Eva Marie announced last week that she and WWE have parted ways. We're sad to see her go, but can't say we're surprised. Miss All Red Black Everything hasn't really been active in the ring for the past year and between her new movie Inconceivable, her NEM fashion brand and new projects in the works, she's clearly finding opportunities and success outside of WWE. The company, of course, needs it's talent to wrestle and generally works out arrangements that let Superstars whose commitments take them away from  ring too long out of contracts. Happily, the parting appears amicable - Eva doesn't discount the possibility of returning to wrestling in the future. We wish her the best and have no doubt that with her big dreams and work ethic her star will keep on rising!

Gail got to meet up with a number of her friends this spring and there was some serious fashion involved! Before we get to that, though, Eva was doing some fun fashion things, as well.
First, she's keeping her own NEM line trend-heavy with this pretty striped choker top. It melds both on-point stripes and the smoking hot, not-going-anywhere off-shoulder silhouette. I love the fresh, summery feel of the piece, which Eva enhanced by pairing it with beige denim. That color story always makes me think of sun-soaked beach promenades! In a related NEM note, the company has recently introduced active-wear! Primarily in black and white with futuristic sheer and satin-y contrasting panels, it has the same modern, confident vibe as the rest of the NEM line. So, def be sure you check that out :) Next, she received the opportunity to walk the runway for made-in-the-USA evening-wear brand Stello. The company launched its Sir Stello menswear line this spring and Eva modelled this black suit on the catwalk. Overall I really enjoy the way this piece was styled, with the wide leather corset belt (although I could have done without the dangling suspender straps) and the pants tucked in to Eva's lace-up booties. Even thought the clothes are masculine, the way they are accessorized and used highlights the feminine form and fluidity. The contrast feels surprising, without being tacky or aiming for shock value and I could 100% see this styling being used like off-runway.
Gail met up with Christy and Brooke around Wrestlemania and the ladies three were looking fine! I need to just take a moment and rave over what an amazing job Brooke has done - her post-baby body is unbelievable! And this pretty ivory dress highlights every curve! I love her bold eyes and soft rose lip shade. And I reeeaaally wish I had gotten to see her shoes. Actually, that's true for all three ladies. Work on that for next time for me, huh, Lovelies? ;) j/k. I'm thrilled we got to see some fashion, any fashion, from them all actually. Christy paired a feminine and on-trend blush choker-cutout blouse with her usual dose of rocker edge via a metallic gold pencil skirt. I love how she always injects something unexpected and which feels very much "her" into a look! Gail looked classy and chic in a blakc satin dress with a gorgeous strapless silhouette and sweetheart neckline. A gold statement collar necklace ramped up her look. Is this #GirlSquadGoals or what?

Charlotte went through a run of all-black outfits in March. Her first has a great vibe, including enough trend to be mod, enough classic to be chic. She paired a slightly cropped cutout-choker style top with leggings and topped it all with a classic biker jacket. I love how she went for knee-high leather boots here. They're less fierce than OTK's, but more classic. Because they're flats, the to-the-knee style feels like something less styled and more practical, which actually gives the look  tougher, more streetwise vibe than the OTKs would, which I find kind of cool. One of the tremendous attributes of classic styles is that they can shift between looks and genres with ease, which is what keeps them chic for decades and makes them good investments.
 She uses the boots again for her next look, this time matched with black denim and an interesting black top with a sheer shoulder detail. Ordinarily, I'm a huge fan of cap sleeves, even a micro-mini version, like these. One reason for that is that they accentuate the shoulders, which is fab when you're creating a visual hourglass. There's a caveat, though: if you have a broad-shouldered body type (by which I don't mean having large shoulders, but having shoulders which tend to be naturally wider than your hips), you want to avoid accentuating them still more, without balancing the ratio at your hip in some way. A peplum would achieve that balance, as would an A-line skirt, side ties on a bikini (if you have this body type and fall in love with a halter bikini top, keep this in mind :)). A high-waisted wide-leg pant could also do the trick if the cut was right.
