Velvet Crush

With lace, ruffles, floral prints, bows, and flower headbands still being very much in style for 2010, it's clear that romance and femininity won't be going out of style any time soon. The newest trend that you can enjoy being a girl in is velvet. Velvet was a big trend on the runways and has also been spotted on various celebrities. I think velvet is the perfect fabric to wear during the winter because it will keep you fairly warm but isn't as itchy as wool can be (velvet is also a good alternative to wool for anyone who has wool allergies). While velvet was once very expensive and considered a luxury good, there are now velvet items that are inexpensive, gorgeous, and long lasting. Take a look at my finds below to see what I'm talking about.

Velvet Bandage Mini Skirt, $19.99, available in sizes XS-L, ardenb.com

Velvet Blazer, $59.99, available in sizes 00, 0, and 12, bananarepublic.com

Hottie Spotty Passport Case, $68.00, betseyjohnson.com

Hottie Spotty Large Cosmetic, $68.00, betseyjohnson.com

Hottie Spotty Small Zip, $28.00, betseyjohnson.com

Ski Bunny Extra Soft Over-The-Knee High, $30.00, betseyjohnson.com

Wolford Velvet De Luxe 50 Tights, $42.00, available in sizes X Small-Large, bloomingdales.com

Velvet Driver, $9.99, bakersshoes.com

Crushed Velvet Shrug, $13.80, available in sizes Small-Large, forever21.com

Edith Velvet Boots, $30.80, available in sizes 6-10, forever21.com

Embellished Velvet Flats, $19.80, available in sizes 6-8, forever21.com

Jocelyn Velvet Trim Pump, $14.99, shown in black; also available in taupe, sizes 7-10, forever21.com

Phantasy Velvet Flat, $14.80, shown in gold; also available in silver, sizes 6-10, forever21.com

Posh Stiletto Heel, $20.80, available in sizes 6-9, forever21.com

Shiny Velvet Headband, $3.80, forever21.com

Studded Velvet Pump, $25.80, available in sizes 6-10, forever21.com

Velvet Bodysuit, $15.50, available in sizes Small-Large, forever21.com

Velvet Bow Back Blazer, $32.80, available in sizes X-Small-Medium, forever21.com

Velvet Leggings, $3.99, shown in burgundy; also available in purple, sizes X-Small-Large, forever21.com

Velvet Military Jacket, $34.80, available in sizes Small and Medium, forever21.com

Velvet Over The Knee Boot, $36.80, available in sizes 6-8, forever21.com

Velvet Pearl Trim Jacket, $12.99, available in sizes Small and Medium, forever21.com

Velvet Pumps, $12.80, available in sizes 6-10, forever21.com

Royal Velvet Dress, $49.95, shown in red plum combo; also available in blue grey combo; sizes 0-12, freepeople.com

Velvet Fringe Jacket, $29.95, available in sizes M and L, freepeople.com

Boxed Flower Barette, $30.00, juicycouture.com

Velvet Headband, $25.00, juicycouture.com

Apple Bottoms Jacket, Long Sleeve Zip Up, $29.99, available in sizes M and L, macys.com

All Around The Mulberry Heels, $49.99, available in sizes 6-9.5, modcloth.com

Iconic Style Included Top, $49.99, available in sizes S-L, modcloth.com

Fresh Prints of Bel Air Skirt, $42.99, available in sizes S-L, modcloth.com

Fresh Prints of Bel Air Top, $59.99, available in sizes S-L, modcloth.com

Flutter Velvet Top, $13.99, available in sizes S-L, mandee.com

Snakeskin Velvet Legging, $10.20, available in sizes S and M, mandee.com

Velvet Capelet, $12.00, mandee.com

Velvet Over The Knee Boot, $34.49, available in sizes 6-10, mandee.com

Silence & Noise Long Sleeve Velvet Mini Dress, $29.99, shown in plum; also available in black, sizes Medium and Large, urbanoutfitters.com

Silence & Noise Strapless Velvet Dress, $29.99, shown in thames blue; also available in black and purple, sizes Small-Large (thames blue and purple only available in large), urbanoutfitters.com

