Sugar Plums and Winter Berries

It's no secret that we here at Ruby Mines love the color red and all its similar-hued friends, its the perfect way to make the holidays a little brighter and keep your winter wardrobe vibrant. 

Tanya Mityushina by Rony Shram for Hamptons Magazine

Coco Rocha for Elle Quebec May 2011 by Nelson Simoneau

Anouck Lepere by Asa Tallgard in Gucci for Elle Russia November 2011

Jacquelyn Jablonski  in J.Ccrew

Nina Ricci Fall 2011 RTW 

Mila Krasnoiarova by Louis Christopher for Elle Vietnam August 2011

L'wren Scott Fall 2011 RTW

Cold Play Lucky Magazine October 2011

Anna Jagodzinska for Le Château Fall 2011 Campaign by Max Abadian

Drew Barrymore for Neiman Marcus “Art of Fashion” Campaign by Norman Jean Roy 

Hailey Clauson Zara TRF Fall 2011 Campaign

Anthropologie Pleats Abounding Tank and Maxi w Paired with Starshine Bolero

Marc Jacobs Rose Guipure Lace Dress

Emilia Nawarecka by Marcin Tyszka for Glamour Poland October 2011 

Leticia Lamb by Jason Mickle for Elle Mexico

Ksenia v Zhang Elle Singapore July 2011

Oscar de la Renta Fall 2011 RTW 

Svetlana Kuznetsova by Frauke Fischer for Fashion Gone Rogue

Bottega Veneta Fall 2011 Campaign Isabeli Fontana by Robert Polidori

Antonio Marras Fall 2011 RTW 

Anthropologie Gracia Dress

Anja RubikVogue Paris May 2011

Irina Shayk by Santiago Esteban for Elle Spain December 2011

Red is of course, gorgeous head to toe, but what I love most about these looks is that many are layered separates which allow you to mix and match various shades of reds and plums and the colors they play well with like neutrals, teal, mauve, or black, while enjoying the extra warmth of layers!

My favorite look right now is layering berries and violets with each other for a super rich look. If that look is too strong for you you can break up the reds and plums with lighter tones such as pinks, rosey-tones, lilacs and mauves.

Another striking look I'm looking forward to trying is layering these rich berry shades with a similar-hued shoe and then balancing the look with a neutral piece like a cardigan or a faux fur vest like the first photo or a short trench similar to the mauve piece Coco Rocha is wearing in the second.

If you usually don't wear vibrant colors like red - layering is a great way to safely introduce color without stepping too far out your comfort zone with a head to toe red look.

Either way, you can't loose; red is scientifically proven to be the most head-turning color,
and you me- I never argue with science...
Have a wonderful wonderful holiday everyone!!

Photo of the Day: Marc Jacobs Stripped Dress

I can only think of a few people on this Earth who can make stripes look so glamorous and Marc Jacobs is definitely one of them - making this editorial shot of Laura Blokhina by Sigurd Grunberger for Elle Denmark May 2011 our photo of the day.

 

Have a lovely day everyone!

And It Was All Yellow..

There really is no color quite like yellow. Wearing yellow is like saying to the world, "Today, I am happy." And since today is making out to be a sunny, happy day from where I sit, here are some lovely sunny yellow pieces that are sure to make your day a little happier!

Missy Rayder by Santiago Esteban for Elle Spain February 2011

J.Crew March Catalog- Gorgeous carefree feminine hair blouse and shoes

Marc Jacobs Silk Crepe de Chine Top

Paul and Joe Spring 2011 RTW

Lela Rose Wrap Effect Silk and Tulle Dress

 

L'Wren Scott Spring 2011 RTW 

Nina Ricci Spring 2011 RTW

 

Eva Mendes in a gorgeous yellow gown at the premiere of The Spirit

Marc Jacobs Cotton Voile Floral Print Dress

Gorgeous Retro feminine styling - J.Crew February Catalog

Jason Wu Spring 2011 RTW

Arizona Muse in D&G  Dazed & Confused March 2011

 

Giambattista Valli Spring 201 RTW 

 

Christian Dior Spring 2011 RTW 

Victoire Mac-Dauxerre by Benny Horne for Wonderland

 

Victoire Mac-Dauxerre in D&G by Benny Horne for Wonderland

Have a sunny lovely day everyone!

