Update Your Winter Wardrobe (AKA – Look Christy, You’re Internet Famous!)

I have awesome friends.  I’m not sure why, but they keep coming back for more.  They put up with my fickle phone skills and know-it-all personality for reasons I have yet to determine.  Of course, this makes them all the more awesome.  When my longtime friend Christy told me at brunch the other day that she was going shopping to update her wardrobe for the cool winter season, my ears perked up.  Ok, it was more like OMG CAN YOU PLEASE TAKE PICTURES FOR ME SO THAT I CAN WRITE ABOUT THAT?!  Because honestly, who doesn’t want to update their wardrobe for each season?  I know I do.  Also on the honest front?  Who is really prepared to drop thousands of dollars to do it each time?  Right.

Christy (who is a Junior Mass Comm major at Louisiana State University) updated her current look with just a few additional pieces that she found at Forever 21 and Target.  She did the entire thing for under $300.  Check out her new looks.

Black long sleeve shirt with ruffles–Forever 21–$19.80
Red skirt with Black belt–Forever 21–$10.50

Tights–Target–$5.00
I think Christy hit it out of the park with this look.  She paired the shirt, skirt, and tights with a pair of Chinese Laundry Black Boots that she already owned.  The boots cost her $110 when they were new, but she has now worn them two winter seasons in a row.  That, my friends, is called an investment.

My friend the little lumberjack.  Isn’t she adorable?  In all seriousness, plaid is back.  I’m not sure how I feel about it, but it’s back, it’s a fact, so Christy is keeping it real and fashionable with this look.

Flannel shirt–Forever 21–$19.80
Blue Skinny Jeans–Urban Outfitters–$35 on sale
Tan Boots–Charlotte Russe–$41

Rawr! Again, Christy is rocking the skirt with tights and her Chinese Laundry boots, but this is a totally different look (great for nights when she has a lot of partying studying to do!).

Plain black long sleeve shirt–Target–$9.00
Zebra skirt–Target–$16.99
Tights–Target–$5.00
Headband–Target–$9.99
Bangles–Forever 21–$4.99 for a 3-pk

This is one of my favorite looks on Christy – love the green sweater with her complexion, and I love that she went with brown boots instead of black.

Green and Grey sweater–Forever 21–$13.50
Grey Cami underneath–Target–$8.99
Blue Skinny Jeans–same as above from Urban Outfitters
Tan Boots–same as above from Charlotte Russe

Her last look is all about the coat, which I think is great since so many people will see your coat long before they see anything underneath it.  She let her coat do the talking, and paired it with all-black underneath.  My only suggestion for this outfit would be to consider cinching the waistline with a skinny belt to pull it all together.  Since the coat isn’t uber-fitted, it would help to give her more shape.  She paired this coat with the same black long sleeve shirt from Target, and Chinese Laundry Boots.

A-line Black and White Coat–Forever 21–$44.50

Black skinny jeans/feel like tights–Forever 21–$24.80

* * *

There ya have it – some really inexpensive ways to put together a few new looks, with a huge thank you to my friend Christy, who never ceases to provide me with entertainment (and friendship, I might add).

Want to be featured on Chic Shopper Chick?  Send me some pictures of your favorite looks and I will do my best to post them!

Black Is In: Beauty and Fashion Deals for Black Friday

Black Friday is so often about the hottest toy or the newest Flat Screen TV…but what about all of the fashionista’s out there? Apart from the fact that most of us probably love our beauty sleep…we also can’t pass up a good deal on a great look! Here are some deals – available both online and in stores – starting tomorrow, Black Friday (don’t you feel like you should say “dun dun dun!” right after that?).  Read on to discover amazing discounts and deals, including free overnight shipping for the rest of your life!

BLACK FRIDAY – NOVEMBER 27, 2009

H&M: On Friday, November 27th, receive 25% off items of your choice from 5AM until 10AM* and enjoy Fashion Finds all day from $5.

Store hours vary; call your nearest H&M for opening hours. Store locator.

*Offer valid Friday, November 27th from store opening until 10AM. Not valid on previous purchases, for H&M gift cards, or in conjunction with any other discounts. These three stores open at 5 am on Black Friday; 5th Ave and 52nd street, Penn Station, Herald Square stores.

