July 03, 2008

Spring/Summer - Look#1

Blog1_6 Anna Sui rocks the electric blue trend in her spring 2008 collection. Recreate this look by pairing Funky Frum’s Classic ¾ Sleeve Tee in blue topaz with our Brownie skirt. Top the look off with our Hearts Scarf in black, blue shoes from Piperlime.com, socks from Hanes, and felt heart appliqués from M&J Trimming.

June 27, 2008

Dressing for Your Body Type

While being unique is something to be thankful for, it sometimes feels more like a burden than a blessing. Especially when it comes to finding (and fitting) clothes! At Funky Frum, we understand the frustration of putting together that perfect look so we have compiled some great tips and outfits to help you out.


The key to a perfect look? A perfect fit. 


Just because you can button it, doesn’t mean it fits. For any article of clothing, fit the widest part of your body and then have a tailor make any necessary adjustments. The small extra cost and time is worth it, and it will keep you from tugging at things to keep them in place all day! And, having clothes that fit well makes you feel much better.


Also, dress for the body you have now - not the one with which you hope to kick off the New Year. If you do lose weight, having a tailor fix the pieces you love is much easier than buying a whole new wardrobe. To make finding pieces with a good fit easier, Funky Frum has added size charts to many of our product pages; so take a look, take your measurements, and find the best size for your body!


THE STRAIGHT FIGURE (aka Rectangular Shape)

Proportions: Bust-waist-hip measurements are fairly equal


Goal: Give this figure more shape.

How to Achieve: Sweat the small stuff - - it’s all in the details (such as gathering, belts, or seaming) actually matter. 

Technique:

1) Gathering in the bust or hip areas adds the slight volume you need to achieve balanced proportions.

2) Belts cinch in a top or dress to distinguish your waist.

3) Wearing a jacket with a nipped-waist will also achieve this look, especially when worn over a dress with princess seams.

4) A fitted, straight skirt will hug the hip and thigh giving you insta-curves and a draped A-line skirt will add good volume (but make sure to pair with a fitted top so that you aren’t overwhelmed with fabric).


The Funky Frum Look:

Tops ~ Cake Cone, Strawberry, Edible Flower, or Lemon Lime

Skirts ~ Lemon Ice, Butter Pecan, Banana, or Dreamsickle

Sets ~ Cookies and Cream


THE CURVY FIGURE (aka Hour-Glass Shape)

Proportions: Bust-hip measurements equal, waist smaller


Goal: Accent what you have, while maintaining your balanced figure 

How to achieve: Follow your natural curves

Technique:
1) The perfect garment for you is a wrap top or dress. Try a faux wrap with a built-in undershirt to give you the look you want without compromising coverage.

2) We don’t recommend super-low-rise items - they will accentuate your hips. 

3) Watch the proportions and details - too much on top or bottom will make you look unbalanced.


The Funky Frum Look:

Tops ~ Bubble Gum, Neapolitan, or Pineapple

Skirts ~ Red Velvet, Fiji, or Citrus Splash

Sets ~ Mango Chill


MORE ON TOP (aka Top-Heavy, Inverted Triangle)

Proportions: Bust measurement larger than waist-hip measurements


Goal: Create balance between your top and bottom

How to achieve: Keep the light, bright colors on the bottom

Technique:

1) A wrap (think shawl) is a great way reduce the appearance of heavy arms and disguise a busty bodice. 

2) Wear darker colors on your top half and lighter colors on the bottom to keep the focus away from your chest line. 

3) Wear skirts with more detail and a simple top. 


The Funky Frum Look:

Tops ~ Bubble Gum, Raspberry, or Tahiti Monarch

Skirt ~ Berry Blast, Fresno, or Cherry Jubilee

Sets ~ French Silk


MORE ON BOTTOM (aka Bottom-Heavy, Triangle Shape)

Proportions: Hip measurement larger than bust-waist measurements


Goal: Create balance between your top and bottom

How to Achieve: Incorporate details like ruffles into your tops and wear darker, slimming colors on bottom

Technique:

1) Look for tops with structure, ones that sit above the hip line and are looser on bottom so they don’t stretch across your hip. 

