Dooney & Bourke Black Friday 7 Day Sale- In Stores

Nov. 29th deal

Dooney & Bourke is having a special  7 day sale  beginning Black Friday that will have  7 days of 7 exclusive offers, in their 7 boutiques.  So no black friday craziness needed, you have plenyt of time to snag a deal if you want.

The offer is available in-store and via telephone only. Each day a different assortment is on sale.



Day 7 deal



 Shown above top image,  is the  November 29th sale  group which is  the embossed leather tassel bag for  $257.00 and the leather zip satchel shown on the right for $277.00.

Available in the Dooney and Bourke boutiques in Costa Mesa, CA, Honolulu, HI, New York, NY, White Plains, NY, Las Vegas, NV, and Dallas, TX (Galleria & North Park Center).
 
800.347.5000

Scala Pronto Wool Cloche Hat

I'm a  hat person  and I love all kinds of hats. Scala Pronto's cute wool cloche is the kind you can wear almost anywhere. It's cute , fun but not fancy, kind of Dickensian in a way,  and it also comes in colors to match  almost any coat you own.

It's made of soft boiled wool and is crushable.  Boiled wool repels water and is very warm so this makes a nice easy to wear everyday winter hat .

Colors are: black, camel, charcoal, plum, wine and red. I went for charcoal, but I really like the plum too.

Through the end of December they've put together a special deal with the code Scala Pronto  you can get this hat for 24.00 with free shipping.

 Site checkout description will read: Enjoy 20% Off + Free Ground Shipping (U.S. delivery only). Not valid w/other offers. Ends 12/31/11. Womens-Hats.com  is the website.  http://www.womens-hats.com/product/395/scala-hats-winter





* press sample

Forever 21 Spring 2012 Preview

 I know it's not even winter  but Spring previews are coming.  Forever 21 had theirs this week and they have divided  it into several themes which they made up as vignettes  for the preview. I am  fond of the  Tea Room motif but Retro 20's  is rather fun too. The 20's will be a theme  for Spring across the board , so be on the lookout.

The Tea Room

- Kimono sleeves
- Large floral prints
- Flowy/relaxed materials
- Sheer
- Chiffon

Retro Revival

- 20’s/30’s beach chic influence
- Bold prints
- Tailored pieces
- Stripes
- Polka Dots
- High-waisted trousers
- Midi length dresses and skirts

Search & Destroy

- Grunge
- Fringe graphic tees
- Distressed denim
- Studs
- American flags
- Large open knit sweaters

Sixties Doll

- Lace
- 60’s shapes and silhouettes
- Pastel colors
- Girly (not granny)
- Peter pan collars
- Neutrals

Talbots Spring /Summer 2012 Preview

cotton/silk faille doublebreasted coat $269

Talbots Spring lookbook is ready. Spring at Talbots  features one of the hot trends we saw in September at the shows  which is bright colors especially pink and orange. There are also plenty of  fun and pretty accessories. My favorite item, the green trench coat .  Love the coat and the color.

colorblocked full dress $159



Cotton eyelet tank $ 79.50, Cotton eyelet skirt $99



Kimmie canvas platform espadrille $129



eloquii by The Limited Plus Sizes Line

This week The Limited launched their plus size line eloquii.   You can read more at my piece for Betty Confidential here

Hanes Silk Reflections New Fall Styles-Tights

Hosiery is the buzz word this fall and while I am not about to jump on the sheer hose bandwagon just  because a certain Duchess wears them ( after  all she has to, I don't) tights and are  different. You can get fun styles and textures while keeping legs warm in winter.

Back during fashion week I got a preview of some of the new styles from Hanes Silk Reflections -Argyle, Lace, Chevron, Melange  and a personal favorite, Houndstooth .  Houndstooth is huge this fall and while I would wear it top to bottom a la Salvatore Ferragamo   , just a tight is a nice easy way to wear the trend and add some oomph to an outfit.

These are very heavy and thick but coverage is called sheer. It seems more opaque, say semi-sheer, to me. They  have a control top panty and  each style is also available in various colors.

Sizes  are AB, CD, and EF. Retail is $ 10.00 per pair.

If you want to see more hit up http://www.haneshosiery.com/

Get Your Glam ON !!!!

