Style Resolutions

2008 stretches out ahead like a clean slate- there's something about New Year's Day that makes us feel like anything is possible. Check out some of our style resolutions for 2008 here- we're going to be chicer, more social, and much more. See you next year!

Countdown to 2008

Our hometown (NYC) hosts the world's biggest New Year's Eve party- and we think it's totally appropriate to dress up for the occasion! Sparkle like the Swarovski crystals on the ball that drops in Times Square with some of the New Year's looks we've put together- whether your style is flirty, boho, or classic, we've got a celebratory outfit for you that's high on style AND shine.

O Cabochon, O Cabochan, How Prettily You Sparkle

Getting fancied up for holiday fêtes is always fun, and since cocktail rings are 'so hot right now' we thought we'd plug Sheila Fajl's luminous chalcedony cabochon ring here. It's got all the weight of an heirloom or vintage piece, but the brushed gold setting gives it a modern edge. Plus, there are sweet star cutouts below the setting, which aren't visible to everyone, but we think it's sweet to have secret details that make you smile.

Add a Scarf!

What do you do when the mercury drops and you still want to look fabulously stylish (but warm, too)? Add a scarf! Extra long scarves are invading seemingly every hip NYC's woman's wardrobe; we're seeing them EVERYWHERE and they seem to be the perfect cold weather foil. Anna Kula's delicious cable knit and patchwork scarves are knit from the softest merino and come in lovely colors- from base neutrals to sunny brights. As we await an impending winter storm here on the East Coast, we're thinking that the addition of a chic scarf is going to keep us on track for all our holiday outfit plans.

All I Want for Christmas is Bling!

Zoe Chicco's gorgeous stacked set of rings were featured in the NY Times Sunday Styles section yesterday. The easiest way to drop the hint? tear out the page and fold into a briefcase/handbag/desk drawer, so whoever is gifting you will be surprised to see it- and think it was their idea!

Party Circuit

This time of year is special because it generally offers more opportunity to get dolled up and hit the town- we created some great 'holiday party' looks for the Ravinstyle girls, because it's always easier to have someone else put your look together, isnt it?

Wish List!

If you're too polite to ask for what you REALLY want for Christmas, a wish list is the perfect covert way to put all the trinkets you desire in the hands of those stumped for what to get for you. Ravinstyle.com has just added a Wish List to our list of features. All you need is an account- click here to get started! Create a NEW Ravinstyle Account

Gift Guides Galore

We've done all the hard thinking for you and sorted all of our best gift options into easy-to-follow guides so that all you have to do is click! and you're done. Stumped for your party-crazy little sister? Get her a shiny Cammie Hill clutch. Mom setting off on a winter vacay? She'll love Give's train case for all her toiletries. Free shipping offer ends on Friday!

Lucky You.

Even if you're not superstitious, can you argue with something stylish and fun that's supposed to bring you good luck? Clip this bag charm crafted from Brazilian miracle ribbons onto your handbag to add a little color and shine, with the added benefit of it's promise of protection, which should come in handy during your sample sale battles.

This Just In

Dutchy handbags are BRAND new at Ravinstyle. This Nana Doc satchel is particularly genius, because it bridges the gap between huge tote and ladylike handbag, while holding everything together in an organized but stylish way.

Shopper's Delight

Witness the shopping frenzy that is GenArt's ShopNYC at right. The next event is on December 5th at the Puck Building.
Chock full of great vendors, including Ravinstyle's very own Rachel Nasvik, Secrets of Charm, MarieMarie, Pretty Little Thing and Cammie Hill, it offers a dazzling array of merch at great discounts in a party atmosphere. If you sign up for our mailing list you'll get a special code to buy discount VIP tickets (hellooooo goody bag!) Code will be mailed next week.

Waist List

We were patiently awaiting this shipment of belts from brand-new line Spear. What makes them so special? Well- the leather is divine, the shapes are classicly perfect and so wearable, AND, the best part.......the buckle is 24k gold plated. Thats right- it's basically a gorgeous jewelry piece that you wear on your waist. It's the perfect thing to wear with a flowy tunic or slim cashmere dress to one of the million holiday parties on your social calender this season. Or just wear one with your favorite jeans- they'll pretty much make anything look spectacular.

