Our New Year's Resolutions for 2015

With 2014 slowly coming to an end, it's time to evaluate the year, and promise to do better next time. In 2015 we promise to...

Be Well and Stay Chic,

The Crystal B. Designs Team

4 Tips for Hosting a Stylish Thanksgiving Dinner

We know that a traditional Thanksgiving dinner is not an urbanite's cup of tea. But what if we told you that with a little change in decor and some attention to the menu you can turn this yearly event into a fabulous party? Here are our tips for a stylish Thanksgiving Dinner.

1. Add Pops of Color

Who says that pumpkins can only be orange? Don's limit yourself to the traditional tones of the fall season. Choose bold pops of color to make the decor come alive. Bright pinks and turquoises will add an unexpected touch of modernity to any table setting.  

Spurce: Pinterest

2. Let it Sparkle!

Nothing says 'fabulous dinner party' like a little champagne and sparkle. Keep things neutral and add a few warm gold touches to your holiday decor to truly enhance the elegance of the occasion.  

Source: Pinterest

3. Less is More

If you are a lover of all things avant-garde, good news, we have ideas for you too! Create a contemporary Thanksgiving decor by adding geometric objects, unexpected patterns, or text to your table setting. For this type of atmosphere keeping things minimal is essential.

Source: Pinterest

4. Don't forget about the menu!

A fabulous dinner party is not complete without a few not-so-traditional dishes and drinks on the table. Whether you serve sparkling cocktails or scrumptious dessert, always keep aesthetics in mind by choosing colors, patterns and textures that complement the table setting. Add a few touches of pumpkin, cranberry and cinnamon to your dishes to enhance the spirit of the holiday.

Source: Pinterest

We hope that put tips have inspired you to think outside the box this season, and organize a truly fabulous get-together. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Be Well and Stay Chic!

The Crystal B. Designs Team

3 Easy Ways to Update Your Fall Style

As much as we love fall weather, the season is slowly coming to an end, and we have to start thinking about transitioning our wardrobe into winter. But choosing warmer pieces does not mean compromising style. Here are three easy ways you can update your wardrobe this fall while keeping your fashionista status intact.

1. Choose Capes

 

Updating your outerwear can be quite expensive, but a great cape is worth the investment. Capes have always been a central element of the fall/winter fashion palette, but this year they are trendier than ever. So whether you choose a knit, wool, or faux fur version, you will be en vogue this season, while owning a fall/winter staple piece to wear for years to come. 

2. Be On Point

Pointed toes, popular in medieval Europe, came back to style in the 1950s, and have never really gone away since. Every time they receive emphasis, they return in an updated form, reflecting changes in fashion and culture. So if you are reluctant to invest in a pair of pointy toe booties because 2003 left you traumatized, it's time to reconsider. This season they are less extreme, but much sleeker and more expressive. And the best part? Pointy toe booties are a warm and stylish alternative to pumps for all of you working girls out there.

 3. Choose Hats, Caps and Beanies

Keeping our head warm has never been so stylish, caps, hats and beanies are all the rage this season. Wear a wide brimmed wool fedora for an elegant menswear inspired look, or throw on a beanie with a fun message for a cool, downtown feel. 

We hope we convinced you that winter dressing doesn't mean compromising style. 

Stay warm and stay chic!

The Crystal B. Designs Team

The Lazy Girl's Guide to Fabulous Style

We all love to spend countless hours browsing fashion blogs and style inspiration on Pinterest. While other people read the morning paper, us, fashionistas, catch up on the latest post, follow New York, Paris, or London street style, and get ridiculously excited about an innovative outfit or a new trend. We can't help but hope that someday we will strut our stuff as fabulously as our beloved style icons do. 

But let's face it, dressing like Olivia Palermo, Mira Duma, or Lupita Nyong'o takes the kind of time and energy most of us don't have on a daily basis. Getting ready in the morning is stressful enough without having to worry about an elaborate outfit or a complex, time-consuming hairstyle. But that's no excuse to look like a slob. With conscious shopping, and a little trend-savvy planning, we can turn some heads on the street. Here are our tips for looking effortlessly fabulous.

 1. Choose black

There is a reason why all colors compete to become the new black. With it's elegance and a neutrality that suits every skin tone, it is the chameleon in any closet. Choosing black pieces will eliminate the stress of pairing colors from your morning routine, and it will bring more versatility to your wardrobe. Are you worried that the lack of color will lead to boring outfits? Don't! Looking fabulous in black is all about investing in expressive pieces, trendy cuts and quality fabrics, such as this showstopper right here. With its boxy shape and cutouts, the neoprene dress is the trendiest thing you can own right now.

2. You only need one statement piece.

Don't try to cram all of your trendy garments in one outfit. Organizing chaos takes time, and challenges even the savviest of dressers. Instead, choose a statement piece, and and use basics to build a look around it. It will make your mornings easier, and if well chosen, the center piece, such as this pair of bib peplum trousers, will definitely turn a few heads.

3. Make your wardrobe come alive with statement accessories.

You can elevate the most basic of basics with expressive accessories. Investing in a few posh pieces that you can quickly throw on with your favorite black dress will save you time while keeping you on trend. After all, good dressing starts with savvy shopping.

4. Don't be afraid to look effortless.

Finally, it's OK to look like you have a life. Breaking the rules of fashion has never been trendier. So stop worrying about finding the right blazer if your office outfit doesn't keep you warm, and throw on the first studded leather jacket or chunky knit sweater you can find. It will make your outfit more stylish than you think. 

Be Well and Stay Chic!

The Crystal B. Designs Team

See You Next Year, Style Chicago!

 

 As much as we love sipping lattes in the coziness of our studio, once in a while we need the excitement of  setting up shop at a Chicago designer event, and last weekend we did just that. We really wanted to share all of our fabulous pieces with you, so we packed up half our studio in a U-Haul truck, and drove to Millennium Park to display our favorites at Fashion Chicago. The event was a total success, and with all the love we received, we truly felt that all of our hard work was worth it. We would like to thank everybody who visited us, we hope to see you next year!

Be Well and Stay Chic!

The Crystal B. Designs Team

Color has no limit & neither does Crystal B. Designs

As we are inspired by Chicago’s beautiful architecture and are taken away by sharp lines and symmetry when designing our latest fashion, we also let colors be our muse.  From our black and whites to our vibrant colors, we’ve done it all! 

Asylum, our Fall/Winter 2014 collection, is filled with dramatic prints and color.  Comprising of mainly black and whites, splashes of blue give extra energy to our collection.  These striking fabrics create intense contrasts against the skin adding to the drama and sophistication of the clothes. 

On the other end of the spectrum is Pop Art.  With its stunning reds, yellows, blues, purples and pinks this collection speaks color volume.  Each piece radiates beauty and strength while the color blocking turns up the visual impact of our clothes.

Whether you’re seeking your favorite tones or searching for clothes that compliment your skin, we’ve got you colored!

Be Well and Stay Chic!

The Crystal B. Design Team