Blog - Sharon Haver - FocusOnStyle.com

My Super Expensive Gift Guide: If Money Was Not An Option Kinda Luxury Chic

Alexander McQueen Embroidered silk-tulle off-the-shoulder gown $16,830

Need not, want more.. Since I hand-picked the Cute, Fun & Cheap Chic Holiday Gifts $50 and Under earlier, I thought it would be fun to SPIN the tables, to create the total #dreamlist in this Super Expensive Gift Guide. IF, money was not an option and all our bills and charitable endeavors were covered, of course.... whoosh, that make my woo woo woozy at the thought. Starting from the photo at the top, there's the Alexander McQueen Embroidered silk-tulle off-the-shoulder gown at $16,830. A little busy, yes, But the workmanship is to die for. Ah, luxury. I'm sure the Gucci New Jackie Crocodile Shoulder Bag at $35,000 would be a go-to favorite for years to come. I've been admiring rings like the Tiffany Fancy Intense Yellow Diamond

Stylish Holiday Gift Guide that doesn't break the bank.... I had so much FUN hand-selecting these cute & cheap chic gifts under $50 for our holiday gift guide. REALLY, I did. I want them all.... There's something for everyone in our cheap chic holiday gifts guide... mom, teen, baby, pup, beau, you, and me. A gift should be something special, whimsical, and, perhaps, not something the receiver would ordinarily buy for themselves. BUT, no matter what, it should be memorable (in a good way) and useful in an unexpected, "how did I live without it" way. Take the C. Wonder Equstrian Print Pop Tote, pictured at top. A nifty & classy take on schlep bag to tote about time. Multi-Stone Statement Necklace

It just so happens that holiday colors are very in this season. So when it comes to holiday sweaters, it's very easy to step it up with easy elegance. Ruby red, emerald green and Chanukah blue (ok, that's cobalt blue) twist a modern yarn on hideous holiday sweaters reserved for Great Aunt Abigal and that fugly hipster who thinks they're cool. Just look at the gorgeous jewel tone colors from the Tory Burch trifecta of seasonal colors pictured above. I rest my case. Christmas patterned Sweater from ASOS is cute for the genre, but will you really wear it more than once? Well, once in a very short while, you can find a cute holiday sweater, like the ASOS Christmas

Alicia Keys arrives on a flight at the Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport with her son Egypt in Paris, France.

I'll Have What She's Having: A voluminous scarf and a menswear hat to effortlessly glam up the most basic outfit. It REALLY is that easy. Getting out of the house sometimes, can be an effort in itself. Particularly, on those down low, kick back (ha!), whirlwind of errands and mommydom days. Or maybe, just a work at home, no one sees me until, crap, I have to go out and look good kind of day. Now what? Oh yeah, for many of us this kind of day is far more realistic than a pair of stilettos and a slinky sheath. On the dressier side, it's almost by route, You pull a perfectly fitting dress off a hanger, add some gorgeous shoes. Off you

If a black tie optional event is mostly business men, can this reader dare to bare with a backless dress? Dear Sharon: I would sincerely appreciate your input on an issue I am having with a business black tie optional event. I am attending a "black tie optional" awards ceremony anddinner for a builders' association in Western NY (near Canada). My completely platonic date is my boss. The builders' association is pretty male dominated, but I'm sure most will bring their wives/girlfriends to this particular event. I have this gorgeous vintage Ann Taylor black suede dress that comes to just above the knee, has bracelet-length sleeves, and is backless almost to the waist but a little higher. I am dying to wear it! Would that be

We've all been amazed about the Princess worthiness of Kate Middleton's hair. The Duchess of Cambridge has a thick, long mane that puts our straggles to shame. Just on the offshoot, that you may have a gorgeous, thick head of covetable hair, we've got some quick hairstyle how's to achieve two of Kate Middleton's holiday hairstyles by way of Edward Tricomi, co-owner of Warren-Tricomi Salons. >>MORE: Hairstyle How-To'sThe first look for our Kate Middleton hair how to is the Updo, pictured above. What looks modern is the way it is brushed off her face in a regal, yet modern way. “This look is elegant, charming and surprisingly easy to achieve,” promises Tricomi. The healthy sheen keeps the style young, “Kate has mirror-like shine which makes her

cyber monday sale like goodies from tory burch

What's my favorite word? SALE, OF COURSE! Gift others. Gift yourself! Wouldn't you love a bunch of pretty boxes like these, pictured above, from Tory Burch? Well, start shopping, E-tailers want to make some coin these holiday season so the after Thanksgiving sales are going crazy . Many of what would be Cyber Monday fashion deals start NOW. So what are you waiting for? Our fingers hurt from all that clicking just to find you some of our top picks for weekend sales & Cyber Monday fashion deals. We've got the deal codes and percentages off, all in hand page, right here. ALICE + OLIVIA 11/22-11/26 – 20% off site wide – no code needed! ANDREW MARC 11/21-11/26 – up to 40%

