Category Archives: Fashion Forward

Rainbow Tights

I was talking to a friend and fellow blogger at work (she’s linked on my blogroll under FishouttaH2O Photography), and she asked me where she can get a good pair of textured tights that are not just black.

That got me thinking…so, here are a few good places that I’ve found to prepare for the fall and winter seasons in tights that are not just your basic black:

Hue.com – One of the first names that come to mind when I think of hosiery.

Target – I always head to Target first to their hosiery and socks department for great prices and decent selection.

American Apparel – Great selection of colors in their opaque tights.

Kohls – I love the Simply Vera Wang indigo tights I bought there.  Such a subtle contrast with an all black outfit.

ASOS – They usually have a great selection of tights, but I don’t see them right now.  Check the sale selection.  I bought a great pair of burgundy tights there for only $3 (US).

Topshop – The selection at the stores is even better, but you’ll still get a great selection online.  Check out the Henry Holland House Tights!

New Look – I regret not buying every color of the tights I saw on sale when I was last in London.

DSW – They don’t have a great selection online.  But when you’re in line getting ready to check out at an actual store location, you can grab a great pair at the last-minute at racks near the registers (I included the link in case your fancy turns to shoes, like mine just did).

Navy Exchange – You have to be in the military or be related to someone in the military to shop at a store or log onto the site.  But if you get the chance to, it’s worth it.  The one that we shop at has an entire wall of hosiery.

Lori’s Shoes – Just bought my clogs there!  Great selection of shoes and hosiery, plus great customer service.

Tory Burch Private Sale

Tory Burch is having a private sale!  Click on the picture to take you to a site not available unless you’ve signed up on toryburch.com

Remember those great sandals called the Alani Chain Demi Wedge Thongs in my “Endless Summer Wedges” entry?  They were originally $250 and are now $75.  Different variations on the popular Reva flats are also on sale (starting at $66).

Take advantage of great prices on clothing, shoes and of course the signature purses and totes.  The sale runs until August 23.  I’m eying the “Jakey Heel“.  Get it while you can!

Update:  I just put in my order for the Jakey Heel.  But it is subject to availability.  I suggest putting in your request right away to get the best selection of your favorite items in the sale.  Also, in order to view anything regarding the sale, you must enter your email address.  If you are just looking for the picture of the Jakey Heel but don’t want to enter your email, it is pictured below.  I hope I get them!

Update (8.20.2010):  I got them!  Yay!

Jakey Heel in Luggage - Tory Burch

Gilt Groupe Gets on Target

I’m SO excited!  From my entries, I’m sure you know that I love the whole “Go International” campaign Target runs where they collaborate with designers to create affordable versions of their lines.  When I missed out on the Luella line, I vowed to always be at the ready when a new line comes out.  Since then, I’ve been able to purchase great clothing and accessories from their collaborations with Patrick Robinson, Erin Fetherston, Alexander McQueen, Alice Temperley, Loeffler Randall, Anya Hindmarch, Ana Sui, Zac Posen and Liberty of London.

Target has teamed up with the Gilt Groupe (an invitation-only online boutique) to bring their latest collaborations to people who register with them before they hit the Target stores in September.  The newest collaborations include Tucker, John Darian (for the home) and Mulberrry!  The preview sale begins on August 20 at 9am PST and lasts only 36 hours.

(I’ve been eyeing the dresses from the Tucker collection, but I had no idea about the Mulberry line!)

Register for free at the link below to get on Gilt, and you will also get a $10 credit.  I’m already registered (of course), so I won’t be able to take advantage of the credit, but that doesn’t mean you can’t! 

I’m ready…are you?

Register for Gilt Groupe/Target Preview Sale

Inspiration is Ageless…as is Style

My 40th Birthday in NYC (top, Jean Paul Gaultier for Target)

When I began this blog, I wasn’t sure where exactly I would go with it.  Fashion?  Lifestyle?  It started off with just being inspired to write again after reading the Cupcakes and Cashmere blog.  Once the flow of writing came out, then my husband and son inspired me to write about the things I love.  I also thought of the passing of my father and how it affected myself, my mother and sister, remembering  how fleeting life is and that we must enjoy everything in this world with the people we love the most.     

I then started to worry about how I want to present myself as a 40-year-old new wife and also mother of a very young toddler.  I never want to appear as if I was either trying too hard or that I should present myself a certain way because I’m not in my 20’s or 30’s.   

Further reading brought me to The Glamourai and Karla’s Closet blogs.  I was reminded that style and beauty are ageless.  I know I have “found myself” now that I’ve approached that milestone of 40.  I know what I like and dislike.  I’ve weeded out all of my insecurities about what people think of me.  This drives me to do the things that make me happy.  Part of that happiness comes in the form of creativity and artistry.   Even in my 20’s, choosing a major of visual arts in college set me apart from my friends who chose more “conventional” paths.  I wasn’t going to settle for anything less.  

