Over-The-Knee Fabulosity

By: Candace Cabrera Moore Contributing Writer/Fashion Week Correspondent

These Stuart Weitzman boots leave my heart skipping beats. As a vertically challenged person, it's been hard for me to find the highly sought after OTK boot that's been so hot this season. Because I'm so short, I find that most of the OTK's go wayyy too high. This boot looks just right for me, and for any petite girl, as it hits just above the knee cap, keeping the look simple and clean. I love the platform and the sky high heel. I'd wear them over jeggings and a long tunic sweater. Instant warmth and style!

Comeback Kid- Full Skirts

By: Laura Perez - CupcakeMag Intern


Full skirts are making a comeback! I’m so happy to see the 50’s lady like mid-calf-length skirts once again! They remind me so much of Grace Kelly, my fashion icon. I have always been in love with this style! You can find these full skirts in lace, leather, prints, plaids, florals and in so many other designs. So many designers are embracing this trend such as Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Jason Wu, Prada and Alexa Chung to name a few. The full skirt is simply classic and chic it’s a must have!

Saks Fifth Avenue, Lotusgrace Plaid Full-Skirt Dress, $320.00 

Neiman Marcus, Prada Full Skirt Dress, $850.00

Bergdorf Goodman, Jason Wu Printed Faille Full Skirt, $1,595.00

Bergdorf Goodman, Jason Wu Seersucker Full Skirt, $795.00

Etsy Featured Designer: Jeni Peragine’s Designs!

By: Elizabeth Seever

When we at Cupcake Mag were asked to review Jeni Peragine’s designs we couldn’t say no.  Jeni is a full time freelance Graphic and Web Designer. She has been married for two years and has seven fur-babies.

Jeni’s jewelry is inspired by everything around her. “I love anything that is modern vintage, baroque, real vintage or gothic.  I was raised with Native American EVERYTHING in my house because I am part Cherokee Indian. I honestly believe this may be where my feather fascination began.”  She designs gorgeous headbands, earrings and necklaces with feathers. We at Cupcake Mag loved the feather earrings accented with bird charms.  We also die over our vintage cameo necklace in navy blue. “Other than my feather items, I love to create my own twisted versions of modern vintage… Sometimes you find the most amazing vintage pieces at trade shows and flea markets.”

Don't you just LOVE these?!

Cupcake Mag: Is your first love graphic design? When did you think up "hey, I should start an etsy shop and make gorgeous things"?

Jeni Peragine: Well my mom is really crafty and makes beads and jewelry. Her style is COMPLETELY different than mine, but she was one inspiration.. The other is that I’m just obsessed with fashion, so I would always make my own jewelry. I would get tons of compliments, so eventually I just opened an etsy.

CM: Is your style reflected in your etsy shop? How do you describe your style?

JP: Oh definitely. I am feminine with a vintage/rocker edge. I love anything true vintage as well as modern vintage and I LOVE rock music and the whole skull and grunge look. Saying this... I still am feminine so I just try to mix those two very dominant types of design to come up with the perfect twist.

CM: Feathers are the center of your shop, how did you come up with feathers to be the main focal point of most of the shop?

JP: Feathers.... I absolutely LOVE them. I love birds too.. Outside, I couldn’t have one for a pet.. But they are fabulous. I’m just intrigued by them. Also, I am part Cherokee Indian and a lot of our home décor growing up was Native American EVERYTHING.. So a lot of it probably came from that.

Just clip and go! Makes a great statement piece!

CM: Do you have a favorite piece in your shop?

JP: I like a few of the items in my shop a little more than others, but if I don’t really LOVE something it doesn’t go in my store. I really love to make the feather clips though; they are different and NEW still to me. I have been making earrings and necklaces for some time so these sort of interest me a little more at the moment.

CM: When do you find time to make your pieces in your busy lifestyle?

JP: Whenever I feel creative and want to design jewelry, I just make time for it. I have tried to design on days that I was just not feeling it, and nothing gets accomplished. I just decided to design when I feel like it, it works out a lot better that way!!

This necklace was just enough flair to add to her OOTD.

CM: Fifty percent of all profits go to your cause BREATHE-AND-RELEASE, has it always been a dream to create an organization to help people directly (or indirectly..)

JP: YES!! I feel like it’s what I am supposed to do. I have been through a lot in my life and I feel that it is a necessity to use it to help others. The memories are not happy ones but they make me happy when I can share them with someone else to make them feel like they aren’t alone.

CM: What is next for your designs? For your cause BREATHE-AND-RELEASE?

JP: Next for my designs: Well I recently started working for myself as a Graphic/Web Designer doing freelance. I’m hoping that picks up really fast and also, due to this situation, I will have a ton more time to design items for my store. I have a new line of items coming out this year, so make sure to check out my store. I would share, but I do not want to ruin the surprise.

Her gorgeous work area

BREATHE-AND-RELEASE:  BREATHE-AND-RELEASE is officially incorporated, we are just working on getting things ready to apply for the 501c3. I travel around the country to conventions and events to share information about BREATHE-AND-RELEASE and I am currently working on putting together an event that helps reach out to people who have been abused and raped. This IS NOT all BREATHE-AND-RELEASE focuses on; it’s just for the type of event it’s for. Please check back to the fan page linked in this review for more details.

