Saturday, January 31, 2009



The beloved online store Revolve.com has just launched
a webzine. Every week they will give you the inside
scoop of the latest trends, lookbook ideas, interviews
with their featured designers and fashionable insight
from their own Revolve stylists. It is a total mix of
fashion, entertainment and even a little education.
What's not to love?

Check out Revolve's new magazine today!

Friday, January 30, 2009

Tote-ally Cute


Click photo to enlarge

Riddle: What is made of mostly cotton, natural dyes and
the trim comes in three luscious colors?

The Answer: The Sak's Pax Eco Tote Bag

This bag is a must for the spring. And I love everything
about it: from the graffiti design by Parisian artist Gilles
Jourdan to the roomy space and two side pockets. The bag's
interior is made of 100% recycled cotton, while the
outside is a mix of cotton/jute. You can choose your bag
by its colored trim: black, cayenne, or navy(see above).

Buy the Pax Eco Tote bag at The Sak for $99.00

Tuesday, January 27, 2009


Click photo to enlarge

Just in time for summer(okay, I mean spring), Essie has six
hot new nail colors that will take you back the long lost
days of your childhood summers. Vivid shades that will take
you back to family vacations, beach trips and even slumber
parties you had with your friends. Bright shades similar to
the polishes you and your friends would try sitting on the
lawn on lazy summer afternoons. No doubt wearing these colors
will bring new and unforgettable summer memories.


1-One Of A Kind: A coral-y shade that will make
you want head to the beach in new flip-flops.


2-Mesmerize: This actually takes me back to the
pretty crystal blue summer skies of Colorado where I spent
most of my childhood.


3-Flawless: A girly-girl shade. I love pink.
Always have and I always will. Perfect for french
manicures.


4-Status Symbol: A more vibrant pink with reddish
tones. If you wear Flawless on your hands, wear Status
Symbol on your feet.


5-Lacquered Up: Bright, juicy red. Perfect for a
little drama, escpecially at night.


6-Eternal Optimist: The most neutral of shades,
its kind of a soft sandy color.



Essie's nail polish line can be found at The Beauty Sak for $8.00 and Debenham's for £8.95

Sunday, January 25, 2009

One of my favorite looks for spring is the sailor
inspired nautical look. I cannot get enough of
navy, white and stripes, the look is so smart
and so crisp.

Nanette Lepore has some terrfic new spring looks,
including my favorite nautical style. She takes
simple shapes and glamourous colors and turns
them into masterpieces. She makes clothes very
wearable and timeless as opposed to overly
trendy.

Nautical Looks

Click photo to enlarge

Lucky Me Top $225
Plymouth Pants $295
Woodshole Jacket $495
Treasure Dress $425
Ferry Boat Coat $550



Other Great Designs by Nanette Lepore

Click photo to enlarge

Swept Away Dress $395
Dynasty Dress $285
Black Jack Trousers $136.90


Buy Nanette Lepore clothes at Nordstrom

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Purely Simple

Your face is exposed to lots of free radicals on a daily
basis. The air, weather, pollution, and smoke will take
its toll on your skin if you let it. Sure you may wash
your face everyday, but it often only cleans on the
surface. And you may exfoilate twice a week, but you
still need a facial mask to give your skin a true deep
clean.

This works.


Click image to enlarge photo

No. 7 Purifying Sauna Mask works for many skin types,
but its best for those with combination and oily skin. Its a
thermal heat mask that heats up on contact so it opens up your
pores and really cleanse your face. You'll feel the difference.


Buy No. 7 Purifying Sauna Mask at Boots for £9.54

It is practically in the middle of winter, and we're in
desperate need of something to cure our winter blues.
Christmas and New Year's are over with. The stores are
selling out quick of their winter merchandise, and have
yet to fully stock their spring fashions. The weather is
cold.

So what would really perk us up?

Fun and whimsical bracelets!

They are as fun as they are fashionable. They are as casual
as they are glam. I love them! Escpecially Juicy Couture
jewelry! Check out Bloomingdale's for a terrific selection!


To enlarge the photo click image

Buy Juicy Couture Beaded Charm Stretch Bracelets at Bloomingdale's for $68

Buy Dark Silver Coloured Bracelet(EB by Erickson Beamon) at Debenham's for £18

Buy Swarovski Pink Heart Crystal Bracelet at House Of Fraser for £100

Buy Juicy Couture Bangles at Bloomingdale's for $52

Friday, January 23, 2009


Okay, so we are definitely not socialites or celebrities
who practically go out to parties on a daily basis. We don’t
have hair stylists, make up artists and fashion consultants
making sure that we look all out gorgeous everywhere we go,
including the most mundane events such as…ahem…..taking out
the trash. We don’t have money nor the time to splurge on
blowouts or manicures on a weekly basis. What we do have are
ideas to make you look and feel like an A-List Star. Use these
ideas anytime, anywhere, and even for just mundane events like
taking out the trash. Enjoy!


