Vintage Love

I've had several vintage posts lately on my personal blog (read more HERE) and I thought I would put an outfit together to show how I mix my old with new. I fell in love with this skirt at one of the vintage markets I went to last fall. It was $10. Amazing right? Everyone thought I was crazy when I told them I was going to take this extremely dressy skirt and pair it with a white tank (white v-neck pocket tee looks cute too!). I'm pretty happy with how it all turned out. 

 Skirt: Vintage Emmanuelle Khanh Paris. Purse: LV, Necklace: Vintage Ralph Lauren. Jacket: F21 (similar HERE),  Tank: F21. Bracelets: Anthro, vintage, F21. Shoes: ELLE, Kohl's (similar HERE). Watch: Marc by Marc Jacobs. Ring: La Vie Parisienne @Tres Belle Boutique. Nail Polish: Color Club, Age of Aquarius

Photos done beautifully by Molly Kreeger Photography {Love!}

See more posts by Fashionista-Brit on her blog Belle époque.

Brittany Hayes is a Milwaukee area Stylist that studied Fashion Merchandising at Northern Illinois University. Her attention to detail and creative eye can turn any outfit into a masterpiece. Brittany is a featured fashion contributor for @MilwaukeeMamas and @tresbelleboutique

Chambray and Mint

OK, I look like I'm obsessed with mint...and I admit, I might be. I have been on a bit of an obsessive buying streak for the last few weeks and since I didn't have any mint, I needed to invest, among other things. At least this is the story I'm sticking to as I'm pretty sure I'm still hiding two bags from yesterday that the hubby doesn't know about :)  I feel like my inventory levels are good, for now.

We had an amazing weekend in the midwest and I enjoyed a fantastic girls day in Chicago shopping, pedicures, and dinner at RPM. No G&B Rancic sitings, but we will be back, the food was amazing! After a day of getting my blonde back at the spa, here's the first of a few outfits I shot with the amazing Molly Kreeger @ Molly Kreeger Photography yesterday in my charming Milwaukee neighborhood. Enjoy :)

Dress: F21. Chambray top: F21 (similar HERE) Handbag: LV. Bracelets: Anthro, Vintage, H&M. Rings: Clara Beau. Watch: Marc by Marc Jacobs. Shoes: ELLE, Kohl's (similar HERE), Necklace: Resin Locket (similar HERE). Polish: Color Club, Age of Aquarious

See more posts by Fashionista-Brit on her blog Belle époque.

Brittany Hayes is a Milwaukee area Stylist that studied Fashion Merchandising at Northern Illinois University. Her attention to detail and creative eye can turn any outfit into a masterpiece. Brittany is a featured fashion contributor for @MilwaukeeMamas and @tresbelleboutique

Like a French girl: The Trench

The trench coat is a classic piece and a must have staple in every French girls wardrobe. Previously only seen in neutral colors, now it can be purchased in almost every color under the sun. When it comes to trench coats, you can't go wrong with a simple khaki color. Burberry hasn't been selling them for years because they aren't a wardrobe staple. 

{Photo credit Burberry}

How to wear a trench: A trench can be worn with just about anything. Dressed up or down. I wear mine with almost everything, with the exception of a long dress. A trench coat pairs perfectly with the little black dress out for dinner...

{Photo credit Daily Mail UK}

Or with a basic t-shirt and jeans. 

{Photo Credit happenstanceca.blogspot.com}

There are a few different ways to wear your trench.  Remember to never tie the belt as you are suppose to if you want to be a part of the fashion crowd. ;)  

{Photo Credit trenchcoatsforwomen.org}

To make it easy, I've found a great little video of 4 ways to wear your trench. Watch, be inspired, shop, enjoy! 

Be sure to check out our adorable trench from Darling at Tres Belle Boutique. 

See more posts by Fashionista-Brit on her blog Belle époque.

Brittany Hayes is a Milwaukee area Stylist that studied Fashion Merchandising at Northern Illinois University. Her attention to detail and creative eye can turn any outfit into a masterpiece. Brittany is a featured fashion contributor for @MilwaukeeMamas and @tresbelleboutique

Black and Blue

Happy Monday! I had a fabulous time at the Charles James Exhibit this Saturday in Chicago with PussANDBoots. Here was my little ensemble I put together out of some "Vintage" Tres Belle Boutique items (blazer and ruffle shirt) and some new additions to my wardrobe to enjoy my Windy City visit. 

Blazer:  Gentle Fawn, Ruffle Top: Kensie, Pants: Loft, Shoes: LC Lauren Conrad

Purse:  Mon Monogram LV Speedy 35

Bracelet: Marc by Marc Jacobs

Sunglasses:  Rayban

See more posts by Fashionista-Brit on her blog Belle époque.

Brittany Hayes is a Milwaukee area Stylist that studied Fashion Merchandising at Northern Illinois University. Her attention to detail and creative eye can turn any outfit into a masterpiece. Brittany is a featured fashion contributor for @MilwaukeeMamas and @tresbelleboutique

Spring Trends: Getting Prints into Your Wardrobe

One of the hottest trends off the Spring Runways is prints and they are EVERYWHERE. Prints are very easy to incorporate into your existing wardrobe.

{Photo Credit ELLE Tumblr Fashion Blog}

One of the easiest ways to add print to your wardrobe is with a printed scarf. Art Deco and florals are the most new this season, layer these back with a plan short sleeve v-neck tee, jeans, and flats and you will be tres chic!

Be sure to check out our Scarf it Up! post to learn some of the fun ways to wear your new printed scarf.

