How to: VMA nail trend

Nail trends have been blowing up the last year. What has been a way to give constant color has now changed into a fashion accessory all on its own.

Actresses at the VMAs on Sunday gave popularity to one nail trend that you will undoubtedly live in the rest of 2014: the striped nail.

For those of us who are working professionals, this nail style is great because it allows you to be fashionable while losing none of your sophisticated edge. Fashion movements have to be carefully translated in business attire settings. But this one lets your creativity run free! (Given you decide on appropriate colors for your office.)

Just think of pinstripe pants...but for your nails!

In general striped nails offer tons of versatility and options. The type of stripe, amount of stripes and pairings are limitless. Especially with the colorful focus this fall has, you will have lots of color options.

Striped nails do sound intimidating. I don't know about you, but I can't draw a straight line to save my life.

Thankfully some people are skilled at this and post videos to give us less artistic ones a way to rock this without having to constantly spend money at the nearest nail salon.

These are the best videos I found. The directions do not take too much money or time. I will be trying the techniques with fall colors and posting pictures this weekend so we can all see how effective these options really are.

If you try these out, let me know how it goes! (The second video shows the stripe technique until 1:19.)

Find Friday: the perfect maxi dress

This Find Friday I am focusing on the last amazing piece I bought recently at Francesca's.

I was instantly drawn to this dress. At first glance it seems simple. However, the textured fabric and beaded waist add a quiet interest. This is the kind of piece that draws people in. The more you look at it, the more you like it. The beads also create a great silhouette.

Dresses like this last a long time. The fabric is thin enough for summer, but thick enough to keep you warm in fall.

I got this dress 40 percent off at $32.40. For a maxi dress that will last a couple years? That's a great value!




Style tip
Try this with a textured blazer, bulky white jewelry and knee high boots.

Trend Alert: The guide to fall fashion part 2

As you have all read part 1 (this link is a chance to redeem yourself if you haven't), I will just get into it. These are the other four fall trends, according to Style, to be watching out for.

Trend 4: Puzzling prints

Subtly is out this season. Prints are loud, intriguing and eye-catching. Designers carefully created pieces that look crazy and put together.

This outfit is not a quiet ensemble. It's loud and people will notice you. However, the ways the print flows and the simplicity close to the face make it work.

Prints are also being combined. This takes careful consideration and planning. Creating a pleasing outfit out of contrasting prints is not for everybody and this study shows that too much contrast is bad. Nonetheless, the idea is still something to experiment with. If you are going for contrasting prints, try using the same color palettes.

Trend 5: "The New Normal"

The whole idea of this style is to "stand out by blending in". Designers take fashion staples and add a little different touch. The effect is vast amounts of interest and curiosity.

 Look for staple pieces that stand out in some small way and pair them together. On those days when you don't feel like wearing a distinct print, you don't have to feel left out from fashion.

Trend 6: What goes around comes around

Fashion is cyclical. What was fashionable a couple decades ago will inevitably be trending again in some form or other. This fall we are entering back into the '60s. "Dolly bird dresses" and '60s shoe wear are no longer a thing of the past. This is not a bad thing though. The below dress, for instance, is adorable.

Trend 7: The sheer



Following the summer trend of crop and translucent tops, fall—ironically—means dresses that show more skin. Designers re-invented the evening dress with sheer fabric. The dresses are made with translucent textiles that cover only certain parts of the body.


Some pieces show things tastefully. Others are more outgoing. Make sure to try on a dress like this before buying it. No one wants to show up to a formal event practically naked. If you love the dress and it's too sheer, try some layering!

This could bring a whole new meaning to the word layering. I am excited for that!

Find Friday: love that lace!

Yay for Find Friday! This week I am unveiling this lovely pair of shorts I found at Francesca's, a store my good friend recently introduced me to.

Right on trend, these shorts have a silk, nude underlay that is covered with sparkly lace. Lace is nothing new. However, the composition of these shorts is very unique. It is not often you see lace with this sparkle. The really awesome part—the neutral color will keep these in style for a couple years.

Francesca's priced them at $38.00. For a quality, full lace garment this is a reasonable amount.

I let the shorts shine when I wear them. A plain tank top, jean jacket and some cute flats create a simple and fashion-forward outfit.

Trend Alert: The guide to fall fashion part 1

Whether we like it or not, it's August. The summer is almost over and fall is creeping up. What’s good about this? Time to go shopping!

With a new season, come new trends. Fall 2014 designs are exciting and really fun!

Trend 1: The fuzziest

The first trend is fur. Designers use the fur as mostly accents on unique and fashionable jackets. The pieces are coordinated with the expected pants, but also more soft clothing that gives a fall outfit a real punch.

The below outfit is a great example. The jacket is over a soft, summery dress. This is a great way to play up the idea of summer finishing and winter coming.

Fur vests are trending as well. The key to this kind of vest is to it in a neutral color and wear it boldly.

Trend 2: "Color Therapy"

 This season is going to be so exciting for colors! Vibrant and deep hues will be everywhere; yellows, purples, pinks, blues. Instead of going for your typical orange, go for a bright green.
While these colors will be vivid, they are different than summer in that the tones are heavily saturated. There are no pastels or very light colors in the mix. If you want a pink, you are going to get a pink.

Perhaps the most exciting idea of this is that the colors are intended to be paired together. It's your classic color-blocking, but using no neutrals.

This look is exactly the trend. Both colors are bright, but the contrast and excitement in that works very well. Obviously every outfit won't be this kind of combination, but several can be.

Trend 3: Nothing but knits

Knits this year are not just about wearing a sweater. When you are wear knit, you will really wear knit. Like this picture below, the trend is to literally cover yourself from head to toe. 

The idea sounds overwhelming. However, the key to being fashionable with this is to really think about your execution. In this outfit, the knits are different patterns and have other fabrics peeking through. The extra volume, play on patterns and visually appealing texture make this outfit approachable.

Check out Nordstrom for some knits.

Watch out for more trends coming up next week!