So chic, so over the top, and so me!

by Carlina Harris

Those of you who live in or near San Francisco must have visited the Westfield Shopping Center at least 100 times once by now, since opening three years ago (if not, do so immediately, there are many a trinkets to be found before the 25th of December!) This year in fact, Edition by Banana Republic, at the aforementioned shopping center, won my heart as favorite "boutique feel" store of the year!

Last week I attended a cocktail party at Edition, showcasing their newest holiday goods. Boy was I crushing hard on the undeniably chic, over the top baubles presented. Everything from the thick roped necklaces, the rhinestone encrusted headbands, to the golf ball sized- Dynasty influenced clip on earrings, were FABULOUS!

You can never go wrong with tassel necklaces, and stacks of arm candy!

  A beautiful art deco inspired piece!

Organized chaos--stunning!

Classic Elegance: PONO Tortoise Shell Cuff

by Carlina Harris

As a fashion editor there are a lot of great perks. Besides getting to attend fabulous events, write about upcoming designers, and great fashion, I also get to try out new products! This past month, I received the most beautiful bracelet in the mail from PONO.

With its delicate frame, the lovely gold etchings, and the stunning blend of espresso and toffee colors, this tortoise shell cuff is the perfect accessory for any upcoming holiday party!  I recently wore it to a birthday party and received more complements than the birthday girl! Thanks PONO, this is one stunner sure to become a classic.

Check out all of PONO's elegant and unique pieces here.

Seeing Red at the Marketplace

by Carlina Harris

As you know, last week I went to Seattle, WA to visit a friend for a long weekend. While we were at Pike Place, a marketplace, a photographer came up to me, and asked to take my picture for her street-style look-book. I was thrilled to, since I frequent these sites often! Check out what she said about my outfit, or click on the link here.

"I spotted Carlina at Pike Place today and had to fight my way through a crowd of tourists so I could get a shot of her great coat! It's so easy to forget about color once the weather turns cold and grey, but she did a great job of pairing a beautiful red coat with a silvery blue scarf. Bright and cute and still keeps the cold out!"

So I decided I wanted to showcase great outfit post from the readers--you! I am always inspired by others' imaginations and ability to style, so show me what you got. Send the pictures to my email at carlina@brandhabit.com. My favorite outfit post will get a cool giveaway!!!

THREAD’s Two-Day Holiday Event

by Carlina Harris

Shopping season is upon us! Lovely presents for good little girls and boys, trinkets, tinsel and toys. Who doesn't love to shop? Well except maybe straight boys. This weekend you can get your shop on at THREAD’s Two-Day Holiday Event, and cross off everyone on your nice list- there will be items for girls, boys, old and young!

The event will take place at Fort Mason, November 20 and 21st, from 11 to PM.

Enjoy a photo booth, style lounge, live art, art and fashion shows from Art Now SF, drink specials, as well as remarkable steals and deals on clothing, jewelry, and one of a kind finds from local artisans and emerging artists! And check out the giant clothes swap happening, so come and recycle your slightly used stylish clothes and upgrade for different ones.

Tickets are $10 at the door or $8 if you RSVP online before the show. Entrance includes shopping tote and free cocktails for the first 250 guests each day.

See you at THREAD!

Bonjour Chanel, Bienvenue!

by Carlina Harris

Who doesn't love a little black dress? A strand of elegant pearls? A short tweed jacket? An always forever classic set of "c's" interlocking? Ah Chanel- my one true yet very expensive love! You're back from hiatus, vacation, fashion week? Who knows, all I heard is that you left me months ago, leaving me and our spot at Maiden Lane all alone to be sad, depressed and fashion-less.

Whats that? You're back, and you're opening those pristine doors once again to an even better, and more extravagant boutique in San Francisco. Glory be, music to my ears, how I waited for this day. We shall be reunited once again! But I am not a jealous gal, I know I can't keep you all to myself.

So here's the deets: November 20, and 21 from 10am-6pm, the official re-opening of the renovated boutique. Enjoy the festivities with complimentary makeup sessions, and discover the Cruise Collection exclusives.

Au revoir mademoiselle!

