GleeBox - Lifestyle for the Extraordinary

Lifestyle blog for the extraordinary - because, why fit in, when you were born to stand out? Brought to you from the makers of GleeBox!

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Falling Into Fall Trends

The leaves are changing and we all know what that means in the fashion world: time to switch from our summer threads to our fall ones! You know that infamous rule about not being allowed to wear white after Labor Day? That is no longer the case fashionistas, because we are all about the winter whites. Instead of sticking to your staple black winter coat opt for a white one, or go all out and pair a chunky white knit sweater with some white skinnies.  

School girl chic is not just a naughty Halloween costume idea this year. Back-to-school is synonymous with fall as collections by Tory Burch saw crisp button-ups layered underneath cardigans worn with tweed pants. Just like monochromatic will never go out of style, school girl chic can be done in a way where you come off as very profesh all the time or just really trendy, either way, you look cute!

50 Shades of Gray has another meaning in fashion world: from charcoal to slate, consider it the new neutral. Pair this with anything emerald and you’ll be at the front of the trendy train. While declared the “it” color of 2013, emerald and shades of green appear in collections by Phillip Lim, Pantone, and Carolina Herrera.

Listen up you good girls gone bad, there’s something for you too: leather! Some of the best fashion houses from Chanel to Vionnett show this season's rebel woman with wardrobe including zips, chains and studs. Leather embellishments and details appear on collars, blouses, t-shirts, jackets, skirts and pants.

  So take a minute to see which of these trends is calling out your name and get to shopping!

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Paris Fashion Week Recap

Couldn’t get time off work to jet off to Paris for Fashion Week this year? Private jet was in the shop? Whatever the reason, we have all the updates you need so you feel like you didn’t miss a thing.

Paris Fashion Week started off with the coveted Marc Jacobs show for Louis Vuitton as his departure after 16 years of shows was highly anticipated but not confirmed by LVMH executives until after the show. The week ended with Hermes, clearly saving the best for last.

Europe has always had somewhat of a different fashion sense than NYFW or LAFW, so here’s the rundown on the trendiest of the trends. Many of the runway shows were like a display of art, creating looks that would be difficult for an average American to pull off in their daily life. For example, Alexander McQueen’s looks consisted of heavily sequined cropped pants and tops all matched with an equally blinged out bee keepers hat. 

Here’s the rundown on the trendiest of the trends that are a little easier to incorporate into your wardrobe: Saint Laurant brought back basic black in a cigarette slim look as typical characters of teddy girls, tattooed motorcyclists and heroin-chic rockers raced down the runway, Lanvin was all about metallic chic, Dior stuck to their reputation for beautiful pastel florals and an air of nostalgic femininity as models paraded down the catwalk in unsettlingly strong fluorescents and bold Tahitian prints, and Miu Miu added a modern sporty element.

  See, no need to stress about your private jet being in the shop because we just brought Paris Fashion Week to you! Now put your newfound knowledge to good use!

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A Little Fashion Sense For the Guys

Listen up guys! If you think that the only fashion advice you need to keep in mind is whether or not your shirt smells wearable or like it needs to go in the laundry pile, think again! We’re here to help you out with some simple tips on how to step it up, whether you’re spending your days in the office or just lounging around. Because let’s face it, if you look good, you feel good.

Below are ten pieces of vital information that every man over 14 in the Western world should know. Every man. No excuses. Trust.

1. Brown shoes, brown belt. Black shoes, black belt.

2. Belt or suspenders. Never belt and suspenders.

3. The only men who should wear black suits during the day are priests, undertakers, secret agents, funerals attendees and yokels.

4. Never wear socks with sandals. Ever.

5. Flip flops are great for the pool and the beach and not great for anything else. (Some say this is a matter of taste. We agree. If you have any taste, you will only wear flip-flops at the beach or pool.)

6. A plain black suit is an essential part of any man’s wardrobe. Tailoring is also important, because an ill-fitting suit makes you look like you’re playing dress-up.

7. Any or all wallets you own with Velcro on them should be disposed of immediately.

8. A trendy, printed pair of socks goes a long way. They make a subtle fashion statement and don’t cost very much.

9. Keep your sports jerseys where they belong, at the game.

10. Lastly,  keep accessories to a minimum: no need for a leather cuff AND rings AND a scarf AND a necklace.

You can thank us later!

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New York Fashion Week Recap

Hello fashionistas(os) and trendsetters! As we all know, New York Fashion Week has recently come to an end. Whether you attended or not, we are here to give you a rundown to make sure you didn’t miss out on anything!

Here are the main themes of the week: orange is the new black, exposed midriffs are in, off the shoulder tops/dresses, and black and white is here to stay, (Rag&Bone, Phillip Lim, Derek Lam, and DVF all featured the classic look on their runways). No surprise, off-the-shoulder is a good look, a more coy kind of sexy than the cutouts we’ve grown accustomed to. Plus they'll keep you a little warmer in the fall breeze. A chunky off the shoulder sweater with leggings and boots is sexy but functional at the same time. Incorporate two trends in one by picking out an orange sweater! Since orange comes in so many different shades, its a color that compliments any skin tone. Bright, pale, or coral, there's no doubt you can make it work for you. You can even use it to accessorize by painting your nails orange or picking a coral lipstick.

