Cameo at the Val Party

Usually I defer to Brianne in the realm of the pen. However, certain trends are making me swoon so very much this Spring, I couldn't help but ask her, in the words of Alicia Silverstone, to let me make a cameo appearance......

1. Blues Rock.  Blues-rock differs from that typically defined as blues with its more upbeat tempo, deep improvisational elements and amplified sounds. To me, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Janis Joplin have always captured this style with ease. When blues-rock emerged on the scene in the 1960's, the fashion icons were likewise embracing change and taking risks. One of my favorite breakthrough trends; cut-off shorts. Easy, breezy and just SO darn cute with pretty much any silk blouse, t-shirt or sweater, jean shorts denote the eased, improvisational vibe that blues-rock evokes in me. They've arrived at Crush in all of their splendor, and in all shapes and styles. Paige of Paige Premium Denim knows how to flatter our curves. Dark-washed and frayed, you can't go wrong if you leave them cuffed OR un-cuffed. J Brand doesn't betray us with their version. Lighter washed than the Paige version, but equally fun and flirty. And who doesn't love a little distressing to up the faux-grunge ante. Our final specimen is as hippie-chic as they come. Adorable, flirty, light wash, high-waisted flare shorts by BCBGeneration. Effortlessly throwing them on makes me feel "Bold as Love."

2. Naturally Undone. It would be amiss if I failed to admit that part of what makes me swoon for slacker-beauty is Josh Christopher himself. The Los Angeles based designer of Daftbird not only brings me the most buttery soft, lusciously delicious t-shirts my skin could ask for, but he does so while making my little heart pitter patter. These t-shirts flatter the body unbelievably in tones across the rainbow (imagine delectable pomegranates, delicate lilacs and sweet vanillas) while signaling "She's Come Undone" perfection. There is something so comforting and sexy about looking like you have just rolled out of bed, nowhere more apparent than in the product line "Bed Head." We, as women, strive to appear low-maintenance; no frill through the use of "barely there" make-up and hair products and understated threads. And while we may not have just rolled out of bed, we LOVE to play the part. 

For this reason, this Spring I have been stocking up on t-shirts by Daftbird in deep v's, cropped versions and oversized cuts, as well as Love Quotes scarves, to complete my "undone" look. And if my laid-back appearance happens to attract the likes of the handsome Josh Christopher.....well, I suppose, it's all for the love of fashion.

3. Trompe l'oeil Exhibitionism.  Stepping into fashion this season feels a great deal to me like walking straight into a Jean-Antoine Watteau painting. The art of Rococo France has always inspired me for the flirty and playful, frivolous sentiment it evokes. Pastels abound in curved femininity and pastoral landscapes. Artists succumbed to lighter palettes and fashionistas mimicked this trend with soft fabrics in blush, champagne and ecru tones. 

Barely-there apparel has once again risen in the ranks and is popping up in every facet of our lives. As I type this blog and glance down at my newly painted, blushy Panda-Monium Pink polished nails, I can't help but notice how manifest this trend is. From my nail polish preference, to my new, beloved nude heeled Matt Bernson Camelo sandals, to my coveted Parker ballet slipper pink sequined dress, I am gaining momentum in my quest to bare it all. If it worked for Demi Moore on the red carpet in an apricot Versace, why not try my hand at it on the red carpet of Charles Street?

xoxo Laura

Will we be at Rue de Charles? Oui, oui Mademoiselle.

I’ll be the first to admit that my French is limited to words regarding fashion, ballet and dessert. While this perhaps isn’t the most inclusive of vocabularies, it’s gotten me pretty far… through twenty-two years of life (one at Crush) to be exact. 

As my first year of Crush draws to a conclusion, my French vocab has now grown to include: “Rue de Charles.” 

Rue de Charles – [Roo de Char-ls] – noun.

1. An event that will unfold April 30, 2010
2. A runway and trunk show
3. A party at the Liberty Hotel with Beacon Hill Boutiques
4. A soiree organized by The Beacon Hill Civic Association’s Young Professionals Board to benefit Christopher’s Haven, an organization that provides housing for families with children undergoing  cancer treatment at MassGeneral. 

The event will include looks from Crush, Holiday, Wish, Cibeline, Pixie Stix, Moxie, J. McLaughlin, North River Outfitters and Uncle Pete’s. Models will have hair and make-up provided by The Beauty Mark and Mayfair on the Hill. Attendees will enjoy appetizers, wine tastings and music from the Piranesi String Quartet while viewing looks on the catwalk and shopping mini-boutiques. 

For tickets, $40/ea., please contact The Beacon Hill Civic Association at 617 227-1922 or visit http://www.bhcivic.org/special_events.html. 


We hope to see you there!
 - Brianne

Get Smart About Ditsy Florals

They're...post-war 1940s meets 1990s Beverly Hills 90210.
They're...sweet and silly, with a smidge of sass.
They're...that feeling of weak in the knees first crush, with the added flavor of lazy summer days.
They're...ditsy florals... and they're all the rage.

From sundresses to silk tops, ditsy florals have moved into Crush this Spring... and their lease looks to last well through the Summer and into the Fall. Yep, they're the hands down new favorite subletter in our underground lair.

We love the look of bold patterns with white or faded denim, but to ease into the trend, pair flowered silk tops with dark denim and a bomber jacket. Sometimes a little goes a long way, so work busier or brighter florals in small doses. Less potent patterns can be mixed with stripes and other prints. Over-do any flowery stitch though, and you're a poster for the local Garden Club...and Tiffani-Amber Theissen would not be impressed.

It's easy to compel yourself to try new trends casually, but don't be shy when dressing up, embrace the floral dresses. Breaking up the print with a belt or jacket and going low-key on the extras will keep your frock up to date, but still coolly classic.

For date night, cocktail parties, weddings or warm Summer Sunday brunches, a gal loves to bare her legs and show off her shoes. Nude patent pumps are the go-to favorite for lengthening your legs and letting your dress garner all of the applause, but gladiator sandals, booties and and ballet flats will let you take your botanical pieces from day-to-night for looks that are trendy, tribal or updated traditional.

Yeah, those ditsy floral patterns will have you ready for lunch at The Max or a hot date with Brandon Walsh... so why wouldn't you embrace all of Spring 2010's printed prettiness?

Shop these looks from Shoshanna, Rory Beca, Parker, Whitley Kros and French Connection at www.shopcrushboutique.com.

-Brianne