Print Media Still Has A Pulse: September Issues On Newsstands

Photo credit: nikkistyle.net

September's Trending! The other day me and probably 99.9 percent of the fashion industry scurried to pick-up every September issue pertaining to style and beauty. We've been also "liking" photo-after-photo on Instagram of fashion enthusiasts proudly showing off their stacks. September issues are generally finger-licking thick, and consists of overwhelming amounts of ads and free sample perfume scents. Speaking of size, Self is the thinnest magazine in my pile. (Ha!) Pun intended, or nah?  

Photo Credit: Google

I spend a lot of time studying and analyzing content and creative direction. Like reading, it's my way to escape into the creative minds of brilliant individuals in the world. Sometimes I'm so wow'ed by an ad -- that I fixate on it and often wonder what the brainstorming session(s) was like -- to produce such a magnificent concept. I'm a geek like that! Also, I have a keen eye for good journalism and do read selected stories (what's left of them), as well as stay on top of emerging runway and pop culture fashion trends.

Print's Alive. Come. On. I know I'm not the only one that enjoys the hands-on experience of touching and reading a magazine while sipping a latte...and clipping outfits to post on (mood) bulletin boards...and bookmarking articles using colorful post-it sticky notes. Right? Well. Let us be sure to bask in these moment, because the conversation about whether or not print media is dying a slow death is still up for debate.

"Print vs. Digital" talks are interesting as it relates to evolution, for sure. However, we must consider the consumer in efforts to keep a thoughtful, sustainable balance: Not every reader has the means to purchase, nor has access to, technology. And (holy catastrophe) what if the world goes dark for weeks with no electricity and mobile data - then what?

Dear Publishing Industry: We can't go full-blown digital yet; we're not ready on so many levels. Disclaimer: I'm not bias and this is not an attempt to save print. Okay, yeah it is.

PRINT VERSUS DIGITAL: 

COMPARING THE 2 TYPES OF MARKETING (INFOGRAPHIC)

Photo Credit: Root Studio (Print vs. Digital), Mind Your Black Business (Infographic)

Outfit Edit: Kim Kardashian Spotted Looking Too 'Distressed'...?

Photo Credit: eonline.com

Style No No! So there's ripped...then there's tore the f*ck up. Let's take a step back. Kim looks fab from the waist up; I adore a great blazer paired with a lightweight casual tank underneath. And while I am not gaga over what's trendy, I do own a few pairs of distressed jeans, but not as 'distressed' as Kim's. Holy Help! Girlfriend, the jeans are way too holey -- and the overall fit? Meh. Below are some tasteful trendy alternatives:

Shop It: (left) Ridley High Waist Ultra Skinny via ASOS; (right) Rolled Skinny Ankle Jeans via Nordstrom

Happy Valentine's Day, Lovers! Trendspotting: RUNWAY REDS

Fashion is RED, Fashion is YOU below is some style inspiration that will WOW your boo! The FW/14 fashion runways are heating up with plenty sweetheart reds — and you've got options — whether you're looking for something sexy, sophisticated, or sweet. Good luck in choosing the perfect V-Day outfit tonight! ;) XoXo 

Helmut Lang

Marissa Webb

Prabal Gurung

Ralph Rucci

Tadashi Shoji

Vivienne Tam

Psst! Denim Is Always Trending, Wear It Year-Round...To Work, Too!

Note-To-Self: Cobalt Blue Heels, Swoon!

Trend Alert! I know, you probably packed away your short cut-offs due to the crisp winter air settling in. However, you do have all season long to rock the denim trend, specifically, the denim-on-denim trend. So, the trick to wearing the trendy denim-on-denim is to simply mix your washes and weights — the inevitable mash-up style. And yes, while wearing denim to work is typically a 'no no' (excluding casual Fridays), at some companies you might get away with wearing, perhaps, darker denim pieces. But make sure your choices are professional and clean (a step up from casual). 

Below are business environment-approved denim pieces, according to nikki! :)

Denim Blazer; Ruffle Hem Denim Blazer; Dark Denim Skinny Jeans; Dark Navy Wool-Blend Pencil Skirt

Have a comment? Write to me, or Tweet me.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week (NYC): My Pick! Look 18 - Alice + Olivia SS/14

The collection: "It's preppy meets pretty." 

Listen up, it's very simple. I wholeheartedly adore the splashes of vivacious colors as well as the mixing of prints and stripes, which is one of the best trends ever. And that crop top? Adorable. And the knee-length full swing skirt? Can I have it? Stacey Bendet (designer of Alice + Olivia) has proven collection after collection to know how to through a sweet playful party -- oh yes -- I've been to one of her rooftop presentations :)

Anyways, you did it again Stacey! Great collection. 
Click to browse the entire ss/14 collection.