Printed Scarfs by brittany-diedrich-hayes featuring a silk shawl

Printed Tops layer easily back to colored bottoms and jeans. Remember that the print should be the statement of the outfit, make sure you down play the rest of your outfit items so we don't see you on the next "What Not to Wear" :)

{Photo Credit FABSUGAR}

Another easy investment is printed shoes. These will layer back with jeans especially skinny jeans (regular and ankle length). Find a color in the floral and find a solid top in your wardrobe that layers back to it. Since they are far apart when you are wearing them, they won't look super "matchy, matchy".

Printed Shoes by brittany-diedrich-hayes featuring floral boots

If you really want to embrace the new print trend, invest in a pair of printed bottoms. If you want them to last into next season buy pastel ones (hint hint Spring 2013 trend!) Printed bottoms are not necessarily for everyone and are NOT the easiest to wear. These might be the item you try on and convince yourself that only skinny girls or models can wear, and you might be right...

See more posts by Fashionista-Brit on her blog Belle époque.

Brittany Hayes is a Milwaukee area Stylist that studied Fashion Merchandising at Northern Illinois University. Her attention to detail and creative eye can turn any outfit into a masterpiece. Brittany is a featured fashion contributor for @MilwaukeeMamas and @tresbelleboutique

Wear it yourself: Colored Bottoms

Colored bottoms are EVERYWHERE. I've blogged about it before, but thought I would post a picture of my outfit today for work (I know I definitely push "business casual" to the limits, but they leave us alone in Product Development because we are the "creative" ones). 

Remember to pair your colored bottoms with neutral shades. Below I've paired my mint green bottoms with a nude burn out with white lace tank and a light chambray shirt over. Pair with heels or flats, layered jewelry and you are ready to go. :)

Burnout/Lace Tank: Blue Pepper $39- Tres Belle Boutique, 

Bottoms: LC Lauren Conrad $60 - Kohls

Chambray top: Forever 21 $19.90

Gold butterfly necklace w/ Dec. birthstone drop Magnolia metal 

Jewel Kade necklace 

Mint/Rhinestone necklace - Tres Belle Boutique

Shoes: LC Lauren Conrad - Kohl's (Sold out online, but still in stores)

Re-mixing my jewelry from this post :)

Love my Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme wear polish in Coral Reef

Marc by Marc Jacobs Rose Gold Watch 

Dog: Not for sale :) But she sure does look cute with the outfit!

See more posts by Fashionista-Brit on her blog Belle époque.

Brittany Hayes is a Milwaukee area Stylist that studied Fashion Merchandising at Northern Illinois University. Her attention to detail and creative eye can turn any outfit into a masterpiece. Brittany is a featured fashion contributor for @MilwaukeeMamas and @tresbelleboutique

Contest: The Closet Challenge

Remember the scene in the first Sex and the City movie when they show her new closet? I want that. As a lover of fashion I respect a great closet.

We live in a small, 3 bedroom, 1941 house right outside of Milwaukee...as you can imagine, the closet space sucks. Since it's just me and my husband, I negotiated a bedroom for a closet :) Like a true Fashionista, I need my space to be creative. Much to my husband's dislike, this room is usually a hot mess with clothes and jewelry everywhere from where I spent the morning in a frantic rush trying to create my perfect look of the day. It's my space, and I love it. 

My closet <3

Of course I dream of this....

And these....

OK, you get the point, on to the contest. :)

Up for grabs: A $50 Gift Certificate to Tres Belle Boutique. This can be used at the store in Lake Geneva, WI or online. 

How to enter: Post a picture of your closet (no worries, it doesn't have to look like these, it can be a mess for all I care!!-Mine is!) to Belle époque's Facebook page. 

In one to two sentences caption the picture with why you deserve the $50 gift certificate. 

For example: For every new piece of clothing I buy, I will donate 2. 

Or...

I'm a mother of 3 kids...all girls!

**You need a minimum of 10 "likes" to be eligible to win and the person with the most "likes" by Wednesday, April 18th wins the $50 Gift Certificate. **

So what are you waiting for? Run to your closet, get your picture and start getting your Facebook friends to vote! 

See more posts by Fashionista-Brit on her blog Belle époque.

Brittany Hayes is a Milwaukee area Stylist that studied Fashion Merchandising at Northern Illinois University. Her attention to detail and creative eye can turn any outfit into a masterpiece. Brittany is a featured fashion contributor for @MilwaukeeMamas and @tresbelleboutiquewww.tresbelleboutique.net

{Photo credits: Fashionista Brit's Closet, houzz.com, theberry.com}

Like a French Girl: Perfume

{Fragonard Factory, Eze, France}

No French woman is complete without her signature scent. Did you know the most French women have a "day" perfume and an "evening" perfume? A French women's scent is her calling card, so it's important when picking your perfume that you make sure it's something that you love and really speaks to who you are.

Don’t over spray-- just a hint on the right side of your neck and on your left wrist is enough. Spray the perfume in the air and walk into it if you must. Your signature scent should never be overpowering, just delicate enough to stir up faint emotions in whoever is lucky enough to greet you. {foreignIQ}

Be sure to stop into Tres Belle and check out our scents from Fragonard, Tokyo Milk, Lollia, and Lothantique to get your scent today! 

See more posts by Fashionista-Brit on her blog Belle époque.

Brittany Hayes is a Milwaukee area Stylist that studied Fashion Merchandising at Northern Illinois University. Her attention to detail and creative eye can turn any outfit into a masterpiece. Brittany is a featured fashion contributor for @MilwaukeeMamas and @tresbelleboutique