Two great new looks from Banana and GAP!

"Beach Camp Prep" the Hot Style for Summer 2012.

Spring has sprung and Ann Taylor Factory Store is blooming with fashion.

It may feel like winter, but spring is just around the corner.

THE PLACE: Fuddruckers in the Outlets at Legends belongs to a fast-casual chain known for hamburgers offered in multiple weight classes: 1/3-, 1/2-, 2/3- and 1-pound.

Luther Mack, a longtime local businessman, is the franchisee.

THE LOOK: Fuddruckers is designed for enthusiastic burger consumption — from rambunctious reds and yellows that stimulate the appetite to aromas that tumble from the open kitchen to the fixings bar (lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, pico de gallo and more) visible from nearly everywhere in the restaurant.

You order at the counter but occupy booths and tables like a full-service restaurant.

Families and groups especially will appreciate the variety of roomy seating options, and older children can build their own burgers at the fixings bar. Ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise stand ready for satisfying squirts into those pleated paper cups.

This look and layout is Fuddruckers standard, but Wolf Pack memorabilia, photographs of old Sparks and images of Northern Nevada icons (cowboys, gaming chips) create some local atmosphere.

THE MEAL: Burgers run $5.09 for a 1/3-pound to $8.59 for a pound of meat.

The fixings bar is included, but toppings like cheese, grilled onions, grilled mushrooms, bacon or guacamole are 75 cents to $1 (or three for $2).Wedge-cut fries are $1.99 (small) or $2.75 (large).

I skip the combo meals (never a deal for me because I don’t drink soda) and choose a 1/2-pound chub topped by cheddar and smokehouse bacon; with a small fries, I’m just less than $10.

My companion, seemingly directed by good intentions, initially oscillates between a salad ($7.99) or a veggie burger ($5.99), but it’s all pretense. She negotiates her way into a chicken sandwich combo (fries, drink included) by promising herself extra gym time.

The combo queen, future cardio sessions lengthening by the bite, polishes off her sandwich and fries, but my burger is big enough for me to take half home, especially after devouring all the wedge cuts first.

KUDOS: Fuddruckers grinds its meat and bake its buns on site. The fixings bar is generously stocked; if pico de gallo, honey mustard, cheese sauce and onions are your thing, top away!

QUIBBLES: The wait seemed a bit long for early on a weekday evening, but then again, everything is cooked to order.

ALTERNATIVES: From 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, Fuddruckers offers a $7.79 all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet.

It features made-to-order omelets and other eggs, hot cakes and made-to-order waffles, French toast, chicken fried steak, biscuits and gravy, breakfast meats, and a fruit and yogurt bar.

RETURN TRIP?: For families and groups, Fuddruckers would be worth a drive. For me, if I’m out at Legends, it’s one of the two best places to eat (Grimaldi’s Pizzeria is the other).
Written by Johnathan L. Wright for RGJ.com
Click Here to Read Original Post

Classic items are timeless and ageless — think simple black blazers, sheath dresses, white button-down shirts, bootcut jeans, tailored trousers, riding boots, pencil skirts, denim jackets, pointy toed pumps, Audrey Hepburn inspired dresses, and trench coats.

Here’s the secret: A classic item can be the key ingredient in a totally trendy ensemble. As with most things fashion and style, it’s not nearly as much about the item itself, as it is about how you style it. Combine it with unexpected pieces, or match it with interesting accessories and footwear. You can even reinvent a classic item by dramatically changing your own hairstyle or choice of eyewear.  After all, your hair and specs are your most important accessories!

Let’s take a few classics out of their comfort zones:

Sheath dress: Tone down the formal integrity by adding an arty layering piece or men’s necktie. (Kenneth Cole or Banana Republic Factory Store) Take a plain sheath dress to an edgy level with combat boots (Off Broadway Shoes) and cropped leather jacket. (Forever 21) Add a pair of ankle-length leggings.  (Forever 21) Layer underneath it with blouses and shirts. Leave off the heels and wear dressy flats or flat oxford shoes.