Monroe and Main is dedicated to bringing you flattering fashions, fabulous footwear and the latest accessories. Whether you're heading to the office, out on the town, or off on a fun-filled get-away, they can help you put your look together with mix and match staples. 



From casual to career wear, Monroe and Main offer attainable styles that are on trend but never trendy, with distinctively feminine details. Best of all, you don't have to sacrifice comfort for style. They choose apparel that features ultra-feminine styling with a relaxed fit. 

GET YOUR GLAM ON” MONROE AND MAIN® FACEBOOK FAN VIRTUAL EVENT

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4^TH, 2011, 6AM-10PM CST
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/MONROEANDMAIN

 

An all day event exclusive for Monroe and Main Facebook fans to get how-to tips, glam advice for every body shape, and to win glamorous fashions fit for you this holiday season!

Drop in throughout the day to the Monroe and Main Facebook page for everything you need to know to be glamorous for the upcoming holiday season including prizes, live chat with our style expert, photo contest kickoff, and more fun! And special bonus for Twitter followers-a Twitter Party with Heather from The Fabulous Finds blog at 7PM CST-#holidayglam. The fun awaits! RSVP at: www.facebook.com/monroeandmain under Events.

I am very excited to be a part of this event - Are you going to be there ????

Albertus Swanepoel for Target



Francoise

Halloween is tomorrow and Target has a real treat  for those of us  hat fans. Hatmaker extraordinaire Albertus Swanepoel's line  especially for Target hits stores then.

I think of Swanepoel as one of the triumvirate of amazing  couture milliners working right now, alongside Philip Treacy and Stephen Jones. I dream of owning one of their creations and while most are beyond my budget, each hat in the Target line is priced at $ 19.99. I hope the quality lives up .



Ganache



There are 14 styles. Two of my favorites are Francoise and Ganache.  Either would make a lovely addition  to my collection of both new and vintage chapeaus.

What do you think ? Will be you hatting it up this fall ?

Edit : My Target finally got most of these. I haven't decided on a purchase yet as I love a couple but the quality as the commenters previously have mentioned is really good. The Francoise is especially nice ,  as is the more full brimmed styled one , Tabatha I believe.

Chanel Spring 2012 - The Shoes

For some reason, every Chanel show, for me it's always about the shoes. Not that the clothes aren't amazing and the show yesterday was easily that. But the shoes, or in this case, the boots, grabbed my attention and won't let go. There were 3 styles and I'd be a happy girl to have any. The Beatle style boot has been on the rise in the shoe world and  if they went down the Chanel runway, then they are here to stay, at least for another season.  Hooray for chic, low heeled comfort.

Photos:VogueUK

Erin Fetherston Spring 2012 w/ MAC and Alterna, butterLONDON for Beauty.com

Erin Fetherston's backstage makeup was helmed by maestro James Kaliardos for MAC  . He  and Ms. Fetherston were inspired by  Mia Farrow at Truman Capote's Black and White Ball of the 60s.The look was  bold. A bold smoky eye and a bold pink lip and it looked fabulous.

The hair was done by Esther Langham for Alterna on Beauty.com   and the nails  Nonie Crème for butter LONDON on Beauty.com.  Ms. Langham created 4 hairstyles for the show  using all Alterna products from the Bamboo line and each style had volume and lift at the crown.  Nonie created a custom nail shade she called Patent Pink from two existing shades - Pink Ribbon and Tea With The Queen. Often these custom shades become  for sale ones later  so it may just turn up in Spring.

The clothes were simply pretty with a  modern but 60s vibe.  Everyone was taken with the orange georgette sequin striped  dress especially. It is  summer personified.  All the fabrics here were ethereal and floaty and  they made the models look a  bit angelic.

All photos: The Beauty Alchemist , except butterLONDON nails - by Charu Suri

Carmen Marc Valvo Spring 2012 w/ MAC & Ted Gibson

I always look forward to Carmen Marc Valvo. Not just the show but the backstage. I know the clothes will be  beautiful and elegant and I get a chance to see them close up where you can really appreciate the detail . Then there is the adorable and fun team of Romero Jennings for MAC doing makeup and Ted Gibson doing the hair on behalf of Beauty.com.

