Fashion, Dog Carrier
What I Love This Week: Mrs O Book, Mod Cloth Necklaces, Ladies Lotto
Here’s what I’m lovin’ this week:
1. Books: Mrs. O: The Face of Fashion Democracy. I’m a big fan of Mrs-O.org—a blog that follows the style of Michelle Obama. Now my web BFFs have turned their blog into a gorgeous new book. I love the intimate personal photos of Mrs. O, the insider commentary that reveals the story of this fashion icon, and interviews with top fashion designers like Jason Wu. A must read!
2. Fashion: Mod Cloth Necklaces. I love the retro vintage feel of this site, along with the huge selection of fashion forward pieces and super cute accessories. I’m especially lovin’ their necklaces — ranging from dangling faux gold to hanging beaded pieces like this golden laurels necklace for $23.99.
3. Cool: Feather Masks for Urban Outfitters. Wouldn’t it be cool, for just one day, to walk into work wearing a feather mask, as if you’re wearing your regular winter knit beanie hat? Just imagine that for a moment: the stares, the mystery (“what did she do last night?”), the tweets. I love it! Check out this edgy feather mask for $18.00 at Urbanoutfitters.com
4, Events: Ladies Lotto. Helping young women figure out the business world, um, I can dig that. I love their focus on mentoring programs and networking for young visionaries. Check out the site for upcoming events and interviews with entrepreneurs, like yours truly.
5. Beauty: Aveeno Ultra Calming Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15. I’m obsessed with all things Aveeno. This all-natural product is incredible for even the most sensitive skin as it calms redness, irritation, and smooths out wrinkles. I’m stocking up on this for winter.
My Fashion Plate: Site Review
Even the most organized among us occasionally opens the closet to get dressed and find that our beloved wardrobe somehow, when we weren’t looking, has become one hot mess. Too much shopping (we’re all guilty), and not enough time sorting and strategizing, have left us standing there scratching our heads, knowing we only have 3.6 minutes to put together a killer outfit before we’re late. So how to get organized once and for all? How about putting your closet online? That’s the theory behind MyFashionPlate.com anyway. Sounds complicated, but we’ll see.
Our Review: Myfashionplate.com bills itself as a resource to organize your clothes and track your outfits, to make mixing and matching—and knowing exactly what you have—a no brainer. The concept is cool. Upload pics of your clothes (either ones you’ve taken yourself or from shopping sites online) and use the tools provided to organize, assemble outfits, and even create shopping lists for exactly what you’re lacking.
And here’s something your actual closet cannot offer—a “personal stylist” to help you coordinate, and the option of asking for help from your Myfashionplate.com community—so if you’re not sure if those snakeskin pumpswill work with that leopard print dress, just ask (and for the record, we’re pretty sure they won’t).
Being bargain stylistas, we also dig the budget tool—it’s simple, but basically you put in how much you have to spend in a particular month and name your budget (for example, “Workwear”) and as you spend, enter your totals and the site tells you how much you have left to spend. Yes, we can do this in our own checkbook but this kind of visual reinforcement helps keep us on track, so we like.
The Verdict: It’s a yea. Our only complaint? Having to photograph each and every piece in our closet and upload—we’re not sure, honestly, if we’re THAT committed to this level of organization, but if you can get past that little project you might find yourself feeling like you’ve got one up on Martha Stewart. Or at least the folks on Clean House.
The Floppy Brimmed Hat: High Vs. Low
Hats can add a little oomph to the most basic of outfits—and we love ‘em because, like belts, you can get some that look trendy and terrific without parting with a whole lotta dough. You could pay more for a stylish hat, but we’re here to prove it’s not necessary, with this floppy hat high vs. low. One of the hats pictured is more than we like to spend on a whole outfit, while the other is at the perfect pricepoint for a signature accessory. So which is which?
On the left, the high, Penelope by Eugenia, $145; on the right, a budget pick, the Grandpa Fedora at Urban Outfitters, on sale $14.99.
Naomi Watts Maternity Style, Best Family Style Blogs, and Cute Sweaters: The Budget Bambino
Check out the latest on keeping the whole family fashionable for less, from The Budget Bambino:
~ Get Naomi Watts’ easy-cool maternity style with these classic summer pieces, for less
~ Bambino has rounded up the best family style blogs on the web and—because we know how to share nicely—compiled this easy reference list just for you.
