FASHION AND STYLE

Latest fashion news, shopping and beauty tips and more

Bead Q offers personalized charm at Cleveland's Christmas Connection: Style News

by Evelyn Theiss/Plain Dealer Reporter

Tuesday November 18, 2008, 12:18 PM

Bead Q, a local beading and silversmithing supply shop, will provide personalized jewelry, handcrafted on the spot while customers wait at Cleveland's Christmas Connection, a consumer show that runs Friday through Sunday at the International Exposition Center, 6200 Riverside Drive, Cleveland.

"Personalized charms have been the hottest trend in jewelry today, but these custom-made pieces are selling for upwards of $300 or more at boutiques and galleries," says Kieu Pham Gray, owner of the Bead Q stores in Chagrin Falls and North Olmsted. "Given the economy, we wanted to give shoppers an affordable option for personalized gift-giving this holiday season."

At the Christmas Connection, Gray will offer hand-stamped sterling silver charm necklaces, including a birthstone accent, for $35. Admission to the show is $8 and free for children under age 16. Go to Christmasconnection.com for more details.

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Dressing too young is a big mistake, saleswoman says -- Fashion Flash

by Brenda Junkin/Plain Dealer Reporter

Tuesday November 18, 2008, 12:09 PM

PEGGY TURBETT / THE PLAIN DEALERWhat describes Suzanne Schaefer's style? Current without being trendy and classic without being boring.

FASHION FLASH
Suzanne Schaeffer, 61
Pepper Pike

Do you have a fashion icon?
"I don't know, I really like to dress the way I like to dress. I did like Ali McGraw in 'Love Story.' She has a classic, youthful look, though she's not the best actress, and no one will remember who she is other than you and I."

The biggest mistake a woman can make, according to Suzanne Schaefer, is to dress too young.

"Most of today's styles are very body conscious," said Schaefer, a saleswoman for Carlisle clothing. "People under 30 may get away with these styles, but anyone over 30, well, it gets a bit more challenging. When you age, you carry a little more meat, which means you just can't wear that particular style of clothing. Classic dressing is the best style for women at any age."

When we met Schaefer, she was wearing a fabulous $100 Kensie jacket from Collectibles in Highland Heights. Her $175 Agave jeans (also her favorite jeans) were found at Kilgore Trout at Eton Chagrin Boulevard in Woodmere. Her trendy, shiny $65 SR Squared bag is also from Collectibles. And the oversize $200 sunglasses? Missoni, found at Nordstrom.

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Artful giving: The ultimate guide to Cleveland's holiday bazaars

by Kim Crow/Plain Dealer Style Editor

Monday November 17, 2008, 4:03 PM

Jewelry and handbags by Shannon Morris of Rescued and Reloved are part of the ARTscape event.

The extravagances of holidays past are going to seem inappropriate this year. Presents will still be given and received, of course, but perhaps with a bit more thought and care -- more meaning, if you will.

To that end, we here at the PD Style Team eagerly are anticipating our favorite holiday bazaars, starting with ARTscape, Friday and Saturday at the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland. In place of our usual Itlist, we offer this compilation -- think of it as our ultimate list of everything we rave about in our regional art scene.

At these bazaars, local artisans offer up their work of recent months -- handmade, from the heart, the ultimate expression of their creativity, made with talents born and cultivated in the same towns, cities and schools as the rest of us.

So really, when you buy a necklace for Mom or mittens for a sister, you're just not showing your love for your family. You're showing your love for Northeast Ohio and all the talents that it nurtures.

The PD Style Team can't wait to get shopping at our favorite holiday fairs!

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MAC 'Smoke & Ash' Eye Shadow Suite & more: The Itlist for Nov. 12

by Kim Crow/Plain Dealer Style Editor

Tuesday November 11, 2008, 6:08 PM

Reviews from the PD's Reader Beauty Panel

My review can be summed up with the following:

"Dear MAC, please make these perfect little duos a permanent part of your collection. Bonus points if you add more neutrals! XOXO, Jesi."

I own far more eye shadows than I care to count but I am tempted to purchase more Suite Array duos. The texture is even better than my favorite MAC formulas, and they use less packaging. The colors are already paired so there is no fuss needed to select coordinating shades. I tested the "Smoke & Ash" pair, a beautiful silver and graphite combo. Since I'm growing out of my over-the-top eye looks, I really appreciate the layerable pigments. I used this shadow combo at both my friends' wedding and at Halloween. I created perfect smoky-eye looks -- one subtle, the other very, very dramatic --that both lasted all night long.

