All Bleached Out

I previously wrote an article about ripped denim. This post is going to be about another one of this Spring's denim trends. Bleached denim! So if you have a pair of jeans that are bleached out from being washed too many times, don't throw them away yet because they are totally in style this season. If you want to bleach your own denim, grab a pair of jeans that you wish to do this with, and some thick bleach. Then soak your jeans in water and spread the bleach in the areas you want to appear faded. Throw them into the washing machine after doing this. If you have sensitive skin like I do, make sure to wear gloves during this entire process. You may also try this DIY project on jean shorts or a denim skirt. If you don't feel like bleaching your own denim, there are plenty of pre-bleached jeans you can wear. I will post some pre-bleached denim below.

ZCO Peace Stretch Jean, $39.50, available in sizes 0-11, alloy.com

Super Bleach Destroyed Wash, $49.50, available in sizes 00-12, ae.com

Bleach Out Wash Signature Jean, $49.99, available in sizes 1-13, babyphat.com

Bleached Denim Shorts, $24.99, available in sizes 3-11, charlotterusse.com

Bleached Mini Skirt, $24.99, available in sizes 1-13, charlotterusse.com

Diane Denim Skirt, $15.80, available in sizes X-Small-Large, forever21.com

H81 Bleach Frayed Denim Skirt, $19.90, shown in light denim; also available in medium denim, sizes 1-13, forever21.com

H81 Marlene Denim Short, $19.90, shown in dark denim; also available in light denim, sizes 3-13, forever21.com

Erin Frayed Denim Skirt, $19.80, available in sizes X-Small-Large, forever21.com

Bleach Splatter, $29.99, available in sizes S-L, mandee.com

Juniors Xhilaration Skinny Denim - Joplin Tie Dye, $24.99, available in sizes 1-19, target.com

Heavy Destruction Skinny Jean, $29.50, available in sizes 0-9, wetseal.com

I hope you've enjoyed my bleached denim finds and hope those of you into doing it yourself found my DIY tips useful. If you have any other ideas for denim trends that you would like to see me write about, e-mail your ideas to me at Charmed42787@gmail.com. You can also contact me on myspace.

Can't Touch This

If you remember seeing MC Hammer on MTV in the late 80's or early 90's, you will certainly remember the pants he wore. Well, they're back now; under the name "harem pants". The name is because they have also been worn by Hollywood-Genies (think I Dream of Jeannie); Princess Jasmine also sported these pants in the movie Aladdin. If you're already thinking about what your next Halloween Costume is going to be, these pants would be perfect for a Jasmine or Genie costume. If you don't already have a clear vision of what harem pants look like, I found some images online that I will feature below.

Genie Pant, $32.50, available in sizes S-XL in a 32" inseam, alloy.com

Foldover Harem Pant, $38.00, available in sizes XS-M, ardenb.com

High Waist Harem Short, $49.00, available in sizes Xsmall-Xlarge, babyphat.com

[TBT] Cropped Harem Pants, $24.00, shown in navy; also available in heather grey, sizes X-Small-Medium (heather grey only available in small), forever21.com

Knit Harem Jumpsuit, $34.00, shown in heather grey/d green; also available in white/black and green/navy, sizes X-Small-Large (green/navy not available in X-Small or Large), forever21.com

Knit Harem Pant, $26.00, shown in d green; also available in black and heather grey, sizes X-Small-Large, forever21.com

Solid Cropped Pant, $58.00, available in sizes XS-L, freepeople.com

Solid Harem Cropped Pant, $68.00, available in sizes XS and L, freepeople.com

Striped Harem Pant, $68.00, shown in green stripe; also avaiable in heather stripe and black, freepeople.com

Exaggerated Inseam Harem, $8.40, available in sizes XS-L, mandee.com

Linen Band Bottom Harem, $26.00, shown in beige; also available in white, sizes S-XL, mandee.com

Menswear Harem Pant, $8.40, available in sizes 1-7, mandee.com

Pleat Waist Harem, $8.40, available in sizes XS and S, mandee.com

Shiny Long Harem Pant, $8.40, available in sizes XS and S, mandee.com

Silence & Noise Harem Pant, $38.00, shown in cement; also available in black, sizes x-small-large, urbanoutfitters.com

Garment-Dyed Beach Linen Belted Harem Pant, $29.99, available in sizes 2-16, victoriassecret.com

