FASHION WITH ERICA -- TANGLED NECKLACE REMEDY

Assistant fashion editor Erica Milano has a cool storage tip for us today. -- AP

Thanks, Anastasia! How many of you have dealt with necklace chain tangle? You know what I mean. All those fine chains that no matter how carefully you lay them out in your jewelry box or drawer somehow manage to get all tangled up in each other. It’s almost as if there’s an evil necklace elf who sneaks into our jewelry boxes when we’re not looking and deliberately tangles and knots together all our chains.

Well, here’s a great tip for ridding yourself of that evil elf. Feed each necklace chain through a drinking straw and fasten before storing. Voila! No more tangles.

Great suggestion, Erica! I tried this, and it really works. Readers, if you have a tip you think others would be interested in, why not share it with us? Post a comment to enter the drawing for a chance to win a book from our Friday Book Club guest author. -- AP

FASHION WITH ERICA -- STUD THIS!

Assistant fashion editor Erica Milano is back today with another fashion trend and a few tips she got from yours truly. -- AP

That’s right, Anastasia. Metal studs are no longer just for dog collars and bikers. They’ve become the embellishment of choice for many designers. You’ll find them on everything from jeans to jackets to belts to purses to shoes and more this year.

However, most of us can’t afford designer stud duds. So what’s a fashion conscious girl to do? Head for the crafts store! I learned this little trick from our very own crafts editor here at American Woman, Anastasia Pollack. The other day Anastasia took a look at some studded samples that came into the office, rolled her eyes at the price tags, and proceeded to clue me into the Secret of the Crafting Sisterhood -- DIY!

Love those studs? Just head over to your local crafts store and purchase a variety of studs and a stud setter (sometimes called rivets or prongs.) You’ll find them in the jewelry-making aisle. There are even iron-on varieties. Both come with simple, easy-to-follow directions. For those items you want to decorate where you can’t use a setter or an iron, purchase jewelry glue. With a few dollars and a few hours of your time, you can update your existing wardrobe and accessories to one of today’s hottest trends. And no one has to know those fab shoes aren’t crafted by Jimmy Choo.

Thanks, Erica. I just hope I haven’t created a monster. Readers, you should see our office. Erica has become a studding mad woman! We may need to gather the other editors for a stud intervention. How do you feel about studs? Wooden, fashion, or otherwise. Post a comment to be entered in this week's drawing for a book from our Book Club Friday guest author. -- AP

FASHION WITH ERICA -- FUNKY, CHUNKY NECKLACES

Assistant fashion editor Erica Milano is here today to talk about a major trend in fashion accessories that’s pretty hard to miss these days. -- AP

That’s right, Anastasia. Lately, when it comes to necklaces, the bigger the better. Big, bold, funky, chunky necklaces, sometimes called statement necklaces, have been all the rage on the fashion runway as well as the red carpet. Now they’ve entered mainstream fashion. Styles run the gamut from short chunky chains to long, layered strands to mesh-like bibs. Wooden beads to gemstones. Organic looking baubles to geometric shapes. Metallics to earth tones to super bright colors. Anything goes as long as it’s huge.

These necklaces are being worn with everything from jeans and t-shirts to evening wear. However, when you wear one, you want to make sure it doesn’t overpower you. The trick to pulling off this fashion trend is to keep everything else very simple. Skip the earrings, bracelets, and pins. Let the necklace be your one and only “statement.”


Thanks, Erica! For those of you who love the look but can’t afford the cost, take a trip to your local crafts store to buy the supplies for making these necklaces yourself. They’d make great holiday gifts or a treat for yourself for that New Year’s eve party. 


And here's another tip: change up an existing necklace by adding a large pin. Just connect the ends of the necklace to the pin back and you've got a trendy fashion accessory without spending a dime.


What type of jewelry do you like to wear? Post a comment to be entered in our drawing for a book from our Book Club Friday guest author. -- AP

FASHION WITH ERICA -- LEOPARD PRINTS

Assistant fashion editor Erica Milano joins us today to discuss one of fashion’s latest trends. -- AP

Thanks, Anastasia. Have you noticed that everywhere you turn lately, it’s leopard this and leopard that? Leopard prints are once again a sizzling fashion trend. I don’t mean real leopard fur, mind you. The world doesn’t need the demise of another glorious species. I’m talking about leopard prints. 

They’re everywhere! From couture to K-Mart. And not just for women’s fashions. Guys are wearing leopard. Kids are wearing leopard. 

You’ll see leopard print accessories on everything from handbags to umbrellas to costume jewelry. Nail salons are featuring leopard print nail designs.

Even our homes are wearing leopard. Designers have embraced the leopard print with a passion rarely seen for any other decorative print. You can now find it in everything from wallpaper to lampshades to USB jump drives.

Want to be a fashionista? Think leopard the next time you’re out shopping. You’ll be the height of fashion.

Thanks, Erica. I know I’ve seen leopard everywhere lately, too. What about you readers? Are you partial to leopard prints? Where have you seen them? Have you bought anything with a leopard print design? Let’s hear from you. Post a comment this week to be entered in the drawing for a free book from our Book Club Friday guest author. -- AP