In an effort to “promote people and the planet” UK based clothing brand ASOS has launched the Green Room which will feature various collections using organic materials inspired by various cultures of the world. One of the first collections from the Green Room is The Africa Collection.

ASOS released this statement “On our continuing quest to find new inspiration for ASOS.com collections, we recently spent time in Africa working with artisans and small producer groups. The vibrancy of the continent inspired us to create ‘ASOS Africa’ with the aim of supporting trade in Africa.”

The looks in this collection are made from original African print fabrics and they are also crafted using special design techniques within the African community. I appreciate ASOS.com in diversifying their collections and educating their consumers on various cultures around the world.

Tribal inspired looks are great for the spring. Here are a few of the looks from the ASOS Africa Collection:

ASOS Africa Woven Mix T-Shirt Dress $95

ASOS Africa Printed Playsuit $85

ASOS Africa  Printed Tie Waist Shorts $70

ASOS Africa Printed Jumpsuit $130

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Summer is near and Forever 21 recently showcased the lookbook for their 2010 Swim Collection. The collection became available in stores and online Monday March 1, 2010. I love the name “Beauty and the Beach” clever.

I like the black and white one piece with the leather jacket. Of course I would not wear it with a leather but it’s still cute.

To purchase visit www.forever21.com

I know you are probably like, what I mean by “suit me softly” well I didn’t come up with the phrase (you’ll find out later in the post). There is a trend called “soft suiting” where you would generally take pieces that would normally be part of a suit or have suit like qualities and create a look. So I can take a blazer, pair of cuffed city shorts, and a tank  or maybe a loose fitting t-shirt, vest, and shorts or a skirt and that would make a “soft suit.”

Here are some looks

  1. Drawstring waist cuffed city short $25
  2. Linen Stretch Shorts $22
  3. Kulotte Short $14
  4. Linen Roll-Up Blazer $32
  5. Open Front Menswear Vest $26
  6. Striped Linen Blazer $32

Aren’t the prices fantastic! Well that’s because these items come from Charlotte Russe. Extremely affordable and fashionable. You can’t go wrong. You don’t have to be rich to be fashionable!

I purchased the vest and the kulotte shorts in black.

Charlotte Russe Soft Suit Collection Click Here

So the end of Winter and the end of Summer are probably two of my favorite times to shop. This is when all of your favorite stores have the best sales ever! They have buy one get one 50% off or even better, buy one and get the other for $5. Yes I said $5! That is the latest promotion from Arden B.

Here is what I recently purchased online

Exposed Zipper Floral Skirt for $24.99

I love skirts like these because they are so fun and easy to wear. So if the girls call last minute and say they want to do brunch, just throw in this skirt with a tank, so flats, a necklace and 1 or 2 big bangles and call it a day.

Military Front Tube for $5 (original sale price $14.99)

I have a few things to pair with this military/nautical stripe tube top. I’ll most likely wear it with some dark denim or white shorts or some skinny jeans (you can’t go wrong with those) I think I may even pair them with some white khaki style pants. Of course with a red wedge heel! Lol

Once you are done with your purchase they will offer you $100 value in merchandis which is pretty much just magazines lol. They give you up to 4 selections. I already subscribe to a few so I chose Harper’s Bazaar because my subscription recently ended. It was only $2 to activate the subscription also. Not bad in my opinion.

Everything else I wanted was out of stock for my size or I just wasn’t interested. I’m learning not just to buy things because they are on sale. So I spent $37.43 including the $5 shipping and handling and taxes and the 1-yr magazine subscription. Not bad. A great start for my spring/summer wardrobe. I’ll  continue to post my future purchases.

Here is the Arden B. link Click Here

So even though jumpsuits are not “new” to the fashion world nad re-emerged within the past few seasons, they are brighter, bolder and funkier this Spring. You will see more bolder patterns, assymetrical structure (one shoulder), mesh, deep Vs, sequins and bright colors. Pair these jumpsuits with boyfriend blazers, bold necklaces and a killer shoe.

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