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

Red Carpet Crushing

Just recently, I was thinking about personal style, and how each of us develops it so young. I’ve always loved vintage-inspired pieces—ornate stud earrings, ultra feminine dresses. At age 6, my fashion icon was the 1964 Barbie my Grandmother bought me at an antique store. I couldn’t wait to grow up and dress like my vintage Barbie. Her clothes were gorgeous.

Today, I still respect Barbie’s MadMen-esque ensembles, but I also j’adore Rachel McAdams’ mix of fashion forward girl-next-door duds and vintage-y frocks. There’s chiffon and tulle and jewels… and then there’s tie-dyed cocktail dresses, dark-wash skinny jeans and silk oversized oxfords. The girl’s a gem, but never looks like she has to try.

Laura, who spins a little more Gossip Girl meets The OC, has built a wardrobe that’s cleaned up and classy, even when it’s casual. It’s a compilation of scarves and sundresses juxtaposed with structured mini-dresses and blazers, much like her style icon Rachel Bilson. First stealing our hearts with her sappy boyfriend and sweet summer dresses as Summer Roberts, Bilson’s style is classic, with just a smidge of edge.   

Rebecca’s a sucker for the West Coast lifestyle, and really who could blame her? So, it’s fitting then that Kate Hudson takes the cake for Rebecca’s best dressed celebrity list. This Fashionista has an electic wardrobe of bohemian-chic pieces, trendy jumpsuits and a love for taking tee shirts high fashion. A girl after her own heart, Rebecca loves Hudson’s laissez faire flair.

Our own Californian, Jess, brings a bit of the West to the East, giving the East coast a jolt of fashion…like a certain other curly haired we all know. Carrie Bradshaw—fictional yes, but as real as an icon needs to be—turned heads all over New York city for years with her creatively coordinated outfits.

Long before Carrie Bradshaw, Bianca Jagger strut her stuff around London and New York as a Mick’s first wife, Warhol’s friend and Roy Halston’s muse. Bianca brought disco to fashion and fashion everywhere. Her stunning ensembles and piece-y outfits have made her Kara’s celebrity fashion icon.

I’ll close by saying that this has been one of my favorite blogs to write, and a big part of that was the fun of Tweeting and getting all of your responses. Many of our dear friends and customers @replied us with their favorites.

A huge thanks goes to @tenleywilson (Jennifer Garner) @msfraust (Zooey Deschanel) @StephanieElena1 (Rachel McAdams) @jennycook523 (Audrey Hepburn) @megansarahj (Diane Krueger) @caylaoc (Sienna Miller) @bostonstylista (Kate Moss) for sharing their favorites via Twitter! See all of their icons' pictures, as well as suggestions from other Bostonistas below!

-Brianne

Color me happy... and tranquil, and tropical!

"Pantone is pleased to announce PANTONE 15-5519 Turquoise, an inviting, luminous hue, as the Color of the Year for 2010. Combining the serene qualities of blue and the invigorating aspects of green, Turquoise inspires thoughts of soothing, tropical waters and a comforting escape from the everyday troubles of the world, while at the same time restoring our sense of wellbeing." -Pantone, LLC.

Each year Pantone, the world renowned authority on all things color, announces one hue deemed "the color of the year." This past December, turquoise (15-5519) was named the 2010 Color of the Year. Evoking positive thoughts and appealing to both men and women, turquoise has become a popular color in both fashion and in the home. On mixing and matching with other tones, the Pantone website notes that, "Turquoise adds a splash of excitement to neutrals and browns, complements reds and pinks, creates a classic maritime look with deep blues, livens up all other greens, and is especially trend-setting with yellow-greens."

This season, turquoise and corals are taking the read-to-wear circuit at Crush by storm. Designers from Tracy Reese to Karen Zambos played up coral notes in their pieces, and contrasted this warm, alluring color with bits of bronze and turquoise.

For a strapless lighter coral like the Alice & Trixie "Dominique" dress, try a turquoise choker... but with the Karen Zambos "Cyia" dress, opt for dramatic drop earrings in that stunning shade of blue. For turquoise colored dresses like the French Connection "Olympic Frame" dress or the Alice + Olivia "Danny" dress, complete the look with coral studs and bangles... or stick simple with the jewelry, and go for the gold with a bright coral pump. With the Shoshanna "Shirred Strapless" dress, work in a pop of coral with a headband or clutch, for a look that's on trend, but impressively unassuming.

For a vintagey combinatin of these two colors, seee the Tracy Reese "Alix Beaded" dress or the Shoshanna "Beaded One-shoulder" in navy. Be it subtle or sassy, nothing screams vintage like a bold color combination in a sophisticated cut and rich fabric.

