WWDMagic Feb 2014

Last week we spent a few days in Las Vegas at the WWDMagic… a HUGE collection of women’s apparel, shoes and accessories! Those days were filled with looking through more clothes then you can imagine! We shopped non-stop for spring trends from our favorite brands as well as discovered new brands we can’t wait to bring inside Blues and Shoes! The photos below give you a glimpse into what you may find in store this spring as well as give you a feel for what it’s like as a buyer at WWDMagic. We gasped at many cute items from brands including Alythea, En Creme,Flying Tomato, Ciel, Ya, and Hem & Thread.

Valentines Treats

Want to treat your honey to some yummy treats this Valentines treats but not break your diet…local bloggers “The Style Kittens” have some solutions for you!

Check out their v-day video to find out how to make some creative “skinny” and very yummy treats!

Let us know If you try these yourself! The dark chocolate raspberries are way too easy not to try!

xoxo

How to make your own flower crown!

Flower crowns are going to be so hot this spring!

Whether you prefer the small dainty flowers or big bright roses, this tutorial from Burkatron will help you make an easy and affordable crown that you will be proud to wear this season.

They are so fun to make and not expensive either, mine came in under $15 and took me roughly an hour to finish!

I’d love to make one out of fresh flowers but for the time being I opted for silk flowers which are easy to get hold of and last a lot longer.

The main things you need are an assortment of flowers (available at craft or home stores) garden wire and some fine jewelry wire.

A pair of scissors or pliers to cut is also a must!

Measure and bend the wire to fit your head (make it a little bigger as the more flowers you add the tighter the fit will become) wrap another length of wire around the crown to make it more secure.

Now comes the fun part… Start twisting your flowers into the crown- you’ll find the flowers have wire stems so this is surprisingly easy.

You can use the fine wire to secure and tidy any stems, trim off the excess.

When I arranged my flowers I used the largest blooms at the front,

then used the smaller flowers around the sides to create a graduated effect (I think it would be too big to wear otherwise!)

I found the smaller flowers worked best around the back of the crown where it rests against the base of your neck.

I wrapped some raffia around the crown just to decorate… You could also use ribbon which would look really pretty!

Taaaa daaaa! One finished pastel flower crown, Now I’m ready to get my festival on!

Do you think you’ll be tempted to try one yourself?

Here’s some inspiration from celebrities who have been spotted wearing these gorgeous flower crowns!

Stop by Blues and Shoes and show us your own handmade floral crown… We would be so happy to see them!

You can also come check out our new shipment of floral headbands and many more styles we’re sure you’ll want to pick up for spring!

Check in and get REWARDS!

Do you love getting discounts? Well at Blues and Shoes we already give you super low prices every single day, but just because we love you so much we want to give you even more savings!

From April 28th to May 28th check into Blues on Facebook every time you visit and on the third visit you get $10 off of a purchase of $50 or more! That extra $10 can get you so much more to complete your outfit!

The only way to get this awesome discount is by coming in! Get in here and get styled by one of our fabulous stylists! Not only do you get the discount for being a loyal customer you are also racking up some serious VIP points on all non sale items!

What are you waiting for? Get in here today and share this with your friends! We love turning a styling into a fashion party!

Household Tips to Save Your Clothes and Money

tongdang / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

How many times have you found the perfect dress and its ruined by makeup stains or worse, grease? Well stop throwing away your fave pieces (and money) with these simple house hold tips!

Yellow Armpit Stains: Many chemicals from deoderants remain on clothing even after being washed, especially in cool water cycles. To remove the stains soak the garment in warm water and rub the stains with white vinegar. Wash in the hottest water allowed for the fabric. If you have a stubborn stain on your hands sprinkle that sucker with meat tenderizer and wash again.

Oil Stains: To get oil stains out of fabric there are a couple of different options. The first is to soak the stain in rubbing alcohol then wash. Another is to rub the stain with chalk, then wash. If you have a grease-fighting dish soap you can also treat the stain with that, let it soak for about 10 min then launder.

Keep Jeans from Fading: Soak the jeans in a mixture of about 4tbsp. of white vinegar and 5 quarts of water for about 30 min. Then wash inside out. You only have to do this once and definitely do it when they are brand new and have never been washed.

