Animalia

Leopard mania has been trickling onto the runways for quite some time now but if Fall 2010 collections showed us anything, they showed us that it has reached a full on epidemic! The cheeky spots once viewed as elegant, moved their way to edgy, and this season are being touted as a neutral! While a head to toe leopard look is doable, the easiest way to make it your own is through accessories.

Don't worry, we have you covered! Pre-Order our Leopard Clutch (available in Camel and Ivory) just in time for the holidays!

Leopard Clutch - $61





XOXO

NYFW:

Check out some of our favorite trends from NYFW:

The most unifying theme during FWNY had to be the 70's. Designers apparently took the decade that originally put New York Fashion Week on the map and ran with it. If you feel like you are suffering from whiplash, turning your head so quickly from the 50's theme shown for fall.......you really can't be too surprised. Soft 70's color palettes, flowy blousey blouses, and wide leg trousers have been slowly creeping their way back into the fashion consciousness and don't seem to be going away anytime soon:

Designers are also continuing their embrace of the feminine and genuinely pretty showcasing minimal, clean, and beautiful white dresses for Spring:

Shoulder cut-outs added a little bit of fun throughout the catwalks and are an easy look to embrace:

Now we want to know what your favorites were! Which designer inspired you the most? Which looks can you not wait for spring to embrace? Did we leave a trend out?

Let us know!



XOXO

Sincerely Jules pt II

Check out part two of our interview with Julie of SincerelyJules.com and find out how to win one of her picks below:

You can check out part one of her interview: here.

What are your favorite things about the Melie Bianco bags you chose and what caused you to gravitate towards them in the first place?

I love how on trend they are with the studs, fringe and chains...I gravitated towards them because I don't have ANYTHING like it in my wardrobe!
They're definitely my go-to bags, the Stella for summer and the Kiera for Fall, sigh.



Any advice for aspriring bloggers?

Make sure you have a vision, stay focus and be consistent. Treat it like a job and at the end of the day it will be worth it.

Where do you see yourself ten years from now? Will you still be blogging?




Ah, i always have a hard time answering this question because I feel like I keep adding new things to my list of things I see myself doing.
But hopefully having my own business, owning a house, working with a magazine and traveling around the world. Who knows if blogging would
still be relevant then...time will tell.

When building an outfit do you start with the accessories or the clothing?

I always start with the clothing and I accessorize depending on what I'm wearing. Sometimes if the outfit is bold enough, i may not add
accessories.




What is your favorite piece of clothing and why?

A great pair of jeans! They go along way...you can dress in them all week and have a different look for each day!

You have received a lot of recognition lately on the internet and in the press, what effect has this had on your posts?

*blushes*... it's overwhelming at times but its great to see that people love what I do and my blog. If I can inspire anyone
to be passionate or creative then I've fulfilled why I started a blog in the first place. It definitely effects my posts, because
it keeps me motivated to post inspiring things.



When do you first remember being aware of fashion?


Ever since I was in 2nd grade, I remember telling my mom I didn't want her to pick my oufits for school because she didn't match
the blouse with the bottom. I knew then i loved fashion, because I cared so much what I wore to school in 1st and 2nd grade...my love
for fashion just grew as I grew up! I won the Best Dressed superlative award in High school so I'm definitely very passionate about it.

_____________________________________________________

We are so sad that September is almost over because that means we will have to say to goodbye to our BOTM........but we totally love Jules and hopefully you will be seeing her pop up here and there.

Enough sad stuff! On to the GIVEAWAY!!!!!! Leave a comment with your email address for a chance to win the STELLA.

Stella - $83

XOXO

Project Runway!

Project Runway has long been a favorite show for everyone in our office and we were so thrilled to see our very own CIARA bag featured on a recent episode in a "Military & Lace" inspired look. The CIARA'S trendy chains played a key role in enhancing the tough/chic aspect of the ensemble and that model totally worked it!

Check out some highlights from the episode:

You can view the full episode: HERE

And you can get your hands on your very own CIARA, here:

XOXO

FRIDAY FUNDAY!

Here are our music picks for getting your weekend started right:

XOXO

In a Military Style:

*Burberry Prorsum, Wayne, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Rag & Bone, Burburry Prorsum, Marc by Marc Jacobs (photos courtesy of refinery29)

Military looks are still holding high rank on the runways. From khaki and drab, to epaulettes and brass buttons, it is a functional fashion lovers paradise. Check out some of our favorite runway looks, and find out how to own the style for less with our new office fave, the Military inspired Margo tote.

