InStyle March 2014

 

 

The March 2014 issue of InStyle took my breath away!!!! I think they out did themselves!!! I loved every page, every ad and every detail from hair to makeup to of course the fashion.

The March issue is one I look forward to after I receive the December issue in the mail mid-November. Don't get me wrong, I like the newness of gearing up for the coming year with their January issue and pics from the latest award show in the February issue, but come on, how can you not like thinking about spring regardless if your under 10 feet of snow, spring just says newness and knowing it’s going to be warmer days ahead seems to help.

I loved this issue. There’s the cover picture and then 2 other pics of cover girl Nicole Kidman. My favorite is the cover pic and the second pic of her, in a lovely shimmery strapless number by Lanvin. 

I liked Behind the Scenes on page 84. My favorite was the Haute Cuisine. It made me want to try new restaurants in my area. Some of the staff members tried out chestnut pudding in London, bruschetta in Italy, and fish on the barbie in Sydney.

On page 90 70% voted that they liked the Sophisticated berry from to carry on into spring. I love that too.  Just my hue! ;  ) On page 92 the lavender polish is in and they like Lilacism by Essie. I’ll have to check that out real soon to see what I think.

I always enjoy Inspired by InStyle on page 120. Ashley of Dallas created a very sophisticated out with a boxy jacket, a turtleneck and slim black pants. I’m loving the look myself. I also liked Lauren from Atlanta’s look, pairing a leather peplum sleeveless top with a soft tan skirt and new strappy heels, making it office worthy wear. Inspired by InStyle continues on page 126.

Kerry Washington shows off a universal flattering dress on page 134. I’d wear it in this spring’s hottest hues, and of course black to keep it timeless and something that with the right fabric can be worn year around! Also on the same page, Olivia Munn shows off a pair of spiky hoops by Dannijo. www.dannijo.com.

On page 158 Designers Get Schooled as some beautiful and unique dresses and tops. My favorite is the Channel printed satin dress, but at $8,000.00 I’ll find something else I like just as well, if not better.  The 3.1 Phillip Lim dress is truly well thought out in design print. The designer dug deep to get this idea of rich bands of geodes to be embroidery at the bottom of the dress.

Just like the March 2014 issue of Harper’s Bazaar, Elie Tahari is featured in this month’s issue of InStyle.  In his new 1974 anniversary collection is inspired by his favorite Big Apple neighborhoods, such as Uptown, Downtown, Gramercy and Bowery. I like the cotton dress with elastic side panels from the Gramercy collection, all on page 165.

Mint green is the hue to have on your nails this spring. Spring over to page 168 to check out the polishes they have listed. If they are out of your price range, Essie and OPI have some lovely shades in mint hues as well.

Starting page 182 to 186 you can see the different parties the stars attended and what they were all about.

We’re Loving on page 204 show cases the lovely Keira Knightly in Chanel Haute Couture and Naomi Watts’s in Michael Kors dress with a retro glam feel to it. On page 208 Alexa Chung show cases a Carven dress that even I would wear as well as Mandy Moore’s Chloe dress.  And then on page 214 I’m loving Nyong’o Lupita and Krysten Ritter’s dresses.

In Designer Focus on page 219, Raf Simons for Dior talks about the new look of the company and has lots of inspiration.

Her 10 Best Ever! Show cases Emma Watson on pages 230 & 231. My favorite is No. 7, & 2. She’s all grown up and classy!

Ask A Designer’s Diane von Furstenberg gives advice on a collarless jacket, going bare legged, to spring’s high waisted skirts and that one pair of shoes that will take you from winter to spring in no time, all on page 240.

Page 245 is all about the looks for the Golden Globes!!! I really like Lupita Nyong’o orange Ralph Lauren Collection dress. Then on pages 246 & 247 shows off a slue of celebs in designer dresses. Reese Witherspoon looks stunning in Calvin Klein Collection dress while Julia Louis-Dreyfus looks breathtaking in a red dress by Narciso Rodrguez. On page 253 there’s even more well dressed celebs and then there’s a fold out page of the after parties.

In Your Look, it breaks down the best way to wear a jump-suit page 267 with more  ideas on page 268. I really like the one by Diane von Furstenberg.

On page 271 to 278 in Instant Style, lists the 5 key pieces to build that spring wardrobe.

I actually like the Color Crash Course this month on page 282. Mint is the color of the month and can work all spring and summer long. For a wild card pairing, try putting cranberry with it. I think I would and it can work into fall, especially if it still feels like summer in October.