2) Tops with neckline details are wonderful for you - ties, bows, ruffles - as they draw the eye upwards. 

3) A long skirt with swing to it will help hide thick legs and make you look taller; and the movement will keep the skirt from sitting on, stretching across, and accenting your hips and thighs.


The Funky Frum Look:

Tops ~ Irish Cream, Marshmallow, or Dark Chocolate

Skirts ~ Drumstick or Peppermint

Sets ~ Cappuccino Chip

June 17, 2008

The Trend We're Dye-ing to Try

Call it Tie-Dye or Painterly, Dip-Dye or Ombre - whatever your fancy, our Red Velvet skirt is on par with one of this summer's hottest trends. Similar styles have been seen on the fall, summer, and resort runways from designers like Rodarte and ADAM to J. Mendel and Celine.


Albertaferretti2_4Ombre (sometimes called dip-dye) is a French term that means “shaded” and is usually a multicolor stripe with colors graduating from light to dark. Albertta Ferretta shows ombre throughout her fall 2008 collection; here is one of our favorites.

Veroniquebranquinho_cropped

Tie-Dye is also being done in stylish new ways - unlike the shirts you made at camp as a kid! While being a close cousin to ombre, tie-dye is more fun and fresh. Veronique Branquinho uses tie-dye on skirts, dresses, and tops in her 10th anniversary fall collection, and the results are incredibly soft and feminine.


Mw3Painterly prints are also very in style this season. Some designers, like Dolce & Gabbana, actually painted on their fabrics for a rich effect. Here, Matthew Williamson uses paint stroke effects on tops in his spring 2008 collection:


Even accessories are getting in on the dyeing Ysl00040mfun! Shoes from Miss Coco Misscocoshow the ombre effect, and MwscarfYves Saint Laurent made the perfect handbag to match our skirt:


Our Red Velvet skirt comes in an easy to wear, lightweight cotton, and flattering A-line shape. The black to Sk_redvelvet_2red shading makes finding a top match simple: go for one of our basic solid tees or, for a bolder look, pair it with a small patterned top. And, you can finish it off with one of our headwear pieces - the Cherry Cloche for a lady-like look or the Geometric Silk Scarf for a more modern mood. The Red Velvet skirt is a sure trend-winner at an unbeatable non-designer price!

May 28, 2008

It's all in the details...

Our new Zoom feature is the latest upgrade implemented to enhance your shopping experience. It allows you to view styles more closely by rolling over the image on each product page. From lace trims to gold stitching, you won't pass by the important details. Check it out and let us know what you think!

May 15, 2008

May's Staff Favorite

We spent the last week unpacking boxes of new summer styles that just arrived. Exciting, right? We can hardly wait to show you what we’re revealing (check back next Tuesday), but we are disappointed to tell you that we ended up with dry hands as a result.


Dirty boxes = lots of hand-washing = dry skin. Bummer!


In need of endless applications of lotion, we deferred to our graphic designer, Hilary, for her advice.


To the rescue: Cucumber Melon hand soap and lotion from Bath & Body Works; it’s Hilary’s favorite. Evoking the smell of summer, she keeps them both in the kitchen as ‘a little luxury’ when she is doing the dishes or cooking. (She doesn’t unpack boxes like we do.) Besides smelling great, the lotion keeps her hands consistently smooth and moist.


What are we doing this weekend? Stocking up on this seemingly must-have duo. 2008may_cucumber_melon_hand_soapYou, too, may want to check out Cucumber Melon at Bath & Body Works before summer’s imminent arrival!

2008may_cucumber_melon_hand_cream
Do you have a favorite smell that you associate with each season? We want to hear from you!