Denim jacket: Try layering a sleeveless, faux-fur, shaggy vest (Forever 21) over a denim jacket for a fun 70’s vibe. Wear it over a formal gown, vintage frock or cocktail dress.  (BCBG Max Azria)

Trench coat: Purchase a classic trench coat in an unexpected color, like turquoise, citron, tomato red, animal print or silver. (Gap Factory Store or Ann Taylor Factory Store) Of course, neutrally toned trench coats are still stunning, and the possibilities are endless. Wear them over everything from jeans and Chuck Taylor Converse sneakers (Converse) to your ball gown. Replace the buttons with vintage ones you bought on eBay.  (We love Ebay!)

Classic 50’s style dress: Think outside the box by adding a boyfriend blazer, biker jacket or cropped tuxedo blazer.  (BCBG Final Cut) Scrunch up the sleeves for a more relaxed vibe and watch those heads turn.

White button-down shirt: Wearing a white shirt with jeans, a blazer, belt and heels will always be a fabulous look. But tuck the shirt into a pair of short shorts, slouchy tapered pants or bubble skirt and it suddenly gains extra character. (Forever 21)

Classic suit: Suits look formal, conservative and businesslike most of the time. So add in playful casual touches to break the strict suit stereotype. Wear it with a T-shirt, floral pin, colorful pumps, or cross-body bag. Add a tucked in turtleneck or V-neck sweater, leather belt and casual-heeled ankle boots. Match it up with a denim shirt and heeled oxfords. Scrunch up the sleeves of the suit blazer and add an oversized watch and chunky bangles.

You probably have a treasure trove of classic items in your closet right now, just waiting to be reinvented. Spend some time combining them with unexpected clothing, footwear and accessories. Invite some friends over, turn up the music and make it a party.

Then try your unexpected combinations in public. Trend setting designers constantly look to street style for inspiration, so you could be their next inspiration just by putting together an unexpected combination!

If you like our blog, share it with your friends!

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THE PLACE: Grimaldi's in the Outlets at Legends in Sparks belongs to a group with restaurants in Nevada, Arizona, Florida, Texas and New York. Patsy Grimaldi opened the original Grimaldi's beneath the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City.

The signature of the pizzerias is a coal-fired brick oven. The ovens burn anthracite, a coal with fewer impurities, according to the company.THE LOOK: Grimaldi's has high ceilings, banquette and table seating and a spacious bar; big groups will feel at home.Photographs of Big Apple landmarks garnish the walls. There are red-check tablecloths and -- my favorite touch -- an offbeat sort of recycling: chandeliers fashioned from empty wine bottles.

THE MEAL: My companion and I decide to split a small Caesar salad and a small cheese pizza with extra basil. Oopsie. We don't read the menu closely, and when the pizza arrives, we learn that a small is a generous 16 inches across. With $6 for the salad, $14 for the pizza and $2 for basil topping, we're two bucks over budget. But our oversight proves instructive.

The small pizza provides eight good-size pieces -- almost too much for two. A 12-inch personal pizza, however, is still roomy enough for a duo, but it's only $9. Which leaves money to choose from among $2 toppings like pesto, fresh sliced tomatoes, ricotta, ham, meatballs -- more than a dozen in all.

The small Caesar salad is studded with croutons baked in the oven. It's also big enough to split. KUDOS: The pizza is outstanding. Its crust is thin but still chewy enough to fold (a must for me), with a smudged, smoky, coal-fired bottom; sweet San Marzano tomato sauce; and gooey puddles of mozzarella. I also like that no split plate charge was levied for the shared salad.

QUIBBLES: I'm a martini guy, but Grimaldi's serves only one brand of vodka, Three Olives (I'm guessing that's a corporate office decision). So fellow vodka fiends, take note: It's Three Olives or nothing. Grimaldi's wine list, on the other hand, offers nearly four dozen choices -- where do you think parts for the chandeliers come from? -- including many bottles from Italy.

ALTERNATIVES: Entry-level personal calzones, also 12 inches, are $10. A couple of $2 fillings and a small Caesar or house salad ($5) would put the tab for two at or just under $20. Or skip the tributaries and hit the rapids with an 18-inch large pizza ($16) with two toppings.

