H and M Has Arrived!
Thank you God! Our Prayers have been answered. The long anticipated H&M has finally arrived in Raleigh and is located in Crabtree Valley Mall. For those of you not familiar with H&M (Heinnes and Mauritz) you can sum it up in three words: Affordable High Fashion. H&M is to fashion what Ikea is to furniture. Not familiar with Ikea? A-whole-nother blog. H&M is a European retailer based out of Sweden. When I was in Europe, H&M was practically on every corner. This store is one of my all-time favorite retailers and here’s why.
- First and foremost is afford-ability. H&M is the only store where I shop OFF the sales rack. One time I found a fabulous, bold, geometric print, empire waist dress at H&M and the original, non-sale price was $14.90! I bought the dress over 4 years ago, wear it every summer, and get complimented on it every time I wear it. Not only was the dress a great price, but it was also great quality. With 4 years of wear, I’ve already gotten my money’s worth. H&M has a good mix of great quality clothes and cheap clothes. Just make sure you inspect each peace before you buy it. You can generally tell the difference between the two.
.
. - Fashion, Fashion, Fashion! If you love fashion, I mean real, runway, edgy, almost scary fashion, then you’ll love H&M. They have an amazing cadre of house designers. They also bring in well-known popular designers to design limited edition collections. For example, last Fall Jimmy Choo designed a collection for H&M! I also like the variety of styles they have. Suits to wear to the office, cocktail dresses, jeans, casual clothes, party clothes, I mean everything. And don’t forget about shoes, purses, knickers, lingerie, and every accessory you can imagine.
.
. - Unbelievable Sales. The clothes at H&M are already affordable, but when they go on sale, I’m seriously in danger of spending my entire take home pay and uncle sam’s portion too. H&M is known for having their buy one get one FREE sales. I know, I know, it puts Payless to shame! I have scored so much loot from these sales over the years, if I told you the deals I found you’d think I was lying. Like very cute double breasted wool blend coats, $40 buy one get one free. Or a fantastic satin LBD (little black dress) for $10, buy one get one free.
.
.
I hope this was enough information to get you off the computer and into the nearest H&M. One more thing ladies, if your beau likes shopping too (don’t laugh, they exist) bring him along with you because H&M also sells men’s clothing and some stores even have a kids dept too. If you score some loot this weekend at the grand opening, be sure to tell me about it! Happy Shopping!
.
Isabella
Jean Paul Gaultier for Target
In case you didn’t know, Jean Paul Gaultier, desinger extraodinaire, recently designed a line of women’s clothes for Target. Well that line was released last week and I zipped on over to my local Target to check it out. The Collection includes dresses, tops, jackets, and even swimwear. I wasn’t too impressed with the collection as a whole, perhaps he had to play down his edgy style to fit the Target market (no pun intended). I was also displeased by the prices; some of the dresses cost as much as $60! Never-the-less there were a few pieces, well-designed and well made, that stood out to me and here they are.
.
- I though this eyelet floral dress was adorable.
And I love the color. This very classic design in eyelet fabric would be great to wear to lunch with the girls or to your grandmother’s garden party. The thin red belt cinches the waist in the most flattering way. I could just imagine this dress with red open-toe heels or wedges. If you’re considering this cute summer dress please keep in mind that the sizing runs small. And though the fabric is cute, it’s still not the best quality.
.
. - I’m not a huge fan of leather biker jackets, but this one is an exception.
This brown and brick leather Moto Jacket is loaded style, from the red stripes in the front to the pleats on the shoulders! The cropped cut makes it great to wear with dresses and tunics. And the contrast created by wearing this edgy jacket with a sweet summer dress will make you look like you just stepped off the runway. It’s made in a great quality leather that’s nice and soft. The only thing I caution about this jacket is the price, $200 – thats a car payment people. Keep in mind, it is real leather, and a Jean Paul Gaultier piece…..still not enough leverage for me to shell out 200 duckies. Maybe I can catch it on the sale rack (sigh).