1-Just Glow: Mix a little bronzer with your moisturizer and
rub into your skin for a natural glow. Works for both face and
body.

Try Nivea Body Pure Moisture Daily Lotion, L’Oreal Sublime Bronze

2-Define Your Cheekbones: Start with a dark shade of blush below
your cheekbones and blend upward. Then use a lighter shade of blush
on the apples of your cheeks.

Try Dainty Doll by Nicola Roberts* or Cover Girl Instant Cheekbones

3-Let Your Eyes Do The Talking: Start with a shade of brown
eyeshadow,then use eyeliner to draw from your inner eyelid corner to
your outer eyelid, then draw just a little past that in a more upward
stroke for the cat eye effect. Add bold false lashes if you dare!

Try Bourjois Suivez Mon Regard Eyeshadow in Ambre 07 and Liner
Clubbing in Absolute Black


4-Bring Out Your Eye Color: If you have blue eyes, use a soft
blue eye shadow and black eyeliner. If you have brown eyes, use dark
browns and lavenders. If you have green eyes, then try soft colors
such as sand, or a green shade.

Try Almay Intense-I Color Eyeshadow Trio


5-Pluck Your Eyebrows: Or have a professional do it.

Try Tweezerman Tweezers


6-Try Pastel Colors: Try a baby pink blush or lipstick. Or
maybe a light blue eye shadow. Stick with one color at a time
though.

Try E.L.F's Luscious Liquid Lipstick in Bark


7-Get A Cherry Red Pout: Simply trace just the edge of your
lips with a bright red lip liner, then color it in with vivid red
lip color in the same shade. Viola! Juicy red lips.

Try L'Oreal Colour Riche Lipstick in British Red

8-Make A New Blush: Take an older powder blush and mix it
with Vaseline and blend it in for a softer effect of a cream blush.

Try Rimmel London Cheeky Blush Duo or Maybelline Expert Wear
Blush Duo


9-Nourish Your Hair: Buy a premium hair masque and condition
your hair once a week.

Try Pantene Pro-V Smooth and Sleek Masque

10-Try A Side Part: Comb a side part. So easy, even the
celebrities are doing it!

You can buy the beauty goodies mentioned here at
Drugstore.com
Superdrug

*This is the only product available at ASOS



Read previous Economically Stylish posts
Clothes Swap Party
Makeover Your Closet
Cheap Fashion
Cheap Beauty Loot

Thursday, January 22, 2009


Its a little embarrassing, but my teeth are not as white
as they could be. Other than the very uncomfortable trays
that whiten your teeth, what other options do I have?


Discolored teeth is a very common problem today. Now
according to the Consumer Guide to Denistry, teeth whitening
is the most common procedure in cosmetic dentistry. The good
news is: there are plentiful options abound for those
looking to whiten or bleach your teeth. The bad news is
that there is no cure all, meaning its something you're
going to have to keep maintaining.

Remember that if you want fast, professional teeth whitening,
then you should visit your dentist. Cosmetic whitening options
include Zoom Teeth Whitening and Brite Smile. Both Zoom and
Brite Smile work by bleaching your teeth with a bleach gel,
and then using a light to activate the process of whitening.

To find out more information, inlcuding the prices, you'll
find the links below.


Your Denistry Guide
Zoom Teeth Whitening
Brite Smile



For more affordable but still nonetheless worthy results, go
to your local drugstore for bleach-at-home products like
Rembrandt 2-Hour Whitening Kit or Crest Whitening Strips.
Personally I like Crest Whitening Strips as they're easy
to use, plus they don't leave your teeth feeling so
sensitive.

Click below to find out more, plus coupons for both kits.


Rembrandt Whitening
Crest Whitening Strips

No matter what method you choose, please remember that you
will need to keep up the whitening process. It is a good
idea to replace your toothpaste with a whitening toothpaste
to maintain your bright smile in between appointments. Try
GoSmile toothpaste.


GoSmile Toothpastes and other GoSmile Whitening Products are
available at Sephora and StrawberryNET.