Leopard Prints Charming

by Carlina Harris

I am so excited! I am going to Seattle tonight to visit a very good friend of mine, and spending the weekend with her at her country home just outside of the big city. Since its going to be raining all weekend, we will try to keep warm by staying indoors (hopefully)-- we'll bake cookies, drink champagne, go shopping, and have all sorts of girlfriend fun times!

Now the only problem here is, I don't really know what to pack. Last time we hung out in California, I wore a vintage sequin top with shoulder pads--and I think she thought it was a little much! Should I tone it down for the low key life in Washington, or should I bring the seksi to Seattle? Well if you have been reading "Links We Love" for the past two years, I am not really one to tone it down, hence this. So of course, I will bring the fierceness, and by fierce I mean leopard!

Who doesn't love this gaudy, abrasive print, in its many forms (fur, cashmere, cotton) and shades? Its a trend that always seems to pop up around this time of year--holiday season. It is perfect for all those parties, festivities, and definitely a conversation starter! What's that, you say this is one trend you can't do? Sure you can, just take baby steps, not ready for the full on leopard dress (not really appropriate for my weekend festivities), try a sassy leopard flat, or a cashmere scarf, to incorporate some of this trend, and as to not go overkill.

Check out some of my suggestions below for how to tone down all these pieces, what I'm bringing with me on my trip, and what I am saving for SF, NY, Paris!

Seattle bound:
 

Trying to remain true towards my feelings for fashion, yet not to avant-garde for the rest for the state, these were my top three for Seattle. I love how on the leopard pump, the color gradually fades to black, understated elegance at its best. The cashmere wrap is obvi for the plane, and everywhere else, its just too fabulous not to wear! And the cardi is fun, and cashmere, perfect for a chilly day, rain gear not included. From left to right: CARLOS by Carlos Santana Leopard Pump, Zappos, $110; Leopard Cashmere Travel Wrap, Madison LA, $345; Cashmere Leopard Cardigan, Bergorf Goodman, $265

Saving for the SF, NY, Paris:

 

Now these three are bold leopard, they don't just say look at me, they demand the attention of the entire building! I had to throw in the Louboutin's of course, sexy meets of the moment fierceness, and that red sole is so beautiful! The cap sleeved dress is very elegant, and a simple look to do: only accessories, shoes, and red lips required. Now the last item- the oh so fabulous coat, the one that caught my eye (at JC Penny's none the less) and is now hanging in my already over packed closed, well there really are no words. Except, I got it for under $50 in store, when online it says $84!!!!

Left to right: Christian Louboutin, Saks Fifth Avenue, $1,095; Satin Leopard Print dress, Tadashi Shoji, Neiman Marcus, $290; Leopard coat, Oxford & Regent, JC Penny, $83.99

Au revoir mon cheri!

Fall Flat Wishlist

by Carlina Harris

Heels have been getting taller and taller lately- eight inches anyone?  My feet really can't handle it (being Lady Gaga for Halloween definitely took a toll on my poor tootsies- but it was sooo much fun being her)! (gaga on left, geisha on right)

Hence, I am pretty excited that flats are so back, in a big way. No longer do you have to be tall to be chic. Flats can be fabulous too. Winter is just around the corner, give your toes some sass, and sparkle with some of my favorite flat picks.

Sparkle and Shine:

Sequins and rhinestones are big hits during the holiday season, why not bring the bling to your feet? Sassy flats can be as statement making as any old pair of platforms. Tone down the rest of your outfit, as to not appear a walking talking Christmas display. Go ahead and turn up the bright on your feet and watch heads turn!

   
Studded Styles:

These stunner's are just too hot to trot (in). Fashion folks round the world have professed their undying love for this hardware, seen on purses and clothes. Obvious shoes were getting a bit jealous! 

   

Menswear:

Another huge trend. It has been creeping up on us in form of button downs, slacks, fedora's, and now shoes. I already own a fabulous pair of taupe oxfords, but may have to get another- the price on the F21 ones are great!

