Friday, December 04, 2009
For Your Friend Who Has Everything...
- Sequin ribcage dress, $49.99
- Black halter dress, $39.99
- Coral slip dress, $39.99
- Bow belts, $12.99
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Stay Fabulously Warm
Keep Going International
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Splurge vs. Budget Fringe Necklace
The left one is the $34.50 Ann Taylor Loft version while the right one is the marked down $9.99 Urban Outiftters version. The best part about our budget choice is that it's are having free shipping right now with the code FREEBIRD. While you're at it you can pick up one of my favs from Fab Collabs on super sale!
Do It Yourself
10 minutes; makes 1/2 ounce
What You Need:
(local and organic whenever possible)
- 1 beet (light-colored red beets yield a red shade; darker ones get you a merlot color)
- 3 drops olive oil
- 2 Tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 capsule of vitamin E oil
- Repurposed lip gloss container or pillbox
Directions:
1. Remove beet from stem, wash, and chop into 1-inch pieces.
2. Place chopped beet in microwave-safe container and heat on high for 1 minute until it releases juice.
3. Pour beet juice and the rest of the ingredients in a small bowl and mix thoroughly (add sugar by the teaspoon until it reaches your desired thickness).
4. Empty the finished blend into a small jar, preferably a repurposed lip gloss container. Let the mixture sit for 2-3 hours to thicken, then apply as you like. It'll keep for 6-8 months.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
If You're Going To Do It
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Get Some Culture
Design for a Living World at Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum,
2 E. 91st St. (212-849-8400). Tickets, $10/adult.
Green Your Holiday
Friday, October 23, 2009
Grrrrrrrrowl!
Smart and Sustainable Shopping
via College Candy
As you may have gathered from my previous articles, I am a shopaholic. Even if I have no money, I can’t help but scour the internet for deals at the online sample sales (seriously, check out Ideeli, it’s amazing). And even though I can’t always buy sustainable products, I still try to buy in sustainable ways.
Here are my favorite shopping tips to don’t just save the environment, but they can also save you money.
Read on, my fellow “Frugalista” (thank you, Target.)
Shop in stores. Preferably ones you can walk or carpool to. Retailers get their shipments in bulk, which decreases the amount of packaging material used to deliver the products. When you shop online, shipping costs (and all that wasted paper and cardboard) can add up quickly, so spare yourself and hit the local mall (with your reusable tote!). Be sure to try on before you buy so you can avoid the extra gas needed to return something to the store.
Look for local labels. Try to buy from companies that are based in the your state to cut down on energy needed for transportation. If that’s not possible, look for brands that produce their products within the United States. American Apparel, C&C Cailfornia, Splendid, J.Crew, Lucky Jeans, Joe’s Jeans, True Religion, Juicy Couture, 7 For All Mankind, Citizens of Humanity, and Rock and Republic (just to name a few) all manufacture their clothing in the U.S.
Shop smart online. If you’re going to shop online, be sure you do it in an ecologically responsible manner by using the following tips.
Buy in bulk. Wait until you have a large order before ordering online or combine with friends to save on the environmental and financial costs of shipping.
Ditch the rush order stress. Plan ahead so you don’t have to choose expedited shipping over standard shipping rates. This also gives the Postal Service a chance to fill up their trucks with packages before shipping them out. More packages = fewer cross-country trips = a happy planet.
Choose your delivery address wisely. Be sure to have your packages delivered to a convenient address. If you have them delivered to your apartment, for example, be sure that your roommates will be around to pick it up for you. If they aren’t available, leave a note on the door telling the postman that he can just leave the package on the doorstep without a signature. This avoids the annoying and fuel-guzzling trips back and forth to the Post Office.
Switch to Paperless Statements. Once all your earth-friendly shopping is done, you’re going to have to pay that credit card bill. But make Mother Earth proud and do it all online. No more 5-page bills coming to you in the mail. No more wasted paper (and money!) on mailing that check back to the company. It’s the greenest way to pay.
Updates
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Who Up Next For Target?
Following Alexander McQueen and Anna Sui, Gaultier is the third established designer to do a collection for the mass retailer under the Designer Collaboration series. His chosen muse? The American woman, "celebrating the forces of style both past and present in American pop culture," a Target spokesperson says.