Or, you could use an oversize sweater that takes the whole hip-shoulder relationship right out of the equation by playing on proportion differently, as Char has with her last black look of this set. For this interview with the NY Daily News, she chose an off-the-shoulder sweater - another style which accentuates the shoulders - but done in a drape-y, boyfriend-esque silhouette, instead of a bodycon shape. With this kind of proportion on top, skinny jeans are the perfect accompaniment, creating a casually fierce vibe that's enhanced by suede OTK boots.  This is how it's done, babes!
Charlotte then does an about-face from all the black and gives is this sweet, spring-y floral maxi dress, with a flowy shape that has the effect of an A-line. While this piece could easily be dressed up with colored heels, I love how she keeps it a bit more relaxed with rose-gold thing sandals. As with many of her looks, a statement watch is the only jewellry and its boldness provides a nice counterpoint to the delicacy of her dress.
You can see the makings of her glorious Wrestlemania gear in this ice-blue cape from Fastlane. Charlotte's color choices for her gear have been stellar and this one keeps the trend going. It's pristine and cool, with a hint of magic about it that's grounded by the black feather and clasp details. I'm so awed by her ability to reconcile all these dramatic, glamorous elements (sequins, crystals, feathers) into something that comes off intricate and beautiful, rather than gaudy! Props to her and Terry Andersen!

Among their gaggle of galleries, WWE has released a collection focused on the Divas' fitness. They've tied it to the idea of New Year's resolutions, but really, any time of year is a good time to up the ante on your fitness. One thing that's for sure is that the lady superstars' conditioning is #goals! It's tough to flip through these shots and not get inspired! Charlotte's shot is my very favorite - how does she manage to look so comfortable and gorgeous while holding this insane position?! That's just..not possible! Yet, here she is doing it. Not only does she get serious props for doing something this difficult, she gets mad respect for making it look aaaaaaahmazing. I'm in awe! We keep getting pieces of Char's Tapout shot bit by bit and I think her snaps from it just keep getting better! Sasha offers a reminder to do squats and - this is crucial! - maintain good form while you're doing them! It's easy to get focused on weight and reps, but how you do the move is as important as how many and how often. I know this because one of my work friends is also a personal trainer and he makes sure I'm staying in alignment and lifting right - even when I'm doing it in four inch heels at the office ;) Sasha's heathered workout gear is super-cute! I do wish she'd gone for a hair style that didn't incorporate this harsh central part, though. On the other hand, I'm sure she chose it for its functionality, rather than its sophistication, so I can be talked into giving her a pass on it :).  Lana's previously released Body Series 'shoot lends this snap. While some of that set revealed the grace and poise of her barre routine, this facet of the set was all about power and steely resolve! This pic is a prime example of that, reminding us to bring game faces and fierce attitudes to gym time! I love the bright colors in Naomi's gear in this shot. Not only is it eye-catching, it's incredibly pretty! She seriously needs to wear this orchid shade more often! The way the flush of color on her lips carries the hue up to her face is fab! I'm so glad WWE added this snap because it highlights the importance of stretching, an all-too-often overlooked aspect of a workout. Naomi's pose is a complex one (which I need to go and try out now :) ), but, like Charlotte, she manages to look lovely while pulling it off. Doesn't that hurt, girl? You'd never know it by her face - and that's the mark of a top model: you never see the struggle in the pic! Eva Marie's snap is on fire - and not just because of her red hair ;) Her leggings echo the bright red and spark the whole shot. Of course, her accidentally-on-purpose mad sexy pose doesn't hurt either - it's hard to top this one for athletic seduction! If you can get your brain past the scalding aesthetics, the pic also should encourage the addition of a tricep/bicep day to the Fitness Goals list. Do you have something you want to achieve with your fitness this year? Whether it's doing crunches once a week or climbing a real mountain, I promise you, it's do-able if you work hard enough! My goal is to get back to working out period. It's been one of the things that's gone by the wayside over the last few months. Sigh. But I refuse to let that continue! Right, self?!