This season's show makeup look is fresh and All American  with a bold lip and a lightly made up face. As Romero says in the video it's what many women do everyday. Foundation , mascara and a bold lip.  He debuted a new red lipstick from MAC coming in Spring , which is a red/coral hybrid called Scarlet Ibis.  He used Cherry lip pencil and Basic Red pigment over the lips. Skin has the new Matchmaster foundation , Taupe Sculpt powder  on cheeks for contour and Pearl CCB on top of cheekbones. The eyes have Coffee eye pencil , Omega eye shadow and Zoom Lash.

For the hair Ted was inspired by Peggy Lipton and her always perfect sleek hair .  He sleeked it back at the top to tuck behind the ears, leaving the back straight and shiny. He sprayed his own brand hairspray into his palm and lightly ran it down the hair for hold.

The clothes were as lovely as expected  and  there were more casually elegant looks like silk shorts and palazzo pants. The white/silver beaded tank dress was  a favorite  and it was  nice to see the models sporting flats and not teetering heels. That is All American. A pretty dress, flowing hair and  a sharp sandal.

American Express and Fashion Week

American Express is doing their fashion week packages this year and while the week officially starts tomorrow there is still time to take advantage of them.

First off is the DKNY show with special finale runway performance by singer/songwriter Lykke Li as part of this season’s Cardmember-Only Show featuring the debut of the DKNY 2012 Resort Collection. The show will take place September 15 at 7:30 p.m. during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center. 

Cardholders can also go downtown this year to MADE formerly MAC & Milk. You can   to purchase exclusive packages to preview select Spring/Summer 2012 collections showing downtown with MADE. Available packages feature a variety of fashion experiences such as VIP seating for runway shows including Billy Reid, SUNO, Sophie Theallet and more, exclusive access to designer presentations, backstage designer meet & greets, styling sessions and more.

Lastly is one you can do right from home with the Skybox report. The American Express Skybox Report . The American Express Skybox Report will offer   a closer look into this season’s Cardmember moments via  content  from a select group of the industry’s high-profile and emerging fashion bloggers. Style lovers everywhere can visit http://www.amexskyboxreport.com/  leading up to and throughout this season’s shows and events, and also join the conversation by following @americanexpress on Twitter and using hashtag #amexfashion.

 View and purchase  at  www.americanexpress.com/entertainment

Adele Covers Vogue UK

Vogue UK has gotten it so right with their October cover of Adele.  Why hasn't any US mag done this yet ? ( or have they and I missed it ? )

Not only are there fabulous photos, seriously this girl looks better in makeup than any model I've ever seen , the article details how happy she is in her own skin and size.

 Adele says "‘I enjoy being me; I always have done.’   How refreshing is that ? And she should feel that way, she's beautiful and supremely talented.

She also says she has no interest in endorsements  ( and I bet  the beauty companies are beating on her door)  that "If I was going to be the face of anything it should be full -fat Coke" Got to love that.

The UK issue goes on sale Sept. 8 .

All info/images are via : The Daily Mail UK.

Sarah Jessica Parker in Giambattista Valli - Moscow

Sarah Jessica Parker  wore this Giambattista Valli dress/ cape combo  to the Moscow premier of her new movie I Don't Know How She Does It.

She took a  bit of heat from some  people who thought it too much or too out there.  Me,  I loved it. I would love to  to swan around in a beautiful swirling  cape  How fun and elegant and just a bit unusual. And thats part of what makes it so great. It is unusual.

Fashion people are often bemoaning that all stars seem to dress  the same anymore and there's no originality but when someone does go "different" like this ensemble and dare to be bold and not look like every red carpet dress out there, they get slammed for being  too  different . You can't have  both.  This strikes a nice happy medium between boring basic gown and swan dress a la Bjork.  It's not that unusual ( capes are THE thing for fall) and I think she owns it aside from a slightly ill fitting bodice and the wash tag still hanging .  She's not afraid to go high fashion and good for her. 

** But about that tag- this dress is from Valli's couture show. Anyone else think that couture didn't/wouldn't/shouldn't come with tags? Who washes couture?

Angelina Jolie Covers October Vanity Fair

When I saw this photo on an entertainment TV show last night,  I was wowed. Not because it was Angelina, but because it's simply a stunning photo in itself .Then there is the makeup. No idea  who did it but they did an incredible job. Yes it's Angelina, one of the most beautiful women, but it's still a great job either way. It's an arresting image , one of the better covers I've seen in a long time.

I haven't seen a hard copy of the issue yet but I will be looking in the credits page as soon as I do see one.