.
. - Anchors Aweigh! is what I think about when I see this top.
This nautical inspired Gaultier shirt will set you back $20, one of the lowest priced pieces in the collection. This top features an anchor made from the braided pieces of the ripped shirt. There are holes all along the anchor and a huge split down the side so an undershirt is necessary (unless you really want to be bold). The shirt fits really loose and comfortably. I think it would be darling with a pair of white shorts or with skinny jeans and heels.
. - This black drape top is ingenious!
It reminds me of a Roman Toga, in shirt form. Shirts like these are such a surprise. When you see them on the hanger, they don’t look like much, but when you try them on….fireworks! This top will look good on many different body types and sizes. It can also be dressed up or down rather easily, especially because its in black. It’s going to cost you about $23 to look like a Roman, but you’ll be the most stylish Roman in all of the empire, or at least in the super market.
. - Last but certainly not least is this pleated dress with over-all strap details.
You don’t need me to tell you that this dress is AWESOME! So stylish, so chic, and the over-all straps add the edgyness that is true to Jean Paul Gultier. The beautiful pleating detail is the type of thing you would expect to find in a designer piece. The great thing about the over-all straps is that they thick and adjustable, which is a huge plus if you’re like me and straps are too long on most dresses. If you get this dress, consider adding a thin belt to the waistline and shoes of the same color, white, gold, or silver would be great colors to try. This is a true designer piece so it runs small, you’ll definitely want to try it on. This gorgeous piece is going to set you back 60 bucks, but considering what you get: a true Gaultier piece, well-made dress, in a great fabric and color, it’s really not so bad.
.
.
.
There are many many other pieces that I did not mention here. Other notable pieces include the red plaid bustier top, tattoo print top, and the trench coat. Gaultier also introduced a few feminine dresses in utilitarian fabrics, like the halter dress made with raised patterned nylon (rain coat material). These aren’t for everyone, but someone is sure to like them. If you want to view the entire collection, check out the Jean Paul Gultier for Target website. Thanks for reading and Happy Shopping.
.
.
Isabella
Be Good to Your Clothes – Organize Your Closet
I’m going to tell you the million dollar secret to always getting your clothes to look good on you. You ready? Treat your clothes right! And how do you accomplish this? By giving them a nice and tidy home. That’s right, it’s time to get your closet in order. Clothes that live in a clean and orderly closet are happier. They can air out more and fall on your body nicer than if they were sandwiched and wrinkled up in an overstuffed closet. You might be thinking “My closet it too small to organize.” Well, the smallest closets are the ones that need organizing the most! Organizing a small closet will actually save you space. Here are some tips for big and small closets on the art of closet organization.
.
- PURGE: Take everything out of the closet that you don’t wear. Your clothes that are too big or too little, take them to the tailors or donate them. Store your off-season clothes (in a sealed container) in the attic or garage.
. - SORT: Some people like to organize their shirts by color. I prefer by likeness. For example, silk camisoles together, cardigans together, button-ups together, etc.
.
- SHELVING: shelving is a must in a closet because not all clothes should be hung up. Jeans, sweaters, and t-shirts can be folded and put into shelves or cubbies. If you have a tiny closet you can use on of the hanging canvas shelves in the picture below. If you have a slightly larger closet, say 5ft wide or more, you can have shelves installed on the side of your closet.
. - ADD AN EXTRA CLOSET ROD: Only if your original closet
rod is high enough to do so. Put your shirts on the top and pants(folded over of course) on the bottom. The rod to the right is from Bed Bath and Beyond and what I like about it is that it’s adjustable. Not to mention its only $15 and very heavy weight.
.
