The emma blouse is my sister’s favorite blouse so far.  So soft and very figure flattering because it isn’t fitted so it allows you to eat and not divulge any imperfections you may have around your waistline.  Because it is so versatile, you can wear it casual with your best boyfriend jeans or dressy, for office days and when you want to look prim and proper.

(First look:  Loralei wears the emma blouse with distressed boyfriend jeans, Prada sunglasses, and a straw hat.  Second look:  Loralei wears the emma blouse with snakeskin natural belt, braid bracelet, blue moissanite bracelet, charm hoop disk earrings in gold, and a floral print skirt. | Photography by Eloisa Nadine Hernandez for Bella Maven | Styled by Loralei Rose Bingamon.)

(Abby wears the Abby dress with forum sea necklace and trio bracelet. | Photography by Marie Padilla for Bella Maven.)

I always like vibrant colors for summer, especially blue.  It’s one of those colors that look great on most skin tones.  Here’s Abby wearing the monet blouse, which is great for warm weather days, barbeques, or when you need to hide some belly flab.  She accessorizes the blouse with some jewelry. What’s really hot right now is wearing multiple bracelets on your wrist.

Due to the heat, makeup melts and hair tends to flatten or get frizzy.  We recommend using Moroccan Oil.  It seems to be  a popular product among celebrities and keeps hair looking healthy, shiny, and retain body.  We used it on Abby’s hair for the latest photoshoot.

Makeup requires a light touch for warm days.  You’ll probably just need a little lip gloss, some mascara, and maybe silver metallic eye liner just to make your eyes pop.  Spritz some Chantecaille Pure Rosewater when you’ve been outside for a few hours and you should feel refreshed.

(Abby wears monet blouse with tere hoops, braid ring, four wires ring, and nirvana bangle set. | Photography by Marie Padilla for Bella Maven.)

Here’s a sneak peak at what goes on behind the scenes in a Bella Maven photoshoot.

(Nicole wears the kensington blouse, walker cuff in patchwork, and charm hoop disk earrings in gold for Bella Maven | Photography by Marie Padilla | Shot on location in Newport Coast.)

I have a weakness for jewelry that began when I was four.  My mother gave me my first piece of jewelry then, a beautiful 24 karat gold bracelet.  I’ve been collecting jewelry ever since.  It’s a passion I share with my sister.

There were years when I would only gravitate towards sterling silver, white gold, or platinum, but lately, I have a fondness for gold.  I especially love mixing metals – gold with silver.  And, I like jewelry that’s modern, yet classic.  When I was living in Hawaii, I began a love affair with By Boe jewelry.  It has a simple understated elegance.

By Boe jewelry was created by designer Annika Inez, who graduated from Parsons.  The jewelry is handmade in New York and has been worn by celebrities. You’ll recognize the names from Cameron Diaz, Oprah Winfrey, Mandy Moore, Kelly Ripa, to Jessica Alba, etc.  It has been featured in several magazines such as Elle, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, In Style, Real Simple, and Lucky.

I love the materials they use from 14 karat gold-filled to sterling silver.  Their new collection for Spring and Summer 2010 incorporates a combination of new and vintage materials like hundred year-old metallic yarn from France or leather.  If you buy a piece of jewelry from By Boe, you’ll absolutely love it.  I have given out By Boe jewelry as gifts to some of my friends on their birthdays.  Days later, I usually receive a thank you note where they are gushing about it.

dainty and demure – copper 175 necklace, and sparkling thread

sexy dimepiece – slip-knot necklace, signum 169, wire arc, and dangling paddle; on sale – falling water

cool rock n’ rolla – braid bracelet, braid ring, waterfall hoop; on sale – tiered chain

classic everyday – zacky circle, joely

We attended some tradeshows in February, the most notable ones being MAGIC, POOL, and Project in Las Vegas.  The list of exhibitors is a who’s who of the fashion industry – a global gathering of major fashion brands, industry insiders, and fashionistas.  AG Adriano Goldschmeid, Badgley Mischka, BCBG Max Azria, Calvin Klein, Cole Haan, Diesel, DKNY, Ella Moss, Free People, Junk Food, L.A.M.B., Miss Sixty, Puma, Ralph Lauren, Rock and Republic, Steve Madden, Stussy, etc., etc.  It sounds like all the brands I currently have in my closet.

Our goal there was to search for new and upcoming designers, along with more established brands that we could feature on our website.  You’ll see all of the items we ordered soon, beginning with jewelry.