Photo Credit: WWD

Hey-Guess What? You Can Absolutely Dress-Down (the trendy) Sequin!

Photo Credit: refinedstyle.com

Style Notes! I've been wrestling with how to best dress-down sequin -- until now. The fashion gal in the featured photo (by the way, who is she *ahem* Refined Style?) is showing us how to wear a sequin piece without looking overly flashy. Honestly, I shied away from rockin' sequin in fear of looking like a damn disco ball-that's not going to work-nope. Disclaimer: I do, however, love looking fashionably forward, just not in excess, ya know? 

Style Solution: I believe the balance, for me, is to pair sequin with "downtown" distressed denim (either shorts, or a skirt). Also, the featured outfit would look perfect with a pair of tennis shoes, or heels-at night. OoOo there I go again...with that "transitional" talk.

Below are more trendy sequin looks that I'm simply adoring. Yuuuuuuuup!

Olivia Palermo, People StyleWatch

Sincerely, Jules

Questions/comments about this post? Write to me: nikki@nikkistyle.net :) xx -ns
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Trendwatching: CLASSIC BLACK

A) Casual 

B) Tailored

C) Edgy

B old
L uxurious 
A mbitious 
C hic
K iller Kolor

Black Is Beautiful! Today I'm simply paying homage to the color black -- the color that's always an option. And more importantly, black is undeniably slimming, ladies, and one of those day-to-evening transitional colors. But that's not it. You can also mix and match a variety of black shades, fabrics and textures, and 'pair up' with other cool colors. Seriously, black will forever be classic. I happily own many black pieces (like, more than enough), that are either tailored for work, edgy for evenings/weekends, or somewhere casually in between. Are you loving the forever trendy B L A C K just as much as I? Tell me how you rock YOUR black, write to me: nikki@nikkistyle.net xx :) -ns | Follow me on Twitter

Photo Credit: WWD

My Hobby: Magazine Clipping
Janet Jackson, Black on Black

You Can Wear Animal Print To Work, And I've Got The 'How-To' Formula!

Photo Credit: nikkistyle.net

Style Notes! I work in a business casual environment -- and am always looking for ways to incorporate my favorite weekend pieces into my work wardrobe. (If you're a reader of my blog...then you know I love transitional pieces!) For example, animal print clothing and accessories can be loud and a bit obnoxious, especially in the workplace. Here's a noteworthy tip: tone-it-down. Last week, I wore a strapless knee-length animal print dress coupled with a yellow cardigan, and went to work feeling stylishly appropriate.

Photo Credit: iamnotasupermodel.com

I've said time and time again...animal print can be all types of tacky if not styled correctly. If you want to  wear animal print anything to work, tone down other elements (nails, hair, shoes); have them appear soft—in color and texture—in efforts to obtain the right balance. Otherwise, you'll look a bit hooch...and that's not preferable, I'm sure. Now don't get me wrong, some co-workers might give you props for your dare devil style, but I guarantee you that most will not be calling you a "professional colleague" anytime soon. So, just remember one thing: think balance when wearing animal print to work. In other words, offset the vulgarity (animal print) by mixing with simple, solid yet feminine colors.

In addition to yellow, I soOo like to pair animal print with basic and neutral colors, such a dark green, warm brown, nude, deep purple; and classic black and royal blue, too! Share your tips for wearing animal print to work, either below in the comment section, or on Twitter!

Color Chart - Mix 'n Blend

Trend Alert: Overalls For Women

Source: Pretty Major

Style Notes! Unless you've been living underneath a giant rock, I'm sure you heard that overalls made a huge comeback this spring. Yup, you read right, overalls -- "bib-and-brace" -- overalls. And while I'm not too sure if I'd rock the trend (more leaning towards a no) I'm really starting to find them exceptionally cutesy, thanks to the featured picture. 

Home-Girl wearing the overalls (above) is showing us that she's embracing the trend as she pairs it with a cool white mesh short sleeve shirt. But, I particularly like that the overall is distressed denim, which is certainly a spruce-up ingredient adding some fashionable flavor to mix. Moreover, peep her manicure! It's clean and simple yet stands out whilst complementing the entire outfit. And the camera? It's so statement.

