Fashion Blog

As fast as the days turned too hot in the sultry summer heat, the lure for boots, tights and sweater dresses is also catching on. Here’s a simple look from Banana Republic. Marked at $130.00, the sweater is a bit out of range for young shoppers with a budget. No worries! To snag this look, I’ve found similar styles for a fraction of the price.

Twelve by Twelve sweater: $36.00

Try any of these other fabulous finds with your choice of tights or skinny jeans and boots:

Forever21 Grey sweater: $26.90

H81 (Heritage 1981) Grey sweater $22.90

   Forever21 Teal tights: $5.80

Express Black clutch: $23.70

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more clutch handbags.
                                        Shop for more sweater dresses.
                                        Shop for more sweaters.
                                        Shop for more tights.

I think this would make for a pretty darn cute & stylish substitute for a typical school backpack this coming school season.  Especially for college students who only go to a few classes a day and don’t carry around a lot of books.  This dark amber color is my favorite, but it also comes in black patent & white patent.

The Sak Silver Lake Leather Flap: $172.55 (Was: $203)

Shop for more The Sak handbags.
Shop through all handbags.

Alas…summer is officially approaching, but it’s really no fun unless you sport some black and white gingham.

This week’s inspiration was from the L.A.M.B. Spring 2008 runway show. Gwen stuck to pretty dark colors for this collection, and one can almost mistake it for a fall line, but she did slip in a few summery pieces like this adorable mini dress.

My picks below should do the trick, and the crimson red lipstick pays homage to Ms. Stefani herself.    

   Julie Haus Siren Dress -black & white gingham  - revolveclothing.com: $375     

Nine West Heathers shoe in yellow leather: $59.99

Xhilaration quilted black satchel: $19.99

Kat Von D Painted Love lipstick in Underage Red: $18

Shop here for more women’s dresses.

Shop here for more women’s shoes.

Shop here for more handbags.

Shop for more lipstick here.

Zappos.com is mainly known for their shoes, but did you know they also carry clothing & handbags?  Here are some of my fave clutch handbags from their sale section:

Lodis Accessories Sevilla Diva Clutch Wallet: $162 Now: $145

Also comes in Black & Cream.

Franchi Handbags Pagoda Leather Clutch: $159 Now: $143.10

Also comes in Gold & Silver.

Icon Lady With a Fan Pleated Clutch: $154 Now: $138.60

I love this clutch because it’s so vintage!  It also reminds me of Memoirs of a Geisha.

Stuart Weizman Deco Clutch: $250 Now: $193

Whiting & Davis Art Deco Flat & Bubble Mesh Clutch: $304 Now: $211

Also comes in Gunmetal.

Click here to see their entire selection of clutch handbags on sale.

SheFinds wonders how far would you go for trendy chiseled cheekbones?

The Beauty Brains ask a very important question: Is breast milk soap appealing or appalling?

SeenON! wants you to look good for Spring with their giveaway from Fidelity Denim and LeDoux Swimwear

Top Button adores the Herve Leger bandage dress Kate Beckinsale squeezed into…a perfect glam look!

Girlawhirl can’t wait to throw on these summer clothes.

From pale neutrals to ultra bright patent, StyleBakery.com shows us the season’s hottest handbags for every budget.

This week on Smarter Fashion we covered:

If you appreciate vintage style here are some great vintage style rings for pretty good prices.

One comfy shoe deal….

…and a navy dress deal.

Give your waredrobe a brilliant spring boost with theses great yellow handbags, shoes & jewelry.

Girlawhirl.com is your online resource for great ideas in fashion, beauty, entertainment, health, living green, shopping and more. Girlawhirl travels the world and reports back every weekday morning with fun articles, giveaways and quick click-throughs. This week Girlawhirl looks a little more svelte wearing a yummie tummie shaper.

Top Button won’t be tressed this spring season with Chic Spring Up-Do’s from top celebrity hair stylists!

SheFinds picks their faves from the 2008 CEW Beauty Award Nominees for best beauty products of the year. (It was quite a hard call.) 

The Beauty Brains, real scientists who answer your beauty questions, see red over the Pink Patch weight loss patch.

StyleBakery.com tested out the latest must-have Beauty Booty for Spring.

SeenON.com is your one-stop-shop for the items you see on television, film, music videos, sports and celebrities. SeenON! helps the fans get their hands on the items they love after the show, along with behind-the-scenes scoop, previews, special offers, product giveaways and exclusive merchandise. This week, SeenON! shows you accessory trends in NBC’s hot new show Lipstick Jungle.

This week on Smarter Fashion we covered:

Isaac Mizrahi’s possibly last spring line at Target.

Clutch Deal: Calvin Klein Metalic Leather Clutch

 Five great leather handbags on sale for great prices.

    A hot deal on some sassy Betsey Johnson Peeptoe Pumps.

How great are these hobos from Andrew Marc? They remind me of Sweetarts. I love the laid back appeal contrasted with striking colors–that purple is delicious! They’re so simple yet lovely and wearable year ’round. I’d love to pair one with a monochromatic outfit for extra punch. Aaaah! I really, really want one. So much personality!

Andrew Marc Large Leather Hobo. $236 (old price= $395)

It’s been a while since I did a top 5, but by popular demand I’ve got one for you today. The subject: handbags. It’s the end of the season, and stores are dying to get rid of last season’s must-haves. Why not help them out? You can find some of the chicest bags around in the sale section of almost every store right now.

Here are my faves:

La Gioe di Toscana “Sophia” Satchel, $299 (old price=$500)

I find this bag absolutely delicious! Imagine what you can do with it–it has brown and black in it! It’s also very structured with eye-popping details.

Nordstrom Animal Print Portfolio Clutch, $46.90 (old price= $158)

Generally speaking, animal prints are best in small doses. And isn’t this zebra print clutch the cutest small dose? An evening bag like this is a great way to add personality to a little black dress, and a just-wild-enough way to punch up an ensemble with color.

JCrew Panama Bag in Suede, $49 (old price= $98)

The color combination is what makes this classic bag so eye-catching and sumptuous. This is the perfect way to liven up a monochromatic outfit or perk up a dark ensemble. It also looks like it would work for day or night.

Michael by Michael Kors Chestertown Satchel, $149 (old price= $298)

Simple and chic. This is a great bag that’ll always be in season. The details are fantastic, and it falls into that special not-to-big-not-too-small category. I have a black patent leather bag, and it’s definitely earned it’s keep.

Urban Outfitters Leather Patchwork Slouch Bag, $54.99 (old price=$78)

Patchwork! It’s time to bring this style back. I think if I had this, it would become my permanent day bag–it’s so cool, calm and collected.

I’m really craving suede lately, and these colorful DKNY hobos might be just the quencher I need. Especially the camel one, which will go with anything since it’s neutral but still punchy enough to brighten up darker-hued ensembles. Sumptuous! They’re really perfect for Spring, too, which is gearing up to have a flower-power, hippy vibe.

I do have to say that as cute as they are, I wouldn’t pay $295 for one. Thankfully, they’re on sale (along with loads of other stuff) now at Bloomingdale’s, where they’re having a 40% off (already reduced prices) event until January 21.

DKNY Large Suede Hobo, $131 (old price=$295)

Ooh, I love it.  This BCBG satchel is so classically chic and handy.  This handbag is a great addition to a professional look, and that brown and gold color combo has the gumption to give you an edge at any job interview.

BCBGMAXZRIA Large Satchel, $199 (old price= $398)