Whitney Port shows us how it's done! Bravo!

Good news! Mixing patterns and prints is a YES – especially right now!  However, to avoid looking like a hot mess, there are just a few guidelines that all women should take into consideration .  So ladies, follow these few simple steps and you’ll be making an outfit of mixed prints look effortlessly chic instead of looking like your grandmother’s closet of plaid and polka dots just threw up all over you.  Before you know it you’ll be looking like you stepped right off the runway!

1.  Find a base color.  This is the first and most important step.  Have the base color appear in each of the prints, whether you choose 2 or 3 prints to work with.  This repeat of color will tie all the patterns together and give them a common tone.

2.  Work with patterns that are different from each other.  You don’t want any pattern be too similar to another.  The key is contrast.  Try balancing a larger, bolder print with a smaller, softer print.  A great example of this is pairing a large, bold stripe or gingham print with a soft floral or paisley print.

3.  Mix old with new. Let’s face it, in this economy we simply cannot afford to run out to the mall every time we want a new outfit or find ourselves staring blankly into our closets.  The best way to keep your look fresh and to fake “new” outfits is by mixing and matching pieces.  Of course, your inner shopping diva who has no awareness of your limited budget or that your rent is due tomorrow will sometimes win out and force you right over to the mall.  When this happens, take clothes from your closet with you, or wear them out on your shopping trip so that you can find new pieces to coordinate with them that make them feel new again.

bevello's version of mixing prints!

Mixing this striped GLAM top ($45) with a paisley printed scarf ($25) is a definite YES! Pair the look with a simple denim jean like these Anoname jeans for $110 and for those cooler nights throw on this Aryn K. white summer blazer for $123 (notice the oh-so-subtle tiny blue & white stripe on the cuffed lining of the jacket - I love it).  All available at your beloved bevello.  Ta-da!

So now it’s your turn fellow bevelloans.  What do you think of the pattern-on-pattern look?  What are some of your favorite ways or tips to wear prints?  Will you or have you tried it?

Crooning by Ol’ Blue Eyes (that’s Frank Sinatra, children) seems to make people more inclined to want to try on romantic dresses with ruffles and “dancing hems.” On the contrary, a little Jay-Z can have a grandma in a leather jacket before you can say “grizzo.” Or at least, that’s what I think.

Is music really that influential to shoppers? I think so, but I could be wrong. Any blogvello fans want to chime in on this? As usual, there’s incentive…post below with your favorite music to shop to for a chance to win a $20 bevello gift certificate. Sweet! Don’t forget to take the poll, either. No gift certificate for doing that, just love from the bevello bloggers.

And all you’re left with is broken ornament shards ground into the carpet, more candy canes than even Rudolf would know what to do with, and the petrifying possibility that a perfect, heart-stopping New Years kiss with a Brad Pitt look-a-like might possibly NOT be in your future. Hopefully you’re left with a few spiffy new gifts too, but who can think of those at such a worrisome time of the year? This is serious emotional stuff we’re dealing with here.

So if you’re weepy, cranky, melancholy or any other unattractive emotion that turns otherwise likable people into sad-sacks around this time of year, here are a few suggestions to perk up even the worst case of post-holiday depression. Because after all, sad-sacks are not only lame to hang out with, but they definitely don’t get New Years kisses at the stroke of midnight. 

Blog it out. I’ve always thought that personal blogs were the online equivalent of the obnoxious letters that some people (you know who you are) send out with their Christmas cards, updating the world on Little Johnny’s star performance on the football field and Princess Suzy’s acceptance to Harvard. Harsh but true:  nobody (with exception to your mother and that creepy kid from fourth grade who still stalks your Facebook profile) cares about every detail of your life. I think that’s also why I have such a hard time grasping the concept of Twitter… seriously? You went to the supermarket and saw a potato that looks like Homer Simpson? Sweet, thanks for letting the entire world know, you weirdo.  But I digress. Personal blogs can actually be a pretty therapeutic way to get all those yucky post-holiday emotions out into the universe and start getting back to the normal, fun and interesting person that we all know you are. Plus, your friends and family don’t have to listen to you whine and mope. Tell it to the blog. The blog won’t judge. The blog won’t tell you to suck it up and stop ruining everyone else’s fun. The blog won’t scold you for eating an entire carton of ice cream while watching Glee reruns. Probably no one will read it, and those who do accidentally stumble upon it might not really care that you’re feeling lousy, but you’ll feel better. I promise. And if you don’t, this post has two more tips, so go try those. 

Get out and/or plan some stuff. Okay, so that’s a little vague… but when was the last time you went ice skating? Round up a group of people and plan an outing to your local rink. Watching your friends faceplant on the ice will no doubt bring a smile to even the grouchiest Grinch. Still searching for New Years plans? Don’t wait around to be invited somewhere… throw your own party! The planning will keep your mind off the naked, dying Christmas tree in the trash heap and the anticipation of your amazing event will totally alleviate your holiday hangover symptoms. 