I have always been complimented by my friends on my style, which is an offshoot of my creativity.  Some of the best compliments I received was when I was pregnant.  I vowed to limit the amount of maternity clothing I purchased because I didn’t want to stifle my creativity with my clothes.  I did well up until 6 months.  Even then, I didn’t let the  introduction of maternity clothes limit my ability to experiment and make every outfit unique.  I made sure to shop at places like Topshop which offered clothing that was a maternity version of their regular lines.  Friends and co-workers said that they told their friends about my pregnancy style, which made me feel infinitely great.  I definitely want to remain stylish at every point in my life, even through pregnancy.  

While pregnant, I went on a trip to London and saw the first “Sex and the City” movie on the plane ride there, not having seen any of the episodes during it’s run on HBO.  During my maternity leave from work, I watched all six seasons of “Sex and the City”. These women were my age, and still fabulous!  When I returned to work four months later, another friend at work mentioned that she wasn’t sure what happened during my leave, but it seemed that my style “got dialed up”.  My inner Carrie Bradshaw was released.  I was inspired.   

The bottom line is that I just need to trust myself.  Approaching 40 doesn’t mean that who I am as a person goes away because of what is expected when that milestone is hit .  It’s realizing that after all the experience and learning I’ve done to this point, I have to trust that if it has gotten me this far and has only improved, I must be doing something right.  

Thanks to all who have inspired me and continue to inspire me.  As in the words of  the Glamourai Manifesto:  I shall go forth and live glamorously!

2 for 1: Great Clog Blog and a Shoe Discount!

Charli-C in Black Suede - Jeffrey Campbell

I entered a contest through a blog entry at Jeffrey Campbell’s official site, which was through another blog called “Every Clog Has It’s Day“.  When entering the contest, I mistakenly thought that the entry was from the JC blog and only realized after not winning that it is its own blog (click on the link or check out my Blog Roll).  

What a very cool blog all about…clogs!  This gal truly has a love for the shoe, and why not?  I’ve always liked clogs myself (I own 3 pairs) because of the vintage feel and bold look they provide any outfit.  Stylish and natural (due to the wood), it provides a sort of whimsy feeling for me.  I think of my bakya (wooden clogs) from the Philippines when I was 8 that I bought at the palenke (marketplace).  My family took a trip there and I brought back a pair of the colorful shoes.  I wore them until they couldn’t fit.  They were beautiful:  I remember the carvings in the heel and embroidered upper fastened with nails…I think I’ve found my source for all things to do with the wooden shoe.  What a great blog Lindsey and thanks for that little trip down memory lane! 

I didn’t win a pair of Jeffery Campbell’s shoes, but I did get a great discount at a site called Lori’s Shoes out of Chicago.  While you had to enter the contest to get the deal I did, first time visitors get $10 off of your purchase of $75 or more by taking a survey located on a link at the site or by entering your email to subscribe to their newsletter. 

(UPDATE:  I just bought the Jeffrey Campbell pair pictured in this blog!) 

Enjoy this 2 for 1 entry about a great shoe blog and a great deal!  I’ll surf a little on both while my little one is taking a snooze.

Nicely Polished

After my little spa day with my niece (“First Time At The Spa” entry), it got me thinking about nail polish colors.  The color I had for my nails was chosen by my niece and called “Too good for you” (I can’t recall the brand).  It was a sparkly electric light blue color that I would not normally choose.  But because she knows I like the nearly black indigo blue colors for my toes, she picked out a brighter blue for my nails.

A memory that just sparked was the time my dad gave me nail polish and a nail drying lamp for Christmas one year.  That was one of the most thoughtful gifts from him because he knew how much I loved to either go to a salon, or paint my own nails.  He even told me then that he asked the lady at the counter in Robinsons May (before it was Macys) to help pick out a youthful color.  He ended up with a burnt orange color that was beautiful in the bottle and on the nail.  I will always remember that Christmas with fondness because I could just imagine my very Filipino father walking into that department with no clue what to get, just to ensure that he got me something I would like.

At first, I always got red nails.  Then I moved into the coppers.  I started to wear an iridescent color that was nearly a pearl color indoors, but out in the sun, it turned a mauve color.  I wore that for a very long time. 

Every now and again, I’ll go back to brighter colors, but I’m really just so drawn to very dark colors or simply black.  Black nails can be incredibly sophisticated, but it allows me to bring out my inner goth. 

I’ve always loved the colors by Opi, and my favorite is Russian Navy, which they have in their regular shine, but I just found out that they also a matte and a suede.  It’s a deep indigo that looks nearly purple, but turns into this wonderful deep blue when in sunlight.  There’s just enough sparkle to bring out a shine, no matter how dark the polish is. 

Now that I’m writing this, I think I’ll go back to Happy Nails and have them repaint my nails the “Midnight Blue”, which is just a substitute for Russian Navy.  I thank my niece for the break in routine during our spa day, but somethings are nice when they stay the same.

Fashion Rocks

Ian Curtis Dress – Idil Vice

In my search for Joy Division memorabilia on Ebay earlier this year, I stumbled upon a dress that was probably one of the coolest items of clothing I had seen in a long time.  It wasn’t a concert/band t-shirt that someone somehow manufactured into a dress.  This was a dress with the actual print on it.