- GO HIGH: Since 8 feet is the standard residential ceiling height, chances are, you’ll have enough room in your closet to add shelves to the top. Because these shelves will be too hight to reach for everyday clothes you can either A: get a step stool, or B: use the space for storage. A great thing to store would be dressy shoes, or purses. These are things that you don’t use everyday, but still need access to every now and then. Just remember that when storing shoes, either use the shoe boxes or clear plastic shoe box size containers.
.
- BE CREATIVE: One of the ways I dealt with having a tiny closet was by incorporating the closet into the rest of the bedroom. I bought a wardrobe from Ikea. It holds my cocktail dresses and business suits, things I don’t wear everyday but still need access to. I also put my 3′ shoe rack against the wall next to my closet. A shoe cabinet, like this one from Wal-Mart, is also a great way organize your shoes while adding style to your room. Make sure to put a nice vase on top or at least a picture frame or two.
. -
WOODEN HANGERS: If you can afford it, use wooden hangers.
The reason fine clothing stores used wooden hangers is, apart from just looking nicer, they actually hold the clothes better. They don’t leave those awkward hanger marks that wire ones do on knit shirts. And they force you to space out your clothes because they take up more space. If you can’t use wood hangers, the plastic ones will do fine.
..An organized closet will not only make your clothes happier, but it will also make it easier for you to put together your outfits on a daily basis. You can use the tips above to make your closet a sanctuary for your clothes. And if you don’t have the time to get it done call me, Isabella at DoubleYou Services, and I will transform your closet into your own
personal boutique.
.
-Isabella
Accessory to Crime: Trendy Embelishments That Are A Steal
In case you didn’t know, accessorizing is the quickest and easiest way to turn a plain outfit into a traffic stopping, head-turning, eye-popping outfit! Some women are purse fiends, others like scarves or belts, but me, I absolutely love accessorizing with jewelry. Now don’t get the wrong idea, I don’t accessorize like Mr. T. But I do enjoy making my jewelry the centerpiece of my outfit every now and then. And with the holidays approaching, I mean already here, what better way to stand out at a Christmas party than with a to die for necklace? Here are some head-turning pieces that are sure to make you the belle of the ball…
.
Aldo makes more than just great shoes, they also make great accessories. Check out this Jadoo Necklace next time you’re there. This beautiful gold bib necklace would look great paired with a simple sheath dress in black, turquoise, kelley green, and even sapphire blue. It would also look good over a fitted turtle neck with jeans and boots. Just don’t wear it with big chandelier earings!
.
I’ve always loved chandelier earings, and with my pixie haircut, I’ve never been afraid to wear them. These dramatic chandeliers from Banana Republic are exceptional both in style and quality. their a little bit above my price range, at $40, but they are a well-made great quality pair of earings, that will last you as long as you want. you should wear these earings with a dress or shirt that doesn’t require a necklace.
.
Big bracelets and bangles are a lot of fun to wear, although they can be annoying if you are typing at a computer all day. because generally bracelets, bangles, and cuffs, and large study pieces of jewelry, I never mind buying cheap. and the best place to get inexpensive bracelets is Forever 21. If you want to grad everyone’s attention as soon as you walk in the room, go with the Ribbed cuff. If you want fit in at Donald Trump’s holiday Party then go with the Tear Looped Bracelet in cream or black. And if you want to give the impression that your husband shopped at Tiffany’s for your birthday, go with the dimpled loop bracelet.
.
Last but certainly not least are the rings. rings are great to wear in the winter when all you wear are long sleeves, they are a relatively small detail that can give your outfit that little extra push. Personally, I love estate rings, like this one from Target. Also check out this vintage style pearl ring from Charlotte Russe.
.
When accessorizing your outfit this season, always keep in mind this quote from Coco Chanel, “Before you leave the house, take one thing off”. When wearing jewelry, I try to keep it at about two pieces, rarely ever three, and never four! If you keep this rule in mind, then you’ll never look over done.
.
Happy Shopping,
Isabella
Emergency Post: Fabulous Find!!!
