Fashion Blog

I have been taking advantage of the January sales, as they have been quite phenomenal. Pre -Christmas I was in search of that wardrobe essential - a stylish pair of black boots. I wanted something unusual but classic at the same time. I really don’t like wearing the latest this or the latest that for the simple fact, I like individual style.

Thus my quest began. I hunted high and low for that ’special’ pair of black boots but to no avail. The regular high street range bored me to tears. The higher end designer range cost the price of a small used car, and actually had me laughing hysterically at the  suggestion that I would be prepared to pay that amount.

Sergio Rossi Boots - $4,368/small used car

So there I was sitting down, surfing the net, with my Well Connected Cousin (see The Ice Queen Cometh post) looking for pretty underwear on the Victoria Secret website. One of the last times I had shopped at Victoria Secret I was in Manhattan, with my cousin. It was raining so we ran over to Bloomingdales where I purchased a gorgeous leopard print umbrella. We then went into Victoria Secrets and I went shopping. My cousin wandered off somewhere out of the store, I suspect he wasn’t that interested in looking at ladies underwear - not on the shelf anyways. $150 later I was done and off we went back home. I then discovered that I had left my gorgeous leopard print umbrella in the umbrella bucket in Victoria Secrets. I was devastated, especially as I couldn’t go back and would be flying home to London, England. A moments silence for my lost umbrella please. Thank you.

So anyway, there I was back at Victorias Secret  - online. I made my underwear selections (we don’t have Victoria Secret here or an equivalent), I then decided to look at the footwear. Then I saw them  - my new pair of stylish black boots. It was love at first browse and I ordered them promptly. I actually called Victoria Secret to check my English shoes size, which turned out to be a US 8. The assistant was excellent (you are more thorough than us over here guys!). I placed my order and received an e-mail letting me know my order was being processed. The e-mail also let me know that it would arrive around 28th of January. However, they actually arrived on January 3rd, having been ordered on December 27th. One week exactly.

My big sister Ann Marie was there for the grand opening of my boots. Well packaged and in tact, I removed them carefully from their box. They fit perfectly and looked wonderful. My sister was astonished at the height of the heel and made me walk up and down on several surfaces to see if I would fall over or get a nose bleed. However they have a built up platform on the sole which balances out the height of the heel. I immediately found an excuse to wear them and changed my whole outfit just to do so.

The boots are quite comfortable, but they are not walking boots! The stud detail takes away any chance of them looking too ‘tarty’. I wore mine with a long black high collared coat and slick black polo neck.  I am happy!

Lace-Up Buckle Boot by Bronx at Victoria Secret: $148.99 on sale

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more Bronx boots.

I know you all aren’t procrastinators (like me) and have already started shopping around for the holidays, I thought I’d feature some great coupon codes vs. a typical deal of the day today.

 7 for all Mankind:  Free tank top with any order - Use coupon code GIFT4ME (Exp: 12/31/08)

Find at 7forAllMankind.com - Roxanne in Chile: $185

American Eagle Outfitters:  Take an extra 20% off your order - Use coupon code 64592371 (Exp: 12/09/08)

Find at AE.com - AE Plaid Peacoat: $129.50

Bloomingdales: Holiday Free Shipping on orders$100+ - Use coupon code SHIPXMAS (Exp: 12/19/08)

Find at Bloomingdales.com: Hobo International Clutch Bag: $148 Now $102.99

Heels.com:  $15 off any order over $125 - Use coupon code HEELQ4AFF (Exp: 12/31/08)

Find at Heels.com - Vince Camuto Brown Women’s Tonker Heel Shoes: $164.99

Karmaloop: 20% off entire order - Use coupon code TASHA20 (Exp: 12/31/08)

Find at Karamaloop.com -  The Vega Watch in Black by Nixon: $55

Check out more coupon code and special offers from more clothing and accessories stores here. 

My name is Lisa Remi and I am a glamour addict. I just like dressing up and I don’t care if I have no where to go. Any excuse to put something glam on, that’s me. I’ll put on a pair of diamante earrings just to go downstairs to the fridge.

As we approach the ’sparkly’ season, I can feel a big glam-attack coming on. I’ve put together a few examples  of extra shiny dresses and accessories to help you dazzle!