Send all your style or beauty questions to shopinchic83@yahoo.com

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Lipstick.....check
Eye Shadow....check
Blush....check

E.L.F's All Over Color Stick is all of that. Just think
about all the space you'll save in your makeup bag...

It may only come in four colors(see below), but the colors are
vividly neutral(is that an oxymoron?) enough to wear all over
your face. The color sticks leave you with a shiny color and
a moist, dewy complexion. My favorites are Pink Lemonade
and Lilac Petal which are shades that look best with my
skintone. But if I want bronzer, I go with Toasted.



Just use your fingers to blend in softly, be careful as to use
just a little because you can go overboard. Here are a few ideas
I like. All of the products are from E.L.F.

Day Look
Start with Sheilding Hydro-tint SPF and rub gently into
your skin for moisture and sun protection. Then use All Over
Color Stick in Lilac Petal
and gently smooth it over your eye
lids with your fingers. After that, go ahead and line your eyes
with Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner* or Waterproof Eyeliner
Pen
in Coffee. Then use All Over Color Stick in Persimmon
for your cheekbones. Then finish of with Hypershine Lipgloss in
Vixen
for a perfect pout.


Night Look
Start with Tone Correcting Concealer. Gently blend into
the spots you want covered, there is not need for a lot of makeup
on your face(escpecially if you go to a restaurant or club which
may have bad lighting). For your eyes, use All Over Color Stick
in Persimmon
and gently blend it on your eye lids and onto
your crease, line your eyes with Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner*
or Waterproof Eyeliner Pen in Black. Use Natural Radiance
Blush in Bronzed
, and finish withAll Over Color Stick in Pink
Lemondade


Buy E.L.F cosmetics at E.L.F for $1.00 each.
Buy E.L.F cosmetics at E.L.F for £1.50 each.

*Available only on the UK website.

Monday, January 19, 2009

United States Sweepstakes
Piperlime's Win A Day In Rachel Zoe's Shoes Sweepstakes
Win a trip to Los Angeles, meet Hollywood Stylist Rachel Zoe, spend
$2,000 at Zoe's favorite shops, and $500 on Piperlime shoes.

Sephora and Ole Henrikson's Right To Be Pampered Sweepstakes
Win a Los Angeles spa trip or your choice of Ole Henrikson beauty booty!

Allure Magazine Reader's Choice Sweepstakes
Win a spa vacation, Sephora gift card, and other prizes from
Nordstrom, Prevage by Elizabeth Arden, Neutrogena and even LG.

Beauty By Mark Sweepstakes
Win Mark cosmetics and accessories

Elf Cosmetics Privilege Sweepstakes
Win a New York City trip and makeover from Elf cosmetics and
the Privilege book series.

United Kingdom Sweepstakes/Competition

You And Your Wedding Charles Worthington Salon Bridal Package Competition
Win £600 worth of hair, makeup, and nail treatments for you
and your bridesmaids.

Sheer Luxe It Bag Shopping Spree Competition
Win a Mulberry bag and a £1k shopping spree!

Madmums La Fee Noire Goody Bag Competition
Win a stylish Maternity Goody Bag or New Mum Goody Bag

Sunday, January 18, 2009




What
Do you have a closet full of perfectly good clothes and
accessories that you just never wear? Do you have friends,
sisters, and cousins with the same problem? Then host a
Clothes Swap Party! It is a simple way to trade the things
you never wear for wonderful garments you will love.
Everybody participates and everybody wins!

Plan
Once you got a nice pile of clothes, shoes, bags and
accessories that you just don’t want anymore-yet you
cannot just throw them away, its time to make the
invitations and craft the details.

Invites
You could go to a store like Party City and buy some
already made invitations. Better yet, you can be creative
and pick up a good software to create and print custom
invitations at home.

Buy Hallmark Studio 2009 to help you make custom invitations, e-cards, and party planning.

Make a list of who you want to invite and make sure it
says clearly on the invite that you would like for everyone
to bring in at least 5 garments/accessories in perfectly
good condition. Now it doesn’t have to be five, just make
a number and stick with it.

Décor
Buy a clothes rack, hangers and some good stackable tables
to show of the wears, just go to Target. You can get creative here, just think like a boutique.

And why not stock up on large(and small) bright colorful gift bags
for your guests to take home their new found fashions?


Food/Drink
For snacks, crudités will be a good option, just be careful
about what you use for a dipping sauce. You don’t want people
to accumulate stains on the clothes. You can also use precut
fruits, cookies, candy and even little crackers . Another option
is to serve food after everyone makes their trades. As for
beverages, you could set up a water bar with a mix of bottled
waters, plastic cups, and fresh lemon slices or cherries.

