Happy 4th!

Today is not only the birthday of the country I live in but it’s also the birthday of my husband and best friend and uncle and various assortment of random other folk I know. So happy day to them and everyone else because like all other holidays in this fair country it’s an excuse to eat drink and buy stuff for a discount. So here are the best ones for this particular holiday

1. Bloomingdale’s:
The best department store for designer picks at surprisingly affordable prices, the sales at Bloomindale’s tend to be a must-browse. Exhibit A: Through the Fourth, get 25% to 65% off everything from summer sandals to swimwear. Vacation packing list? Done.

2. Dolce Vita:
The affordable and trendy footwear and apparel line just got a whole lot more affordable with 20% markdowns sitewide, including sale. Stock up on sandals, colorful wedges, and tee-tottering platforms for under a hundo through Friday.

3. Club Monaco:
Shop an extra day online through July 5 or skip the pool and head to a store on the Fourth for an extra 30% off sale items. Wicker totes, striped maxis, and button down blouses all make the cut.

4. Eugenia Kim:
Nearly where ever you are in the US this summer, the sun’s going to follow you. Luckily, there’s no more auspicious time for headgear of the wide-brim variety. Get yours for up to 50% off from one of America’s leading milliners.

5. Gap:
It wouldn’t be a Fourth of July sale round up without a nod to Gap. Get 40% offthrough tomorrow in honor of their Red, White, and Blue sale. America.

6. Nasty Gal:
One of the biggest online retailers for super trendy wares is offering an extra 30% offsale items through tomorrow. That’s a disgustingly good sale.

7. Of a Kind:
Celebrate independence by buying gorgeous goods from independent designers. And then take 25% off all editions through Sunday. Enter JULY4THEWIN. (Props, Of a Kind.)

8. Piperlime:
There’s been much to-do about Piperlime’s 60% off Lime-Tag Sale that’s been going strong for about a month. But now, take an extra 20% off by entering SALE at checkout. So much of the covetable merch falls below $50 we can’t name it all here. You’ll have to check it out for yourself.

9. Shopbop:
Few things get us as excited as the Shopbop sale section where you can find Joie maxis,J Brand shorts, and Diane von Furstenberg frocks for up to 70% off. Everything isn’t dirt cheap, but if you’re on the hunt for surprise deals, this sale is a good start.

10. Tory Burch:
Tory Burch seems to know what American women want and, to that end, makes plenty of tunics, sleek collared button downs, and dresses with clean lines and no-fuss prints. And then the brand goes and offers a sale. It breaks down like so: Spend $250 and get 20% off, spend $500 and get 25% off, and spend $750 and get 30% off. Enter SUMMERTIME through the Fourth at 11:59pm PST and you’re good to go.

via Racked

About these ads

Huge Net-A-Porter sale

Here are some things I want from the sale:

check out Racked for some of their finds from the sale under $200

Under $100

I know I just did a post recently of British Vogues picks under $100 but now US Vogue has their list as well and its only fair if I represent those as well right? Besides, you can never have enough options of reasonably priced finds. Their list includes 100 items, you’ll notice mine does not because, frankly, the editors and I just don’t always agree and I won’t post anything I won’t wear so here is my edited list.

LOFT fancy snake-print color-blocked shift dress, $80
For information: loft.com
(Available June 1)

Rachel Roy medium clutch, $69
rachelroy.com

Zara basic sandal, $50
zara.com

 

Mango halter blouse, $35
mango.com

Ann Taylor crop pants, $88
For information: anntaylor.com

Zara printed box, $50
zara.com

H&M tan glimmer heel, $35
For information: hm.com

 

H&M pink peplum top, $50
For information: hm.com

BCBGMAXAZRIA floral tiara heaband, $58

For information: bcbg.com

 

Accessorize flower applique envelope clutch, $48
accessorize.com

ASOS fabric envelope clutch with leather trim, $82
asos.com

Aldo Dant clutch, $40
aldoshoes.com

 

Joe Fresh tulip dress, $69
joefresh.com

Ana Karolina Fire Island earrings, $40
shopanakarolina.com

Mango leather peep-toe heel, $100
shop.mango.com

 

Ann Taylor boxy crewneck pullover, $68
For information: anntaylor.com

H&M polka-dot pencil skirt, $50
For information: hm.com

Simply Vera Vera Wang two-tone beaded flower necklace, $50
kohls.com

 