March is the culmination of award season and what better way to celebrate it then the Oscars.  We congratulate all the nominees and winners, but what we really care about is what was everyone wearing. Here’s a list of who wore it best during Oscar night in alphabetical order beginning with first name.

Anna Kendrick – in Elie Saab haute couture gown in pale pink mousseline hand draped with cap sleeves, delicate applique at the bust, and a slit line adorned with Chantilly lace.  She accessorized her look with Sergio Rossi sandals, a Judith Leiber crystal clutch, and Kwiat diamonds.  We loved this dress, but the color was a little too drab for Kendrick’s skin tone.

Cameron Diaz – in Oscar de la Renta gown in champagne tulle, metallic ribbon, and gold paillette embroidery.  She wore Cartier jewels.  Diaz’s look was complete, even her soft and wavy romantic hairstyle matched.

Demi Moore – in Atelier Versace blush gown with full tiered skirt and rose detail accessorized with satin double platform Versace sandals, Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry, and a dark gold Ferragamo leather envelope clutch with pale pink stone closure.  She looked fabulous and we still can’t believe she’s over 40.

Elizabeth Banks – in Versace gray gown with cascading ruffles, Ferragamo clutch, and Fred Leighton diamonds.  She just looked perfectly beautiful.

Helen Mirren – in Badgley Mischka sparkly demure gown with Chopard earrings.  She looked lovely like always.

Kate Winslet – in Yves Saint Laurent champagne bustier gown and a 2.5 million Tiffany & Company diamond necklace.  Understated elegance.

Kristen Stewart – in Monique Lhuillier strapless midnight blue silk and satin organza trumpet gown with H. Stern diamond bracelet, and Bally heels.  Though she looked slightly uncomfortable in her attire, her look was ravishing on the red carpet.

Meryl Streep – in Chris March (Project Runway alum) white gown, accessorized with Jimmy Choo Zena platform sandals, silver Swarovski Mysthic crystal mesh clutch.  Stylish and age appropriate.  She looked regal and slim.

Rachel McAdams – in Elie Saab haute couture strapless gown made with panels of organza and mousseline with a sweetheart neckline and hand pleated bodice in a romantic print containing shades of pinks, blues, and greens.  She wore Lorraine Schwartz diamonds and a lilac Ferragamo satin clutch.  Refreshing.  She was the belle of the Oscars and looked simply divine.

Sandra Bullock –  in Marchesa silver beaded column gown with embroidered illusion bodice.  She wore her own jewelry with a metallic silver Celestina clutch.  Statuesque.  She looked every bit the Oscar winner.

Some noteworthy trends on the red carpet that may carry into spring and summer wardrobes include:

1) stylish metallics – in silver and gold tones, and also used in accessories such as clutches and heels

2) bold vibrant colors – lots of reds and blues

3) pale pinks and nudes – very feminine, soft, and understated

4) one shoulder dresses

5) ruffles galore

6) ornate – intricate beading, glittery jewels, gems, and sequins

7) statement jewelry – large earrings or showcase necklaces and bracelets

On Friday, January 29th, Bella Maven attended the birthday celebration of our good friend, Joe Ninofranco, and BM model/stylist, Loralei Rose Bingamon, who sported the palomar dress, at J Lounge in downtown L.A.  It was a wonderful event filled with lots of eye candy and great tunes to dance to by the Cerritos All-Stars.  We even managed to leave with a CD featuring mixes by DJ Remark, DJ Epic, and DJ Kwest.

(Loralei Rose Bingamon wears the palomar dress in black from Bella Maven. | Make-up for Loralei Rose Bingamon done by Pauline Calanoc.)

I just love love LOVE hats…almost, but not quite as much as I love food.  I think it’s probably because I’m one of those people that actually look good in them.  I can take any hat, put it on, and it looks great on me.  It’s actually surprising considering I have a big noggin.  Usually, people with large heads look silly in hats, that’s not true for me.  But, I look hideous in glasses so thank goodness I have 20/20 vision.

Well, with the weather turning awful, hats are the perfect accessory to keep you warm.  So, here’s BM model Abby looking lovely and beautiful with a knit hat from the Bella Maven closet.  Remind me to tell you more about the Bella Maven closet as we get closer to relaunching our website with its enhanced features.  You know what this means, we will probably be carrying hats soon.

(Abby is wearing the gwen dress by Lush, ivy earrings by Gorjana, lara handbag in creme by Big Buddha, wisdom ring by Ur Eternity, and turquoise pear necklace by Boe.  Hat, denim vest, and belt from the Bella Maven closet.  Photography by Marie Padilla enhanced with lomography technique and viewfinder | Styled by Loralei Rose Bingamon for bellamaven.com.)