-- Jesi L. Williams, 25, Strongsville

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Using trends to update, not dictate, wardrobe: Fashion Flash

by Brenda Junkin/Plain Dealer Reporter

Tuesday November 11, 2008, 3:00 PM

Tracy Boulian/The Plain Dealer Amy Onutz knows that fashions change as quickly as the seasons, so she sticks with classics.

AMY ONUTZ, 43,

OLMSTED FALLS NATIVE

FAVORITE SHOPS
"I guess my three favorite stores would be J. Crew, Banana Republic and any small neighborhood boutique I might fall upon. I really love Kenneth Cole merchandise. You can find his line in most of the big department stores."

ONUTZ'S TIP
"Don't feel like you have to wear the latest, greatest look. I'd rather spend a little more money on an 'it' bag or shoe for each season, updating my style, not changing my style. Buy one good, classic cashmere sweater rather than three or four cheap sweaters."

Can you think of a fashion faux pas?
"Dingy shoes. I think when someone wears a $1,500 suit and doesn't pay attention to their shoes, something's wrong. Scuff marks are not a good thing. People should pay attention to the details and take care of their shoes."

" I remember as a kid always buying Seventeen magazine," recalled Amy Onutz, a Prudential real estate agent with a wistful look in her eyes. "I'd go with my mom to pick out fabric and she'd sew me clothing right out of Seventeen. Since she sewed, I had a lot of clothes. She and my grandma would make me hand-knit sweaters, too. I always loved fashion. It was and is part of my life. Growing up, I worked in the malls and all the teen stores."

When we met, the totally coordinated Onutz was wearing a pair of $40 retro Chuck Taylor All-Stars from a store in Seattle, where she now lives. Her $49 capris are from the Gap. The American Eagle T-shirt cost $25; the Banana Republic sweater vest, $85. All were layered under a $20 Kenneth Cole Reaction vest from Costco. She bought the faux $68 croc bag from a boutique back home.

"I love this bag," she said. "It's totally fake. There isn't even a label on it. It holds a lot, so it's perfect when flying. I bring a carry-on and this bag."

Onutz does have a few designer bags at home. While working at Kenneth Cole in New York City she collected 10 KC bags.

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Web wonder: Enormous Etsy has much in store for lovers of arts and craft

by Fran Henry/Plain Dealer Reporter

Tuesday November 11, 2008, 3:00 PM

Chuck Crow/The Plain DealerSusan Saltzman is one of many artists who sell their work on Etsy, an online crafts fair. Her jewelry is made of beach stone, beach glass and sterling silver.

Local Etsy success stories
• Susan Saltzman

• Kimberly Monaco

• Arianne Beros

• Tricia Hodson

Etsy is like a great big mall with more stores than the Mall of America, Legacy Village and Crocker Park put together, but no hot pretzels dipped in butter. Sounds terrible, huh?

But -- and this is a really big but -- you can shop at Etsy's more than 265,000 stores without leaving the comfort of your own refrigerator -- uh -- without leaving your home. They're online at Etsy.com.

All the merchandise is handmade by artists and crafters from around the world, including 50 shops run by Clevelanders like Susan Saltzman and Kim Monaco, who make jewelry from beach glass and stones, and Arianne Beros, who makes tote bags and dresses.

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Free yoga in Hudson; a move for RoVal's Design: Style News

by Plain Dealer staff

Tuesday November 11, 2008, 11:48 AM

Breathe out
Hudson's First & Main shopping district and the Yoga Lounge are joining to offer area shoppers free yoga. Beginning Saturday, shoppers can get a certificate for a free week of classes at the Yoga Lounge from participating merchants in the Hudson area.

It's an effort to give people a way to de-stress and relax through the holidays, said Amy Cook, owner of the Yoga Lounge.

"Relaxation is my profession," she said. "So I thought I should find a way to help people slow down and take some time for themselves to de-stress."

Businesses can participate by calling the Yoga Lounge at 330-653-3377.

Participating merchants outside the Hudson area include West Point Market, Mustard Seed Market & Cafe and several Starbucks locations in Summit County.

Yoga Lounge is at 89 First St., Suite 207, within First & Main in Hudson. The studio opened in July and offers a variety of classes seven days a week. Check out yogaloungehudson.com for more information and a complete class schedule.

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