I love finding great fashion at great prices, and sharing the news with my friends. Thanks, DSW, for giving me permission to film a short video inside your store!
Enjoy the video, everyone!!!
Then scroll down to enter the SUPER-EASY CONTEST!!! ;-D
The first contest has a winner!!!
I will announce the SECOND CONTEST today (10/20/11) at 7pm Boise time ON FACEBOOK -
Be sure and “Like” my page for a chance to win!!! 
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I recently had the privilege of attending a fashion show for a new local clothing designer, who by trade is a professional belly dance instructor. Her line is called Starbelly Clothing, and it grew out of her passion for dancing & costumes, with a unique functionality-meets-fashion perspective!
The show was at Shangri La Tea House, Boise’s famous vegetarian cafe. The fashion show was… surprising! I’ve known a few new designers in my line of work, but rarely have I seen such out-of-the-gate original style and creative ingenuity! When one particular piece hit the runway, you could literally feel the buzz of energy as every woman in the room drew in a little gasp of air and thought: “I want one of those!” The excitement was palpable! I’ll get to that particular item in a moment; first, a little background on the designer…
Cecilia Rinn is a company director, producer, clothing designer, and Belly Dance instructor! To fully understand WHO she is, the fullness of her creative spirit, and the direct involvement of her entire family in her life’s work, I highly recommend you check out their beautiful website: http://ftbproductions.com. Cecilia’s son Joseph Rinn is a gifted and award winning young artist; his artwork is featured prominently in Cecilia’s new line of dance and street wear, Starbelly Clothing!
Starbelly Clothing was created to be soft, comfortable clothing that you can wear anywhere; in a gym, at a dance class, or out for a walk downtown. A majority of the fabrics Cecilia uses are recycled, reclaimed materials; sustainability and comfort are her functional goals, transformed into something beautiful by her costume-design background and her son’s edgy art! Everything is hand-painted, and so cozy to the touch!
The fashion show was, overall, a swirly mix of movement (with performances by Cecilia’s StarBelly School of Dance students!), luscious colors, touchable-soft fabrics, and body-conscious designs. I loved the mix of Cecilia’s femininity and dance, with Joseph’s bold, gritty paintings. They work together so brilliantly; a true harmony of art and motion!
The Starbelly Clothing line currently features t-shirts for men and women, Kimono tops, skirts, a 3-in-1 dress that looks stunning on any body type, a Big Bad-Ass Bag (reversible, with 16 pockets!!!), and the one item that made a roomful of people gasp…
The Starbelly Wrap Hoodie! This piece is shear genius; it’s so functional, and wearable by ANY woman, regardless of height, weight, or style! The material itself is so cozy; every woman will want this in her closet, to bundle up in when the weather turns crisp. You can tie it around your waist for a more body-hugging silhouette, tie in front for a casual look, or wrap it around yourself like a scarf.
It would pack well, too, for vacations or business trips, and you can wrap it around yourself to keep warm on the plane! Can you tell I’m a fan? I would LIVE in one of these all Fall, if I could! 
Overall, I think the fashion show was a huge success, and I’m excited to see Cecilia’s business grow. Keep your eyes out; one of these days, you’ll see Hollywood celebrities strutting the streets with their ginormous sunglasses, buff security teams… And custom-made Starbelly Wrap Hoodies!
Artist & Musician Naomi Psalm ~ www.TheBlueCinema.com
Cecilia and Joseph are continually creating new pieces, with new adorning artworks. Check out Starbelly’s website for more pictures, and where-to-buy information! They also do custom orders; I’m already dreaming up my perfect wrap hoodie – what would YOURS look like?
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Karl Lagerfeld is a German fashion designer, whose keen sense of style and tailoring has made him an icon in the fashion world. He has designed for Chloe, Balmain, Chanel, Fendi, established his own line, and outfitted stars like Madonna, and Kylie Minogue. In 2004, he designed a special line of budget-friendly fashions for European retail giant H&M, and this year, developed his exclusive Karl Lagerfeld for Impulse line at Macy’s. Can’t afford a $5,000 dress designed by Lagerfeld? Step into Macy’s and try on one for around $100!
