June 14th, 2009 by crystal
I’ve been meaning to post this for awhile. Though this blog is about being fashionable no matter where you live, I had to post about Anthropologie’s June catalog because it was shot HERE, in Austin! So fun to browse through the catalog and see places I’ve been and frequent often.
For a really great post about each of the pictures, check out Design Crisis’
two-part series.
June 12th, 2009 by crystal
Yoox: Free Shipping on All Orders on YOOX.COM today!
Piperlime: Save up to 50% at the Lime Tag Sale.
White House Black Market: $20 off Your Merchandise Purchase of $80 or more at White House Black Market. Enter Code 8867 at Checkout. Offer Valid 06.22.09 to 07.05.09. Valid Online Only.
Lucky Brand Jeans: $10 off Mens tops at Lucky Brand. Offer good through 6.21
JCrew: Get an extra 20% off the Summer Sale. Plus, get Free Shipping when you spend $150. Use code EXTRA20 at checkout.
Victoria’s Secret: Take an extra 40% off Victoria’s Secret’s top bras. Use offer code BRAFAVES. Also, get Free Shipping on orders over $50 with code VS50SHP.
New York and Company: All New York and Company Tees, Tanks, and Shorts are 2 for $20 – Shop Now!
Pink Mascara Pink Mascara: FREE SHIPPING with $150 purchase. Coupon code=AFFSHIPPM
Charlotte Russe: Save 15% site-wide at Charlotte Russe. Use code AFF15PCT at checkout. Promotion valid 5/26/09 – 6/13/09.
dELiA*s: Free Shipping on dELiA*s orders of $25 or more! Hurry, ends 6.11.09. Use code DXFAFF.
Alloy: Free Shipping on Alloy.com orders of $25 or more. Use code AKFAFF. Hurry, offer ends 6.11.09.
Check back next week. I’m working on some great articles! Have a wonderful weekend!
June 10th, 2009 by crystal
Two of my favorites, OPI and Paige Denim, have collaborated to create a line of 6 matching nail polishes and colored jeans. Called ‘Bright Pair’, this collaboration is super fun and chic! The jeans are available in shorts (meh) and ankle length skinny jeans (wow). Match the polishes with the jeans or mix and match like the models in the picture!
These jeans are so amazingly cute for Summer, I wish I had all 6 pairs. Instead of dropping a ton of dough though, I tried the polishes instead. First, I tried the light orange called ‘In My Back Pocket’. Usually a pink or nude girl, I loved being a little daring with this neon shade. And, I received tons of compliments. It’s a striking color that definitely draws attention to your digits. Next, I’m going for the purple, ‘A Grape Fit!’. I tried it on one of my nails when I was at the salon the other day and decided I definitely need to go for it! ‘No Room For The Blues’ might be a good option for Fourth of July pedis. Or, if you’re not feeling the bright crayon colors, go with the more neutral taupe, ‘Over the Taupe’. Gotta love new shades for Summer!
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June 9th, 2009 by crystal
Purses this Spring and Summer are pretty in line with what’s always popular this time of year. If you’re going for something less classic and more trendy, look for these details in an
everyday bag. These are styles that will most likely be popular again next Summer, so it would be worth it to purchase a mid-quality, mid-priced handbag like one from Maxx New York or Marc by Marc Jacobs.
Colors for Spring Purses
White
White is
the color of the season. It’s a clean, sophisticated choice for the hottest months of the year. Bulky bags are the bags of choice so opt for a hobo or satchel.
Yellow
Yellow is the super fun option this season! To brighten your day and everyone else’s, go for a bright yellow bag in any style.
Pink
For a more feminine, chic option, go for a pink bag. And, not just any pink. Think Barbie pink! Pink clutches are perfect to rock this style. Or, a pink chain purse is also good choice.
Natural Brown Leather
If you’re digging the more classic options, go for a purse in natural brown leather. This color is quite trendy in belts, shoes and handbags this season.