If you're a fellow Gleeboxer you've already read the post on Monochromatic Madness, or at least you should have! Black and white can be worn in so many different ways and is perfect for either work or play. The color combo can be styled in a conservative or scandalous way and will never go out of style. This means you can splurge on an expensive blazer or top and rock it for years to come. If you're a fan of the exposed midriff there's not much time left till it gets cold so expose away!  

  Fashion is meant to be fun! No matter what the trend of the season is, you have to make it your own and fit it into your wardrobe in a way that makes you both comfortable and confident. So keep these looks in mind and you'll be trending till summer! 

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Trailblazing

Blazers are not just for the board room, they have become the modern day garden variety outerwear in the same vein that boucle jackets were back in the 50’s and 60’s. You can pretty much sum up the blazer as the updated version of the boucle jacket. As we transition into fall, blazers are a great way to show off your outfit and style while still being light enough for summer nights.

The floral blazer is the perfect choice for feminine flair and a fresh take on color to an otherwise all white or all black ensemble. Printed blazers carry the same idea but with exceedingly more gusto, and brightly colored blazers are fashion forward enough to add personality and insurmountable style without straddling the fence of over dramatic. 

But if a little drama queen moment is what you crave, you may want to look into an all white blazer. Whether you prefer a structured variation or a looser cut, this time-honored staple is a chic summer winner. The printed blazer is a high impact jacket festooned with everything from elegant floral patterns to cool graphic designs. This must have essential instantly elevates any ensemble. You can use one to punch up a casual t-shirt or give your nine-to-five mix a modern update. The most common would be the boyfriend blazer, comfy but fitted in all the right spots, this one comes in handy at work, on a date, out with friends, with jeans, or even over a dress.

No matter the pattern, color or fabric, a good blazer always seems to say: Hello world, I am put together. Versatile and with sartorial longevity in spades, the blazer is something every girl should invest in! 

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Monochromatic Madness

You may find this trend boring, but you’ll have to grin and bare it because this classic look is one that will keep coming back, not that it ever actually leaves. If you’re not a fan of the black and white you’re in luck, because this year, monochromatic has been tweaked. The spring runways were filled with models wearing just one color from head to toe. It’s a look anyone can pull off and it’ll definitely turn heads.

While adventurous dressers will surely gravitate toward brighter interpretations of monochromatic dressing, it's important to note that neutral versions of this one-color look leave an equally memorable impression. If you’re a little nervous about trying this bold statement, wear a lighter shade of the hue either on top or bottom to create more of a muted palette and don’t be afraid to mix and match different textures. Steer clear of shades that are too close to your skin tone as your outfit will wash you out. There is one thing we cannot emphasize enough: accessorize, accessorize, accessorize. Try to choose a color that doesn’t compete with your main hue, but instead complements it. And yes, lipstick counts!

Solids have never been so versatile. Just take a cue from the celebs who have done all of the above. Kim Kardashian and Jessica Biel have gone the colorful route while others like Nicole Richie, Rachel Zoe, and Miley Cyrus have gone with printed black and white. There’s something for everyone, including you. So pick a color and go wild!

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Boys and Bracelets

Call it what you want: mewellry or a mangle, but the man bracelet trend isn’t just for Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean, it’s for real life too! Whether its leather, beads, or colorful threads, male wristwear is making a statement.

It’s the age of the metrosexual and male fashion is thriving. Accessories are no longer just for girls as guys are adding to their ensembles with scarves, suspenders, pocket squares, and yes, even bracelets. “Men tend to want the ruggedness of a heavier leather and simpler, more discreet hardware,” said Ryan Greer, 31, an accessories designer in Brooklyn, who sells leather cuffs on his Etsy store, fluxproductions. “It’s the type of accessory that’s a little pirate and a little rock ’n’ roll, and it doesn’t have the attendant baggage of a Livestrong or a Rolex.” It’s not hard to hit multiple price points on the same wrist with the layered-bracelet look, by combining, say, leather braceletsby Unionmade (located in San Francisco, a boutique that carries men’s leather bracelets ranging from $68-98) with woven beach bracelets by Burkman Bros. (worn by Kanye West at Coachella), which sell in mixed lots of three for $30.

This is a look that can even be worn by professionals as bracelets can easily be covered by long sleeves if need be. This allows for guys to feel unique without having to leave their comfort zone. So figure out which (if not all) type describes your personality and get to stacking!