  

(Rhinestone Leopard Toe Flats, F21, $19.80; D&G Dolce and Gabana Ballet Flats Studded, $945; Bronze Glittered Point Toe Flats, F21, $10.80; Christian Louboutin Rollerball, $995; Dorthy, Boutique 9, Nine West, $110; Wing Tip Oxfords, F21, $19.80; Maloles Studded Oxford, $455)

Litter SF: Beautiful, Dirty, Rich

By Carlina Harris

When I saw this jewelry collection, Lady Gaga's " Beautiful Dirty Rich" song bust in my head. Appropriate since I could see the Lady herself rockin' any of the pieces. Stunning jewelry, with a grimy lived in feel, expensive looking = beautiful dirty rich.

 These beautiful and dirty rich pieces, are none other than Litter SF. Litter SF have the dopest selection of chain jewelry designed by sisters Rachael and Mackenzie, a "fashionably-forward girl duo"- affectionately described by the ubiquitous Rachel Zoe. Their collection currently only available by website, is composed of body harnesses, head pieces, thigh garters, shoe jewelry and much more! All of which are bananas! I died the first time I saw a chain harness, but the Litter pieces are out of control cool. Lets just say your bad-ass factor will go up tenfold after rocking the shoulder piece!

I just couldn't pick a favorite piece, so I narrowed it down to my top six. Check them out:

Stunning from top left, clockwise: Leafy Headpiece, $145;  Belly Dancer Shoulder Piece, $325; Sterling Silver Cougar Claw, $48;  Bullets and Chains Knee Strap, $115; Beetle Hand Jewelry, $125; Chain Garter 2, $220

Need me some cougar claws asap, hell who am I kidding--need them all!

xoxo, your fave fashion editor

Martini's to Marathon's

By Carlina Harris

On Friday my sister and I had a date at the ritzy W Hotel to attend "This Old Bag", a benefit for the breast cancer emergency fund. We enjoyed appetizers and cocktails while bidding on scores of handbags donated by fashion designers, celebrities and San Francisco’s leading philanthropists. After checking out all the bags, and having our fill of mini sliders, and martini's, we signed up get manicures!  We had such a great time (even met up with CEO of BrandHabit), but I could not get carried away, I had a big weekend ahead of me. My Nike Women's Half Marathon was less than 48 hours away!!!

For several months prior to last Sunday, I ran religiously four times a week in preparation for my first half marathon.  I was determined to stay healthy, be fit, and prove that I could run 13.1 miles without killing myself. Well I did it. I knew it would be hard, but never did I imagine that the San Francisco hills would make me want to throw myself off of one around mile six! Mile seven couldn't come soon enough, then eight, and nine, and little did I know it, mile 13 was right around  the corner. I did it! I felt accomplished, proud, and tired! I needed to sit down, but first I needed to stretch, maybe a massage?

What a weekend it was, seems like so long ago!

me, after the finish line, in my stylin' silver cape!

Fall's Chunky Look

By Carlina Harris

   



Most women don't like the word "chunky", I thankfully am not one of them. I would like to say for the record, I am referring to fall chunky sweaters of course! The cut, fit, and voluminous-ness of these hand woven knit's are amazing. These oversized toppers, are trendsetters themselves, no extra elaboration needed. Just pair with a simple pair of leggings, or pencil skinny jeans (no lamé gold spandex here), light on the accessories, maybe a long necklace, or thin bangles. Then for the shoes, opt for bad a*s moto chic boots, to toughen out that "grandpa look", flats, or super high platforms for a night out!

Temperatures have recently went from 80 to 60 in less than a week, and I realized, I need to get my hands on something cozy, blanket like, and extremely chic. Lets just say, there are a lot of options out there, ranging from $30 to (gasp) $380. 

Options from top to bottom, left to right: LaRok Pocket Cardigan, Nordstrom, $328; Frenchi Oversized Open Front Cardigan, Nordstrom, $48; Joie 'October' Tunic Sweater, Nordstrom, $378; Laurie B Wrap Sweater, Revolve Clothing, $162; Simply Vera By Vera Wang Poncho, Kohl's, $47; Stripe Shawl Sweater, Forever 21, $29.80.

xoxo, your fearless fall fashion follower, BH Fashion and Accessories Editor