I went to Wal-Mart last week to look for craft supplies but completely stopped in my tracks when I set my eyes on this gorgeous shift dress by George in both black and grey. At first glance, I thought it was made of a heavy raw silk. After looking in the tag I saw that it is actually a polyester/nylon blend and to my disappointment, was not fully lined. However, for the unbelievable price of $16, this dress is sooo totally worth it! It may not look like much when it is laid out flat, but trust me when I say the dress is VERY flattering on almost every figure. I ecstatically grabbed my size and ran to nearest dressing room. Unfortunately, it completely swallowed me, so try the dress on before you buy it. Also keep in mind that a shift dress is supposed to fit a little looser that a sheath dress, while still maintaining a shape. A friend of mine, who normally wears a size 6, was able to get the size 4 and it looked great on her! A fabulous dress, at a fantastic price, with the added self-esteem booster of sizing down…what more could you ask for?
.
I’ll keep you posted on more Fabulous Finds! And as always, Happy Shopping!
.
-Isabella
Boot Up! My Favorite Boots this Fall
Boots have been a staple in every woman’s closet since the very idea of fashion began. They are of the most versatile and ever evolving shoe of the entire class of women’s footwear. Most shoes, like platforms, espadrilles, and stilettos cycle in and out of the of the fashion scene every few decades, but some boots have quite literally been in style for centuries. Take for example, the Cowboy (or Cowgirl) Boot. This boot has been around since the early 1500s, and the style has changed only slightly since then. Or what about the English Riding Boot, which as been around since, well forever and has recently become one of the hottest items to own this fall. It is amazing how some work boots, made for a specific purpose, have somehow made their way on the runways and into the closets of women everywhere, whether they lives on a ranch in Colorado or on 5th Ave in NY. So, which boots am I drooling over this fall? Let me show you….
.
The Harness Boot
.
The Harness Boot is sort of an adaptation of the riding boot, but made to ride motorcycles, instead of horses. For the past few seasons, Frye boots have become every girl’s dream, but not everyone can spend $300 on a pair of boots, no matter how cute they are. That’s why I was very pleased to see these Katherine Engineer Boots by Mossimo at Target for only $50! They are made with a great quality of leather and a solid rubber heel. As I understand, they sold pretty quickly online, but I was able to find them in my local target store. If you desperately want this style of boot and don’t want to pay ANYTHING for them, then check your local Wal-Mart. I was quite surprised to see an exact replica made by Faded Glory for ONLY $25. They weren’t real leather, but they did have a pretty solid heel and came in a rich brown color and in jet black. Old Navy has their own adaptation of a Harness Boot. This pair of boots, though very adorable, is not real leather and the quality is questionable, but for the price if you are able to get three seasons wear out of them, then they are well worth it!
.
The Ankle Boot/Bootie
.
.
Ankle Boots have become THE shoe this season, and everybody who’s anybody has a pair! This is not just a trend for punked-out young ladies; Seasoned women can wear ankle boots and look very sophisticated. If you plan on buying a pair of these hot little booties this season you should ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS keep this in mind: If you plan on wearing your booties with skirts, then don’t buy a pair with a straight cut-off at the top. These Kate Spades are adorable, but if you wear them with a skirt then it will make your legs look short and stumpy, and no one wants that! Instead buy a pair that’s higher in the back and lower in the front, like these from Rampage. By showing more of your foot, along with a higher heel, these boots will actually make your legs look longer. Now, If you’re going to wear your booties with skinny jeans or leggings, then anything goes! I think the cutest ones are the ones you can tuck your jeans into, like these by Nine West. My picks? Well I’m not one for open-toe booties (it really defeats the purpose of a boot) so I like these from Steve Madden and my favorite pair are these by Seychelles, but at $100 I’m going to have to wait on those.
.
The Riding Boot
.
