Sharon Haver - FocusOnStyle.com shopping posts

Holiday Hostess Gift Guide

With the beginning of the holiday season and its many festivities just around the corner, we've put together the ultimate gift guide perfect for the hospitable hostesses in your life. From Lladro's unique conversation vases to an exclusive wine-of-the-month membership, there's something thoughtful and budget friendly to gift everyone with for the good times ahead. Consider Lladro's festive and uber cool graphic harlequin vases(above) that make for a unique gift that's destined to be cherished for years to come and if those two beauties are a bit out of your reach, think about a glorious illustrated coffee table book like the newly released one from Christian Louboutin that's perfect for the shoe-crazed diva in all of us. -Naveed Hussain SHOP

Surveying Marc by Marc Jacobs and his mainline collection together we've culled a covetable, colorful assortment of goods that are certain to add a boast of riotous cheer for you and your loved ones just in time for the holidays. Above, a bright metallic contrast tote from Marc Jacobs. Highlights from Marc by Marc Jacobs: An assortment of ultra-girly jewels is certain to dazzle those in your life for many a season to come thanks to their quirky takes on classic, irresistible shapes. SHOP: Marc by Marc Jacobs at Shopbop and MarcJacobs.com This bold contrasting bag from Marc by Marc Jacobs marries a classic top-handle frame with the ease of a carry-all shoulder purse while adding a much needed burst of techno-pop

While animal prints may be as banal and captive of the traditional feminine mystic as polka-dots or bows, there's no denying the subtle sexuality and graphic, ostentatious charge they can add to just about any outfit. >> SHOP: Animal Prints And this Yves Saint Laurent "Softy Chyc" animal-print calf hair shoulder bag brings home the point beautifully with its explosive print and lady-like, heritage minded shape and details. Use it to pump up just about any look from your average "Texas tuxedo" to your everyday trench coat, its destined to lift-up even the most mundane of pieces. -Naveed Hussain >> SHOP: Best Bags We've pulled together a few more options for you to consider: More Topshop...

Body-defining, figure enhancing peplums have been working their way on quite a few runways over the past few seasons(including next spring) so we couldn't think of a better time to take note on how to incorporate them into your repertoire for an unexpected dose of lady-like chic. We've pulled together some of our favorite uses of peplums for Fall 2011 and jotted a few quick notes down on how to pull them off and make them work for you. >> MORE: FASHION SHOWS AND RUNWAY REVIEWS Stella McCartney (and above) For Fall, Stella McCartney managed to incorporate 80's era touchstones such as bold polka-dots, sculpted shapes and peplums for looks that were achingly feminine with a controlled sense of cool(via ingenious tromp l'oeil patterns)

Because every season calls for a bit of vintage flair we thought it would be a good time to look back at all of our favorite vintage-inspired looks from the Fall 2011 collections to cull a handy bit of inspiration to help you cultivate a look that incorporates notes from the past with a thoroughly modern sophistication. >> MORE: FASHION SHOWS AND RUNWAY REVIEWS And since you can always use real-deal vintage pieces to pull together a completely customized look, we couldn't think of a more practical guide to get you started. From the 40's to the 70's, designers were looking at the past in ways we hadn't ever seen; here's our top picks. Miu Miu (and above) Bringing you 40's starlet glamour as

With head-to-toe prints now de riguer on runways around the world it's time to cozy up to one of our favorite fall prints and fabrications as the alluring, graphic and even sexy use of snake & python we saw for Fall 2011 felt undeniably fresh. >> MORE: FASHION SHOWS AND RUNWAY REVIEWS Use them to add texture to all of your favorite fall looks while keeping up with the trends...here's a look at how to pull it off. Prada (and above) Miuccia Prada used python coats, boots and aviator inspired headpieces to add a subversively sexy and confident bent to her otherwise ultra-femme collection of 60's inspired dolly dresses. Chloe Chloe's mad assortment of snake & python whether in print or in skin offered a

While color-blocking is no new trend story, it wasn't until this fall season that we really saw a spike in contrasts with ingenious iterations from designer's the world over. >> MORE: FASHION SHOWS AND RUNWAY REVIEWS Along with some simple shopping advice, here's a look at some of our favorite uses of color-blocking that are certain to make a graphic statement this season and most probably many to come. Balenciaga (and above) Nicolas Ghesquiere has been doing graphic sci-fi couture for many seasons and fall's addition of thoughtfully color-blocked asymmetrical layered tunics and dresses made for a bold and completely modern update to his repertoire. His use of layering also made for shapes with dynamic trapeze effects full of endless layering potential as evidenced