You can check out Jeni’s personal websites for more details:

Personal Blog

RockinMommi
FB FanPage RockinMommi 

Twitter

Website

Etsy

FB FanPage

 Twitter

Tumblr

Breathe and Release:

Website

FB FanPage

Twitter

Tumblr

Pretty Panchos

By:  Candace Cabrera Moore

 

Besides the gorgeous foliage and the impending Halloween candy consumption, another reason I look forward to fall is outwear. A big trend this season is the poncho. Easy to wear, and goes with everything, the poncho is a great go-to piece to throw on before you walk out the door. Choose a subtle black or grey if you're not too sure of the trend, or go big and bold with a bright print if you're ready to embrace it with open arms! The options out there are endless. 

Fashion Tip: If you are petite like me, and are scared of being swallowed up by the poncho, belt it to give yourself definition at the waist, and keep the rest of the outfit simple (think skinnies or leggings and knee high boots). This is a great staple to any fall wardrobe!

James Perse Poncho: http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3125618?origin=keywordsearch&resultback=366

American Eagle Poncho: http://www.ae.com/web/browse/product.jsp?catId=cat90048&productId=1454_7064&cid=AEO_CSE_k22350&mr:trackingCode=461BCC9C-C3AB-DF11-98FF-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA

NYFW: Luca Luca S/S 2011 Collection

By Candace Cabrera Moore, Fashion Correspondent 

Designer Raul Melgoza

The Luca Luca s/s11 runway collection was all about the ethereal, soft look. With SILK maxi dresses in soft patterned yellow, flowy cape jackets in neutrals, and draped, chiffon salmon day dresses that moved with the models, the collection literally took our breath away and gave us an element of goddess. Make up was by James Kaliardos for MAC, and the look was sheer and soft. Hair was by Teddy Charles with Cutler Salon and the look was pulled back and twisted on each side and rolled into an intricate bun at the base of the neck. This show was uber-feminine and simply stunning.

Kristin Cavallari, model Petra Nemcova, and actress Beth Ostrosky attend the Luca Luca Spring 2011

Meet the newest contributor, amazing Candace!

Candace Cabrera Moore is honored to join the cupcakeMAG team to help cover New York fashion week.

Born and raised in New England, Candace has always loved New York City and its 'anything goes' attitude when it comes to fashion.

Candace has always been interested in fashion. She loves clothing that is versatile and takes her from day to night with the addition of a few bold accessories. She is a self- proclaimed 'frugalista' and likes to keep an eye on sales and hunt for coupon codes to score the best deals.  Her mom owned a consignment boutique for over ten years which helped influence her frugal approach to shopping and an appreciation for  inding hidden gems in thrift stores.

Other interests including working out, healthy eating, reading and writing.  She lives with her husband and their two dogs.

Black & Gold: Fashion

Before E's first deployment, as we began our transition from years of being "just friends" to being a couple, we only had a brief period together to sustain us through a year of separation. During that time, a lot of things felt exceptionally important. Talking. Sharing old memories. Creating new ones. Being side by side.

Annika Aschberg

And, for me, somehow so did making sure E was aware I was a "silver girl." I figured it couldn't hurt to offer some guidelines should he decide at some point to give me a gift of jewelry. Gold just wasn't my thing! When telling him this, I might have used the word "hate."

For our first Christmas as a couple, one spent on opposite continents, E gave me a silver bracelet. He had taken my words to heart.

James Bennett

Then, while E was still deployed, something happened. At first, I swore it was a one time thing, but slowly I realized it was more than a passing flirtation. I found myself adoring gold.

So, I added a pair of gold earrings to my jewelry collection. Soon after, a set of gold bangles found their way home with me too. In a state of utter bliss, my love affair continued.

James Bennett

I failed to confess my change of heart to E, but it wasn't long after he returned home that he discovered it for himself. One afternoon, I watched surprise and disbelief flash across E's face as he registered the color of metal hanging from my ears, and he exclaimed, "I thought you hated gold?!"

Perhaps hate was too strong a word.

L: Urban Outfitters. R: Tory Burch.


Anthropologie

Left and Right: Anthropologie

ModCloth


L: Tory Burch. R: Badgley Mischka.


tuleste market


L: Lizzie Fortunato Jewels. R: Fiona Paxton.


Alanna Bess.


L: Landver. R: Forever 21.

Forever 21

L: Free People. R: Ippolita.

Way She Shimmers

During the holidays, it always seems pretty frocks are plentiful in stores, each anxiously waiting to be plucked from the rack and claimed by a lovely lady for wear during the various parties of the season.

And of all the events during the holidays, New Year's Eve provides a perfect reason to don one of the numerous dresses vying for a chance in the spotlight; there are beautiful metallic numbers that glisten and glow.

Chris Nicholls Photography

Kenneth Willardt

Sophie Hexter- Stylist

L: Temperley London. R: Badgley Mischka- Platinum Label.

L: Temeperly London. R: See by Chloe

L: Matthew Williamson. R: Philosophy di Alberta Ferreti.

Jewel-toned dresses glisten and shine next to black beauties that dazzle with embellishments. With so many choices and only one New Year's Eve each year, it's always difficult to decide what dress should get its chance to sparkle.

Annika Aschberg

Linda Nova- Stylist

Linda Nova- Stylist


L: ModCloth. R: Yoana Baraschi.

L: Anna Sui. R: Rachel Gilbert.

L: Rachel Gilbert. R: Alberta Ferretti.

While I'd adore the chance to throw on any of the gorgeous options above, this year, I'll be rocking a black, one-shouldered number as I welcome the new year. How about you? If you're heading out this New Year's Eve, what made your cut?