Trend Alert Report: 2012 Spring Accessories

I know fall has just begun and it truly is my favorite time of the year because of the fabulous fashion. But the fashion world moves quickly and right now it's all about what's in for the next season.

Here's a sneak peek at the trends for spring accessories we can expect:

Trend # 1: Embellishments Galore.

I personally love this trend and it's so good to know that I can rock my embellished Sam Edelman's for another season.

Embellishments aren't just for shoes, so don't be afraid to get a little daring with your handbags as well.


Trend # 2: Transparency.

Transparent accessories will be huge in the springtime. I don't particularly like this trend because  it looks cheap. It also reminds me of my days as a sales associate at Macy's when I had to sport a small plastic handbag that had no privacy.

Trend # 3: Athleticism.

I'm not loving this trend either. Who wants to look like they just left the gym or are on their way to school with these casual backpacks and bags? I will say it's a totally functional look for us working gals who commute to work on public transportation or have to walk a lot.


Trend # 4: Pastels.

A small change as far as color goes. We saw a lot of bold and bright colors in 2011, but 2012 is all about lighter pastel colors.

Sidenote: I'm in love with these shoes!

Trend #5: The New Platforms.

Platforms will still be in, but they'll  be a lot chunkier than what we've seen this year.


Trend # 6: Hello Crocs!

Forget snakes and any other reptile for that matter. Two thousand and twelve is all about one reptile: the crocodile.

Crocodile skin accessories are timeless and make us look wealthy, even if we aren't!

Trend # 7: The Return of the Earrings.

It's been a few seasons, since I've seen a huge emphasis on earrings like we saw on the runways for the spring. And the bigger the earring, the better!


Trend #8: Hats!

Hats are such a fabulous accessory and one that we don't see much in Miami. I hope this changes in the upcoming year and we see more ladies and fellas rocking hats.

Trend # 9: Belt it Out!

Accentuate the smallest part of your body with a beautiful jeweled belt this spring.

Trend # 10: Novelty Heels aka The Gaga Shoe Look.

This is such a fun trend. I'm so excited to find a pair of avant garde shoes to rock next year!

 I'm not only an avid shoe lover, but I adore unique shoes, so if this shoe trend fits I'll have to buy a few pairs.


For a  complete look at these trends make sure you visit: http://www.vogue.com/guides/accessories-spring-2012-guide/#/guide/5509/1

Pictures and trends provided by: Vogue.com


Always Fashion Forward,

Your GTG

Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!"  - Robin Williams

GTG's Fall 2011 Trend Report: The Men

Fall weather means one thing: fall fashion. And yes that goes for the fellas too!

Designers have integrated colors and luxe fabrics to let men diversify their looks this season.

Here are my top 5 trends of the moment.

Still Marchin' in Military...

The trend has been around since last fall, but this year desingers like McQueen are injecting new life to this trend by using different fabrics and bright colors.

This red/navy military sash sweater  is perfect for the man who wants to be trendy, without feeling like he's wearing a costume.

Finish this look with a pair of distressed boots.


The Bold and the Preppy...

The runway looks of Etro and Dolce & Gabbana were filled with casual comfortable preppy looks in bright bold colors.

Fellas, don't forget bright reds and  blues are totally hot this season, so look for pieces in these colors.


Fancy Fabrics...

Cashmere. Furs. Leather. Velvet. Calfskin.

It's the year of the of the gentleman. If you don't feel comfortable  rocking a calfskin or fur jacket, you can try out leather and velvet coats.

A velvet jacket can transform your entire look whether you wear it with jeans for a more casual look or with slacks for a more formal look.


Stylish Suits...

One-breasted and double-breasted suits  also dominated the runways.

Try a single-breasted suit in any shade of a gray for a fresher and more fashionable take on this classic look.


Knits & Turtlenecks...

Look for chunky knit, cable or turtleneck sweaters. Don't forget to look for bright colors, textures and patterns.

Try a classic and luxurious wool-cashmere cable-knit sweater in green.

Fellas-- keep it classy and  stylish this fall season!