Zappos: Zappos is opening the doors to their VIP Club!  From Black Friday through Cyber Monday, your readers can visit Zappos.com and join the VIP Club.  By becoming a member of the  VIP Club, members will receive free, overnight shipping – for the rest of their lives!  This invitation will only last from midnight on November 27th until midnight November 30th.

The link to sign up for the VIP Club will be live starting at 12:01 am on Black Friday morning and will be taken down on midnight November 30th.  From that point on, anything you purchase through vip.zappos.com will arrive at your door the next day fo’ free.  You read that right.  Sign me up.

Crabtree & Evelyn:  Crabtree & Evelyn is having a Black Friday preview sale with 20% off sitewide!   Free shipping on orders of $25 or more, Hand Therapy lotion is 50% off, and you can snatch up Body Lotion for $7.  Great stocking stuffers, teacher gifts, or girlfriend gifts!

Apothica:  Apothica is offering 20%-70% off selected items in their clearance sale. This amazing store offers beauty brands like Herve Leger, The Art of Shaving, and beingTRUE – upscale beauty products marked as low as 70% off. You’ll find anything and everything: cleanser, wrinkle cream, mascara, perfume – you name it!

e.l.f.:  This Black Friday, you can take advantage of special shipping rates at e.l.f – have your order shipped for just $1.98 with no minimum order value.  Shipping is usually $7 and their prices start at $1.  Great stuff for a great deal!!  I love their studio collection brushes and am addicted to the lip liner.  Yes, it is possible to be a lip liner addict.

Sephora:  With any $50 online purchase at Sephora, you’ll get a free metallic flower clutch stocked with eight samples. Just enter CLUTCH4U at checkout.  Valid while supplies last. (PS – need an idea of what to buy?  Try my ultimate favorite T3 hairdryer, or a gift set from one of my favorite skincare lines, Philosophy.)

Macy’s:  Macy’s is having a Thanksgiving Sale with 20%-50% off of thousands of amazing items.  The sale is online Thursday 11/26 through Saturday 11/28, and in-store 5 am – 1 pm on Black Friday, and 8 am – 1 pm on Saturday.

Payless:  Payless is having a sale through December 1st that offers buy one, get another half off, on any item in the store.  Shoes?  Now you’re speaking my language!  Squee! See those shoes to the right, there?  Those are CHRISTIAN SIRIANO.  At Payless.  I’m just sayin’.

DJ Premium:  At DJ Premium you’ll find brands like L.A.M.B, Vivienne Westwood, True Religion, Custo Barcelona, and tons of others.  You can take 20% off of full priced items with the code:  IE20J6, and 25% off of your Black Friday order with 1FUN1U.

Arden B:  Until Noon on Friday, buy one item get another for $5 at Arden B – storewide, but in-store only!  Free shipping on purchases of $15 or more, and mix and match basics are 2 for $14.  You can also get 25% off of selected sweaters online.  Check out the Holiday Lookbook for ways to create an inspired Holiday wardrobe!

Shopbop:  Up to 70% off of items at one of my all-time faves, Shopbop.  This awesome sale includes Tory Burch Flats, William Rast denim, and Pour La Victoire boots, among other huge names.  We’re talking major wow factor over here.

Love Steve Madden? BE Steve Madden. (Sorta)

Ever wondered what it was like to walk a mile in Steve Madden’s shoes?  Well, now you can, without even having to buy them first!  (Yes, all of those puns are intended!)

Zappos and Steve Madden have banded together to invite visitors to Zappos Sole Search to create a unique shoe design for the Steve Madden Collection.  You are encouraged to be as creative and outrageous as you’d like, but there are some tools to help you if you need a little inspiration.

The best part is that three winners will be flown out to NYC where they will pitch their design to Steve Madden himself!  Oh yeah, and the grand prize winner will have their design manufactured and sold exclusively on Zappos.com.

You can even see current designs online and vote on your favorites.  Go check it out!

Wardrobe Staple: Reva Flats

Thankfully we live in a time where it’s ok to be practical when it comes to fashion.  While I’m a huge fan of stilettos, I do believe in comfort when you need it.  However, I do NOT believe in sacrificing style for comfort.  Thankfully, Tory Burch combines both style and comfort into one neat little package with the Reva.