If boots were dogs, then the riding boot would be a whippet: tall, slender, and elegant. The riding boot will add a touch of class to even the plainest outfit, and they can be worn with almost everything: dresses, skirts, tunics, you name it! Wear your riding boots with a tailored blazer fitted khakis and you will look like an estate owner. Wear them with skinny jeans and a long cardigan for a relaxed weekend look. Or wear them with a dress and a boyfriend jacket to go out on the town. These bonafied riding boots from Ariat International will set you back $345. But if you want a good alternative try these Kallista Riding Boots from Target. Now these are not real leather, but the simplistic style and the matte finish makes them look expensive and elegant. You won’t find boots this cute anywhere else for only $40. Now, if you do want real leather, but don’t want to pay leather prices, go to Overstock.com and check out these Bandolino Boots. These chic leather riding boots are only $88, and at that price, they might be sold out by the time this blog is posted!
.
Thanks for reading and feel free to drop me a line!
.
Go Forth in Fashion and Prosper!
.
Yours Truely,
Isabella
.
Yours Truely,
Isabella
The 2009 Fall Fashion Review
Alas, autumn has returned in all of its glory: the golden leaves, brisk morning air, and most of all, the new fashion trends! In reviewing this fall’s new looks, one thing is sure, there is something for everybody, and in this article, something everybody can afford. There are quite a few popular looks this season and it can be easy to get overwhelmed with all of the trends. The key is to find the trends that work best with your own personal style. In turn, you’ll wear them with confidence and you may already have a few pieces in your wardrobe. Ready to dive in?….
.
Romantic This look exudes femininity, and for that I love it! There are multiple ways you can achieve this look, but we’ll start with ruffles and/or lace. Ruffles can be a lot of fun, but proceed with caution, the last thing you want to do is look like a clown. When wearing big ruffles, don’t buy pieces with more than two layers. When wearing smaller ruffles, the more the merrier. For complete look try a rich velvet (or Corduroy) blazer with a ruffled blouse, were it with jeans for a casual look or with a pencil skirt in the office. If you want inspiration, take a look at vintage Prince. Lace can be very romantic, and also very sexy. The easiest and safest way to incorporate lace into your everyday wardrobe is by wearing pieces accented in lace. Try a lace trim cami under a cardigan or blazer. If a lot of lace doesn’t scare you, then try this lace blouse from Chadwick’s. Lace trimed skirts are also beautiful and in practically every store this season. And if you’re really bold, nothing is more romantic than a full lace dress. Think Julia Roberts’ black lace coctail dress in Pretty Woman for inspiration.
.
Romantic This look exudes femininity, and for that I love it! There are multiple ways you can achieve this look, but we’ll start with ruffles and/or lace. Ruffles can be a lot of fun, but proceed with caution, the last thing you want to do is look like a clown. When wearing big ruffles, don’t buy pieces with more than two layers. When wearing smaller ruffles, the more the merrier. For complete look try a rich velvet (or Corduroy) blazer with a ruffled blouse, were it with jeans for a casual look or with a pencil skirt in the office. If you want inspiration, take a look at vintage Prince. Lace can be very romantic, and also very sexy. The easiest and safest way to incorporate lace into your everyday wardrobe is by wearing pieces accented in lace. Try a lace trim cami under a cardigan or blazer. If a lot of lace doesn’t scare you, then try this lace blouse from Chadwick’s. Lace trimed skirts are also beautiful and in practically every store this season. And if you’re really bold, nothing is more romantic than a full lace dress. Think Julia Roberts’ black lace coctail dress in Pretty Woman for inspiration.
.