I'm looking forward to seeing what he comes out with but, I take the whole thing with a grain of salt. Anna Sui was a little bit disappointing.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Private Sale
Wardrobe Jackpot: Boring Stores Reinvented
This recession totally sucks. But, if you ignore the unemployment rate and rising cost of beer, some good is definitely coming from it. And one of those positives is the fact that the plummeting sales of retail chains has caused them to re-evaluate their brand and reinvent themselves for fall. Suddenly stores that used to make me feel nauseous (boasting window displays stuffed with mom jeans and fugly tablecloth patterns), actually have some adorable stuff that us college girls would actually consider wearing.
For the closets of fashionistas, this is great news. Now there are a dozen more stores that we can peruse online during class and drool over on our weekly treks to the mall. (Plus now when my mom calls and tells me she’s going to Ann Taylor to pick up a suit jacket, I can ask her to pick me up a cute skirt to add to my care package!)
Check out my favorite extreme makeovers (that don’t involve sexy Ty Pennington) below:
The Gap
Then: Uber boring button up shirts and polos.
Now: Cute staples essential to layering.
Must-Have Wardrobe Addition: The perfect dark wash jeans – soft, stretchy and with the perfect butt pockets – for us girls with some junk in the trunk.
Express
Then: Going-out clothes that were borderline trashy.
Now: Chic party clothes that are fun, but not slut-tastic.
Must-Have Wardrobe Addition: Fail-safe dress for girls’ night out. The clean lines of this color blocked, one-shoulder dress make it effortlessly chic while still being young and trendy.
Ann Taylor
Then: Boring mom clothes
Now: Classy pieces that have some edge to them
Must-Have Wardrobe Addition: Edgy, heeled boots. The wrap around leather strap adds just the right amount of personality and these would look pretty killer over a sexy pair of skinnies.
New York and Company
Then: All the store had was 40 different black pants that all looked the same and some really fugly jumpsuits.
Now: Totally on top of the trends (I’m talking leggings, tunics, ruffles…) at prices that wont break the bank.
Must-Have Wardrobe Addition: Go-to pencil skirt. It will be there for you through dinners, parties, weddings and any other occasion that forces you out of your sweats and into real clothes. (And did I mention it’s only $32?!)
Old Navy
Then: Cheap, shapeless clothes
Now: Cheap, adorable clothes
Must-Have Wardrobe Addition: The ideal fall jacket: satin lined, waist cinching, wide brimmed, bold colors… should I go on?
Banana Republic
Then: Stuffy, sophisticated and over-priced pieces.
Now: Hip, trendy, and totally catering to 20-somethings (with a large bank account).
Must-Have Wardrobe Addition: This darling sheath dress. It’s totally party worthy, but belt it and throw on a cardigan and some tights and it works for an important class presentation, too!
Via CollegeCandy.com
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Happy (Budget) Halloween!
Pop In
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Fab Collabs
This set of items might seem a little random but, I'll walk you through it.There were a few fabulous designer capsule collections/lower priced lines/collaborations that launched this past week. Now, we all know that just because a designer smacked their name on it doesn't mean that it is the same quality as the full priced brand but, we can hope. With these newbies I don't think you have to worry about that. First is LC by Lauren Conrad for Kohl's. I went to the store to investigate but, the didn't have it in stock. Major bummer but, hopefully it will be in stock soon. Until then I was exploring online and am kind of in love with the Brushstroke Sheath Dress . There are some other winners from the collection but not everything is a hit.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Does This Outfit Work?
Here is a picture of me wearing what was my attempt at the high waisted skirt. Took a long tweed skirt, cinched it will a belt, added a professional button down, some fabulous patent t-traps and amazing rhodacrosite neckalce. I think it's a decent attempt at it but in the end it just looks like a colorblock dress to me, albeit more professional.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Trouser Jeans: Where Did You Go?
Not as simple as I thought. They no longer have the trouser jean in stock in stores. Frustrating but, not the end of the world there is a LOFT right in that same shopping plaza and my only other pair of jeans is from there, the marisa. So, I headed over but, after combing the entire store couldn't find them myself and when a salesperson offered assistance I gladly accepted (mistake!). All she kept giving me were flare this and boot-cut that even though I very clearly explained more than once that I wanted a wide-leg/trouser jean. Frustrating!!
I headed home, fuming about how it wasn't fair that I should be punished because trouser jeans aren't trendy this season. I was exceptionally tired and cranky after a long day of ripping jeans and work. When I got home I couldn't let it go and started searching online, Here are some of the things I found.