Photo Credit: I Am Necole

In closing, I Google'd 'overalls' to read the latest articles discussing the trend, as well as to spy on adult celebs brave enough to wear overalls during SS/13. Findings: Necole of necolebitchie.com (left) is working it for the people. Don't y'all think? Personally, [I think] she nailed it. So, would you rock the overalls trend? Tell me on Twitter, or right below in the comment section. xx :) -ns

Do you want to rock the overalls trend? You're in luck! I handpicked options JUST FOR YOU! Shop The Trend: 3.1 Phillip Lim; Amazon; Anthropologie; ebay; Forward by Elyse Walker; Free People; Macy*s; YOOX.COM

Winter Inspiration (Personal Faves!)

[Black on Black] 
Black Leather Skirt + Black Tights

Velour Tanks

Edged-Out Booties

Leather Jackets

Festive Feathers

Style Notes! Some of my favorite items for winter includes the following: 

1) Leather - leather skirts, leather shorts, leather gloves. 2) Slinky Tanks; currently I am obsessing over velour because it's a thicker fabric, and excellent for layering during the chilly winter season. 3) Booties! Gosh, I love a pair of sexy booties with lots of heel-height, and certainly favoring bold colors. 4) Tailored Leather Jackets; the look is stylish and makes an impressive fashion statement. 5) "Festive" Feathery (Flirty Mini) Skirts.

My picks are on-trend as well as transitional. Meaning, I can transition many (if not all) of these pieces from winter to spring, such as the velour tank, booties, and leather jacket.

What are YOUR faves for winter? 

Photo Credit: via My Pinterest Board  |  Follow Me on Twitter  |

Collared Sheer Shirt By Gypsy Junkies PLUS! The "Black Leather" Trend

Photo Credit: Planet Blue

Style Find! Sheer Blouses are my weakness. I think they're stylish and comfortable with a touch of sophistication and class. I wear sheer year-round, but of course, will incorporate some layering during the fall and winter seasons.

Though I caution folks: If sheer is styled poorly and over-accessorized -- things can go wrong real quick -- or as Mr. Kors would bluntly put it, "Hooch," meaning fashion fail.

In any event, I am adoring my style find: the featured sheer Lovespell Collared Shirt by Gypsy Junkies. I would certainly kickoff fall wearing an ivory-colored sheer shirt with hints of black velvet. Crazy, Sexy, Cool! And in regards to the styling (right), the shorts are super cute. However, if you're not into the short shorts thing -- try a black leather skirt.

Side Note: "Black Leather" is trending!

Black Leather Spotted! at All Saints
Fashion's Night Out (NYC), September 2012
Photo Taken By: nikkistyle.net 

Mid-Week Obsession, KAYLA CLUTCH

Photo Credit: nikkistyle.net

Style Notes! O.M.G. Fashion Beauties! Look what I spotted via StyleWatch magazine's June issue (left) - a wicked cute color-block cross-body universal clutch. I highlighted in pink the URL case-mate.com as a reminder to get a closer look. And when I browsed on over to the source site, I fell deep in lust. YIKES!

Now, the gold chain strap is adjustable. You can simply remove it. Me? I love gold but I'd toss the chain, especially if I'm carrying the clutch/wallet to work; the gold + chain + neon is a bit loud.

Below is a slightly different color-combo from what StyleWatch featured. Lipstick Pink and Marine Blue is such a hot mixture of my fave colors! Love it? Shop it. (video, keep scrolling!)

Featuring: The  Kayla Clutch

  

PS. Tell me what you think on Twitter, or right here in the comment section!

Colored-Denim OVERLOAD

MET in Jeans

BALMAIN

Balenciaga

Madison Martin Margiela

Balenciaga

Style Notes | I rarely wear bright-colored denim, as I usually wear different shades of blue—and black every now and then. But this season colored denim jeans are dominating the clothing racks at stores ... whispering my name and saying "buy me..."

So, why not give the trend-a-try? I'll start with a green pair, and work my way to yellow!

What's your favorite color denim? Tell me on Twitter.

Photo Credit: All Photos yoox.com 

Wedge Sneakers -- STILL H.O.T.

Style Notes | It's true! Wedge Sneakers are still the talk-of-the-town. *ahem* And though I'm no tomboy...aren't these cute? I love wedges—(and duh) I die for anything pink!

Photo Credit: ELLE

The Pleated Leather Wrap Skirt

Style Notes | I love the on-trend pleats, as well as the tang-y color. But there's only one problem (besides the $3,590-dollar price tag!)—the skirt looks a bit heavy duty, especially for 80/90-degree Summer temps. No?

I don't know about y'all ... I'd break-a-sweat.

Photo Credit: net-a-porter.com