Androgynous This look evolved from years of women throwing on their boyfriend’s clothes. And as much as I love looking feminine, even I am guilty of throwing on Omari’s shirts every now and then…Try this look with the boyfriend sweater, warm, comfy, and great for those “I feel fat” days. My husband has a pale yellow crew neck sweater from banana republic, I threw it on with white wash skinny jeans and floral yellow ballerina flats…it was perfect! The Boyfriend Blazer is another way to achieve this look. Roll up the sleeves and wear it with a plain t-shirt and long chain necklaces, this will look great with career pants at work or with jeans and Chuck Taylors on the weekend. Well structured, tailored suits also fall into the androgynous look. Take your favorite pant-suit, add a fitted vest, a crisp button up, and snag one of your boyfriend’s ties. For inspiration check out this Norma Kamali look found at Wal-Mart. This look will surely keep the boys in the office on their toes.
.
Statement Jewelry I LOVE LOVE LOVE jewelry. Needless to say, this is my favorite trend. The right necklace can make a ribbed tanktop, skinny jeans, and heels the best outfit you’ve ever worn! This fall, look for necklaces made of multiple long metal chains that fall to your navel. Also look for thick, bulky necklaces that fall above the breast. Stand-out cuff bracelets are also in this season (but they can be a nuisance if you work at a computer all day). Banana Republic has great pieces this fall, but I would never tell you to pay over $30 for a fashion necklace, instead if you see one you like look for it on eBay. My picks? The Layered Chain Link, Faceted Collar, and the Layered Pearl. New York and Company and Aldo also have affordable jewelry that I have found to be cute as well as durable. When shopping for bling this season, keep in mind that (with jewelry) the price will ALWAYS reflect the quality. I have purchased adorable necklaces from Junior Stores in the mall only to have them tarnish or break with only as few wears. That being said…..My FAVORITE place to buy super cheap and super cute jewelry is Forever21. If you do decide to buy cheap jewelry this season, go to Michaels and get a pair of jewelry making plyers, cuz honey, you’re gonna need em’. One one last note about jewelry: You can never go wrong with a one-of-a-kind, hand-made statement necklace. Treasured Connections has just that! When looking for a piece as unique as these, make sure to let the jewelry choose you!
.
Sequins Sequins used to be reserved for night clubs, halloween costumes, and holiday parties, but this season you can wear your sparklers in the day-time and get away with it. The key to this trend is moderation. Try a sequined tanktop under a cardigan or blazer. Dresss up a dull outfit with a scarf embellished with sequins. And if you’re really bold, pull out the sequined pumps! Take a cue from these designers about wearing sequins in the daytime.
.
Futuristic The futuristic look brings out the edginess in all of us! Liquid leather tights with chained ankle boots are a great way to get started. Another characteristic of this look is, dare I say, Shoulder Pads! I know, we thought we left those retched things in the eighties. Well, somehow they have creped back up on us and have appeared in countless of the fall fashion shows like Marc Jacobs, Zac Posen, and Nina Ricci just to name a few. As much as I love and respect the vision of these designers, I am not going to walk around Costco in liquid leather leggings and a Jacket with giant shoulder pads. But don’t write it off just yet, you can achieve this look and not look like a Martian, here’s how. If you’re not comfortable with liquid leggings, try dark skinny jeans, or a leather pencil skirt with the Abaete chained ankle boots. As for the strong shouldered jackets, you can still achieve this trend without looking like a linebacker. Instead of bulky shoulder pads, try a blazer with a little puff at the shoulder, like this tuxedo jacket from Arden B, it achieves the same look while maintaining a feminine feel.
.
Statement Jewelry I LOVE LOVE LOVE jewelry. Needless to say, this is my favorite trend. The right necklace can make a ribbed tanktop, skinny jeans, and heels the best outfit you’ve ever worn! This fall, look for necklaces made of multiple long metal chains that fall to your navel. Also look for thick, bulky necklaces that fall above the breast. Stand-out cuff bracelets are also in this season (but they can be a nuisance if you work at a computer all day). Banana Republic has great pieces this fall, but I would never tell you to pay over $30 for a fashion necklace, instead if you see one you like look for it on eBay. My picks? The Layered Chain Link, Faceted Collar, and the Layered Pearl. New York and Company and Aldo also have affordable jewelry that I have found to be cute as well as durable. When shopping for bling this season, keep in mind that (with jewelry) the price will ALWAYS reflect the quality. I have purchased adorable necklaces from Junior Stores in the mall only to have them tarnish or break with only as few wears. That being said…..My FAVORITE place to buy super cheap and super cute jewelry is Forever21. If you do decide to buy cheap jewelry this season, go to Michaels and get a pair of jewelry making plyers, cuz honey, you’re gonna need em’. One one last note about jewelry: You can never go wrong with a one-of-a-kind, hand-made statement necklace. Treasured Connections has just that! When looking for a piece as unique as these, make sure to let the jewelry choose you!
