time.

 Gunmetal grey is the New Black. Super shiny and oh-so-chic.

3.1 Phillip Lim sent these metallic nails down the runway.

Do it yourself option:

Essie Sew Psyched

$8

essie.com

And just for the heck of it, because life's more fun when you add sparkles, two more Spring nail trends to take to your salon next time. 

Butter London created both the Golden Goth and Mini Moons below. Genius!

No one, and I mean no one, likes to get her nails done more than Shop Girl. Women of Pittsburgh, I have tried more nail salons than you can imagine and I highly recommend Envy Nail Salon in Mt. Lebanon and Shadyside. Clean, courteous and decently priced. They also do gel manicures, if you're looking for a longer term commitment.

Envy Nail Salon
300 Mt. Lebanon Blvd
412-668-0175

Envy II Nail Salon
221 South Highland Avenue
412-365-2000

It Seems You've Caught Me In The Nude

In case you haven't been stalking the fashion websites like I've been, I'll let you in on a little secret.

Everyone is going nude. From head-to-toe looks that graced the Spring '11 runways to sandstone blouses, handbags, pants and skirts, the softer shades are making an entrance.

Can't afford this amazingly gorgeous Alexander McQueen dress paired with Yves Saint Laurent sandals? Yeah, me neither. Sometimes life just isn't fair.

Alexander McQueen Samurai Shoulder Crepe Pencil Dress

$1595

Yves Saint Laurent Tribute Patent Leather Sandals

$795

net-a-porter.com

But sometimes, when life gives you lemons (or a small bank account) you make lemonade (or a really amazing outfit that's much less expensive). I give you, Shop Girl in the Nude. Pair with your favorite gold jewelry and you're ready for Spring!

Zara Dress with Draped Top

$79.90

zara.com 

Pour La Victoire Irina Platform Pumps

$245.00

Nordstrom 

And just because nothing will ever compare to my love for shoes, a few more nude LEG-LENGTHENING beauties:

Sam Edelman Lorissa Nude

$199.95

zappos.com

Steve Madden RUSSHH in Nude

$89.95

South Side Works

For those of you who think you can't walk in high heels, sign up for my 1-hour online seminar. I'll summarize it for you here:

Heel. Toe. Heel. Toe.

The other 59 minutes and 57 seconds will be spent gossiping via IM and online shopping.

That'll be $200.

Pittsburgh ladies, strut your stuff into Footloose at 736 Bellefonte Street, Shadyside and in the Galleria in Mt. Lebanon or Ten Toes at 5502 Walnut Street, Shadyside.

This Is Gonna Be Big

I wish no one ill will. Not ex-boyfriends, not bitchy former bosses, not even that guy who was driving 35 in a 55 zone on my way to my job interview yesterday. Truly, I wish them only the best. Ok, well maybe not the best but I rarely wish anyone harm. Except when it comes to the dreaded (insert scary movie music here) jegging.

Jegging. Jegging? Jegging! A word that combines jeans and leggings! Now don't get me wrong, I am all for the skinny jean. Hugs in all the right places, perfect for tucking into my tall boots but still looks chic with ballet flats and goes with pretty much anything. But did we really need to go tighter, skinnier, less flattering? Let's not forget that the jegging actually turned into something called The Pajama Jean! Really? Really. Please die. Quickly. Put us all out of our misery. It's already been painful enough.

The first and only time I tried on a pair of jeggings, I wrote this little note to myself:

Dear Raina,

Please do not ever, ever put those monstrosities on again. We felt bad about ourselves and couldn't breathe when you had them on and nearly cried with happiness when you finally took them off.

All our love,

your thighs

This is why I could not be more excited that this Spring, the jean silhouette has gone wide. I don't mean Bootcut, I mean Wide Leg from top to bottom. Reminiscent of the 70's, these jeans are leg-lengthening, flattering and super cool. I cannot wait to wear a silk blouse tucked into them with sky high platforms hidden under the hems.

Whether you shop Platinum, Gold or Debit, super cool options below:

Platinum

Hudson Flap Pocket Wide Leg

$202

Gold

7 For All Mankind Ginger Flare Jeans

$155

Debit

Gap Wide Leg Trouser Jeans

$69.50

Women of Pittsburgh, pay a visit to The Pittsburgh Jean Company (2222 East Carson Street, right off the Birmingham Bridge). The ladies who work there know their jeans and what will work for your body. Plus, FREE alterations. Because we aren't all fit models.

You can't go wrong with a trip to Nordstrom or Bloomingdale's (join me in my crusade to bring Bloomingdale's to Pittsburgh), jean selection like you wouldn't believe and there's almost always a sale.

Peace, love and wide leg jeans.

Professional Me

I have an interview this afternoon (side note...YAY!!) and have the eternal conundrum of what to wear.