Every modern, stylish woman should own a pair of Revas.  It’s not up for negotiation.  It is an investment piece, yes, but one you will practically wear the soles off of.  Go as spunky (pink jellies) or as traditional (black suede) as you’d like, but definitely add them to your collection.  My personal favorite?  The silver snake print Reva ballerina flat.

Oh, and she makes a version of the Reva for little girls, too.  Be still my heart.

Monday Lust

No, no, no, I’m not lusting after Monday, but I did spend a good portion of my evening on Saturday falling in love with some of these amazing items.  My style is decidedly girly-chic with a dash of rock and roll and Audrey Hepburn mixed in.  No matter what your style is, I think you might find a piece here to lust after as well.  At the very least, it will lessen any case of the Mondays that you might have.  Enjoy!

1.  Net Ballerina Skirt from Lipsy.  $60 2. Leaf Clasp Waist Belt.  $29  3. Alexander McQueen Heart Peep Toe Pumps.  $835 $467.60   4.  Coach Madison ‘Juliane’ Tote.  $95/month  5. John Lewis Bow Leather Gloves.  $57   6.  Phosphorescence Bracelet. $42   7. Dolce & Gabbana dress.  $2,325 8.  Erickson Beamon Medieval Swarovski drop earrings.  $400.   9.  Charles by Charles David Fluster (in plum).  $125  10. MICHAEL Michael Kors ‘Berkley – Large’ Clutch.  $195.

Rocker Chick Chic

Fall looks are bringing back a bit of edgy glam with the Rocker Chic look.  Leather, motorcycle and bomber jackets, and metallic accents all hit the fall runways, and hopefully, your wardrobe.  If you haven’t already tried this look, I’ve put together a quick how-to with some pieces below!

Start with this adorable racerback Sphinx dress from ModCloth:

I took this dress and glammed it up with a black leather (or faux leather if you prefer) motorcycle jacket, some black tights, a pair of Nine West ankle boots, and some subtle silver jewelry for a look that is not only Rocker Chic, but just plain hot.  You will be stopping cars and motorcycles alike in this outfit, and I guarantee that you will have no trouble getting a cab!

Have you tried any rocker chic looks for fall?  If you have a picture, email it to me and I will post it here!

Dress To Impress With Talbots ($250 Gift Card Giveaway!)

Red Chair Confessions has been creating quite a bit of buzz in the blogosphere with their fun videos that piqued the curiosity of almost everyone who watched them, including me!  I had no idea who was behind the fun videos that were clearly taking the web by storm, and I was pleasantly surprised to discover that it was Talbots!

Apart from the fact that I once had a $300 blue jean emergency on the emergency credit card my parents gave me in college (look, NOT buying them would have been like losing money – they were on SALE!) I do have a different confession to make – and it’s this:

I thought only teachers and moms shopped at Talbots.  Oh, wait.  I am both a teacher and a mom.  Hmm.

In all seriousness, I never really gave the place a chance!  There is a Talbots a mere half of a mile from my house, and I never bothered to step foot inside of it.  Which, really, is crazy, considering how much I adore shopping.  And the teacher/mom thing aside – honestly I just never really thought about trying Talbots when I was looking for new clothing.

But, um, wow, I was so wrong!  Last week I ran into Talbots, shaking the rain from my hair and turning around to close my umbrella before I turned around and saw them. It was love at first sight.  I’m talking about the most exquisite pair of brown leather riding boots, with perfect gold buckle accents on each side.  Clutching my $250 gift card, I hurried forward and asked the salesgirl for a size 9.5, praying they would fit.  Naturally, they didn’t, but the size 9 did! Sweet victory!

Elated with the discovery of my gorgeous new best friends, I continued browsing the store, wishing that I had a good reason to buy a new wool coat. (I live in Louisiana, sweatshirts and light jackets are about all we need, sadly.)  I moved on to the sale section, and snagged a nice black and white summer dress (which I  wore today!) and a couple of sleeveless tops to carry me through the fall season.

I also loved the pink sheath dress and pencil skirt, I wish I could have taken them both home!  Pinks and purples are great fall colors, and I just think both of these items would go a long way towards updating a basic wardrobe with a young, chic look. I loved the tailored look of the clothing, but that it was still young and even a bit edgy.  I fell in love with some of the bold colored items, including a mustard-colored jacket, and was even tempted to bring home some leopard-print shoes.  Overall, I was very impressed with the selection, and I think if you haven’t been to Talbots, or haven’t been in a while, then it’s time to check it out!

