Posts filed under 'Shopping Guide'
Welcome to a Special Sampler Edition of the Friday Fashion Hotlist. This week, we present to you Our Favorite Goodies from the Sampler to show you the best of the best from independent crafters and artists.
Bees Knees Gocco Print | $3.50 each at Andy Pratt Design
Andy Pratt’s Location Collection features handmade letterpress visions of Brooklyn, Nice, and London.
Check out Mixtape’s Etsy Store.
Mixtape’s designer is a lover of all things quirky, kitsch and retro cool. Like these vintage shilling charms.
Poppy Bobbypins | $6 each at Foundling
Foundling’s Bobbypins are made of repurposed vintage fabrics. Absolutely lovely.
Are you a designer or crafter? Spread the word about yourself by sending your goods to The Sampler today!
March 14th, 2008
Q: I will be turning 30 in April and have decided to celebrate by finding a signature scent to wear for the next decade. I do think perfume can add something special, but… a lot of places are becoming scent free, and I don’t want something that’s either overpowering or girly. How do I choose a scent, and is it considered rude to wear perfume these days?
by Colleen Geary, fashion stylist and image consultant
A: At thirty, you should be looking for a complex and sophisticated perfume that reflects your personality and life experience. Select a perfume that speaks to your own unique personality—and one that doesn’t overwhelm you.
When selecting a perfume, consider your climate. Some scents are too heavy for the summer, and others are too light for the winter. Beyond that, we can’t tell you which perfume to choose—choosing a scent is very personal as each perfume has a different chemical reaction (and thus, a different scent) on each individual. Like we said in our article on cologne last week, we recommend experimenting by (1) finding scents that appeal to your senses, and then (2) seeing how the scent smells on your skin. One trick for clearing your nose from all the different scents (cleansing the palate, so to speak) is to carry coffee beans with you. Sniffing coffee beans will clear your nose from the scent of the previous perfume.
Great classics are usually a good place to begin, so try Robert Piquet’s Fracas, Chanel No. 5 or Coco by Chanel. For a non-overpowering, non-girly scent, you may also want to try the lush tuberose scent of Carnal Flower by Frederic Malle. A couple of my personal favorites are Annick Goutal’s Petite Cherie (which has pear and peach notes) and Jil Sander #4 (which is a little spicy).
As for your last question, it’s not rude to wear perfume–it’s rude to wear too much of it. Rule of thumb? If you’re riding in an elevator, your fellow passengers should only smell a trace of the perfume. Try a dab here and a dab there–or spray the scent into the air and walk through it.
Have a great tip about how to pick a perfume Or would you like to share your favorite scents? Share it with us in the comments!
Pictured: Petite Cherie by Annick Goutal (left) and Coco by Chanel (right).
March 13th, 2008
Since 2003, Milla Jovovich and Carmen Hawk have been collaborating on a flirty, feel-good fashion line called, quite appropriately, Jovovich-Hawk. The LA-based line is known for its independent, romantic look–with wisps of vintage details. But as a designer line, Jovovich-Hawk was out of reach, price-wise, for many of us. No longer. Jovovich-Hawk is the latest designer line to join Target’s GO International roster, and we’ve picked out our favorite pieces from the collection just for you:
Jovovich-Hawk Chevron Swimsuit | $29.99 at Target
Channel vintage elegance when you’re lounging by the pool. We love the slimming effect of the chevron stripes.
Jovovich-Hawk Short Sleeve Hoodie in Heather Grey | $17.99 at Target
Classic with a twist–and soon to be one of your weekend favorites.
Jovovich-Hawk Arabesque Halter Dress | $29.99 at Target
The halter silhouette and the deep v-neckline flatters women with a small bust.
Jovovich-Hawk Floppy Hat in Ebony | $14.99 at Target
Bring on the drama with this vintage-inspired floppy hat. And don’t forget your oversized sunglasses.