I searched the designer and found out her name is Idil Vice, a Swiss native who is designing in Manhattan.  This Joy Division/Ian Curtis dress is from her Fashion Rocks line, which she calls, “a very stylish alternative to the printed rock t-shirt!”

Of course, seeing the Joy Division section prompted me to look for other bands that I like.  I found that Sex Pistols skirt, as seen in my “Net-a-Poseur” entry and a very nice Billy Idol skirt.  There is even a picture of Gwen Stefani wearing a Specials vest.

I started to look for anything Depeche Mode, and I found it!  She created a dress and skirt from the “Violator” album, one of my favorite Depeche Mode albums ever.  I needed to ask a question about the sizing, and Ms. Idil Vice

Depeche Mode “Violator” skirt – Idil Vice

wrote back to me herself (I’ve had very good luck with that lately, check out my “About” section).  I’m still deciding which one I want:  If I get the dress, I can throw a cardigan, blazer or denim jacket over it; and if I get the skirt, I can wear whatever top I want with it.  Decisions, decisions!

Idil Vice has created items from so many different bands like The Ramones and The Beatles, to current artists like Lady Gaga.  She also includes television shows, movies, actors and pop culture icons (like Popeye and Elvira).  Her collection does not stop at skirts and dresses.  She has created jackets, hoodies, pants, sweaters, accessories and even baby clothing.  Here’s an amazing plus:  If you can’t find what you want, you can request it and it can possibly be made into a piece of clothing!

So if you want something other than the rock t-shirt, check out Fashion Rocks by Idil Vice.  Your inner rock star will thank you.

Update:  Please check out her blog (link in my blog roll).  Idil has added me to her “cool related blogs” section.  Thanks Idil!

Bloomingdale’s: Cargo and Carry

Blank Skinny Cargo Pants - Bloomingdale's

I’m loving the “Skinny Cargo” style that I’ve been seeing lately.  Bloomingdale’s has a nice section on their site called “Denim Alternatives” that shows off the brands they have for this cute trend. 

My husband loves the cargo shorts to play golf in and to relax in for our mini family trips on the weekends.  So now my son has adopted his relaxed style with his own little cargo shorts.  I’ve always liked that rugged yet urban/utilitarian look cargos have, especially now that it’s in a slimmer more stylish look which fits my taste a bit more. 

What I also found on the Bloomies site was their “Bag A Day” give away.   If you just found out about it like I did (how did I miss that email?), then you also missed out on a weeks worth of  “Bag A Day” entries.  Fear not my fellow fashionista!  There is still time to get in on the action until August 15th.  Just go to the Bloomingdale’s site and click on the link on the very bottom of the page to enter your information, or you can click here:  Bag A Day.  I’ve already started my entries…is it wishful thinking to start making room for in my closet for them? 

Everything Old is New Again

Hermes Pale Green Silk Pochette Scarf Pierres d'Orient et d'Occident - Portero Luxury

The search for online vintage items is a fickle thing:  Sometimes the find is great and sometimes it’s far less than what you hoped.  Ebay is a good start, but I have discovered a better place. 

Portero Luxury is one of the best places to find luxury items for a fraction of the cost.  I’m not sure how many people are in the hunt for Hermès scarves, but I was able to get it at a decent price.  It’s a Pierres d’Orient et d’Occident pochette scarf by Zoe Pauwels, which was originally issued back in 1988 (from what I’ve read, and I don’t claim to be an expert by any means).  Granted, it’s not a shawl, stole or large scarf, but it is vintage Hermès.  

Portero labels their items by their condition (examples: Good, Fair, Very Good, etc).  This scarf was labeled “Pr” for “Pristine”, meaning it was never used and came with the original box.  Portero stands behind their authenticity or you get your money back.  Plus, there is no bidding.  Everything is has a static price.  

I will always use Ebay for my initial searches.  But if you are in the market for vintage items that are guaranteed authentic, give Portero Luxury a try.  It’s the difference between hoping and knowing.

Clutch Performance

Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve always liked clutch purses.  While I truly appreciate that one evening clutch that brings that special added touch to your outfit (my all time favorites are designed by Judith Leiber, of which I have 2 vintage ones), I also like that clutches are the perfect “grab and go” purse.  Last year, I found a Coach clutch/wristlet that can go from day to night in an instant (see featured image).   A nice plus about clutch purses is that you can find some that are small enough to fit in your main bag, so you can take it out in case you want to leave the larger purse at coat check or in the car.  They fit just the essentials, whatever that may be for you.  I tend to put money, my driver’s license, a check card or credit card (depending on the size, my whole wallet if it will fit), an elastic hair band, lipstick, compact and eyeliner in any of my cute little clutches (did you think I only had one?).  

Grab and go never looked so good!

Heart Ruched Clutch – Topshop; Rosette Leatherette Clutch – Forever 21; Liya Large Frame Clutch – Rafe New York; Flesh Studded Brittania Clutch – Alexander McQueen; Gianni Chiarini Mini Leather Clutch – Nordsrtom; Metallic Leather Wristlet – Coach (No longer available)