Spring's Full Skirts

Spring is upon us and what better way to encourage its early arrival than by wearing lovely full and mid-length (midi) skirts. They are a "trend" this year, but I really wasn't aware that such a universally flattering and feminine cut was ever 100% out. Here are some lovely inspiring photos full of great full skirt styling ideas, and a few pieces available now. and don't worry if its still to cold; pairing a sweater with a full midi skirt is perfect for chilly early spring days. :)

Wiola Kowal by Tamer Yilmaz for Marie Claire Turkey December 2010 

Atmosfere Neorealiste -Elisa Sednaoui for Marie Claire Italia May 2009

Josefine by Brooke Coffey in These Days for Fashion Gone Rogue 

Mary Kate Steinmiller (Teen Vogue marketing director)  by Hanneli Mustaparta  

Anthropologie Decade by Decade Skirt - $128

Jessica Alba in a gorgeous full skirt at a Revlon event

Carolina Herrera Bird Jacquard Full Skirt

Karen Walker spring 2011 RTW 

MARC BY MARC JACOBS Bella Striped High-Waisted Skirt - $498

If you need more inspiration check out Krystal at This Time Tomorrow full /mid-length skirt looks HERE and HERE - she does an incredible job  creating 2 lovely looks: one polished one feminine, both seemingly effortless!

Also check out THIS gorgeous full skirt at Stockholm Street Style and Stingy Style's incredible 1940's collegiate style outfit HERE using a Land's End Full skirt.

Have a lovely day everyone!

Fall Sweaters: Styling, Inspiration, Tips, and Picks

Sweaters are the one thing I am truly picky about. I love them so but I think its important to keep in mind that a sweater should not just be warm but be just as flattering and fitted as any other piece of clothing you own. Some sweaters can be so adorable on the hanger but that doesn't guarentee a great fit. Consider the fit and how flattering the piece is before you purchase it and once you get home, start thinking about how to style your sweater. Here are some of my favorite fall sweaters and including some styling inspirations, themes and pieces I'll be purchasing.

Guinevere van Seenus in Marc Jacobs- Vogue UK September 2010

Styling: pair sweaters with skirts this season. Try a runway inspired retro updo. Pair with a belt if sweater is not fitted enough.

Marie Claire September 2009

Louis Vuitton Sweater (Glamour Magazine November 2010: Clothes for Cool girls)
Styling: strong eye makeup & thin belt keep the chunky sweater young & fashion forward not frumpy.

Louis Vuitton Fall 2010 Runway:

Styling: More sweaters with skirts, groomed pony tail, bow pumps.

Kate Beckinsale Line's Crochet Loop Cardigan
Styling: Chunky bracelets, dark red nail polish

Vogue Knitting - Spring Summer 2010 - Gorgeous isn't it? -you can buy the issue with all the instructions and make your very own shawl HERE.

Rashida Jones -Lucky November 2010 -Season of Sweaters:

Styling: Romantic oversized sweater with delicate necklace and rich lips.

Robbi and Nikki Sequin-Sleeve Cardigan

Clare Tough Sequin Shoulder wool Cardigan

On to the Nordic/ Fair Isle Sweater: This Forever 21 Cozy Sweater Cardigan is a steal

Styling: looks fresh when paired with a colorful berry lips and a white tee.

Megan Fox in an Aritzia Sweater Cardigan

Styling: White tee, aviators, soft waves.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Fairisle Sequin Sweater

This sweater's shimmery take on fair isle moved it to the top of my wishlist.

 Zara Sweater - Pair this perfect basic with a midcalf skirt, rolled cuff cropped pants, or jeans.

Sasha Pivovarova - Vogue Paris November 2010

Styling: Silk Paisely scarf  (wear in your hair) with long drop /dangle earrings. Silk scarf creates nice constrast in textures but is similar color of sweater.

J.Crew Nov Catalog
Styling: Add a statement necklace and some bright lips and nails to step up any basic sweater

ASOS Bobble Stitch Jumper

This is my go-to Louis Vuitton inspired sweater. Not quite cropped, this short sweter is the perfect length to wear with skirts.

Louis Vuitton Fall Runway 2010

Scarlett Johansen in Mango Sweater
Styling: voluminous hair countering the bulkiness of the sweater, and smudged eye makeup.

My last pick: J.Crew  Merino and mohair shawl-collar cardigan

 J.Crew has great styling ideas for sweaters in their November Catalog. You can view it HERE.

So when it comes to styling your sweaters take time to do some styling. Consider your:

• Hair: make it glamourously voluminous or in an updo to counter bulky sweater, take time with your pony tail for the louis vuitton look, or make it wavy and feminine for nordic / fair isle
• Lips: any shock of color: rich berry for romantic looks, plums and reds look fantastic with grey, and red in general brightens any look (if you can't find a good red lipstick try NARS matte lip pencils)
• Nails: try some berrys, plums, and reds
• Eyes: smudged eyes, and liquid eyeliner can add sophistication to a sweater, making it more than essentially a blanket with sleeves. ;)
• Jewelry: pile on bracelets if you want to add some edge to your look. Try a statement necklace for a quick look upgrade, try pairing with interesting drop and dangle earrings.
• Fit: If you have a sweater that doesn't fit quite the way you like, add a thin belt or a satin ribbon.

That's all for now! Have a lovely day :)