Ferragamo, Doo.Ri, Oscar De La Renta




Michael Kors, Reed Krakoff, Dries Van Noten



Top Shop, Fendi, Julian Mcdonald.

This is a really easy trend to follow, fast fashion retailers are coming out with skinny cargos, t-shirt dresses, and other on-trend pieces at relatively low prices. While a head to toe military look can be both trendy and polished, incorporating the sharp pieces into your existing wardrobe and mixing them in with softer or girlier pieces is the best way to get maximum wear.


GET THE LOOK:

Margo $96

XOXO

Maurissa

Melie Monday Winner:

Congratulations to Yamilette Rodriguez! She was the lucky winner of a $100 gift card to meliebianco.com just for posting a photo of how she wears her favorite Melie Bianco bag! You could be next. Head over to our Facebook page and show us your MB style. A new winner is chosen every Melie Monday!

Good luck.

XOXO.

The History of Hosiery:

Did you know that stockings (aka hosiery, hose, pantyhose, nylons, tights, etc...) date back to ancient Greece, and that women in China and Japan have been wearing silk socks for centuries?!? The first knitting machine for stockings was invented in 1589, they were so popular that men even continued to wear them well into the 18th century. In the 40's and 50's stockings were still made from silk and due to the way they were sewn, they contained a seam which could be decorated with elaborate patterns. During the 60's however it became unpopular to show seams or the other tell tale marks of traditional silk stocking production and nylons were born, which were knitted on circular knitting machines and put together by tightening all threads instead of just a single seam in the back. These still remain in fashion today. Hosiery trends are normally dictated by hemline trends and season. With the short shorts and fifties frocks designers are showing lately all forms of leg and foot coverings are at the top of the fashion charts. Whether you are into dainty ankle socks, chuncky knee highs, elaborate designs, eco fabrics, lace, Pippi Longstocking stripes, printed, footless, thigh high, fish net, bold, dark, sheer, neutral.....you name it, the runways have got you covered. We have compiled our favorites from the runways, and really want to know what your favorites are. Click photos for details and credits.























XOXO.

Soap & Water:

We all know that soap is the way to go when it comes to dish washing, but did you know that it can also keep your Melie bags looking fab? Although we try our best to keep clean, accidents do happen (some eye shadow dust here, a little lipstick there....) and it is hard not to be sad when our favorite pieces get dirty. When this happens all you need is dish soap, a bowl of warm water, and a gentle wash cloth!

1. Pour a few drops of soap into the water
2. Dip the cloth in the water and wipe up the spot in a circular motion.
3. Rinse soap off of the cloth and go over spot once more.
4. Air dry


THATS IT! Unfortunately this may not be as effective on older set stains or super intense stains, so it is important that you take care of it as soon as possible!



XOXO

FNO: NY

Fashion's Night Out is a global event which seeks to raise awareness for the industry, as well as boost sales, stimulate the economy, and contribute to a plethora of charitable endeavors. If the main goal was getting the fashion world a bit of attention......well they have succeeded admirably. With crazy events taking place all over NYC (and the world) and musicians/designer/celebrities coming out in droves, who could ask for anything more? Naomi Campbell shaking it to Rihanna, Mary Kate & Ashley judging karaoke, Yoko Ono at MOMA, the Cobrasnake at Helmut Lang, nail painting at Chanel.....

Multiple Pursenalities:

We love finding multiple uses for items. What could be better than buying an item with one purpose and then discovering that BAM, another cool option lies just beneath the surface? It is like getting two for one!

That is why we love brining you bags that can be converted and used as shoulder bags, clutches, messengers and in some cases even jewelery! This week will be devoted to showing you ways to get more bang from your buck with multi function items: handbags, clothing, beauty, and beyond! So be sure to keep checking back.

In the meantime check out our Multiple Pursenality collection on meliebianco.com

Friday Funday:

Here are the tunes that are getting us through:

What are YOU listening to? Go show us on the blog for an extra entry. This week we are giving away a bag of your choice! All you have to do is comment on any post done between 09/06 and today!!!!!

XOXO

Friday Funnies:

XOXO