As March prepares to, hopefully, go out like a lamb... here's to hoping that Spring will be all we've hoped for: the perfect combination of feminine frills and nuevo nautical pieces  in on-trend palates surrounding 15-5519.


<3
Brianne

A girl’s guide to my new favorite phenomenon: Karen Zambos Vintage Couture

Karen Zambos Vintage Couture has gone from Crush newcomer to Beacon Hill closet staple in a matter of weeks. I recently had the opportunity to meet Karen herself at a buying show in New York. If ever I’ve met someone whose creative artistry is truly self-expressive, it’s this woman. I’ll be blunt: she’s so cool.

I sound like a sixth grader who just met her favorite teenie-bopper pop star, but since her continuing to produce stunning dresses and separates directly impacts my day-to-day life… I’m willing to push on with my starstruckness.

Just a few short weeks ago her line debuted at Crush—after after months of anticipation, mind you; the six+ month lead time on buying is soooo hard when you’re impatient— with a slinky T-back black silk “Richie” dress with gold embroidery detail, a sweet 1940s-esqu “Plaid Project” A-line, and her signature burn-out tank (this version featuring necklace like chains).

Then, on Wednesday, Karen’s most recent delivery made Rebecca, Kara and I weak in the knees. Since I wasn’t actually working, I quickly grabbed a size in each piece and headed for the fitting room. The “Renee” top in watermelon has one of the best fits I’ve ever seen in a silk top, and stands out with a [very] deep v-back and chain detail. It’s just long enough to fall around your hips, rather than above or below them, which is vital in a backless top.

I’m never sure how batwings and narrowly cut hips will fall on my body type… but, and I’m not apologizing for how vain this may sound, my hips looked GREAT. I can report with confidence that donning the “Cyia” dress is how most of you will spend y our summer. Emitting a feel that’s very Charlie’s Angels meets Kate Hudson, it’s the perfect follow-up cocktail piece to the Richie dress from our first delivery.

And finally, there’s the “Jessica” dress. Metallic linen with un-obstructive ruffle detail makes for a piece that’s elegantly trendy in a way that Coco Chanel and Oleg Cassini would appreciate. In fact, it’s what I imagine Jackie Kennedy would wear to have tea with Michelle Obama on the White House lawn. Since that’s not likely to happen though, I’d suggest pairing it with red or hot pink open-toe pumps for a summer wedding.

Yes, ladies, Karen Zambos Vintage Couture is sure to be decorating the racks at CB for years to come.


<3Brianne

Last Call: A Sale for Wardrobe Construction

Mark Twain, a pretty dapper dresser as I've heard, once said, "Clothes make the man.Naked people have little or no influence on society." Twain had no idea that in the twenty-first century, less would sometimes be more and that we'd spend a great deal of time begging our favorite pop stars to cover up, but he had a point. Anyone can be naked, anyone can just throw something on... but to make a mark on society, self expression is key, and there is no better time to build a wardrobe than during a sale.

Starting today, for our last weekend of Winter Sale, select items have been increased from 50% to 70% off. Pieces that were already significantly marked down have had their prices slashed even lower, and our sale section is bursting with beautiful goods. Succeeding at sale shopping can be a challenge though, especially on weekends when everyone and their brother is pulling at hangers. You've got to be tough, and you've got to have an idea of what you're doing before you head in.

When shopping a sale rack you want to do three things. First, ignore the size. If it looks like it might fit, try it on. Many a cocktail dress has gone to the sale rack because one letter or number caused it to be ignored. Next, consider the items your closet is lacking. Are you in short supply of silk tops? Is it your work wardrobe that needs some help? Essentials are different for everyone. If you entertain a lot, keep your eyes open for unique cocktail pieces. Likewise, if you wear a cardigan everyday, scoop up some beaded or embroidered pieces sweaters that stand out. Finally, don't be discouraged. If you're not finding anything, ask the sales staff. If anyone knows what gems lie amongst the crazed Saturday sale shoppers, it's the sales staff. For instance: if you're a Size 8 in need of cardigans and work tops, I've got a precious 525 America beaded cardigan and a silk Parker blouse in mind. Size 2, seeking cocktail dresses and basic tanks? There's a stunning velvet and wool Ali Ro dress (for less than $150!) and an array of basic tees and tanks on sale for $40 and under.

So while I'm on a roll, allow me to share in pictures some of my favorite "Last Call" sales pieces.

Happy Shopping!

Brianne