Jovovich-Hawk High Waist Denim Jeans | $34.99 at Target
What’s not to love about these high waisted jeans? They make you look taller by visually elongating your leg, and the dark wash gives you a bonus slimming effect.
March 7th, 2008
Bold, eye-catching, and completely chic, black and white graphic prints are a classic. While they’re particularly on trend for Spring, they have enough staying power to stay in your closet for seasons to come. Here’s Omiru’s picks for black and white graphic print dresses:
Our $ Pick:
Velvet Torch Double V-Neck Dress | $68 at Nordstrom
The empire waist silhouette makes you look taller–and is especially flattering for long-waisted women.
Our $$ Pick:
Silk Printed Dress | $148 at Banana Republic
So we cheated, this dress is actually navy instead of black…but we love it so much that we had to include it. Isn’t the print gorgeous?
Our $$$ Pick:
Black Halo Sunburst Dress | $328 at Tobi
As sexy as it is sophisticated, this dress is completely eye-catching in front and in the back.
March 4th, 2008
In this era of status handbags and designer logos, it’s easy to overlook the weekend workhorse handbag: the casual bag. You know the one. The bag that totes your sunglasses and dog-eared book to the park. The bag that stashes all of your bite-size purchases at the mall. The bag that carries your chocolate bars and cheese wedges back from the grocery store.
For those times when a casual bag will do, we present five handbag options, one as cheap as $15–and all under $50.
Clockwise from Left:
AE Bike Tote | $24.50 at American Eagle
Got to love a biker’s bag with a bike logo, right down to the heart "gear."
Fred Cassette Tote | $15 at Fred Flare
Whimsically old school and yet completely fresh.
Nylon Bow Satchel | $24.50 at Gap
We can’t get enough of this bright green color–which will give the most basic of outfits a shot of energy.
Issac Mizrahi for Target Tote in Denim | $39.99 at Target
Dark denim is at once casual and somehow dressy. Here’s a handbag that will carry you wherever you go.
AE Tropical Slouchy Hobo | $49.50 at American Eagle
Breezy enough for an island getaway, yet substantial enough to tackle Sunday afternoon errands.
February 28th, 2008
by Tamiko Kelly, Fashion Expert and Style Maven at Margarite Elaine
My girlfriends and I have very different definitions of timeliness. While I’m the supreme planner and book our dinner reservations weeks (sometimes months) in advance; many of my girlfriends either forget to RSVP or show up moments after its fashionable. As my party slowly trickles in, I ALWAYS receive a call from someone running ridiculously late. (My favorite excuse is “Where are we eating again?â€)
During our most recent holiday dinner, I had an “ah-ha†moment in the middle of a very heated discussion about Gossip Girl. One of my girlfriends threw her hands up in excitement. As her thumb knocked over a glass of red wine, I noticed that she wasn’t wearing a watch. I quickly scanned the table and noticed that all our wrists were bare (well, actually I was wearing enough bangles to score a starring roll in Yash Chopra’s next Bollywood flick)—and ah-ha! I realized that I had to get all of us in the same time zone! Read on for 5 watches (one for each of my best girlfriends) to invest in. No matter what your personal style, you’ll come out stylishly on time.
For the Art Deco Girl:
Roberto Cavalli Coco Gold Plated Croco-style Bracelet Dress Watch | $450 at Forzieri
She frequents the MOMA, has friends at the San Francisco Design Center and knows the difference between a Lowboy and a Bombé Chest. This watch is a bold statement piece that features modern style with a touch of savage beauty (gotta love those crocodile embossed links).
For the Vintage Girl:
Badgley Mischka Watch | $195, Call 800.840.2155 for purchase info
Featuring Swarovski crystals and a grosgrain strap, this watch is reminiscent of the dress-up watches from the 20s. As an added touch of elegance, the beautiful faceplate opens to reveal the timepiece hidden beneath.
For the Glamour Girl:
MICHAEL Michael Kors Pavé Bracelet Watch | $275 at Nordstrom
We all have one: a girlfriend whose taste far exceeds her paycheck. This watch is for her. Now she can have all the bling without the added sting to her wallet. With all the money she saved, she can buy a sleek silver clutch to match.