Fashionably yours,
GTG

Age Ain't Nothing but a Number

Today marks the 28th year of my existence. And while I never look forward to growing old, I do love birthdays! I'm thankful for getting to share another birthday with those closest to me. I'm even more thankful for those who love me and go out of their ways to make me feel extra special on my day. Thank you so much! You know exactly who you are.

Birthdays are much like life--they come with pros and cons. The older I get the more I'm embracing the pros and not the cons.

One of the things I enjoy to do for myself on my birthday, besides buying a new fabulous accessory is analyzing my successes, my failures, my mistakes and my gains in the past year.

I'm in a better place on this birthday than I was on my last one. And today I want to share a few of the things that keep me positive, keep me strong, but above all keep me going. Think of it as a birthday gift to you.

Live life with NO regrets. Even if things don't go the way you planned them know that at some point you did exactly what you wanted. If you need to live your life with regrets then regret the things you didn't do. Everything else is a lesson.

Always follow your heart. Follow your mind. Follow your instincts. They will never steer you wrong.

It's ok to no longer want the very same things you obsessed with for years. In my case it was having a journalistic career. For a very long time I was beyond bitter and depressed that I wasn't where I wanted to be, but then I realized life is too short to be upset over things like a job.

So what did I do? I focused on my passions: writing and fashion. And now I'm Your Go to Gal. This blog is honestly one of the best things that I have ever done. And I want to thank all of you who are constantly supporting and rooting me on!

Never feel sorry for yourself.

If you fall you get your ass up again and fight harder.

Always help those who are in need.

A child brings inexplicable joy to a family. Thank you Jinny for giving me my gorgeous baby nephew. Our lives are now complete because of him.

Smile. It helps you live longer.

Carry yourself with confidence at all times.

Until my next birthday!

One year wiser,

Your G2G

Think Pink in October

 

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is celebrating 25 years of awareness, education and empowerment.

 

As much as this month long campaign strives at raising money to find a cure for breast cancer, if you walk away with nothing, but the understanding of how important it is to go in for annual mammograms then that's all that matters.

Early detection is currently the number one tool in beating breast cancer, and that only happens by learning how to examine yourself and going in for yearly mammograms.

Did you know?

• Breast cancer doesn't just affect women, it also affects men.
• Although unknown why, the left breast is more prone to develop cancer than the right breast.
• There's a higher number of breast cancer cases in developed countries than in less developed countries.
• The US has the most cases of breast cancer in the world.
• Every 15 minutes a woman loses her battle with breast cancer.
• When breast cancer spreads beyond the breast it is more likely to spread to the bones, liver and lungs.
• The biggest single risk factor for breast cancer is age, which is why mammograms are recommended once a year starting at age 40.
• It is estimated that if women in the age group of 50 and over would get their mammograms done on a yearly basis, the breast cancer death rate in this age group would drop by 25%.
• Research shows that women who are diagnosed with breast cancer during pregnancy have lower survival rates than women, who aren't pregnant at the time of their diagnosis.
• There are currently 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the US and that number can grow if we as women take the measures to watch over our bodies and get checked out at the sight of any suspicious lump.

You can find all these facts and more on: http://facts.randomhistory.com/breast-cancer-facts.html

Please donate to this cause in any way you can, whether it's by sponsoring yourself or a friend at a race, buying items that proceeds are donated to national organizations or by just helping spread this very important message that can save lives.

Check out this year's Zoe Report for a list of pink items you can buy to help fight cancer!


Knowingly yours,
GTG

Don't forget to keep up with me:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourgo2gal

Twitter: https://twitter.com/YourGotoGal

Tumblr: http://yourgotogal.tumblr.com/

Instagram: @yourgotogal
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/yourgo2gal/

Foursquare: https://foursquare.com/yourgotogal

"Every woman needs to know the facts. And the fact is, when it comes to breast cancer, every woman is at risk." - Debbie Wasserman Schultz

Fall 2011 Trend Report: The Wardrobe

Ladies you asked for it.

