trend watch: LACE DRESSES

Okay so the lace trend is nothing new but it's still going strong and still fabulous!  A lot of celebs have been stepping out in everything from colorful to neutral lace.  Check out how you can get the look for less...

Thandie Newton attended the Good Deeds premiere in a neutral in a muted 3/4 sleeve gold lace mini dress.  You can get a similar look right now with the Traffic People Lace Tutu dress available at Asos.  This dress normally retails for $145 but is on sale right now for only $71!   

Or you could heat things up a bit with a bright red lace dress like Stacy Keibler did at the Marchesa Fall 2012 runway show.  You can get some similar looks for less right now on ModCloth.  Go bold with the Citrus and Listen Dress for $54.99 or go a little darker with the Infrared Lace Dress for $72.99.  No matter which one you choose you are sure to make a statement!

Don't want to fully commit to the lace look?  Take a page from Amber Heard's style book and choose a dress with just a little lace detail on it.  The Laced Sweetheart Dress is only $58 right now at Nasty Gal.  This style is sweet, feminine, sexy and totally affordable!

GTBB,
Bad Joan

get the look: JENNA DEWAN RED HIGH WAISTED WIDE LEG PANTS

How adorable is Jenna Dewan in this outfit?!  Love her red high-waisted pants.  And she pulls the look off perfectly with just a simple white shirt and black 3/4 sleeve jacket.  Red, black, and white is always a great combo; the simple color palette allows these fabulous pants to stand out... as they should!

Here is how you can get the look:
-Red High Waist Flare Jeans at ASOS - $62.67 / Sale $25.07
-Visiting Professor Jacket at ModCloth - $79.99
-Tiered Ruffle Tank at Old Navy - $22.94
-Rock the Weekend Ring at ModCloth - $11.99
-Cuff Luck Bracelet by ModCloth - $24.99

GTBB,
Bad Joan

recipe: MUSHROOM POTATO SOUP WITH A HINT OF SAGE

Want a creamy mushroom soup without the heavy cream?  Try Bad Joan's Mushroom Potato Soup; it's thick, creamy, and filling without using cream!

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE RECIPE!

GTBB,
Bad Joan

get the look: RACHEL MCADAMS POLKA DOT DRESS AND OPEN FRONT CARDIGAN

Rachel McAdams took a break from promoting her new film The Vow by shopping at the Dior Boutique in Beverly Hills.  She wore a flirty polka dot dress, open front sweater, and simple heels.  This easy, feminine look works for everything from shopping with the girls to date night! 

Here is how you can shop the look:
- Antique Shop Sweetheart Dress on ModCloth - $54.99
- Pleated Long Cardigan by Bebe - $89
- Crista Heels by Dollhouse - Retail $34 / Sale $32.30

GTBB,
Bad Joan

Happy Valentine's Day

Jacket and Necklace from Style Blender

Happy Valentine's Day!  Don't do anything Bad Joan wouldn't do....  ;)

GTBB,
Bad Joan

recipe: CARROT AND RAISIN DIP WITH HOMEMADE PITA CHIPS

Do you love chips and dip? Check out this flavorful and nutritious alternative!

CLICK HERE TO GET THE RECIPE!

GTBB,
Bad Joan

get the look: BAR REFAELI LONG BLACK DRESS

CLICK HERE TO BUY THE DRESS ON THE RIGHT!

Bar Refaeli looked sleek and elegant while working the red carpet at the 2012 Laureus World Sports Awards.  A long black dress is a good winter alternative to the "little black dress."  The longer hemline makes this a more formal look but you can put a versatile twist on this traditional look by choosing a high low hemline.  An uneven hem makes this look of-the-moment and you can easily play around with dressing it up or down!

You can get this look for less with the Dr. Feelgood Dress by Lizzie Parker (as seen on the right).  This dress is made from a soft jersey fabric and fits like a glove!  And don't forget to check out Lizzie Parker on TV next month when she competes on NBC's Fashion Star!

GTBB,
Bad Joan

Style Blender: A New Way To Shop

We all have items in our closet that we are not wearing for one reason or another. How about trading those items for equally fabulous pieces, of equal retail value? In other words, wouldn’t you love to turn good quality clothing that is just hanging in your closet into fantastic new items?! Well then you are in luck because Bad Joan and her fashionista friends got together and created Style Blender; the place where all of this is actually happening!

Style Blender is a women’s trading club that works on a points value system; once your membership has been approved you can bring in the clothing you are not wearing and Style Blender will give you points for those items. The number of points reflects the item's original retail value so that you are getting more points for expensive items and less for inexpensive items. Those points then become your currency to go shopping!

Check it out....

If you are in LA you have to come by and check it out!  For more info on Style Blender including location information and hours click HERE.

Have a wonderful weekend!

GTBB,
Bad Joan

recipe: LEMON SHALLOT QUINOA

Want a yummy, filling, and healthy meal or side dish? Then try Bad Joan's Lemon Shallot Quinoa recipe!

CLICK HERE TO GET THE RECIPE!


GTBB,
Bad Joan

Bad Joan goes to Watts Towers

In 1921 a man named Simon Rodia set out to built a series of structures in his own backyard. It took him 34 years; he built them entirely on his own and without the assistance of machinery!  Simon used broken bottles, sea shells, plates and other found items to create the mosaic work that decorates the structures. The complex is made up of several towers, a gazebo, benches, birdbaths, and more (the tallest tower stands 99.5 feet)! For more information on this fascinating work of art click HERE.