Be warned that this style of pants can be difficult to pull off, so approach with caution! It's definitely not for everyone, only the most daring fashionistas around. I'll even admit, I think I'm going to be sitting out on this trend myself (and believe me, I've worn some pretty outrageous things in the past), but if you're brave and feel that you can rock these pants, then go for it! Who knows? You may even inspire me to try them out one day. One of the reasons I'm hesitant to try out this style is due to my height (I'm only five feet and two inches tall); so if you're going to wear harem pants, I would definitely recommend pairing them with high heels. I would also suggest wearing them with a tight-fitting t-shirt or tank top to balance out the bagginess of the pants. E-mail me at Charmed42787@gmail.com or contact me on myspace if you can think of any other ways to wear these pants or if you know of any other crazy trends that you would like me to write about.

Sparkle In 2009

As you are saying goodbye to the year 2008 and welcoming 2009, you can look fabulous while doing so. If you are attending a party on New Year's Eve, all eyes will be on you once you enter the room in sequins! Sequins were a big trend in 2008 and they are going to be huge in 2009 as well. They are also great to wear if you want to get the guy you've been crushing on to notice you. How can you not be noticed when you are wearing these beautiful, sparkly items posted below? The sequins may even help you get kissed when the clock strikes 12:00 AM!

Rebels Sequin Skimmer, $9.99, shown in lavender; also available in gold, sizes 5.5-10, alloy.com

Metal Sequin Mesh Earring, $17.50, babyphat.com

Sequin Beret, $12.99, shown in gold; also available in silver, charlotterusse.com

Regale Mesh Handbag, $14.80, shown in bronze; also available in black, gold, and silver, forever21.com

Sequin Spaghetti Top, $22.80, available in sizes X-Small-Large, forever21.com

Sequin Minidress, $39.80, available in sizes medium and large, forever21.com

Sequin Soiree Dress, $27.80, shown in blue; also available in black, sizes small-large, forever21.com

Sequin Stripes Dress, $32.80, avilable in sizes small-large, forever21.com

Sequin Sprinkle Dress, $27.80, available in sizes small-large.com, forever21.com

Angie Sequin-Trim Chiffon Top with Camisole, $23.80, available in sizes S-L, macys.com

Fleurish Sequined Bottom-Banded Botton Dress, $23.40, available in sizes L and XL, macys.com

Ruby Rox Sleeveless Emma Dress with Sequins, $51.75, available in sizes S-L, macys.com

Almost Famous Sequin Tank, $12.99, shown in fuchsia, also available in cobalt and emerald, sizes Small-Large (emerald not available in large), sears.com

Almost Famous Sequin Vest, $14.99, shown in gray; also available in blue and black, sizes Small-Extra Large (large only available in gray; medium not available in blue), sears.com

Metaphor Sequin Circles Flap Clutch, $13.00, shown in red; also available in black and purple, sears.com

4 Ring Mesh Hobo, $19.50, shown in black; also available in gold, bronze, and silver, wetseal.com

All Over Sequin Dress, $34.50, shown in steel; also available in black, sizes XS-XL, wetseal.com

Chain Strap Sequin Purse, $17.50, shown in fuchsia; also available in silver and black, wetseal.com

Double Strand Sequin Head Wrap, $4.00, shown in purple; also available in black, wetseal.com

Sequin Cropped Tube Top, $10.00, available in sizes XS-L, wetseal.com

Sequin Front Purse, $12.50, shown in black; also available in pewter, wetseal.com

Metal Mesh Hobo, $19.50, shown in silver; also available in gold, black , and bronze, wetseal.com

Sequin Racer Back Top, $20.50, available in sizes XS-XL, wetseal.com

You can still rock these gorgeous sequins on New Year's Eve even if you're not going to any parties. You can also wear them on a date for a romantic evening or for a night out with the girls. Sequins are also good to wear for hitting up the clubs. To wear sequins in a more casual setting (or after New Years), put on a sequined top and dress it down with a pair of jeans and sneakers (you can also do this with a sequined dress if you really want to be creative). Another idea to try out is sporting one sequined accessory (shoes, handbag, jewelry, ect.) and keeping the rest of your outfit simple. If you have any other suggestions on how to wear sequins, let me know. E-mail me at Charmed42787@gmail.com or send me a message on myspace. Hope everyone has a wonderful New Year!