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The New Cupcake: The Donut

For the past few years now there’s been a pretty dominant dessert out there, from the homemade version to the gourmet one: the cupcake. There’s an abundance of blogs, television shows such as Food Network’s Cupcake Wars, and Facebook Fan Pages dedicated to the tiny cake. Sprinkles Cupcakes and Magnolia’s have had several competitors pop up in an attempt to keep up with the trend. But now, there’s a new dessert in town: the donut! What’s old is new again. Chicago in particular has jumped on this trend in a big way. This year has seen new donut shops opening up in the city and it looks like they’re here to stay.

  Firecakes Donuts on Hubbard Street boasts of their unique flavors and they even have a donut ice cream sandwich! This succulent treat consists of gelato placed between two glazed donuts. If you think that sounds crazy, they have two more adventurous, and maybe even indulging flavors: the maple glazed pineapple and bacon, and the goat cheese iced banana black walnut donuts. This means that you can have a mixture of sweet and savory or give your sweet tooth a cavity. Either way, this new donut shop has been getting rave reviews and is open late for anyone who wants to grab a midnight snack.

      Also on Hubbard, (among other locations) is another Chicago donut shop called Glazed and Infused. The creators of this traditional looking shop come from well-known backgrounds such as Lettuce Entertain and Krispy Kreme. With flavors like passion fruit pistachio and crème brulee, there’s no doubt your tastebuds will thank you afterwards. You might even start to feel like a donut connoisseur yourself.

    Whether they're twisted, round or square, these deep-fried snacks keep us reaching for more!   

  Don't live in Chicago? Don't worry, we've got you covered from the East Coast to the West! Let us know in the comments below, of your favorite local place to grub on some delicious donut goodness!:

  Los Angeles: Stan’s Donuts (a Westwood institution)

Los Angeles: The Donut Man (a bit of a trek for the Angelenos but definitely worth it!)

New York City: Babycakes (baked and vegan-friendly)

New York City: Bouchon Bakery (brought to you by Thomas Keller - need we say more?)

New York City: Pies ‘n’ Thighs (where else can you get ginger grapefruit donuts?)

Oakland: Pizzaiolo (famous for their buttermilk donuts, served Monday-Saturday, 8am-noon.)

San Francisco: Dynamo Donuts (they even serve Fourbarrel Coffee!)

San Francisco: Trish’s Mini Donuts (a local favorite in the tourism epicenter of San Francisco.)

San Jose: Psycho Donuts (they have strawberry margarita donuts, filled with real tequila pastry cream - just sayin')

Washington D.C.: District Doughnut (stuck working on Capital Hill or the Pentagon but sick of the nearby chain donut eateries? This local favorite has you covered - they deliver!)

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Flashing A Little Skin

The cutout is having its sexy little moment. Designers have gone scissor happy, slashing and slicing this year’s summer fashions. This trend has been making its way to all different parts of your blouse. All you have to do is decide which part of your body you want to give people a sneak peek to.

Try leaving the jewelry behind and let a cutout neckline make your statement. Cutouts at the collarbone can be sexy yet chic. Dare to wear the belly baring cuts Halle Berry and other f-ab-tastic celebs love? Be prepared to curl and crunch your way to a six-pack stomach. Otherwise, wear cutouts where you are most confident. When it comes to the midsection, a higher cutout is more modest on most women. The detail can draw attention up, so it's particularly flattering for figures that are fuller on the bottom.

  The most universally flattering option is the cutout shoulder. While a more casual look, it adds a little panache to the basic tunic or t-shirt. The ladder like cuts or side slits look good on anyone regardless of body type. Make your exit as memorable as your entrance with a dress or blouse that has a back cutout. This option works best when wearing a lace top or dress.

  The cutout is the perfect way to show a little skin but still keep an air of mystery. Several designers have their own versions of this trend and it seems that most celebs like Leighton Meester, Nicole Richie and Miley Cyrus prefer the cutout at either the waist or hips. But it’s up to you to make the trend your own. Keep it casual with a top and skinny jeans or a skirt, or go for a dress with cutouts. Stick with solids when it comes to cutouts for maximum contrast and drama and pick your favorite part to discreetly play peek-a-boo with!

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Minty Fresh

In case you haven’t noticed, mint green has been everywhere this summer. And why not? Subtly cool, clean-cut, and refreshing, mint is the accent color that can make a look feel both fresh and edgy. Whether you choose a hint of mint, or go full throttle with the color trend, it’s actually quite easy being green. This pretty hue is meant to pop and be noticed.

You can go big like Kim Kardashian by wearing all black and putting a mint blazer over it, or you could be daring and opt for some mint green harem pants like Whitney Port. She keeps it simple by pairing her mint with a plain grey tee. Colored denim has been trending for the past few seasons and a pair of mint green skinny jeans works on every body type. Dress your look up by pairing with a sexy top or blazer or dress down by throwing a t-shirt on. Love this fabulous color yet lack self-confidence to wear it? Just go for mint green accessories. For a perfect way to add a pop of color to your look think mint green ballet flats, mint green nails, or a belt or jewelry in this color.

  The great thing about this color is that it is universally flattering for almost all skin tones. Don't be green with envy over girls who have mastered this pastel hue because now you can be one of them!

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Hello World!