one of the guys

one of the guys by fashionparadegirl featuring h&m jackets

As if towels and pillowcases weren't enough to label as his and her. Time to start labeling your wardrobe! In the last few months, menswear inspired women's clothing has been quite the buzz. Here's a round up of the top 5 guy style items (on ladies, that is) I have repeatedly spotted all over town:

1. motorcycle jacket- Pairing a moto jacket with a feminine top is the way to go.
spotted: H&M, Banana Republic

2. plaid shirt- Plaid seems to be one of those timeless trends that doesn't ever completely go away.
spotted: Old Navy, J. Crew

3. oversized watch- I currently have a personal obsession for this!
spotted: Michele, Michael Kors, Nixon

4. loafers- Think of your classic Hugh Hefner smoking flats. Yep- those are cool.
spotted: Steve Madden, Sam Edelman

5. pinstripe trousers- Chic, tailored and confident. A guy's girl for sure.
spotted: J. Crew, BCBGeneration

Love my chucks!

hair fix

It's happened to most of us at some point in time: You walk into a salon desperate for a trim, and walk out with a disappointed haircut gone too short. For the last couple of weeks, I have been moping around, missing my long tresses, and most of all- anxiously awaiting the short layers around my face to grow out. In the interim, the following two quick fix hairdos are my best buddies.

high bun 

Slick hair back into a tight ponytail and wrap into a bun.
Use bobby pins to secure any short flyaway layers.
Optional: end with a comfortable headband to keep all strands in place.

Jessica Alba

pompadour pony tail

The 2012 Grammy Awards red carpet looks gave even more credibiluty to this 1950's hair reinvention (men and women rocked the pouf!).
Separate top front section of hair.
Backcomb the crown with a soft bristle comb and smooth over with the separated hair.
Slick the sides with some pomade or gel.
Pull hair into ponytail.
Use bobby pins to secure the ends down at your ponytail to create a pomp.
Hairspray.

Amaia Salamanca

2012 Grammy Awards pompadours
Kate Beckinsale, Katy Perry, Alicia Keys

What are some of your favorite quick fix hair tips?

chanel trunk show

As New York Fashion Week kicked off today, I only hoped to experience that fabulousness of fashion chaos someday. On the other hand, walking into a local Chanel trunk show made my day! What a treat--the fresh Spring-Summer 2012 looks straight off the Paris runway to see, touch, and die for... first hand. 

While spring's color trend (primarily the sorbet hues) appeared on many handbags, the ice-goddess-metallic look fashioned on the runway dominated the collection. 

Love the rose gold hardware!

Check out the silver metalics on each handbag. The model on the left is holding a mini bag with silver sequins beaded on lambskin. Now that's Chanel.

What captured my attention right away with it's navy and slate leather, cognac accent, 

and gunmetal hardware-- the Country Chic Bag. Absolutely love.

Country Chic Bag

fancy pants

Sometimes I wonder if the fashion industry deliberately introduces quite unflattering ideas just to see if we cave in and follow along. Unless you live on the fashion runway or in an Anthropologie catalog, loud bold and rather gaudy patterns may not be your thing. So, after major contemplation and careful consideration I have now made the leap into the world of (drumroll, please)... printed pants.

*Note to self: purchase and flaunt what flatters your body type and sense of style.

printed pants created by fashionparadegirl via polyvore

winter white

winter white created by fashionparadegirl featuring ivory coats

Let's face it. We, Californians, don't really know what winter is all about. Sunny and 70 degree weather in the end of January? More reason to celebrate white! All the outdated rules of "no white before memorial day or after labor day" remain unfashionable this season, even if you're really in the cold.

1. Knitted Dove
2. Burberry
3. Michael Kors
4. J. Crew
5. Theory

I may not have my ivory coat lined up for the season, but my little daughter is all set to rock her style.

Janie and Jack (via one of her most stylish aunts)

forever 21 and over

How many times have you blurted out one of the following replies when a stranger or not-so-close friend inquired about where an article of clothing you were wearing was purchased?

"I can't remember. I got it a long time ago."
"It's actually not mine...just borrowing it."
"It was a gift."

That's code for Forever 21. If you are reading this post, chances are you are probably over twenty-one. I sure am. So when is it a little too over 21 for a girl to shop at Forever 21? Never, really. It's what you choose that makes a difference (age appropriate, please).  Here's a roundup of three of my favorite categories to shop for at my local store:

1. bold solids
Solids are great for layering. Bold hues bring out the personality in any outfit. And who isn't into color blocking right now anyway?

Pair with: Navy linen blazer, camel wedges, stacked bangles, tote.

2. jewelry
Low investment trend add-ons. 

Add a touch of bohemian, victorian, or goth to any outfit.

3. stripes
Always in style, and never age discriminates.

Pair with indigo skinnies, gold belt, white tank, and sandals

Stay young, my friends.

feathers and tweed, yes indeed!

feather and tweed by fashionparadegirl featuring crossbody handbags

The 1920's fashion re-intro of feather and tweed is just so lady-ish and artsy. Above are some staple (and not so staple) items to help flaunt this style.

skirt- Lanvin
blouse- Oscar de la Renta
shoes- Vince Camuto
handbag- Malene Birger
ring- Roberto Cavalli
tights- Malene Birger
jacket- Revillon
clip- Dorothy Perkins
sunglasses- Tom Ford

Being a celebrity junkie and noticing the hair accessories (headbands!) from the 2012 Golden Globes last night,  I am quite content with my contribution to the trend:

Nordstrom: Tasha Headband