Look for the Woman in Black and Blue for Fall 2012

Cherchez la Femme or "look for the woman" in black and blue this Fall 2012 fashion season. All you fashion forward women should be caught in the new haute color combo: black and blue. As you mix and match these hues, pile on the embellishment to complete your fashion forward look. What chic fashionista ever leaves her abode without her decorative icing? xx

Street Chic by anderson-mary-h featuring emilio pucci

Preen

Preen

Prabal

DKNY 

Rag and Bone

Carolina Herrera

Animal Print Accessories for Fall 2012

Animal Print accessories are all the rage this Fall in the world of fashion. They've been prowling along the catwalks of Proenza Schouler, Valentino, and Tom Ford (all featured below). Give any outfit an instant 2012 update by adding an animal print handbag, clutch or boot. Don't worry about storing away this fashion hit after Fall 2012. This trend is becoming more of a classic wardrobe staple which means it'll last past this fashion season. Animal print, whether zebra, cheetah or antelope inspired, is evolving from its neutral tones to vibrant colors. Whatever shade you choose, your animal print accessory will roar "fashionista". 

Animal Print Accessories for Fall 2012 by anderson-mary-h featuring boots

Proenza Schouler

Tom Ford

Valentino

Thakoon

Kelly Wearstler 

Giorgio Armani 

Stuart Weitzman

Which animal print is your fashion favorite for Fall 2012?

Velvet Galore: Fall/Winter 2012-2013 Fashion

Va Va Velvet! Stock your wardrobe with velvet galore to update your look this Fall/Winter 2012-2013 fashion season. Women's Wear Daily has deemed this trend as a Velvet Revolution. And sure enough, velvet is overthrowing the boring textiles of past seasons with its soft texture in various hues like honey gold, merlot, rose smoke and french roast (pictured below). You, fashionable men and women, will find this fashion forward fabric on a slim trouser, a tailored blazer, evening wedges, dazzling purses, elegant gowns, bow ties and more. I'm in love with the velvet collar necklaces that are popping up everywhere. Anyone and everyone can incorporate a little velvet into their fashion life. Just follow the couture designs of Fendi, Chanel and Lanvin (all pictured below). After all, texture is better this Fall/Winter 2012-2013 fashion season!

Rachel Zoe, Diane von Furstenberg, Tadashi Shoji
(http://www.tomandlorenzo.com/2012/03/fall-2012-trends-velvet.html)

Altuzarra, Kenzo, Lanvin
(http://www.tomandlorenzo.com/2012/03/fall-2012-trends-velvet.html)

Balmain, Carven, Burberry Prorsum
(http://www.tomandlorenzo.com/2012/03/fall-2012-trends-velvet.html)

Here's a precious velvet collar necklace that pairs nicely with a pants suit for Fall! 
(http://yasfx-back2toschoolstylemu.buzznet.com/user/photos/western-velvet-jewel-collar/?id=68309473)

Chanel
(http://www.vogue.com/collections/fall-2012-couture/chanel/review/#/collection/runway/fall-2012-couture/chanel/30)

Velvet Galore! by anderson-mary-h featuring wedge shoes

Moschino

Diesel

Burberry

Dolce & Gabbana

Will you be wearing velvet this Fall or Winter?

Gluten Free Conversion Chart

Miss those amazing recipes from the days when you weren't yet gluten free? There's hope to achieve that same great taste  with this handy conversion chart (pictured below). Replace the wheat flour in your recipe with the following ingredients: rice flour, potato starch, tapioca starch and xantham gum.

Add caphttp://www.gygi.com/blog/2012/07/20/gluten-free-baking-the-conversion-chart/tion

Use the chart above to figure out how much of each of the ingredients are needed to replace the wheat flour for your favorite recipes! 

Silvana Nardone's Gluten free & Dairy free Sugar-and-spiced Doughnuts

Ever looked for the perfect doughnut recipe without all the gut-enhancing gluten? Whether you must eat gluten free or simply prefer healthy eating, look no further. Here is the doughnut you've been searching for! Silvana Nardone, the founding editor and chief of the magazine Every Day with Rachael Ray, has done her homework and created the perfect gluten free and dairy free doughnut recipe. 

After her son Isaiah was diagnosed with allergies to gluten and dairy, she made it a personal goal to create allergy free foods that were comparable to the food her son was used to enjoying. From all her amazing and hard work came Cooking for Isaiah, her gluten free and dairy free cookbook! 