I'll Have What She's Having: Black leather pants that look so right Yesterday, we talked about the ageless chic of a black leather motorcycle jacket, and today it's time to talk about your lower half. >>MORE: Leather Style There's an off-handedness that Italians have. They could be wearing the most extravagant item -- think a healthy dose of gold, a swath of fur, ornate embellishments, or in this case, black leather pants-- and throw it together in a manner that's effortless and molto elegante, and even casual in their own way. Never garish. Always fun. >>RELATED: When in Rome Black leather pants are one of the hottest trends this season, and we all know how tricky they can be. Let's look at

Kate Moss, Isabelle Hupert, Sarah Jessica Parker in black leather jackets

I'll Have What She's Having: A modern & global spin on a classic black leather jacket as an age-appropriate celebrity favorite Baby, it's leather weather! Not too hot, not too cold (yet) and just right for some hard core downtown motorcycle style done right, may it be city, casual, or dressy. From London, New York, to Cannes, we've got Kate Moss, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Isabelle Huppert sporting a black leather jacket in three ageless ways that will surely suit YOUR wardrobe. >>MORE: Leather Style When it comes to rocking it out whist still being both age-appropriate and ageless, please note that these ladies are in their LATE 30s, 40s, and 50s. Style doesn't have an expiration date when it looks right. Kate Moss in

Dear Sharon: I am overweight. Sometimes I wear blouses open with turtlenecks underneath. Can you wear a scarf with the open blouse and turtleneck? (C.M. via Fashion Advice) I'm not sure that I love the way you start out your question by announcing that you are overweight. Regardless of your size, we ALL need to make the most of what we've got which should come from a place of confidence and pride with our unique self. That said, what's with ALL the layers? When it comes to plus size layering, or layering clothing for any size, with rare exception, it is key to create a longer visual line with your clothing to look leaner, less bulky, and polished. The emphasis for

Vivid Colors Add Punch & Spunk To An Otherwise Neutral Palette Ok, here's some shopping advice, it's time to brighten up TV producers are surely rejoicing. The one-two color punch for resort is a bold mash-up of TV-friendly colors, so vivid and brilliant, that you may just want to adjust your settings... on your everyday wardrobe, that is. These clear and crisp colors are NOT unfriendly on your skin tone as last season's neons, but rich, intense, and crisp in a sophisticated and grown-up way. >> RELATED: Color Chic. How To Add Color To Your Life- Home, Fashion, and Beauty Tips The BEST part of this color trend is that it's not reserved to a specific shade that dates itself (think of

On The Road: Richard Nahem comes across a marvelous Paris shop full of gorgeous French designer goodies. They say the teacher learns from their students. In my case, it’s the Paris tour guide who learns from their clients. Over the years, my clients have shared many things I haven’t had prior knowledge of including: restaurants, historic facts, shopping, hotels, and other insider tidbits. Many have been great finds and very useful. >>MORE: Paris A lovely client from Louisiana and I hit it off like a house on fire last year when we did a Marais tour together. Since then, we have kept closely in touch by email. One of her emails highly recommended that that I visit her friend’s resale clothing and jewelry

Tahari Belted Portrait Collar Fit & Flare Dress

Dear Sharon: I'm wearing this holiday red shiny Tahari dress with an open portrait neckline to my husband's company Christmas party. I am wondering what shoes and jewelry to wear with it. Thanks! (H.E. via Fashion Advice) I've spent some time pondering if I should sugarcoat this or not, and I need to be both truthful to you and to my professional style aesthetics. I have to be honest here, I don't love the dress. It's a bit matronly in that it has that strange styling combination of simultaneously being both fussy and conservative with not much excitement in the cut-- it most definitely needs some styling work to tzuj it up! FYI: With the right styling, fab accessorizing, and a few nips & tucks,

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My Super Expensive Gift Guide: If Money Was Not An Option Kinda Luxury Chic

I WANT: Cute, Fun & Cheap Chic Holiday Gifts $50 and Under

Holiday Sweater Guide- Not the Fugly Kind, But Gorgeous Ones You Would Really Wear

Scarf This Up: Mommy Chic Wrap & Spiffy Bowler a la Alicia Keys

Stylist Advice- What to wear to a black tie optional event with the boss? Try an evening wrap!

Hairstyle How To For Kate Middleton’s Updo- Ok, so you need Princess-worthy hair

Are you shopping the sales now? Cyber Monday Fashion Deals- We’ve got the fashionable savings codes!

Leather Weather: Black (leather pants) + White = Italian Style

Leather Weather: A Black Leather Jacket At Any Age To Suit Your Every Mood!

Stylist Advice- Plus Size Layering, Define A Focal Point

Vivid Color Trends: If It’s Bright, It’s Right for Resort

Paris Resale: Vintage French Chic at L’Ibis Rouge

Stylist Advice- How to jazz up a conservative red holiday dress

Female Entrepreneurs: Helping You & Your Business Get Out There!