Carolee LUX Fall

Lets take a look at  Carolee LUX  Fall  . Most of Fall is on sale now , the Art Deco collection will be available late September. I got to see many of these in person at the preview last month and wanted most if it.  Carolee LUX is a separate line from Carolee and filled with well, luxe pieces.

The jewelry  fits right in with the return to elegant dressing  that's starting to return as well as the Mad Men look that even has it's own line at Banana Republic now.

You can never4r go wrong with beautiful jewelry and Carolee makes in top quality. Pieces are heavy and well made. I've had some for 20 years ( I began my  love affair with beautiful jewelry very young) and they still look amazing.

This chain necklace comes in silver and gold. I like the silver. It's a lot like an Hermes piece I adored from afar a few years ago and one that you will  get loads of wear from . It can be  tough or elegant, depending on what you wear it with.  White T  , White button down, it all works.

The lariat necklace , station bracelet and large pin are from the  Art Deco line. I have an older bracelet similar to this  as well as some vintage ones ,  and again they make lots of appearances. The pin-  on your  winter wool coat, it will look fabulous and  seriously dress up  your every day look .

18 " Link Necklace  $150.00
Art Deco Lariat Necklace $ 150.00
Art Deco Bar Pin  $ 85.00
Art Deco Pearl Station Bracelet $ 85.00

http://www.carolee.com/ for more and where to shop.

Jessica Alba in Lia Sophia

We've been seeing a lot of pcitures of Jessica Alba in Lia Sophia jewelry lately. What's nice is they are personal time pictures meaning she choose to wear the pieces  as opposed to them being picked for her for an awards show etc. Her husband, Cash Warren,  tweeted the one  picture from a friend's wedding reception just days before she gave birth to daughter Haven.

Lia Sophia is a brand I got a look at last September's fashion week and really liked, especially the big industrial looking pieces. You have to shop via a brand advisor much like Avon,  but they have it all online to view.

In the Twitpic she is wearing the   Cabana Necklace priced at  $82 and the Sculptured Bangle Bracelet at $ 98.00

In the other she wears the  Global Tassel Necklace with Black Diamond Crystals and Moss   Tortoise Resin in Matte Gold priced at $375. Way to dress up a dressed down look.

http://www.liasophia.com/

Missoni for Target Picks- Makeup Bags and Hat

Missoni for Target  is coming September 13th and with images finally out people are getting excited. There are styles across all categories, but I've picked 2 favorites- the makeup bags ( assorted sizes ) and the floppy hat.

The hat is Veruschka   from the 70s chic and will look great  alongside your trench coat on days when the wind is blowing and a good hair day isn't going to happen  Instead you'll have a chic hat and it won't matter.

The makeup bags come in many sizes and prints and lets face it we all love fun makeup bags. My tip,  think Christmas shopping . These won't be in stores that long so  pick some up now for great gifts later ( providing your giftee hasn't already bought them herself. note-save receipt).

Hat $24.99


Makeup Bags:

Weekender $29.99

Train Case $24.99

Medium Purse Kit $12.99

Cosmetics Pencil Case $7.99

Fashion Week Wish List- Givenchy Iris Print Skirt

Any fashion lover has the wish list . And each season we see more that we add to that list. We have just that season's wish list. Fall always gives me a big list . Add to that having the wonderful opportunity to attend fashion week and you get the fashion week wish list . In other words, what you would most want to wear there. That's a whole separate category.

 This Iris print skirt from Givenchy is my most wished for  to wear to fashion week next month.  I am skirt person vs. dresses and this just hits all the buttons.  Pair it with a simple black top  and off you go.

Fierce Feline Bangle at ShoeDazzle

I  adore anything in Panther jewelry. It's the Cartier thing. I 've got a nice collection going , no Cartier, but fabulous nonetheless.

So this new bangle from ShoeDazzle definitely caught my eye. Yes it's a shoe  website, but one that is branching out into jewelry and accessories with several pieces including this " Fierce Feline "  designed by Anya Sarre excusively for the site. Ms. Sarre is the Head Fashion Stylist for “Entertainment Tonight” and “The Insider   and is bringing some of her know how to ShoeDazzle.

Inspired by some of Ms. Sarre's personal collection ( I wonder if she has a panther collection too ?) the piece retails for $ 39.95 at http://www.shoedazzle.com/ beginning in September.