2 New Road Studios

If you are looking for some unique winter accessories or gifts for the holidays check out 2 New Road Studios in Lenni.Lenni, a former mill town on the edge of Aston, is quickly becoming a burgeoning artists community.
The transformation of Lenni started 13 years ago when several visionary artists looked at an unused old mill structures and envisioned artists’ studios. The Heron and Heron Crest Studios were hatched and soon upwards of 16 artists had formed an enclave.

Madeleine Kelly, one of the Heron Crest Studios artists, made the decision in fall of 2009 to seek larger studio space. She joined Elisabeth Brown , a hand weaver and women’s clothing designer living in Lenni for 20 years.

Together they formed "2 New Road Studios."

Kelly, an artist and educator believes that art is passion, discovery, evolution and an endless journey. Kelly enjoys working with all mediums, but is particularly passionate about colors and textures which can be achieved with pastels and oils.

Swedish-born Elisabeth Brown hand weaves her own fabrics on room-sized looms in her studio. Her classical designs include meticulously tailored coats, jackets, skirts, capes, shawls, scarves, and hats and Brown feels they become sensible choices for almost any occasion. When designing her hand woven fabrics she states that she is very much influenced by her Swedish heritage, so there is an appealing European flair to her garments. She selects the finest of yarns to work with and creates distinctive textures and color combinations in a wide selection of styles and sizes.

The studio will be open to the public on Friday, Nov. 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 20 and 21 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For directions and more information, visit http:// http://www.2newroadartists.com/

Keep Styling in Delco.

Here's another fashion show.

Springfield Lioness' Annual Fashion Show
Come to Drexelbrook for the Springfield Lioness' annual fashion show. It begins at 12:30 p.m..  J.C. Penney's wll be showing off their styles while you lunch on your chioice of chicken marsala or salmon. Tickets are $35.
Holiday greens will also be on sale so you can get your home ready for the holidays in style.
For more information call Carol Janiczek at 610-544-5818. The Springfield Lioness Club is a non-profit organization. All proceeds go to help the blind and the community. So hurry and buy tickets before its sold out.
If you know of any upcoming events let me know in the meantime keep Styling in Delco

Upcoming Fashion Show

The Arts Guild at Neumann University will host a Fashion Show and Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. at the Springhaven Club in Wallingford on Saturday, Nov. 6. View the latest fashion while benefiting the Dr. Mary Margaret Kearney Scholarship at Neumann.
Angel's Boutique for Children in Aldan will show off kids koolest looks and Ladies Image of Wilmington will give women a chance to look at what's in this season.
So don't miss it. Tickets are $40 ( remember this includes lunch too) For more info contact the Office of Cultural Programing at 610-558-5626.
If you are hosting or know of any upcoming fashion shows, let me know so I can pass the word and we can keep Styling in Delco!

So what are you going to be on Halloween?

Nakia Jackson of  Sharon Hill is a Halloween Consultant for Goodwill Stores in MacDade Plaza.

For children Halloween is a time to be a princess or a pirate. If you had really clever parents, you might be a tabletop. But for most of us we settled for those store bought costumes. You know the ones made of fake satin and plastic masks with exaggerated faces.As adults getting that invite on Facebook for the Halloween event of the year has us feeling anxious. What are we going to be? We want to look good, be clever, make a statement and be comfortable. We don't want to spend lots of money.
So one of the best ways to do this is to go to local thrift shops in the area. Goodwill has lots of clothes to choose from and Halloween consultants to help you out.
"You can put anything together here and we have consultants to help you.  Halloween is our Christmas. It's a fun time of year.  Whatever you need to buy is here," said Maria Rankin, store manager at the store in MacDade Plaza.
Rankin has some neat ideas to make your costume an adventure.
From Fairy to Snookie to Frankenstein to Dexter; here are her ideas and how to make them happen.
Rosie the Riveter

Blue denim shirt, polka dot hair scarf and rolled up jeans
Geisha Silk robe, black flats, black wig, chopsticks for hair, parasol, white foundation, black eyeliner and red lipstick.
Voodoo DollTan dress, black tights, red shoes, sew a large red heart on chest, use wire and yellow foam balls to make pins.
Mime
Black pants, black and white striped pants, bowler hat, suspenders and a pair of white gloves.
Rosemary Woodhouse in Rosemary's Baby
Blue nightgown, blond short wig, long kitchen Knife and walk around the party saying no it can't be.FrankensteinBlack suit, green foundation and neck bolts.
Snookie from Jersey Shore
Short black dress, big teased wig, black high heels and big jewelry.
Macgruber.
Flannel shirt, sunglasses, jeans and khaki vest.
Coraline
Yellow raincoat, yellow rain boots, blue tights, brown messenger bag and blue wig.
Daybreakers
Think the Blood Cafe Girls, 50's inspired hair, white jacket and white shirt, fangs. carry a coffee cup with red paint or dye in it.
Luca Libre WrestlersA singlet( wrestling outfit), make a cardboard champion belt and a mask.

Whether you choose to be Spooky or Snookie remember fashion is spinning these ideas and making them your own. That's how  to keep Styling in Delco..... Happy Halloween.