Silence & Noise Velvet Bodysuit, $24.99, shown in concord; also available in black, sizes xsmall-large, urbanoutfitters.com

Silence & Noise Velvet Printed Legging, $34.00, available in sizes x-small and small, urbanoutfitters.com

Fownes Velvet Glove With Faux Fur Cuff, $6.99, sears.com

Fownes Velvet Glove With Leopard Cuff, $4.99, sears.com

Tuscany Velvet Romantic Hat, $34.99, sears.com

Velvet Tunic Dress, $7.99, shown in walnut; also available in black, lavish wine, and conservative grey, sizes S-L (lavish wine not available in S), nyandcompany.com

Wrap Buckle Boot, $39.50, available in sizes 6.5-10, wetseal.com

Washed Velvet Skirt, $69.00, shown in black; also available in very berry, okra, and woodsmoke, sizes 2-16, athleta.com

Jasmin Apple Pkt Velvet Legging, $39.99, shown in red; also available in jet, sizes 1/2 and 3/4, applebottoms.com

I hope you enjoyed my little velvet finds for this post. One word of advice though; velvet can be tricky to clean and often requires either hand washing or dry cleaning. So be careful when wearing it and try to avoid spilling anything on it (I know easier said than done). I'll admit to not being much of an expert on stain removal myself, so if anyone has any tips on how to get stains out of velvet, please let me know. Thank you!

Kissing Up

As I mentioned in my last post, Valentine's Day is coming soon. While hearts represent this holiday well, kisses do too. It just so happens that lips are very much in style right now. This new lip print trend may possibly be branching off from the face print trend that has been in for the past couple of years. Take a look at my little lip finds below.

Foil Lips Top, $11.80, available in sizes Medium and Large, forever21.com

Glimmer Lip Sheer Top, $22.00, available in sizes X-Small-Medium, forever21.com

Boy Crazy Burnout Tank, $12.80, available in sizes Small-Large, forever21.com

Glossed Lips Necklace, $3.80, forever21.com

Jeweled Kiss Necklace, $4.80, forever21.com

Jeweled Lips BF Tee, $12.80, available in sizes Small-Large, forever21.com

Jeweled Lips Necklace, $6.80, forever21.com

Kiss & Tell Necklace, $4.80, shown in gold; also available in silver, forever21.com

La Femme Necklace, $4.80, forever21.com

Sparkly Lip Pin, $3.80, forever21.com

Sequin Lips Cropped Top, $23.00, available in sizes SM-LG, gojane.com

Open Toe Denim Heel, $27.30, available in sizes 5.5-10, gojane.com

Lip Mirror Sunglasses, $7.99, partycity.com

Pink Lip Necklace, $8.00, hottopic.com

Lip Bow Clips, $1.98, hottopic.com

Piper & Blue Juniors' Wordy Lips Graphic Tee, $7.99, available in sizes Small-Extra Large, kmart.com

Betsey Johnson Earrings, Lips Studs, $25.00, macys.com

Rachel Rachel Roy Bracelet, Sparkling Lips, $30.00, macys.com

Betsey Johnson Pave Lips Charm Necklace, $24.90, nordstrom.com

Juicy Couture Canvas Crossbody Bag, $68.00, nordstrom.com

Liberty Lips Animal V-neck, $7.99, available in sizes Small-Large, sears.com

Pink Cookie Lips Like Sugar, $7.99, available in sizes Small and Large, sears.com

Ransom Lips Tee With Canvas Bag, $9.99, available in sizes Small-Extra large, sears.com

These lip imprinted pieces would make wonderful Valentine's Day gifts. Guys who are reading, this would be great way to give a kiss to your girlfriend, fiance, or wife (and is guaranteed to get you a kiss on the lips in return). Girls, one of these items will also put a smile on your single female friend's face. You can also wear these lip prints yourself on V-Day. If you're going out on a date, your date will be sure to give you a good night kiss if you wear one of these pieces. If you're planning on going club hopping with the girls, all eyes will be on you whenever you make your entrance with these lip prints (it would also be a great way to help you pick up guys!). Well, whatever your plans for V-Day are, I hope everybody has a good one. Happy Valentine's Day!