Style Spotlight: The Duchess of Cambridge [Part 2]

Happy Thursday!

I was supposed to do a Part 2 of my Style Spotlight post on the Duchess of Cambridge back in April, but I wasn't able to because I got really busy with school, so that plan was a no-go... but now, we can take a look back at the Duchess' maternity style because the Royal Baby has arrived!

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge welcomed HRH Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge into the world on Tuesday... and here are some of the outfits the Duchess wore while pregnant with the new little prince:

The first outfit Duchess Catherine wore after her pregnancy was announced was this cute scarf-coat-boots combo -- I really like it!

I also love how she wore her hair half-up/half-down... and the gorgeous yellow flowers were a nice touch!

I'm not really too crazy about a lot of these ensembles, but I really loved her green Alexander McQueen gown, the white collared coat she wore for an official engagement, and the green Emilia Wickstead coat she wore for St. Patrick's Day.

I loved loved loved Duchess Catherine's yellow Emilia Wickstead coat!

Her peach/coral-colored outfit was also really lovely. And she looked amazing in her Jenny Packham ensemble for the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Queen's coronation -- the whole look is just perfection!

I'm not too keen on the outfit she wore to the Harry Potter Studios, but the Duchess seemed to love it so much, she wore it twice! ;)

These are the last two outfits she wore on her official outings, and they were classic Kate. :)

Here are also some of the Duchess' casual outfits:

I want her Zara poncho!

And look, the Duchess wore sneakers!!! :D

I also think it's really cool that she seems to have a favorite "bag-of-the-moment" -- she was photographed with her gray Tod's bag three times! 

(By the way, from a far, this bag looks a little bit like my Twisted Orchid bag, haha!)

And lastly, the big reveal:

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with their newborn son, Prince George of Cambridge

I think it'd be nice to end this post with the Duchess' first official outfit as a Mom Mum!

I love love love this blue Jenny Packham dress -- it's perfect!

And I love how they are both wearing blue = blue for baby boy!

I am definitely looking forward to seeing more of Duchess Catherine's ensembles... and of course, Prince George's wee outfits! :)

What do you guys think of the Duchess of Cambridge's maternity style?

Which of these outfits are on your favorites list?

I hope you're all having a lovely week -- the weekend is almost here! ;)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Like What Mimi Writes on Facebook and be friends with Mimi! :)

Twitter? WhatMimiWrites Instagram? whatmimiwrites :)

Bag Holding And What It Says About You

Happy Weekend!

Do you guys have favorite websites to visit whenever you're surfing the internet?

One of my absolute favorite websites has got to be www.refinery29.com -- they have THE most interesting articles, I always look forward to receiving their emails. :)

They published an article way back in January about bag holding techniques and what they mean, and I just wanted to share it with you guys, it'll be a fun read! :)

What Your Bag-Holding Technique Says About You

(Read the Refinery 29 article here.)

1. THE SCHLEPPER - You've got two, three, four... five bags to worry about, so you've got a "wherever fits" strategy going on. "You're fatigued, exhausted, and in a rush -- the bags suggest you're a little spaced-out and have a hard time being present."

Lauren Conrad

Lauren does look fatigued, exhausted, and in a rush!

2. THE ARM-CROOK HOOK - Favorites of paparazzi-chased celebs, this limp-handed style just screams power.

"You're wearing the bag as if it's a badge of honor or an award. You feel as if you've got a sense of superiority."

Miranda Kerr

Miranda Kerr is definitely always chased by paparazzi...

3. THE HANDS-FREE - "The girl who wears a hands-free bag willingly covers up her silhouette and outfit.

It's useful, but it also shows you're slightly dorky... see this a lot with young women."

Jessica Alba

I don't know if Jessica Alba is slightly dorky in real life, but hey, she's a gorgeous mama!

4. THE TWOFER - Usually done with a coy smile and a leg cross, the two-handed twofer clutch denotes a shy, defensive person. "This creates a fig leaf position as if you were protecting your goods. If you find yourself doing this on a date, it's because you feel weird about where it's going."

HRH The Duchess of Cambridge

This is the Duchess of Cambridge's go-to bag holding technique!

5. THE BAGUETTE - A recent favorite of street style stars, the baguette style is a scoop-up, on-the-go method.

"It's a utilitarian look, and you don't really care about the bag but rather what's in it. You're goal-oriented."

Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer Aniston is definitely a street style star!

6. THE THIRD ARM DRAPE - This move usually involves a bag with a long strap... but instead of crossing it over, you choose to wear it over your shoulder. And since that baby's prone to slipping around, Patti says it shows a lack of awareness. "It says, 'I don't have power over my world'."

Hilary Duff

I think Hilary looks great balancing her bag and her adorable baby boy, Luca!

7. THE ARMPIT VICE - Clutches are hard to hold, we know, but this move keeps your bag in place while leaving your hands free. "There's an awkwardness about it, and I see it happen a lot with women who are carrying a purse that doesn't fit her body."

Jennifer Lopez

Yeah, it does seem like Jennifer Lopez is having a hard time with that clutch...

8. THE BRIEFCASE - There's a certain type of woman who chooses to forgo the shoulder strap for the top handle. "She's in business mode. She's going fast and her bag has a lot of weight -- she cares less about her appearance, and more about where she's off to."

Angelina Jolie

I think that pretty much describes Angelina Jolie... except she doesn't really have to care a lot about her appearance -- she's gorgeous and she knows it!

9. THE THUMB-TO-'PIT - There's a reason this move's associated with Carrie from Sex and the City. "I see women in cosmopolitan cities doing this. They remember their mamas telling them to protect their bags... they don't want to get them pulled off while they're walking! They're street-smart."