.
Sequins Sequins used to be reserved for night clubs, halloween costumes, and holiday parties, but this season you can wear your sparklers in the day-time and get away with it. The key to this trend is moderation. Try a sequined tanktop under a cardigan or blazer. Dresss up a dull outfit with a scarf embellished with sequins. And if you’re really bold, pull out the sequined pumps! Take a cue from these designers about wearing sequins in the daytime.
.
Futuristic The futuristic look brings out the edginess in all of us! Liquid leather tights with chained ankle boots are a great way to get started. Another characteristic of this look is, dare I say, Shoulder Pads! I know, we thought we left those retched things in the eighties. Well, somehow they have creped back up on us and have appeared in countless of the fall fashion shows like Marc Jacobs, Zac Posen, and Nina Ricci just to name a few. As much as I love and respect the vision of these designers, I am not going to walk around Costco in liquid leather leggings and a Jacket with giant shoulder pads. But don’t write it off just yet, you can achieve this look and not look like a Martian, here’s how. If you’re not comfortable with liquid leggings, try dark skinny jeans, or a leather pencil skirt with the Abaete chained ankle boots. As for the strong shouldered jackets, you can still achieve this trend without looking like a linebacker. Instead of bulky shoulder pads, try a blazer with a little puff at the shoulder, like this tuxedo jacket from Arden B, it achieves the same look while maintaining a feminine feel.
.
Country I firmly believe this look will carry on every fall for generations to come. This trend is highlighted by sharp plaids, luxe furs, feathers, and earth tones. This is a classic look, and also very comfortable, take a look at this Michael Kors Dress for inspiration. Luckily, you probably already have the items you need to pull off this look. Like a tweed jacket (or Hounds tooth or Herringbone) , a plaid scarf, leather riding boots, or maybe even a faux fur scarf. Here is something that you might not have, a feathered headband. Here’s a tip, if you like the headband, go to Michael’s and buy the feather appliqué and glue it to a plain headband with craft glue. Same look, for about $5.
.
I know this was a lot to digest. Trying to keep up with all the new trends can seem a bit overwhelming. The good news is, there is so much variety listed above that you’re sure to find at least one or two looks that strike your fancy! On the other hand, if you’re a hard core fashionista then I’ve only just scratched the surface. For a more in-depth look at this season’s sharpest looks, check out my favorite website for fashion news and trends: New York Magazine.
.
I know this was a lot to digest. Trying to keep up with all the new trends can seem a bit overwhelming. The good news is, there is so much variety listed above that you’re sure to find at least one or two looks that strike your fancy! On the other hand, if you’re a hard core fashionista then I’ve only just scratched the surface. For a more in-depth look at this season’s sharpest looks, check out my favorite website for fashion news and trends: New York Magazine.
.
Thanks for reading and as always, Happy Shopping!
.
.
