HOW TO KEEP YOUR BUDGET BUT NOT SLASH YOUR STYLE

"Fashions fade, style is eternal" - YSL. The method is to shop smart by choosing pieces that you can wear from one season to the next. Think functionality!

Stick with the classics::

Buy only clothing and accessories that surpass the trends and will look great every season, like a black or camel colored jacket, a well made white button-down blouse, a fitted pair of jeans and pencil skirt. This will make you look smart.

Classic-cut dresses are very versatile. Throw on a pair of stilettos and a fancy clutch to look fabulous in minutes. Cover up with a fitted blazer and switch the stilettos for pumps to get your classic corporate look in a snap.

Spend up on the items you wear/carry every day::

Investing in a good handbag will last you – forever! The right handbag will polish your over-all look so pay attention to sturdy fabrics and quality manufacturing.

Haunt outlets, vintage stores, semi-annual sales and discount designer websites::

Check out vintage stores for great finds and search through outlets and designer discount sites like Last Call, Ideeli, Haute Look, and Gilt Groupe. They are another great way to buy designer clothing, shoes and accessories at discount prices and if you love a specific high-end store, get on its e-mail list.

Do not wear more than one "cheap" piece of clothing at a time::

Mix and match to make your wardrobe stand out. Designer on Designer is fine, but cheap on chap may not be the best idea. Try to combine price points!

Shine with your shoes::

You don't have to break your bank to purchase an eye-catching pair of shoes. You just have to be ready to search in order to find a pair you absolutely adore and can afford. (Try Zappos and Endless Shoes)

The perfect pair of shades::

Sunglasses can elevate your look from ordinary to glamorous. Try different styles on when you're out shopping and go for a pair that fits the shape of YOUR face best. Sunglasses also have a way of hiding a tired face!

GOOD LUCK & HAPPY SHOPPING

Critics’ Choice Awards: The Artist

Silent film The Artist was the top winner at the Critics’ Choice Awards on Thursday, boosting its profile as the Hollywood season gets pumped up before of the Oscars.

The silent comedy that is shot in black and white, gained four awards including best picture, best director and best ensemble cast. Wow!

Our client, Missi Pyle, stood out in a remarkable gown by

Adrianna Papell

from Pisol and Stamen.

The ultra feminine, soft peach colored, chiffon gown has a sweetheart neckline with jeweled detailing at the bust and waist.

Missi Pyle wowed again on the red carpet, this time at the Critics Choice Awards. Her dress was perfect for the occasion, and her hair and makeup matched the dainty design.

Missi was also decked out in Erica Courney's "drop dead gorgeous" jewels. Glitz and Glam all the way and nothing less.

Colin Megaro, LLC wishes the cast of The Artist best of luck at the 69^th Golden Globe Awards on Sunday January 16, 2012. We can’t wait to see our fabulous client, Missi Pyle on the red carpet looking beautiful with her radiant smile.

Tricks for Winter Fashion

- Farah Esmail

Hello Winter Fashionistas,

As the temperature begins to drop, fashion begins to pile high. Most winter trends are very affordable and it’s easy to come up with an ensemble that is practical and chic.

A timeless piece essential to any closet, male or female, is a peacoat. Not only are peacoats warm, but also they have a subtle military touch to add a great line to any outfit. Floor-grazing overcoats are big news at Rodarte, Hermes, Michael Kors and Georgio Armani. The lean, tailored styles boasting “city-smart drama”, while softer dressing gown cuts presented a more relaxed approach.

One of the most frequently worn winter accessories in the winter months is a hat. Berets and beanies, cloches and caps, trilbies and trappers and fedoras - hats in every size, shape and style are the ultimate topping this season. The sixties and seventies are coming back into style with the feathered fascinators to sequin-covered berets complete with demure eye veils.

A huge trend we are all seeing now is faux fur. Faux fur vests are great because they add an element of luxury to any look and they go perfect with skirts, dresses, and jeans.

This winter, burgundy is the color that takes home the proverbial gold. More or less falling in line with a more subdued "wine color palette" that is huge this season. In colors of autumnal palette of woodland and forest shade, the key is the matte black with an array of refreshing forest-like greens with a teal-esque sea green.

Try combining different hues that seem to clash for a quirky-cute NYC Gossip Girl look. An orange coat with a turquoise hat is hot so don’t be reserved – play up your wardrobe and be daring.

Stand out by having textures when you wear all black (leather, fur, feathers and braiding in your hair). This will keep the look from feeling flat and funeral-esque. You want that touch-me kind of fabric. Anything that feels good to touch (such as cashmere or velvet) should fill your closet during winter months. They will make you feel and look fantastic.

Also, try the winter trend: Tights - wish more colors, prints and weaving. Get your leg up on some fun patterns to spice up the winter blues. Kourtney Kardashian is all about this trend!

Brighten up Business Casual

- Farah Esmail

Your Company's objective in establishing a business casual dress code is to allow your employees to work comfortably in the workplace. Yet, you still need your employees to project a professional image for our customers, potential employees, clients and visitors. Business casual dress is the standard for this dress code.

Clothing that reveals too much cleavage, your back, your chest, your feet, your stomach or your underwear is not appropriate for a place of business, even in a business casual setting.

In a business casual work environment, clothing should be pressed and never wrinkled. You should always look “smart”. Torn, dirty, or frayed clothing is highly unacceptable. All seams must be finished. Any clothing that has words, terms, or pictures that may be offensive to other employees is unacceptable.

Invest in stockings, a few cardigans of neutral colors and/or a scarf. Suppose you wear something to the office that’s a little on the edgier side and you have a meeting with a client late in the day and have to tone it down. You can throw on the sweater or tie the scarf around your neck for a more professional look.
 A perfect pair of black and nude pumps are essential as they go with almost every outfit! Remember ladies, keep a pair or black flats in your office because if last minute plans pop up, you can change your shoes and feel oh-so-comfortable when your feet are killing - ouch!

It is always better to be overdressed than underdressed. You’ll feel great when people say “Wow, you look great today!” It also helps people see you in a different light, which never hurts. When you look good, you feel good and then you perform better.

You can be playful, but make sure it doesn’t turn into sexy. If you’re wearing a super form fitting skirt that rides up when you sit during a business meeting, you will probably be more focused on how much of your legs are showing, rather than the subject matter being discussed. Do not take a chance wearing something uncomfortable because all you will be doing is tugging at your skirt whilst missing an important point in the meeting. Also, fidgeting often can be misinterpreted as anxiety or lack of preparedness. Do you want to chance it? No? Good answer.

Put your oomph into structured classics with ladder climbing accessories. Who said business attire has to be boring? It should be functional and fashionable with versatility and flexibility.

Good luck!