Retail Therapy. Maybe you didn’t quite make Santa’s nice list this year and that zebra-print Snuggie you had your heart set on wasn’t under the tree on Christmas morning. Sorry. It’s a bummer that you’ll be stuck using a regular blanket without sleeves. Hope your arms don’t get too cold. But I’ve learned, through many years of research and testing, that the best gifts are usually the ones with the tags that read “from me, to ME.” So gather up that Christmas cash, search out the receipt for those crazy toe-socks that Aunt Mildred thought “looked just like you” and go get something nice for yourself… possibly at a cute little boutique with both Raleigh and Winston-Salem locations? I know of a good one…

Ah, the joy of warm arms!

This article brought to you by Winston-Salem’s own shopgirl-extraordinaire, Jaci Gentile.

The 2009 Victoria’s Secret Fashion show has come and gone — this one possibly topping all the rest in VS fashion history.

The show featured a 140-foot catwalk, 100 lbs of glitter, 124 feet of hair extensions, and a $3 million dollar bra. (Yep, that’s just ONE bra — a 150-carat jewel-encrusted bra, worn by Marisa Miller and designed by the Italian jeweler Damiani.) The Black Eyed Peas were musical guests, and, needless to say, Fergie rocked it out.

If you didn’t catch the show on TV, check it out in full on Hulu.

Fun fact: it took over 200 hours to create all the wings you see during the show. Keep an eye out for them!

P.S. My roommates and I find that the show is best watched with a plate of cookies in tow. Just sayin’.

I know you know what it is. And good luck avoiding it. You can spend an hour styling your most sculpted coif and after one step outside into the arctic tundra — BOOM, you’ve got frizz, static and tangles.

BUT…after a 30-minute soul-search on the Sephora hair aisle, is it possible that I have found the cure? A holy elixir that can keep your locks semi-normal looking in the cold months?

Perhaps.

The brand is Living Proof, and they specialize in frizz-resistant styling products.

I tried the straight-making styling cream. My fly-aways disappeared AND it made my hair feel smoother and look shinier. But it doesn’t come cheap — one 4 ounce bottle will run you more than $20.

But hey, you’re worth it. Right, L’Oreal?

–Kelly Thore

Also, congratulations to Marcia Szewczyk for winning the opening night prize…$100.oo bevello gift certificate! Lucky you…

A good shot of the centerpieces and the men hiding while the women shopped

Sarah and Jaci chat up an enthusiastic customer (who also happens to be Sarah's mom)

Just look at that good looking asymmetrical green top! Where EVER did you get that?

Natalie encourages bevello patrons to enter to win $100 bevello bucks...not a hard sell!

Customers checking out some of the funky earrings

Sarah helps a customer find the price tag buried in the turtleneck on this cute YA dress

Customers inspect a jumper/long sleeve combo from RYU

Would you like a little wine with that cheese?

beauties blissfully bonding at bevello

There’s good news here, though: one of the fall’s biggest fashion staples is the blazer. And why not? Chic, classy, sophisticated — yet practical for the in-between season changes.

This midnight black blazer is from the collection of one of bevello’s newest up-and-coming designers — Nick & Mo.

The jacket is wool and fully-lined, so it’s sure to keep you cozy during those cold days. But don’t worry about getting too hot — the 3/4 length sleeves will keep things light. The copper buttons set off the black, and the bright white trim is so mod.

You’ll have four front pockets and a bronze knob securing each sleeve, as well. This blazer is SO Jackie Kennedy, am I right?

And if you’re looking for something brown, check out its twin, also designed by Nick & Mo.

This russet would be gorgeous with any hair color. The edges on this blazer are trimmed with black lace.

Victims of the weather? No longer!

WHAT I’M BEE-ING FOR HALLOWEEN!

     Wanted to give everyone a sneak preview of my costume this year.  Live action shots to come on monday!  Pretty much had this costume planned back in March cause its so darn cute!

bee by marybevello on Polyvore.com

Black and yellow dress and leggings all compliments of Bevello!

Black and Yellow Color-block dress by Wish 60.00

Black Cotton Leggings by Wish 20.00

And I will probably throw this on to keep warm because it’s great as a shawl when I am outside but is perfect as a scarf once I get inside to party!

Midnight Black Accordion Knit Scarf/Shawl $25.00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!! 

Pictures of my bee-loved adventures on Monday’s blog! 

         FALL PROMO is here!  Starting today (10/26/09-10/31/09) we are offering

 20% off

everything in the Cameron Village Store as well as ONLINE (apply coupon code: fall20 for online orders)

Midnight Black Boyfriend Jacket

Midnight Black Bustier Plaid Tube Dress

Navy Blue Short Sleeve Layer Trench Coat

Midnight Black Asymmetrical Pleat pencil Skirt

Bronze Metallic Rosette Sheer shoulder Dress