Kensie Mixed Stripes top, $78, and skirt, $78
Lord & Taylor, NYC, 212.391.3344

Melie Bianco Brooke convertible clutch, $52
meliebianco.com

Shiseido Urban Environment Oil-Free UV Protector SPF 42, $30
shiseido.com

 

Zara strappy sandal with buckles, $99
zara.com

Zara patent leather shopper, $50
zara.com

Zara mini shopper, $50
zara.com

 

Kamali Kulture sleeveless shirred-waist dress, $74
kamalikulture.com

Julie Collection Juliette hoop earrings, $35
juliecollection.com

Ann Taylor cuffs, starting at $58
For information: anntaylor.com

 

Levi’s Denim Shirtdress, $78
For information: levi.com

Mango crocheted triangle top, $40, and bottoms, $40
mango.com

Valdez handmade crocheted Panama hat, $70
openingceremony.us

 

GF by Geren Ford cold-shoulder dress with smocking, $68
qvc.com

Julie Collection Milano six-stone bangle, $65 each
juliecollection.com

DV by Dolce Vita Athena sandal, $69
For information: endless.com

 

Gap striped straw tote, $70
gap.com

Isabel Toledo for Payless Espawind sandal, $55
payless.com

 

MM Couture by Miss Me woven sleeve button-up dress, $78
missme.com

Marc by Marc Jacobs metal frame sunglasses, $89
marcjacobs.com

Farylrobin for Free People Laila sandals, $68
freepeople.com

 

Who doesn’t love a bargain?

There are infinite things I love about being back in NYC, but I realize after breakfast with my husband on Saturday at a local restaurant that I’m a bit of a cheap-ass. I don’t know when it happened I didn’t used to be this way but I guess the years living away from NY grounded my expectations of price. Now I’m having abit of sticker shock everytime we do anything. I felt like a little old lady ‘you want me to pay how much? For breakfast?? ’ . Needless to say, I’m a huge fan of a bargain. I found this spectacular list of bargains from Vogue UK (click on images for details):

Editors Picks for spring, for a steal

I was reading Bazaar and they had some editors picks for spring, some of which I thought were amazing, but of course way out of my budget until I’m settled down in nyc and know where my next paycheck is coming from. So I sought out some ‘steal’ versions, and some of them I like even more than the editors versions. Or maybe I am just telling myself that because I can afford them. Either way:

What the editor said:

Kristina O’Neill, Executive Editor

Great Find:

“A little Céline goes a long way to making a look instantly chic. This colorful pouch is the perfect way to add color to spring.”

Céline pouch, $520, celine.com for stores.

MY FINDS:

Audrey Brooks Clutch at DSW for $49.95

Clare Vivier Clutch at Shopbop $155

Editor Pick

What the Editor said:

Anamaria Wilson, Fashion News/Features Director

Long-Term Investment:

“I love the old world glamour/goddess appeal of this white Lanvin dress.”

Lanvin dress, $2,800, net-a-porter.com.

MY FINDS:

Odalyne Rhea dress at Revolve Clothing $201

Zara Dress $89

 Editor Pick

What the Editor says:

Anamaria Wilson, Fashion News/Features Director

New Seasonal Staple:

“Dying for an accordion pleat skirt. This Prada number is on my list. Plus I love that cool shade of blue.”

Prada leather plissé skirt, $3,380, prada.com for info.

MY FINDS:

BCBGMAXAZRIA Pleated Skirt at Amazon for $168

Kohl’s Pleated skirt $30

Editor Pick

What the editor says:

Joanna Hillman, Senior Market Editor

Long-Term Investment

“This skirt is a splurge, but the fit is flawless and nautical stripes never go out of style in my book!”

The Row pencil skirt, $950, net-a-porter.com

MY FINDS:

Tibi at Net-a-porter for $270

Striped skirt at YesStyle for $14

Editor Pick

What the editor says:

Joanna Hillman, Senior Market Editor

New Seasonal Staple:

“The peplum! It’s been spotted on so many runways and I’m always a sucker for leopard.”

Giambattista Valli top, $1,430, net-a-porter.com

MY FINDS:

Leather Peplum top at H&M $99

Editor Pick

What the editor says:

Joyann King, Senior Web Editor

Long-Term Investment

“Pink is the new black! This pale blush Valentino chain bag is ladylike and edgy and goes with everything.”

Valentino bag, $1,795, net-a-porter.com

MY FINDS:

Zara Bag with Metal Fastener $89

BCBG $88

Editor Pick

What the editor says:

Joyann King, Senior Web Editor

New Seasonal Staple:

“White pumps have seen a resurgence a couple of times in my life, and while they have been put on the shelf since the Carrie Bradshaw years, this feels like the season to dust them off.”