Anne Hathaway as Andy Sachs in The Devil Wears Prada

Andy definitely became street-smart as the movie progressed!

10. THE "I'VE GOT A BAG BITCH" - You've got better things to do than to hold a bag. For some, that's what assistants and boyfriends are for. "When people feel the need to look fabulous all the time, they can't be encumbered with anything."

Beyoncé

Who else would have a bag bitch other than Beyoncé?!

Look, there's literally someone behind her carrying her bag!

Some descriptions may be spot-on and some are not, but it's so interesting, right?!

My bag-holding techniques are #s 2, 3, 6, and 9... depending on the bag.

What about you -- What's your bag holding technique?

Do these descriptions describe you or someone you know?

I hope you are all having a great start to summer! :D

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Like What Mimi Writes on Facebook and be friends with Mimi! :)

Twitter? WhatMimiWrites Instagram? whatmimiwrites :)

What's New: Dorfman Pacific -- Scala Sinamay Feather Spray Fascinator Headband

Happy Thursday!

The biggest news of the week has got to be the Duchess of Cambridge's pregnancy... and in honor of the fascinator-loving princess and her royal baby-to-be, I think it's the perfect time for me to share with you guys this new fascinator headband from Dorfman Pacific! ;)

Dorfman Pacific offers the most comprehensive collection of hat brands in the country. The company's research, development, and design departments are busy scouting the world for the best trends and materials so that retailers can offer consumers the paramount looks, always in the best quality and affordable price point. The upcoming Holiday, Resort, and Spring collections offer many silhouettes, colors, patterns, designs, and trims in a huge range of materials....wool, cotton, blends, acrylic, leather, suede, and straw are just a few. Organza and Sinamay dress up the options.

I am absolutely obsessed with headbands and I've always wanted to own a fascinator, so when they offered to send me this fascinator headband to review, I immediately said yes!

The Scala Collezione Collection is one of Dorfman Pacific's most popular brands. It features more than 50 formal looks retailing from $30 up to about $150 for a very involved Sinamay style with a seven inch brim, netting, and dyed to match feathers (and over $200 for a fascinator decorated with a butterfly motif and silk flowers in a 22 inch diameter!). Flowers, bows, ruffles, and/or feathers adorn each style in stunning, eye catching intricate designs. All fascinators are individually boxed to protect the fine workmanship.

Style LDF7 is a very popular style because it is flattering on all face shapes and has just the right detailing and trim for accessorizing most outfits. The headband is subtle, but secures the fascinator so it stays in place through dancing, partying, cocktailing, and the like. Black, White, and Pebble are all top colors in the style and work with any and all outfits... perfect for consumers to pick up all three.

I really like the design of this headband.

It's subtle, but is still capable of standing out.

The materials are top quality; plus, the colors are basic and are easy to pair with outfits.

It is easy to put on and to keep on.

I also like how it is attached to a headband -- wearing a fascinator takes some getting used to and not everyone can immediately feel and look fantastic in one à la the Duchess of Cambridge, so combining it with something familiar to all of us definitely helps.

It's basically just like wearing a headband with a big embellishment, haha! ;)

Trying my fascinator headband on...

This is not a headband I would wear on a daily basis... BUT, I think it won't hurt to have one handy just in case you get invited to a party requiring the use of a fascinator, or a derby, or perhaps if, for some reason, you find yourself in London (Oh, how I wish that's the case for me, haha!). ;)

Another idea... if you know anyone who is obsessed with London, the royal family, or fascinators, then you have THE perfect gift idea right here! :D

Colors available: Black, White, and Pebble

Price: $30

To buy your very own fascinator headband, please click here.

Have you ever bought anything from Dorfman Pacific and Scala Collezione before?

What do you think of this fascinator headband? Is this something you would wear? Which color would you choose?

One more day 'til the weekend, guys! ;)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To win a personalized/ monogrammed tote bag of your choice from Advantage Bridal, please click here.

Open to United States residents only. Ends on December 17th at 11:59pm PST.

Like What Mimi Writes on Facebook and be friends with Mimi! :)

Twitter? WhatMimiWrites :)

Style Spotlight: The Duchess of Cambridge

Happy Saturday!

Can you believe it's been a year since the Royal Wedding?!
I still remember the excitement of last year like it was just yesterday! ;)

In honor of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's first wedding anniversary, I thought it'd be nice to start my Style Spotlight posts with the most photographed woman on the planet: The Duchess of Cambridge.

So, let's take a look back at Her Royal Highness' fashionable year!
(Not all of the Duchess' outfits since getting married are included, to do so would make this post longer than it already is, haha!)


official wedding portrait

She started off life as a royal with her beautiful Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen wedding gown:

Days/weeks after the wedding:

Canada:

Los Angeles:

Evening Gowns:

Coats (& Hats!):

Greens & Grays:

Blues (& one with turquoise accents!):



Look at the woman in the background in the last photo... doesn't her outfit look similar to the one the Duchess wore to the Gary Barlow concert at the Royal Albert Hall? Haha, cool! ;)

Ever since her engagement, I think the Duchess of Cambridge always looks so beautiful and so impeccably dressed.
It seems like she never has a bad hair day, or a bad photo for that matter... but then again, being a princess does mean having to be close to perfect at all times -- she even looks great playing field hockey!

It would be amazing to raid the Duchess' closet, don't you think?

To name my favorite looks from the Duchess of Cambridge would take forever, so I think you guys should just tell me your favorites and we'll talk about it in the comments! Good plan, right?! ;)

Do you have a favorite Duchess Catherine look/outfit?
Anyone watching Royal Wedding replays/specials?

I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend!

Twitter? WhatMimiWrites :)

***In other news, I will be having another Shopbop giveaway just for you guys, so please stay tuned for that!*** :)