Isabella Griffin
DoubleYou Services
Wal-Mart: Re-emerging on the Fashion Scene
When you hear the name Wal-Mart, what comes to mind? A massive, sprawled out superstore, where you can buy groceries, plants, hardware, and even car tires? You probably don’t think, a great place to buy fashionable clothes. Well I didn’t either until this summer. Wal-Mart made one of the best decisions in their history by asking designer extraodinare Norma Kamali to design a line for them. FYI: Norma Kamali(NK), innovative genius, has been designing for three decades and counting. She is the original designer of the down puffy coat, an item that, no doubt, is in every home in America. She is well know for making designer clothes that you can wear right off the runway and for creating items so unique that you still feel like you have a one-of-a kind piece. Here’s another tidbit about NK’s clothes: The red swimsuit worn by Miranda in the Sex and The City Movie was designed by Norma Kamali. This same swimsuit, the Bill suit, was featured as one of Oprah’s Favorite Things and retails for $350.
.
What to look for at Wal-Mart? Where to start!?
- Check out the NK Batwing Cardigan, only $18. Made like a thick sweatshirt, it is sure to keep you warm in the winter and comes in a variety of colors. Keep in mind with such unique design, you can never go wrong with solid black.
. - Take a look at the All-In-One Jersy Dress, worn 6 different ways for $24! Thats right one dress can be worn 6 different ways and the loose design is great for ALL sizes!
. - Keeping in with this falls trends is the NK Boyfriend Jacket for $20. The Boyfriend jacket is going to be HUGE this season and the NK version has a great look and great price.
. - Also look at the Cap Sleeve Jersey Wrap Dress for $20. This dress is great for concealing a little extra tummy fat, but is unforgiving for anyone larger than a B-cup. Trust me on this, otherwise your cup will runneth over.
. - Last, but certainly not least is the Shirred Jersey Tank Dress for $18. This is a classic sheath dress, which should be a staple in every woman’s closet. A good sheath dress can be worn to practically every occasion, including the ever so confusing “business casual”.
The most important thing to keep in mind when buying designer clothing is size and fit. Most designer clothes fit very small, and Norma Kamali’s Wal-Mart line is no exception. So if these items spark your interest, then either try on or size up. Something else you might want to do is check out the reviews for the item. Most of the NK for Wal-Mart items got great reviews. Reviews can give you a lot of insight if you are on the fence about a purchase. If you want to see more of Norma Kamali’s collection, visit www.normakamalicollection.com. This website will show you both her Wal-Mart line and her high end, uber-expensive, can’t afford it in a million years line. One last thing: If you’re still a little embarrassed about shopping at Wal-Mart, here is the icing on the cake. The Norma Kamali clothes have tags that simply read Norma Kamali (not Nk for Wal-Mart) so no one has to know that you got your authentic Norma Kamali cardigan for $18 instead of $380!
.
.
As Always, Happy Shopping!
Isabella Griffin-Dennis
The Birth of My Fashion and Shopping Blog
As a personal concierge I am skilled in the art of grocery shopping; however, my forte is in fashion and personal shopping. Various friends have encouraged me to write a series of blogs about fashion and shopping for people who are, well, money conscious. A lot of high fashion blogs talk about where to get the hottest new Marc Jacobs bag, but realistically, you and I probably won’t pay $4,500 for a purse. So I wanted to create a blog that will expose the everyday woman to high end fashion that she can actually buy, and still make the mortgage payment. Where do I get my source material? Well, my sister is and will always be model: tall, skinny, gorgeous and very serious about fashion. A lot of information I get from discussing the trends with her. And as a personal concierge, I do so much personal shopping for others that I have learned which stores have great design for reasonable prices. You will find, at the very least, one new post a month, although I am shooting for 2-3 a month. The two biggest posts being the fall fashion review and the new spring trends. I hope this blog will keep you fashion forward and until next time: Happy Shopping!
.
Isabella
Welcome.
Welcome the the DoubleYou Services Diary!
Here you can read about the trials and tribulations of our personal concierge and errand services company, DoubleYou Services. My wife, Isabella, and I, Omari, are passionate about helping our clients get the most out of their time. We want to share our experiences so that anyone starting out a business of their own might learn something, or to entice any super busy person into hiring us or reaching out to other businesses like ours.
Sincerely,
Omari D.