I love this Tadashi Women’s Stretch Satin V-Neck Dress, $122.99

If you’re feeling in an extra sparkly mood, be bold and beautiful in this Alix Abacus Dress from French Connection, $248.00 $199.99 on sale.

Slip these perfect Cranberry Crush Slippers on your feet from Cocoa Rose, $47. Available in several satin shades, they are adorable. Incredibily versatile, they will look good dressed up with a cute party dress, or go for a more casual with a pair of stylish jeans. Designed with an extra ’spongy’ sole, they are great to walk in or carry on the plane. Each pair comes with it’s own complimentary leather carry bag.

Glisten and glow with this stunning Electric Disco Clutch Bag from Makki, $161.70

Light up the room with these 14ct White Gold Gemstone Earrings, $107.99

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more v-neck dresses.
                                        Discounts on French Connection dresses and Tadashi dresses.
                                        Buy clutch handbags.
                                        Shop for gemstone earrings.

The deals keep coming this season! The latest is at Bloomingdale’s, where you can get 20% off all purchases up to $299 and 25% if you spend over $300 (until Dec. 4). I always sock away a little money before December just to be able to take advantage of sales like this. Last year, for instance, I got a pair of perfect Marc by Marc Jacobs patent leather pumps for $100 off by combining two discounts.

You can really make your money go far with these deal and treat yourself to something you could never justify paying full price for. Thing like this, for instance:

Tibi Deco Print Shift ($375- 25%=) $281.00

Marc by Marc Jacobs Turnlock Teri Tote ($428-25%=) $321

Stuart Weitzman Patent Riding Boots, ($525-25%=) $393

I know Tory Burch is a little overexposed right now, but I’m still a fan.  I love the clean lines and subtle “cute” quality to her clothes.  You know, they’re just cute enough, without going too overboard for my tastes.  That brings me to these jeans, which are on sale at Bloomingdales for $105 (old price=$175).

These are super classic, with a rise that’s not too low, a slight flare and a nice shade of indigo. Plus they have the signature Tory Burch hardware on the pockets and fly.

Good for night, good for day.  

Adding a double breasted coat to your wardrobe is a savvy fashion move since the style brings a touch of polish to most ensembles. I’m especially fond of the shorter varieties with feminine detailing (like the Juicy Couture 3/4 Puffed Sleeve Jacket, $158 above), which take jeans and skirts to a whole new, more put together, level. Also cute is the pairing of a double breasted jacket with tweed or wool shorts or mini skirt with tights and flats. Layer with tees and up the chic factor.

Armani Exchange Crop Double Breasted Jacket, $89.99 (was $120)

Bloomingdales Peacoat Sweater, $64.99

Soia & Kyo Candy Plaid Coat, $315

Urban Outfitters Alpha Cropped Peacoat, $150

Double Breasted Jackets Tip: Always choose your best fit. If there is any pulling across the chest, go up a size because if its too tight, the look is no good.

I recently bought a gold clutch because I needed a nighttime bag that would liven up an all black ensemble. Usually, I’ll go for a colorful bag to punch up neutrals, but none meeting that description appealed to me, so I went metallic. I was a little hesitant that it would be too much, but actually the look was fresh, subtle and sophisticated. Not to mention, I got a ton of compliments on it. I also like the way it looks with color–just last weekend I mixed it with a turquoise dress, black tights and a trench coat. The contrast was very chic, if I do say so myself.

So, long story long, I’m a convert to the charms of a gold clutch. And if I didn’t just buy one, I might consider this Avignon Woven Clutch, which I find absolutely scrumptious. It’s going for $107 (old price= $215) at Bloomingdales, which may seem steep for a clutch, but it’s a pretty classic look that will work for years and years. It also comes in pewter.

Viva the gold clutch!

Avignon Woven Metallic Clutch, $107 (was $215)

Bloomingdales Trench Coat, Old Price=$298 New Price=$237.99

It’s a wonderful thing when a classic staple like a trench coat gets tagged a “hot” seasonal
trend. As with any fashion craze, once the item reaches must-have status, every label makes their own version and, soon, the market is flooded. The result? Amazing sales on the piece, which, this time around, just so happens to be a totally timeless trench that you can wear for years to come.

Case in point: this fabulous vanilla jacket from Bloomingdales. It’s so cute, I can hardly stand it. It also comes in black and port.