Becky gave us her version of the patterned pants look and, like previous attemptees Maryse and Carmella, her effort comes off well because she kept the pieces around it simple. Unlike those ladies, she went with white instead of black, done in her trademark peplum silhouette. I like the way choosing a lighter neutral brightens this whole ensemble and the luxe texture of her suede OTKs completes it nicely. Becky's been racking up a string of successful looks lately and this is one more in the streak. On my wishlist is to see her bring a top other than a peplum or floaty tank into her mix of spot-on styles.
Alexa's combination immediately caught my eye due to her use of a blazer! I'm a massive fan of them, but we don't see a whole lot of experimentation with the silhouette from the WWE ladies. Biker jackets, leather jackets, fur jackets, denim jackets - those we see a good number of , but it still is a special few who venture into the realm of the blazer with any consistency. What's especially fun about this is that Blissy uses it to add maturity and confidence to a casual urban look. She pairs a graphic tank with leggings and leather knee boots - from this point, the outfit has the makings of a LayCool classic, particularly with that fabulous bold statement necklace crowning it! But Alexa takes it firmly in her own direction via the distinctly un-LayCool-like blazer. I love the way this classic black jacket balances out the chill, streetwise vibe with a chic, confident punch. It works especially well against the effervescence of her pink-edged pigtails :)
Next up is a whole series of looks from Eva Marie, all from her NEM fashion line. When she posted these on Instagram, she asked fans to name their favorite and this green jumpsuit is high on my list. This silk-like charmeuse fabric can be tricky to wear because of its drape-y-ness and the way it reflects light, but the way this garment is styled helps to mitigate that - the gathered and defined waist and central ruching make it quite forgiving and the tapered leg gives it a chic, trendy flair. This entrancing, mystical green shade is fantastic as well. Eva finishes it flawlessly with nude pointy pumps. This fab effort s followed by a simple LBD, with refreshingly modest silhouette. The trick to a jersey fabric like this is to get something that has the right balance of drape and thickness, so that it kisses curves without clinging. The best way to evaluate that is to have the piece at hand and be able to at least touch it, if not try it on. Fierce peeptoe booties add a flawless pop to this simple look. This white mini dress is also among my favorites - it makes the most of Eva's curves and seems to be just long enough to look proper. Her pointy pumps are back in action to complete this outfit.

As is usual for Total Divas-returns-time, the ladies got a promo 'shoot to highlight it. Usually these are stocked full of amazing fashion, but I confess to being a bit underwhelmed by this season's choices. Eva Marie's look paired a sheer-inset bodysuit with OTKs, a hot, but somewhat expected look. My favorite part of this is the au courant twist of the bomber jacket topper, as it brings a new dimension to a pairing we've seen explored fairly often. Maryse's dress is a silver metallic sheath with a fabulous square neck and some ruched details It's precisely the kind of piece we'd have seen her do in her Million Dollar Couple days, with added heapings of crystal. Here it's pretty and successful..I was just hoping for mind-blowing. The closest we get to that are her incroyable strappy heels, which are simply everything and which I need to see again. Need. Naomi's silver skirt is a standout piece and a 'shoot highlight, hitting just the right trend note. I'd have liked to see the styling tweaked a touch. First, a blacktop would have grounded it better and let the skirt have the deserved spotlight. Second, I wish the skirt had been rotated slightly to show a touch less leg, switching the focus more to the stylishness and a little less to the sexiness. This was so close to being killer that just...:'( shucks. Nikki's flowing, wide-banded top is similar - the piece itself is amazing: dramatic, unusual, and envelope-pushing. But the bikini briefs? Nah, girlie. Black leggings and peeptoe booties? Yes, please. Ditto with Brie's look. The graphic tank works perfectly and if it were paired with a tulle-embellished skirt, I'd be all over it as the best look of the 'shoot. Instead, we a get a tulle wrap over the (two-for-one special?) bikini briefs. I get that sex sells, but sometimes we want to buy something else. As with Maryse's look, Brie's is redeemed a good deal by those fantastic heels. Those are fab and def need to come to play in future! Natalya's print dress buddies up with Maryse's look in impression: it's fun, it's chic, it works. But it's nice-age more than slay-age. She gets props for her pose, though - hers is one of the best in the line-up: powerful, confident and flirty all at once. Paige's black bodysuit aired with leather OTKs suffers from the same redundancy as Eva Marie's look, without the redeeming bomber jacket. I think I could get into this look if she'd tossed a black trench over her shoulders. And no, I am not going to exit stage left without remarking on how killer those boots are. Those are HAWT in every possible way. Like so many other pieces in this 'shoot, I hope to see them again, perhaps restyled with blue denim, a lace-up top and a biker jacket. Despite having a vaguely superhero-esque feel, Lana's metallic-wrapped bodysuit succeeds among the best of the looks here. It ties nicely together, it has a degree of unexpectedness, it shows enough but not too much and it has a hint of risk-taking to hold our attention. Her favorite lace-up style pumps complete the look with fashion awareness.