There are wide-leg jeans out there, Yay! But, they seems to be only available online, Boo! One of my favorites is the Marisa Nantucket Denim Trousers from LOFT, on that note to the salesperson who couldn't help me yesterday - I told you there were wide-leg jeans, I'm sorry I don't use womens names to categorize the fit of my pants but, I digress. The other that I'm liking is the Mossimo Black: Premium Denim Crisscross (whatever that means) They look promising but, I have no idea what size I am. Frustrating!!!
It's not fair that just because my jeans aren't trendy that I should be relegated to online shopping exclusively. Do I have to wait another 5, 10, or 15 years before I'll be able to buy them in stores again because that's when the trend will hit again? Do I now have to order both of those jeans in three sizes so can try them all on and see what fits best, only to return 85% of what I order? I hope I can figure this out soon...
From College Candy: Do It Yourself Tuesdays: High-waisted
Which is why I was having some serious issues lately. You see, I am in love with the whole high-waisted skirt look that I see on celebs like Lauren Conrad and Amanda Bynes. It’s slimming and hot and I loooove it. But I can’t justify spending a good chunk of change on a skirt that will be out of style in 6 months when I have 10 perfectly fine skirts lining my closet.
So I decided to figure out a way to turn what I got into what I want. Turns out, it’s not that hard to make your own high-waisted skirt. Even for crafty rejects like myself.
1. Grab an old, longer skirt that you don’t wear anymore because it makes you look like a mom. Put it on.
2. Find a fun belt and cinch the skirt at your natural waistline.
3. Grab hold of the bottom of one side of the skirt and twist it up and under the belt on the same side.
4. Wrap the twisted end of the skirt around the belt so that it lies flat.
5. Use a safety pin and secure the bottom, to prevent any unsightly moments (think Paris or Britney..or Lindsay). Make sure to pin it underneath so the safety pin is hidden.
6. Repeat on the other side of the skirt and the back for a more bubble-shaped skirt. Otherwise, leave it as it is.
There you go: a trendy, leggy, high-waisted skirt. Recycling has never looked so hot.
Original Article Here:Do It Yourself Tuesdays: High-waisted Skirts
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Rachel Zoe To Style Us All
Boyfriend Jeans... To Buy or Not To Buy?
I'm still on the fence about the whole thing. Am I just caving to style peer pressure or are these really a great option? What do you think?
Sale Alert
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
And The Award Goes To...
Sunday, September 06, 2009
All For Fall
Loving some trends more than others for sure but, in the end you should really only buy if it's right for your body. I'd rather look fabulous than a trendy fool...
Saturday, September 05, 2009
Fashion's Night Out Strikes Again
hours:
Thursday, 9/10: 11am–11pm
Friday, 9/11 and Saturday, 9/12: 11–8pm
Friday, September 04, 2009
Splurge vs. Budget Conditioning Gloss
I love lip gloss, I mean what girl doesn't. I am always looking for new tinted stuff. Recently, I got the Tarte gloss as a gift and have been using it all summer. It is an awesome natural pink but, $21.00 a tube is pricey to say the least. e.l.f makes a similar gloss that cost only $3.00 for that much I figured I wouldn't lose anything by giving it a try. Both 2 in 1 glosses have shimmering lip color in the inner tube and clear conditioning gloss in the outer tube for ultimate lip satisfaction... That Tarte stuff is good but, I like the e.l.f one a bit more because the overall color is much more sheer and significantly less expensive... woo hoo budget makeup!
Labor Day
"The holiday originated in Canada out of labor disputes ("Nine-Hour Movement") first in Hamilton, then in Toronto, Canada in the 1870s, which resulted in a Trade Union Act which legalized and protected union activity in 1872 in Canada. The parades held in support of the Nine-Hour Movement and the printers' strike led to an annual celebration in Canada. In 1882, American labor leader Peter J. McGuire witnessed one of these labor festivals in Toronto. Inspired from Canadian events in Toronto, he returned the USA, to New York and organized the first American "labor day" on September 5 of the same year." - Wiki
If you don't feel like caving into the pressure and heading to the mall take advantage of the online sales that are happening literally, all over. There are some good coupon codes below for your enjoyment, never shop without them.
Attention!!
Thursday, September 03, 2009
Your Invite to Fashion's Night Out
Sale Alert
While checking out some sales I came across this simple comfy cotton sweater from LOFT that I had been thinking about buying last weekend while I had my 20% off coupon. Thankfully, I didn't because now it's only $15.00 (for a limited time). I think it's a great basic piece that can be worn alone or layered, perfect for the changing seasons. It comes in a rainbow of rich fall colors, loving the deep teal and majestic plum... pick it up before that sale ends.