Sweet Honey: Replicalicious

Hanbags and Shoes are the accessories that can make or break an outfit.
They can also make or break your budget.
While I am horrified by the thought of a Marc by Marc Jacobs Dr. Q Hobo Replica swinging from someone's arm, I totally understand the want to have great stylish items that look like they cost designer prices. However, like most people, I have a limit on what I think is going too far, and in my opinion, you just don't play with Marc Jacobs.
However, I am fully in favor of getting similar pieces, that are not copies, but instead inspired by the designer pieces. For instance, those Nine West Gladiator Sandals I featured a few days ago are wonderul Balenciaga inspired shoes, and seeing that am not willing to put down thousands on a style that will surely be on the don't list in the near future, these are perfect for me. Same with this Bottega Veneta inspired shoe by Steve Madden:



It is not an exact copy and it does not feature a pitiful rendition of the BV logo, but it is certainly a crave worthy pair of shoes that could be worn with jeans, shorts, or dresses. It is not a work shoe, by any means, but it will give you style and sex appeal for days out on the town, on the dancefloor, or sitting across from your dear friends or dashing date at a trendy restaurant.

Check out this style and others at Steve Madden !

My Honey: Valentine Gifts for Him

My Faves:



Nascar Ride by Signature Days



Grilling Brand by Personal Creations

Other Great Gifts:

Burberry Cashmere Scarf
Vera Wang for Men Eau de Toilette
Digital Picture Frame Key Chain
DVD Set for The Wire

Sweet Honey: Bee My Baby

For those ladies going out with that special someone or with the ladies to celebrate being fabulous and single, try something like this on for size:



The Charmeuse Dress by Graham and Spencer is the perfect red backdrop for the gold jewelry and accessories. I kept it all shiny and sparkly for this fun night out, but to tone it down, add some nude colored shoes and less jewelry for a more understated fashion statement.
Whatever your style and whatever your shape, you can wear this fabulous silhouette!!!

Bee Sweet!

Red Carpet Fix: SAG Awards

I don't know about you, but HoneyBee loves Awards season, and while I don't really care who wins what, I do LOVE to see what folks are wearing on the red carpet. With the strike going on with the writers, many of the shows have been downsized to less than stellar events, with no red carpet mayhem. So I was HAPPY and OVERJOYED to see the stars turn out. Here are MY favs:


Chandra Wilson

I love love love this sparkle and shine, the shorter length, how mod it is with her mod hair, and the fact that she looks radiant. Besides...any woman who can take a risk like this is my kinda girl!


America Ferrara in Monique Lluillier


Jamie Lynn Sigler in Calvin Klein



Ellen Pompeo in Nina Ricci



Marion Cotillard in Nina Ricci

This is so stunning...

Valentine's Gifts for YOU!

Send your honey or your hubby this link...and take all the guesswork out, unless you want to be STUCK with hundreds of dead rose petals in a few weeks!


Shine and Sparkles:


Heidi Klum Clover Hoops $48.00 QVC.com

These pretty earrings will make you look like a million bucks, for less than $50

Organic and Meaningful

Jeanine Payer Kiku Necklace $420.00

Organic styles and meaningful messages let the world know what you really think about life and love…

Chic and Sassy

Nine West Doubts $79.00

Foot candy!

Girly and Sweet

Hanky Panky Jersey Chemise $82.00

If you would NEVER be caught dead wearing a t-shirt and shorts to bed, you will love this…

Crazy and Cool


Vinyl Archiver $129.00 fredflare.com

For the girl who has more vinyl records and cds than shoes and handbags…and yes, they do exist!

Of House and Of Home

Urban Outfitters Mirror Vanity $200.00

This pretty vanity will make you feel like the fairest of all the queens!


Posh and Pretty


Miu Miu Vitello Handbag $1240.00

Hey, if you only shop at Neimans, Saks, Bergdorfs, and Bendels…well, nothing less will do!

Simple & Sweet: The Basics Part III

Now to every girls favorite...SHOES!

We need at least one pair of each of these,in a high or lower end price!

Black Pumps
Evening Shoes
Flats
Casual Shoes
Sneakers

Of course shoes that serve double duty, for day and night are the best kinds!

Black Pumps


Christian Louboutin Simple 85 Pumps $520


Sam Edelman Queen $95.00
Just because the shoe is black, does not mean it has to be boring, look for textures, interesting heel shapes, and different toe boxes to make your shoes speak to your style.


Evening Shoes


Jimmy Choo East Sandals $570.00


Nina Calhoun $79.00
For many dresses, a simple black d'orsay is all you need!

Flats


Delman Flats $195.oo

Invest in a great pair of flats, these can go from work to play...or even a night out.
Perfect with rounded toe, sides that hug the foot!!


Casual Shoes

Chloe Mocassins in Yellow $465.00


Nine West Halls $62.95

for cooler weather try these:

Nine West Formulaz in Pony $82.95

Sandals


J. Crew Vachetta Wedges $160.00


Nine West Heech $92.95
HOT Balenciaga replicas


Sneakers
For actual fitness, people's feet are too different to narrow it down to one good shoe, but for fashion...wellllll that is another story.


Diesel Parapat W in Sunny $89.95

Honey Buns: Best At Home Workouts

I am doing a Turbo Jam review over the next few weeks, to give you QueenBees an idea if it is something you can add into your repertoire. Over the years, I have gone from faithful gym rat to busy mom with a pooch (that I desperately want to get rid of...). I have a six pack -assuming that once formed they are always there, even if under the surface - somewhere under the pooch (did I say how desperate I am to get rid of this??????) that I am determined to rediscover, like Columbus.