So, want a fall wardrobe makeover for yourself?  Talbots is giving away one lucky Chic Shopper Chick reader a $250 gift card to shop online or in one of their stores!  So, how do you win?  Well, you can go check out the contest rules but it boils down to this:  Click on over to Talbots.com and them come back here to let me know what your favorite items are!!  You can also enter by tweeting the URL to this post, and including the hashtag #redchairconfessions so that we can find it!

This contest ends on September 28th, at 11:59 pm CST.

First Look: The Fashion Of SATC 2

Sex and the City fans and fashionistas the world over are buzzing over the first look at Sarah Jessica Parker on the set of SATC 2.  Patricia Fields is up to her old tricks, and I’ve gotta say, she’s really rockin’ it. SJP stepped out onto the streets of Manhattan looking stunning in a 3/4 length sleeve white Halston Heritage dress.  It was glammed up with gold mirrored aviators, a gold  Chanel clutch (drool), and the most incredible Christian Louboutin “Pigalle” pumps.

I have to say that while I always admire what Patricia Fields has done with Carrie’s many “looks”, sometimes they are far too complicated or far-fetched for me.  I think this look is simply stunning, and would wear it in a heartbeat.  (That is, assuming I could even dream of affording $3,000 shoes to begin with.)

Check out the clip below, via popsugar.tv.  Warning:  watching this will absolutely make you want to “squee”. 

Famous Footwear {Giveaway CLOSED}

Did you know that two things most all women share is their love of shoes and ice cream? (I’m literally eating ice cream as I post this.  Shhh!  Don’t tell!)  Famous Footwear blends these two ingredients together on its site Make Today Unexpected, which gives us women the chance to discover our style and flavor in a most unexpected way.

I just went there, took a short quiz, and found out my personal flavor is “The Devil Wears Cheesecake.” It described me as “A glamorous trendsetter who isn’t shy about her love for the finer things.”  Perfect!

I’ve got an awesome chance for you to win a $100 gift card to Famous Footwear, and you’ll have the chance to discover your own flavor along the way.

Giveaway

Grand Prize

This week, Famous Footwear is awarding one lucky winner with a $100 gift card. Shoes anyone? (Be sure to check out the Fine Print below!)

Coupon

We wanted to make everyone a winner, so visit MakeTodayUnexpected.com and enter to receive $10.00 off your next purchase of $50.00 or more.

Entry Requirements

To enter for a chance to win the $100 Famous Footwear gift card, please do these four things (make sure you leave a separate comment for each of your entries).

Note: Entries that do not follow all of these requirements will not be considered.

1. Take the ‘Find Your Flavor’ quiz by clicking here. Leave a comment on this post with your flavor and e-mail address.
2. Become a fan of the Famous Footwear’s Make Today Unexpected Facebook Page. (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Make-Today-Famous/112646406371?ref=ts)
3. Follow @maketodayfamous on Twitter.
4. Post these messages on Facebook and/or on Twitter and leave comments here, linking to your messages:

Join #gno 8/25 from 9-11 ET 2 chat shoes & ice cream w/ @famous_footwear & @maketodayfamous. RSVP: http://bit.ly/wsRrC PLS RT

Download Famous Footwear coupon 4 back-to-school/fall savings: http://bit.ly/fogQH PLS RT #gno

Extra Entries

You can earn up to two extra entries for this week’s giveaway. Leave an additional comment for each.

• Click here and become a Famous Footwear REWARDS club member (free).
• Post or tweet about something unexpected that has happened to make your day or week more positive on @maketodayfamous or on the Make Today Unexpected Facebook Page.

The Fine Print

Contest ends Sunday, August 30th.  No purchase necessary to enter. Famous Footwear and Mom It Forward employees, and giveaway hostesses are ineligible to participate. Entries that do not follow all of the entry requirements will not be considered.

Some Affordable “Choos”

Label snobs unite!  For those of us who have always dreamed of owning a pair of “Choos” but couldn’t stomach the high price-tag – our day has finally come!  Jimmy Choo has partnered with H&M to launch a line of shoes, bags, and accessories for both men and women on November 14th.  The collaboration of the famous British accessories brand with H&M has also inspired a women’s clothing line that will be specifically designed to compliment the accessories.  That’s how I like to shop — find the best shoes and accessories first, then create an outfit around them!