RETURN TRIP?: Isn't it obvious? For the pizza.

Future Classics

Marilyn Monroe maintained that diamonds are a girl's best friend, but I'd argue that the best pal a woman — particularly a women over 40 — can have is a great dress.  Legends has some great stores for dresses – Ann Taylor Factory Store, Jones NY, Forever 21, BCBG Max Azria, BCBG Final Cut, Banana Republic Factory, to name a few.

A dress is so easy: You throw it on and your outfit is complete. You instantly look feminine, pulled-together, and fabulous.  Dresses show off your personality — even a simple shift has more punch than pants and a top.  And who doesn't need an instant, effortless way to look sharp than a 40+ woman, who's at the height of her career, probably taking care of kids and/or aging parents, and could probably use an glamour infusion.  The right frock also perks up your mood and draws others to you.

To top it all off, dresses are infinitely versatile. Dress them up with sparkly accessories and higher heels, or dress them down with flats and understated jewelry. Wear them bare in the spring and summer; add a cardigan and tights when the temperature drops. Now that we've (hopefully) sold you on the charms of the dress, here are some principles to keep in mind when you're shopping for frocks:

Choose dresses the highlight your best features Instead of seeking to camouflage the part(s) of your body you don't like, find dresses that show off the parts you do like — it will give you the confidence it takes to sell any style of dress. If you've got killer legs, don't go lower than the knee. If you've got great arms, look for sleeveless or halter.

Love your body type — not the size on the label Every line runs differently — you may be a 6 in one designer and a 10 in another.

Keep an open mind when you're trying on and decide by how you look in the mirror and feel in the dress instead of what the label says. And keep your undergarments in mind. No matter how great a dress looks when you're standing perfectly still, if you'll be constantly pulling it up or tugging it down.

Be open-minded. Few dresses look good on the hanger — they need a body in them to bring them to life. Give yourself plenty of options in the dressing room, including some dresses that are outside your comfort zone — whether because of their color, pattern, material, or cut.

And seek out a sales clerk you click with, or bring an objective friend with you, and then listen to what they tell you looks good on you. Picking the right style can be intimidating, because we feel we should instinctively know what works on us. But very few people are born knowing how to make themselves look great. It's learned through trial and error.  Let how you feel be your guide. The bottom line is, if you feel great in a dress, you will look great in it too.  There really aren't any 'don'ts.  If you really feel a dress, go for it.

Now that you know what to look for, here's a list of the five styles of dresses every stylish woman ought to have in her closet. When you're shopping look for dresses with a classic shape — the color or embellishments will make it modern, but you won't ever look like you're chasing a trend — a exhausting activity best left to 20-somethings.

Casual: Every woman needs something she can throw on that is as comfortable as a nightgown but way cuter than jeans and a tee. In the summer, this easy tank dress is equally great at the beach, the farmer's market, and running errands. On his makeover show, Tim Gunn called this type of dress a "sweatsuit alternative." Seriously, find a comfy cute and casual dress like this, and you'll never go back to the sweats.

Shirtdress: A shirtdress can flatter every body type. Women with bigger chests can leave more buttons unbuttoned or wear a cami, while those with fewer curves can add a belt or choose a version with seaming that creates more of an hourglass shape. Find one with a hint of stretch for comfort and less wrinkling.

Tailored Shift: Classic and infinitely adaptable — dress it up, dress it down, wear it with a sweater, a blazer, a scarf — a shift dress can take you through many years and range of occasions — a wedding, a meeting, a fancy lunch — with elegance and ease. Look for a crisp, lightweight fabric with some level of a nipped-in waist. Details such as raw edges, exposed zippers, pleating or seams give a shift a modern edge, but they aren't necessary. You can always contemporize it with your accessories.

Little Black Dress: Black is basically a blank canvas — and a flattering one at that. The little black dress is nothing without accessories. Silk beads give you a boho look, glittering crystal necklaces make you ready for even the fanciest party, and metal jewelry makes you adaptable to any situation. Because an LBD doesn't express as much of your personality as a dress with a color or a print, the key is to choose a cut that really sells your best feature.