Over the years, I have become an afficionado, of sorts, of at home workout videos and at home fitness gear. We have both an elliptical and a stationary bike at my house, which both get used frequently, even if only for five minutes until Little Mr. Hell On Wheels starts banging on walls, breaking things, drawing a Picasso like drawing...ON THE WALL...you get the point. However, I always seem to float back to my beloved DVD and VHS workouts...and here are some of my favorites:

1. Tae Bo
This is one of the best, ever. I don't care what you or anyone else has to say about Billy Blanks, he is my fitness czar! Doing the original Tae Bo workouts got me at my best shape, ever. I was working the size 8 jeans. I mean, WORKING them. He took me from a 12 to an eight, in a matter of a few months, and although the workouts became monotonous and I lost my passion for them, I plan to incorporate them, in some way, into my fitness regime again.

2. Tae Bo Cardio
One thing that the original Tae Bo was lacking, was the jumpy bouncy aerobics that I like. So when the Cardio versions came out, I was hooked instantly. These remain in my rotation. I long for the day when I can finish the workout again, as they will certainly have me looking fit and fab...but alas 10 minutes is not going to cut it!

3. The Firm Cardio Sculpt
This video is a part of the Body Sculpting Sytem which comes with the Fanny Lifter and the Scultping Stick. While the other two videos never got my attention, I LOVE LOVE LOVE this one. The sculpt workouts target your upper and lower body at the same time, and make your workout that much more effective. Interspersed between both step and sculpting are cardio routines that are actually kinda fun and break the monotony of the video. The ab section at the end is challenging, but great!
Love this one!

4. Gaiam Pilates for Weight Loss
This video is long, but it is so worth it if you break it up or do it all at one sitting. It is far better, to me, than the Windsor Pilates, which I purchased and gave away. This DVD has three levels, and you can start at the beginning and progress, and the progression is challenging. It leaves you energized, feelings long and lean, and clear. It is also amazing for toning and flexibility.


5. Turbo Jam Cardio Party
I just think this is a fun and effective way to break up some of the harder stuff, and just dance around and get fit. You will increase your strength and your stamina with this one, and the crazy cast of characters is fun and entertaining to watch.

6. Elle Glam Fitness Complete Cardio
This is another fun one, if you like to dance, you can kinda do your own version of the dances they show and burn calories...if you want a less intense workout, but still need the workout. I recommend having one or two videos in your stash that is just fun.

7. Walk Away the Pounds 2 Mile Run
You can use this as your am start, if you like to break up your workouts. It is quick, it is effective, and if you turn down the volume, cuz Leslie can sure talk...and put on your own music and just follow to get to the 2 mile point, you will have fun and feel ready and energized for your day. Plus, you can jog on a treadmill for more intensity, and it will be similar to jogging outside...GREAT!

I recommend Amazon to purchase these videos...
Have fun and get fit!

Sweet & Simple: The Basics Part II

Okay, so we talked about tops yesterday, now let's focus on bottoms and outfits (suits and dresses).

For your classic pieces you should have:

Suit
Cocktail Dress
Day Dress
Pants (trousers and casual)
Skirts (work and casual)
Jeans

Many women prefer pants over skirts or vice versa, so if that is you, then you can forego the casual pants in favor of the casual skirt. All of this is definitely based on your own wants and needs, but it a snapshot of what a basic and classic closet will look like.

Suit



Theory Suit (Gabe-B Jacket and Emery-Tailor Trousers) $600.00


Banana Republic Wool Pantsuit $296.00

Cocktail Dress

Derek Lam Kimono Dress $1690.00


Silk Chiffon J Crew $175.00

Day Dress



Celine Shirtdress $1000.00


Spiegel Drop Waist Shirtdress $59.00


Casual Pants or Skirt


Marc Jacobs Chinos $168.00


Old Navy Sailor Skirt $15.00

Trousers



Helmut Lang Trousers $370.00


Banana Republic Martin Pants $98.00

Skirt



J Crew Wool Gab Skirt $98.00

Perfect silhouette for EVERY woman, at the knee, body skimming but not snug, wide waistband to hide belly imperfections...wonderful!

Jeans


Serfontaine Minx Stretch $182.00


Old Navy The Flirt Jeans $29.50

Simple & Sweet: The Basics Part I

For the remainder of the week, I am going to focus on bringing you a high end and lower end (read: but still fashionable) version of all the basics you should have in your closet. This is not about trends, this is about classic pieces that will always remain in style. So get out your PDA or notepad, and start jotting down those things you simply need to update, those things you simply need, and those things you simply cannot live without!

First, lets make a list of those things that every woman should have:
black pumps
suit
pants (trousers and causal style)
white blouse
white t-shirt
jeans
skirt (work and casual)
coat/jacket
cardigan/sweater
day dress
cocktail dress
evening shoes
flats
sneakers
evening blouse
day top

Today we will focus on the tops:
White Blouse
White Tee
Evening Blouse
Day Top
Cardigan/Sweater

You want to make sure you have things that will all fit together. For instance, your evening blouse should be able to go with your jeans, your trousers, and your skirt. This way, you have a mix and match wardrobe that will translate into many looks for many occasions. So keep that in mind when you shop.

White Blouse


Craig Taylor Ruched Blouse $138.00


Gap Button Down Shirt 39.00


White Tee


James Perse White Tunic Tee $79.00


Gap White Favorite Tee $14.50

Evening Blouse


Catherine Malandrino Babel Top $395.00


BCBG Ruffle Blouse $198.00


Michael Kors Silk Halter $89.50

Since these three are so fabulous, I put them all!


Day Top


Marc by Marc Jacobs Striped Top $188.00


LaRedoute A-Line Top 29.99

Cardigan/Sweater

Rebecca Taylor Double Breasted Cardigan $315.00


Old Navy Eyelet Cardigan $29.50