Now for most women, this would be an easy 1-2-3 of suit skirt, blouse, suit jacket. But a) I don't own a suit b) I don't want to own a suit and c) I don't work in an industry that requires a suit. Thus, my entire morning and even part of  last night have been taken up with thinking about what I am going to wear to walk into that office. I need to make an impression but not one that's so distracting that the men I'm meeting with can't acknowledge the genius that I am.

I'm wavering between my Trina Turk LBD (originally $278, got it on sale for $111) that I truly love and can accessorize to be a little more exciting and "me" or I have my black BCBG skirt, grey Banana Republic tweed jacket (that I bought for a song!) and Rachel Rachel Roy fuchsia sleeveless blouse. The LBD is chic and professional, the pieced-together outfit has a pop of bright color that is sure to brighten up this dreary winter day.

Conferred with my style council whose opinions were as follows:

D: I don't think you want to look too sexy (blasphemous of me to say, I know) for an interview.
Look B says stylish business woman. It's a little sexy with the color and bare arms if you take off the jacket at any point. Yet it is still what I would consider perfect business dress.

L deemed Look A "a little too booby" and chose Look B.

M has decided I need a new cell phone camera because she cannot tell the difference between the two looks other than the jacket. Besides my obvious lacking in technology, she LOVES Look A. To be precise, her response: "Dress. Love." Stop, I can't take it all in!

Though my mother used to tell me, I always wear the OPPOSITE of what she suggested, I do take the council's opinions into account. I'm walking out the door as soon as I post in Look B.

Wish me luck!!

Get Thee To Hip'tique

I write this post with full disclosure. I live in Shadyside, so many of my favorite boutiques, salons and restaurants are right here in my own neighborhood. But even if I lived miles and miles away (instead of across the street) I would find my way to Hip'tique Boutique (5817 Ellsworth Avenue), especially right now.

Hip'tique carries some of my favorite designers, Tracy Reese, Rebecca Taylor, Corey Lynn Calter just to name a few. Late last week, I stopped in to see the new spring selection. Not much of it is there yet, the majority will be there at the end of the month. But they have to make room for all the new merchandise coming. So...last season's incredible finds are now 70% off! We're talking prices starting at $49 for jackets, dresses, tops and more.

I'm still waiting for my favorite Rebecca Minkoff bag to be drastically reduced but in the meantime, I'll console myself with this amazing Rebecca Taylor Pintucked Silk Blouse on sale for $165. Google it and you'll find that it's not on sale anywhere else. Still $275 at other retailers.

On a side note, there is no "pay to play" on my blog. Hip'tique did not ask me to write about their shop and I am not getting anything in return for my post.

Shop With Me

So who is this woman who wants to tell you where to shop, what to buy and how to wear it? Let me explain...

A former magazine fashion editor and stylist turned copywriter, I moved from New York City to Pittsburgh in 2007. Laid-off from my most recent job in November, I spend my abundant free time shopping...an excellent combination if I do say so myself. Really bodes well for my financial future. Maaaaaybe not. But it does bode well for your fashion future! I've found some amazing gems recently and I don't want to keep the goods to myself.

I prefer to shop in boutiques where I can find items that no one else will have but I certainly am not averse to shopping in larger chains and department stores. Either way, I rarely pay retail. Whether I wait for the sales or have a code or coupon (or Groupon...love!) retail price seems more like a suggestion to me. I'll let you know when something's really worth it though, sometimes I just can't help myself.

I have my own style council, as I call them. My trio of women I trust to help me make the buy or not buy decision, always available to respond to the cell phone pic I send from the dressing room.

• The Divine Miss M, my designer diva. Her style is undeniable. You think I have an enviable closet? Take a walk around hers. Yes, you can actually walk around in it. And it's filled with designer finds for which she paid between 50-70% off retail.
• The Always Fashionable Miss D, my oldest friend. She loves to shop almost as much as I do but she loves to return even more! The girl takes forever to make a decision but it's always the right one. She's my voice of reason.
• The Lovely Miss L, my frugal fashionista sister. Also known as my enabler, she shops vicariously through my wallet and always wants me to get it, no matter what 'it' is. Women on the street stop her to find out where she got whatever she's got on and her budget friendly answer is always a surprise.

Those are my ladies, I couldn't get dressed without them. Seriously though, can one of you come over tomorrow and help me zip up my dress so I don't dislocate my shoulder again?

Let me introduce you to shops and style you might not have known existed in this fair city of ours. And if you just can't live without your neighborhood shop, don't keep it to yourself! Tell me about it, I'll check it out and tell everyone else. Or, if you need an honest opinion on what to wear and how to wear it, ask me here. I'm chock full of brutally honest opinions.

So come along, shop with me. I need someone to carry my bags.