Clothes Swap There are several ways to go about the
trading of your clothes and accessories. The first way is the
Boutique Party, just simply take the garments the guests are
willing to swap and arrange them on hangers or fold the pieces
like they do in retail establishments. Just beautifully arrange
everything like you would a boutique. The guests will “shop” for
clothes they like. Auction Style is another idea. This works best
when you and guests have a lot of items to trade. Each guest gets
a turn to select an item(or items) and she tries to “sell” the item
to other guests. Each guest has a pen and pad and writes down an
item(s) that they would like to trade. The guest offering the current
trade will then decide which guest has the best item to trade with.
Everybody goes home with something they’ll love.

This is the most fun and economical way to get “new” clothes, shoes,
bags, and jewelry.

Read previous Economically Stylish posts.
Closet Makeovers
Cheap Fashion
Cheap Beauty Booty

And more coming!

Saturday, January 17, 2009



In my series Economically Stylish, I will show you how
and where to save. Today's post is Beauty Bargains. Here
are three terrific beauty bargain superstore sites(two are actually
drug stores), where you can find tremendous deals. I will also
share what I found that I think is great and affordable. Indulge!

See below for more Economically Stylish posts.


Well.ca
Well.ca is a drugstore in Canada that also ships to the United
States. Great deals are to be found for everyone, and if you
live in Canada, you get free shipping with no minimum purchase.
What I love is their selection of beauty products and cosmetics.
They also sell a pretty terrific selection of natural beauty
products and even accessories. Check out that way cute tote
bag above, and shopping information below!

Buy these at Well.ca
Sunsilk Blonde Bombshell Shampoo & Conditioner $3.80-US $4.79-Canada
Dr. Scholl's For Her Foot Softening Balm $8.48-US $10.69-Canada
Green To Grow Dandelion Tote Bag $29.34-US $36.99-Canada
Kiss My Face Olive and Aloe Soap $3.27-US $4.69-Canada



Ulta
Ulta is a lot like Sephora, they sell a lot of the same upscale
products. But Ulta is also like a drugstore, as they sell cosmetics
from Loreal, Cover Girl, Physcians Formula, Suave, and much more.
They also have frequent sales and deals. They also sell fragrance
and beauty tools.

Buy these at Ulta
Maybelline Great Lash Mascara $4.59
Neutrogena Sheer Highlighting Blush $11.99
Physicians Formula Concealer 101 $7.19
Bonne Bell VitaGloss $3.99
Rimmel London Cheeky Blush Duo $6.99



Direct Cosmetics
Where can you find designer cosmetics and fragrances at real
nice prices? Direct Cosmetics is wonderful. Where else are
you going to find and buy Chanel and Olay skin care together?
Didn't think so....

Buy these atDirect Cosmetics
Clarin's Purifying Cleansing Gel £11.99
Swisscare Givenchy Skin Toner £4.99
Christina Aguilera Eau de Parfum Spray £14.99
Maybelline Colorama Nail Polish £1.99

For more Economically Stylish posts click the links:
Closet Makeovers
Bargain Fashions

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

In a little less than two days Carol's Daughter will open a
shop at the Pentagon City Mall in Arlington, Virginia.


Grand Opening January 16th to 20th 2009.

Fun shopping events include
Jan 16- 4:00 to 9:00 pm
Girl Scouts of America Charity Shopping Event

Jan 17- 1:00 to 3:00 pm
Meet Carol's Daughter founder Lisa Price and Alredas
from the Russ Parr Morning Show

Jan 18- All day long
Meet Carol's Daughter Spokesbeauty Dominique

Jan 19- 12:00 to 2:00 pm
Lisa Price teaches you how to make Rose Milk Bath

Jan 20- All day long
Inauguration Day Giveaways

For more information + What's Your Dream Sweepstakes?
click here
.

January Sales

Target Spend $50 or more and get Free Shipping

American Eagle Outfitters Purchase 2 or more Clearance items(up to 70% off) and get Free Shipping. Discount code 78962049

Miss Selfridge Sale Items £7 and under

Piperlime Lime Tag Sale-up to 50% Off

The Limited 25 % Off Entire Site

Kohl's Biggest Gold Star Clearance-save up to 80%

Debenhams Blue Cross Sale:Up to 70% Off

House of Fraser Desiger Brands now up to 70% Off

Next Sale of up to 70% Plus Further Reductions

Crabtree & Evelyn Buy 2 Products and Get the 3rd Free

Beauty Expert Save up to 50% Off

Ulta Buy 1 Get 1 Free Loreal, Buy 1 Get 1 50% Off Other Brands

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Spa Treat


I am game for spa-worthy beauty goods. Who can afford an actual
day at the spa for top notch pampering that often? So why not
bring the spa to yourself?

