Blog Posts by Ariel Rivera

Here's the thing. While I certainly believe in and thrive on the $100-or-less school of fashion, I get that  there are artists and artisans in the industry churning out uniquely beautiful treasures that just cannot be mass-market produced. I DO believe that fashion is an art, and a means of self-expression, and that it's YOUR choice how you spend YOUR money, and that the image you project on this world is yours and therefore shouldn't be stifled by anyone who isn't YOU. However, and that being said, in a world where there is just too much misfortune to turn away from, what's the message you're sending when you carry a handbag that costs approximately the same as someone's unattainable college tuition? Anyway. If you've got money to burn, and a cast-iron outer shell that's immune to judgment, the following handbags are yours for the picking!

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Our bargain-loving First Lady strikes again! This time, while speaking on the South Lawn of the White House on the importance of raising a healthier generation of kids through educational programs in school, she was stunning in a red printed sheath dress from Tar-jay (that's how I imagine Mrs. O pronounces it). Because the President's wife doesn't do anything halfway, she also managed to affix a spunky little bedazzled bow to the neckline, putting her own stamp on things.

You can't tell in this photo, but Michelle Obama actually had this dress lengthened. Buying inexpensive clothing and having it tailored - - you know how she does.

Mrs. Obama has been chided at times for revealing her arms and having too much fun with fashion (is this possible?) but I think she sets a great example for the youth of our country. I know I'd take fitness and nutrition advice from a woman with arms as jacked as hers (and taste as impeccable).

(Carolyn Kaster/AP)

Luckily for you, this dress is still

Read More »from Get Michelle Obama's $39.99 Target Dress!

In a perfect world, we'd all have 20/20 vision. Contacts are expensive and glasses are easily lost and broken, but pending some sort of genetic mutation it looks like a lot of us are out of luck. Now, even for you exclusively contact-wearing sight-challenged people, it's good to have a back-up pair of glasses. And these shouldn't be a really outdated, bent pair, just as your lounging-around-the-house clothes shouldn't be over-sized and full of holes. Call me vain if you must, but I call it putting in effort (see also: not letting yourself go). Your boyfriend/girlfriend/husband/wife/dog/cat/kid/roommate will thank you.

The right frames are not universal. What works on my round-faced homegirls is not going to cut it on my triangle-faced friends. That's right; buying the most flattering eyeglasses is all about the shape of your face. Read on for your tailor-made advice.

Girls with angular facial structure look best in

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As New York Fashion Week comes to a close, it's time to take a look at what the stars wore for their close-ups. Let's award the hits and call out the misses, shall we? There were quite a few surprises this year, so let's just get right down to it. Without further ado, I give you the Spring 2012 NYFW superlatives.

Read More »from The Best And Worst Of Celebrity Fashion At New York Fashion Week

Do you have a Missoni for Target hangover? All of that merchandise, purchased maniacally and compulsively in the heat of a frenzied browser “refresh” button-punching battle, are you looking at it differently now? The hype was massive. It began with a simple announcement, was ignited by Fashion’s Night Out, and culminated in total, unprecedented retail madness. Are you regretting your participation? I think I may know why.

Read More »from Top 5 Reasons You're Regretting Your Recent Missoni For Target Haul

Oh, Fashion Week. You are filled with celebrity sightings, parties, camera flashes, and confusing outfit styling meant for stick figures. For Spring 2012, though, there are a few gems that we intend on investing in (maybe not the original piece, but definitely the high-street knockoff!) and adding to our existing wardrobe. Are you into these trends? They're super-flattering and easy-breezy.

Read More »from The Top 5 Most Wearable Trends From NYFW

Warning: this is a lovefest. One reason we love Zooey Deschanel so much is because she loves EVERYONE so much. As co-founder of the women's site, Hello Giggles, she produces content for "smart, independent and creative females," in a safe, hilarious and positive environment. Isn't that refreshing? She also stars in a new film with Paul Rudd (SWOON!) called "Our Idiot Brother" which is already garnering rave reviews, AND her new FOX series "The New Girl" starts September 20th. One last reason we crush so hard on the girl: her style is so fabulous! Zooey really knows how to dress for her body (something we're always pushing here on The Thread), and does so in the most colorful, beautiful variety of retro-style dresses! Oh, how I'd love 15 minutes to raid her closet; my haul would be INSANE. Check out the gallery below for some fantastic dress inspiration courtesy of Miss Deschanel.

Read More »from Zooey Deschanel's Love of Retro

Anything you can do, Jennifer Lopez can do better. The previous statement encompasses but is not limited to: 1. having perfect, voluminous hair that reaches otherworldly heights, 2. being completely and totally put-together, outfit-wise, regardless of the occasion, and 3. selecting and flaunting without limit THE best in today's diamond jewelry and accessories. And now, beginning early September, with her new lifestyle brand for Kohl's, she gives you affordable luxury ranging from bath towels to platform pumps, faux fur outerwear to leather frame bags, chainmail necklaces to sleepwear, and everything in between.

[all photos courtesy of Kohl's]

Read More »from Jennifer Lopez For Kohl's: Predictably Glam & Surprisingly Classic