Makeup and Foundation Stains: Spray the stain with hairspray. Make sure to spray enough so that the hairspray penetrates the fabric on both sides. Another great way to kick the stains out is by rubbing with shampoo, soaking for about 15 min and then washing.

Lipstick Stains: Removing lipstick stains can be a breeze, just rub the spot with non-gel toothpaste and wash!

Air Dry Sweater Stretching: To avoid an awkward sweater due to stretching from being hang dried, use a clean old window screen to lay the sweater on top of.

So there you go, some quick at home remedies for some of our most common fashion emergencies. Do have any tips? We’d love to hear about them in the comments section!

And just in case that garment is too far gone to be saved then come in to Blues and Shoes today to get dressed up from head to toe by one of our AMAZING stylists! Dont forget to like us and follow us on Pinterest and Twitter for more fashion, inspiration, and tips!

Shout out thanks to lifetips.com

Trend Alert: High Waisted Flares

That’s right ladies, high waisted flared jeans are back in a BIG way! I know most of you are intimidated by the thought of setting your skinnies aside and opting for the not so new new trend, but flared jeans are usually 3000x’s more flattering than those skinny jeans and can create an elongated silhouette for your body. Which basically means you look long, lean, and fabulous.

Plus now that the waists are higher those super cute little crop tops you’ve been wanting to wear (but havent because of belly issues) are now safe! Most problem areas in the mid section are covered up, camouflaged, and tucked away! So go on girls, rock that top!

Below are a couple different styles and looks to wear with this ridiculously cute trend:

We chose a longer, flowier top to go with them to add even more length to the silhouette. It's all about balance ladies!

This brand of jean here is called Ditto’s. They were really popular in the 70’s and 80’s and now they’re making a come back! One of the great things about these jeans is the iconic saddle stitching on the butt. This type of stitch makes your hynnie look AMAZING and creates a better fit. Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, and Macy’s are all selling this exact pair of jeans for well over $120, but we have them for $89, because we love you!

See how freaking cute the crop top looks with these high waisted corduroy NYC brand jeans? The boxy square cut of most crop tops balances really nicely with the length and width of high waisted flares. So go on out there and be bold in your new look!

Still nervous about how to wear this new trend? Come in to Blues and Shoes today and get styled from head to toe in an outfit thats perfect for you! All of our employees are fabulous fashionistas and they’ll walk you through the do’s and dont’s to get a killer look that you feel good in!

Dont forget to LIKE us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter and Pinterest!

XOXO,

Blues and Shoes

How to make a scarf-vest

With the weather getting warmer its time to dust off those bathing suits and tank tops. But what to wear over it all if your feeling a little too bare? How about a scarf vest? All you need is a large scarf and about a minute and you’re all set. Scarf-vests are perfect for bathing suite cover ups or as an accent piece to a tank and some shorts. Add some fab in a flash.

(Side note, the larger the scarf the longer the vest. Smaller scarves make adorable short vests)

 We’re always posting the latest fashions and new merchandise so don’t forget to LIKE us on facebook, follow us on Twitter or Pinterest!

Love what we’re doing here? Than come into the store today and get the best shopping experience from our personal stylists! Styling is always free with prices you dont need to wait for a sale to enjoy! We’re located at 457 Carlsbad Village Dr., Carlsbad, CA. 

New Spring Looks

We have a ton of new merch in the store, so we decided to do an impromptu photo shoot with one of our stylists, Taryn (say hi if you see her in one of the stores!)

With so much new pretty stuff to love and wear we thought we would give ya some look inspirations and some fun ways to wear these pieces together. Let us know what you think in the comments section or posting on our facebook page.

High waisted corduroy bellbottoms with our orange and brown lace up heels and floral floppy hat. A light sweater is the perfect top to these funky fresh bottoms.

Super cute coral shorts with an oversized cropped sheer top. Cant forget the hat of course.

Nothing looks quite as glamourous as a long silhouette. Make your legs look miles long in our sheer-flowy pants and lacy button up top.

Cant forget the accessories! This leather messenger bag looks great with a taupe floppy hat and our wedge Sbicca sandals.

5 Ways to Wear an Infinity Scarf

As winter winds down we start getting out of the cold weather clothes and into some flirty spring wear. Although scarves are traditionally thought of as something you wear to bundle up, we at Blues and Shoes have light-weight, fun spring infinity scarves and a few different ways to wear them!