Nude Moisturizing Body Polish
This is the finest scrub out there. It is made with organic
sugar and hibiscius monoi plant to give you a fragrant feel
of pampering. It is a glamourous scrub that will take you to
an exotic island getaway-albeit in your mind only. Plus it
leaves your skin so baby soft that you won't need lotion.
At all.

Buy Nude Moisturizing Body Polish at Salon Skincare for £27.50

Monday, January 12, 2009

Friday, January 9, 2009


I got a great new job working for a creative company! I
am so excited to start. But don't know what to wear as I am
leaving an office where the style choices were more frumpy
than interesting. What do you suggest I do? I don’t want to
start out with a brand new wardrobe, especially when my other
clothes are still wearable.

Sincerely,
Help!


Dear Help,
First off, congratulations on getting a job! Now the
only hard part is that you need to change your wardrobe now
that you changed your career. Look into your closet and decide
what to mix casual and professional style with. Instead of
blazers, try wearing a button down blouse over a camisole and
then closing it with a belt? You can also wear fun, funky skirts
in materials such as velvet or perhaps dark denim. If you’re
lucky enough to wear denim at your new job, then buy all means
do so! Denim is so versatile, as you can dress up or down a
notch, just try and stick with a dark wash though. Don't forget
to check your shoes and bags to make sure they're workable with
the look you're going for.


Believe it or not, you might want to purchase a few small new
items to work into your wardrobe. You need key pieces to build
on, plus a girl deserves to splurge a little when she gets a
new job. What to look for? Modern twists on classic essentials,
like a belted sheath dress. Casually crisp blouses and tops are
more good options. And if you don't already, try to buy some
dark denim jeans. Remember the look you're going for when you
are making your purchase, keep it light, airy with a touch of
professional.


Structured Sheath Dress at The Limited for $79.50

White Linen Blend Short Sleeve Blouse at Marks and Spencer for £25.00

Oasis Sunset Kick Flare Jeans at House of Fraser for £20.00

XOXO Chevron Pleated Skirt at Boscov's for $24.48


Have any style or beauty questions? Email shopinchic83 @ yahoo dot com.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Fun For Your Nails

You're waiting in line for something(say a bank transaction)
when you become bored and impatient. You look for something
to watch, and find yourself becoming more bored. You suddenly
look down to your hands and notice your nails. What is the
first thing that pops into your mind?

A-Great nails!
B-Nice color but I really should see a manicurist
C-Look up!

If your answer is either B or C, then please pay attention
to this post. Heck, even if you have great nails you should
still stick around and read!

First off: check out this older post from last year about
how to give yourself a manicure and pedicure. Now I will
show you my favorites for your nails.



Sally Hansen Quick Fast Dry Nail Color Pen
Talk about revolutionary! This new nail polish is quick,
easy, and spill-proof. Perfect for traveller and those
of us who are just plain busy. Plus it dries fast and
conditions nails with A, C, and E. My only gripe is
the color selection, as there are only 8 colors.

Buy Sally Hansen Quick Fast Dry Nail Color Pen at Walgreens for $7.99


OPI Nail Classics Collection
Classic and trendy all at the same time, OPI Nail Lacquer
is a go-to staple for every fashionista's wardbrobe. With
roughly 100 or more so shades(ok, I didn't count), you
are sure to find your own personal favorite shade. Here
are a few of my faves, see above. Check out OPI
for more shades.

Buy OPI Nail Classics at Beauty Encounter for $6.50
Buy OPI Nail Classics at Pura Beauty for £13.99


Essie Nail Polish
Fun, feminine and even downright sexy! Even a few of the names
are bit naughty, like Escapades and After Sex. There
is a lot of great colors once again, so I will show my favorites.
For a more shades check out Essie.

Buy Essie Nail Polish at Beauty Sak for $8.00
Buy Essie Nail Polish at Debenham's for £8.33

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Time Wears On



Burt's Bees Naturally Ageless Intensive Repairing Serum


Fine lines? This is the answer. Made with primrose oils,pomegranate
fruit extracts and other natural ingredients, this serum starts to
repair the damage shortly after it starts.

This is best for those of us who are just starting to show small signs of...gasp...aging!

