Happy May! If I had to pick one month out of the year to be my favorite, I’d pick May. My birthday is in May, my parent’s wedding anniversary, my dog’s birthday and the month when the flowers really take off and the weather warms up. All in all, I think it’s a feel-good month.

May also encourages me to embark on the spring trends. I can’t wait to fill my wardrobe with pretty pinks, lovely lavenders, barely-there blushes and nudes and fabulous florals. When I think May fashion, I think of ladylike dressing, feminine silhouettes and perfect pastels.

Check out my round-up of great spring finds from H&M, Urban Outfitters and Forever 21, all in Westfield Garden State Plaza.

These looks prove that high style doesn’t have to come at a high price point.

Happy Spring!

Look great. Feel great.
HZ

I try to keep my blogs positive but felt compelled to write this after my awful experience at Dor L’ Dor in Englewood.

However, before I get into that I will say that my experience at the Hoboken location has always been a positive one and I even featured them in my very first “Heather’s Haul” video on Bergen.com.

Back to Englewood. I was so excited to see this location being that I’ve always had good luck finding trendy pieces at a good price point at the Hoboken location.

The employees (with exception to one) were beyond rude and unfriendly. Obviously greeting your customers and planting a smile on your face is not a requirement for working there. I was completely put-off by this behavior and in turn, walked out empty-handed.

I truly felt like having a Julia Roberts moment from “Pretty Woman.” BIG mistake! Big! HUGE!

Look great. Feel great
HZ

If I look in my closet there is one store that takes over many of the sections. H&M has become one of my favorite stores especially over this past year. The best part about H&M is that you are aren’t sacrifying style just because you are getting merchandise at a low price point. What’s better than that?

Although there are a few locations in Bergen County, I have the best luck at the Westfield Garden State Plaza location.

After browsing their website today I have rounded up some of my favorite pieces which all boast a feminine flair that I am always attracted to. I can’t wait to hit up H&M after work and add these spring delights to my wardrobe!

Look great. Feel great.

HZ

paisley dress $39.95

 

denim jacket $29.95

dress $29.95

dress $299-how major is this??

dress $79.95

I am loving these fab new items! I recently purchased the tribal-inspired necklace below and the awesome belt! Check out my other faves for spring from BCBG below.

Look great. Feel great.
HZ

I am thrilled to see such gorgeous fashions taking over the Golden Globes tonight. Here are my faves!

Look great. Feel great.
HZ

Happy New Year fashionistas! I love beginning a new year with new fashion trends. Unfortunately not all trends are created equally, and not all are worn correctly.

I wish I could say that I loved last night’s fashions, but it’s quite the opposite.

Julianne Hough’s low-cut sequin dress would’ve been beautiful if it wasn’t that low-cut. The area on the cut-out sides resembles a sad face and is a little too much.

Ashley Green’s skin-tight DKNY leather and lace dress highlighted all the wrong areas.

The always beautiful Faith Hill completely missed the mark with her ill-fitting jumpsuit.

Ginnifer Goodwin’s fuchsia dress looks like it came from an Austin Powers movie…however, the color is on trend for the spring.

Cheryl Burke’s gown looks like a DWTS get-up, instead of a red carpet stunner. I don’t mind showing some leg, but the slit is too high and doesn’t look elegant.

I like the majority of Kelly Osbourne’s floor-length dress, but it would’ve been so much better without the strange line cutting her down the middle. The style and color are pretty fab.

Jennifer Lawrence donned a royal blue baroque dress which is on trend for spring, but doesn’t wow, instead it makes me slightly dizzy.

Even Valentino makes mistakes as proven by the red leather dress worn by Kristen Bell.

Miley Circus looked the best in a low-plunging cream-colored David Koma dress. Her old Hollywood glam hair style is perfect and her makeup is soft and makes her glow.

Overall, I was pretty disappointed by last night’s fashions and really hope that the stars will make better fashion choices this Sunday at the Golden Globes.

Look great. Feel great.
HZ

What a perfect time for sales -right before the holidays when we have so many people to buy for.

Take advantage of some of these great deals for everyone on your gift list or yourself!

Karen Millen-up to 40 percent off end of season sale

Neiman Marcus-25 percent off women’s boots

West Elm-30 percent off holiday decor

JoS. A. Bank Clothiers-wool bomber jackets for $67 marked down from $295

J.Crew-25 percent off orders of $150 or more

Look great. Feel great.
HZ

Back in April I was at Fred Segal in LA and fell in love with Sydney Evans “love” necklaces…however, I didn’t fall in love with the price-over $800. I opted for a fab thin gold “love” ring for $115.