~ Back to school means back to outfitting the kids—check out these “better sweaters” that should please everybody, on a budget.
Want more stylish deals, tips, and trends for the whole family? Visit The Budget Bambino.
Fashion Trend: On the Fringe
What: The latest thing in fashion embellishment—fringes.
What We Say: We thought maybe it was just us, but we’ve definitely noticed a significant increase in fringing lately, on everything from shoes to handbags to dresses . . . and as long as they’re not on the sleeves of a cropped purple suede jacket with giant shoulder pads, we figure they might be okay to try out. With the Roaring 20s being touted as the next big decade for fashion inspiration (more on that later) we’re kind of partial to a fringy dress (and especially after seeing it on So You Think You Can Dance’s Cat Deeley on the show’s finale—so cute). As with all embellishment trends, moderation is key. If you love it, pick one piece to have fun with and stash the rest of your cash for a rainy day.
Some Fringe Finds We Like:
~ Silence & Noise Lace Trim Tank Dress, $98, Urban Outfitters
~ Flapper Dress by eDressme new york, $72 (comes in a host of vibrant colors plus black)
~ Tasha Fringe Hobo, $34.50, Delia’s
~ Savannah Beaded Wristlet, $23.99, eBags
And For Something More Subtle:
~ Tiered Fringe Earrings, $9.99, Urban Outfitters
~ City Style Multi-Colored Scarf, $16.95, New York & Company
Vote in Women’s Wear Daily’s 75 Defining Moments of Fashion Poll
What: Women’s Wear Daily’s 75 Defining Moments in Fashion online poll
What We Say: We love a chance to put in our two cents on anything fashion-related, so we’re heading on over to WWD.com (the online home of Women’s Wear Daily) to cast our votes in their quest to name the top 75 Defining Moments in Fashion. Each week for three weeks, 25 new moments will be revealed for voting, culminating in the #1 Defining Moment to be revealed on Sept. 2 simultaneously on Entertainment Tonight and WWD.com. What kind of moments are we talking about? How about Jackie Kennedy’s arrival in the White House? Brooke Shields and her Calvin Kleins? Jennifer Lopez and that dress? Oh, the list goes on . . .
Vote: Head to WWD.com/definingfashion to vote.
Oh, and in honor of its brand new design, Women’s Wear Daily’s website—normally subscription only—is free to users this week, so we suggest you check it out! Go to wwd.com.
Summer Fashion: Colored Denim
“SOME PRODUCTS ARE NO LONGER BEING SOLD”
What: Colored denim is cycling back to the top of the trend heap.
What We Say: More than a year ago colored denim (a la 1985) started to make the fashion rounds. It’s popularity had been marginal on the whole (meaning it didn’t quite make any waves between the coasts) and we were pretty much ready to write it off completely, but a recent resurgence has us taking a second look. We’re seeing lots of teal blue, red, and yellow denim, and after all those primary colored dresses slipping into a pair of jeans is kind of a welcome change, if you ask us. The best news? If you picked up a pair last year and they’ve been sitting in your closet every since, all you have to do to be on trend is pull ‘em out and slip ‘em on. Priceless.
What? You don’t know what to slip ‘em on with? When in doubt, keep it simple—the color is statement enough. Think neutral tee or tank (or throw in a top with some horizontal stripes —like this henley—if you want to have a little more fun), with some wedge sandals or ballet flats, and maybe a chunky necklace if you want to dress things up a bit . . .
Some colored denim picks we’re digging, for less:
Straight Leg Jeans, on sale $19.99, LaRedoute
Style & Co. Petite Colored Five Pocket Jean, on sale $19.99, Macy’s
Morgan Low-Rise Skinny Jean, $48.50, Delia’s (buy one, get one half off)
Vogue Italia Black Issue: Win This!
What: Vogue Italia’s July issue is a historical one: it addresses the issue of racial inequality in the fashion world by filling its editorial pages with models of color from Naomi Campbell to up-and-comers like Sessilee Lopez.
Why You Want This: Vogue Italia isn’t exactly available at the grocery checkout line and even if you happen to live in a major city with a great international book store, your chances of finding it is pretty slim. Plus the issue features our girl Toccara (of America’s Top Model fame), Chanel Iman and Grace Jones, who is perhaps one of the most underrated style influencers out there. I was very disappointed that virtually none of the adverts featured a model of any color, which is sad, cause the real money in the modeling world comes from adverts, beauty contracts, and commercials. Even after Oprah and Queen Latifah and designers like Marc Jacobs borrowing heavily from hip-hop and urban culture, corporations still have a hard time believing black women can sell products to a global community.