Chelsey Hersley, Me, & Jamie Bruce @ Fashion's Night Out!
At last week’s Fashion’s Night Out event at Boise Town Square Mall, I fell in love with the adorable pink dress that America’s Next Top Model finalist Chelsey Hersley wore from Lagerfeld’s collection. The breezy ballerina-like material, coupled with an intricate black lace neck & back trim, are such a bewitching combination!
Chelsey chose to wear the dress with cropped leggings and slouchy combat boots, effortlessly transforming into a 90′s punk princess (anyone remember Courtney Love?)
When I posted Macy’s picture of the dress on Facebook, there were comments on the model’s extreme skinniness. On the other hand, reviews of the dress on Macy’s website spoke of the over-sized upper-proportions of the dress. I was curious about this seeming contradiction, so being a faithful fashion reporter, I simply HAD to go down to Macy’s myself and investigate in person! ;-D
I didn’t have a great deal of time to try on everything in Lagerfeld’s line; my focus was on that dress, the obvious stand-put piece of the collection. I can tell you that, true to Lagerfeld’s urban chic aesthetic, much of the line was black, grey, or hot pink. (If black is your go-to color, and you’re looking to update your wardrobe, go check out this collection; you’ll find some fabulous pieces!)
But on to the dress…
Slipping into pastel pink felt at first very feminine & elegant. But once the black lace touched my skin, I found myself missing my old Doc Marten boots! It truly is an adorable-yet-tough dress, one that I would wear in a heartbeat! That is, if it fit properly…
The reviews were right; the bustline of this dress is quite generous, almost to the point of being baggy. I also couldn’t keep the wide. puffy shoulders on very well, but they could be pinned to my camisole straps fairly easily.
Overall, here’s my review: this dress makes you feel feminine & flirty, with an urban edginess. I love it, but it runs a little large, so I recommend going down a size. This dress would be ideal for ladies sized 6-10, particularly if they have a larger bust size! Run down to your local Macy’s and try it on – and let me know YOUR review!!!
Click the link to view the Karl Lagerfeld for Impulse Collection.
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Last month I had the privilege of working with some fabulous shopping clients in Portland. Between fittings & wardrobe work, I also had fun exploring this beautiful city! (Love my job!!) ;-D Along the way I found great food, fascinating sights, funky fashion, and a hot boutique I can’t wait to tell you about!
(Click on the pictures to view them larger!)
But first things first… Downtown! From art fairs, to street vendors for every culinary craving, to high-end stores like Kate Spade & Louis Vuitton, Portland is a an eclectic & colorful mix of culture and city life! If there’s something your heart, tummy, or eyes crave, you are sure to find it here. I had a blast wandering through the city, jumping on the convenient train & trolly system, and soaking in all the colors, sounds & smells of Portland.
I spent most of my shopping time in Nordstrom (of course, my home turf!), but thoroughly enjoyed the sunny, outdoor malls like Bridgeport Village, and adorable boutiques like Pinky’s on 23rd Ave, also known as “The Alphabet District.” My favorite boutique in Portland is on that street, but more on that in a minute…
It was so much fun to reconnect with old friends (thank you, Larissa, Dana & Lexine for taking such good care of me!) We hit the town every day, finding fabulous art (like this painting “Blue” by Buzz Siler), gorgeous views, and fabulous fashionistas, whose style ranged from rockabilly-hippy to emo-grunge-metro-tough, to everything in-between! I even had the chance to “fight back” against the skinny-model stereotypes being perpetuated by the fashion industry, ha ha ha!!! ;D
And the Winner is… As you can see, I had a total blast in this wonderful town!!! But before my trip, I asked my Facebook friends “What’s your favorite locally-owned Portland Boutique?” Hands-down, you all voted for….. SLOAN! 