Once Bad Joan heard the inspiring story behind Watts Towers she just had to go see them for herself! So she grabbed her good friend and talented photographer Dahlia Foroutan and they went to check it out...

When Bad Joan arrived at Watts Towers she immediately went to the Watts Towers Art Center and purchased a ticket for admission ...

... Once inside she took a look around ...

... Bad Joan marveled at the incredible attention to detail ...

... everything from the height of the tallest tower ...

... to the etchings in the floor ...

... were a beautiful and inspiring sight.  Even the surrounding buildings were covered with art ....

... and many of the homes in the neighborhood mimic the mosaic artwork of the towers ...

... After she had seen everything, Bad Joan took one last look around and then headed home to start creating some art of her own ...

What Bad Joan is wearing:
-Cashmere Sweater by Wilen
-Cashmere Knit Pleated Skirt by Wilen
-Bangles by Rich in Friendship
-Bag by Beth Springer

PS - Wilen was actually a clothing line that Bad Joan used to design!

Hope you are having an inspiring weekend!

GTBB,
Bad Joan

Photo Credit: Dahlia Foroutan

get the look: VANESSA HUDGENS CUT OUT BACK DRESS

Vanessa Hudgens visited 2Day FM in Sydney, Australia in style!  The visit was to promote her new film Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, which hits theaters on February 10th.  Vanessa wore a blue print dress that had a cut out back.  Cut outs are all the rage right now but mostly we've been seeing them as a dressier nighttime look.  But Bad Joan loves how Vanessa brought this look out in the daylight with an easy print dress!

You can also take this adorable and sexy look out during the daytime for less with a couple options from Kenny...

Keep it short and sweet like Vanessa did with the Sassy Sailor Dress by Kenny.  This dress normally retails for $312 but is on sale right now for $102!

Or take it to the floor with the My Applique Maxi Dress by Kenny.  This full length dress features a forest green background and large beige flowers; it normally retails for $287 but is on sale for only $51!

So go ahead and show off your back with this flirty daytime style!

GTBB,
Bad Joan

get the look: KATY PERRY MISSONI DRESS AND GREY STUDDED HEELS

Katy Perry took airport style to a whole other level in a Missoni mini dress, long pendant necklace, and grey pumps with studded heels!  This look is fun and flirty and can be yours for a great price, here is how you can put it together without breaking the bank...

- Sabra Mini Dress by Kenny - Retail $212 / Sale $76
- Oval Pendant Necklace by Rich in Friendship - Retail $60 / Sale $14
- Bijou Spiked Pump by Dolce Vita - Retail $189 / Sale $129.50

GTBB,
Bad Joan

And the winner is...

... Megan from The Frugalista Diaries!

Congrats you have won an Efi Necklace by Samanca Jewelry! 

Thanks to everyone who participated in the giveaway.  You can always check the Samanca Jewelry Facebook Page for updates on their products!

GTBB,
Bad Joan

get the look: MERYL STREEP BRASS BIB NECKLACE

Bottom line: Meryl Streep is awesome!  Not only did she just win the Golden Globe for best actress but she's still got fabulous style.  Meryl attended the European Premiere of her new film Iron Lady in a simple black and navy outfit, and she added some pop with a statement brass bib necklace. 

A bold but simple statement piece can add a polished feeling to any look, and is always an elegant choice.  You can get a similiar look right now with the Althena Bib Necklace by Jennifer Elizabeth Jewelry.  This piece normally retails for $208 but is on sale right now for only $68! 

GTBB,
Bad Joan

trend watch and giveaway: OLIVIA WILDE EMMA ROBERTS LONG PENDANT NECKLACE

Whether you are dressing up or dressing down, a long pendant necklace is the perfect boho chic accessory! 

Olivia Wilde stepped out in a casual jeans and sweater travel outfit.  She managed to turn this simple outfit into a polished look with a long necklace that featured a large pendant.

Emma Roberts took her long pendant necklace look to the red carpet by adding it to a stunning red strapless maxi dress!

Both actresses look gorgeous in their respective long pendant necklaces; one casual and one glam.  The Efi Necklace by Samanca Jewelry (seen here on the right) is the perfect long pendant necklace for any outfit, any time of year. 

This necklace retails for $105 and is currently sold out!  BUT right now Bad Joan is hosting a GIVEAWAY for this necklace, check it out...

Here is how to enter:

• You must post a comment here (or on the original post) indicating that you are entering the giveaway and be sure to include your contact info (required) 
• You must "like" the Samanca Jewelry Facebook Page (required)

For extra entries you can also:

• Leave a comment on the Samanca Jewelry Facebook Page (optional)
• Leave a comment on the Bad Joan Facebook Page (optional)
• Tweet about the giveaway and mention @badjoan (optional)

There is still time to enter!  You may enter up until Thursday, 1/19/11. Bad Joan will choose 1 lucky winner who will be announced here on Friday, 1/20/11.

Good luck!

GTBB,
Bad Joan

(For styling ideas click HERE to see how Bad Joan wearing this necklace!)