Something Silky and Endlessly Adaptable: For a true dress aficionado, a flowy, drapey, silky number adds a real punch of "wow" to your wardrobe. This terracotta dress can go to the beach, a party, or a wedding. You'll definitely make a lasting impression, and best of all, you'll be comfortable while you do.

It's one thing to see a trend on a runway. It's a whole different story when you have to bring it into real life. Here are a few easy-to-follow tips on how to make four tricky fashion trends work for you:
Mixed Prints:
The easiest way to pull off different patterns is to stick to the same color family. Black and white is a great start. You can pair a polka dot top with a graphic skirt, and then use accessories to bring in color.
It's also important to remember the size of your print. If one article of clothing has a bold geometric pattern, pair it with something more subtle, like a watercolor floral or an ombré fabric.
Finally, keep accessories to a minimum. With so much going on with the prints, one piece of jewelry and simple shoes are all you need.
Horizontal Stripes:
If you're flat-chested, a horizontal striped top can be your best friend. Embrace the trend with thick lines. If you're top heavy, instead look for thinner stripes.
As for stripes on bottom? Most women don't want any widening below the waist! So try out the thinner lines or go for a stripe with low contrast. Low-contrast stripes will be more slimming than something that has high contrast.
Cropped Tops:
Once your teenage years are behind you, the thought of showing off your belly button is frightening. But it is possible to do the crop top trend as a mature adult. The trick is layering.
Wear a bright colored tank underneath a crop top to tap into the popular color blocking trend. Or, wear the top over a maxi dress to turn it into a skirt.
Midi Skirts:
After seasons of the mini, longer skirts made women rejoice. But the midi length, which falls below the knee but above the ankle, can be a tricky hemline to pull off. If you're on the taller side you have nothing to worry about. But shorter girls need to elongate the body when wearing the trend.
On bottom, heels are a must. And on top, go for a high-waist skirt and add a belt. Another trick? Try a tonal palette by matching your skirt to your top to create the illusion that you're a few inches taller.
Watch that skirts are not too voluminous — you want to look modern, not "Little House on the Prairie."

Luxury -- Something inessential but conducive to pleasure and comfort. Something expensive or hard to obtain. - Dictionary.com

Even die-hard minimalists find it difficult to resist a rich crocodile handbag, shiny gold bauble or plush fur trim once in a while.

With a choice of indulgent fabrics, skins, logos and jewelry, luxury offerings promote the good life. But the look isn't limited just to high-end designers, as mass merchants and even discounters stock up on cashmere, fur, leather, silk, gemstones and gold.  The Outlets at Legends are a great place to find some key pieces.

Fur: Vogue editor Anna Wintour may be the alpha pelt wearer, but plenty of other celebs have jumped on the fur bandwagon. Fur isn't just for coats -- it's popular in vest, handbags, even sweaters. Tie-on fur collars and add-on cuffs in fur are smaller investments. Be prepared to see everything from the sublime to the truly bizarre (are you really ready for a hamster shearling coat from Dolce & Gabbana for $9,742?)

Leather: A few years ago, Gap proclaimed "Everybody in Leather." This year, it's more of the same, with everything from supple lambskin jackets to shiny, retro-looking styles abounding in all price points and styles, from couture on down. Try a leather coat worn as a jacket, not just as outerwear. Also, leather pants and colored and metallic pieces add zing to modern wardrobes.

Real jewelry: It's a gilt trip! Gold is worn piled on -- bracelets, necklaces in layers, earrings, rings. Also, look for ropes of pearls, hoop earrings, lariat necklaces, cuff bracelets. Jewelry designer Robert Lee Morris in the New Jersey Record: "Everyone is so rich they want to relive the Eighties. Gold is so warm and opulent. It screams money."

Logos: Fendi, Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Gucci, Versace and Chanel are still hot. If understatement is your thing, go for lower wattage prestige labels initials like Tod's or Lambertson Truex.

Exotic skins: Crocodile and alligator are perennial faves, as well as more unusual hides like ostrich. On a budget? Indulge in exotics by way of mock croc (stamped leather) pumps or faux snakeskin handbags.