Sneak Peek

Patent leather Kork-Ease! Yet another shot snapped during our press preview for Spring '08; these juicy colors in slick patent leather (style is called the Rhiannon) are sure to start a craze to rival that of the 'Bette' wedge last spring. Only a few more months! And how cute will they be with tights?

Pearly Girl

this shot was snapped during a press event in our offices here and we wanted to share- how cool is it to see the gorgeous mussel shell that these Shanghai pearls are pryed from?

It's a Cinch

On dreary days (like today in New York- rainy, grey, generally icky) we're inclined to dress a little more simply or comfy- not sure about you. Belts are brilliant because you can be wearing the most basic thing and they add a little bling*. They're an underrated accessory, no? Modus Rio's offering of hip hipster belts and waist cinchers are made from luscious leathers imported from Brasil.

Project Holiday!

Kara Janx is, for sure, our favorite Project Runway alum (and it's not just because we discovered her!) We love her use of color and sumptuous fabric, evident in her holiday collection. Check out these sweet shots- can't you just hear the jazzy holiday music in the background? We're totally planning on making the countdown to 2008 in one of these sparkly delights.

Kula Shaker

How cute does Jamie Lynn Sigler look in this Anna Kula beret? InStyle tells an inquiring mind that the hat, and several others, can be found at Ravinstyle.com. Since it's really starting to feel chilly here in NYC, we expect to see the cutest girls sporting this floppy wonder on the streets right away.

Getting High

Ok- we've rhapsodized about J. Brand jeans here before so we don't want to go overboard- but we can't help but notice that seemingly EVERY stylish woman on the streets of NYC is sporting high-waisted jeans, and if, for just a moment, you'd let us obsess, we'd be grateful.

These jeans may be the best thing that's ever happened to us. They make your legs look LONGER! Gone is the sagginess that occasionally comes with stretch jeans, and all of a sudden you have a cat-like sleekness that works with everything from slim-fitting cardigans to oversize sweaters and tunics. The slim leg fit in the Bardot makes tucking them into your boots easy as pie, and the wide leg opening of the Doll lends a modern hippie slant that's great with high high heels or platforms. Ok- obsessive moment is over.

Fashionista.com's Spring '08 collection

Our favorite fashion blog just got a beautiful face-lift! Check out the newly redesigned fashionista.com and gorge yourself on all the style insider gossip, and catch up with the latest fashion& style news. Check out writer Faran Krentcil's column in Page Six Magazine on Sunday, too- it's chock full of celebrity news that you'd never get anywhere else.

Le Gossip Girl

Gossip Girl is steadily becoming the go-to TV spot for Sex and the City-starved fashionistas. We have to admit the style is pretty great- even if the hair is a little much. We've been delighted to see Gemma Redux jewelry pop up a number of times- check out the Sas, a copper confection of twisted vintage chains, on Serena, and a great shot from a promo shoot which also features Gemma pieces.

It's Not Spring Yet

But we're already counting the days until we can wear this hooded trench from Secrets of Charm's Spring '08 collection. Underneath it we'll wear this hot/preppy/hipster strapless navy dress with a ballerina-ish bra strap belt in shocking pink. So punk- but completely refined. Something to look forward to!

Fashion can be bought. Style one must possess.

Jessica Kagan Cushman is the queen of pithy phrases like this and obscure pop culture references -cool and quirky, sharp but feminine, they're perfect for making style statements. Check out the newest slew of scrimshaw bangles, just added today.
And- coming soon- candy colors! stay tuned for more info.

Pretty Little Things for a Global Cause

We love Al Gore here at Ravinstyle (can you blame us?- he INVENTED the INTERNET!). Seriously though-the work he's done in educating the world about global warming is invaluable, in our opinion, and doing anything to raise awareness for the cause is really important. So when Lucky Magazine approached us a few months back about donating to a great organization called the World Resources Institute, we said "of course!". We were so impressed with their good works that we've decided to carry on and continue to contribute. Pretty Little Thing and Ravinstyle will donate $5 from the purchase of each Global Pendant Necklace to the WRI. We're hoping to raise at least $500 a month for this great cause, so tell everyone you know! Or make it a point to buy eco-friendly gifts for the holidays this year and buy one for everyone on your list.