For the Classic Girl:
Michele Watches Deco Non Diamond Gold White Mop Camel Alligator | $705 at Michele
The beauty of the timepiece is its understated elegance. It’d be perfect for the girl who frequents Banana Republic, charges more on her J. Crew card than I’d care to discuss and has built relationships with every Club Monaco in Northern California. I almost forgot to mention that this watch comes complete with a Mother of Pearl dial and is finished nicely in gold.
For the Sophisticated Girl:
Ebel Classic Steel Mini Ladies Watch | $1,102.50 at JomaShop
Ebel is known for their sleek designs, soft curves and delicate construction. I selected this timeless classic for the girl who treasures the craftsmanship of her Bottega Veneta handbags, the finesse of her Montblanc pens, and the sophistication of her Baccarat stemware.
January 25th, 2008
The Plaid Flannel Shirt is back–and it doesn’t have to be (nay–it shouldn’t be) reminiscent of 90s grunge. John showed the guys how to stand out from the crowd in a plaid flannel shirt, which prompted the ladies to ask how to translate this look for women. The plaid shirt, while reminiscent of a woodsy man, doesn’t have to be masculine.
How to give the plaid shirt a feminine touch? Three ideas:
(1) Fit is key. A man’s shirt will fall straight at the sides, but a woman’s shirt should follow her curves. Too-straight side seams will make you look mannish.
(2) Leave the top button (or two) unbuttoned. Subtly show off your figure.
(3) Choose a shirt with special details, such as a ruffle at the back or tuxedo pleats down the front. The tuxedo pleats down center front on the American Eagle shirt, for example, give the shirt a feminine edge.
Here’s our top picks for plaid shirts with a feminine touch:
AE Plaid Tuxedo Pleat Shirt | $34.95 (sale) at American Eagle
Bib Front Flannel Shirt | $44.50 at Gap
Sparkle Plaid Margaret Shirt | $78 at J. Crew
Charlotte Ronson Plaid Button Down Tunic | $202 at Shopbop
December 4th, 2007
This month, we’re featuring monsters, frogs, and even a round of poker. Presenting, in no particular order, our Top 5 Graphic Tees for April 2007!
In Case of Fire Tee | $15+ at ThreadlessMaybe not what the safety inspector had in mind. Available in Men’s and Women’s sizes.
Poker Hand Values Tee | $15+ at Threadless
Poker, anyone? Available in Men’s and Women’s sizes.
Whiskers Tee | $15+ at Threadless
Makes me think twice about boating. Available in Men’s and Women’s sizes.
My Neverland Tee | $15+ at Threadless
Whimsical fun. Available in Men’s and Women’s sizes.
The Frog Piper Tee | $15+ at Threadless
Love the colors and the cartoon-like quality. Available in Men’s and Women’s sizes.
April 4th, 2007
The beauty of the t-shirt is that it’s a blank canvas on which to create. And we’re pleased to report that we’ve scouted some awfully creative designs this month. Presenting, in no particular order, our Top 5 Graphic Tees for March 2007!
Reasons Not to Go Camping Tee | $15+ at ThreadlessFurther reason to be an "Indoors" person. Available in Men’s and Women’s sizes.
Paperboy Tee | $15+ at Threadless
Can a paper cutout deliver your newspaper? Available in Men’s and Women’s sizes.
Olive INKY Octopus Tee | $20 at Etsy
Sad octopus? Available in Women’s sizes.
T-Shirt Plague | $15+ at Threadless
For all of you germophobes out there. Available in Men’s and Women’s sizes.
Paper Airplanes Tee | $15+ at Threadless
Sure, Valentine’s Day is long over, but love is still in the air. Available in Men’s and Women’s sizes.
March 7th, 2007
Presenting, in no particular order, our Top 5 Graphic Tees for February 2007!
January 31st, 2007
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