Leather sleeved tops, jackets and coats have been at the top of our most-wanted lists for quite a few fashion cycles but it wasn't until this season that we saw the trend really gain momentum with designers using hides of all kinds from snakeskin to lambskin to toughen up and add an edgy contrast to even the most classic of pieces. >> MORE: FASHION SHOWS AND RUNWAY REVIEWS From heritage minded trench coats to traditional black wool toppers, outerwear of all kinds were given a dose of tough cool with leather sleeves and even epaulets like those seen at Chloe. >>MORE: Leather Style Here's a crash course on nailing the trend and a look at some of our favorite iterations of it... Chloe (and above)

In The Bag: Marc Jacob’s Must-Have Crosby Bowery Handbag

Most-Wanted/Must-Have: We love a bag that you will want to wear everyday! Channel the heritage mood that's been brewing over the past few season's with Marc Jacob's latest update on the classic tote, the Crosby “Bowery.” Styled with an unmistakable dome shape and boasting a rich fall color palette of black, espresso, slate and Bordeaux, it's contrasting details and sleek, unadorned surface is destined to make it quietly stand-out for seasons to come. Get It: Marc Jacobs Mercer, NYC and Saks.com More Marc Jacobs Bags for Fall/Winter 2011 available at the shop and click to buy at Saks: Marc Jacobs Grey Nubuck “Eddie” Marc Jacobs Beautiful People Metallic Patent “Olga” Marc Jacobs Beautiful People Metallic Patent “Sofia” >> SHOP: Best

Fashion Advice- How to Find A Stylish Swimsuit Cover Up

It can be tricky to find a swim suit cover up, but it doesn't have to be with these style tips... There seems to be two schools of thought on swimsuit cover-ups: the sheer and sexy or the short-shorts and terry. So what's a chic beach babe to do when she feels that running around in a one-off negligee or a kiddy romper is just too-too to suit her style needs? Well, go crazy. No, no, that's why I'm here. I don't know about you, but unless I'm camped out poolside at a luxury resort, the idea of prancing about in a sheer beach cover-up seems rather ridiculous to me, if not a bit risqué if you drive to the

Two brands that I never thought I'd put in the same sentence! I've always said not everything appears the same way in a photograph as in real life- it's all about stylist tricks, ya know. On the other hand, having great style is not necessarily about the items themselves but about how YOU put them together. Case in point: A pair of jewel tone pumps.Whoddaevathunk that I would put Alexender McQueen and Rockport in the same sentence? SHOP: DRESS PUMPS But on the other hand, it's the look of a brilliant pop of color on your feet that we're after, and certainly most of us out there can't foot the bill on the McQueen pair. So take a look.... $740

Viva Designer Espadrilles, the on trend summer shoe, be it designer or classic

I almost feel that its an oxymoron to say that espadrilles are right on trend this summer Nothing says bring on the warm weather more than a pair of espadrilles! Espadrilles have got to be one of those summer classics that you can never go wrong with and are always super comfy and add an instant Euro beachy feel to whatever you are wearing. Dating back to the Pyrenees at about the 14th century, the cotton canvas espadrille is also one of the most accessible off the runway trends this season and instantly adds a certain je nais se quois to casual clothes. >>READ: Authentic espadrilles, handmade & forever stylish. Plus, a little history too! It's the shoe that you want

Shopping Dream: The cutest video to rev you up up spring style & an footwear collection from Alice + Olivia for Shopbop We love some sweet and delicious video fun to get our styling juices going. We'll, look no further than this snappy video created by Alice + Olivia's Stacey Bendet and indie director Bridget Palardy. The fashion video is set in a surrealist fantasyworld of cake confections and oodles of tasty spring treats from Alice + Olivia, with inspiration to launch their shoe collection with exclusive Shopbop styles. No foot wear for you? There are plenty of bright and feminine Alice + Olivia style treats to freshen you up for spring. Watch Video Exclusive & Footwear Collection from Alice +

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Holiday Hostess Gift Guide

On the Marc Holiday Treats for Everyone from Marc Jacobs

In The Bag- Yves Saint Laurent’s Softy Chyc Animalier Bag

Shopping the Trends of Fall 2011- The Peplum

Shopping the Trends of Fall 2011- Vintage Inspired Fashion

Shopping the Trends of Fall 2011- Snakeskin

Shopping the Trends of Fall 2011- Color-Blocked Separates

Shopping the Trends of Fall 2011- Leather Sleeved Outerwear

In The Bag: Marc Jacob’s Must-Have Crosby Bowery Handbag

Fashion Advice- How to Find A Stylish Swimsuit Cover Up

Adventures In Extremes- Alexander McQueen or Rockport Pumps

Viva Designer Espadrilles, the on trend summer shoe, be it designer or classic

Alice and Olivia Fashion Up A Video With Shopbop

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