You Can Do Ruffles on page 288. I like the leather sandals by L.K. Bennett, as well as the Polyester dress from Topshop for just $120.00.

Cindy Weber Cleary and Elyse Maloni show 2 ways you can style a leather shell on page 308. I like Cindy’s the best.

On page 321 You’re a Shoe-In and I’m really loving the shoes on page 328, by Calvin Klein and page 330 is lovely pastel hued shoes and I like Stuart Weitzman suede sandals in blush. If a boudoir shoe is more you liking then you’ll like page 332. I like the silk satin sandals by Balenciaga, the lace and suede sandals by Nicholas Kirkwood. If you live a more sporty life, check out page 334.

As spring comes, its time to clean out those closets and page 341 has some good ideas. It gives you ideas if you are a minimalist, an accessories maven, an investor or you’re a trend-spotter. I consider myself the Investor because I spend good money on nice clothes and I make sure I get my money’s worth and its something I’m going to wear until it fall apart.

Clothes We Love starts on page 353 and goes through page 378.  I like the Petal Pushes in both the tropical and delicate flowers, as well as the Haute Minimalism in black and white, which is always a classic color combination. I could see myself wearing the Robert Rodriguez dress from www.saks.com this spring with black, white or even radiant orchid strappy heels. On page 364 I like the Emporio Armani silk blend slacks in blush.  Jewels of the Season on page 366 makes me want to find something to go with a top I already have to stay on trend and have an excuse to wear it.  The sporty ladies are not left out, check out page 372.

Master of Art on page 380 gives ideas on dresses, tops and skirts for this season. On page 384 I like the wide crop pants, but I think I would also like them to be longer too for a more dressy look in the evening.

In Beauty on page 405 is The Ripple Effect. Giving new ideas on pony tails and how to keep them fresh and chic all the time. 

Actress Emily Browning show cases the seasons pastels on page 406.

For all the makeup junkies, turn to page 417 for The Big Brush Off. Page 418 talks about  blush, powder and eye shadow brushes and those budget friendly ones as well. Their pro fave was Sonia Kashuck Kashuck flat top multipurpose brush for $16 at Target. I have a few of her brushes and I like them. I don’t really see a difference between hers and Sephoria’s. Page 420 shows the difference between a natural and synthetic makeup brush. And when I can I would buy the Sigma brush collection. www.sigma.com. On page 422 are the Task Masters and you can find what blending, fanning, creasing and sculpting brushes are the best and worth the money.

On page 427 You Can Do eye liner like a rock star from Kate Moss to Kristen Stewart. Its simple and easy to do.

There are 10 ways you can tone up for spring on page 431.

Talk beauty with Jennifer Lopez and get the scoop on her latest perfume, J Love, on page 441 & 442.

Getting braiding tips on page 445.

Page 450 is all about perfume from rose scented to Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen’s latest, Nirvana Black and Nirvana White. I personally like Black, and then there’s Joy Forever by Jean Patou.

Check out Jennifer Lawrence’s transformation over the years on page 456.

Get Carried Away with the latest bags on page 480 and find out which hand bag you like on page 482. I love the black and white studded leather Louis Vuitton on page 484. They are $5,200 each at select Louis Vuitton stores. I like the faux leather Bebe tote on page 490 for all my things.

Shop like a Fashion Editor on page 493 is always a good read and helps you see what you might want to add or even take out of your closet.

Steels and Deals on page 516 is all white and I’m loving it for spring and summer!

Read about cover girl Nicole Kidman on page 532. And the pictures are amazing!!! Love them, especially page 534 and 540!!!!

Spring Fling with Shailene Woodley and Theo James on page 554 shows off the season’s hottest looks. Page 556 & 557 is breathtaking and beautiful. I’d wear the Caroling Herrera silk blouse on page 565.

Joy Bryant radiates in Garden State on page 556. I love all the clothes she models and the graphic black n white is sweet.

Downton Abby’s Jessica Brow Findlay looks extra chic in black and white on page 576. I love the Ralph Lauren dress she wears on page 583.

In Life etc. get a peak into design Carolina Herrera’s home in Manhattan on page 591. Her home is as classy as her dresses.

Take a décor quiz on page 600 to find out what your décor style is. . . given you haven’t found a style that you like.

And closing the out the March issue in a look back on all the covers Jennifer Aniston has appeared on. Her first cover was back in September 1999!!!

This year is InStyle’s 20 anniversary year and I would highly suggest to get all the issues this year because it would be a collectors item. You can find the January and February issues on Ebay and Amazon.

Happy reading!