Just use a little of this daily on your face, specifically where
you notice small lines, like around your eyes or mouth, and even
your forehead. After a few days, you will see a visible difference.
But keep using it!

Buy at Burt's Bees US store for $25.00
Buy at Burt's Bees UK store for £26.99



Carol's Daughter Gelee de Soleil Browning Oil with SPF 15



This is the perfect combo of tanning oil and SPF. This tanning
oil gives you a great tan that really lasts awhile. Plus it
smells absolutely yummy with tropical fragrances of coconut,
pineapple and mango. Its also naturally nourishing with
shea butter, cocoa butter, and palm kernel oil so you end
up with a baby smooth faux tan. Love this!

Buy at Carol's Daughter for $14

Unfortunately I don't think this product is available in the UK.

Sunday, January 4, 2009



Let’s face it, clothes are an essential. Yes, buying new
garments can be entertainment for some, but its an art for
most. I love designer clothes and accessories as much as I
love any art form. But I can still find art in not-so-name
-conscious forms either. The label is a label. I like to
shop for what I like, and more often than not, I find myself
reaching for non-designer items. Why? I love the color and
design and best of all, it will look great on me!

Many of the mainstream stores that a lot of us shop are just
as trend conscious as our favorite labels. Since there are no
fashion copyright laws, there are a lot of knock-offs to be
found at our favorite stores. If you pay attention to runway
trends, most often you can search for something similar for
much cheaper. But even if you‘re looking for something more
unique, or would like a bit of variety, you still can find
good bargains. Later in this post you’ll find some great
vintage shops, some with authentic vintage, but mostly just
vintage style.

Here are some of terrific websites and why I think they’re
great.


Target
Yes I talk about Target a lot, but that’s only because they
are like the mainstream version of a designer emporium. Stocked
with trendy basics, they also add real designers to the mix,
like Go International(which changes the mix with new innovative
designers from all over), Liz Lange Maternity, Converse One Star
amongst others. Right now the Go International Designer is
Thakoon:everything from brightly printed floral dresses, solid
colored sweater tanks, and striped tee shirts.

Target is also a great place to stock up on hot bags and cute
accessories. This is the one place that you can truly buy
an entire wardrobe for less than your car’s monthly lease.
Spend an entire day here and stock up on beauty products,
home décor and everything else you might need. Everyone I
know loves Target.

Thakoon for Go International Navy Sweater Tank $19.99
Mossimo Supply Co. Triangle Top Dress $21.99
Mossimo Green Core Canvas Tote Bag $12.99


Shop at Target


XOXO
Trendy, sexy, glamour are just a few words that define the
style of XOXO. They offer affordable jeans, apparel, shoes,
bags, swimwear and accessories for the modern woman. You’ll
find saucy dresses, colorful sweaters, beautiful foil screened
tees, uber-trendy denim. and cute bags with the logo of XOXO.
They even sell sassy intimates and sleepwear with that cute
XOXO logo.


Black Wide Leg Jeans $69
Cobra Wedge Heels $52.99
Railroad Stripe Blazer $59.00


Shop at XOXO


CX London
Now from the first look at CX London, you will think
these are actual vintage designs, but no. This store
sells darling styles that look a lot like the fashions
worn from the 1950s to 1980s, without the worry you might
get from purchasing cheap used vintage items from The
Salvation Army or Good Will. This stuff is brand new,
but it looks unique and vintage. They have bright and
bold looks including old glamour dresses, punk style tees
and hoodies, bags and jewelry. The styles vary from fifties
up to the nineties. They also sell accessories and gifts
that will go great with other CX London items.

Leopard Cardigan £25.00
80’s Cherry Bomb Dress £27.00
Rainbow and Skulls Wallet £20


Shop at CX London


Top Shop
Top Shop is the place to buy casual jeans and blouses, work
appropriate work blazers and skirts, and even stylish pieces
for your ski trip. Everything is a reasonable price too(like
all the stores mentioned here). Kate Moss also designs a
stylish line exclusively for Top Shop. You’ll also find a
maternity line here, along with everything else you would
look for in a clothing shop.

Sedition Mac Jacket £70.00
Lace Leggings £18.00
Amore Fringe Lace Boot £75.00


Shop at Top Shop


Miss Selfridge
Miss Selfridge is a lot like Top Shop, but its more trend
oriented. Here you’ll stock up on short cardigans, dressy
shorts, jumpers and even classic accessories like hats and
gloves. They also have a special section dedicated toward
vintage looks. Again, its not real vintage but it works.
I found plenty of cute retro party dresses and skirts. You
should also check out the Jewellery by Diva section, where
you’ll find a wide selection of fun, whimsical pieces and
old vintage style glamour pieces for cheaper prices at Miss
Selfridge.