And GTG's Fall 2011 Trend Report: The Wardrobe is finally here.

If I Were A Boy...

Last fall military-inspired looks dominated catwalks everywhere and this year it's still all about menswear inspired fashion.

 A tailored blazer adds the perfect touch of masculinity. Wear it with skinny jeans and a cami, dresses or skirts for an effortless look.

A pair of tailored pants is a great item to always have in your closet, but it just so happens they're a season's must.

Tailored pants are a great day-to-night transitional piece. Wear them with a sweater vest during work hours for a professional look.  Throw on a pretty metallic top for a night out on the town and accessorize with lots of jewelry, a pretty clutch bag and to die for shoes.

Precious Jewels...

Don't call it a comeback, but blouses especially those reminiscent of the '70s era are a huge trend for this season. This fall is the year of color.

Don't forget that royal blue is also a huge trend, so find a way to incorporate it into your wardrobe. If you think the color is too much for you you can always try wearing it as an accessory.

Just because the weather is cooler doesn't mean you can't still don a sexy dress. Keep purples, yellows, reds and magentas in mind like this one shoulder number.

2 in 1 Trend:

This plum satin blazer is a great way to work two trends in one piece. This color is fabulous and will work for you for years to come.


I'm Every WOMAN...

With the popularity of vintage fashion in shows as Mad Men and my new personal favorite Pan Am, we are seeing a resurgence of women dressing up in VA-VA-VOOM looks.

This satin and sheer dress is a great choice to create an hourglass silhouette. It's feminine and bold all at once and demands attention.

I love the polka dots that detail the sheer parts of the dress because they're fun and reminiscent of fashion in the '40s, '50s and '60s.

Don't forget that polka dot tights will add a fun spin on an otherwise serious look.

Nothing says I am woman more than this leopard print dress with lace and a bustier top! There's only one word to describe a dress like this: RED HOT!


Pretty in Plaid...

Patterns are totally in this season. Especially plaid. You can try plaid in a very ladylike way (think Pan Am and Mad Men fashion) or in a dirty grungy way (Think early 90s.) Either way you'll be in style.

Wow the room when you walk in wearing this very pretty plaid dress. You can opt for plaid skirts or a sexy plaid top like a corset.

One of my favorite go to pieces for a laid back relaxed look are plaid shirts. They're comfortable and classic. Invest in one and you'll always look put together.  Pair a plaid top with combat boots for a grungy look.

Faux Fur or Not...

Cold weather or not--you'll see so much fur on the streets this season, regardless if it's real or faux fur.

Fur makes everything look splendidly luxurious. And what fashionista doesn't like to look like a million bucks?

Even Jenny might forget that she's from the block in this real fur vest. I also happen to love this fur vest because it's very '70s.

If you're an animal loving fashionista--no need to feel sad that you can't rock a chinchilla coat a la a famous rapper's girlfriend. 

You can still look the part without hurting any furry friends by wearing a faux fur vest . The best thing about faux furs is that not only are you saving animals and looking fabulous, but you'll also be saving some serious dough.

You're a Superstar...

Every time you see the weather changing don't be sad that the days of summer are over. Think of fall as an excuse to wear shiny metallics.

I personally associate metallics and sparkles with being a superstar!

Metallic dresses are great for parties and  any other event that calls for a bit of glamour. Wear a luxe fur coat over a dress like this one and you'll be the best dressed gal in any room.

 A sparkly top is also another great alternative to wearing this trend. Wear it with tailored pants or jeans for a night out.

The Fabulous Forties...

Retro tea dresses, midi skirts and gloves?
Yes, please.

The forties were indeed ultra fabulous.

This plum cap sleeve dress is gorgeous. Pair it with a pair of cream gloves to perfect your glamorous '40s do.

This season it's all about the midi as in midi skirts and dresses. Midi length skirts or dresses hit you well below the knee.


That '70s Look...

The '40s isn't the only decade that's being revived, so is the '70s decade.

When you're looking to dress in this trend think of the glossy glamorous nights at Studio 54, which consisted of sexy silhouttes and lush furs.