Cashmere: Designers are even making baby pajamas out of it, so cashmere's becoming something of an ubiquitous fiber. Better hurry up and wear it before global warming makes it too toasty for even pain tolerant fashionistas.

Though you need to bundle up in the cold weather, it doesn't mean that you can't look stylish too. Here are seven of the top fashion trends this winter.

1. Cashmere Sweater Dress: Cashmere is everywhere this season in scarves, wraps, cardigans and the sweater dress. You can wear a sweater dress to the office with a pair of pumps and simple jewelry, or jazz it up on the weekend with tights and boots. A basic black or grey sweater dress can be your go-to piece in your winter wardrobe.
2. Knit Hats: From wool beanies to chunky newsboy caps, knit hats are one of the top trends of the season. Grey and chocolate brown are great neutrals this year, but don't be afraid to make a statement with a colorful hat instead. Red, purple and blue are top choices in hats this winter.
3. Colorful Pea Coats: Many women own a black or charcoal pea coat, but this season it's all about color. Bright reds, deep greens and other rich colors are just perfect in wool pea coats. If you are looking for a new coat that is adorable and affordable, check out these coats under $50.
4. Knee-High Boots: Knee-high boots are "in" every winter and this season is no different. Select tall boots in soft suede. If you live in a climate that gets snow and ice, try to avoid high heels or choose a wedge rather than a stiletto.
5. Hobo Handbag: The hobo bag offers a slouchy silhouette and roomy design that is perfect for winter. Select a hobo in suede or supple leather in deep colors to complement your winter wardrobe. If you are petite, don't pick a handbag that is too large, it will overwhelm your body. Follow our tips for choosing the right handbag for you.
6. Tartan Fabrics: Whether you are talking about plaid skirts or jackets, shoes or handbags, tartan fabric is definitely a top choice. The key to wearing a pattern like this is to not overdo it. Select one tartan piece and keep the rest of your outfit neutral.
7. Bohemian Chic: Fringed boots, long flowing skirts, gypsy-like headbands, billowy white shirts and chunky charm jewelry are all part of the Boho or folk-inspired trend. You can incorporate these pieces into your everyday wardrobe to change up your look. Add ruffled white blouse to your business suit or wear a pair of fringed boots with your favorite weekend outfit.

Don't just throw away your summer pieces, incorporate them into your fall style. Here are some great tips for layering:

Ladies, we'll start with you: 1.) Pair a maxi skirt with a mini jacket or a thin sweater; 2.) Wear shorts with a blazer or leather jacket - you can also add tights or leggings; 3.) Rock an over-sized sweater with skinny jeans and a scarf; and 4.) Wear a long sleeve tee under a summer dress.

Guys, you too can layer it up to extend your fashion wardrobe:    1.) Throw on a light jacket or blazer over a v-neck tee; 2.) Wear an argyle sweater over a white button up shirt; 3.) Put on a suit jacket with jeans for a nice, casual look; 4.) Bundle up in a chunky sweater; 5.) Try on a long sleeve Henley shirt with Cargo pants; and 6.) Throw on a loose cardigan with a white tee and a scarf

"You only have one chance to make a first impression"  The very first thing people judge is your outfit.  Your style is a reflection of who you are, what you do, what you like and who you want to become..... What does your style say about you?

A person's wardrobe should be like seasons, always changing.  Time to fall-back!  Fall is a perfect time to change your color palette.  This year my fall colors are raspberry, deep purple and royal blue.  Fall is also a great time to show off your style in mustard, burnt orange and olive green.

Be bold and vibrant!

Introducing the Outlets at Legends new Style Blog!

This is a place where all of our Fab-U-Less shoppers can get tips from the Style Team about fashion, beauty, value, and sales!  I never pay full price for anything nor should you!

At Outlets at Legends everything is 30-70% off retail prices.  With stores like  Forever 21, BCBG, GAP, Tommy Hilfiger, Guess, Banana Republic, Nike and Off Broadway Shoes you are bound to find exactly what you're looking for.