Yellow Linen Slouch Pants £25.00
Cream PU Frilly X Messenger Bag £12.00
Black Studded Grecian Top £28.00


Shop at Miss Selfridge


Unique Vintage
This for a lot of teen girls who are thinking about the prom
already, rest assure-think Unique Vintage! They’ve got a great
selection of dresses from prom, homecoming, or any party you
might be thinking of. They also have an eclectic mix of
authentic vintage, vintage style and even currently trendy
dresses that you might have spotted on certain celebrities.
In addition to dresses, Unique Vintage also sells blouses,
coats and accessories. Astounding!

Vintage Style Swing Dress $28.00
Purple Satin Bow Cocktail Party Prom Dress $68.00
Rock Steady 60’s Style Dress $54.00



Shop at Unique Vintage


Retro Chick
Retro Chick has truly unique and bold styles come together making
this vintage boutique seem ultra hip. And the prices really
will make you smile. There is some new stuff in the mix like a lot
of vintage shops do. Also sold at Retro Chick is footwear, outerwear,
skirts, blouses, and trousers or pants. Its such a joy to browse.

70’s Red Knit Sweater Tank £12.00
80’s Floral Summer Skirt £7.99
Black and White Check Handbag £3.99


Shop at Retro Chick

Check out my previous post from the Economically Stylish
Series-Makeover Your Closet and Style

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Fringe Benefits


Perfecting our eyelashes is a hard thing to do sometimes. You can
curl them and wear mascara, but sometimes they don't last long
enough. Thats where false eyelashes come in, they're often easy
to use and last longer than mascara(escpecially if you're like
me with bad allergies where I am forever rubbing off my eye
makeup). Check out MAC's wonderful selection of false eyelash
sets. Most of them are here to stay, but two noteable sets
are limited edition. I'll tell you which ones they are as
you read below.

Top L to R
Blinking Cool Lash
The more normal lash gives you two slightly different lengths
in each false lash. The natural hair lashes(um...does that mean
its made of real human eyelashes?) look different without being
too terribly bold. They flirty, but not striking, if you know
what I mean. These are also limited edition.

7 Lash
Even less bold, these will blend in naturally for the perfect
everyday look.

6 Lash
Rock star lashes in full effect! They add length and drama to
your natural lash line.

Bottom L to R
42 Lash
Big lashes in fashion? You better believe it! These are incredibly
long black lashes with gold strands for a look I could only describe
as catwalk meets Hollyood. But they're limited edition.

36 Lash
Its a lot of lash, but a simpler look.

2 Lash
It may not look as full as say, 42 Lash, but these lashes are
quite long and graceful looking.

Each lash set at MAC's USA store is $12.00

Each lash set at MAC's UK store is £7.34.


Buy any of the lash sets at MAC's USA store and MAC's UK store.

Friday, January 2, 2009

Bath Time Treats


Here are four great picks just for those winter baths that
we so crave.

Ahava Dead Sea Salts

There are bath salts, and then there are healing bath salts.
This contains natural minerals including sodium, potassium,
magnesium and calcium. The end result is softer skin and
relaxed muscles.

Buy Ahava Dead Sea Salts at Bath and Body Works for $15

LaSource Bath Tablets

One blue tablet turns your bathroom into a sea inspired spa.
The bath turns into a pretty blue color and the air is scented
with an ocean-y fragrance. And I love ocean fragrance!

Buy LaSource Bath Tablets at Crabtree and Evelyn for $30

Botanics Luxurious Bath Exlir

One look at this jar and you would think its honey. But no
this is a bath exlir thats true to its name of luxurious.
It contains natural plant extracts and Icelandic moss for
soothing hyrdration effects.

Buy Botanics Luxurious Bath Exlir at Boots for £3.92

Space NK Energising Candle

Now usually we take baths to unwind and relax, but sometimes
we take them to get more energy. This helps boost your natural
energy with geranium and bergamot essential oils. Plus its
got a refreshing fragrance.

Buy Space NK Energising Candle at SpaceNK for
£15.00

Thursday, January 1, 2009


Living in a tough economy is hard enough, looking good
should not be so hard. Economically Stylish is a special
series just in time for 2009. This series will feature
posts that give you advice and tips on how to save money
while looking (and feeling) terrific!