To Enter: Leave a comment below by Friday, July 25th, 2008 at 11:59pm. One lucky winner will win one copy of the magazine. Winners will be selected from the list of comments.
Rules:
- Contest ends July 25, 2008 at 11:59 pm. All entries received after this point will not be eligible for the prize.
- One winner will receive a copy of July’s Vogue Italia
- Winner must respond within four business days or a new winner will be chosen.
- Prize is not transferrable
- Entrants must be residents of United States.
Image from NYTimes.com
Look for Less: Giselle Bundchen
We love it when we see celebs dressed down but still looking put together—like this look from Giselle Bundchen. Cami, shorts, flats, handbag—yup, it’s simple but still chic. Giselle’s version, of course, costs more than we have set aside for a typical weekend runaround look (the shorts alone, by Paige Premium Denim, are $145). We love to prove that you can get the look for less, and here it is, our version on a budget (our outfit total, including a slight splurge on the handbag and a versatile pair of sunglasses: about $112).
Top: Women’s Cami, $14.50, Old Navy
Shorts: Lux Blank Canvas Short, $19.99, Urban Outfitters
Shoes: Side Tie Flats, $18.99, Charlotte Russe
Sunglasses: Isaac Mizrahi for Target Plastic Aviator Sunglasses, $17.99, Target
Shop for Opera
What:
Where: Industria Superstudio, Studio 10
356 West 12th Street
New York City
When: June 18
VIP Preview Shopping
5:00pm - 6:00pm
Cocktails, Hors d’oeuvres, Shopping and Music
6:00pm - 10:00pm
The Word: Shop from a collection of donated vintage and designer clothing, accessories, jewelry and home furnishings discounted up to 75% off, while eating hors d’oeuvres and drinking cocktails. Oh, and listen to opera. In your hottest, “diva” outfit. Fashion icons like John Bartlett, Phillip Bloch, Patricia Field, Michael Fink, Elsa Klensch, Lorry Newhouse, Rebecca Taylor, and Robert Verdi will be there, too. Mezzo soprano and New York City Opera singer Heather Johnson will perform. Purchase a regular ticket and receive a gift bag for $250 or become a VIP for the night and receive one worth $600. After you shop, dance all night to DJed music. Proceeds go towards the design and creation of costumes for the New York City Opera. Ticket prices range from $150-$500.
What We Say: The idea of spending money for a ticket that allows you to spend more money on clothes irks us a little, but if you employ your bargain-hunting abilities, you’ll find the best buys while enjoying a classy night at the opera. Score a Nanette Lepore dress for $225 instead of $370 or a Luca Luca clutch for $150 instead of $550. And hey, the gift bag filled with free goodies from Carolee, Clarins, Make Up For Ever and other brands should take care of any guilty feelings you have. Plus, all unsold items will be available the next day at the City Opera Thrift Shop on East 23rd Street, so you can continue your bargain hunting the next day.
Click here for more info and call 212-870-4018 to purchase tickets.
Fashion Trend: Nautical
As summer approaches, it seems that the perennial nautical “trend” is once again making the rounds. Sea-worthy colors and details are all over, and even if a Cosmo on board a 100’ yacht is nowhere in the near future for you, you can still indulge style-wise. Red, white and blue are the colors to consider (though beware of looking like a walking Fourth of July banner), and mostly we like the nautical-inspired details—like rows of buttons, cut canvas skimmers, and boat-ready bags. Some nautical picks to have you sailing into summer (sorry, that was bad . . . ):
Nautical Rope Bag, $26.50, Alloy.com.
Xhilaration Sally Canvas Skimmers, on sale $10.49, Target.
Best Sunglasses on a Budget: Reader Advice
“THIS PRODUCT IS NO LONGER BEING SOLD”
Sure we could spend a bajillion dollars on a pair of designer sunglasses (or toss our money away on renting a pair), but we’re pretty confident that chic sunglasses can be had for less. As a matter of fact, we know that Target keeps us pretty stylish under the sun, and Angela’s even found a pair that she swears by at Walgreen’s (they’re cute—really!). We may be missing something however, so we’re asking you—what’s your favorite source for super stylish sunglasses on a budget?