The collection will only be featured in 250 of H&M’s stores worldwide, but chances are that you’ll be able to snag some Choo swag at an H&M near you.  Can’t wait until the fall to see this much-anticipated collection?  I’ve got a sneak peek for you below!

Old Navy Celebrates Summer With $1 Flip Flops!

You read that right, flip and flop your way into summer with $1 flip flops on Saturday, May 23rd ONLY at Old Navy.  If you read my site often, you already know I love Old Navy, and I love shoes, so this is even better.  Heck, at 50 cents a shoe I can afford to buy them in every color (but it seems you’re limited to 5 pairs)!  Plus, I have this theory that flip flops shouldn’t count as “actual” pairs of shoes.  Like, when someone looks in your closet and goes “whoa, thats a lot of shoes!” – flip flops shouldn’t count towards that tally.  Ok, maybe 3 pairs of flip flops equal one pair of regular shoes.  But, I digress.

Living in Louisiana I pretty much have the seasonal weather to wear flip flops unless it’s snowing – and that only happens once every 5 years or so (snow, that is) so I know exactly where I’ll be on Saturday to stock up on Flip Flops.  Check it out at Old Navy!

Are Flats Fashionable Footwear? {Fashion Poll}

I have a closet (ok, a closet FLOOR) full of shoes.  Maybe I’ll show you sometime, but that would mean I have to attempt to clean up my closet first.  If I’m ever struck with that desire – well you should buy a lottery ticket.  Anyway, what was I saying?  Let’s see, la dee dahhh…oh yes!  Shoes!  I definitely have favorite “types” of shoes.  I love heels, but I have flat feet, and almost all heels hurt me (don’t worry, I suffer through, per my mother’s statement through my entire lifetime “you’ve gotta suffer to be beautiful.”)  That leaves me with only one option for the non-summery, wintery type months.  Flats.

(Wow, did I have way too much caffeine today or what?  This is why I don’t drink RedBull.)

Do you wear flats?  One of my dream purchases is a pair of Chanel Ballet Flats, and one day when I have loads of money (ha!) I fully intend to own a pair.  I just think that ballet flats are a classic shoe that will always be in style.  To me, the fact that a nice pair of flats are a wardrobe staple is fact.  An indisputable truth.  Or is it?  The other day my world was turned upside down when I overheard someone make the statement “Ballet flats should only be used for ballet.  I don’t like them, at all.”  My head was spinning, was I hearing correctly?  Did others not accept ballet flats as fact, as truth? I mean, look at how CUTE some of these are!!

Seeeeeeee?  Cute, right?  So what do you think?  Do you belong to the republic of ballet flats like me?  Or do you think ballet flats should only be used by little girls in dancing school?  Take my poll below and let me know!

Get the Boot!

I have been searching for the perfect pair of boots for quite a while.  Little did I know that in Louisiana it was easier said than done.  All of the swimsuits, the sandals, flip flops — all have moved to the front of the store.  Well, I was heading to NYC and this Southern Girl needed boots.

I knew exactly what I was looking for — I wanted black, suede, mid-calf, slightly scrunchy, with a cuff at the top and no heel (see, I told you I knew EXACTLY what I wanted!).  I thought this would be fairly simple to find – so I set off in search of them.  I stopped at a few department stores, where I swear I must have looked at over 50 pairs of boots in total.  They were all leather, with a heel, had buckles, not scrunchy enough — I couldn’t believe that this boot that I had conceptualized in my head didn’t exist.  Bummed and frustrated, I returned home.  I turned to Twitter, sending out this tweet detailing my frustrations.

Guess what?  The recommendations started pouring in!  Thanks to the suggestions of my twitter friends, I eventually stumbled upon the most amazing pair of (PERFECT) boots – the Bonanza by Steve Madden!  Naturally, they didn’t have them in my size online, but I found them at the Steve Madden store at a nearby mall.  These babies ROCK!  They are comfy, stylish, and warm — they were my saving grace in NYC.  You can check out my TwitPic in Times Square to see the boots in action, but I am just in love with their soft, warm goodness.  So, if you are looking for the perfect pair of boots, you might want to consider these.  Trust me, I’ve done all the leg work for you!

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