Even though I love my ring, I still think about the Sydney Evans necklace from time to time.

Well, I got a major surprise when pulling merchandise from Marcia’s Attic in Englewood last week. A whole case and a separate display of love jewelry!! And guess what was there?? The love necklace! Not Sydney Evans, but looks almost identical and only $55! Ah-mazing find! They are so feminine and delicate and make great layering pieces. (pictures don’t do them justice).

There are so many cute necklaces and bracelets, I wanted them all! Makes great holiday gifts!

Get to Marcia’s Attic on North Dean Street for this fab find and mention my blog!

Look great. Feel great.
HZ

 It’s seems like the most fashionable trend with designers these days is to create collections for trendy, affordable stores that appeal to the masses.

We all saw how well the Missoni for Target collection did, selling out in minutes and even crashing Target’s website.

Numerous high-end brands have designed collections for H&M, including Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney, Comme des Garçons, Jimmy Choo, Lanvin, and most recently Versace. Come this spring, another hot brand will be added to this list of fabulous names. Available on March 8, 2012, Marni, the Italian, family owned brand known for it’s bold colors, prints and patterns will debut it’s spring collection to H&M.

Marni’s collection for H&M will be sold in over 250 stores as well as online at H&M price points.  The collection will include bright colors and bold patterns for women’s clothing (think color-blocking and African inspired patterns), and softened colors and subtle prints for men. To complete the look, the collection will also include handbags, scarves, jewelry and shoes.

Here is a quote from the press release:  

“I wanted to create a true Marni wardrobe by revisiting all our favorite pieces in signature fabrics and prints. As always, I love juxtaposing prints and colors, mixing modern tribal with Bauhaus graphic and adding sporty utilitarian elements,” says Consuelo Castiglioni, Founder and Creative Director.

I’m excited for Marni’s collection for H&M…are you?

Look great. Feel great.

HZ

People often wonder what black-tie means.

Before choosing what to wear, take a few things into account:
1. Where is the event?
2. How dressy is the venue?
3. What will you feel comfortable wearing?
4. Who is throwing the party?

Short dresses and knee-length dresses are more accepted than they used to be.

However, when shopping for the dress I would wear to the Holy Name Founder’s Ball at MoMA in the city this past Saturday night, I knew right away that I would wear a “traditional” full-length dress.

I found my dress for only $179 by accident at Urban Outfitters in Westfield Garden State Plaza. Well, to be fair, my sister spotted it first. Instantly I knew it was “the one.” I love long-sleeves in the fall and winter for two reasons: weather appropriate and classically sexy. Ladies, remember, you do not have to show a lot of skin to be sexy.

The high-waisted 1950′s inspired pleated skirt reminds me of a dress straight out of my grandmother’s closet and the “V” in the back showed just enough skin.

Now, here comes the big question….to wear a bra or not to wear a bra? I could’ve easily worn a low back bra that wouldn’t have shown or no bra at all, but, I decided to pull a Carrie Bradshaw and show a hint of my black bra off. There is a correct way to show your bra if the outfit allows, and there are many incorrect ways.

I accessorized with a pair of vintage looking earrings from the J.Crew Outlet store in Bergen Town Center, a Clara Kasavina ring, two gold bands (they were my great grandmother’s) and two evil eye bracelets (I always wear at least one). One of the bracelets is from Deseos Boutique in Hillsdale, the other is from Portage and The Jewelry Box in Englewood. And my Elaine Turner zig-zag glitter clutch is from BB Clover in Ho-Ho-Kus. How major is it??? I forgot the graphite sparkly belt from Urban Outfitters that I bought specifically for this dress at my house, so I improvised and braided two American Apparel belts I had at my parents house together. They added a very Grecian feeling to the dress.

What you wear over your dress is just as important, if not, more important than your dress, because that’s what everyone sees first. I tried on a faux-fur checkered cropped jacket from Forever 21 that I have, but ultimately decided on a vintage sequin jacket with fur trim that was my grandmothers. This choice was more elegant and classic, as opposed to the other, which was more trendy. My sky-high heels are Miu Miu from Neiman Marcus.

Have fun when getting black-tie ready, but always keep at least one classic element to your look and answer the questions above for guidance on finding the perfect dress.

Look great. Feel great.
HZ