Casadei pump, $610, luisaviaroma.com

MY FINDS:

Reed Krakoff at OUTNET $290

Dolce Vita pumps at Bloomingdales $189

Editor Pick

What the editor says:

Kerry Pieri, Web Editor

Long-Term Investment

“Apparently I’m in a bit of a white-out, but when a mood strikes, I think it’s best to embrace it. This Givenchy bag makes my heart stop every time I look at it. Is it love? Just, maybe.”

Givenchy bag, $2,085, ssense.com.

MY FINDS:

DKNY $295

MANGO $64.99

Editor Pick

What the editor says:

Anamaria Wilson, Fashion News/Features Director

Great Find:

“I’ve been on the hunt for the Isabel Marant sneaks with the hidden wedge heel, but alas, they are sold out in my size. These kicky Ash versions are a fun alternative.”

Ash wedge sneaker, $225, saksfifthavenue.com.

MY FINDS:

H&M sneakers $34.99

Happy shoppin!

Christian Siriano for Payless and Mary Katrantzou for Topshop

I’m a little confused by all the designer/chain store collaborations, but for now I’m enjoying it. Here are two that I think are pretty stellar:

Christian Siriano for Payless (particularly adoring the T-Straps) in stores September 2012:

 

And Mary Katrantzou for Topshop, thinking the bubble skirt looked better on her other designs, this one isn’t doing it for me but the dress in the third image is brilleous (brilliant and gorgeous of course):

Available now at Topshop

The Perfect LBS

That’s Little Black Shoes of course.  I’ve realized recently that I have a variety of shoes, none of which are a pair of classic black shoes. Given that I’ll probably be entering the ‘interview for jobs’ circuit soon I could probably use a trusty pair of black steeds. And the bonus about the perfect pair of LBS is that you can wear them for just about anything. Here are some of the ones I’m considering:

Giuseppe Zanotti $424 at FarFetch

 

Steve Madden $69.95 at Zappos

 

Marc by Marc Jacobs $199.95 at DSW

 

Prada $650 at Nordstrom

 

Aldo $21.99 at 6pm

 

Nine West $76.99 at 6pm

 

Prada Platform in Patent $576 at Bluefly

 

Steve Madden $89.95 at Steve Madden

 

Christian Loubotin $896 at BlueFly

 

Nine West $89 at Zappos

 

Mui Mui $645 at Saks

 

Aldo $41.99 at 6pm

Garden Variety

For Spring there is a ubiquitous new wave of floral patterns and I thought it appropriate to gather some of my picks for this romantic trend

Minutiae Dress $128 at Anthro

Rebecca Taylor at Shopbop

Floral shirt at J.Crew $88

Citizens of Humanity $185

Asos Floral Sweater $53.72

Sparkle and Fade at UO $79

Floral Flats at Modcloth $29.99

Dooney and Burke $148

 

Going on the Cheap

Well I realized after my post yesterday that if I actually bought all those things I’d be a very poor, albeit well-dressed, homeless person. So I decided to do a collection of fun spring looks for under $100.  Found most on LuckyMag.com

Colorful addition to accessorize any outfit.

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah

It’s Christmas eve eve and I’m feeling unually un-festive. I really enjoy the holidays, and trust me I’m still enjoying not being at work, but my husband has just had shoulder surgery so he’s not feeling very jing jing jingly and it’s hard to be in the spirit all by my self. I think probably the best way to get in the mood is to watch Scrooged, drink prosecco and then drunkenly donate all my money to various charities… oh wait that’s what I did last year! Maybe I’ll try again and not donate all of my money.  I hope all of you out there are having a fun and snowy holiday! Here are some fun things for today:

I found these pieces to be very innovative,  artist Jenny Odell uses images from Google earth to create these:

 

And this one, called The Olly and Dolly Sisters, by Laszlo Moholy-Nagy in 1925.  Moholy-Nagy was an instructor at the Bauhaus. He helped end the schools expressionist leanings and moved it closer towards its original aims as a school of design and industrial integration. The Bauhaus became known for the versatility of its artists, and Moholy-Nagy was no exception. Throughout his career, he became proficient and innovative in the fields of photography, typography, sculpture, painting, printmaking, and industrial design. One of his main focuses was photography.

 

OH! and don’t forget to check out the sale today at Zara! Before all the good stuff is gone!

and Bloomingdales and SaksFifthAvenue and just about every other retailer! Happy Holidays ya’ll!