Even though most of the nation is coping with severe cold snaps and rain storms, this has little bearing on retailers, who are displaying shipments of spring wares.  Back in September, major fashion houses were showing their spring lines and even though spring is barely here, fashion lines are already in production with their fall 2010 offerings.  Crazy isn’t it?  It’s so hard to keep up.  Most of us are too busy to pour over designer sites, the New York Times fashion section, magazines, and countless blogs.  Well, have no fear.  All you need to know to get yourselves ready for spring 2010 is right here.

Although the New Year’s Eve ball already dropped earlier this month, you can catch the top ten countdown of spring trends below. Starting with number ten.

10.  the boyfriend blazer – The boyfriend blazer is still going strong.  Pair it with skinny jeans, fitted tops, or sweet skirts. Wear the trend with: boyfriend sweater.

9.  patterns and prints – Graphics are bold and busy this season.  Pants and dresses dominated the runways showcasing these styles.  With the onset of spring, we can always expect to see floral prints.  In addition to the posies, designers also debuted strips and abstract artsy prints. Wear the trend with: rumi, monet, moderne, jenny, pleated knit, purple watercolor, malaga, navy wrap, speckle, flocked zebra, abstraction, pink watercolor, butterfly, watercolor, erica, tropicale, and zig zag.

8.  denim and chambray – Think soft blues that look broken in.  Shredded, ripped, torn, or patched, jeans are sexy and revealing.  Invest in this look, it will inevitably keep going long past the season.

7.  futuristic warrior, military, and tribal - Military is the new classic and has been evolving.  Elements of military history are being reinterpreted with a modern, futuristic twist.  Think wilder and more fierce with inspiration coming from ancient Rome, Egypt, and the Celtic warrior.  Look for metal plating, leather tunics, and tribal inspired motifs in clothing and accessories.  Mix these elements with glamorous pieces such as sequins or pair soft flowing fabric with sharp metal plating or studded pieces. Wear this trend with: tribal bracelet, graham petal charm, graham leather wrap, rockstar clutch, and sario clutch.

6.  knee high and over the knee socks -  Socks are back in the forefront and can add volumes to your outfit.  As a defining look, socks are transeasonal and will carry on into winter of 2010.

5.  see-through and sheer – Not everyone is gutsy enough to go with this look.  We blame it on the rising temperatures and the desire to show off.  Be sassy, yet cool.  Style tip:  match sheer tops with lacy camisoles or tanks.  Neutral shades work best. Wear this trend with: ruffle mini and gigi ruffle.

4.  urban sporty – Sportswear is suddenly streetwear.  It’s sexy, svelte, and effortless with it’s youthful tomboy chic .  Designers take inspiration from tennis, football, baseball, golf, and dance.

3.  jumpsuits and boy shorts - There’s a one piece clothing revival and anything goes when it comes to length.  It’s all about jumpsuits, playsuits, and rompers.  Though not for everyone, it offers you plenty of options. It’s also time to hit the gym now that hemlines are shorter than ever.  Shorter-than-short is the new mantra with hot pants and boy shorts back in style. Wear this trend: madeira romper.

2.  minimalist.  Less is more and this is true for spring.  Imagine collections from designers like Calvin Klein, Jill Sander, Miuccia Prada, and Giorgio Armani.  There is no better way to ring in spring than to be fresh, simple, and clean. Wear this trend with: habutai silk, palomar, vanderbilt, lita, gwen, lada, and rose.

1.  ruffles – Whether on handbags, sandals, tops, or skirts, this ultra-feminine trend is everywhere. Wear this trend with: jaime, marble, newport, envy, emma, ruffle, gigi ruffle, side ruffle, and ruffle mini.

color watch – Break away from the bleak black and gray of winter.  Green, pink, blue, indigo, and yellow are great colors to liven up your wardrobe.

There you have it ladies, now go and get it!

about the author – Cassandra King is owner and CEO of Concepts de Mode, a fashion consulting and image management firm in San Francisco.  For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact Cassandra at (925) 360-4707 or on the web, at Cassandra@conceptsdemode.com.

(Photography by Marie Padilla & Ryan Gabriel | Styled by Loralei Rose Bingamon for bellamaven.com| Modeled by Abby Nyema, Denise Ammon, Loralei Rose Bingamon, and Molly Pool.)