In a perfect world, we could buy a brand spanking new wardrobe
every season(including a few handbags and some great pairs of
shoes). In a perfect world you could buy some stylish designer
dresses every time you go to the mall. In a perfect world, you
could walk into any store and buy whatever your heart desired.
In a perfect world everyone would own designer clothes if that
was something that we wanted.

But we don’t live in a perfect world. In fact, most of us have
to stay within a budget, even fashionistas like us. We are
career women, mothers, high school and college students. We have
bills to pay, and our time is often limited. But we all want to
look our best. We don’t need new designer clothes every season
if we can’t afford it, and most of us can’t. And with the economy
the way it is, are wallets are even tighter. Why not do a closet
makeover? Love what you got, drop what you don’t love, and only
buy what you need.

Here’s how:

1-Do A Closet Inventory

I am sure you look in your closet daily, but do you really look ?
What do you wear frequently? What have you abandoned but still
have? Is there anything that doesn’t fit or is stained, and
therefore you cannot wear it anymore? Make a few lists and go
through everything in your closet. Don’t forget to include
accessories like shoes and bags. Once your done organizing,
figure out what to throw out and what to donate(to friends or
a charity perhaps). Heck, you could even organize a Clothes
Swap Party with your friends(more about that later!).

2-Assess Your Keep Pile And Organize What You’ve Got

After you are done piling your Giveaways and Throw-Aways in
their appropriate boxes or bags, its time for the fun to begin.
First of, you need to figure out your lifestyle. Do you have a
job outside the home? Are you a student or a stay-at-home mother.
This way you can determine what you wear the most frequently and
what you wear on occasion. Then choose key pieces that will go
with many other items and therefore stretch your inventory. I’ll
bet at least a few of those pieces can be used for both work and
weekend, and maybe even evenings.

Take a few of your favorite pieces and see how many outfit combos
you can create. Don’t be afraid to change bags, shoes, jewelry
and even other accessories like belts and scarves. Sometimes all
you really need is a change a pair of shoes or add a scarf to take
your outfit from day to night! Don’t be afraid to use your
imagination!

Remember to keep your most loved fashions in the front of the
closet if you can. Buy extra hangers if you have to. Use your
hangers for dresses, blouse, and pants. It would a help to purchase
at least one storage shelf(if you don’t have one built in your closet)
to store tees and jeans. Also stock up on storage boxes for seasonal
items like coats and swimwear, and you can keep them under your
bed or wherever you have room. Buy clear shoe boxes so you can
see your shoes as your store them.

Keep you handbags on the storage self if you can. If not, then
you should buy extra storage shelves or clear boxes to store them
in. Your goal here is just to find a place for everything.

You can find some terrific as well as affordable storage options at
Walmart, Ikea, Target, and Utility Design.




Whitmoor Pastel Satin Hangers available at Walmart for $8.96
Simply Shabby Chic Hanging Closet Organzier available at Target for $14.99
Kartell Componibili Squares available at Utility Design starting at £49.50

3-Find and Buy Missing Elements

Okay, this one is easy to get carried away with. Look through all
your items and key pieces, and make a list of it. Then make a
week’s worth of outfits(that would be Sunday through Saturday).
Is there anything missing? Maybe an extra tee or pair of jeans?
Or maybe something classic that could really stretch your wardrobe
such as a trench coat?

Make a list of what you need but don’t have, or a few more key
pieces that are similar to the items you love. While making
these lists, remember to note common brands/labels you love,
and the size tag on each article of clothing. More often than
not, each label’s sizing can be different. Example: you may
wear a size 6 jeans from Old Navy, but you’ll wear a 5 with
Express. Checking your size not only streamlines shopping,
it can save you from future store returns. Save these lists
and start shopping for what you need.

4-Play With Your Accessories

You may have a limited wardrobe, but you should have an
abundance with accessories. They’re more affordable and
versatile than clothes. Stock up on shawls, scarves, hats,
and jewelry including brooches. Simply take a dress you
normally wear to work, add a shawl and a brooch and you’re
ready to go out to dinner. Take a break from a belt and wrap
a long scarf around your waist and tie it. Your clothes are
basics to start out with, but your accessories are extenders.


Walmart
Target
Ikea
Utility Design

Next up: Bargain Shopping. Its coming Sunday January 4.

First off, Happy 2009 to all my readers! My blog will be a year
old next month! Hmmm...should I have a celebration for that?

Secondly, I want to thank my sister Sarah(The Artful Frog) for
helping me with my blog's new look and banner! Thank you so
much! If anyone needs help with their blog's layout,HTML, or
even graphics, then please e-mail Sarah at s_peel00 at yahoo
dot com.