I had to stop in and see what all the fuss was about, and I can say from first-hand experience, the fuss is totally justified! From the eye-catching decor, to the color-blocked racks of clothes, to the hip & SUPER-friendly staff, Sloan immediately snags a place in your heart and doesn’t let go. It’s a little slice of shopping heaven!
I’m a dress addict, so of course I had to try on about a dozen of them, and fellow shoppers and sales clerks were kind enough to pose for my camera (Thank you, ladies!!) I fell head-over heels for the floral maxi dress (probably the first time I’ve loved florals, or maxi dresses, ha ha!)
Sloan’s owners David & Karalee Whitehouse have stocked their store with well-chosen pieces from a variety of lines, with prices to suit every budget; BCBG (my fave!), Kensie Girl, Tulle, Kerch, and even their own in-house-designed line, Sloan Essentials!
Sloan also features shoes, belts, hats, scarves & other accessories, as well as Lucious Jewelry, a locally-designed, eye-catching line which is featured on Fred Armison’s show Portlandia. I was really drawn to the dramatic, organic shapes and unusual charms! Very, very cool. 
(Be sure and click on the pic to see them close-up!)
Next time you’re in Portland, be sure and check out SLOAN Boutique, and their stellar, super-sweet sales staff. I promise, they will make you feel right at home… in fashion heaven! ;-D Check out their Facebook page for pictures, contact info, and store hours.
Thank you for a wonderful time, Portland! I hope to see you again soon!
XOXOXO,
StyleSpyGirl
Sloan Boutique is located at 738 NW 23rd Avenue, Portland, OR 97210. Tel: (503)222 6666.
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If you live in Boise, chances are you are a BSU Bronco fan. Seriously, how can you NOT be?? This team rocks college football, and Boise fans are just crazy proud of our team! The Broncos will be blasting onto the field this September 3rd, with a Chick-fil-a Kickoff Game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
How will YOU show team spirit on Game Day, ladies? Sure you have the t-shirt, hoodie, and hat. But if you want to really step up your Bronco Fashion, head down to Eagle and step into Villa Decor & Design!
Villa Decor & Design wins my Top Pick for Fashionable BSU Gear, with their amazing OneSole BSU Bronco Shoes! These beauties range from a child’s size 2, to a woman’s 13, with heel heights from a 1 1/4 inch wedge, to the 5-inch Diva style (my fave, of course!)
That’s right, even kid sizes! Mini-StyleSpyGirl shows off her BSU wedges. 
(And begs for ALL the colors!)
How do OneSole shoes work? Interchangeable tops and soles!! Check out my video review below:
Hurry down to Villa Decor & Design and grab your hot BSU shoes! I already have mine – these will look fabulous with shorts, a skirt, skinny jeans, or fall’s latest long & flared denim trend!
HOT HOT HOT! Get ‘em while they last.
Villa Decor & Design is at 123 Aikens Street Ste. 115, Eagle, ID. Call for pricing details, or visit http://www.Villadecordesign.org for more info & great pictures!
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If you look closely, you can see me darting around the photographers and models, doing my on-set wardrobe stylist job. I had such a blast, and enjoyed meeting Melissa and the Framed crew! Check it out (and be sure to watch at minute 26, when Delila and I get our little interview, lol!) ;-D
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Everyone is invited to this! I’m so excited, and I hope you can all join me. It’s a great party, for an even greater purpose: saving lives through free & compassionate medical care, for those who need it most and can least afford it! Some support Mercy in Action!!!
Check out the details at www.MercyinActionBenefit.org, then…
Click on this link to view the news article about it, including a video of the interview I did on LIVE TV, here in Boise!!
http://www.nwcn.com/home/?fId=127600313&fPath=%2Fnews%2Flocal&fDomain=10227
The party is this Saturday, starting at 7pm at the Woman of Steel Gallery (3640 W Chinden Blvd., Boise)
See you soon!!!
~ Tanya StyleSpyGirl
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It was SO much fun to star in this commcercial for a fabulous Idaho boutique, Renewed Expressions. Check it out!!!