Designs for Spring Purses
Clutch
A clutch is a must have in any season, but especially in the Summer when you don’t want to carry too much bulk around in the heat. A clutch can easily be thrown in a larger handbag or a beach or pool bag.
Chain Bags
It makes sense that the classic chain bag is experiencing a resurgence of popularity in this bleak economic period. Choose a classic style in a neutral color for lasting power. Or, find a pink or yellow bag for a trendier option.
Hobo
Hobos are perfect everyday bags. Find one large enough to store your clutch. This style is not so trendy that it won’t be in style next season. If you want a more lasting option, choose a white or brown hobo rather than yellow or pink.
Not So Trendy
Long Shoulder Straps: Instead of long shoulder straps, go for purses that have short straps that allow the purse to hang just below your armpit. Or, forget shoulder straps altogether and find a bag that just has handles.
Fall Colors: Avoid Fall colors such as deep jewel tones, burnt oranges and coppers. Spring and Summer call for lighter colors. Black is okay just because it’s so iconic, but should really be left for nights out on the town.
Metallics: Metallics are still popular in Summer sandals, but are not so trendy in handbags this season. If you must go for a metallic handbag, choose a light gold.
For more handbag inspiration, check out my ‘How to Be a Handbag Maven’ post.
What do you think? What is the must have bag for Summer?
June 8th, 2009 by crystal
Lanvin is by far my favorite design house of the moment. This
dress and this
outfit from the Spring 2009 collection were the ones that really did it for me. Since then, I’ve been a serious devotee, reading
Wikipedia entries and poring over the Alber Elbaz piece in
Interview.
Lanvin is the oldest fashion house still in operation. I love the story of its founding; Jeanne Lanvin’s designs for her daughter were sought out by wealthy Parisians. She began making clothes for other people’s children and then started designing dresses for the mothers, too. The main logo Lanvin uses today is an image of a mother and child from the
Arpege perfume Lanvin created in honor of her daughter.
Now owned by L’Oreal, the house has experienced a revitalization under designer Alber Elbaz. Elbaz is fascinating. He’s not at all what you would expect from a huge fashion designer. And, from the interviews I’ve read, he seems uncomfortable with his post. Ariel Levy from the Observer wrote
“Elbaz believes that his creations are a kind of positive to his negative. If he is melancholy and heavy, his clothes are joyful and weightless. It is his job, as he’s configured it, to make women feel special, something he does not quite feel entitled to himself.” In that
article, Elbaz explains that he feels fashion designers are like concierges at fancy hotels. They don’t live the same lifestyles as the patrons. At the end of the day, they go back to reality. Perhaps it is this attitude that keeps Elbaz so centered. In the foreword to a Lanvin coffee table book, he says,
“The highest compliment a woman can receive is ‘My God, she looks smart!’ not ‘She’s sexy.’” This is so counter to what we hear from most designers.
For the Fall 2009 collection, Elbaz focused on classic styles. Considering Lanvin pieces are quite expensive, this collection shows that buying a Lanvin piece is not a one-season purchase–it’s an investment in a garment that will be fashionable for as long as you’d like to wear it. To make his collection stand out, he concentrated on
‘classic clothes cut on the bias’ to achieve the appearance of ‘clothes that are hugging you’. Don’t you love that?
The collection was meant to represent ‘real’ clothes for ‘real’ women. Even the concrete runway was sprayed with water to make it look like a sidewalk (poor models). Too bad Lanvin’s clothes are so ridiculously pricey. This real woman will just have to be inspired by images of the clothes.
Themes from the Lanvin Fall 2009 Collection
Feathers
Pleating
Ruching
Large, gathered bows
Black
Nude
Fur
Cinched Natural Waist
Vintage Details
Velvet
Lace/Netting
What do you think? Do you love Lanvin? Or, is it just another overpriced fashion house?
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