This designer dress is to die for. Wear this high slit dress with the matching briefs, with heavy gold accessories and a vibrant red clutch and you will feel like you walked out of a BeeGees' music video.

So '70s chic!

What '70s revival would be complete without super flared jeans?

Looks like 2011 thinks of bell bottoms as super flares. I'm a sucker for these pants, regardless of what they're called.

Ladies don't forget wide leg pants make curvy women look proportionate.


The Cape Crusader..

It's a bird, no wait it's just a cape.

This fall, capes aren't just for super heroes. They're for fashionistas everywhere. Capes are an outerwear must. Not only will these amazing capes keep you warm, but they will make you look effortlessly sophisticated.

And you don't have to spend tons of money on one because they're so on trend that you can find one that will fit any budget.

This belted-cape cinches at the waist for a more defined look.

Of all the capes, I looked over this tweed cape is my favorite. The cowl neck and tweed material scream vintage!


Black & White....

The black and white combo is timeless, but it's everywhere this season and it makes me so happy!

My one and only pick for this trend is this uber ah-mazing black and white houndstooth dress

There you have it ladies! this season's must have trends and my personal picks. Have you gone fall shopping yet?

What are your fall staples this year? Are you planning on recycling anything from last season? Tweet me pictures of your fall looks @yourgotogal or upload them on my FB page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Your-Go-To-Gal/120897644680054#!/pages/Your-Go-To-Gal/120897644680054

Always fashionably yours,

GTG

P.s. Don't forget that fashion is all about the confidence you exude whenever you wear anything.

“I don't do fashion, I am fashion.” - Coco Chanel

GTG's Best Nail Polish Names 2011

Today's post is just for fun!

As you all know I love being pampered and that includes getting my hands and feet done on a regular basis.

I've noticed that I spent a lot of time looking over colors just because I enjoy reading the names they're given.

 Sometimes the names are super cute and other times the names are beyond cheesy, but regardless under which category they fall it's always fun to tell your girlfriend, "This week my nails are turquoise and caicos.

This is my list of my top 10 favorite nail polish color names:

10.- Pinkadelic by Essie

9.- Over the Taupe by OPI

8.- Need Sunglasses by OPI

7.- A Oui-bit-of Red by OPI

6.- Kiss on the Chic by OPI

5.- I Brake for Manicures by OPI

4.-Big Bag Theory by Essie

3.- Devil's Advocate by Essie

2.-Haute as Hello by Essie

1.- For Audrey by China Glaze

What's your all time favorite nail polish name?


Stay polished my friends!

xo-
Your GTG

"I tell people to do something for themselves at lunch. It doesn't matter whether it's having a manicure, taking a spinning class or going for a walk."-Audree Halasz

GTG's Cutest Miami Shop

Hey my lovelies,

Today's post is about a recent discovery I made thanks to one of my friends. We had grabbed lunch at our favorite Persian place and decided to walk over to Subway for cookies to snack on later during our workday.

During lunch, she had mentioned that she had been to this little shop around the corner, which I had walked by a million times, but  never visited because I was under the impression it was a pharmacy.

So we all decided to check it out. We walked into Mortar & Pestle the boutique pharmacy, which is located inside the The Shops at Mary Brickell Village and I was in awe of all the cute merchandise.

It only took less than a minute for me to have thought that it was absolutely the cutest shop I had ever seen, and so I'm deeming Mortar & Pestle as GTG's cutest shop in Miami.

Even their bags are cute!

The "boutique pharmacy" carries a lot of well-known brands that range from beauty products to baby goods and an entire section devoted to Hello Kitty.

Below are a few pictures of what the store looks like.

Shot of the Entrance Door. 

Inside of the Store.



I really hope you can all swing by this place to check it out.

P.s. If you're looking for amazing greeting cards be it for a birthday, a graduation or the birth of a child this is the place to shop for them!

What's the cutest store you've ever been to?

Update: As of 2012, Mortar & Pestle closed down.

Always in the know,

Your GTG!

-xo