Flowing silhouettes on the catwalk at Native Gypsy show

Silhouettes of every shape walked along the catwalk  at the SA VA fashion show last week at 18th and Samson Streets. The show was part of Design Philadelphia where designers  from all walks of life get a chance to show off their wares.   The  fashion show, SA VA Native Gypsy was hosted by Sarah Van Aken,  designer and entrepreneur of SA VA, a boutique at 1700 Samson Street. Van Aken has a keen eye for form, color and texture. Her    designs reflected this as models walked across the catwalk in flowing long sweaters, pencil jeans and leggings  accented by boots and suede boot covers

 The classic line sheath dresses  shown  were accented by fingerless gloves of lace, lace stockings and  boots to the knee. Some had a vintage feel adding different materials  and colors to mix up the classic long. 

Red is Van Aken's signature color and shows up throughout the show in leggings, scarves  and dresses.    Nothing too over the top.

 Any woman could find something to like here and carry it off without being anorexic.

Van Aken  has a philosophy that extends beyond frivolous fashion She believes in effortless style, self-expression and quality. Fashion should be fun, carefree and sensual. Her beliefs shine through her designs are made for the real woman who wants to live life to the fullest.

  Her business philosophy is about being locally made, globally inspired, socially conscious and community based. Van Aken is dedicated to helping others and has created community partnerships with People Emergency Center and The Career Wardrobe (more on that in the next blog).

So what is Van Aken's recipe for a great fashion look.

Two parts sensuality, one part street smart, one part ease and drape one part tailoring and fit, one part daring, evocative details, one part mysterious, a pinch of trend and vintage and a dash of bohemian and drama.  It sounds like a recipe to follow.  Here is her website so you can check out her styles and see for yourself at http://www.savafashion.com/.  Putting Van Aken's ingredients into your wardrobe, you'll  be Styling in Delco. 

 

Hey Mama what bed did you crawl out of?

Okay fashion lovers here are some things to beware of .......If you remember stretch pants, you must remember how they led to a bit of frumpiness........Big big shirts....Big Big sweatshirts over skinny pants that hid nothing. I don't know about you but I know I increased a bit in size as I was able to stretch the limits. So remember if you are going to wear the leggings wear a stylish top caressing your hips with leather  booties to keep the lines flowing. 

Leggings are not about stretching the limits or finding the biggest top you own to cover your flaws. Work on the flaws, accent the good and remember you never know who you'll meet as you walk out the door.

What if you spy a celebrity like Brad Pitt in Walmart......a stretch......but what if you do and you want to look good enought to take that phone picture with Brad, right. So think about it.
I was stuck in Walmarts parking lot and a few things bothered me. Here are some observations.  Men's sweatshirts are for men! 

No excuses there are so many feminine and cute women's sports fashion. Phillies fans and Eagles fans can make the most of the selections on your hometeams web. Check them out.http://www.fansedge.com. Pick your team.  

Don't wear pajamas when you shop.

Its okay when you are sixteen and you are walking home from a sleepover but lets be real..flannel pajamas warm and cuddley at home don't belong on the streets of Delco. 

Leave the sliders at home!

One other thing I would like to see banned would be those slide in shoes that males and females wear with abandonment... you know the ones with the sports emblem.......no support....make your feet look ugly.

Instead  go for cute flip flops or a sandals or  pink work boots

     Fashion is about  breaking rules not looking like you crawled out of bed after a really bad night   of  partying  ...Keep Styling in Delco.

Sports Photos courtsey of Fansedge.com

Pink workboots can be found at B&S Shoes in Drexeline Shopping Center.     

Back to School with Flare

Are you ready for Fall? Step into the season in ballet flats. Pointy-toe heels compliment a fitted sheath or a pencil skirt. Bright suede shoes in bright colors like greens, reds, purples and blues will brighten up the seasons colors of tan, black and gray.

Denim jackets in black and blue are all the rage. Matched up with khakis, dress pants or feminine skirts. Denim is big and colored denim is bigger this season. Still a medium or dark wash makes you look leaner than a light one.

 Dress your jeans up with a white shirt and a jacket and you have a professional look going on. Glitz it up with a dazzling sequin jacket and your ready to party. Skinny jeans, flared jeans and boyfriend jeans, (remember baggy not saggy) you can make them your own.  

Here are some tips for fitting jeans. When trying on jeans keep them on for  five minutes to see if they fit snugly or too too tight. Jeans stretch on you.Touch your toes and sit down. Bring two sizes of each pair you want to try on.  Sizing varies according to different brands. If you are petite chose close fit ankle-length cuts. It will exend the line of your legs.

Jeans are so popular that they have become part of the legging family, beyond  skinny jeans.  Leggings or jeggings(a jean legging) which is the must have item this season can be layered with a vest, a print blouse or a long sweater.Top it with pearls and you have made your own fashion statement this season.

Plaid woven shirts are in too. Plaids are all the rage. Wear a tank top underneath over shorts and you are ready to stay cool during Indian Summer. It's been a really hot summer so there are still some ice cream days left. You can still wear your shorts and be Styling in Delco even in the Fall.