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New Boutique: Exposure a.l.p.h.a Interchange Exposes the FUN in FUNKY!
Don’t you love when you find that one-of-a-kind vintage dress or that previously unappreciated painting that shows everyone how eclectic you are? You want exposure; you want to show the world your new treasure!
We all want to be recognized as the wonderfully unique individuals that we are. Allies Linked for the Prevention of HIV and AIDS (ALPHA) has just opened their new gently repurposed boutique in downtown Boise on 10th St. This is where you will find those signature treasures that no one but you will own and everyone but you will wish they had found!
While the mission of ALPHA is a serious one, they know how to have fun. This is often the case of people who deal with a serious subject on a daily basis. Wednesday night, July 6 was no exception.
It was obvious that a lot of fun & creative energy went into the planning of this event! The front window had three improvisational models wearing fashions from the store, and posing with various odd objects. Passers-by glanced in with curious amusement. If that wasn’t enough to bring them in, then the upbeat bluesy live music played by Daniel Kerr did!
Unfortunately, this party was the VIP pre-shopping fundraiser and you had to have a ticket to participate. The VIP party people got a chance to be the first to discover fun, new/old or old/new fashions and home décor, dine on hors d’ oeuvres, and drink beer and wine from Moon River Distributing, who fittingly offers harder-to-find boutique wines.
Mark Dale, who has helped fill the store with its upscale, gently re-purposed items, enthusiastically described the plans for the store. They will be taking consignment pieces on a case-by-case basis and they hope to offer retail space for clothing, jewelry, and perfume designers. The front window will feature local artists and will change monthly.
This non-profit store will provide a much needed additional income for ALPHA. Craig Chapelle, who has been dubbed “The Wrangler” and used to be the fundraising director, said that this store will allow them to depend less on fundraising so they can direct more attention to what they are passionate about: the people. In fact, that was the common denominator for everyone at the event. Socially connected and compassionate, the ALPHA employees, volunteers, and friends agree that it’s a family.
Duane Quintana opened ALPHA to provide a service that was largely under-appreciated in the state of Idaho. They do free HIV testing, community education, and they offer counseling and support to Idahoans who have been diagnosed with the disease. They have just been approved by PCC to include testing for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia. They even have a food bank with pre-approved healthy choices for people who are too sick to work.
Though the event was light-hearted and filled with laughter, the cause was never far away. Some of the most ardent volunteers are HIV+ themselves. During the festivities, one young man came in for testing, not realizing that the offices had moved around the corner.
ALPHA is not only a fun place to shop, but also a conscientious way help to support a desperately-needed service in our community. The grand opening is August 4th, First Thursday in August, but they are open now for shopping and donations! Look for ALPHA between our favorite salon, Roots, and Café Bellissima at 213 N 10th St., Boise. Call (208) 424-8518 for more info, and be sure to follow Exposure a.l.p.h.a. Interchange on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/alphaidaho !!!
Amy Johnson is currently a senior in Communication/Public Relations at Boise State University. She is a wife, mother, self-professed lover of the written word. Her awesome blog is http://amyjohnsonmyers.blogspot.com. Also, be sure to follow her on Twitter for creative musings and brilliant wit!
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This summer, I attended the annual Women’s Show in Boise, and came across these fantastic, functional bags! Here is a picture of my family with our iTySE bag, packed tight with all our 4th of July picnic gear.
The bags are so creative, and their inventor such a sweet & brilliant lady, I thought it would be fun to do a short video with her! Here it is, our video review of the iTySE (pronounced “it-see”) Bag! (P.S., the second video is our funny bloopers, because sometimes unexpected things happen when you record outdoors in a public park, ha ha!!)
Video Review of iTySE Bags:
Click HERE to view the funny blooper reel!!!
Check out more iTySE Bags at www.iTySE.com!!!
4 Sweaters, a water bottle, extra shoes, and a towel - all in one little bag!
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