1. The Double Loop

The most basic and easiest way to wear this scarf. Just place over your head (like a necklace) then cross over to form a second loop and put over your head. This way looks best with bigger tops such a bulky cable-knit sweater.

2. The Triple Loop

The Triple Loop style is just like the double loop, but surprise, there’s an extra loop. The added weight around the collar area looks really good with plainer, thinner t-shirts, tops, and tank tops. The triple loops add drama and sophistication to an otherwise plain outfit.

3. The Slip Knot

The Slip Knot is a very quick way to add a little something extra to an outfit. Hold the scarf at each end, place around neck like you would with a regular scarf but pull one end through the other. This style looks great on thinner shirts or a thick sweater/sweatshirt.

4. The Knot

Place the scarf around your neck (like a necklace) and tie a knot at the end. This look is a perfect match for an open blazer. The thinner length of the scarf elongates the body and makes you look taller and leaner by drawing the eye vertically.

3. The Almost Vest

This is a fun and great way to jazz up a turtle neck, long sleeve shirt, or just plain or T-shirt! Place your arm through the scarf like you would a purse strap. Next twist the scarf how ever many times you need to for it to fit. More petite girls will probably twist a few times. Next place your other arm through the other side of the scarf, like a back pack. Adjust so that it is even and comfortable and viola! This look adds a fun, funky dimension to the plain ‘ol T-shirt and jeans.

Our model for this post is the lovely Amanda, one of our talented stylists! Come in, say hi, get dolled up!

We hope you liked our little tutorial! If you found it helpful or have more ways to wear an infinity scarf let us know in the comments!

Spring Skin Care

We all know the dangers of the sun on our skin, and that we should all wear sunscreen, but what else can we do to give our skin the radiant glow we all crave? Here are a few at home recipes for face scrubs, masks, and treatments that don’t cost an arm and a leg. In fact you probably already have most of these items in your kitchen right now.

Honey-Sugar Scrub

Honey is one of nature’s finest hidden beauty secrets, not only is it a naturally sweet treat it is also a natural antibacterial. Mixed with sugar this sticky goodness makes an incredibly effective yet gentle exfoliant.

Here’s What You Do:

Mix a third cup of honey with a quarter cup of sugar, the coarser the better but regular sugar will work just fine. Work the two ingredients together until mixed. Next gently massage the mixture over the entire surface of your face. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes and rinse. Doing this at least once a week will unclog pores, remove dead skin cells, and give your skin a warm glow.

Oatmeal-Milk-Honey Face Mask

If your having trouble with dry skin than this mask is perfect for you! Milk is great for adding and sealing in moisture, oatmeal soothes skin and works nicely with the milk. Honey helps add glow to your skin as well as fighting bacteria in your pores.

Here’s What You Do:

Cook a half cup of oatmeal in milk. Mix in 2 tablespoons of honey than put the mixture in the fridge for 20-30 minutes, you want it to be cold and sticky so that it will stick to your face. Apply mixture generously over your face and let sit for 15 minutes, then with a wash cloth and warm water gently rinse off. Skin will appear more supple and radiant. If your skin has a tendency to bounce back and forth between overly dry and overly oily than that means that your not getting enough moisture and your skins natural oils are trying to compensate for the drought. If your skin is already naturally oily and dryness is never an issue, then skip the milk and and just stick to the oatmeal and honey.

Egg White Mask for Acne

For some of us acne is our biggest issue. Extreme acne control washes can dry and irritate skin, so why not give your skin a break one night out of the week with something more natural? This super simple little mixture will alleviate red spots and tighten the skin.

Here’s What You Do:

Separate the egg whites from the yolks of 2 large eggs into a bowl. Add a few drops from a lemon wedge (or store bought lemon juice) and whisk until the mixture is frothy. Apply generously to the face, make sure you avoid the area around your eyes as the mask will harden and pull on that delicate skin. Let the mask sit for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water and a wash cloth, then tone and moisturize as normal.

We hope these recipes give you the glowing skin you deserve! Get your girls together for a night of beauty and try them out! Have any of your own recipes? We want to hear about them! Post them in the comment section and it could be featured in one of our next blogs!

(We are not doctors or dermatologists, these are just recipes we use and have been used by others. Do not use any of these recipes if you have a food allergy to any of the ingredients.)