Bloomingdales Friends and Family Event

Bloomingdales is running their Friends and Family event for 20% off in stores and online from now until October 3rd with code FALLFRIENDS11. They also have a sales section for 20-30% off that's eligible for an additional 20% off with code.  I love it when promos stack.  Plus, it all comes with with free shipping.

I am comtemplating getting these platforms for work. I love peep-toes for showing off a hint of polish and I love Cole Haan pumps with Nike technology. The reviews are all 5 out of 5. The only thing left to choose is the color... black or tan?

Cole Haan "Mariela Air" Peeptoe Platform Pumps 

orig. $328 with discount $263

I Think I'll Have the Crepe Dress

It's after Labor Day! Pout: we're now at the official close of summer.  More importantly: it's our last chance to whip out our dresses before the chill sets in.

Gone are the sleeveless, spaghetti strapped dresses -- time for transitional pieces that can go summer-day-to chilly-fall-night. Something that's great for in the office and over a glass of red on a nippy evening? I'm a fan of crepe dress.

Crepe dresses are hopelessly classic and carry a hint of fashion. They strike the perfect chord. And, in jewel-tones?  Even better. Red for lipstick-inked champagne glass night-out with Clark Gables. Sapphire blue for the modern day woman. Army green with a leather jacket and ankle boots? For a round of tapas with your favorite girls of course!


Selma Blair and Gwyneth Paltrow were both seen at the Venice Film Festival sporting crepe dresses and I just can't get enough!  The easy and versatile summer-to-fall silhouette in orange-and-green-oh my! helps end the summer on a high note. I especially love the sleeves and  fresh orange hue on Gwyneth.

Gwyneth Paltrow arriving in Prada

Missoni For Target

The Missoni for Target collection is almost here!

There's been a lot of buzz around the new Missoni collection for Target. The Missoni brand is famous for its beautifully colored and patterned knitwear. Not only are their designs immediately recognizable, but I've always enjoyed their naturalist look. I haven't been a devoted fan of the Missoni pattern (mostly because I can't pull it off), but don't you just love a good steal on designer brand?

 Below are a few of their looks from the look book:

For those looking for a piece of the Missoni pattern for cheap: Target will be launch the collection on September 22nd. What do you guys think? Are you looking forward to picking up a piece of Missoni's fabulous knitwear at Target?

Tory Burch Private Sale

Tory Burch's Private Sale started today and will run for the next four days, March 24 - 28th.

You can clickthrough to the sale, but then you must enter your email to be on the "list."  If you're looking for Tory flats, you're out of luck - there's only one pair in camo.

Spring is here!  So, of course I had to take a peek at their dresses.

Here are a few of my faves:

Ceres Dress

 A boldly embellished neckline transforms the simple LBD into a festive modern classic. 

$450.00

$180.00

Dora Dress

Our colorful abstract print gives the sweet Dora Dress an artsy edge. 

$350.00

$140.00

Petula Dress

Rich, multi colored tweed brings vibrant dimension to the Petula Dress's classic sheath silhouette.

$425.00

$170.00

Shopbop Launches Wedding Collection (yawn)

Shopbop's wedding collection is officially available to the public today and... well, yawn.

The collection consisted of loosely draped shapeless dresses with a more casual appeal.  I love weddings, and I especially love laid-back, cozy and intimate weddings where everyone feels like family. But, when I judge a wedding collection, my main metrics are "design range", "drama/flair" and "one-of-a-kind"; this collection scored a 5/10 across all measures.

Here were some of the more "interesting" ones:

 

 Simple spaghetti strapped dress with flowing skirt and a slight train.

Catherine Deane

Justine Long Dress

$1,310.00  

A vintage-inspired lace and nude sash tiered dress.

BCBGMAXAZRIA

Carly Layered Lace Gown

$548.00  

A Grecian inspired nude sweetheart dress with side train.

BCBGMAXAZRIA 

Carly Layered Lace Gown 

$548.00   

A one-of-a-kind, but semi-glorified petticoat nightgown.

 Temperley London 

Long Jadeene Dress 

$1,650.00

On the other hand, their short "wedding" dresses seemed a bit more inspired:

  

Thread

One Shoulder Dress

$495.00

  

Lela Rose

Brocade V Neck Dress with Belt

$1,595.00 

What do you think?

The wedding collection is ...

Culture Chanel at MOCA Shanghai

The Museum of Contemporary Art in Shanghai is currently showing a "Culture Chanel" exhibition from now until March 14th, 2011.  The collection holds over four-hundred pieces including Chanel designs, artwork, manuscripts and films.

This exhibition is organized by the Museum of Contemporary Art, Shanghai with the support of the House of CHANEL and is curated by Jean-Louis Froment, a well-known figure in the contemporary art and design worlds.

"CULTURE CHANEL" highlights the historical and creative dimensions of the House of CHANEL.

The exhibition interprets Mademoiselle Chanel's universe through her designs, her iconic pieces and her literary and artistic inspirations. Throughout her life Mademoiselle Chanel was close to the greatest artists of her time, including poets Jean Cocteau and Pierre Reverdy, painters Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali and composer
Igor Stravinsky.