Cheap enough you can buy a pair in each color: Sunglasses from Forever 21, $8.90
The Black Tank: High Vs. Low
There’s almost nothing as versatile in the summer as a black tank top—it goes with jeans, shorts, skirts, flip flops, flats, heels, and can be accessorized in so many ways that it almost boggles our budget fashion sensibilities. But as useful as it is, is the black tank worth sinking a bunch of cash into? Nuh uh, because you can get a decent one for less. Here, we’ve found two—one is budget enough to allow us to pick up a couple of fun colored versions as well, while the pricetag on the other will really limit our choices. So which is which?
On the right, our budget version from Old Navy, on sale for just $10; on the left, a L’Wren Scott tank from Net-a-Porter, $250.
Best T-Shirts on a Budget: Reader Advice
Ahh, looking ahead to summer—a time for laid back fashion at it’s best. Now, we love our platform sandals and full floral skirts as much as the next girl, but sometimes there’s nothing better than throwing on a pair of shorts and a cute tee. Which brings us to our point, which is that a great t-shirt—one that fits great, holds it’s shape, and doesn’t look like you borrowed it from your significant other—is hard to come by. So where do you go to get a great little tee for less?
Save up to 75% off at StyleViolet.com: Daily Deal
The Deal: Take up to 75% off regular prices during the winter sale at StyleViolet.com
The Lowdown: From hats and scarves to blouses and sweaters, designer-inspired styles are now reduced to near-clearance prices. Pick up a few of your favorite trends to round out the wardrobe; this Retro Trapeze Top by Tulle is now reduced to $19.99, originally $42.00 and is perfect for warmer months ahead. Pick up this Jeweled Evening Dress for just $29.99, originally $44.00 if you still need that little black dress for a special occasion. And if you’re still hunting for a few accessories, try on this Havana Cap from Delux for just $9.99, reduced from $32.00.
Shop It: StyleViolet.com
Image courtesy of StyleViolet.com
Budget Wedding Dresses: Five Cheap Dresses Under $100
Think you can’t have a dream wedding dress on a budget? Think again. There are plenty of pretty and modern dress options for the bride with a firm bottom line. Check out these selections, all for under $100 each.
This strapless sheath is sleek and sophisticated, for just $89.99 by Isaac Mizrahi for Target. A note: the sash shown is sold separately, for about 40 bucks. You could pick it up and still come in at a nice price, or if you know someone with a sewing machine, you could have them make one for less than $15.
This simple and elegant white strapless dress with shawl, is $99.99 at JC Penney. Don’t limit yourself to white, get it in cranberry to add a dash of flavor.
Looking for something other than white? This cream colored tulle princess dress by Isaac Mizrahi for Target is on Amazon.com, for just $79.99
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Halter style formal dress (who says it has to be an official “wedding” dress?) comes in a range of colors including white and ivory, for $69.99 at Amazon.com
For a beach/casual wedding, we think this Laura Clement linen dress is a simple and timeless choice, $39.99 at LaRedoute.
One more, for just a little over $100:
This shirred side satin gown from Chadwick’s is sexy without being revealing, for $109.99.
Up to 50% Off Women’s Outerwear at EddieBauer.com: Daily Deal
The Deal: Save up to 50% off Women’s Outerwear during the Ultimate Sale at EddieBauer.com
The Lowdown: From puffy down jackets to insulated parkas, now is the time to pick out a stylish coat or jacket for the remainder of this season that will last through next year. Eddie Bauer offers plenty of choices with comfort and style in mind, and now you can take up to 50% off the collection during the Ultimate Sale. Pick up this classic Wool Blazer for $79.99, originally $128 or Faux Fur Down Jacket for $89.99, originally $128. For days when the sun finally makes an appearance, a lighter jacket is all you need; the Seattle Suede Jacket is now reduced to $89.99 from $168, and is made with a washable suede in a figure-flattering cut.
Shop It: EddieBauer.com
Photo courtesy of EddieBauer.com
So You Want: Diane Von Furstenberg’s Plaid Wrapdress
So You Want This:
Diane Von Furstenberg Wrapdress ($439.00), last seen on Hilary Swank in the movie PS. I Love You
But You Can Afford This:
Isaac Mizrahi for Target Holiday Plaid Shirtdress, $34.99
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