Shopbop Shoptalk: The Shopbop Blog Exclusive

Break Time: Pink, Pens & Playgrounds

2013-05-17T17:23:27+00:00

The sun is shining and happy hour is just a few more emails away. Tide yourself over until quitting time with a few of my favorite links from the week.

Think pink! When did baby girls start wearing this rosy hue? It began a lot more recently than you think.
[Smithsonian.com]

Artist James Mylne wields a pen like Ansel Adams did a camera—from beautiful architecture to our favorite fashion icons, he captures their likeness in ballpoint pen drawings with perfect photoreal accuracy.
[CrispMe]

A dome-like steel structure called “the bubble” was the big attraction at my elementary school, but it doesn’t hold a candle to these incredibly inventive playgrounds.
[Bettery Magazine]

--Libby S.

Style Steal: Graf & Lantz Clutch

2013-05-17T12:59:52+00:00

Don’t be mistaken, we’re willing to pay for our fashion, but when a find comes along that’s cool, forward, and under $200, it makes our style-loving hearts skip a beat. In this weekly feature, we’ll highlight some of the best style steals on the pages of Shopbop.com.

The Steal: A Graf & Lantz clutch in brilliant, two-tone leather.
The Price: $139 (USD)
Why it’s worth it: Playful color combos are a fresh take on the classic silhouette.

Shop the Graf & Lantz Jody Clutch.

She’s the Bop: Hayley Williams of Paramore

2013-05-16T17:11:10+00:00

If you're trying to make it to Friday, desperately needing a wish right now... wish right now... wish right now... don't panic. Today's Bop Star is Hayley Williams, the rock princess of Paramore whose sparkle-bomb personality and Pixie Stix voice seems to lift everyone out of their weekday funks. Now on tour with her band to promote their new self-titled album, Hayley took a few minutes to talk about her personal style, her new collaboration with M.A.C, and old-school Nickelodeon shows. (Because anyone who can reference The Secret World of Alex Mack is worship-worthy in our book.)

FARAN KRENTCIL: You've been performing with Paramore for almost a decade. How has your personal style changed from your last album, Brand New Eyes, until now?
HAYLEY WILLIAMS: Brand New Eyes was a pretty heavy time for me as a person. I was usually wearing a tee shirt and jeans and my overall style didn't really reflect a person who was trying new things and experimenting with her own self-expression. Where I'm at now is a far cry from those days. For the most part, I'm still a T-shirt and jeans girl, but I feel more colorful, I feel braver, and I like myself a bit more than I did back then. Even if I'm completely off-trend (and, usually, I am!), I would rather be true to myself than anyone else.

FK: How has your musical style changed from then?
HW: Ever since Taylor [York, Paramore's new guitarist] stepped in and started writing music for our band, I've found myself in a much freer place as a lyricist. His rhythms and tones are incredibly inspiring to me. My melodies are more fun to sing, and the words I write are more telling of my personality than ever. To put it simply, I really think it's more fun. That's the best way I know to describe it.

Hayley Williams and the members of Paramore. Photos provided by Paramore.

FK: Your hair is almost neon red. Does having a bright hair color preclude you from choosing certain colors in your clothes?
HW: No. Should it?

FK: No! And speaking of bright colors, tell us about your M.A.C Cosmetics line!
HW: I am still in shock about this whole thing. Honestly, it feels so cool to have this collaboration out there. The whole process was exciting and made me think about makeup in a whole new way—as complete self-expression. The best part is seeing all the photos from fans and people who've bought the products. I know orange sounds like a tricky color to pull off, but the "Sounds Like Noise" lipstick looks gorgeous on everybody.

FK: What song best describes your personal style?
HW: Of our own? Probably "Be Alone." It may sound hard to believe, but when we're not traveling the world playing big rock shows, I am really just a nerd who loves her quiet time at home with a cup of tea and TeVo'd episodes of Dexter. If I had to pick another, it's "Anklebiters," which is a song about self-love and self-acceptance. We all need a lesson in that every now and then.

FK: What game show would you win and why?
HW: I always, always wanted to win Nickelodeon's GUTS. I grew up in the '90s—what do you expect?! Break me off a piece of that Agrocrag!

--Faran

Get Paramore's New Album now. Visit Paramore.net for tour tickets, music, videos, and more Hayley!

Wise Words: Edith Head

2013-05-16T16:03:19+00:00

The Daily Find: Siwy Shorts

2013-05-16T15:15:36+00:00

Welcome to The Daily Find, our favorite products plucked from What’s New.

What they are: Siwy Alia Cutoff Shorts
Why we love them: Studs give this summer staple a sexy, edgy feel.
Wear them with: A slouchy tee and open-toe booties.

Shop denim shorts.
Shop Siwy shorts.

Ask Shopbop: How to Buy Sunglasses

2013-05-15T16:25:44+00:00

Clockwise from top left: Stylist Elise, Karen Walker, Etnia Barcelona, Gucci.

Sunglasses are one of the most useful and powerful accessories in a gal's arsenal. Sunnies can pull a look together fast, and they send a chic message. Here are three simple tips to help you find the right pair.

COMFORT
A great pair will fit your face. They shouldn't leave marks on your cheeks or squeeze at the temples or behind the ears.

PROPORTION
Look for a size that complements your face. Styles that are too big or too small take a lot of finesse to pull off.

COLOR
Sunglasses are an investment, so unless you have a monster budget, go for something neutral—black, tortoise, or metallic frames are all lovely choices. However, if you have a bold signature color—like red—then go for it!

--Loni

Shop designer sunglasses.

The Daily Find: Josh Goot Dress

2013-05-15T13:34:34+00:00

Welcome to The Daily Find, our favorite products plucked from What’s New.

What it is: Josh Goot Mini Muscle Tee Dress
Why we love it: Artistically detailed, the casual silhouette is a breezy option for hot summer days.
Wear it with: Soft, tousled tresses and green Derek Lam booties.

Shop casual dresses.
Shop Josh Goot dresses.

Shopbop Beauty: Neon Nails

2013-05-14T16:27:05+00:00

Our resident nail artist changes her polish on a near daily basis. It always looks amazing, but this time around she added a little something extra for an upcoming tropical trip.

“I’m heading to Puerto Rico for vacation, and wanted to be Caribbean-ready, so I choose a fluorescent salmon pink,” says Dokia. “Then I spiced it up with a pop of yellow in a geometric shape.”

The artistry doesn’t stop there. She explains: “For extra vacay style, I tested out a paper crinkling technique on two of my fingers. To get the effect, simply take a piece of scratch paper, crush it into a ball, and lightly rub it over the polish while it’s still wet. It’s subtle, but a texture is a nice surprise when admirers take a closer look.”

--Libby S.

Read more Shopbop beauty tips.

The Daily Find: Rag & Bone Sweater

2013-05-14T13:24:14+00:00

Welcome to The Daily Find, our favorite products plucked from What’s New.

What it is: Rag & Bone Diem Oversized Pullover
Why we love it: The airiness will make this honeycomb sweater a go-to from now ’til fall.
Wear it with: Destroyed Rag & Bone jeans and Newbury booties now, then switch to cutoffs and flat sandals come summer.

Shop crew-neck sweaters.
Shop Rag & Bone sweaters.

Studio Sounds: Pretty in Punk

2013-05-13T18:51:11+00:00

The lights may have dimmed on this year’s Met Gala, but our studio is still rocking out to a distinctly punk vibe.

“With all the hype surrounding the punk exhibition at the Met, safety pins, plaid, and studs are getting a lot of attention. This mix has of some of my favorite punk hits, past and present, for a little inspiration.”

--Phoebe, Stylist

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