The creative heritage of the House of CHANEL is perpetuated, from Mademoiselle Chanel to Karl Lagerfeld, in the form of a dialogue established between authors and between artists.

The Museum of Contemporary Art, 231 Nanjing Road (West), Huangpu, Shanghai, China

 The coolest part is that the exhibition is sorted by themes (Imagery, Liberty, Abstraction, Invisibility and Origin) instead of in chronological order; and for those of us unable to make it to Shanghai, you can explore the virtual layout on the MoCA site here.

Louis Vuitton Jewelry Lookbook

Louis Vuitton took the road less traveled and chose to photograph sixteen up-and-coming starlets for their 2011 jewelry lookbook. The list includes Nathalie Love (American actress), Charlotte Lebon (French presenter), and Rinko Kikuchi (Japanese actress), and more faces to watch for. 

Personally, this campaign falls a little flat for me since I don't know any of these personalities. They very well could have been professional models. But, it's interesting to see LV develop a more niched/cult-following type of branding. I wouldn't go as far as saying they're innovative, but it feels like they're trying to move away from being the "mass-market" brand they currently are. What do you think of this campaign?

Romantic Selena

Selena Gomez wore a romantic blush Paule Ka dress with Giuseppe Zanotti heels to the People's Choice Award this week. Her blush and nude ensemble showed off a gorgeous tan fresh from her getaway with her sweetheart, Justin Bieber.  She looked absolutely stunning, but most of all, I want her shoes with the white platforms!

Everyday options for Nude Peep-Toes:

AMA Best Dressed

The AMA was this weekend and we were excited to see the fashion range the music scene would bring.  Music awards tend to have a more casual air and musicians, in contrast to actors, tend to get more personal and daring with their gown choices.

The AMA this year was all about texture: lace, glitter, chiffon, feathers and a gilded ribcage (Nicki Minaj).  My two favorites were Fergie's royal blue mini and Miley Cyrus' Marchesa gown!

Fergie in her structured royal blue mini. 
I love the strong shoulder cuffs, the sequined bodice and the gorgeous feathered edges.  She looks stunning in this hue and the best part of this dress is that it works on most body types, whether you're curvy or petite (add pumps!).

Miley's Marchesa gown also took my breath away. 
Miley always manages something iridescently feminine on the red carpet - an impressive contrast from her everyday tomboy style. This mini is no different. The body conscious wrapped mini is an angelic white with light pink florals. And, wow, the back has a kimono styled bow with a dramatic train. Her sparkly Louboutins are perfection!

Who was best dressed?

BCBG Pleated-Organza Bustier Dress

Very few companies still have holiday parties in this economy. My company isn't having a party this year, but our team is heading to Vegas for a grand conference with a Gala at the end to boot!  So I started looking for a dress for the Gala today and I came across this stunner. The pleated petal bodice, understated jeweled belt and layers of organza florals make this a shoo-in for any girlie girl.

Unfortunately, even with BCBG's Friends & Family 30% off, it's still a bit out of my reach.

Create beautifully feminine style with this flourishing dress that combines timeless design with textured finishes. Wear it with a satin heel and decorative cocktail rings to complete the gorgeous look.

• Strapless. Sweetheart neckline. Pleated silk organza at bodice. Tiers of pleated organza all over skirt.
• Pleated organza forms floral-shaped embellishments at skirt. Boning at bodice. Elastic belt with hook-and-bar closure at waist. Center back zipper with hook-and-eye closure. Removable bra straps included.

How about you?  Do you have a holiday party coming up and what will you be wearing?

FCUK Fall Catalog

Now that the holidays are upon us (well, for retailers they've been "upon us" since July), my mailbox is filling up with at least ten of everyone's holiday best, a.k.a catalog, each week.  Yesterday, one caught my eye:  FCUK's mens campaign. They took a huge risk: a no-frills campaign that appeals to the most primitive of men. I was particularly entertained by their sense of humor and eclectic choice of model for the men's campaign, so I thought I'd share them here.

Below is the catalog cover, with captions reading,
"THIS IS THE MAN."

* double take *
Yes, he is holding up double octopuses.

Inside the fold was this spread with captions reading,
"JACKET. WAXED. LIKE THE MUSTACHE."

Ah, a 'stacheWatson himself would be proud of.

"NATURE SHOULD HAVE MADE MORE OF THE EFFORT THIS MORNING."

Finally, I leave you with, 

"I WEAR BASTARD SON OF JUMPER AND SHIRT."

For more of FCUK's men's campaign, check it out here.

Coach Sale Event

Coach is gearing up for a 25% off order sale beginning this Friday, November 5th to November 14th.

I'm really excited because I've been meaning to pick up a pair of boots from Coach!

Will you be shopping this weekend?

Blake: Fashion's New IT Girl

In addition to all the to-die-for outfits Blake Lively sports on the show Gossip Girl, she is completely raising the bar for her in-person appearances. Here's Blake's spin on a traditional white top / black bottoms outfit: high-waisted satin tapered trousers (impossible to pull off -or keep ironed- without mile-long legs), mod looking summer sandals and a structured top that... well, even the gentlemen would appreciate.

Credit: Albert L. Ortega/PictureGroup

image / people.com

 

What do you think of Blake's look?