You know that weird, blank space between the end of the holiday season and spring, where everything is blah? Let’s see if we can fill it with fashion! ;) I have a lot…like A. LOT….of catching up to do. So, let’s see if I can get it all jammed in. Are ya with me?
Eva can really nail certain looks and this simple gray dress fits that category. The gray mélange fabric is sleek, yet not super-formal, due to the visual texture. She pairs the look with black pumps and finishes it with a stunning, formal up-do, which adds an extra bit of polish that make sit appropriate for a party or an evening dinner date.
I’m pretty sure you all know how I feel about yellow anything, even yellow used in combination. Alicia has used this incredible powder blue + banana yellow combo in her gear before, but I still have to take a moment to stop call it out now. I LOVE it! The yellow adds a fabulous spike of sunshine to the cool blue. I love the design of this gear anyway – the complex pairing of mesh and sheer and satin and sexy and modern: it’s just amazzzzzzing. But when Foxy does it with a pinch of yellow, well, I’m in seventh heaven. *happy, savoring sigh*
Speaking of fun gear, this set from Bayley reflects the metamorphosis she’s been in the process of lately. It’s an excellent direction to be going in, as it combines the lighthearted effervescence of her previous iterations with a touch of more mature restraint. The end result is pairings that reflect her goofy, joyous persona, while still being aesthetically pleasing. This particular combo spikes red and cobalt with black and silver. The look is clean and cool and the overall fish-scale patterning ties the whole thing together. Setting the stars above that pattern makes them pop out, putting special focus on them. This is such a great example of how well thought-out complex gear needs to be, in determining colors,
placements and harmonies. This one is a gem!
From gear, we make an about-face to this lovely, floaty gown from Maria, worn for he sister’s wedding. We don’t often see Maria in a piece as minimal as this – her intrinsic style sense is much more dramatic and glamorous, but she looks equally gorgeous in this simple silhouette. I’m also loving this soft blush color on her. The whole look is sweet and feminine, and I’m really loving how well it works on her!
Speaking of things we don’t often see, how about houndstooth pants from Maryse? I have to say, I wouldn’t have selected anything as bold as this and made the prediction that she would wear it. An attention-getting pattern like this can be tricky to style. Maryse (as I would definitely predict) hit on one of the ways that works: keep everything else simple and neutral and let the strong statement come solely form the pants. She does so by pairing them with a graphic sweatshirt and beanie, all in predominantly black, and rounding things off with black OTK boots. The whole combo works nicely. I enjoy a surprising fashion choice when it’s styled well. Props to Maryse for pulling this off! Her next look, for the STARS Gala at Universal Studios, is much more in keeping with what we know of her fashion: forward-looking and chic! This white satin tuxedo dress is by BCBG Max Azria. Her pointy toe suede pumps in nude are Louboutin. Versace designed her metallic clutch. This look is flawless! It hits all the right notes with its lightness, its formality and its subtle edginess. It’s noteworthy to me that Maryse mentions she styled it herself, something she does for many events. While some of the ladies have switched to employing a professional stylist for certain occasions, Maryse puts her own sensibilities out there, in much the same way as Blake lively. Both ladies get mad respect form me for that, even more so because their choices are so consistently excellent.