May 12, 2008

Stylish Tips for Staying Dry

April may be long gone, but Mother Nature must not have gotten the memo. The rain’s persistence can be a real annoyance (think curly hair disaster) – that is, until you realize that you can capitalize on all of the absolutely adorable rain accessories of the season and still look just as fashionable. (Some of them even look chic sans moisture!)


GaloshesBlue_dot_galoshes_from_shoes_dot_co

Polka_dat_galoshes_from_zappos

…a great way to keep your feet dry and play around with prints you may otherwise be too afraid to wear. Everyone’s doing it – so you won’t be at a loBlue_galoshes_from_zappos_2ss of places to pick up a pair. We found some fun picks at shoes.com.   

Umbrellas

Pink_plaid_umbrella_by_totesRain doesn’t stand a chance against these portable wonders. But this season, umbrellas have become just another accessory to complement a stylish outfit. A throw back to the ladylike days of the early 1900's, carrying an umbrella is a stylish way to dress up an outfit - rain or shine.


The TrenchS_orangesorbet_3

Stormy weather and breezy nights can send a chill through your body, which is why a trench coat is the perfect solution for spring. If you can't get your hands on the most famous of trenches (Burberry), find any belted trench for a hot spring look. Wearable for years to come, the trench is offered in varied styles from waterproof (or resistent) to ones without a lot of water function, like our very own Orange Sorbet.

April 29, 2008

Just Launched: The Funky Frum Affiliate Program

Everyone knows it's chic to share your favorite fashion finds with your friends. After all, what's fun if we don't talk about them?

So we've rolled out the Funky Frum Affiliate Program: an easy way to share Funky Frum with the gals you love and make some extra shopping cash to spend on yourself - at the same time.

To learn more, visit: http://www.funkyfrum.com/affiliate_info.asp

April 14, 2008

April's Staff Favorite

Worried about makeup meltdown this summer? No need – our marketing coordinator, Amber, has the perfect remedy!


2008april_mist_and_fixOne of Amber's must-have products will keep your makeup on for an eternity…or at least the better part of the day. The product is called Mist & Fix and is by Makeup For Ever.

Spray Mist & Fix on your face after you have applied makeup and it sets your makeup without smearing or drying out your face.
Amber says it has kept her makeup on through days of high humidity, rain, wind and even tears.

With Mist & Fix, mid-day reapplication is a thing of the past.


Check it out at Sephora!

April 03, 2008

A Comparison: Classic AB Shell vs. Layering Shell

We have received great feedback on our new Classic AB Shell, but we still adore the ever popular Layering Shell, too. But many of you have asked: What is the difference? They look very similar but they each have wardrobe value, which is why you will want to own both.


The Comparison:

Our Layering Shell is made of a Nylon/Lycra blend, which is similar to the Snapdragon top. A subtle sheen makes Layering Shell slightly dressier and an ideal piece for under more sophisticated and fancy garments. (Pictured here in black)


The Classic AB Shell is made of Cotton/Spandex, and has a similar feel to our Classic ¾ Tee. Such an everyday blend allows the shell to be breathable for those warmer days ahead and it is a perfect piece to layer under more laid-back attire. With wider shoulders, the Classic AB Shell offers more coverage when worn with a wider neckline (such as a boatneck sweater). (Pictured here in pink)


Both shells are fitted for easy layering and have high necks for the modesty we all desire.

Layering_shell_2T_abshell_pink

   

March 20, 2008

March's Staff Favorite

Devacurl

Do you have curly  hair that you've been struggling to manage for years?


We all know that curly hair can be hard to control, but the president and founder of Funky Frum, Rachel Lubchansky, has it all figured out. She uses Deva Curl (the AnGell Hyper-Angelic Conditioning Gel). The lightweight gel defines her curls with just the right amount of volume and keeps her curls defined all day long. As with all Deva Curl products, it is sulfate-free, which means it gives her hair shiny, in place curls, without drying them out.


A bonus? The product smells delightful and you may end up looking just like a DIVA yourself!