I discovered my gluten allergy four and a half years ago and my dairy allergy just a year and a half ago among many other allergies. I've travelled all over from London to Seattle, from Auckland to Paris, and this gluten free, dairy free doughnut has come closest to mimicking the flavor and satisfaction of a gluten and dairy induced doughnut. I've enjoyed this gluten free and dairy free Sugar-and-spiced Doughnut so much that I'm recommending this whole cookbook to you! I can't wait to try the rest of Silvana's recipes! Scroll down for the yummy recipe. 

I modified the recipe by using Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk and measuring out 3/4 cup of Xylitol rather than 1 cup of sugar in the dough portion of the doughnut, and I loved the yummy, slightly healthier finished product!

This would be the perfect coffee accessory or late night treat!

The Gold Standard: Fall Fashion 2012 Trend

Nothing says glamour better than gold. Models walked in liquid gold at the Fall 2012 shows of Elie Saab, Jason Wu and Rachel Zoe. This hue can be spotted this season on gowns, tops, pants, outerwear and accessories galore. Gold is the new fashion standard for Fall 2012.

The Gold Standard: Fall Fashion 2012 Trend by anderson-mary-h

Elie Saab Haute Couture 

Elie Saab Fall 2012

Shakespearean Baroque Fall 2012 Fashion Trend

From Brocades to Velvet, this Baroque style is taking us centuries back to enjoy the luxury and elegance of a royal era fit for the modern day fashion queen. To embrace this romantic trend, pair an embellished brocade dress with velvet heels fit for the Rues of Paris and extravagant earrings mesmerizing to commoners. Although this Fall 2012 fashion trend exudes the budget of the opulent as seen on the catwalks of Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana and Valentino (seen below), it is available to those shy of royal resources by brands like BB Dakota (featured below). For those stepping slowly into the territory of this "Old World" fashion trend, start by finishing off a slim gold trouser with a black velvet top and charming ear candy. Remember as you shop this season that embellishment and elegance are keys to the Shakespearean Baroque Fall 2012 Fashion Trend. Royal title not required. 

Dolce & Gabbana Needlepoint Lace Dress (upper left corner); Skater Baroque Dress by Chanel Boy (upper right corner); Torn by Ronny Kobo Ellen Baroque Maxi (center); Chanel Handbag (lower left); Christian Louboutin Velvet Heels (lower right) (Baroque Fall 2012 Fashion Trend by anderson-mary-h)

Rag & Bone Fall 2012 
(http://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/fashion-articles/rag-and-bone-brocade-coat-new-york-fashion-week-fall-2012-looks#slide-126)

BB Dakota Brocade Dress 
(BBDakota.com) 

(http://www.stylebistro.com/The+Top+Trends+From+New+York+Fashion+Week+Fall+2012/articles/ttKttoW-vuO/Brocade+Beauties)

(http://blog.missesdressy.com/fall-2012-trends-brocades-shakespearean-era-and-the-old-world.html)

The Peplum Rally of this Fall Fashion Season

The Peplum Rally is in full swing this Fall Fashion Season! Stars like Blake Lively, Kate Middleton, Jennifer Aniston and Michelle Williams are boasting this flirtatious trend on and off the red carpet. In their September issue, Marie Clare India features Lively in one of my favorite versions of this fashionable silhouette - in Antonio Berardi's sequin peplum gown (pictured below). I fell in love at first sight with this fabric waist flower. I give this trend an "absolute yes" for your Fall 2012 wardrobe. Don't miss out on the beloved peplum this season. It's a must-wear. xx

 

           Blake Lively             Kate Middleton              Jennifer Aniston         Michelle Williams

(http://brokeandchic.com/tag/fall-2012-trends/)

Ellery's gold peplum gown for Fall 2012

Lanvin's peplum ruby red dress for Fall 2012

Dior's embellished cap sleeve with peplum dress for Fall 2012

The Peplum Rally by anderson-mary-h featuring lanvin

ASOS pleated dress
asos.com

Haider ackermann
net-a-porter.com

Nicholas Kirkwood platform shoes
net-a-porter.com

Lanvin

forwardforward.com

Anthropologie is one of my faves. Just look how they styled this outfit.  It's too cute, and this precious peplum top is available at anthropologie.com. Get it now.