Fergie 'Clumsy' Video

Wendy Nichol's KILLER python hoops are front-and-center in Fergie's 'Clumsy' Video- see it here on YouTube. We think that stylists love her collection because it's the perfect combination of edgy and refined. Check out this hot photo of goddess Drew Barrymore from British Vogue- more hoops!

Daylight Savings Time

Don't forget to set your clocks and watches back this Sunday.

Very Vera

In case you haven't noticed from browsing our site, we're currently involved in a love affair with Vera scarves. We started to notice them at the throats and on wrapped about the heads of über stylish women here in the streets of NYC, then in the press, and when we spotted a booth full of the gorgeous colorful prints at a trade show we giggled with excitement- we could have them! and so could you! If you're not familiar with the history of the highly collectible silk scarves, here's the backstory: artist Vera Neumann (pictured at right- how stylishly quirky those glasses are!) started printing her glorious color prints on parachute silk after WWII. Her flourished signature and ladybug logo (for good luck!) became known worldwide, and vintage Vera scarves are coveted by accessory lovers everywhere.
The scarves are the perfect multi-tasking accessory because they add color and texture and there are endless ways to wear them. See more Vera scarves here.

Arianne Jeannot is Back at Ravinstyle!

It's a homecoming of sorts- one of our most favorite collections is back after a hiatus. Nearly every day in the offices of Ravinstyle you can spot someone wearing an iconic AJ piece. First you spot the nugget beads, then the yummy medallions cast in gold or silver or warm rose gold. A gorgeous group of yellow and rose gold pieces were just added to Ravinstyle and they're already sailing out of here. We know it's a bit early, but they make incredible gifts (boyfriends and husbands, take note!) We most admire the way Arianne piles on the pieces- the collection is really designed to be layered- look at this beautiful shot of all the rose and yellow gold mixed together. So different, and you really can make a look that's all your own.

Bali-wood Baby

Ok- pay attention! The buzz around the newly launched S. Sung collection is slowly starting to build, and we couldn't be happier! Designer Samantha Sung (pictured at left- how adorable is she?), who started her design career at Ralph Lauren and also dazzled at Cerutti, Piazza Sempione and Tocca, has finally branched out on her own. Her beautiful printed dresses and blouses are all hand-made in Bali, where she says the absolute best batiks and ikats are printed. Blake Lively, Mischa Barton and stunner Padma Lakshmi all have colorful frocks from the line, and you are sure to be seeing them everywhere shortly. Check them out here!

J'adore!

Check out StoreAdore.com- a new site by our friend Meredith Barnett. It's a brilliant mix of shopping guide, chat forum, and online boutique shopping resource. We love how they described Ravinstyle.com!
Sign up, set up a profile, and start discovering the best of web shopping. It's also the perfect tool for travel research- know where all best boutiques are before you hit your vacation destination!

Long Live J Brand!

We've been supporters of J Brand since their first season in 2005- that skinny black jean that flattered EVERY size and shape has become a staple of all of our wardrobes, and we're always adding new styles to the site. The cult status has just officially become more than just a cult- Vogue recognizes the brand & their impeccably designed jeans this month as one of the '7 wardrobe staples' that every stylish woman should have in her closet. We couldn't agree more! Kate Moss is a longtime fan, as is Angelina, Katie, and countless other style mavens who know how to dress around their jeans.

It's Matinee Time

We just found this shot of Jessica Simpson (a known bag coveter) carrying Rebecca Minkoff's Matinee bag! Not a huge surprise- the golden-locked starlet seems to always have the 'it' bag on her shoulder, and the oversized, super-organized satchel is perfect for squirreling away all her impulse buys- she sure likes to shop!

Sweater Weather

The first chill of fall is finally in the air here in NYC. We're kind of excited, sad as we are to see summer dresses and sandals go, because we have such a wealth of luxe sweaters on hand here. From cashmere to colorblocking and lots of different knit shapes, there are tons of options for layering and keeping cozy.

Edgy Glamour

We're totally gaga over this shot of Scarlett Johansson from November's Elle. She's wearing brand-new Wendy Nichol gold cone stud earrings- did we mention they're the ONLY non-Chopard pieces in the entire spread? So exciting to see her take a chance on something edgy and new.